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Coordinates: 28°24′54″N 81°34′26″W / 28.415°N 81.574°W / 28.415; -81.574
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Bay Lake Tower has its own article for a reason. It doesn't need such a large section in the article, especially because the main article is referenced.
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The Contemporary Tower houses most of the resort's key facilities, including resort registration and the guest service concierge. The main hall, named the Grand Canyon Concourse, is located in the main tower and houses restaurants and shops. Approximately 500 guest rooms line the outer walls of the Contemporary Tower. The [[Walt Disney World Monorail System]] runs through the inside of this building and a monorail station is located here for resort guests. Adorning the concourse walls is a multi-story mosaic designed by [[Mary Blair]]. One three-story wing flanks the south side of the tower and houses an additional 250 rooms. A convention center was added to the resort and opened on November 11, 1991, with more than {{convert|90000|sqft|m2}} of convention space. In October 2007, the resort received designation in the [[Florida Green Lodging Program]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Walt Disney World News for the week of Oct. 21 | url =http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/articleViewer.php?aid=654 | accessdate = 2007-10-28}}</ref>
The Contemporary Tower houses most of the resort's key facilities, including resort registration and the guest service concierge. The main hall, named the Grand Canyon Concourse, is located in the main tower and houses restaurants and shops. Approximately 500 guest rooms line the outer walls of the Contemporary Tower. The [[Walt Disney World Monorail System]] runs through the inside of this building and a monorail station is located here for resort guests. Adorning the concourse walls is a multi-story mosaic designed by [[Mary Blair]]. One three-story wing flanks the south side of the tower and houses an additional 250 rooms. A convention center was added to the resort and opened on November 11, 1991, with more than {{convert|90000|sqft|m2}} of convention space. In October 2007, the resort received designation in the [[Florida Green Lodging Program]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Walt Disney World News for the week of Oct. 21 | url =http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/articleViewer.php?aid=654 | accessdate = 2007-10-28}}</ref>


Tower rooms are located in the original A-frame building, through which the monorail runs. The south garden rooms are detached from the A-frame as a separate wing. Some sections of the tower have views of the Magic Kingdom, others of Bay Lake. As one of the original resorts on property, the Contemporary Resort has some of the largest guest rooms in Walt Disney World, matched only by [[Disney's Polynesian Resort]], which also opened in 1971. Disney announced that the entire fourteenth will be converted to a health-and-wellness theme, with a private yoga studio, custom-designed menus, and concierge services, to attract health-conscious travelers. Guest rooms are outfitted with bamboo floors, low-allergen pillows and mattresses, exercise equipment, and massage tables. The suites opened in November 2011.
Tower rooms are located in the original A-frame building, through which the monorail runs. The south garden rooms are detached from the A-frame as a separate wing. Some sections of the tower have views of the Magic Kingdom, others of Bay Lake. As one of the original resorts on property, the Contemporary Resort has some of the largest guest rooms in Walt Disney World, matched only by [[Disney's Polynesian Resort]], which also opened in 1971. Disney announced that the entire fourteenth floor will be converted to a health-and-wellness theme, with a private yoga studio, custom-designed menus, and concierge services, to attract health-conscious travelers. Guest rooms are outfitted with bamboo floors, low-allergen pillows and mattresses, exercise equipment, and massage tables. The suites opened in November 2011.


