Which monorail resort to stay at with 3 year old girl?

[jlmarr]

My vote is for the Poly - besides the access to TTC (Tahiti and Rapa Nui longhouses are the closest) - you've got ducks and bunnies roaming the grounds. A 3 year old would love that.

 

[SeaSpray]

I also vote for the Polynesian due to the convenience factor:

*boat or monorail to the Magic Kingdom (personally we always take the boat unless we happen to be heading there directly from the Kona Cafe in the GCH in which case the monorail station is closer. Some longhouses are closer to the marina while others would be closer to the GCH/monorail).

*a short walk to TTC to take the monorail to Epcot (quick and easy!).

*bus from in front of the resort to AK and MGM OR bus from TTC (well a bus is a bus ).


The zero-entry pool would be great for you and your little DD

The soft white sandy beaches are a great place for your DD to play on, nice hammocks for you both to cuddle in, AND the BEST place (outside of the park) to view the fireworks from!

If you do decide to try concierge, you'll have the added security of being in a longhouse with locked entry; only guests staying there have a key that will open the doors. Not to mention the aforementioned continental breakfast each morning, snacks during the day, hot and cold appetizers and desserts and cordials at night, as well as availability of fresh fruits and beverages all day long.

I have a ton of pictures from my many stays at the Polynesian on my web site. Click the link below, then click on the "Disney World trips" link and it'll take you to the sections of the Disney resorts I've stayed at. Be sure to check them all out because I have pictures of different things on the different pages.

Enjoy, and have fun no matter where you stay!

 

[SpaceAce]

I previously posted my support for the Contemporary because of the walk factor from the Magic Kingdom. But that leads me to a question - could you walk to the Contemporary and take the monorail to the Poly or GF? Is that "legal" and doable?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I previously posted my support for the Contemporary because of the walk factor from the Magic Kingdom. But that leads me to a question - could you walk to the Contemporary and take the monorail to the Poly or GF? Is that "legal" and doable?

Anyone leaving the Magic Kingdom could go on the walkway to the Contemporary and from there get on the Resort Monorail, however wouldn't it be easier to get on the Monorail at the Magic Kingdom and get off at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian?

 

[SpaceAce]

It depends on how long the line is for the monorail. Those monorail lines can be excruciatingly long if you have young children who needed to be in bed an hour ago.

 

[cwt580]

If i was a kid i would want the CR. The view of mono coming into the resort, the Chef Mickey's meals,etc. They used to sell nice jewelry souvenirs in the gathering area. More of a Disney feel than Poly. Walking to and from MK is a plus with little ones. My kids are young adults now so we do Poly,WL,etc because they like the different experiences. For the first visit i would pick CR !

The Poly is great but most small kids don't really get the tropical feel, they just want Disney!!! From the CR you can mono it to DTC then mono to Epcot or bus to the AK or Studios!! Theres alot of options with the CR for transpo as are all the mono resorts. If you are any resort guest you are entitled to use any disney transpo sevice you wish.

When grandkids(hopefully) arrive someday grandpa will take them to CR for the first visit!!!! I just love the sit and watch little kids expressions as they experience the "WORLD" for the first time....I think thats what Walt would have loved to see everyday of his life.

 

[SpaceAce]

I think that the last poster has a great point. I loved the CR when I was a kid. I don't think I would have appreciated the Poly until I was a teenager. Now I appreciate it much more and would rate it my favorite. But to a little kid, it's just a bunch of wood buildings, torches, and plants.

But lets face it - i'm splitting hairs here - you can't go wrong with any of the monorail resorts! Pick one and enjoy whatever it offers!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

It depends on how long the line is for the monorail. Those monorail lines can be excruciatingly long if you have young children who needed to be in bed an hour ago.

Oh I see what you mean. In that case there would be nothing wrong with walking to the Contemporary and getting the Monorail there. However there are times when the line there can be just as long. It would not be like at the Magic Kingdom, however in the past my family and I have had to wait for 2 or 3 Monorails before we were able to board.

