Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review: Is This Deluxe Resort For You?

Last Updated on June 17, 2026 by Tori Pines

If you’re looking for a Disney hotel that puts you closer to Magic Kingdom than anywhere else on property, with a monorail running literally through the building and a walking path to the park that takes less than 10 minutes, Disney’s Contemporary Resort might be exactly what you’re looking for and this Contemporary Resort review will tell you exactly why! I just stayed here with my best friend and our four daughters, and I have to say, we absolutely loved it. The location alone is in a category all by itself, and the combination of incredible dining, great amenities, and that iconic, one-of-a-kind resort experience made for a trip we are still talking about.

That said, the Contemporary is not for everyone, and the price tag is real. In this Disney Contemporary Resort review, I’m breaking down exactly what worked, what surprised us, and whether this resort is the right Disney hotel for you and your family.

Overview of Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort is a Deluxe Resort located right in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, which means it’s about as close to the action as you can possibly get. This iconic A-frame tower is one of the two original Walt Disney World hotels, opening alongside the Polynesian in 1971, and it has been a landmark of the property ever since. The monorail runs directly through the fourth-floor Concourse, which is one of the most unique and exciting features of any hotel…well, anywhere! And the walkability to Magic Kingdom is a game changer for how you experience the parks. You can literally walk to the park in less than 10 minutes. No bus, no folding up the stroller…nothing.

As a Deluxe Resort, the Contemporary sits at the top of Disney’s hotel tiers. You’re paying for location, transportation access, dining, extended evening hours in the parks, and an overall elevated resort experience. It’s a significant jump in price from Moderate resorts, but if Magic Kingdom is your main park, the time you save on transportation alone makes a really compelling case.

The overall vibe here is sleek, modern, and iconic. It’s not the most whimsical or “Disney-fairy-tale” themed resort on property, and if you’re looking for immersive theming like the Polynesian or Caribbean Beach, this isn’t that. What it IS is an incredibly cool, one-of-a-kind hotel with a location and transportation access that no other resort on property can match.

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Disney’s Contemporary Resort Room Types & What to Expect

One of the most important things to decide is which room type to book, so I’ve included detailed information about each in this Contemporary resort review.

The resort is split into two main areas: the Main Tower and the Garden Wing. The Main Tower is the iconic A-frame building where the monorail runs through, and where you’ll find the lobby, dining, shops, and the most coveted room views. The Garden Wing is a separate three-story building adjacent to the Main Tower, and as someone who stayed there, I have some strong feelings and great tips to share about it below.

Main Tower Rooms

Main Tower rooms are the crown jewel of the Contemporary and range from Resort View (basically looks over the pool and the back side of the lake) to the highly coveted Theme Park View rooms with sweeping views of Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, and the fireworks. All Main Tower rooms have balconies, which is a huge plus, and the higher the floor the better the views and the quieter the room. Note that rooms closer to the fourth floor Concourse, where Chef Mickey’s is located, can be noisy early in the morning when character dining gets going. If you’re a light sleeper or want to sleep in, request a room on the opposite side of the tower from the restaurant.

The recently renovated rooms on the 14th floor are themed with Incredibles touches in the color scheme and artwork, have deeper balconies, larger bathrooms, and are some of the most spectacular rooms on the entire property. They’re more expensive, but if you’re already splurging on the Contemporary, this is the way to go for a truly special stay.

Garden Wing Rooms

The Garden Wing is the more affordable entry point into the Contemporary, and honestly? I loved it and would recommend it to almost everyone. We stayed in a Garden Wing Water View room and it was absolutely beautiful, with lovely views of Bay Lake from our window. The rooms are spacious, recently renovated, and feel fresh and modern without being over the top. But I’m not here to sell you on the decor. It’s basically a normal hotel room with maybe a touch more space since it does have the child size fold out bed.

