It is funny to think that Disney's Contemporary Resort was one of the original resorts at Walt Disney World in the 70's. It is one of the oldest resorts at Walt Disney World with a new twist, Bay Lake Tower. The new addition to Disney's Contemporary Resort is the Disney Deluxe Villa (also called Disney Vacation Club property) called Bay Lake Tower. This 16-story hotel is quite an addition to the list of Disney World Resorts. You have all of the convenience of villas with refrigerators, larger rooms, and amenities of the Disney Villa Resorts, but you are a quick walk away from several sit down restaurants and a Food Court. Bay Lake Tower connects with Disney's Contemporary Resort by a bridge. Here is a picture (on the right) of the bridge between the two resorts. If you need a Coca Cola, you can just walk across the bridge to the Food Court. Not all of the Disney Villa Resorts are this convenient.
Rooms
The rooms are incredible with over 200 rooms that overlook Magic Kingdom Park. Besides the incredible view of Magic Kingdom Park, you can actually turn your television onto Channel 20 to listen to the Wishes Fireworks show as you watch it. The rooms at this resort include three main type of rooms called Studio, 1-Bedroom Villa, and 2-Bedroom Villa. The rooms are sleek with Modern decorations, lots of metal, and dark brown wood. Besides the unique theming for Bay Lake Tower, one additional difference between these rooms and other Disney Deluxe Villas are the 1-Bedroom Villas. The 1-Bedroom Villas at this resort actually sleep 5 people instead of 4.
Amenities
All of the rooms are on the 16 floors at Bay Lake Tower. On the very first floor is the lobby area with the Concierge and Welcome Desk. You do not actually check in to Bay Lake Tower in this lobby. Check in for Bay Lake Tower is next door at the Front Desk to Disney's Contemporary Resort. The two desks in the lobby are to assist with Top of the World, dining, and recreations reservations.
After walking through the lobby, you can go to the right to the Community Room. This is an all purpose fun room with video games, large tv and seating, foosball, and lots of crafts. This is the best Community Room at Walt Disney World. There are several Disney Cast Members (employees) that are in this room to keep the family active with games and crafts. You can make bead necklaces or bracelets or pottery. Most of the activities are free, with the exception of the pottery. There is a small fee for the pottery.
After creating some beading, head out the door to the courtyard. The courtyard includes shuffleboard courts, bocce ball, BBQ grills, picnic tables and pavillion, poolside bar, and the incredible pool area. The pool area features a Mickey Mouse shaped splash area with water jets, hot tub, beach entry pool, and the popular glass waterslide with a huge Mickey Mouse shape at the top of the slide. The whole pool area has a beautiful view of the Bay Lake.
One of our favorite amenities of this resort is not available to all guests staying at Bay Lake Tower. It is ONLY available to guests that are Disney Vacation Club Members. This special amenity is called Top of the World and features the private lounge and deck. The lounge has televisions, seating, and bar area. This lounge area feels like it should be in Las Vegas or on the Disney Cruise Ships instead of a Disney Resort. The word plush comes to mind! You can walk outside the lounge to the deck to watch the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom Parks. The view is breathtaking! This is based on space available. If you are a Disney Vacation Club Member, you can make reservations for Top of the World on the 1st floor at the Concierge Desk.
Security
Bay Lake Tower has the best security of any of the Disney Resorts. You have to be a guest staying at this resort to even enter the resort. You have to use your room key to get across the bridge or to enter the resort. You have to use your same room key to get into the pool area. This resort has tight security.
Bay Lake Tower is an incredible Disney Deluxe Villa Resort, just a quick monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom. You can choose rooms that overlook Magic Kingdom Park or Bay Lake with room for a family of 4 to a larger family of 12. This resort features of the quiet amenities of a Home Away From Home Resort, but a quick stroll to restaurants, shops, marina, and Food Court. Bay Lake Tower will soon become one of the most popular resorts at Walt Disney World! For more information about Bay Lake Tower or booking your Disney World vacation, please contact our agents at Destinations in Florida Travel.
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Can you say AWESOME! My husband and I have watched this project come to life. We went to Disney one year and they were just clearing the land. We went the next year and there was a shell of a resort and now we are going back this year and will get to see the finished project. Hope to stay there soon!!!