Interesting Article on the History of Disney's Contemporary Resort - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Interesting Article on the History of Disney's Contemporary Resort
Curiosity led me to discover this DISboards article with its account of how the CR came into being along with some interesting facts and photos showing how it's changed over the years since.
Shocked me somewhat to read that room rates at its opening were $28-$44! Kinda scary that those rates won't even buy a single adult meal at Chef Mickey's today, isn't it? Of course, in the early 70's, those were high-priced hotel rooms as Disney resort rooms generally are currently.
And, I didn't know that Cali Grill was originally named Top of the World. I like that name better myself. It also was a supper club at first with shows that featured Vegas-style headliners such as Phyllis Diller and Mel Torme.
Have a read and see what you learn about CR history--
Top of the World was an awesome restaurant that the men had to have a dinner jacket to enter similar to V&A is today. They had wait staff bring around butter pats & there were ice cube chocolates with a Disney logo on it before leaving. I remember the show to be a little Vegas like (with dancing) & a little Rat Pack type. And the view was really showcased. Also, only a few elevators were designated for the restaurant so you kind of checked in 2x (once to enter the elevator and once upstairs to be seated). Made it seem more high class and exclusive then it really was. As you can tell, I dined here on every trip as a child accompanying my parents dressed in our finest and "acting like a lady." Good memories. Thanks for triggering those with your post.
I've said many times that The Contemporary is my favorite resort. Many others don't care for it because they don't think it has the "Disney" feel to it. I feel the complete opposite. Little do they know. It's the only resort on property that truly was part of Walt's dream for the future. Love it!
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Contemporary is where we stayed for our honeymoon and our first anniversary.
It's where we first took our son back in 2008.
This coming trip is the first time we will NOT be staying there with our son. (Hubby and I have stayed many other locations at WDW, but not with our son).
As much as I am going to enjoy our trip and stay at CBR and Poly, there is just something about the Contemporary. A feel, a scent...it's unique to the resort and why I will always love it.
As much as I am going to enjoy our trip and stay at CBR and Poly, there is just something about the Contemporary. A feel, a scent...it's unique to the resort and why I will always love it.
I get that it's the only resort that can honestly be said to be part of Walt's dream for his World. For that, I can appreciate its value and uniqueness.
Just didn't care for the place when we stayed there, certainly not for those ridiculously shallow bathroom sinks. If those were Walt's idea, he should've asked Lillian's opinion before approving their inclusion in the room design!
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I get that it's the only resort that can honestly be said to be part of Walt's dream for his World. For that, I can appreciate its value and uniqueness.
Just didn't care for the place when we stayed there, certainly not for those ridiculously shallow bathroom sinks. If those were Walt's idea, he should've asked Lillian's opinion before approving their inclusion in the room design!
I totally agree on the sinks. Bad idea. I think they should have used a pretty bowl type. Still a contemporary look but with functionality.
We honeymooned at the Contemporary in 1973. DH's parents paid for the trip as our wedding gift so I have no idea how much it was back then. The only other choices were the Poly and Fort Wilderness.
Our last trip was in January to be there on our actual anniversary and we "almost" stayed at CR. The price was soooooooo expensive (even off-season) so we opted to stay at POP. On our budget, we could either spend a couple of nights back at CR or 10 days at POP.......no contest.
I just had another glimmering memory from the CR from way back when - there used to be a movie theater on the ground floor/basement. They ran the Disney Classics daily (usually 2x/evening) I saw so many of my favorites on each trip. There was popcorn freshly popped to munch on. There was also a very large arcade/game room outside of the theater that we used to pop in while we waited for the movie. I just love those memories...just not sure where we found the time for these things but back then it was still a week trip & only the MK so there was tons of time for the extras like golf, discovery island, river country, Lake Buena Vista, etc. I love the 4 parks but I miss those simpler days too.
Thanks for the link! I enjoyed the article.
We stayed in the south wing in November 1994, my first time staying on property and really enjoyed the close proximity to mk. I have stayed at blt a couple of times too.
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Of course, in the early 70's, those were high-priced hotel rooms as Disney resort rooms generally are currently.
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