Here’s my biggest and most important tip for anyone booking the Garden Wing: request a first floor room close to the Main Tower when you check in on the My Disney Experience app. The reason? You completely avoid the elevator situation in the Main Tower. The main building elevators can get absolutely crazy, especially during peak park hours when everyone is coming and going at the same time. Staying in the Garden Wing means you walk right out your door at ground level and stroll over to the main building in about two minutes. It is so much more relaxed and low-stress, especially with kids. I genuinely loved this setup and would choose it again.

Getting out to Magic Kingdom was quick and easy from these rooms even though they’re on the opposite side of the main tower. Purely because you can walk straight out and get going.

One thing to note: second floor Garden Wing rooms do NOT have balconies, so if that’s important to you, make sure you request first or third floor.

Club Level Rooms

For the ultimate splurge, Club Level rooms at the Tower Club or Atrium Club include personalized concierge service and access to a private lounge with continental breakfast, midday snacks, evening wine, hors d’oeuvres, cordials, and desserts throughout the day. This can actually add up to really meaningful savings on food if you take advantage of it, and the service is exceptional. It’s an amazing option for a special trip or anniversary.

Room Amenities

The rooms at the Contemporary are beautiful and very well appointed. You’ve got a Keurig coffee maker, a mini refrigerator, a laptop-size in-room safe, an iron and ironing board, a hairdryer, a lighted makeup mirror, and a clothes steamer. There’s also free WiFi and a flat-panel TV.

The glass-enclosed rainfall shower is a lovely touch that genuinely makes you feel like you’re at a spa after a long park day. Do note, our room did not have a tub, only a shower. So if that’s a deal breaker for you, make sure to request it at check in. But the double sinks meant plenty of space for everyone, and the separate toilet room was nice for us since we were sharing the room with friends.

The rooms are extremely spacious. We had four little girls, two double strollers, tons of stuff and still felt like we had room to breathe. Every room sleeps up to five guests with two queen beds and a day bed, plus the ability to use a crib. The six of us actually fit perfectly. The only downside is that since there is a fold out bed, there is no dresser. So you’ll have to make due with the 3 little drawers in the closet or the ample space under the beds.

We used the table to eat several times which was so helpful for a quick meal in the room and the fridge held all of our containers of fruit and sandwiches that he stocked for the kids for the week.

We found the beds super comfortable and after long days in the parks, everyone slept like babies, even the babies! haha!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Dining

This is another area where the Contemporary really, truly shines and sets itself apart from almost every other resort on property. The dining here is exceptional across the board. There’s Chef Mickey’s, California Grill, Steakhouse 71 and Contempo Cafe. Plus a lounge called the Outer Rim, a pool bar and grill called the Cove Bar and a coffee shop called Contemporary Grounds.

Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s is the iconic character dining experience at the Contemporary and one of the most beloved dining experiences at all of Walt Disney World. It’s an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet for breakfast or dinner where Mickey Mouse and all his pals make their rounds through the restaurant visiting tables, taking photos, and signing autographs while the monorail glides right through the building above you. The food is actually so so good and the energy in the room is joyful and festive in the best way. For families with young kids, especially on a first Disney trip, this is an absolute must-do.

Fair warning, it is LOUD. Like, gloriously, chaotically loud. If you want a quiet meal this is not the one. But if you want to watch your kids absolutely lose their minds when Mickey walks over to your table? There is nothing better. Book your Advanced Dining Reservation at the 60-day window because this one fills up incredibly fast.

Both breakfast and dinner are great options here. We enjoyed dinner at Chef Mickey’s during our trip to Disney in January 2026 and I was blown away by the food. There was Salmon, cocktail shrimp, chicken, carved beef, pasta, asian, salads, and so so much more. It was endless. And then a dessert bar on top of that. I’ve had breakfast here too many years ago and that’s also delicious and includes things like Mickey waffles, pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, pastries, fruit and so much more.

