Contemporary Resort Updates 8/22/2007

I visited the Contemporary Resort on 8/22/07. Construction abounds.

First, the lobby is undergoing a complete makeover. When you enter the building from the main entrance, the first thing you’ll notice is the statue of Mickey has been removed. I have no idea if this is temporary or permanent. Only time will tell. Also, half of the check-in desk has been boarded off as construction begins on the remodel.

Additionally, the concierge desk has replaced what use to be the “Contemporary Grounds.” If you remember, this was the small coffee and pastry shop just off of the check-in desks.

The Food & Fun Center is still located on the first floor, but a cast member told me that the move upstairs should be completed within a couple of weeks.

There are a number of changes occurring on the 4th floor of the Contemporary Resort (the Grand Canyon Concourse). The biggest change is the addition of a new shop. It’s being placed in the open space between Bay View Gifts and the Arcade. I have attached two artist renderings and it looks like it’s going to be very attractive – a vast improvement over the temporary shops that once filled this space.

The next noticeable change is the replacement of the tile floors. The rough, dark brown tiles are being replaced by a smooth, lighter tile that is reminiscent of stylized bamboo. This is another nice upgrade. Also gone are the planters that once surrounded the elevators. Nothing has replaced these yet.

Directly across from the entrance to the Concourse Steakhouse is another construction site where the temporary fast food restaurant (the Tempo Grab & Go) will eventually be located. This area is walled off so I can’t give you any details.

Construction continues where the North Wing once stood. Pylons and concrete walls have sprouted and the outline of a building is beginning to become apparent. This is the rumored site of a new Disney Vacation Club.

I ate lunch at the Concourse Steakhouse. As always, the service and the food were top-notch. However, the noise from the jack hammers breaking up the tile floors was more than a bit disturbing. Guests might want to think twice before eating lunch here for the next couple of weeks.