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Monorail to Mickey: Assessment of Disney’s Modern Resort

Monorail to Mickey: Assessment of Disney’s Modern Resort

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Editor’s word: This story is repeatedly up to date with the newest info.


If you wish to keep as shut as potential to The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (with out breaking any guidelines to attempt to sleep within the citadel), there’s an excellent likelihood that the most effective lodge to your Disney trip is true on the monorail line at Disney’s Modern Resort.

Though Walt Disney handed away a number of years earlier than Disney World first opened its gates in 1971, he performed an enormous function in planning the preliminary design of this magical Central Florida land, together with the 2 unique Walt Disney World lodge ideas that did open: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and the enduring Modern Resort.

The park (and its unique lodges) have now been open for greater than 50 years, however Disney’s Modern Resort remains to be up to date due to a latest renovation.

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The monorail runs proper by way of the center of the Modern in a means that feels traditional with an ever-present nod to a midcentury fashionable aesthetic, but the property additionally manages to really feel futuristic in a Tomorrowland form of means.

Not surprisingly, being as near The Magic Kingdom as potential with the monorail working proper by way of your lodge comes at a value. Which means it requires cautious consideration when determining whether or not that is the suitable lodge for you. To assist making a decision here is all you must find out about what it’s like to remain at Disney’s Modern Resort.

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Reserving

Whereas Disney’s Modern Resort is just not the most costly Disney World lodge, it is nonetheless up towards the highest of the pricing pack as a lodge on the monorail loop.

Charges for entry-level rooms on the Modern usually vary from about $500 to $700 per evening. There are generally gross sales and reductions for Florida residents, Disney+ subscribers and annual go holders that may knock it down 20% to 30%, however do not anticipate charges right here to ever dip beneath $300 per evening.

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At most Disney lodges, the precise room sort would not matter all that a lot since a pool view versus a backyard view is fairly irrelevant whenever you spend your days on the park and are solely in your room at evening. Nevertheless, room sort actually issues when staying on the Modern.

In reality, absent an unimaginable deal, I might in all probability not e-book a backyard wing room right here, as these rooms generally is a fairly lengthy stroll to get to the monorail and eating places since they’re bodily disconnected from the principle constructing. Moreover, they are a bit claustrophobic and never almost as particular as staying within the Modern’s true atrium tower, primarily based on my expertise.

Backyard rooms on the Modern. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

To place it one other means, if you’d like the complete Modern expertise, e-book the atrium rooms. They’ll price extra, however they’re the rationale why you select this resort over one other Disney property.

If you cannot swing a keep within the Modern’s pricier lodging, I like to recommend choosing one of many extra inexpensive Disney lodges as an alternative of the Modern’s backyard rooms. For instance, the rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are solely a ship journey away from The Magic Kingdom however price significantly much less — and are arguably nicer — than the Modern’s backyard rooms.

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On the opposite finish of the expense spectrum, in case your price range permits, it is arduous to beat a club-level room on the Modern. These lodging are often at the least $700 per evening, although you may see them price effectively above that in busy intervals just like the winter holidays. For instance, our one-night keep in a club-level room in November 2022 price us $999 earlier than taxes and charges.

By paying up for a club-level lodging at Disney World, you may take pleasure in entry to numerous extras. On the Modern, this implies upgraded service, the usage of a lounge with free drinks (each alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and complimentary breakfast, dinner and dessert small plates, all of which had been tasty. For an enormous splurge Disney journey, it is a next-level providing that’s arduous to beat.

No matter which room you e-book, think about using miles out of your Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card or Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card (which earns you miles price 1 cent apiece) to maintain some money in your pocket whereas visiting. Alternatively, you need to use your Bilt Rewards factors. They’re price 1.25 cents every and will be utilized towards Disney lodge bookings when redeemed within the Bilt Journey Portal.

In the event you’re a fan of Disney Trip Membership, know that the principle Modern advanced would not have any DVC rooms. Nevertheless, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Modern Resort, which has rooms bookable with DVC factors, shares the identical grounds. That is necessary to know even when you aren’t a DVC member, as you’ll be able to hire DVC factors to scale back your out-of-pocket prices by doubtlessly tons of of {dollars}.

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Location

The primary draw of Disney’s Modern Resort is, with out query, its location.

Whenever you keep right here, you are not solely a brief monorail journey away from The Magic Kingdom. You’re additionally inside a 10-minute stroll from the park, do you have to determine you need a leisurely stroll.