My biggest tip here

is to not book it on the first day of your trip if you have small children. If they’re anything like my toddler, they will need time to warm up to the characters. We made this mistake and were so bummed when she was afraid of Mickey and wouldn’t say hi to anyone. By day 2 she was warmed up and ready to meet and greet!

California Grill

California Grill on the 15th floor of the Contemporary is one of the most celebrated restaurants at all of Walt Disney World, and it earns every bit of that reputation. It’s a three-course prix-fixe experience at $99 per adult with sweeping panoramic views of Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom, and Cinderella Castle, and it is absolutely spectacular. When the Magic Kingdom fireworks begin, the lights in the restaurant dim, the music is piped in, and guests can step out onto the outdoor terrace to watch Happily Ever After from above. It is genuinely one of the most magical dining experiences you can have at Disney World.

Book as early as possible, get a fireworks-adjacent reservation time, and dress in smart casual attire. California Grill is a special occasion kind of dinner and it delivers in every possible way.

Note: If you have dinner before the fireworks, you are allowed to come back at fireworks time to watch from the terrace, while other guests are not.

Steakhouse 71

Steakhouse 71 is a more casual but still really wonderful sit-down option at the Contemporary, inspired by Walt Disney and the early days of the resort. The decor features 1970s design elements and photos of Walt, which gives it a really warm and historic feel. The menu features American classics with Florida-inspired touches, and it’s a great option for a more relaxed dinner without the formality or price tag of California Grill. The Steakhouse 71 Lounge is also a fantastic spot to grab a cocktail and some snacks without a reservation.

But my biggest tip for possibly the whole resort? If you like to stick to somewhat of a budget like I do, then grab dinner to-go from Steakhouse 71 and eat outside on the water or from the comfort of your room. Order kids meals for everyone to save a bunch of money while still getting the quality Steakhouse 71 with much smaller price tags! For 2 adults, 2 toddlers and 2 babies we ordered 4 kids meals and a side of mac and cheese and it was the PERFECT amount of food for everyone. It cost a whopping $70 and everyone ate steak and salmon and felt like kings. It was the perfect start to our stay at the Contemporary! (Note that ordering to-go is only allowed for Contemporary resort guests at this time.)

Contempo Café

Contempo Café is the Contemporary’s quick-service option, located right on the Grand Canyon Concourse where the monorail runs through. It’s convenient, fast, and has a solid variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s a great choice for a quick meal before heading to the parks or a casual lunch on a pool day. Not the most exciting food on property, but reliable and very convenient.

In comparison to some of the food hall options at Disney’s moderate resorts, I was super let down by the options here. Almost everything is pretty unhealthy on the menu, like fried food, pizza and sandwiches. But they do have a rice bowl option at dinner that made it a touch better….but still nothing like the salmon plate I got three different times during our stay at Port Orleans Riverside earlier this year. And the food options at Pop Century are great too!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Transportation

This is the single biggest reason to stay at the Contemporary, and I cannot overstate how much of a difference it makes to your Disney vacation.

You can walk to Magic Kingdom

I know that sounds simple but let me put it into perspective: while every other resort on property is waiting for a bus, a boat, or the monorail, guests of the Contemporary can literally lace up their sneakers and walk to Magic Kingdom in about 10 to 15 minutes. And you have your own private security entrance too that doesn’t have a line!

During rope drop, this is an absolute game changer. No waiting, no crowds at a bus stop, no uncertainty about timing. You just go. We used this walk almost every morning and it made our park days SO much more relaxed and efficient.

Lean into this feature and spend more of your time at Magic Kingdom if possible.

The monorail runs through the building

On the fourth floor Concourse, you can hop directly onto the resort monorail which connects you to Magic Kingdom, the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Polynesian Village Resort, and the Grand Floridian, all with no bus required. To get to EPCOT, take the monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the EPCOT line. It’s quick, smooth, and honestly just really fun to ride.

