Disney’s Contemporary Resort is an iconic Walt Disney World Resort that many Disney fans are familiar with. My husband and I have visited this resort and eaten at the award-winning dining options many times.
This resort has always been at the top of our list to stay at during our Walt Disney World vacations.
I will go over all of the details of Disney’s Contemporary Resort to help you decide if this resort is right for your next Disney vacation. If you have already booked the Contemporary, let’s check out all this resort has to offer so you don’t miss any magical moments for your trip!
Should I Stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort?
The Contemporary is a great option at Disney World to stay while on vacation. This resort may not be the best option for every family or every vacation especially if you have a tight budget for your trip. Let’s quickly look at the pros and cons of staying at the Contemporary to see if it’s right for you.
Pros of Staying Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
- Location
- Monorail Resort
- Easy Access to Magic Kingdom
- Deluxe Resort
- Extra Magic Hours
- View of Cinderella’s Castle and Fireworks Viewing Area
- Award-Winning Dining
Cons of Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
- Price – This resort is expensive so plan to spend some money to stay here
- No obvious ‘Disney Feel’ like some of the other resorts
- Older Resort, though it has been updated
Read Also: What Disney World Resort Should I Stay At?
Where is Disney’s Contemporary Located?
The official address for Disney’s Contemporary Resort is 4600 North World Drive Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Located on Bay Lake, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the closest resort to Magic Kingdom Park.
You can see Cinderella’s Castle from parts of the Contemporary which makes this a very popular resort. There are spectacular views from this resort including many areas to view fireworks. This resort is also located near Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.
Contemporary Map
What is the Theme of the Contemporary?
The lobby of the Contemporary theming is modern and contemporary like the name of the resort suggests. The rooms are The Incredibles themed. Disney describes this resort as an “ultra-modern Disney Resort Hotel”.
The deluxe resort is an iconic piece of Disney World history and is mostly known for the monorail that runs straight through the lobby. Inside the lobby lies another famous piece of Disney history. The 90-foot-tall mural painted by Disney legend Mary Blair – who designed the artwork for It’s a Small World showcases the beauty of the Grand Canyon and America’s Southwestern landscape.
Guest Rooms
After nearly 50 years, the Contemporary still stands the test of time and remains one of Disney’s most popular resorts. Whether they attend restaurants or to lodge, people will continue to flock to the resort for many years.
What Tier is the Contemporary Resort?
The Contemporary is a Disney Deluxe Resort which is the top tier for Disney Resorts. Deluxe resort hotels have extra perks at Disney World including convenient locations near to one or more of the parks. Extended Evening Hours (also known as Extra Magic Hours) are also available only for deluxe resort guests. Many amenities like a pool with a waterslide are available at deluxe resorts.
What Does Club Level Get You At Disney World?
Club Level Concierge at Walt Disney World is offered at Deluxe Resorts and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Extra service and amenities are available for are club level rooms booked at the Contemporary.
Here’s what is included in club level:
- Continental Breakfast
- Beer and Wine in the evening
- Desserts
- Personalized Service
- Club Level Lounge
- Turn down service with chocolates
How Much Does Disney’s Contemporary Resort Cost?
Pricing ranges from $500 up to $5600 per night. The famed hotel does not fail to attract hundreds of thousands of people per year despite the expensive price tag.
Room Types
There are four sections of the resort you can stay in. They are the Main Tower signature A-Frame, nearby Garden Wing, Bay Lake Tower, and the Disney Vacation Club villas. Prices vary based on the time of year you plan to visit.
