Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Where Modern Luxury Meets Magical Adventure

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Disney’s Contemporary Resort, an iconic monorail-clad masterpiece, stands as a testament to Disney’s ability to seamlessly blend modern luxury with the enchantment of the Disney experience. Located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, this resort holds a special place in the hearts of visitors for its unique architecture, prime location, and the magical memories it creates.

The Contemporary Resort’s design is a striking departure from the traditional Disney castle aesthetic. Designed by modernist architect Welton Becket, the resort’s sleek lines, futuristic styling, and the monorail that glides directly through its main building make it a marvel of mid-century modern architecture. The A-frame structure is an architectural feat that was groundbreaking when it opened in 1971, and it remains a visual wonder to this day.

One of the resort’s most appealing features is its unparalleled location. Situated right next to the Magic Kingdom theme park, it offers guests stunning views of Cinderella’s Castle and easy access to the park via the monorail. Imagine waking up to the sight of the sun rising over the Magic Kingdom or watching the fireworks light up the night sky from your room’s balcony – these are experiences that only Disney’s Contemporary Resort can provide.

The resort boasts a range of accommodations to suit different preferences, from standard rooms to suites. Regardless of the room category, each space is designed with comfort and sophistication in mind. The sleek design elements are complemented by modern amenities, ensuring that guests have everything they need for a memorable stay.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is also a culinary haven, offering a variety of dining options that cater to diverse tastes. The California Grill, perched atop the resort, is a signature dining experience that offers panoramic views of the Magic Kingdom while serving up delectable dishes. Chef Mickey’s, a character dining favorite, allows families to enjoy a fun-filled meal with classic Disney characters. And for those looking for something more laid-back, the Contempo Café offers quick-service comfort food with a modern twist.

What truly sets Disney’s Contemporary Resort apart is the integration of Disney magic into every aspect of the guest experience. From the monorail cruising through the main building to the whimsical artwork and Mickey Mouse-themed details sprinkled throughout, the resort ensures that the enchantment of Disney is never far away.

Beyond its physical features, Disney’s Contemporary Resort has an intangible quality that makes it a cherished destination for families, couples, and Disney enthusiasts alike. It’s a place where generations come together to create memories that last a lifetime – whether it’s a child’s first glimpse of a beloved Disney character or a couple’s romantic dinner with a view of the castle.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is more than just a place to stay; it’s an experience that encapsulates the essence of Disney’s magic and innovation. Its architectural marvel, prime location, luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and the intangible sense of wonder it evokes all contribute to making it a truly exceptional destination. For those seeking a blend of modern comfort and enchanting adventure, Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Disney dream.

Experiencing the Magic: Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Walt Disney World is renowned for its magical experiences, captivating attractions, and immersive themed lands. Beyond the enchanting parks lies a collection of deluxe resorts that elevate the Disney vacation to unprecedented heights of luxury, comfort, and elegance. These opulent accommodations not only offer proximity to the parks but also provide an experience that seamlessly blends Disney’s signature charm with world-class amenities. In this article, we delve into the captivating world of deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World, where every moment becomes a cherished memory.

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Stepping into a deluxe resort at Walt Disney World is akin to entering a fairy tale. The architecture, design, and attention to detail transport guests to different eras, cultures, and fantasies. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, for instance, mirrors the elegance of the Victorian era, with its ornate chandeliers, lavish lobbies, and sweeping views of Cinderella Castle. The Polynesian Village Resort captures the spirit of the South Pacific, offering overwater bungalows and a relaxing atmosphere by the white sandy shores of Seven Seas Lagoon. Meanwhile, Disney’s Contemporary Resort stands as a modern marvel with its iconic A-frame design and the monorail gliding through its center.

The deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World don’t just provide accommodations; they offer immersive experiences. Whether it’s the rustic charm of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or the African savanna-inspired Animal Kingdom Lodge, each resort envelops guests in its distinctive theme. The Animal Kingdom Lodge, for example, allows guests to observe exotic animals from their balconies, creating a sense of safari adventure right outside their windows.

Service at these deluxe resorts is nothing short of exceptional. Disney’s legendary commitment to guest satisfaction is elevated even further with personalized services, concierge assistance, and attention to every detail. From arranging special celebrations to offering insider tips for navigating the parks, the dedicated staff ensures that every guest feels like royalty.

Deluxe resorts cater to the most discerning palates with an array of exquisite dining options. Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort is a AAA Five Diamond Award-winning restaurant that offers a culinary journey like no other. From fine steaks to fresh seafood, guests can savor delectable flavors while surrounded by an atmosphere of sophistication.

