Monorail Hotels - Which ones and Why?

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I know this subject has to have been discussed, but the search function isn't working well. I did find a thread from back in 2005 however much of the information could be outdated.

I want to do a stay to take advantage of EMH, and maybe during some of the fun events. (i.e., perhaps MNSSHP, Food & Wine, or MVMCP)

I'm going back and forth between doing a Value or Moderate to save $$, or just splurging and staying in one of the hotels where you can just get on the Monorail. I know the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian have this option - but not sure if there are a few others? (Polynesian?)

Would love to hear pros and cons - and what you like about the Monorail Hotels. Is it worth it? Okay, I know that's a rather subjective question and it depends on the person but I would love to hear opinions.

It does appear that the Contemporary which used to be THE expensive hotel is now less expensive than say the Grand Floridian. I always used to covet staying there because of the thought of just getting on the Monorail and being whisked to Disney. No crowded busses.. But of course one pays for that convenience.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[MKFan-PR]

The resorts with Monorail service are the Contemporary (CR), Polynesian (Poly) and Grand Floridian (GF).

Of the three, we've only stayed at the Poly, and LOVED IT. The convenience of the Monorail right at your hotel when going to MK or Epcot can't be beat, and there's no better way to travel.

Unfortunately, we can't stay there every trip (but we love the other Disney resorts too, and we have no trouble with the buses!)

Although I may be biased (I haven't stayed at the other two Monorail resorts), I like the Poly best, not only in terms of the resort itself (best themeing of the three), but also in the Monorail service. This is because you can walk right to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC), which will save you a transfer and some time when traveling to Epcot.

Of course, one advantage of the CR is that you can walk to the MK. Which sometimes may be the faster way to get there, since the Monorail will stop at the TTC and the other two resorts when going to the MK.

I envy your 'situation', having to decide which Monorail resort to stay in!

Have fun!

 

[KadysMom]

I have stayed at the Poly and the Contemporary. I would definately stay at the Poly and think that you should stay at a monorail resort for the convenience. I loved it and yes it was more money but well worth it!

 

[Demosthenes]

I love all three. The CR tower is is the most convenient IMHO because the monorail stops in the lobby (no walking outside to your lodge/longhouse), it is a short walk to the MK and the closest hotel to the monorail to Epcot (I know you can walk from the Poly to the TTC, but a ride on the monorail from the CR is not only quicker, it also is more comfortable with kiddos!). The GF has the most dining options (although these restaurants are also the most expensive), and the Poly has the best atmosphere. My list of the bests is as follows (not that you care, but this is fun for me):

1. Best Rooms: Polynesian, with one caveat - make sure to request a first or third floor, or you may not get a balcony.
2. Best Views: Contemporary Tower. Both sides are great views, but the MK view is one of a kind.
3. Best Restaurant: California Grill. It can be noisy, but the food is fantastic, and the restaurant isn't too stuck on itself.
4. Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Chef Mickey's. The food is ok, but the character interaction can't be beat.
5. Best Pool: GF. Not so much the theme pool, but that is ok as well. This would go to the Poly if it only had at least one hot tub.
6. Best Service: The Polynesian. There are 23 cast members working at the Poly who were there on opening day. I think it shows. They are great over there.
7. Best Trasnportation: Debatable, by I give the edge to the Polynesian. The walk to the MK from CR is nice, but I love the convenience of the boat or monorail to Poly.
8. Best Marina: Hands down, it is the CR. With Sammy Duvall's Watersports, this place blows every other marina out of the water.

 

[NJRRK]

Best Marina: Hands down, it is the CR. With Sammy Duvall's Watersports, this place blows every other marina out of the water.

Blows them out of the water!!

 

[Demosthenes]

Blows them out of the water!!

LOL! I didn't even catch that!

 

[ParkPrincess]

We've stayed at both the Poly and GF, and we're staying at Cont our next trip. For us, the monorail resorts are the best! They're quick and not as crowded as the buses. Spending the extra money for this convenience is well worth it in our opinion.

I believe any of the three would be a great choice. They're all terrific resorts!!

 

[AGPrincess]

We've stayed at Poly and the Contemporary.

I ADORE the Poly b/c of the tropical atmosphere and the pretty rooms and the beach (to watch Wishes from), and the volcano pool. The Poly is on the monorail line and the boat circuit (boat goes straight to the MK from the Poly), plus it's got a walkway to the TTC (so if you want to get to Epcot via monorail, you don't have to ride the whole circuit to get around to the TTC!)

I have to admit that for the MK, the Contemporary is probably best transportation-wise. You can use the walkway in the morning (it's a pretty short walk and much quicker than taking the monorail all the way around), and then take the monorail back later on and you've only got one stop!

In any case, I'd say it's totally worth it to stay at a monorail hotel. You'll feel right in the middle of the action at whichever you choose, plus you'll be able to watch Wishes and the Electrical Water Pageant.!

