Polynesian or Contemporary?

[Michelle RM]

We are planning a short (3 nights) trip to Disney with our 12 and 16 year old sons. We have never stayed on-site before. My husband wants to be close to Magic Kingdom so I am considering either the Polynesian or Contemporary. I am reading such mixed reviews about both that I am unable to make a decision. Is the CR as busy and outdated as some report? Does the PR really have a funky smell and unfriendly service? We won't be spending a whole lot of time at the pool because we are headed to Siesta Key after Disney but I want my sons to have a good time. I want to have enough room for four small suitcases in the room. Also, I am a bit picky about cleanliness...What do you advise?

 

[cinmell]

We love staying at the Contemporary in the tower, it has a great view. I think the rooms are bright and are a bit bigger than rooms in other resorts we have stayed in and they have always been very clean.

The location is great because you can take the monorail to Epcot and the MK and you can walk to the MK in under 10 minutes. Being able to walk from the MK to the Contemporary after parades and fireworks is a big plus because you can avoid the monorail crowds. The Contemporary has two pools and a huge arcade your sons would probably love. I don't think the Contemporary is outdated, I think it's a fun resort.

 

[daannzzz]

It doesn't matter which of the resorts you choose there will be a certain percentage of bad reviews. Even at the best of hotels you will find someone who had a bad time. There is always the chance that you get a rude employee or a substandard room almost anywhere you stay, in or out of WDW. Plus there are the personal likes and dislikes as well so pick the one you think you will like the best.
I like the Polynesian much better than the Contemporary. It just feels like you have traveled farther away and feels more restful and I had a room with a bit of a smell. It didn't ruin my vacation and I am happy to return to the Polynesian again....after I try some of the other Disney resorts I haven't stayed at yet!!!

 

[Michelle RM]

Thanks for your input...however, I'm still undecided. I am very attracted by the Polynesian theme, however, if the room smells bad I know I will be unhappy. I am considering the Concierge rooms. Is this a problem there, as well?

 

[robinb]

I stayed in both resorts in 2002, the Contemporary (Standard View, North Wing) in July and the Polynesian (Garden View) in December. I personally perferred the Contemporary because of the restaurants and the ability to walk to the MK. Your children may prefer the Polynesian if they are "pool kids". Neither resort smelled in any way.

 

[doriemg]

I agree with Daannzzz in that it doesn't matter where you stay, there's always going to be a percentage of people who give it a bad review. I LOVE the Contemporary hotel and never had the desire to stay in any of the other Disney resorts but I'm sure the Polynesian is a wonderful hotel. I doubt that you could go wrong with either resort.

 

[daannzzz]

Most people don't get a room that has the "funny" smell. You will occaisionally see a thread where this debate goes on for a while. I would go ahead and pick the Polynesian if that is what you want. If for some reason you get a room that has that smell you tell them you need to change rooms. I also beleive they are renovating the buildings now and that should do away with this problem.

 

[Soccer Princess]

The Polynesian!!! We just came back and had no smell! If you are really worried about it, request a building that has been recently renovated. We stayed in Fiji (recently re-done) and it had a great location, view, etc.. The Polynesian has a great pool and the short walk to the TTC can't be beat! Have a great trip!!

 

[Darla and Alfalfa]

My personal favorite is the Poly. We were in the concierge Hawaii building on the 3rd floor. No smoking or other smells. We were at the Contemporary for 1 night in a north wing room. I did not like the theme of the room. It was too "contemporary" for me. The colors were loud. That is just my opinion. My sister-in-law likes it there. She likes being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom. I think the Poly is not that far away. Anyway I feel so lucky just to be staying in a hotel onsite.


Darla

 

[chrisp]

I don't think you can go wrong either way, but for what it's worth, our family of 5 has stayed at the Poly once and the Contemporary 14 times - we love the CR! Stay in the tower if possible, it adds to the experience - you get great views, the monorail goes through the tower and you open your door and hear singing coming from Chef Mickeys.

 

[Michelle RM]

Thank you for your input, everybody! I am leaning towards the Poly based on the poll results and your comments. And when I showed my twelve-year-old pictures of the Volcano at the swimming pool, he said he really, really wanted to stay at the Poly. It's been wonderful to be able to learn so much about Disney World on this board; people are so helpful here. Mahalo!

 

[Planogirl]

We stayed at the Polynesian three times and we never had a smelly room. That's not to say that it doesn't happen but I would go anyway if it were me.

Keep in mind that whichever you stay at, the other is just a short monorail ride away. The Polynesian has the great atmosphere and 'Ohana while the Contemporary has good restaurants and that big arcade.