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We timed the journey by making it a household race of kinds and located that an grownup strolling from the Modern to The Magic Kingdom can usually attain the park sooner than these taking the monorail because it stops on the Ticketing and Transportation Middle, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa alongside the best way.

Going the opposite means is far sooner by monorail, although, because the Modern is the primary cease after leaving the park.

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Since Epcot can also be accessible by way of the monorail, you’ll be able to take it from the Modern to that park as effectively. You may switch on the TTC to board the Epcot-designated monorail. Moreover, there are Disney buses and the pay-per-use Minnie Vans accessible within the Lyft app, do you have to want to attain different areas of the Disney advanced, reminiscent of Disney Springs or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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Whereas it wasn’t operational once I checked throughout my go to, you’ll be able to generally take a ship to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, too.

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Verify-in

You’ll be able to verify in to Disney’s Modern Resort by way of the My Disney Expertise app, which makes it potential to get your room task earlier than you arrive on the lodge.

That is how we had been capable of get our room by 1:30 p.m., which is 2 1/2 hours forward of the official check-in time, as we had been heading over from a brief keep on the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve. As a result of we had been switching lodges, we did not have to fret about our baggage, as Disney will switch it upon request, even when you keep at a property that isn’t a full-fledged Disney resort, such because the Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin or Walt Disney World Swan Reserve.

By utilizing Disney’s direct-to-room service, you need to use your cellphone and/or MagicBand to open your room door. Merely await the textual content or notification that your room is prepared earlier than heading on to your lodging. If checking in on the app is not an possibility otherwise you want a conventional check-in expertise, you’ll be able to as an alternative head to the reception space within the lodge’s foyer.

In the event you visited the property previous to its in depth renovation that debuted in 2020, you may discover the modifications as quickly as you step into the foyer.

As an alternative of the comparatively nondescript colour palette of whites, browns and greens beforehand featured, the lodge now showcases a vivid midcentury fashionable design with nods to each “The Incredibles” and the period during which the lodge was constructed. Decor particulars vary from the overt to the refined and, for my part, restored the grandeur of this lodge in a means that feels true to its roots and makes it related at present.

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Past the refreshed decor, there is a enjoyable characteristic for teenagers. To maintain the little ones occupied when you verify in, the lodge has a miniature ready space inside the foyer. There, your youngsters can watch a TV enjoying cartoons from pint-size chairs. I counsel taking full benefit of this area, particularly if there is a lengthy wait whenever you arrive.

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Disney does its finest to accommodate early check-in and late checkout requests, however they’re not often granted, given the amount of visitors that enter the resorts day-after-day. It’s best to assume that you just seemingly will not be capable of verify in till 4 p.m. and might want to take a look at by 11 a.m. (the Modern’s posted instances).

It by no means hurts to ask, although, as I lucked into an early check-in slot throughout my most up-to-date keep after initially being turned down.

Room

In the event you visited Disney’s Modern Resort previous to the 2020 renovation, you may hardly acknowledge the brand new rooms. The darkish, dated rooms of yesteryear are actually gentle, ethereal and simply plain enjoyable.

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Gone are the darkish wooden furnishings and uninspired decor from our keep in 2018.

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As an alternative, you may now discover a mixture of white, beige and light-weight grey hues with colourful pops of orange and blue. As an added bonus, every area additionally comes geared up with all of the modern-day facilities you would want, reminiscent of a number of retailers, a Keurig espresso maker and a glass-enclosed bathe with a rainfall bathe.

As you would possibly anticipate, there are additionally cute Disney touches that function an ideal instance of why Disney resorts are so particular and several other notches above most different family-friendly lodges.

I will not give away all of those not-so-hidden gems, as they’re enjoyable to bump into, however look forward to finding some memorable particulars impressed by “The Incredibles,” together with a themed closet with hanging tremendous fits.

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Whereas normal rooms face the resort grounds and are relatively underwhelming given the value, lodging in the principle tower are stable general. If potential, you may wish to pay up for a room in the principle tower’s atrium that faces The Magic Kingdom, as these lodging provide fairly improbable views of the park’s fireworks.

We splurged on this view when my youngsters had been youthful since we knew the littlest one in our crew would not final within the park till Important Road U.S.A.’s fireworks go off round closing time. It is not an upcharge we usually go for now that the youngsters are older, but it surely was a real deal with to look at the present from our balcony with a glass of wine because the accompanying soundtrack performed on our in-room TV.

