Iconic Disney Style Steps from Magic Kingdom
Few Walt Disney World resorts are as recognizable as Disney’s Contemporary Resort. With its iconic A-frame design, monorails gliding directly through the building and Magic Kingdom just a short walk away, the Contemporary offers a combination of convenience and classic Disney history that is hard to match.
Located along the shores of Bay Lake, this Deluxe Resort features modern accommodations, outstanding dining and some of the best access to Magic Kingdom of any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Guests can walk directly to Magic Kingdom or hop aboard the Resort Monorail right inside the Contemporary Tower.
For families who plan to spend plenty of time at Magic Kingdom or simply love the idea of staying in the middle of the action—the Contemporary is an excellent choice.
✨ At a Glance
📍 Resort Area: Magic Kingdom Resort Area
🏨 Resort Category: Deluxe Resort
🎨 Theme: Modern design with classic Disney history
🏰 Closest Park: Magic Kingdom
🚶 Walkable Park: Magic Kingdom
🚝 Transportation: Monorail, bus, boat & walking path
🛏️ Rooms: Tower rooms, Garden Wing rooms, suites & Club Level accommodations
👨👩👧👦 Sleeps: Up to 5 adults in many standard rooms
🏊 Pools: Feature Pool & Bay Pool
🍽️ Dining: Quick service, character dining, table service & signature dining
⭐ Best For: Families, Magic Kingdom fans, multigenerational trips and guests who value convenience
Disney classifies the Contemporary as a Deluxe Resort in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area.
The Contemporary Resort Experience
Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been part of Walt Disney World since opening day in 1971, making it one of the resort’s most iconic hotels.
Its defining feature is the towering A-frame main building. Inside, the Grand Canyon Concourse rises through the center while Disney Monorails quietly glide directly through the building.
Look up and you’ll also see the enormous 90-foot-tall Grand Canyon mural created by Disney Legend Mary Blair, whose distinctive artistic style can also be seen in “it’s a small world.”
The overall atmosphere is modern rather than heavily themed, making the Contemporary particularly appealing to guests who want Disney convenience without being surrounded by characters and elaborate theming throughout their stay.
And then there’s the location.
Being able to see Magic Kingdom nearby and simply walk there in the morning is one of the Contemporary’s greatest advantages.
🛏️ Rooms at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Accommodations at the Contemporary are located primarily in two areas: the Contemporary Tower and the Garden Wing.
Many standard rooms accommodate up to 5 adults, with configurations that may include two queen beds and a day bed or one king bed and a day bed.
Contemporary Tower
Staying in the iconic A-frame tower puts guests right in the center of the action.
Depending on the room category, Tower rooms may overlook Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake.
The Theme Park View rooms are particularly special for families who want to see Magic Kingdom from their resort room or balcony.
Garden Wing
The Garden Wing is a separate, lower building adjacent to the Contemporary Tower.
These rooms offer the same convenient Contemporary Resort location but often at a lower price than rooms in the main Tower.
Guests should keep in mind that staying in the Garden Wing means walking outside to reach the main building, restaurants and monorail station.
Club Level
The Contemporary also offers Club Level rooms and suites.
Club Level guests receive access to the Atrium Club or Tower Club, depending on their accommodation, along with personalized guest services and a private lounge offering refreshments throughout the day.
🚝 Transportation
Transportation is one of the biggest reasons to stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Magic Kingdom
You have two extremely convenient choices:
🚶 Walk – A dedicated walking path connects the Contemporary directly to Magic Kingdom.
🚝 Monorail – The Resort Monorail stops inside the Contemporary Tower.
One important tip: walking is often the quickest way to get to Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary. The Resort Monorail travels around the Seven Seas Lagoon loop, so walking can be especially convenient when you’re eager to get into the park.
And after a late night or fireworks, being able to simply walk back to your resort can be a huge advantage.
EPCOT
Take the Resort Monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center, then transfer to the EPCOT Monorail.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios & Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Complimentary Disney bus transportation is available.
Disney Springs
Bus transportation is available to Disney Springs.
