Staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, one of the two original Disney World resorts (alongside Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort), is a bucket list item for many people.
Deluxe resorts like the Contemporary are the most expensive of all Disney World hotels, so many Disney World visitors save up to stay there every few years or stay there once for a special occasion trip such as an anniversary or birthday. We love this hotel just as much as the next person, don’t get us wrong, but before you book your next stay there, there are a few things you need to know about this hotel.
The Incredibles Theming Isn’t For Everyone
When Disney announced that the Contemporary Resort would be seeing new theming inspired by The Incredibles and they debuted all the way back in 2021, it was pretty controversial.
Some Disney fans were thrilled with the new theming, which added a new level of Disney touch and magic into the rooms, but there was a large handful of guests who weren’t a fan of the change and still aren’t.
There are some rooms available at the hotel that don’t have the newer theming if you’re not interested in it, but you’ll need to request that when you book your hotel room AND be sure you’re booking a style/type of room that hasn’t been fully refurbished to the newer theme. That means you might be paying a higher rate though, so it’s really important to keep in mind!
PHOTOS & VIDEO: Full Tour of the New ‘Incredibles’ Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This is A LOUD Hotel
One of the most unique things about the Contemporary Resort is that the entire lobby is essentially open-air. You’ll get to see the Monorail come through the building, which is incredible, but those large and loud crowds boarding and leaving the Monorail throughout the day and night? If you’ve got a room on the outside of the floor/looking out into the lobby, you might hear a LOT of noise.
Not to mention that the lobby is also home to Chef Mickey’s, which is one of the most popular and LOUD character dining spots in the entire resort thanks to how family-friendly it is. Again, the noise from this restaurant will bounce up and down the entire lobby and all those floors above it, so if you’ve got a kid who naps during the day or YOU yourself want to take naps, keep that noise in mind!
It is possible to request a room that’s further away from the restaurant, but like always, not all requests can be guaranteed to be accommodated. If something like this would make or break your stay, it’s likely better not to book here at all to be on the safe side. Or, you could book over at Bay Lake Tower which is attached to the Contemporary but doesn’t have the same issue.
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Taking The Monorail is Either Your Best or Worst Bet
When you’re staying at the Contemporary or any of the Monorail hotels, you’ve got access to the Resort Monorail. However, if you’re heading to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary, you’ve got to take the WHOLE loop around before you get there.
You’ll first stop at the TTC, then the Polynesian, then Grand Floridian, and then finally to Magic Kingdom, which sometimes isn’t ideal when you’re in a rush. However, this also means that when you’re leaving the park on the Resort Monorail, your hotel is the first stop, so it’s a win/lose situation.
The walking path to Magic Kingdom is an option, and if you’re attempting to get to the park quickly, we honestly recommend it over the Monorail! The Monorail ride will take you around 15-20 minutes, barring any unexpected delays, while walking will take you around 10-15 minutes. It may not seem like a lot, but when you’re trying to make a dining reservation or rope drop, every minute counts!
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Something else we really want to hone in on is how the vibe of this hotel has changed in recent years since The Incredibles retheme. This hotel used to be more adult-centered with less Disney theming, which was loved by some people at the same time a lot of families weren’t fans.
However, now that this hotel does have more Disney theming (albeit certainly less than others and it’s not as “in your face”), it may not be the best choice anymore for individuals wanting to stay at a Disney hotel that doesn’t totally “scream” Disney. That might sound strange to some of you out there, but there are some vacationers who feel they get enough Disney in the parks and want to take a little break when they’re back at their hotel. If that’s you, we recommend the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa over the Contemporary if you want to stay on the Monorail loop but want a more sophisticated look and feel.
We’re always here to bring you the latest Disney World news so you’re prepared for your next trip, so stay tuned to AllEars!
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Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? Tell us in the comments!
