Which Magic Kingdom resort should we stay at?

[justducky78]

Hello! We're planning a trip to WDW in May of 2006 and although we usually stay on the Epcot side, we want to stay closer to the Magic Kingdom (right off the monorail) this time. Can you tell me what you like most about the Grand Floridian, Contemporary or Polynesian? We've dined at and toured the grounds of all three (and hubbie stayed at Contemporary a lot growing up) so we love certain things about all three, but I want to hear why YOU love them so much. It's so hard deciding so maybe something one of you says can sway us one way or another!

 

[bgraham34]

As I have never stayed at any of these other resorts I will say I would personally choose the Poly. To me the Contemporary was too modern for me. The GF was very nice looking but the people inside just seemed too stuffy for me.

 

[Steamboat_Kevin]

I like the Polynesian a lot because of their TONGA TOAST :slurp:

But I'd probably try to stay iin the main building of the Contemporary, great view

EDIT: What about the Wilderness Lodge? Isn't that a MK resort? I love the WL, great atmosphere and setting.

 

[tigsmom]

Stayed in the Contemporary on our first trip to WDW. It was OK, but I was not really impressed. I like the Polynesian, but not the fact you have to walk outside to get to the restaurants & shops. The Grand Floridian just doesn't do a thing for me. We love the WL- still an MK resort, but not on the monorail - which is why its less expensive.

There is a boat to the MK or the Contemporary to hit the monorail... just another suggestion.

 

[justducky78]

We've stayed at the WL once before (and loved it) but we really want to stay on the monorail. Is there anything in particular you like or dislike about any of them? ie. the pools, rooms, etc?

How long ago did they rehab the GF rooms? Is is a lot more expensive to stay in the main building?

Thanks for the replies so far...

 

[tigsmom]

We stayed in the North Garden wing in 1994. It was nice, but not WOW!
So much has changed there since then.
We stayed at the Poly 2 years ago, we stayed in Rapa Nui by the TTC. Its one of the farthest buildings and we got soaked walking to the main building. The kids loved the pool and the food is great in the restaurants. The rooms were nice and roomy.

We love the WL and have stayed there so many times we have lost count
(8 maybe?) . We are staying at the Boardwalk Inn next month and I'm hoping it works out for us. The kids are older now & enjoy EPCOT more.

 

[dave2822]

You can't go wrong with any of those resorts. I'd go for the Grand Floridian, but that's just personal preference, the MK resorts all offer great rooms, service, and one of the best locations in all of WDW.

 

[justducky78]

Is the GF the only Magic Kingdom resort with a spa? Has anyone used it? We love a good massage...

 

[Moustronaut]

IMHO, Poly has the most magical theming of any of the MK resorts. It has some quiet beaches with some beautiful views of the lagoon and the castle as well as two of my favorite restaurants on WDW property (Kona Cafe for breakfast and O'hanas for dinner). The resort is a little spread out so it's not all under one roof like the Epcot resorts. However Poly is within walking distance to the TTC and the Epcot monorail.

There's a great website for Poly fans at http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/
On this site, the author shows how long it too him to get from his room at Yacht club to the middle of Epcot by walking and how long it took from his room at Poly to get to the middle of Epcot via the monorail. It took the same amount of time. So Poly is the only resort that gives you the best access to both MK and Epcot!

 

[figment1988]

here's my breakdown: the contemporary is a decent hotel, not to mention a video game player's dream (thanks to it's arcade). as for the food, chef mickey's is kid-friendly. the polynesian is rather good for 3 reasons: 1. the pool 2. its dinner shows at ohana (that's where i think they do this) and 3. it's arcade contains the rare 6-player version of X-Men. the grand floridian is ok for a "classy hotel", but for the pools, they're really great (especially the courtyard pool with the huge jacuzzi. with that all said and done, my final verdict goes to the GF

 

[Rinxman]

Definately have to stay at the Poly. It's a gorgeous atmosphere that can't be beat. I myself have only stayed there once (OKW), but go there almost every day to go to MK. Love everything about it. There is also many things for the whole family like the Luau Cove, arcade, and the Peter Pan Kid's Club, along with several great restaurants as you may already know. Also, when you wake up every morning you open the blinds and feel like you are in actual Hawaii. Can't go wrong with the Poly.