Water Transportation
Boat transportation also connects the Contemporary Resort area with select destinations, including Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
🍽️ Dining at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
The Contemporary has an excellent mix of dining choices, ranging from quick meals and character dining to one of Walt Disney World’s signature restaurants.
Chef Mickey’s
One of Walt Disney World’s best-known character dining experiences is right inside the Contemporary.
Chef Mickey’s serves buffet-style breakfast and dinner with Disney characters, making it especially popular with families and younger children.
And watching the monorail pass overhead while you eat is part of the experience.
California Grill
Located high atop the Contemporary, California Grill is the resort’s signature dining experience.
In addition to its menu, the restaurant is known for its spectacular vantage point overlooking Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom. It’s an excellent choice for a special dinner or celebration.
Steakhouse 71
Inspired by the early years of Walt Disney World, Steakhouse 71 serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a stylish but comfortable setting.
Contempo Café
The resort’s primary quick-service location is conveniently located in the Grand Canyon Concourse.
It’s an easy option for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a quick bite before heading to the parks—and you may see the monorail pass by while you’re eating.
Contemporary Grounds
Grab coffee, pastries or a quick morning snack before starting your day.
Outer Rim
Overlooking Bay Lake, Outer Rim is a relaxing spot to enjoy a drink after a day in the parks.
🏊 Pools & Recreation
The Contemporary offers two pools along the shores of Bay Lake.
Feature Pool
The resort’s main pool includes a 17-foot-high curving waterslide, two whirlpool spas and a children’s water-play area.
Its location along Bay Lake makes this a great place to spend an afternoon away from the theme parks.
Bay Pool
For something more relaxing, the round Bay Pool extends out toward Bay Lake and offers a quieter pool experience.
Private cabanas are also available to rent for guests looking to turn their resort day into something a little more special.
🏰 Walk to Magic Kingdom
If Magic Kingdom is a major focus of your Walt Disney World vacation, the Contemporary’s location is difficult to beat.
Instead of waiting for a bus, boat or monorail, you can simply walk between your resort and Magic Kingdom.
That can be particularly valuable for families with young children. Head back to the resort for an afternoon nap or pool break and return to Magic Kingdom later without spending a significant amount of time traveling.
It’s also wonderful at the end of the night. When thousands of guests are leaving Magic Kingdom after the fireworks, Contemporary guests have the option to simply walk home.
🚝 There’s a Monorail Inside Your Hotel!
For many families—especially children—the monorail passing directly through the Contemporary is part of the fun.
The resort’s monorail station is located inside the main tower, making it easy to visit Magic Kingdom or travel around the Seven Seas Lagoon Resort area.
The Resort Monorail also provides convenient access to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, giving Contemporary guests easy access to even more restaurants and resort experiences.
🎆 Magic Kingdom Views
Select rooms at the Contemporary offer Theme Park Views, providing guests with views of Magic Kingdom right from their accommodations.
For families celebrating a special occasion—or anyone who has dreamed of seeing Cinderella Castle from their Disney Resort room—the upgrade can be worth considering.
Even guests without a Theme Park View room can enjoy the special feeling of having Magic Kingdom practically in their backyard.
Who Will Love Disney’s Contemporary Resort?
🏰 Magic Kingdom Fans
If Magic Kingdom will be the park you visit most often, the location is one of the best at Walt Disney World.
👨👩👧👦 Families with Young Children
Being able to walk back to the resort for naps, pool breaks or bedtime can make vacation days much easier.
👵 Multigenerational Families
The convenient transportation and variety of dining choices work especially well when family members have different schedules and interests.
🚝 Monorail Fans
There’s simply something fun about staying at the Disney Resort where the monorail travels right through the building.
🍽️ Guests Who Enjoy Resort Dining
Chef Mickey’s, Steakhouse 71 and California Grill provide very different dining experiences without leaving the resort.
🎆 Guests Celebrating Something Special
A Theme Park View room combined with dinner at California Grill can make a birthday, anniversary or milestone vacation especially memorable.