Buses are available for Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs, arriving approximately every 20 minutes. These are the same buses available at every Disney resort, so nothing special here, but they’re reliable and convenient.

Boat transportation runs from the Contemporary Marina to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, departing every 20 to 30 minutes. It’s a lovely way to get over there for dinner at Wilderness Lodge if that’s on your list.

Parking is free for resort guests and there was always ample space. It’s very close no matter where your room is and makes it so easy and convenient if you have a car with you. That being said, if you fly into Orlando, you do not need a car when staying at the Contemporary resort and I recommend getting a ride from Mears for $16 per adult (less or free for kids).

Honestly, the transportation situation at the Contemporary is the best on property for Magic Kingdom trips and it is a legitimate, meaningful perk that saves you real time every single day.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Amenities & Activities

The Pool

The Contemporary Feature Pool is located behind the resort and is a really fun, well-maintained pool area with a waterslide and plenty of space to spread out. It’s great for kids and has a nice energy without feeling overwhelming. Guests staying in Bay Lake Tower also have access to the Bay Cove Pool, which is a separate, more exclusive pool area. The pool is a great option for a mid-afternoon break between park sessions, and since you can walk to Magic Kingdom, it’s incredibly easy to pop back to the resort for a swim and then head back to the park for the evening.

One of the main reasons we booked this hotel was since our visit was in June when we knew it would be incredibly hot. So we made sure to spend lots of time at the hotel pool and we really enjoyed our time there. It was super large and never felt crowded. There were always plenty of pool chairs and life vests for the kids to use. The slide was fun and the whole atmosphere was perfect. Plus it was a 30 second walk back to our room in the Garden Wing which was a huge plus when the kids constantly needed bathroom trips.

The Splash Pad

Another huge reason we booked the Contemporary was for the splash pad! We have toddlers and having a great splash pad is the best way for parents to truly relax at the pool since little kids can play independently in the water. The splash pad here is wonderful and lined with tables and chairs and shade for the parents to relax while the kids play!

The Marina

The Contemporary Marina on Bay Lake is such a fun and often overlooked resort amenity. You can rent Sea Raycers, pontoon boats, canopy boats, and kayaks, which are a total blast on the water. Pontoon boat rentals are especially popular for sunset cruises around Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon with gorgeous views of Cinderella Castle from the water. If you’re celebrating something special, specialty fireworks cruises can also be arranged and are absolutely unforgettable.

Evening Activities

The Contemporary hosts evening campfires and outdoor Disney movie screenings, which are a really sweet, low-key activity for kids at the end of a long park day. They also have recreation activities throughout the day including poolside games and crafts. It’s a lovely way to wind down without heading back to the parks.

One night they had a silent disco which I didn’t get too excited about until we tried it and we all had SO much fun. Even the babies were dancing along to the music! It was such a highlight of our stay.

One evening when it was raining and we were hanging out in the lobby, the lifeguards came up to our kids with coloring supplies and sat on the floor with them coloring and chatting. It was such a sweet experience and made waiting for the pool to open back up so much easier!

Extended Evening Hours

As a Deluxe Resort, guests of the Contemporary receive access to Extended Evening Hours on select nights, which grants after-hours access to the theme parks after other guests have gone home. This is a genuinely fantastic perk that Moderate and Value resort guests don’t have access to, and it is SO worth taking advantage of during your stay.

We stayed at Magic Kingdom until almost 1am our first night (yes with 4 kids under 5) and got to experience so much more without waiting in lines! Plus they all fell asleep on the 10 minute walk home and we plopped them in bed without a single peep!

View of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks

If you don’t want to be out late at Magic Kingdom, or don’t have park tickets that night, then a huge perk is that you can watch the fireworks right from the balcony off the fourth floor at the Contemporary! We did this one night after getting back from Hollywood Studios and it was such a treat. They even pipe in the music!

