Staying at a Disney World hotel on your vacation can be a total GAME-CHANGER. But how do you decide on the right one?

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

There are plenty of options whether you’re looking for something ultra-themed, nice and quiet, or big and fancy. Disney World’s monorail hotels are often viewed as the cream of the crop and the BEST possible options due to their proximity to Magic Kingdom, but here’s why staying at a monorail hotel isn’t the hack you think it is.

Don’t get us wrong, we LOVE the monorail resorts — the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian hotels are all incredible in their own way — but there are plenty of reasons staying at one isn’t the heck you think it is.

They’re Far from Other Parks

Part of the allure of the monorail resorts is that they’re SO close to Magic Kingdom — just a quick walk, monorail, or boat ride away. EPCOT is just a monorail ride away, too, but what if you want to get to Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom? Well, that’s where things get a little bit less than ideal.

Views from the Bamboo Forest Terrace

Of course, you can still get to these parks, but you’ll have to take a bus to do it. If you’re planning on spending a lot of time at Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom especially, you might want to consider staying at a hotel that’s closer to those parks!

They Can Get BUSY

Okay, okay, we know that ALL Disney World hotels can get busy — but the monorail resorts can be especially bad since they’re so popular. And it’s not just hotel guests you have to worry about, either. The monorail hotels are home to some of the best restaurants on Disney World property that are open to anyone, which means you might be walking out of your hotel room and into a bustling lobby with people all around.

Contemporary atrium

This is especially true during the holiday season for the Grand Floridian when the impressive, life-sized gingerbread house is built. Folks make a special trip over to this hotel to check it out. The same can be said for the Contemporary Resort’s chocolate Easter egg display! Just keep in mind that these hotels aren’t known for being the most low-key.

Transportation Can Be Complicated

We know what you’re thinking — isn’t the whole point of the monorail hotels that transportation ISN’T complicated? Yes, yes it is. But, at the end of a Magic Kingdom or EPCOT park day, when everyone and their mother, grandmother, uncle, step-brother, and cousin are making a beeline for the monorail — you probably won’t be as thrilled that you decided to book that room.

Monorail crowds

Our best advice is to just wait it out and let the crowds die down a bit before making your way to the monorail or other Disney World transportation to get back to your hotel. Even waiting just 15 or 20 minutes can make a huge difference and allows most of the crowds to disperse by the time you make your way over there. If you find yourself in the mass exodus after fireworks, just know that it happens every single night at Disney World and that Cast Members know how to move a lot of people quickly.

You Might Not Be Close to the Action

Quite a few Disney World hotels have a large footprint — and that’s true of two of the monorail hotels as well. Both Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and the Polynesian have multiple different buildings and can be pretty spread out, which means you might end up being far away from shopping, dining, recreation, and transportation.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Luckily, Disney does allow you to request where you’d like your room to be located — but it’s not always guaranteed. There is always a chance that your request can’t be honored for any number of reasons, but Cast Members will try their best. And, if you don’t mind being a bit further from all the hustle and bustle, you might find that it’s the quietest part of these hotels!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

As we said, the Disney World monorail resorts are still incredible and if you love them or if it’s a dream of yours to stay at one, don’t let us yuck your yum — we love them too! Just keep these things in mind the next time you go to book your hotel.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for the latest updates from Disney World hotels and more. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more Disney news!

Walking To Magic Kingdom Isn’t the Hotel Perk You Think It Is.

Have you stayed at a Disney World monorail resort? Tell us in the comments.