Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<IMHO a matching tower on the other side would be the way to go.>> That really wouldn't have been practical. The design of the Contemporary restricts rooms to the outside of the building (you can sell inside rooms on a cruise ship, but I don't think it would work for a hotel). That design creates a gorgeous cavernous atrium, but provides very little guest space. The Contemporary Tower has 383 guest rooms. Bay Lake Tower has 590 units, with many of those having a full kitchen, living room, multiple bedrooms and baths, and an in-unit laundry closet.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>(you can sell inside rooms on a cruise ship, but I don't think it would work for a hotel)<< Nope, it wouldn't work. To be a 'legal' bedroom, there need to be 2 exit paths (the doorway and a window are the most common combo). I think cruise ships can get away with it, in part, because they're typically registered in other countries which have looser laws, though I'm not familiar with any American shipbuilding regulations >>The Contemporary Tower has 383 guest rooms. Bay Lake Tower has 590 units...<< It always amazes me how few rooms are in the Contemporary, considering it's visibility compared to other hotels. The big atrium does take a lot of 'space' that seems like would be for rooms, and the tower itself isn't actually as tall as it seems (there's just nothing else nearby to compare it to). I think I read somewhere that originally more than half of the hotel's rooms were in the low-lying Garden Wings
Originally Posted By RoadTrip That is correct. The South Garden Wing has 250 rooms. Assuming the North Wing had the same number, that would be a total of 500 rooms compared to 383 in the Tower.
Originally Posted By kennect It doesn't matter what the subject is TDLFAN can manage to rain on anyone's parade when it comes to WDW.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<It doesn't matter what the subject is TDLFAN can manage to rain on anyone's parade when it comes to WDW.>> I don't let it bother me anymore. He has his opinion, I have mine. Sometimes I agree with him, sometimes I don't. I know that overall he is NOT a fan of WDW, and not a fan of all the DVC development at WDW (although he does like a couple of the DVC resorts). That's cool. If I could afford to hang out at Disney Tokyo I'd probably prefer that too.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Oh Konnect, I take that as a compliment. Thank you. Nice to know I'm still consistent after all these years. >>>You may dislike what it did visually to the existing Contemporary (though I think Bay Lake complements it quite well), but it appears to be well-liked by guests. At Tripadvisor.com it is the second-ranked on-site hotel at WDW, behind only the Wilderness Lodge and Wilderness Lodge Villas. Curiously enough the original Contemporary rates very poorly, ahead of only the All Stars and Coronado Springs.<<< I'm not arguing the quality of the accommodations, but THE LOOK and ARCHITECTURAL design of the Tower. I'm sure the condos there are as nice as they can be, and when you are only a 6 minute walk away from the Tragic Kingdom, then HEY!! what's not to like?!? But your argument about it being next to the bay and and how much it improves the building's aesthetics is LAUGHABLE. Sorry. Just my opinion. Or else the projects in NYC would be great since they are close to the Hudson River.. And comparing it to the DAK Lodge, the farthest resort hotel from the MK.. well.. you can see why anyone in the DVC would spend money staying in that tower. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION and nothing else. Which in regards to that Bay Tower it's all it has going for it (a good thing since 98.7% of WDW guests have no taste in theme and architecture, which is why WDW as a whole has been the least themed and most ordinary resort in the Disney coffers..
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But your argument about it being next to the bay and and how much it improves the building's aesthetics is LAUGHABLE.>> Sorry... worded my sentence ambiguously. I didn't mean that Bay Lake made BLT better, but that I thought BLT fit in with the original Contemporary rather well. While the Contemporary is certainly iconic, it is not the most beautiful hotel at WDW either (although personally I really enjoy the mid-century modern style).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***If I could afford to hang out at Disney Tokyo I'd probably prefer that too*** Any rumors out there that any of the TDR might ever become DVC compliant? I know they work on the reverse (vacation club center in Ikspiari pushes hard for the Japanese folks to buy into Hawaii, from everything I've seen), anyone know if Tokyo might ever become a destination for the timeshare set? (Lee, maybe?) If so, no more excuses RT - you and Ann gotta get your butts out here.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Sorry... worded my sentence ambiguously. I didn't mean that Bay Lake made BLT better, but that I thought BLT fit in with the original Contemporary rather well*** Anyone else hungry for a toasted sandwich?
