Which would you choose and why?

[drakester]

Which resort would you choose Poly, GF, or CR. Please give me you insight as to why you made this pick.

Thanks.

 

[LoraJ]

CR. I just love the modern look of the rooms.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Polynesian

As for the why - its hard to put into words exactly - but for us it is "home"

I think all 3 you have listed are great - each one has it's own personality and that is what makes them different.

 

[kytiam]

Which resort would you choose Poly, GF, or CR. Please give me you insight as to why you made this pick.

Thanks.

I am lucky enough to have stayed at all three and I love them all for different reasons.
If you can afford the expense of a magic kingdom view, I'd recommend the CR in a heartbeat! The MK view is beyond beautiful! I don't love the room decor, but I don't hate it, either. It just isn't what I'd call special. But having the monorail go right through the building is so convenient!
The GF is gorgeous, but the rooms seem smaller than CR or Poly. It's kind of girly, IMHO, so it wouldn't appeal to the macho men in my family, but my mom, DD, and I loved it. The buildings are kind of spread out, so if it's raining or you're exhausted, it seems like a long walk. If you can afford the rooms in the main building.....well, then you're richer than me!! The grounds are so lovely, it's nice just to wander.
The poly is also beautiful. The tropical theme may not be the first choice for everyone. These buildings are also somewhat spread out and there's no option for a room in the main building. It's nice to be able to walk to the ticket and transportation center to catch the monorail to EPCOT--that's so much faster than riding the resort monorail all the way around, get off, down the ramp, up another ramp, wait for the next EP monorail. Also a very fun pool, but smallish.
I personally wouldn't pay for the MK view at any resort other than CR. The castle is so far away and trees and bushes block so much of the view.
So, I haven't really given you a concrete answer, but you can't hardly go wrong with any of them. Look at pictures of the rooms and grounds and pools on the web...either wdwinfo.com or allearsnet.com. See which decor you like best. Check out the prices and see which one you like best!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hands down the Poly . The entire resort is beautiful, convenient monorail access, the beach to sit and watch fireworks, awesome pool, great restaurants, tropical/relaxed surroundings....the list goes on and on . The Poly is our fav resort with the WL running a close second

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would choose the Contemporary. Their renovated rooms look amazing, they are the closest Resort to the Magic Kingdom, their Magic Kingdom view rooms in the Tower are the best views in all of WDW, all their rooms have a computer with free high speed internet, great restaurants and wonderfull stores to shop in.

 

[TJA]

Excellent description above about all 3 resorts. I agree with the entire post. We have stayed in CR tower MK view and Poly garden view. We have only eaten at GF, so our vibes are not based on the rooms or an actual "stay" there, but more on our first impressions. We feel GF is very pretty and upscale, but just not our style.

Poly~tropical, relaxed feel to it. Laid-back. Awesome transportation having the TTC right there so you get a direct monorail to both Epcot and MK, no switching monorails. Great restaurants. Pool is on the small side, but fun. Garden views offer excellent views. I agree with the above poster about paying for an MK view at Poly -- you can't see the Castle in its entirety because of all the trees.

CR~tower room view is incredible. But plan to be in your room each night to enjoy the shows. We did find ourselves scrambling so we wouldn't miss Wishes or the water parade from our balcony as that is a huge advantage and plus of staying in that room. We loved the walkway to MK -- takes about 5 minutes to get there. Chef Mickeys is wonderful for our kids. Pool is just "okay" to us, nothing great, our kids like it just fine. We don't care for the feeling in the lobby, but we love the feeling on floor with the restaurants and shopping and where the monorail passes through.

 

[frdeb1999]

They are all beautiful resorts. Although our familys fav is the Poly. I have to agree with another poster as it feeling like home to us. We have a fabulous time there. Love the volcano pool, view of the fireworks from the beach or balconies in some cases, resturants, landscaping, room size, monorail. I could keep going, it's our 1st pick always!

