Disney's Contemporary Resort Archives - Living a Disney LifeLiving a Disney Life

Our list of “must-do’s” for every visit to Walt Disney World is pretty long and seems to get longer all the time. Sometimes I think we may need to shorten that list or stay longer on vacation, otherwise we may never have enough time to try some of the items on my Walt Disney World Wish List. (I’m humming that song from Tangled, “I’ve got a Dream” as I type.)

This is not the pie-in-the-sky list of things I’d do if money were no object (that’s a list for another day). I’m not talking about extravagant or expensive add-ons here, I’m talking about things I know about and have always wanted to experience, but have never made the time. This list, if I gave it enough thought, would actually be pretty long – so I’m narrowing it down to 5 completely random items.

1. Spend more time on the Boardwalk. I’d like to stay there someday because I love the resort’s proximity to Epcot, but I’d be happy just visiting again at a leisurely pace. I’ve only been there once, to eat at the Flying Fish (delicious with great service), and didn’t have time to fully explore and experience all the area has to offer. Maybe I’ll get a chance to eat at the Trattoria al Forno – the restaurant replacing Kouzzina. We love Italian food!

2. Spend Christmas at Walt Disney World. We’ve visited Walt Disney World at Christmastime on more than one occasion, but we’ve never been away from home for Christmas Day. A time in our lives – a window of opportunity – will open in the future that will allow us to take some of our most beloved holiday traditions on the road. When that time comes, I’ve got a list of things I want to see and do. For example – I love doing the resort loop to see all the gorgeous Christmas decorations at the resorts, but I’ve never seen the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas and I hear it’s spectacular!

3. Bowl at Splitsville. We’re not avid bowlers, mostly because the closest lanes are 30 miles from home and are pretty rundown (a little sketchy, to be honest). We’d bowl more if we had a better facility – bowling’s fun! The thing about Splitsville is that I’ve heard so many great things about the food! So bowling would be a treat, I think, and if it were combined with great food and beverages, it would be an experience! The next time we find ourselves at Disney World on a rainy day, I’m going to suggest we make our way to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs for some bowling action!

4. Rent a watercraft. I want to cruise around in a little boat and see the Walt Disney World property from a different perspective. I’d rent my boat at the Contemporary Resort’s marina so I could explore Bay Lake. Zipping around on the water and seeing the sights sounds both fun and relaxing to me.

5. Skip a day in the parks to go exploring. Except for the days we arrive and leave, we’re always gung-ho for park action. The luxury of skipping a day has never been mine. We usually spend between 5 and 7 days on a Disney vacation. I want an 8th day. Stuck right in the middle of the week to go out and see what’s at all the resorts I’ve never visited before. If staying at Bay Lake Tower (our home resort), I could walk over to Magic Kingdom and catch a bus to a resort I’m curious about, then return to Magic Kingdom and do it again. For sure if I had the time and I was at Disney World at anytime during the last four months of the year, I’d love to see the guests’ decorations for Halloween or Christmas at Fort Wilderness – I hear they are a fantastic sight to see.

That’s it! Those are the first five things that came to mind. Have you done any of these? What’s on your Walt Disney World Wish List?

Disney’s Contemporary Resort! A Magic Kingdom resort on the monorail loop – fans are true blue, loyal to the soul – and The Fam and I are certainly among the Contemporary’s most adoring fans. Some folks, though, have a difficult time understanding its charm – it is a strange-looking building, with very little theming (relatively speaking) and a pretty steep price tag – so what’s so great about it? Well, I’m glad you asked!

Five Great Things about Disney’s Contemporary Resort:

1. It’s Classic and Original – Yes, indeed. For kickin’ it old school, nothing beats the Contemporary. This hotel originally opened with Walt Disney World in 1971 and remains an iconic part of the landscape. From its A-frame-shaped Tower to the Mary Blair mural in the lobby – everything about the Contemporary is unique. Rooms are available in the main building (tower) or in the one remaining garden wing (the other wing was razed to make room for Bay Lake Tower). Standard rooms are among the largest on property at 422 square feet (accommodate up to five people) and are decorated in a tasteful, modern style.

2. Location, Location, Location – You cannot beat the Contemporary for making you feel like you’re right in the middle of all the Disney action. From the Contemporary you can walk to the Magic Kingdom. Yes – walk. In the time it takes to wait for a bus, you can be at Magic Kingdom’s entrance (about 10 minutes). You can’t do this from any other resort hotel at Disney World. Located between Bay Lake and The Seven Seas Lagoon – the Contemporary is perfectly situated for enjoying all Walt Disney World has to offer. Busses leave regularly for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Shoot – you can even catch a boat and visit either the Wilderness Lodge ( for some great dining there!) or Fort Wilderness (to catch the Hoop Dee Doo Review!)

3. Character Dining – There are many delicious restaurant choices at the Contemporary. You can enjoy sushi and innovative entrees (currently featuring delicious items like Oak Fired Filet of Beef, Atlantic Swordfish, and Pork Two Ways) in the newly renovated California Grille at the top of the tower. Down in the lobby, grab a darned tasty burger at The Wave. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the Contemporary’s table and counter service restaurants, buffets, coffee shops and lounges. By far, though, character dining at Chef Mickey’s is hard to beat for families (breakfast and dinner). As I mentioned in great detail here, you can meet the Fab Five and enjoy a decent buffet with choice enough to please even the pickiest eaters. AND – if you need more restaurant variety, many other fantastic dining choices can be found at both the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian – each just a short monorail ride away.

4. The Views – If you pay to stay in the tower, you’re going to love the view. Rooms overlook either Bay Lake or the Seven Seas Lagoon (and the Magic Kingdom!). We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy both of the tower’s views – the misty morning view of Bay Lake was peaceful and amazing. Views from the Seven Seas Lagoon side are unbelievable (and the most expensive). One of the most charming aspects of staying anywhere in the Contemporary’s tower is the Electrical Water Pageant – a really adorable nighttime show on the water (circles Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon) which makes a perfect ending to a day at Disney World – like a bedtime story!

5. The Monorail – Right in the very center of the Contemporary’s tower is a monorail stop. To me, that is the most unbelievably cool feature of this resort! Imagine – get up in the morning, have breakfast with Mickey and the gang, then head for the monorail to whisk you off to the Magic Kingdom or the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center) where a quick monorail change will get you to Epcot! The monorail is so DISNEY! It’s such a fun and special way to get around, even if you aren’t staying at a monorail resort, you can take it for a ride around – to explore or experience one of the great restaurants along the way.