Need Help Deciding - Monorail or Bus Resort

[emme24]

Hi,

We usually stay offsite because we have a large family. However, this fall there are only three of us making the trip. I'd like to treat my girls to an onsite stay.

My first thought was to stay in a monorail resort. I figured this would be most convenient, and also allow us to get back and forth to the MK easiest (we will mostly be in MK this visit).

However, now I'm wondering what the other transportation is like. Maybe the bus rides are just as convenient/timely?

Does anyone have some information they'd like to share on that?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Kevin355]

It means that you are only looking at 3 resorts if you are interested in monorail access...Contemporary, GF, and Polynesian. If you want to spend that much money, then it is what you will gt. I have always stayed at bus resorts, CBR mostly, and have no problem with that. The 3 listed resorts are pretty ritzy, but we can't justify staying at either one of them just for easy access to MK. The buses are pretty darn good and drop you off right at the main gate. If money is no issue and you really want to be on the monorail line, then it is up to your preference. If you do not plan on spending much time in the rooms, then I can't see it as being a difference maker IMHO.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For convenience to MK, nothing beats a monorail resort. For the ultimate convenience, book CR as it's the only resort that offers the option to walk to MK

 

[GrandCalifornian]

The monorail is a nice option if you are willing to pay the top price for it. As another poster mentioned, the CR is great to be able to walk to MK, which avoids time spent waiting for the monorail or bus.

For the other parks besides MK and Epcot, monorail resorts use buses as well and they all take approximately the same amount of time. Usually multiple resorts are grouped together on one bus, which keeps total transportation time to these other parks comparable between monorail and non-monorail resorts.

We have found the Wilderness Lodge to be a nice option, with close proximity to MK and boat or bus transportation to get there, but not being on the monorail and being a little cheaper then other deluxe resorts. If you want to catch the monorail, you can take a boat ride over to CR and get on it there.
The Moderate and Value resorts do fine for transportation as well, but you just have to plan on spending a little time on the bus, especially at peak times.

 

[Sue M]

We love Poly & GF. CR theming just doesn't appeal to me. I'd rather stay at a resort with pretty grounds. We also love WL. It has a boat option to MK. There is just something magical about staying in the MK resort area.

 

[buzznina]

If you have no issue paying for a rail resort then go ahead. We enjoyed staying at POLY and GF but mainly stay at the Mods, for us we get what we need for a lot less, and rarely have issues with the buses

 

[TempleOT]

Last year we stayed at Wilderness lodge and we loved it. While its not on the monorail, we were able to take a boat or bus to Magic kingdom, and we used the boat a lot. We also took the boat to the Contemporary and then the monorail to Epcot (changing at TTC), which is another choice. We also liked having access to the eateries and such at the Poly and Cotemporary, and Fort Wilderness. Plus WL is the cheapest of the Deluxes.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi,

We usually stay offsite because we have a large family. However, this fall there are only three of us making the trip. I'd like to treat my girls to an onsite stay.

My first thought was to stay in a monorail resort. I figured this would be most convenient, and also allow us to get back and forth to the MK easiest (we will mostly be in MK this visit).

However, now I'm wondering what the other transportation is like. Maybe the bus rides are just as convenient/timely?

Does anyone have some information they'd like to share on that?

Thanks in advance!!

We have stayed on the monorail as well at resorts with buses only and we found the buses to be just as good as far as efficiency. With that said, if MK is the park you will spend most of your time at, I'd go with a monorail resort or the WL. The WL isn't on the monorail, but has great boat service as well as a direct bus (no stops) to MK. If you are looking at a mod, we loved CBR (only mod we've stayed at) and found the buses to be very quick and efficient. Good luck.

 

[Mousemommy1]

The monorail resorts are nice, but I would not book solely because of the monorail. The monorail has issues and when it works, it's great, but when it doesn't, it is quite the cluster.
You should just be prepared to make adjustments if needed if it goes down.

 

[robinb]

Hi,

We usually stay offsite because we have a large family. However, this fall there are only three of us making the trip. I'd like to treat my girls to an onsite stay.

My first thought was to stay in a monorail resort. I figured this would be most convenient, and also allow us to get back and forth to the MK easiest (we will mostly be in MK this visit).

However, now I'm wondering what the other transportation is like. Maybe the bus rides are just as convenient/timely?

Does anyone have some information they'd like to share on that?

Thanks in advance!!

Personally, I find the monorail to be overvalued. It's nice to get "home" fairly quickly from the MK but you have to take a shared bus to everyplace else (except for the monorail to Epcot which can also be a PITB). Frankly, I don't think the small amount of time saved is really worth hundreds of dollars extra per night. The bus transportation to the MK from the other resorts takes no more than 20 minutes so you're probably only saving 5-10 minutes in transit and then the difference in waiting for the resort monorail v/s the bus.

