Grand Floridian Resort Studio Lagoon View vs. Polynesian Standard Room?

[DarthAckbarious]

Hello! My wife and I are going to be staying for 4 nights with our 2 year old in early December. We likely will hit up each park once to start each of the 4 days, but we have a park hopper option as well. I'm guessing Magic Kingdom will be the best with the 2 year old and we will want to hit it up more than once?

Anyhow, I'm having a heck of a time choosing between the Grand Floridian Resort Studio Lagoon view and Polynesian Standard room (currently booked both but need to cancel). I'd likely have preferred the Polynesian Lagoon view, but it wasn't available. We have never stayed at either of the resorts. I stayed at the Beach Club years ago, which was nice and likely would have been a contender if it was an adults only or older kids trip.

I like that both the GF Resort Studio's and Poly rooms are basically brand new. I also suppose that the Christmas decor is a win in favor of GF. I'm not sure how much ongoing construction will be a hindrance at either, and in general I've read really mixed things about GF in general as far as the overall resort needing a facelift and the experience staying outside of the main building (main was not available for these dates). We enjoy ordering room service for breakfast while we get ready. My wife and I do enjoy staying in nice resorts such as Four Seasons, St. Regis, Waldorfs, etc. but we want the little one to have fun too. There's always the option to do a split stay I guess...but if we did that may as well move over to an Epcot resort!

I'd love to hear some thoughts here!

 

[erionm]

If your 2 year old will be sleeping in either a crib or pack-n-play, the Poly Studio would give you more floor space since it has a queen bed and sofa-wallbed (murphy bed). The Resort Studio at VGF will have 2 queen beds.

 

[DarthAckbarious]

If your 2 year old will be sleeping in either a crib or pack-n-play, the Poly Studio would give you more floor space since it has a queen bed and sofa-wallbed (murphy bed). The Resort Studio at VGF will have 2 queen beds.

I should clarify- it's not the studio room at the Polynesian, just a standard hotel room with the 2 queen beds (although I think you can request a king). We aren't DVC members, we just booked the GF resort studio through Disney. The kiddo does sleep in a regular bed though when on vacation so we don't need much floor space.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is the GFV remodel complete? If so I’d do GF but if you might get old rooms at GFV I’d stick with Poly.

 

[DarthAckbarious]

Is the GFV remodel complete? If so I’d do GF but if you might get old rooms at GFV I’d stick with Poly.

The resort studio building remodel is complete at GF, yes. It's the Big Pine Key building. So either way I'd be getting a newly remodeled room. We have just never stayed at either resort.

 

[erionm]

Is the GFV remodel complete? If so I’d do GF but if you might get old rooms at GFV I’d stick with Poly.

Big Pine Key where the VGF Resort Studios are is complete. All DVC rooms in the original VGF building were also recently refurbished.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Boca Chica (which is a hotel building) just finished up a few weeks ago. As of last week they’ve moved on to Conch Key. Decent amount of construction walls and such in the boat dock area given the construction at Narcoossee’s as well. FYI.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OP, this is a tough one. Your VGF room guarantees you a good room view/location away from construction, which is a plus. Your Poly room category is one that could put you right up on the current construction site of the Poly DVC tower, which is a fenced off ugly site at the moment with likely increasing construction activity by the week. Granted there are standard rooms on the other side of the resort far removed from construction that would be fine. But the ones facing the Poly tower site would not be fine (assuming that Disney does intend to put guests in those rooms), IMHO.

I don’t like to chase ghosts when it comes to Disney things but the Poly Standard View category has me feeling some kind of way right now, not in a good way.

I prefer Poly over GF as a resort overall (although will happily stay at either). If you go Poly just keep an open mind if you do happen to have a “bad” room.

GF is the only resort with room service, in case you didn’t have that on your radar.

 

[Genie+]

Both are great! I’m jealous Christmas gives GFV an edge I think too.

 

[DarthAckbarious]

OP, this is a tough one. Your VGF room guarantees you a good room view/location away from construction, which is a plus. Your Poly room category is one that could put you right up on the current construction site of the Poly DVC tower, which is a fenced off ugly site at the moment with likely increasing construction activity by the week. Granted there are standard rooms on the other side of the resort far removed from construction that would be fine. But the ones facing the Poly tower site would not be fine (assuming that Disney does intend to put guests in those rooms), IMHO.

I don’t like to chase ghosts when it comes to Disney things but the Poly Standard View category has me feeling some kind of way right now, not in a good way.

I prefer Poly over GF as a resort overall (although will happily stay at either). If you go Poly just keep an open mind if you do happen to have a “bad” room.

GF is the only resort with room service, in case you didn’t have that on your radar.

That's my main concern as well. It seems the general consensus is Poly>GF (these days), but having a nice view and being away from any construction is important also. Thanks for the heads up on room service, that's actually a big deal (for us). We are more the order room service early and snack while getting ready type than the head to breakfast before the parks type (especially with a toddler). Although we may try to get into a character breakfast if anything opens up. I see that 1900 Park Fare is closed though.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

There have been several mentions of construction over at Poly with the DVC property going up over there.

Both have nice water play areas for children. Considering transportation I would give Grand the Edge. Being able to walk and/or being the first stop on the boat loop with a toddler could be invaluable.

no matter how you go, (Boat, Monorail) it is multiple stops to get to Poly with the exception of the large ferries and that would be quite a walk to the room considering you'd have to go through the TTC and the DVC side of poly.

