Poly vs. Grand Floridian for Same Price

[champ1380]

So now that the summer discounts are out we have discovered there is no discount at the Poly for the dates we are there (August 16-24). However with the discount the Grand Floridian is practically the same price (we would save a whopping $11 staying at the GF, and my parents would save $90). We could also save $300 by moving to one of the Poly bungalow/villa studios, where we'd have a queen bed & queen pullout vs. two queens in the main building (this move is unavailable to my parents, so they would still be in the main building at the non discounted price).

We will be my family- my husband, myself and 3 boys- age 8,5, and 2- and my parents (who are in their early 60s).

No one has ever stayed at either resort. We are not frequent guests (We've gone once before my youngest was born, and my parents haven't been 20+ years). The earliest we would be back is several years from now, and I don't know if/when my parents would come again. The price of the Grand Floridian kept us from ever considering it. It always sorta had the feeling of a dream hotel. But we were also very excited about the Polynesian (and very sad about the lack of discount lol).

So what to do? Is it worth changing? Is the Grand Floridian a good fit for our family or would the Poly be better. Is heading to the bungalows worth the $300 savings (is it farther from things, is the ambiance the same??). Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Wow - tough call. Poly is on our bucket list to stay at but we magically got upgraded to Grand Flo from CBR a couple years ago and it was the best experience ever. We could walk over to the Poly (and did to eat a couple of times) but the beauty of GF and the piano player in the lobby and just EVERYTHING was so awesome!

I don't think you can go wrong but if I had my pick (and had either stayed at neither or both before) I think Grand Flo would win hands down. Others will certainly say the opposite.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Both resorts have nice splash pads for your 2 year old. I would say the GF has calmer, less crowded pools. That week in August, I would expect the Poly pools to be very crowded -- frankly, the Poly doesn't have enough pool for the number of rooms on that property.

Theme-wise, do you prefer Hawaii kitsch or Victorian elegance?

I've stayed at both, and for that period, I'd probably go GF just for the pool situation alone.

 

[fla4fun]

Well, if I were in your position, I would go with the Poly studio villa. Not just for the savings, but because of the kitchenette. That may be more beneficial than you think, with three young children. Having the ability to prepare simple meals and snacks that the kids will eat can be priceless. They are also young enough that sleeping on a sofa bed shouldn't be uncomfortable. The ambiance is similar to the regular resort, and having stayed in those buildings even before they were DVC, they weren't inconvenient in any way. In fact, being able to walk easily to the TTC made getting to/from MK and Epcot very easy.

 

[Lisann]

I think your parents might like the GF better. And there is a little bit more sense of calm at that resort. I like both resorts, but there is just something about the Grand.

 

[Gary M]

We have stayed at Poly one time and the GF a dozen times. Many people love the Poly, but it wasn't appealing to us.
I would pick the resort thats theme is to your liking.

 

[DisTXMom]

We've stayed at both and liked both. GF feels like a nicer resort IMO. We did not find the GF stuffy at all- I had reservations about it feeling stuffy, but it wasn't. The Poly is very laid back, which we also enjoyed. My advice- look at a lot of pics online and decide from there.

 

[Marthasor]

I suggest looking at the August discount thread on these boards to see what others are doing in regard to booking deluxes at a discount in August: https://www.disboards.com/threads/august-2017.3537361/page-8

 

[SharonZ]

Hands down GF, I agree about the pool situation at the Poly - too crowded.

 

[GXIncognto]

If the Grand has always felt like an unattainable "dream resort" to you and you have the chance to book it with no price difference, I say you should go for it.

If I booked Poly and my wife found out the Grand Floridian was the same price, she wouldn't talk to me for a month. But that could just be me.

 

[msjprincess]

I suggest looking at the August discount thread on these boards to see what others are doing in regard to booking deluxes at a discount in August: https://www.disboards.com/threads/august-2017.3537361/page-8

MTE. You might be able to get a much better deal for your dates.

