Are the monorail resorts worth it?

[BibbidiBobbidiUK]

Hi,

We’re planning a summer trip to WDW this July. We normally stay on the Skyliner route, which my small children LOVE.

We’re still in the planning phase and can’t decide on a resort. So is it worth leaving the Skyliner area for the monorail resorts?

TIA

 

[jennab]

“Worth it” is subjective. Do you spend a lot of time at MK? If not, then I definitely wouldn’t say it’s worth it. I like staying at the monorail resorts at times because it’s great to hop on and visit the other resorts (much like you can do with the skyliner). It’s also a walk or monorail ride away from MK. Also monorail to EP, but that one is a bit more of a pain with transferring at TTC. I really think it comes down to preference, priorities, and budget.

 

[DisneyDillyDally]

We have stayed many times at WL. On our last visit we stayed at the Poly - although I liked the theming, it was annoying that the resort is a tourist destination in and of itself for people not staying there.

 

[highlander357]

For us, no. But we don’t go to the park everyday and like long walks and peace and quiet, so we end up at POR. I would rather have the boat to Disney Springs. But we make it a point to ride the Skyliner during each trip, so I understand why your family likes it.

“Worth” implies spending money and I think the equation is different if your Skyliner resort is The Riviera or if it’s Pop Century as an example. One is in the same neighborhood cost wise and the other is not.

 

[GoldenRatio88]

It's a lot of money so if you've got it to spend, you would probably enjoy it but those hotels are pretty pricey!

 

[Schneewittchen37]

My one stay at Bay Lake Tower was "worth it" to me. I love the easy access to MK and the nice variety of good restaurants and shopping in that area. It's somewhat likely that I'll stay at another monorail/DVC resort in the future. But I've also really enjoyed stays at Crescent Lake resorts too - Boardwalk and the Swan - for basically the same reasons, easy access to Epcot/HS and awesome dining and shopping.

I'll be planning a winter 2026 trip soon and I'm torn between Beach Club or trying Grand Floridian or the Poly. Anyway, the amenities at almost any deluxe resort make for a nicer trip.

 

[tguz]

I would say "no" as we save up for our Disney vacations and don't go into debt even by a dollar. So, money matters to us. We are able to go more often by staying at POP for the Skyliner. We were able to go 4 out of 5 years (missed 2020 because of covid). We took a couple different trips elsewhere since but are going back to Disney later this year.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The monorails resorts are not worth the extra money for us. We love being able to access two parks from the Epcot resort. Only one park is convenient from a monorail resort, and we don't spend enough time at MK for it to be worth it.

 

[Karalee402]

As a previous poster said, the monorail resorts are such tourist destinations (we visit even when we're not staying there) that they are always busy. It can be hard to get into the restaurants and transportation is always pretty busy. Having said that, of course they're incredible resorts and the monorail is great if you spend a lot of time in MK. After many trips, we have found our sweet spot is staying at the Crescent Lake resorts. We love the Skyliner, the ease of accessing both EP and HS, and the fact that the resorts are so much quieter than the monorail resorts.

 

[Rory607]

Will you spend a lot of time at MK? If not, it’s not worth it. If yes, it might be worth it. You have both the boat and the monorail for transportation to MK. You have easy access to restaurants at the other monorail resorts and MK fireworks are usually visible from places on each property.

But if it’s really stretching the budget it’s not worth it. We have stayed at different resorts on property and Poly is our top choice, but I have no problem staying at a moderate or value hotel if the budget doesn’t allow for it. Those things are all great, but certainly not necessary.

 

[jennab]

We have stayed many times at WL. On our last visit we stayed at the Poly - although I liked the theming, it was annoying that the resort is a tourist destination in and of itself for people not staying there.

Yeah I feel that way about Poly too. So many people always in the lobby and around the resort. I didn’t think GF or CR was as bad.

 

[Smee]

yes, if you have any children, especially 10 and under. The quick walk to MK from CR is worth it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Always pros and cons of anywhere, but we tend to stay more at the monorail resorts than others. For us, it is worth it.

 

[ShannyMcB]

Really depends on your family. We have stayed at monorail resorts and skyliner. Our next trip will be back to a skyline resort thanks to an awesome discount.
Being able to walk to MK is great if you have littles or are planning on doing any extended magic/after hours events. If MNSS is part of your itinerary the monorail or wilderness lodge may be a good move.
You didn’t mention where you were looking…if room size is a consideration there is a big difference on let’s say pop as compared to contemporary for instance. Would a family suite better suite you?
If you are leaning toward monorail but budget plays a factor check out contemporary garden wing. Most of the time it’s less expensive (unless they drop a random discount which often only applies to tower) rack rate wise compared to other spots on the loop and is really a nice spot.
Not to be that guy but yatch/beach could give you best of both worlds if you have park hoppers…can walk to the skyliner or through Epcot to get the monorail for MK as long as you’re not rope dropping. We did the reverse when staying at contemporary we took the monorail to Epcot and did half the world showcase, exited to the skyliner then headed to studios and topolinos on two different days

 

[gottalovepluto]

If the kids are happy on the Skyliner route I wouldn’t mess with it. Easy access to 2 parks is gold. If you want easy access to MK, treat yourselves to a MV for around $40

 

[JulieBeeRN]

Could you do a split stay between the monorail and skyline resorts?

 

[ArtieRyder]

We stayed at each of the monorail resorts when the kids were younger.

As many people said, the convenience to Magic Kingdom is great and with younger kids we were spending half, or more, of our days at MK.

One key thing for us was the fact that you could roll a stroller onto the monorail. We have four kids, with the younger two being twins. The twins would sleep in the stroller and we didn't have to worry about taking them out of the stroller if we wanted to stay or go.

After they started getting a little older we stayed at Boardwalk for the last few trips. Now, my wife's brother and sister have young ones, so for our next trip we are looking to go back to the monorail loop - probably poly.

I will say that I like crowds and busy areas. The crowds at these resorts (and boardwalk) are a plus for me.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

Skyliner is very convenient, especially if you love HS and Epcot. That said, we stayed at Caribbean Beach and it was a bit disappointing. I have no major complaints though. Our room was recently refurbed and was fine. We found the food to be mediocre and we were a long walk from the main pool. The grounds were nice, service was good, and bus service was adequate (although quite long sometimes with all the internal stops, stops at Riviera, etc.).

It did not feel as special as some other resorts. We love the monorail resorts. I prefer GF, but my kid’s favorite is “the one the monorail goes through” (aka Contemporary/Bay Lake). MK is also the park we love most. Walking back to Bay Lake after fireworks instead of waiting on a bus was amazing.

That said we’re trying out Boardwalk for part of next trip and excited to see how that goes.

 

[teamsamant]

I'll be direct and help you out.

Book Grand Floridian.
Enjoy the two pools and pool bars.
Enjoy the kids splash pad that is gated if your kids are small, sounds like yours are.
Enjoy the spa.
Enjoy the five restaurants on property.
Enjoy the best service at any Disney resort.
Enjoy pulling your double stroller on the monorail, or the boat or the quiet walking path to and from MK.
Enjoy the walking path to the madness of the Poly but walk right back to the quiet GF to sleep.
Enjoy fireworks from your room every night or at the worst from in front of Gasparalillas as your kids eat Mickey head ice cream.

"Worth it?" That's subjective. For me I go on vacation after working very hard for many months. I go all out. You may be different.

Best places to stay at Disney
GF,Poly,Beach Club, Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge. All for different reasons but those are my go to places.

 

[MillauFr]

If easy access to the parks is what you are looking for... no place at DW can match Disneyland. You can walk from the offsite hotels to front gate in 10 minutes.