When selecting a luxurious resort close to Magic Kingdom on the monorail loop at Walt Disney World, trip planners debate between two Deluxe Resorts: Grand Floridian and Polynesian. This head-to-head comparability weighs the professionals & cons of every, choosing a “winner” in theme, eating, transportation, swimming pools, and different classes. (Up to date April 14, 2024.)
This continues our Walt Disney World Lodge Comparability Collection, which incorporates a number of different tough dilemmas you may face when making an attempt to select a resort. Different versus posts embrace Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge, BoardWalk vs. Seashore Membership, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, and even Caribbean Seashore vs. the Poly.
This Grand Floridian vs. Polynesian comparability pits Walt Disney World’s flagship resort towards a enjoyable fan-favorite that some may argue ought to be WDW’s “crown jewel” resort. Whereas each are related by way of location (actually a brief stroll from each other) and pricing, there are numerous variations by way of theme, environment, eating places, and facilities.
Whereas we are going to draw our personal conclusions as to which is healthier, alongside the way in which we are going to clarify our reasoning, so you possibly can kind your individual conclusions. Since a lot of this can be a matter of subjective, private desire, we really feel that’s the easiest way to strategy these comparisons. Plus, it could be a fairly quick weblog publish if we didn’t supply explanatory textual content together with the winner of every aspect.
Earlier than we get going, one factor to notice is that each resorts are nonetheless within the midst of large reimagining and/or growth initiatives. Within the case of the Poly, a huge tower is being constructed on the periphery of the resort. Within the case of the Grand Floridian, the principle constructing and foyer are nonetheless within the midst of a reimagining. The excellent news is that the room reimaginings at each at the moment are completed. Not less than proper now, neither of those initiatives have a lot influence on the visitor expertise, except for minor (principally exterior) visible blight. We anticipate each development initiatives to wrap up by late 2024.
Okay, with that, it’s time to see whether or not the Grand Floridian delivers a sick Folks’s Elbow to the Poly, or if the Poly can pull off a shock Stone Chilly Stunner… (Sorry, I’ll cease with the wrestlin’ speak–these are the one phrases I do know, in any case.)
Theme: It Relies upon – Theme is such a tough topic since a lot of it’s predicated in private desire. Slightly than making a price judgment about which theme is inherently “higher,” we strategy this from their respective execution of theme.
Grand Floridian is little question essentially the most elegant and refined resort at Walt Disney World, befitting of its high-brow Victorian theme. The foyer oozes sophistication and sophistication, and makes a robust first impression. From that alone, it’s straightforward to see why Grand Floridian is Walt Disney World’s most luxurious and flagship resort. It’s, because the title suggests, grand.
If there’s “reverse” of opulence, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is it. The Poly captures the essence of vacationing at a tropical resort. From the luxurious grounds to the South Seas vibe all through the resort, it’s the confluence of twentieth century tiki tradition and genuine island paradise. It’s an important place to decompress and has an plain “trip mode” vibe.
Each hit upon executing their themes in some regards. There are areas the place the Grand Floridian feels dated, like a Nineteen Nineties interpretation of the elevated Victorian theme. Some say it reminds them of “grandma’s home.” Then there are spots the place modernization feels a bit bland and off-theme, the the Magnificence and the Beast bar. The lobbies of the outer buildings all have acquired the identical Mary Poppins-inspired overhaul because the visitor room, and that has been tastefully carried out, balancing trendy luxurious the the theme of the resort, for essentially the most half.
It’s the same story with the Polynesian. Its theme has been chipped away at in recent times with the elimination of its foyer waterfall and different tropical components, however different enhancements make it really feel like mix of mid-century and trendy. To the extent that they’ve occurred, the Moana additions have been tasteful and comparatively restrained in widespread areas.
If this had been merely our private preferences, we’d give the win to the Poly. Nonetheless, that’s additionally as a result of the inside of the principle constructing on the Grand Floridian hasn’t but been redone. In the event that they handle to deal with that as delicately because the outer buildings, threading the needle on themed design and trendy luxurious, it may come out on prime. Objectively, the 2 resorts are tough to match since they’re making an attempt various things. Each succeed and stumble in the identical methods, so we’re calling this a push.
