Grand Floridian or Polynesian

[Nickunited]

I am going to book my 2004 Disney trip soon and I am tossed up between the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian resort. Can you guys give me your thougts on these resorts? I have not stayed at either of them.

Thanks
Nick

 

[mjl]

I think it all depends on your tastes. I have stayed at the GF and visited the Poly. My vote would go to the GF for the following reasons:

1) I can get a king size bed at the GF, no such thing at the Poly except in their suites
2) The facilities (especially the guest rooms) seem alot nicer, more updated, and cleaner. The poly seems a bit outdated. At the GF, all guests get nightly turn-down service (with chocolates on the pillow, and bathrobes to peruse around in)

This doesnt mean you wont like the Poly, depends on your tastes. If you like south seas kind of theme, you will probably love the Poly. If you like the pampered feeling and kind of an upscale atmosphere (while still being able to "come as you are" in shorts or whatever), then the GF is the better choice.

Have fun.

 

[PartyOf5]

Stayed at both, loved them both but I think GF has the edge. I agree with all the above comments and I will add that nothing beats swimming in a heated pool as you watch the monorail wisk by!

The only thing I would do differently when I return to GF is to use a towncar service instead of renting a car. We would have prefered to self-park but the parking lot is sooo far away (across the street from the main road).

 

[mandasbutterfly]

I agree! It will be a matter of personal taste and either one would be great! I just recently stayed at the Grand Floridian and I fell in love with it. I honestly don't know how I will ever stay anywhere else although it does hold extra special to me because I also got engaged while staying there on that trip. Anywho- sorry to get off track (can you tell I am still on cloud 9 hehe) I have visited the Poly several times and it seems really cool. I know people rave about the Poly and really love it. I think it just depends on what you want out of your vacation. Tropical or Old Victorian Elegance. I think I may give the Poly a try one day if I can ever pry myself away from the GF. I know you will have a fabulous time at either one, they are both great resorts!!! Good luck with your descision!!!

 

[blaqbelt48]

We stayed at the Polynesian a couple of months ago, and when they had the fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom, we found a great spot next to the water to watch them!!

We took a couple of blankets from our room, snuggled up and had a great time.

The nice thing was when it was over, we were already home!

bob

 

[Texowl2]

the poly has two big conveniences:

1) TTA is only steps away and you don't have to take the Mk momorail around to get to Epcot

2) Parking lot is way more convenient

 

[BCV23]

We've stayed at both, love both but on balance the Polynesian is our favorite.

I love the Victorian flavor of the GF but don't find the Polynesian dated in any way. Actually, the Victorian age was quite a way back now!

Agree with Texowl2's points about the TTC and parking. Staying at the Polynesian, we sometimes walk to the TTC and pop over to Epcot just for dinner. If you are taking the buses from a park, you can also hop whichever comes first...the TTC or the Polynesian bus.

The GF has some great restaurants but Kona while more informal has truly wonderful food. At any case, all monorail restaurants are just a ride away from both resorts.

Wishes is incredible from the Polynesian. Well, actually my daughter and husband also saw it this trip from Narcoossee's and said it was wonderful from there too. I do think you have the most "centered" view from the Polynesian.

There are some very friendly CMs at the Polynesian many of whom have been there for years.

Two great resorts...have fun whichever you decide!

Oh, BTW unless it has changed you can still request turndown at the Polynesian for any room. Years ago it was automatic throughout the resort.

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Polynesian

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I love them both!

The GF is a little more elegant, but the Poly is so romantic and well themed. They both have great restaurants and wonderful pools. I say draw straws!

 

[KathyTX]

Depends! What appeals to you most:

Pina Colada or Gin and Tonic?
Sarong and barefoot, or chic sundress and strappy sandals?
Jimmy Buffet on the beach, or a brass quintet in a town square?
Chicken wings and pineapple chunks, or cucumber sandwiches and tea?
Robinson Crusoe or Mary Poppins?

Both fun, but two very different moods.

 

[my3boys]

You may want to look at some photos of each resorts to help you decide:

www.ourlaughingplace.com

www.allearsnet.com

They both have many pictures to look over.

 

[Tikiman]

I will start by saying I prefer the Polynesian.

Now just some facts not based on my feelings.

