For location, what is the best?

[ajk912]

We only have 4 days in the parks for our once a decade trip. I want to pick a resort that I can get to quickly for afternoon breaks. Originally I was trying to make this a budget trip, but I noticed that comtemporary is $400 more than the cabin I was looking at, so for $400 I can have a walkway to MK and great location. I am hoping to get from MK to the hotel in about 15 minutes- is that how long the walkway is? Also, how long does it take to get to the other parks from the comtemporary? What about the poly? Is Poly better for location for getting around the world quickly- I know you can walk to the TTC there. Thanks SO much!

 

[fla4fun]

If you are going to all the parks, Poly is a good choice. You can walk to the TTC, so you can either take the ferry or express monorail to/from MK in addition to using the resort monorail (the express doesn't make any stops other than MK and TTC). You can also walk to the Epcot monorail. The only parks you would be taking buses to are the Studios and AK. It is about a 15 minute walk to CR from MK.

 

[smep013]

If you are willing to stay at a moderate - the Coronado Springs Resort busses were great and it took less than 15 minutes to get to each park. It is really centrally located. We love the location.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I too vote for the Poly. I love the fact that it is on the monorail line and that you can walk over to the TTC to catch a monorail that goes to Epcot. Although the CR is also on the monorail line, and is a wonderful place to visit, I personally just like the Poly so much better.

 

[grimley1968]

My vote goes to the Poly, as well. The reasons listed above for the Poly go for me as well. It's really not that much more expensive than CR, but to me it is so much nicer than CR, in addition to the proximity to the TTC.

 

[Happy2B]

But the thing is, the Contemporary is the most affordable resort on the monorail line and it has the walkway to MK. The walk is less than 15 minutes. By monorail, it takes about 15 minutes to get to Epcot. To MGM and AK, it takes about 20 minutes by bus.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Are you only going to MK or EPCOT and MGM too? If the latter, then an EPCOT resort would be fantastic because you could walk to two Parks and take a bus just to MK

Sometimes the Sawn and Dolphin have terrific rates - esp AAA, AARP, Gove't, teachers etc, can get very good rates, depending on the time of year. And at certain times of year those resorts offer even better rates. And if an spg member usually a free upgrade to a nicer room location/view. It is a free membership.

All are great for afternoon breaks - we did it several time at MK Resorts as well as EPCOT resorts.

Just wanted to throw out another possibility

Have fun planning!

 

[grimley1968]

By monorail, it takes about 15 minutes to get to Epcot.

Yes, CR is the cheapest among the monorail resorts, and you can walk to MK.

However, 15 minutes from CR to EPCOT just isn't going to happen via monorail. First, you'd have to ride the resort loop to TTC, then get off and back on a different monorail that you will have to wait for. Then the ride on the EPCOT express monorail takes a good 10 minutes itself. The resort loop stops on the monorail at CR and at the TTC can sometimes take 5-10 minutes alone, when trains get backed up.

I'd budget more like 30-35 minutes to try this monorail route. A better option would be the bus to EPCOT from CR.

 

[ajk912]

That is a GREAT idea, especially for the price- but I think I forgot to say that I have 5 people, so I think I either need a deluxe or POR. Thanks though!

If you are willing to stay at a moderate - the Coronado Springs Resort busses were great and it took less than 15 minutes to get to each park. It is really centrally located. We love the location.

 

[ajk912]

Wow, thanks for all the knowledge and tips, everyone. It seems like the Poly is the best bet for trying to get around quick. Now, I just have to decide if I want to pay Poly prices- I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, so I agree it is a WONDERFUL resort! We may have to have an extra long afternoon break one of those days to go swimming and lounge around the Poly. I can see the fireworks from Poly too right? And is there an extra charge for 5 vs 4 people?

Yes, CR is the cheapest among the monorail resorts, and you can walk to MK.

However, 15 minutes from CR to EPCOT just isn't going to happen via monorail. First, you'd have to ride the resort loop to TTC, then get off and back on a different monorail that you will have to wait for. Then the ride on the EPCOT express monorail takes a good 10 minutes itself. The resort loop stops on the monorail at CR and at the TTC can sometimes take 5-10 minutes alone, when trains get backed up.

I'd budget more like 30-35 minutes to try this monorail route. A better option would be the bus to EPCOT from CR.

 

[grimley1968]

Wow, thanks for all the knowledge and tips, everyone. It seems like the Poly is the best bet for trying to get around quick. Now, I just have to decide if I want to pay Poly prices- I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, so I agree it is a WONDERFUL resort! We may have to have an extra long afternoon break one of those days to go swimming and lounge around the Poly. I can see the fireworks from Poly too right? And is there an extra charge for 5 vs 4 people?

You can most definitely see the fireworks from the Poly. If you can't see them from your room, just go out to the pool or beach area and you'll see them clearly. I'm not sure if the speakers are still working, but they even pipe in the music from MK into speakers by the beach.

I don't know about the charge for 5 people vs. 4. I assume they would charge more.

 

[ddaz]

an spg member usually a free upgrade to a nicer room location/view. It is a free membership.

What is an SPG membership? How do you join?

Thanks
ddaz

 

[Minnie&Nana]

What is an SPG membership? How do you join?

Thanks
ddaz

https://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/account/enroll/index.html

It is a free hotel program for Westin and Sheraton