The California Grill is a full-service dining restaurant located at the top (15th floor) of the Contemporary Resort's tower, formerly the Top of the World restaurant. The California Grill offers views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney's Polynesian Resort. In addition, it offers a view of the Magic Kingdom's fireworks shows. The Wave is the resort's newest dining facility, located on the main lobby level. It offers casual table-service dining featuring American cuisine. It replaced the Concourse Steakhouse, which was originally located on the Grand Canyon Concourse. Chef Mickey's is a buffet located on the Grand Canyon Concourse that features appearances from Disney characters. Chef Mickey's is open for breakfast and dinner, and offers views of the monorail entering the resort. Children's items include Goofy's pizza, "Mickeyroni" and cheese, and other novelties. An adult buffet includes pot roast, steak, potatoes, and more. Breakfast items include eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, Mickey shaped waffles, and more. A dessert bar is available to all. Contempo Cafe is a quick-service eatery serving lighter fare and snacks, located on the Grand Canyon Concourse, in the location formerly occupied by the Concourse Steakhouse. Contempo Cafe is often open late into the evening. This is the permanent replacement for the Food & Fun Center, previously located on the main lobby level, which has since been converted to The Wave restaurant. The Sand Bar is located alongside the main pool. A cocktail bar serves alcoholic beverages.
The California Grill is a full-service dining restaurant located at the top (15th floor) of the Contemporary Resort's tower, formerly the Top of the World restaurant. The California Grill offers views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney's Polynesian Resort. In addition, it offers a view of the Magic Kingdom's fireworks shows. The Wave is the resort's newest dining facility, located on the main lobby level. It offers casual table-service dining featuring American cuisine. It replaced the Concourse Steakhouse, which was originally located on the Grand Canyon Concourse. Chef Mickey's is a buffet located on the Grand Canyon Concourse that features appearances from Disney characters. Chef Mickey's is open for breakfast and dinner, and offers views of the monorail entering the resort. Children's items include Goofy's pizza, "Mickeyroni" and cheese, and other novelties. An adult buffet includes pot roast, steak, potatoes, and more. Breakfast items include eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, Mickey shaped waffles, and more. A dessert bar is available to all. Contempo Cafe is a quick-service eatery serving lighter fare and snacks, located on the Grand Canyon Concourse, in the location formerly occupied by the Concourse Steakhouse. Contempo Cafe is often open late into the evening. This is the permanent replacement for the Food & Fun Center, previously located on the main lobby level, which has since been converted to The Wave restaurant. The Sand Bar is located alongside the main pool. A cocktail bar serves alcoholic beverages.

Revision as of 00:30, 18 October 2012

28°24′54″N 81°34′26″W / 28.415°N 81.574°W / 28.415; -81.574

Disney's Contemporary Resort
File:DisneysContemporaryResort.png
LocationMagic Kingdom Resort Area
Resort typeDeluxe
OpenedOctober 1, 1971
ThemeModern, contemporary
AreasContemporary Tower
South Garden Rooms
Bay Lake Tower (Disney Vacation Club)
Rooms655 / Bay Lake Tower - 295
SuitesVice Presidential Suite
Presidential Suite
Green lodgeyes

Disney's Contemporary Resort, originally to be named Tempo Bay Hotel, formerly the Contemporary Resort Hotel, and informally known as The Contemporary, is a deluxe resort at the Walt Disney World Resort, owned and operated by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. It opened on October 1, 1971, and is located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, adjacent to the Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake.[1]

History

The Contemporary Resort is one of two resorts located on property when Walt Disney World opened in 1971. Before the construction of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, it was considered the complex's flagship resort.[2]

The Contemporary Tower, the most prominent of the resort's four stand-alone buildings, was built as an A-frame with outer walls which slope inwards around an inner atrium. This design was a collaboration by Disney, the United States Steel Corporation, and Los Angeles architect Welton Becket. To construct the building, steel frames were erected on-site and modular pre-constructed rooms, designed by California architect Donald Wexler, were lifted into place by crane. Most of Disney's Polynesian Resort and the Court of Flags Resort were built the same way, except rooms were stacked instead of slid in.

On November 17, 1973, President Richard Nixon delivered his famous "I am not a crook" speech in a ballroom at the Contemporary in front of reporters from the Associated Press.

In 2005, Disney began an extensive renovation of Disney's Contemporary Resort, and was completed in 2009. The project saw the updating of the main lobby and all guest rooms, the addition of several restaurants and gift shops, and the demolition of the hotel's north wing to make way for the Bay Lake Tower, which opened in 2009.

