Where to stay at Christmas: HELP

[Enfortune]

Visiting 12/21-12/25. 2 kids: ages 4 and 6. Will spend majority of our time at MK. 3 options all the same price: opinions welcome.
1. Contemporary tower theme park view, standard room
2. Polynesian standard view deluxe studio
3. Copper Creek 1 bedroom villa

 

[allsaintsatx]

Welcome to the DIS! My vote always goes to the Poly! But I've never stayed in a studio. We were at the Poly last December and it was great. Also, the wilderness Lodge is amazing we are staying there this December again. amazing during the holidays! Contemporary would be great so you can walk to MK though, especially when you're going that might help a lot! Wow, that was no help, was it?
Ease of transportation: Contemporary (walking)
Awesomely Christmasy: Wilderness Lodge
Can Never Go Wrong, Lovely Resort: Poly
I guess it's a 3 way tie! Enjoy your trip!!

 

[CinderellaDream]

Love all three but given your dates I would do Contemporary so that you have the convenience of walking to MK with small kids and can avoid the crazy transportation during the busy Christmas season.

 

[mickeynut1]

Ease of transportation: Contemporary (walking)
Awesomely Christmasy: Wilderness Lodge
Can Never Go Wrong, Lovely Resort: Poly

I was going to post this same thing. We've never stayed at the CR and although the Poly is our favorite, it's hard to beat the WL during the holidays. With that said, I would choose by what's most important to you. CR can't be beat for the ease of getting back and forth to MK; WL can't be beat for decorations; Poly wins for beautiful/relaxing tropical atmosphere. All 3 are great choices, so you really can't go wrong .

 

[TJA]

With kids of those ages, I would stay at the place that gives me the best "Christmas" feeling, especially given you'll be there on Christmas morning. Out of those 3 you picked, I personally would consider the Copper Creek 1 br villa. I have not researched this new type of room at all, so I'm basically choosing that based on the holiday atmosphere that I know will be present in the WL resort/villa.

 

[MouseOfCards]

CR is great for easy access. But I would personally lean towards WL due to decorations and especially for the 1BR! (Think you'll enjoy either way. Have a great trip!)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Love all three but given your dates I would do Contemporary so that you have the convenience of walking to MK with small kids and can avoid the crazy transportation during the busy Christmas season.

I would have to agree with this. I think it comes down to what you value more - convenience, space and/or theming.

Contemporary will offer you the most convenience to MK during an incredibly busy time of the year. You will be able to walk back and forth to MK from CR and won't have to wait in any transportation lines which will save you a ton of time and frustration. CR has big, comfortable rooms, but the theming is lacking. They will most likely have a gingerbread display, the monorail runs through the building and there is an amazing mural, but other than that, it's not very magical in the theming department. If you want ultra convenience to MK (but no other park), this is the place. If you want more Disney and/or Christmas theming, it might not be the place for you.

Poly will offer you theming (Polynesian theming, that is, and some Christmas decor, too) and convenience (but not as convenient to MK as CR). You will have monorail to MK (not as bad as a bus or boat, but not as good as walking), plus it's a short walk to TTC to catch the EP monorail (if you are planning on going there) from the Poly studios. The studios at Poly are also nicely sized though you will get pull-out beds for the kids as opposed to real beds at CR. I think in terms of convenience and theming, Poly is the best compromise of the three.

CCV and WL in general will be gorgeous over Christmas. Truly one of the best decorated resorts at Christmas time. The theming and decor in general at WL is stunning. I love 1-bedroom villas for the kitchen and washer/dryer, but for a 4 night stay, you probably won't need these amenities. If you really want a separate space for the adults and kids, this is the way to go. In terms of convenience, you have a boat to MK and that's about it. You will have to bus to the other parks OR, if budget allows, you can utilize the Minnie Vans (or Lyft/Uber) to make transportation quicker during your trip.

If you want ultra-convenience to MK, CR wins. If you want convenience to EP and MK (but not as convenient to MK as CR) plus theming, Poly wins. If you want space and theming, CCV wins.

