Help me decide between CR and Poly.

[amycishere]

I was really hoping to be able to visit both resorts before I book for Jan. but it doesn't seem I can wait until May due to the advice of posters here.

I'm in a wheelchair. As far as the monorail goes I know that the Contemporary has it stop directly inside the hotel while Poly has the monorail outside. Would the Poly monorail be more difficult to board?

Also, a question about the water parade. Someone at reservations told me I'd need a theme park view at the Contemporary to view it. I thought it would have to be Bay Lake View. Can you view it from rooms at the Poly?

Right now, I am thinking about staying in one of the Garden view rooms in either hotel. I noticed that Poly does not have a standard view. Does that increase my chances of getting a Poly parking lot view?

Also, seeking a difference in opinions about the shops. Are both hotels different or do have the same merchandise?

Since we are Florida residents and have always stayed at AKL we've never booked more than 4-5 months in advance. Right now I am unsure whether or not we'll want to attend the P &PP party again. We'll be doing it for the fist time on our May trip. I know there is no garantee but I looked at this years dates and they start in the next to the last week in Jan. Can I book a full week than change it to three nights later when all the schedules and everything get realeased and the reservation people not frown upon me? I canceled a reservation once and this particular CM made me feel very uncomfortable about doing so. She actually asked about our financial situation and I was floored. I did the survey for her. lol. If we decide we want to do the P&PP again, I'd to think we missed out on the date by one day or something if I only booked 3 nights.The same if we don't want to attend the party again and our reservation is on one of those nights. MK is my absolute favorite park and I'd like as much flexiblity as possible since this will be my college graduation trip.

The CR looks rather sterile to me but Chef Mickey's, shops, newly renovated rooms and such hold appeal to me. Will I be disappointed with the theming coming from AKL? I have heard Poly has excellent theming.


I am sooo nervous about booking so early. I am afraid something could go wrong and I could be stuck with something I decided differently on later.

We'll peobably only be going to MK/Epcot this trip. Depends if we stretch it to longer than 3 nights.

Since I'm booking pretty early, when the 2009 rates come out, I should be able to get AAA rates right? I know concierge levels don't get the AAA rate but are there any other room categories they exclude?

Do the monorails go down frequently or is this a rarity?

Thank you, sorry about the length. Amy

 

[kirbsam]

i think it would be easier to catch the monorail at the poly. it is on the second floor and right outside the door, on a big wide platform. the cr monorail station is up an elevator, and generally looks a bit more cramped, coming and going.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

At the Contemporary the EWP goes on both the 7 Seas Lagoon side (what you see from the Magic Kingdom view) and the Bay Lake side.

As for the Monorail at the Polynesian you need to take the elevator in the GCH, which is located on the right side just past the DVC info desk when your coming in from one of the Longhouses and take that to the 2nd floor so you can get on.

Both Resorts would have the same merchandice when it comes to characters and WDW logo clothing. Where it's different is the Contemporary would have Contemporary logo items, just like the Polynesian has their own logo items. Plus the Polynesian also sells Tommy Bahama merchandice.

The difference in the Garden views is you won't know which Longhouse you would have at the Polynesian until you check-in no matter the requests you make, where as you might have an idea where you would at the Contemporary since you know you would be in the South Garden Wing.

I don't think it's really fair to compare the Contemporary to the AKL because both Resorts are so different, it's like comparing Apples and Oranges.

The only thing I can't answer is the AAA rate so hopefully someone else will be able to help you with that.

 

[TIGGER1981]

I've never stayed in the CR, so I won't be much help.
I have stayed at the Poly. I LOVE the resort, so of course my vote is for this resort.
The poly is really spread out, so you might want to put in a request for a building near the main building. And depending on the type of chair you have, some of the elevators in the long houses were really quite small. Its close to the TTC too (im not sure if you would have to transfer from one monorail to another at the CR if you were going to Epcot.)

 

[Kimi313]

You can't lose with either. I find the shops better at the Cont, I think access to monorail they are different but both fine, and as for the rooms we have never requested a longhouse and we have never been disappointed. What we have requested is a bottom floor and we have always gotten that. I love breakfast on the patio people watching and duck watching. I don't care for the snack bar at the poly we are a grab a hot dog, chicken tenders, or hamburger people and out of the three they only have one, at least when I was there. But the Cont is under construction and I don't know how much of that will still be going on so you may need to investigate that on these boards. As for AAA, I have always booked my room and applied a AAA rate later or a discount code later so I don't think you will have any problem. Hope this helps and have a great time planning your trip!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

But the Cont is under construction and I don't know how much of that will still be going on so you may need to investigate that on these boards.

I think the OP is planning this stay for 2009 so by then the new counter service location at the Contemporary should be open by then, because it's been posted that they want it open by August 14, 2008.

 

[Crisgw]

I have great memories at the Polynesian from my childhood but haven't been since 1995 and will most likely go there once my boys are older

 

[fla4fun]

I would probably give a slight edge to CR. Even in the wings, you have a covered walkway to the tower, in case of inclement weather. At Poly, you are outdoors going from your longhouse to the GCH and transportation. You can take a sidewalk all the way to MK from CR, and avoid the steep ramps at the monorail station there. However, many of the roll in rooms at Poly are in the Rapa Nui longhouse, which is farthest from the GCH, but close to the TTC to take the ferry to MK, again, avoiding those steep ramps. Getting to Epcot from either will be similar (monorail to TTC, then change to Epcot monorail), so that won't be a deal breaker.