How old are your kids? With only 3 people in a room you can stay anywhere.

 

[RustManFan]

I would make the decision based on your budget. Monorail resorts are, of course, deluxe, and the minor issue of taking a bus (and in my experience it has always been minor) may be offset by the money saved. Just my 2 cents!

 

[TOBS2010]

Stay at Poly or GF is a huge convenience, especially if you have a small kid. However, I can't justify the amount of money that you would be spending to be at one of the monorail hotels. The buses aren't bad and are easy to use---I have never had an issue waiting for one, unless it was at park closure and we weren't some of the first folks out to the bus. Then we had to wait 15-20 minutes for another bus to come by. If you have extra money stay at one of the three monorail resorts---just know that you could be spending that money on other extras that you might enjoy more than the convenience of using the monorail.

 

[Hi Pluto]

I would start by looking at your budget. Then decide if a monorail resort fits, and which one you like the style of best.

~Cari~

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree that you may not see an issue with this at all resort pools, but it can be an issue at any resort that is easily accessible from a park or if a resort's pool is special in any way. If Disney didn't check everyone's MB, what would stop a family from hopping the monorail to use the Poly pool midday when they were hot? Resort amenities should only be for the resort guests who pay for them.

I would make the decision based on your budget. Monorail resorts are, of course, deluxe, and the minor issue of taking a bus (and in my experience it has always been minor) may be offset by the money saved. Just my 2 cents!

This is exactly how we begin. Sometimes we plan on a monorail resort, once we planned an Epcot resort (hated it) but many times we book a moderate. WE like them, have no problem using a bus, and find that the money we save worth any inconvenience, either real or perceived.

I love staying on the monorail, but I won't break my bank to do so.

 

[Babsy]

Hi,

We usually stay offsite because we have a large family. However, this fall there are only three of us making the trip. I'd like to treat my girls to an onsite stay.

My first thought was to stay in a monorail resort. I figured this would be most convenient, and also allow us to get back and forth to the MK easiest (we will mostly be in MK this visit).

However, now I'm wondering what the other transportation is like. Maybe the bus rides are just as convenient/timely?

Does anyone have some information they'd like to share on that?

Thanks in advance!!

It comes down to how much the convenience of the monorail is worth to you. The luxury resorts on the monorail have a special ambience and are definitely the most convenient going to the MK. watching Wishes fireworks from your resort is very special. Also, the boat or walking to the MK is just as nice as the monorail. Bottom line, the monorail resorts are worth it, but not if it is a strain on the budget.

If the over the top price of a monorail resort isn't what you want to go with, the WL is nearby and a little more reasonable in price. as others have said it is a wonderful resort with good transportation.

Finally, The buses from the moderates are not at all bad, and the mods are great resorts usually with beautiful grounds and lots of room for three in a room. CBR has just been refurbished, so it really is a good option, but POR and CSR are also great! It all depends upon the theme that you like best. Look at the pics online to see what appeals to you.

If you decide to go with the monorail resort and splurge for this trip, you have three awesome choices!! The Poly is nearly finished its construction mess, so some people are opting to go back there again now that most of the dust is finally settling. The GF is always a top pick with the luxurious rooms, lots of dining options, two great pools and an amazing lobby. Finally there is the CR which has simple theming that doesn't appeal to everyone and a pool that is very plain, but has the greatest transportation, IMO, of any resort and the most amazing views from the tower rooms, especially with the MK view! Any of these three resorts have huge comfortable rooms and lots of amenities.

Good luck choosing!

 

[Kimberle]

I have stayed at many different resorts. The monorail is nice, but, it is overrated. I would choose the resort based on my budget and theme preference.

 

[Quellman]

Monorail resorts are great for this reason as well - proximity to a lot of great dining options. 3 Character meals, one at each. AAA 5 Diamond winner at the Grand. Fireworks from the California Grill, and amazing quick service dining. Open 24hours at the Grand. So if you want to figure in some non-park dining without running all around, then monorails can be a good choice.

 

[partigus]

Party of three....no Brainer...Wilderness Lodge- As nice as any of the Deluxes - but the rooms sleep 4, not 5. A really charming boated to MK. Priced in between the other deluxe and the moderates.

 

[mkla2015]

As others have said, it depends on your budget. I am willing to pay the extra to stay at the contemporary to be able to walk to MK. With 2 small kids, most of our time is spent at MK.

 

[ParkHoppers]

I actually love being on the monorail. Something special IMO about this iconic Disney transport. As far as spending most of your time at MK nothing better than staying for the fireworks at MK and just strolling down the sidewalk back to the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower. There can be large lines after the fireworks show at the buses,boats and monorail.