The Contemporary Resort is one of the original hotels, but you would think, because it is a Disney resort, that it would not show its age. However, the Contemporary is a sore disappointment in this category. When you walk into a Disney hotel, you feel transported into a different world. However, upon walking into the Contemporary, you feel as though you are transported to the ugly Marriot down the road.

The theme is a futuristic one, and maybe it was futuristic in the ‘70s, but it’s time to change that look. It gets even worse. A great feature of the Contemporary is the tower. With 15 floors, it is one of the tallest Disney resorts and a big reason why people stay there. However, to our surprise, the tower does not hold the standard rooms. Instead, standard-room guests (this includes water-view-room guests as well) have to go "out back" to the garden wing buildings. They are two-level, poorly maintained buildings that are as charming as a kick in the head. When you walk into the hallway, the aromatic stench of cigarettes fills your nostrils as you walk down the dungeon-like hallway. And then you open the door to your room.

I can't complain about the room size; it’s about the same size as regular Disney rooms. However, the room is uglier than the hotel lobby. The mixing and matching of colors looks like a nightmare. For those of you who get a standard-view room, you can be pleasantly enchanted by the monstrous parking lot that adorns your view. Anyone who is over 6'3", like me, should also watch their heads, because the ceilings are not tall-people friendly. If you want to avoid the garden wings and stay in the tower, you need to book a tower room. However, the price for a tower room starts at $345 a night. For that price, I would go over to the Grand Floridian and get a standard room there, which is $349 a night.

I will say that the resort does feature extensive amenities. The resort has the most extensive water-sports marina in Disney. It’s possible to go jet skiing, as well as, parasailing, at the Contemporary (but keep in mind that these activities do come at a price: parasailing $75 for one person and $115 for two to ride together; for jet skiing, it’s $140 for an hour for up to five guests. Reservations must be made for both). The resort also has a full marina complete with speedboats, canopy boats, and pontoon boats. The resorts also features the most tennis courts, six, which you are free to use, but you must bring your own equipment. The resort also has the standard features of the other deluxe resorts. However, the amenities do not make up for the room. This is the only time my family and I were ever disappointed in Disney, and we will never return to stay at the Contemporary.

The best thing about the Contemporary is that you can walk to the main entrance of the Magic Kingdom. It is less than a 1/2 mile away. If you take the monorail, the Magic Kingdom is the last stop, so it can take up to a 1/2 hour to get there.

Be prepared that the Contemporary is more stark and less whimsical than other Disney themed hotels. We like modern, so we found it very comfortable. You can't beat the convenience, especially since the monorail runs right through the hotel and will take you easily to most atttractions. The only time we had to take a bus to an attraction was to reach the Animal Kingdom.

The Contemporary resort offers two types of rooms: Garden and Tower. The Garden standard rooms start in the low-$200's and the Tower rooms start in the low-$300's. Only some of the Tower rooms offer a wonderful view of the Magic Castle, thus the fireworks at night. Just a caution, that if it is the view you want, make sure to request it that way.

We requested a 1st floor garden-view room, and had a nice patio where ducks and pelicans would come every morning to be fed. We did find that the Garden rooms are a good distance from the main lobby. If someone has trouble walking that may be a consideration.

The Contemporary has Chef Mickey's, a wonderful character breakfast, and some of the best gift shops in Disney. It also has the California Grill restaurant on the 15th floor and the observation deck, which offers a stunning view of the Magic Kingdom. For the budget-minded there is also a nice cafeteria style restaurant next to the lobby, that we loved for a quick breakfast or snack.

The pool is in the shape of Mickey's head. They also have a great game room for the kids. We also loved the Mickey power boats that you can rent at the Contemporary and ride around Disney Bay.

Just make sure you have all your reservation information on your arrival and what plan you are on. We had trouble with checking in to the hotel, they had us registered incorrectly under another plan.

Overall, I found the layout of the hotel to be very good. Once in the lobby, everything you could want is right there. It was also conveniently located with easy access to all the main attractions and offered all the amenities you could want. I would go again in a minute, just to be near the Magic Kingdom, with that wonderful view of the Magic Castle you can always see outside.

It was a room for four people - very small for four adults but great for two adults with small children. We got to see fireworks right from the room (which I would request when you stay there).