Grand Floridian, Poly or Contemporary?

[Shanti]

If money was no issue, which Resort would you stay at and why? Grand Floridian, Poly or Contemporary?

In summer: Polynesian, because they have the best pool.

In winter: Grand Floridian, because it's the prettiest.

If money were an object (and it is), Contemporary garden wing, which is the best deal on the monorail line. The CR rooms are really nice, too, and just walking to and from MK is a dream.

 

[ErinsMommy]

we've always loved the Contemporary as the walk to/from MK can't be beat and the closeness of the castle from the TPV room is incredible. With that said, I finally talked DH into staying at the Poly this go around and we're going all out and doing it club theme park view level as well and I seriously can't wait!!!

 

[GreatLakes]

If money was no option Contemporary MK view but my wife would veto me with the Poly so that is where we would end up. I have learned to pick my battles.

 

[huntconn]

If money were no object I would probably go TPV club level suite at the CR. Yep, pretty sure that would be it!

 

[justme0729]

You can't go wrong with any of them... I have stayed at the Polynesian twice and it was my number 1 favorite. I love how it's easier to get to Epcot from the TTC than CR or GF, the laid back vibe, Hawaiian music, seeing fireworks from the beach etc. but... I recently stayed at Grand Floridian one night in the main building and one night in a standard garden view and I loved how "princessy" and luxurious it felt... it just felt really special. So I'm not sure anymore!!

 

[Spridell]

What time of year you going?

If its during Holiday Season without a doubt the GF.

IMO the best decorated out of all the hotels.

 

[Scott MC]

This is a post I never thought I'd write, because since 1988(!) I've always thought that the GF was the end all and be all of resorts anytime, anywhere, and it is a fantastic, magical place to stay, but now, not only is it not my favorite (that honor goes to a dead tie between YC/BC), but it's not my favorite monorail resort either. At this point in time, I'll give that honor to the Poly. We stayed there for the first time last year, and I'll be up front and say that I think the rooms look a bit dated, but everything else about the resort is perfect. We love the dining options, are obsessed with Trader Sam's, enjoy the shopping and the monorail access, both directly from the resort and with the short walk to the TTC.
The rooms themselves were nice and big, the AC worked beautifully, and the newly redesigned bathrooms were great. The large sleeping area was just looking tired as far as we're concerned, but the rest of the resort made up for it. We loved the landscaping, the torches, the quiet Tiki/Hawaiian music playing in the background, the marina, and the feeling of being at one of WDW's original resorts. The theming is absolutely perfect all over, and holy cow is the resort beautiful in a rainstorm with the torches glowing and the palm trees swaying! If/when they update the rooms, for me, BC/YC may be given a serious run for their money!

 

[Daniela Rodriguez]

What time of year you going?

If its during Holiday Season without a doubt the GF.

IMO the best decorated out of all the hotels.

Spring!

 

[Parker Clan]

Grand Floridian all the way

 

[VAfamily1998]

Grand Floridian, main building is my dream.
I've stayed at Polynesian and really don't feel it lived up to everyone else's praise. I mean, it wasn't BAD--I just didn't feel it was as special as some of the other resorts I've stayed at.
I stayed at Contemporary WAY back in the mid 80s when I was a kid. I'd really like to take my kids there one day, but we are a family of 6 and it's so expensive.

So...if money was no object and it was me and my husband: Grand Floridian
If money was no object and it was our whole family: Contemporary.

 

[Sepo]

With regard to GF v Poly...

There's no wrong answer, as many have said. We have stayed many times at both Poly and GF. Would endorse others' views that GF is not necessarily stuffy; it's subjective. Sure there are some fancier couples, but the vast majority are ordinary folk and there are many noisy kids (mine, for example). The CM theming is knickerbockered men and long skirted women, very friendly and cordial, as expected anywhere. We usually stay at the Villas there and love all the touches. For us the GF never gets old and feels very relaxing. Pools are very family friendly and Citricos and Narcoosees are both amazing. We've never done V&As and aren't interested either. Overall, relaxingly-fancy or fancily-relaxing, one stop from the MK, quick boat ride as well, and beautiful rooms. We stay there every other trip or more and try other resorts between.

