Contemporary Resort
Deluxe Resort

The Contemporary Resort is one of the two original WDW hotels. It is located between Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon on the monorail loop that services the Magic Kingdom. It consists of a large A-frame section (the Tower) and one Garden Wing (South) . The fourth floor of the Tower is known as the Grand Canyon Concourse where you will find a variety of shops and restaurants as well as the monorail station. As of August 4, 2009, there is also walkway (key card required) to Bay Lake Tower, a Disney Vacation Club resort. The Contemporary offers many recreation options and also houses large convention facilities. 

Connected to the Contemporary Resort via a 4th floor walkway bridge is Bay Lake Tower, Disney Vacation Club resort. You must be staying at Bay Lake Tower in order to access the resort building and/or pool grounds.

Location, location, location! As one of the Monorail hotels the Contemporary Resort is very well located. The Magic Kingdom is only a short monorail ride (or walk) away and getting to Epcot simply requires transferring from one monorail to another one at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC).

In addition, the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts are easily accessed by the monorail and the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness are just a boat ride away.

The rooms at the Contemporary Resort are among the largest at WDW.

There are several dining options within the resort itself such as the popular Chef Mickey's and the California Grill.

One of the largest selections of recreational activities can be found here.

A number of changes have taken place during the last two years at the Contemporary Resort. The Arcade and Quick Service restaurant have moved from the first floor to the fourth. Now guests can grab a quick bite to eat at the much improved Contempo Café. The vacant area left behind on the first floor has been turned into upscale lounge and table service restaurant called The Wave.

Chef Mickey's and the Outer Rim Lounge have undergone some physical changes as well.

A new walkway bridge to Bay Lake Tower is located on the 4th floor of the Contemporary, however you must be staying at Bay Lake Tower to access the bridge.

That depends on your taste and budget. The Tower rooms are much more convenient to the shops, restaurants, front desk and monorail station. These rooms also boast fabulous views of either Bay Lake or the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. In 2008, the Contemporary began charging more for Magic Kingdom view rooms than those with a Bay Lake View.

The rooms in the South Wing are closer to the marina and swimming pools. The views from the rooms in the wing vary. On the downside, some find the Tower rooms noisy as they are located directly above the Grand Canyon Concourse and the rooms in the Wings are a hike from the Monorail station and other facilities. The Tower Rooms are more expensive, so if you want to take advantage of the location for the lowest price, inquire about the Garden Wing. (AllEars Review: Stayed on the sixth floor, directly above the monorail. Once inside the room, I NEVER heard a bit of noise from the Grand Canyon Concourse. The rooms are soundproofed well.)

Most of the rooms at the Contemporary have doors connecting them with a room next door. If an adjoining room is warranted, be sure to request it when booking your room. Your request will be noted and Disney will do their best to accommodate your needs, but adjoining rooms cannot be guaranteed.

As of June 1, 2007, all Disney resorts and guest rooms are now smoke free. There are designated outdoor smoking areas. Check the resort map or with a Cast Member for locations.

The 12th floor Atrium Club Concierge and the 14th floor Tower Club Concierge offer the same services and food items. There is a nightly turndown service, and they leave a little chocolate Mickey (solid chocolate) on your pillow every night. The concierge is available from 7am to 10pm to make dining reservations, plan outings, answer questions, everything

Use the Concierge! They can assist in making your reservations before you arrive at WDW. Remember you are paying for their services so utilize them.

Guest Comments on the Concierge

The Contemporary Resort is considered a "Deluxe" resort hotel, and its prices are among the more expensive offered at Disney. There are Value Season, Regular Season, Peak Season and Holiday Season rates. These are regular rate prices and do not include the Florida Sales Tax nor the county resort tax. Rates are based on double occupancy. No charge for children under 17 years old when in the same room as the adults.

A small, in-room refrigerator.

A small safe that is activated by a four digit code of your choice.

A coffee maker (with coffee)

An ironing board

Flat screen television

Walt Disney World Resort made complimentary Wi-Fi service available in all of its hotels as of March 2012. See our Internet Access page for details.

As with most of the other resort hotels, check-out is at 11am, check-in is at 3pm. Upon arrival head to the front desk for check-in. Rooms are generally not available until 3pm. Early check-in allows you to leave luggage with bell services, get your "Key to the World Cards", received your theme park tickets (if you don't already have them) and head off to the parks or relax around the resort. You will probably be given a phone number to call periodically to see if your room is ready.. When you call in, answer a few questions. You will then be given your room number and your "Key to the World" cards will open your door! Text alerts are also available, just provide a cell phone number to the front desk cast member.

There are coin operated laundry machines located in the Garden Wing. Additionally, dry cleaning services are available for a fee. The washing machine costs $2.00, as does the dryer.  There is a small TV in the Laundry Room.

Epcot - To get to Epcot take the monorail from the Contemporary to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC). At the TTC transfer to the Epcot monorail for the trip to the park.

Bus transportation is available at the bus stop beginning 1 hour prior to park opening to one hour after the park closes.

Disney's Hollywood Studios - There is a bus stop in the front of the hotel, just off of the main lobby. From here catch a bus to the Studios.

Animal Kingdom - There is a bus stop in the front of the hotel, just off of the main lobby. From here catch a bus to the Animal Kingdom.

Downtown Disney - Marketplace and Westside - Bus transportation to The Marketplace begins 30 minutes prior to opening (usually 9am) and the last bus returning to the Contemporary leaves at 12 midnight. There is no direct bus service to Westside. Take the bus to Pleasure Island then walk the remaining distance.

