Hello!
Today I thought I’d dedicate a WWT Guide to the Walt Disney World Monorail resorts. I used to stay at the Contemporary every visit, and though I now stay at the Yacht Club or the Beach Club more frequently, I still enjoy visiting the Contemporary and other resorts on the Monorail line. This guide will go over each Monorail stop, as well as a description of the three resorts it stops at.
If you are considering staying at these resorts, hopefully this guide will help you narrow down your decision. These resorts are especially magical to stay in if it is your first visit or if there are children in your party; you will love seeing the monorail go by right outside (or inside, if you are staying at the Contemporary!) the resort.
To celebrate this article, the @wanderingwishestravel Instagram will be posting a photo for each resort in the newest theme. Check out the account for Disney tips and photography, and also for information about when WWT will be posting its next article!
Now, on with the post.
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THE MONORAIL ITSELF:
The Monorail is a Disney World fan-favorite form of transportation. It travels to the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Polynesian Village Resort, and the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests traveling to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) can transfer Monorails to EPCOT or the Magic Kingdom.
This complimentary Monorail System begins transporting guests a half hour before the earliest park opening and one hour after the latest park closing. That gives you plenty of time to get to the vehicle. Though you may have to wait a few minutes for the next Monorail to arrive, you will rarely have to wait a very long time.
DISNEY’S CONTEMPORARY RESORT:
The Contemporary Resort was one of the three resorts opened on Disney World’s opening day in 1971, the others being the Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Guests can stay in the Contemporary tower, the main building, or the Garden Wing. The resort is comfortably modern with a beautiful exterior. It is also the only resort that the Monorail actually drives through! While visiting the Contemporary, guests will have plenty of things to do.
If you choose to explore, be sure to visit the famous (and beautiful!) Mary Blair mural. You will see it soon after you step off of the Monorail! You could also go visit the garden behind the resort. The Contemporary is very large and exciting to explore, so you will definitely not get tired of walking around the resort!
If you choose to shop, head to Fantasia on the fourth floor. There, you will find all sorts of toys, souvenirs, and accessories. From there, you can go to Bayview Gifts; or Fantasia Market, a small grocery-store-like shop.
If you choose to dine¸ the Contemporary has many dining options. The most famous of the restaurants would be the California Grill Lounge (for guests that want a more formal and relaxed dining experience) and Chef Mickey’s (a buffet, fun if you are traveling with kids or want a fun character experience! Check out WWT’s full guide to Chef Mickey’s), though there are many others. The Wave is a great sit-down option, and Contempo Café offers great counter-service food and beautiful desserts. I’d recommend the peanut butter pie, if they are selling it. It’s amazing. While dining there, you can watch the Monorail go by overhead!
Overall, I would definitely recommend checking out the Contemporary. Remember, it’s the only resort the monorail drives straight through! If you enjoy your time visiting, I will always recommend staying there when you return to Disney World. Not only is it a Monorail Resort, it also has a convenient walking path to the Magic Kingdom.
DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT:
The Grand Floridian Resort is another resort on the Monorail Track. It is one of the most beautiful resorts on property and is home to the gorgeous Wedding Pavilion. Guests can have great views of Cinderella’s Castle and nightly fireworks from the outdoor areas. The lobby also often has live musicians playing music (sometimes Disney songs!) for guests to enjoy! This hotel is packed with things to do; you could spend hours exploring the hallways and the beautiful shops and restaurants.
If you choose to explore, you can listen to the lobby’s live music while you take in the Victorian details of the hotel. You can also walk to the Polynesian Resort on a convenient path along the beach or enjoy the gorgeous views of the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to check out the lobby of the hotel. If you visit around the holidays, the Grand Floridian is always beautifully decorated with a life-sized gingerbread house!
If you choose to shop, you have plenty of options. M. Mouse Mercantile has a bunch of merchandise for you to enjoy, and Basin White sells products like scrubs and adorable Disney soaps. Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries sells beachy items. Curiouser Clothiers has many beautiful clothing options!
If you choose to dine, the Grand Floridian is famous for its grand dining options. Victoria and Albert’s and Citricos are among its specialties. They are formal options perfect for a special night out. If you are craving seafood, head to Narcoossee’s. The Grand Floridian also has a character dining option: 1900 Park Fare. The newly opened Enchanted Rose is a lounge inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Whatever option you choose, the Grand Floridian ensures you will enjoy it.
Though I have not personally stayed at the Grand Floridian, I have visited it many times and have always enjoyed the atmosphere. I can safely assume any visitor would enjoy their shops and restaurants, and judging by the lobby, any visitor would enjoy staying there as well!
DISNEY’S POLYNESIAN VILLAGE RESORT:
The easiest way to get to EPCOT by Monorail is by taking it from the Polynesian. It is the closest stop to the TTC, and very close to the Magic Kingdom as well. Another resort opened on Disney World’s opening date, the Polynesian is home to the popular Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.
If you choose to explore, don’t miss the beautiful beach and walking path to the Grand Floridian! Guests of all ages will enjoy the Polynesian’s beautiful landscaping and architecture. The lobby is very large, with tons of places to explore (and photograph).
If you choose to shop, Moana Mercantile is home to your usual Disney merchandise. Be sure to check out BouTiki, a stunning store showcasing tropical merchandise. Here, you can find things like ukuleles, hotel merch, and Hawaiian shirts. This is actually one of my favorite resort shops. I love Tiki Room merchandise, and you can find a ton of that here!
If you choose to dine, the Polynesian hosts one of my favorite restaurants on property: ‘Ohana. Here, you can enjoy a character breakfast or a delicious Polynesian-themed family-style dinner. This is a restaurant I believe everyone should try at least once. The food and atmosphere is great, and they often have games to entertain children. The teriyaki noodles and ‘Ohana bread pudding for dinner are amazing. Speaking of ‘Ohana Bread Pudding, you can usually find it after 4 pm at the Tambu Lounge right by ‘Ohana. At Pineapple Lanai, you can also buy DOLE Whips! You can usually find specialty variants of the usual pineapple DOLE Whip here. This is perfect if you want the fan-favorite park snack… outside of the park!
The Polynesian is definitely on my list to stay at. The food is amazing, the stores are beautifully themed, and the resort is stunning. The Monorail is definitely a bonus! I make sure to stop here every time I resort hop, and I always enjoy my time at this relaxing resort. I could not recommend it enough.
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The Monorail Resorts are all very beautiful and special resorts. If you ever want a relaxing activity outside the parks, be sure to hop on the Monorail! I do it every time and choose a restaurant at one of the resorts to dine at. Not only is riding the Monorail a fun experience, you also get to check out resorts you might not have visited without the Monorail.
Which one of these resorts is your favorite? Have you stayed at any of them? Is there one in particular you would like to stay at? Let me know in the comments! Be sure to visit @wanderingwishestravel on Instagram for photos of these resorts coming up in the next few days.
Have a great day,
Gia