I've seen pictures of the new rooms at Grand. The Bed/couch combo will make for the perfect amount of floor space for a pack and play without feeling cramped.

My overall vote goes to GF studios. No matter what you choose, enjoy your trip!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

That's my main concern as well. It seems the general consensus is Poly>GF (these days), but having a nice view and being away from any construction is important also. Thanks for the heads up on room service, that's actually a big deal (for us). We are more the order room service early and snack while getting ready type than the head to breakfast before the parks type (especially with a toddler). Although we may try to get into a character breakfast if anything opens up. I see that 1900 Park Fare is closed though.

I don’t want to spend your money for you, but reading into your post, have you looked into Club Level? We’re the same with breakfasts and always enjoy CL for the breakfast offerings. And at Poly CL you’re in the Hawaii building which means you’ll be away from the side of the resort with construction. May be hard to find availability.

I think you said the GF main building was unavailable but it’s a great CL as well if you find availability. Those rooms aren’t renovated but they are generally good enough (IMHO).

I think you probably know this but since you mentioned it I’ll say it out loud just to say it, make sure you don’t have any Four Seasons expectations with either Poly or GF. Sort of apples and oranges in terms of overall service level and quality. Disney is more fun though.

 

[Marthasor]

I would do GF. The chance of having a room at Poly anywhere near the DVC construction would be a deal-breaker for me. At GF, you will have a lovely room, room service and better transportation options to MK (first stop on boat, monorail and walking path). I, personally, like the dining options at GF more as well.

 

[DarthAckbarious]

I don’t want to spend your money for you, but reading into your post, have you looked into Club Level? We’re the same with breakfasts and always enjoy CL for the breakfast offerings. And at Poly CL you’re in the Hawaii building which means you’ll be away from the side of the resort with construction. May be hard to find availability.

I think you said the GF main building was unavailable but it’s a great CL as well if you find availability. Those rooms aren’t renovated but they are generally good enough (IMHO).

I think you probably know this but since you mentioned it I’ll say it out loud just to say it, make sure you don’t have any Four Seasons expectations with either Poly or GF. Sort of apples and oranges in terms of overall service level and quality. Disney is more fun though.

I don’t know much about the club level. It is available for Poly those dates for garden view, but it’s almost $300 more a night. Is it really worth it?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I don’t know much about the club level. It is available for Poly those dates for garden view, but it’s almost $300 more a night. Is it really worth it?

Well, “worth” is definitely debatable and you’ll never read any consensus on the topic around here. Generally speaking the food/beverage offerings won’t come close to being ‘worth’ the monetary value of what it may replace, but for some it adds a valuable bit of convenience, which of course is hard to quantify.

With Poly CL, you’re guaranteed to be in the Hawaii longhouse - which is a great central location within the resort, steps to the beach (great fireworks views and audio), and both pools. The Garden View category looks towards the Oasis Pool. With the Hawaii longhouse, you won’t have to worry about being close to DVC construction at all.

There is a spacious lounge which has a wonderful MK view (Poly CL has arguably the best lounge view of any resort CL). There are various services during the day… breakfast 7am-10 or 10:30, snacks 11-4, evening apps 5-7, desserts 8-10. A basic selection of beer/wine are out in the evenings and available upon request at other times. Also soft drinks, coffee, water, espresso machine, etc.

Breakfast is generally a true substitute meal as the continental type offerings are often plenty good for most guests. The other services aren’t really meal substitutes, although we’ve had plenty of light meals with the evening apps if we’ve had a heavier lunch out in the parks that day and just aren’t that hungry.

Our kids have had enjoyed many an Uncrustables in the lounge over time.

My wife and I enjoy a beverage or two and appreciate the convenience of having it right there steps from the room. Same with AM coffee - give me lounge coffee any day over trekking over to Captain Cooks. Worth $300? Probably not. But when traveling with a little one and just the overall Disney stress sometimes a few little conveniences here and there can be nice.

The Hawaii building is staffed with CMs 7am-10pm to assist CL guests. There is nothing earth shattering about what they can do - but occasionally they can be helpful for things like when your MagicBands don’t work, you need to cancel a last minutes dining reservation, and similar basic tasks.

FWIW, my wife booked Poly CL years ago on our second WDW trip, I think my son was 3 at the time. I wasn’t even into Disney and I was frankly pitching a minor fit about the cost. Now I’m a moderator on a Disney resorts board and posting about how much I like CL… so there’s that. Lol.

Sorry for the long post, but hope it helps!

 

[Marthasor]

I don’t know much about the club level. It is available for Poly those dates for garden view, but it’s almost $300 more a night. Is it really worth it?

I, personally, don't think it's worth $300 per night extra (unless, perhaps, you have 5 adults in that room taking full advantage of all offerings including alcohol). That amount of money would more than cover your room service costs at GF and then some. We have done CL in the past and it's lovely, but I find our money is better spent on a grocery delivery with drinks/snacks that we like and nicer TS meals.

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

I don’t know much about the club level. It is available for Poly those dates for garden view, but it’s almost $300 more a night. Is it really worth it?

For some, the pre-arrival assistance is super valuable to make challenging reservations.

As mentioned above, perks include a higher level of service, easier access to Cast Members for assistance, food and beverage offerings and a specific location or building within the resort.

Personally I only would consider it if I was doing a resort heavy stay. With most of your time planned at the parks, it wouldn't be as worthwhile.