The
Polynesian or the
Contemporary--mighty tough question! Let me list some of the pros & cons to help you decide which best meets everyone's needs.
Poly. Pros: Large rooms at 415 - 476 sq. feet, beautiful grounds that are perfect for kids to play around, easy transportation access to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot, lush grounds, beautiful beach to both play on & watch fireworks from, zero-entry pool
Poly. Cons: Buildings are separated, so during rain this is a problem; bathrooms can feel small with sinks in the rooms (some rooms have only one sink); some buildings can have a longer walk to get to the main building (food & monorail); even with the remodeled rooms, some parts can have an older feel
Cont. Pros: Rooms are in one building; easy monorail access to both Epcot and Magic Kingdom; can walk to the Magic Kingdom; grand lobby with monorail running through it
Cont. Cons: Often thought of as the most un-Disney hotel, rooms that overlook Chef Mickey's can be loud, must use elevator to get to rooms in the main building, sinks eat up all the bathroom counter space
I hope that helps to point out some differences, both good & bad. I'd encourage you to visit www.allearsnet.com & the links above to explore photos of the resorts to see which meets your style preferences. Overall, though, they are both amazing resorts that I wouldn't hesitate to stay in
Finally, I love staying with Magic Kingdom views and won't ever regret the splurge. With little ones, it was fun to watch the fireworks from our balcony & then get a good night's sleep. However, if the splurge has you worried about your budget, I'd hate for that to consume your thoughts. There are places at each resort where you can watch the fireworks even without a room with a Magic Kingdom view