On-Site Magical Disney Stays: Disney's Contemporary Resort
- paigelandrum
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Contributed by:
Paige Landrum
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the most iconic properties on site. Located just steps away from Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary is a dream for families who want quick access to the parks, and for anyone who appreciates a sleek and futuristic design. With monorail service running straight through the resort and park views of Cinderella Castle, this hotel blends convenience and luxury in a way that’s hard to beat.
Resort Theming
The Contemporary is exactly what it sounds like: modern, and stylish. It opened with Walt Disney World in 1971 and still feels futuristic in all the best ways. While some other resorts lean heavily into theming, the Contemporary keeps things sleek and minimalistic, with nods to mid-century modern design and touches of Disney sprinkled throughout.
The Grand Canyon Concourse, with its towering ceilings and massive Mary Blair mural (yep, the same artist behind it’s a small world), is a must-see and gives the resort a nostalgic yet refined vibe.
Room Types
The Contemporary offers multiple room categories across two buildings: the main A-frame tower and the Garden Wing. Recently renovated rooms now feature a fun Incredibles theme with subtle character touches that are playful but not overdone or cheesy.
Room types include:
Standard View: Views of parking area or garden
Lake View: Views of Bay Lake
Theme Park View: Direct views of Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks
Club Level Rooms: Additional amenities and access to the exclusive club lounge
Suites: Larger accommodations for bigger families or groups
All rooms sleep up to 5 guests and include modern furnishings, large bathrooms with double vanities, and that crisp Disney deluxe feel. The Garden Wing rooms are typically a little more affordable and quiet, while the Main Tower rooms put you right in the middle of the action. Keep in mind since this is a monorail resort (and because it has a very popular character dining restaurant), the traffic is going to be heavier than some of the other resorts further away from the parks.
Resort Facts: Dining Options, Pools, Transportation
Dining:
Chef Mickey’s: A must-do for many families! This character dining experience features Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. It’s located right in the Grand Canyon Concourse, and the monorail zooming overhead makes it feel even more magical. This is one of the busier character dining experiences, in our opinion.
California Grill: Located at the top of the resort, this fine dining spot is perfect for a date night or special celebration. While pricey, the evening feels luxurious and a great way to celebrate those you love. If you time it correctly, you can watch the fireworks on the deck or even from your seat through the floor to ceiling windows! The music pipes in and magic is truly made.
Steakhouse 71: A newer addition to the resort with a retro flair, named for the year Walt Disney World opened. With great reviews from diners, this is an excellent option to try if looking for a nicer sit down option.
Contempo Café: Quick-service option with solid breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices. Mobile order-friendly and very convenient.
Outer Rim: Casual lounge perfect for a nightcap or a pre-dinner cocktail.
The Sand Bar: Pool side bar with drinks, snacks, burgers, and hotdogs. Excellent for those fun resort days.
Pools:
The main pool area features a waterslide, splash pad for little ones, hot tub, and cabanas available for rent. While not as heavily themed as some other resorts, it’s relaxing and has plenty of seating.
Pro Tip: If you want to reserve a cabana, make sure to let your AMAAB advisor know as they can secure this for you 60 days prior to check-in. You must be staying at the Contemporary to have access.
There’s also a quiet pool tucked away by Bay Lake for those looking to unwind and be further away from the action.
Transportation:
Walk to Magic Kingdom?! Yes, please! You are literally just steps away from the main gate, which is a huge win for families with little ones who need to head back for naptime midday, or those wanting to rope drop or stay late for fireworks or an after party. Those moments make this resort absolutely worth it if your family enjoys a lot of time at Magic Kingdom.
Monorail access to Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center (where you can catch the EPCOT monorail), and other monorail resorts including the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Watching it come through the resort is a favorite for many kids, and actually riding it throughout WDW is even better!
Bus transportation available to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and the water parks.
Resort Amenities
The Contemporary offers a long list of deluxe-level amenities and extras that help make your stay feel extra magical, including:
Campfire activities;
Movies Under the Stars;
Fitness center and jogging trail along Bay Lake;
The Game Station arcade;
Basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts;
Motorized Boat Rentals on Bay Lake (additional cost); and
Views of the Electrical Water Pageant, a classic Disney touch that floats by nightly.
What Extras Make This Resort Special?
There are so many things that make this resort special, its hard to pick just one! For my family in particular, the walking path to Magic Kingdom is a huge selling point. With two kids under the age of 5, we spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, but also often need to leave mid day for a nap - being able to just walk back to the room for a few hours and then walk back without needing to catch a bus is such a time saver.
Additionally, being able to see fireworks from your room is such a special touch. Again, since our kids are so young, they are often in pjs before the nighttime spectaculars even start, so having the option to watch from our room (or at least from the resort), is a wonderful option to have.
This Would Be the Ideal Resort for You If…
You want to be as close to Magic Kingdom as possible, and appreciate a modern resort with deluxe-level convenience. If you're planning early mornings, mid-day breaks, or evenings catching fireworks from your room, the Contemporary makes all of that incredibly easy.
Ready to start planning your stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? Click here to get started with an AMAAB Travel Advisor, or to find the perfect resort for you!
AMAAB Disney Travel Advisor & Toddler Mom
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