Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Located just outside of the Magic Kingdom, the modern Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has some of the best fireworks views of all the DVC resorts. The Sky Way Bridge on the fifth floor of Bay Lake Tower connects it to the Contemporary Resort and all of its restaurants and amenities, including the monorail. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort opened in 2009, and DVC contracts there end on January 31, 2060.

The villas were last renovated in 2016 and are scheduled for a full refurbishment beginning in late-2023.

Disney's Bay Lake Tower at Walkt Disney World

What DVC Fans Have to Say about Bay Lake Tower

Pros

Location! Walking distance to MK [Magic Kingdom], monorail access to Epcot. With young kids in a stroller, those things are invaluable. The view is fantastic. Great food options, especially Steakhouse 71. –Emily S.

5 minute walk to Magic Kingdom (and the bus depot), 20 minute walk to Grand Floridian, 30 minute walk to Poly. Or 5 minute walk to Magic Kingdom and a 10 minute boat ride to Poly or Grand Floridian. Or the monorail would work also, I guess. The view from almost every room is fantastic in their own way. Even if you are facing into the center courtyard. Because of the curve of the building, the outside rooms make you feel like you are the only people on property. –Jason R.

Walk to MK [Magic Kingdom] (really all you ever need). Extra bathroom in anything over a studio. Dining options are really unique. Our family loves Steakhouse 71 breakfast and dinner. Bonus: pretty nice community hall. Lots of crafts and games for kids to play. –Ryan L.

I loved this kitchen layout and being able to move around the island. I also love having a 2nd bathroom in the one bedrooms. Biggest pro for parents of littles is being able to walk to MK [Magic Kingdom], monorail to Epcot and not having to fold a stroller. –April H.

I love that all of the rooms are in one tower building. Once you arrive at your Resort, you’re practically to your room, instead of other Resorts where you then have to trek to your room. This is especially great on those Florida rainy days….get off the monorail and stay under cover for the short walk to your room. –Mandy D.

Cons

1) The layout of the studios feels super cramped. 2) Needs a soft goods refurb or at least more wifi ports. 3) The Contemporary feel isn’t for everyone. –Heather K.

Vastly overrated. The walking path is a pro in general, but it is fraught with traffic – nothing like the safe, peaceful walking paths at GF [Grand Floridian] and the Epcot resorts. The theme/park fireworks view is really a view of a parking lot view (contrast with GF and Poly which have beautiful water views with theme park/fireworks in the backdrop.). There is nothing in BLT [Bay Lake Tower]. You have to go to the Contemporary for literally everything. Don’t get me started on the size and quality of the studios: Tiny and embarrassingly outdated. –Karen M.

The studios are small and cramped. Hopefully the 2023 full refurb will get rid of the galley style kitchenette which makes the room feel even smaller. I don’t mind it, but others complain about the theming. The pool is passable but nothing to write home about. –Ryan C.

Contempo Café really is “meh” at best if you need quick serve dining. The breezeway from the Contemporary can blow you away and/or get you soaked at times. Some people just don’t like the style. –Ann R.

Monorail to & from Epcot feels like it takes forever! –Melissa O.

Resort Map

Bay-Lake-Tower-Resort-Map

Room Details

Room categories at Bay Lake Tower include Standard View, Lake View, and Theme Park View. The Standard View villas go quickly at the 11-month mark due to their low point value, followed by the Theme Park View ones since there are fewer of them. Lake View tends to have the most availability. Photos of the different balcony views can be found on the DISboards.

Villa types at Bay Lake Tower include Deluxe Studios, One-Bedroom Villas, Two-Bedroom Villas, and Three-Bedroom Grand Villas. One-Bedroom Villas and larger have full size kitchens stocked with pots, pans, and kitchenware and washers/dryers. Detergent is provided. Deluxe Studios have kitchenettes with a microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and sink. They also have paper plates, bowls, towels, and cups as well as plastic cutlery and dishwashing liquid.

