Which Monorail resort?

[hmschlmomof2]

We will be traveling to WDW (our 2nd visit) in Sept. 2010. It's me, DH,
DD (11), DS (9). We can't afford to stay at a monorail resort the whole trip, as we will be there for around 10 days. Actually, we already have reservations at the Hilton Grand Vacations hotel on I-drive.
Last time we went, we both said that it sure would be convenient to stay in the monorail resorts, so this time around we were thinking of splitting our stay. We're probably in for 3 or 4 nights at the WDW resort.
Two questions to you veterans: (1) Which monorail resort do you prefer, and why?, (2) Is it REALLY that much easier to stay at the monorail resort??

TIA!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the Contemporary because it's the least expensive of the Monorail Resorts, the closest one to the Magic Kingdom and it's the only one with a walkway that goes there. Finally my family and I think it's easier when staying at one of those locations because the Monorail does make a difference.

 

[hondel]

I say POLY because since you will be staying for 3 or 4 nights it should be an ok price. It is definitely worth it too. You can go on a beach by the resort, you can see the fireworks from MK and are like right up close to the water parade. I love the theme and the pool is wonderful. Ohana's is a great dining area too. We stayed there once and using the monorail at a resort is always much easier. You know you can be at Epcot and MK right away. Hope this helps!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I forgot to mention if you happen to stay in a Contemporary Tower room no matter the view, you will have a balcony which is not guaranteed when staying at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian.

 

[Scott MC]

I'm going to be different here and suggest the Grand Floridian.
You'll feel completely spoiled, you're one stop away from the MK, there's a beautiful beach to wander on, and I think it has the best dining options of all the monorail resorts.

CR Resort Fan 4 Life....
While I know that all rooms at the Polynesian do not come with balconies, I'm pretty sure they do at the GF. There are varying sizes, but I'm pretty sure all have a balcony.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan 4 Life....
While I know that all rooms at the Polynesian do not come with balconies, I'm pretty sure they do at the GF. There are varying sizes, but I'm pretty sure all have a balcony.

Maybe I am wrong but I remember seeing some of their rooms without balconies.

 

[ElizabethG]

They all have a different look and feel. Look at pictures in the resort photos thread and go with your gut as to what appeals to you. You really can't go wrong! Myself, I like CR. And YES it is more convenient. Although we spent 6 of our last 9 day trip at MK. I didn't feel like we spent any time traveling. Take in a character breakfast while you are there.

 

[vettechick99]

I've stayed at all 3. Loved GF for the upscale feel and location. Just one stop away from the MK on the monorail!

Contemporary was nice, and has been remodeled since I stayed there. But it's not as kid friendly, IMO.

My favorite is the Poly. It's very relaxing (despite the Brady Hawaiian vacation feel), the grounds are gorgeous, and you can't beat the pool area. Your kids will love the zero-entry, slide, and being right on the beach. It gets my vote! But don't be surprised if you get super spoiled by it.

 

[hmschlmomof2]

Thanks for all the responses. I was afraid that everyone had a different opinion! lol!
Initially, I was leaning towards the Poly, but not sure I'd like all the different buildings or a ground floor room - just too easy for break-ins (I know we'd like to all think that wouldn't happen at WDW, but you can never be too careful). So then, I was leaning towards the GF, since it seemed the rooms were bigger, had two sink bowls in the bathroom (it's the little things, right?) and the picture I saw did have a balcony, but it also appears to be the most expensive. Too many decisions....

 

[vettechick99]

Thanks for all the responses. I was afraid that everyone had a different opinion! lol!
Initially, I was leaning towards the Poly, but not sure I'd like all the different buildings or a ground floor room - just too easy for break-ins (I know we'd like to all think that wouldn't happen at WDW, but you can never be too careful). So then, I was leaning towards the GF, since it seemed the rooms were bigger, had two sink bowls in the bathroom (it's the little things, right?) and the picture I saw did have a balcony, but it also appears to be the most expensive. Too many decisions....

All three of those monorail resorts have buildings. In fact, you will mostly likely be staying in a building unless you pay extra for the main building (except Poly...there aren't any rooms in the main building). Anyway, just wanted you to know that you will probably be in one of the many buildings they have.

 

[f15robyn]

All three of those monorail resorts have buildings. In fact, you will mostly likely be staying in a building unless you pay extra for the main building (except Poly...there aren't any rooms in the main building). Anyway, just wanted you to know that you will probably be in one of the many buildings they have.

I'd humbly suggest that's a little misleading. There are several buildings at both GF and Poly. But there are only 2 buildings at CR. The tower has about 500 rooms. The Garden Wing has about 250 rooms. You book a specific category, so you know ahead of time if you're in the tower or the garden wing. The garden wing also has a covered walkway to the tower. And the rooms in the garden wing are less expensive than the rooms in the tower.

