I think we need a little more info. Are you looking for a regular room or a suite? How many are in your travel party? Do you really want to stay on the monorail or would you prefer the Epcot area?
For a regular room on the monorail we love the GF. The rooms are big and the hotel is beautiful. We go here to feel pampered.
My other choice without getting into a suite is a one bedroom villa at the BCVs. The villa includes a master bedroom with a deluxe bathroom including a jacuzzi tub. It also has a family room with full kitchen. We love this location because it is within walking distance of Epcot.
It would be two adults and two kids (3 & 8). I want something the kids would love and us two. It doesn't have to be a suite but we stayed in the tower club at the cr and that was just ok. I want the vacation of a life time. Something you would dream of, because it would have to last a while. I saw one of the suits the other day from the animal kingdom on the travel channel, that is more what I have in mind.
Since your kids are 3 & 8, if you plan on spending a lot of time at MK, then I would recommend GF. Last time we were there we booked a std. room and I requested a high floor with a pool view. We had a lovely room overlooking the pool. It was on the top floor, not sure which wing, but it was only 3 or 4 stories high. The room had wonderful vaulted ceilings since it was on the top floor and it made the room feel so much bigger.
One day they were filming a commercial for the disney channel at one end of the pool, and we sat on our balcony watching the "dis family" jump into the pool over and over. I think they were up to take 20 before they said it was a wrap. We had fun watching the cameras and trying to figure out what they didn't like on each take. In our opinion, it looked fine on take 1.
I loved our room at the YC. We did a CR/YC split; stayed at YC first. I knoew before I went that the CR rooms were supposed to be the largest non-suite rooms...but for some reason, the YC room "felt" bigger.
Poly rooms are huge too. It's also a good resort for kids.
Your resorts with the biggest rooms are the 3 older ones - CR, Poly, GF.
However, the home away from homes are outstanding. A 1-bedroom villa with a full kitchen, huge bath, washer/dryer. That's real life at Disney! Best room we ever had was a 1-bedroom at the WL Villas.
Why not go two years in a row and just do a standard room at a deluxe? You kids are young and wouldn't know the difference? Just a thought...although total pampering sure would be nice!
All of the Mono hotels are "magical" in their own way....
1. GF- Best for Adults, very romantic
2. CR- Great Views, Good For Kids
3. Poly-Oversized rooms, Great Views
Seeing that you werent a big fan of CR, I would steer you in the Poly direction. IMO, they would offer you something that is "Magical", while being in the center of the action.
If being by MK is not a priority, I would also suggest YC or Boardwalk. Although they are a little less "glamourusly magical" they are one of the best resorts on Disney property, and are not to be missed.