Grand Floridian vs Poly

[Cornucopiaoflove]

My husband and I have booked a lagoon view at the Poly for May of 2019...but I'm second guessing our choice. Our last trip we stayed at Kidani Village, and while it was amazing, it was extremely far away from everything. Our goal in this was to be near the monorail and to stay at a delux resort that feels a little closer to our favorite park (MK).

I feel like I've started to see some mixed things about the Poly. Is it worth it? Should we instead stay at the Grand Floridian? I'm hoping to hear some pro's and con's to both because I'm genuinely unsure of what we should do!

 

[Wannabealocal]

Loved our stay at the Poly last year and wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.
I agree that AKL feels distant from everything and only having bus transport isn’t the best.
From the Poly you have the boat and monorail to MK and it’s also an easy walk to the TTC for the monorail to Epcot. We loved being able to walk to the Grand Floridian for meals too.
Only downside to the Poly in my opinion is the bathroom which doesn’t have the separate sink area that we’ve had at other resorts. Can’t comment on accommodation at the GF, never stayed there but I don’t feel it’s for me.

 

[mommyrosa2]

My husband and I have booked a lagoon view at the Poly for May of 2019...but I'm second guessing our choice. Our last trip we stayed at Kidani Village, and while it was amazing, it was extremely far away from everything. Our goal in this was to be near the monorail and to stay at a delux resort that feels a little closer to our favorite park (MK).

I feel like I've started to see some mixed things about the Poly. Is it worth it? Should we instead stay at the Grand Floridian? I'm hoping to hear some pro's and con's to both because I'm genuinely unsure of what we should do!

We have stayed at both and hands down I would choose GF over the Poly! Never did I think we'd be GF resort folks (always seemed a little over the top IMHO), however, every single stay we've had was amazing!

Pro's:
Location.... 1st stop to MK in the a.m.
Rooms...Very spacious and I don't believe there are any bad views
Service.... awesome - had a couple of minor hiccups and Mgt. took care of swiftly / Sugar Loaf CL: one of the best on Disney property IMHO
Restaurants... GF Cafe, Narcoosee's, Citrico's, even their quick service restaurant- all very good
Lobby... awesome place to sit back and take a break while listening to the band
Shopping... nice shops in this resort
Pool... really like the courtyard pool over their main pool

Cons:
last stop coming back from MK - although not sure I'd consider it a con when you're exhausted anyways

As for the Poly... While I know a lot of folks who love it there, we did not - we really wanted to, but definitely did not! Our first and only stay, we booked a CL room and our first night stay was just bad! We had a bad experience at Captain Cooks for lunch, terrible experience with the CL lounge, our room - we'll leave it as just BAD! and the pool was terrible as we could never find a spot as there were so many non guests taking up seats and CM's did nothing about it. Our first night was so bad, that we asked to be moved the next day and we were! Now I love O'hana and still like to visit the Poly - I just wouldn't stay there again! But I have several friends and family who do love it!!

 

[Mazz519]

Stayed at both places in the past 2 years both places are great we liked the GFV better although the Poly was great also. Both places just minutes away from the MK

 

[rchampagne]

We've stayed at GF and Poly, and I'm going to give a slight edge to Poly... for only one reason: transportation to Epcot. At Poly, it's great that you can walk to the TTC and then take the monorail. Traveling from GF, it just seemed to take forever to get on the monorail, then MK, then CSR, and then TTC, and then switching to Epcot monorail.
I also liked the theme better at Poly, especially when walking around at night. But GF is better for a few things, too. I like the seating availability at the pool. I also like that both pools are great options, so they seem less crowded. At Poly, the volcano pool is definitely the main pool, so it's always busy. And I like that the boat coming back from MK stops at GF first (and then Poly). It's very close, but I'm still giving the slight victory to Poly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My husband and I have booked a lagoon view at the Poly for May of 2019...but I'm second guessing our choice. Our last trip we stayed at Kidani Village, and while it was amazing, it was extremely far away from everything. Our goal in this was to be near the monorail and to stay at a delux resort that feels a little closer to our favorite park (MK).

I feel like I've started to see some mixed things about the Poly. Is it worth it? Should we instead stay at the Grand Floridian? I'm hoping to hear some pro's and con's to both because I'm genuinely unsure of what we should do!

IMHO, it's really all about preferences. With either Poly or GF, you've achieved your goal of being on the monorail and close to MK. They are both beautiful resorts. My personal preference is GF. I find that it is quieter and feels less chaotic. I also like having more dining options at the resort. But many people love Poly. Perhaps look at some youtube videos to see which theme appeals to you more? Like I said, if noise bothers you (including luau noise if you are on that side of the resort, electric water pageant and fireworks), Poly may not be the best choice for you. When staying at Poly, I prefer standard views in Rarotonga just so I can be as far away from the lagoon and luau as possible.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I feel like I've started to see some mixed things about the Poly.