The Poly is beautiful too. A little cousin to Aulani and wonderfully themed. Before they moved the bus hub to MK, the short walk to the TTC (especially if on the edge of the resort) made the location unbeatable. The EPCOT tram there is still great though. I do like the Kona Cafe more than GFV at GF. Ohana is great too and the straight on view of the park with the fireworks in unbeatable.

You can't go wrong.

 

[toodycat]

I would say GF. I love that resort. Everything is beautiful; the lobby is gorgeous; the landscaping is meticulous; CMs have gone above and beyond for us during every single stay; proximity to the Magic Kingdom is excellent; rooms are big, but resort is smaller, so there's no feeling of being crowded; all of the restaurants are very good, and you can't beat watching the fireworks from the dock. I've stayed in everything from what I guess was their cheapest room opposite the loading dock, to TPV, to Sugarloaf to RPC. In each case, we were treated like royalty. I haven't stayed at the Poly in quite a few years because our last stay was lackluster in terms of customer service and cleanliness, but that was quite a few years ago. If it were up to me and I had the means, I would stay GF every time.

 

[kboo]

I've stayed at the CR/BLT (and just bought there) (2 weeklong stays), and also GF lagoon view (1 week). We've visited the Poly a lot on all of our trips to GF and CR, but have not stayed there. If $ were no object, GF would be our choice (and our 6 year old's!) for the following reasons:

Restaurants - there isn't a bad one at the GF, and there are more there than anywhere else. I have enjoyed or will enjoy ALL of the TS restaurants: V&A (going in August), Narcoosee's, Citrico's, Grand Floridian Cafe, 1900 Park Fare, and the QS is a guick step away to sit outside with a peaceful and beautiful view. We've done Ohana breakfast (fun, but noisy and so so food) and also Chef Mickey's (too loud, bleh food). GFC >> Wave. I do like Kona Cafe (and California Grill) a lot, but each of those alone doesn't beat Narcoosees + Citrico's + GFC, and V&A is another thing entirely.

Rooms/Resort layout - I've never stayed at the poly, and have only seen the pool, not used it, but: the longhouses feel a little like dressed up 70s style motel rooms, and the CR just feels convention-y, loud and crowded. Many lagoon views at GF have really great views of the castle and fireworks, which we watched from our balcony while the baby slept. BLT felt like a nice apartment building. Because the GF rooms are spread among several buildings, there is never a big cluster of people in any one location, unlike both CR and Poly lobbies.

Location - you can use WDW transportation to get to any resort or park at WDW, thanks to the MK bus depot. And you can walk to MK. With little kids in strollers, that's just ... amazing. Poly has TTC so easy access to EP and MK without having to switch monorails. GF - 1 easy stop to MK, and walkable to Poly. Each has merits. This is probably a tie, with a slight edge to CR because we have little kids in strollers.

Overall atmosphere - I like contemporary design, so I actually like the design in the CR/BLT rooms. I also thought GF would be stuffy but it wasn't. Really lovely service and CMs who went the extra mile. There's just so many touches that make it so magical - for example, my DD (4.5 at the time) was wearing an Aurora dress in the lobby by the pianist and he broke into the Sleeping Beauty Waltz. When we stayed that the CR, sometimes I would walk to MK while DH stayed with the kids at naptime. At the GF, I walked around the resort and shops instead. And the Princess promenade (or whatever it's called?) is the only place to see Prince Charming on a regular basis for free.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I have stayed at all three and I would absolutely pick the Poly. I love the theme - and love the relaxing feel. I love at night when the Tiki torches lit up and sitting on the beach to watch the fireworks. Or swimming late with the Tiki's torches lit - so lovely. I do love the CR to be able to walk to MK but love the theme of the Poly.

 

[aprincessatlast]

We have done 2 of the 3. If money was no object than GF Concierge!

No matter which you choose I recommend eating in each one as the 3 are all so close that it still feels apart of the "resort"

Poly is great in summer but kids loved the feel of Contemporary too. I like the classic feel of GF but I only do special sales and that one is harder to find with specials.