To Loop or Not to Loop

[RobFL]

Okay, mid to late October, me and my friends are planning on a trip to WDW involving a few nights stay. Sort of a belated B-day gift to one of my friends because we were all too poor to do it back when her birthday was.

So, we wanna stay at a WDW resort. We've had our detractors saying "Save money, stay outside the world" but want the experience of it all, if we didn't, we could save even more money and drive home every night

Anyways, should we shoot high and try to get a room on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop for a somewhat decent price? We're thinking we'll need 2 rooms, and somehow having them interconnected would be nice.

Never having stayed at or even wandering into any of those resorts.. can anyone make some recommendations? I think she said she doesn't want to stay at the Polynesian, but she does like the idea of the Contemporary. I always wanted to stay at the Contemporary

But what about the other resorts? I've done Coronado and it jsut seems so far away from everything. Swan/Dolphin have a much closer feel, but don't have the real Disney touch... I've heard great things about the AKL but we're not big animal fans we probably wont even goto AK during our visit.

So, what do you suggest?

-Rob

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

This answer is of no practical use but as I did share your dilema Id thought Id reply. My trip in Oct was a hotel/car flight/ package, i got a good price, but my wife kept reminding me of the things she wanted to do but we couldnt cause wed be offsite. In the end I booked a few days at POR she canhave her boatride to DTD and I can have my fill at the Food n wine festival.
However next summer is a big deal for us as a family. My daughter, completes her first series of exams, weve been married for 20 years and I leave the military. To celebrtae were having 3 weeks at the world. Ive always fancied the Contempary, but the women in my life all prefer POR. So weve agreed a compromise, POR followed by our last few days at AK lodge, where well celebrate our aniversary.

I guess what im trying to say is thertes lots of sound reasons to stay onsite, and the only real reason against is cost. So it just depends on the value you put on making your trip special.

Personaly i fid the Swan and Fish to bean eyesore, but ive freinds who stay there on every trip and love it. So if its astetics that please you id avoid it howeverif a goodroom and service are the thing ive heard nothing but good.
Not a real help butjust an opinion.

 

[mickeyfanatics]

If you stay at the Contemporary, you need to be in the tower. I stayed in the garden wings and it is not the same. We love the Wilderness Lodge Villas and anything around EPCOT/MGM (not the Swan and Dolphin) because they are close to it all.My goal is to stay at the Grand Floridian some day.

 

[disneyisbest]

Well as far as the magic kingdom resorts go. I would say the polynesian but I see that she dosen't want to go there so the contemporary is probably the next best one in my opinion. I have never actually stayed at the Grand Floridian but I did have some friends they stayed there once and their opinion was that there were a lot of snobs there. However outside of that the only other resort I personally have stayed in is Caribbean Beach. It had a real nice thema and area. However, I do believe it will still be closed for refurbishment then so that counts that one out. One I have really wanted to go to is the Wilderness Lodge maybe I will go there eventually. Anyway that is my thoughts on it. Hope it helps a little.

 

[WDWspider]

I must say for the money, the Wilderness Lodge is an overall best deal to get everything minus Monorail, but you can ride a boat to MK, that is pretty neat. I want to stay at the Contemporary some day.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey Rob!! Well I completely agree with you as far as staying onsite. I Am kinda a never let the Magic end type of person so staying on site is preferable for me. That having been decided on, WDW offers just so many options. If location is important to you, there are a couple of way to go. Animal Kingdom I wont go into as you already have gone thru that one, If you want to be closer to EPCOT, have you looked into the Boardwalk, Yacht or Beach Club? all lovely resorts, close to nightlife, and walking distance to EPCOT. Magic Kingdom you say, definitely a monorail resort and the Contemporary is supposed to be nice. I Am going to E mail this page to my buddy, Lilo. She is the source as she has stayed at the Contemporary a bunch of times. As far as a MK resort, I think I would opt for the Wilderness Lodge, personally. It looks amazing. As far as the Moderates, all of them are a bus away from any park. I have stayed at all 4 of them and the choice is made depending on what you are looking for. I love the Coronado's Main pool/jacuzzi area, the Carribean is set up really well in tems of room to pool to bus stop layout, the POFQ is a very quiet intimate resort, but I think my favorite is PO Riverside. Lovely grounds, amazing restaurant(Boatwright's) andjust about as far as I can get from the real world!! The advantage to these resorts is of course price. Good luck and let us know what you choose!! Belle

 

[dreamer]

I would say if you can get a great deal then stay on the Loop. You may be able to swing Contemp at a price less than the rack rate of a moderate if you're persistent and keep checking for deals a la mousesavers. Being able to walk from your room right up to the monorail is truly "being there." It's what Walt wanted.

