Poly vs Contemporary.

[daisyduckie]

We will be a group of 4 adults, one teenager. Which would you go with for one night?

I have the Contemporary booked because I like being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom, and I think having the toilet in a separate space from the rest of the bathroom will come in handy.

I keep looking at the Poly because the pool area is awesome, and I think being able to view the fireworks from the beach would be great.

Which resort would you go with?

 

[hooch]

That's a hard one. Can't go wrong. Both are "classics". Have the people in your group ever stayed at either one?

Is the teenager a boy? If so, my vote is for CR. It has a really cool vibe IMO. And for just one night, I think the walkway to MK gives it the edge (if you're GOING to the MK).

Good luck!

 

[Dave B]

We have stayed at the POLY twice, you will not regret it

 

[MaryJaneP]

Having stayed at both, our vote goes to CR especially for just a one night stay. We think there is just too much to experience for such a short stay that we would reserve Poly for a longer stay.

 

[Disney4family]

I have the Contemporary booked because I like being able to walk to the Magic Kingdom

This!
and...

It has a really cool vibe

This!
and...
You can enjoy the fireworks from here as well -

and...
The pool here isn't too shabby either (with a beach where you can also enjoy the Electrical Water Pageant)

 

[StarshipDisney]

Vote: Contemporary

We stayed at Poly for our Honeymoon but have stayed at Contemporary three times since. While Poly does have better theming, you cannot beat the walking convenience of room-to-elevator-to-monorail or vice versa in the Contemporary Tower. Only a few hundred feet further to the bus station. It is a very short walk and that is much appreciated after a long day at a park. From your room, it's almost just an elevator ride away to transportation, food, or shopping.

I have never walked to the Magic Kingdom from Contemporary because the monorail is just so darn convenient. People always get off at Contemporary and we have never had to stand. Only time we ever stood was from Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary, but since that is the first stop...

Stay on the Magic Kingdom side and you are automatically given a perfect spot for the nightly fireworks from your balcony with the music piped in from the TV. Then a 10-foot walk to your waiting bed. Can't beat that!

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

You don't have to stay at the Poly to watch the fireworks from the beach, that's definitely not a reason to necessarily stay at the Poly, just go there by resort monorail from the Contemporary, it's less than 10 minutes or take the boat launch when you come from the MK.

 

[aw14]

We have stayed at both and loved both. You honestly cannot go wrong with either. I prefer the theming of poly but the proximity to MK from CR is amazing. @awheartsdw thoughts?

 

[IanDLBZF]

Vote for CR, I am planning to stay there 12/14-12/15!
CR has a great view of the fireworks, especially from California Grill (best signature dining experience in WDW IMHO)! I've stayed at Poly once with my mom back in 2007 (11/16/2007-11/17/2007). Man, did I enjoy it!

 

[awheartsdw]

If you're staying for one night, my vote would be for CR. The proximity to MK can't be beat. I adore Poly, but, what I love about it is you feel like you're on a vacation from your vacation and I don't know if you'll be able to get that feeling over one night. The pool at Poly is hands-down 100 times better than CR, but if you don't think you'll have an opportunity to utilize it, I wouldn't stay solely for that reason at Poly. CR has amazing views, it's an iconic Disney hotel, it's great for fireworks or for people viewing, or BOTH! For one night my vote would be CR. Have a great time!

 

[zurgandfriend]

I have to agree with the Contemporary I love this resort.

 

[Mander]

Tough choice- two of my three favorite deluxe resorts! Though I have only ever stayed at the values at this point in life.

I'd go with Contemporary. I feel like it's the most iconic WDW resort (GF isn't my style, really). Plus the ease of access to the monorail and MK! Though I don't think you can really go wrong with the Poly either!

 

[21stamps]

I voted for Poly.

Mostly for the pools, atmosphere, and food.
Also the ease of going to GF Cafe for lobster eggs Benedict without having to go thru security

Plus, I really enjoy taking the launch back to or from MK.. especially from MK in the evening.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Contemporary

 

[durangojim]

We stayed at the Poly this past March. I know I'm in the minority but I was very disappointed. The room felt run down and service was poor. The smaller pool with the pseudo cabanas were great but I don't think you'd have time to enjoy it so my vote is for the Contemporary.

 

[MissViv]

Contemporary WAS my favorite but just returned from the Poly & WOW!! We love the Poly so much that I just upgraded by reservation for Sept. from POFQ to the Poly and paid full price for the last available room. The ambiance is unbelievable, especially at night. We watched the fireworks from the pool & beach area every night we were there and the Dole Whips are fantastic. Everything about our stay was perfect. Room was in the Samoa longhouse and we loved it, mousekeeper kept it nice and clean each day. Couldn't ask for any better!

 

[captainkidd]

Poly is my vote. I want to stay at the Contemporary just to say we did it, but the theme and atmosphere does nothing for me. I prefer more of a resort feel. The Poly has that.

 

[rob0519]

If you are a family that likes to use the pools at a resort, then pick the Poly. The pool at the CR has always been a big disappointment. We also prefer Capt'n Cook's to the Comtempo Café for quick service.
Other than that, a park view room and walkability to the MK makes the CR our favorite choice.

 

[crxbrett]

Poly for sure. Better theming and ambiance and a more unique Disney experience in my opinion. I like visiting the Contemporary to shop or dine for one day on my trips, but I don't think I would ever stay there for more than one night. Feels too much like any other modern, nice resort you could stay at in any big city. Now, with that being said, since you are only visiting for one, single night - maybe it would be better to do the Contemporary, as I feel you won't get to benefit what the Poly offers in a single night and would be shortchanging that resort's allure.

 

[mdubm]

we recently had this dilemma in early June. We are a family of 4 with two young kids and we're capping off our vacation with an extra night at either Poly or Contemporary.

I originally booked Poly, but ultimately went with Contemporary. We saved $80 and that made my decision. I have always wanted to stay at both, so I checked the Contemporary off my list.

We stayed in the garden wing and our room was huge! We had come from Yacht Club, so we had had a decent sized room to start, but CR was so much bigger. We had a garden view and could see the monorail, which was really cool. The garden wing was also really quiet and so close to the pool. The walk to MK and super short security line were also really nice.

If I were to go back, I'd try the Poly. The Contemporary was nice and I feel like you should stay at least once. I felt like the Poly had more to offer in terms of QS- Captain Cooks just has more than most standard QS. We had taken the monorail over and kinda regretted not being able to get a Lapu Lapu and go back to the room. The pool at Contemporary is so very bland and nothing crazy. It was also not crowded at all, and served its purpose for us. With an older kid, the Poly pool may appeal more. We also ate at Captain Cooks and saw they were doing a fire and hula show on the lawn while we were there. The Contemporary felt more business-like and not as kid oriented. CR was much less crowded overall. I felt packed in to the Poly lobby and basically everywhere we went while stopping in. CR didn't feel AS packed.

Is one priced less than the other? That would be part of my deciding factor. Both are really great hotel.