Polynesian or Grand Floridian

[1daisy]

We've stayed at the Poly for the last three visits. I am addicted to it, everything about it is wonderful. I was thinking we should try something new, though, but haven't brought myself to do it. We have one four-year-old boy. I like to stay in the monorail section. Is the Grand Floridian worth the price? Is it nicer than the Poly? Thanks! Any opinions will help.

 

[SeaSpray]

I've stayed at both resorts and honestly feel that if you're going to book the same TYPE of room at each resort, for example a garden view room at each, then the only big difference is the theming. Of course each resort has different restaurants but they're so close, you can go to any of the restaurants on the resorts monorail loop quite easily.

Now if you're talking about lagoon view, I think the Polynesian offers the BEST lagoon views and Magic Kingdom views out there. I say this because the Polynesian resort looks straight ahead at the MK, while the GF and the CR look at it from the sides. We stayed in a lagoon view room at the GF and it was great, but we had to turn our heads to the left to see the castle. We had a wonderful view of the lagoon itself though

And then of course if you're considering staying concierge, there are many other factors to consider. Which type of room are you thinking of?

Personally, we love the Polynesian, it's our all-time favorite resort, but we'd stay at the Grand Floridian again if we wanted something different but still wanted to be on the monorail. No such plans to do that at this time though.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We love the Poly as well, but I had thought of going to the Grand Floridian over Christmas. My brother is a cast member and the difference was only going to be $200 total for 9 nights.

I went back and forth and decided to stay with the Poly simply because I know I will love it. Yes, the Grand Floridian has more "Christmas" decorations, but I just love the Poly. I know what to expect, know I will love every aspect about it.

I was nervous about choosing the Grand Floridian because of the "people". YES, I know that not everyone has a snooty attitude, but I worried that I would have one bad experience with snootiness and it would ruin my whole trip. Now, keep in mind, a snooty guest can happen at any hotel.

I chose the Poly at Christmas time, when I've heard that the Grand Floridian is the best.

Either way, you're at Disney!! You can't go wrong!!

 

[mwoody1967]

We've stayed at both and they each have their own "feel". It depends on what you want. The GF is more of an upscale feel and the Poly has a tropical atmosphere. When we go with the kids we go to the Poly but if it is just for the wife and I for a special occassion then the GF gets the nod.

 

[DisneyWalkerGirl]

We have stayed at both in "garden view" rooms and preferred the Poly becasue the rooms were larger. Plenty of room to move around and our son said he felt the daybed in the Poly was more comfortable.

We also liked that we could get the monorail from either the Poly stop by walking out of our room to the left or by walking right almost exactly the same distance to the TTC

 

[BrianD]

Yeah, it's really a personal opinion of taste. We love both resorts and have stayed at both multiple times. The GF is our absolute favorite though. There are just a few more things accommodations wise that make us pick the GF. First, there is automatic nightly turndown service which I know is not a huge deal, but it is a very nice touch, and its nice to get a fresh set of towels twice a day! Also, the bathrooms are double vanity with the vanities in a room separate from the toilet/shower area. Then there's the minibar. That's more for me. And also, the GF has a hot tub while the Poly does not. My feet love that!

Like I said we love the theming of both resorts, and one really great thing is that the two are so close together, and there is a walking path that connects the two. We always spend significant time at the Poly (especially at the pool! j/k ) even when we are staying at the GF.

Everyone is super friendly at the GF, and you're just as likely to run in to someone snooty at the Poly as you are at the GF.

As I said, it really comes down to your personal taste. Certainly you've seen the GF being that close when staying at the Poly. Do you think it's style is something you would like?

 

[Jen66]

For me that is an easy question~ GF all the way! I simply think that it is the most beautiful resort on property.

 

[tinawv]

What a delima. Kidding aside, I would choose the Poly. The rooms are larger and has a more kid friendly atmosphere.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

What a delima. Kidding aside, I would choose the Poly. The rooms are larger and has a more kid friendly atmosphere.

I don't know if that is completely true...

From my understanding, the GF rooms are around 448 sq ft and the Poly's are around 404 sq ft.

Granted it's not a huge difference, but between the two, GF is still bigger, whcih some of it comes from the bathroom configuration.

 

[heatherlynn444]

I say GF, not only b/c its my FAV, but b/c it seems like from your post you are curious and a change would be fun. ESPECIALLY since with the way you can go, the price differene is not a lot, I say go for it. or how about a split stay if you are worried?

The GF has some of the nicest CM's, and We have met some of teh nicest families tehre from all over the world, never encountered snootiness. the kids squeal just as loud when they fun through the lobby as they do at every resort. good luck!

 

[TheyCallMeTiggs]

I don't know if that is completely true...

From my understanding, the GF rooms are around 448 sq ft and the Poly's are around 404 sq ft.

Granted it's not a huge difference, but between the two, GF is still bigger, whcih some of it comes from the bathroom configuration.

GF=440 sq.feet
Poly=404 up to 476 sq.feet (the larger rooms are in Rapa Nui, Tokelau and Tahiti only)

 

[SeaSpray]

GF=440 sq.feet
Poly=404 up to 476 sq.feet (the larger rooms are in Rapa Nui, Tokelau and Tahiti only)

The rooms at the Polynesian go from 415 - 476.

I've stayed at both resorts, and while I'm not arguing that the rooms at the GF are 440, it seemed to me that the rooms at the Polynesian were larger. Maybe this is due to the different bathroom layout? Maybe the actual room area of the Polynesians rooms (the smaller 415 rooms) just had more size, but the bathroom area is smaller? Who knows. lol

At any rate, both of the resorts rooms are a good size, I personally wouldn't let room size determine where I'm staying, unless there was a noticable difference