Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

“Nice quiet comfortable room on ground floor.”

The 3 of us spent 5 nights in room 7109 on ground floor, right next to Shuffleboard Bocce Ball. We booked here because we wanted to try yet another new resort that had a balcony to enjoy, but this unit had a small cement patio on ground floor, only a few feet from the shuffleboard bocce ball area w… more

The 3 of us spent 5 nights in room 7109 on ground floor, right next to Shuffleboard Bocce Ball. We booked here because we wanted to try yet another new resort that had a balcony to enjoy, but this unit had a small cement patio on ground floor, only a few feet from the shuffleboard bocce ball area which was quite busy, which was nice to watch, but did not offer us any privacy or time to spend on balcony. Room was comfortable and had the pull-down bed, which was nice. Walking to and from magic kingdom was easy. Monorail to Epcot was good, except when it was down, so we had to take buses. When we asked where we could watch fireworks at Bay Lake Resort, we were told we could see them from the Bay Lake Tower Observation Deck, but then they asked if we were members and when they found out we rented from an owner, they told us we could not go up there and had to watch the fireworks from the Skyway Bridge. They made us feel so worthless. As Disney visitors for 50+ years and trying all the different resorts, Bay Lake Tower does not seem to like renters. Even though I rented from an owner, for whatever reason they could not use their week, I thought I’d at least get to see the fireworks from the hotel building I was renting from. However, the view from the Skyway Bridge (from Bay Lake to Contemporary) was an excellent spot and they piped in the music. My daughter and I watched them every night from this spot. The mini kitchen area was a nice spot to make a pot of coffee, keep our leftover food cold in the little fridge and the microwave was useful. Overall a lovely stay. Quiet comfortable room.

less

“Busy noisy very convenient.”

Second time staying with family at DW. Whilst hotel is great for MK and transport to other parks it has a bland no personality feel about it. Additionally it is very noisy and congested around food outlet. Rooms were excellent with everything one would require.

“I was so looking forward to the refinished rooms but…”

We were thrilled to be staying here due to a Murphy bed and refreshing of the rooms. I was somewhat disappointed. The Murphy bed is a great addition but the sofa is not good quality. The side arms squeak terribly when getting in and out of the bed- and moving around at times. It was so loud and dis… more

We were thrilled to be staying here due to a Murphy bed and refreshing of the rooms. I was somewhat disappointed. The Murphy bed is a great addition but the sofa is not good quality. The side arms squeak terribly when getting in and out of the bed- and moving around at times. It was so loud and disturbing to both myself and my friend who was in the regular bed. I ended up sitting on the little booth as it was so disturbing and I knew it was disruptive to my friend who was trying to sleep. I don’t know if that was just our room or a design flaw. Regardless, it needs to be rectified asap. The kitchen area is awesome. The bathroom sink area is very small. Very little area to put “stuff”. I ended up putting my stuff in the kitchen area for lack of space. The elevators are not enough to handle the volume of people so be prepared to wait for multiple full elevators to get on. My biggest concern with the Contemporary/Bay Lake area is the monorail set up. There is 1 elevator for carts etc. It is hard to get in and out of from security to the boarding area. Again, long waits are possible and at times exiting the elevator there are many people who came off the escalator and all are trying to merge in- it can be chaotic, unsafe and people don’t always allow you to merge in- walking or cart. So, for those reasons it is a one and done for us. I had always heard the elevators at the Contemporary are not enough but I didn’t realize Bay Lake had the same issue. The walk to MK is a big plus and of course seeing the fireworks!!!

less

“Bay Lake Tower Silliness”

We an avid Disney family, typically stay within the bubble and have visited 30 plus times. We waited a long time to stay at Bay Lake Tower after staying at many other WDW resorts and left dissatisfied. Here’s why- we rented points via David’s Vacation Club. We’ve done it in the past and never had … more

We an avid Disney family, typically stay within the bubble and have visited 30 plus times. We waited a long time to stay at Bay Lake Tower after staying at many other WDW resorts and left dissatisfied. Here’s why- we rented points via David’s Vacation Club. We’ve done it in the past and never had an issue until now. We got the feeling that the Bay Lake Tower management doesn’t want “renter’s” on property. Here’s what happened: we wanted a four night stay - a preferred view two bedroom was available for three nights and for the fourth night only a theme park rate was available. No problem - we booked it and were advised that if possible the resort will accommodate the request NOT to change rooms. We learned that’s not true- the Bay Lake Tower has a policy that “renters” have to receive exactly what they reserve. It’s silly- what it meant was we had to check out of the resort at 11am, put everything in storage (including food) and re-check in at 4pm. A forced upgrade when the resort didn’t need us to move. Here’s the next issue- the room wasn’t ready for the second check in at 4pm. When I asked I was told that “housekeeping needed to inspect it.” When I asked when that would be I was told “we don’t know.” When I asked aren’t rooms supposed to be available at 4pm I was told “that’s when they START being available and they are not guaranteed and it could be a few hours” - this all with little kids sitting in the lobby along with the rest of the family. I spend about eighty days a year traveling and I know BS when I hear it. When I asked to escalate the issue I was told by Dante “it won’t make a difference” - horse manure. I did and after the front desk supervisor made a call the room suddenly “was ready.” I got the sense that if you’re a points renter Bay Lake Tower management really doesn’t want you there- short sighted I think because don’t renters become DVC members? Let’s hope management gets its head on straight - all the other staff were lovely and sympathetic - apparently guests having to change rooms is a common experience at Bay Lake Tower but not one I will repeat as we never had a problem at the other DVC destinations. And a note to the resort manager went unanswered. Pity- that’s usually where the buck stops.

less