Grand Floridian Or Poly

[angel659]

Hi

We were due to go to Florida in October, but our finances wouldnt let us

Since then we have decided May 2007 would be the time we can afford comfortably. We are staying in a villa for 14 nights and I thought as a treat we would stay for 2 nights in either Grand Floridian or Poly.

If we stayed in Grand Floridian would be able to stay in the main building whilst only having a standard room with a standard view?

What would you recommend they both look lovely. We were originally thinking of the Tower in Contemporary, but since some reviews are negative and mention it needs a renovation and both Grand Floridian and Poly look much better in my opinion.

As soon as the brochures come out I can book everything then it will seem much more real than all this planning without booking.

 

[Amyrlin]

Both are lovely resorts. If you want to have a good look at them both go to
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm
Along the left hand side there are links to photographs of each hotel, deluxes are at the bottom. This will give you pictures of the hotel, the resturants, the rooms and the general environment. My personal preferernce os Poly, as I love the theming and the resturants, but both are really good.

 

[angel659]

Hi

I looked on there and I still couldnt decide. I loved the Poly but people here tend to have the wow factor about Grand Floridian.

Where shall I book it? Disney.co.uk? or dreamsunlimited.

It was £503 for a standard room for 2 nights in May but £588 for concerige in Poly?

 

[fizz13]

Hi Michelle,
I walked around the Grand Floridian and to be honest i wouldn't be able to relax staying here. the Poly is definately more a relaxing kind of place. Get a quote from Dreams Unlimited and see what they offer you. the advantage of booking with them is that if there is a code on offer for a discount on the room, they will automatically apply it to your booking, so thoretically you will always get the best deal.
The Contemporary is getting renovated at the moment and should be totally finished by the time you go, so don't worry about that if you are interested in a tower room.

Have fun choosing,
Claire xx

 

[Frances999]

I've answered this question numerous times and for me the Polynesian wins every single time.

There are a few factors to consider - the Polynesian is in the process of having all of its standard room renovated, complete with plasma televisions and all new furnishings. It's been a few years since the GF last had a major room renovation. Furthermore, the Polynesian offers the largest rooms on Disney property (larger than the GF rooms) if you request a room in one of the newer longhouses. If view is important to you, the Polynesian also wins hands down. The Polynesian offers a "Magic Kingdom" view category - these rooms have sensational, direct, head-on views of the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle. If you request a ground floor room, you will have direct access to the beach too.

The Polynesian also has the best resort transportation. You can walk to the TTC in under 5 minutes - where you can catch the express monorail to EPCOT. From the GF it is necessary to take the monorail to the TTC and then switch.

Which theme appeals to you most? At Christmas time we prefer the GF, but throughout the rest of the year the Polynesian's tropical theming is great.

The one downside to the Polynesian is the dining, which isn't particularly great. However, there is a short pathway which leads to the GF so it is easy to make use of the restaurants there. It is also on the monorail for easy access to the Contemporary and MK.

It's clear which resort I prefer but you should really choose the one which you think will be best for your family.

In answer to your question about the GF - you cannot get a standard room in the Main Building. The Main Building houses RPC concierge rooms and suites only.

Let me know if you have any questions

 

[Frances999]

Hi

I looked on there and I still couldnt decide. I loved the Poly but people here tend to have the wow factor about Grand Floridian.

Where shall I book it? Disney.co.uk? or dreamsunlimited.

It was £503 for a standard room for 2 nights in May but £588 for concerige in Poly?

We usually book via Dreams Unlimited as they will automatically apply a discount to your reservation if one becomes available. The Polynesian Concierge is out of this world - definitely go for it if you can. We had the best time here last August.

 

[gilld]

We've stayed at both and for us the GF wins hands down. We didn't like the Poly at all.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Thanks for advice. I was looking on disney.co.uk and for £88.00 we can stay at Poly in a conceirge room. I will find out how much dreams unlimited will charge.

What extras do you get for booking concerierge.

 

[Frances999]

Hi

Thanks for advice. I was looking on disney.co.uk and for £88.00 we can stay at Poly in a conceirge room. I will find out how much dreams unlimited will charge.

