Monorail VS. Bus

[bresler9]

My wife and I have a 6-year-old and a 3-year old. We were going to stay at the Polynesian, but after reading so many rave reviews of the Animal Kingdom, we were going to switch. We were told that the bus ride from the AK is 20 minutes, if there is no wait. It could be longer with the wait. We would love to hear some feedback from people who have stayed at the AK and how riding the bus worked out. If anyone has stayed at both a monorail hotel and the AK, please let us know how they compared.

Thanks.

 

[Shaman]

wait should be about the same, the trip however, could take a little longer from AK lodge to the rest of WDW. AK Lodge is probably the second best hotel on Disney property the first being Grand Floridian. Food is great, rooms are great (especially savanna view) and the pool is nice. Sometimes the wait could be long for a bus from a park...especially if you just missed it. But you should definetely stay at AK lodge...just my opinion.

 

[wdwforus]

Although we didnt stay at a monorail or AK resort we had 2 experiences with transportation. The bus service for CBR was mediocre at best. We rode the monorail twice during our stay. Once we got the kids into the front and they got their "drivers liscence". The second time we rode it to get to the Contemp. for a character dinner and were 10+/- min. late for our reservation when they brought another car into the system and they had to do the safety checks. Its all part of the deal I guess. I would think that they could run more buses though.

 

[GalacticGobbler]

We just came back from a long trip and 3 of those days were at the AKL, all i can say is that i wish it would have been more. Great resort, super pool, rooms, Boma was awesome, and the Mara is great too!! I highly recommend staying here, a few extra minutes for the bus was well worth it for us.

 

[wizard12]

I go on the monorail. It's very quick. You should take the monorail. There are also no stopsigns or street lights like the bus would have. IMO, go with the monorail.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

No matter where you stay, you still have to take a bus to AK or Disney-MGM.

The monorail "advantage" disappears when you go to those parks.

 

[RPMdfw]

Originally posted by wizard12
I go on the monorail. It's very quick. You should take the monorail. There are also no stopsigns or street lights like the bus would have. IMO, go with the monorail.

But the Monorail Resort loop DOES stop at the other resorts. Sometimes those stops can be maddeningly long. (like if you're in a hurry to get to a PS.)

 

[wizard12]

Originally posted by RPMdfw
But the Monorail Resort loop DOES stop at the other resorts. Sometimes those stops can be maddeningly long. (like if you're in a hurry to get to a PS.)

That is also true. I guess you can't stop, well, stopping. SOmetimes it also is very quick though. It's the luck of the draw.

 

[Invero]

The bus ride times from AK Lodge are not as bad as everyone claims. Downtown Disney is the only one that might be over 15 minutes away. DAK is only 5 minutes, Studios does go via Blizzard Beach, which makes the total trip 15 minutes. Magic Kingdom is about 13-15 minutes, depending on traffic.

By comparison, from the Polynesian, it's 10 minutes to the MK via Monorail. 25-30 minutes to Epcot. 12 minutes to Studios, and 14 minutes to DAK.

 

[FourFourSeven]

It depends on your kids, in my opinion. Do you plan to spend a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom? Do they love trains, and (most likely) monorails? Then go with the Polynesian.

If they like the idea of animals out their window, then maybe the Animal Kingdom lodge is the way to go. But do consider how much (awake, daylight) time they'll be spending in the room looking at animals.

I took my four-year-old and 20-month-old recently, and we spent so much time at the Magic Kingdom, I wished we were on a monorail resort. I suspect most people with young kids would be like that. SO convenient to get back to your hotel for a midday nap...

So, unless your kids are completely obsessed with animals, I'd stay at the Polynesian with them still young.

 

[wild01ride]

From my experience, it's a complete toss-up. I would suggest staying at the resort who's theme best suits your entire family's interests.

Both monorail and bus can be convenient and both equally can incorporate a long and frustrating wait.

