Walt Disney World Resorts: Intro to Deluxe Resorts - Monorail Loop
Our Deluxe Resorts monorail loop image reflects the lakeside setting, high rise or resort type buildings with many pools, monorail tracks, and potential view of Cinderella's Castle that can be found at these resorts.
If you're just joining us, welcome. You've caught us in the middle of a series that will deep dive into every resort at Walt Disney World. We've already discussed value and moderate resorts, starting with an introduction to how they work in general, and then providing cheat sheets the following week for each category. It is time to move on to deluxe resorts. And this is where we find ourselves overwhelmed, to be honest, because Disney has double the amount of deluxe resorts than any other individual category of resort.
So we've decided to break things up a bit by area of the resort, or, when that fails, type of resort. This week, we'll begin discussing the monorail loop resorts, and as you can probably guess, what these three deluxe resorts have in common is they are all on the monorail loop with makes a circuit around the Seven Seas Lagoon with stations at the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center.
As a reminder, everyone who stays at a Walt Disney World Resort gets the following:
Early theme park entry
Complimentary Walt Disney World transportation from your resort to the theme parks
If you have a Magic Band, keyless entry to your resort hotel room
Earlier ability to make dining reservations (at 60 days out from the FIRST day of your stay, you can make reservations for your entire length of stay up to 10 days)
Earlier ability to make Lightning Lane reservations each day if using Genie+ (at 7am rather than at park opening)
Staying inside the "Disney Bubble" and being served by Disney Cast Members for your entire vacation
In addition to that, EVERY Disney resort is going to have these amenities:
Pools
Quick service food on resort property
Laundry (you pay, but there are facilities)
A gift shop
Wifi
Walt Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Explained
Deluxe resorts are the most expensive and luxurious resorts Disney has to offer the typical guest (by typical, we mean those guests who are not Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members). These resorts can be easily recognized by a few features:
Proximity to theme parks (in many cases you can see, if not walk to, a theme park)
Transportation options other than bus (in most cases)
Multiple table-service dining locations
Rooms that are accessed by interior corridors, and that have private balconies in most cases
Larger rooms than moderate resorts
Suite options and club-level options
Larger buildings, in general, and grand lobbies
Evening magic hours - this is a 2-3 hour period of time where ONLY deluxe and DVC resort guests can be in the park, usually after park closing. Rides are open during this time.
In addition to those common perks, you generally find more amenities at deluxe resorts, such as the option to book a "club-level" room, marinas with boat rentals, a spa or fitness center, multiple lounges, and other amenities that are unique to each resort. Like moderate resorts, each deluxe resort has a very developed theme and landscaping to match that theme.
The price of staying at a deluxe resort, as you may already have guessed, is almost always more than that of staying at the most expensive moderate resort. And depending on the room type and perks you select, the sky seems like it's the limit. Moderate resorts, again, range from $250-$450 per night, depending on the time of year. So with deluxe resorts, you can typically expect to find rates of more than $450 a night. However, promotions can allow for excellent deals on deluxe resorts.
In total, there are eight deluxe resorts (we are not yet counting DVC-only resorts or resorts that are operated by those other than Disney):
Contemporary Resort
Polynesian Village Resort
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Beach Club
Yacht Club
Boardwalk
Wilderness Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Contemporary, Polynesian Village, and Grand Floridian resorts were the first resorts built on Disney property, and all share a monorail route with stops at the Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center. They are all nestled on the Seven Seas Lagoon, and you can see the Magic Kingdom from parts of these resorts.
The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk resorts are located right outside of EPCOT's "back door", the International Gateway. You can walk to EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios from any of these resorts.
The Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge resorts are very similar in architecture, as you can probably guess by their names. Both feature multi-story lobbies with huge timber rafters and totem poles. However, the Wilderness Lodge is themed to the Pacific Northwest and is located nearer the Magic Kingdom than any other theme park. The Animal Kingdom Lodge, on the other hand, is themed to Africa, and is located a 5-minute bus ride away from the Animal Kingdom theme park, sharing a back savannah with that park's savannah.
These are the groupings we'll use to discuss each of these resorts, and this week, we will talk about the monorail resorts.
