Is is worth it to stay in the Poly, CR or GF just for the monorail?

[applechips]

Meaning is it worth it to stay in the 3 resorts that offer the monorail service right in their lobbies?

We are in the POFQ for Dec but we have 2 small children. It seems awfully nice to just hop on the monrail then to go get a bus.

Whadda you think?

(more questions coming. . . )

 

[henrylovespooh]

We have two small kids (2 and 4 right now) and have gone to WDW three times since they have been born. I have stayed at the Poly before I was married and did like the monorail service. But since we now have kids and I'm a stay at home mom, I book non-monorail resorts because I am having trouble justifying the much higher price, especially since we're now paying for one more person until next year when DD turns 3 and we have to pay for four people!

We have never had trouble with the buses at CSR, WL, and ASMo (although you will read posts by some who have experienced delays, crowding, etc.). The trips are pretty quick. Many times the bus ride put our kids to sleep on the ride back to the room mid-day which made the nap process easier. We also liked the boat ride from MK to WL - also very convenient.

You might want to research the price of a moderate vs. a monorail resort to see exactly how much more it will cost, and then decide if the convenience is worth that much. I'll also throw in that with my kids, ASMo is a bit hit because of the Toy Story and 101 Dalamations theming, and it's even cheaper than a moderate.

 

[traci]

YES! YES! YES!!

We just got back today from staying at the GF. We traveled with our 2 babies - ages 22 months and 8 months. The monorail was so easy. We didn't even have to take them out of their strollers. We went to MGM one day and had to take the bus...we were so spoiled from that monorail that we didn't much care for the bus!

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm going to give you a big YES, stay at a monorail resort! It is wonderful to hop on the monorail and go where you want. Much nicer than the busses!

Now, I have to be honest and admit that I have ressies for ASMu for my next trip. I'm trying to be good and save money. But that isn't until next October, and who is to say I won't change to the CR before then!

 

[rcraw45425]

YES! The convenience of being "totally immersed" as my DH puts it is worth it. We made a last minute trip in July and had to stay at POFQ. Nice enough in a Holiday Inn sort of way but too far away from "the magic" for us. The monorail convenience, especially if you have little ones and a stroller, can't be beat. If we had had to fold up our huge double stroller and board a bus all the time I think we would never have gone back! IF it doesn't strain your wallet, by all means stay monorail.

 

[CarolB]

I'm going to give you a big YES, stay at a monorail resort! It is wonderful to hop on the monorail and go where you want.

Or almost anywhere you want anyway.....LOVE THE POLY.....So my answer is YES, too! (staying at POP in December, and I know it will be tough, but can't swing 2 rooms at a deluxe at this point).

 

[LoveWDW]

Or almost anywhere you want anyway.....LOVE THE POLY.....So my answer is YES, too! (staying at POP in December, and I know it will be tough, but can't swing 2 rooms at a deluxe at this point).

I've never stayed at a monorail resort. Where can you go by monorail? To MK and Epcot, I know. What about AK? From Epcot you can take the boat to MGM. Where else do the monorails go?

 

[maya44]

We stayed at the WL previously and the transportation there almost caused me to tear my hair out.

It's one thing to get the lower cost of a mod and have less than perfect transportation. It's another to stay at a Deluxe and face that situation.

Biggest pet peeve there: Getting on the boat to the the MK and have the boat go to Fort Wilderness first EVERY FREAKING TIME!!!!!!!

We are staying at the POLY this time. Thought about EPCOT resorts but Tikiman's Poly to EPCOT info convinced me otherwise!

 

[phyllis1966]

Definitely a YES for our little family - the convenience, the MAGIC of your proximity to the MK (especially when you can see the castle from your resort). We don't pay for a MK view when we stay at the GF, but you can even see the castle when you're having a snack at Gasparilla's, and that's one of the little extras that makes it worth it for us to stay there.

 

[cthetulips]

Definitely yes! To us: the time we save in travel = more time in the parks, so you are getting more out of your park tickets. Also, getting back to the resort at park closing is usually easier and quicker too-not having to get a sleepy child(ren) out of a stroller to get on a bus is another plus.

