Contemporary or Polynesian

[LilMinnies2012]

We are heading to Disney World the first week of November with our 2 girls (ages 5 and 2). Our top priority is convenience, so we have narrowed our choices to Polynesian and Contemporary. The pricing is equal, although at the Contemporary, we have a Garden View Deluxe, so it is about 625 sq. ft., however, we have little chance of a balcony or patio since they only have 3 of these rooms available, and of those 3, only 1 has a patio. At the Polynesian, it is a standard room, but we are told most have a patio and balcony and we would most likely have our request met. For Contemporary, I like that we can walk to MK if we want, and we can also take the Monorail to MK. However, Polynesian is walkable to TTC, allowing us to get to Epcot or MK, or they have a monorail at the Polynesian to go straight to MK. Anyone who has stayed at one or both and also dealt with the transportation, etc. Thank you!!

 

[mmmears]

My family has stayed at the Poly several times. Because of the theming and the gardens and beach, we prefer it to the CR. But those are really personal choices.

As for transportation, I think the Poly is great. Not only can you take the monorail to the MK, but there is a boat that also takes you right there. And the ability to walk to the TTC (instead of having to transfer from one monorail to another) makes the Poly also very convenient to Epcot.

I don't think you can really go wrong here -- if you look at room photos, pool photos, etc. it might help you figure out if you really prefer one "style" over another. Both have big rooms, good transportation, nice views.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[dissybroad]

Agree with mmmears.

 

[YankeePrincess]

Yeah I have to agree about the Poly. It is my favorite resort. It is really nice to be able to walk to the TTC. Of course if you stayed at the contemporary you could always walk to MK but the Poly has such nice atmosphere.

 

[WsPrincess]

I am going to give the opposite view. We love CR and the walk to MK. It was the best part of our last trip. We were actually there one night when the monorail went down and we were walking back and did not know anything was wrong until the next day when people were talking about how long they waited for the replacement buses and boats.

I loved the look of the Poly but once we stayed at CR we fell in love.

 

[1971DBday]

Both are convenient in their own ways and they both have equal pros. Therefore it is just going to come down to your preference for appearance. We are Poly lovers and I won't try to sway you either way. I honestly wouldn't mind trying the CR (parents stayed there twice) but my DH doesn't want to be surrounded by concrete because that reminds him of the city (Chicago) and what he is trying to get away from.

 

[Keith]

I agree, better transportation options at Poly. Do you think you'd feel more comfortable with a more more modern hotel feel, with more hustle, bustle? Then go with Contemporary. If you'd prefer a much more laid back, relaxing, calm environment, go with Poly. I personally wouldn't do CR again unless it was a tower room. Only walked to MK once, but you do enough walking while you're there. A nice relaxing ride to MK is more enjoyable to me.

 

[tinkpixiedust00]

I say go with the deluxe room at the CR. I stayed in one last Nov. and I did online check in 10 days out requested ground floor so I could have the patio and got it. The room was very nice and spacious. The convienance of the monorail was awesome. Your also very close to the pool. The little chocolates we received at night from turndown service was a nice touch too. I have lots of pictures of the room let me know if you would like to see them.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

We prefer the Poly! Much better themed in our opinion and when we go to Disney, we are looking for themes. Obviously the CR has the monorail but at the Poly you get the best of both worlds. You can take the monorail to the MK or you can walk to the TTC to get the monorail for Epcot which is nice. We love the dining options at the poly as well as the shops, and one of our favorite things to do is watch wishes from the beach and pool area if you aren't in a park.

 

[luvnchipndale]

Either choice would be great. I have stayed at both. Last year in the tower at Cr and in a week and a half back to CR for the Conceriege level. Travelling with a 3 year old. To me it came down to price and what type of property you want. The Poly is more relaxed atmospher where CR is more hustle and bustle. Good luck with your choice but again either one is worth it.

 

[mickeynut1]

My choice would be the Poly for the beautiful tropical atmosphere, the pool, the beach, and Captain Cooks . We haven't stayed at the CR and although the deluxe room sounds great with all that extra room, the Poly is more our style, plus the rooms are very spacious . The CR is convenient to MK via the walkway, but the Poly is great as well as it's just 2 monorail stops away and is within walking distance to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. With all of that said, I don't think you can go wrong with either one as they are both great resorts, so I would choose the one that the theme/decor appeals to you the most. Good luck deciding and happy planning .

 

[Anniefrances]

Both are great choices and I think you will enjoy your stay at either one. For us--at least while my kids are still young--CR tops Poly. I love Poly but with young kids in a stroller nothing beats being able to walk to and from MK, especially since after a few days I grow tired of pushing a heavy stroller up the ramp to board the monorail. So I would say that if you plan to spend a lot of time at MK and if you plan to take mid-day breaks at the room/pool then CR is a slightly better choice. Also--another thing we like about CR is that there is a spray jet splash area near the pool. A couple of summers ago my boys really enjoyed this, as did I--it was a relaxing place to sit with a drink or snack and watch the kids play.

