Need advice - Poly, GF or Cont. ?

[damiel]

I have quotes for our stay in August and there is only a few dollars difference in the three resorts. Any suggestion as to where to stay? We want to use the monirail for MK and Epcot. We have a 10 year old DS. He loves to swim so pools are a consideration. I like them all for different reasons, I can't decide. We have stayed at WL, and a few moderate resorts. Any advice?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I have quotes for our stay in August and there is only a few dollars difference in the three resorts. Any suggestion as to where to stay? We want to use the monirail for MK and Epcot. We have a 10 year old DS. He loves to swim so pools are a consideration. I like them all for different reasons, I can't decide. We have stayed at WL, and a few moderate resorts. Any advice?

Just remember CR is undergoing major construction.....

 

[carol1231]

I have not stayed at GF, but between Poly and CR pools, my vote is for the Poly. It has a zero depth entry at one end, and my kids love the volcano slide.

 

[boomhauer]

It's all personal preference. For me, it would be Poly hands down. Keep in mind, I've yet to stay at any of them, but have visited them several times.

Contemporary has a cool lobby and is walking distance from the Magic Kingdom. Other than that, it's just a hotel.

Grand Floridian just doesn't do anything for me. Too fancy for my taste.

Polynesian carries it's theme very well. Great restaurant (Ohana), great lobby, beautiful views. It's luxurious but fun at the same time.

 

[mlwear]

The year my son was 10 y.o.we stayed at the Poly. He (and younger DS) loved it. Awesome pool, which is also a big deal for my kids. Relaxed atmosphere. We had dinner at GF. 10 y.o. remarked how pretty and fancy it is, but specifically said "I'm glad we aren't staying here though". I can't remember the specific quote of the rest but basically the Poly was more casual and kid-friendly.
I have read others write that their kids like it at GF, too, and aren't overwhelmed at all by decor.

 

[BCV23]

We've not stayed at the CR but have stayed 6 times at the GF and about 30 at the Polynesian. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them frankly. So many great restaurant choices on the monorail circuit and the ride is part of the fun. We also love the small launches that run between the MK>GF>Polynesian.

I don't think the CR has a zero entry pool or a themed slide if that would matter to your children. The other two do.

Transportation to Epcot is easiest from the Polynesian as you just make the short walk to the TTC and hop the Epcot monorail. From the other two, you must take the resort monorail to the TTC and then transfer.

But I would pick the one that sings to you most.

 

[mt mommy]

If your son likes the pools, I would call the Poly before you decide. We were just at the Poly last week and we received a notice from the hotel notifiying us that "we had unexpected construction on the volcano pool." They advised us that we could use the GF pool instead. I am unsure how long they said it would be under construction.

 

[simonkodousek]

I like GF, but that's just me. Many people would disagree though.

We have stayed at the WL and that was a lot of fun, but if you live in the midwest it really won't be anything new.

CR isn't the best and it is in the middle of renovations. I pretty much thought it was just a hotel, nothing special for kids.

We are planning a trip in June for AKL for 7 nights, and it looks really good so far. I can't wait to go!

 

[lillygator]

Poly!

 

[traci]

I like the GF. We've stayed a couple of times and the kids fit in well (had a good time too). As for the pool...there is a slide and it's zero entry. The other pool is big, and has a hot tub. We enjoyed the GF because it was so relaxing and *quiet* after being at the parks. Honestly, I did not find it snobby. We saw tons of folks walking around in their flip-flops just like us! It was fun seeing the wedding parties...maybe that is where people get the impression that the GF is so fancy. I thought it just added a fairy tale romance feeling to the resort. Our kids liked seeing the brides in their pretty dresses

For our upcoming trip we are trying the Poly. We are really looking forward to that as well. We like the fact that the rooms have all been renovated. The GF (from what I hear) will start renovations in 07. Perhaps we will stay there again when those are complete.

CR we will try when renovations are done and it's cooler outside. I have read a lot of reviews saying the pool area is just not very exciting. Plus, it doesn't have a zero entry and that is a must for us since our kids are so little.

 

[littleelvis]

We just got back from CR and we loved it! It's our second time there within 2 years. The dinning is great CM and CG, and they just redid all the rooms. They are wonderful! The bed was the most wonderful hotel bed EVER. And we walked to MK, it's very easy. No matter what you decide you will have a great time, I don't think you can go wrong with those 3 choices! Good Luck!

 

[Carrie772]

POLY!! Cozy, georgeous, tropical, basically all the Hawaii with none of the jet lag...that's my favorite joke!

