Is staying on the monorail worth the $???

[Drewsmom3]

We are going to DW in January and currently have reservations for the Grand Floridian. It's obviously not cheap. We have been to Disney more times than I can count but never stayed on the monorail. It's me, DH, and my 3 daughters (11, 5 & 5). Just looking for opinions from people who have stayed on the monorail about if it's worth the extra cost. Thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

We are going to DW in January and currently have reservations for the Grand Floridian. It's obviously not cheap. We have been to Disney more times than I can count but never stayed on the monorail. It's me, DH, and my 3 daughters (11, 5 & 5). Just looking for opinions from people who have stayed on the monorail about if it's worth the extra cost. Thanks!

No one can determine the value of staying at the GF to you. It's highly personal. I've stayed at the GF several times and it's one of my DVC home resorts. IMO, the monorail itself is overrated and I prefer to take the boat to MK. But the convenience to the MK is a huge plus and the resort itself is wonderful.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The monorail can be unreliable and is really only good for MK and Epcot. For Epcot from GF, you will need to board, go to MK and Contemporwry before changing platforms at the TTC.

Buses for AK and DHS are shared with the Poly.

The monorail is not the only amenity at the GF and should not be the only reason to pick it over another option. GF has the dining, pools, ambiance, a spa, etc. but if these are not of interest, you might consider either a cheaper monorail option (Garden Wing at the Contemporary) or a cheaper overall option that sleeps 5.

 

[Dumbo7]

Love the Grand Floridian and the monorail is bonus! Big fans of the magic kingdom.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We LOVE the monorail resorts (haven't stayed GF though so can't comment there) and for us its always been worth it as daughter loves the breakfast restaurants on the monorail line as well ('Ohana, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickeys).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

GF is absolutely gorgeous, but, as PP"s have pointed out, the monorail is unreliable. I'm really not a big fan after staying in monorail resorts countless times. I much prefer EP resorts (so I can walk to two parks) and even WL. If you are picking a resort solely for monorail access, I would probably pick the cheapest one possible. I would only stay at GF if the resort itself appeals to you.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I can't say that the monorail itself makes staying at a monorail resort worth it. As mentioned, the monorail has not been the most reliable form of transportation lately. But the proximity to the MK is a definite plus for those resorts. Personally, the GF is not my favorite and paying the premium to stay there would not be worth it. But I do like the Poly, Contemporary/BLT, and Wilderness Lodge. We stayed at BLT last month and loved the easy walk to the MK. We've stayed at Poly and WL on past trips and like the boat transportation to the MK. I'd suggest looking at renting points to stay at BLT. It's cheaper than paying cash for a reservation and you'd have the easy walk plus access to the monorail if you want to use it.

 

[kiford]

IMO, the monorail itself is overrated and I prefer to take the boat to MK

Us too. We like the GF (it's DH's favourite and my third favourite after BWI and BC) but not because of the monorail. We occasionally take the monorail but the boat to MK is way faster and typically less busy. Plus we usually stay in Conch Key which is right by the pier so it's very convenient. We stay at the GF partly because it's DH's favourite and we alternate who gets to pick the resort but also because we always dine at Victoria & Albert's and it's much more convenient to get there walking from your room than by taxi and we also do MVMCP so it's convenient to that. I think last time we took the monorail maybe twice.

 

[SharonZ]

I like option of taking the boat, also.

 

[AllieBoo]

As others have said, the monorail can be pretty unreliable. We stayed at the Contemporary this summer and loved it because you could walk to MK. We only took the monorail once. Not sure if you can walk from the GF? If so, that would be a big plus for me. I do think staying at one of the monorail resorts or one the Epcot resorts is worth the extra cost

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with others that worth is subjective as it's different for everyone and yes, the monorail can be unreliable at times, but I think the GF is an amazing resort and is worth the extra cost. The grounds are beautiful, the pools are nice, the rooms are large/spacious (with all rooms having a daybed), and there are a variety of dining options. With that said, if the GF is a resort that appeals to you, I think it's worth a try. Good luck!

