GF or POLY?

[misty9960]

We are planning a trip in November and are torn between the GF or the POLY. Our kids are 12, 9, and 1. The GF is about $400 more. Does anyone know what the GF has to offer that the POLY doesn't besides the SPA? I know the rooms at the the Poly have recently been redone but, the pictures of the rooms at the GF look nicer. Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[Grumpy92]

Both have two nice pools and the wonderful monorail. You can also catch a boat launch to MK from both hotels. You stay in outer buildings at both resorts so you will have a walk to the main building for the monorail.

Poly - We do like the beach area better at the Poly. The rooms at the Poly are larger. You can get a double with a day bed there so that is nice if you are a party of five. Better view of the MK fireworks.

GF-They do have more restaurants at GF and in the evening it is great to just sit in the lobby and enjoy the music by the band or the pianist.

 

[JayCT]

I think that the Poly is a more kid friendly than GF. GF is more formal and generally has more adults than kids. The Poly is more geared to families. We were at the Poly in January and the Volcano Pool was closed for repairs. We were told we could use the GF pool which also has a slide. There was no one at the pool. Granted it was cool, but the quite pool at the Poly had a number of people there. The couple of times I have visited GF the pools always seemed quite, but that changed when my boys showed up.

Also note that the rooms are much larger at the Poly and could easily accomodate your family. Not sure that GF can. Also, I find the decor much warmer at the Poly. The new rooms are stunning, absolutely stunning! The GF rooms seem stark and stuffy to me. Too fancy for a fun vacation. JMHO Jay

 

[KimR]

This may not matter to you, but it is a huge deal to us: the vanity area in the poly is not separate from the shower and toilet - everything is in one big room. At GF, the vanity is separated from the show and toilet by a door. I'd love to stay at the poly but the layout of the bathroom will not work for us!

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I've stayed at each place one time and have to say I'd pick the POLY. the GF is nice and I know the bathroom is situated better but the POLY was just so kid friendly. My kids really liked it a lot. Also, when we stayed at the GF our room was very noisy. It was actually just hubby and I there for an anniversary. The family that stayed next door to us was so incredibly loud very early and very late. We were in a room that connected but having stayed in the same type of room at the Boardwalk I was amazed at how much noise I could hear from next door. Over all for the money I don't think I'd go back.

At the POLY the room they gave us was one of the old ones, which I liked, and it didn't have any connecting option and was so nice and quiet. We stayed in the building right next to the Main Building. The food options were just fine for us. I'd definitely go back.

 

[bigjellyroll]

If your 12 and 9 year old are boys, I would definately go with the POLY. I visited there alot as a teenage boy, and took my 11 and 9 yr old last year to both the POLY and the GF. They loved the POLY, but didn't appreciate the romance and 'victorian luxury' of the GF. We all got hawaiian shirts and they really got into the spirit of the POLY. The hula dancers and the tiki torch-lit paths were right up their alley (mine too)! Also, our kids rated the POLY pool alot higher than the GFs (even though the POLY one was always crowded...which didn't seem to bother them as much as me).

Also, the POLY doesnt have the restaurants that the GF does, but with children 2 of the restaurants at GF are less appealing (a little too fancy for most kids). O'hana's at the POLY is perfect for any kid.

If you decide on the POLY try to book one of the luau shows. My boys liked it, and want to see it again this year even though there is no disney character involved.

One last thought...the POLY is geared more towards familys than the GF, and if one of you will have to be in the room with the baby alot but want the others to have something to do at the resort, I think the POLY wins again.

Can you tell I'm looking forward to going there again myself?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You can't go wrong with either resort!

Some pros of the GF - I believe both their quiet and themed pools are larger
Bathroom layout is designed better (IMHO)
1st stop on the monorail to MK


Both resorts have good restaurants for kids - Ohana Character Breakfast, Ohana and Kona Cafe for the Poly. 1900 Park Fare has both a character breakfast and character dinner and GFC is a good family restaurant.

Both have spectacular views of the castle.

GF has the kids activities there - Grand Adventures in Cooking, Pirate Cruise, Wonderland Tea Party.

Almost forgot - GF rooms are slightly larger than the rooms at the Poly.

Poly has the luau and torch lighting ceremony.

Kids may be more familiar with the Polynesian theming v. GF theming.

I know my kids love the GF but we will try the Poly eventually too. Have fun choosing.

 

[JayCT]

It is interesting to see that what one person likes is what another dislikes. Kim R likes having the sinks outside the bathroom and I hate that arrangement. I get up early and like to wash up and brush my teeth while DW and the kids are still sleeping. With the arrangement at GF, I am doing that practically in the same room with them. We have stayed in hotels with this arrangement and I always curse it. I would much rather be able to close a door. Also, we are not shy with our kids, so one of us could be showering while another is brushing their teeth. That doesn't bother us. I guess everyone is different. Jay

 

[367PVK]

The Poly without a doubt.