A Brief Explanation of Club-Level:
Something you will find at most deluxe resorts if the option to upgrade to a club-level room. Sometimes this means the room is also nicer, but most times, it simply means you get access to certain amenities. Club-level rooms are typically kept to one wing, floor, or building of a resort.
One of the main perks of a club-level room is access to the club lounge. The club lounge is simply a room with tables and chairs that provides refreshments at designated times throughout the day. There is almost always cold water and soda available, and then throughout the day, snacks and small items are put out. We're not just talking some chips and cookies. Usually there are desserts made at the resort, and hot items, often unique to the resort. You may also find alcoholic beverages. The key here is you can go into the lounge and eat all you wish at no additional cost (aside from your club upgrade).
Often, club-level rooms also come with a more private check-in area so you don't have to wait in longer lines in the main lobby, and a concierge who can secure dining reservations and help with you vacation planning while there.
Monorail Loop Resorts
The monorail loop resorts include, in order of the monorail route stops from the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. These resorts all share some features:
A monorail station that allows quick access to the Magic Kingdom and Transportation and Ticket Center
Access to a walking path around the Seven Seas Lagoon
Access to the Seven Seas Lagoon via marina
Views of the Magic Kingdom
Boat and monorail transportation to the Magic Kingdom
Theoretically walkable to the Magic Kingdom (but we would say it's not feasible from all resorts here)
Below, we'll discuss each.
Inside the Grand Canyon Concourse at the Contemporary Resort
Our Take On Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of the two original Walt Disney World Resorts, so it was in operation when Walt Disney World opened in 1971. It's theme is best described as "What we thought the future would look like in the 1970s". It's some sort of funky mix of midcentury modern and concrete. Recently, the resort has been re-themed a bit to the Incredibles, which also evoke that Jetsons-y feel this resort does. The resort itself consists of a large 15-story A-frame building, and then two lower-lying wings off the A-frame. Inside the A-frame are rooms on the outer walls, and the Grand Canyon Concourse lobby inside, which includes several restaurants and shops, and a monorail station. This the only resort where the monorail enters the resort building.
Rooms here are among the largest across Disney property at 422 square feet. There are 655 rooms. Your room experience could vary, though depending on whether you get a room in the A-frame or a garden wing room. A-frame rooms that face the Magic Kingdom are the only rooms that offer a good view of the park and fireworks. Rooms on the other side of the A-frame offer a lovely view of Bay Lake. The downside to A-frame rooms are that they can be noisy because of all the activity happening in the Grand Canyon Concourse. Garden wing rooms will be lower-lying, but quieter.
For the most part, rooms offer a private balcony, except for the first floor garden wing rooms. A standard room has either 2 queen beds and a daybed or 1 king bed and a daybed. There are, however, lots of suite options, including 25 1- or 2-bedroom suites, and 11 concierge (club-level) suites.
The Contemporary Resort is located on an isthmus, which makes for an interesting and picturesque setting. On one side is the Seven Seas Lagoon (and the Magic Kingdom), and on the other is Bay Lake. There are two pools at the Contemporary resort. One is out the back of the resort, on the shores of Bay Lake. The other is located nearer Bay Lake Tower, which is the adjoining DVC property, but guests of both can use both pools. There is a hot tub and children's water play area near each pool. There is also a marina on Bay Lake, from which guests can rent a variety of seacraft, or take a boat to the Magic Kingdom or the Wilderness Lodge resort. Parasailing and water skiing are also offered on Bay Lake.
There is a fitness center at this resort, but there is a fee to use it and it is open to not just guests of the resort, but anyone who wants to pay the fee. There are also six tennis courts (at which you can actually book a clinic for coaching), a shuffleboard area, sand volleyball, and a very large arcade. Out the other side of the resort, on Seven Seas Lagoon, you can view the nightly Electrical Water Pageant, a show of lit up floats that goes by each of the monorail loop resorts.
One theme with deluxe resorts is more dining than you can shake a stick at, and this is true for the Contemporary resort as well. There are 3 table-service restaurants, one of which is signature dining, and another of which is a character meal, a lounge, a pool bar, a quick-service location, and 24-hour full-menu room service.
Below is a brief overview of the dining:
Contempo Cafe - This is your quick service spot for a quick bite and grab-and-go items
Chef Mickey's - This character meal buffet is incredibly popular because it features Mickey and Friends. It is located in the Grand Canyon Concourse and therefore can create some noise (especially at breakfast which always seems exuberant).
