Are the monorail resorts really more convenient?

[TigrLvsPooh]

That is really strange! I've been on the monorail a million times... peak season, value season, holidays, special events, etc,.... and I've never been asked to fold up our stroller, and I've never seen anyone else fold up their stroller either.

Very weird.

 

[eeyore0062]

Contemporary- took the bus to DTD from here once- a nightmare!

LOL... DTD from to and from ANY resort is a nightmare!!!!

 

[susy]

Actually the bus from AKL to DTD wasn't bad. We only stopped once at TL, which is usual. I still applaud the AKL transp. system- one bus stop and NO sharing!

 

[Tick-Tock]

We have been in May (low crowds) and were sometimes asked to fold the stroller on the monorail even when it was pretty empty.

You should be aware also that the load-out from EPCOT at the end of Illuminations can cause long lines at the monorails. Under those circumstances, I have found that some guests will expect that you fold the strollers to make more room in the monorail cabins. I have seen people be fairly aggressive shoving and squeezing strollers with kids in them in order not to have to wait for the next monorail. Didn't happen so much in the good old days, but seems more common now.

 

[Tikiman]

We have never waited long for the monorail or to get to the MK or Epcot. We usually take the monorail or boat from the Polynesian to the MK and get there very quickly. We can get in and out fast enough that sometimes we go on 2 rides before we have to be to dinner and this is in the middle of the summer. We also have made reservations in Epcot many times from the Polynesian resort and been able to get there very fast. We had reservations for lunch in Mexico and we had 30 minutes to get there from our room at the Polynesian. With out running we got to Epcot and walked all the way to Mexico and still had time before our reservation. I even timed the difference between going from our room at the Polynesian to get to the middle of Epcot (where World showcase meets Future World) and walking from our room at the YC to the same spot and it took longer from the YC than the Polynesian. I have it all on tape if no one believes me.

I love the Polynesian transportation.

Aloha

Steve

 

[onceuponadream]

Tikiman--that is great information! We are still trying to decide between BC (are afraid the pool may be too big for us to keep our eyes on our kids 11,9,7 and 4), Poly (have always wanted to stay there) and CR.

My husband is leaning toward CR since it is a little less expensive (wing room) and still on the monorail. We are splitting a stay between one of these three and AKL.

I was trying to decide b/w Poly and BC because my friends that have stayed at BC loved it because of the convenience to Epcot and quick transp. to MGM. Maybe I can convince DH that the Poly has everything we need. How is the food at Captain Cook's? We don't need "great" food just a few choices and decent quality for a quick bite when we aren't enjoying a sit down meal.

The pool looks really fun too. We have been in a moderate twice so anything deluxe will be more than enough for us! Thanks for your help

 

[Tikiman]

Captain Cook’s food is ok. There are many choices other than just the grill. There are sandwiches, fruit and salads along with the junk food and the items from the grill. The grill food is typical. I think the only “fast food” place I have seen that I would call good was at the AKL. I would stop in Captain Cooks a few times a visit when it was late and everything was closed and I would grab a personal pizza that was tasty.

 

[CapeCod95]

We stayed at the Contemporary last month, the first time we stayed at a monorail resort. We loved it. The biggest thing for us was the ease of getting around with a stroller. It made going to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot a breeze.

 

[onceuponadream]

Tikiman--two more questions...thanks for your quick response . We really value your opinion as you are a Poly expert. Since you have stayed at both AKL and Poly and we are considering splitting our stay (4 nights at each) which would you do first (or would you not split and choose one over the other)? Also, is the slide at the Poly mostly for "big kids" and good swimmers? Are swimmies allowed (on their arms)? We were able to stand at eh bottom of the POR slide and catch our youngest ones. Our older 2 are great swimmers but not the 7 year old or 4 year old. Does the pool get pretty packed in June? (we are going the first week). Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Tikiman]

I think AKL and a Polynesian split stay is the best combination in WDW. I also think the are the two best resorts in WDW. We usually split the stay 4 days at somewhere new and 7 at the Polynesian. We always finish up the trip at the Polynesian just because it is our preference.

The slide at the Polynesian pool is great. Better than the AKL, GF or even the Storm-a-long Bay pool. It is longer and faster than any of them but it is great for adults and I have seen many little kids. You can be right at the bottom to scoop them up. The pool does not get real deep so it is good for smaller kids.

I have not gone in June so I don’t know how crowded it would get but I am sure someone can answer.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Terry S]

Well, I vote for Beach Club. It is our absolute favorite resort and the conveinance to Epcot and MGM is unbeatable. The themeing and atmoshphere at Beach Club is so beautiful! (As you can see from my signature, we will be there 3 times this year)

I have never had much luck with the monorails, it seems everytime I walk up one is leaving. Yes, the ride itself is fun for the kids the first or second time, but waiting in line for the next one to come is not.

 

[onceuponadream]

thanks Tikiman!!

 

[BCV23]

Another vote for monorail resorts and more specifically the Polynesian. Three modes of transportation to MK (all fun), two to Epcot and buses to Epcot & MGM as well as buses from the TTC or a quick trip to the MK and transfer to any resort bus (during MK hours). I think for us even more important than the transportation advantages is the magic of unique resorts that each face the MK in a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.

With the old monorail cars, everyone was required to collapse strollers unless the strollers were the specially designed one for little ones with disabilities. These days, it rarely is needed but I found the old cars more peaceful and less crowded in general.

 

[jgates]

I would think they would be very convenient. I would be surprised if you had a 24 minute time from there to Epcot. I screwed up and thought there was bus service back to Swan from front of Epcot (duh!). I knew I couldn't make it back thru WS to the boats so DD & I hopped on the Monorail to TTC, Monorail to MK and then bus to Swan from there. We went all the way over to MK and back to Swan in around 25 to 30 minutes.