Where to Stay in Disney World

Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Polynesian Village Resort were its two original on-site properties that opened in 1971. We thought it would be fun to stay at one of the original resorts for our trip during the 50th Anniversary of Disney World, so we looked into those two. Our first choice was the Polynesian Village Resort, but due to scheduling conflicts, we couldn’t get a room there.

Contemporary Resort

We ended up staying at the Contemporary Resort, which was still good because of its close proximity to Magic Kingdom. It was about a 10 minute walk from our room to Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary Resort also has a unique design feature in which the park’s monorail passes directly through the main atrium!

The monorail connects the Contemporary Resort to other areas of Walt Disney World, including Magic Kingdom and Epcot. There’s a boarding station located inside the Contemporary Resort, so you don’t have to wait outside for the monorail. It was very convenient to simply step out of your room and onto the monorail without having to go outside!

The Contemporary Resort also has a restaurant located on the top floor called the California Grill. Despite the “grill” name, it’s a high-end restaurant with a nice panoramic view of the Magic Kingdom where you can view the fireworks show at night.

The menu, influenced by fresh Californian flavors and seasonal ingredients, showcases a diverse selection of dishes ranging from sushi and seafood to grilled meats and artisanal cheeses. We got the Tomahawk Steak, which is a huge bone-in ribeye steak! It was perfectly grilled and delicious! We highly recommend it!

Polynesian Village Resort

For this trip, our first choice was actually the Polynesian Village Resort but it was completely booked and unavailable during the days we were visiting. The Polynesian Village Resort is a tropical oasis that transports guests to the exotic South Pacific.

The resort features a blend of traditional Polynesian aesthetics and modern amenities, including lush landscaping, tiki torches, and stunning views of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Dining options include ‘Ohana, known for its family-style feasts, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a lively tiki bar with playful cocktails.

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