Poly standard or GF DVC studio?

[TheDailyMoo]

Going with a 5 year old in the summer.. Love the look and feel of both and have never stayed at either. Would love to stay in both but have to pick. What are the opinions between staying in a standard view Poly room or a DVC GF lagoon view through rental points. DS is well behaved so no worries about either being too not for kids. Price is extremely similar so that’s not a consideration either.

 

[eticketplease]

VGF lagoon would be a resort studio so it would not have the split bathroom with dual showers that the VGF deluxe studios.

If they were both deluxe studios the rooms would be pretty much the same and would come down to the resort.

Resort studios have 2 beds and a daybed with 1 shower vs 1 bed, pull down queen and pull down twin

We enjoyed the poly and the laidback atmosphere. The grand flo is also nice and don’t worry kids are fine there as well.

Flip a coin and you can’t go wrong with either!!

 

[DL1WDW2]

I would check the lobby construction schedule …for the Grand Floridian.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

standard view Poly room

Just to clarify, do you mean standard view on the DVC side (Deluxe Studio - Standard View) or on the hotel side (Standard View)?

 

[matt and beth]

With a 5 year old? Would have to be Poly or better would be BCV

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Just to clarify, do you mean standard view on the DVC side (Deluxe Studio - Standard View) or on the hotel side (Standard View)?

The Poly would be through Disney:

Standard View​

at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

GF would be the resort studio - Lagoon view

If I'm not mistaken they are both newly renovated? Obviously the themes are quite opposite and both renovated rooms look gorgeous. Doing a split stay where we end at Boardwalk Villas studio if that makes a difference.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

With a 5 year old? Would have to be Poly or better would be BCV

No availability at Beach club those dates. But we're doing a split stay at BWV so wanting to stay in the MK area. Which pool is more kid oriented? I seem to remember GF having a charming kiddie area but can't remember if Poly does as well.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The Poly would be through Disney:

Standard View​

at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

GF would be the resort studio - Lagoon view

If I'm not mistaken they are both newly renovated? Obviously the themes are quite opposite and both renovated rooms look gorgeous. Doing a split stay where we end at Boardwalk Villas studio if that makes a difference.

Ok, thanks. Be aware that some Poly Standard View hotel rooms overlook the current Poly DVC tower construction site. That’s a serious project and construction is right up on some of those rooms/buildings. I need to find the post I recently did with a detailed count but it was something like approx 30% of the Standard View rooms.

I stay at Poly pretty frequently and I personally would be cautious of booking that room type right now. If you’re OK with a view that may (key word) be a construction site, then no worries. Just be prepared. What’s a little frustrating is that you could easily have a standard room not near the construction and it be a total non issue, so it’s a hard decision.

On the GF side there is also construction at the moment on the last two outer buildings to be renovated, then presumably they will move to the main building. I have lost track of what the latest is with possible main building/lobby dates, maybe @mrsap knows. Just my opinion, but I’m not sure if I’d really want to stay at GF if the lobby was under major renovation, no matter how well they hide things.

Hope that helps.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Ok, thanks. Be aware that some Poly Standard View hotel rooms overlook the current Poly DVC tower construction site. That’s a serious project and construction is right up on some of those rooms/buildings. I need to find the post I recently did with a detailed count but it was something like approx 30% of the Standard View rooms.

I stay at Poly pretty frequently and I personally would be cautious of booking that room type right now. If you’re OK with a view that may (key word) be a construction site, then no worries. Just be prepared. What’s a little frustrating is that you could easily have a standard room not near the construction and it be a total non issue, so it’s a hard decision.

On the GF side there is also construction at the moment on the last two outer buildings to be renovated, then presumably they will move to the main building. I have lost track of what the latest is with possible main building/lobby dates, maybe @mrsap knows. Just my opinion, but I’m not sure if I’d really want to stay at GF if the lobby was under major renovation, no matter how well they hide things.

Hope that helps.

It DOES help but at the same time helps so much that it just made the decision even harder! I need to really make the decision in the next 24 hours so not sure how much real info I'll be able to find about the GF reno as things and timelines can change greatly. All things being equal without any construction you take Poly every time?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

My opinion… I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here, both have some pros/cons with construction. But if I had to pick, Poly would get my pick with a 5 year old in summer. Best splash pad for that age on property, IMHO.

If you go Poly, request Rarotonga longhouse.

 

[mrsap]

Ok, thanks. Be aware that some Poly Standard View hotel rooms overlook the current Poly DVC tower construction site. That’s a serious project and construction is right up on some of those rooms/buildings. I need to find the post I recently did with a detailed count but it was something like approx 30% of the Standard View rooms.

