Picking a Resort!

sam&mia

sam&mia

Member
hello we are new to this forum and we would like some feedback from disney regulars.
we are planning a trip to Disney World in Oct next year and would like some advice on what resort to stay at.
we stayed off Disney property this year and found it so difficult for us for various reasons so decided as a group next year it would be a Disney resort!
we want to stay on the monorail line for convenience and we have narrowed it down to 2.
Polynesian and Floridian.
So from people that have stayed her before which is better?
thank you so very much
Jackson family from Australia xo
 
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ParentsOf4

ParentsOf4

Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forums!:)

The Polynesian and Grand Floridian (GF) are both beautiful hotels. You can't go wrong with either. Which one is 'better' is primarily a matter of taste. The GF is elegant with a Guided Age (think Queen Victoria) feel; the Polynesian (obviously) has a South Pacific feel.

Some things to consider:
  • Rooms at the GF room are 440 sq ft; Poly rooms are 386 sq. ft.
  • Room rates at the GF are higher.
  • They are in the process of renovating the main pool at the GF and will be finished later this year. It should look lovely by the time you visit in October 2013.
  • The Poly was opened in 1971 and is WDW's oldest hotel. The GF was opened in 1988. They've done a good job keeping the Poly up-to-date but IMHO it's beginning to show its age.
  • Both have a good mix of restaurants and you can always hop onto the Monorail to easily visit the other resort.
  • The Poly is within walking distance of the Monorail transfer station. Some people like walking this rather than doing the transfer to get to Epcot.
I really think it comes down to theming. Which will you like more? I suggest looking at photos online (assuming you've never been to either before), look at them on Google maps to get an idea of their layout and location, and go with the one that appeals the most to you.
 
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W

wiigirl

Well-Known Member
Disneydreamer23 said:
if you like nature I would do poly if you like things to look fancy I would do Floridian I would do Polynesian but that's the kind of taste of things I like
Click to expand...

I would highly recommend the Poly....one of my favorites.
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Clamman73

Clamman73

Well-Known Member
Poly has a nostalgic/organic feel to it versus the more almost pristine feel of Grand Floridian if that's a way to describe it. Personally, I love walking around Poly. I walked from TTC to Poly on purpose last week on my trip just to be in the presence of Poly. I wouldn't get off the monorail on purpose to walk around GF.
 
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T

thomas998

Well-Known Member
Not to try and sway your decision at all... but if your main criteria is that the resort be a monorail resort... I'm not sure why you aren't considering the Contemporary... If it is because it used to be a bit run down, that was all completely fixed about 3 years ago when they renovated it.

It does offer better access than the other resorts... In the mornings you are the first stop so you don't ever have to worry about a standing room only car like at the GF...its only 1 stop from the transfer point when you want to go to EPCOT... and best of all at the end of the day its the first stop from the MK when you are trying to get some sleep.... Oh and if you don't want to use the monorail you can simply walk to the MK, something you can't do at the others.
 
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sgtmgd

sgtmgd

Well-Known Member
sam&mia said:
hello we are new to this forum and we would like some feedback from disney regulars.
we are planning a trip to Disney World in Oct next year and would like some advice on what resort to stay at.
we stayed off Disney property this year and found it so difficult for us for various reasons so decided as a group next year it would be a Disney resort!
we want to stay on the monorail line for convenience and we have narrowed it down to 2.
Polynesian and Floridian.
So from people that have stayed her before which is better?
thank you so very much
Jackson family from Australia xo
Click to expand...


Something to consider...I know you want to stay on the Monorail line for convienence...and of the 3...Id go Poly...that being said...the Monorail connects the resort to 2 parks... Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Id ask that you look at the Boardwalk, Beach Club and or Yacht Club...these resorts..all have very convienent transportation options to Epcot and Hollywood Studios via Boat or a short walk...5-10 minutes to Epcot...15-20 to DHS. You also could walk through Epcot to th emonorail line to hope over to Magic Kingdom. The 3 resorts all sit across from one another and there are a plethera of resturantes to choose from..just food for thought..the lagoon view rooms with a balcony are amazing (boardwalk) just my 2 cents..
 
