One of the questions we get asked often when planning a Disney World trip is: “Is this the best place to stay?”. Whilst each of Disney World’s 30 resorts is special in their own unique way, there are 3 that truly stand out: the Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts!
Why Stay At A Monorail Resort?
Location! Location! Location! Gracefully arranged around the Seven Seas Lagoon and strategically placed to offer you stunning views of the Magic Kingdom, a stay at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort truly puts you at the heart of the action. Add to that the convenience of having the monorail on your doorstep to whisk you away to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot; on-site character dining and epicurean rated fine dining; plus flagship-level service, facilities and decor and you might never want to stay anywhere else!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Well known for its iconic shape and design, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the two original Disney World Resorts that opened on the exact same day as the Magic Kingdom! Here are some quick facts about this resort:
- Its design style is retro-futuristic and it was directly influenced by the vision of Walt Disney himself!
- It features 655 oversized Guest rooms, including 50 concierge-level rooms and 23 suites
- The central atrium features a 90- foot-tall mural by Disney Legend Mary Blair which celebrates the Grand Canyon and the American Southwest
Pros:
- Spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom, Bay Lake, and the Seven Seas Lagoon
- Has a direct walking path to the Magic Kingdom (a 10-minute walk with dedicated security line for quick access)
- Has an interior monorail station on the 4th floor (the monorail literally goes through the contemporary resort – which is a treat to see)
- Has an observation deck to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks
- Incorporates the iconic theme and décor of Walt Disney’s mid-century “vision of the future” – this resort truly feels like Walt’s creation
- Dining options include California Grill, The Wave…of American Flavors, Contempo Café and Chef Mickey’s Fun Time Buffet (an interactive children’s character and dining experience). There’s also a lounge serving appetizers, a quick service grab and go location, a coffee shop, a poolside snack bar and room service
- Recreational amenities include two heated pools with slide, whirlpools, an interactive water feature, a leisure pool and poolside cabana rentals, a Health Club, tennis, fishing, a beach for sunbathing, and a jogging trail
- Recreation activities include Disney movies under the stars and the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage.
- The Contemporary Resort is the first stop the monorail makes after leaving the Magic Kingdom
Cons:
- It is the smallest of the monorail resorts (in terms of number of rooms) which can make snagging a room at this high demand resort challenging during popular vacation times
- To ensure you get your preferred room choice (for example if you want a fireworks view room) you will need to plan your trip well ahead of time
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which delivers the spirit of the South Pacific with some fun Disney touches, is a warm and welcoming tropical paradise! Here are some interesting facts:
- Located along the beach of the Seven Seas Lagoon, the resort features South Pacific Island theming inside and out
-
It features 478 traditional hotel rooms, 6 suites in addition to 20 over-the-water bungalows and 360 deluxe studio villas as part of the Disney Vacation Club Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Villas and bungalows
- The Beatles were officially dissolved at the Polynesian Village Resort. The legal dissolution papers were signed by Ringo in the UK, by Paul and George in New York and then shipped to John who was staying at the Polynesian. He became the final Beatle to sign the papers that officially broke up the band
Pros: 
- Immersive, relaxing theming that truly transports you to Polynesia – from being greeted with a flower lei and a cheerful “Aloha,” to lush tropical landscaping to the breathtaking look and feel of the Great Ceremonial House (the resort’s main building and hub)
- Features stunning views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom and its nightly fireworks! There are three locations on property to see the fireworks (with music piped in for the full experience)
- Has a direct walking path to the Transportation and Ticket Center (a handy shortcut that lets you board the Monorail to Epcot directly, so you get there faster)
- Has a monorail station on the 2nd floor of the Great Ceremonial House
- Dining options include the “Spirit of Aloha” dinner show (a true Polynesian musical spectacular), ‘Ohana (family style all you can eat table service dinner as well as daily character breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch), Kona Café, Kona Island for coffee and pastries, Captain Cook’s for quick service meals, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and room service
- Themed heated pool with a volcano waterslide, leisure pool, interactive water feature, aquatic play areas, poolside cabana rentals, health club (accessible at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), fishing, marina watercraft rental, surrey bike rentals and recreation activities including Disney Movies Under the Stars and a picturesque running trail
