Best deluxe resort for us? Please give input!

[amsafko]

We are a family of 5 - at the time of the trip it will be my husband, myself, a 6 y.o., 4 y.o. and a child turning 2 during the trip. We stayed last time at ASMo (just a family of 4 then) - I loved it but hated taking down the stroller everytime we got on and off the busses. So we swore this trip we'd stay at a monorail resort. Then I heard such awesome things about WL that we made reservations there. So now I'm wondering if that's the best fit for us -so here's our situation and please give honest feedback:

We are driving so we will have access to a car, is traffic bad and is parking in the lots difficult and do they charge? We would prefer not having to drive much but will if need be on a day or two.

We love Epcot, MK and want to do more at MGM but are skipping AK this time and doing typhoon lagoon. Which resort would provide us with the best transportation to MK and Epcot as they will be where we go the most? I know my questions are a bit scattered but I'm hurrying since my kids are calling.

Thanks!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

First off- Parking is free if you stay onsite.
We stayed in a bunkbed room at WL with our DS8 & DD5 last May and loved it. However, WL and AKL have the smallest rooms of the Deluxes and I just cannot see squeezing a crib in the room we stayed in.
Transportation to MK is by boat or bus. Epcot is a bus ride.
If it were me I would stay at the Poly, if you can swing it financially. It is my understanding that you can wheel the stroller on/off the monorail-especially nice if there is a child sleeping in it.

 

[verbiosa]

I thought the Contemporary was the most convenient, and while you're waiting for the monorail in the morning, you can look down and see the goings on at Chef Mickeys.

 

[heatherlynn444]

since the monorail goes to only MK an dEpcot, seems like Contemport, Poly, or GF would suit you well, depending on your budget and personal theme preferance.my two fav. resorts are GF and Poly. good luck!

 

[tinknsnow]

When our kids were younger (and my son was under 3) we stayed at the WL each trip. We love it there and hope to go back when we save enough to get a Junior Suite at Christmas...

If the Magic Kingdom will be your number one destination, the WL provides an excellent stroller-friendly boat launch. You don't have to fold up the stroller to board and ride to and from the MK.

For EPCOT, you have the options of bus but we would take a boat to the Contemporary, then board the monorail to TTC. For this boat, you do need to fold the stroller as it is smaller. It's a five minute boat ride from WL to CR.

The WL has incredible ambience-- very cozy and family-friendly. I adore it. I miss not staying there now that we cannot fit into a regular room.

The CR is awesome in terms of convenience and fits five easily (two beds plus daybed). It is quite something to be able to ride the elevator down to the 4th floor and get on the monorail! There is a great arcade and my kids liked the pool, too. You can walk to the MK (8-10 min) and of course, it's the first monorail stop on the way back. We had great bus service to all parks there.

The Poly is beautiful and very convenient. Rooms are amply sized and the grounds are lovely. I like the restaurants and gift shops a lot. You can get on the monorail to MK... and later TTC (last stop before back to Poly). You can walk to TTC (can be a hike depending on which longhouse you're in) to get to EPCOT. You can take a boat across to the MK. Buses are always an option...

Good luck with your decision!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

For the most convenient monorail resort to EPCOT and MK I would have to go with the Poly. Of course it has the monorail and boat to MK, but youcan also walk to the TTC and catch the EPCOT monrail too. The Polynesian is a great place for kids, and your little ones will love the zero entry Volcano pool.

 

[amsafko]

You all are great! We are fortunate in that the sale of our home allowed us to keep some money out and can choose between all of them (this is a first time for me in terms of worrying too much about the cost!!!). So, I'm leaning towards the Poly or CR (I know the kids would love either). Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[Goofyz3girls]

My vote is for the BC or YC.Not only is it a short walk to Epcot but you can take a short boat ride to Hollywood Studios(MGM). You can walk around the lake and enjoy everything the Boardwalk has to offer.When you want to go to MK jump in the car and drive yourself to the MK parking lot and then you have a choice of the monorail or ferry to get there (my kids love having different choices)part of the magic of arriving to MK.Then when you want to cool off and relax at the resort after walking around all day you can go to the pool.NO OTHER DISNEY RESORT BEATS THE POOL AT THE BEACH AND YACHT CLUB.Outside of MK what else is located in MK resort area......nothing! The location of the Beach and Yacht is ideal and centrally located to everything.

 

[AshleyMWC]

My vote is for the Poly, for a couple reasons. First of all, the kids would love playing on the beach and in the volcano pool, and being able to watch the fireworks from the beach at night- awesome view!! Second, location!!! You can walk to the Transportation Ticket Center, which is awesome. For one, it give yous a direct monorail ride to Epcot! Secondly, you cen pick up the ferry to the MK from there, and you can roll the stroller right on without having to do any folding of it! I have stayed at the WL, GF, Poly, and BWI, and the Poly is definitely heads above the rest for convenience, in my opinion. I liked the WL just fine, but we found transportation spotty at time- could have just been an off week though. For my money, Poly all the way!!

 

[brergnat]

I'd also go for BC/YC for all the reasons mentioned by a previous poster.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My vote is for the Contemporary and here is why. You have the Monorail which is a huge plus for any of the Monorails on the Resort line, however the Contemporary is also the only Resort with a walkway to and from the Magic Kingdom. Plus when leaving the Magic Kingdom by Monorail it's the very next stop. As for getting to Epcot it's a very short 30 second ride on the Monorail to the TTC, so it's almost equal to walking there from the Polynesian. Plus when coming back by Disney Transport bus from Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney, the Contemporary is the 1st Resort where the buses will always stop at.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

With that many young children, I'd suggest the Poly for all the reasons previous posters have stated and more. It is truly magical to splash around in the Volcano pool with a view of Cinderella's castle. The children's club (Neverland Club) is the largest of its kind at WDW, and there are lots of children's activities in the GCH. Plus there are lots of nice spots on the beaches to watch the Wishes fireworks at night and watch the Electric Water Parade (it starts out at the Polynesian every night).

While you can walk to the MK from the Contemporary, I really wouldn't recommend doing that with young children. Their little legs get tired quickly and what seems like a short walk to you seems like a mile to them. It's much easier for them to walk up the monorail platform or get on the boat to the Poly than walk to the CR. But that's just my opinion after travelling to Disney with a young child.

 

[PlainJane]

I would choose the Poly for the short walk to the TTC and a direct monorail and boat to the MK. Beyond that the pool is themed better at the Poly, and the rooms are huge. I've stayed at both, and the CR seemed cold to me, on the other hand the Poly felt like home

 

[RivaLJ]

I'd go with the Poly. You can take either monorail or boat to the MK.
You can walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail.
Great pool too with zero entry!

 

[kirbsam]

poly or yc. you cant go wrong with either one.