 

[applechips]

You guys rock! Thanks so much! Yep we are convinced now, to stay at the CR for the monorail. We'd love the Poly and will check out the price comparisons tomorrow with the discount codes if there are any reservations available. Pray for me that there will be space left at the CR at least!

 

[lark]

I don't think it's just the monorail, but also the proximity to the TTC, which is the best hub for bus transportation.

If you have a car, it's not as big a deal I don't think, but if you're planning to spend more than one day at the MK, it sure is nice to be on the monorail.

 

[applechips]

I don't think it's just the monorail, but also the proximity to the TTC, which is the best hub for bus transportation.

If you have a car, it's not as big a deal I don't think, but if you're planning to spend more than one day at the MK, it sure is nice to be on the monorail.

well we will have a car, we are driving to Disney World, but we are going to be at the MK for 3 days (2 for the park and 1 for the MVMCP). I want it to be easy to get to the MK with 2 little kids. Plus I read you can walk 10 minutes from the CR to get to the MK... is that right?

 

[Ladyhawke10]

well we will have a car, we are driving to Disney World, but we are going to be at the MK for 3 days (2 for the park and 1 for the MVMCP). I want it to be easy to get to the MK with 2 little kids. Plus I read you can walk 10 minutes from the CR to get to the MK... is that right?

Yes, you can. You should love it! The CR has the best lobby shops, I think. I usually stay at GF when on the monorail, but I always zip over there and look at all the great Disneyana stuff and pins, etc.

Have a great trip!

(yes, btw, I think it's worth it! we always try to stay in the monorail vicinity for at least part of our trip).

 

[Meezers]

You know since we always drive down we didn't really think about the monorail.

My brother has been wanting to stay at AKL since it was built...I feel the same way about GF.

Just wanted to special magic of those 2 places.

 

[patsal]

My thought is NO! Unless the only park you are going to is MK. If you plan on any of the other parks, the buses will still need to be used--of course there is a monorail to Epcot, but that requires a transfer to a second monorail and becomes less effecient than a bus when travelling with children. If you have other amenities in mind other than the monorail than I'd consider a deluxe, but just for the monorail, nope, still not a complete escape from the buses.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Just returned from a stay at the CR tower, 2 days ago, with a 7 yo and 2 yo. The convenience CANNOT be beat. We used the bus to go to MGM and Blizzard Beach. What a pain in the butt! On the monorail, you don't have to fold the stroller, so if the kids are zonked,, just wheel them on. And even though you have to change monorails to get to Epcot, its no big deal, because you don't have to fold the stroller and take the child out. We loved the CR, and we've also stayed at the Poly. Both are great!

 

[CarolB]

My thought is NO! Unless the only park you are going to is MK. If you plan on any of the other parks, the buses will still need to be used--of course there is a monorail to Epcot, but that requires a transfer to a second monorail and becomes less effecient than a bus when travelling with children.

Actually, if you stay at the Poly (not true at CR or GF), it's just a short walk to the TTC, where you can get the monorail to Epcot, so no need to change monorails at all....plus at the poly you also can take a boat or the ferry directly to MK, if you want a change of pace. But, you still have to take the bus to MGM and MK (unless you take the monorail to Epcot and then get the boat to MGM, but I am not much for transferring to get somewhere , so I prefer the bus in that case).

 

[applechips]

Thanks everyone for your great comments. I am thinking more and more that it is worth it for the convenience. We will be at the MK for 3 days: two days for the park itself and another day for the MVMCP. The only other parks we are going to are the AK and to Epcot for 1 day each. We will be attending a few character meals that will be in the MK vicinity too.

I also was rationalizing it because the parks close early those days in December so I would rather be a 10 minute walk from the CR hotel to minimize travel and maximize park time. Its going to cost another 800-1000.00 just to do this... I think its worth extra money but not sure if its worth $800-1000.00 extra ya know? I mean I can do the same vacation at the POFQ for half the cost of the Poly or the CR. I am very torn.

 

[Snurk71]

The CR has the best lobby shops, I think.

I agree. We stay at the GF and have visited a number of other resort gift shops. Nobody else seems to have the variety and selection as the Contemporay. We make a trip over there to shop, even if we're not dining there.