Monorail resort dilemma

[IrishNYC]

We are currently booked at CR Tower, Lake View. I could save a little over $300 by switching to Poly Standard View, or GF Outer Garden View. We're a family of 3 with a 9 year old girl who's heartbroken we're not staying at AKL, but I'm not staying there while the main pool is closed because we have a pool day planned.

The Poly, while it seems exciting because of the pool, the scarcity of balconies doesn't thrill me, nor does Standard View. If it were Club Level I might consider, since all those rooms have balconies.

The GF is, of course, lovely. But again, it doesn't thrill me to be in the outer building.

Saving $300 does thrill me.

Staying in the tower has been a bucket list item for me forever. This won't be our last visit, so it's not like this is a once in a lifetime choice to make. I've already eliminated WL at a savings of about $500 because we've already stayed there recently. *sigh* WL is my favorite.

Guide me, wise ones.

 

[bumbershoot]

300 total? If this is something you've really wanted to do for forever, then it seems that 300 isn't very much to make that happen. I mean, if you were staying Value then it would be a lot, but you're staying Deluxe. That's not much compared to what I assume you're paying overall.

 

[IrishNYC]

No, $300 isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, especially for choices I don’t love. I don’t dislike them, but I’d prefer other categories at those resorts.

 

[Haley R]

I would stay with the hotel you want the most. $300 really isn't a WHOLE lot when it comes to Disney if you are getting the experience you really want. We are going in October and were originally booked the whole week at ASMo, but ended up booking a split stay between BC and Pop because we really want to stay at BC. It will cost us quite a bit more, but we really want to try that resort out. Have a fun trip!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Standard View at the Poly is not awful. I know Standard usually means "meh" but at the Poly, it's garden, beach or monorail. I'm not sure I'd call balconies "scarce." It's only second floor that doesn't have a patio or balcony, so that's 1/3.

I would say that because you have a pool day planned, either GF or Poly would be an upgrade on the CR Tower. Personal opinion here, but the CR pool is kinda boring, especially compared to the other two.

 

[brockash]

We are currently booked at CR Tower, Lake View. I could save a little over $300 by switching to Poly Standard View, or GF Outer Garden View. We're a family of 3 with a 9 year old girl who's heartbroken we're not staying at AKL, but I'm not staying there while the main pool is closed because we have a pool day planned.

The Poly, while it seems exciting because of the pool, the scarcity of balconies doesn't thrill me, nor does Standard View. If it were Club Level I might consider, since all those rooms have balconies.

The GF is, of course, lovely. But again, it doesn't thrill me to be in the outer building.

Saving $300 does thrill me.

Staying in the tower has been a bucket list item for me forever. This won't be our last visit, so it's not like this is a once in a lifetime choice to make. I've already eliminated WL at a savings of about $500 because we've already stayed there recently. *sigh* WL is my favorite.

Guide me, wise ones.

I'd stay with what you have. Not only does it sound like you'd prefer it, but you also can't beat being able to walk to/from MK. Plus, it's a lot more convenient with being in the tower with everything else.

 

[gharter]

Standard view at the poly isn't bad. We have enjoyed the Poly every time we stayed there.
However, it sounds like a balcony is important to you, staying at CR Tower is on your bucket list. I think, no matter how good the Poly is, you will be disappointed as it isn't on the lake, doesn't have a balcony and ultimately isn't where you want to stay.

 

[robinb]

Stick with what you have and enjoy ticking it off your bucket list.

 

[KidaniZen]

I'd take Standard Poly in a heartbeat. Just request to not be on the 2nd floor (since those don't have balcony) and you should be good.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

I agree the pools at CR are a little boring but ..... monorail from inside, balconies to view the water parade if on Bay Lake side, fireworks on theme park side, nightly fire on the beach with marshmallows, nightly movies under the stars, boat rentals, california grill, etc. etc. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We are currently booked at CR Tower, Lake View. I could save a little over $300 by switching to Poly Standard View, or GF Outer Garden View. We're a family of 3 with a 9 year old girl who's heartbroken we're not staying at AKL, but I'm not staying there while the main pool is closed because we have a pool day planned.