Rooms: It Relies upon – This up to date comparability catches each resorts as they’ve lately debuted new rooms impressed to various levels by completely different characters. In each circumstances, these are actually extra film motifs than they’re fully-fledged character themes. In our view, this can be a good factor.
The Poly’s new Moana rooms are daring, with distinctly “Disney” fashion and use of characters. They’ve quite a bit happening by way of colours, patterns, and textures that received’t attraction to everybody. We expect they strike the proper steadiness, however some will undoubtedly disagree, discovering them too “loud.” No matter that, the standard of finishings, options, and performance is all excessive. (See our Evaluate, Images & Video: New Moana Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.)
For the longest time, Grand Floridian ranked final on our lists like this resulting from a mixture of that worth level and the fact that its rooms we’re on par with a mid-tier Marriott. Though costs haven’t budged, Grand Floridian is taking large leaps ahead with new rooms that rework them into one thing each distinctly Disney and opulent.
The reimagined rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are simply the most important earlier than/after enchancment of any resort room at Walt Disney World within the final decade. This reimagining introduced with it better usability, consideration to particulars, luxurious finishings, thematic thrives impressed by Mary Poppins, and a spread of different particulars. Whether or not you’re assessing from a perform or kind perspective, these are a marked enchancment. We additionally love these new rooms–see Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort for a glance inside.
Which resort’s new character-inspired rooms are higher will virtually totally come down to private desire–each of the resorts as a complete and whether or not you or your loved ones prefers Moana or Mary Poppins. Each are tastefully carried out and befitting of their respective resorts. We’d give a slight edge to Grand Floridian for a very flawless execution, whereas Moana does have some imperfections–however others may argue the other.
It’s actually going to return down as to if you need elegant and complex with a touch of Mary Poppins whimsy or top-notch tropical enjoyable with Moana. One factor is for certain–the brand new rooms at each the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian are higher than the Incredibles lodging on the Up to date!
Eating: Grand Floridian – The culinary scene on the Grand Floridian is befitting of its flagship standing. Narcoossee’s and Citricos are two of essentially the most extremely regarded eating places at Walt Disney World, and the latter simply acquired a Mary Poppins-inspired overhaul that took it to the subsequent degree. Then there’s Victoria & Albert’s, which is in a league of its personal.
In the case of character eating, Grand Floridian as soon as once more affords 1900 Park Fare for breakfast and dinner. This returns after a multi-year hiatus with a brand new “theme” (air quotes) of needs. It additionally incorporates a grabbag of characters that don’t actually make a lot sense collectively. The entire thing is thematic nonsense, but it surely’s enjoyable!
On the inexpensive finish of the spectrum, Grand Floridian Cafe is an underrated gem and has change into one in every of our favourite spots for an off-the-cuff meal or final minute Advance Eating Reservation round Magic Kingdom. Gasparilla Island Grill is likewise a robust counter service restaurant. There’s additionally the recently-reimagined Enchanted Rose Magnificence and the Beast Bar, we aren’t followers, however others appear to love it.
The informal finish of the spectrum is the place Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort excels. Captain Prepare dinner’s is one in every of Walt Disney World’s greatest counter service eating places. In fact, ‘Ohana is a fan favourite…though we expect it’s overrated and has gone downhill within the final a number of years, it’s nonetheless a fan-favorite and deserves to be in your shortlist for novelty and (potential future) nostalgia issue.
Two different choices choose up the slack. Kona Cafe is one other underrated gem, a stand-out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto, the Poly has top-of-the-line lounges at Walt Disney World.
We in the end give the sting to Grand Floridian as a result of Poly’s lack of tremendous eating choices–a giant misstep for a Deluxe Resort–however that is one other class that comes down to private desire. It must also be stored in thoughts that resort-hopping for meals is extremely straightforward among the many monorail loop resorts.