 

[themouseman]

WOO! I'm going to WL in a couple of weeks can't wait...What's Tonga Toast

 

[Scooter]

My fav of these three is The Contemporary.
Here's why.

1)Huge rooms
2) You can WALK to the Magic kingdom ( a big plus after the park closes...no lines or crowded busses and monorails filled with hot sweaty people)
3) 3 Great restaurants (Chef Mickeys, Concourse Steakhouse, California Grill)
4) Great shopping for those last minute gifts for friends and relatives back home that whine if you don't buy them something.
5) No matter the weather, you're always under cover, whether boarding a monorail, or a bus, or going anywhere on Contemporary property you have a roof of some sort over your head. (I too have been soaked going to the Great Ceremonial house from a far away room at the Polynesian..ugh)
6) That arcade is great if you have antsy children.(You can hand the kids some quarters, and then eat or have a cup of coffee in peace while the kiddies work off that Disney Candy sugar buzz in the huge game room at The Food and Fun Center.)

 

[Nansafan]

We've stayed at all 3 and the Poly is our favorite. Watching the fireworks from the beach as they explode over the castle is one of my favorite things. We just returned from 9 days at the Poly. You can see the fireworks from the GF and Contemporary but because of the placement of these resorts, the fireworks are to the sides of the castle. Contemporary has the biggest rooms on property. If you need space, the corner rooms of the Garden Wings are huge. The Poly has a peaceful atmosphere while the Contemporary is a more modern feel. The GF is stately and grand. We were a little disappointed in room size as their rooms are smaller than the Poly or Contemporary. Being on the monorail is why we like these resorts.

Walking to the MK is a bonus about staying at the Contemporary and being able to walk to the TTC from the Poly is great too.

You really can't go wrong staying at any of these resorts. But if I could only pick one place to stay, it would be the Poly. It was our first on property resort and holds a special place in our hearts. There is nothing like the smell of the Poly lobby.

 

[njblackberry]

We've stayed at all three, and I think I enjoyed the GF the best. Excellent places to eat. Beautiful facility and lobby (my second favorite lobby at WDW, after WL), and it does have a spa. My wife (a spa person) said it was above average, but not a great spa. We like the theming (sorry - the Contemporary is just plain old to me) and you have to walk a bit in any of those three. Having said all that, my favorite is Wilderness Lodge (which I know is not on the Monorail). If we stay at a monorail hotel again (and money is no object), I think we'll stay at the GF.

 

[poohbear6103]

I would definitely choose the Poly! I have been there 4 times and this August/September will make 5. It is such a beautiful resort. It really makes me feel like I am escaping to the South Seas. They have wonderful restaurants if you want to stay at the resort to eat. Shopping. A beautiful lobby. Amazing pool. I can't say enough nice things about it. On a lazy day after being at the parks all day, there is nothing like laying in your bathing suit on a hammock with a pina colada overlooking Seven Seas lagoon and MK I can't wait to go myself !!!

 

[poohbear6103]

Is the GF the only Magic Kingdom resort with a spa? Has anyone used it? We love a good massage...

It's the only monorail resort that has a spa but you don't have to stay there to use it. We stay at the Poly and just hop on the monorail and go to the spa at least once on our trips. It's a pretty nice spa. They have the basics and then a few "Florida" themed treatments, like the citrus scrub. Smells good enough to eat

 

[justducky78]

Thank you ALL for your posts! I think we're leaning towards the Polynesian, but we still have some time to decide - so we'll probably change our minds a few times between now and next May! We cannot WAIT!

 

[PeterPan1031]

Wilderness Lodge

 

[col]

even though i have never stayed in a moderate or delux resort i would say the polynesian only because it looks lovely from the outside and thats where i want to stay. dont forget you could split your trip in two - you could spend a couple of days in the polynesian and then the grand floridian as someone told me, its only a suggestion.