 

[Tony NY]

I say the CR if not for noting more then seeing the cinderella castle and you can see wishes from the confornt for your room . I say that this is something evey disney fan should exprences at less one and if you can swing the exatr $$ for the concierge leveal with a some good sanks and wishes and nothing better than a glass of wine to end a wonderfull day at the park ..

 

[Missyrose]

My question for OP is this:
If you're looking at a standard room at the Poly, why not look at a standard room in the CR tower?

You'd be an elevator ride away from the monorail and restaurants, plus you'd be guaranteed a balcony!

I'd vote for CR, the walk to/from MK is amazing!

 

[LilMinnies2012]

The Tower at CR takes us out of our price range. The standard rooms are at our max, so we can't upgrade at either resort. We are still banking on free dining or some other offer, which may open up options, but for now it is Garden View at CR for us or standard room at Poly.

 

[Missyrose]

The Tower at CR takes us out of our price range. The standard rooms are at our max, so we can't upgrade at either resort. We are still banking on free dining or some other offer, which may open up options, but for now it is Garden View at CR for us or standard room at Poly.

But you're looking at a Garden View Deluxe room at CR, which usually is the same price as a tower room standard view. I would check again into a standard room in the tower. What you're looking at in garden view is a step up from a standard room (hence the added size).

 

[jedi jen]

We have stayed both and enjoy both. DD and I prefer CR. DS and DBF prefer the Poly. I agree that nothing beats a walk to and from MK if you are going to spend lots of time there and take breaks. Even the monorail can eat up time and energy. I find the Poly to be way more crowded than CR. So I cannot agree with those that say there is more hustle and bustle at CR. I have been to CR twice in July, and it never felt crowded. I stayed at the Poly in August, and the pool (especially the pool), the lounge, Captain Cooks all seemed to be pretty crowded. The pool is small and popular. Nice to look at but too small for me to enjoy. I also found things pretty spread out. Not as easy to get around as CR. CR has bigger pool, not a popular, and a hot tub. Both places are great and rank my top two, so you will be happy with either.

 

[CleveRocks]

You can't go wrong with either choice.

CONTEMPORARY PROS AND CONS:
PROS

• bigger room (due to your room type)

• resort is less spread out (i.e., less walking)

• walk to Magic Kingdom ... this not only means less walking, it means no waiting in line for transportation

• for bus rides to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, you're the first pick-up (choice of seats) and the first drop-off

CONS

• less of a Disney theme

• no chance for a balcony in your room type

• only public place for a decent view of Wishes is the balcony on the 4th floor of the tower

........................................................

POLYNESIAN PROS AND CONS:
PROS

• wonderful theming throughout resort

• large beach with a view of Magic Kingdom

• beach affords great viewing area for Wishes

• close to Transportation & Ticket Center, which means close to direct Epcot monorail

• from DHS and AK, can choose either Poly bus or TTC bus, whichever comes first (if you want)

• roughly a 2 out of 3 chance of getting a room with a patio or balcony

CONS

• resort is VERY spread out ... if you are in a building near the TTC, like I was in Tahiti, you can be a 5-minute walk to the Great Ceremonial House (I timed myself walking), but at least it's a pretty walk

• I can't think of any others

.............................

I just asked my 9-year-old daughter, a veteran of Polynesian at age 6 and a veteran of Contemporary at age 9 (last month). When I asked her which she'd recommend for a 5- and 2-year-old, she said Polynesian because its theming is more appealing to kids, and she called the Contemporary nice but "plain and white." While she liked the convenience of walking to Magic Kingdom, she'd trade it to stay at Polynesian. She just said, "Besides, riding the monorail is fun!"

Good luck with your decision ... like everyone's saying, you really can't go wrong.

Hakuna matata!

 

[*Fantasia*]

POLYNESIAN PROS AND CONS:
PROS

• wonderful theming throughout resort

• large beach with a view of Magic Kingdom

• beach affords great viewing area for Wishes

• close to Transportation & Ticket Center, which means close to direct Epcot monorail

• from DHS and AK, can choose either Poly bus or TTC bus, whichever comes first (if you want)

• roughly a 2 out of 3 chance of getting a room with a patio or balcony

CONS

• resort is VERY spread out ... if you are in a building near the TTC, like I was in Tahiti, you can be a 5-minute walk to the Great Ceremonial House (I timed myself walking), but at least it's a pretty walk

• I can't think of any others

Hakuna matata!

5 minute walk?! That would go under the PROS in my book. The only CON I can think of is that when it is raining and you need to go the the main building or you're coming from the main building and you need to head back to your room, you have to walk outside in the rain.

 

[tinkpixiedust00]

Actually CR has a covered walkway from the tower to the garden wing so you won't have to walk in the rain.