POLY vs. CONT. RESORT?

[SandraC]

We are going to WDW in 34 days and all plans are set! YIPPY! BUT! We are already planning our next WDW trip ~ a driving trip a couple years in the summer away.

The 2004 or 2005 trip will be a 2 (maybe 3) resort trip (likely only 2 ~ we don't like moving around too much).

We will stay at the ALL STAR *something* for the first 3 nights and the last 3 or 4 will be at either the Poly or CR. Which would you pick?

Sandra

 

[Guapy]

I have always loved the Contemporary. Many people think it is plain and boring, but I completely disagree. There are so many things to do there, and when I was younger, I loved the Food and Fun Center. And if you get to stay in the Tower with a view of the Magic Kingdon, it doesn't get much better. However, much better is the Polynesian, my all time favorite. I love the atmosphere, the pool, the monorail, EVERYTHING! So my recommendation is the Polynesian, although both resorts are among the best.

 

[DC7800]

After staying at the Polynesian last summer and the Contemporary in 2000, I must say the Contemporary is by far the nicer of the two resorts (IMHO of course - a lot of people are going to disagree with me on this!). The Polynesian is wonderful, no doubt about that (I love both resorts), but the CR just has it beat. Everyone who has has the chance should eventually give both resorts a try.

 

[Ityldu]

Polynesian all the way!!!

There is no gray area b/w these two resorts, they are so dramatically different, it will all depend on your preferences. I can see how others would enjoy the Cont., but it's not for us. We like the quiet, laid back feel of the Polynesian. The Cont. gives us the feeling of being right in the middle of the action. Polynesian is smaller (or at least gives that impression) and darker (more subdued). Contemp. seems massive and brighter.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I've stayed at both (Poly Lagoon View Concierge & Cont Tower Club) and I do love both resorts! I'd have to say that the Contemporary beats the Polynesian! It is just a totally different atmosphere. The Contemporary is lively, fun, and exciting. The Polynesian is a lot more relaxed, almost to the point that the resort feels drab.

 

[Landof10000lakes]

Both resorts are lovely places, but both are a bit dated. As far as atmosphere goes, I think the Poly is better. The new pool is very fun, and the tropical gardens are so nice to walk around.

By 2004 the Poly might have been updated (in the rooms) which is all this resort needs to be "at the top" again.

 

[gepetto]

Tough decision. We love both resorts but i think the pool at the Polynesian is better so I guess that's what I'd choose.

 

[SandraC]

I love all your comments ~ please keep them coming. I think the final deciding factor might be cost. Having deciding on how many nights to stay. Of all the times we have been to WDW, I drove once with my family when I was a kid, the other 5 trips were flying. The next trip will be driving, my kids will be 4 and 10 years old. I might consider staying at both CR and Poly next trip, who knows! So far the agenda is as follows:

* drive 14 hours stop in Hampton Inn
* drive 6 hours to Daytona, 2 nights in hotels
* WDW ~ about 7 - 9 nights
* drive home 8 hours each day, 2 nights in hotels.

So that's 12 - 14 nights in hotels. 4 hotels are travelling or beach nights, that's not including WDW resorts. We will stay in 2 different WDW resorts. I want to try ALL STARS because I have little kids (last year was CBR, this year CSR). It's been a dream to stay at CR because I remember the monorail going thru it as a kid! But I like the POLY too! HUUUUUMMMMM! S

 

[gepetto]

you can sometimes get a wing room at CR for less than $150. The wing rooms are as nice as the ones in the tower.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we've stayed at both (half a dozen at the contemporary and only 1 at the polynesian) over the years. i would generally let the kids pick which resort. keep in mind the kids' ages ranged from 6 to 16. they preferred the contemporary for the snack bar , restaurants,and arcade. they didn't really like the polynesian that much and missed the contemporary. they felt the polynesian was too quiet and laid back for them. they did like the lobby and paths at the polynesian. the new pool at the polynesian looks pretty nice as well.