Grand Floridian or Polynesian???

[fterie4u]

I am so excited we are going back to Disney in September for our 10th anniversary and we are going to stay at a monorail resort! We usually stay in the Beach Club/Boardwalk area, however thought we would try something different.

We are trying to decide between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian but ant seem to make up our minds. It is myself, husband and DD who will be 7 at that time. Any preferences or suggestions as to which resort and what you like or don't like about them?
Thank you in advance!

 

[mmmears]

We've stayed at both, multiple times, and like both of them. There is a really different "feeling", atmosphere, and decor at these two resorts... I suggest you look over the many photos of them on these boards. Check out the gardens, pools, lobbies, and rooms -- you might find that one "calls" to you more than the other. Having said that, I don't think you can really go wrong with either one.

GF -- great lobby, shops, and dining. One monorail stop from the MK. Nice pools, views, theming, etc. Elegant but still family-friendly. Quiet. One thing to consider is that they are adding on a DVC building so there is construction noise and mess going on right now. Not sure what the prediction is for Sept -- perhaps people on the GF might know more. We really like the GF but didn't stay there on our last trip because of the construction -- we did visit and we really glad we weren't there since the beach was walled off and there were walls all around the feature pool and a huge building going up. It didn't feel like our "quiet little retreat" of a place. Things may be better by September, or it might not bother you, but I think it's good to know in advance.

Poly -- tropical theming, gardens, and dining. 2 monorail stops from the MK, but a direct boat to the MK and you can walk to the TTC to catch the monorail to the MK (a big plus over CR and GF if you like Epcot). Very relaxing resort with hammocks on the beach. Nice beach to play on -- and at night you can watch the EWP and the fireworks over the castle. They are refurbing the rooms now, I think many will be done by Sept. so you could get a brand new room. We've stayed there during a room rehab -- they just close the whole building they are working on -- it didn't bother us at all.

We've had wonderful views of the lagoon and the castle from rooms at both hotels -- I have to give the edge to the Poly on the views, though. But there are both great -- hopefully you'll find the one that suits you best.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and while we loved the GF, the Poly is our favorite. We love the tropical atmosphere, the volcano pool and how it backs up to the beach with a view of the castle in the distance, the beach for watching the fireworks while relaxing in a hammock, walking around at night under the lit tiki torches, and Captain Cooks for quick meals/snacks. Plus the Poly is just the 2nd monorail stop from MK and is just a 5-7 minute walk to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. But with that said, you really can't go wrong with either resort as they are both great places to stay. I would choose the one that the theme/decor appeals to you the most. Good luck.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

If it makes a difference, the Poly will be just about finishing up with their "new" rooms.

 

[clapton]

Having stayed at both I would choose GF. It's a beautiful resort and just love the lobby and the grounds.

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

I would pick the GF hands down!!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would do the Poly and if you can afford it stay in the club level since it is you 10yr anniversary!!

Also do the Spirit of Aloha dinner show!

 

[toodycat]

I would go with the GF. Obviously, I don't have the construction schedule, but when I was there in September of 2012, they were obviously well into the project, so I can't imagine that the bulk of it won't be complete by this September. We love the GF. It is absolutely beautiful and very child friendly at the same time. Also, it has fewer rooms than the Poly, so the walk from your building to the main building and the monorail will be shorter. The pools are great and the refurbished courtyard pool will be back in full swing. The new children's water play area by the feature pool is now complete, so your son might enjoy that. All of the restaurants at the GF are great and if you want a character meal, you can easily take the monorail over to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary or Ohana at the Poly if Cinderella and friends at the GF's 1900 Park Fare don't interest your son. We love watching the fireworks and electric water pageant from the GF dock while dining at Narcoosee's. Also, GF CMs are the best in the world. On our last visit, we stayed CL and my elderly parents overslept and missed breakfast and had to eat and pay at the GF cafe. When we told the concierge this happened, he took the breakfast charges off their room! GF CMs have upgraded us on three different visits! I can't say enough nice things about them. Once when we were staying at the WL but dining at the GF, we missed our transportation back to MK to pick up the bus to WL and the GF concierge graciously DROVE us back to WL. We've also received chocolate covered strawberries, a split of champagne and a long stemmed red rose when we've celebrated our anniversary at the GF. In comparison, when we spent our anniversary at the Poly, they slid a "congratulations" certificate under our door.