What extras do you get for booking concerierge.

- Guaranteed room in Hawaii. This longhouse has the best views of the Magic Kingdom and is closest to all of the resort facilities.
- Private check-in. When you arrive you will be taken via a golf buggy to the Hawaii longhouse, for a private check-in with some fresh juices.
- Itinerary Planning Service. You will be given an e-mail address to which you can send in your required dining reservations etc. They will take care of it all for you and are able to secure difficult-to-get reservations such as the Illuminations Cruises. There are also CMs on hand all day - and they are willing to help with any queries.
- Access to the concierge lounge. Here, complimentary beverages and snacks are served all day long. The day starts with a continental breakfast, then at lunch there are snacks such as fruit, sandwiches and crisps, then just before dinner there are items such as BBQ pork rolls, sushi, macaroni and cheese, etc (it changes every evening). Then there is the dessert and wine cordials which are a great way to end the evening. There are magnificent views of the Magic Kingdom from the concierge lounge, and in the evening they pipe in the Wishes music.

I talk about some of the concierge extras (and have lots of photograph's) in my trip report from last August. There is a link in my signature.

On the whole, concierge offers a higher level of service. Was the £88 extra for a concierge garden view or concierge lagoon view?

 

[angel659]

It was the extra for a garden view.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Dreams unlimited was strangely more than Disney.co.uk.

Can anyone recommend anywhere else for the price. We have decided on the Poly and staying concierge. My dh even said if we choose the cheaper villa that will pay for an extra night so we can stay for 3 nights in Poly which will make the holiday a total of 17 nights. Wahoo

I cant wait till May 2007 prices come out, so I can start booking and making proper plans. I am so excited.

 

[disneyholic family]

I'll start off by saying i really don't like the Poly, while i ADORE the GF...
however, you can only stay in the main building at the GF if you're staying in the Royal Palm Club concierge (the more expensive of the two concierge level rooms at the GF).

Given that you can get the Poly concierge for the same price as a standard room at the GF, I would definitely go with the Poly concierge if i were you. Since you're going to spend so much money, you should at least have the added luxury of concierge. You're only going to be there for 2 days, and I assume spending your time relaxing rather than running around the parks non-stop. So you'll be able to spend more time in the concierge lounge and really enjoy it to its fullest.

If you're not planning on spending a lot of time in the hotel, then don't bother spending all that money.

Now if it were me, I'd stay at the GF every time, whether in a standard room, or either concierge. I just love being there. Although i'm happy at any Disney resort, including the value resorts, I'm happiest at the GF.
But having said that, I still think you'll get the most bang for your buck in the Poly concierge.

regarding booking, we always book directly with WDW (not UK, not TAs).

 

[Frances999]

Given that you can get the Poly concierge for the same price as a standard room at the GF, I would definitely go with the Poly concierge if i were you.

The 2006 rack rates (for value season) are $359/night for the GF standard room and $440/night for garden view concierge at the Polynesian. You cannot get the Polynesian concierge for the same price as GF standard.

 

[disneyholic family]

The 2006 rack rates (for value season) are $359/night for the GF standard room and $440/night for garden view concierge at the Polynesian. You cannot get the Polynesian concierge for the same price as GF standard.

My post was based on the OP's post that she had a quote of "£503 for a standard room for 2 nights in May but £588 for concierge in Poly"...

that's pretty close to being the same thing as far as I'm concerned...

and there's a big difference in what you get in concierge in any of the resorts and just getting a hotel room.

Actually, the cheapest concierge is at the Wilderness Lodge, but her choice was between poly and GF.....personally, I prefer the WL to the Poly....i prefer anything to the Poly (except the CR)....but if she's going poly she should spend the extra money and get concierge.......

 

[Frances999]

that's pretty close to being the same thing as far as I'm concerned...

That's fair enough, I just thought I would make it clear that they aren't actually the same price. I expect that $150/night difference (£503 - £588) might be quite significant for some people.

 

[disneyholic family]

That's fair enough, I just thought I would make it clear that they aren't actually the same price. I expect that $150/night difference (£503 - £588) might be quite significant for some people.

