Which Monorail Resort and Why?

[Sirius]

My DW and I are planning our next trip to WDW. We want to stay a a monorail resort because a) we never have and have always wanted to, and b) we spend most of our time at the MK and Epcot.

So, what are your suggestions? Thanks!

 

[zipDdoodah]

I voted Poly. The theming is beautiful, and it seems a bit more laid back than GF. It seems more themed and relaxed than CR. Poly is very romantic at night and seems to take you to a whole new place. I think the best views would probably be a CR tower room, but for the overall "feel" of the resort I would choose Poly.

 

[swilphil]

Hi Sirius!

I voted CR because I think it's the best value and lots of fun--very urban and lively. Though if I had the money, I would probably go with the Poly for a more relaxing vacation.

 

[spiceycat]

Polyn has great transportation to both the places you named - the monrail!!!

the Polyn is close enough that walking over to the T/T for the Epcot monrail is really faster than taking the MK monrail and transfering.

the MK monrail - after stopping at Polyn, stops at - GF, MK, Cont - before going to the T/T.

It is a beautiful resort!

 

[palmtreegirl]

Poly! Just back today, beautiful grounds, especially at night it's so pretty.

 

[SeaSpray]

I voted for the Grand Floridian because I think it's the nicest, all-around, monorail resort. You have every amentity right there at your fingertips

However... if you LOVE the idea of a tropical theme, then I'd recommend the Polynesian. If you're not overly thrilled with the theming of the Polynesian, then stick with the Grand Floridian.

I'd consider the Contemporary last UNLESS you'd be staying in the tower, and even then, I'd still choose it as my 3rd place monorail resort. I wouldn't stay in the "garden wings" of the Contemporary unless it was practically free.

 

[minijeanie]

I voted for poly.

just few years ago, you could never get me to go there...well tried it out and absolutely loved it. watching fireworks on the beach in hammock was terrific.

seaspray???

was curious about CR...why did you dislike it. might stillbe a contention for our family on our upcoming june trip

 

[yusinskas]

the Polyn is close enough that walking over to the T/T for the Epcot monrail is really faster than taking the MK monrail and transfering.

Walk instead of riding the monorail? No way! The monorail is one of my favorite things in disney.. great ride, great view... I could spend a day just riding the monorail from resort to resort!

I'm torn between the poly and the GF. The GF does seem a little stuffy at times, especially if you have kids. But the Poly seems a little tired, not as fresh as the newer hotels.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, I voted for the Polynesian because we have stayed there four times and enjoy it very much. We love zipping over to MK via monorail or launch and walking to TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot. No other monorail resort is in walking distance to TTC.

We have never stayed at GF, but it's beautiful.

Seaspray, I too, would like to know why you do not recommend CR garden wings. I've never stayed there, but just curious. Thanks!

Tink

 

[SeaSpray]

I guess I was a bit strong-worded in my reply regarding the Contemporary. LOL This is MY opinion only. I just feel that the garden wings are nothing special. You have to walk all the way through the garden wing and into the tower building of the Contemporary to access the monorail. To me, that's not much convenience. Also, the style of the garden wings just don't seem like anything special to me. My personal opinion is the that "fun" of the Contemporary is staying in the actual tower building, seeing the monorail zipping in and out. And even then, I much more like the theming of the other monorail resorts in comparison to the tower.

Now I know some people will say "At the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian you have to walk to the main building to get to the monorail, too". And that is true, but I find that the beautiful theming of each of those resorts make them much more appealing to me than the Contemporary. Again, this is just my personal opinion. I know a lot of people who LOVE the garden wing rooms at the Contemporary. And I guess for the price, being so close to the MK is a good deal.

Another thing: You can stay in the "outer" buildings of the GF and Polynesian and have a beautiful castle view, with nothing but the beautiful lagoon between you and the castle. Not so with the Contemporary. You have a parking lot between you and the castle at the Contemporary. Again, these are just my personal feelings and I'm not debating or arguing the way I feel, or the way anyone else feels. Thats the wonderful thing about the Disney resorts; there's one for everyone's taste and pocketbook!

So in conclusion...(Did I just give a speech?? LOL)....I want to say that if I'm going to stay on the monorail, the Contemporary is my last choice, for the reasons stated above. I have a lot of great memories of the Contemporary, and there's nothing wrong with the resort, it's just that it holds the least appeal to me, out of the 3 monorail resorts.

 

[Leota]

I chose the Grand Floridian. I have stayed at the Poly & The Grand, but not the Contemporary, yet.

I had always thought the Grand would be stuffy & not my style at all. I stayed there as part of the Happy Haunts Ball event & fell in love with it. Very peaceful, relaxing, convienent,airy..... Loved all the hidden little Disney touches in the rooms.

On the other hand, I thought I'd love the Poly & never be able to stay anywhere else. Suprisingly not so- After staying there, my whole family agrees we would stay there Concierge with a good rate again, but definately not rack or standard. Transporatation-wise, it was very convienent, tho.

I hope to try out the CR this August if I get lucky with an AP rate. I like the idea of walking to the MK. I'm not even worried about a Tower room, although it would be nice if it works out that way.