Layout

The Contemporary Tower houses most of the resort's key facilities, including resort registration and the guest service concierge. The main hall, named the Grand Canyon Concourse, is located in the main tower and houses restaurants and shops. Approximately 500 guest rooms line the outer walls of the Contemporary Tower. The Walt Disney World Monorail System runs through the inside of this building and a monorail station is located here for resort guests. Adorning the concourse walls is a multi-story mosaic designed by Mary Blair. One three-story wing flanks the south side of the tower and houses an additional 250 rooms. A convention center was added to the resort and opened on November 11, 1991, with more than 90,000 square feet (8,400 m2) of convention space. In October 2007, the resort received designation in the Florida Green Lodging Program.[3]

Tower rooms are located in the original A-frame building, through which the monorail runs. The south garden rooms are detached from the A-frame as a separate wing. Some sections of the tower have views of the Magic Kingdom, others of Bay Lake. As one of the original resorts on property, the Contemporary Resort has some of the largest guest rooms in Walt Disney World, matched only by Disney's Polynesian Resort, which also opened in 1971. Disney announced that the entire fourteenth floor will be converted to a health-and-wellness theme, with a private yoga studio, custom-designed menus, and concierge services, to attract health-conscious travelers. Guest rooms are outfitted with bamboo floors, low-allergen pillows and mattresses, exercise equipment, and massage tables. The suites opened in November 2011.

The California Grill is a full-service dining restaurant located at the top (15th floor) of the Contemporary Resort's tower, formerly the Top of the World restaurant. The California Grill offers views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney's Polynesian Resort. In addition, it offers a view of the Magic Kingdom's fireworks shows. The Wave is the resort's newest dining facility, located on the main lobby level. It offers casual table-service dining featuring American cuisine. It replaced the Concourse Steakhouse, which was originally located on the Grand Canyon Concourse. Chef Mickey's is a buffet located on the Grand Canyon Concourse that features appearances from Disney characters. Chef Mickey's is open for breakfast and dinner, and offers views of the monorail entering the resort. Children's items include Goofy's pizza, "Mickeyroni" and cheese, and other novelties. An adult buffet includes pot roast, steak, potatoes, and more. Breakfast items include eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, Mickey shaped waffles, and more. A dessert bar is available to all. Contempo Cafe is a quick-service eatery serving lighter fare and snacks, located on the Grand Canyon Concourse, in the location formerly occupied by the Concourse Steakhouse. Contempo Cafe is often open late into the evening. This is the permanent replacement for the Food & Fun Center, previously located on the main lobby level, which has since been converted to The Wave restaurant. The Sand Bar is located alongside the main pool. A cocktail bar serves alcoholic beverages.

Bay Lake Tower

Main article: Bay Lake Tower

Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort is a 15-story addition that officially opened on August 4, 2009. It is located on the former location of the demolished north garden wing rooms. The tower shares design features with the original resort. The front desk, concierge, valet, bell services and transportation are shared services provided through the main resort, as Bay Lake Tower does not have its own separate check-in area. Its fifth floor is connected by a skyway from the main tower's fourth floor.[4]

  • The monorail runs through the interior of the resort.
    The monorail runs through the interior of the resort.
  • The check-in lobby at the resort.
    The check-in lobby at the resort.
  • The Wave.
    The Wave.
  • A guest room.
    A guest room.
  • The Fantasia Gift Shop, as seen from the monorail station.
    The Fantasia Gift Shop, as seen from the monorail station.
  • Among the stylized denizens of the mosaic (designed by Disney artist Mary Blair) is a five-legged goat, located on the monorail side of the mosaic.
    Among the stylized denizens of the mosaic (designed by Disney artist Mary Blair) is a five-legged goat, located on the monorail side of the mosaic.
  • The Resort Monorail, located on the right stops here. The Express Monorail passes through on the left without stopping.
    The Resort Monorail, located on the right stops here. The Express Monorail passes through on the left without stopping.
  • The landscaping leading to the main entrance is arranged to look like a Mickey Mouse wristwatch. The trees have now been removed.
    The landscaping leading to the main entrance is arranged to look like a Mickey Mouse wristwatch. The trees have now been removed.

References

  1. ^ Walt Disney World, The First Decade. Walt Disney Productions. 1982. p. 86. ASIN B000UV4K46.
  2. ^ See video at 0:54: A day at the Magic Kingdom
  3. ^ "Walt Disney World News for the week of Oct. 21". Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  4. ^ Jason Garcia (2009-02-03). "Disney to open Contemporary addition on August 4". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
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