Resort Layout:
The Contemporary Resort is one of the two original Disney World hotels. It consists of the large A-frame fourteen storey tower and two three-storey Garden Wings. The Tower is also known as the Grand Canyon Concourse where guests will find shops and several dining options as well as the monorail. The Contemporary offers many recreation options and large convention facilities.

The convention center feature over 115,000 square feet ready to accommodate the needs of the guests. There are four separate ballrooms, 35 breakout rooms, high-speed internet access, built-in registration desks, meeting planner offices and over 32,000 square feet of pre-function space perfect for any meeting or function.

Guest Rooms:
The Contemporary Resort has two sections. With rooms being the largest in Disney World, there are 500 guest rooms in the Tower. The Tower rooms have a choice to two views, Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom and parking lot. The Garden wings have a combined total of 500 guest rooms and are located at the north and south of the Tower. Guest rooms in the Garden wings have water, garden or parking lot views.

The Contemporary has standard rooms and suites that are typically 394 square feet. Two queen beds and a day bed or a king size bed and daybed can be found in the rooms. They can accommodate up to five guests and one child under the age of three in a crib. The first floor of the Garden wing rooms have a small patio with chairs and a table which are shared with neighbors. If the room is located at the end of the wing, then there is a private patio overlooking the bay or the pool area. There are no balconies in the Garden wing rooms. All rooms also have a small safe to store valuables, cable TV and radio, data port for a laptop computer, hair dryer, iron and ironing board and coffee makers with complimentary coffee packets. There is also a small refrigerator in every room.

The Tower rooms are close to the shops, restaurants, front desk and monorail station. The Garden wing rooms are closer to the tennis courts, marina, swimming pools and convention center. The downside of staying in the Tower rooms is it can be noisy because they are located directly above the Grand Canyon Concourse.

The Concierge floors have standard rooms and suites. The standard rooms are the same as the Tower rooms, but have larger balconies. The twelfth floor has all the standard concierge room. The concierge service is known as the Tower club. Special services include complimentary continental breakfast and concierge services.

The fourteenth floor has standard rooms and suites, but the concierge service on this floor is different because it is full service. There is a full continental breakfast, daily appetizers and nightly desserts catered by the California Grill. There is a nightly turndown service and a little chocolate Mickey is left on the pillows every night. The fourteenth floor concierge lounges offer free beer, wine, soda and bottled water.

Services & Amenities:
- Room Service
- Concierge desk
- Health Club
- Babysitting and child services
- Pak-n-play crib available
- Room and facilities for guest with disabilities
- Self parking
- Valet parking available for a nominal fee
- Laundry facilities and services
- Barber and beauty shop

Check-In & Check-Out:
Check-in is at 3 pm. It is possible your room may be available prior to that time, but it is not guaranteed. If it is not ready, you can leave your luggage with the Bell Services where it will be stored and then delivered when you are in the room. If you decide to wait around until your room is available, you are welcome to take a dip or relax by the main pool area. There are lockers, changing areas and public restrooms for you to use. You can also head out to a theme park and start enjoying the Disney World magic while your room is being prepared.

Check-out is at 11 am. When paying with a credit card, you will not have to go to the desk to check out. An itemized bill will be hung on your door by 8:30 am on your departure day. If the bill looks fine, you’re all set to depart. Your electronic room key will be deactivated at 11 am. Don’t forget to use Bell Services to help you with your luggage, filled with souvenirs, to your car. If you are taking a bus or taxi to the airport, or leaving later in the day, Bell services will keep your luggage until your transportation arrives.

Dining:
The Food and Fun Center is located on the first floor of the Tower. The snack bar is open 24 hours a day and offers breakfast foods in the morning. Lunch and dinner items include grilled chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, pizza and hotdogs along with a variety of snacks and other light fare. Sand bar, located by the pool, also has counter service. On its menu are burgers, deli sandwiches, and ice cream.

The California Grill is located one the fifteenth floor of the Tower building and is the premiere restaurant of the Resort. This restaurant only serves dinner and offers California-style cuisine and breathtaking views of Magic Kingdom and surrounding areas. Watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the lounge or outer balcony at night.

The Wave is a stylish American cuisine restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu combines fresh healthy menu choices with exciting world flavors. Guests enter a stylish new space on the first floor of the resort through a brushed steel arch tunnel into The Wave’s lounge. The sleek and serene décor definitely fits with the Contemporary look.

Chef Mickey's is the spot for character meals at the Contemporary Resort. Mickey and the gang offer a buffet breakfast every morning. Prime rib, seafood and a variety of other dishes is offered as a buffet in the evening.

