Grand Floridian vs Polynesian

[spb825]

My wife and I love Disney but in all the times we have been there, we have never stayed on Disney property. We were thinking about finally booking a trip where we stay at one of the resorts. The two we like the most are the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. Which one is preferred? I would like to know everyone's opinion. Please let me know.

 

[KingdomHearts]

My Dh and I were married last July and we stayed at the GF conceirge, it was truly beautiful and wonderful. I loved the whole theme (Alice in wonderland)! The views were awesome and the people were great! I have never stayed at the Poly but I have heard mixed reviews about it. I think the grounds and the hotel is beautiful as well, a truely tropical theme. My all time favorite hotel so far is tha Yacth Club conceirge! We found that when we went in November it was quiet, peaceful, and just a nice over all feel. I dont know what your budget is for your hotel, but for around the same price as staying at the GF, you can stay at the Yacth club coneirge. They offer breakfast, afternoon snacks, a tea time, with desserts and alcohol, and a evening "meal". That really does save money on eating out and buying drinks when you get back to the hotel. Plus it is a nice stroll over to Epcot, and a brisk walk to MGM. Back on topic though, between the Poly and GF, I would stay at the GF. It is really a wonderful resort! Happy planning!

 

[spb825]

Thank for the advice KingdomHearts. Since reading your post, I am now adding the Yacht Club to the list of Disney resorts I am considering staying at. I love New England and have been there a few times. I looked at pictures of the resort and it looked awesome. Although I still like the fact that the GF & Polynesian are on the monorail path. I look forward to reading everyone's comments.

 

[KingdomHearts]

It totally is a toss up monorail service vs. strolling to Epcot and MGM. I guess it depends on what you like best! But no matter how you book it you will have a magicial time! Happy Booking. Any other questions let me know.. I love talking about Disney!!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

based on the stays I have nad I would pick the GF.

 

[jarestel]

The Polynesian theme appeals more to me than the somewhat sterile looking Grand Floridian. The GF seems slightly more stiff and fomal (same feeling about the YC by the way) while the Polynesian seems much more laid back and relaxed. I guess it all boils down to the personal preferences of the guest, but the Polynesian is at the top of my list for all Disney Resorts.

 

[missypie]

I had it narrowed down to the GF and the Poly, too. Then I read somewhere that there was going to be construction/rennovation at the GF, so that tipped it to the Poly. I'm sorry but I don't remembe any details about the schedule for, or extent of, the construction.

 

[Sammie]

They are both wonderful resorts but very different. Victorian versus tropical.

The Grand Floridian is doing rehab to Park Fare which will be closed for several months and completely redoing the rooms, one building at a time.

The room rehab will be handled just as the Polynesian was taking a building at a time.

 

[TinksMagic54]

GF hands down. YC as second choice. If you want a monorail resort, stick with the GF. We were in the Poly a few times over our holiday vacation and neither my DD or I cared for it that much. I have to admit I loved the convenience of the monorail and everyone at the GF (and the YC when we stayed there a few years ago) were wonderful.

Renovations to Park Fare shouldn't interfere with your accommodations - PF is in the main building and where they do the character meals with Cindy and PC. As they renovate each building, I'm sure they will keep those locations off limits.

We stayed in Sago Cay - very convenient to the bus stop, main building and Gasperilla's. Have a great time.

 

[chasgoose]

I had it narrowed down to the GF and the Poly, too. Then I read somewhere that there was going to be construction/rennovation at the GF, so that tipped it to the Poly. I'm sorry but I don't remembe any details about the schedule for, or extent of, the construction.

The rumor is that they are going to start the renovations of the rooms this September or October with the Sugar Loaf Lodge concierge building being the first to get the new rooms. This is vaguely confirmed by the fact that it seems impossible to book a lodge concierge room at the GF from October through mid-December. I don't think that it is that hard of a room type to book (I was able to book right now for Memorial Day weekend in that room type just a few minutes ago) so I bet that the rumors are true. The construction probably won't be that noticeable, unlike at the Contemporary where once the construction gets going they will be building an entirely new wing and completely reconfiguring the interior of the tower.

 

[BCV23]

Someone said something about mixed reviews of the Polynesian. Most I've seen are from people who have never stayed there.

We love them both. We've stayed 30 times at the Polynesian and 6 times at the GF with another visit fast approaching.

Both have great service, theming and landscaping. Both have two pools.

The GF has more restaurants but we find it fun to travel by monorail to lunch or dinner so not a biggie for us although some of our favorites are at the GF. But Kona is at the Polynesian and a trip would not be complete without a meal or two there.

GF has a whirlpool if that matters to you.

The Polynesian has three beaches and no room is far from one. The GF has only one and it is not as convenient from many of the lodges. It also has the best view of Wishes and the Electrical WAter Parade IMO. Both are centered from the Polynesian.

Transportation from the Polynesian is the best on property. Monorail or launch to MK, walk to the TTC for monorail to Epcot....less walking then involved from the Epcot resorts to Future World. From the GF you must do the MK monorail circuit, walk the ramps and transfer. Both resorts have only buses to MGM and AK but that is why rental cars were invented. The TTC also has buses from AK and MGM so if you are bussing it, just catch the first that comes...TTC/MK or Polynesian. If you have a large stroller or a wheelchair, take the short walk to the TTC and catch the ferry to the MK.

The rooms at both are larger than the Epcot resorts but the newest buildings at the Polynesian are the largest standard rooms on property and make up around 40% of the resort. Tikiman reports them to be 476 sq ft! I can personally attest that they are very roomy indeed.

