POR, Comtemporary, FW, or Poly?

[ajk912]

I can't make up my mind! Any input from the seasoned people? I have never stayed at any except for AsMu or FW as a kid. We have 5 people if it makes a difference. If I am missing an important choice, please let me know!

In no certain order:

1. POR- $2600 for our 5 day stay- $1000 savings is kind of nice. It's a once in a lifetime trip, so the distance to the parks seems daunting, especially with some of the bus nightmares I read about.
2. FW cabins: Can park right at our cabin, our own yard (kind of) for the kids to play in in the mornings, can see the electrical parade, boat to MK, Trail's End restaurant $3200
3. Contemporary: monorail and walkway to MK, which we will probably be at 2 nights out of 4 (maybe 3) Chef Mickey's, but we will have to stay garden room to cut down on costs, so where would I see wishes? Great location for breaks for the family going in August $3600
4. Poly: Only $100 more than Comtemporary, wishes on the beach, close to TTC, monorail to MK. Great location for breaks since it is an August trip. Downside: $3700 so most expensive

Thoughts? Thanks so much! Oh, our trip is Aug 24-29, so it will be hot, it will be me, DH, DS 8, DDs 4 and 7.

 

[simonkodousek]

If you can justify the extra cost over POR of FW, I would pick the Polynesian! It's an excellent resort. We returned from our first stay there in July and had a blast.

 

[odhrty]

We are doing are once in a lifetime trip and my 40th bday present to me at the Poly in Oct 07. I have also agonized over the extra money and have gone from Pop to PORQ to WL and back to Poly (my poor travel agent). I worried that I would not be at the room enough to justify the extra $1000 dollars. I have finally decided to forget about the money(because how can you possible rationalize $1000 but heres what i"m telling myself) and enjoy the Poly for its theme, monorail, ferry service, balconies, queen beds, restaurants, beach, hammocks, location and the fact you only live once. I have planned afternoons back at the hotel with evenings open/optional. I look forward to a relaxing glass of wine on my balcony/patio. While we will enjoy the parks I want this to be a vacation where I'm at a resort I can relax also. Good luck with your decision. I will let you know how I felt about my decision after i get back.

 

[Smailey]

My wife and I cannot justify the costs of staying at the Poly our whole trip, so we change resorts half way through between POR and Poly. It feels like two trips. We love POR AB section, however if you can swing it the Poly is the place to be.

 

[spiceycat]

y's, but we will have to stay garden room to cut down on costs, so where would I see wishes?

CR is right next to the MK - you have choices here on where to see wishes.

on the fourth floor of the tower - they even play the music.

you can walk out of your room and probably see wishes. if not a short walk to the side of the CR.

 

[Minnie*23]

I have heard so many great things about the Poly and am going to stay there during my Disney vacation (September 8-12). The Cont is building villas so there may be some construction going on while you're there. I personally enjoy staying at resorts with the monorail (GF,Poly,Cont). I know wherever you stay you will love because all Disney resorts are wonderful. Good luck deciding.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

I understand the problem! The decisions are always the hardest part. I agonize before I go, but, once I'm there, I'm so happy it almost doesn't matter. So, I'm certain you will have a fabulous trip at any of those resorts. But here's my two cents anyhow...

POR is a great resort. The theming is wonderful, the pool is great (which will matter in August I think), and the boat to DTD is enjoyable and a great thing if you have a free evening for dinner/shopping. Without knowing your finances, it would seem that the extra savings could easily be put to use on great dining, souvenirs, etc. The cons are that the room would be a bit smaller, you wouldn't have a balcony/patio to escape to, and you'd have a longer ride to the MK, which seems to be a key part of your trip. You would definitely not feel short-changed in terms of theming and atmosphere, though. I also think your son would get a kick out of the theming here, given his age. In my mind, transportation would be the determing factor.

If you can swing one of the more expensive options, given that you said it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, I would consider the other choices. At any of the other three you'd have more space. And transportation to MK would be easier: monorail/walk from CR, monorail from Poly, or boat from FW - though FW can take a bit longer because it would be the internal bus loop to the boat. The dining choices are great at all three resorts, too.

