Unveiling the Magic: A Comprehensive Review of Disney's Contemporary Resort
Today I thought I would do a little resort review, in the spirit of the opening of 2025 WDW resort reservations (Thru 10.31.25). And there’s no better place to start than one of my all time favorite locations on property, Disney’s Contemporary Resort. If I had to describe in a sentence, it is the singularly most convenient place to call home during your stay at Walt Disney World. So I’ll break this down for you and maybe you’ll find this is the right spot for your visit!
A little ground work first. Disney’s Contemporary Resort is comprised of the Main Tower, Garden Wing, and it’s little neighbor, Bay Lake Tower which is the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Section of the resort. The Main Tower and Garden wing share a pool. Bay Lake has its own pool. The Contemporary is situated exactly next to Magic Kingdom. A short 5 minute walk AND prescreening thru security gets you in the Magic Kingdom and on your way almost instantly. There are everything from Standard Garden Wing Rooms all the way to elaborate 3 Bedroom Villas. So, as far as accommodations, the choice is yours, or your budget’s. The Contemporary has both monorail transportation (to Magic Kingdom and Epcot), and bus transportation (to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom).
Now that we have the logistics covered, let’s talk about the reasons I love this resort and all the amazing things it has to offer! Chances are, if you’ve visited Disney before and dined at Chef Mickey’s you are familiar with at least a glimpse of the Contemporary Resort. But, Chef Mickey’s is not the only dining location you can find here. High atop the resort is the signature restaurant, California Grill. There is also a lounge in this location. You’ll also find Steakhouse 71, one of Disney’s newer eateries in the lower main lobby. The resort also has several bars (pool and regular), lounges, coffee bars, and the Contempo Cafe which is a wonderful quick service option right next door to Chef Mickey’s! So when looking for great dining, you can most certainly get satisfied here!
As I mentioned, the resort has two pools. The feature pool sits directly behind the main tower and right beside the Garden Wing. A very convenient location for guests! Complete with a pool bar with snacks and a ton of activities, this is a great way to spend your day. And, if you are staying at Bay Lake Tower, Bay Lake Pool is your place to cool off with fountains, waterspouts, slides and more. Located behind the Bay Lake Tower and complete with pool bar and hot tubs!
And as they say in the real estate business, one of Contemporary’s most shining features is…location, location, location. Being just steps or a short monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom is a huge game changer and time saver for visiting families! But, one of my all time favorite things about the locale is the VIEW! Four words for you….4th Floor Observation Deck! If you didn’t snag a theme park view room, simply go down to Outer Rim bar, grab a drink, and head across the way to this observation deck for a full unobstructed view of Happily Ever After or any other fireworks show in the Magic Kingdom! This is the perfect spot to catch the fireworks without being in a huge crowd and you have just a short trek back to your resort room! Score!
Lastly, for now, I want to touch on the new renovation that has been completed. Before, even with all these other perks, it was just ok staying here. BUT, the room refurbishments are completely Incredible!!! And I mean that literally. You will feel like a Super staying here! The Incredibles theming, hardwood flooring, new beds, bright and cheerful decor complete with Super Suits in your closet…you cannot beat these rooms. There is tons of storage and plenty of room for a family of 5 to enjoy a spectacular stay!
I hope you look into Disney’s Contemporary Resort when choosing your next home away from home. And if it is in your budget, it is a serious contender for best resort onsite! You are sure to find awesome staff, great food, major convenience, and an overall incredible experience!
