Grand Floridian Outer Building Lagoon View or Polynesian Villa Standard View Late Sept 2021

[caroline7238]

Hi All. I am planning a trip the end of September 2021 for my daughter's 7th birthday. Right now i have a standard view suite (not really a suite it's just one room) at the Polynesian Villas. However there is also a standard room outer building lagoon view room available at the grand floridian for basically the same price - actually about $100 cheaper total.
I was pretty set on the Polynesian due to the theme and it seeming very kid friendly, but the room at the GF seems like it may be a lot nicer? I am bringing a 3.5 year old, a turning 7 year old and my husband (he'd like good food and drinks!). I want to make sure we are comfortable and get the most out of our room/resort. Is the lagoon view going to allow us to see any fireworks or light shows? Is transportation better at one resort (is monorail closed at polynesian? I'm not understanding that...)? Where will the kids have the most fun? Best amneities?

We are planning a day at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood studios and one free day to relax at the pool, enjoy the resort etc.

Thank you for your help - typically these reports are not in my budget so I'm very excited for an opportunity to stay at one. Thanks! Caroline

 

[Marionnette]

Hi All. I am planning a trip the end of September 2021 for my daughter's 7th birthday. Right now i have a standard view suite (not really a suite it's just one room) at the Polynesian Villas. However there is also a standard room outer building lagoon view room available at the grand floridian for basically the same price - actually about $100 cheaper total.
I was pretty set on the Polynesian due to the theme and it seeming very kid friendly, but the room at the GF seems like it may be a lot nicer? I am bringing a 3.5 year old, a turning 7 year old and my husband (he'd like good food and drinks!). I want to make sure we are comfortable and get the most out of our room/resort. Is the lagoon view going to allow us to see any fireworks or light shows? Is transportation better at one resort (is monorail closed at polynesian? I'm not understanding that...)? Where will the kids have the most fun? Best amneities?

We are planning a day at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood studios and one free day to relax at the pool, enjoy the resort etc.

Thank you for your help - typically these reports are not in my budget so I'm very excited for an opportunity to stay at one. Thanks! Caroline

The Poly studios used to be hotel rooms and have been converted to Vacation Club villas. They're quite roomy and they have a split bathroom that is a definite positive. The buildings are located close to the Ticket and Transportation Center, which means if the Epcot monorail returns to service, you will be a short walk away from it. If you plan to do any meals in the room, there's a small kitchenette with microwave, toaster and coffeemaker. Unlike the hotel side, the villas have not been recently renovated to the new Moana theme, although they are scheduled for a soft goods refurb sometime this year. Some standard view studios have partial views of the MK fireworks but everyone requests those few rooms. The least attractive views are of a parking lot.

GF has a new walkway to the MK, which will make it easier to get there, especially since GF is the last stop on the resort monorail before arriving at the MK. It can be difficult to get a seat and very difficult to load a stroller during busy times. Word has it that GF rooms are beginning to look a bit tired and are in need of a refresh, which won't happen until at least next year. The kids' splash and play area is probably one of the best among deluxe resorts and there are two large pools to choose from. Lagoon view means you have a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon. You do not get a theme park view and if fireworks are going on in September, you'll hear them but may only see the higher ones off to one side. Trees and other buildings tend to obscure your view. You will be able to watch the electric water parade from your balcony.

My personal preference would be the Poly but that has more to do with it being a studio as opposed to a regular hotel room. If it were a choice between a Poly studio or a VGF studio, I would choose VGF.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi All. I am planning a trip the end of September 2021 for my daughter's 7th birthday. Right now i have a standard view suite (not really a suite it's just one room) at the Polynesian Villas. However there is also a standard room outer building lagoon view room available at the grand floridian for basically the same price - actually about $100 cheaper total.
I was pretty set on the Polynesian due to the theme and it seeming very kid friendly, but the room at the GF seems like it may be a lot nicer? I am bringing a 3.5 year old, a turning 7 year old and my husband (he'd like good food and drinks!). I want to make sure we are comfortable and get the most out of our room/resort. Is the lagoon view going to allow us to see any fireworks or light shows? Is transportation better at one resort (is monorail closed at polynesian? I'm not understanding that...)? Where will the kids have the most fun? Best amneities?

We are planning a day at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood studios and one free day to relax at the pool, enjoy the resort etc.

Thank you for your help - typically these reports are not in my budget so I'm very excited for an opportunity to stay at one. Thanks! Caroline

I would do GF. I love the Poly theme, but I think GF is an, overall, better resort - more dining options, quieter and a path to MK. GF is WDW's signature resort, so there are more amenities (restaurants, shops, etc.) there. Poly always seems loud and chaotic to me and I find the QS very hard to navigate. If you want to try for a bit of a view of fireworks from your room (if they are back by then), request Boca Chica, 4th floor, facing east.

 

[Nabas]

We have stayed at both the GF and Poly recently.

It's a tough call, It mostly depends on what theming appeals to you. I suggest you look at online photos to get a sense of what they are like.