Recreation takes on new dimensions at these resorts, where swimming pools become water wonderlands and golf courses offer scenic views. The Yacht and Beach Club Resorts boast a three-acre water wonderland, complete with a lazy river and a sand-bottom pool. Boating, fishing, and watersports are just a few of the activities that guests can indulge in at these deluxe getaways.

One of the most alluring aspects of staying at a deluxe resort is the unparalleled convenience they offer. Many of these resorts are just a stone’s throw away from the theme parks, with some even within walking distance. This proximity allows guests to take midday breaks, return for a leisurely swim, or catch the nightly fireworks without the hassle of long commutes.

Deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World offer a fusion of fantasy and luxury, creating an experience that goes beyond the ordinary. These accommodations provide an immersive journey into different worlds, eras, and cultures while ensuring the highest standards of comfort and service. From breathtaking architecture to top-notch dining, every aspect of these resorts is designed to cater to the desires of the most discerning travelers. Whether you’re gazing at the African savanna from your balcony or strolling along the white sandy shores of a lagoon, these resorts ensure that your Disney vacation is nothing short of magical.

New Menu Items Coming to Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

When most people think of dining at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, they think of Chef Mickey’s. However, the resort’s quick-service restaurant, Contempo Cafe, is a great option for guests looking for a delicious meal. Now there are more reasons to head on over to Contempo Cafe with new menu items coming soon.

From a Disney Cast Member;

If you aren’t already hungry, you’re about to be. Over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the culinary teams have been hard at work creating some tasty treats and eats for Contempo Café that will blow you away. Starting tomorrow, August 16, these new satisfying selections will be available for your tasting pleasure. From sweet to savory and everything in between, you’ll want to try these dishes. And they’re all on mobile order too!

Let’s get to them – what do you say?

Do you want a yummy breakfast option? You’re in luck because Contempo Café will have two new items for savory and sweet fans alike. Start your day on the right foot, or taste rather, with the new Breakfast Flatbread or go for a sweeter beginning with the Minnie Cinnamon Roll dipped in white chocolate.

Before we get to the desserts, which are sure to make your mouth water, there are some new and enhanced savory items joining this tasty lineup. As lunch and dinner roll around, try the returning, updated classic Four-Cheese Grilled Cheese & Tomato-Basil Soup or opt for the new Spicy Chicken Sandwich – a crispy chicken breast topped with pepper jack, chipotle rémoulade, arugula, seasoned tomato, and dill pickle chips served on a brioche bun. In addition to these handhelds, starting at 4 p.m. each day, you’ll be able to sink your teeth into the can’t-miss Signature Rice Bowls. The bowls are a perfect combination of cilantro-lime rice, black beans, street corn, avocado, pico de gallo, carrot, and pickled red onion. Then they are topped with a protein of your choice – grilled shrimp, braised beef, grilled chicken, or plant-based crispy tofu.

Now the moment the sweet tooth foodies have been waiting for – dessert! The pastry chefs have brought their A-game with six – yes, six – new decadent bites. The Monorail S’more Brownie is a nod to the monorail that wizzes by overhead while you dine at Contempo Café. It’s a fudgy brownie with a graham cracker crust topped with marshmallow crème and chocolate décor. Yes, yes, and yes.

For a fruity flavor, the 5-Legged Goat Fruit Tart draws inspiration from the iconic Mary Blair Grand Canyon Concourse mural’s 5-Legged Goat. This bite features a vanilla tart shell filled with raspberry-lemon curd topped with fresh fruit and lemon whipped cream. How delicious!

The chocolate keeps on coming with the Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums Cupcake. This chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate chip cookie dough mousse is inspired by The Incredibles and their presence throughout Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The new Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar is also sure to satisfy chocolate fans and is plant-based as well as gluten and wheat friendly!

If cookies are your treat of choice, the new Signature Deluxe Cookies are the move. These three cookies include a Chocolate Chunk Cookie with peanut butter buttercream, a Churro Cookie with cinnamon buttercream, and Kitchen Sink Cookie, a chocolate chip cookie with salted caramel, Mickey chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch, and walnuts. While these three will all be available year-round, there will also be a seasonal sugar cookie that will rotate throughout the year too.

Last but certainly not least, get the perfect taste of summer in cookie form with the Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookie. This delight, available August 16 through September 30, is topped with strawberry buttercream and patriotic sprinkles.

What flavorful bites are on the way! This location is sure to impress with these new additions. There’s no limit to the tasty adventures to be had at Disney Parks!

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.) 

Man Dies After Accidental Fall From Balcony at Deluxe Disney World Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Late last week, we shared some sad news from Walt Disney World. Social media was ablaze after the reported death of a Disney World Guest at the Contemporary Resort. Although early reports suggested that the death may have been attributed to a possible suicide, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office has ruled the death accidental and provided further updates on what actually occurred at the Contemporary Resort on the morning of July 26.

