We are just back from a stay in the Contemporary garden wing, and I thought I'd share our reflections in case it might help anyone deciding --
For some time, the Contemporary has been my "bucket list" hotel because of its iconic architecture, central setting, and walking access to MK. It truly was convenient not to have to battle the crowds for transportation access after fireworks or at closing time. Also, the lighting was 10/10, 100% A+ the best we have encountered in a hotel, giving guests a full spectrum of options from single non-intrusive reading lights, to bedside lighting, to floor lamps, to overhead and upward lighting in the balcony frame. The rooms also excel in storage options, with drawers and luggage space inside both small closets, and room for suitcases under the beds since they are elevated. Our preschooler delighted in finding every bit of Incredibles theming in the room, particularly in informing us that Dash left his homework in the nightstand.
Contrary to expectations, the monorail concourse/4th floor public area didn't feel thriving and modern as we had thought it would; it actually felt chaotic, poorly designed, and a little claustrophobic, probably due to its placement partway up the building so that it feels like you're in a narrow canyon. DH took the Garden Wing design particularly poorly, thinking that the building seemed like "Soviet Gulag architecture" with the low-ceilinged concrete block buildings. He isn't complaining because he was here on business and didn't have to choose the room, but he also felt the Garden Wing was treated poorly as regards access to convention space -- despite being physically right next to the convention hall, entry is barricaded and Garden Wing people have to take a circuitous route all the way into the main building and then back out again to reach convention facilities.
There were a few other things that were just odd. Mousekeeping took great care with hard surface cleaning and adorably arranging the children's stuffed Mickey and books so it looked as if the characters were participating in the trip. Strangely, they very obviously did not see vacuuming or towel replacement as part of the service. They also had a strange habit of not wanting to clean until 3:30 or so, when the littles were resting and taking a park break. And, for a family hotel, it seems weird not to have any kind of bathtub. I love a gorgeous shower, but spraying down a squalling baby without a tub bath to relax the tiny person makes me question my devotion to baby hygiene during Disney trips. It really isn't fair to comment on the pool area since they seem to be attempting a refurbishment, but I think it is reasonable to note the the secondary pool (which was open) compares very unfavorably to the Grand Floridian's secondary pool. The children did love the splash pad area, which isn't as creative to adult eyes as the GF's, but inviting and fun from a little one's perspective.
Hope that helps anyone weighing their Disney hotel decisions!
For some time, the Contemporary has been my "bucket list" hotel because of its iconic architecture, central setting, and walking access to MK. It truly was convenient not to have to battle the crowds for transportation access after fireworks or at closing time. Also, the lighting was 10/10, 100% A+ the best we have encountered in a hotel, giving guests a full spectrum of options from single non-intrusive reading lights, to bedside lighting, to floor lamps, to overhead and upward lighting in the balcony frame. The rooms also excel in storage options, with drawers and luggage space inside both small closets, and room for suitcases under the beds since they are elevated. Our preschooler delighted in finding every bit of Incredibles theming in the room, particularly in informing us that Dash left his homework in the nightstand.
Contrary to expectations, the monorail concourse/4th floor public area didn't feel thriving and modern as we had thought it would; it actually felt chaotic, poorly designed, and a little claustrophobic, probably due to its placement partway up the building so that it feels like you're in a narrow canyon. DH took the Garden Wing design particularly poorly, thinking that the building seemed like "Soviet Gulag architecture" with the low-ceilinged concrete block buildings. He isn't complaining because he was here on business and didn't have to choose the room, but he also felt the Garden Wing was treated poorly as regards access to convention space -- despite being physically right next to the convention hall, entry is barricaded and Garden Wing people have to take a circuitous route all the way into the main building and then back out again to reach convention facilities.
There were a few other things that were just odd. Mousekeeping took great care with hard surface cleaning and adorably arranging the children's stuffed Mickey and books so it looked as if the characters were participating in the trip. Strangely, they very obviously did not see vacuuming or towel replacement as part of the service. They also had a strange habit of not wanting to clean until 3:30 or so, when the littles were resting and taking a park break. And, for a family hotel, it seems weird not to have any kind of bathtub. I love a gorgeous shower, but spraying down a squalling baby without a tub bath to relax the tiny person makes me question my devotion to baby hygiene during Disney trips. It really isn't fair to comment on the pool area since they seem to be attempting a refurbishment, but I think it is reasonable to note the the secondary pool (which was open) compares very unfavorably to the Grand Floridian's secondary pool. The children did love the splash pad area, which isn't as creative to adult eyes as the GF's, but inviting and fun from a little one's perspective.
Hope that helps anyone weighing their Disney hotel decisions!