Main Tower
- Main Tower Water View
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- 1 day bed
- $700 – $1200 per night room rate
- Main Tower Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- 1 day bed
- $800 – $1300 per night room rate
Garden Wing
- Garden Wing Resort View
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- 1 day bed
- $500 – $1000 per night room rate
- Garden Wing Water View
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- 1 day bed
- $500 – $1000 per night room rate
- Garden Wing King
- Sleeps up to 3
- King Bed
- 1 day bed
- $600 – $1000 per night room rate
- Garden Wing Deluxe Room
- Views of Gardens, Pools, Marina or Bay Lake
- Larger than Garden Wing Rooms
- Sleeps 3 Adults
- 1 King bed
- 1 Day bed
- $600 – $1100 per night room rate
- Garden Wing 1 Bedroom Hospitality
- No View
- Sleeps up to 7
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- Day Bed
- $1500 – $2900 per night room rate
- Garden Wing 1 Bedroom Suite
- Garden View or Lake View
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed
- Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $1400 – $2700 per night room rate
Bay Lake Tower
- Deluxe Studio Lake View
- Lake View
- Sleeps up to 4
- 1 Queen Bed
- 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $700 – $1200 per night room rate
- Deluxe Studio Theme Park View
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 4
- 1 Queen Bed
- 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $800 – $1300 per night room rate
- Deluxe Studio Standard View
- No View
- Sleeps up to 4
- 1 Queen Bed
- 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $600 – $1000 per night room rate
Club Level
- Theme Park View Atrium Club
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- 1 day bed
- $1000 – $1800 per night room rate
- Resort View Club Level
- Sleeps up to 5
- King Bed OR 2 Queen Beds
- 1 day bed
- $1000 – $1800 per night room rate
- Water View 2 Bedroom Suite Club Level
- Lake View
- Sleeps up to 8
- 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, 1 Queen-Size Sleeper OR 4 Queen Beds and 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $2700 – $5100 per night room rate
- Theme Park View 2 Bedroom Suite Club Level
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 10
- 4 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $2800 – $5200 per night room rate
- Theme Park View 1 Bedroom Suite Club Level
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 6
- 2 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $2000 – $3700 per night room rate
- Theme Park View Presidential Suite Club Level
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 8
- 1 King Bed
- 2 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $3200 – $5600 per night room rate
- Water View 1 Bedroom Suite Club Level
- Lake View
- Sleeps up to 6
- 2 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $1800 – $3300 per night room rate
- Resort View King Club Level
- Theme Park View or Lake View
- Sleeps up to 2
- King Bed
- $1000 – $1600 per night room rate
- Standard Room Club Level
- Sleeps up to 4
- 2 Queen Beds
- $1000 – $1600 per night room rate
Disney Vacation Club Villas
- 1 Bedroom Villa Theme Park View
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 5
- 1 King Bed
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $1100 – $1800 per night room rate
- 1 Bedroom Villa Lake View
- Lake View
- Sleeps up to 5
- 1 King Bed
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $900 – $1600 per night room rate
- 1 Bedroom Villa Standard View
- No View
- Sleeps up to 5
- 1 King Bed
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $900 – $1500 per night room rate
- 2 Bedroom Villa Theme Park View
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 9
- 1 King Bed
- 2 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $1500 – $3200 per night room rate
- 2 Bedroom Villa Lake View
- Lake View
- Sleeps up to 9
- 1 King Bed
- 2 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $1400 – $2800 per night room rate
- 2 Bedroom Villa Standard View
- No View
- Sleeps up to 9
- 1 King Bed
- 2 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair
- $1200 – $2700 per night room rate
- 3 Bedroom Grand Villa Theme Park View
- Theme Park View
- Sleeps up to 12
- 1 King Bed
- 4 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $3000 – $5400 per night room rate
- 3 Bedroom Grand Villa Lake View
- Lake View
- Sleeps up to 12
- 1 King Bed
- 4 Queen Beds
- 1 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofa
- $3000 – $4900 per night room rate
Does Contemporary Have Connecting Rooms?
The Contemporary does have adjoining rooms available if you want your room to be connected to another room. Receiving a connecting room is not guaranteed. Be sure to include the need for an adjoining room when booking this resort.
Transportation
As for getting to and from the parks, the resort offers complimentary monorail, bus, or boat transportation as well as a Magic Kingdom walking path.
For Disney Springs, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios you will need to take a bus from the resort to your destination. EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are available by Monorail. Magic Kingdom is accessible by Monorail, Boat, or walking.
Resort Monorail Access
The Disney Contemporary Resort is on the monorail and accessible to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT by monorail.
How Do You Ride the Monorail From Contemporary to Epcot?
The monorail is on the fourth floor of the Contemporary. You will ride the same monorail that goes to Magic Kingdom but get off at the Ticket and Transportation Center stop. Get off the Magic Kingdom monorail loop and board the EPCOT monorail loop. Ride the monorail until you get to EPCOT.
Is There A Walking Path From The Contemporary To Magic Kingdom?
There is a .5 mile walking path from the Contemporary to Magic Kingdom that takes about 10 minutes to walk.
The Contemporary is .5 mile from Magic Kingdom which takes an average of 10 minutes to walk depending on how fast you walk. You can also walk to Magic Kingdom from the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian though it’s a longer walk from these two resorts.
Is The Boat Or Monorail Faster To Magic Kingdom?
The monorail to Magic Kingdom is faster from the Contemporary and takes about 20 minutes as it is the last stop on the monorail loop. The water taxi takes about 30 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom from the contemporary.
If you are looking for the least crowded option, the water taxi will have less crowds.
Dining
- Chef Mickey’s
- Steakhouse 71
- California Grill
- Contempo Café
- Club lounge
Whether you want to eat breakfast with Mickey Mouse or have a cocktail at the pool, the Contemporary has many options.
Chef Mickey’s is a popular character dining experience with an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet where you can feast on items such as Mickey waffles and Honey-glazed Slow-roasted Pit Ham.
The restaurant is a popular spot for families to dine with Mickey and his pals; many refer to it as a “bucket-list” Disney experience. Steakhouse 71 is a newer restaurant option for guests to enjoy.