California Grill - Located at the very top of the Contemporary Resort's A-Frame, this signature dining location offers unbeatable views of the Magic Kingdom and a private deck on which to view fireworks. Oh, and really good, fresh, California-inspired food.
Steakhouse 71 - This table service location is quickly gaining popularity because of its nods to Walt Disney built into the decor and the menu. It is the Floridan sister of Disneyland California's Steakhouse 55 (Because Disneyland opened in 1955 and Disney World opened in 1971).
Outer Rim Lounge - This bar/lounge is located in the A-Frame and offers views of Bay Lake
Sand Bar - This is the pool bar
One key reason to stay at the Contemporary Resort is the easiest access to quick transportation. In addition to the monorail and boat transportation, this is the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom, and is an easy 5-10 minute walk to and from that theme park. You can also board the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom. Although you will stop at the TTC and each other monorail loop resort, this is still a quick ride at about 10 minutes. On the way back from the Magic Kingdom, your resort is the first stop because of the direction of monorail travel, however it might just be quicker to walk back. You can also take a boat to the Magic Kingdom. To get to EPCOT, you can take a bus, though you can also take the monorail one stop to the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then transfer to the EPCOT monorail. Finally, Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom are accessed via bus transportation.
During the holidays, this resort hosts a gingerbread house competition in the lobby, which is always fun to view, and a giant Christmas Tree is placed outside the front of the resort. If you're a history buff, you might be interested to know that this resort's conference center is where Richard Nixon said the famous words "I am not a crook".
Downsides to the Contemporary are mainly that many feel it "doesn't have a theme". It is a very understated resort, and while lovely, it is true the theme is either non-existent or dated at times. Because of the resort's architecture as well, there have been accidents where people have fallen (intentionally, perhaps) from balconies on the higher levels. Some people say they won't stay at a resort where people have died. I have bad news for you if this is you..... the deaths at the Contemporary were just more publicized because of the spectacular ways in which they occurred.
Cabanas at the Oasis pool, and a typical longhouse in the background at the Polynesian Village Resort
Our Take on Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
The Polynesian Village Resort was the second of the two resorts open on the day Walt Disney World opened, and could not be more different than the Contemporary in terms of theme. This resort is themed to the South Pacific, and the theme is everywhere from the architecture, to the drinks and food, to the activities, to the beautiful grounds. You really feel as if you are in a tropical hide-away when staying here.
Rooms at this resort are located in longhouses which are long 2- to 3-story buildings that are completely separate from other buildings. This allows each building to feel a bit more intimate than a larger building with long corridors. The lobby and most services are located in the Great Ceremonial House, on the second floor of which is a walkway to the covered monorail station.
Rooms average 404 square feet, and rooms on the second floor have private balconies. Standard rooms have 2 queen beds. If the room is a theme park or lagoon view room, there is also a daybed in the room. There are also several suites here, including the Honeymoon Suite, 1-bedroom suite, Ambassador Suite, Princess Suite, and King Kamehameha Suite (which sleeps 8). You may also notice the over-water bungalows near the beach. These Bora Bora Bungalows are DVC properties.
There are two pools. The main pool is the Lava Pool which is right out the back doors of the Great Ceremonial House. This pool features a volcano-themed water slide, and waterfalls. It also has an infinity hot tub nearby. The other pool which is quieter, is the Oasis pool, which is a simple oval-shaped zero-entry pool which also has a hot tub nearby. In addition to this, there is sand volleyball, and a marina with boat rentals. You will not find the parasailing and water skiing here, though, as the body of water is the Seven Seas Lagoon, which is also shared by the Magic Kingdom and is therefore heavily patrolled by Disney security.
The Great Ceremonial House at Polynesian Village Resort
We think the themed activities at this resort are fantastic. On certain days, you can find hula lessons in the lobby. In the evening, you can watch a torch-lighting ceremony where the many tiki torches that light the property at night are lit by hand by a fire dancer. There's a great lawn, on which many activities take place, including a campfire and movies under the stars in the evening. For an additional fee, you can also book a guided fishing excursion. A jogging trail encircles the Seven Seas Lagoon for a jog like no other. And of course, being on the Seven Seas Lagoon, you will be able to view the nightly Electrical Water Pageant. In fact, we would say the beaches of this resort offer the best view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, given that from here, you are directly across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom, so you get a head-on view.