But if you're not staying on the loop then I would go "moderate" or below or stay off site. You can save the money for some good meals.

 

[Lilo]

OK RobFL. Belle told me about your crises. :veryconfu
I stayed at the Contemporary 3 times. Twice in the tower facing the Magic Kingdom, once in the garden wings. While the garden wings are cheaper, the tower facing the MK is great. Watch Cinderella's Castle turn all sorts of colors, watch the fireworks. Facing the Bay you can watch the water parade. The Grand Floridian is a bit pricey since it is new and is a spa. The Poly is old, but not as old as the Contemp and I have heard both good and bad. The price is about the same. The great thing about these hotels is the monorail. The only time you need to take a bus is to go to Animal Kingdom, MGM and the Water Parks. Otherwise, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are on the loop.

Good luck whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

By the way Belle will be there the Oct 28. I'm going the week of Thanksgiving and staying at the Beach Club (something different).:wave:

 

[Talsonic]

Loop de Loop!

Hi RobFL! I have visited WDW for many years. Started off driving there and staying in a Motel 6 (poor mode). Moved up to driving there but staying in the various hotels adjacent to DTD (starting to make money mode). Then moved up again (took an airplane) and rented DVC points for our stays at the OKW and DWL (I can afford this mode). Then we stayed at the Poly, GF and the Contemporary (Tower Room), all in one year (money is no object mode). Last year we stayed at the AKL. In short, over the years we've stayed at most of the resorts. We even camped out once at the Fort Wilderness Campground. Unless you are really impressed with concierge treatment, most resorts will more than meet your needs. I am very much like others on this board who have expressed the sentiment that it is rather foolish to spend a lot of money on a room at WDW. However, I do think there is a WORLD of difference in staying on property vs off property. The key (for me) is the excellent transportation system and as Belle said, "The Magic". You mentioned in your post about the Coronado Springs Resort being too far away. To my way of thinking, none of the Disney Resorts are too far away from anything.

Several years ago, I had to fly down to Tallahassee, FL on business. Since my business obligation was scheduled for only 3 days, I figured this was a great time to visits WDW (again). My wife and children came along with me on the flight and I had previously made reservations at WDW at the Poly. Once I finished up my concerns in Tallahassee, FL we drove down to WDW via I-10 and I-75. While driving down I-75 I saw a billboard that said you could tune your radio to receive the WDW channel. Well! I tuned the radio right into that station and we were all delighted to hear the announcer tell us about all the new attractions at WDW. It was a good show! Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Goofy and a bunch of other Disney characters "talked" to us. It was fun. Anyway, part of the sales pitch was that a new resort had opened at WDW. All Star Sports! They were pushing this resort really hard and even offered a discount if you stopped at the Disney Welcome Center in Ocala, FL ($59.00 a night if I remember correctly). My children would not allow me to continue our trip without stopping at the Ocala Disney Welcome Center. While my wife and children looked around the place, I went to the AAA desk and spoke with one of the CM's. I told her that we all ready had reservations at the Poly but that I was interested in this new All Star thing. So she told me all about the new resort. Anyway, I thought my children would like it so we switched to the All Star Sports. She was able to cancel our previous reservation, and book the new one from her terminal.

When we got to WDW and checked into the All Star Sports, that was the last time I had drive my car during our stay at WDW. We had all ready bought all the snacks, soft drinks, beer, wine and other "needed" stuff prior to our departure from Tallahassee. We stayed there for 12 nights and my children loved it. Also, to tell the truth, so did my wife and I!

We can afford to stay anywhere we desire now. However, 7 times out of 10 we stay at the All Star Resorts. Why? Because we like them! I think Tyler was correct in a previous post on another thread when he described people staying in the "high dollar" resorts as having a chip on their shoulder. You know the attitude, "I'm paying top dollar for this trip therefore I expect to be treated like royalty!". Heck, WDW treatment is always first class no matter where you stay IMHO. Also the loop resorts are looking a little worn of late.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there Talsonic!! I Agree with you and Tyler. My sister and her husband are going with me and Mom in October. Mom and I made the decision to stay in the P.O. Riverside as it is lovely and economical. My ister has decided to spend a whole lot more money and stay at the Yacht Club Concierge level. I asked my Mom if she would prefer this and she had said no as "I dont want to put on airs, I just want to go to Disneyworld!!" I have just booked my next trip in December at the All Star Music resort!! Once again I do agree with staying on property, but I cant see spending a few hundred a night on a place to lay my head. I guess I Am just a moderate type of lady!! Belle

 

[goofyman]

I say if you an afford it there is nothing like staying on prop! Try Wilderness lodge it is a amazing place. One of my fav anywhere I have ben. And, you can take a quick boat ride to MK and do the loop on the monorail from there

 

[dhall]

I stayed in the Contemporary Tower a couple of times growing up, and being able to get off the elevator and get on the monorail was the supreme height of cool back then.

