Veteran DCL Cruisers, First Time WDW, Poly or Grand Flo?

[starrydominique]

Hello all,

We are veteran DCL cruisers, almost always at the concierge level, and with cruises seemingly forever on hold, we have decided to try WDW in May. We are looking to try to rent DVC but are torn between the Poly and Grand Floridian. Hubs thinks the Poly gives more of a a cruise vibe with the darker wood and tropical feel we adore but the Grand looks super luxurious and perhaps more recently updated? I'm also super worried about all the construction I'm hearing around the Poly. We are just two adults, early 30s. Any advice? Thanks for the help.

Dom & Jon

 

[gottalovepluto]

What dates? Poly opens with brand new rooms later this summer and theoretically construction should be done as the refurb is the construction- the rooms look very different from the old ones so make sure you’re looking at the renovated rooms. GF rooms haven’t been refurbished in forever so I can’t imagine they would be nicer than Poly’s.

 

[starrydominique]

What dates? Poly opens with brand new rooms later this summer and theoretically construction should be done as the refurb is the construction- the rooms look very different from the old ones so make sure you’re looking at the renovated rooms. GF rooms haven’t been refurbished in forever so I can’t imagine they would be nicer than Poly’s.

Mid May. We are looking at DVC rentals. Not sure if the rooms are different. We are looking at virtual tours on a rental company website.

 

[HiStitch626]

We think both resorts have nice pool areas, but as far as other amenities the Grand Floridian will have more options while you are there. The Poly's refurb isn’t due to be finished in May. So, the number of restaurants available is less than the Grand and there won’t be any monorail service. You can walk over to the TTC to take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, you can also walk to the Grand Floridian and then onto the Magic Kingdom t
on the MK walkway.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Mid May. We are looking at DVC rentals. Not sure if the rooms are different. We are looking at virtual tours on a rental company website.

Ahh. Personally I’d want to stay away from the construction.

Can’t help on which room is better as DVC rooms are different than the hotel rooms but I’m sure others will chime in for you!

 

[Marthasor]

I absolutely love the theming at the Poly, but, as PP's have mentioned, with the construction, I would avoid it right now. We've stayed at both Poly and GF during construction and, it wasn't a great experience. Especially for a first trip, I would avoid it. The villas at Grand Floridian are some of the most beautiful rooms on WDW property, IMHO. They are probably my favorite rooms, TBH, however, be aware the villa building is a little bit of a walk to the main building, restaurants, monorail, walking path, etc.

Since you are a young couple, you may also want to consider the villas at Beach Club or Boardwalk as well (Beach Club villas are my favorite for their location). The EP resort area is really nice - lots of restaurants within walking distance, plus walking to EP and DHS (or you can take a boat or Skyliner to DHS as well). I always enjoy walking into EP in the evenings for dinner, a stroll around WS, etc.

 

[chasgeese]

For mid-May, I would definitely add the Beach Club Villas to your list and not do the Poly because of construction. Your best bet is probably the VGF, since they are well done and in good shape. I would not stay at the GF hotel part rn since it’s way overpriced and in dire need of a renovation. I might also consider the Four Seasons if you want an actual luxury hotel.

 

[Marionnette]

I would recommend the Grand over Poly right now only because of the construction going on at the Poly.

HOWEVER

You're coming to DVC renting very late in the game. VGF studios are very popular with DVC members and the resort is small (only 47 studios). You would have to find a dedicated reservation at this point because there are only random nights here and there available otherwise.

BCV and BWV will also be a problem unless you find a dedicated reservation to rent.

 

[MomOTwins]

GF for sure. Poly construction and restaurant/bar closures detract ls way too much from the experience now.

 

[starrydominique]

Owee. Thanks everyone. Looks like we have a lot to learn and figure out.

 

[i_love_stitch]

I would recommend the Grand over Poly right now only because of the construction going on at the Poly.

HOWEVER

You're coming to DVC renting very late in the game. VGF studios are very popular with DVC members and the resort is small (only 47 studios). You would have to find a dedicated reservation at this point because there are only random nights here and there available otherwise.

BCV and BWV will also be a problem unless you find a dedicated reservation to rent.

I was just coming to say this! We just rented DVC for Mid May and our only option was basically Saratoga, until an Animal Kingdom Lodge *thankfully* popped up for our window.

If it is just the two of you, David's Vacation Club Rentals actually has a Riviera Resort Tower Studio Reservation in their confirmed resorts for May 15-21 for only $1,600. I would have snagged the ressie had the dates worked better for me. The resort is GORGEOUS (rivals Grand Flo IMO) and it has the benefit of the Skyliner.