While this resort has only 2 table-service locations, there are 4 lounges, and 3 quick-service locations, including some really unique offerings. There is also 24/7 full-menu room service. Below is a list of the dining options.
Captain Cook's - This is your quick service and grab-and-go location for general meals. It's located on the bottom of the Great Ceremonial House and has its own entrance.
Ohana - This table-service restaurant offers family-style dining. At breakfast, this is a character experience with Lilo and Stitch. At dinner, you can still expect an interactive dining experience with games for the kids.
Kona Cafe - Perhaps one of the most underrated table-service restaurants at Disney, this location is easy to get reservations at and offers the famous Tonga Toast (french toast stuffed with bananas) at breakfast, and steaks, sushi, and other yummy bites at lunch and dinner.
Kona Island - Conveniently located coffee shop by day, and Kona Cafe outpost by night, this counter service place is located just before the walkway to the monorail, so is perfectly situated to get some of the best coffee on Disney property before heading into the parks. We loved sitting here one evening sharing sashimi and dumplings and watching the monorail go by.
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto - This lounge is the Floridian equivalent of Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel in California, and offers fun drinks and an even more fun atmosphere. This place is popular and a line begins to form before opening each night.
Tambu Lounge - Located off the lobby near Ohana, this full-service bar offers themed drinks like the Lava Flow (Pina Colada with strawberry puree).
Oasis Pool Bar - This is the pool bar is interestingly located at the quiet pool rather than the main pool, which makes this pool bar a more relaxing experience overall. There are some nice light lunch items, and of course, drinks.
Barefoot Pool Bar - This is the pool bar located at the main pool, with a similar menu of light bites and drinks.
Pineapple Lanai - At one time, this was the only place outside of the Magic Kingdom that you could get a Dole whip. Now, Dole whips are offered at Animal Kingdom and (shocker) some grocery store shelves. But we still think this is a stroke of genius. Located out the Great Ceremonial House's back door, this is the perfect place to stop and get something cold and refreshing after a hot day in the theme park. And they offer rum-laced Dole whips too.
Let's talk transportation. Like the Contemporary, we think the Polynesian Village Resort simply can't be beat for transportation. The monorail can be accessed to get to the Magic Kingdom (going to the Magic Kingdom, you'll also stop at the Grand Floridian, and coming from, you'll stop at the Contemporary and TTC first, but still, it's only about a 5-10 minute ride). But the fun little secret is that the TTC is walkable from the Polynesian Village resort. A little path connects one side of the resort to the Transportation and Ticket Center. From here, you can directly board a monorail to EPCOT. Or you can choose to take the large ferry to the Magic Kingdom, though we don't really think that would save time. The resort also serves the Magic Kingdom by boat, shared with the Grand Floridian, and while we don't think it would save time, sometimes it's just nice to get out on the water. Finally, you could theoretically walk to the Magic Kingdom, though you would be walking via the Grand Floridian, and the walk would take 15-20 minutes. Other theme parks (Disney Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom) are served by bus.
One thing we love about the Polynesian Resort, in addition to the excellent transportation, the dole whips, and the drinks, is that you are given a leiei upon arrival, which along with the theme that runs through everything from food, to drink, to landscaping, you really do feel you are on a tropical island. We also love the Tonga toast.
The theme of this resort is so well done that Polynesian music is even piped through the resort during daytime hours. We found this charming... the first few days. Then, we just wanted some peace and quiet. So, if there is any downside to this resort, we would say this is it. I don't need to constantly be subjected to music or sound effects, Disney. Sometimes I just want peace. Other guests say that the Ferry from the TTC can be loud from certain buildings because it toots the horn when it arrives and pulls away from the dock. We never heard the ferry, but we were also not in a waterfront building, so your mileage may vary. Either way, these are small things, and we have trouble finding fault here.
The charm of the Grand Floridian resort, represented by Victorian embellishments
Our Take on the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
If you're looking for the poshest of posh, then you need look no further than our last monorail loop resort. The Grand Floridian is often referred to as Walt Disney World's flagship resort, though it was the third resort built. It is also nothing like the Grand Californian at Disneyland, so names aside, it's a totally different feel. The Grand Floridian Resort combines a Victorian theme with a somewhat Main Street U.S.A. feel. Mary Poppins would (and does) feel quite at home here.
