There’s a strange feeling that hits when you start second-guessing a Disney hotel you’ve always wanted to stay at.
For years, Disney’s Contemporary Resort has felt like a no-brainer for certain trips. It’s right next to Magic Kingdom. You can walk back after fireworks. The monorail runs through the building. It’s bold, iconic, and instantly recognizable. For many guests, it’s the hotel you promise yourself you’ll book “one day.”
Lately, though, that confidence has started to wobble.
Not because the Contemporary has lost its appeal—but because it’s caught in a long stretch of change that doesn’t have a clean endpoint yet.
The resort is currently deep into an extended refurbishment that’s now expected to continue through late 2027. What began as a more limited project has turned into a multi-year process affecting Bay Lake Tower and other shared areas of the resort. Disney has been clear that construction is happening in phases, but for guests planning trips now, that still means living alongside it.
And that’s where things start to feel complicated.
When people book a deluxe Disney resort, they’re usually paying for more than location. They’re paying for comfort, atmosphere, and the feeling that everything is finished and polished. Construction—no matter how carefully managed—can chip away at that feeling.
Guests may hear noise during the day. Some views may be blocked. Certain amenities at Bay Lake Tower, including pool areas and lounges, are scheduled to close temporarily at different points. Other options remain available, but it’s still a shift from what many expect when they see the nightly price.
That price is part of the tension. The Contemporary isn’t cheap. Rooms can run hundreds of dollars per night, and Bay Lake Tower villas often cost even more. When guests are spending that kind of money, they tend to want certainty—not a list of “maybes.”
That’s why many Disney fans are choosing to wait.
Not forever. Just until the refurbishment is fully done.
In the meantime, guests looking to stay near Magic Kingdom still have alternatives. Other monorail resorts offer similar convenience without ongoing construction, and some travelers are choosing to stay elsewhere entirely, using the savings for dining, special experiences, or future trips.
The Contemporary hasn’t lost its magic. It’s just in a transitional moment. Once the work is complete, it will likely feel refreshed and fully realized again.
For now, though, it’s a hotel many guests admire—but choose not to book just yet.