 

[TxTiggergal]

Would love to hear pros and cons - and what you like about the Monorail Hotels. Is it worth it? Okay, I know that's a rather subjective question and it depends on the person but I would love to hear opinions.

We have stayed at the Polynesian twice, the GF once and will be back at the GF in 18 days! We enjoy these hotels mainly for the ease of transportation. Not only is the monorail available, but there is also a relaxing boat ride to and from the MK as well. And as someone else pointed out, the CR is within walking distance from the MK. It's nice to have some options other than the bus. Secondly, there are great restaurants at all three. And with the monorail, it's just a matter of hopping on and being there in just a matter of moments. Thirdly, the MK is our very favorite park and that is where we spend most of our time, so it makes sense for us to be near it. Quite a few times we have been chilling at the resort and decided we want to go over to the MK for a little while, maybe just to shop, grab a hot dog from Casey's, or see if all the fast passes for Space Mtn are gone!!! But this I will say - now that we have come to love the monorail resorts, it is very hard to stay elsewhere...which can be hazardous to my wallet!!

 

[cara loves the poly]

It is so AWESOME at anytime at MK knowing you can be in your hotel room in about 15 minutes! We love the Poly!!! There is a small ferry that runs from MK to the Poly in 10 or 15 minutes! The monorail is awesome for Epcot! The monorail is also awesome for a quick trip to the contemporary for chef mickey's, or the pirate cruise at GF!

 

[CarolA]

IMHO if you are going for Epcot (Food & Wine) Skip the monorail and go with one of the Epcot resorts. For about the same price as a mod you can often get the Swan/Dolphin which provide a product that is closer to "Deluxe" then the Disney resorts.

If not, the ease of walking to Epcot from the YC/BC or BW can't be beat!

MK is my least favorite park and I think as a result, I found staying at a monorail result very frustrating. Transportation to the other parks IMHO was NOT as good as at most moderates.

 

[Southernson]

I have stayed at all 3 and would love to stay at any of them this year. but $ will not let me

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I always stay at the Contemporary, so I think it's fair that I only comment about them and not the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.

Their renovated rooms are simply amaizing and a huge upgrade from the way they use to look.

The Magic Kingdom View is simply the best view you can get at any Walt Disney World Resort and the Bay Lake View is not that bad either.

Transportation they are the best. The Monorail is amaizing because the Contemporary is the 1st stop when leaving the Magic Kingdom, plus the TTC is the next stop after the Contemporary. So you don't have far to go to catch the Monorail from there to Epcot.

The walkway to the Magic Kingdom is also great, because sometimes it can be faster then the Monorail itself.

California Grill, Chef Mickey's and the Concourse Steakhouse are amaizing restaurants. So when the Concourse Steakhouse becomes the Waive next year, it will be intresting to see the reviews it get's.

The Food & Fun Center is a great counter service location and next year when it re-opens in the Concourse Steakhouse location as Chef Mickey's Express, I am sure it will be even better.

While my family and I love the Contemporary, we are looking forward to our stay this December at the Polynesian. It gives us a chance to try a new Resort and see how we like it to the Contemporary. If we like that much and can't choose between them both, well that is one choice I would love have.

 

[minijeanie]

I love all three. The CR tower is is the most convenient IMHO because the monorail stops in the lobby (no walking outside to your lodge/longhouse), it is a short walk to the MK and the closest hotel to the monorail to Epcot (I know you can walk from the Poly to the TTC, but a ride on the monorail from the CR is not only quicker, it also is more comfortable with kiddos!). The GF has the most dining options (although these restaurants are also the most expensive), and the Poly has the best atmosphere. My list of the bests is as follows (not that you care, but this is fun for me):

1. Best Rooms: Polynesian, with one caveat - make sure to request a first or third floor, or you may not get a balcony.
2. Best Views: Contemporary Tower. Both sides are great views, but the MK view is one of a kind.
3. Best Restaurant: California Grill. It can be noisy, but the food is fantastic, and the restaurant isn't too stuck on itself.
4. Best Family Friendly Restaurant: Chef Mickey's. The food is ok, but the character interaction can't be beat.
5. Best Pool: GF. Not so much the theme pool, but that is ok as well. This would go to the Poly if it only had at least one hot tub.
6. Best Service: The Polynesian. There are 23 cast members working at the Poly who were there on opening day. I think it shows. They are great over there.
7. Best Trasnportation: Debatable, by I give the edge to the Polynesian. The walk to the MK from CR is nice, but I love the convenience of the boat or monorail to Poly.
8. Best Marina: Hands down, it is the CR. With Sammy Duvall's Watersports, this place blows every other marina out of the water.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you say.

Are you sure you are not me

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Thanks everyone! I didn't book one of the monorail hotels for my upcoming stay in October as I decided I wanted to do a 5 day/four night stay and that's just not in the budget right now. But maybe a one/two night stay in January is in my future!!

I know I live near WDW (and work in Epcot) but staying on property is still tons of fun!!

 

[GOOFYDONALDMICKEY]

Poly

Location, location, location.