The Grand Lobby is just inside the monorail station and is a multi-story oval shaped affair with several shops and restaurants. In the center of the lobby is a large grand piano which hosts live entertainment most evenings. During the holidays, a life-sized gingerbread house is built, which sells fresh bakery items, including gingerbread, from a window. A glass elevator or a grand staircase, the kind of which you can just picture Cinderella and Prince Charming traipsing down (and they do), allows guests access to higher floors from the Grand Lobby.
There are also several outbuildings which house more rooms, as well as a wedding gazebo overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, and a restaurant that sits on the shores of the lagoon. There is also a DVC resort area in another set of buildings closer to the Polynesian Village Resort.
Life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand Floridian in winter 2022
Rooms here are among the largest on property at 440 square feet (like the Contemporary Resort), and feature two queen beds and a day bed, or one king bed. They are also the most expensive rooms on property. A room in an outer building runs around $700-$800 per night, while a room off the main building will run around $800-$1000 per night. And that's not even considering suites, of which there are many. There are 26 1- or 2-bedroom suites, and 6 honeymoon suites which feature either a jetted tub or a large octagonal windowed area. There are also attic rooms available, which are standard rooms with a little bit of charm, but a little bit less square footage, as they are located in the gables of the resort. Rooms have private balconies and most have views of the Seven Seas Lagoon or the marina. Finally, there are club-level rooms here as well, but two different clubs at two different prices depending on whether you choose to stay in the main building or in an outer building. Main building club-level is called the Royal Palm Club. Outer building club-level is called Sugarloaf Club. This is important because the Royal Palm Club concierge services are said to be the best at Walt Disney World (and therefore are more expensive).
For recreation, there are two pools. The main pool is called the Beach Pool and has a waterslide and waterfalls. There is also a Courtyard Pool which is considered the quiet pool. For children, there is a Mad Hatter's water play area. There is also an arcade, jogging trail around the Seven Seas Lagoon, and campfire and movies on the beach nightly. Speaking of the beach, do not let your children approach the water at any time, including during the movies. Alligators are a danger and the beach is not meant for swimming or wading. This is true for any of the three resorts we listed, though this resort is the one that chooses to show movies on the beach at night.
There is a marina from which you can rent a variety of sea craft, or go on a guided fishing excursion. There is also a Disney's Pirate Adventure offered from this marina that will take children to several secret spots around the area to find "hidden treasure". Children age 4-12 can also be signed up for a Wonderland tea party for an afternoon of games, crafts, and tea (which we presume is juice) with Alice and the Mad Hatter.
In addition to a fitness center (free to use for guests of the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian Village Resort), there are some additional amenities here that set the Grand Floridian apart. First, there's a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where your prince or princess can get a royal make-over, including an outfit (for a price, of course). There is also, as the resort name would imply, a legitimate spa. Disney spas are Senses spas and they offer a full menu of spa services from facials to massages to manicures and pedicures (also, for a price). Senses can be quite expensive compared to other spas, but then again, those who stay at the Grand Floridian might be assumed to have some disposable income.
Shopping also deserves a mention because in addition to your standard Disney gift shop fare, there are a few other shops, including a Basin White (bath products) shop, a higher-end clothing shop, a spa products shop, and not one but two Disney gift shops, one of which sells wines from the Disney estates. And yes, we have been here just to shop.
If you think the recreation amenities are boggling, we're just getting started, because dining options here are some of the best on Walt Disney World property. In addition to the 24/7 full-menu room service, you will find 3 award winning table-service locations, 2 additional table-service locations, a quick-service spot, 4 lounges, and a tea room.
Below is our attempt at summarizing what's available:
Gasparilla Island Grill - This is your quick service and grab-and-go spot for a quick lunch.
Grand Floridian Cafe - This is a family-friendly dining location and an easy to grab ADR for a nice cafe-style bite while overlooking the courtyard.
1900 Park Fare - Another family-friendly table-service location, which hosts characters such as Mary Poppins, Alice, Cinderella, or Pinocchio (the character hosting often changes).
