Polynesian or Grand Floridian

[bbmickey]

Going to Disney Dec 18-22. Where should we stay. I have 2 girls age 5 and 9. My wife and I stayed at GF for Honeymooon 15 years ago and would like to stay there unless anyone thinks Polynesian would be better

 

[maya44]

I have stayed at both. I think the ability to walk to TTC would sway my vote in favor of Poly.

 

[scanne]

Having stayed at both, I love both for different reasons, but you cannot beat the Polynesian on two points:

1. Room size - especially Tahiti, Tokelau and Rapa Nui - HUGE!!! Plus the Polynesian's rooms are all being completely re-done!!

2. Walk to the TTC. For transportation, the Polynesian has the BEST options on property.

If you can swing it, go for lagoon view or lagoon view concierge.

You won't regret it!!!!!!!

 

[ReggieB]

They have the Alice tea party and the 1900 Park Fare dining (Cinderella, or Mary Poppins at breakfast) at GF. But if you stay at Polynesian, it's not a very long walk to get to GF (or take the monorail one stop) which is great as that gives you so many easy dining options. Both have child care, so if you are looking to recapture the honeymoon moment you could always book a meal at one of the fancier GF restuarants. We were able to book our DS5 into the childcare program at GF and have our meal at Victoria & Alberts, even though we were not staying at GF. I think the girls would like both places (though the might like GF better, for being fancier!)
We've stayed at GF and loved it. We would go back, but only after we have tried all the other places first!! Polynesian is our plan for next year.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Maybe try the Poly since you have already stayed at the GF.

 

[lark]

I thought the GF rooms were larger than the Poly rooms? UOG says its 440 square feet v. about 400 for Poly.

A couple of small thoughts on this question. What type of room are you looking at and how important is view to you?

If you're thinking about a garden view, I'd go with the GF. There are, pretty much, no bad garden view rooms at the GF. While most of the garden view rooms at the Poly appear to be fine, and some are apparently spectacular, there are a handful of not so great ones. If you're thinking about lagoon, I'd say it's the complete opposite. You can book lagoon view at GF and be a little disappointed -- one entire building's lagoon views face south, direclty away from the MK. At the Poly, by comparison, just about every lagoon view is great. (Please note, of course, that I haven't actually been in all these rooms -- just going by having walked around the two resorts and read on this forum and tikiman's site, etc.)

It should be noted this is the glass-half-empty way to look at it. That is, this is how I would look at it if my goal was avoiding a bad view in each category. If you look at it from the glass-half-full perspective -- that is, what gives me the best chance of getting a spectacular room -- it's a little different. I think some of the lagoon view rooms at the GF are amazing -- most of Boca Chica, and the ends of Sago Key and Conch Key. Similarly, some of the garden rooms at the Poly are amazing too -- better than the GF. Kind of depends on whether you're a gambler. I'm just saying you can pay alot for a garden at the poly or a lagoon at the GF and be a little disappointed.

A couple of other things. If the MK is your primary destination, I think the GF is ideal -- one monorail stop or a very short boat ride. That makes up a little for the lack of proximity to the TTC. Also, I'm pretty sure that the Poly does not have a fitness center. If theming is important to you, I think the Poly wins.

 

[JCTurner]

Were doing both in November / December - 13 nights Poly and 4 nights GF SLC. Cant wait !

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Let me preface this by saying I have not stayed at the GF, but, both seem like wonderful options - just very very different "personalities" to the resorts - for your situation I would say the Poly, but I am a bit biased - I LOVE the Poly

 

[kytiam]

If you decide to stay at the poly, you really must take your dd's over to the GF to see the giant gingerbread house! It's amazing! Since you are going at Christmas, consider the decorations--they are so different at each resort. You may be able to see pictures of them on allearsnet.com. Enjoy your visit, whichever way you go. We went during that time last year and it was absolutely perfect.

 

[Daryl]

Reggie B said, " it's not a very long walk to get to GF ". I didnt know there was a footpath between these two resorts! Do you just walk along the beach?