With a Dole Whip (ice cream) window, I'd argue the Poly is slightly more kid friendly.

The beach pool at the GF has a relatively small deck - it's tough to get a seat there. Sometimes you have to settle for seats in the play area. Your 3.5 and 7 year olds might really like this, but there's little shade. It gets hot in the direct sun.

The volcano pool at the Poly has more deck space but it also manages to fill up. It also has a water play area, although I've never been inside that play area.

Both the GF and Poly have quiet pools. But kids usually enough the main pools more. That's where all the activity is.

Sounds like you've booked a room at the Polynesian Villas & Bungalows (PVB). They have a sweet bathroom setup, with 2 showers. It makes it easy to get out of the room in the morning. They also have a foldout sofa and a murphy bed under the TV, an important consideration if your two children don't like to share beds.

As of now, there is no word on when fireworks will start. My guess is after July 4 but before October 1 (WDW's 50th anniversary). As mentioned above, lagoon view is not the same as theme park view at the GF, so you'll probably have to find a spot outside of the room to wath.

If the kids have never been, I'd seriously consider saving money and go with a Moderate or even Value Resort. When our children were that age, they wanted a food court with lots of options, a pool that was wet ( ), and over-the-top theming. They might like the pirate theming at Caribbean Beach Resort, or the Little Mermaid, Cars, or Nemo theming at Art of Animation.

Still, since you are likely to spend most of your time at the Magic Kingdom, staying at a Monorail Resort makes the most sense.

Given the age of your children and your comment that you like the Poly theming, I suggest you stick with that.

 

[caroline7238]

Thank you all. I'm so torn! Based on comments I am a little leaning to the GF, just because it sounds like Polynesian may be crowded. I'm hoping to convince my husband to come back to Disney after this trip!
Does anyone know the status of the construction at the Polynesian, will that be over? And if I do stay at GF can you still book the luau dinner? (if it's back). Thanks again!

 

[Fangorn]

Thank you all. I'm so torn! Based on comments I am a little leaning to the GF, just because it sounds like Polynesian may be crowded. I'm hoping to convince my husband to come back to Disney after this trip!
Does anyone know the status of the construction at the Polynesian, will that be over? And if I do stay at GF can you still book the luau dinner? (if it's back). Thanks again!

The construction at Poly is supposed to be complete in July. Monorail service to Poly will resume at that time. You should be fine in September.

And yes, if the luau is happening (unlikely) you can book it. You don't have to be staying at the Poly.

Steve

 

[Nabas]

Thank you all. I'm so torn! Based on comments I am a little leaning to the GF, just because it sounds like Polynesian may be crowded. I'm hoping to convince my husband to come back to Disney after this trip!

Most likely, the Grand Floridian will be just as crowded.

Really, the only places the crowds matter are the pools and the food court.

At both the Grand Floridian and Poly, the pools will be crowded when it's hot.

At both the Grand Floridian and Poly, the food court will be crowded for breakfast and dinner.

 

[married2grumpy]

I’m a sucker for a good view so for that reason I would choose the GF lagoon view.

We just completed a stay at the CR and LOVED it! I know you didn’t mention that resort but it’s a fun resort for kids. We never wanted to stay there when the kids were little because we felt it lacked theming but it was really great and the view of Bay Lake from your room is awesome. The walk back from MK was easy and convenient. Stepping out of your room and seeing the monorail and the characters at Chef Mickey was pretty cool. I got to see the characters practicing their rotations with empty tables waving at empty chairs. It was fun to see!

Whichever you choose the monorail makes it easy to visit the other resorts on the loop to grab a snack or eat at one of the restaurants. You can’t go wrong with either of the resorts you mentioned!!!

 

[Cheburashka]

Hi All. I am planning a trip the end of September 2021 for my daughter's 7th birthday. Right now i have a standard view suite (not really a suite it's just one room) at the Polynesian Villas. However there is also a standard room outer building lagoon view room available at the grand floridian for basically the same price - actually about $100 cheaper total.
I was pretty set on the Polynesian due to the theme and it seeming very kid friendly, but the room at the GF seems like it may be a lot nicer? I am bringing a 3.5 year old, a turning 7 year old and my husband (he'd like good food and drinks!). I want to make sure we are comfortable and get the most out of our room/resort. Is the lagoon view going to allow us to see any fireworks or light shows? Is transportation better at one resort (is monorail closed at polynesian? I'm not understanding that...)? Where will the kids have the most fun? Best amneities?

We are planning a day at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood studios and one free day to relax at the pool, enjoy the resort etc.

Thank you for your help - typically these reports are not in my budget so I'm very excited for an opportunity to stay at one. Thanks! Caroline

I've stayed at both multiple times and would choose the Grand Floridian. It's a nicer resort imo, and it's only a single monorail stop away from Magic Kingdom in the morning. Both resorts are kid-friendly. It's Disney World so it's all kid-friendly. The Grand's Victorian theme is just a theme. It isn't an uptight or snobbish place at all. It's very relaxed. Grand Floridian also currently offers room service, and the Polynesian doesn't, btw.