GF, CR or Poly? Where would you stay and why?

[Daniela Rose]

last trip we stayed at the CR in a theme park tower room. Our kids were 2 and 4 so walking to MK was priceless.

Our next trip the girls will be 3 and 5 (almost 4 and 6 actually). We will def spend most of our time at MK and the monorail is so convenient for us.

So....out of those 3 where would you stay and why?

 

[Spunky946]

Honestly you can't go wrong with any of them. We love the Poly because it's so relaxing. It has a Hawaiian vibe, plus there is the ferry to MK as well as the monorail. You can also walk to the TTC to get to Epcot. There is nothing like sitting in the pool at the Poly and looking out at the castle.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If money isn't an option I would do the GF. CR TPV is my dream but since you already did that I would go with the GF. I stayed at the Poly before and we enjoyed it but it didn't live up to the hype for us. The pool was a let down for my teen and preteen but your children may really enjoy the splash pad.

 

[OneinThree]

Poly is overall my favorite Disney resort. That said, it really doesn't get much better than CR tower overlooking MK. I won't even stay CR otherwise after having experienced. GF is beautiful, and the service is supposed to he the best on property. The only reason we've never stayed there is just that it seems a bit "sterile" to us, personally. I agree with with one of the above opinions though, that you probably can't go wrong with any of them!

 

[bwifan]

I’ve stayed at gf and cont, never poly. I’ve always been too put off by the crowds to stay there.
The rooms at the cont are huge and that walk is extremely convenient.
Gf has that piano player in the lobby and the beautiful grounds.
Poly has the tiki torches, big rooms, and great food.
All of them have good pools.
Really, you can’t go wrong.

 

[MissionMouse]

We have stayed at all three. You have stayed at CR Tower, so I think what make a trip special is the new feel. I would recommend either the GF or PR to have a new adventure. PR for transportation options, views, and controlled access pool. You have three transportation options to get to the GF from PR, with one being walking. GF is good for options to get to MK fairly quickly (i.e., monorail or water yacht). Pick a theme that appeals to you, but there are also a lot more room options at GF. Also, consider the time of year too (i.e., holidays and conferences (GF is a conference resort like CR...if this matters +/-). PR very popular around Christmas, but Gingerbread houses at GF is a nice touch along with afternoon tea, Mad Hatter Tea Party and fine dining options. Overall, both nice resorts... and pretty much what you see/read is what you get, so pick the one that really appeals to you and your family.

 

[mom2travel]

I've stayed at all three. we were "meh" about GF. Love Poly and CR. If you want to try something new, I'd do Poly.

 

[CynBeth]

Poly!

 

[Daniela Rose]

Thanks everyone! We went to the poly on our last trip for dinner and dole whips. It was about 7pm or so and I remember thinking how crowded everything was. Even the pool and it was dark out!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Poly! We’ve stayed at CR TPV many times and loved it, but then went to the Poly and WOW. Sure MK is further away but the tropical feel, tiki torches, Hawaiian music and Capt Cooks as well as Ohana - can’t be beat!

 

[toodycat]

GF! It’s beautiful and the CMs are very friendly and efficient. The dining options are excellent. Rooms are big. The lobby is so pretty and welcoming. GF is our favorite.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Contemporary CL is our absolute favorite, my kids are 13, 12 and 10 and you STILL can't beat the walk to MK and that's why it always wins out. The pool at the Poly was a favorite but lost out to the convenience of the MK walk. This year, we chose GF, because we overruled the kids! LOL!

Accidentally hit enter ETA:

We mainly chose the GFRPC this year because we are going at Christmastime and love the Gingerbread house during quiet hours, trying to see it when staying at another resort is a nightmare! LOL

 

[reluctantredhead]

We have stayed at all 3, and for families with young kids I always recommend the Poly. The facts that you have direct transportation to two parks, plus that you can avoid the dreaded (at least by me! I hate waiting in two lines to get there!) monorail transfer to get to Epcot by walking to the T&TC, are priceless IMHO...not only for getting to the parks quickly and easily at the end of a long day/night, but also for the ability to quickly get back to the room for rests and/or change of clothes. Plus, the Hawaiian theme and pool are very kid-friendly and...well...easy access to Dole whips.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have stayed at all three and the Grand Floridian is our favorite!!!

The Contemporary was rather underwhelming, and the Polynesian is just too dark for my tastes.

 

[FSU Girl]

The Contemporary is my favorite out of the three. I love that it's in one building and you don't have to go outside to get to your room, I've always hated that about GF and Poly. A theme park view room is such an amazing room and with little kids who might fall asleep before fireworks you can watch them from your balcony which is great. Walking to the Magic Kingdom is a huge bonus. If you absolutely want to try something different my second choice would be Poly. If you go to Epcot you can walk to the TTC. I like the atmosphere there better than the Grand.

 

[PurpleJesus]

last trip we stayed at the CR in a theme park tower room. Our kids were 2 and 4 so walking to MK was priceless.

Our next trip the girls will be 3 and 5 (almost 4 and 6 actually). We will def spend most of our time at MK and the monorail is so convenient for us.

So....out of those 3 where would you stay and why?

The Contemporary 1000 times out of 1000, imo. Especially with the age of your kids and the walking distance to the MK since it's your "main" park for the visit. Also, there's just something extra special about the monorail gliding through the lobby outside of your room door. I remember being amazed by it as a kid, and our oldest daughter (4) gets the same look on her face now.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

last trip we stayed at the CR in a theme park tower room. Our kids were 2 and 4 so walking to MK was priceless.

Our next trip the girls will be 3 and 5 (almost 4 and 6 actually). We will def spend most of our time at MK and the monorail is so convenient for us.

So....out of those 3 where would you stay and why?

On age, I think they are all great resorts for the MK area and no one resort is better than another. I think CR is the best since you can walk to MK, that's amazing in itself but I find the pool and interior not my style. I love it for what it is, but modern is not my thing. GF and Poly are very nice but the outside walk factor is a negative IMO. Would still stay there in a heartbeat, but that could be a drawback with small kids for some. We did both with our kids when they were small and never had any issues as rain was short lived but some people are not outdoor types. From a pools perspective I think Poly is the best for kids appeal. If you want to try something different, go for Poly this time around.