Grand Floridian / Poly with kids?

[ChiTownZee]

We're thinking about splurging for our next trip on a monorail resort in (hopefully!) Sept. The contemporary seems unavailable, so I think I'm leaning towards the GF, mostly because their rooms seem a lot nicer (not so much in style, just more detail, at least by the pictures I've seen) Would this resort be OK for a almost 5 y.o. DD? I've read posts before from people saying they wouldn't want to take their children there because it's too nice. Or should we just go with the Poly?
On a side note........how much is a pot of coffee delivered to the room?
TIA!

 

[Pluto]

Have stayed at the Poly twice, the first time was when our DD was 5 and she loves it! She is 11 now and we have eated at GF and shopped there also and she really has no interest staying there. She also likes Contemporary(can't believe it is unavailable in Sept). No matter where you pick you will have a great time!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We've done the Poly twice--the first time our kids were 2,5 and 8. The kids love it there. We've shopped at the GF as well and stopped there in December on our mini-trip to see the Christmas decorations. A child broke a big ball on a decoration and there was a big gasp from the people in the lobby! It is a gorgeous hotel, but I think on our non-DVC stays we'll stick with the Poly--we made it our choice for our weekend this trip.
Robin M.
Poly 6/2000
BWV 6/2001
Poly 12/2001
next trip? See below!

 

[JayCT]

It depends on you and your children. We have two very active boys (6 and 4) and would not stay at GF with them. They like to run around and jump and make noise. The GF is more quite and reserved.

We stayed at the Poly in May and visited the GF with them for a character dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I was very nervous waiting with them in the lobby until the restaurant opened. It was so quite and they were singing.

Also, it was interesting to see the differences in the pools. The GF pools were quite. The kids played and the parents watched or swam quitely. The Poly's volcano pool was very active with the parents having as much fun as the kids on the volcano slide. There is a quite pool, but we did not use it. We could get the kids away from the volcano slide. For us the Poly was preferable.

 

[Wendi]

We have stayed at the GF several times and I too have a 5 yr. old DD. She loves it. She loves looking out the balcony and seeing "Mickeys House". Don't ask. She even argued with Cinderella at Cinderella's Royal Table about it. Cindy LOST. It was funny. She finally conceeded and said, well; Mickey lives in Toon town with Minnie and "let" me live here. That was ok with my DD. Anyway, the rooms are a smidge bigger (or feel bigger) at the GF. Poly is wonderful, landscaping is wonderful, essentially they are equal. It's all the the "Mood" your in. My husband favors the GF, but this next trip we are giving the Poly another go.
He wants Conceirge, and well I'm not gonna argue. I didn't fall off a turnip truck last night. If Conceirge is what my darling hubby wants, then well darn it he will get it. lol lol
I personally love the GF and love how close of a view it is to MK.
You can hear everything at the parks practically. Request a Dormer Room in Boca Chica. Also, The Alice in Wonderland Tea party was adorable. She is still talking about it. We plan on letting her do that and the Adventure's in Cooking there. They are wonderful at the GF. So overall, It depends on the "mood".
Poly is laid back, Hawaii, tropic with warm tones. GF is Comfy, clean and you feel important. It's kinda hard to describe the overall feeling, but I love it.
Hope this helps,
Wendi

 

[monorailsilver]

I have stayed at both and here is my opinion.

I am a little partial to the Polynesian cuz I have stayed there since the early 1970's. But I did one time stay at the GF when it first opened. I was about 12 or 13 years old then and thought it was a beautiful resort but.....I felt so uncomfortable walking into the main building in my bathing suit and a t-shirt looking for my mother. It felt like everyone had their noses up in the air and was like what is this impostor doing at the GF.

I have never stayed there since then and have been pretty much at the Polynesian on the rest of my trips. I have noticed that the kids at the GF when they board the bus or monorail are dressed to the nines and look to prim and proper for me to want to stay there and have fun (like another poster said about the pools).

The Polynesian is a more relaxed atmosphere and the surroundings are so comfortable.

Good Luck on your decision.

Kerri

 

[monorailsilver]

OH I forgot....isn't September the Disneyana (sp) convention at the Contemporary? That may be why all the rooms are booked.

