Contemporary Magic: A Family Adventure at Walt Disney World

Our family's recent trip to Walt Disney World in February of 2025, was a magical experience, especially with our stay at the Contemporary Resort. This iconic hotel, with its monorail gliding through its heart, provides unparalleled access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We traveled during a sweet spot between major holidays and school breaks, ensuring pleasant weather and manageable crowds. The multi-generational nature of our trip, including grandparents and children, made it even more special.

The Contemporary's proximity to Magic Kingdom was a major highlight. We enjoyed watching fireworks from the hotel's deck, with the accompanying music creating a truly immersive experience. The free water park admission on our check-in day was a delightful bonus, allowing us to kick off our vacation with a splash at Blizzard Beach. The convenience of Mears Connect transportation from Orlando International Airport (MCO) made our arrival and departure seamless.

The monorail was a constant source of delight for the kids, and its convenience was invaluable, particularly when navigating the parks with strollers. The early park admission and extended evening hours for deluxe resort guests were game-changers, allowing us to maximize our time and enjoy shorter wait times for popular attractions. The themed rooms, especially our 'Incredibles' water view room, were comfortable and added to the immersive Disney experience. Chef Mickey's character breakfast was a memorable highlight, providing a fun and efficient way to meet beloved Disney characters.

• For those planning a trip to Walt Disney World, especially with young children, the Contemporary Resort's proximity to Magic Kingdom is a significant advantage. However, be aware that transportation to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom relies on busses. If you are planning on spending the majority of your time at Hollywood Studios and/or Animal Kingdom, consider a hotel closer to those parks.

• Take advantage of the early park admission and extended evening hours for deluxe resort guests to minimize wait times. Utilize the My Disney Experience app to join virtual queues and book Lightning Lane passes.

• Consider ordering groceries to your hotel to save on costs and ensure you have snacks and essentials on hand.

• The Contempo Cafe is a great place to get good, reasonably priced food at the hotel.

• The Electrical Water Pageant is a fun, free event to watch from the water-view rooms at night.

• The Monorail is faster on the return to the Contemporary, and walking to Magic Kingdom is faster than riding the monorail (but both are easy).

• If you have little kids, the ability to return to the contemporary for naps is a huge plus.

• If you rent a car, you can park for free at the resort.

• Build in a day to just enjoy the resort. There is plenty to do there, and it can be a much-needed rest from the busy parks.