POLY or GF?

[Selkirk8]

If I'm going to spend the money on a deluxe resort close to MK which one is best for a 3 and 6 year old?

 

[Deborah_Mary]

I'd personally say CR even though it wasn't one that you listed. Our family (dh, me, dd-6 1/2 and dd 18 months) all love it there and can't wait to go back. We tried AKL and Poly this past May and actually missed CR. Not saying either were "bad" because both were fun, but we definitely have a soft spot for CR. Granted we may try a couple more resorts in the future (some being CSR, POFQ, WL & BC), but feel so at home there. We actually went over to CR and ate at the Concourse Steakhouse for breakfast (had to get our Sticky Mickey fix!) and then walked right over along the path. We missed that path... even though we did use the walkway from the TTC to the Poly a lot when we were there.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Deb*

 

[Cindyzgoingtodizny]

While I would chose POLY from those choices for kids that age, GF is my Deluxe of choice!

 

[jobes]

Grand Floridian a must. We stayed there last year with our kids about your same ages. We are going again in April. The resort is beautiful and the kids only want to go back to GF. Pools are great ! We have stayed at others including Poly,CR,WL,Yacht & Beach. To be able to hop on the monorail and be at the Magic Kingdom first stop and then return by boat first stop. The magic Kingdom was our primary park because of our kid ages so we want to stay at GF. Poly was great too but we love GF

 

[Frances999]

With a 3 and a 6 year old I would, without a doubt, say The Polynesian. All of our 3 young children prefer the Polynesian. The beaches are incredible, the pool is wonderful and there is perfect monorail transportation to both MK and EPCOT. The rooms are larger than at the GF too, if you request a new longhouse.

Don't get me wrong, we loved the GF. However, for us the Polynesian holds a special magic. The sensational views and array of beaches, plus the atmosphere and dining makes it perfect.

 

[grimley1968]

With a 3 and a 6 year old I would, without a doubt, say The Polynesian. All of our 3 young children prefer the Polynesian. The beaches are incredible, the pool is wonderful and there is perfect monorail transportation to both MK and EPCOT. The rooms are larger than at the GF too, if you request a new longhouse.

Don't get me wrong, we loved the GF. However, for us the Polynesian holds a special magic. The sensational views and array of beaches, plus the atmosphere and dining makes it perfect.

I agree. What really sets the Poly apart from the other MK resorts is being next door to the TTC. Being able to walk to the TTC and catch direct monorails to MK and EPCOT is a very unique feature, and extremely useful with 2 little ones who may or may not need strollers.

 

[stellaxluna]

Grand Floridian is my choice!! Polynesian is so gloomy and dated in my opinion....

 

[jobes]

I agree we were at the Poly last year and it seemed to be worn, even the rehabed buildings. GF is worth the extra $40/night
We will stay at GF this April, but we will visit the poly a couple of times for meals and possibly a visit to the pool.

 

[lmhall2000]

My children were 4,5, 8 when we did Poly...they all LOVED it...I don't think you'd be disappointed. They loved the volcano pool and all the tiki torches...just a cool place...the paths were fun stocked with lizards and bunnies hopping about...we did the Alice Tea Party at GF and while it looks nice my kids said they much preferred the way the Poly looks.

Tara

 

[Amaris]

Personally, I would recommend the GF. We have stayed at both and in the Poly, the room was damp and musty. In the GF the rooms were crisp, clean, and bright. We did, however take the kids BACK to poly to use the kids club, the one at GF was teenie tiny and they didn't want to go there after being at Neverland the trip before!

 

[SeaSpray]

I have stayed at both and my favorite of the two is the Polynesian

If I were you, I'd go with whichever theming appealed to you more. Both have equally great locations and transportation.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Grand Floridian; we had an awesome lagoon and castle view room, but staying at the Polynesian resort (we stayed in a lagoon view concierge room, take a look at my pics, the link to my review is below in my signature) is like being in a different world. A very Disney-magic feeling to it! Nothing beats swimming in the volcano pool and seeing the fireworks over Cinderella castle FROM the pool!