You can certainly have a long wait for the bus, but have you ever seen the monorail station around park closing time at MK- frightening!
On the whole, the rule of thumb is planning plenty of extra time for transportation no matter where you are staying. On our last trip, we stayed at Boardwalk but were at MK during the day and had PS at Wilderness Lodge for dinner (travelled via ferry). So, regardless of where you're staying, your home resort won't always determine your mode of transportation anyway.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

We have been having the same dispute...

We were originally at the Polynesian. Switched to AKL and then switched back to Polynesian.

We stayed at the Polynesian, and we think there is no beating it. The theme is great (ok it isn't AKL but it makes up for it). You get huge rooms, lots of recreation options...and the great convenient transportation.

 

[fngoofy]

STAY AT THE POLY!!

STAY AT THE POLY!!!

The AK is OK, but you will kick yourself if you don't do the Poly.

Monorail rules over buses, the fewer bus trips the better.

AK is alright on the themeing, the animals are not always out though, and the hotel has a nice lobby, but the grounds are a bit lacking, mainly due to the fact that the used all the space for the animals.

Poly has the view of the MK fireworks, a marina for both transport to and from the MK but also for recreational.

Poly has one of the best themes of all resorts and with the monorail you have instant access to the Contemp and GF, which makes them extensions of your resort.

STAY THE POLY, AND NO ONE GETS HURT!:animwink:

 

[Slinky Dog]

I have stayed at the Poly many times, but never at the AKL.

If I was 6 years old again, I would want to be spending a lot of time at the MK, and being able to wake up in the morning with the view of the MK from my window (if you get a lagoon view) would be great. On top of that, being able to ride the monorail nearly everyday would be the icing on the cake. As others have said, you also get to see all the fireworks at Mk from the Poly too and the nice and cheesy Electric Water Pageant (if it's still going).

Again, I agree with the fact that the Poly rooms are huge and cn make a real difference when everyone is tired and a bit frazzled.

And of course, there is the new pool at the poly which I haven't experienced yet but it does look quite amazing and a great place for a six year old to have fun.

Always found the bus services from the Poly to be very good and you re also within walking distance of the TTC so you can cover more of your options.

Whatever your choice, I'm sure you'll have the most wonderful time.

 

[kennyj29]

Monorail

We love both hotels but my heart has to go a little more towards Poly because of the monorail. With two kids ages 6 and 3, there is no doubt I would stay at the Poly. It's so close to the Kingdom and that's probably where you will spend the most time with children those ages. Also, we've had some horrible bus experiences where they stop short because a car cuts in front of them etc., and everyone went flying. The buses are packed at the end of the night and it was really scary. We also heard that another bus the same week we had the horrible ride crashed with a motorcylcle an some guests got hurt. If I had children that age, I would much rather ride a monorail. No accidents and a smoother ride!!!!!!

 

[Erika]

I have had nothing but good things to say about the busses. On the other hand, I have never rode a bus just for the heck of it. Got to love those monorails.

 

[bgraham34]

I love the monorail, it is so relaxing.

 

[disneydudette]

Don't kill me...:lookaroun

But I think the AKL is over-rated....I know I know....It is a fantastic resort...especially for the money....but theres something about it.....yes the Lobby is to die for...and the rooms are great....but the location and pool was a real down fall....not to mention I really disliked thier "food court".....The fact that you can see animals from your room....is awesome....but how many times are you in your room??? we got back when it was dark out...and could barely see any....and in the mornings it was wonderful....but when your paying $250 a night to see a giraffe for a half hour....it is depressing...
Would we stay there again....ya....but only if it was a wonderful deal....

I enjoyed the POLY greatly...the monorail access was wonderful....and the pools were great...the zero entry is a must have now.....the "food court" is decent but we loved being on the monorail and having the character breakfast right inside....it was also nice to be able to see the fireworks and water pagent....

even though there is a big price difference....I'd still go with POLY....especially with your kids being so young...they're going to wanna come back to the resort and nap....and it'll be a pain if you have to wait 10 mins...then another 20 on a bus....

just my 2 cents...

 

[wdwforus]

Why not just ride around on the bus while the kids nap?