 

[Dug720]

Mid May. We are looking at DVC rentals. Not sure if the rooms are different. We are looking at virtual tours on a rental company website.

Just be very clear on what you're signing up for with rentals. As I understand it, most are non-refundable for any reason. A LOT of people got burned when they had to cancel.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was just coming to say this! We just rented DVC for Mid May and our only option was basically Saratoga, until an Animal Kingdom Lodge *thankfully* popped up for our window.

If it is just the two of you, David's Vacation Club Rentals actually has a Riviera Resort Tower Studio Reservation in their confirmed resorts for May 15-21 for only $1,600. I would have snagged the ressie had the dates worked better for me. The resort is GORGEOUS (rivals Grand Flo IMO) and it has the benefit of the Skyliner.

Be glad the dates didn’t work. Tower is fine for one but two is a crowd. Maybe ok for a couple nights but definitely not for a week.

 

[starrydominique]

Looks like we might end up in the Poly anyhow. Rental place did have most of the week we wanted.

Just be very clear on what you're signing up for with rentals. As I understand it, most are non-refundable for any reason. A LOT of people got burned when they had to cancel.

Thanks, we know. It's why we waited so long to book but I guess that's eating us now. =/

 

[Dug720]

Thanks, we know. It's why we waited so long to book but I guess that's eating us now. =/

That's good! I just remember a lot of people getting burned on it last year with cancellations and losing money.

 

[Blondie58]

We love the Royal Palm Club floor at GF. This is in the main builkding. Laurette and Gayle are the best in the concierge lounge.
Room 4030 or 4021 = GREAT. Many wonderful dinning oportunities and the grounds are great.

 

[pangyal]

We love the Royal Palm Club floor at GF. This is in the main builkding. Laurette and Gayle are the best in the concierge lounge.
Room 4030 or 4021 = GREAT. Many wonderful dinning oportunities and the grounds are great.

I second the love of CL, but unfortunately it is not operating anywhere on property until further notice, so it wouldn’t be an oprion for the OP.

 

[starrydominique]

I second the love of CL, but unfortunately it is not operating anywhere on property until further notice, so it wouldn’t be an oprion for the OP.

Yeah, when we first starting looking into this it looked like club level was the way to go but its not being offered at all. =/

 

[Wishuponastar0412]

My husband and I are similar (minus the cruising part because he gets sea sick). We just stayed at the Poly in November & Grand in January- both in DVC rooms. Overall, we loved the Grand a bit more. We just loved all the dining options- going to Grand Floridian Café for breakfast & Narcossee's for dinner. We also hit up Basin for some bath salts and walked over to MK just to use the new pathway. However, that being said the construction didn't bother us. We only heard it one afternoon when we were leaving the quiet pool. I think it was also a Tuesday at like 3pm- so when people are normally at parks. The hotel is great and really does make you feel like you aren't in Florida. These are our top 2 Disney resorts

As others have mentioned, availability is the kicker. We booked both of these pretty well in advance with the Grand at exactly 7 months before our trip. For this May, the Grand is pretty much all booked up. I'm only seeing 2 nights for standard or lake view. Poly has some more availability with 11 nights for standard, and most of the month for lake view.


Luckily you can easily walk to the Grand from the Poly to enjoy their restaurants. In fact, we ended up taking the Grand buses a few times from Disney Springs because they came before the ones for the Poly. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[starrydominique]

My husband and I are similar (minus the cruising part because he gets sea sick). We just stayed at the Poly in November & Grand in January- both in DVC rooms. Overall, we loved the Grand a bit more. We just loved all the dining options- going to Grand Floridian Café for breakfast & Narcossee's for dinner. We also hit up Basin for some bath salts and walked over to MK just to use the new pathway. However, that being said the construction didn't bother us. We only heard it one afternoon when we were leaving the quiet pool. I think it was also a Tuesday at like 3pm- so when people are normally at parks. The hotel is great and really does make you feel like you aren't in Florida. These are our top 2 Disney resorts

As others have mentioned, availability is the kicker. We booked both of these pretty well in advance with the Grand at exactly 7 months before our trip. For this May, the Grand is pretty much all booked up. I'm only seeing 2 nights for standard or lake view. Poly has some more availability with 11 nights for standard, and most of the month for lake view.
View attachment 562040

Luckily you can easily walk to the Grand from the Poly to enjoy their restaurants. In fact, we ended up taking the Grand buses a few times from Disney Springs because they came before the ones for the Poly. Good luck and enjoy!

Thanks. We ended up just booking direct with a split between Yacht and then Poly. It really was slim pickens and we were hoping to stick to that week since my hubs already requested off from work. I guess the bonus is we can cancel entirely if we ultimately decide to forget the whole thing.