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In the event you’re like us and have older youngsters who can keep as much as watch the fireworks within the park, don’t fret about springing for a theme park-facing room, particularly when you’re touring with a number of folks. We want paying just a little extra for an atrium room that may sleep as much as 5 visitors (i.e., one with a settee that simply converts to a useful single mattress) as an alternative of an area with a view of the fireworks.

Irrespective of which room we’re in, we discover that we sleep like exhausted infants every time. Nevertheless, there’s one detrimental we have constantly observed: The Modern’s rooms are likely to really feel extra humid than I would like.

On our newest go to, our room was on the finish of the hallway by an exterior door that was propped open at instances, which in all probability did not assist. Nonetheless, even throughout different stays, we have observed the humidity extra whereas in our room. It is by no means been unhealthy sufficient to disturb us vastly, but it surely’s price noting, particularly when you’re planning a summer time go to.

Meals and beverage

Apart from being ultra-convenient to The Magic Kingdom, the Modern shines with regards to eating.

Chef Mickey’s

On the identical degree because the monorail, Chef Mickey’s is without doubt one of the hottest eating places on the Disney resort grounds — and for good cause. Meals listed below are legendary, as they provide the alternative to hold with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy as you eat.

Chef Mickey’s. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Whereas Chef Mickey’s character meals can be found for breakfast and dinner day by day, I would argue that the late breakfast hours on a day whenever you’re not heading to the parks is the most effective time to go.

Throughout this block of time, you may keep away from an early wake-up name and spend much less, because the breakfast service — which is on the market from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — prices $45 per grownup and $29 per baby 3 and older (youngsters 2 and youthful dine totally free). Must you decide to go to throughout dinner, anticipate to pay $59 per grownup and $38 per baby.

For breakfast, the all-you-care-to-enjoy gadgets embody eggs, Mickey waffles, rooster sausage, slow-roasted beef brisket, loaded potato-cheese casserole and banana bread French toast, amongst different choices. The dinner menu options numerous plated alternatives, reminiscent of potato gnocchi, roasted salmon, pork loin and child carrots.

Chef Mickey’s is a vivid, loud, enjoyable and upbeat expertise, so plan accordingly — and have your digital camera prepared.

When my youngsters had been youthful, consuming right here was the best option to meet all these key characters, as we did not have to fret about leaving the lodge’s indulgent air-con to schlep concerning the parks searching for our favourite figures. It is probably not essentially the most cost-effective means to hang around with Mickey Mouse, but it surely’s definitely essentially the most handy possibility.

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Steakhouse 71

For a extra refined meal, Steakhouse 71 is a terrific new addition to the Modern. Paying homage to the resort’s 1971 opening in its identify, the restaurant serves a few of Walt’s favorites day-after-day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For breakfast, you may discover Walt’s Prime Rib Hash ($18), plus a Florida-inspired eggs Benedict ($19) and varied omelets ($17 every).

On the lunch and dinner menus, there are every kind of consolation classics with an elevated twist, reminiscent of gourmand grilled cheese ($17), a burger on a brioche bun topped with lemon aioli ($21), beef tenderloin medallions ($39) and a whiskey-infused chocolate cake ($11).

Steakhouse 71 reservations are typically a lot simpler to nab than these for Chef Mickey’s. So, when you do not wish to fear about making an attempt to attain a desk as quickly as they change into accessible 60 days earlier than your go to, this higher-end possibility might be the place to dine.

California Grill

Among the best eating places in all of Disney World sits on the prime of the Modern. With its panoramic view of The Magic Kingdom and its night fireworks, California Grill is a eating venue it’s a must to expertise for your self.

Though reservations are robust to get throughout the prime dinner and fireworks hours, checking 60 days out once they open for reserving is effectively definitely worth the effort. Know, although, that you will must pack acceptable apparel for meals right here because the venue requires visitors to decorate “in apparel that respects the restaurant’s subtle and upscale aesthetic.”

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Costs are excessive, too, so price range accordingly.

The restaurant is usually an a la carte institution. Nevertheless, it is at the moment providing a particular three-course, fixed-price menu in honor of Disney World’s Fiftieth-anniversary celebration, so you may see meals priced at $89 for adults and $39 for kids 9 and youthful.