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Daryl,
There's a brick walkway along the beach/lagoon and then through GF property. Just head over toward the luau, and you'll see it. It's an especially nice walk at night when everything is lit up.

 

[ead79]

I would vote for the GF, especially since you’ll be going when the Christmas decorations are up. The GF is truly amazingly decorated. Plus, the Magic Kingdom is the very next stop on the monorail. Also, they have lots of special activities for kids at the GF (though children from any other resort can participate too). The themes of the GF and Poly are very different (though both very nice), so try to pick whichever one you think you would prefer.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We have stayed at both too many times to count. The POLY is my first and still my favorite WDW Resort. With that being said, I would go with the GF during the time of year that you are going.

Good Luck with your decision!

 

[Daryl]

Thanks Susiesnowflake, can't wait to try it. It sounds like it would be the perfect evening stroll after dinner.
To get back to the thread, The GF is my favorite resort. I'd never pass up a chance to stay there. Most of this you'll remember from your honeymoon, but just to remind you... The Garden view rooms have some of the most beautiful views on property and as lark indicated earlier, the lagoonviews can be magical. I always request a location at booking and then call back a few days before arriving. There is absolutly no guarantee your room request will be honored but in 12 trips I've always gotten what
I asked for or very close to it (probably because I always go during off season).
Since you were last there the resort has added a great beach pool with a very popular water slide. The rooms are large, clean and tastfully appointed and have been renovated sine your last trip. Finally the boat ride from the mk at night back to the hotel is, well... romantic. The poly does have the best kids club on property, The Neverland Club, but the GF has 3 of the very best restaurants. At Narcoosee, right opposite the boat dock, you can dine and watch the fireworks as you enjoy dessert. As You can tell I'm pretty partial, but truth be told, Either way you really can't go wrong. Have a great trip!!!!!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Ugh, I am going through this SAME decision for next January. Son wants Poly (volcano pool--again) and I want GF. I know if I'm at the Poly I will be wishing I was next door....what torture to look at those lit up buildings at night and not be there! Well, not that the Poly isn't magnificent as well...but it's a tough choice. I wish they weren't right next to each other, because there's really no reason to split a stay between the two since they're both MK resorts

 

[candleonwater]

My vote would be (for anyone who has already stayed at GF) to give the Poly a try! We just got back (yesterday) and I was wary of staying at the Poly... now I can't wait to get back.

The walk from Poly to GF is not bad, and we did it during Wilma! We didn't ask for any specific room/bldg, but got Tokelau, overlooking the quiet pool. It was wonderful! I do have to say, I might not have liked a bldg closer to Luau Cove because it was NOISY at night!

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I must be one of the only people on the Disboards who was actually disappointed with the GF. Yes it's beautiful, yes the rooms are beautiful, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. I've never stayed at the Poly but we're going there for the first time in Jan. From all of the reviews I've heard for children I'd pick the Poly.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Our girls, same age as yours BTW...LOVE LOVE LOVE the Poly!!

the Volcano pool, GREAT!!
The kids activities like lei making in the lobby, GREAT
the warm "alohas" from the CM's, GREAT
the newly renovated rooms, GREAT GREAT GREAT!!
our building was close to the GCH great for refills and snacks at night
did I mention the volcano pool and slide???
also walking from/to TTC is great too!!

Flat screen tv and heavenly beds...

waaaa waaa waaa...

10 more months to go!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[scanne]

I thought the GF rooms were larger than the Poly rooms? UOG says its 440 square feet v. about 400 for Poly.

It's actually more like the other way around. The rooms at the GF are about 400 square feet and the Polynesian rooms are about 409+. I think Tikiman has the exact dimensions on his website.

Having stayed at both resorts, it is very obvious to me that the Polynesian's rooms are bigger. I think the rooms at the Contemporary are the largest standard rooms on WDW property.

 

[lark]

It's actually more like the other way around. The rooms at the GF are about 400 square feet and the Polynesian rooms are about 409+. I think Tikiman has the exact dimensions on his website.

Where have you seen 400 square feet for the GF? Every published source I've seen says 440. I know the travel agent fact sheet gives a number, but I don't have that for the GF. Maybe someone who does can post what it says.