 

[HappyLawyer]

Poly has my vote

 

[tclowe]

I think I would choose the GF. Your 6 year old can participate in the pirate cruise or wonderland tea party at GF. My 5 year old son did both activities and loved them equally. We were staying at Poly at the time and wished we stayed at the GF.

When we pulled up in our minivan at the Poly, none of the loitering bellhops came to the car door to ask if they could help with the luggage. My husband had to pull over to the curb and haul the luggage out himself, while I went to park the car. Of course, when I got back to the front entrance, my two kids and my dopey husband was just sitting on the bench with our pile of luggage. I said, "how come you did ask those lazy bellhops to help bring the luggage in? I bet they didn't even ask if you needed help." My husband's response, "Well, they didn't come asking when I pulled up to the valet area, why would they come ask now? Besides, you have the reservation number so we are waiting for you." So I went inside the resort and walked up to the bellhop desk and asked for assistance with luggage. They sent a very nice and upbeat bellhop who had a slight speech and physical disability but was very strong and insisted on giving us a ride to our room in the golf cart. Awesome bellhop and we tipped him a $20 for bringing us and our 3 large luggages to the room. He looked really happy with the tip. I hope he went back to those lazy bellhops and bragged a little!

Totally different story when we pulled into the GF valet area for my son's special activities at GF. The front entrance guys were helping to open our car door before I even put on the parking brakes. One guy on the driver side and another on the passenger side. Greeted us and were very helpful with our two kids. Now that is service! Everywhere we went in the GF resort, all the staff greeted us and asked if we needed assistance.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[JodyLynC]

We have 2yo twin girls and will be staying at the Poly. We will be doing the Park Fair breakfast and dinner at the GF, but we thought that the tropical setting would be a lot of fun.

 

[WDWMKFAN]

I think I would choose the GF. Your 6 year old can participate in the pirate cruise or wonderland tea party at GF. My 5 year old son did both activities and loved them equally. We were staying at Poly at the time and wished we stayed at the GF.

When we pulled up in our minivan at the Poly, none of the loitering bellhops came to the car door to ask if they could help with the luggage. My husband had to pull over to the curb and haul the luggage out himself, while I went to park the car. Of course, when I got back to the front entrance, my two kids and my dopey husband was just sitting on the bench with our pile of luggage. I said, "how come you did ask those lazy bellhops to help bring the luggage in? I bet they didn't even ask if you needed help." My husband's response, "Well, they didn't come asking when I pulled up to the valet area, why would they come ask now? Besides, you have the reservation number so we are waiting for you." So I went inside the resort and walked up to the bellhop desk and asked for assistance with luggage. They sent a very nice and upbeat bellhop who had a slight speech and physical disability but was very strong and insisted on giving us a ride to our room in the golf cart. Awesome bellhop and we tipped him a $20 for bringing us and our 3 large luggages to the room. He looked really happy with the tip. I hope he went back to those lazy bellhops and bragged a little!

Totally different story when we pulled into the GF valet area for my son's special activities at GF. The front entrance guys were helping to open our car door before I even put on the parking brakes. One guy on the driver side and another on the passenger side. Greeted us and were very helpful with our two kids. Now that is service! Everywhere we went in the GF resort, all the staff greeted us and asked if we needed assistance.

Good luck with your choice.

tclowe,
When did they move the bellhop desk inside of the resort at the polynesian? We have stayed there several times in the last few years (skipped last summer with our 6 month old). The desk has always been outside of the GCH, under the monorail. With the service that we have seen on our visits, it is hard to imagine a "lazy bellhop" hanging out watching while a guest drags luggage out of a minivan, especially since it appears that the desk was manned by a supervisor. I guess moving the desk inside, getting the bellhops out from under the watchful eye of a supervisor has caused a decline in service. We are going back to the polynesian next week, and I certainly hope that these kinds of changes don't affect our vacation. What a difference two years can make!