Water Park Benefit in Summer 2026

Water park admission on check-in day is included with your stay during the summer! As of 2026 this perk is still included and one of the best perks of visiting during the summer! We LOVED our day spent at Disney’s Blizzard Beach!

Pros & Cons of Staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Pros

• Walking distance to Magic Kingdom (10–15 minutes!)
• Monorail runs directly through the hotel
• Exceptional dining including California Grill and Chef Mickey’s
• Beautiful, recently renovated rooms
• Extended Evening Hours perk as a Deluxe Resort
• Multiple transportation options
• Incredible location and iconic resort experience

Cons

• The price is real, this is Disney’s Deluxe tier
• The modern aesthetic is less immersive “Disney” than some other resorts
• Main Tower elevators can be very crowded during peak times

Garden Wing vs. Main Tower: Which Should You Choose?

This is the big question for most people booking the Contemporary, and here’s my honest take: it depends entirely on your priorities.

The Main Tower gives you the full iconic Contemporary experience, balconies on every room, the best views of Magic Kingdom and Bay Lake, and that feeling of being right in the heart of it all. If a Theme Park View room is in your budget, the views of Cinderella Castle and the fireworks from your balcony are genuinely breathtaking and worth every penny for a special trip.

The Garden Wing gives you a more relaxed, quieter experience at a lower price point, with beautiful water views available and none of the Main Tower elevator chaos. I personally loved staying in the Garden Wing and think it is SO underrated. My pro tip: request first floor and close to the Main Tower when you check in on the My Disney Experience app. You get the best of both worlds, easy access to all the Main Tower amenities without any of the crowds and craziness. It’s a really smart way to do the Contemporary, especially with young kids.

Who Should Stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort?

• Best for Magic Kingdom lovers, especially families who want to maximize their time in the park
• Best for families with very young kids who will go absolutely wild at Chef Mickey’s and love the monorail, but don’t care as much about the immersive theming
• Best for guests who want to walk to the park and skip transportation stress entirely
• Best for those celebrating something special, especially if California Grill is on the agenda

Is Disney’s Contemporary Resort Worth It? My Honest Review

Yes, with one big caveat: the price. The Contemporary is a Deluxe Resort and it is priced like one. If the budget is there, I genuinely think this resort is worth every dollar, especially if Magic Kingdom is your primary park. The ability to walk over whenever you want, pop back for a swim, and walk back for fireworks is a completely different and SO much more relaxed way to do Disney. We had four little girls with us and the ease of getting to and from the park changed everything about how our days felt.

The rooms are beautiful, the dining is exceptional, the amenities are fantastic, and staying at an iconic Disney resort that has been part of the magic since 1971 is just really, really special. If the Contemporary is in your budget and Magic Kingdom is your happy place, book it. You will not regret it.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort FAQs

Can you walk to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary? Yes! The walk takes about 10 to 15 minutes on a paved path and it is one of the best perks of the resort. We walked over almost every day and loved it.

Does the monorail really go through the hotel? It does and it is SO cool! You board directly from the fourth-floor Concourse. The kids absolutely loved watching it glide through the building.

Is the Garden Wing worth it? Absolutely, especially if you request first floor close to the Main Tower. You save money, avoid the elevator chaos, and still have full access to every amenity. Highly recommend.

Is Chef Mickey’s worth it? If you have young kids or it’s your first Disney trip, yes, one hundred percent. It is loud and lively but the joy on kids’ faces when the characters come around is absolutely priceless.

How far is the Contemporary from EPCOT? You’ll take the resort monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the EPCOT monorail. It’s a smooth connection and generally pretty quick, but plan for about 20 to 25 minutes total. But you don’t have to collapse the stroller which is a win!

Is Disney’s Contemporary Resort good for first-time Disney visitors? It is a fantastic choice, especially for families with young kids who are prioritizing Magic Kingdom. Just be prepared for the price tag and build in that walk to the park every morning!