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Contemporary Resort

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Published: November 21, 2017 Updated: December 14, 2021

Contemporary Resort

HomeResortsOn-Site ResortsDeluxe ResortsContemporary
Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the original hotels still standing at Walt Disney World. It opened on Oct. 1, 1971, the same day the Magic Kingdom opened its gates. So, you might even say it’s an iconic resort, especially since the Monorail runs straight through it.

Overview

You can find the Contemporary in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area and it’s literally located right across from Magic Kingdom park.

The Contemporary is beloved my many and is a popular choice for guests. Not only does the resort have three forms of transportation and a walkway to the Magic Kingdom, but the Contemporary offers great views of Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain. Also located nearby is Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, a Disney Vacation Club resort.

The resort is also filled with history, including a 90-foot-tall mural designed by legendary Imagineer and artist Mary Blair who was responsible for the overall deign of “it’s a small world.”

The Contemporary is definitely a classic. Here’s what else you need to know.

View Contemporary Resort Maps

Rooms And Bathrooms

The rooms at the Contemporary are, yes, contemporary-themed. They can also sleep up to 8 guests, depending on the room selected.

There are plenty of amenities, including a hairdryer, TV, free WiFi, a coffee maker, telephone, in-room safe, iron and ironing board, and a mini-refrigerator.

The views also range depending on if you’re staying in the Main Tower, the Garden Wing, or a room that offers Club Level Service.

There are outlets and USB ports available as well to charge devices. And if you’re worried about storage, don’t be, because there are closets, drawers, counter space above and below the bathroom sink, and a desk area. Unfortunately, there isn’t space underneath the bed to place luggage.

Let’s go through the types of rooms available to book.

Rooms and Suites

Note: The Incredibles-themed rooms can be found in the tower. Following this completion, the rooms inside the Garden Wing on the shore of Bay Lake will undergo refurbishment.

  • Garden Wing — Standard View: Adjacent to Main Tower, views of parking area or obstructed views; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
  • Garden Wing — Garden View: Adjacent to Main Tower, views of gardens, pools, marina, or Bay Lake; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed
Standard room at Disney's Contemporary
Standard room at Contemporary
  • Main Tower — Lake View: Views of Bay Lake; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
  • Main Tower — Theme Park View: Views of Magic Kingdom and parking area; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
incredibles rooms at contemporary
incredibles bathroom at contemporary
  • Garden Wing — King: Adjacent to Main Tower, views of pool or parking area; 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
  • Garden Wing — Deluxe Room (larger than Standard View): Adjacent to Main Tower, views of gardens, pools, marina, or Bay Lake; 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Bay Lake view at Disney's Contemporary
Magic Kingdom view at Disney's Contemporary

Rooms and Suites with Club-Level Service

These rooms and suites have the same amenities provided in the rooms above, in addition to Club-Level Service perks. They include:

  • Evening turndown
  • Secured key access to the club-level lounge (serves refreshments 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily)
  • Complimentary fax assistance
  • Access to Concierge service at the Atrium Club or Tower Club
  • Complimentary health club access
  • Complimentary newspapers in Club Level lounge
  • Personalized Front Desk and Guest Services

Guests also have access to a DVD Player and Disney Signature Services for personal assistance with your trip.

As for the rooms, they are as follows.

  • Theme Park View — Atrium Club Level: Views of Magic Kingdom; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
  • Standard Room — Atrium Club Level: Views of Bay Lake; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Day Bed or 1 King Bed and 1 Day Bed
Standard club level room at Contemporary
Standard club level room at Contemporary
  • Garden Wing — Hospitality Suite Access: Adjacent to Main Tower, views of parking area or obstructed views; 1 King Bed and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Day Bed or 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Day Bed
Contemporary hospitality suite acces
Contemporary hospitality suite acces
  • Garden Wing — 1 Bedroom Suite Access: Adjacent to Main Tower, views of garden and Bay Lake; 1 King Bed, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa, and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
1 bedroom garden wing club level room at Contemporary
1 bedroom garden wing club level room at Contemporary
  • Bay Lake View 2 Bedroom Suite — Club Level: Views of Bay Lake; 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa or 2 Queen Beds, 1 King Bed, and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Club level bedroom suite at Contemporary
Club level bedroom suite at Contemporary
  • Bay Lake View 1 Bedroom Suite — Club Level: Views of Bay Lake; 2 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
Club level bedroom suite at Contemporary
Club level bedroom suite at Contemporary

Note: There are also both wheelchair and hearing accessible rooms available that include accessible bathrooms and visual alarms.

You can check out room layouts below.

Checking In And Out

When it comes to checking in and out, you have a few options: at the front desk, online through the official Walt Disney World website, or via the My Disney Experience app.

The front desk is located in the lobby of the main building, aka the Main Tower. Even though the front desk is there to assist guests, especially with checking in and checking out, all Disney World Resort guests are encouraged to check-in online or by using MDE.

Main tower at Contemporary
  • Checking-In: After you check-in online or using the app, you’ll receive a room-ready notification via next. You can then use your MagicBand or MDE’s digital key feature to unlock your room door.
  • Checking-Out: Currently, guests will automatically be checked out of their rooms. But, if you have unresolved charges to your hotel folio, you’ll need to visit the front desk.

Note: Guests also have the option of to chat virtually with resort Cast Members via MDE for any assistance. 

