Contemporary vs. Poly

[texhanddoc]

I was hoping for some guidance here. I stayed at the Poly a year ago and we had a fantastic time. We enjoyed the grounds and it was still warm enough that we could swim in the volcano pool. We are going back to DW in Dec 2008 and I am trying to decide between the CR and the Poly.

I have seen threads from both resorts from people who adore each. We would definitely be requesting a MK view and may even go concierge. Does anyone have any advice as to which way to go and why?

I just crunched the numbers and MK view Tower at the CR is currently $60/night less expensive than MK view at the Poly. Why is there such a difference? Both have been renovated and have similar floor plans. We need to make our rezzies soon, so any quick advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cara loves the poly]

I see that you have stayed lagoon view concierge, so you know what a beautiful view the Poly has, to me, the difference is you feel like you are still in the theme park at the Contemporary. At the Poly, you feel as if you are seperate, but have lush landscaping with the castle in the distance. This photo is unzoomed for those curious.

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[frdeb1999]

I have to agree with cara. We love the atmosphere of the Poly. And while you can still experience and see MK from both....IMO it's just wonderful not to be that close. Both are very nice resorts with their own best/worst factors. We just always choose the Poly! Have fun planning!

 

[attackwithnorth]

While both resorts are great, as Disney classics and with the convenience of the Monorail, I will also always choose the Poly for the atmosphere and feeling I get there. The Contemporary is interesting and also has great views and amenities, but I personally think the Poly is the best and most beautiful resort on Disney property.

 

[lacrossemama]

I know I'm in the minority but I would choose the Contemporary. The MK view was wonderful. The rooms were great. I had been apprehensive about a tower room and noise but we had a quiet room with a wonderful bed. I enjoyed the convenience of taking the elevator down to the monorail without going outside. Walking back to the hotel from the Magic Kingdom was a breeze. We also stayed in Dec 2007. Feel free to ask any further questions.

 

[Toot Sweet]

Poly! I think the rooms at CR are kinda hideous. I love the atmosphere at the Poly!

 

[ploto]

This is hard, the CR and POLY are my two favorite resorts in WDW. I have stayed at both of them and they are great!

If you are wanting the best view, then go with the Contemporary. The views from the MK side of CR are sooo amazing I can't really describe it. The Castle is SO close to you, its the last thing you see at night and the first thing you see in the morning.

The thing about MK views at the poly is you have to look over the lagoon, so its not the same "wow the castle is RIGHT THERE" like you get at CR.

Whichever resort you choose you will not be disappointed, the poly and the cr are in my opinion the best resorts in WDW!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

They are both very good choices, but my screen name probably tells you which we'd pick. The Poly. feels more relaxing to me than the Contemporary, but the Contemporary feels closer to the Magic Kingdom (and it is, but Chef Mickey's, the View, and the monorail going right through are what I was thinking of). Magic Kingdom resorts! We stayed Poly. concierge Hawaii in March 2005 and Poly. garden-view Tokelau in May 2006, and are thinking we'll stay Poly. garden-view if we go again in May 2008.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Since you already stayed at the Polynesian I would say you should now try the Contemporary and if you want the Magic Kingdom view, the Tower rooms on the Magic Kingdom side are the best in all of WDW. Magic Kingdom view rooms in the Tower are from floors 6-11 (5th floor does not have any), however rooms on the Atrium Club Level 12th floor do not come with ability to book Magic Kingdom view or Bay Lake view, those need to be requested. On the 14th floor Tower Club floor there are 5 standard rooms and the rest are suites. Just like on the 12th floor the standard rooms you are not able to book a Magic Kingdom or Bay Lake view, however any of the suites do come with the ability to book a Magic Kingdom or a Bay Lake view. So if you do choose to stay Club Level at the Contemporary, you got to decide what is more important. The Magic Kingdom view or the Club Level service?

Anyway this is a view of the Magic Kingdom from the 12th floor in room #4840, when my family and I stayed there in 2006.

 

[Kteacher]

It is a hard choice I was trying to decide between the two when I booked my trip for next October. I love the CR, but there is a lot of construction going on there right now. I chose the Poly for my Oct. trip based on this as well as the fact that I plan to spend a lot of time in Epcot, and the TTC is walking distance. Have fun planning-they are both great places to stay!

 

[Muhlenberg]

By next December there shouldn't be much construction...just "that other building" where the North Wing was. The Wave should be open on the first floor, Chef Mickey's isn't going ANYWHERE, all the shops are done, and the new counter service area should be WELL under way, if not opened by then.

Those MK pictures? That's pretty much what it looks like from ANY room on the MK side. CRFan explained the views pretty well.

