Disney World Review: A stay at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The Epcot resort area has long been our favorite place to stay at Walt Disney World, in particular the Boardwalk Inn and Villas. We especially love being able to walk to Epcot — the food court of Disney World.

© Steven Liebman Bay Lake Tower

But on our last trip we had the opportunity to stay at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort, our first stay at a Seven Seas Lagoon resort.

We had a studio overlooking the pool area. The studio is very small — it felt smaller than what you’ll find at some of the other Disney Vacation Club properties — but it is smartly designed. The kitchenette is tiny but efficient. We would have liked more space, but we weren’t planning to spend all that much time in the room. Although we didn’t have a coveted (and expensive) Magic Kingdom view, we found we could go down the hall to a lounge in our jammies to watch the fireworks.

We loved the modern look and feel of the hotels, especially the dramatic hallways. No need for crazy theming — just a plethora of not-exactly-hidden modern Mickeys.

Some tips if you’re thinking about staying at Bay Lake Tower:

© Steven Liebman View from Bay Lake Tower

• Walk to the Magic Kingdom. Of course you’ll want to ride the Monorail, but it’s a 7-minute stroll from Bay Lake Tower to the Magic Kingdom. Even at your most tired, you’ll get there (or back) more quickly this way, and with much less hassle. You’ll get plenty of Monorail time getting over to Epcot. 
• Check the calendar before you go. If you’re traveling during Christmas or Halloween seasons, the Magic Kingdom closes early many nights for special events. If you want to go out and about at night, that may make being within walking distance a lot less inviting. We went in March when the park was open until at least 10 every night, which made the location perfect.   
• Don’t miss the Top of the World Lounge for fireworks. DVC members and their guests can go up to the Top of the World for drinks, snacks and a good view of the fireworks, which appear beyond Space Mountain, rather than behind the castle. The view is better from the California Grill, but if you don’t have reservations there, you can hop on the Monorail and stop at the Polynesian. Head to the beach and if you get there early, you can snag a hammock. The fireworks are further away, sure, but they’re right over the castle, the way they’re meant to be seen. Believe it or not, you might even get tired of the fireworks after five or six nights. 
• Most of the food is at the Contemporary. Aside from the Top of the World Lounge and the Cove Bar near the pool, the rest of the food — including the Fantasia Market, where you can stock up your fridge — is across the footbridge at the Contemporary. You can get your refillable mugs filled at the Cove Bar or at the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary. 
• Make the most of the other Seven Seas Lagoon resorts. Some of the best restaurants and bars in Disney World are at the hotels around the Monorail. We’ve done a Monorail pub crawl and have noshed around the Monorail (snacking at the bars along the way). And you know you can watch the fireworks from the Polynesian. We also enjoyed taking a boat to the Wilderness Lodge to eat at the Territory Lounge. And the Grand Floridian is deserving of a visit even if you don’t have a reservation for afternoon tea. If you have kids in tow, there’s a charming Alice in Wonderland-themed water play area they can enjoy. 

©Steven Liebman Pool area of Bay Lake Tower

Bottom line: As always, think about where you plan to spend most of your time before you pick a resort. If your kid is a Star Wars fanatic who will want to be at Hollywood Studios every day, or if you’re a foodie who plans to eat and drink around Epcot, you may be better off at an Epcot resort. For me — a childfree foodie who likes to go out at night — Bay Lake Tower would be my first choice in the spring, but the Boardwalk would still be my preference during the Food & Wine Festival and the Christmas season.