Polynesian vs. Contemporary

[DisneyWood]

We are planning a trip in Feb. 2007. We have booked a room at the Polynesian for 10 days. I have never stayed at the Poly or the Cont. We tried booking the Contemporary at first, but there was only a suite or concierge.

I may not have an option to make any changes, but I was wondering which resort would be better. We have 4 young children & like the convenience of the monorail. I also like the convenience of being able to walk to MK from the Cont.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[coltow]

I don't think you be disappointed. I've alway wanted to stay at Poly, but it's always been out of our price range. It's also close to the TTC so you may be able to walk over and not need to take the monorail all the way around to catch the monorail to EPCOT

 

[cdunbar]

What alot of people don't get about Poly or the GF is that you still have to walk to the monorail but at the Contemp., if you stay in the tower which worth the extra cost just for the view, you walk out of your room catch the elevator down to the concourse area and then take an escaltor to the monorail! Now if you get a MK view at Poly you are way way way out there, we did this 2 summers ago and swore we would never do it again the rooms are great, the pool is great, the landscaping is great but to get the view u get at the contemp. u are just soo far away from the monorail...but now if u didn't get an MK view I would imagine you could be closer, like if you did garden or lagoon. I dunno I mean Im just a contemporary girl, I mean in my opinion the beds at the Contemporary are like so phenomel!

 

[slappy magoo]

I don't think you be disappointed.

Personally, I think they will be very disappointed if, as the OP says, they're planning on going in February of 2007.

I've never stayed at a monorail resort, and would be hard pressed to choose. But the Poly does have much nicer theming and landscaping, and a cooler pool (which apparently is one of the things kids notice and remember most about their WDW trip, so bear that in mind). If you're shooting for a MK view, then like cdunbar says, you'll have much more of a trek going to the monorail from your room at the Poly.

Wherever you stay, there's always next year for the other one, knowhutimean?

 

[Missymoe4]

. I dunno I mean Im just a contemporary girl, I mean in my opinion the beds at the Contemporary are like so phenomel!

Couldn't be put in better words! The walk to and from the MK on the busy days/nights is a great option. It's nice to be able to catch the monorail back...being the first stop and all. If you stay in a wing closer to the MK, the view is just as great, plus it's closer walking distance to the MK. The proximity can't be beat!

I've stayed at some others, such as Pop and Port Orleans...and dreaded the bus service. I would much rather pay a bit more money per night (if I can swing it) to stay right next to my favorite park--and instead of sitting on a bus for 20 mins to and from the MK, it's so much easier to walk. (Plus, at the end of the night, you don't have to wait in the bus lines).

I'm just a Contemporary girl....always have been, always will be!

 

[darrin933]

the poly hands down! no doubt. they renovated the rooms last year and they are great. being able to lay on the beach and look at the castle. I could see the argument about staying in the tower, the magic kingdom side, but a lagoon view at the poly is just as good. I usually try to get a lagoon view room at the poly and it is excellent, but some of the buildings have very large rooms. Tokelau and Tahiti have rooms that are 480 sq. ft. which would be excellent for your kids. Tokelau is also right by the adult pool. For a more relaxed vacation atmosphere I would choose the poly. Just my opinion though.

 

[Eyorefan]

We have stayed in the Poly 3 times and love it! It's true though some of the houses are kind of far from the monorial, but to me, it's worth the walk. Also they have a boat that takes you to the MK and you can walk to the TTC to catch the Monorail to EPCOT which to me was easier than having to get off and change monerials.

The real reason why we stayed their 3 times though, was the pool and the beach. My daughter loved the pool and she loved runing around and playing in the sand on the beach. She had more fun at the hotel than she did at the parks some times!

 

[elabron]

If I were you, I'd go with the Contemporary.

The 4 little ones will think it's "cool" to watch the monorail go zipping through their hotel. Also, you have the most fun character meal right at your fingertips, in "Chef Mickey's". My daughter LOVES it!

While not themed, the pool area is big and nice and has a slide. As mentioned before, you have a brisk 5 minute walk to the MK if you feel frisky, and If you want to head to Epcot, the TTC is the first stop you make on the monorail.

With that being said.......We're staying at the Poly this Oct/Nov., just to do someplace different. We've stayed at the Contemporary the last 4 times we've been. Plus,I haven't stayed there (Poly) since I was a kid.....and I really do like the ambiance and charm it has at night, with all the torches lit.......can't wait to lay on a hammock! :sohappy:

 

[justducky78]

It's hard to say because both resorts have good benefits. I love the Poly for the romantic feel -- I love the beach and the pools and it has some nice/fun restaurants and it's on the monorail. The Contemporary has the monorail going through the lobby and Chef Mickey's. If you have a babysitter, you can have a nice dinner at the California Grill and the MK is just a walk away. Both resorts recently had the rooms renovated.

They are both so different and yet I love them both! Just don't count on doing a lot of swimming in February (even though I hope you get awesome weather) because we were there this past February 2007, and it was really cold out, except for one warm day.

 

[smk]

Stayed at both, and I vote Poly too.

 

[maelstrom]

Contemporary. The Polynesian is nice and I guess my second favourite resort, but nothing beats the Contemporary.

 

[DisneyWood]

If I were you, I'd go with the Contemporary.