The Poly, while it seems exciting because of the pool, the scarcity of balconies doesn't thrill me, nor does Standard View. If it were Club Level I might consider, since all those rooms have balconies.

The GF is, of course, lovely. But again, it doesn't thrill me to be in the outer building.

Saving $300 does thrill me.

Staying in the tower has been a bucket list item for me forever. This won't be our last visit, so it's not like this is a once in a lifetime choice to make. I've already eliminated WL at a savings of about $500 because we've already stayed there recently. *sigh* WL is my favorite.

Guide me, wise ones.

Just to clarify, the second floor, Poly CL rooms do not have balconies.

Of the three, I would pick GF. Overall, it’s a much nicer resort than CR and there is not a bad view to be had. The outer buildings aren’t far from the main building.

I get the bucket list thing, but if you’ll be back, I’d save the $300 and do CR another time. Poly and GF typically price out higher than CR bay lake view, so you aren’t getting a great value by spending more for that room.

 

[IrishNYC]

I would stay with the hotel you want the most. $300 really isn't a WHOLE lot when it comes to Disney if you are getting the experience you really want. We are going in October and were originally booked the whole week at ASMo, but ended up booking a split stay between BC and Pop because we really want to stay at BC. It will cost us quite a bit more, but we really want to try that resort out. Have a fun trip!

We're doing a split as well. Two nights at Pop, then four at a deluxe. It comes out to about what we'd normally pay for a moderate, where we usually stay.

I'd stay with what you have. Not only does it sound like you'd prefer it, but you also can't beat being able to walk to/from MK. Plus, it's a lot more convenient with being in the tower with everything else.

Besides being a bucket list stay, the walk to MK is a huge plus because we'll be doing MNSSHP one day of our stay there, and EMM another. It beats waiting for a boat or monorail.

Standard view at the poly isn't bad. We have enjoyed the Poly every time we stayed there.
However, it sounds like a balcony is important to you, staying at CR Tower is on your bucket list. I think, no matter how good the Poly is, you will be disappointed as it isn't on the lake, doesn't have a balcony and ultimately isn't where you want to stay.

Just to clarify, the second floor, Poly CL rooms do not have balconies.

Of the three, I would pick GF. Overall, it’s a much nicer resort than CR and there is not a bad view to be had. The outer buildings aren’t far from the main building.

I get the bucket list thing, but if you’ll be back, I’d save the $300 and do CR another time. Poly and GF typically price out higher than CR bay lake view, so you aren’t getting a great value by spending more for that room.

We love our balconies. Getting to sit out at night or early in the morning makes a vacation for me, and it's a huge plus for staying at a deluxe for us. I even switched from a CR Garden Wing to the Tower for the balcony.

I know it's just the second floor at Poly that doesn't have balconies, but it would be my luck to get the second floor. I have a terrible record of getting what I've sent in a request for. In fact, I've often gotten the complete opposite. Requested higher floor at WL - got second floor. Requested a first or third floor at POR, got second floor. Requested a first floor at CBR, got second. I've given up on requests!

We'll definitely be back, and I definitely want to do CL at Poly and GF eventually, so while I'd be saving $300 switching, I think I might be staying.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Besides being a bucket list stay, the walk to MK is a huge plus because we'll be doing MNSSHP one day of our stay there, and EMM another. It beats waiting for a boat or monorail.

Trying to return to the Poly or GF from the MK is not at all convenient. You will love the walk back to the CR and be really happy that you are staying there.

We love our balconies. Getting to sit out at night or early in the morning makes a vacation for me, and it's a huge plus for staying at a deluxe for us. I even switched from a CR Garden Wing to the Tower for the balcony.

The Contemporary in general seems unappealing to me with the exception of a lake view tower room. I love Bay Lake and the view from the balcony would be the one thing that I would like the most about staying at that resort.

 

[mickeynut1]

Staying in the tower has been a bucket list item for me forever.

