Which deluxe to stay at for one night after MNSSHP?

[Artygal90]

I want to know what you would do and what your experiences have been! If you were going to a MNSSHP in early September 2018 or 2019 and staying one night at a Magic Kingdom area resort, which one would be worth the splurge to you?

- Grand Floridian (It's SO fancy!)
- Polynesian (Best theme ever!)
- Contemporary (Walking distance!)
- Wilderness Lodge (There's a boat!)

Two young adults, no kids. The plan is to fly in as early as possible to Orlando and then explore our resort before we go to MK at 4 pm. After checking out the next morning, we want to explore all three monorail resorts before transferring to Universal for the rest of our trip. Convenience and not feeling like we've wasted $400+ on one night are important, pool time isn't. We'll probably budget for a couple sit-down meals and fancy cocktails at these nice hotels too so recommendations on that front would be appreciated!


(It was a LONG week taking care of crying babies and asking questions like this helps me relax, weirdly enough!)

 

[Anniefrances]

Poly (it's beautiful and there are good options for cocktails) with dinner at California Grill.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I like the grand Floridian. When you head to the park, MK will be your first stop. When leaving you can either take the boat back (which would be quicker) or take the monorail around (which would be the fourth stop on the loop). If you want a quick return, then the contemporary would be the best option; however, the grand Floridian does have a lot of fancy dining options.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have stayed at WL and taken the boat back after MNSSHP and it has been a great way to get back to the resort. The Contemporary would be the easier to get to since you can walk to it. It is a long monorail ride back to the GF since it is the fourth stop on the return trip. We usually take the boat back when staying at the GF. Any of the resorts would be fine. The crowds at the end of MNSSHP are not as huge as the crowds after a normal MK closing time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've stayed at both WL and CR while attending the parties. They were both really convenient. CR - walking of course and WL - the boat was super convenient. Honestly, I would pick the one that appeals to you the most. If you are more interested in theme - go with GF, Poly or WL. If you are more interested in convenience - go with CR.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Might as well go Contemporary if you want fancy meals and cocktails. Your time schedule won't allow for Trader Sam's either day, and you're more likely to do well at the Wave for cocktails. You're also skipping prime evening hours anywhere for "fancy meals," since the signatures at any of these don't really serve in your hours. Cali Grill brunch is only weekends.

 

[MDIME]

If it were me these would be points to strategize where to stay:
1. WL — go to Geyser Point before the party. Definitely not fancy but good food and great drinks! But I LOVE WL and lots of people don’t so YMMV.
2. CR — if you want the easiest way to get back to your resort after the party.
3. Or check which resort, GF, Poly, CR, WL has the least expensive rate for the night. All of them will be easier to get back to after the party since you won’t need a bus. Of course CR would be easiest, like I mentioned above.

The lounges don’t seem to open until 4-4:30ish. You can enter the MK at 4pm with a party ticket, make FP+ for 4pm and 5pm with your ticket and plan on being there at 4.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We usually do MNSSHP on a very short weekend trip - CR is my absolute go to in those circumstances. With so little time on the ground, in my opinion you want to minimize transportation time and CR's walk-ability to MK is the perfect solution. The Wave and Cali Grill have good bars for a cocktail (I really like The Wave's food as well). Plus you can easily monorail hop the next morning to see the other resorts before you head over to Uni.

CR gets my strong vote.

Every time we're walking back after midnight and not having to mess with other forms of Disney transport, I always say to myself "I'm so glad we're staying at CR."

Have fun!

 

[disny_luvr]

I’d go with the Contemporary. The easy access to the MK would be the selling point for me.

 

[hoffj070]

We stayed at the Contemporary last year when we went to MVMCP and loved being able to walk back afterwards, so I would vote for that if interested in convenience.

 

[Allison]

I love the Polynesian so that has to be my choice.

 

[Bubbenstein]

I’m not a big fan of Contemporary, so WL would be my recommendation. Taking the boat has always been super convenient after parties. I love GF and Poly but the monorail is just too unreliable and can still have quite a line even after parties.

 

[Sue M]

For just 1 day I’d say save your $ and stay at WL. It’s a beautiful resort. And Geyser Point is a nice place for cocktails looking out at the lake. There’s also Artists Point. Nice boat ride to MK.
Exploring monorail resorts is easy, several ways to do it. You can take boat to CR and start there, or what I’d do is take boat to MK, and transfer to Poly boat and start at Poly. Walk or monorail to GF, then monorail to CR. When you’re finished with resort tour take boat from CR back to WL to collect your luggage and head to Universal.

 

[PPFlight75]

I think CR is the best choice since you can walk back after the party. I’m staying Poly but that’s where I got the best deal. If not I would have chosen CR for sure!

 

[raddisneyfan]

If you're only staying one night and most of that time at MK at the party, then I'd go with whichever resort cost the least. I would say that all of the resorts you mentioned have some good bar options. If food were more of an issue, I would go with GF or CR, but since this shouldn't really be a concern given your itin, then, again, go with the cheapest you can get.

 

[Artygal90]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Looks like Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge will end up winning out, depending on what our budget ends up being and if we can stay on points or take advantage of a family member's CM rate. Happy to hear the WL boat isn't super-inconvenient after parties since that was my main concern about it!

 

[dansdad]

Happy to hear the WL boat isn't super-inconvenient after parties since that was my main concern about it!

In our experience, it's been the exact opposite of inconvenient.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

CR- stay in the garden wing if you're looking to save $, you can still walk back from MK and it's cheaper than saying in the A-frame.

 

[reluctantredhead]

We usually do MNSSHP on a very short weekend trip - CR is my absolute go to in those circumstances. With so little time on the ground, in my opinion you want to minimize transportation time and CR's walk-ability to MK is the perfect solution. The Wave and Cali Grill have good bars for a cocktail (I really like The Wave's food as well). Plus you can easily monorail hop the next morning to see the other resorts before you head over to Uni.

CR gets my strong vote.

Every time we're walking back after midnight and not having to mess with other forms of Disney transport, I always say to myself "I'm so glad we're staying at CR."

Have fun!

GADisneyDad14, ITA with everything you said. Always have the same thought myself while walking back instead of having to fight the masses for transportation when I'm exhausted!

 

[bethbuchall]

I'd vote for the Contemporary in this case because you can just walk out to your hotel and not have to worry about transportation. I really like the Contemporary anyway, but for that short of a stay, I think that the convenience of walking back after MNSSHP is more important than the hotel ambience.