I stay at Poly pretty frequently and I personally would be cautious of booking that room type right now. If you’re OK with a view that may (key word) be a construction site, then no worries. Just be prepared. What’s a little frustrating is that you could easily have a standard room not near the construction and it be a total non issue, so it’s a hard decision.

On the GF side there is also construction at the moment on the last two outer buildings to be renovated, then presumably they will move to the main building. I have lost track of what the latest is with possible main building/lobby dates, maybe @mrsap knows. Just my opinion, but I’m not sure if I’d really want to stay at GF if the lobby was under major renovation, no matter how well they hide things.

Hope that helps.

As far as The Grand goes, there are four buildings completely refurbished - VGF building (DVC), Big Pine Key (also DVC), Boca Chica & Conch Key. At the moment, both Sugar Loaf & Sago are being worked on, and I assume should be complete by summer. There has been no official word on when the Main Bldg. work will begin. The GF is celebrating its 35th anniversary on July 1st, so I’d like to assume they’d want renovation work completed by then, however, until something is announced, or work begins, there’s no way of knowing for sure. You can always watch current YouTube videos to see which resort you prefer. Good luck deciding!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

My opinion… I don’t think you can make a wrong choice here, both have some pros/cons with construction. But if I had to pick, Poly would get my pick with a 5 year old in summer. Best splash pad for that age on property, IMHO.

If you go Poly, request Rarotonga longhouse.

As far as The Grand goes, there are four buildings completely refurbished - VGF building (DVC), Big Pine Key (also DVC), Boca Chica & Conch Key. At the moment, both Sugar Loaf & Sago are being worked on, and I assume should be complete by summer. There has been no official word on when the Main Bldg. work will begin. The GF is celebrating its 35th anniversary on July 1st, so I’d like to assume they’d want renovation work completed by then, however, until something is announced, or work begins, there’s no way of knowing for sure. You can always watch current YouTube videos to see which resort you prefer. Good luck deciding!

Both excellent information thank you! If I go Poly I'll be sure to request that. As for GF, we would be there first week of July and I would also think they would want main building done by then but I am clueless when it comes to how fast they are able to complete these kinds of projects. It feels like Poly might be the safer choice on this one. There is still room available at BLT and Riviera and Kidani Savannah all which we will hopefully try one day (and all cheaper than the Poly option) but Poly has been on our bucket list for years even before our kid so probably no better time than now to try it!

 

[Isabelle12345]

My five year old loved the Poly splash pad and smaller slides - she still talks about it regularly!
I stayed in a DVC studio but would have loved the Moana themed rooms!
The quick service was also very good (pulled pork nachos for the win!) and we loved going on the beach to watch fireworks with a Dole whip
I have not stayed at the Grand but you definitely can’t go wrong with the Poly!

 

[TheDailyMoo]

My five year old loved the Poly splash pad and smaller slides - she still talks about it regularly!
I stayed in a DVC studio but would have loved the Moana themed rooms!
The quick service was also very good (pulled pork nachos for the win!) and we loved going on the beach to watch fireworks with a Dole whip
I have not stayed at the Grand but you definitely can’t go wrong with the Poly!

I just finished watching videos of both splash pads and yes the Poly one looks awesome! GF mad hatter theme not too shabby either but I think the Poly is starting to pull away in the lead. It does seem like GF is a little less crowded and a bit quieter which we like but I think all the amenities of the Poly are outweighing that. Dolewhip on the beach sounds excellent right about now!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

we would be there first week of July

Does this include 7/4? Both are solid spots, but IMHO Poly is a better choice for major holidays/fireworks shows like 7/4 (and 7/3 in the case of MK).

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

OK. I will be the dissenting voice here I would choose GF over Poly.

To me, the Poly always feels so crowded and on a holiday, it will be even more crazy. Also prefer the pools at GF and the splash area for littles. Love the slide at the beach pool and the service around the pool for food and drinks. We always utilize the laundry rooms as well which are so convenient in each building at GF where at Poly my DH had to schlep all the laundry to a different building. In addition, at GF, you will have a balcony basically guaranteed. Poly buildings (non DVC) have no balconies on the second floor so you could end up with a view of construction AND no balcony. The bathroom set up at GF is also preferable having the sinks outside the shower/toilet area.

While I really enjoy the theming at Poly, we prefer to just visit the Poly at night for a treat like Dole whip and actually stay at GF. Any construction going on in the main building wouldn't bother me as Gaspie's is accessed from the outside and there will be access to the monorail and TS food through some pathway. I also doubt there would be any "active" construction right around a major holiday.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Does this include 7/4? Both are solid spots, but IMHO Poly is a better choice for major holidays/fireworks shows like 7/4 (and 7/3 in the case of MK).