Tempo Grab and Go allows guests to enjoy hot and cold sandwiches, salads and desserts at this quick service location.

Tip:
The best beverage deal at the resorts are the refillable mugs. Available for approximately $13, these sturdy plastic mugs can be purchased through any food court vendors and pizza delivery. The mugs are refillable for the length of your resort stay at any self-serve beverage island found in the food court area. Beverages include soft drinks, coffee, tea, iced tea and coffee and hot chocolate. Milk, fruit juice and alcoholic beverages are not included. The mugs are not refillable at any of the theme parks. This is a very economical deal if you are an avid pop or coffee drinker.

Recreation:
Pools
The Resort has two pools and two whirlpools. The large pool is complete with a 17-foot high curving slide. The round, quiet pool is shallow around the edges and deeper in the center. Children can also have fun in the toddler wading pool located near the North Garden Wing.

Beach
A white-sand beach is great for soaking up the sun.

Fitness Center
Guests can work out with weight-lifting machines, free weights and aerobic machines, or experience a relaxing massage or the dry sauna.

Arcade
Play a variety of pinball and video games at The Food ‘n Fun.

Playground
Climb, slide and play on this 24-hour playground adjacent to the marina and near the North Garden wing.

Boats
Pedal boats, watermice, kayaks, canopy boats, pontoon boats or Sea Raycers can be rented to spend some time on the river with. Bicycles and surrey bikes are also available for rent. There may be a 30 minute time limit for each individual use depending on availability, but there is no limit to the number of times you can use the equipment. Or sign up for professional instruction at the water sports centre.

Tennis
The tennis courts are available to play a game or two. Remember to bring your own equipment.

Volleyball
Get out the volleyball and enough a game or two on the courts.

Jogging
Take a run through a scenic trail around the resort.

Shopping
The Fantasia Shop carries Disney character merchandise and clothing.

Bayview Gifts offers refrigerated chocolates and fudge, ladies and men’s casual fashions, watches, jewelry and framed art.

Pin Central Contemporary sells a wide assortment of Disney pins.

Concourse Sundries & Spirits carries health and beauty items, newspapers, snacks and liquor.

Transportation:
To get to any Disney Resort or theme park you can drive yourself, take a taxi or use the wonderful Disney Transportation System. Disney Transportation includes buses, boats, the monorail and the Magical Express Service.

By Bus:
Theme Parks, Water Parks, Disney Resorts and the Downtown Disney area are accessible by the bus system. Buses travel on routes throughout the Resorts but do not provide direct service between all destinations and require transfer from one bus to another.

Bus service to the Theme Parks begins approximately two hours before opening. Generally buses will run every 20 minutes throughout the day and continue to operate until two hours after park closing. During peak times, buses can get a little crowded, but there is usually another bus that arrives quickly after so guests are not waiting long periods of time. Magic Kingdom is not accessible by bus from the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Polynesian Resort. These Resorts provide monorail transportation to the park.

By Boat:
The Disney ferryboats connect the Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is adjacent to the parking lot. Entering the park by ferryboat gives guests a chance to float by some of the Deluxe Resorts. This is also the best way to get the first glimpse of Cinderella Castle. If guests are staying at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Polynesian Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground or Wilderness Lodge, the Magic Kingdom is accessible by boat at their own water launches.

Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are accessible by boat from BoardWalk Inn and Villas Resort, the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels.

Downtown Disney is accessible by ferryboat from Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Old Key West Resort.

By Monorail:
There are three loops to the monorail system. Loop A runs counterclockwise connecting Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop B runs clockwise along side Loop A and stops at the Ticket and Transportation Center, Polynesian Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort and back to the Ticket and Transportation Center. Loop C runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot including a quick tour inside the park around Spaceship Earth. Service generally starts an hour and a half before opening and ends two hours after closing.

If you bring or rent a car, there is plenty of free parking at the Resorts and parks. Depending on your room location, you may or may not be able to park close to your room. Ask when room selection is made.

Things to Know:
The Fireworks at Magic Kingdom can be easily viewed from the Contemporary. As you are dining, the California Grill Lounge is one of the best spots to view the fireworks. You will not miss the music as the lounge plays the music that accompanies the fireworks. Guests staying in the Tower Rooms facing the Magic Kingdom can also watch the show from their balconies. If you are staying on the fourteenth floor, you can watch the fireworks from the balcony off the lounge.

The Electrical Water Pageant is a water parade. It circles the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake so guests at the Contemporary have an excellent opportunity to see the show. The California Grill Lounge offers a good view and so does the beach on the Bay Lake side of the resort. Guest Services will know the approximate time the pageant will pass by the Contemporary.