Best monorail resort option for Feb 2015?

M

melissahwalker

New Member
Original Poster
We are planning a 10 day Disney vacation in early February 2015 with two children, ages 4 and 1. We want to be on the monorail for convenience and would like a theme park view. In the past, we've stayed at the Polynesian and had a great experience there. We loved the theme and being able to walk to the TTC. One concern we have is the current construction at the Polynesian. Will this interfere with our enjoyment and/or the view?

Staying at the Contemporary or the Grand Floridian is our Plan B. We're even torn on our Plan B! We don't love the Contemporary and are a little concerned about noise from Chef Mickey's (even though we have kids of our own!) but it has a great theme park view (ignoring the parking lot below) and is within walking distance to the Magic Kingdom, which is probably where we'll spend most of our time. The Grand Floridian is more expensive but it's also more aesthetically pleasing to us and we find it more relaxing there.

Also, from our limited research, it seems as though maintenance on the monorail system tends to occur in the Winter months after the holidays. Can anyone offer us any insight, suggestions, or recommendations?
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LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
I know it's a tough one. The Polynesian is our all time favorite, but with the major construction/destruction happening we are looking for other options in January. We have some DVC points to use up, so I think we are looking at the GF. Our home is BLT, so the Contemporary we are used to, but we like a variety now and then. The Polynesian is perfect location wise-TTC right next door along with the big and small ferries make it easier to get around. I remember when they were first building the Nanea volcano pool in 2001 and it was a major eyesore, but the end result was fab.

I will say the higher floors in the Contemporary's Grand Canyon Concourse are on the quieter side, if you could request a higher floor level it may help. The elevators can be painfully slow at peak times, much like they are at BLT. The garden wing is a lovely alternative since it is only two floors! The ability to walk to the MK being the big bonus especially after Wishes and other mass fleeings from the park after it closes. You are also only 1 stop away from the TTC as well making it easier to hop to EPCOT

The Grand Floridian is beautiful, bright and elegant. The grounds, not unlike the Poly, are very well manicured and peaceful. There are more restaurant options for table service and a newly renovated Gasparillas. The main tower has the most floors and is concierge, but the outer buildings have 4 stories. Getting to EPCOT is more challenging since you to take the monorail nearly all the way around to get the TTC, otherwise you can walk to the TTC via the walkway thru the Polynesian. The small ferry will shuttle you to the MK and Polynesian and then back again, which is a nice ride.

I guess it comes down to what can you live with and what will bother you the most while on vacation. Good luck
 
sissa216

sissa216

Well-Known Member
We've enjoyed all 3- and I don't think there's a wrong choice (aside from possibly avoiding the Poly during refurb).

We've done MK view at both the Grand Floridian and Contemporary, and both are fantastic for different reasons. The views are completely different: the Contemporary is a huge, broad view of the park, whereas from the Grand Floridian it is more of a fairy tale view, with the Castle peaking out over the trees.

At the Contemporary, we were 11th floor, Chef Mickey's side, facing MK. I would have thought the noise would be awful- but honestly, with the door closed, we didn't notice it at all. We each ended up sick one day that week, and took turns having to spend the day in the room. I was very sensitive to noise and not feeling well, and never heard a thing. In the morning, it was actually kind of fun to be able to open our door and hear all the exciting energy from below!

And of course, the Grand Floridian is BEAUTIFUL!! All the rooms were redone this year with new colors, and they look fantastic. My only complaint before was the outdated colors- but now they are very modern and elegant.
Walking around the grounds at night is so peaceful and lovely.

It does take a bit more to get to transportation from the GF versus the Contemporary; however, there can be elevator clogs at the Contemporary at peak times. Having that walkway to the MK is a huge plus at the Contemporary.

GF has 24 hour quick service at Gasparilla's, which was a huge plus for us. It is nice to come back after a late night in the parks and be able to fill our mugs, or sip hot chocolate while watching the boats finish up for the night.
 
kasi22

kasi22

Member
Good idea and good plan for the Disney with the children no doubt that Disney is one of the best place for the enjoyment much better resort tell me more about the Disney trip if you have video of the trip share with me...
 
seahawk7

seahawk7

Well-Known Member
sissa216 said:
We've enjoyed all 3- and I don't think there's a wrong choice (aside from possibly avoiding the Poly during refurb).