We stay almost exclusively at CR, because lately I've had my 83 yo parents with me. You can't beat the elevator convenience when you want to MINIMIZE walking. The same holds true for strollers, little children, etc. When we were there in 2000, my DH had broken his ankle the week before, and renting an ECV and being at CR was EXTREMELY convenient. We did the walk to/from the MK...at the ECV's pace.

But...I've never stayed at the Poly, so maybe my opinion isn't really fair.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

By next December there shouldn't be much construction...just "that other building" where the North Wing was. The Wave should be open on the first floor, Chef Mickey's isn't going ANYWHERE, all the shops are done, and the new counter service area should be WELL under way, if not opened by then.

It has been posted on here that the Concourse Steakhouse is set to close on May 10, 2008 and that Chef Mickey's Express grand opening is August 14, 2008. Assuming it opens on time that should be the end of all the renovations happening insde, so what you said sounds correct. As for the renovations outside where the North Garden Wing use to be, that has no effect on any guests staying in the Tower or South Garden Wing.

 

[Kteacher]

I do love the CR, but the construction that is taking place where the north wing used to be was definitely an eyesore when I was there in October. I'm not sure how far along this construction will be by next December, but it is something to consider.

 

[ntsammy5]

MK view rooms at CR are fantastic. The thing I like best about CR though is it's within walking distance of MK. For a completely different experience, definitely try the CR. The only down side is that the pool at Poly is better IMO.

My personal favorite is BW, though, because so much happens over there!

Enjoy

 

[boomhauer]

Since you're asking for opinions, here's mine:

No contest - Polynesian. Though some of the resort seems a bit dated, the theming is fantastic. I haven't stayed at either of them, but eat at both at least once every trip. I find the Contemporary completely boring. You walk down past the front desk, and blah. No theming at all. It's bland and cold. It's cool looking, you have the monorail going through it and it has great views. If that's all you're looking for in your resort, then the CR is your best bet. If you want to be immersed in an entire resort experience, I'd go with the Polynesian.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DH and I love the Contemporary, and we've only stayed in the Garden Wings.
THe Contemporary says Disney better than any other resort.

The Polynesian says Hawaii.
The Contemporary says Disney.

 

[ducklite]

Since you already stayed at the Polynesian I would say you should now try the Contemporary and if you want the Magic Kingdom view, the Tower rooms on the Magic Kingdom side are the best in all of WDW.

That's a very arguable statement. Yes, you are closer to the castle, but you've got to overlook a parking lot to see it. I'd rather stay in a room at the GF or PR with nothing but a lagoon between my room and the view. IMHO having a bunch of concrete and cars in the way really detracts from the view. It brings reality back into the picture instead of allowing you to bask in fantasy.

Also, the fireworks look best from the Polynesian with the GF being a close second. (I've stayed in castle view rooms at all three, so I've got firthand experience to pull from...)

 

[NewJersey]

That's a very arguable statement. Yes, you are closer to the castle, but you've got to overlook a parking lot to see it. I'd rather stay in a room at the GF or PR with nothing but a lagoon between my room and the view. IMHO having a bunch of concrete and cars in the way really detracts from the view. It brings reality back into the picture instead of allowing you to bask in fantasy.

Also, the fireworks look best from the Polynesian with the GF being a close second. (I've stayed in castle view rooms at all three, so I've got firthand experience to pull from...)

totally what I was thinking too. Looking down to a parking lot with cars in it isn't exactly my idea of a great view, even if the castle is right there. I'd rather the Polynesian.

 

[CrazyFool]

totally what I was thinking too. Looking down to a parking lot with cars in it (who probably parked at CR and spend all day at MK) isn't exactly my idea of a great view, even if the castle is right there. I'd rather the Polynesian.

Agreed. Look at an "unzoomed" pic from the Contemporary -- you see a concrete parking lot, with MK in the distance. Very, very Un-Disney to me.

It's NOT the best view in all of Disney World, it may be one of the better of the better views of the MK, but I'd rather take the view of the Castle from the Poly anyday. The fireworks look much better too.

 

[bavaria]

totally what I was thinking too. Looking down to a parking lot with cars in it isn't exactly my idea of a great view

HEY! I'm in New Jersey, looking out my hotel room window at a parking lot with cars in it... stellar view!

But I have to agree that the Magic Kingdom view from the Contemporary is not the best. Disney did do much better in Paris - the castle views from the Disneyland Hotel ARE magical, and there are castle views from three other hotels as well.

I often have a castle view from the Sequoia Lodge, and don't see one single car at all.