If you are looking for a more sophisticated option, you can dine at the award-winning California Grill. The restaurant features items such as jumbo scallops, sushi, and pork. While a dress code is required, you can dine while enjoying beautiful views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom.
The California Grill is a particularly popular spot to view the nightly fireworks show at Cinderella’s Castle. The California Grill also offers a Sunday brunch buffet. Guests can enjoy cocktails, live music, and a delicious meal.
Activities and Amenities
- Arcade – The Game Station
- Pool
- Fitness Center – Olympiad Fitness Center
- Boat Rentals & Specialty Cruises
- Fishing Excursion
- Lakeside Yoga
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Jogging Trails
- Cabana Rental
- Contemporary Resort Campfire – Courtyard Campfire Pit 5:30-6:30
- Movies Under the Stars on the Contemporary Courtyard at 7:30pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
The resort offers recreational activities such as fishing, boat rentals, and even lakeside yoga. Sporting activities such as tennis and volleyball are also available to guests.
How Many Pools Does Disney’s Contemporary Have?
There are three pools at the Contemporary Resort. The Feature Pool, The Bay Lake Pool, and the Bay Cove pool. All three Contemporary pools are heated.
All Contemporary guests can use The Feature Pool and The Bay Lake pool. Guests staying at Bay Lake Tower and DVC Guests can use the Bay Cove Pool. Deluxe resort pools often require magic band entrance to use the pool and guests from other resorts are not permitted to use the Contemporary pools.
The Feature Pool is the main pool with a waterslide. The pool area does have lifeguards and is open 10am to 10pm. You will also find a hot tub here, another deluxe resort perk.
There is a kid-friendly splash pad near the feature pool as well for young kids. There is also a poolside bar called The Sand Bar for adults or poolside food. There is another poolside bar here called The Cove for Bay Lake Tower resort guests and DVC members.
The Bay Lake Pool is the quiet pool. The hours are 7am to 11pm and also has lifeguards on duty.
Additional Benefits
There are many added benefits to staying at a Deluxe Disney Resort. The Contemporary Resort being on the monorail also has some additional benefits.
Does Disney Contemporary Resort Have a beach?
The Contemporary grounds include Bay Lake Beach access for guests. Guests can relax, play volleyball, or play with sand toys while taking a break from the Disney parks.
What is the Best Thing About Disney’s Contemporary Resort?
The location is the biggest perk of staying at the Contemporary. You can’t beat walking back to your resort after the fireworks to avoid the huge transportation crowds at this time of night.
Where Can I Watch the Fireworks From Disney’s Contemporary Resort?
The fireworks viewing areas are also a big perk of this resort to avoid large crowds and long transportation lines with crowded buses and boats. The walkway between the Main Building and Bay Lake Tower is a great spot that not many people watch from.
The Contemporary Resort Firework Viewing Deck is the best place to view the fireworks. To get there, head to the fourth floor near the Grand Canyon Concourse. Behind the gift shop is a door leading to the viewing area outside.
You can hear the fireworks music, but you will not be able to see the castle projections as well as you can in the park. If it’s your first time seeing the show, I would suggest an in park experience. If you have seen the fireworks show before, this is a great way to avoid crowds and still enjoy the fireworks.
California Grill also has a great fireworks view that requires a reservation. You can come back to the viewing deck if you have eaten there earlier in the evening.
DVC members can enjoy the fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge at the Contemporary.
Does the Contemporary Resort Offer Free Breakfast?
There is no complimentary breakfast for guests staying at the contemporary. If you book a club level room, however, there is a complimentary breakfast.
Does Bay Lake Tower Have It’s Own Front Desk?
Bay Lake Tower has it’s own front desk for those staying there.
What Are Extra Magic Hours?
Extra Magic Hours are offered to Deluxe Resort Guests as an added perk. On certain days there may be a park open after closing for only deluxe resort guests. Lines are so short that you can walk onto rides and definitely a great perk to take full advantage of!
Check the Disney website for the specific days and parks offering extra magic hours.
Anyone who has been to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom may be familiar with the Contemporary Resort, especially if they have been riding the monorail. One of the original resorts to open with Disney in 1971, The Contemporary is home to 655 rooms.
There are many perks to staying at this wonderful resort. Will you stay at the Contemporary for your next Walt Disney World vacation?
Related Questions
Which Disney hotel does the monorail go through?
The monorail goes inside the Contemporary through the Main Building.
Can you ride monorail if not staying at Disney Resort?
You do not have to be a resort guest or have theme park tickets to ride the monorail.
Can I Uber to the Contemporary and walk to Magic Kingdom?
Only resort guests or those with dining reservations are allowed to park or Uber to the Contemporary. Security will not let you enter without a resort reservation or a dining reservation.
Want to stay at a Moderate Resort instead? Read Also: Guide to Exploring Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
