Anyone who has been to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom may be familiar with the Contemporary Resort, especially if they have riding the monorail. One of the original resorts to open with Disney in 1971, The Contemporary is home to 655 rooms. The deluxe resort is an iconic piece of Disney World history and mostly known for the monorail that runs straight through the lobby. Inside the lobby lies another famous piece of Disney history. The 90 foot tall mural painted by legendary Disney painter Mary Blair – who designed the artwork for It’s a Small World- showcases the beauty of the Grand Canyon and America’s Southwestern landscape.
Located on Bay Lake, the resort offers recreational activities such as fishing, boat rentals, and even lakeside yoga. Sporting activities such as tennis and volleyball are also available to guests. As for getting to and from the parks, the resort offers complimentary monorail, bus, or boat transportation.
Whether guests would like to eat breakfast with Mickey Mouse or have a cocktail at the pool, the Contemporary has many options. Chef Mickey’s is a popular character dining experience that features an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet where guests can feast on items such as Mickey waffles and Honey-glazed Slow-roasted Pit Ham. The restaurant is a popular spot for families to dine with Mickey and his pals; many refer to it as a “bucket-list” Disney experience. The Wave is another dining option at the resort that offers guests delicious organic and local menu items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can dine on their famous sweet potato pancakes for breakfast or signature seared gnocchi for dinner.
If looking for a more sophisticated option, guests can dine at the award winning California Grill. The restaurant features items such as jumbo scallops, sushi, and pork. While a dress code is required, guests can dine while taking in beautiful views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom. The California Grill is a particularly popular spot to view the nightly firework show at Cinderella’s Castle. The California Grill also offers a Sunday brunch buffet. Guests can enjoy cocktails, live music, and a delicious meal.
After nearly 50 years, the Contemporary still stands the test of time and remains one of Disney’s most popular resorts. With pricing that ranges from $400 up to $1000 per night, the famed hotel does not fail to attract hundreds of thousands of guests per year. Whether they attend for dining or to lodge, guests will continue to flock to the resort for many years to come.
