Grand Floridian or Polynesian?

[disneyluver91]

Should I stay at the Grand Floridian or the Poly? please take the poll and then post your reasons why. Thanks!

 

[jaysue]

The Poly has a more interesting/exotic theme and is central to transportation - TTC/Monorails etc. The pool is great as well and has a great view to the MK also.

With the kids, I would not even hesitate - the Polynesian is the one to choose

Monorail access to Epcot (close at TTC)
Great pool
More kids atmosphere and stuff going on
Can go to GF easily if want to go on Pirate Cruise, Tea Party, Cooking school
Wonderful resort - great walkways, lobby etc.

Thanks
jaysue

 

[disneyluver91]

Ok, here are the specifics...
me
DH
DD (11)
twins (5) DD DS

7 nights

august (although i dont think it matters)

 

[disneyluver91]

ok, pros and cons list would be helpful, too

 

[JayCT]

We stayed at the Poly last year and visited GF several times. GF is absolutely gorgeous, but if you have small children (like our two very active boys) it may not be appropriate. GF is more formal and quieter. The Poly is great for kids with the pool, beach, Neverland Club and views. We loved it. It really depends on what you like and need. If you want a quite place, go with the GF. If you have kids or like action, go for the Poly.

 

[Tikiman]

I say the Polynesian and here is why:

Similar pool with better slide.
Better beach and larger
More rooms with lagoon views or partial lagoon views
Lagoon views are all facing the castle
Largest standard room is 452 sq-ft GF largest standard room 444 sq-ft (I believe)
Better transportation with the TTC walking distance to get to EPCOT
More offerings in Concierge lounge
#1 in repeat guests (per Disney figures)
#1 in honeymoon destination out of all WDW resorts (per Disney figures)
Great food and entertainment and you still have access to the Contemporary and GF restaurants via the monorail.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have no good reason. The Polynesian has been my 9 y/o dd's dream vacation spot since the first time she saw it. So...with the FT pkg we could actually afford it. We love the tropical isle feel, especially since we'll be there in August too, we love the transportation options, the food options, the views. We are very excited about it.

 

[Empire Day]

Because it is the best!!!! You really feel as if you are on a polyinisian island! My DS7 really loved it, and the pool is just TOO COOL! if you do go I highly recomend dinner at least once at Ohana They make it very fun for the kids and the family style buffett is great. It is also very easy to get to any of the parks or other resorts from the poly, Check out tiki mans site for great detailed info on it!

 

[jel0511]

O.K. I've been to both, I'd pick the Poly here are my pro/cons

Poly
Pro: Relaxing feel. Pool located ith GREAT view of Cinderella's castle, nice slide and zero entry. Can watch EWP and fireworks from beach. Tiki torches at night. VERY large rooms. Casual atmosphere.
Con: Room decor, too dark IMO. Some rooms have musty smell. No balcony on 2nd floor of older longhouses.

GF
Pro: Beautiful resort. Pool is just as nice at Poly with one exception (will be in cons). Also can watch EWP and fireworks, but from dock, not beach. Nicer room decor IMO.
Con: Monorail passes just past pool, not relaxing IMO. Snotty CM's and managment. Too formal at times. Restaurants are wonderful, but pricey, even GF Cafe.

Now, this is assuming a non-concierge stay, if going concierge, RUN don't walk to the Poly!!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I have to agree with the majority. We (DH, DS(4) and myself) stayed at the Poly last Oct. And we loved it! We stayed concierge which was great. The rooms were nice and big, no smell. The pool was the best. My son loved playing in the sand on the beach. And the staff was great also. We visit the GF every visit since DH's cousin works there. To me, its stuffy. We like to be relaxed on vacation and not always feel like we have to be on our best behavior.

 

[hookedup]

I guess I am in the minority here. I LOVE the GF! We have a small child (3) and he was in heaven there. I did not find anyone to be snotty - very accomodating and treated us wonderfully! We never felt out of place, there were tons of small kids there and I would not hesitate to return.
I think the GF is magical and the location is awesome!

 

[DisOrBust]

Althought the GF is considered the "flagship" resort of WDW it does not live up to it's billing, IMHO. I always wanted to stay there "once" and was completely disenchanted. The Poly is much better. IMHO AKL is the best of them all!!!

 

[phyllis1966]

I absolutely agree with hookedup as far as my impressions of the GF - nobody was snotty; in fact, everyone we encountered was extremely friendly and helpful, always with a kind word and a hello. Our DD was 3 1/2 at the time we visited there, and we were very comfortable having her there, even as rambunctious as she is! There were lots of children of all ages, all having a wonderful time, as far as we could see.

I can't say that the GF is better, though, as I have only visited the Polynesian for the luau - I've never stayed there. It seems to have the most fervent fans, though!

 

[CindyKansas]

We have stayed at both and we prefer the Poly. More relaxed and we just feel more comfortable there.

 

[Mamu]

I feel all the Disney Resorts have something to offer. Each one is special in their own way. My choice is the Poly, love this resort. We stayed here for the first time this past February with 2 of my GC.

I offered them a choice for next year. AKL, WL or Poly. They didn't even have to think about it. They want to go back to the Poly.

 

[BrianD]

It truly depends on your taste, but I prefer the casual, more relaxed, & festive atmosphere of the Polynesian. That said, I still love the GF as well, just not quite as much.

 

[wareagle]

We stayed at the Poly last Sept/Oct (myself, DH, & 2 DS-ages 7 & 4 at the time) and absolutely loved it. Being on the monorail was wonderful! My boys loved the pool-the older loved the volcano slide and the younger the zero-entry depth. We loved watching the EWP and fireworks from the beach. The food court was small but had enough of what we wanted. The rooms were great-lots of space and very clean and comfortable. They really do take care of their guests. I became ill during our stay and our mousekeeper offered to get me soup and also brought me an autographed photo of Mickey and Minnie as well as a couple of magazines I'm sure she purchased out of her own pocket. The CMs were very friendly and helpful with any request. My DH was going to suprise me and stay at the CR this fall (due to the FTP rates) but saw I wasn't too excited over staying there, so he changed it and we are going back to the Poly. The boys are so excited and we love the convenience to the MK!