Plus and Minuses of Polynesian and Grand Floridian

[hllb]

With the deals released today, I'm probably switching from the Contemporary to either the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. I prefer the Polynesian themeing, and if I can get it confirmed, it'll likely save some money too. But right now, I have GF confirmed and it's saving me $300 over the Contemporary.

So, what are the pluses and minuses for these two resorts, especially around the transportation? We do not have young kids or strollers (kids ages 7, 13, and 14).

 

[hakepb]

Poly is a reasonable walk to TTC (so you don’t have to switch monorails when going to Epcot.) the MK boat goes MK > GF > Poly

Otherwise, most busses are shared Poly / GF.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Poly and GF share buses to DHS and AK.

GF's big minus is the transport to Epcot. It's the monorail. You have to get on at GF, then ride through Magic Kingdom and Contemporary before changing at the TTC. The Epcot monorail sometimes has whack hours, as well, and if you need to get to Epcot for rope drop or earlier, you'll want to taxi/Lyft/Uber/teleport.

Poly's big minus is that the pools are people soup. You can walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail. The Epcot monorail sometimes has whack hours, as well, and if you need to get to Epcot for rope drop or earlier, you'll want to taxi/Lyft/Uber/teleport.

 

[hllb]

Poly and GF share buses to DHS and AK.

GF's big minus is the transport to Epcot. It's the monorail. You have to get on at GF, then ride through Magic Kingdom and Contemporary before changing at the TTC. The Epcot monorail sometimes has whack hours, as well, and if you need to get to Epcot for rope drop or earlier, you'll want to taxi/Lyft/Uber/teleport.

Poly's big minus is that the pools are people soup. You can walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail. The Epcot monorail sometimes has whack hours, as well, and if you need to get to Epcot for rope drop or earlier, you'll want to taxi/Lyft/Uber/teleport.

I had heard the volcano pool was really cool. Either way, going at the end of January, we're not likely to use the pools much, if at all.

What about quick service food? Specifically, the availability of snacks. We like to use snack credits for breakfast items. Does one excel at that?

 

[hakepb]

I think GF’s Gaspiralla Grill has a better bakery section for snack credit usage.
(I really liked the croissant breakfast sandwich with tots. If was made with a good croissant)
I know GG is open 24 hours. (Nice if you want a Coke refil at midnight, or earlier coffee)
I’ve heard Captain cook might also be open 24 hours.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I had heard the volcano pool was really cool. Either way, going at the end of January, we're not likely to use the pools much, if at all.

What about quick service food? Specifically, the availability of snacks. We like to use snack credits for breakfast items. Does one excel at that?

They're both simply okay for "breakfast snacks." It'll mostly be muffins or similar at either. The QS is serviceable at each, but Contempo at CR is better, and none of them are like the big food court at a Value.

 

[hllb]

Seems like Poly wins on transportation and for me, themeing. But loses on food. We'll be using the transportation a lot more than the food.

Which direction does monorail go from Poly? We do have two dining reservations at Contemporary that we'd probably keep.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Seems like Poly wins on transportation and for me, themeing. But loses on food. We'll be using the transportation a lot more than the food.

Which direction does monorail go from Poly? We do have two dining reservations at Contemporary that we'd probably keep.

Monorail goes from Poly to GF to MK to Contemporary to TTC and back to Poly.

 

[hllb]

Well that'll be a long ride LOL. Mental note...don't go to Poly before dining reservations LOL.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The loop really isn’t that long. 20ish minutes. Maybe longer if you have to hold at a platform, get delayed for “traffic clearance,” etc.

 

[Skywise]

On the plus side the resort boat will take you straight to the MK.

 

[mickeynut1]

I had heard the volcano pool was really cool.

It's our favorite of all the resorts we've stayed at and never found it overly crowded (not any more crowded than any other resort pools). One of the things I love about it is that it backs up to the beach with a distant view of the castle, which allows you to watch the fireworks while swimming.

Seems like Poly wins on transportation and for me, themeing. But loses on food.

Everyone's opinion is different, but we love Captain Cooks as it's our favorite resort CS and I would choose that over Gasparillas.