OK. I will be the dissenting voice here I would choose GF over Poly.

To me, the Poly always feels so crowded and on a holiday, it will be even more crazy. Also prefer the pools at GF and the splash area for littles. Love the slide at the beach pool and the service around the pool for food and drinks. We always utilize the laundry rooms as well which are so convenient in each building at GF where at Poly my DH had to schlep all the laundry to a different building. In addition, at GF, you will have a balcony basically guaranteed. Poly buildings (non DVC) have no balconies on the second floor so you could end up with a view of construction AND no balcony. The bathroom set up at GF is also preferable having the sinks outside the shower/toilet area.

While I really enjoy the theming at Poly, we prefer to just visit the Poly at night for a treat like Dole whip and actually stay at GF. Any construction going on in the main building wouldn't bother me as Gaspie's is accessed from the outside and there will be access to the monorail and TS food through some pathway. I also doubt there would be any "active" construction right around a major holiday.

Will actually be at Swan for the first few days of trip including July 3 and 4 as we get some credits from them for a stay. We're being ambitious by resort hopping with a 5 year old considering we went many times before him and never even did that!

What you say about the GF is what made me hesitant about the Poly. We don't necessarily mind crowds but would rather not be around them when possible. This would be after the 4th so maybe it wouldn't be as bad. Also Poly wouldn't be DVC but the idea of doing laundry and packing less is something I never thought of and appealing. Again have always visited both resorts and both have such a great feel that we'd love to stay at either. Kinda rolling the dice on a Poly view whereas the GF is a lagoon view I'd be booking. Looked at both renovated room tours and they are both so lovely. Hard choice! I guess this is a good problem to have!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Will actually be at Swan for the first few days of trip including July 3 and 4 as we get some credits from them for a stay. We're being ambitious by resort hopping with a 5 year old considering we went many times before him and never even did that!

What you say about the GF is what made me hesitant about the Poly. We don't necessarily mind crowds but would rather not be around them when possible. This would be after the 4th so maybe it wouldn't be as bad. Also Poly wouldn't be DVC but the idea of doing laundry and packing less is something I never thought of and appealing. Again have always visited both resorts and both have such a great feel that we'd love to stay at either. Kinda rolling the dice on a Poly view whereas the GF is a lagoon view I'd be booking. Looked at both renovated room tours and they are both so lovely. Hard choice! I guess this is a good problem to have!

We stayed at Poly twice when our girls were young and we had a great time. That was pre-DVC and even at that time the pool was so crowded although since then they added the splash area and made the quiet pool much nicer. I also find that lots of people visit the Poly because it is iconic which leads to extra people walking around the resort.

Once we stayed at the GF, we knew it was our favorite deluxe resort. Everything is bright and fresh looking/feeling. We enjoy that there are two great pools that never seem too crowded. It's also notable that many kids enjoy the dark, enclosed slide at the Poly but our girls found it scary. Personally, I found it boring. We all enjoy the open slide at the GF Beach pool much more but YMMV. We have had great poolside service for lunch and drinks even with food allergies. If you are spending lots of time at the pool, it's also worth pointing out the the Poly pool has a dark, kinda gross bathroom that is inside the volcano behind the waterfall (unless this has changed?) where GF poolside bathrooms are much brighter and we thought more clean.

Our first WDW trip we stayed at CR and did not do laundry. We had a few mishaps and needed some clothes washed and had to pay crazy money for laundry service through the resort. Never again. We do laundry every trip. ...and by WE I mean DH He actually enjoys doing laundry. GF is much more convenient for that because he puts the clothes in the washer and comes back to the room and watches the laundry app to see when it's time to switch into the dryer, etc. We can pack a lot fewer clothes and don't worry if we want to change sweaty or stained clothes a few times each day. Oh! and it's great to come home with some clean clothes as well.

We also enjoy knowing we will have a balcony because we enjoy hanging out there and people watching or having morning coffee.

 

[Anthony1971]

The Poly had a great splash area located in the area of the main pool. If you 5yo is on the brave side and there is no reason not to be the Poly has the best slide at ant Disney resort it is both fast and partially covered. Lastly and most important you can see the MK fireworks with music while staying in the pool. 5yo pools are the one thing they always remember… My next suggestion for a splash area also great slide is Kidani village at AKL - you can also use the splash area on that side staying at Jambo. Jambo pool is very kid friendly and a more younger kid friendly slide and a playground and what kid doesn’t like animals.