[MagicalMoments]

It is rough being home!!!

I think I read somewhere someone talking about trying to get the most out of their AP. (Was it Lauren??) I am thinking that way too! Even though we have next March scheduled, I am going to try to do a fall break trip which would be in Oct. My DD would only have to miss a couple of days of school.

So, I am thinking that this would be a good time to try a deluxe resort as it would only be 3ish nights. And the passes to the parks are paid for. So I might be able to pull it off.

My question is: which resort would you recommend between GF, Poly or CR. And why? (We are not considering WL at this time as we want to experience being on the monorail system.
DH prefers Poly, DD like Contemporary, and I don't care as I would just be thrilled to pull this off.

Thanks for your opinions.

[Dana]

If put in the position to choose from those three, I would pick the Polly. That's exactly what I chose for my upcoming trip in January. Here's why I did: Location, theming and total atmosphere. I went to O'hana for dinner and completely fell in love with this resort. I could have picked any of the resort for my next trip and the Polly is the one I wanted the most. It's centralish location is a plus. It's on the monorail route and next door the the TTC. The easy access to MK and Epcot was just another plus to me. It's very familyish feeling and you feel at home as soon as you walk in. I don't think I culd get that from the GF whicxh is a beautiful hotel, but I feel like I shouldn't touch anything..lol. The CR just doesn't appeal to me personally, but I now of many DCers who love it there. Go for the Polly!

BTW: welcome home!:)

[LAURENGOLD]

Hi Magical Moments.....

I hate to have to say it but......welcome home ;)

My choice would be the same as Dana's. We stayed at the Poly last December (2002) and LOVED it. Loved the location, the theme, the monorail.....everything. I truly felt as though I had found my "home".

I think my second choice would be the Contemp. I recently have seen some pictures of the rooms at the resort and they do look pretty cool.

My last choice, for much the same reason as Dana, would be GF. With an active 5 year old, I just would not have one ounce of security walking through that lobby. Maybe for our 25th wedding anniversery;) (or maybe not.....DD would not be there to blame that lobby thing on:whistle: )

Lauren

[dznygrl]

If you could pull off any of those 3, definitely go with the Poly! I stayed there in 2002, and it is hands-down my favorite resort. You will not find (in my opinion) a resort more magical or beautiful!!!

:D Good luck, I hope you can pull this off!!

[JOANN]

I realize the AKL is not on the list, but that would have to be my choice. For our family the AKL really works well for us. Close to the Parks we go to most, and only one bus stop!!! Great Resort!!! JOANN:)

[MagicalMoments]

Yes, I am leaning toward the Poly. (That is my DH first choice.) I walked thru the resort a couple of times this past trip. And it was so peaceful and relaxing. The pool area is so scenic.
If I cannot pull off Oct 2004, I think I will try to do the Poly in March 2005. I will watch for any AP discounts or Disney Visa.
Even though it is much more practical for us to stay at a value, I want to experience something else! AS Sports was so crowded with kids that it was not relaxing. And when we went over to the Poly, their pool area was so different!
I hope I can figure out expenses so that I can do this October trip! Better start making plans to work hard!!

[alextina]

Even though it is much more practical for us to stay at a value, I want to experience something else!

BE CAREFUL!!!:laugh Once you stay at a deluxe resort you will never go back to the value's and once you have stayed on the monorail then forget it your stuck (so I've heard).:D We used to stay at the hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd. (Best Western, Double Tree, Etc...) Then we stayed at the AKL last year and after that wonderful experience I don't think I could accept anything less. We are staying at the Poly this year. It will be our very first time at the Poly and our very first time at a monorail resort.:D I have a funny feeling it won't be our last.:laugh :)

[dznygrl]

Originally posted by alextina
BE CAREFUL!!!:laugh Once you stay at a deluxe resort you will never go back to the value's

I thought the same thing when we stayed at the Poly in 2002. So we had reserved a studio at OKW for our trip in 2003...

When money became an issue, however, it was amazing how willing we were to stay at ASMo! And y'know what? I was paranoid about staying at a Value, thinking I would hate it...and we loved it. Probably because we knew it was either that or no Disney at all! :p

But of course if given the choice I would stay at a Deluxe! :)

[tinkerbell0219]

Most definitely the Polynesian!!!!! It's everything and more. Not onlyl are you visiting WDW....but you're staying in the South Pacific. What more could you ask for. The monorail, the Great Ceremonial House, the torches, the luau, Polynesian music playing as you walk the grounds....the Electric Water Pageant, the view of the castle from the lagoon. I could go on forever. Hands down, the Poly is the BEST resort on property.

I have been staying at the Polynesian since I was 4 years old.....and that's over a 29 year time span. I remember when it was only the MK, the CR and the Poly. Back then, rooms went for $60, $70 and $80/night. It's fun to look back at pics of the room and see how it's changed.

[Metalfan]

It really depends on what you want! lol. I love the Poly and the Contemporary. I really like the GF, but as EVERYONE has stated over the past few weeks it is the ultimate in Deluxe at Disney, however everyone also agrees that they think they wouldn't have a great time there because its too fancy. The Contemporary is a very nice hotel that has great restarants but really lacks a theme and for the most part it's like offsite hotels. If you stay in the tower then it's a different story because of the views you get. The Poly has everything you could want. Food, music, theme, atmosphere, monorail, and a great place to view fireworks at night. So it's really up to what you think.

[sjpurple]

I would have to say the Poly also.
It's just such a serene place. Yet nicely exotic.
It is so nice to be on the monorail too.

[roxie]

We just returned from the Poly last Sunday. It was beautiful. The rooms are huge, the Volcano Pool was fun, and the monorail line was easy. We would sure stay there again.

[gymboy]

I would pick the Poly. I have stayed their several times, and I like the Poly the best of all the resorts. First, location you can?t beat it, you are directly across from the Magic Kingdom, and you have the monorail. The theme is very good also, you feel like you?re at a tropical Island, so you are getting two vacations in one. I enjoy the theme and the monorail.
The Grand Floridian, when I go to the GF I feel like I have to were a suite walking around the place.
The Contemporary, it seems to be kind of old, not much refurbishing has been done, and with the monorail going directly threw it, It feels like Grand Central Station to me, and you feel like your sating in a dorm building.
I would defiantly pick the Poly, you won?t regret it. Good Luck.

[MissDisney]

HI! I was wondering why you are considering only the monorail resorts... the reason I ask is because we love the Boardwalk so much, and the Beach Club/Yacht Club are so amazing!!! Beautiful hotels all, and they each have phenomenal pools. Also, you can walk into the International Gateway at Epcot (makes it easy to get home from fireworks!), and you can take a boat to MGM. The rooms are beautiful, and you have access to so much entertainment and dining! The theming is terrific, too, and you get it all for less cash than at a monorail hotel! Just a thought... I'd love to be on Boardwalk's Keister Coaster waterslide right now!

[Disnatic]

I can't believe no one said Wilderness Lodge!!!!! Why it is the most beautiful of all the deluxe resorts!!!! :) :) Why am I the only one? The lobby, the themed rooms, the pool, the restaurants, the transportation. Though it has no monorail, you can boat to Cont or MK and get on the Monorail. I don't care. No offense anyone. I'm stickin to WL.