 

[KatMark]

We've stayed at two -- the Contemporary and the Polynesian -- both a number of times. We have no desire to stay at the GF -- just not my style at all and my DH won't even walk in the resort to eat or shop; out of the CR and the Poly, we definitely prefer the Poly. We love the theme more, the food, the rooms, the pool, etc. That being said, the monorail can be just as erratic as bus service with long waits so I don't see the "being on the monorail as the best thing to happen since peanut butter"...but that's just me (we rent a car and drive everywhere. I will say that at the Contemporary, you can also walk to the MK.

 

[Figment1990]

If convenience is your primary criteria - I recommend the Polynesian. You can take the MK monorail to MK and you can walk right over to the TTC and take the Epcot monorail. Even staying at the Contemporary or GF, you would have to switch monorails at the TTC to get to Epcot. So if you are looking strictly at convenience, for both MK and Epcot, go with the Poly.

If you are going strictly by price of the resorts on the monorail, the lowest price is the garden wing of the Contemporary.

If you are most concerned with price and proximity to the MK and you don't care for the Contemporary, AND you want to be in one building - you could consider the Wilderness Lodge. Although it's not on the monorail, it does have boat transportation to the MK, a wonderful theme, and is in one gorgeous building. (and it's lower priced than the other three).

One thing to keep in mind though is that the Poly and Grand have the extra day bed, and extra space in the rooms, compared to WL. another point - the Poly's bathroom sinks are inside their bathroom/shower area. Makes it a little more difficult for getting ready all together sometimes.

Regarding the number of buildings. Of the three, I feel that the Grand actually is the most compact - I never felt like it took long to walk anywhere. And the grounds are beautiful. As are the Poly grounds with their tiki torches and beach hammocks, but they are more spread out. The Contemporary, though it only has 2 buildings, always seems so HUGE to me. When we've docked there and had to walk into the main building for dinner, it always seemed SO far away. Maybe because the two buildings are much bigger than the several of the Poly and Grand.

All that being considered - if I could put the Grand in the location that the Poly is, I think we'd have my abosolutely PERFECT resort.

As for your question about the monorail resorts being more convenient. My answer is absolutely yes for the Polynesian, because of being able to walk to the TTC. But it also depends on which parks you frequent most. If you prefer DHS and Epcot, an Epcot resort is more convenient. The thing about the monorails, for some reason, is that it can make the transportation feel more special and more exciting and somehow we don't watch the clock like we do on the bus. So if you can afford it - you should try it. It's fun to stay on the monorail!

 

[swald91]

I love love love the Poly...but I think Contemporary may be a bit cheaper if you can get a garden view room (non-tower) -I think once you stay in a monorail resort-you'll never want to stay anywhere else...defintely go with the resort's theme you like best-it will make your stay more enjoyable!

 

[hmschlmomof2]

We are definitely chosing to stay in a "monorail resort" because of convenience. We will be staying off site the first several days we are there and will have a car, so we'll drive to the other parks. I just remember when we had an early O'hana breakfast at the Poly last time, then hopped on the monorail....it was so easy, and the kids loved it!
Regarding the Wilderness Lodge, it actually looked the best for our family, but really concerned about the boat ride....does it run at a specific time(s) or intervals or just continuously? How long is the boat ride? Is it usually very crowded? Do you feel isolated from everything else??
DH will NOT ride the buses because he refuses to feel "stranded", i.e. if there's a million people waiting for the bus, it gets full, then you have to wait for the next one....is the boat ride like that??

 

[vettechick99]

I'd humbly suggest that's a little misleading. There are several buildings at both GF and Poly. But there are only 2 buildings at CR. The tower has about 500 rooms. The Garden Wing has about 250 rooms. You book a specific category, so you know ahead of time if you're in the tower or the garden wing. The garden wing also has a covered walkway to the tower. And the rooms in the garden wing are less expensive than the rooms in the tower.

I guess my point was if she didn't want to be in one of the extra buildings or happen to get a ground floor room, her only choice is CR or GF main building.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'd humbly suggest that's a little misleading. There are several buildings at both GF and Poly. But there are only 2 buildings at CR. The tower has about 500 rooms. The Garden Wing has about 250 rooms. You book a specific category, so you know ahead of time if you're in the tower or the garden wing. The garden wing also has a covered walkway to the tower. And the rooms in the garden wing are less expensive than the rooms in the tower.

Don't forget that at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian the only way to guarantee staying in a specific building is by staying Club Level.

At the Polynesian all Club Level guests stay in the Hawaii Longhouse and anyone who has suite reservations stays in the Tonga Longhouse.

At the Grand Floridian their Club Level buildings are Royal Palm (which happens to be the main building with all the stores, restaurants and Monorail entrance is located) and Sugar Loaf. Where those guests stay depends on which Club Level building they would like to reserve.