 

[Aprilnjosh]

I have quotes for our stay in August and there is only a few dollars difference in the three resorts. Any suggestion as to where to stay? We want to use the monirail for MK and Epcot. We have a 10 year old DS. He loves to swim so pools are a consideration. I like them all for different reasons, I can't decide. We have stayed at WL, and a fe w moderate resorts. Any advice?

If you want a laid back atmosphere, the Polynesian is the best choice. the pool is great! The water slide is fast too!

The Grand Floridian is my favorite though. I have two very small children and I still feel at ease there.

 

[JayCT]

We have stayed at both the Poly and CR and have used the pool at GF when the Volcano pool at the Poly was closed for renovation. The pool at the CR is aweful. It is just a concrete slab with little or no shade since they do not have umbellas around it. My boys did like the waterslide there though and they have a great arcade. However, I am not crazy for the "big city hotel" feel of CR. not relaxing at all IMHO.

Like another poster said I also find that GF to be a bit too formal especially for my two very active boys, though the GF pool was wonderful when we used it. All that said, my vote goes for the Poly. It is our favorite. I love the relaxing atmosphere and the monorail to both MK and Epcot/ Plus the volcano pool is a lot of fun for our boys. I think it is great. JMHO Jay

 

[Tam1067]

We haven't stayed at CR or GF, but Poly beats them both because of easy access to TTC. You can walk there and take the direct Monorail to Epcot. That's a nice convenience.

As someone else mentioned, CR is having lots of construction, and GF will have construction soon. Poly's is all done for now anyway.

Poly's pool is great, and my kids really get a kick out of the piped in Hawaiian music on the grounds and in the pool.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family & I have had many stays at the Contemporary & I think it's a great place to stay at. A side from the great restaurants like Chef Mickey's, Concourse Steakhouse & the California Grill & the renovated rooms which are amaizing, it's the only MK Resort where you can walk to the MK in 10 minutes & it's the 1st stop on the Monorail when leaving the MK. We have never stayed the Polynesian or Grand Floridian however this December we are staying at the Polynesian for the 1st time, so after that I could give a bit more detail to my opinion about it since my family & I have only visited those 2 Resorts.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just remember CR is undergoing major construction.....

While I agree what is going on now with the tearing down of the North Garden Wing is something big, I would not call it major construction yet. What they are doing now should not effect any guests at the Contemporary since it's happening outside & the only thing going on inside is that the Fantasia store has been closed to make room for the new arcade location. When they get around to switching the Concourse Steakhouse & the Food & Fun Center, hopefully it won't take to long & it can be done ASAP.

As of right now the only way the tearing down of the North Garden Wing effects Contemporary guests is that there are a lot less parking spaces in that area. However when my family & I were there in December we did not find it that hard to park & some nights we were lucky with spots that were close to the front.

Finally my personal opinion is that their major renovation was renovating all the rooms in the Tower & South Garden Wing. However that is what I think, so no one has to agree with me about that.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My preference is GF, CR and Poly. My DS12 likes CR, GF and Poly. He loves the monorail. He didn't like the Poly. For us the pool was too crowded.

 

[JPN4265]

I have quotes for our stay in August and there is only a few dollars difference in the three resorts. Any suggestion as to where to stay? We want to use the monirail for MK and Epcot. We have a 10 year old DS. He loves to swim so pools are a consideration. I like them all for different reasons, I can't decide. We have stayed at WL, and a few moderate resorts. Any advice?

If your primary parks to visit are the MK and Epcot, then I would stay at the Poly. You can get to the MK by monorail and walk over to the TTC for the direct monorail to Epcot.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

While I agree what is going on now with the tearing down of the North Garden Wing is something big, I would not call it major construction yet. What they are doing now should not effect any guests at the Contemporary since it's happening outside & the only thing going on inside is that the Fantasia store has been closed to make room for the new arcade location. When they get around to switching the Concourse Steakhouse & the Food & Fun Center, hopefully it won't take to long & it can be done ASAP.

As of right now the only way the tearing down of the North Garden Wing effects Contemporary guests is that there are a lot less parking spaces in that area. However when my family & I were there in December we did not find it that hard to park & some nights we were lucky with spots that were close to the front.

Finally my personal opinion is that their major renovation was renovating all the rooms in the Tower & South Garden Wing. However that is what I think, so no one has to agree with me about that.

My opinion is.... it's a mess and no reason to vacation there.....looks terrible.