I think FW is great. I love the theme, I like the relaxed feel, and I think some of the extra events (like the campfire) are really enjoyable. The pools are not nearly as exciting as POR or the Poly (I haven't been in the CR pool), and the transportation can be slow at times, espcecially to places other than MK. We've never had terrible waits, but we're never in much of a hurry either. So for the price, you may consider how much you'd be travelling back and forth and whether you'd be in the pool a lot.

CR is so unique. The monorail is fun, Chef Mickey's is fun, and we always make a point to visit to eat/shop here. If you were considering a tower room, I'd say this would be my choice with little kids. Those views with the transportation to MK just can't be beat. However, since you're considering a garden room, I'd say the Poly is a better option given the small difference in price. There really isn't a bad view at the Poly. Even the rooms that face the parking lot offer great landscaping and monorail views. The food options are great, and, as the CR is the site of some construction/moving of food options, it might be more what you expect. The atmosphere is wonderful, MK is very close via monorail (and the view from the pool is to die for), and travel to Epcot is convenient as you can walk to the TTC instead of changing monorails. The pool is great, too. You'd have a similar room layout to the CR, though the CR bathroom layout is a bit more convenient to my way of thinking, but the atmosphere and Wishes from the beach are big draws for me.

If you decide that you're willing to pay the extra for a bigger room/more convenient transportation, I'd pick the theme I liked best. My favorite from that group is the Poly, but there's definitely people who would disagree with me.

Good luck planning!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you really want to be that close to the Magic Kingdom and can afford the extra cost, I would go with the Contemporary. Their renovated rooms are amazing and since you would be going in August 2008, all of the major renovations inside will be finished. However if you don't want the Contemporary, then my I say you should go with the Polynesain.

 

[ajk912]

Thank you so much for your advice, everyone! I go back and forth every second...but currently my thinking is the Poly or the Contemporary. It is a once in a lifetime trip (or at least 5-10 years) and part of the the reason for the trip is my 30th bday, so "I" want to be relaxed. I know when we went to AsMu before the parks were fun, but it was kind of overwhelming with the kids and the tiny room and the buses and everything. Because when we get back to the hotel, I know DH, myself, and my daughters will be tired, but my son has SO much energy he will need to be doing something. That's why I am thinking Poly or FW- because he can go outside a little and run off some steam while one of us is watching him without going miles from the room. You didn't really have that option at AsMu. I need a quick place to get back in case we take breaks in the afternoon so we don't lose a lot of time. Mostly, I just want to relax!!!

 

[ccigliano]

Not to give you even more to think about but how bout AKL. I believe they have rooms that accommodate 5 and they may be cheaper than the Poly and CR. I would also throw in the WL but I am not sure they have room that sleep 5. You may need to upgrade to a WL suite but if you can get a suite at the WL for the same price as the CR - I would opt for more room and get the suite at the WL. Just more ideas to make you crazy - but if I had to pick from your list I would have a hard time choosing between FW and Poly. I have no desire to stay at CR as to me it looks cold and uninviting - but that's why Disney has so many options for different people. FW as you probably remember has so many activities for the kids including campfires, movies, smores, horseback riding etc and a cabin is so much more spacious than any of the rooms you have listed. If you won't be doing the DDP then you make breakfast in the room and eat out whenever you'd like. As far as the Poly - the draw to me is the theming and the monorail. Good Luck with you decision.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I vote, in order:

Poly
Ft. Wilderness
POR


I left the Contemporary off the list because I can't stand the place.

 

[DinDin233]

I vote for the Contemporary!

I know most people don't like it, but my family and I love it!!!

The renovated rooms are gorgeous.....California Grill and Chef Mickey's is at your fingertips....you can walk to the MK...

and where else can you stay where a monorail runs THROUGH the resort?!?!?

I say give it a chance....you might fall in love with it like me!