Grand Floridian or Polynesian???

[elvispursley]

Debating about booking a resort studio villa at GF vs studio villa at the Poly vs tower studio at the poly. We’ve never stayed at either resort and can’t decide—help!!

For background, looking at staying either the 1st or 2nd week in September for 9 or 10-days. Itwould be just me and my mom, who’ll be 72. She uses a scooter but doesn’t need it for walking around the resort. We plan on doing MNSSHP. We tend to take an afternoon to break for either a nap or pool time. We definitely will plan to RD (as much as I don’t like to, we got so much more done last year doing RD).

My mom would like both of these resorts but I think she leans towards the poly. I currently live in Hawaii and get plenty of tropical theming at my house I’ve read differing opinions on whether the pool at poly is always packed. I do like the idea of being able to walk to the TTC. How has the monorail been since the tower opened?

I love the theming and layout of of the GF resort studio rooms. Would love to be able to walk to MK. Does the pool have shaded areas and does it get crowded?

Ugh…so torn!

 

[gottalovepluto]

GF because you live in Hawaii so it seems real silly to pay extra for touristy hawaii vibes at your Florida hotel. When I stayed at Poly the main pool was a Zoo but I've only stayed once so others with more experience should chime in! I had to go to the quiet pool and that made me disappointed. Those images of the hot tub with the infinity border looking at MK? Yeah, forget it. Kids were jumping in and out of it like it was a freaking trampoline and the rest of the beautiful main pool area wasn't that far off that level of crazy. Idk what it was about Poly that brought out the crazy in the kids + parents collectively not giving a whit about their behavior. Maybe Disney puts something in the pool water

 

[FSU Girl]

I just stayed in the Poly Tower. Prior to this trip I would have suggested Grand Floridian it was one of my favorites. But now the Poly Tower is my favorite. We walked to TTC it was a little bit of a hike but less time than going all the way around on the monorail. Didn’t have any issues going to magic kingdom wasn’t a long walk to the main building and no waits on the monorail. The only downside is when you need to take the elevators in the main building to get to the monorail. There’s only 2 and small and slow so that can take a bit of a lot are waiting.

 

[elvispursley]

I just stayed in the Poly Tower. Prior to this trip I would have suggested Grand Floridian it was one of my favorites. But now the Poly Tower is my favorite. We walked to TTC it was a little bit of a hike but less time than going all the way around on the monorail. Didn’t have any issues going to magic kingdom wasn’t a long walk to the main building and no waits on the monorail. The only downside is when you need to take the elevators in the main building to get to the monorail. There’s only 2 and small and slow so that can take a bit of a lot are waiting.

Reminded my scooter-driving mom about this fact about the elevators.

 

[Rory607]

GF because you live in Hawaii so it seems real silly to pay extra for touristy hawaii vibes at your Florida hotel. When I stayed at Poly the main pool was a Zoo but I've only stayed once so others with more experience should chime in! I had to go to the quiet pool and that made me disappointed. Those images of the hot tub with the infinity border looking at MK? Yeah, forget it. Kids were jumping in and out of it like it was a freaking trampoline and the rest of the beautiful main pool area wasn't that far off that level of crazy. Idk what it was about Poly that brought out the crazy in the kids + parents collectively not giving a whit about their behavior. Maybe Disney puts something in the pool water

I agree with you on the Poly hot tub. Our last trip there were lots of wild, unsupervised kids in there all the time. And I say this as a parent with school-age kids! It seemed super unsafe to me, as well as annoying to other guests. I didn’t find the actual pool areas as crazy.

 

[Marthasor]

I would stay at GF. I agree with the others that Poly feels so chaotic. My DH and I have had some very relaxing pool days at GF and find the QS is less chaotic as well.

 

[marmentrout85]

Reminded my scooter-driving mom about this fact about the elevators.

Yeah I'll 2nd that one; the elevator situation is better at Grand Floridian. Honestly I wouldn't necessarily toss out the idea of a split stay between the two. I guess it depends on how much time you think you'll spend at Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot. Unless you're going to be super Epcot-heavy I'd lean toward Grand Floridian just because it's different from the tropical theme and it sure is nice to be able to walk to and from Magic Kingdom.

 

[zdad59]

Two totally different vibes. GF is a tad more “refined”. Poly has a bit more chill and semi-party vibe. Pluses and minuses to both. I do like the view of fireworks better from the Poly. I can relax a tad more at GF just cause it seems easier to find quiet spaces.