Near the front desk you can find Contemporary Grounds, a Quick Service stand offering Joffrey’s coffee, snacks, and baked goods, and Table Service restaurant, The Wave. The lobby also has doors that lead to a garden area and that famous Mickey photo-op.

Mickey statue at Contemporary

Magical Express pickup and the bus stop are also right outside the main lobby, along with luggage storage for those who have checked out or are waiting to check in.

Note: Resort Airline Check-In is no longer available.

Parking

Parking is available at Contemporary. There is a standard $25 overnight self-parking fee (including tax) that is applied to guests’ hotel folio upon check-out.

Valet parking is also available for $33 per night.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available for non-resort guests exploring dining, shopping, entertainment, and other experiences during the day.

We also have a complete Walt Disney World parking guide you can browse.

Important: Valet parking might not always be available.

Pros And Cons

[resortdetail id=’18220′]

Amenities And Shops

There are several amenities offered to guests at Contemporary, including a gift shop, on-site laundry services, and even the chance to watch movies outside on a big screen! 

Important note: Some of the following amenities might not be available at all times.

Fantasia Gift Shop at Contemporary

  • Bayview Gifts: A gift shop featuring your standard Disney souvenirs.  
  • Fantasia: A smaller gift shop that also sells Disney souvenirs.
  • Fantasia Market: A market, where you can buy food and spirits.
  • Laundry Services: There are 24-hour self-service laundry facilities available.
  • Dry Cleaning Services: Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are also an option.
  • Movies Under the Stars: Watch complimentary Disney movies on the lawn behind the Main Tower.
  • Electrical Water Pageant: A nighttime water parade that sails along on Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
  • Olympiad Fitness Center: Full-service gym with exercise equipment.
  • Childcare ServicesIn-room babysitting for children 6 months to 12 years old.

Pools And Recreation

There’s a main pool and a leisure pool at Contemporary.  If you need a non-park day, we recommended spending the day at your hotel and enjoying a Disney Resort pool.

Important note: Some of the pools and recreation options might not be available at all times.

Pools at Contemporary Resort

The pools available are:

  • Feature Pool: A heated pool with white-sand beaches, marina views, and a 17-foot high waterslide. You can also rent a poolside cabana (with flat-screen TV, iPod docking station, resort phone, and mini-fridge) by the hour or day.
  • Leisure Pool: Bay Lake Pool is for all ages. Loud noises and splashing are “gently” discouraged here.

The pool area also has a second hot tub by the waterslide and a seasonal poolside bar. 

Some other recreational options include:

  • The Game Station (arcade games)
  • Basketball
  • Lakeside Yoga
  • Fishing
  • Motorized Boat Rentals
  • Volleyball
  • Tennis
  • Jogging Trails
  • Campfire to roast marshmallows

There are also specialties for an additional price, including:

How to get from Contemporary Resort to anywhere at Disney World

Contemporary has several different forms complimentary transportation: the Monorail, water transportation, and Disney buses. The monorail can be accessed inside the Main Tower. The water taxi will take guests to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

As for the bus stop, it’s located right outside the main lobby. There’s also a walkway for guests to walk to the Magic Kingdom. All of the different ways to get from Contemporary to anywhere in Disney World is below.

wdt_ID Starting Point Ending Point How to get there
1 All-Star Movies All-Star Music Follow these steps:
  • Walk (takes about 5-7 minutes)
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
2 All-Star Movies All-Star Sports Follow these steps:
  • Walk (takes about 15 minutes)
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
3 All-Star Movies Animal Kingdom Follow these steps:
  • Bus to Animal Kingdom
  • Arrive at your destination
Headed to an early morning breakfast reservation at Animal Kingdom? Buses to Animal Kingdom from Disney resorts usually start running around 7-7:15 a.m. daily.
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
4 All-Star Movies Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jambo House (main bldg) Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (both resorts are closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village bus stop
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
5 All-Star Movies Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village
Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (both resorts are closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village bus stop
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
6 All-Star Movies Art of Animation Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (All-Star Movies is closest to Animal Kingdom, and Art of Animation is closest to Hollywood Studios, so those buses will likely be your best choices)
  • Skyliner (from Hollywood Studios) or    Bus to Art of Animation
  • Arrive at your destination
7 All-Star Movies Bay Lake Tower Follow these steps:
  • Bus to Magic Kingdom
  • Walk (takes about 10 minutes) or    monorail to Bay Lake Tower
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
8 All-Star Movies Beach Club Villas Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (All-Star Movies is closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Beach Club
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
9 All-Star Movies Beach Club Follow these steps:
  • Bus to a theme park or Disney Springs
    (All-Star Movies is closest to Animal Kingdom, so that bus will likely be your best option)
  • Bus to Beach Club
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
10 All-Star Movies Blizzard Beach Follow these steps:
  • Bus to Blizzard Beach
  • Arrive at your destination
Want to get there faster?
Or have feedback about a route for us?
Starting Point Ending Point

Dining options at Contemporary Resort

There are plenty of dining options available at Contemporary, including Quick Service locations, some of the most popular signature dining, like California Grill, and also coffee shops and lounges. Contempo Café also offers Mobile Ordering.

Plus, California Grill, Chef Mickey’s, and The Wave have Mobile Dine Check-In, meaning you’ll check-in using the My Disney Experience app rather than going to the host stand. When your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specific location.

The Wave… of American Flavors also features Table Service To Go, meaning you can Mobile Order form the Table Service spot. You can read more about the dining options below.

[restaurants-new resort_location=’at’ resort_name=’18220′]

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