 

[kbtennant]

We have stayed at all 3 of these resorts and we love the CR the best. Definitley get the Magic Kingdom view. We were on the 11th floor & the kids watch fireworks from their bed one night. They were exhausted & didn't have to miss them.

 

[Tink888]

Poly for me - has a very laid back feel to it, love Ohana and also the volcano pool

GF is beautiful but feels a little too formal for me and with the exception of the monorail running through it and Chef's Mickey's, the Contemporary reminds me too much of staying at just another hotel. JMO

 

[Kimi313]

I also have been fortunate to stay at all three. We enjoyed GF, glad we stayed there, beautiful hotel, but it just was not us. I really love both the CR and Poly. Poly has O'Hanas, the volcano pool, wishes from the beach with the music piped in, easy access to MK and EP, and the landscape but I don't enjoy the snack bar. I diet all year so when I am at Disney I want junk food, give me chillie fries, hot dogs, pizza, and nachos. I haven't stayed at CR since the rooms were redone but we enjoyed the other decor (yea I think I am the only one), LOVED the shops, Chef Mickeys, Fun and Food Center, and the pool with the water slide. But if I had to suggest one I would say Poly and then save the Cont after construction. I don't mean that ugly and the construction would probably not be an issue but since this will be your first stay at CR and first impression then wait till construction is over. Just my two cents worth. Have a great time where ever you stay!

 

[jeffbear]

I've also stayed at all three on various trips. My personal preference is for the Poly but to be honest there's no tangible difference. They are all three very high quality resorts ... all with different strengths and weaknesses ... to the point that picking your fave is generally about "feel" or some single feature that's uber-important to you.

Me ... I love the Poly's accessability. Walking distance from TTC as well as on the resort monorail loop is my tipping point.

 

[drakester]

Thanks to all for the advise. I was already leaning toward Poly and I think that you all have push it over the top.

 

[kytiam]

I also have been fortunate to stay at all three. We enjoyed GF, glad we stayed there, beautiful hotel, but it just was not us. I really love both the CR and Poly. Poly has O'Hanas, the volcano pool, wishes from the beach with the music piped in, easy access to MK and EP, and the landscape but I don't enjoy the snack bar. I diet all year so when I am at Disney I want junk food, give me chillie fries, hot dogs, pizza, and nachos. I haven't stayed at CR since the rooms were redone but we enjoyed the other decor (yea I think I am the only one), LOVED the shops, Chef Mickeys, Fun and Food Center, and the pool with the water slide. But if I had to suggest one I would say Poly and then save the Cont after construction. I don't mean that ugly and the construction would probably not be an issue but since this will be your first stay at CR and first impression then wait till construction is over. Just my two cents worth. Have a great time where ever you stay!

I got so tickled when I read your post! I think we must be related somehow...The whole junk food on vacation thing is sooooo me!
AND...you are NOT the only one who loved the old decor at the CR!!! Some called it tacky...I called it FUN! I haven't stayed at CR since they changed it. I won't let the new decor keep me away, I just decided more frequent trips to the value resorts are more fun than occasional trips to a deluxe. A teacher's salary only goes so far, ya know!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've stayed at all three. The GF was wonderful, as was the Polynesian. But to tell the truth, I really loved the CR. Very large rooms, just a short walk to the MK, great lake views, easy to catch the monorail. And we even stayed there when the decor was Early Jetsons.

 

[SnowWitch]

GF- Haven't stayed there but have dined there on several occasions. Beautiful lobby, beautiful new zero entry pool, great dining! But I just don't have a desire to stay there.

Poly- love it. very relaxing, large rooms, great pool area, great dining. Walk to the TTC for Epcot monorail, very quick ride to the MK by monorail. Will be there in July for our 6th stay.

Cont-Have only stayed there twice before the renovations. I love the location, I love the tower views of the MK, great dining, boring pool, great water crafts to chose from. I like the pics of the new decor, booked for part of our Dec trip w/ Tower view!!!! Would never stay in the wing for the prices they ask.