Cons:
- It’s a bit of a sprawling resort with rooms spread out over 11 buildings (called longhouses)
- If you are riding the Monorail to and from the Magic Kingdom, you have stops both ways (you have to stop at the Grand Floridian when heading to Magic Kingdom, and when leaving you have stops at the Contemporary and the Transportation and Ticket Center before you arrive at the Polynesian
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort offers a world of Victorian Charm, unique Disney experiences and five-diamond dining! Here are some facts you should know:
- The Style and decor of this elegant resort are best described as turn-of-the-century elegance mixed with modern sophistication – it is considered the most luxurious and opulent of the Disney World resorts
- It features 842 rooms, 25 suites and 147 Villas
- It is home to Victoria & Albert – one of the Southeast’s most prestigious restaurants and recipient of AAA’s illustrious Five Diamond Award, the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award, glowing Zagat reviews and a host of other accolades
Pros:
- This resort is stunningly beautiful – from its elegant gleaming exteriors and architecture to its ornate 5 story grand lobby festooned with chandeliers, bird-cage elevators, and gingerbread trim, to its well-appointed guest rooms
- There’s live music in the grand lobby – from a solo piano player that plays classical versions of Disney hits during the day to a live orchestra that plays ragtime, jazz and Disney tunes every evening
- This resort offers the largest collection of Disney Character Dining Experiences – from Disney’s Perfectly Princess Tea, to the Wonderland Tea Party, to the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, to Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner
- This is the only Disney Resort which houses a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique onsite
- Dining options include: Cítricos, Victoria & Albert’s, Gasparilla Island Grill, Grand Floridian Cafe, 1900 Park Fare, Narcoossee’s and two lounges (including the recently opened Beauty & the Beast themed Enchanted Rose lounge)
- Recreation options and amenities include boat rentals featuring the Grand 1 Yacht, fireworks cruises, a beautiful pool with cabana rentals, fishing activities, playground facilities, campfires and games on the beach, game room, Disney movies under the stars, health club, daily complimentary yoga, basketball courts, jogging trail, multiple gift shops and stores, and a full service Spa
- Your journey from this resort to the Magic Kingdom via monorail is non-stop, making it quick and easy!
Cons:
- This is an active resort with lots happening – so if you are looking for a more peaceful vibe, Disney’s Polynesian next door might be a better choice for you
- Despite being located next to the Magic Kingdom, there is no walking access between Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom (we understand that work is underway to build a walkway, so this may yet be resolved in the future)
Upgrade Your Experience With A Club Level Stay!
Want to make your Disney vacation even more magical? Ask your Castles and Cruises travel advisor about upgrading to Club Level accommodation at any of these resorts. Upgrading to Club gives you access to additional perks, amenities
and concierge-level services. Here’s an overview:
- Expedited check-in via a dedicated VIP desk reserved exclusively for Club Level Guests
- Club-level rooms are clustered together in premium locations at the resorts – secure access means that these areas can only be accessed by club guests, so traffic levels are low
- You have access to an exclusive lounge which serves complimentary light meals, snacks and desserts, as well as hot and cold beverages, from 7 am to 10 pm daily (complimentary adult beverages are available every evening)
- You have a dedicated concierge team on hand to take care of all of your needs – from answering questions, assisting with dining and other requests and resolving issues, to delivering theme park shopping directly to your room and handing you bottles of water to take with you to the parks!
- Your rooms feature upgraded toiletries and amenities (such as nightly turndown service complete with chocolates on your pillow)
PLUS!
Club-level guests have special access to additional FastPass opportunities! When you book Club, you will be offered the opportunity to purchase 3 additional FastPasses per day – bringing your total to 6 pre-booked FPs. What’s even better is that Club Guests who purchase additional FPs, can book all of their FPs 90 days in advance! This guarantees that your travel advisor will be able to secure all of the high demand FPs for popular rides; plus this will allow you to bypass the Tier 1 FP restriction! Have park hopper tickets? You can spread your FP selections across more than one park! Check out these photos for a glimpse into what your day could look like!
Ready To Book?
Treat yourself and your family to a truly magical Disney Experience with a stay at one of these fine monorail resorts – Contact your Castles and Cruises Travel Advisor today to get started!
