Contemporary Or Polynesian

[cw_disney_bound]

Since they are both on the monorail, which is better for young kids - C since it's in walking distance to the MK or P for the atmosphere and pool?

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

The Poly is my favorite resort - it is very romantic and the grounds are beautiful.

I have to vote for CR for kids though, there is just something about the monorail going through the building that all the kids seem to love. You can't lose either way with these two resorts!

 

[ntsammy5]

Both are good, but if the kids like pools it's Poly otherwise CR.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

For younger kids, I would suggest the Polynesian. The volcano pool is wonderful and where else can you play in the pool and see the castle? In addition to the monorail you have the boat launch (it does stop at the GF first). My daughter and nephews loved it during our visit last August. We did have breakfast at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary. When I asked the kids if they'd rather stay at the Contemporary or the Polynesian, they chose the Poly.

Both resorts are wonderful for kids but I'm biased towards the Poly.

 

[greenpea89]

We have just returned from a two week stay at the CR, GF, and Poly. We have four children and our youngest is four. We had a fantastic stay and really liked all three resorts. My short answer is the Poly but I think it's purely individual. My long answer is well, ALOT longer !
CR: We really liked our rooms here and while we thought the view was great we actually thought the fireworks view from our room was good at all three hotels. We loved being able to walk back to the hotel when the monorail was busy but didn't miss it when we changed resorts. CR is the first stop on the monorail at the end of the day, from the Magic Kingdom, which is also nice. We felt the atmosphere here was busy and bustling. Chef Mickey was fun and the grab and go was convenient. Also, if you plan to do Hoop-de-do we found the boat from Fort Wilderness directly to CR after the show was less crowded and faster to take than the boat to MK where the other resorts pick up their guests. We just hopped right on the CR boat and then took the monorail back to GF - super easy and fast! With a stroller it was slightly easier here to get on the monorail. If you are in the main tower you can take the elevator to the monorail floor and then you will take either the escalator or a small elevator to the monorail platform. You will not need to leave your building, the way we did at the Poly and GF, then go to the main building and get on the elevator to go up to the monorail platform. A quick note about our rooms (at all three resorts) - there is a latch (placed at adult height) on the sliding door to the balcony that prevents little ones from opening the door and I was very appreciative of this. Now, I know this is strange but the toilets in our room had the loudest flushing sound ever and our youngest daughter refused to be anywhere near the bathroom when it needed to be flushed because she thought it was scary. The sinks do not drain easily and while this is a small thing it was actually fairly inconvenient for us. Finally, our four year old never really noticed or cared that the monorail went through the building but our older ones thought it was cool. This was our twelve year old's favorite of the three.
Poly: We loved our rooms here! To be perfectly honest (no flames please) I didn't think I would like it here when we went past it on the monorail - I saw the orange roofs and thought mmmmm....maybe not - but WoW! Did I change my opinion once we walked into the lobby to check in! We felt the atmosphere was in between the tranquility of the GF and the hustle and bustle of CR so, for us - just right! The pool was very nice and we enjoyed Captain Hooks for quick snacks and meals. The Lilo and Stitch breakfast here was excellent! We found it easy to walk to the TTC and the GF. We also felt it was slightly easier to take the elevator to the monorail floor here that at the GF. We felt it was a more "Disney immersive" experience to stay here than at the CR - I don't know why! We also thought it was fun to take the boat from the hotel straight to and from MK. We found it was actually sometimes faster to do this than to take the monorail in the evening. Also, we had a view of both the fireworks and the evening water show from our room. We thought this was wonderful when our littlest ones were tired - they could rest while we just opened the curtains and enjoyed the view! Our only negative was that our room was a bit dark and we felt we could have used a little more light. For us, this was our favorite of the three (with the exception of our 12 year old). We enjoyed the atmosphere at the Poly the most and felt we could really relax here after a busy day at the parks.
It's a totally personal decision and both resorts are nice - honestly! We went from the CR to the GF to the Poly and each time I didn't want to leave because I thought the next resort wouldn't be a nice (at the Poly I just didn't want to leave)! I know it isn't helpful but it just depends on what you and your family prefer - modern or tropical, bustling or peaceful, walk to TTC or MK, basic pool or themed pool, etc. Whichever hotel you choose you will have a terrific time!