I don't know what the new rooms at the Poly will look like, but we've always found the resort lobby and rooms a little too dark for us, the walk to the main building a little too long and the main pool way too crowded and noisy. Also, you can hear drumming from "the Spirit of Aloha" show a lot all over the property. This is interesting for the first hour or so. Then, it gets old. Our favorite feature at the Poly is the transportation. You can get direct monorails to both MK and Epcot. We've had good and bad experiences with the CMs. One front desk clerk was downright rude to my son ("Isn't he supposed to be in school?" No, actually schools in the north start later than Florida schools.) and to us (She said with a real attitude,"I can't give you the building you requested because you've arrived so late." I get that we can't have the building we wanted, but thanks for making us feel worse about our plane being delayed and our car service not showing up at MCO which we'd already explained to her.) On the other hand, one very heroic Poly CM found my lost wallet with $700 in cash and credit cards aplenty and came dashing out of Kona Cafe to return it to us. On the subject of Kona Cafe, I don't think it is all that and we find the dining options at the Poly a bit redundant in comparison with the GF. How much Polynesian food can you really eat?

So, obviously, I am a real GF cheerleader and would recommend the GF. But have an incredible, magical experience wherever you choose.

 

[kappyfamily]

Poly always feels like a "vacation" to me. GF is just way to stuffy for our taste. Have a great time no matter where you stay! Monorail resorts are the best. We stayed BLT last time and are now hooked!

 

[wiigirl]

Really you can't go wrong with either....but for my money..POLY!

 

[cm8]

The GF all the way

 

[pepe of ohio]

Poly for sure, stayed at GF , out buildings are just a glorified Holiday Inn Express... Total waste of money...

Poly, regular room, again over the years and price increases, CL is a waste of money, take that extra and spend it elsewhere!!

 

[fterie4u]

Wow! Almost an even split between the two resorts! Is staying in an outer building that much different then being in the main building at GF?
The Poly long houses are away from the main building as well does that make a difference?

 

[toodycat]

The Poly has ten outer buildings and the GF has five, so you will probably feel more centralized at the GF and more sprawled out at the Poly. (Both resorts have roughly the same number of rooms.) We have stayed at GF with garden view, theme park view, Sugarloaf club level and Royal Palm Club theme park view. There is not a huge difference between the actual rooms at all. There isn't a difference between the food served at Sugarloaf and the Royal Palm Club. The real differences are in price and proximity. Last September Our RPC TPV cost over $600/night last fall while our garden view in September 2011 was just under $300. The advantage to staying in the main building is that you are a short walk to the monorail, the lobby and the restaurants, but the walk from any of the other buildings is not much longer and can be closer to the marina or courtyard pool or Gasparilla's. We stayed In the main building last year because we had my parents with us and they wanted to be very close to the monorail because they use scooters; I would have no problem returning to the GF and staying in a basic GV room in any building. If you haven't already, check out the online maps of each resort and see what you think.

 

[GaBelle]

We've stayed in both and I like each for different reasons.
No doubt that the Poly theming is wonderful. Convenience to MK, TTC is great. My fave restaurant, Kona is there. My girls, 7 and 11, prefer Poly.
My husband and I prefer GF. Reason? The service! The service is out of this world! I did not think it was stuffy and we certainly were not "dressed" for the GF, so that was not why we were given that level of service. But practically every CM that we encountered went above and beyond for us.
But it comes down to what you and your family are looking for on this vacation. I do not think you will be disappointed in either, quite frankly.

 

[clareita]

We are doing our second stay at Poly in a little more than two weeks, so I clearly love it there. I haven't stayed at GF, but we've been there for lunch and dinner. It is undeniably lovely, but I just feel like I'm at a very nice hotel. The Poly, on the other hand, feels like a tropical getaway. I don't mind walking around to get to the pool and the GCH, since 1. it is beautiful and 2. if I minded walking, I would be vacationing somewhere other than WDW.

 

[Wendy5055]

First...I'm certain you will love either no matter which you choose!

However, I have stayed at the Grand Floridian with my dd11 twice in the past and ended up at the Poly due to room availability one time. There are some big differences that I noticed...

-GF had bright and airy decor, Poly is darker (too dark for me) and it seemed dingy and a bit run down (which could have changed since the refurb). As a previous poster mentioned.

-Rooms seemed overall cleaner at the GF...could be due to the lighting and decor...or possibly our comfort level.

-GF is definately more centralized and we enjoyed the smaller size, Poly is quite spread out and it was a hike to the GCH (main bldg). I'm sure it just depends on your room location at the Poly.

-The Poly elevators looked like they were from the 70's..a very small dingy box (important as my dd11 and mother are both a little claustraphobic and HATED these elevators), GF elevators seemed brighter and roomier (if elevators matter at all)

-GF Main Bldg Lobby was very relaxing...and believe it or not we did stop and relax a few times. The Poly lobby is not very relaxing (for us)...other than the water feature it always seemed so hustle n bustle.