The Orange County Medical Examiner identified the fall victim as 39-year-old Jeffery Vanden Boom of Greendale, Wisconsin. Ultimately the medical examiner ruled the death accidental due to blunt force trauma that occurred at the deluxe Resort outside of Magic Kingdom. Although initial reports also suggested that the Guest had fallen from the bridge connecting Bay Lake Tower to The Contemporary Resort, it was noted that the Guest actually fell from their Resort balcony and the incident was accidental in nature.

In a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said, “On July 26, 2023, at 5:33 a.m., deputies responded to the Contemporary Resort after a call came in about a man unresponsive on the hotel grounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene.”

Fox News explained that Disney had not officially responded to their attempts to comment regarding the death. Ultimately, this isn’t unlike Disney as they often allow the proper authorities to handle and speak about these types of situations at Walt Disney World. The same can be said regarding other simliar occurences that have taken place at Disney World, including an 83-year-old Florida veteran who fainted and later passed away after riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover last September. Although CPR was initiated, Joseph A. Masters would later pass away. His late wife Alice told the Orlando Sentinel, “I tell everybody now that my husband died in his happy place because he loved Disney.”

Regarding the latest death to happen at Walt Disney World, initial reports on social media claimed that the death was an apparent suicide. One Reddit user posted, “I’m pretty sure someone just died at our hotel (Contemporary Resort)… we got a call at 7:30 someone had a medical emergency and not to go on the balconies and then they had people redirecting us. Then we went outside and there’s a tent set up right under a balcony and it’s all taped up.”

This update to our initial story deeply saddens us. Despite the initial assumptions around the death, realizing and understanding that bad things can happen even at Walt Disney World is a hard pill to swallow. We hope that the family and friends of the victim find peace during this difficult time.

Guest Reportedly Falls to Their Death at Contemporary Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Potential tragic news today at Walt Disney World Resort as reports suggest that a visitor at Bay Lake Tower has fallen to their death. The sad information was released to Twitter by user The Rogue Attraction and later published by Inside the Magic. Initial reports claim that while attempting to use the 5th-floor bridge that connects Bay Lake Tower to the Contemporary Resort, Guests were stopped by emergency service personnel and not allowed to cross due to an apparent suicide.

Sadly, Walt Disney World is no stranger to death, including suicide. The same can be said for the Contemporary Resort. As this isn’t the first time an apparent suicide has occurred at this location, Guests may be surprised to learn the frequency of attempts to end life here. A similar situation happened at the Contemporary, which sits right outside of Magic Kingdom, in 2020 when a 22-year-old woman jumped to her death from the 4th floor of the Resort.

“There’s this weird phenomenon where people who are severely depressed but want to have that one last good happy family memory will go to Walt Disney World. They’ll deliberately book a room at the Contemporary Resort, which is 14 stories tall. And after that happy family time they will throw themselves off the building.” – a quote from the New York Post.

The current details surrounding this most recent event at the Contemporary Resort remain quiet. Although it isn’t entirely uncommon for Disney World to keep matters like this away from the press, there is little information to report outside of what is being shared on social media. Guests at the Contemporary did also tweet that they were not allowed to enter the bridge to Bay Lake Tower as security and other crews were still cleaning and investigating the scene.

However, corroborating first-hand accounts on Reddit further confirm the story’s validity. Guests staying at the Resort report receiving a call early in the morning notifying them of a medical emergency and advising not to enter their balcony areas. The site of the apparent suicide was riddled with law enforcement and emergency services. 

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened in 2009 at the Walt Disney World Resort. Although meant to serve as a stand-alone Resort dedication to Disney Vacation Club members, it is widley considered part of Disney’s deluxe Resort offering that famoulsy sits upon the monorail to Magic Kingdom. A large bridge reached from the 5th floor of  Bay Lake Tower to the Grand Canyon Concourse of the main building providing easy access to shopping and dining options available at the Contemporary.

There has been no official statement by Walt Disney World or local authorities, so it is difficult to suggest that the fall resulted from a suicide attempt. However, many Guests indicate that the action that led to the death of a Disney World Guest was intentional. We will update this story as more details are released to the public.

As the Disney World Resort is home to  themeParks such as EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom (as well as water Parks and Disney Springs), it’s difficult to understand why anyone would consider suicide at “The Most Magical Place On Earth.” Although there isn’t extreme clarity regarding what happened at this specific Disney World Resort hotel today, suicide’s do happen at and around Disney Theme Parks. As the United States boasts one of the highest rates for suicide attempts and ideation in the world, we want to make sure that our readers have the proper resources.