Many guests have trouble deciding where to stay when visiting Walt Disney World for the first time.  The options can be overwhelming and making the right decision is important.  Staying on the monorail is a logical location, especially for families with young children who want close proximity to the Magic Kingdom.  The three resorts on the monorail are Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort and they couldn’t be more different from one another.

We can make any itinerary work with any resort choice, but want our guests to choose a resort that really “speaks” to them!  A key factor is how a resort makes you feel when you are there.  The Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary all have their trademarks, and finding the one our guests will jive best with is the ultimate goal.   Below is a brief description of each resort to use as a guide to see which one might catch your eye.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a beautiful Victorian-style hotel with white rod iron handrails, perfectly manicured lawns, and flowers placed precisely where they should be.  Known as Disney’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian is the epitome of luxury and elegance.

The lobby at the Grand Floridian is filled with ornate chandeliers and beautiful floral arrangements.  At various times of day there will be a piano player filling the lobby with beautiful music. The Grand Floridian is truly magnificent down to every last detail! The pathway to Magic Kingdom is a lovely 15 minute walk along the river.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa pools and splash areas:

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, which some affectionately refer to as “The Poly” transports you directly to a South Pacific-themed paradise. Dark woods, lush gardens, large flowers, and tiki torches can be found everywhere, as well as the famous Dole Whip!  This is a place where you can really let your hair down.  Don’t get me wrong, the Grand Floridian is amazing, but if you’re looking for a more casual style the Poly might be a better fit.

From the moment you arrive at the Poly you are greeted with a large, bright room and all the vibrant colors the expansive lobby area has to offer.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort pools and splash areas:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort always piqued my curiosity as a child, and I thought it was “so cool” that the monorail was inside the hotel!  The sheer size of this gigantic A-frame building is really awe-inspiring. This resort will suit those who prefer clean lines and modern designs.  While this hotel does not have a two story expansive lobby like the others, do not expect to feel all warm and fuzzy. The rooms have recently been redone in an Incredibles theming and

The decorating is at a minimum and to some people it could feel “cold” here.  The upstairs section that houses Chef Mickey’s is very open concept, but still with those clean lines.  The biggest plus with the Contemporary is that you can walk to the Magic Kingdom in under ten minutes.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort pools and splash area:

Disney’s monorail system connects these resorts with the Magic Kingdom, but also to the Ticket and Transportation Center where you can head over to Epcot in about 20 minutes (this is currently not available due to Covid as of June 2021).  This mode of transportation is extremely easy especially if you have small children with you.  Strollers must be folded to board the busses, but you can wheel them right onto the monorail, which is key if you have a sleeping child in tow.

There is no doubt that you are going to pay a bit of a premium to stay on the monorail for the proximity and convenience to Magic Kingdom and ease of getting to Epcot (when the monorail is back in action).  The prices will also vary between the type of room you need and the view you desire. It is truly a magical place to stay on property.  The nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant can be seen from the beaches at both the Grand Floridian and Polynesian where they pipe in the music, and on a viewing platform at the Contemporary.

You will not be disappointed with any of these wonderful options and our agents are ready to plan your next magical vacation!

by Ellen Volpe – Co-Owner of ET Family Travel