You’re probably familiar with Disney’s Contemporary Resort, even if you’ve never stayed there before. This is one of the most classic resorts, located just steps from the Magic Kingdom with the iconic A-frame tower that the monorail runs directly through. For many reasons, this resort is on many people’s Disney bucket lists.
I finally had the opportunity to stay here for the first time this summer (with my 3 littles in tow), and now I understand why it has such a loyal fanbase. Below is my honest, mom-to-mom review of our time at The Contemporary, including what I loved, what I thought was lacking, and whether I think it’s worth the splurge for your next Disney vacation!
But first – if you’re already looking for help in planning your next Disney trip with littles, be sure to reach out to me here, and we can get started! Additionally, follow along on my Instagram page – @theorganizeddisneymom – because I regularly share realistic, mom-centered tips and tricks for making the most of your Disney vacation.
Location, Location, Location
If we’re being honest, the location of this resort is the reason most families choose to stay at The Contemporary. You can easily walk to the Magic Kingdom in under 10 minutes and guests of this resort even have their own separate security checkpoint, making getting into the park a breeze. When you’ve got littles, convenience like that is priceless!
Of course, if you don’t want to walk, you could catch the monorail in the lobby of the resort. Just keep in mind that when you’re heading to the Magic Kingdom, you will make 3 additional stops on the monorail loop before getting to the park. But on the way from the Magic Kingdom, The Contemporary is the first stop.
Speaking of the monorail, having easy access to this mode of transportation also means you have easy access to the other monorail resorts (The Polynesian and The Grand Floridian) where you could enjoy a character meal at ‘Ohana or 1900 Park Fare. The monorail also runs to Epcot, so it’s just a quick ride to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer onto the Epcot monorail to get to the front gate of that park as well.
The location alone makes this resort worth looking into for your next Disney vacation. If you want smooth and less stressful transit to several of the parks (which is everything when traveling with littles), The Contemporary definitely delivers!
Room Design and Resort Amenities
The Contemporary is known for the sleek and modern A-frame main building. And while the theming here is not as pronounced as the tropical vibes of The Polynesian or the elegance of The Grand Floridian, it comes through in a different way. The rooms have subtle nods to The Incredibles, but it’s not over the top or “cartoonish” by any means. Think pillowcases that feature Frozone and Edna Mode and super hero masks on the wallpaper. Additionally, throughout the resort you will find many monorail touches, once again pointing back to the signature feature of this resort.
One of the nice things about Deluxe Resorts in general is that the rooms tend to be larger than those at Moderate or Value Resorts. As a family of 5 who still fits in a standard room (due to our youngest being under 3), I appreciate the extra square footage, large closets and extra counter space in the bathrooms. We stayed in a room in the Garden Wing, which is the building adjacent to the main A-frame tower, and it could easily sleep 5 thanks to the 2 queen beds plus pull-out sleeper soda.
It’s also worth noting that Bay Lake Tower, the building adjacent to the main A-frame tower, is a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property featuring deluxe studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom villas. As the names imply, these units feature multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, several bathrooms, and enough space to accommodate larger parties in one room. While these room types are first offered to DVC members, they are then opened to general Disney resort guests for booking based on availability.
If you ask my kids on any vacation what their favorite part was, 9 times out of 10 they will say “swimming at the pool” (meaning the hotel pool) and The Contemporary met their needs. However, from a mom perspective, I will say that this pool and splash pad area was lacking. The main pool is large and has one water slide and several jacuzzis. The splash pad area only contains a few water sprayers. There are no kiddie water slides, no climbing structures and overall it just seemed basic compared to the splash pads at other Disney Deluxe Resorts. But again, for my kids it’s about the fun and those “extras” don’t make or break their time in the water. Since we traveled in June, pool time was a must, and we enjoyed swimming several times throughout our trip.
Is The Contemporary the resort you should choose if you want a more immersive theming experience or luxury spa feeling? Probably not. But was it kid-friendly in all the right ways? Absolutely! If you’re looking for the resort that is usually the most budget-friendly of the monorail resorts, one that blends a modern design with kid-approved fun, and one that gives you the easiest access to the Magic Kingdom, then The Contemporary might be exactly what you need!
