A stay that completely changed my mind
A Brief History of the Contemporary & Bay Lake Tower
When Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened with Walt Disney World Resort in 1971, it immediately became one of Disney’s most iconic properties. Its bold A-frame design and the monorail gliding straight through the building embodied Walt Disney’s vision of the future.
Nearly four decades later, Disney expanded on that vision with Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which opened in 2009 as part of Disney Vacation Club. Built on the site of the former North Garden Wing, the tower added villa-style accommodations just steps from Magic Kingdom. Connected by the Skyway Bridge, it shares the Contemporary’s sleek, modern aesthetic while offering some of the most desirable views and locations on property.
First Impressions: Why I Never Planned to Stay Here
I’ll be completely honest—this was never a resort I had any desire to stay at.
The aesthetic just didn’t appeal to me. With younger kids, I’ve always preferred more immersive, themed resorts like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Those resorts feel like part of the vacation experience in themselves, while the Contemporary always felt more minimal and, if I’m being honest, a little plain.
I enjoyed visiting—grabbing a meal at Chef Mickey’s, browsing the shops, and watching the monorail pass through the building—but staying overnight just wasn’t on my radar.
That all changed when I started planning my daughter Hayley’s 21st birthday trip.
Why We Chose Bay Lake Tower
This trip looked very different from our usual Disney vacations. It was adults only—just me, Mark, Hayley, and her boyfriend Ewan—and instead of focusing on rides from rope drop to park close, we planned experiences.
At the top of that list were two things: a monorail bar crawl and drinking around the world at EPCOT.
Hayley specifically requested we stay at the Contemporary so we could easily hop back on the monorail after the bar crawl, and for the first time, location became more important to me than theming. The idea of ending the night and simply riding back to our resort without dealing with buses or long waits was incredibly appealing.
By the time we arrived, I found myself excited—not just for the trip, but for finally experiencing a resort I had overlooked for so long.
Resort Atmosphere & Recreation
One of the biggest surprises of this stay was how much I enjoyed simply spending time at the resort.
We started our day at the marina, playing pool and taking in the views of Bay Lake. It was calm, quiet, and honestly one of the most relaxing moments of the entire trip. There’s also a large outdoor chess board nearby, which added a fun, laid-back element to the space.
We eventually made our way to the pool bar for lunch and drinks, expecting a quick stop—but ended up lingering much longer than planned. The atmosphere was easygoing, without the overwhelming crowds you sometimes feel at other Disney resorts.
And the pool? This is where I had to completely rethink my assumptions.
While it isn’t heavily themed, the pool area at Bay Lake Tower is clean, open, and surprisingly enjoyable. There’s a splash pad area that immediately made me think of my younger kids, and the overall layout feels more relaxed than chaotic. It may not be flashy, but it works—and for this trip, that was exactly what we needed.
The Rooms: Layouts, Views, and Real-Life Functionality
We stayed in two separate studio villas, and one of the highlights was having balconies that overlooked Magic Kingdom.
Watching the fireworks from our balcony, with the music playing in the background, was one of those moments that reminded me why Disney resorts can be so special. It felt private, peaceful, and completely different from watching fireworks in the park crowds.
The rooms themselves were clean, modern, and well maintained—but what stood out most was how different the layouts were.
My daughter’s studio included a small walk-in kitchen area, while our studio had a kitchenette positioned in what felt like a hallway between the bathroom and bedroom. I definitely preferred her layout, especially when it came to usable space. With limited counter space in our room, I actually ended up moving the coffee maker into the bathroom just to make it work.
It wasn’t a dealbreaker for a short stay, but it’s something to keep in mind—especially if you’re traveling with kids or planning a longer trip. Requesting a room with a larger kitchen setup would make a noticeable difference.
The bathroom itself was surprisingly large, almost to the point of feeling underutilized. There was only one sink, even though there was clearly space for two, and I couldn’t help but think that some of that square footage could have been better allocated to the kitchen area.
Dining at the Contemporary
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Bay Lake Tower is immediate access to all the dining at the Contemporary.
Whether you’re looking for a character meal at Chef Mickey’s or a more upscale experience at California Grill, everything is just a short walk away. There’s something incredibly convenient about not having to plan transportation around your meals.
Even the quick-service options felt easy and accessible, which made grabbing food between activities seamless instead of stressful.
Transportation: Where This Resort Truly Shines
If there’s one area where Bay Lake Tower completely outperforms most other Disney resorts, it’s transportation.
Being able to walk to Magic Kingdom is a game changer. After a long day in the parks, skipping transportation entirely and heading back on foot in under ten minutes feels like a luxury you can’t fully appreciate until you experience it.
The monorail access is just as valuable. We used it constantly—not just for getting to Magic Kingdom, but as part of our monorail bar crawl and for easy connections to EPCOT.
Another unexpected perk? Being the first stop on the monorail loop when returning from Magic Kingdom. At the end of a long night, that small detail made a big difference.
We also took advantage of Extended Evening Hours, and staying this close made the experience even more worthwhile.
The Overall Vibe: Busy or Surprisingly Calm?
Before this stay, I had always heard that the Contemporary felt loud and crowded, largely because of the popularity of Chef Mickey’s.
But that wasn’t my experience at all.
There were several moments when the lobby felt almost empty—even right outside the restaurant. The resort seemed to have a rhythm to it, where it could feel lively at times but never overwhelmingly chaotic.
That balance made it easy to enjoy both the energy and the downtime.
Final Thoughts: From “Never” to “Book It Again”
This stay completely changed my perspective.
What I once dismissed as lacking theme and personality turned out to be one of the most convenient, relaxing, and enjoyable resort experiences I’ve had at Disney.
It may not have the over-the-top theming of other resorts, but what it offers instead is something just as valuable—ease, comfort, and a location that truly enhances your entire trip.
And the biggest surprise?
I already booked another stay—this time bringing my younger kids along.
Bay Lake Tower has officially earned a permanent spot on my list.
