Comparing Monorail resorts

[DJFan88]

We have a res at the poly w/ 2 kids, 5 and 2. Chose a monorail property for convenience, and also to see fireworks at night on resort site. Just wondering if you have these benefits at the Floridian too. For the price you pay for the POLY, Floridian or Contemporary may have similar prices, or with codes (if ever released) or affordable ones. Does anyone see any advantage over the other? Is the POLY the best pick? Also, figured you had the easiest access to the epcot monorail too. And to view the water parade.

 

[swilphil]

I think the Poly is probably the best of the monorail resorts for your money. I don't really hear a lot of great things about GF. We are staying at the Contemporary because we can't afford the Poly rates.

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, DJFan88!

From the sounds of it, the Poly would probably be the right choice for your family. I've never stayed at the GF, so I can't really say much on that. I have stayed at the Poly and the Contemporary. At the Poly, you can watch the fireworks and the electric water parade right from the beach (heck, you can watch the fireworks from the volcano pool). At the Contemporary, if memory serves me correctly, you'd be watching the fireworks pretty much from the parking lot, and then you'd have to go back to the other side of the building near the pools to see the water parade.

You can walk to the MK from the Contemporary, though, which is a nice feature when leaving the park at the end of the night and everyone is rushing for a monorail.

I'm sure you'd be happy at any of them, though.

Karen

 

[DeterminedOne]

We have a res at the poly w/ 2 kids, 5 and 2. Chose a monorail property for convenience, and also to see fireworks at night on resort site. Just wondering if you have these benefits at the Floridian too. For the price you pay for the POLY, Floridian or Contemporary may have similar prices, or with codes (if ever released) or affordable ones. Does anyone see any advantage over the other? Is the POLY the best pick? Also, figured you had the easiest access to the epcot monorail too. And to view the water parade.

If you can get a comparable price to Cont. and Poly you should choose GF. It's a much nicer hotel. If you get a lagoon view facing the castle you could watch the fireworks from your balcony AND you can hear the music. If you don't get lagoon view you can still watch from the beach. Have never stayed at Cont. or Poly and have no desire to do so. GF is the best pick for a monorail resort, IMO.

 

[Leota]

If you can get a rate at GF or afford GF, I would do that. I liked it sooooooo much better than the Poly. Haven't stayed at CR yet, so I can't compare there.

 

[skiwee1]

I would chose the Poly. My now 6 y/o has been going with us to the Poly for the last 3 years and loves it. We could have gotten the GF cheaper then the Poly last year but still chose the Poly for the theming, pool, beach, and all around atmosphere.

 

[PlutoPony]

You're right, the Poly transportation is really good. It's just a short walk to the TTC, and we found that to be a big convenience. The Poly pool w/ zero entry will be great for your kids, and the rooms are big so you've got space to spread out! Unless you feel like the atmosphere at the GF is more your taste (at a higher price) it sounds like you've made the choice that fits your family's needs best with the Poly.
Have fun!

 

[BCV23]

We haven't stayed at the CR but have stayed at the GF three times and the Polynesian around thirty. I love them both but the Polynesian is more convenient for Epcot. It is also very easy to get to WL or FW if you want to go to either for meals. The rooms are larger. It also just feels like a world apart from the parks....very relaxing. There are three beaches so no matter which building you are in, you're close to a beach. I think you will be very happy with your choice.

 

[glencoe]

IMHO-GF is great for couples/honeymooners/basically people w/o kids. It is a beautiful resort, very simple pool, lovely large rooms, access to MK great, lovely restuarants. However, with kids I think the Poly is more family friendly. Besides the theme difference, the pool at the Poly is way more family fun than the plain basic pool at GF, Ohana's has a great dinner meal, not just character that caters to the kids/family. Plus Character breakfast too (GF has that also but Alice in Wonderland characters and a few other regulars...my boys have no interest in Alice and crew) If interested the Luau is also fun for a family, I would never dream of taking my 3 kids to Victoria and Alberts for dinner
Also Poly has great access to the direct monorail to Epcot w/out having to switch like you have to from GF or CR.

so that is just my over view, we did the GF for our Honeymoon, would never change that and would love to go back one day-with just my hubbie or much older kids
and we will be at the Poly at this trip coming up. My kids chose the Poly over Contemporary (they preferred the volcano pool over the monorail in the hotel). Hope that helps..
Single digit dance...