 

[MELSMICE]

I've stayed at both & I prefer the Poly.

There is more room to spread out at the CR, but the Poly pool is really fun, plus it has a zero entry & the kids love the waterfall area.

You can walk to the TTC from the Poly & then take a quick monorail to the MK or to EPCOT.

I thought they were updating the CR food court, although I haven't been to it. They did update the Poly counter service area & it was very nice - small, but nice. There was also a nice area that you could sit down to eat right outside.

#1 choice would be Poly for me, but the CR is nice also.

 

[KatMark]

Although we know longer do deluxes (we always stay at the CSR), we have stayed at both and definitely prefer the Poly. Yes, having a view of the Castle at the CR is wonderful (we had this on our very first trip), we love the atmosphere, restaurants and pools at the Poly much more.

 

[Marty Joe]

If I were a kid (and I am on the inside), I would like the Poly the best ! I would play in the sand for a while, swim for a while, get a Mai Tai (oops)

 

[frdeb1999]

I think the Poly also. A very nice resort and my dd loves the volcano pool. It's wonderful to be able to see the castle while swimming. You also have the beach area right there for them to play on, fireworks, water parade views. And many wonderful resturant options.

 

[simonkodousek]

The Polynesian gets my vote. It just seems better for younger kids.

 

[MELSMICE]

I think the Poly also. A very nice resort and my dd loves the volcano pool. It's wonderful to be able to see the castle while swimming. You also have the beach area right there for them to play on, fireworks, water parade views. And many wonderful resturant options.

The Contemporary has a beach also & you can view the water parade from there, but if I remember correctly, they don't have the cabanas on the beach like the Poly does.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

With young kids you got to with the Contemporary. When leaving the Magic Kingdom they are the 1st stop on the Resort Monorail so you can get back very fast and they also have the walkway to the Magic Kingdom. Plus when you come back on any bus from Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney, they are also going to be the 1st Resort the bus will stop at.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The Contemporary has a beach also & you can view the water parade from there, but if I remember correctly, they don't have the cabanas on the beach like the Poly does.

Last month when I stayed at the Polynesian I did not see any cabanas on the beach. I believe your thinking of the Grand Floridian because from what I have read on here they have cabanas.

 

[disneygirl32]

gotta vote for the Poly!! We love the Poly!

 

[MELSMICE]

Last month when I stayed at the Polynesian I did not see any cabanas on the beach. I believe your thinking of the Grand Floridian because from what I have read on here they have cabanas.

Hmmmmm...............each time I have stayed there, with the last time being this past October, they have had cabanas. We have used them. Maybe they have removed them since October, but there have always been cabanas (or tents if you want to call them that) with lounge chairs in them.

 

[Disney Ron]

Another vote for the Poly!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[joenan88]

I was at the poly in November and they did not have cabana's..just lounge chairs......they do have them at The Grand Floridian.

 

[ciera321]

We're staying at both resorts in July. We stay for 6 nights at CR then on to Poly for 7 more nights. We really enjoy split stays to try different resorts.

 

[Tam1067]

We love the Poly.

The pool is great, with a zero depth entry and view of the castle. A very nice benefit of the Poly over both the CR and the GF is that you can walk to the TTC and save yourself the need to take two different Monorails and switch lines to get to Epcot. For us, this perk is really nice.

I also don't want to offen the CR fans, but the theming there is not as kid friendly. Yes, the Monorail goes right through the lobby, which is a nice effect. But the rest of the theming is not particularly fun for the kids. The Poly, with its Hawaiian music and almost silly theming is just great for kids.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

I believe the cabanas that MELSMICE is talking about are these...

As far as the OPs question, I would say the Poly. It is much more heavily themed than the Contemporary. Also the transportation options are better as far as I am concerned. The ability to walk to the TTC and catch the direct Epcot monorail without transfering (like you would have to do at the Cont. or GF) is better. I also like the boat service to the MK.

Don't get me wrong, both will be really great for anyone. I just think the Poly is a little better.