Which Monorail Resort?

[back2disney]

Ah the never ending planning/changing. The experts said to plan and woo it seems like it never ends.. Tough but Fun

Anyway here is my dilemma:
As of now I have a 2 week ressie for Pop Century. I have been extremely happy with that choice even with the second week falling during Pop Warner week. After looking at my itenary I see that for the last 4 days I will be going to MK twice and Epcot twice. I think it would be neatl to do a split stay for those last 4 nights at a monorail resort with my 2 year old and wife as a special surprise as the Pop may become a little redundant after 7 nights.
That was the fun choice.

Now the hard part.
1)I'm not exacly Mr.Wealthy; Remember I'm staying for the first part at the Pop Century.
2)My wife loves the victorian look but doesn't like the modern look.
3)My daughter loves beaches and sand.

I'm thinking the Polynesian would fit perfectly, but it looks kinda pricey compared to the Contemporary but I don't think she would like the theme at the Contempory. My wife would probably enjoy the Grand Floridian, but we really can't afford that. Ah what to do???

It took me a couple of months to read the Pop thread, but reading the other 3 threads would take me right up to the check-in date.

Can someone help me come to a happy decision on which monorail resort to stay at?

 

[spiceycat]

okay it is not on the monrail but close.

WL. you boat or bus to the MK. Bus only to Epcot, AKL, Studio.

otherwise I think the Cont would be fine. It doesn't get the great reviews that the other 2 get. but it is a nice resort. besides you can walk to the MK - can't do that with the other ones.

you can rent points and stay in VWL studio. or if you want epcot then BCV or BWV - then you walk/boat to Studio or Epcot.

however if you can afford it - the Polyn is great. You can take the monrail to the MK or their boat. It is also close enough that you can walk the TTC and take the ferry to the MK or the monrail to Epcot. more choices with this resort.

 

[disneyworld!]

even thou not "ON" the monorail line, but boat can get ya there. have you considered staying at the WL? It is a deluxe and not as pricey as the others.

 

[back2disney]

Yeah way back when, I thought the WL would be perfect. But I heard the boat ride can be kinda long. Mainly I'm doing this for the quick transportation for the 2 year old to MK and Epcot. No walking just fast monorail service. I just saw on another thread the Contemporary is booked up for a convention the 1st week of December so I may be out of luck there.
I don't know?

 

[Kim&Chris]

The only monorail resort I've stayed at is Poly, but I've visited the other two many, many times.

Without hesitation, I can tell you that I LOVED the Polynesian. It was gorgeous. My mother in law, who lives in Cape May NJ and is crazy about anything Victorian, loved the Poly just as much as I did.

The Poly's beach is wonderful and the best part is: you can relax on one of the lounge chairs and watch WISHES without battling the Magic Kingdom crowds.

Yes, it's pricey, but definitely 100% worth it.

 

[disneyworld!]

Yeah way back when, I thought the WL would be perfect. But I heard the boat ride can be kinda long. Mainly I'm doing this for the quick transportation for the 2 year old to MK and Epcot. No walking just fast monorail service. I just saw on another thread the Contemporary is booked up for a convention the 1st week of December so I may be out of luck there.
I don't know?

humm, never heard that one!! I ws just there. It was pretty fast when I was there. I to always need to get back to resort fast. it was great!!

but if not then I would go with the Contemp..you can actully walk faster then the monorail

 

[spiceycat]

THe WL now has a bus that goes directly to the MK.

however riding that boat is lots of fun!!!

 

[back2disney]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Also after scanning half way down the new Poly FAQ thread I am falling in love with the Poly. It is so close to the TTC that we could walk there and then ride the monorail over to Epcot instead of transfering which I assume would take longer. Perhaps I should stay at the Poly, study that FAQ thread and forget about about anything else.

 

[piglet1234]

thanks for the information...

 

[makaira]

I live in Cape May too!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Cape May is GORGEOUS! We try to visit our in-laws often & enjoy all that Cape May has to offer. Our next visit, we hope to get to Mangia, Mangia for dinner. We've heard great things about it

 

[swilphil]

We loved the Contemporary, especially for the price when compared to the other two resorts. They are remodeling the South Wing (much cheaper than the tower) and it will be done in October. Your daughter will have fun at any resort in WDW. I bet your wife would like the CR more than you think. The rooms are so nice and big, and it will be a nice grown-up feel after staying at POP.

I'm going to Cape May for the first time in two weeks. We are staying at the Montreal Inn. Anyone know anything about it?

 

[makaira]

Kim And Chris...... Mangia Mangia is good and inexpensive. Try the Copper Fish....it is more expensive but very good.

Swilphil..... I know where Montreal Inn is but have never been in there. Call the Cape May Chamber of Commerce and they'll send you an info packet 609-884-5508.

 

[back2disney]

Well after finishing the rest of the Poly thread(its pretty short) I think I'm set. I think its a bit overpriced, but since I have scourged these boards for saving ideas a little splurge there for a few nights won't hurt the pocketbook.

Still a couple of concerns there though..
1)We would go the 1st week of December. Does anyone know if the water at the beach is warm enough to swim in?
2)They are presently renovating the rooms there. Only a few will be completed by then. From what I hear the nonrenovated rooms are somewhat rundown. Would a renovated room request likely be honored?
3)My daughter never takes naps forceably. She falls asleep in the stroller or car only. So going back to the room for a nap wouldn't be necessary. How much time am I really saving by paying so much extra to use the monorail vs taking the bus from the Pop Century to either MK or Epcot?

Weighing the answers to these 3 questions will greatly help me make a happy decision. Thanks again


*Update/edit: Just found out swimming and not even wading is allowed at the lake. This is disappointing to me as beach, sand, and water go together. I heard somewhere that one of the resort pools has sandy bottoms. Is there one at the Poly?

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our last 4 stays have been at the Poly, and last two have been first weeks of December, the pools are heated annd the weather can be chilly in the am and warming as the day goes on. Hardest part of swimming, is getting out of the pool, then its really cold but getting in is no problem. Nothing like going down to the pool in the am and seeing steam rising off the water.

We like the convience of either taking the monorail or the motor launch to MK and a short walk to the big ferry boat is great returning to resort when the crowds let out, holds more of a mass of people and is really a great ride.

At night, the fireworks over the castle and islands are the best from the beach and the grounds around the resort are the best around.

Poll with a sand bottom, Storm-along-bay at the Yacht and Beach has sections of this winding canal, thats their pool, filled with sand. Very popular pool, tends to get crowded cause it shares the pool with the 2 resorts but the meandering canal has places for tiny children as well as adults. Very short to International Gatewat to EPCOT and a nice motor launch to MGM, but a rather lengthy bus ride to MK and AK.

Dollar wise and with small children, the Poly is the ticket but the Contemporary isn't far behind or just as equal, they have a great game room and the views from the tower can't be beat.

Whichever you pick, you'll not go wrong, all deluxes and amenities abound and the rooms are huge. Hopes this helps.

 

[goofy4tink]

Believe me...you don't want to go in the lake!!! Yucky water with possible critters. As far as the rooms go...we stayed in Tokelau which hadn't undergone rehab yet. The room was fine. I think you will find that just about any of the rooms are okay. But, if you feel better about asking for a rehabbed room, just put in a request. No big deal.
The pool at the Polynesian is very nice. It is zero entry which is nice for parents with little ones.

The nice walkway to the TTC is wonderful. It takes about 8 minutes to walk, depending on which longhouse you are in. Very handy with a stroller. But, as far as the boats are concerned...if I remember correctly, the smaller launches make you fold up your stroller and hold your child. So just be aware of that.