Best monorail resort for seniors?

[flipflopsandpitstops]

Reposting here because I got no responses in the other thread!

Hi all, I'm so very excited! My mom and I are planning on taking a mother/daughter WDW trip this December 2021. I'm a DVC member and already have our room locked in at my home resort of CCVC, but would like to spend a few days beforehand somewhere else on property. This will be her first trip back in about 10 years and she'll be turning 75 a week after we return. While at home she walks both with and without a cane depending on how she's feeling, but for this trip we'll definitely be renting her a scooter for the parks. My question is this. For those several days at the beginning of the trip when we won't be visiting any parks, we'd like to stay at one of the monorail resorts to do some resort hopping for food and to see the holiday decorations, etc. If you had to choose between the three monorail resorts for this trip, which would you choose to stay at and why? Full disclosure, this may wind up being the last time she goes to WDW, so I'm willing to shell out a little more than usual to make this one really special.

Thanks!

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

I'd go with Contemporary.
Its such a unique resort and everything is easily accessible.

 

[JenBush]

They each have their pros and cons. I would pick whichever resort she likes the most. Is she familiar with the monorail resorts? My first thought was to suggest a theme park view at the contemporary or bay lake tower. The view from those balconies can’t be beat, but I know the overall theming can feel too sterile for some people. I love the theming of the Poly, but I’m concerned about your mother’s mobility issues and the possibility of getting a room far from the main building. As for the GF, it’s beautiful and the new walking path to MK definitely makes it more appealing.

 

[bearzabout]

Grand Floridian is my favorite. Hopefully they will have the gingerbread house and piano player in December. We love to sit in the lobby and hear him play. You can also see the fireworks from the dock. They piped in the music on the dock last year.

The Polynesian is beautiful and you can ride the small boats to all the resorts around the lake. Their monorail station in closed through the summer for a major resort rehab. If the project gets delayed, it may still be closed in the fall.

The contemporary can be loud inside because of Chef Mickeys. It isn’t pretty like the other resorts In my opinion And not a great place to hang out during the day.

Wilderness Lodge is beautiful and a quick boat ride away at a much lower price than the GF. You can take a boat to the contemporary and hop the monorail from there.

Since all of the resorts are so large, I’d rent a cart offsite for the week so she will feel better about exploring. The long distances are daunting and you may find that she can’t walk for many days in a row. She could bow out of doing things which would really be a shame. It will save time if she has a cart before entering a park.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I bought DVC points at BLT precisely knowing that “someday” I would probably have to be satisfied with a view of the MK and this resort has incredible sunrise& sunset views. No matter what floor getting off the elevator, they have really big windows to look out to see the pool and the lake and all the boat transportation from early morn til late at night plus the balconies and the walkway bridge that connects so I don’t have to walk outside. I am 70 years old but Disney keeps us young.

 

[flipflopsandpitstops]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your input, it's greatly appreciated!

I'm definitely planning on renting a scooter for her because even though we'll be there for a week and have down/resort relaxation days planned neither of us want her to feel limited if she wants to venture out.

Honestly I think she'd love all three, but I was thinking also about weather in December and was personally leaning towards either Bay Lake Tower/Contemporary Theme Park View or GF main bldg concierge...just in case it rains I didn't want her to have to get wet going from an outer building to the main building for food etc. Anyone know if rain is still frequent that time of the year?

 

[Eastern]

My mother didn't like Poly because she had to walk outside between buildings. She likes CR tower because the monorail goes right into the resort. You can also get food and shop without leaving the building.

I think rainiest times are July/August/September. You can get unlucky any time of year though. For the most part, it rains for a bit and then it stops, even in the rainy months.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

GF main building CL (Royal Palm Club), if (key word) CL is operating by then.

Even if CL isn’t back, everything about your post said GF to me.

Happy planning, sounds like a wonderful trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are planning on using points at seven months out, it will be hard in December. GFV is small and both Polynesian and BLT are popular. Studios at BLT are really small, so getting a scooter inside the studio will be hard. Pay cash and you have your choice of all three resorts.

 

[nkereina]

I could make a case for any of them, really.

IMO, Poly is the most uniquely themed and I know my parents (also in their 70s) love it there because its so different than any place they've visited - we live in NY and they've never really been anywhere tropical, Hawaiian, etc. Assuming things are mostly open and operational by then, Trader Sam's is such a fun and unique stop and Poly has some of the best TS dining options of the three monorail resorts. Its also easy to walk the path to TTC to get directly on the Epcot monorail, if you head over that way at all.

GF is the flagship resort so its the most grand and elicits nostalgia for many. Someone your mom's age may enjoy this one best. I think the walking path to MK is also open here now?

CR also has the walking path to MK, but would be my last choice. Great resort with awesome views, but the theme doesn't appeal - personal preference though. Since you'll be spending time at CCV afterward, you'll also have easy access to CR via boat if you want to visit or dine there.

 

[_19disnA]

"Which resort?" tends to be a matter of personal preference and budget. When we stayed at Contemporary in 2019, never had issues with noise or waiting too long for elevators when staying in the main tower. It is still the only Disney resort where the monorail runs through the hotel.