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mickey2008.1

mickey2008.1

Well-Known Member
Both are beautiful places. GF has way better service. Turn down at night, creative towel designs or bed designs daily. GF also has 3 Signature restaurants. GF has a work out facility, movies at the pool for kids. The price may be more, but the service and amenities well pay for it. Poly has its plusses too, Ohana's and Spirit of Aloha, great views of MK, great theming. Unfortunately it is going to start a major refurbishment within the next few months.(check out Tikimans website for info on this resort). Now if money is a factor, and you still want monorail line, consider Contemporary garden wing rooms. All updated, some have great views, others a parking lot, just like the other two resorts, same service as Poly. A brand new California Grille. Lowest pricing of all monorail resorts. They are all great places to stay, it's a matter of service, style, and restaurants available in each resort.
 
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s&k'smom

s&k'smom

Well-Known Member
Oh man that's a tough choice, I love both resorts I think it all comes down to personal taste. My kids looooove the GF and funny enough we'll be there next October too, the Poly has such lush landscaping I wanted to stay there but once my son got a look at the new water area at GF that was it. The nice thing about GF or Poly and that you can easily walk back and forth between both. But I gotta give it to the GF, my favorite.
 
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coachwnh

coachwnh

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
We have stayed at the poly and loved it. so do the kids (9 and 7) we are staying there in a few weeks again. The kids love the contemporary the most though. Cant say about GF until after February when we stay there for the kids birthdays. No matter where you stay you cant go wrong. One big benefit of Cont. is you can walk to the MK!!! At poly, you can use boats and monorails to get to MK. You can also walk to TTC for a quick monorail to epcot. Enjoy your trip!!
 
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sam&mia

sam&mia

Member
Original Poster
thank you all very much for your reply much appreciated!
i can tell i am going to be obsessed with this forum before long.
we did have contemporary, beach club and new orleans on the list too but we all had a vote and floridian and poly came out on top!
they are both fantastic resorts with lots to offer, my mum (the boss ;)) is a little obsessed with Floridian after going for High Tea this year so this is the front runner at the moment!!
the new pool area at Floridian is exciting too as my daughter is a water girl and would swim all day if she could.
thanks again x
 
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Spike-in-Berlin

Spike-in-Berlin

Well-Known Member
sam&mia said:
hello we are new to this forum and we would like some feedback from disney regulars.
we are planning a trip to Disney World in Oct next year and would like some advice on what resort to stay at.
we stayed off Disney property this year and found it so difficult for us for various reasons so decided as a group next year it would be a Disney resort!
we want to stay on the monorail line for convenience and we have narrowed it down to 2.
Polynesian and Floridian.
So from people that have stayed her before which is better?
thank you so very much
Jackson family from Australia xo
Click to expand...

Polynesian has a beautiful setting, an interesting pool, has the perfect location to get fast to both MK and EPCOT but the rooms are dated. It's the oldest WDW resort (together with CR) and it shows. The AC is the loudest in any Disney resort we stayed at and despite several refurbs in the last decades the room we stayed in (Fiji longhouse, lagoon view) looked used and worn. Unacceptable at that price level IMHO. Everything else was terrific, we loved the Tonga Toast, the Lobby, the volcano pool and wishes from the beach but the rooms were substandard.
 
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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
sam&mia said:
hello we are new to this forum and we would like some feedback from disney regulars.
we are planning a trip to Disney World in Oct next year and would like some advice on what resort to stay at.
we stayed off Disney property this year and found it so difficult for us for various reasons so decided as a group next year it would be a Disney resort!
we want to stay on the monorail line for convenience and we have narrowed it down to 2.
Polynesian and Floridian.
So from people that have stayed her before which is better?
thank you so very much
Jackson family from Australia xo
Click to expand...

I am a GF junkie. Love it! Favorite resort hands down! I feel the Poly looks a wee bit run down. I would go with GF! :)
 
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