Gadgets at the moment on the menu embody classics from when the restaurant (previously often called High of the World) opened in 1971, reminiscent of duck a l’orange and limited-time dishes like an “EARidescent” creme brulee.

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Contempo Café

The Modern is dwelling to greater than sit-down institutions, so you will get your meals on the run when you’d relatively put aside much less money and time for meals.

Contempo Café has an eclectic mixture of choices starting from internationally impressed gadgets like Chef Gina’s lemongrass rooster banh mi ($12.29) and a grilled tofu bowl ($12.99) to consolation classics like a burger with fries ($13.49) and an all-meat flatbread ($12.29). You’ll be able to order forward within the Disney app in order that your meals is prepared whenever you stroll as much as seize it.

Membership lounge

As a result of I stayed in a club-level room, I additionally had entry to a lounge with a wide range of complimentary dishes and drinks. Of the club-level rooms at Disney World that I’ve tried, this one on the Modern stays on the prime of my checklist due to the lounge’s service and numerous number of gadgets.

Located on the Modern’s twelfth flooring, the club-level lounge is open day-after-day from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The meals and beverage alternatives rotate all through the day, so you may discover a mixture of gadgets to attempt as you pop out and in.

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Espresso comes out at 6:30 a.m., which is vital for these doing early theme park entry as a Disney resort visitor. For one thing extra substantial, you may discover continental breakfast choices accessible from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Throughout our latest keep, breakfast gadgets included tortillas with potato, egg and onion; small items of avocado toast; fried rooster biscuits with bacon pepper jam; shrimp and grits; pastries; and fruit. A lot of the meals is ready within the California Grill kitchen situated just a few flooring above, so you’ll be able to anticipate some fairly improbable bites whenever you go to.

Between 5 p.m. and seven p.m., extra sizzling meals comes out — sufficient to make a meal of it when you aren’t with an excellent choosy group of eaters. Or, you’ll be able to seize one or two hors d’oeuvres to take pleasure in as an appetizer earlier than heading to a full-service restaurant on or off the property.

Whereas we had been right here, the night unfold consisted of miso-braised quick ribs, honey- and soy-glazed salmon, tater tots, corn canine nuggets, a meat and cheese unfold, buckwheat noodles, lemongrass shrimp and a scrumptious Thai peanut rooster salad.

By 8 p.m., the menu shifts to dessert, with savory gadgets swapped out for varied drinks and candy treats. They’re an ideal accompaniment to The Magic Kingdom fireworks, viewable from the lounge’s balcony.

Facilities

Whereas the Modern wins with regards to location and eating, it would not have the best possible lineup of facilities for a deluxe Disney resort. Nonetheless, it does have some enjoyable choices.

Swimming pools

There are two swimming pools on-site: the principle pool and an all-ages quiet pool.

Open day-after-day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., the big exercise pool (often called the Characteristic Pool) has a 17-foot waterslide and lifeguards.

Towels and chairs are in ample provide, and there is a sizzling tub smack dab in the course of the motion when you discover the water a contact too chilly throughout the cooler months however wish to keep watch over the youngsters. There’s additionally a water playground with water cannons and fountains by the principle pool, ought to you’ve little ones in tow.

Whereas this can be a stable pool possibility, the swimming pools on the Polynesian, Disney’s Yacht Membership Resort and even the Wilderness Lodge rank larger in my e-book attributable to their theming and kid-friendly water options. It is also price noting that this fundamental pool shall be closed from early January to early April 2023 because it will get refurbished, so if swimming pools are necessary to you, you might wish to keep elsewhere.

A smaller round pool often called the Bay Lake Pool can also be accessible on the Modern, do you have to wish to take a dip with out all of the motion of the Characteristic Pool. It sits behind the principle pool and is open longer (from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), although it doesn’t have a lifeguard and asks that visitors not splash or make loud noises whereas visiting.

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Must you want a break from the swimming pools, you’ll be able to play volleyball on the sand court docket situated between the swimming pools and the lagoon.

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Arcade

Youngsters who love gaming or want a distraction on a wet day will discover an arcade on the Modern’s fourth flooring.

Though video games within the arcade aren’t free, they’re definitely cheaper than a park ticket. An array of choices can be found, together with classics like Pac-Man and Skee Ball.

