Best Monorail Resort...

[lovingeire]

For a family of five? We are literally in the car on the road home from Disney & planning our next trip! We are hoping to have another little one by our next trip, possibly Jan 2014, which would make us a family of 5. We'd have a baby, 3 1/2 year old, a 14 year old and two adults. We haven't stayed at a monorail resort but like the idea Of easy access to the parks if we want to go back for naptime. Thoughts & recommendations? Thanks!

 

[PrincessesX3]

We love the CR. plus you can stay in the wing and save some money.

 

[lovingeire]

What is the difference between the wing and other rooms? We've eaten at the Contemporary at both Chef Mickey's & California Grill, but that's the extent of our familiarity with the resort.

 

[mickeynut1]

What is the difference between the wing and other rooms? We've eaten at the Contemporary at both Chef Mickey's & California Grill, but that's the extent of our familiarity with the resort.

The main difference is location as the rooms are the same in both the wing and tower. Also, the wing has only 3 floors, with no balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The tower rooms are more expensive since they are in the main building with easy access to the monorail, dining, and shopping. We haven't stayed at the CR, but between the Poly and GF, the Poly is our favorite. We love the tropical atmosphere, the pool, the beach, and Captain Cooks for quick CS meals. With that said, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them as they are all convenient to MK and the rooms are pretty comparable in size (although our Poly room did feel a little larger than our room at the GF). Good luck and happy planning .

 

[clanmcculloch]

For a family who spends lots of time at MK, CR is a great resort because you can walk to the park.

For a family who spends a lot of time at Epcot, Poly is a great resort because you can walk to TTC to hope the monorail rather than taking one monorail to TTC, going down the ramp and up the next one to get to the Epcot monorail. You do still also have the monorail for getting to MK.

Other than that, I personally think it's more about your personal preference for the resort ammenities and decor not to mention price (garden wing rooms at CR are definitely the cheapest).

 

[twinboysmom]

For a family who spends lots of time at MK, CR is a great resort because you can walk to the park.

For a family who spends a lot of time at Epcot, Poly is a great resort because you can walk to TTC to hope the monorail rather than taking one monorail to TTC, going down the ramp and up the next one to get to the Epcot monorail. You do still also have the monorail for getting to MK.

Other than that, I personally think it's more about your personal preference for the resort ammenities and decor not to mention price (garden wing rooms at CR are definitely the cheapest).

This! We like the location of the CR/BLT because we love the option of walking to MK. It's quick and easy. All three of the monorail resorts are fantastic. It is just what theme, budget, and transportation option suits your family the best. You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[lovingeire]

Thanks everyone! I think this next trip location will be most important to us. We're thinking Contemporary might be best with its proximity to MK. I think every one of the resorts is on my Disney bucket list do I'd be happy with any of them, it's the convenience that we want most though!

 

[ruthfamilyvacationer]

We have stayed at CR and GF. I love CR because everything is an elevator away (unless you stay in the garden wing). At GF your more then likely in one of the outer buildings (unless you pay top dollar for the main building). I did like the "theming" at GF more then the CR but I think the ease of CR wins out. We are going back in 2014 and I think we are going to stay at the Poly or CR. Poly is like GF with the outer buildings so I'm really torn about it. My kids love the theming at Poly though so it might win out. That really wasn't the most helpful info.

 

[DemoBri1]

Honestly I think the GF is probably not the most ideal of the monorail resorts simply because it is the last stop before MK and normally that means a crowded monorail at that. CR is probably the most ideal spot because it is the first stop on the resort monorail loop, and it also has a walkway to MK. I do like the Poly quite a bit. Don't let the building proximity get to you. They're not as spread out as they seem.

 

[sydneysmom]

The GF is my vote! We absolutely LOVED how quiet and serene it was. And I totally agree w/ DemoBri1, while it seems as though the buildings are spread out, they are really not once you're walking around. Everything is VERY easy to get to no matter which building you're in. You also don't feel like you're going down super long hallways to try to find your room. It's alot more personal feeling.

The great thing is, if the monorail is busy, hop on the boat! We stayed at the GF our first trip because of the mid-day naps too... our DD was 4 1/2. It was ideal for us. There's also alot less hustle and bustle than you fund at the CR (except maybe around 1900 PF!) All in all, it was just wonderful ! (which is why we're going back "home" in June!!)

 

[graceandhayes]

My family loves the Poly for the theme, pools, landscaping, Capt Cooks, and location. Yes, you have to walk outside to get from the longhouses to the GCH, but the landscaping is so beautiful and the atmosphere is so amazing, we don't mind the walk. My family (DW, DS7 and DD6) all like to sleep in. I am an early bird so I enjoy walking the grounds and beach at the Poly first thing in the morning. I make a stop by Capt Cooks for coffee. A perfect way to start a WDW day. There is lots to love at all the monorail resorts, but the Poly fits our family's personality. I love the location of the CR, and Chef Mickey is my kids favorite meal, but it just feels like a nice hotel, not a resort to me. We have never stayed at the GF, but it felt too quiet and too stuffy for us when we looked around before dinner at 1900 PF. We feel like we have two vacations when we stay at the Poly, one at the parks, and one at the resort. As you can tell, huge fans of the Poly, and I can't imagine a WDW vacation staying anywhere else.