It really boils down to which one has a theme which appeals to you more.

 

[MissionMouse]

In the past few years we have found the AAA rate to be lower than most of the rates offered. You normally would need to book almost a yeat out since they only offer a limited amount of rooms at the rates, which also include Club rooms.

Both resorts would require taking the elevator to get the the monorail station. While the PR allows more space the CR does break individual in wheel chairs off early to their own boarding area since the que area is rather tight in comparrison to the other two monorail resorts.

Consider any of the three monorail resort will have very busy elevator use as guest from all over the world come to dine at these resorts at specific times of the day. A plus for the CR is covered walkways and also the ability to take the walkway over to the MK. In turn the PR is right next to the TTC (Epcot monorail loop), but the advantage is lost if you get one of the buildings close to the luau, which is one the opposite end of the resort.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

I'm in a wheelchair. As far as the monorail goes I know that the Contemporary has it stop directly inside the hotel while Poly has the monorail outside. Would the Poly monorail be more difficult to board?

Nope, to be honest I found the monorail at the Contemporary to be more of a hassel; especially between the tower rooms, monorail access, and chef mickeys. The Polynesian monorail dock is located just outside the second floor of the lobby, one simple elevator ride away, it's covered and very HA.

Also, a question about the water parade. Someone at reservations told me I'd need a theme park view at the Contemporary to view it. I thought it would have to be Bay Lake View. Can you view it from rooms at the Poly?

Yes, the pagent can be seen from lagoon view rooms within the Polynesian or from the beach area of the resort. Here's the nightly schedule:

Polynesian Resort -- 9:00 p.m.
Grand Floridian -- 9:15 p.m.
Wilderness Lodge -- 9:35 p.m.
Fort Wilderness -- 9:45 p.m.
Contemporary Resort -- 10:05 p.m.
Magic Kingdom -- 10:20 p.m. (only during extended MK park hours)

Right now, I am thinking about staying in one of the Garden view rooms in either hotel. I noticed that Poly does not have a standard view. Does that increase my chances of getting a Poly parking lot view?

There are "faint" parking lot view rooms in Rapa Nui, Rarotonga, Aotearoa. Thick brush really minimizes these views and most rooms in these buildings will also provide you views of the monorail. These are only a small portion of GV rooms on the grounds though.

Also, seeking a difference in opinions about the shops. Are both hotels different or do have the same merchandise?

Quoted from wdwinfo.com

Polynesian Resort

Shops:
Maui Mickey's (Disney Character Fashions)
Polynesian Princess (Colorful women's resort fashions)
Samoa Snacks (Housewares, sodas, liquor, wine, beer, snacks)
Trader Jack's (souvenirs)
Robinson Crusoe Esq. (casual menswear)
News from Civilization (newspapers and gifts)

Contemporary Resort

The Fantasia Shop
Bayview Gifts
The Contemporary Man
The Contemporary Woman
Kingdom Jewels, Ltd.
Concourse Sundries and Spirits

As you can see, the shops are nearly identical to what they offer, etc. What's great about being on the monorail is easy access to all three resort shops.

Since we are Florida residents and have always stayed at AKL we've never booked more than 4-5 months in advance. Right now I am unsure whether or not we'll want to attend the P &PP party again. We'll be doing it for the fist time on our May trip. I know there is no garantee but I looked at this years dates and they start in the next to the last week in Jan. Can I book a full week than change it to three nights later when all the schedules and everything get realeased and the reservation people not frown upon me?

You should not have an issue doing this by any means but of course can't control a CMs attitude to you. It's a shame but hey... your still going to Disney

The CR looks rather sterile to me but Chef Mickey's, shops, newly renovated rooms and such hold appeal to me. Will I be disappointed with the theming coming from AKL? I have heard Poly has excellent theming.

It's like comparing apple and oranges...

I absolutely love the new rooms and the overall location of the CR. I like being in walking distance to the MK and a short ride away to the TTC for Epcot.

As of right now, the exterior construction of this resort is less than appealing to me and we have no plans to stay there until it's completed. We couldn't even sit at the bus stop without hearing construction beeps, drilling, hammering, etc. There was construction in front of the resort and even in the wing parking lot. You can't escape the steel tower strucure no matter where you are in the resort... the pool area, beach area, bus stop, monorail, etc. No thanks for now.. can't wait when it's done though!

Since I'm booking pretty early, when the 2009 rates come out, I should be able to get AAA rates right? I know concierge levels don't get the AAA rate but are there any other room categories they exclude?

Not too familiar with AAA as I always prefer booking directly with Disney. Try posting this over in the code/rates forum if you don't get your answer here!

Do the monorails go down frequently or is this a rarity?
We didn't have this issue on our last trip and I believe it's mostly severe lightning and severe winds that can "delay" monorails. Those babies run rain or shine!

 

[amycishere]

Thank you all for your advice. Still debating. Will be using all your words and experience to help me!