Stayed at all 3 monorail resorts?

[jmkst58]

No problem whatsoever. THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH!

Parks-
I plan to do a Deluxe/Moderate split, so we will probably plan MK and Epcot for the Deluxe days. He had found MK such a pain to get in and out of last time and I only got to spend one precious day there. That's why I chose monorail resorts. Comments??

Ammenities/Theme?
Being treating nicely is HUGE. Loves that. He would love a great, fun pool. That would be important. He enjoys lounges. He's a techie. So many times, though, I have introduced him to things that I never thought that he'd like, and he ended up loving them (I was thinking that would be the case with Poly and Floridian themes......DEFINITELY NOT SURE ABOUT THAT THOUGH). He does get impressed with things that are well done and/or extraordinarily made. He can appreciate details.

Dinners
He was never into fancy dinners (meat, potatoes, hamburgers, beer kinda guy), but I keep taking him to them, and he ends up loving them. It would take A LOT to convince him to go to V & A's, but he would probably like it if he did. He liked Coral Reef, Brown Derby, Le Cellier on our last trip. I'm going to drag him to more on the next trip. Probably half and half.

Again.....THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

 

[WilmaBud]

You would probably love California Grill (on the top floor of the Contemporary). Try to go there even if you don't stay at the Contemp. The Grand Floridian is definitely the most adult-oriented, but the other two have things to appeal to adults, too. From the Contemp., you can walk, take the monorail, or take a boat to the Magic Kingdom. I think you can take the boat to the Poly., too (not sure about G. F., but I think probably you can). The Contemp., though, is the only one you can walk to the Magic Kingdom from. As I said before, if you stay in the Contemp. Tower with a view of the Castle, it's breathtaking (esp. at night, w. the fireworks and the Castle changing colors). But at the Poly, you can walk to the beach and see that, too (once again, I don't know about G.F.). One thing I'm not crazy about at the Contemp. is Chef Mickey's. It's a nice character meal, and all, but it makes a LOT of noise. We stayed on the 11th floor last time for only one night, and by the end of just that one night, I was SO sick of that song they kept singing at Chef Mickey's. We heard it every time.

 

[dmfuru]

I liked all 3 resorts. There are some differences in some smaller ponts of each resort though.

For example, GF; beautiful main building with evening entertainment and pianist in the lobby. It has a nice pool and beach. It offers a variety of food choices.
You can take the monorail to the MK, and take the boat launch back to the GF. TO get to Epcot, you change monorails at the TTC--minor 'inconvenience.' If you have a car, parking is far away (we used valet, but back then it was free).
It is a very calm and serene resort.

The Contemporary: the main tower is very active and bustling. The rooms are nice and large. There are lots of food options. Again, there is a nice pool and activities at the resort.
There are great views of Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon from the main tower (including from the lounge). You can walk, boat or monorail (have to go to TTC, Poly, and GF on the way--but it's the 1st stop going FROM the MK to the CR) to the MK. Parking is closer to the resort than at the GF.
We've only stayed in the tower rooms.

The Polynesian; Laid back, tropical feel to it. Big rooms. Great beach for walking, watching the fireworks and the Water Pageant.
Good food options. Monorail or boat to MK. Short walk to TTC for Epcot monorail. Parking is pretty convenient.


Does this add anything?

 

[jmkst58]

Hmmmmm....hopefully getting closer.......

I am so sorry, but one more question for each of you. SO SORRY!

dmfuru......

You really felt that switching monorails to Epcot was more of an inconvenience than anything? I was thinking that it would be a convenience. (I've heard bad things about the bus plus even with a car, you wouldn't have to drive in, park, and then walk or tram).

Maybe the other resort could be at the boardwalk and then I could boat or walk to Epcot, and boat to MGM? AK might not be fun..but it's not my favorite park anyway. THANKS SO MUCH!

WilmaBud- Thanks for the California Grill suggestion. Heard raves about its atmosphere. Food is good too?


THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP, REALLY!!!!!!! It's going to take a little while to process it all. SO HARD! Seems to be coming together, though. Especially about the monorail/Boardwalk combo.

 

[dmfuru]

No no no no...


The switch to the Epcot monorail from the resort monorail (at the TTC) is a very MINOR inconvenience--sorry if that was unclear.

 

[married2grumpy]

Of the 3 I've only stayed at the Poly but have visited all 3. It is all a matter of personal taste I think. The GF looked beautiful and I would like to stay there one day. I was only there for a few hours but I noticed more older people by the pool and through out the resort. For a couple looking to get away without kids and a little more formal atmosphere this would be a good choice.

I am very afraid of heights so those tower rooms with balconies at the CR have no appeal to me. My husband took us up to the observation deck and I almost had a heart attack. The wing rooms looked very inconvenient and what is the theme there anyway?

The Poly was very relaxing. The whole atmoshpere was very nice. Every time you past a CM they would say Aloha. Even after a stressful day in the parks with the kids, once we stepped onto the resort the stress was gone. I loved the smell of the flowers on the walkways outside and the hawaiian music piped through outside. I loved our patio and being able to watch the kids play in the grass right outside of our room. The EWP and fireworks on the beach were the best part for me. What a way to end the evening. When they were over, you were just a few minutes away from your bed. It was nice.
P.S....We noticed no offensive smells. My husband has allergies and was fine the whole time. Not one person in our party noticed any kind of smell other than a beautiful tropical smell that I wish they would bottle, sell and name "Tropical Relaxation".

Good luck on your decision and happy planning.

 

[Humphrey1227]

Yes did all 3 gf= 2 trips (total 25 nites), Poly = 5 trips (total 54 nites), CR = 4 trips tower (42 nites) + garden 3 trips ( 15 nites). Yes, I do feel like an authority. CR is favorite (especially tower). Like the rooms, festive atmosphere, pools, boating, location, very busy resort, lots of people, shopping, resturants, cm's. down-side: conventions, bus with the ttc. Poly 2nd choice! Love pools, boats, rooms, location, cm's, atmosphere, very relaxing, shopping, tansportation. down-side: very spread out, resturants. GF least favorite. Like: location, buildings, rooms, gardens, old pool, transportation. Down-side: People, CM's, new pool, parking self & valet, resturants, conventions, shops. Of course everyone has a different experience & expectations, some days are great in each resort some are not. We especially like the magic kingdom & area, so of course these are are favorites.

 

[Kimkimba]

Just my memories (which are everything), since it's been a few years. Stayed at the Contemporary once and liked it. It has a very busy feel. Kids love it, my current dh would not. Stayed at the Poly twice and am going back in Sept. My memories are totally Disney magic. We are the family that like to stay home and be around each other. My husband is not a lover of crowds. We went to Key Largo a few years ago and will probably retire there. This is why we are going to Poly in Sept - the atmosphere. It is right for our family. Have at the GF several times - nice restaurants but I know if we stayed at the hotel I would not feel relaxed. I need a more laid back feel and so does dh with our dd (13) and ds (4). Just my opinion - depends on the type of person you are.