We found the GF rooms very small in comparison to The PR and prefer the sinks inside the bathroom too. The GF is closer to MK but by the time the monorail had come round from the CR, The TTC and The Poly, it was always standing room only and that drove us nuts! It took us 55 minutes to get to Epcot from the GF using the monorails. From the PR you can walk through the gardens to the TTC and catch the direct Epcot monorail, that took us 15 minutes from leaving the room.

We prefer to stay at the Poly but we often dine at the GF then stroll back, it takes about 10 minutes walking by the spa, wedding pavilion and luau cove.

I don't think we'll ever stay at the Grand again.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

you can take a short walk to the TTC to catch the monorail for Epcot...if you take the monorail from the GF you have to do a transfer which takes more time and is more hastle IMO. I have never been to the GF. I know there was plenty of room for a crib in the Poly rooms fyi. Also I think for a garden view price you get a lot of great views and the beach while watching WISHES cannot be beat!! It is great. The volcano pool would be great for the age rane of kids too and they have a small water-play area for your 1 yo. We like the dining options at the Poly too. The new rooms are even BETTER in person, trust me!! They look somewhat dark in the pics but they are not. They are great!! I cannot say enough about the new rooms and the NEW BEDS were very comfy. I also like the "alohas" from CMs and my girls enjoyed this a lot too! They also liked making leis in the lobby with the CM...and the coconut races at Ohana. There were just so many plusses for us on that trip, we are going back again in August! Good luck with your decision...I think you would be very happy at the Poly but can't see GF as a bad choice either!!

defintely doing good by going to a monorail resort with a 1 yo!!

have fun

 

[Sammie]

the Polynesian rooms are larger by square footage. Not much though.

Polynesian is 409 and Grand Floridian is 400.

 

[CTPinkPrincess]

We stayed one night at the GF this past January prior to our cruise. While it was very nice, it wasn't "us"...as someone may have mentioned, it's more formal. The room was nice (we had been upgraded to a concierge room, which was a pleasant surprise!) but nothing out of the ordinary. And while there were a lot of kids running around, I didn't get that kid friendly vibe.....We walked over to the Poly the morning before we left, and immediately felt the difference. We liked it so much we're staying there the night before our cruise next January.

That being said, I don't think you can go wrong with either resort. We just felt more comfortable at the Poly.

 

[Greg K.]

We've stayed at the GF several times, mostly because my wife prefers the bright, pretty rooms there over the darker, more exotic ones at places like the Poly or the WL. Whatever. We stay almost exclusively at the BWV these days, now that we're in the DVC.

I'll say this: it is a THRILL to roll out of bed and be able to race outside and jump on the monorail and be strolling up Main Street in a matter of minutes. There is something truly GRAND about the Grand Floridian, too. Not just the sheer scale of the place, but also the quality of the shops -- very high end -- and the distinctive service. It's a good place for pampering.

But I'm not sure kids can appreciate it as much as their parents.

One more thing: the GF is very BIG with weddings. They have them almost every day (an overwhelming number are couples from Asia), and it's not unusual to see bridal parties, showers (usually held in the room where they have the afternoon teas) and occasional Mouse sightings. It's fun to see Mickey and Minnie being guided to a wedding, often wearing their formal finery. But they never stop to chat. Their "handlers" shoo people away.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

I prefer the Grand Floridian. We did originally have reservations at the Poly GVC for this August, but when the meal plan came out I changed it to the GF. My kids like both the Poly and GF. I just love the atmosphere at the GF. I would stay at the Polynesian again, but the Grand FLoridian would always be my first choice.

 

[rejobako]

I would agree with those who suggest that GF can seem a bit formal -- "cold" is the word I would use. It's more opulent than fun, and if I was getting married or something like that I might prefer it, but for a family vacation, it's Poly hands down. But to each his own. We love the Polynesian. The theme is executed perfectly from the public areas to the rooms to the lakeside beach area, and our favorite place in any WDW hotel is the bar area outside 'Ohana, which offers some great tropical drinks and is a perfect place for peoplewatching.

 

[ead79]

Having stayed at both resorts several times, which one you prefer is mostly a matter of personal preference. Each of the resorts has their own pros and cons, but typically it’s just whichever theme appeals to you the most. We personally prefer the GF, but we’ve always enjoyed our Polynesian stays as well.

Here are some of our personal pros and cons for each resort:

Grand Floridian:
Pros:
--MK is the first stop on the monorail after the GF
--Resort has a very pampering, luxurious feel
--Resort has tons of kids activities like the ladybug release, adventures in cooking, pirate cruise, princess tea party, etc.
--The vanity area is outside the restroom

Cons:
--At the end of a day at the MK, the GF is the last stop on the monorail
--Cost (the GF is more than the Poly)

Polynesian:
Pros:
--Wonderful restaurants (we love Kona Café and have enjoyed our meals at ‘Ohana as well)
--Good location (you can walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail if you don’t want to have to transfer monorails)
--Relaxing, tropical theme

Cons:
--To us, the room décor used to be the main con, but now that the rooms are redone and look so nice online, I’m hoping that won’t be true anymore
--Tends to be a very busy resort, so some things might be more crowded than at the GF (like the volcano pool area)
--Sink is inside the bathroom, and there is only 1 sink in most rooms