California Grill In spite of the noise, California Grill is one of Walt Disney World’s top dining experiences. Disney has’t said what it’ll entail. It’s our guess that given the high ratings and high prices, Disney may not change much here.

Chef Mickey's

Steakhouse 71 Steakhouse 71 is located on the first floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort. It is a casual steakhouse serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with decorative reminders of 1971, the year the hotel opened. The lounge keeps the large, rectangular bar from the previous tenant and serves a few food options as well.

Contempo Café Faster service and less expensive than The Wave, and the food is fresh and tasty. There are some grab-and-go items and cashiers waiting to take orders for meals, which are brought directly to your table. Noise from the nearby Chef Mickeys can drown out all but the most enthusiastic conversationalist.

Contemporary Grounds

The Sand Bar The Sand Bar at the Contemporary Resort is one of the strangest pool bars at Walt Disney World. For one thing, it is not all that close to the pool. Second, it’s indoors... well, sort of. Essentially, Sand Bar consists of a few stools and a wall of glass behind the stools, and that’s pretty much it. What it represents is a way to get out of the Florida afternoon sun while enjoying a drink. That drink will be one of the few selections available from the standard Disney menu. A few food items are available from a walk-up window on the backside of the bar along with a few tables. It’s hard to recommend the Sand Bar to anyone not staying at the Contemporary since there are many more interesting options along the monorail loop.

California Grill Lounge You generally can order food from the full restaurant menu.

Cove Bar Much like the Top of the World lounge, the Cove Bar at the pool of Bay Lake Tower is technically for hotel guests only. The bartenders won’t demand proof before ordering, but there is a gate around the exterior of the pool area that requires a room key to open. If you find yourself inside the fence and in need of a drink, the Cove Bar is there for you. Unfortunately, the bar’s location is about the only thing to say about it as it is a wholly unexciting structure that looks more like a takeout window than a bar. The menu is equally unexciting with bits and pieces of the standard bar menu. A handful of food items are found here such as a Caesar salad, club sandwich, and an Asian chicken salad. The only saving grace for the Cove Bar is that there are a few beach and waterfront spots scattered around its building. Few things are more peaceful than a lounge chair, and adult beverage, and Bay Lake. Even with the nearby views, there is little reason to visit the Cove Bar unless you are already spending time at the Bay Lake Tower pool.

Outer Rim Lounge

Top of the World Lounge Access is limited to Disney Vacation Club members. Present your DVC member card or Magic Band in the hotel lobby to take the elevator up. During holiday fireworks, access may be limited to DVC members staying onsite or only members staying at Bay Lake Tower. Top of the World is a beautiful lounge that is overwhelmed with families during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, but very pleasant any other time. Take in the John Hench concept art in the alcove just inside the doors (you may find TouringPlans people taking business meetings here - it is one of our favorite places onsite). Or sit at the bar and check out the beautiful rendering of a monorail behind it (yellow, of course). The Lounge is a great amenity for DVC members and their guests.

Bay View Gifts

Contemporary Market

Private Dining at Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower

Private Dining at Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower

Refillable Mugs Allows guest self-service soft drink refills from quick-service locations in hotels (NOT in theme parks) for $22.99 for the length of stay.