GF, Poly or Contemporary???

[pbharris4]

Which one should we stay in? Next year that is. It's me (34) DH (36), DD (10) and DD (3). Would defintely like a monorail resort. We've never stayed at one and we'll do MK, Epcot, and probably Typhoon Lagoon. I'm not that fond of the Contemporary..I don't like the modern look...the resort just doesn't appeal that much to me except that you can go through it on the monorail! The GF is gorgeous and it would be neat to be able to say we stayed there...the Poly, too. I've been to Hawaii and it reminds me of it alot, but our tastes (room wise) fit with the GF. If we stay at GF could we pool hop to the Poly? We are DVC members so we are allowed to pool hop, but I'm not sure which pools are included. Are they nice to kids at the GF?

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I, personally, am not too crazy about the decor at the CR but my kids (ages 3,5) think it's really cool. They love that you can see Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Minnie at Chef Mickey's when you get on the monorail and the fact that the monorail goes right thru the building.

I think there are good things about all 3 resorts you are looking into and all 3 will make traveling to the parks very easy. Choose the one that has the theme/decor that's most appealing to you. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

By the way, they are redoing some of the rooms at the CR. Check out www.allearsnet.com to see the updated rooms. They're awesome!

 

[montblanc]

I've visited all 3 and personally believe the Contemporary is the most exciting for kids, the Polynesian is good as well but has a more relaxed adult type environment. GF is beautiful, I think of it as a resort for adults, not too much for kids to do there.

Contemporary rooms are being redone btw, Poly's too.

 

[Frances999]

No, you cannot pool hop to the Polynesian (or anywhere actually) if you stay at the GF.

Personally I prefer the Polynesian. We love the volcano pool, the large rooms, prefer the dining and the beaches. The fact that is directly opposite the MK unlike the GF which is to the side also makes WISHES viewing better from Lagoon View Rooms.

 

[3lilprincesses]

we have stayed at GF and we loved it! it is beautiful, the rooms were great, and unlike previous poster, i think it is a great resort for kids. in fact we are going back in january! they were VERY nice to our kids when we were there, which is a big reason why we liked it. we have 3 DD's and they loved both breakfast and dinner at 1900 park fare. the food was great, and the characters were a huge hit with our DD's. also, the themed pool at GF would be great for your family -- there is a waterslide, but it also has zero entry, which is terrific with a 3 yr. old, plus at the quiet pool there is a kiddie pool.

i think all of these resorts have their fans, and you really can't go wrong. if you think GF looks the most like you and your taste, go for it. have fun!!!

 

[cajunfan]

My vote would be for the Poly. Just the ease of transportation there is well worth it. My DS (10) LOVED the pool there. That being said, we are staying at the CR this summer. My DS wants to stay there (okay I do too!). The CR may be hard to book since it is going through major refurbishment. Also, DS and friend (both 11 year old BOYS) loved the Grand Floridian and want to try it too (I am the one not excited about it). The boys even loved afternoon tea so much we are doing it again this year (we all RELUCTANTLY went last year at the request of one member of our party). I must admit that it is not as "stuffy" an environment as I thought. But, I LOVED the Poly!

I agree with poohkinandpiglet....choose the one that you like the theme best and go with it.

Lynn

PS....I thought that the only pools that DVC members could not hop to were AKL and Storm Along Bay. But I am not a DVC member, so I am not sure!

 

[DiznEeyore]

No, you cannot pool hop to the Polynesian (or anywhere actually) if you stay at the GF.

Actually, as a DVC member, the OP *can* pool hop anywhere except the AKL and Stormalong Bay as cajunfan stated (though I'm not certain if that perk applies if you're not staying on points -- the DVC member website is unclear on that).

To the OP: I think the Contemporary is a lot of fun for kids -- my ds loves the arcade. But the pool isn't themed, and if your dds aren't the arcade fans that my ds is, you might want to go with another choice.

The Poly is gorgeous, too -- we've stayed there twice and really enjoyed it. But if you've already been to Hawaii and want to try something different, why not try the Grand? I think it's like a princess fantasy for a lot of little girls, and there are plenty of things for kids to do there (Adventures in Cooking and the Pirate Cruise are two examples). Plus, the pools are beautiful!

