Grand Floridian or Poly?

[famsen]

We got a pin code and reserve GF garden view room for next May.
It's a good price and I always wanted to stay at GF. I also have wanted to stay at Poly. I know the themes are completely different but is there any one or two things and really make one more preferable to the other?

It will just be DH and me.

 

[havaneselover]

Never stayed at the Poly, so unfortunately I can't help with the comparison. Stayed in an outer building at the GF last November (after staying in the main building several times as a teenager). I didn't even feel like I was staying at the GF and wouldn't stay there unless I was in the main building. When we finally got to the outer building after a long day at the parks, it was just a big let down. We just got back from the CR (stayed in the Tower) and it was 10 times better than the GF for us (although I do think the GF is beautiful).

 

[SnackyStacky]

The Polynesian has no signature dining, or hot tubs. The rooms, however are slightly larger at the Polynesian.

I think beyond those differences, it's all a matter of personal preferences.

 

[famsen]

I like the point made about feeling like not being part of the Grand Floridian if you stay at the outer buildings instead of the main building. I know what you mean. We stayed at the Contemporary twice and both times we were in the Garden Wings. It was far from everything and we did not feel like we were staying at the Contemporary. Given that reminder, I just called and changed my reservation to the Polynesian. Thanks for all the help!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You couldn't have gone wrong no matter what you selected, so have a great time at the Polynesian.

 

[jemgumby]

I always gotta go with the Grand!!!

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

This is a Tuff question. Both are unbelievable resorts and you will love then for different reasons. I would say flip a coin to make your choice. Either way you cannot go wrong.

 

[mmmears]

I've stayed in both and really enjoyed each of them...

As for not being in the main building, neither one has rooms attached to their lobby (except club rooms at the GF). We really enjoyed our stays in the GF, whether in the main building or in an outer building.

They are both lovely, but have very different decor, theming, and atmosphere. I would suggest you pick whichever "style" fits your ideas for this trip.

At least you can't really go wrong with these 2 to choose from!

 

[KatMark]

We've only stayed at the Poly (a number of times) and think you made a great choice. We've never stayed at the GF -- it's just not for us (my husband won't even walk into the resort).

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

The argument about GF's outer buildings makes no sense, because neither resort has any regular rooms in the main building. Also, about half of Poly's rooms are bigger than GF's rooms, but those larger rooms are father from the main building, so it's an inconvenience.

I would choose GF anytime, main building or not. But it's personal preference.

 

[matthew_hull]

I have to agree with DonaldDoleWhip -- the argument about the Grand's outer buildings makes no sense. I have stayed at all of these resorts, and I understand what you mean about the Contemporary's garden wing rooms. But I have to say, there is no comparable analogy at the GF, at least not in my opinion. Please do not dismiss the GF because you fear that the outer buildings will feel "second rate." They do not. My advice to you is to visit the WDW web site and peruse the two resorts web pages, and then visit their respective FAQ threads here on the DIS, and then make your decision based upon which resorts "feels" more like a nice vacation spot to you and your family. They have very different feels to them. I personally would choose the Poly over the GF, but I would not think any less of anyone who choose the Grand for the same reasons. It's all personal choice and comfort.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I have stayed at all of these resorts, and I understand what you mean about the Contemporary's garden wing rooms.

This is just my personal opinion but I would think the Garden Wing rooms at the Contemporary are best ones. My reasoning is because they only have one Garden Wing building compared to several at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian, plus when you walk out of the Tower you go right under a covered path which is great because you don't get wet if it's raining. Finally it's a less then 5 minute walk going back and fourth between both locations.