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We like the Polynesian. Last year we stayed at the GF for 2 nights then switching to our "home" -the Poly for 6 nights. The GF seemed rather stuffy
& reserved. Like kids should be seen and not heard. While at the Poly it's more relaxed.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Our favorite resort is the GF (yes we have kids - no it's not stuffy). However I think either Poly or GF is great for kids. We like it because all the kids activities (Wonderland Tea Party, Pirate Cruise etc.) are on site. GF monorail is the first stop going to the MK, the boat coming back from MK goes to GF before Poly. You can see the fireworks and electrical water parade from either resort. I think the rooms are nicer at the GF, but that's my personal view. I have stayed at Poly and Gf and although I prefer GF had a wonderful time at both resorts.

 

[java]

IMHO-GF is great for couples/honeymooners/basically people w/o kids. It is a beautiful resort, very simple pool, lovely large rooms, access to MK great, lovely restuarants. However, with kids I think the Poly is more family friendly. Besides the theme difference, the pool at the Poly is way more family fun than the plain basic pool at GF, Ohana's has a great dinner meal, not just character that caters to the kids/family. Plus Character breakfast too (GF has that also but Alice in Wonderland characters and a few other regulars...my boys have no interest in Alice and crew) If interested the Luau is also fun for a family, I would never dream of taking my 3 kids to Victoria and Alberts for dinner
Also Poly has great access to the direct monorail to Epcot w/out having to switch like you have to from GF or CR.

so that is just my over view, we did the GF for our Honeymoon, would never change that and would love to go back one day-with just my hubbie or much older kids
and we will be at the Poly at this trip coming up. My kids chose the Poly over Contemporary (they preferred the volcano pool over the monorail in the hotel). Hope that helps..
Single digit dance...

Did you know they have changed the pool at the GF for just this reason. They added a "groto" feel with a pool slide now. I don't think it really fits the feel of the hotel, but I think they did it to be more family friendly.(oh and we fell for it this year- first time at GF with the kids coming up)

 

[PamNC]

and the Poly is our favorite. You do essentially get the same perks at all three. I think fireworks viewing is best from the Poly beach though. It's "straight on." We like the Poly the best because we love the theming, the laid-back atmosphere, the big rooms, the volcano pool, and for some reason the Poly just fits us. The GF is very nice, just a bit stuffy for my taste. The CR was a good experience for us, although it is a bit rundown. Loved walking to MK. Look at it this way, no matter which one you pick, it's an easy monorail ride (or even a walk between Poly and GF) to the other resorts. You can enjoy all of the dining at all three, and you could even watch the EWP and the fireworks from each. Arrange dinner at CA Grille close to the time for the firewords - you'll love it.

PamNC

 

[imatoad]

I just really like the atmosphere and lay out of the Poly, and the view of Cinderellas castle when illuminated is fantastic. Good choice.

 

[lovesdumbo]

We LOVE the Poly. I really like that there are lots of smaller buildings though I must admit we've been lucky and have not had to deal with rain. I love the tiki torches at night and the direct monorail to Epcot is great.

You may want to consider concierge. We (me, DH, DD(5), DS(4), DD(2)) find it well worth the extra $100 per night in convenience. My kids loved eating in the lounge and we loved that one adult could take the kids to the lounge while the other got ready.

We enjoy the walk to GF but I really love the atmosphere of the Poly.

 

[Michelle2]

To tell the absolute truth, I am kinda torn between the GF and Poly too...We stayed and GF SL last time (loved it), and have reservations at the GF for our trip in December, but if better AP rates come out to the Poly, we might change...never know! The proximity to the TTC is so tempting, plus it is something new for us, AND the theming and pool get good reviews. We never tried the restaurants there and are going to this next trip anyways. Already tried all the family ones at GF last time....Our only reason we are probably going to do GF again is because we will be staying at the RPR while at Universal and the theming is the same. SO I think either will be great for you, but sounds like Poly would be a great choice. All the monorail resorts have their good points!! Have a great trip!