A help me decide...Polynesian vs Contemporary Garden Wing?

[jimmymc]

Thank you for all your help. Seriously!
Yes, I think the fear of heights with a gondola is different than the monorail since the gondola is suspended and you are kind of "flying."
The grandparents are familiar with the bus system, so it isn't really the bus itself that is an issue as much as having multiple stops on the bus on the way home late at night with crying kids (probably would include my own. lol).
I did offer up the Uber/Lyft idea and that was a hard no from them. They wouldn't be able to figure it out or feel comfortable doing that, I think. They will come and go from the park at different times as my family of 6. Makes sense what you are saying about the shorter bus times for the middle resorts. But, are those buses regular since they depend on skyliner, boat?

Do you know if buses from the YC/BC/BW do actually run regularly to Hollywood Studios?

For your last question, usually they do not. You have boats, the Skyliner, and walking paths.

Swan and Dolphin have boats or walking paths.

And most of us plan hypothetical trips for fun, so helping someone plan is way more enjoyable than work!

 

[Meglen]

Thank you for all your help. Seriously!
Yes, I think the fear of heights with a gondola is different than the monorail since the gondola is suspended and you are kind of "flying."
The grandparents are familiar with the bus system, so it isn't really the bus itself that is an issue as much as having multiple stops on the bus on the way home late at night with crying kids (probably would include my own. lol).
I did offer up the Uber/Lyft idea and that was a hard no from them. They wouldn't be able to figure it out or feel comfortable doing that, I think. They will come and go from the park at different times as my family of 6. Makes sense what you are saying about the shorter bus times for the middle resorts. But, are those buses regular since they depend on skyliner, boat?

Do you know if buses from the YC/BC/BW do actually run regularly to Hollywood Studios?

No busses to either Epcot or Hollywood with your family It would be a walk. So prolly not the best option. Also skyliner resorts don't run busses much either.

 

[Meglen]

Also a side note. Contemporary is my favorite resort. It's smaller walking wise than others and close to mk and monorail is inside. With mobility issues I vote there. Would be better inside but if it's that much cheaper garden wing is nice.

 

[my523]

No busses to either Epcot or Hollywood with your family It would be a walk. So prolly not the best option. Also skyliner resorts don't run busses much either.

Thanks. Disney says they run every 15 minutes from all resorts, even those....but I feel like I need real people confirmation. lol

 

[Meglen]

Thanks. Disney says they run every 15 minutes from all resorts, even those....but I feel like I need real people confirmation. lol

Everything I have read says only skyliner,walk,boat for the area resorts

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Something worth thinking about is the journey to Epcot from either CR or Poly. Obviously monorail is the only choice from both resorts, but the logistics with both are a little different.

From Poly, it is easiest to walk to the TTC and board the Epcot monorail there. It’s a 5-10 minute walk, and the Poly studios are located on the TTC side of the resort so you’re among the closest possible rooms. While I have no experience pushing a wheelchair, I suspect it’s relatively manageable, if not at the upper end of things.

From CR, your only option is to take the Resort Monorail to the TTC then transfer monorails to the Epcot line. The transferring of lines requires various down ramps and up ramps and with needing to wait/board two monorail lines, makes for an overall relatively lengthy journey. While this tends to feel minimized heading to Epcot given the TTC is only one stop away on the Resort line and everyone is usually excited for the day - the return trip from Epcot to CR can feel really long at times.

Even with needing to push a wheelchair the distance from Poly to TTC, generally speaking I think Poly is the materially better resort when it comes to Epcot transportation if the shortish walk to the TTC is OK with your group.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks. Disney says they run every 15 minutes from all resorts, even those....but I feel like I need real people confirmation. lol

FYI, Disney doesn’t run Epcot or DHS buses to/from the Skyliner resorts, except AoA (and Pop guests could also walk over to the AoA bus station if inclined). The exception is if the Skyliner is down for weather.

 

[jimmymc]

Thanks. Disney says they run every 15 minutes from all resorts, even those....but I feel like I need real people confirmation. lol

Yeah, I think the website means to say "we'll get you to any theme park from any resort" but it usually doesn't run busses if there is a monorail or skyliner option.