Deluxe Studios

At 339 square feet, the Deluxe Studios at Bay Lake Tower are among the smallest Deluxe Studios of the DVC resorts and accommodate up to 4 guests with a queen-size bed and a queen-size sleeper sofa, and they have 1 bathroom. Though there are 147 Deluxe Studios at Bay Lake Tower, they are typically the first rooms to book up.

One-Bedroom Villas

These 803-square-foot villas can accommodate up to 5 guests. One-Bedroom Villas have a king-size bed, a queen-size sleeper sofa, and a single sleeper chair, and there are 2 bathrooms. There are 147 One-Bedroom Villas at Bay Lake Tower, and they tend to have better availability than Deluxe Studios.

Two-Bedroom Villas

Bay Lake Tower has Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas as well as Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas. Lock-Off Villas consist of a One-Bedroom Villa and an adjoining Deluxe Studio.

The 1,152-square-foot Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas can accommodate up to 9 guests with a king-size bed, 2 queen-size beds, a queen-size sleeper sofa, and a single sleeper chair, and there are 3 bathrooms. There are about 120 Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villas. The Standard View Two-Bedroom Villas tend to book up before the 7-month mark, but availability for the Lake View and Theme Park View villas may be better.

The 1,142-square-foot Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas can accommodate up to 9 guests with a king-size bed, 2 queen-size sleeper sofas, queen-size bed, and a single pull-down bed, and there are 3 bathrooms. There are about 147 Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas. Since these villas partly consist of Deluxe Studios, the availability patterns for Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villas follow those of Deluxe Studios.

Three-Bedroom Grand Villas

There are 14 Grand Villas at Bay Lake Tower. Each is about 2,044 square feet and can accommodate up to 12 guests with a king-size bed, 4 queen-size beds, and 1 queen-size sleeper sofa. There are 4 bathrooms. Note that the Grand Villas consist of two floors and that there are Lake View and Theme Park View Grand Villas; none are Standard View. Grand Villas at Bay Lake Tower have limited availability at the 7-month mark.

Transportation Options

Magic Kingdom: Walkway or Monorail

Epcot: Monorail

Hollywood Studios: Bus

Animal Kingdom: Bus

Disney Springs: Bus

Dining

Quick Service

Contempo Café (Pastries, cupcakes, breakfast platters, sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and resort mug refills)
Contemporary Grounds (Coffee, tea, and pastries)

Casual Table Service

Chef Mickey’s (Join Mickey and friends for breakfast and dinner at this all-you-care-to-eat restaurant.)
Steakhouse 71 (Dine on omelettes, pancakes, and steak and eggs for breakfast, burgers and sandwiches for lunch, or classic steakhouse favorites for dinner.)

Signature

California Grill (Enjoy gourmet dining at this award-winning restaurant with fireworks views of the Magic Kingdom.)

Bars and Lounges

Cove Bar (This pool bar offers cocktails, beer, wraps, and salads.)
Outer Rim (Located on the fourth floor of the Contemporary, this lounge offers cocktails, wine, and beer.)
Steakhouse 71 Lounge (Find beverages inspired by the 1970s in this lounge adjacent to Steakhouse 71.)
The Sand Bar (This pool bar near the Contemporary Resort Main Pool offers burgers, hot dogs, cocktails, beer, and wine.)
Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair (This villains-themed rooftop lounge features fireworks views and offers cocktails, wine, beer, appetizers, and desserts.)

Amenities

Pools

Bay Cove Pool (This is Bay Lake Tower’s feature pool with a 148-foot long waterslide, whirlpool spas, and a splash pad.)
Contemporary Resort Main Pool (This pool features a 131-foot long waterslide, whirlpool spas, and a children’s play area.)
Leisure Pool (Bay Lake Pool is the quiet pool located at the Contemporary Resort and has cabanas available for rental.)

Shopping