Hi Danielle,
The
Polynesian or the
Contemporary -- mighty tough question! Let me list some of the pros & cons to help you decide which best meets your needs.
Poly Pros: Large rooms at 415-476 sq. feet; beautiful grounds that are perfect for kids to play on; easy transportation access to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot (no folding up strollers!); lush grounds; beautiful beach to both play on & watch fireworks; 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 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 the 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.