Resort choice: GF vs. Poly for young children?

[metivier]

We have already booked our package through AAA for May but we could not book our 1st choice (CR Tower w/ MK view) as it was not available. Had switched to the Poly but DH is not a fan of the theming so for $25 more per night we could get the GF, so that is what we booked.

We are traveling with our two children -- they'll be 4.5 years and 2.5 years when we go.

Some friends who are "Disney proficient" suggest that the Poly would be better than the GF due to the Neverland Club. BUT...DS is too young for Neverland Club.

Also...I looked at the dining options off of Tikiman's site and I can honestly say I can't find much that my family would eat there. So we would likely eat all meals somewhere else.

DD is a huge Princess fan so I know one character meal would have to be at 1900 Park Fare.

We'll be spending the majority of our time at the MK and therefore would REALLY prefer the CR Tower, but DD would be VERY disappointed staying at the same hotel as our last trip and not seeing Cinderella's castle from her balcony. (Every time we go to a hotel now she asks where the balcony is so we can see fireworks when it gets dark outside!)

So what would you do in my situation -- stay at the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian?

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We love both resorts.

Based on what you have said about your dining and DH theme preferences,
I voted on the GF.

Either one would be a wise choice. Good Luck!

 

[Principessa Alba]

All being on the monorail, they all seem connected as far as restaurants go. You can be staying at one and have dinner or lunch at another and be there in no time. (or at the Neverland Club in no time).

Stay at the one with the theme that you like better.

They only thing you might want to consider is the larger rooms at the Poly -- and I think the pool might be a bit cooler. To me, the GF seems more grown-up.

 

[phyllis1966]

Our DD is 6 now, and she loves the GF! The one time we stayed at the CR, even with our tower room and spectacular MK view, she still asked why we weren't staying at "our" resort! She was not as interested in the view as we thought she'd be - I, however, was in awe the entire time!!

 

[DreaminDisney]

My kids were 2 and 5 when they stayed at Poly and loved it. They loved going to the lounge (concierge) and seeing the castle from there and LOVED the pool! However..... we've never stayed at GF. We did check it out when we were there but everyone in our group agreed Poly was the best choice for our family.
I don't think you can go wrong with either one though.....both are beautiful.
Good luck and have a great vacation!

 

[cara loves the poly]

Our 7 and 5 year old loved the poly! We stayed in Tahiti lagoon view and watched the colors change on the castle everynight and the fireworks from our belcony. My vote is for the Poly, GF can seem a little more "stuffy". The Poly seems much more laid back, lots of kids!

 

[TammiMcMan]

We've been bringing our youngest DD to the GF since she was a few months old and it continues to be our families favorite. I wouldn't hesitate to bring kids there and my daughter describes it as the princess hotel. I think the food choices are excellent with Gasparilla's Grill, the GF Cafe and of course it's not a vacation until DD is eating her room service grilled cheese sandwich out on the balcony. The GF also has some kids activities throughout the week. There was an arts & crafts night and a storytime night in the Mickey Mouse Mercantile and daily fun events around the courtyard pool.

Unfortunately, you cannot be guaranteed an MK view room from the GF. You can increase your chances though by booking a lagoon view and requesting Conch Key or Sago Cay building.

I've never been a huge fan of the Poly theming, but the renovated rooms do look beautiful. I'm not sure if the lack of a split bathroom would make any difference to your family. I have 2 teens, so that's something that we definitely need.

It's a tough decision, but I don't think you'll be disappointed with any choice that you make.

 

[metivier]

Thanks for all the posts, votes, and PMs...here's an update!

I sat down with DD and we watched the Disney vacation planning DVD. I asked her to help me choose which "hotel room" to stay at. She REALLY wanted the CR but I told her there were no rooms available, and we had to pick between the GF and the Poly. She chose the Poly -- so that's what we've done. We have a lagoon view room, and I requested the Tahiti longhouse (for a hopeful MK view) and a balcony in a non-smoking room. Saves us roughly $175, too, so that helps a little.

I hope we will like the Poly. I remember walking through the resort going to Mass back in November 1997 -- we were visiting WDW with my parents and stayed onsite at the Boardwalk. The walk was long and it was cold/raw outside, and I recall I really disliked the look of the place because it looked like the summer camp buildings in a bad horror movie. Plus I am allergic to coconut and almonds, and I'm a little concerned about the food there and my allergies. I suppose if we eat all meals outside the hotel we'll be okay on that front, but I prefer having breakfast before we go off to the parks.

Thanks for all the help!
Karen

 

[ksc37]

We just got back from the GF with our 2.5 and 4.5 year old boys (we did the Poly last year).

I loved the Grand Floridian, but I really think the Poly is better suited to the kids. I like the look of the GF better (the white seems so crisp and fresh), but the location of the Poly is better (the proximity to the TTC makes a monorail transfer unnecessary), and the food at Kona is good.

Both have great pools for kids because of the zero entry. But the more relaxed atmosphere at the Poly makes it seem not so bad when your 2.5 year old acts like a 2.5 year old

I hope you get your castle view... that will definitely make your DD happy!

 

[mlwear]

Thanks for all the posts, votes, and PMs...here's an update!

I sat down with DD and we watched the Disney vacation planning DVD. I asked her to help me choose which "hotel room" to stay at. She REALLY wanted the CR but I told her there were no rooms available, and we had to pick between the GF and the Poly. She chose the Poly -- so that's what we've done. We have a lagoon view room, and I requested the Tahiti longhouse (for a hopeful MK view) and a balcony in a non-smoking room. Saves us roughly $175, too, so that helps a little.

I hope we will like the Poly. I remember walking through the resort going to Mass back in November 1997 -- we were visiting WDW with my parents and stayed onsite at the Boardwalk. The walk was long and it was cold/raw outside, and I recall I really disliked the look of the place because it looked like the summer camp buildings in a bad horror movie. Plus I am allergic to coconut and almonds, and I'm a little concerned about the food there and my allergies. I suppose if we eat all meals outside the hotel we'll be okay on that front, but I prefer having breakfast before we go off to the parks.

Thanks for all the help!
Karen

When deciding between GF and Poly, I just asked my kids which they thought they would like. They chose the Poly and loved it. No regrets.
DH has a coconut allergy also and he was fine eating at Ohana, Kona and Ohana Character Breakfast. Enjoy.