 

[DizWacko]

If the "castle view"factors into the equation, choose the GF. It is much closer to the castle than the Poly (although there seem to be fewer of these rooms) and a much closer feel (you can even hear the main st USA music and train whistle in the distance from your balcony. Whatever your choice, if you like the MK area, you will be happy at either

 

[DisneyHoneymooner84]

The Contemporary Resort and by next year the decore is going to be completely changed to a really cool decore.

 

[LJH77]

I haven't stayed at the Poly or CR so I can't comment on them however I have stayed at the GF and my family and myself thought it was wonderful. In fact we have stayed at many of the Disney resorts and this has remained my mum's favourite throughout the years!

We were lucky enough to arrive during the Electric Water Pagent and you could hear the music floating through the hotel grounds - a truly magical way to start the holiday.

We didn't find the hotel to be stuffy at all, it was very welcoming and all the staff were lovely and friendly - especially in the merchandise shop (whose name has excaped me at the moment).

Oh and also just to repeat what DizWacko said - we stayed in the Boca Chica block and from our balcony we could also hear the train whistle and Main St music in the distance - how good is that?? In the morning we just used to sit out on the balcony and watch the Magic Kingdom 'waking up'.

Basically, it isn't promoted in the UK as their Flagship hotel for nothing. Mind you I'm sure Poly and CR would be fab aswell. Either way - have a fab time. I'm sure you will!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We have stayed at all three. We have stayed at the CR MANY MANY times. It used to be our favorite before a yucky 14th floor concierge experience. It is still my kids all time favorite. I think it is very Disneyish and feels very magical and exciting.

We tried the Poly last August. Wasn't our favorite for many reasons. I don't think you'd even really care to pool hop to it. The pool is small and was VERY crowded while we were there and it closed at odd times during the day for maintenance.

The GF is just gorgeous. Absolutely lovely. It is my new favorite. We have stayed there twice this past year. To answer your question, they are great to kids. One evening we stopped in the lounge and my son asked a CM if there was any root beer - they didn't have any - don't usually stock it - but the next day, the CM brought a 6 pack just for him!! They received their first and only ever towel animals there. The CMs went out of their way (on their own - without me even asking) to place my vision impaired daughter in a FABULOUS spot for the princess tea party. We have really enjoyed our stays there. I don't think it is stuffy at all. Everywhere we went the CMs smiled and said hello to us.

Good luck & happy planning!!

Lives4Disney

 

[pbharris4]

Asa far as the CR..I've never really been in there (just on the monorail). I've seen pictures on the web. We are doing Chef Mickey's for breakfast this year so I'll check it out then. I've been to both the GF and Poly. I just love the atmosphere at both places. GF has more dining options (it seems..don't know if it's true). I'll be using points so I will be able to Pool Hop (except at AKL and SAB). I didn't know GF had a themed pool. What does it look like? I just thought they had a plain old pool. Now a view from the resort is nice, but I don't need a view from my room. We just don't like to spend the extra $$ or points for a view. Points go up every year for these resorts so that's why we want to do it now, plus having a 3 yr old the monorail would be great (I had to lug the stroller (part of a travel system one) on the bus..not easy. It's so hard to choose because since they are both on the monorail we can spend a lot of time at both! Maybe that's the answer..stay @ GF have a few meals there and then swim and have a few meals at the Poly and CR! Being that the GF costs the most points (cash too)..I'm leaning towards that because I doubt if we'll be able to stay there again. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[erikthewise]

GF has more dining options (it seems..don't know if it's true).

Grand Floridian has 5 restaurants (Victoria & Albert's, Citricos, Narcoossee's, 1900 Park Fair, and Grand Floridian Cafe).
Polynesian has 2 restaurants ('Ohana, Kona Cafe).
Contemporary has 3 restaurants (California Grill, Concourse Steakhouse, and Chef Mickey's).

Each also has a fast food/grocery operation.

Cal Grill and the first 3 listed at GF are decidedly upscale (expensive). Kona Cafe may be the best value of the lot. The food is quite good and reasonably priced (for Disney).