 

[WDW1979]

I've stayed in all three monorail resorts, and their convenience to MK, and Epcot, is great! Wonderful resorts, too. Over the years the prices at these monorail resorts have become $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ so as others have said, if money is not an issue Contemporary, Polynesian, and GF are great! I may stay at those places again, but only in the less expensive Disney resort seasons and with a discount.

Note: I probably should have added more dollar signs above.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'd suggest looking at renting points to stay at BLT. It's cheaper than paying cash for a reservation and you'd have the easy walk plus access to the monorail if you want to use it.

For OP, OP would need to rent a 1BR at BLT, as they have a party of 5. Garden Wing would be a LOT cheaper.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We stayed at the GF last December and hated having to use the monorail. There were times when it was so full you had to wait for the next one. There were times when the express monorail was down and everyone had to use the resort monorail. When it ran on schedule, it was great. But when it wasn't running, it was a super pain. We also hated the fact that the resort monorail didn't start running until 30 minutes before park opened. And getting to Epcot was a nightmare. You would get these huge lines for the monorail when Epcot closed and it took forever because you had to take two monorails to get back to the resort. And now the trip to Epcot is even worse because you have to go through two bag checks, one at the GF and one at the TTTC. Hopefully they fix that soon.

That being said, we loved the Grand Floridian as a resort and plan to go back there in November. But this time it will be a split stay with the BC so we won't have to deal with the double monorail to Epcot problem.

If you want to stay at the Grand Floridian because it is a lovely resort, then go for it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

When the monorail is running it's great but they have limited hours at times which is a pain. I prefer Epcot area resorts though. Can't beat relying on your feet for two parks. I think CR is a better choice since you can walk to MK.

 

[Lovetherodent]

"Worth" is such a subjective term. For us, yes, the monorail is "worth it." My oldest gets horrible motion sickness. Values and mods are out for us because every day she'd arrive to the park sick. We stayed at the Yaht club (ok, it was in August) and didn't relish the walk to/from HS and found the friendships painfully slow. So, for us, the monorail, which is fast and smooth, means she gets to arrive at two parks not feeling like she's going to upchuck--of worse yet, having already thrown up once that day. I've booked my second GF stay for March using the Visa code. Wanted Poly, but there weren't any rooms and the discount rate still made the GF cheaper.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

None of the on-site rooms are worth it to me. We just got back from 7 nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in a 2 br deluxe condo, paid a bit over $600 for the week. It was amazing. They have like 4 pools, a lazy river, putt putt, playground, and daily activities. I will never understand why anyone pays the disney hotel prices.

 

[hllb]

None of the on-site rooms are worth it to me. We just got back from 7 nights at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in a 2 br deluxe condo, paid a bit over $600 for the week. It was amazing. They have like 4 pools, a lazy river, putt putt, playground, and daily activities. I will never understand why anyone pays the disney hotel prices.

Lots of reasons? Themeing, transportation, fast passes....I've stayed onsite and off-site. I've rented a car, and not rented a car. I prefer to stay onsite, though if it's a larger group, would consider staying off-site again.

 

[buzznina]

GF is our favorite resort, but we would not say that it is "worth" the cost over our 2nd favorite resort POFQ or POR. When we stayed there we got GREAT rates and even then we would say that it is more "splurging" for us more than "worth". We also agree with Marionnette and think the monorail is overrated. We absolutely hated taking it to and from Epcot, the last time we were there, I think only once did the trip take less than 1-1/2 hrs. Plus the chance of breaking down is much higher then buses and boats.

 

[petrola]

I would say - definitely stay at the GF if you like the GF! (and really, who wouldn't?) If I had to choose a monorail resort though - for ease of use of the monorail only - it would probably be Poly as you can also walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center and transfer to the monorail to Epcot. But for having the best access/convenience to the parks, IMO- nothing beats the BW as you can walk to both Epcot and HS! No waiting for anything, just leave when you want. (my DD complains about the walk to HS from Beach/Yacht Club - it's just that much further for her little feet to make it too far for her...)

I guess my point is - I would choose the resort you want to be at most - the getting to and fro is just a short piece of the day - and Grand Floridian is lovely, there is no doubt. Have a wonderful trip!