I will say, I kinda like the changes they made to the Contests.  A lot shorter, and you can basically use any Pokemon you want, without having to worry about a specific moveset.

Also, about to take on Fantina
Arthur (Male Gardevior), Carmen (Female Roselia, earliest shiny stone is Iron Island), Female Graveler (Canalave Gym grants access to Strength, needed for Gible), Wukong (Male Infernape), Sarabi (Female Luxray), Jolene (Female Staraptor)