Citrico's - This is a signature dining location with a dress code. This location serves Mediterranean and Floridian inspired seafood dishes.
Narcoosie's - Also signature dining, with a dress code, this restaurant sits on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon in its own building, which offers a fantastic view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Steaks, seafood, salad, and more are served.
Victoria and Albert's - This table-service location stands head and shoulders above the rest at Walt Disney World, and, in fact, most of Florida. It is one of three restaurants in Florida to receive the AAA 5-diamond award, and the only restaurant in Florida to have achieved both that and the Forbes Travel 5-Star award. This is a special experience with a seven course menu and optionally paired wines. If you wish to take this a step further (and why not, disposable income people!) you can reserve the chef's table where you will dine in the kitchen and the chef will serve you bites whipped up specifically to your tastes and talk with you about the food.
Garden View Tea Room - Back to a slightly more casual, but unique, dining experience is the afternoon tea offered at the Garden View Tea Room. If you love an afternoon tea, you'll adore this. They offer a few different options of what to have with your tea, and an impressive menu of legitimately good teas, including rare teas. They are also kid-friendly, and make the kids feel fancy by serving them a lovely juice tea. Time it right and you can see Cinderella and Prince Charming descend the grand staircase (I told you so!) and have a bit of a waltz.
Finally, let's talk transportation. Obviously this resort is on the monorail loop. A trip to the Magic Kingdom will be quick as it is the very next stop. Unfortunately, your monorail trip back from the Magic Kingdom will go through the Contemporary, TTC, and Polynesian before getting to you. You can also take a boat to the Magic Kingdom and you will be the first stop coming and going, even though you will share the boat with the Polynesian Village Resort. Now that the path around the Seven Seas Lagoon is complete, you could also theoretically walk to the Magic Kingdom (A 10-15 minute walk) or the Transportation and Ticket Center to get a monorail to EPCOT (via the Polynesian, also a 10-15 minute walk). Busses are available everywhere else.
So, would we stay at the Grand Floridian, given the chance? Yes! The amenities and dining options are out of this world. This resort oozes charm and carries that feeling of Main Street U.S.A. into your hotel stay, which is pretty amazing. Drawbacks, however, are going to be obvious, I think. For one, it's SO expensive to stay here. It's the hoity toity-est of the hoity toities. The poshest of the posh. And many simply can't justify the price. There's also the matter of even if I could justify the price, I don't mingle with the 1% every day and I might not feel fancy enough to be there. Although families are expected and welcome, I wonder how family-friendly it really feels given it's so fancy. I always enjoy a visit, though, and anyone can visit to shop and partake of the restaurants.
Our Favorite and Least Favorite of the Monorail Loop Resorts
We'll keep this brief because, even having said so much, we've only discussed a few of the eight deluxe resorts. Aren't you glad we broke this up?
Our personal favorite monorail loop resort is the Polynesian Village Resort. We struggle to find fault with it, as we said. It doesn't lack personality like the Contemporary Resort does, and it doesn't make us feel like we might not belong there, like the Grand Floridian does. It feels welcoming from the moment you arrive, like walking into a big tropical embrace. And although it's not the closest of these to the Magic Kingdom, the monorail is so slick that a couple extra stops doesn't bother us at all. Not only that, though, but that short walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center is precious. It is the only of these resorts that feels like it has direct monorail transportation to EPCOT simply because that walk is so convenient.
All of these resorts have something fantastic to offer, so I don't feel like choosing a least favorite is fair. I would happily stay at any of the three. However, if I had to envision where I might choose to stay, the Contemporary would win out over the Grand Floridian for two reasons: The Contemporary is an amazingly short walk to the Magic Kingdom (it's basically across the street), and the Grand Floridian is just too expensive for us. Yes, it has more amenities, but honestly, anyone can travel to the Grand Floridian and use the amenities, and stay somewhere else that's cheaper per night. So unless we had the chance to go all out and stay club-level, we would pass. That doesn't by ANY means imply it's not a good resort. It's the best of the best. It's just not the right price for us.
And that's our take on the monorail loop resorts. Next time, we'll post those handy-dandy cheat sheets. If you're liking this content, go on over to our Facebook page and follow us there so you can see when new articles are posted each week. Until next time...
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