The Polynesian is not old or run down or dirty compared to the GF as stated above. In fact the Polynesian rooms have been completely gutted in all but 3 buildings in the last year or 2. Some being finished just months ago which makes them newer than the GF. The buildings that were not done had a rehab in 2001 and 2002 and two of those buildings are only a couple of years older than the GF. The standard rooms at the Polynesian are some of the largest on property and while the only King beds are in the suites the queen beds are very large. I have plenty of room with my wife and I am 6 foot. My feet don’t get near the end. The Polynesian looks nothing like it did in the 70’s and the Decore was updated in the late 90s with the Kaanapali Beach Hotel staff overlooking the designs to make it authentic. So very little of what you see is old so how can it be outdated? It is designed after old Polynesia but the materials are not old. Just like the theme of the GF is modeled after a turn of the century beach resort. So is that outdated?

Turndown is available to all Polynesian guests.

The Polynesian is the only resort with access to the monorail, busses and walking distance to the TTC for the Epcot monorail.

The new pools at both were designed to have a similar shape and same size but the Polynesian slide is taller, faster and longer.

All lagoon view rooms at the Polynesian face the castle and fireworks.

As stated above the Polynesian parking lot is much easier to park yourself and have the car easy to get to.

So those are some facts to help you decide.

 

[mjl]

Tikiman has some decent points, I would say again pick your theme and run with it. Regarding the run-down or "old" comments, just read comments from others on these boards and you will find plenty of them that state just this. That is simply a matter of personal taste that some will agree with and others wont. Some find the "longhouse" design as attractive and others find them to be outdated looking or "motel like" in their appearance from the outside, different strokes for different folks. The grounds however are absolutely gorgeous.

One more strike against the poly is that there are no hot-tubs, which boggles my mind of why they cant just install one or two of them for adults

 

[KathyTX]

SSsshhhh, Tikiman! Don't encourage them!

The more of them we send to the GF, the more availability there is for us at our Polynesian paradise!

'Tis true, the Poly is nearing its complete rehab. The look is the same, but all is fresh and new inside.

It really is a matter of personal taste and deciding which atmosphere you're most wanting to experience. I find the Grand Floridian, while "grand", to be somewhat cold. Others will never dream of staying anywhere else.

I find the Polynesian relaxing and inviting. Some don't care for it, but it has many huge fans.

It's wonderful to have so many different themes and atmospheres to choose from!

 

[Tikiman]

Yeah I guess I should be quiet about it Kathy but I just find it strange how people must talk the Polynesian down using feeling instead of fact. I don’t care for the GF but I usually don’t say negative things about it. I just say how I feel the Polynesian is better. I never go out of my way to be negative about another resort the way many do about the Polynesian.

I guess I will stick to my “motel” and they can have their GF. Funny I had never been in a motel that had the room entrance on the inside. I guess the old Polynesians should have designed their longhouses to be more like a luxury hotel so the theme would have been more appealing.

You are correct that there are groups for each side of the debate but when someone is looking for advise it is good to stick with the facts. It would be a shame to scare them off with exaggerated descriptions.

ALoha

Steve

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by KathyTX
The more of them we send to the GF, the more availability there is for us at our Polynesian paradise!

Well, even I booked the Polynesian for my next stay instead of the Grand Floridian. Not sure why, though, as when I sat down to call I had it in my mind to book the GF, and when the CM asked me which resort I said the Polynesian. LV Concierge here I come!

 

[mjl]

Dang I guess I hit a nerve , apologies to Poly loyalists.

 

[KathyTX]

Steve,

I forgot to tell you how much I love your Polynesian information site.

When I'm planning a trip, or just want to pretend I'm there, I like to wander around and enjoy my tour of the Polynesian with the Tikiman.

Ah, those little "mental" vacations...

 

[dsneygirl]

Originally posted by Texowl2
the poly has two big conveniences:

1) TTA is only steps away and you don't have to take the Mk momorail around to get to Epcot

2) Parking lot is way more convenient

I totally agree. We just got back from GF and I found the lobby at the GF to be constantly filled with screaming children. We rode over to eat at Ohana and the Poly seems more serene.

I also love both Kona cafe and Ohana.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

I've stayed at both and they are both great. I agree with others that you need to decide what kind of atmosphere you're looking for.
The GF is a beautiful resort. The GF cafe has good food. But my favorite is the Polynesian. OF course, that could be because that is the first resort we ever stayed at. But there is something wonderful about walking into the GCH. The Kona cafe is great and I like the convenience of walking to the TTC to get to epcot. My kids loved the new volcano pool.

Both are wonderful though, you can't go wrong with either choice.