 

[tinkermommyof3]

My family loves the Poly for the theme, pools, landscaping, Capt Cooks, and location. Yes, you have to walk outside to get from the longhouses to the GCH, but the landscaping is so beautiful and the atmosphere is so amazing, we don't mind the walk. My family (DW, DS7 and DD6) all like to sleep in. I am an early bird so I enjoy walking the grounds and beach at the Poly first thing in the morning. I make a stop by Capt Cooks for coffee. A perfect way to start a WDW day. There is lots to love at all the monorail resorts, but the Poly fits our family's personality. I love the location of the CR, and Chef Mickey is my kids favorite meal, but it just feels like a nice hotel, not a resort to me. We have never stayed at the GF, but it felt too quiet and too stuffy for us when we looked around before dinner at 1900 PF. We feel like we have two vacations when we stay at the Poly, one at the parks, and one at the resort. As you can tell, huge fans of the Poly, and I can't imagine a WDW vacation staying anywhere else.

This!!! Although we have stayed at GF and CR, Poly is our favorite for this family of 5!

 

[bek]

I just returned from a quick Grand Floridian stay. The monorail was unavailable several times, which put us on buses and boats. The bus we caught to the MK when the monorail was down picked up at the Contemporary and Polynesian before it got to us.

Because there's a walking path between the Contemporary and the Magic Kingdom, I think that's the best location for a family with a little one. If the monorail isn't running, it is an easy walk with a stroller. The Contemporary is also just one stop to the TTC, which gives it easy access to the Epcot monorail.

 

[spiceycat]

would wait until Disney fixes all the problems with the monorail before staying at a MK monorail resort - they are just too expensive - and if the monorail is not working then why stay there.

now CR and BLT you can still walk to the MK. WL and VWL you can boat over to the Mk.

 

[auprincess]

Our family of 5 stayed in the Poly on our last trip ~ at the time the girls were 6, 3, and 13 months. We loved the Poly! The room was nice and big (we stayed in Tokelau, and if my research was correct it, along with 2 other longhouses, have bigger rooms than the other longhouses). We had plenty of space for a pack and play and our double stroller, and for the girls to still have a decent amount of room to play.

 

[auprincess]

My family loves the Poly for the theme, pools, landscaping, Capt Cooks, and location. Yes, you have to walk outside to get from the longhouses to the GCH, but the landscaping is so beautiful and the atmosphere is so amazing, we don't mind the walk. My family (DW, DS7 and DD6) all like to sleep in. I am an early bird so I enjoy walking the grounds and beach at the Poly first thing in the morning. I make a stop by Capt Cooks for coffee. A perfect way to start a WDW day. There is lots to love at all the monorail resorts, but the Poly fits our family's personality. I love the location of the CR, and Chef Mickey is my kids favorite meal, but it just feels like a nice hotel, not a resort to me. We have never stayed at the GF, but it felt too quiet and too stuffy for us when we looked around before dinner at 1900 PF. We feel like we have two vacations when we stay at the Poly, one at the parks, and one at the resort. As you can tell, huge fans of the Poly, and I can't imagine a WDW vacation staying anywhere else.

My thoughts exactly!! Just reading this is making me re-think our staying off site next trip!!

 

[xipotec]

My thoughts exactly!! Just reading this is making me re-think our staying off site next trip!!

I agree with your assessment . Although when i said the GF was stuffy, the DIS boards attacked!!!

It always felt stiff and too formal for me. The poly is casual and definetily has the laid back vibe.

 

[lovingeire]

would wait until Disney fixes all the problems with the monorail before staying at a MK monorail resort - they are just too expensive - and if the monorail is not working then why stay there.

now CR and BLT you can still walk to the MK. WL and VWL you can boat over to the Mk.

Yes earlier this week we rose the monorail from the CR to MK after our CM breakfast & my two year old lived it! He asked to ride the monorail all day so we planned on using it to get to Epcot but it was down for the count which was frustrating. We took the boat to TTC and the a bus to Epcot.

We've thought about WL too as its on our resort bucket list. We stayed at AoA on our last visit and loved it but with two little ones are willing to pay more for the convenience of being near the parks & options that allow us to leave sleeping kiddos in strollers or make a quick run back to the hotel fr naps.

 

[lovingeire]

I can't picture my kids at the GF. They are loud. My 13 year old has volume control issues and then you add a toddler and possibly an infant...I think they'd kick us out! We want to stay there on a parents only trip sometime down the line. Kids have to be old enough to stay with grandparents though!

I think we'd like the theming of the Poly better, but I'm not sure if the theming would outweigh the convenience of walking to MK?

 

[bek]

I only stayed at GF because my DIL said she'd always wanted to stay there. I'm an AKL and WL personality so I feared GF would be too quiet and stuffy. I have to say I found it to be very laid back and friendly -- not at all stuffy. I would definitely consider staying there again. I'm sure they could handle screaming toddlers and they've added a nice little splash area for kids.

I'm finding transportation to be a major factor in the enjoyment of the trip. So far my best experience has been the Dolphin, which was a Food & Wine and Hollywood Studios trip. We only walked or used the boat -- no buses or monorails. This stay at the GF, I actually used the boat to/from the MK more than the Monorail.

I also think theming is important. I visited WL this trip and just fell in love with the place. It's probably going to be my next resort. But if the next trip includes my grandkids, it'll be back to AoA for me because that's better theming for small kids.

It's too tough to decide on just one place