Resort Quest: Exploring the Contemporary's Garden Wing

Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Garden Wing Review

As part of our ongoing Resort Quest to explore how different Disney resorts shape a trip, we stayed in the Garden Wing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. What we found surprised us! Tucked beside one of the busiest resorts on property, we discovered a quiet, peaceful retreat.

If you’re planning a future Disney trip, this is one to save.

At a Glance

• Quiet, calm setting just beyond the main tower

• Walkable access to Magic Kingdom (no TTC crowds) and separate security point

• Monorail convenience without monorail noise

• Great dining options, including mobile order at Steakhouse 71

• Fireworks views from multiple resort spots

What Makes This Deluxe Resort Stand Out

Proximity to Magic Kingdom

This resort offers convenience and options.

• Dedicated walkway - A short, wheels‑friendly walk to the main gate, complete

with its own security checkpoint.

• Monorail access - The monorail runs directly through the main tower, offering

convenient transportation to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and other monorail

resorts.

Choice of Building & Location

Just like Art of Animation, you can choose the setting that best fits your travel style:

• Main Tower: Iconic A‑frame with monorail access and elevated views

• Bay Lake Tower: Suites and villas with a quieter, modern feel

• Garden Wing: A peaceful retreat near the pool — close enough for convenience,

far enough for calm.

Built‑In Break Location

Disney’s “Accessibility Planning & Recommendations” guide highlights the importance of break spaces. Resorts can be just as busy as the parks, so considering a break location for your resort stay shouldn't be overlooked.

The Garden Wing naturally feels like a decompression zone with quiet hallways and views of nature.

Dining Choices Beyond a Food Court

This resort offers several dining choices and styles.

• Chef Mickey’s – character dining

• Steakhouse 71 – table service with mobile order available for resort guests

• California Grill – signature dining with fireworks views

• Contempo Cafe - quick service

• Fantasia Market - grocery selections and sundries

Remote Fireworks Viewing

You don’t need to be in Magic Kingdom or have a room with a theme park view to enjoy the show. Fireworks can be seen from several areas around the resort.

Things to Consider

• Crowds- The main tower stays busy with visitors, shoppers, and monorail traffic.

• Pricing - Rooms here cost more than the family suites at Art of Animation, despite

offering less space.

• Fake or “Juliet” Balconies – The balconies visible from the outside of the building are for

aesthetics only.  Request a ground floor room for a shared patio area.

Fun Fact

The main tower features a 90‑foot Mary Blair mural, including the famous five‑legged goat.

Our Personal Experience

My son uses a wheelchair to conserve energy for the things he wants to do. During our stay, we parked his chair outside Steakhouse 71, near the restrooms, and took the two sets of escalators up to the 4th floor for shopping and dining.

He loved the escalators, especially going up. Going down was “a little scary,” but he enjoyed the experience. Overall, this gave him the opportunity to try something new, instead of always taking the elevators. The 4th floor is not super spread out, so he also had an opportunity to browse around at his own pace. After exploring the shops, we rolled back to the Garden Wing along a quiet, covered path. For us, the Garden Wing offered the perfect mix of mobility‑friendly access and calm spaces to reset between park moments.

How It Rates in Our Resort Quest

Every resort we visit becomes another milestone in our Disney adventure.

To see how other properties compare, explore our Resort Quest post, which includes ratings, impressions, and insights for travelers who value comfort, calm, and accessibility.

💜 Travel with Purpose

Ready to plan your next Disney adventure?

We can help you book your stay at the Garden Wing at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or any of the other resorts on our quest list.

Together, we’ll make your trip unforgettable and share the magic with others.

That’s what we call a Win‑Win.