Originally Posted By tonyanton re: post 21...not sure what you mean? I'm talking about a twin for the Bay Lake Tower...there are no "inside rooms" to speak of...even if they built a duplicate tower as a mix of hotel and new DVC there would still be views of the inevitable new pool and the lake
Originally Posted By RoadTrip OK - I thought you meant that Disney should have duplicated the design of the original Contemporary. A second Bay-Lake Tower would mean eliminating the remaining Garden Wing rooms, the only semi-reasonably priced option at the Contemporary.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>...which is why WDW as a whole has been the least themed and most ordinary resort in the Disney coffers.<< You haven't checked out the hotel options at DLR recently, have you? Yes, the GCH is lovely, but DLH and PPH look like any high-rise hotel in any city in the country. Yes, they've gotten some nice graphics and new carpet with their recent redos, but there's nothing to disguise the fact that they're simply boring and ugly structures. And that's 2/3 of the hotels for DLR; imagine how bad WDW would look if 14 of its hotels had the 'charm' of BLT For a while, the DLH at least had the charming quasi-balconies, but those were removed in the update a few years ago, so there's really not charm much left (other than location, location, location)
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Contemporary/mid-century modern style is not "charming" and the PPH, DLH and Contemporary were all designed during that period (Contemporary very late in that period). If they had given Bay Lake Tower charm it would seem totally out of place next to the Contemporary. The only charm it has is the monorail running through it.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>>You haven't checked out the hotel options at DLR recently, have you? Yes, the GCH is lovely, but DLH and PPH look like any high-rise hotel in any city in the country.<<< Actually I have checked those hotels out, last October during my DLR visit. Frankly, I love what they did at the DLH. Retro modern yet subtle. Paradise Pier is just a building like anyone one found in any ghetto city. Will give you that much, but NO park at WDW can reach the heals of the atmospheres found inside DL and now even most areas of DCA. So I stand by my opinion on WDW's lack of charm and lavish theming, which thankfully appears to be improving with the new Fantasyland. But it's a little too late.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I am having a hard time understanding this discussion. I have stayed at most of the deluxes at WDW and all at DL. I agree the GCH used to be a Deluxe but the lobby is so full of people all the time it is starting to look run down and I think the rooms and long hallways are dark and depressing. The DL Hotel update would be nice except for the feeling inside the room. The new furnishings do not disquise they are old and boxy; hate not having the balcony. Whereas the PP has a much easier lobby to navigate for that early morn coffee and is sunny and bright. The rooms are far more cheerful to be in and the view of DCA day and night activity is extremely enjoyable. My first choice for DL would be the PP even without the location offered at the Grand Californian. As for WDW my first choice is always BLT. There is nothing like the early morn sunrise and sunsets Also watching the water boat activity and monorail nonstop from your balcony is a one of a kind experience. The location is superior for access to the Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian and Polynesian along with the MK. I have already mentioned the exclusive Top of the World Lounge. It is pretty special to enjoy a nightly beverage with a serving of fireworks.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I've never been to the DLH after the update, but prior to that preferred the PPH for the location, the view, and the significantly larger room size. I've never stayed at the GCH, but the rooms and hallways sound similar to the WL and AKL at WDW. They are gorgeous hotels oozing charm, but are decorated with very dark colors. The dark color scheme combined with the fact that they have the smallest room size of any Deluxe at WDW makes them feel very cramped.
Originally Posted By Alltwelve It's true. Don't get me wrong, GCH is a beautiful hotel. The rooms are pretty small though, considering the price. In July, we stayed at PP, and while it's not nearly as themed as GCH, the rooms are much brighter and bigger. I think its an American thing though, because I've stayed at Disney's Hollywood Hotel at HKDL and the Ambassador at TDR and they both weren't as themed as the WDW resort hotels. Heck, the lobby of Hollywood Hotel at HKDL kinda reminded me of All-Star Movies! lol
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I stayed in the HK Hollywood Hotel about 8 months after it opened (overnight layover, and it was cheaper and easier than getting a room in the city) and really liked the lobby. No, it wasn't as ornate as the HKDL/GCF/DLPH lobby, but I thought it worked really well for the streamline/deco theme of the hotel. If anything seemed like the All-Stars to me, it was the random Disney studio marquee out in the gardens. Pretty much everything in the building itself seemed like it was at least on part with the WDW Moderates, with touches from the Deluxes here and there. Especially for the price, I was really impressed!
Originally Posted By Mr X Are we sure we're not equating gaudy with "well themed"? I dunno about HK, but the Ambassador has an understated coolness that I think is very classy, and very "Disney" in all the little details. All-Stars, on the other hand...blech. Gaudy motel from hell!
Originally Posted By Alltwelve You know, FerretAfros, now that you say that about the Hollywood Hotel and now that I think about it, I think the reason I was comparing it to All-Star Movies was the mural behind the front desk. I think that mural stuck in my mind. I'm looking at the pics I took of it, and you're right: it did had some nice touches. The bar, in the lobby, was particularly nice!
