Disney's Contemporary Resort

Disney's Contemporary Resort is a Deluxe resort located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando, Florida. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company and is one of the two original resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort, along with Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. It was designed by Welton Becket and Emilio Pucci and features a distinctive A-frame structure, inspired by the Bauhaus movement and the works of Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The resort has been a popular destination for Walt Disney World guests, including Roy E. Disney, Michael Eisner, and Bob Iger.

● History

The resort was opened on October 1, 1971, as one of the two original resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort, along with Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. It was built by United States Steel and designed by Welton Becket and Emilio Pucci, with input from Walt Disney himself, as well as Roy O. Disney and Card Walker. The resort was originally intended to be a luxury hotel with a focus on modern architecture and innovative design, inspired by the works of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright. Over the years, the resort has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of a new conference center and a spa, designed by Robert A.M. Stern and Michael Graves. The resort has hosted many notable guests, including Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton, as well as Hollywood stars like Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

● Architecture and Design

The resort's design is characterized by its distinctive A-frame structure, which was inspired by the Bauhaus movement and the works of Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The resort's main building is a large, A-frame structure with a monorail beam running through it, designed by Buckminster Fuller and Eero Saarinen. The resort's interior design was created by Emilio Pucci and features a modernist aesthetic, with influences from Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. The resort's landscape design was created by Ian McHarg and features a variety of tropical plants and native species, including palms and live oaks. The resort's design has been influenced by the works of Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, and has been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Institute of Architects Honor Award.

● Accommodations

The resort offers a range of accommodations, including standard rooms, suites, and villas. The resort's rooms are decorated in a modernist style, with influences from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Gustav Stickley. The resort's suites offer additional amenities, including private balconies and whirlpool tubs, designed by Philippe Starck and Arne Jacobsen. The resort's villas are located in a separate building and offer kitchenettes and living areas, designed by Richard Meier and Michael Graves. The resort has hosted many notable guests, including Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Steven Spielberg, as well as royal families like the British royal family and the Jordanian royal family.

● Dining and Entertainment

The resort offers a range of dining options, including California Grill, The Wave... of American Flavors, and Contempo Cafe. The resort's restaurants are known for their modern American cuisine, with influences from Thomas Keller and Wolfgang Puck. The resort also offers a range of entertainment options, including live music and dancing, as well as movies and television shows on the resort's television network. The resort has hosted many notable entertainers, including Cirque du Soleil, The Blue Man Group, and The Beatles, as well as Hollywood stars like Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.

● Recreation and Amenities

The resort offers a range of recreational activities, including swimming, tennis, and fitness classes. The resort's pool is a large, free-form pool with a water slide and a hot tub, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Greg Norman. The resort's fitness center is a state-of-the-art facility with a range of exercise equipment and free weights, designed by Nautilus and Precor. The resort also offers a range of amenities, including a spa, a salon, and a business center, designed by Mandara Spa and Regus. The resort has hosted many notable athletes, including Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan, as well as Olympic athletes like Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis.

● Location and Transportation

The resort is located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando, Florida. The resort is accessible by car and offers parking for guests, as well as shuttle service to and from Orlando International Airport. The resort is also accessible by monorail, with a monorail station located on the resort's property. The resort is near many other Walt Disney World attractions, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios, as well as Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando. The resort has been recognized for its sustainability efforts, including its use of solar power and recycling programs, designed by Siemens and General Electric. Category:Hotels in Florida