an essence of yesteryear .
RECREATION AND TRANSPORTATION Originally , the Contemporary offered a large rectangular pool and a smaller circular one . The rectangular pool has been modernized with a slide and is no longer four-sided . The circular pool still has the same bull ’ s-eye pattern that adorned it in 1971 .
Ten Mark IV monorail trains with five cars each , designed by Imagineer Bob Gurr , arrived with the opening in 1971 . All Mark IVs were replaced by 1991 with the Mark VI , and there are currently six cars on each train .
The Monorail and the Contemporary are both Disney icons . PHOTO BY LAURIE SAPP
was modern for its time . Rooms remained virtually untouched until a major remodel of the entire resort in the mid-1980s .
Contrary to rumors , the rooms were never intended to be “ removed ” in order to remodel .
Flash forward to today , and the dark wood style and flooring and simplistic design throughout lend themselves to a contemporary style , yet somehow the resort retains
A WORTHY TRIP TO THE PAST In just a few short months , Disney ’ s Contemporary Resort will turn 50 , and I can ’ t wait to be there to twirl my napkin in the air again and help her celebrate . It ’ s a great place to stay if you want a connection to history at Walt Disney World . Plus , the rooms and dining options are nice , and you can ’ t beat catching the Monorail just steps from your room to Magic Kingdom .