Dates Opening Fri, Oct. 1, 1971 Shopping Address Contemporary Resort Access Road Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 Phone: (407) 824-1000 Latitude 28.4148331 Longitude -81.5745239 Official Website Click Here Taxes Taxable Value $121,329,021.00 Land Value $38,808,000.00 Building Value $82,521,021.00 Taxes Last Paid $1,699,848.70 Taxes Last Paid Date 11/30/2006

Items At Areas-Start

Edit

Details

Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of the original hotels at Walt Disney World. On opening day, it featured state-of-the-art facilities in 1971 and has currently been going through upgrades to bring it up to date. This includes the removal of the North Garden Wing of the resort and the construction of a Disney Vacation Club resort named the Bay Lake Tower^[1] or The Kingdom Tower^[2]. It is one of the deluxe resorts on the property.

Of the complex, the most well known feature is the Contemporary Tower, an A-frame building who's outer walls slope inwards with an open inside. Both of the corners are closed off by glass giving the building an open feeling. The monorail also goes through the main building slipping in quietly giving guests easy access to the monorail. Inside the concourse center pillar (for elevators) is a large mosaic designed by Mary Blair. One secret of the mosaic is the 5 legged goat.^[3]

Edit

Construction

The building was built by United States Steel Corporation and designed by Welton Becket. The frame of the building was built first with each room being a 'pod' that could be slipped in and out for rehabs when needed. The rooms were prefabbed on the ground with furniture and decor before being lifted into place. They later found out after years of not moving the rooms became stuck and would not come out.^[4]

Also built were two three story wings known as North Garden Wing and South Garden Wing. The south wing last went through a rehab in 2005-2006. The North Garden Wing was closed in November of 2006 and by March had been totally demolished. It also had been removed from the 2007 maps for the Contemporary.

Edit

Rooms

The standard room had two queen beds, a couch, sitting table and credenza with TV and coffee maker. It also had a small refrigerator and large closet. The bathrooms had dual sinks and vanity. The rooms were decorated in brows, reds, purples and green and had an Asian flair to the theme. This was considered the contemporary design when the resort was building. The hotel also featured suites and concierge rooms on the 12th and 14th floors which required a key to get to on the elevator.

From 2004 to 2006, rooms in the main building went through rehabs; closing off floor by floor to do the work. Most of the rooms were updated with new art work, color and furniture. The rooms were given flat panel high definition LCD televisions and modern facilities. The rooms were given muted color scheme which is currently the contemporary design. Beds were given a suede headboard and clear glass desks were added to the room. The couches were replaced by futons and the entertainment center is made of real wood. Bathrooms were updated as well.

Edit

Around the Resort

The resort has two pools, one located in the lake, and a beach on Bay Lake. There is also a marina where guests can rent boats or go parasailing. Fireworks from the Magic Kingdom are viewable from the resort and the show's sound track is played at various locations around the hotel. The Electrical Water Pageant also passes the resort.

Edit

References

1. ^Disney's "Bay Lake Tower" instead of "Kingdom Tower" at the Contemporary?
2. ^Netcot.com - Construction At Contemporary Resort Given A Name And Will Be A DVC Resort
3. ^Wikipedia - Contemporary Resort
4. ^Walt Dated World