 

[Desnik]

I think this is a personal choice based on what your tastes are and what your priorities are. For us we just loved the decor and theming of the GF. We had no worries or concerns staying there with our then almost 4yo DD. She absolutely loved the place. We thouht it was very kid friendly, all Disney resorts are. There were all sorts of activities for kids, they had miniature furniture with a tv playing Disney movies. All the CM's were wonderful with our daughter, she made friends and went to visit with them in the stores, they would get her crayons and coloring pages while we sat in the lobby listening to the band play. It was such a wonderful experience, I would never think of not staying there with children. If you would like to know exactly what activities they had going on for kids,let me know and I'll post them. I still have the "newspaper" they gave us when we checked in. I have heard wonderful things on this board about the Poly, we would never stay there because we just don't like the decor.(DH puts it best when he says it reminds him of when the Brady's went to Hawaii) We have visited it, but it is just not for us. I have witnessed many families with children enjoying the GF. If you think it offers the amenities you like and is appealing in decor than go for it! You won't be dissappointed with either, you'll be at DISNEY!!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I have stayed at the Poly many times, but never the GF. I have been to the GF many times for dinner, shopping ect... and don't care for it nearly as much as yhe Poly. The Poly definitely appears to be more kid friendly. We are DVC, but will always manage a few Poly nights every year.
EDIT: whay really matters, is what theming will you enjoy? Both resorts (IMO) are first class resorts!

 

[mariamouse]

You should clearly choose the resort that YOU personally love, without worrying about whether children will be welcome at the GF. The Polynesian is more casual and relaxed, so what people do is less noticed, which is why it appeals a bit more to kids. However, children love the GF too. There is some tension once in a while over what people wear/do, but keep in mind that MANY people will have their children with them. This is why there is a club for kids. I believe it is called the Neverland Club or something along those lines? Disney is fun no matter what, so there is never TOO much quiet. You just have to know that the GF is more expensive and chic. This is why the atmosphere is different than other resorts. Personally, if I were in your position, I would go with the Polynesian. One of the main reasons is because none of my family enjoys the food at the GF. We found the buffet at 1900 Park Fare was not very good (fruit in particular) and expensive for what we got. The other restaurants we found to be about the same. We LoVE the Kona Cafe. Everything is great and worth the $$$$. We like the atmosphere in the GF because it is just SO beautiful, but for some reason we are always drawn to the ambiance of the Polynesian and its Hawaiin theme. The plants/birds make it seem so exotic for a theme park resort. The pool is definitely more appealing to kids because of its volcano slide, despite the fact that both resorts' pools were recently renovated. This is just my opinion, but do not worry too much about childrens' being welcome at the GF. Just keep into account your personal likes and dislikes of both.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

While the Grand Floridian is my favorite resort, and I think that it is kid friendly, from observing the fellow resort guests, I know that a lot of them do not appreciate noisy or restless children. The resort is upscale, it is one of the top hotels in the country (#49), so they do get a different type of clientele than most other resorts. The rooms rates range from the standard room ($329 a night in value season), to their concierge room ($555 a night in value season), to their suites that can go for near $2500 a night. You do see quite a few families at the resort, but for the most part I've seen very well behaved children at the resort (but, every day you do see the not very well behaved child). Honestly, I'd stay at the GF if you'd feel comfortable with the place. Otherwise, the Polynesian attracts MANY families, and has a very casual atmosphere (the rooms are fine if that's what you are worried about - they have their "south pacific design" which is as much present as the "victorian design" at the Grand Floridian).

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by ChiTownZee
We're thinking about splurging for our next trip on a monorail resort in (hopefully!) Sept. The contemporary seems unavailable, so I think I'm leaning towards the GF, mostly because their rooms seem a lot nicer (not so much in style, just more detail, at least by the pictures I've seen) Would this resort be OK for a almost 5 y.o. DD? I've read posts before from people saying they wouldn't want to take their children there because it's too nice. Or should we just go with the Poly?
On a side note........how much is a pot of coffee delivered to the room?
TIA!

Yes, the Grand is FINE for a child! I've been taking my son since he was a little younger than your daughter, and I've also been taking my nieces since they were little. It's NEVER been my experience, nor have I ever observed anyone else's children being treated in a manner that would suggest someone thought they shouldn't be there.

And about the coffee ... I *think* it's about $7-8 for a pot...

Judi

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