No, $300 isn’t much in the grand scheme of things, especially for choices I don’t love. I don’t dislike them, but I’d prefer other categories at those resorts.

Besides being a bucket list stay, the walk to MK is a huge plus because we'll be doing MNSSHP one day of our stay there, and EMM another. It beats waiting for a boat or monorail.

It sounds like you should stick with the CR. Changing to a resort/room type you really don't want makes the $300 savings a little less appealing, IMO. Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We're doing a split as well. Two nights at Pop, then two at a deluxe. It comes out to about what we'd normally pay for a moderate, where we usually stay.



Besides being a bucket list stay, the walk to MK is a huge plus because we'll be doing MNSSHP one day of our stay there, and EMM another. It beats waiting for a boat or monorail.





We love our balconies. Getting to sit out at night or early in the morning makes a vacation for me, and it's a huge plus for staying at a deluxe for us. I even switched from a CR Garden Wing to the Tower for the balcony.

I know it's just the second floor at Poly that doesn't have balconies, but it would be my luck to get the second floor. I have a terrible record of getting what I've sent in a request for. In fact, I've often gotten the complete opposite. Requested higher floor at WL - got second floor. Requested a first or third floor at POR, got second floor. Requested a first floor at CBR, got second. I've given up on requests!

We'll definitely be back, and I definitely want to do CL at Poly and GF eventually, so while I'd be saving $300 switching, I think I might be staying.

I totally understand the balcony thing. You had said in your original post that you wouldn’t mind booking Poly CL to get a balcony. I just wanted to make sure you knew that is not a guarantee. That’s a lot of money to spend to show up and find you don’t have a balcony.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We are currently booked at CR Tower, Lake View. I could save a little over $300 by switching to Poly Standard View, or GF Outer Garden View. We're a family of 3 with a 9 year old girl who's heartbroken we're not staying at AKL, but I'm not staying there while the main pool is closed because we have a pool day planned.

The Poly, while it seems exciting because of the pool, the scarcity of balconies doesn't thrill me, nor does Standard View. If it were Club Level I might consider, since all those rooms have balconies.

The GF is, of course, lovely. But again, it doesn't thrill me to be in the outer building.

Saving $300 does thrill me.

Staying in the tower has been a bucket list item for me forever. This won't be our last visit, so it's not like this is a once in a lifetime choice to make. I've already eliminated WL at a savings of about $500 because we've already stayed there recently. *sigh* WL is my favorite.

Guide me, wise ones.

Hello NYC! I agree with other posters - since this is your bucket list - I would stay at the CR. We love the CR and the fact that you can walk back from MK at night when there are so many guest waiting for the monorail. The pool is not anything special but you can swim. We also love the Poly and especially CL there. The building is such a great location and the kids love the pool but again the CR is on your bucket list. I agree about staying in the outer buildings of the GF - we did not like that.
Stay at the CR and enjoy!

 

[glocon]

For our last trip we stayed at CR and loved it!
It is a beautiful resort, modern and elegant and best of all close to MK.
Breakfast buffet at The Wave then drinks after the parks there was great too!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Trying to return to the Poly or GF from the MK is not at all convenient.

It's not particularly inconvenient either, using the launch.

 

[Hisgirl]

I was not a fan of having to walk back to CR at the end of a long day when I was hot or tired. But we LOVE the boat back to the Grand! Staying in an outer building is still a beautiful thing especially if you have pool or lake view. The pool there is great! There is zero entry, lots of kids and they also have a fun smaller pool with a tipping tea pot. Have you considered a split stay?

 

[Haley R]

I was not a fan of having to walk back to CR at the end of a long day when I was hot or tired. But we LOVE the boat back to the Grand! Staying in an outer building is still a beautiful thing especially if you have pool or lake view. The pool there is great! There is zero entry, lots of kids and they also have a fun smaller pool with a tipping tea pot. Have you considered a split stay?

I believe they are doing a split stay: 2 nights at pop and 2 at a deluxe.