If you like to be close to the action, then the Magic Kingdom resorts around the Seven Seas Lagoon at Walt Disney World are the place to be. The Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian Resorts offer convenient transportation to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, as well as bus service to the Disney-MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom. The Contemporary Resort is within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom, and the Polynesian Resort is within walking distance of the Transportation and Ticket Center. Plus, each resort has its own distinct theme and atmosphere, making each one a fun place to stay, or even just to visit if you are staying somewhere else. So let's take a look around these hotels around Seven Seas Lagoon.

First off are some views of the Contemporary Resort. This first view is taken from the Fort Wilderness beach, so the body of water is actually Bay Lake, not Seven Seas Lagoon. To the right is the top of Space Mountain behind one of the Garden Wings of the hotel, and in the middle you can make out the top spires of Cinderella Castle. While Bay Lake was existing when Disney bought the property, Seven Seas Lagoon was completely man-made. The dirt taken from the Lagoon location was used to elevate the Magic Kingdom site.

This picture of the Contemporary was taken from the Magic Kingdom bus stop. The hotel opened in 1971, but a convention center was added in the early 1990s. In this picture, the convention center is the art deco type building to the right of the main tower.

And one final view of the main tower, from one of the ferry boats crossing the Lagoon. The story is often repeated of how the rooms were prefabricated, then hoisted by crane into position. This method was also used for the Polynesian Resort, which was under construction at the same time.

Here is a view across the Lagoon of the Polynesian Resort. This resort has a much different atmosphere than the Contemporary or the Grand Floridian. Everything feels much more relaxed here. Perhaps it is the atmosphere music or the architectural styling. But everything seems to move at a much slower pace that one would find on a Polynesian island.

In the middle of the lobby inside the Great Ceremonial House, or main building, of the Polynesian is a recreated tropical rainforest, complete with palms, flowering plants, waterfalls, and two macaws, all of which add to the Polynesian atmosphere.

Here is something you do not see every day - characters water skiing in Seven Seas Lagoon in front of the Polynesian. Althoug it is probably difficult to make out in this picture, Goofy is nearer the camera while Pinocchio is farther away. This was taken early one morning from the ferry to the Magic Kingdom. The characters made several passes by the boat to wave to the guests. And no, Pinocchio did not actually fall down, but he did have to squat down a bit since he was inside the curve as the boat turned, while Goofy managed to stay up by swinging out to the right a good bit.

Another distant view of the Polynesian. The palm branches in the foreground add to the island effect. Each of the guest room buildings, or Longhouses, is named for a Polynesian island. Each Longhouse is in approximately the same location in relation to the other Longhouses as the island of the same name.

Continue to Part 2

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