Just my view. Everyone’s is different.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

They’re both lovely resorts. I think a lot of people have an attachment to Poly because it’s original. Food is great at both. Personally I like the choice of pools better at GF but I haven’t seen the new tower pool.

I’m partial to the resort studios at GF because I think they’re lovely but some people have complained about noise/thin walls there. It is former hotel rooms that have been converted to DVC. However, for you and your mom, you may find having two beds more comfortable than a bed and a Murphy bed?

 

[brockash]

Debating about booking a resort studio villa at GF vs studio villa at the Poly vs tower studio at the poly. We’ve never stayed at either resort and can’t decide—help!!

For background, looking at staying either the 1st or 2nd week in September for 9 or 10-days. Itwould be just me and my mom, who’ll be 72. She uses a scooter but doesn’t need it for walking around the resort. We plan on doing MNSSHP. We tend to take an afternoon to break for either a nap or pool time. We definitely will plan to RD (as much as I don’t like to, we got so much more done last year doing RD).

My mom would like both of these resorts but I think she leans towards the poly. I currently live in Hawaii and get plenty of tropical theming at my house I’ve read differing opinions on whether the pool at poly is always packed. I do like the idea of being able to walk to the TTC. How has the monorail been since the tower opened?

I love the theming and layout of of the GF resort studio rooms. Would love to be able to walk to MK. Does the pool have shaded areas and does it get crowded?

Ugh…so torn!

Poly for sure...Id do CR over GF as well. We stayed at GF last summer for the first time and while it was fine...it was just that fine. We much prefer Poly, CR, YC/BC etc. I can't imagine we'll stay at GF again. It was just nothing special and in our opinion the pool areas are too small for the size of resort.

 

[eticketplease]

Resort Studio at GF. As nice as the murphy beds are they are still no match to a real bed which the Resort Studios at VGF provides 2 of so nobody has to pull straws on who is sleeping on the pull down.

 

[NickC]

We typically pick 2 or 3 places we might want to stay and price them out. Sometimes they are close, but if one comes back drastically lower, it makes the choice easier.

 

[Disneylover99]

I currently live in Hawaii and get plenty of tropical theming at my house

I would normally vote for The Poly, but for this reason alone I’d choose GF.

 

[Mle8308]

I prefer the Poly, with the scooter, something to think about is busses. They are often shared between the Poly and the GF during the day (and maybe later in the evening, I don't remember). The Poly is the first stop. When we were at the Poly, the ECV spots were all taken before we got to the GF, especially busses to DS. I remember commenting to my sister that I would be really aggravated if I were paying GF prices and having to wait for multiple busses to come so the ECV could be accommodated. It may not be an issue depending on what parks you plan to visit. If no DS, DHS, or AK than no real worries. And for reference, it was the 2 weeks mid September, a very slow time. But for you, I can understand wanting to stay at the GF.

 

[elvispursley]

I prefer the Poly, with the scooter, something to think about is busses. They are often shared between the Poly and the GF during the day (and maybe later in the evening, I don't remember). The Poly is the first stop. When we were at the Poly, the ECV spots were all taken before we got to the GF, especially busses to DS. I remember commenting to my sister that I would be really aggravated if I were paying GF prices and having to wait for multiple busses to come so the ECV could be accommodated. It may not be an issue depending on what parks you plan to visit. If no DS, DHS, or AK than no real worries. And for reference, it was the 2 weeks mid September, a very slow time. But for you, I can understand wanting to stay at the GF.

Good point! I didn’t think about the bus situation I was totally leaning towards GF, but that is a major hurdle for scooters! Well dang it!

Anybody have thoughts on CR/BLT? I saw a renovated room in YouTube and wonder how many would be available by September? Even more decisions!

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

We are big Poly fans. We frequently stay at Poly but recently stayed at GF. GF was somewhat disappointed, as we missed the theming and atmosphere of Poly. We also preferred the extra shower in the Poly DVC studios (Pago Pago or Tokelau).

 

[Dave006]

Anybody have thoughts on CR/BLT? I saw a renovated room in YouTube and wonder how many would be available by September? Even more decisions!

Since the Hard Goods upgrade is scheduled to be done in September it should be close to 100% for all room types.

Dave

 

[teamsamant]

GF has better food options, a better staff and a calmer vibe.The hotel is nicer. Themeing not as great.

Poly is more of a party, lots of people, food variety isn't there and the staff for the past few years have been horrible. The themeing and location make it what it is.

Both great. We prefer GF.