 

[Aurora0427]

Visiting 12/21-12/25. 2 kids: ages 4 and 6. Will spend majority of our time at MK. 3 options all the same price: opinions welcome.
1. Contemporary tower theme park view, standard room
2. Polynesian standard view deluxe studio
3. Copper Creek 1 bedroom villa

The contemporary given your dates and views. Being able to walk to MK is priceless, and y'all will have a beautiful view of the castle lit up in all it's Christmas glory, plus a nightly view of the fireworks.

 

[kboo]

We've stayed at the CR twice (and just bought BLT), and have visited the Poly and WL (before CCV) often for meals. My kids are 6 and 2.

IMO, the convenience and wow factor of having a 1BR at brand new CCV and gorgeous Christmas decorations is offset by the difficulty of getting around with a stroller. Whether by bus or boat, you'll be folding and shlepping a lot.

Ditto w Poly - especially a Poly standard view, kids will be sleeping on a pullout. Pros - lots of bathroom space, and close to TTC so you can take a monorail to EP and MK. Also I have heard that the standard view studios can be dark and have a no view at all (or lots of plants)

But my vote again goes to CR. If the kids go to bed early, then you'll have a great view of the park and fireworks. And with the crowds, being able to walk to/from MK is SO worth it. If you want to resort hop to see decorations, WL/CCV are a boat ride away, and Poly and GF are on the monorail.

ETA - bed situation also is a +1 for CR - the other 2 you'll have to pull out the couch, which takes up more room and leaves the kids sleeping on a not-real-bed. The CR hotel rooms have real beds, including the daybed. Many options without opening furniture, real comfy beds to sleep on, and lots of room.

 

[Aurora0427]

The last two times we've stayed at WL, the transportation was kind of a nightmare. Several mornings there was lots of fog on the lake, so the boats weren't running, which meant a huge backup of busses to get to MK. The busses everywhere else were slow with long lines. On our last day, my mom eventually gave up and went to get a cab. The guys were so nice- it was our last day and we were already at DHS- she was trying to meet us before we headed to the airport. She'd gotten outside at 7:30, and no bus by 8:30. They put her in the hotel shuttle and chauffeured her over to DHS.

But we've had two trips there with really bad transportation issues, so we may not go back.

 

[cinderkelly]

Are your kiddos ok sharing a bed? Copper Creek 1br villa only has a queen bed and a pull out sofa, so if they are ok with that, WL is spectacular at Christmas. We love taking the boat to and from MK.

You can't beat the views of the Contemporary theme park view, plus the room is quite large, two queens and a sofa bed. Plus the ease of monorail and walking path.

I love the Polynesian but it would be my third choice, personally at Christmas. It will have a queen bed, sofa bed and single "Murphy bed".

I have stayed at all three of these resorts and honestly you can't go wrong with any of them, it just depends on your needs of sleeping/space and what kind of "vibe" you want for your stay.

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[Jules76126]

I would personally pick CR. I agree that the theme is not much to write home about (and I am an uber Christmas person) but you cannot beat the convenience of walking to MK. With the Christmas crowds and the fact that you will spend the majority of time in the MK this would be my vote. Plus you can watch the fireworks/see the castle lit up from your room. If Christmas themeing is the most important than CCV is the vote but just be aware that transportation may or may not be an issue.

 

[cutigerlady]

I would pick CR! I will never forget my son's reaction to staying at CR for his first ever Disney trip! We got there at night, right when the water pageant was starting and he sat out on the balcony in awe of the pageant, monorail, boats, lights of the castle, and fireworks. We had a really hard time getting him to come inside to sleep! He was 4 and he thought every hotel we stayed at after that should have a view and the monorail going through it! If you plan of using a stroller, CR will be the easiest to maneuver a stroller with as well. This hotel is always on our stop for gingerbread display tour (GF, CR, BW, YC, and BC).

 

[Enfortune]

Thank you for all of the feedback! Seems like CR is the resounding favorite. We stayed there last year and the convenience factor of walking was a huge +, but were curious if we should try something new. AND.... The Grand Floridian just opened up as well: Outer Building, Lagoon View with 2 QBeds and 1 Day bed. I am not familiar with the GF....pricing is the same as CR for the dates we are staying. I know we can't walk, but is it worth the switch from CR Park View to GF?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you for all of the feedback! Seems like CR is the resounding favorite. We stayed there last year and the convenience factor of walking was a huge +, but were curious if we should try something new. AND.... The Grand Floridian just opened up as well: Outer Building, Lagoon View with 2 QBeds and 1 Day bed. I am not familiar with the GF....pricing is the same as CR for the dates we are staying. I know we can't walk, but is it worth the switch from CR Park View to GF?

