[MerlinMatt]

Ok gang, I'm back and we had a great trip. Here's my highpoint summary. I'll post the details tonight.

1.) Weather was very good. We had a couple of cold days, but each day was at least 55 degrees and we had 3 days of 70+ weather. Mostly sunny and no rain.
2.) MVMCP was a great time. But, believe it or not, we didn't ride any rides. In retrospect, I wish we had, because after Friday, the lines were really bad. That said, there's so much to enjoy between the parade, the fireworks and the shows, that rides are really incidental.
3.) I will never travel to WDW the week prior to Christmas again. Starting Saturday, the crowds were unbearable and got worse each day. We got a mild reprieve on Sunday, but Mon-Wed were simply ridiculous.
4.) The Contemporary is only good for it's location and the restaurants. As a hotel, it's old and run-down. The ceilings are only 7 feet in the hallways and it makes anyone feel claustrophobic. Honestly, I also think the CMs that work there don't enjoy it. It shows. A lot.
5.) I don't know exactly why, but Disney hasn't the foggiest clue how to run a rail system. The buses are managed quite well, but the monorail is a joke. Trains that sit in stations for 5-10 minutes and lines at the resorts that are long enough to let 2 trains pass before guests can board. Just not done well.
6.) Christmas decorations are WONDERFUL! I can't say enough about it.
7.) I think that WDW wasn't prepared for the crowds. As each day passed, we noticed more and more attractions that were either down or not functioning properly.
8.) The "Crush" show at the Living Seas is AWESOME!
9.) Stitch is worth seeing, but not all that impressive.
10.) I was so excited that Timekeeper was open on Saturday. Ironically, there was no line for Timekeeper, even though MK was mobbed. The CM said we were the first guests in weeks. We had the show to ourselves, except for one guy (who looked like Soundgod? But he left before I could ask him). WoL was also open, so we saw Cranium Command and Body Wars without lines.
11.) I think waiting in any line for more than 45 minutes is insane. By Tuesday at 1pm, TT had a 110 minute standby line.

I know a lot of this sounds very negative, but we had a REALLY good time. I'll try to make my TR entertaining, but it won't be as good as Tom's, so set your expectations accordingly.

We're glad to be home.

[disneyguy]

Matt, I have to tell you that disneyboy is a CM at Contemporary, and he told me that they are begining a full rehab of the hotel. Too bad the lines were so long, but it sounds like you had a great time despite the crowds.

[roxie]

Can't wait to read the whole thing....and I know exactly what you mean.
Crowds were UNBEARABLE over spring break this year, but we still had a good time.

We're glad you're back - we missed your input!!

[jk8]

Can't wait for the whole report!

[tigger]

Look forward to the full report. Glad you travels were safe and your trip fun!

[Jen]

glad your back Matt ~ sorry to hear about the crowds.

Jen

[joseph3947]

We were there the weekend before Thanksgiving and it was normal but the Thanksgiving weekend was very crowded. I was talking to CM's and they said that the hurricanes in Oct. caused people to reschedule and they picked that week. And MerlinMatt I agree with you on all your observations. Joe

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by disneyguy

Matt, I have to tell you that disneyboy is a CM at Contemporary, and he told me that they are begining a full rehab of the hotel. Too bad the lines were so long, but it sounds like you had a great time despite the crowds.

That's good to know. But some of the problems with the Contemporary is beyond Disney's control. Two in particular that come to mind are:

A. It's a convention hotel. I can't remember the last time I saw so many people in a hotel wandering around with either open containers or glasses of alcohol.

B. Perhaps due to the mystique, there are a lot of, let's just say un-Disney folks that seem to stay there that are willing to let their kids (generally pre-teen and young adolescents) roam around unsupervised. Honestly, the guests at Pop Century were, on average, much better behaved and much more friendly.

With that, there are definately things that Disney can fix. How about sound-proofing the rooms / hallways? I know that Jenny complained about this at the GF, so this might be a problem at all of the indoor resorts (yet another reason to stay at a Value).

Also, the Contemporary bathrooms have no vent fans!!! So, taking a shower steams up the whole room and if someone uses the toilet....

Lastly, the Mousekeeping staff needs more prodding than the Values. We barely had enough towels each night, and frankly, we were too tired to call and ask for more. We never have that problem at the Values. There are always extra towels left in the closet area.

Oh, and since I didn't explicitly mention it yet, I LOVE the Pop Century!

It will take a LOT before we ever stay anywhere else. Despite the crowds, we never had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus, the rooms are immaculate and all the CMs, from the Front Desk, to the food court, to the gift shop to Luggage Assistance to Mouskeeping were terrific.

[disneyguy]

Matt, I can totally understand that. Thanks for all this info. I don't think I ever want to stay at the Contemporary based on all this. I definetly will try WL, Poly, or AKL well before the Contemp. Personally I like the whole theming thing over the "Contemporary" theme.

[geeman]

Originally Posted by disneyguy

Matt, I can totally understand that. Thanks for all this info. I don't think I ever want to stay at the Contemporary based on all this. I definetly will try WL, Poly, or AKL well before the Contemp. Personally I like the whole theming thing over the "Contemporary" theme.

Matt, sorry you had a sour experience at CR. I actually enjoyed both of my stays there this year. Sounds like you were in the main (Tower) building? I didn't experience the hallway problem or the noise at all in the garden room, though I do know what you mean about it feeling kind of old there, and in need of rehab. The hallways in the garden room had kind of an old school scent - and that ventilation problem in the bathroom -- I agree. Isn't it great when that's the first thing you smell when you walk in?


The CM's were OK during my stay - but as you say, not outstanding, now that I think of it.. But I know what you mean about PC, as I stayed there twice this year - and I have to agree with you about the CM's there. Everyone was cheery, helpful. Even the Mousekeepers were cheery. When I arrived a couple of weeks ago, I ran into a couple of them who smiled and acknowledged me, and when I left a first day's tip (just because I felt like it), I actually got a Thank You note left behind. For the price, I feel PC is a great, great value, particularly if you can get it during discounts.

CR is worth it for the proximity to MK and more, but I think its a bit overpriced. Sounds like they also can't handle it when overcroweded.

[Dana]

Matt -
WElcome home!! You were missed. Sorry to hear about the crowds and small dissappointments with the CR, but glad you managed to have a great time. I CANNOT wait long for your report. I am going through withdraw...lol kidding, but I am REALLY looking forward to it.

[Erin]

Welcome home Matt, we've missed you terribly around here!!!

I wish things had gone a little smoother for you...I can't wait to hear all the details!! Every last poohbah one!

[pkc123]

Welcome back Matt we have missed you.Sorry the Contemporary was not up to par and I agree we love POP Century.I don't think we will be staying anywhere else!

[Pooh Fan]

Welcome back Matt. I am sorry to hear that things did not go exactly as you hoped. I can't wait to hear your detailed report. It has me rethinking our dates for next year. Maybe we should add another week so we can have lower crowds and do all the attractions and still be there on Christmas...

[MJD]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

Ok gang, I'm back and we had a great trip. Here's my highpoint summary. I'll post the details tonight.

4.) The Contemporary is only good for it's location and the restaurants. As a hotel, it's old and run-down. The ceilings are only 7 feet in the hallways and it makes anyone feel claustrophobic. Honestly, I also think the CMs that work there don't enjoy it. It shows. A lot.

Some people love that place and others Hate it !!! Its just one of those resorts that could use a face lift.