GF, Cont, or Poly?

[ncdisfan]

We are staying at OKW for the latter portion of our trip, but DH (who hasn't been to WDW since 1970's) wants to stay close enough to ride the monorail into WDW for the beginning. We have 3 children, 9.7.6. Any advice re: GF. Poly or Contem.? Trip is in Oct. this year.

 

[WilmaBud]

I say go for the Contemporary. The monorail going through the building is very cool, and the kids will love it. Also, they have an awesome arcade. You could also walk to the MK is you'd ever like to. If you can swing staying in the Tower, do it! The views are awesome.

Also, I'd consider spending the latter portion of your trip at the Deluxe resort. It might be a let-down to go from a Deluxe to a Moderate. At least it would for me.

 

[KaterBell]

I'm a big fan of the GF, but with all the Lilo & Stitch stuff coming out, maybe it would be fun for the kids to stay at the Poly??

And I think OKW is considered a Deluxe type, not a Moderate, since it's DVC. No letdown!

 

[WilmaBud]

Actually, OKW is a "Home Away from Home" resort. I guess I just lumped it in with the moderates withoput knowing much about it. So, I guess it wouldn't be a step down from the Contemporary. Sorry about that!

 

[beattyfamily]

They are all good in their own way and it depends on your taste too, but if I had to choose it would be in this order:

1. GF hands down!
2. Cont. Tower (not wings)
3. Poly

 

[BCV23]

Here's a vote for the Poly although we love the GF, too. With children that age, I think the relaxed atmosphere, winding paths and long beaches make for more fun. Transportation is better, too. To the MK besides the monorail and launches (GF uses those , too) you can take the short walk to the ferry. Returning to the Poly, we try to guess which will be our fastest route...monorail, little boat or ferry. We've even been known to try to beat each other back to the room ! You can also make the short walk to the TTC to take the monorail to Epcot which is much faster than taking the MK one and then transferring. You can also catch buses from the TTC. The pools at both GF and Poly are great for kids. We, too, have a family of 5 and the newer buildings at the Poly have larger rooms and are closer to the TTC. When all five of us are there, that extra space is noticeable and welcome. The rooms at CR are supposed to be very large, too, but the theming isn't for us.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

First of all, I just wanted to say that OKW is AWESOME!!! The 2 bedroom villa we stayed in blew away any other resort at WDW. (in my opinion) I think it's smart to save the best for last (OKW) and do your other resort choice first. That is exactly what we are doing in October.

Having 3 kids you are probably going to want a room with 2 queens and daybed, right? Also, are 2 of your kids planning to sleep together? Or are you getting a roll away??

If you are planning to have a roll away then maybe the Contemporary would be best. Their rooms are the biggest.

If you don't need a roll away then I'd vote for the GF. It's my favorite resort.

The Poly is also nice, but it's rooms are the smallest of the 3 monorail resorts.... so that might be a little cramped for 5.

Whichever one you choose you won't be disappointed!

 

[BCV23]

Erika...I believe the newer buildings at the Poly have rooms that are as big as the GF at any rate. I think I've read that they are 440 or 444 sq ft. We've not stayed at the CR but the larger Poly rooms actually seem bigger to us than the GF rooms but that might be as a result of the vanity area at the GF taking up quite a bit of room. When we stayed at the GF we had two rooms for the 5 of us and I think we would have felt cramped in just one. The larger rooms at the Poly work great when all 5 of us are there. We have older kids though.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Yes, I actually did hear that they were bigger in the new building, but I'm not sure if a roll away would fit???

 

[BCV23]

I'm sure it would. There is tons of space between the closet and armoire for instance. But with children that young I can't imagine that two couldn't share a bed..they are true queens. Our sons still will share and they're 20 & 22. Of course, we've never offered an option !

 

[Poly Pal]

All 3 are great with kids. Of course, my vote has to go to the Polynesian! If your husband stayed at either the Contemporary or the Polynesian back in the '70's, then that would be the one I'd want my wife to choose. Great nostalgia!

The transportation options are still the best at the Polynesian and it has the most relaxed atmosphere of the 3.

My 2 boys (4 & 9) LOVE the monorail. It is their favorite "attraction" in all of WDW. they even made up a song about it!

Have a great vacation whichever you choose!

 

[AndiCT]

Add my vote for the Poly. With kids it is great. There is the volcano pool and the beach, plus the Neverland Club is wonderful. The GF is too formal and the pools are so quite. Big difference from the Poly where everyone was having a great time by the pool. My second vote would be for the CR. It has an awesome arcade, but the pool still wasn't as nice as the Poly's.

 

[DisneyVirginia]

Since they're all wonderful, I think you might as well factor in available pricing. Contemporary Garden Wing is generally lowest, then Poly, then GF. Don't know about Contemporary Tower because I've never stayed there. From a kid's value standpoint Contemporary and Poly probably better appreciated than the gorgeous but more formal GF.

But best of all, there is NO WRONG ANSWER to your question!!

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by ncdisfan
We are staying at OKW for the latter portion of our trip, but DH (who hasn't been to WDW since 1970's) wants to stay close enough to ride the monorail into WDW for the beginning. We have 3 children, 9.7.6. Any advice re: GF. Poly or Contem.? Trip is in Oct. this year.

Well, I love the GF, so that's where my vote goes. Your kids will be fine there, and so will you! It's a beautiful resort, and you'll love the close proximity to the MK.