Disney's Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort

The Resort Overview

Bay Lake Tower opened in 2009 as a modern, curved companion to Disney's Contemporary Resort, echoing the Contemporary's clean midcentury-futurist lines while adding its own DVC villa accommodations just steps away. An enclosed sky bridge links the tower directly to the Contemporary's fourth floor, putting the monorail station, shops, and restaurants within easy reach.

The tower's signature feature is Top of the World Lounge, a rooftop-level lounge reserved for Bay Lake Tower guests that offers some of the closest fireworks views of Magic Kingdom anywhere on property.

Dining & Amenities

Bay Lake Tower has no restaurants of its own, but guests can walk the sky bridge to the Contemporary's dining lineup: California Grill for Pacific Coast-inspired signature dining with Magic Kingdom views, Chef Mickey's for character buffet dining, Steakhouse 71 for casual all-day dining, and Contempo Cafe for quick service.

The tower's own feature pool, the Bay Cove Pool, includes a roughly 148-foot waterslide, zero-depth entry, a whirlpool spa, and a splash play area, generally reserved for Bay Lake Tower and Contemporary guests.

Booking Strategy

• Standard-view rooms book up fast; if a Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake view matters to you, reserve as far in advance as your DVC window allows.
• Because Bay Lake Tower shares the Contemporary's monorail stop and walking path, it offers some of the fastest access to Magic Kingdom of any WDW resort.
• Compared to staying in the Contemporary's main tower, Bay Lake Tower trades some retro-futuristic theming punch for full villa kitchens and more space, making it the better pick for families wanting to self-cater.
• The Bay Cove Pool is enjoyable but smaller than showstopper resort pools like Stormalong Bay, so don't expect it to be a major draw on its own.