POR - access to monorail and other parks?

[mookie]

HI,

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Disney with our 2 year old DD. I think I've narrowed down our resort to POR, however, my husband really wants the Contemporary. He thinks that it will be easier with our daughter to use the monorail instead of the buses. I know POR has boat access to some of the parks and DD, so I was thinking we could save some money by staying at POR and using the boats to get to the parks and monorail. How convienient is this? We'll probably spend mulitple days at Epcot and MK, and always like visiting the boardwalk. Will the boats help us to do that? I know we will probably have to take the buses to get to AK and MGM. On the days we want to go to MK, do we take the boat to Epcot first, then walk through Epcot to get to the monorail to take us to MK? Just not sure how logistically this would all work, if my theory is right, and if it's a good thought to save some $$ on a resort, while still somewhat getting the "deluxe" transportation benefits. Thanks for your advice!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

POR is a beautiful resort. However, the only boat transportation they offer is to Downtown Disney. You need to take the buses to MK, EPCOT, AK, MGM and the waterparks. A monorail resort is really helpful with small children. That being said I think the COntemporary is too "hyper". Just my honest opinion. If you decide to do a MK resort the WL has a boat to MK. It also has a boat to Ft. Wilderness and the Contemporary. Its less expensive than the monorail resorts but still has good transportation to MK, which is where you will usually spend most of your time with a 2 year old!

 

[dmonroe]

Hi! POR only has boat service to DTD. They only have bus service to all 4 parks. If you really plan on spending most of your time at MK and Epcot, you might be happier at a monorail resort. I don't really have a problem with taking the bus, but given the choice (and if money wasn't a huge big deal) I would always pick a deluxe resort in either the Epcot resort area (walk to Epcot and MGM) or a monorail resort!

 

[Skroops]

You will like the POR. It is a very pretty resort. When I was there, I think that the boat will only take you to Downtown Disney. The water way was not connected to the Boardwalk waterway.
The bus system isn't as bad.( Really!!) You have to fold your stoller to get on the bus, but other than that, it isn't bad.
The Contemporary has access to the monorail, but it is a deluxe hotel so it will cost you more. IMO, I think the POR has a lot more charm. If you are solely looking for ease of transportation to the MK, then I'd stay at the CR!
Either way, you'll have an awesome time!

 

[kajohn]

Depending on what building you are in there is a LOT of walking at POR. We stayed there last year, and were in building 28 I beleive. (I had requested 14 or another close to the main building, but didn't get it) It was a very long walk to eat, go to guest services, get a mug refill etc. After a long day of walking around the parks, I just wanted to be back in my room after riding the bus etc.

Needless to say, I wasn't a fan of POR, (but we did have a great time, its DISNEY)

This year we are staying at the POLY. We chose this resort becuase we are a family of 5 and I don't think the wilderness lodge has rooms that sleep 5 and they are also smaller rooms. I have requested a longhouse close to the main building so that it is very easy to get to the monorail. I estimate we will save between a 1/2 to an hour a day in transporation time when going to epcot and the magic kingdom. We can also go back midday to the room very easily, so I think I will enjoy the location and resort so much better!

 

[MichiganMomto4]

If cost per night is not a factor, I'd do a deluxe in a heartbeat (My personal preference for a monorail resort would be the Poly though - it's just gorgeous!).

If money is an issue, then POR would be a good choice. Especially if you want a sitdown restaurant near by.

Have you considered POFQ? I just think with a two year old at a moderate, it is more visually appealing for a little one and the resort is so compact that you are never a long walk from the foodcourt, boat docks or store.

 

[brentalex]

If the cost of the deluxe is not an issue, I would certainly stay at the contemporary. It is so much more convienient to stay on the monorail, especially with a 2 year old. You will get easy access to the hotel, it is the first stop on the way back from the MK. We stayed at POR a few years ago, and found the buses to be a bit lacking. It stopped at the POFQ first, and often the bus was full or close to it. Things may have changed since then but my experience with the buses will make it so I would never stay there again.