The 4 little ones will think it's "cool" to watch the monorail go zipping through their hotel. Also, you have the most fun character meal right at your fingertips, in "Chef Mickey's". My daughter LOVES it!

While not themed, the pool area is big and nice and has a slide. As mentioned before, you have a brisk 5 minute walk to the MK if you feel frisky, and If you want to head to Epcot, the TTC is the first stop you make on the monorail.

With that being said.......We're staying at the Poly this Oct/Nov., just to do someplace different. We've stayed at the Contemporary the last 4 times we've been. Plus,I haven't stayed there (Poly) since I was a kid.....and I really do like the ambiance and charm it has at night, with all the torches lit.......can't wait to lay on a hammock! :sohappy:

I completely agree. My first choice was the Contemporary b/c of the distance b/w MK & also Chef Mickey's. We couldn't book there due to the availability. So, we decided to go w/ the Poly. If something opens up in the near future, then we may be able to make a change. Hopefully, Pam will be able to use a little magic for our family. If not, I will hardly be disappointed w/ the Polynesian.

We are looking forward to the Luau (not sure on the spelling). Thanks for all the input everyone. We can't wait until we are there again.

 

[tigger1968]

We've stayed in both. Both are great resorts. We love the theme of the Poly, and the pool area is awesome. There is more walking at Poly since the the buildings are spread out a little, but the landscaping there is fabulous, so we actually enjoyed the walks. We were actually close enough to the TTC that it was quicker to walk to it than the Great Ceremonial House to catch a monorail to the MK, and of course to get to Epcot it was perfect.

We have stayed at the Contemporary twice and loved it as well. Had a MK view both times, whick made the trip. We are dying to stay in the renovated rooms. I love the feel of the resort, the sort of retro / modern look. We felt the dining at Contemporary was slightly better than Poly's. But the pool area is very plain. Poly's blows it away. I think my biggest love of the Contemporary is due to the fact that I am a hopeless monorail geek, so I love to sit and watch them come and go...:hammer:

We too had trouble booking Contemporary for our upcoming September trip. All we could get was a concierge level for 5 nights. We settled on a longer stay at the GF, since we have never stayed there. All in all, I'd say that you can't go wrong with any of the resorts on the MK loop. Don't try to hard to move your ressie. Just go to the Poly and enjoy it!

 

[elabron]

Apparently, the demolition of the north wing has made it a little more difficult to get a room at the Contemporary this fall. Maybe there's a bunch of conventions?:shrug:

We too, tried to book the Contemporary for this October, and couldn't get what we wanted. So,it gave us a good reason to head across the lagoon to the Poly.........Hey! I am not complaining.......beach, hammocks and Tonga Toast!:king:

 

[scottnj1966]

You would not want to be at the Contemporary now anyway. The construction of the new timeshare building will make that place not worth the price.
The people that had to deal with the demo of the north wing were not to happy.
Polynesian is very nice. The pool area is awesome.
Ohana's is a great restaurant and they also have a laua dinner show.

http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/contemporary.htm

 

[Tinkerbella16]

I would stay at the Poly over the Contemporary any day. The atmosphere and rooms are much nicer. Being surrounded by a relaxing, Hawiian theme for 10 days would be great. And your kids would love the volcano pool. It is very well-themed, and also fun for the kids.

 

[The Mom]

I've stayed at both, and enjoyed them equally. Just relax, and enjoy yourself.

I will add, that if you have young children, and are taking a day off, the Polynesian is probably better for "kicking around the hotel" as there are more outdoor areas to explore, waterfowl to see, parrots and fish in the lobby, bunnies hopping around in the morning (and late afternoon) etc.

The quiet pools are also very quiet, which is nice if you're getting sensory overload from the crowds. They're heated and landscaped, so even if it's cool, just have a big towel nearby to wrap up in when you get out, and a sweatshirt for walking back to your room. Sort of like Memorial Day at a New England beach, except the water is warm.:lol:

 

[poohbear6103]

I would vote for Poly. Now I have only stayed at the Poly but go to and through the Contemporary every day I am in Disney so even though I am familiar with the Contemporary, it is from an outsider's perspective.
Contemporary is nice and all but in my opinion and seeing it through children's eyes, there is more for kids to explore and enjoy at the Poly. Maybe it's because Contemporary has that concrete look to it while the Poly is lush and spread out. Plus, it is under construction (not sure what it will be like in that respect in February).
The Poly is great to watch fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at night. Also, O'Hana's (a great character breakfast) is right there in the Great Ceremonial House. You can request a longhouse that is right near the Great Ceremonial House so that your walk is diminished to the monorail. Although in my experience after walking around the parks all day, a few extra minutes walking to my longhouse from the monorail is definitely not a big deal. Besides, it is a beautiful walk! And you can walk to the TTC there so you can be in Epcot in no time. Poly also has the Neverland Club in case you and your husband want to have a night out to yourselves.

 

[Deadmanwalking]

logistics wise try and switch to the contemporary.

At the poly you have the absolute longest ride possible to get to a monorail to Epcot. Your never set for getting right to MK or from MK right to your hotel. At the Contemporary you've got the closest entry point to get to the monorail to Epcot, you can walk to or from MK... for ease of hotel to park access the contemporary can't be beat.