Grand Floidian, Contemporary, Poly? DECIDED!!

[mushumadness]

Hiya

Ok so Chris has suprised me and wants to do what he considers a Disney Delux (he does not see the dolphin as disney) so Im stuck as I have never experianced a disney delux before, though I know some of you guys have and would really appreciate some advice.

So the question is Grand Floridian, Contemporary or Poly?

What are the rooms like?

Are they nice?

Any views appreciated, its really good to have chris wanting to upgrade

Also an annual pass question as well, does anyone know how mush an annual pass is to renew our expire in december?

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

I've never stayed in any, but I have visited/eaten in them all.

The Contempary appears dated to me. The food was good but I felt I was in an inner city Tower Block.

The Grand Floridian - again the food was excellent, but everybody seemed to look at you as if they'd got a bit of Doggy-Do under their noses.

The Poly - Excellent Food, Excellent people, Excellent location and if ever I could afford it, this would be the Delux I would stay in.

 

[mushumadness]

Hiya

An update just rung for prices from virgin,

grand floridian coming out at £2377 each (then I get 10% off) and Polynesian coming out at £2099 each (then 10%off)

Didnt price the contemporary as it seems dated to me too.

So any advice? I will be changing the trip tomorrow, hopefully

 

[Frances999]

We absolutely love the Polynesian but it depends on your taste as to whether you will or not. Have a look at Tikiman to get a feel for the resort. I have a trip report with pictures in my signature too.

The reasons we like the Polynesian so much include the fact that has direct head-on views of the Magic Kingdom and the fact that you are able to specifically reserve a room with a view of MK. This is not possible at the GF. The rooms at the Polynesian have also just been renovated - and look wonderful, with flat-screen plasma televisions and new beds and decor. Where else can you relax on a white sand beach just steps from your ground floor patio and enjoy the wishes fireworks?

The resort has beautiful white, sand beaches and the landscaping is wonderful. Our three children adore the Volcano swimming pool and activities. In my opinion, the Polynesian has the best transportation as well. Just a short walk away is the TTC with the direct monorail to EPCOT. If you're at the GF you need to get the MK monorail and then switch to the EPCOT monorail. However, both resorts benefit from the monorail to MK along with the boat transportation as well.

Dining at The Polynesian isn't great - 'Ohana and Kona are nice, but the GF does have more choice and some better options. However, there is a lagoon-side walkway leading from the Polynesian to the GF so it's easy to use the restaurants on offer over at the GF.

We have had wonderful cast members at both the GF and Polynesian, but the Polynesian CMs have really been extra special. They organised so many wonderful surprises and treats for us on our last trip, and they were always there with a smile and ready-to-help. It's such a pleasure staying at a resort where each CM is truly enjoying their job and out to help as much as they can. Every CM you pass will give you an "Aloha" and they are always asking how your day went.

 

[jns]

We have stayed at the beach club and the Contempary
as has been said the Contempory is dated and dose not feel like a delux
I have visited the other two but not stayed in them GF to posh for us , the Polynesian looked really nice

If I had the choice I would go to the beach club again

How about trying the two , it is so easy to move resorts

 

[Goofyish]

I would look at the Yacht / Beach Clubs or the Boardwalk as an alternative to the Swan / Dolphin. You get locational benefits of the Epcot resorts together with all the many dining options at the resorts and in Epcot just a walk or boat ride away

 

[Frances999]

Anna - My PM box was full so I'm not sure if my reply sent or not.

 

[gavvy]

I would not bee too quick to drop the Contemp - they have just finished a massive refurbishment of their rooms too and although I havent stayed there they are supposed to include plasma screens etc and look really modern.

 

[KayleeUK]

I would look at the Yacht / Beach Clubs or the Boardwalk as an alternative to the Swan / Dolphin. You get locational benefits of the Epcot resorts together with all the many dining options at the resorts and in Epcot just a walk or boat ride away

How about a split stay Anna??? half your time in the MK area and have in the Epcot area??? Has Chris let you book Concierge??? Sounds like a fab trip!!!!!

 

[cheryl.UK]

We had the same dilema Anna but eventually went for the Poly. It's so romantic at night when all the torches are lit and the GF is only a 5 minte walk away if you feel the need to use its restaurants. The fact we can walk to the TTC to get the monorail to Epcot is also a plus as the resort monorail goes the opposite way to the regualr one. ie, the TTC would be the last stop from the Poly and second to last from the GF.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I have stayed at the Contemporary twice and the Polynesian twice, I haven't stayed at GF but have had a number of meals there.

Firstly all are on the monorail and easy access to the Magic kingdom, the Polynesian additionally has access to the Epcot monorail so that's a plus and a good bus service, the contemporary has a good bus service but the GF usually picks up after the Polynesian so is less good.
You can walk to MK from the contemporary.