Now, I think the only reason to ride the monorail from the Contemporary is to resort hop. Its generally faster to walk to the magic kingdom, and its generally faster to take the bus to epcot than to wait for two monorails (one at the hotel and another at the ttc)

Now, I go for the north garden wing every time, when I want to be close to the MK. Just inside the entrance to the wing, around the first bend, is a set of rooms where you have perfect view of the fireworks right over Space Mountain, and it's just over 150 yds to the entrance to the MK.

When I'm willing to pay more, then I stay in the Yacht club - walking/boating to two parks, the best pool on the property, the wide variety of restaurants around crescent lake, beaches & cream during slow periods (mid-afternoon, right after a swim), surrey bikes, and on and on.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I think Tyler was correct in a previous post on another thread when he described people staying in the "high dollar" resorts as having a chip on their shoulder. You know the attitude, "I'm paying top dollar for this trip therefore I expect to be treated like royalty!"

My Dad was a college English professor. You know Composition 101, Rhetoric 101--the required writing course.

One of his students worked at Ponderosa/Sizzler/Sirloin Stockade--one of those cafeteria steak houses.

They had several kinds of salad dressing, but bleu cheese was 50 cents extra.

She began calling them the "bleu cheese ladies" because they seemed to think that because they could afford an extra half buck at the discount steak place they deserved special treatment and were entitled to abuse the employees.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Originally posted by RobFL
Okay, mid to late October, me and my friends are planning on a trip to WDW involving a few nights stay. Sort of a belated B-day gift to one of my friends because we were all too poor to do it back when her birthday was.

So, we wanna stay at a WDW resort. We've had our detractors saying "Save money, stay outside the world" but want the experience of it all, if we didn't, we could save even more money and drive home every night

Anyways, should we shoot high and try to get a room on the Magic Kingdom monorail loop for a somewhat decent price? We're thinking we'll need 2 rooms, and somehow having them interconnected would be nice.

Never having stayed at or even wandering into any of those resorts.. can anyone make some recommendations? I think she said she doesn't want to stay at the Polynesian, but she does like the idea of the Contemporary. I always wanted to stay at the Contemporary

But what about the other resorts? I've done Coronado and it jsut seems so far away from everything. Swan/Dolphin have a much closer feel, but don't have the real Disney touch... I've heard great things about the AKL but we're not big animal fans we probably wont even goto AK during our visit.

So, what do you suggest?

-Rob

I say, you only live once and if you and your friend want to stay at the Contemporary, go for it. If you want to save money with the discounted rates, I do get all of the same ones that mousesavers posts on their sites. I work with a travel agency and would love to help you save and be able to stay at your hotel of choice.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I thought the Polynesian was the best! I liked it so much more than the contemporary. The only thing I noticed about the MK resort area is that you are farther away from everything besides the MK. It would take us about 10 minutes to get to DTD from the polynesian (by car). Also the MK resorts have very crowded busses (Contemporary, Polynesian, and GF all share one bus).

 

[guwag]

I have to say that I definitely prefer the Polynesian over the Contemporary - the Contemporary is too 'cold' for me, I much prefer the Polynesian, it's much more colourful and 'warm' .
There's also the fact that the T&T Centre is less than a couple of minutes walk from the Poly - beats waiting for the monorail to come anyway.

 

[cm1988]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
I thought the Polynesian was the best! I liked it so much more than the contemporary. The only thing I noticed about the MK resort area is that you are farther away from everything besides the MK. It would take us about 10 minutes to get to DTD from the polynesian (by car). Also the MK resorts have very crowded busses (Contemporary, Polynesian, and GF all share one bus).

If you'll be using WDW busses, the Polynesian has an advantage in that you can walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where busses run to just about everywhere!

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by cm1988

If you'll be using WDW busses, the Polynesian has an advantage in that you can walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center, where busses run to just about everywhere!

The only busses at the TTC are theme park busses, and they don't run untill the TTC opens.

 

[cm1988]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider


The only busses at the TTC are theme park busses, and they don't run untill the TTC opens.

Schedules always change, of course, but I'm thinking Ft Wilderness and possibly Downtown Disney busses may run to/from the TTC as well.

Maybe you have more recent information than I do.

 

[scherdin1]

:lol: You guys are right!! The magic is the same no matter what resort you stay at. We have stayed at the Contemporary, at Dixie Landings, and at Fort Wilderness Campground, many times. The Fort is great! Our family loves it, and it costs about 1/3 of the others. I do know people, though, that think if you're not at the Grand Floridian, etc. you are slumming. :veryconfu