 

[alloyd1170]

I chose CR as weve stayed there on our last few trips. Ive also stayed at GF several times, and Poly way back when.....I found GF to be a bit stuffy too, the rooms are on the small size, and you have to walk quite a ways to get to the main building/monorail/your car, especially if in a room way out there. Last time I was there I had a problem with my room key not working. I walked back and forth to the lobby in the heat with my luggage about 3-4 times (round trip) before the key would finally work. I tried to get someone to come over to the room, but they said I needed to come back to the front desk. Later I saw a woman getting a ride to her room (along with her luggage) on a golf cart. Where was that when I needed it! The Poly is nice too, but to me a bit too tropical given that its only Orlando and not some island. As I said, the CR wins my vote. To me, its all about WDW. It was the first built, the monorail runs through the middle of it, has Chef Mickeys, is a great place to watch a shuttle launch, you can see the castle, lagoon, other resorts, etc from your room, and the rooms are huge. Yes the decor is a bit funky, but Im not there to stay put in my room all day and admire it. The pool, playground, water ferry, and water rentals were right outside our door as well. If I need to go to my car, its right outside the door (if staying in a wing). You do have to walk a short distance to get to the main building (the north wing is closer) but its not a bad walk. Once inside, the cafe is right there next to the front desk. The buses are just out the front door. The monorail is a few escalator rides up. First stop is TTC, then Poly, GF and MK. Coming back to CR is easy-one stop on the monorail, or a 10 min walk.

alison

 

[ducklite]

I'd vote for the Polynesian, because I've stayed at all three (plus WL and SoG) and find the PR to be heads above the others in terms of service and atmosphere.

While the GF offers more amenities (fine dining and a spa/health club), those are both easily walked to from the PR.

The PR offers a much higher level of all around service, at least in our experience.

Anne

 

[beattyfamily]

I picked the Contemporary even though I do think the GF is beautiful. I love the Contemporary because if 'fee's like it's the 'heart' of Disney. The center of it all.

I also love it because you can walk to and from MK which is great when even the monorail is crowded at closing time. It's the best deal going price-wise and it has some of the best views of MK.

 

[glo]

I love the Poly...Stayed there my first time on-site in WDW, and think it is one of the most magical places to stay at.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

GF all the way for me! I love it there!

 

[robinb]

I picked the Polynesian.

(1) I love the tropical theme.
(2) The rooms are big. Many of them have been recently renovated.
(3) The pool is great and the slide fun.
(4) You can monorail or boat to the MK.
(5) You can monorail or walk to the TTC.
(6) The Tambu Lounge .

Why not the GF?
(1) It's more expensive.
(2) I find it a bit "stuffy".
(3) You can't walk to the MK or TTC.

Why not the CR?
(1) I don't like the pool. It's boring.

 

[cinmell]

I voted Contemporary for the following reasons:
Size of rooms
View from tower
walkway to MK
Boats/monorail
restaurants
shopping
Activities (pool, arcade, boating)

 

[ducklite]

I voted Contemporary for the following reasons:
Size of rooms
View from tower
walkway to MK
Boats/monorail
restaurants
shopping
Activities (pool, arcade, boating)

As an FYI, I've stayed LVCL at the PR twice, and last weekend we stayed in a king room, MK view 14th Fl CR. The rooms at the PR were larger. Now the room at the CR was fine, but it was definitely smaller than the ones we've had at the PR.

Our view was nice, but no better or worse than what we've had at the PR or GF.

IMHO the restaurant choices at the GF are better than those at the CR and PR...combined.

Shopping is about the same at all three resorts, actually the GF probably has the best shopping in their boutique stores.

As far the pool, the PR and GF pools are heads and shoulders above the puddle in the middle of teh concrete at the CR. I don't think I've EVER heard a rave review about that pool. The CR has the biggest arcade if that matters to you (I don't think it does to most couples looking for romance), and the GF has by far the best work out facilities, and a very nice spa.

The romance factor jumps a LOT with the lush grounds and beach at the PR though.

Transportation options are the same at all three, although the launch only runs MK/PR/GF, the CR isn't included and shares boats with FW/WL.

Although you can't walk from the PR and GF to the MK, the convenience of being able to walk between the two, thus doublling restaurant choices, etc. is IMHO a better deal.

The biggest issue with the CR is that the entire resort is looking tired and in desperate need of a rehab.

Anne

 

[Tikiman]

Anne (ducklite) had some very good points. I never knew the king rooms at the CR were smaller than the Polynesian Concierge rooms.

I enjoy the food at the Polynesian better than at the CR or the GF but even if I liked the food at the others better I would not use that in my decision on where to stay because it is so easy to get to the food and shopping of all 3 resorts by the monorail. We do enjoy visiting the other resorts on the monorail for the food and shopping. It feels like an extension of the resort you are staying at. In fact when it rains we do a resort run and go around on the monorail.

I do consider the pools at the Polynesian and GF better than at the CR but the slide at the Polynesian makes the decision for me. I liked it even better than the one at SAB.

I still have to say the Polynesian has the best transportation. It is not the last on the bus rout so there is a better chance the bus is not full by the time it gets to you like at the GF which is last on the rout. The same can be said for the monorail when it is busy. I have always gotten on the monorail from the Polynesian and had a seat but when we stop at the GF sometimes there is standing room only since it is the 3rd stop. It is a direct boat ride to the MK reducing the time to get there. The biggest bonus is the Polynesian is the only resort with easy walking access to the TTC which is great to walk over and get on the monorail to Epcot instead of riding the monorail around to the TTC and getting off and going over to the other monorail.

This is why the Polynesian would be my choice.