Meals
Contemporary is best with Chef Mickeys being the star. Fast food both the same.
Layout
The contemporary is all in one building the Polynesian is spread out.
Theme
Polynesian is far better.
Shops
Contemporary is better
Rooms
The Polynesian rooms feel much better the contemporary feels a little sterile, like an office block.
Service
I think the Cms at the Polynesian have the edge.
Views
Contemporary has it for MK fireworks a MK room view room or at the end off most floors up from level 4 you have a great view The Polynesian is good from the beach or MK view rooms
Pools
The Polynesian has the best themed pool
Access to other resorts
You can walk to GF from Polynesian, you can get a boat to Wilderness lodge from Contemporary and the fabulous Whispering canyon cafe..

I think the GF is a bit to stuffy, it looks so nice but is spread out a lot, for your money the Polynesian is far better and has the edge over the Contemporary in most cases. But it depends on your preferences as above.

 

[mushumadness]

frances didnt get your reply did you get mine

I just rang disney and there price for a laggon room concierge is the same as a standard lagoon view through virgin,

also they say I can add the annual pass discount when they come out (even if I have already booked the room) is this right, as if it is I will be booking tomorrow lol!!

Kaylee chris says as long as I stay below £5000 for the room it ok

 

[fizz13]

Great news about the upgrade I chose the Poly when looking because the feel of it is very much relaxation, its a polynesian holiday within a holiday. The laid back atmosphere will suit me perfectly, and the location with the TTC will be great for getting everywhere on property. What a great choice to have to make
Claire xx

 

[KayleeUK]

Great news Anna

 

[Midnight Belle]

Grand Floridian for me. We stayed there Christmas 1997 to enable us to marry at the Disney's Wedding Pavilion. What a fantastic hotel, loved every minute of our stay (2 weeks), they provided a turn down service each nite with mints on your pillows (new territory for us as we always hire a villa).
We return to the GF every year for a meal and a few cocktails, but have not been able to afford to stay at the GF just yet. Probably would not be able to afford to say at the GF for a few more years yet. Hopefully DH can take me for 40th! (a while of yet though!)

I could not recommend this hotel highly enough.

As regards to posh, when we stayed there we made a reservation for the Rose and Crown pub in Epcot for an evening get together on New Years Eve (our wedding day) we booked the table for 10.00pm but did not manage to turn up until 10.30pm. They said that we had missed our slot and the restuarant was full but when they asked us to confirm what hotel we were staying (GF) a table for us became vacant. A person standing next to us not part of our party said you would have no chance of that happening if you had stayed in the Disney All Stars. (I do not want to upset anyone that stays at the Disney All Stars, as I am sure this is a good hotel as well).

If you review comments on a site called trip adiviser this should help you, along with a display of members photos.

Just put the name of the hotel you are interested in.

Have a great time and I am not jealous at all that you might be staying in the GF!!!

 

[gilld]

We stayed at GF last year and loved it - we had a Concierge room at RPC with a lovely view of MK and all the fireworks. We shall stay there again for sure.

I am not at all keen on Poly - when we stayed there a few years back we got really snotty check-in service and CM's weren't helpful or friendly and that stays with me.

I wouldn't mind staying at CR but it is caverous so can be noisy if in the Tower, which is where I would want to be.

I agree with a week at a MK resort - for me the GF and a week at BC for Epcot.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We stayed at GF last year and loved it - we had a Concierge room at RPC with a lovely view of MK and all the fireworks. We shall stay there again for sure.
I am not at all keen on Poly - when we stayed there a few years back we got really snotty check-in service and CM's weren't helpful or friendly and that stays with me.
I wouldn't mind staying at CR but it is caverous so can be noisy if in the Tower, which is where I would want to be.
I agree with a week at a MK resort - for me the GF and a week at BC for Epcot.

I agree that the contemporary has noise in the tower, i have stayed in the tower with MK view twice, and Chef mickeys is noisey and the shops cvan also get nosiey. if you are close to level 4 the monorails also create vibration.
Have to say I found the polynesian CM's the best, giving out flowers and lays, looking after the kids with little things, inside and at the pool, telling stories etc. Houskeeping was very good, Contempory, I found the CM's business like less disney more proffesional.
GF when i have asked anything there I felt as if i shouldnt even be there, they seemed a little stuffy. Possiblly as I was staying at the Polynesian?

 

[Frances999]

Have to say I found the polynesian CM's the best, giving out flowers and lays, looking after the kids with little things, inside and at the pool, telling stories etc. Houskeeping was very good

Totally agree. We've had great service throughout all of Disney, but the Polynesian CMs (especially those in Hawaii) are truly wonderful. I've never met staff so keen to please their guests and always offering a smile.

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

Another vote for the Polynesian had a great stay there earlier in the year.

 

[wideeyes]

sounds like you are going to have a fab holiday, I love the look of the poly and would love to stay there in the future.