-GF Quick Service area seemed smaller but more organized. I like the arcade was right in the QS area as I could keep an eye on my daughter and relax with a snack. There is also the option to eat outside at umbrella tables and watch fireworks while overlooking the marina. The Poly Quick Service area was larger and more chaotic. The outside tables overlooked the garden area towards the pool.

...GF it was always sunny, Poly it rained all the time...OOOPS!!! Sorry, that is not due to the resort...just coincidence!!!

All in all...we prefer the GF over the Poly (my dd11 does too...she says it is like going home when we go to the GF).

Hope this helps!

 

[toodycat]

First...I'm certain you will love either no matter which you choose!

However, I have stayed at the Grand Floridian with my dd11 twice in the past and ended up at the Poly due to room availability one time. There are some big differences that I noticed...

-GF had bright and airy decor, Poly is darker (too dark for me) and it seemed dingy and a bit run down (which could have changed since the refurb). As a previous poster mentioned.

-Rooms seemed overall cleaner at the GF...could be due to the lighting and decor...or possibly our comfort level.

-GF is definately more centralized and we enjoyed the smaller size, Poly is quite spread out and it was a hike to the GCH (main bldg). I'm sure it just depends on your room location at the Poly.

-The Poly elevators looked like they were from the 70's..a very small dingy box (important as my dd11 and mother are both a little claustraphobic and HATED these elevators), GF elevators seemed brighter and roomier (if elevators matter at all)

-GF Main Bldg Lobby was very relaxing...and believe it or not we did stop and relax a few times. The Poly lobby is not very relaxing (for us)...other than the water feature it always seemed so hustle n bustle.

-GF Quick Service area seemed smaller but more organized. I like the arcade was right in the QS area as I could keep an eye on my daughter and relax with a snack. There is also the option to eat outside at umbrella tables and watch fireworks while overlooking the marina. The Poly Quick Service area was larger and more chaotic. The outside tables overlooked the garden area towards the pool.

...GF it was always sunny, Poly it rained all the time...OOOPS!!! Sorry, that is not due to the resort...just coincidence!!!

All in all...we prefer the GF over the Poly (my dd11 does too...she says it is like going home when we go to the GF).

Hope this helps!

I second a lot of what you said here. The Poly is definitely darker all over, but it is particularly noticeable in the lobby. I've never felt as though I wanted to hang out in the Poly lobby whereas the GF lobby is spacious and light. You can sit on a comfy sofa in a T shirt and shorts and listen to a tuxedoed pianist play Disney tunes. Your kids can watch Disney films or cartoons on the little TVs.

Likewise, dining at the Poly is contained in the main building. Dining at the Kona Cafe is like eating in the middle of a mall. You can't miss the lobby traffic. At the GF, the restaurants are in separate areas.

We found the hallways and elevators at the Poly very plain---like college dorms. There's a lot more atmosphere in these areas at the GF.

Captain Cook's was being renovated when we last stayed at the Poly, so I can't comment on it. However, Gasparilla's is excellent and the outdoor seating by the marina is lovely. If we are not staying CL, we go to Gasparilla's for breakfast, order two bounty platters and have breakfast for three people for about $20. Also, it is not always on the menu, but if you see Gasparilla's lobster salad at lunchtime, get it. It is delicious.

We don't do a lot of shopping at our resort, but the assortment of merchandise in the shops at the GF is definitely better. I bought a whole bunch of holiday soaps with glycerin Mickeys in them at the Basin White shop and a really cute top and necklace at Summer Lace.

I don't know if you've seen these websites but ******************.com and tikimanpages.com might help you decide.

 

[monorailsilver]

I have stayed in both but I prefer the Poly but if someone was paying I wouldn't refuse the GF but I would look over at the Poly with puppy dog eyes missing it!!

GF-stayed there just after it opened since we had a large group (over 30) & they gave us (well my parents) the rate that the Carribean was which was where we were going to stay. I can say I did like it back then & thought it was beautiful but I knew it wasn't for me. Although I did love the phone in the bathroom...we teenagers thought we were the coolest kids answering that phone there! What I didn't like was-I was around 13/14 when we stayed there & I was at the pool but I went looking for my mom who went into the lobby since I most likely needed money. I went into the main room with my big Mickey head (it was huge) t-shirt on & I felt like everyone was looking at me. Think the 3rd class passengers on the Titanic being looked at with horror that I was standing in the same place as a 1st class passenger. So that rubbed me the wrong way. But like I said if someone was paying I'd stay there no questions asked.

Poly-um..well it has been my favorite since I was 3 1/2 in 1975 (OK I don't remember too much about that trip) but it has been a favorite since I was a teenager just because I feel comfortable there. Maybe it is the theme.

Go with your gut & stay where you want to stay. I really don't think you can go wrong with either. It just depends on if you want to stay with Mary Poppins (OK I love her....) or Huckleberry Finn.