Grand Floridian Resort and the Polynesian Resort: The Resort Monorail circles Seven Seas Lagoon, stopping at the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and returning to the Contemporary. It takes approximately 20 minutes to make the circle.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach: The water parks can all be reached by bus which leaves the resort approximately 30 minutes prior to Water Park opening and run until the Water Park clears.

Other Disney Resorts: Other resorts can be reached by taking a bus to Downtown Disney and then transferring to the bus for the resort you wish to visit. You can also walk to the Magic Kingdom bus station and select your desired resort.

Fort Wilderness (for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue) & Wilderness Lodge/Villas: These resorts can be reached by taking a launch from the Contemporary's marina, which is located on the Bay Lake side of the resort. The small watercraft makes a circle between the three locations. Seasonally, a boat also runs between the Wilderness Lodge/Villas and the Contemporary Resort, ask at the front desk for hours of operation.

Contempo Cafe, located on the Grand Canyon Concourse (fourth floor) offers beverages, snacks and a few hot items. Limited service is available from 6:00am - midnight. Full service is available from 7am - 10pm.

A Coffee Shop is on the lobby level to the right of the main entrance.

The Contemporary Resort also offers a somewhat limited room-service menu. Items from room-service are, of course, at a premium.

The California Grill - This is the premiere restaurant of the Contemporary Resort. It is located on the 15th floor of the Tower building and offers California-style cuisine and sushi. The views of the Magic Kingdom and surrounding areas are breathtaking and the lounge or outer balcony are perfect spots from which to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.  California Grill serves dinner only. Check-in for the California Grill is located on the second floor next to the escalators.

The Wave - This restaurant is located on the first floor just past the check-in desks as you enter and offers a variety of upscale dishes including Braised Lamb Shank, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, and Seasonal Vegetable Stew. The Wave offers full service breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Chef Mickey's - This is the spot for character meals at the Contemporary. A buffet breakfast with Mickey and the gang is offered every morning. In the evening a buffet featuring prime rib, seafood, and a variety of other dishes is offered, also with Mickey and Co. 

There are two counter service areas:

The Contempo Café is located on the fourth floor and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with an assortment of snacks and drinks. The Contempo Café also features a refillable mug. Refills can only be obtained at this location. See our refillable mugs page for prices and details.

The Sand Bar is located by the pool and is open with seasonal hours. It serves mainly burgers, deli sandwiches, and ice cream. The Bar serves beer, wine and cocktails.

There are actually two pools at the Contemporary. The large pool is a freeform pool complete with a 17-foot high curving slide. There is also a round, quiet pool which is shallow around the edges and deeper in the center. Cabanas are available nearby for daily or hourly rental. They include a flatscreen TV, ipod docking station, resort phone, and a mini refrigerator. Two whirlpools have also been added, one of which is located on a peninsula which juts out into the freeform pool area. In 2009, a brand new Children's water play area opened. Futuristic in design, kids can run and play through fountains and waterspouts.

The Contemporary offers a wide variety of recreational activities. Be sure to ask for a Recreation Activites Flyer at check-in.

Guests can rent a number of different water craft from the Contemporary's marina. These include Sea Racers, pontoon boats, and bass fishing excursions. Sammy Duvall Water Sports Centre (www.duvallwatersports.com) offers a variety of water experiences at the Contemporary such as water skiing, tubing, wake-boarding and parasailing.

The Contemporary also offers the following:

Olympiad Fitness Center (located on the third floor - Phone: 407-824-3410)

A large video arcade

Two basketball hoops (located near the pool - get a ball from the marina shop - resort ID required)

Beach volleyball (located near the pool - get a ball from the marina shop - resort ID required)

Golf (transportation to and from the various golf courses can be arranged at the concierge desk)

Tennis -- Due to the construction of Bay Lake Tower north of the resort, the tennis courts and playground are temporarily closed.

Bayview Gifts - The front section, just off the escalator, offers refrigerated chocolates and fudge, homewares and photo collectibles. The middle section offers Ladies casual fashions, watches, jewelry and framed art collectibles. The end section offers men's fashions.

Fantasia - Offers Disney character merchandise and clothing. A wide selection of pins is located in the center of this shop.

Fantasia Market - Offers a variety of reading material (newspapers, magazines, etc.), liquor and refrigerated items. This shop also stocks health and beauty items guests may need.

The Magic Kingdom Fireworks can be easily viewed from the resort. One of the best spots for this is the 15th floor California Grill Lounge (you must be dining there to view the Fireworks from at location). The music which accompanies the fireworks is piped into the lounge so guests don't miss a thing. Guests with Tower Rooms facing the Magic Kingdom can also view the show from their terraces. If you are a guest on the 14th floor Concierge, you can watch the fireworks from the balcony off the lounge.

There is another viewing spot located on the north side of the tower just outside the fourth floor. The area out here is larger and several benches have been placed in facing the Magic Kingdom. However, the monorail tracks can obscure the view in some places.

Take Exit 64 off Route I-4. As you approach the toll booths at the Magic Kingdom entrance stay to the right. Show the attendant your confirmation slip and they will not charge you. Once on the other side of the toll booths follow the signs to the Contemporary. It will be straight ahead and on your right.

The North Garden wing was completely torn down in early 2007. A new DVC property, Bay Lake Tower, was built on that land and opened August 4, 2009.