Poly Vs. CR

[ecefaratti]

We are a family of 5 considering either the Poly or CR. I have stayed at both and love the feel of the Poly but like how CR is not spread out. We are wondering pros and cons of both. Our kids will be 14, 11, and 11. We will have 5 park days and 2 resort days. Thanks!

 

[OKW Lover]

To me, the Poly wins over the Contemporary in almost all categories. CR feels like a cold, city hotel that might have been contemporary in its original era but is well past that now. The Poly feels like a tropical resort to me even though it's the same age as CR. The CR does have the ability to walk to/from the MK going for it though.

 

[Dave006]

Our kids will be 14, 11, and 11. We will have 5 park days and 2 resort days

Not sure I would pick either with the ages of your kids. How many days will they want to visit MK? When will you be visiting WDW since time of year may lead to other suggestions?

I would not suggest Poly for your kid's ages. The Lava pool will bore them and it is overcrowded many times of the year. The Oasis pool is "quite" and boring for kids. The building are spread out and it is not fun during the rainy season getting wet every time you leave your room.

The Contemporary is compact or covered walkways to the Garden wing. Both pools are quite basic and are very hot until the sun crosses the A Frame tower and shade starts.

ETA: still learning to spell...

Dave

 

[Marthasor]

Between the two, I would pick Poly since you have 2 resort days. Overall, CR is not a great resort, IMHO. Are those your only choices? With kids that age, I would consider putting BC on that list.

 

[_19disnA]

We always liked the futuristic look of the Contemporary tower. After all these years, it is still the only resort where the monorail goes through the lobby. It is too far to walk to/from MK and Poly (at least for us anyway) and I believe due to construction that pathway is currently closed. Walking TO MK from Contemporary is very easy and you have a separate security line that tends to move faster with fewer people compared to the main MK entrance. With small children, we always took the monorail BACK to Contemporary and found being dropped off in the lobby very convenient. Both are great resorts and much of it depends on your budget and personal preference about things like theming.

Depends also on which parks you plan to visit the most. If Epcot/HS are your main interests, I would pick a resort on that side of the property instead.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

We always liked the futuristic look of the Contemporary tower. After all these years, it is still the only resort where the monorail goes through the lobby. It is too far to walk to/from MK and Poly (at least for us anyway) and I believe due to construction that pathway is currently closed. Walking TO MK from Contemporary is very easy and you have a separate security line that tends to move faster with fewer people compared to the main MK entrance. With small children, we always took the monorail BACK to Contemporary and found being dropped off in the lobby very convenient. Both are great resorts and much of it depends on your budget and personal preference about things like theming.

Depends also on which parks you plan to visit the most. If Epcot/HS are your main interests, I would pick a resort on that side of the property instead.

It's my favorite too. I disagree with everyone who says it's cold. The Contemporary has tons of character (and history). It's an amazing structure. I never get tired of looking at the details on the 4th floor. Maybe it's just my warm and fuzzy memories from my first ever stay in 1976, the happiest childhood memories that I have by far.
I also never get it when people say that the pool is sterile or boring. You're right there next to that beautiful lake and all of the scenery that goes along with it. Boogles my mind!

I do agree that if most of your park time is going to be Epcot and/or Hollywood Studios, it makes total sense to stay on Crescent Lake. We end up there a lot, despite Contemporay being our fav hotel because Epcot is our favorite park and it's so much easier to go in out of the International Gateway.

 

[sponica]

Poly will always win my vote.

I am in the minority, but I hate the monorail set up at the contemporary.

The Lava Pool is people soup but it is what it is.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I've stayed at both as well.

Since I've stayed at all resort categories I don't consider Poly to be all that spread out compared to some other resorts so when you take into account the theme and the food I'd go with Poly.

But what I like about CR is that if you stay in the main tower you never have to be caught off guard in the elements.
For example if there were a hurricane and the parks closed and you were forced to spend all day at a resort CR would be a great one to have everything at your fingertips and not feel so closed in and stir crazy.