 

[SeaSpray]

tclowe,
When did they move the bellhop desk inside of the resort at the polynesian? We have stayed there several times in the last few years (skipped last summer with our 6 month old). The desk has always been outside of the GCH, under the monorail. With the service that we have seen on our visits, it is hard to imagine a "lazy bellhop" hanging out watching while a guest drags luggage out of a minivan, especially since it appears that the desk was manned by a supervisor. I guess moving the desk inside, getting the bellhops out from under the watchful eye of a supervisor has caused a decline in service. We are going back to the polynesian next week, and I certainly hope that these kinds of changes don't affect our vacation. What a difference two years can make!

We were there 2 weeks ago and the valet/bellman desk was out front. If there is also another bellman's desk inside, I am not aware of it because we stayed in the concierge building so our luggage was picked up from there and then was brought out when our limo arrived to take us to the airport.

 

[tclowe]

Just for clarification. There was a podium just inside of the entrance of the lobby. You see this podium on the left as soon as you enter and right behind it was the arts & craft table plus the t.v. area for the kids to hang out while parents are checking in. It was opposite of the check-in counters. Don't recall if the podium said Bell Services or Information desk. But guy behind it took care of us by picking up the phone and getting that nice CM/bellhop to assist us.

This was our first Deluxe resort stay so we were surprised and a little disappointed in the less than welcome manner. I just remembered walking up those few stairs in the front area and seeing my two tired little ones drooped over the bench with Dad and our pile of luggage all around plus our stroller. We just arrived after a 7 1/2 hours flight from West Coast to Florida, and the heat and humidity was tiring. I was ticked off for about 5-10 minutes seeing those bellhops standing around, talking and laughing among themselves. But walking into the cool lobby of the Poly just cleared away the bad vibes.

We also stayed at AKL during the same trip and thought the CMs there seemed very friendly. So thumbs up for AKL and GF for overall service. Or maybe we faced an off-day with the bellhops. Not bitter about our experience but we are more willing to try other deluxe resorts and will not call Poly our absolute favorite.

 

[SeaSpray]

Just for clarification. There was a podium just inside of the entrance of the lobby. You see this podium on the left as soon as you enter and right behind it was the arts & craft table plus the t.v. area for the kids to hang out while parents are checking in. It was opposite of the check-in counters. Don't recall if the podium said Bell Services or Information desk. But guy behind it took care of us by picking up the phone and getting that nice CM/bellhop to assist us.

This was our first Deluxe resort stay so we were surprised and a little disappointed in the less than welcome manner. I just remembered walking up those few stairs in the front area and seeing my two tired little ones drooped over the bench with Dad and our pile of luggage all around plus our stroller. We just arrived after a 7 1/2 hours flight from West Coast to Florida, and the heat and humidity was tiring. I was ticked off for about 5-10 minutes seeing those bellhops standing around, talking and laughing among themselves. But walking into the cool lobby of the Poly just cleared away the bad vibes.

We also stayed at AKL during the same trip and thought the CMs there seemed very friendly. So thumbs up for AKL and GF for overall service. Or maybe we faced an off-day with the bellhops. Not bitter about our experience but we are more willing to try other deluxe resorts and will not call Poly our absolute favorite.

I'm glad you had a good trip, despite the less than warm and immediate welcome. This actually happened to us on our first day when we arrived at the Wilderness Lodge. But there were a lot of people checking out that day, there were full luggage carts all over the place, and the bellman were scurrying left and right. Our limo driver took all of our luggage out of the trunk, we paid him, and he was off, which left us literally standing in the middle (well, off to the side) of the driveway of the Lodge. LOL It wasn't exactly what I had pictured. LOL But like you experienced, within a few minutes we were helped, and I basically forgot about it In your case I would be more annoyed to see bellman just standing there talking; in our case, they were just very busy so I really couldn't fault them.