Of course when leaving the Magic Kingdom there is also the boat which goes to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. From what I have read on here the 1st stop is the Grand Floridian and then it's the Polynesian.

 

[mdhkitten]

I vote for the Contemporary, but that's because, I, like you, have been 2 times with my now 3 year old daughter. I did it for the reasons that you did. I've been to the GF pre-child, and it isn't worth it for the $$, plus I like the convenience of being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom. I *almost* stayed at the Poly this year, but recently changed my mind when I figured out that I could book at the CR for $100 less a night! It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out! LOL

I will say that the one thing that I'm not crazy about with the CR are the sinks with a young child. The refurbished the rooms, and while I personally think that they're fabulous for adults, when we were there last year, Emily played in them because they're the lower, flat, "contemporary" sinks. The water doesn't drain too well, so she loved to play in them! LOL For the price, though, I can deal with it!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Poly, Poly, Poly, Poly!
I think it is the most convenient with the monorai, boat, as well as the quick walk to the ttc. You have a great zero entry pool, Great character breakfast at Ohana, a beach for her to play on and watch the EWP and Wishes. In a lot of buildings, if you request first floor, you can sneak out the slider while she's sleeping and catch wishes, and still keep an eye on the door!

 

[shellybaxter]

Is your DD a girl that likes fancy special things? If so I'd go with the Grand Floridian. I would never have thought that our 4 year old niece would fall in love with the Grand Floridan but she did, one evening when we went there for dinner. She loved the hotel, she loved the lobby, she loved the grand piano in the lobby and sat perfectly still for his entire set. She is eight now and still thinks that the Grand Floridian is the most magical hotel at WDW

 

[lovesdumbo]

If you enjoy Epcot the convience of being able to walk to the TTC from the Poly is really great!

The Poly beach is great too. So nice to watch Wishes from there or just to watch the castle change colors at night. My kids all love that beach.

Be careful with concierge. I tried it when I took my oldest for her first trip at 3 1/2. I was 6 months pregnant at the time and figured I would enjoy the convenience of the concierge lounge. Well I got hooked and was afraid to stay anywhere else after that. I did finally try other properties when discounts became scarce at the Poly and have had great trips but I still do love the Polynesian.

The Contemporary has wonderful concierge service too.

 

[Toot Sweet]

ANY of them would be wonderful! I don't think any of them are any more or less appropriate for a 3yo. It's just a matter of taste. If I had a mommy & me stay with any of my girls, I'd choose GF. In either a Tinkerbell room or an Alice in Wonderland room. That just seems really magical to me.

Unfortunately, DH wants nothing to do with GF. He thinks it feels too snooty.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Thanks so much for everyones thoughtful responses. They have been helpful. DD is a very fancy princess type who loves all of the frills and ruffles and twirls and then to plop down in a puddle of mud and get filthy. I am getting price quotes from various spots in Disney from DU to help with the decision. Money might help or hurt the decision...if you know what I mean!! I've never stayed at the Grand Floridian. I enjoyed both the Poly and the Contemporary when they were the "only 2" to enjoy. Hopefull I will get quotes on packages soon, make a decision and rush bak here to tell all of my "fantasy friends" (this is how I refer to Dis-ers )

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I'm a single mom of a now 8 year old daughter but we've been staying at the Poly since she was 5. She's also a big-time Disney Princess lover but for her, the Poly is her favorite. And we've visited the GF many times! We spend the bulk of our time at the MK and EPCOT so the monorail is a quick and efficient way to go.

Best of luck with your decision!

 

[TLSnell1981]

The Poly is my favorite of the three, but the GF might be great for this trip. A couple of years ago I took my DGDs to the My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party at GF. The little princesses are announced as they arrive for tea. They are given a crown and a wand...a princess doll and a silver bracelet are waiting for them at the table. It was a once in a lifetime experience!