The Contemporary Resort is one of the original and quintessential Walt Disney World hotels, built at the same time as nearby Magic Kingdom. Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon surround the resort on three sides.

AMBIENCE AT DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT & VILLAS

Every time we enter the Contemporary, we get the sense we’ve entered the center of the “World.” It isn’t just the soaring architecture, the massive steel and glass tower, or the monorail running right through it, though those are all a part of it. Rather, it is akin to the feeling city dwellers boast about: Everything you need, everyone you like, and every place that matters is right there. And that seems to be exactly the way Disney intended it, with the Grand Concourse housing many of the resort’s services, restaurants, and shops.

RESORT LAYOUT AT DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT & VILLAS

The original 668 guest rooms are housed in the 15-story, A-frame Tower or within the three-story Garden Wing. These 436 sq. ft., modern rooms have Feng Shui-influences with flat-screen TVs, double closets, and dark cherry wood details with two queens or one king bed, and a daybed. Some rooms have large patios or balconies. Next door in the Bay Lake Tower, 295 Disney Vacation Club villas offer an “urban boutique” experience, with studios, one- and two-bedroom, and Grand Villas. Amenities include toiletries, safe, newspaper delivery, coffeemaker, refrigerator, hair dryer, turndown service (on request), voice mail, and valet parking ($25/day).

DINING AT DISNEY'S CONTEMPORARY RESORT & VILLAS

The Contemporary has a wide variety of dining options. The two most popular table-service restaurants—Chef Mickey’s (a character dining experience) and the trendy California Grill (the Contemporary’s centerpiece)—are detailed on page 255. The Wave offers American cuisine with an international flair at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Contempo Cafe is a quick-service eatery open all day—typical menu items include a cheeseburger ($12.49), hot turkey sandwich ($11.79), pasta marinara ($11.19), and kid’s meals ($6.99–$7.69). Rapid Fill mugs are available at the resort for $17.99. The Sand Bar and Cove Bar by the pool also offer drinks ($2.99 & up), sandwiches ($9.49), and ice cream ($3.99).