Dining Options
One of the biggest perks of staying at a Deluxe Resort is the diverse food offerings that are available and The Contemporary is no exception. This resort is home to several of the most popular dining locations on Disney property, so you definitely won’t go hungry when you stay here! Here are a few of the most notable restaurants:
- Chef Mickey’s – This is probably one of the most well-known character dining experiences. It’s loud, it’s fun and it’s almost like a rite of passage to dine here. If you have littles who want Mickey waffles and hugs from the “Fab Five” then this is the spot for you. Be sure to book your dining reservations in advance since this location does book up quickly due to its popularity.
- California Grill – This signature location at the top of The Contemporary is known for it’s elevated food and stunning theme park views. If you time your dinner reservation right, you can enjoy your meal and then step out onto the terrace to watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom. It’s Disney magic and convenience all in one.
- Steakhouse 71 – This restaurant is a bit of a sleeper pick, but if you’re looking for that classic steakhouse dining experience, while still being kid-friendly, this is where you’ll want to make a reservation. You can enjoy a variety of steaks with accompanying sauces and sides, making this the perfect grown up meal in the middle of your vacation.
- Contempo Cafe – This is your go-to spot for quick service bites. There are casual options from sandwiches and wraps to salads and flatbreads, plus a wide array of grab and go desserts and snacks. You’ll enjoy the practicality of this spot when you’re looking for a bite between activities.
- Cove Bar / Sand Bar – Near the pools, you’ve got more quick service options, with a slightly smaller menu, but still perfect for grabbing something to snack on while you’re swimming. It was nice to not have to leave the pool to grab dinner on our pool days.
You don’t have to go far when you’re staying at this resort to enjoy great food. Dining at The Contemporary checks all the boxes, no matter what style of cuisine or dining experience you are looking for.
PROS and CONS
After staying here with my own family, here are a few of the high and low points that you should take into consideration when deciding if The Contemporary is the right resort for your next Disney vacation.
Pros:
- Unbeatable location – being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom or hop on the monorail with such ease is a game changer. If you want quick and easy transportation, this resort can’t be beat. When we stayed here, it was actually the first time we ever left our Magic Kingdom park days for a mid-day rest because it was so walkable and easy. Staying here also allowed us to head back over for the fireworks one evening after we had a chance to rest a bit. I would gladly stay here again based on location alone!
- Iconic Disney feel – between the monorail running through the building, overlooking Chef Mickey’s, and staying in one of the most iconic and easily recognizable resorts, you will definitely experience the classic Disney feels here. My kids thought it was so much fun to explore the lobby area and guess which color monorail would be coming though next.
- Dining variety – whether you’re looking for character dining, quick service, or a more upscale meal, you can find it all without having to leave the resort. We tend to do more quick service meals in general, so grabbing options from the Contempo Cafe and the Cove Bar was right up our alley.
Cons:
- Price point – since this is a Deluxe Disney Resort on the monorail, the price per night reflects that. If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly resort option, this isn’t it. We stayed here as part of a split stay, so we only spent a few nights of our weeklong vacation here and it was the perfect amount.
- Less immersive theming – if your family loves fully immersive theming or over the top Disney vibes (think Art of Animation), this resort might feel a little bit plain to you. The splash pad at the pool was also underwhelming, but my kids love water and they enjoyed their time there anyway.
- Loud atmosphere – between the monorail and Chef Mickey’s, plus Contempo Cafe and several gift shops, the lobby here is loud and busy. We opted to stay in the Garden Wing building which is separate from the main tower for this reason. While it was a little further of a walk back to our room, we found it was much quieter and worthwhile.
Would I Stay Here Again?
The short answer is absolutely, especially for a Magic Kingdom focused trip. The convenience to the park makes it worthwhile if you want one less stressor when it comes to transportation with littles. But if theming and amenities are your top priorities, I’d probably suggest other resorts ahead of this one.
Our stay at The Contemporary showed me why this resort continues to be one of Disney’s most classic options. I do believe it’s a great resort for families who want convenience without sacrificing comfort. While the higher price point didn’t yield the same over-the-top theming and top notch amenities like other Deluxe Resorts, the benefits still outweighed the drawbacks for our family.
And remember, choosing the “right” resort for you is just one piece of the puzzle when planning a Disney vacation. What works for my family may not be the best fit for yours, and that’s exactly where my expertise comes in. Helping families weigh the pros and cons, match their priorities with the right resort, and feel confident in their decisions is what I do best. As a Smart Moms Travel Agent, a big part of my job is to help you get the most out of your Disney vacation, no matter what that looks like. You can click here to enlist my help for free!
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