GF is gorgeous and has more amenities than any other WDW resort (more restaurants, shops, etc.). The decorations at Christmas time are out-of-this-world amazing. We stayed outer building, lagoon view two years ago (4th floor, Boca Chica) and had a slight view of the MK fireworks which was lovely. Again, it comes down to what your priorities are. If you want a gorgeous, well-themed resort with monorail access to MK (and EP by connecting at TTC), GF is great. If you want walking convenience, CR is the way to go.

In terms of travel convenience, I would rate your four resort choices in this order:

1) CR (walk to MK, monorail to TTC for EP, bus to DHS/AK)
2) Poly (monorail to MK, walk to TTC for EP, bus to DHS/AK)
3) GF (monorail to MK and TTC, bus to DHS/AK)
4) CCV (boat to MK, bus everywhere else)

If you are willing to put Minnie Vans into the transportation equation (if they are available at the MK resorts by Christmas), you would make any of these resorts more convenient.

In terms of Christmas decor and overall theming:

1) GF
2) CCV
3) Poly (normally this would be a little higher on the list, but not for Christmas decor)
4) CR

Are you planning on any future trips when you could try a new resort then? This would factor into my decision. If the answer is yes, I would probably stick with CR. If no, I would probably try something new.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We were at Wilderness Lodge the week after Christmas through the New Year and had absolutely no transportation problems whatsoever. Everything was beautiful and we used the boat each day to MK or buses to the other parks. We also used Express bus transportation a lot with our park hoppers. I should say the resort was not completely full due to renovations at the time.

 

[Aurora0427]

Thank you for all of the feedback! Seems like CR is the resounding favorite. We stayed there last year and the convenience factor of walking was a huge +, but were curious if we should try something new. AND.... The Grand Floridian just opened up as well: Outer Building, Lagoon View with 2 QBeds and 1 Day bed. I am not familiar with the GF....pricing is the same as CR for the dates we are staying. I know we can't walk, but is it worth the switch from CR Park View to GF?

The GF is MAGICAL at Christmas. Magical. It's the only resort I'd stay at over CR. Our December 2014 stay was the best to date. The orchestra plays carols in the lobby, the gingerbread house, the Christmas trees in every building, the smell, the beautiful outdoor decor, the big tree, the wonderful cast members, seeing the castle glittering across the lake.

The GF is always a special place, but it's truly incredible at Christmas.

 

[Shanti]

Visiting 12/21-12/25. 2 kids: ages 4 and 6. Will spend majority of our time at MK. 3 options all the same price: opinions welcome.
1. Contemporary tower theme park view, standard room
2. Polynesian standard view deluxe studio
3. Copper Creek 1 bedroom villa

Contemporary. It is hands-down the most convenient place to stay if you're spending most of your time at MK. No worries about transportation- you can just walk there & back. That is a huge plus at a busy time of year like Christmas. Since it's on the monorail line, you'll be able to easily dine at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian as well as CR. The rooms at CR are large by Disney standards, & the resort has an upscale, sophisticated feel. It's very nice. The kids will enjoy seeing the monorail run through it.

The Polynesian has a tropical theme, so I wouldn't even consider that at Christmas. Wilderness Lodge is nice, but the bus or boat transportation you'll always have to use is much less convenient than walking or taking the monorail via the Contemporary.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are your kiddos ok sharing a bed? Copper Creek 1br villa only has a queen bed and a pull out sofa, so if they are ok with that, WL is spectacular at Christmas. We love taking the boat to and from MK.

You can't beat the views of the Contemporary theme park view, plus the room is quite large, two queens and a sofa bed. Plus the ease of monorail and walking path.

I love the Polynesian but it would be my third choice, personally at Christmas. It will have a queen bed, sofa bed and single "Murphy bed".

I have stayed at all three of these resorts and honestly you can't go wrong with any of them, it just depends on your needs of sleeping/space and what kind of "vibe" you want for your stay.

Welcome to the DIS!

Copper Creek one bedroom villa will have one king bed and one queen sleeper sofa. A studio will have one queen bed and one double (maybe queen) sleeper sofa,