We've done MK view at both the Grand Floridian and Contemporary, and both are fantastic for different reasons. The views are completely different: the Contemporary is a huge, broad view of the park, whereas from the Grand Floridian it is more of a fairy tale view, with the Castle peaking out over the trees.

At the Contemporary, we were 11th floor, Chef Mickey's side, facing MK. I would have thought the noise would be awful- but honestly, with the door closed, we didn't notice it at all. We each ended up sick one day that week, and took turns having to spend the day in the room. I was very sensitive to noise and not feeling well, and never heard a thing. In the morning, it was actually kind of fun to be able to open our door and hear all the exciting energy from below!

And of course, the Grand Floridian is BEAUTIFUL!! All the rooms were redone this year with new colors, and they look fantastic. My only complaint before was the outdated colors- but now they are very modern and elegant.
Walking around the grounds at night is so peaceful and lovely.

It does take a bit more to get to transportation from the GF versus the Contemporary; however, there can be elevator clogs at the Contemporary at peak times. Having that walkway to the MK is a huge plus at the Contemporary.

GF has 24 hour quick service at Gasparilla's, which was a huge plus for us. It is nice to come back after a late night in the parks and be able to fill our mugs, or sip hot chocolate while watching the boats finish up for the night.
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So if you could book one of these hotels tomorrow with no expense to you and you get to choose any room you want, which one would you book?
 
Tinkerbell397

Tinkerbell397

Well-Known Member
I agree with @sissa216 .....we have stayed at the CR (our absolute favorite) with and without children. We stay in the tower with a MK view and once your door is closed, there is no noise at all from Chef Mickey's or the monorail. Again....if you feel more comfortable, just asks for the highest floor possible. The advantage of the CR with small children is once your are off the monorail, you are inside the hotel and a short walk and elevator ride to you room. This makes it very easy for small children who have fallen asleep in their stroller.
We have stayed at the CR, WL, Poly, Port Orleans Riverside and SOG and we always return to the CR. :cat:
 
sissa216

sissa216

Well-Known Member
seahawk7 said:
So if you could book one of these hotels tomorrow with no expense to you and you get to choose any room you want, which one would you book?
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I think I would lean towards GF now. I love being able to walk through the grounds- I think that's what puts it over the top for me! I LOVE the Contemporary, and the walk from MK, but I love the ambiance and ability to take a stroll at GF a bit more :)
 
seahawk7

seahawk7

Well-Known Member
sissa216 said:
I think I would lean towards GF now. I love being able to walk through the grounds- I think that's what puts it over the top for me! I LOVE the Contemporary, and the walk from MK, but I love the ambiance and ability to take a stroll at GF a bit more :)
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I love the GF but always thought it was too expensive for me. I visit all three monorail resorts: walk around them and eat at there restaurants. I think the Polynesian looks like it would be nice but everyone seems to like the other two. Is the Polynesian the worst of the three?
 
sissa216

sissa216

Well-Known Member
seahawk7 said:
I love the GF but always thought it was too expensive for me. I visit all three monorail resorts: walk around them and eat at there restaurants. I think the Polynesian looks like it would be nice but everyone seems to like the other two. Is the Polynesian the worst of the three?
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I don't think there is a worst! I love the Poly too. I think that this year, with the construction, it gets pushed a bit from people's minds. We always spend quite a bit of time there visiting, when we are staying elsewhere. It is such a wonderful resort with romantic pathways and wonderful music.
 
cw1982

cw1982

Well-Known Member
sissa216 said:
I don't think there is a worst! I love the Poly too. I think that this year, with the construction, it gets pushed a bit from people's minds. We always spend quite a bit of time there visiting, when we are staying elsewhere. It is such a wonderful resort with romantic pathways and wonderful music.
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Ok... stuff like this makes me think I need to save up even longer than I had originally thought I would for my next trip (easily at least five years from now lol) so that we can stay there next time! :)
 
aw14

aw14

Well-Known Member
we are staying at the contemporary at the end of the month and are so excited. Although, I will admit that my DW and I are already contemplating a stay at poly 11/15. We did not know if the resort would be at its best this year with all the construction.
 
RMichael21

RMichael21

Well-Known Member
I have amazing memories of GF as a kid and I continue to stay there up to this day. GF is one of the most beautiful on-site hotels. Try to get a Sago Cay Theme Park View Room. This is one of the best views of MK you can get from a hotel. Also, watch Wishes from you balcony!
 

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