Which resort? Looking at AOA , GF, Beach Club, Contemporary

[jenny8484]

We came back from our trip a few days ago and had a bounce back offer in the room. I went on the website just to price it out for September before I ask my TA to check what the BB offer rate is and compare. We are a family of 5 (2 adults , 3 kids-ages 13, 10, 4). We were looking to do the Halloween party one day, and then a day each at Epcot, HS, and MK. Since it is hot that time of year, we were planning on going back to the hotel during the day to go in the pool, so I was looking at either a monorail or skyliner resort for easy access back. From the website prices right now it looks like AOA, Contemporary, Beach club (which I think the only option is maybe walking back from Epcot or HS?) are all similar pricing wise, then there is GF which is a bit more (totals $460 more when I priced it out vs. AOA with 3 day tickets). Which resort would you recommend?

 

[WDWOswald]

Grand Floridian is far and away the best resort in property. It really should be an easy choice!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Beach Club is closest overall to the three parks you mentioned. My opinion is also colored by the fact that I’m not a big fan of the Contemporary- smaller rooms.
Since this is a bounce back offer remember that it’s time limited.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

If you are going to the Halloween Party I’d stay somewhere walkable to MK (either Contemporary or GF), as it is really nice not to have to navigate the buses at the end of the night.

 

[jemtx]

Beach Club is closest overall to the three parks you mentioned. My opinion is also colored by the fact that I’m not a big fan of the Contemporary- smaller rooms.
Since this is a bounce back offer remember that it’s time limited.

For standard rooms, the monorail resorts have the largest sq. ft. I believe that GF might have the largest by a tiny bit and then CR and Poly have about the same.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Out of the ones you mentioned I'd go with either AOA family suite to give a little bit more room.
Or I'd go with Contemporary.
Those rooms are quite large and sleep 5.
Plus its easy to get to MK and EPCOT.
The pools are great and food options all around the monorail resorts are good.

I would not consider GF. Not worth it in my option.
I also would not go with Beach Club (Just not into it personally)

Make sure you jump on that BB since its only good for 7 days after check out and availability is limited.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

OP - with the info provided, I'd look to Beach Club. I know some have said no to that, but it's one of our favorites and is the most convenient to your overall planning. It's a beautiful resort with arguably the best pool on property for you to come back to some afternoons.... It's such a simple walk to EPCOT, and either walk/boat/skyliner from BC to HS. Then you just take the bus to MK on that day (you'll need to bus to at least one of the parks no matter where you stay). Keep in mind in September, it's still going to be hot - and the potential for storms will be high. That means the Skyliner has the potential to be shutdown more at some point during the day due to weather.

All good choices with pros and cons. You really don't have a bad one. But BC, and perhaps AOA are the only choices we'd seriously look at. Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[bluezy]

Another vote for AoA for a few reasons:

1. More space than the other options
2. Two Bathrooms
3. Private bedroom
4. Fun theming for the kids (and kids at heart)
5. Skyliner to DHS & EP -- quick and easy to return to your resort for a break in the afternoon in the afternoon.

I'll admit I'm very biased and our family loves staying at AoA even though our youngest "kid" is 20 now. We stay at nicer/upscale hotels on non-Disney trips, but at Disney, we're all about the fun theming at AoA and previously Pop Century. We like being immersed in the over-the-top magic and theming 24/7 when we're at Disney. I realize not everyone feels that way and they like returning to a hotel that's not all Disney in your face at the end of a long day in the parks.

 

[jenny8484]

OP - with the info provided, I'd look to Beach Club. I know some have said no to that, but it's one of our favorites and is the most convenient to your overall planning. It's a beautiful resort with arguably the best pool on property for you to come back to some afternoons.... It's such a simple walk to EPCOT, and either walk/boat/skyliner from BC to HS. Then you just take the bus to MK on that day (you'll need to bus to at least one of the parks no matter where you stay). Keep in mind in September, it's still going to be hot - and the potential for storms will be high. That means the Skyliner has the potential to be shutdown more at some point during the day due to weather.

All good choices with pros and cons. You really don't have a bad one. But BC, and perhaps AOA are the only choices we'd seriously look at. Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

Thanks, I ended up booking beach club because the pool looked really great and I think the kids would like it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

For standard rooms, the monorail resorts have the largest sq. ft. I believe that GF might have the largest by a tiny bit and then CR and Poly have about the same.

Learning something new and thank you!

DisneyTouristblog.com say GF rooms are the biggest followed by Contemporary and Poly. It specifically notes that other websites have their measurements wrong. Still doesn’t change my opinion of Contemporary; the decor is just not my cuppa.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Learning something new and thank you!

DisneyTouristblog.com say GF rooms are the biggest followed by Contemporary and Poly. It specifically notes that other websites have their measurements wrong. Still doesn’t change my opinion of Contemporary; the decor is just not my cuppa.

I've stayed at all 3 monorail resorts.
I think they have their measurements wrong.
No way GF has the largest sqft.
I'd say it goes CR, POLY, GF.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I've stayed at all 3 monorail resorts.
I think they have their measurements wrong.
No way GF has the largest sqft.
I'd say it goes CR, POLY, GF.

Me too.
Didn’t have a standard room at GF so hard to compare.

CR “felt” smaller and I didn’t like the depth of the terrace or the public hallway layout outside our room.

Wouldn’t say Poly was just “right” as I didn’t like the depth of the room’s terrace either but perhaps the trees made it seem less stark.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Me too.
Didn’t have a standard room at GF so hard to compare.

CR “felt” smaller and I didn’t like the depth of the terrace or the public hallway layout outside our room.

Wouldn’t say Poly was just “right” as I didn’t like the depth of the room’s terrace either but perhaps the trees made it seem less stark.

I meant CR ihas the largest then Poly is in the middle and GF is the smallest.
The balconies are all relatively spacious. (if you get a room that has one).
GF is my least favorite of the monorail resorts.
Love Poly's theme but overall best value for sqft is CR.

 

[brockash]

We came back from our trip a few days ago and had a bounce back offer in the room. I went on the website just to price it out for September before I ask my TA to check what the BB offer rate is and compare. We are a family of 5 (2 adults , 3 kids-ages 13, 10, 4). We were looking to do the Halloween party one day, and then a day each at Epcot, HS, and MK. Since it is hot that time of year, we were planning on going back to the hotel during the day to go in the pool, so I was looking at either a monorail or skyliner resort for easy access back. From the website prices right now it looks like AOA, Contemporary, Beach club (which I think the only option is maybe walking back from Epcot or HS?) are all similar pricing wise, then there is GF which is a bit more (totals $460 more when I priced it out vs. AOA with 3 day tickets). Which resort would you recommend?

We'd do BC, followed closely by CR. We stayed at GF last summer and while it was fine I highly doubt we'll ever spend our money there again. We prefer the other 2 monorail resorts along with BC and YC much more than GF.

 

[FSU Girl]

Not sure if you know but you can look online at rooms with the bounce back offer you don’t have to call anymore