Don't mean to pry, but just curious what kind of things? Room condition? Noise? I only ask so that maybe I can frame any of my own comments so they may be applicable to your concerns.

I've stayed at Poly a bunch and GF a few times now (most recently last weekend). Several overall pros and cons, many of which conflict. Agree with @DisneyWishes14 that a ton comes down to your personal preferences your want out of a resort.

 

[Nancyg56]

IMHO, it's really all about preferences. With either Poly or GF, you've achieved your goal of being on the monorail and close to MK. They are both beautiful resorts. My personal preference is GF. I find that it is quieter and feels less chaotic. I also like having more dining options at the resort. But many people love Poly. Perhaps look at some youtube videos to see which theme appeals to you more? Like I said, if noise bothers you (including luau noise if you are on that side of the resort, electric water pageant and fireworks), Poly may not be the best choice for you. When staying at Poly, I prefer standard views in Rarotonga just so I can be as far away from the lagoon and luau as possible.

Agreed. The differences between the two are theme and vibe, so go with the one you think you will prefer. I love the GF. It is quieter in general, and has a relaxed atmosphere but with beautifully sculpted grounds. I think the services are more pronounced there.

The Poly is gorgeous as well, and you can get away from the noise once you leave the central areas. It has a very tropical vibe, and is more energetic, IMO.

 

[trishadono]

I'm another that does both resorts often. I love them both. Dh doesn't care for poly.

I like the food better at poly. (Put teriyaki on anything I'll eat it)

I like the beach better at poly but the pools are more relaxing at gf,

Rooms about the same size but I like the bathroom at gf way better with the separate room for toilet/shower and the sink

Both pretty much all have nice views but poly non dvc rooms all 2nd floor don't have a balcony.

Poly is easier to get to/from Epcot via walking to ttc.

I boat back from MK often to both resorts so that's a win-win.

Gf is more relaxing

Poly is more fun

Can't go wrong with either

 

[mickeynut1]

I've stayed at both and while the Poly is my favorite overall, I do also love the GF. Both have beautiful atmospheres, nice pools, and are convenient to MK. The Poly does have an edge over the GF for transportation to Epcot as you can walk to the TTC to catch the monorail vs having to transfer monorails at the TTC from the GF. The GF, however, has more TS dining options. They both have advantages so you really can't go wrong with either one as both are great resorts, IMO. I'd choose the one that the theme/decor appeals to you the most.

 

[TJA]

Gf is more relaxing

Poly is more fun

Perfect description above! We love both GF and Poly but each has a different vibe/theme. As my kids get older (now 15), we're turning more towards GF because it fits our style better now. I have 2 girls and shopping at the GF is FUN to them and the entire vibe there just fits us. But when my girls were younger, it was hard for us to not stay at Poly because the vibe there just fit us so perfectly. Our favorite room was a 1st floor patio where our kids could simply walk out onto the beach and play. Now, they're older and that perk isn't as much 'fun' for us/them. So, really, it just depends on what your particular family wants out of the resort. Both are winners in my book!

 

[trishadono]

Perfect description above! We love both GF and Poly but each has a different vibe/theme. As my kids get older (now 15), we're turning more towards GF because it fits our style better now. I have 2 girls and shopping at the GF is FUN to them and the entire vibe there just fits us. But when my girls were younger, it was hard for us to not stay at Poly because the vibe there just fit us so perfectly. Our favorite room was a 1st floor patio where our kids could simply walk out onto the beach and play. Now, they're older and that perk isn't as much 'fun' for us/them. So, really, it just depends on what your particular family wants out of the resort. Both are winners in my book!

Oh remember i got your POLY cl room 1st floor once(1505). It is a nice spot there on the beach even with the bungalows.

 

[ktlm]

We've stayed at both multiple times. You can't go wrong with either one, but we prefer the Poly. The primary reason is the transportation. It is great to be able to walk to the TTC and get express monorail service to both MK and EPCOT. No dealing with the resort monorail plus an express route to EPCOT. Also, we have always found the bus service to be better at the Poly than at the GF. We have had really long waits for buses at the GF multiple times. We have not had that issue at the Poly. Also, Trader Sams is at the Poly.

Now- if it were the Christmas season- GF hands down-- it is gorgeous at the holidays.

 

[TJA]

Oh remember i got your POLY cl room 1st floor once(1505). It is a nice spot there on the beach even with the bungalows.

Yep I remember! I've had great rooms at both Poly and GF!