With the above choices, I would probably switch to a Poly studio

 

[MimiOfTwo]

I think Poly has an edge when it comes to transportation. I've stayed at both and several times the monorail was packed when it got to GF. At Poly you can usually get a seat. You can also walk to TTC and take the Epcot monorail & not have to transfer.
GF pros: rooms are in better condition. Beds are much better than Polys. Pool is not as crowded.

 

[Babsy]

WE LOVE both the Poly and the GF! They are tied (along with the CR) for our favourite resorts in WDW. Which would I choose if I could only do one?

My first choice was the Poly when planning our first trip as a family to WDW. It was always the one that I dreamed of staying in and I wasn't disappointed. There really is something special about the tropical island atmosphere of the resort. It is magically romantic and so nicely landscaped with tiki torches at night and beautiful Hawaiian music playing. Sitting on the beach (or your balcony) watching Wishes is simply an unforgettable experience. From your first 'Aloha' greeting upon arrival to your last night on the beach, the Poly will win your heart.

The GF is sheer luxury, with light, elegance and beauty all around you. It is perhaps a bit more serene with lovely flowers and more manicured landscaping. The piano or band playing in the majestic lobby will take your breath away. The smell of flowers is intoxicating. You do feel the timeless elegance, but in a comfortable way that works and helps you relax and just soak it all in.

Both resorts are on the monorail line. Both resorts have large comfortable rooms. Both resorts have wonderful views of Cinderella's castle. Both resorts share a boat to the MK. You can walk between them and enjoy all amenities of both except the pools. Both resorts have awesome dining options. Both resorts have a splash pad for littles and two lovely pools. Whichever resort you choose, you will be in heaven. They truly are the best of the best. Which one you would prefer may well have more to do with theme preference than the relative advantages of either one over the other. So looking at pics online is a really good idea. Which one draws you the most? Look at the rooms, pools, dining and lobbies. Do you prefer lots of trees and shade or open areas and flowers?

Here are a few of the differences that you might want to consider:

Poly Pros:
kitchenette in studio is nice for quick breakfast, two bathrooms (but only one toilet)
walking distance to the TTC makes getting to Epcot much easier (GF requires a monorail to the TTC, then switch to Epcot monorail)
view of the castle is pretty much straight on so watching Wishes is better from the Poly
Ohana's can be ordered from rooms service if you stay here


GF Pros:
incredible lobby with live music
perhaps less crowded pools
slightly larger rooms
you have always wanted to stay here, but didn't think it possible*

*probably would be the deciding factor for me

Have fun choosing!! What a wonderful dilemma!

 

[champ1380]

Thanks everyone! We decided to split the stay!! We're staying at the Grand Floridian for the 5 days my parents are with us, and the Polynesian Villa Studio for the next 3 days. Still ended up cheaper than the straight Poly room. Very exciting! (Expensive, but exciting)

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks everyone! We decided to split the stay!! We're staying at the Grand Floridian for the 5 days my parents are with us, and the Polynesian Villa Studio for the next 3 days. Still ended up cheaper than the straight Poly room. Very exciting! (Expensive, but exciting)

Congrats! Sounds like a great decision!!

 

[100acreHiker]

GF is our favorite, and we've stayed at most deluxe resorts. Poly is nice, without doubt, but we find it too hectic and crowded--so many people coming and going for Ohana, Trader Sam's, etc. My kids prefer the pool and slide at GF. We like the quick service food and the ambiance of the lobby, the big band playing every night. Just our favorite. Wish we could afford to stay every year! We've fallen in love with the Boardwalk because our family is in and out of Epcot more than MK, but if we were still and MK family, I'd do GF every time, hands down.

 

[Grumpy247365]

Poly all day! Don't forget to try out Trader Sam's. It's really fun and the drinks are really good.

 

[MillauFr]

What is the price per night you are paying at the Grand and the Poly?

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

OP--We are going basically the same dates staying at GF Aug 16 - 26! We were able to get a really great discount for our trip. Definitely check out the August thread that Marthasor linked above.

 

[msjprincess]

OP--We are going basically the same dates staying at GF Aug 16 - 26! We were able to get a really great discount for our trip. Definitely check out the August thread that Marthasor linked above.

Same here. The discount is so much better than the discount booking direct through Disney.