Both are wonderful resorts and I don't think you can go wrong. I would pick the theme that appeals to you most.

 

[G8r4evr]

The rumor is that they are going to start the renovations of the rooms this September or October with the Sugar Loaf Lodge concierge building being the first to get the new rooms. This is vaguely confirmed by the fact that it seems impossible to book a lodge concierge room at the GF from October through mid-December. I don't think that it is that hard of a room type to book (I was able to book right now for Memorial Day weekend in that room type just a few minutes ago) so I bet that the rumors are true. The construction probably won't be that noticeable, unlike at the Contemporary where once the construction gets going they will be building an entirely new wing and completely reconfiguring the interior of the tower.

I didnt know GH had a remodel planned. Has there been any word on the changes that are being made? =)

 

[eclectics]

Someone said something about mixed reviews of the Polynesian. Most I've seen are from people who have never stayed there.

I notice that also . I love the Poly! And yes, I spent 10 glorious days there! No complaints from me.

 

[johnsonet]

This is a difficult choice to make and one I had trouble with myself. For years we stayed only at the GF. We loved it and still do. Of course, what's not to love? (Other than the pricetag )
A few years ago I started wanting to try the Poly because of all its devoted fans and also because its theme is so different from the GF. It took me at least 2 years of WANTING to stay there to actually bite the bullet and book it. I didn't want to make a mistake. That was a lot of worry over nothing in my case! I did a split stay at the Poly and AKL one Spring Break and absolutely fell in love with the Poly . I've stayed there 3 more time since and probably twice more at GF since. (We do a lot of split stays too, I might add.) We truly love both resorts.
With the room renovations at the Poly now complete (I think that's correct) I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed in the resort, barring bad service. The theming is wonderful and the views are awesome. GF and Poly are two of Disney's absolute best. (I also LOVE AKL )
Good luck with your decision. I would just look at as many photos as you can find and read some trip reports and decide which resort appeals to you most

 

[spb825]

Thank you everyone for your posts. As I am considering this trip for my 10 year wedding anniversary for my wife and I which is not until October 2008, I still have lots of time to do research. I guess it comes down to which amentities and which theme is liked the best.

 

[heatherlynn444]

good luck! another vote for the GF here. honeymooned there in january, you can check out my trip report in my signature forGF info and pictures. we had an amazing time. I have stayed at both poly and GF, and while I DO like the poly, I LOVE the gf. it is "home" and wonderful!

 

[sherrycurl]

Having stayed at both resorts, I find that the Poly is my favorite. Now saying that if it was my 10th anniversary I would go for the Grand just to push it up a notch. The wonderful touches and that special feeling is both romantic and fun. You cannot go wrong with either choice. Have fun planning!!

 

[mabenoab]

These are all such different resorts, so it really comes down to what kind of atmosphere you'd prefer.

If you like elegant luxury, with a touch of formality: then the GF is your kind of place, I think.

If you like a more casual, laidback, island style of vacation: then its off to the Poly for you...

I don't know the Yacht Club, so I can't comment, but I often dream of staying at the Beach Club. DD is a Poly-fanatic, so we indulge her by always staying there, and I love it, too.

Another question you might ask yourself is: where will be spending the most time: in MK or Epcot / Disney Studios? If you don't have kids along (sorry, I can't remember if you said you did or not) that might make a difference.

 

[kelscross]

We love the Poly! We tried the GF and were completely unimpressed. It wasn't as stuffy as you would think though.

Maybe it was the time that we went..I don't know, but the main lobby was dirty, the bathrooms in the main lobby were filthy. We made the trek over to the themed pool once and it was dirty so we went back to the main pool, which was clean, tried the hot tub but some of the other kids were unruly with parents who didn't bother to discipline so you couldn't get in the hot tub without a million little kids using it as a baby pool. (not Disney's fault, but they could have enforced the no eating in the pool rules etc.) The service was not great, actually tipping almost to the rude side at times.

Here I was afraid that it wouldn't be kid friendly.... not only was it kid friendly it was like kids gone wild friendly!

I've never had that sort of experience at the Poly. However, I'm sure someone has had a bad experience at any resort they've stayed. Would I try the GF again? Hopefully our bad experience was just a time of year thing when it was pretty crowded.

 

[heatherlynn444]

We love the Poly! We tried the GF and were completely unimpressed. It wasn't as stuffy as you would think though.

Maybe it was the time that we went..I don't know, but the main lobby was dirty, the bathrooms in the main lobby were filthy. We made the trek over to the themed pool once and it was dirty so we went back to the main pool, which was clean, tried the hot tub but some of the other kids were unruly with parents who didn't bother to discipline so you couldn't get in the hot tub without a million little kids using it as a baby pool. (not Disney's fault, but they could have enforced the no eating in the pool rules etc.) The service was not great, actually tipping almost to the rude side at times.

Here I was afraid that it wouldn't be kid friendly.... not only was it kid friendly it was like kids gone wild friendly!

I've never had that sort of experience at the Poly. However, I'm sure someone has had a bad experience at any resort they've stayed. Would I try the GF again? Hopefully our bad experience was just a time of year thing when it was pretty crowded.

i would definately have to say that was a wrong place at teh wrong time type thing. I ahve never had CM's be rude to me at the GF, everything has always been clean etc. while we were there there were a TON of teenagers using the hot tub 2-3 nights but they have a right to it as well, so oh well, it was a little too chilly anyway lol. hope you give it another chance someday!