 

[my523]

Yeah, I think the website means to say "we'll get you to any theme park from any resort" but it usually doesn't run busses if there is a monorail or skyliner option.

The every 15 minutes is what a CM told me through reservations on the phone.

 

[Skippyboo]

Stayed at Yacht Club in February. Buses were only MK, AK and Disney Springs. No buses to HS or Epcot. You are expected to walk or take Friendship boats to go Epcot/HS. Pop has signs at their bus stop for HS and Epcot saying use the Skyliner.

 

[DeeBee3]

I would not count on every 15 minutes for transportation.

Also, I have been on the monorail when it has broken down and we had to wait to get to the TTC to get off.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee everything will go smoothly, but most likely it will. I do think looking into Uber/Lyft would be very beneficial.

 

[Meglen]

Are these limitations from the grandparents? Or a mix of everyone? At this point I would book 2 rooms off-site rent a van or 2 cars. Seems like alot of things that are going to make this way more complicated than needed and way way more expensive.

 

[Meglen]

The every 15 minutes is what a CM told me through reservations on the phone.

Yea... Sadly people here tend to know more than cms.

 

[my523]

Are these limitations from the grandparents? Or a mix of everyone? At this point I would book 2 rooms off-site rent a van or 2 cars. Seems like alot of things that are going to make this way more complicated than needed and way way more expensive.

Haha. I agree! It is very complicated! I think there is no “perfect” resort with all the limitations from grandparents. They also don’t want to drive themselves and only want to use Disney transport.
I totally presented the off-site option since we could have tons more space, and even a private pool. But, they would like to be on-site.
I do appreciate all your input!

 

[Meglen]

Haha. I agree! It is very complicated! I think there is no “perfect” resort with all the limitations from grandparents. They also don’t want to drive themselves and only want to use Disney transport.
I totally presented the off-site option since we could have tons more space, and even a private pool. But, they would like to be on-site.
I do appreciate all your input!

Good luck!! It will be a great trip where ever you stay.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the suggestion. So I just checked and I two rooms would be about 1,000 more. Something to consider! That means our family would need two connecting and grandparents would be separate.

the problem is you can't book connecting rooms. They are a request only, and given to those who have kids that outnumber adults first.

 

[maxiesmom]

Another thought--If you plan on spending a lot of time at Epcot, staying at a Boardwalk resort is the way to go. Currently the front of Epcot is a giant mess, and you have to walk a long way around when you first go in. The hill that typically goes past Spaceship Earth goes nowhere, you have to go either way right or way left.

The fear of using the boats--would it help at all for them to see that you are not out in open water, that you can easily see both sides of the canal? Have you shown the person with the fear pics? I get it, my mom hates boats. But she can tolerate them for short periods of time. The boat ride to the Disney Studios from an Epcot resort is short and very smooth.

 

[my523]

the problem is you can't book connecting rooms. They are a request only, and given to those who have kids that outnumber adults first.

Yes. The connecting would be for my party of 2 adults and 4 kids. Then, another (3rd) room for grandparents.

The fear of using the boats--would it help at all for them to see that you are not out in open water, that you can easily see both sides of the canal? Have you shown the person with the fear pics? I get it, my mom hates boats. But she can tolerate them for short periods of time. The boat ride to the Disney Studios from an Epcot resort is short and very smooth.

I’m not sure, honestly, if that would help, but that’s a really helpful suggestion!

 

[Meglen]

Yes. The connecting would be for my party of 2 adults and 4 kids. Then, another (3rd) room for grandparents.



I’m not sure, honestly, if that would help, but that’s a really helpful suggestion!

Possible to book a room with a 5th sleeper ? Would be 2 beds and a pull down Murphy twin. Only one bathroom but might cut the cost alot and let you just book 2 rooms where ever you wanna stay.

 

[my523]

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Possible to book a room with a 5th sleeper ? Would be 2 beds and a pull down Murphy twin. Only one bathroom but might cut the cost alot and let you just book 2 rooms where ever you wanna stay.

Oh, yes. Absolutely. I think when I was taking about my family of 6 being in a studio at Poly, the conversation went to finding a larger space since some mentioned that might feel too small.