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Gymnasium

On the lodge’s third flooring, the gymnasium homes an honest number of machines, free weights, medication balls and extra.

Since many theme park guests stroll 15,000 to twenty,000 steps in a single go to, it is easy to know why this health heart stays empty more often than not. It additionally would not assist that the area is not very inviting, because it has low ceilings, is not staffed and sits in a principally unused a part of the lodge. The lighting left lots to be desired, too, once I stopped by.

Boat leases

Due to its location proper on Seven Seas Lagoon, the Modern presents boat leases to visitors. Every Solar Tracker Pontoon boat can seat as much as 10 visitors and is on the market for $45 per half-hour.

In the event you do not wish to captain your personal vessel, take into account reserving a fireworks cruise that departs from the lodge’s dock. It comes full with a captain and snacks and comfortable drinks, although it is not low-cost at $399 per boat for as much as 10 visitors.

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Service

The lesser-known star of Disney’s Modern Resort is undoubtedly its top-notch service. Whether or not I’ve stayed in an entry-level backyard room or an upgraded club-level lodging, I’ve at all times loved distinctive service from the property’s employees.

On my most up-to-date go to, which got here with larger service requirements attributable to reserving a club-level room, the lodge proactively reached out to me a number of instances by way of e-mail and by cellphone to verify I used to be conscious of all the things I wanted to know and will make any particular requests forward of my one-night keep.

Then, at check-in, the solid member observed that my youngsters had the brand new Disney MagicBand+ and requested if I had linked the bands to my cellphone. Humorous sufficient, whereas I had activated them, I used to be having hassle getting them related to my cellphone, so I used to be capable of get assist setting them up, all due to this solid member asking a easy query.

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Then there’s Dave, one among my absolute favourite Disney World solid members. We met Dave throughout our first keep on the Modern again in 2018 after we’d beforehand booked a club-level room. My youngsters had been little again then and he made their day — or actually, their journey — by busting out a spot-on Mickey Mouse voice that made them giggle so arduous they nonetheless keep in mind it.

Whereas we did not hear his superior vocal abilities this time round, we had been excited to identify him but once more. Based mostly on conversations I overheard, it feels like he is nonetheless delighting visitors in the identical means he entertained my youngsters a number of years in the past.

Accessibility

Disney is understood for being fairly accessible, and this lodge isn’t any exception — with one necessary factor to notice.

Disney’s Modern Resort is like each different Disney resort in that there’s an accessible path of journey connecting the foyer, rooms, eating places, outlets, swimming pools and amenities reminiscent of laundry and the gymnasium. Nevertheless, this property actively makes use of extra ranges than comparable Disney lodges.

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For instance, there are some noteworthy facilities and providers on the foyer degree and third, fourth and fifteenth flooring, that means you may must put aside a good period of time ready for an elevator if stairs and escalators should not an possibility. It is not substantial sufficient of a wait to be a deal breaker, however it’s price noting so that you’re adequately ready.

On the swimming pools and poolside sizzling tub, you may discover lifts. Moreover, normal parking is complimentary for visitors with a legitimate incapacity parking allow. Parking in any other case prices $25 per evening for traditional parking and $33 per evening for valet parking.

Swimming pools at Disney’s Modern Resort. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

There are wheelchair- and hearing-accessible rooms, too. To e-book one among these lodging, click on the “accessible room” field if you find yourself trying to find your dates on Disney’s web site.

Total impression

Disney’s Modern Resort is a Walt Disney World icon.

It has been a part of the advanced because the starting — and, by design, it looks like an extension of Tomorrowland, the closest land within the Magic Kingdom.

Whenever you keep right here, you’re actually within the Disney Bubble, so the magic, comfort and theming are throughout you from the second you wake to the second you drift off into dreamland.

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The rooms, foyer and different widespread areas on the Modern have vastly improved lately, although you may nonetheless wish to skip the essential backyard room possibility in favor of a room in the principle constructing’s atrium so you’ll be able to watch the monorail go out and in as you stroll the halls of the resort — a bucket checklist expertise for each Disney fan.

It is probably not the most effective resort to remain at when you plan on having plenty of downtime for on-site facilities, and it is definitely not the flashiest possibility on the market.

Nevertheless, it continues to be the most effective lodging possibility for younger households planning a particular journey to The Magic Kingdom, as its extremely handy location makes it a cinch for visitors to maximise their time within the parks and even pop again for a day nap.

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