Poly, Contem, or Floridian??

[krist]

Ok, So I have to plan a trip for three different families for this December. There are 2 kids in one family 14, 11 and in another family 1 1/2 and the third family grandparents. These resorts are the 3 top contenders. We have all stayed in them before, but all have our own opinion. We want somewhere where there are decent rest., the rooms have been updated and is good to let the 14 and 11 year old run around.
What would you suggest and why??

Also, I got garden view rates for each, are they nice?

Thanks for your input in advance.

 

[CoolPool]

I like all three. All three have had recent refurbs or are going through refurbs (GF still going on, I think, but can't remember). They have different themes. Which one has the broadest appeal to your group? The kicker for me is that the Poly has quick access to the MK and also its a short stroll to the TTC to catch the direct Epcot monorail. (You could also ride the resort monorail around to the TTC but why bother?)

Take a look at pool pics on the web. All have slides but the Poly has the "Volcano Pool" which is more heavily themed.

Honestly I'm the type that says you can't go wrong at any of these choices really.

 

[PetrPan]

I could be wrong, but I think the garden rooms at the contemporary are not in the main building, which to me would be the reason to stay there. Althought I think you can walk to magic kingdom. Otherwise i would count out contemporary. Grand floridian is awesome. We stayed there feb. 8th 2007 and loved it. very expensive though. polynesian is really nice too, you really feel like you are walinginto the hawaiian when you go throught he front doors. GOod luck!

 

[MommyBuzz909]

I've never been, but if I had my choice, it would most likely be Poly. You've got the beach and so many amenities. It looks like absolute paradise - literally!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No matter the Resort you choose none of the ones mentioned have garden rooms are located in the main building. At the Contemporary it's the Magic Kingdom view, Bay Lake view, Club Level rooms on the 12th floor, other Club Level rooms and various suites on the 14th floor, that are located in the Tower. At the Grand Floridian the only rooms in the main building which is named Royal Palm are the Club Level rooms and various suites. As for the Polynesian none of their rooms are located in the Great Ceremonial House, which is their main building.

Personally I would pick the Contemporary because you get the walkway to the Magic Kingdom, it's the 1st stop on the Resort Monorail if you take it when you leave the Magic Kingdom, it's also the 1st stop on the buses since coming back from Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney since they share service with the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. You also get free internet access on the computers which are located in each of the guest rooms and they have the best arcade out of the Resorts mentioned which the kids would enjoy. Finally all their rooms have been renovated so no worries there.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Well, they're all on the monorail and all have re-done the rooms in the last couple years.

I despise the Contemporary because I think the place is hideous and IME the staff is consistently the worst on WDW property.

I like the GF a lot and would pick that if it were me. But other people always want to stay at the Poly, so if I were picking for a group, I'd go with the Poly.

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We have stayed at all three resorts and long long time ago, the Cr north garden wings were our favorites, stayed there many a time back in the 80's then got an offer to stay at the GF for CR price. We stayed but didn't like the whole resort at all. Then we started purchasing AP's and got some great discounts for the Poly, we liked this resort alot, for the discounted price. Monorail access to the MK, or a motor launch or the big ferry, we liked using them all, and the short walk to the TTC to get on the EPCOT monorail was quick and easy and we liked the long ride there. Now, we don't get great discounts at the Poly with AP's so we opt for WL, really like the amenities there and the deluxe style but not at the Poly's too high rack rate. For our money, we always now stay at the WL, but if money was no object or a super discount came out, we'ld stay at the Poly.

 

[joenan88]

I stayed at The Poly in November with my family 2 adults and 3 kiddies (9, 7 and 6). The resort pool, grounds and restaurants were great...but the elevators and hallways in the longhouses seemed very dark and still dated in the 70's. The rooms are a decent size but were dark (my room was stinky from previous guests smoking in the room). The locations of the Poly is also great..a ferry boat ride away from the MK, 2 stops on the Monorail to the MK and a short walk to the TTC to hop on a monorail to Epcot.

BUT

I am returning and staying at the CR in a MK view...my decision was influenced by my kids!..even though they do not know they are going yet! (surprise ) My kids were enamored with the CR (so we walked around)..they loved everything about it! I really thought they would like the volcano pool more then the plain slide at the CR...I was wrong..I thought they would like the hawaiian theme better then the modern theme..they didn't really care..we travel to the caribbean a lot so they were not impressed....They thought it would be sooo cool to stay in the tower and watch the monorail come through...I couldn't disagree...

So we will be returning to WDW in August and staying at the CR in a MK view for my son's birthday...and I am really excited about it!

just a side note..we went to the GF for dinner and my kids loved the lobby..with the victorian elevators..but when I asked them if they would want to stay there they said no..The CR

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[wilda]

Krist,

I'm curious- why a MK resort? With an 11 and 14 year old I'm surprised that the Epcot resorts are not being considered...

 

[lmhall2000]

Poly hands down out of those three....but I agree you might want to look at Yacht club/Beach Club for the teens..the Poly pool is cool enough for them but the pool area at YC/BC caters more to that age...and the older folks can enjoy walking around the boardwalk....something you might want to consider, if you had 2-6 year olds I would say definitely stick with the Poly for the use of the monorail...but most likely the 1.5 year old will be in a stroller so having to "carry" young kids back after a long day is tough!

Tara