True, but it sounds as if she's already breaking the bank just to stay at a deluxe hotel. She may as well really enjoy it, if it's a once in a lifetime thing.

And while the WL sometimes upgrades people from standard to concierge (though i would never count on that happening), I doubt that ever happens at the Poly.

I probably should say why i don't like the poly. It's simply the decor that puts me off. I don't like the dark wood. I have the same problem with the AKL. I don't like dark wood. Strange to be bothered by that I suppose, but i am kinda strange.
However, the Poly is very nice and very 'resort' like. I'm sure the OP will have a wonderful time there. Especially if she's in concierge.

 

[Frances999]

True, but it sounds as if she's already breaking the bank just to stay at a deluxe hotel. She may as well really enjoy it, if it's a once in a lifetime thing.

And while the WL sometimes upgrades people from standard to concierge (though i would never count on that happening), I doubt that ever happens at the Poly.

I probably should say why i don't like the poly. It's simply the decor that puts me off. I don't like the dark wood. I have the same problem with the AKL. I don't like dark wood. Strange to be bothered by that I suppose, but i am kinda strange.

I guess I am kind of strange too - I like the decor of the Polynesian but really disliked it at the AKL. I thought the AKL rooms were extremely dark and such a contrast with those horrible bright bed covers. Another thing with the AKL is that the rooms are quite small to start with - making them so dark makes them feel even smaller. Have you seen the new-style Polynesian rooms? Do they appeal to you any more than the old rooms? I think they are great, but then I am biased as I would stay at the Polynesian regardless of what the rooms were like - the location, views and theming are just perfect for us

 

[disneyholic family]

I guess I am kind of strange too - I like the decor of the Polynesian but really disliked it at the AKL. I thought the AKL rooms were extremely dark and such a contrast with those horrible bright bed covers. Another thing with the AKL is that the rooms are quite small to start with - making them so dark makes them feel even smaller. Have you seen the new-style Polynesian rooms? Do they appeal to you any more than the old rooms? I think they are great, but then I am biased as I would stay at the Polynesian regardless of what the rooms were like - the location, views and theming are just perfect for us

No i haven't seen the new rooms. In fact I haven't stayed at the poly in about 20 years (since then i've only popped in to walk around or have a bite).

So i guess it's time i head back there and give it a try, especially their concierge.

 

[angel659]

Hi

Thanks Francis and Disney Holic for your help.

It would be a one in a life time experience until the kids grow up. We want to be opposite MK and be able to see the fire works and see MK during the night. The reason we chose the Poly was the hotels grounds and scenery. It looks really nice. We were going to book the MK view but its a standard room and is more expensive then Lagoon View Concierge. We are not concerned whether we get Lagoon or Garden View as I am sure they are both lovely. We like the idea of the little extra's we will be getting. Saving on the villa will mean we can spend an extra night there. We can make use of the hotels facilities. It will be a lovely upgrade from ASMo. I cant wait.

Thanks again,

Love

 

[Frances999]

Hi

Thanks Francis and Disney Holic for your help.

It would be a one in a life time experience until the kids grow up. We want to be opposite MK and be able to see the fire works and see MK during the night. The reason we chose the Poly was the hotels grounds and scenery. It looks really nice. We were going to book the MK view but its a standard room and is more expensive then Lagoon View Concierge. We are not concerned whether we get Lagoon or Garden View as I am sure they are both lovely. We like the idea of the little extra's we will be getting. Saving on the villa will mean we can spend an extra night there. We can make use of the hotels facilities. It will be a lovely upgrade from ASMo. I cant wait.

Thanks again,

Love

Your welcome

Where did you read that MK view was more expensive than Lagoon View Concierge? MK view is $440/night value season and Lagoon View concierge is $550/night value season. The standard MK view is about the same price as garden view concierge. Personally, I would go for Garden View concierge over MK view - you can always enjoy the view from the concierge lounge or beaches.

They do not have an MK View category available in concierge, however pretty much all of the Lagoon View rooms in Hawaii have a stunning direct view of the Magic Kingdom park anyway.

Have fun planning - you will have a great trip