The Contemporary Resort is one of the most iconic buildings in Walt Disney World. Having opened in October 1971, the deluxe resort is best known for its unique A-frame shape which sees the monorail run through the interior. It's iconic. And apparently, it's also one of the ugliest buildings in America.
That is if you agree with Alot Travel. The travel trip and tip website recently posted a list featuring the ugliest building in every state. Topping the list in Florida is Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort.
Is Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort really one of the ugliest buildings in America?
I'm not sure of the criteria used by the website to determine the "ugliest" building in a state, but the site writes of the Contemporary:
"Disney World is usually spot on when it comes to designing things, but what in the world were they thinking when they created the iconic (and ugly) Contemporary Resort? It looks like a futuristic Aztec pyramid, which is not something you would normally associate with Mickey Mouse. "
The site also calls it one of the loudest due to the monorail that runs through the middle. This point couldn't be further from the truth. Although the atrium can get pretty noisy, it's nothing to do with the monorail, which is actually impressively quiet. Additionally, once you're in your rooms, you can't really hear anything outside the door.
As a Floridian, who is exposed to the horrible architecture of South Florida on a daily basis, this ranking of the Contemporary as the ugliest building in Florida couldn't be further from the truth. Heck, it's not even the ugliest building in Orlando. Have they seen the Majesty Building just down the road on I-4? Let's just say there's a reason it's referred to as the "I-4 Eyesore."
The tall building in distance is The I-4 Eyesore. A tower under construction for over 21 years. The Majesty Building.
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) May 22, 2022
In foreground are decorative features of the SR 436 overpass, including recently added blue lighting. pic.twitter.com/aMefCSubZv
How dare they rank the Contemporary as the ugliest building in Florida when this monstrosity exists. The Contemporary is far from the ugliest building.
I wouldn't even call it the ugliest building in Disney World. If we're talking resorts, that could go to the Swan and Dolphin. But if we're talking just buildings, the outside of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is a major boxy eyesore for Epcot. I get that it's probably necessary to house that amazing coaster, but it's still an eyesore when entering the park.