Transportation: Push – This could come as no shock provided that the Polynesian and Grand Floridian are proper subsequent to at least one one other. Each are on the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop. Each supply boat transportation. Each have comparable (shared) bus service to different parks.
Each at the moment are walkable to Magic Kingdom, or shall be as soon as the Poly tower is completed and that pathway reopens. We’ve already breathlessly lined this in Images & Video: Meandering the Magnificent Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian Walkway. In case you missed that, it’s attainable to stroll all the way in which from the Transportation and Ticket Heart to Magic Kingdom (when there’s no development).
Grand Floridian is nearer to Magic Kingdom, giving it the sting there. Nonetheless, the Poly is nearer to the Ticket & Transportation Heart, which suggests it’s extra handy for strolling to the monorail to Epcot. All of that makes this a tie.
That is one other matter that’ll have to be revisited as soon as the brand new Polynesian tower opens, because it’ll add an enormous variety of rooms to the resort and will trigger the transportation infrastructure to buckle. Sadly, if that does occur, it’ll most likely influence each resorts–not simply the Poly.
Swimming pools: Polynesian – Our favourite swimming pools at these resorts at Seashore Pool on the Grand Floridian, which we ranked #4 on our listing of the Prime 10 Swimming pools at Walt Disney World, and Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (#2). We give the sting to the Lava Pool as a result of it’s extra imaginative, immersive, and in the end, extra enjoyable for youths.
Each of those resorts have a pair stable swimming pools past their most important characteristic swimming pools, however not one of the quiet or secondary swimming pools at Grand Floridian transfer the needle again in the direction of it. If something, the retro fashion (and shade buildings!) at Polynesian’s Oasis Pool present an grownup foil to the extra family-friendly most important pool. Against this, each of the “most important” swimming pools on the Grand Floridian skew in the direction of adults.
Value: Polynesian – Whereas these are the 2 costliest resorts in all of Walt Disney World when evaluating commonplace rooms, the Grand Floridian is considerably costlier. Whereas charges fluctuate by season and room class, you possibly can anticipate to pay about 20% extra for a comparable room on the Grand Floridian.
Nonetheless, the sensible actuality is that many company aren’t paying rack fee on the Grand Floridian whereas many are on the Poly. As a result of variations in reputation, the Grand Floridian routinely affords distinctive financial savings–of 25% to 35% off. Against this, the Polynesian’s reductions are often decrease–from 10% to 25% off. Worse but, the Poly is sometimes excluded totally and infrequently has no availability even when it’s not excluded.
The tip result’s that even whereas sticker costs on the Poly are decrease, company can find yourself paying extra on common resulting from disparities in discounting and availability. That makes this comparability actually difficult.
Verdict: Polynesian – This was once an extremely straightforward one for us, however Grand Floridian has actually narrowed the hole with its new Mary Poppins-inspired rooms. Nonetheless, there may be nonetheless a spot. Even within the classes that the flagship received, I’ve a tough time seeing the Grand Floridian with a bonus that issues to me as a visitor staying on the resort. In actual fact, the whole lot we love most in regards to the Grand Floridian–eating and foyer environment–can simply as simply be loved whereas staying on the Poly and doing a “date night time” on the Grand.
The Grand Floridian has grown on us and improved in the previous few years, however the Polynesian is a masterpiece of Imagineering that’s transportive in theme and feels just like the quintessential Walt Disney World resort. It’s the place we really wish to keep whereas on trip, with environment, facilities, rooms, and different options we’d use commonly over the course of a visit.
When evaluating any two resorts, different elements will clearly come into play. Vital facilities, location, recreation, and different variables are going to matter and weigh otherwise for various events. If you wish to examine for your self or see how different resorts stack up, take a look at our Rankings of ALL Resort Accommodations at Walt Disney World from Worst to Finest.
Our objective is for this publish was to supply a head-to-head comparability of essentially the most essential components of every Walt Disney World resort expertise, however we advise supplementing this with our full evaluation of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and our Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Evaluate for additional rationalization of professionals & cons, room photographs & video, and way more.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it’s essential to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of those two Deluxe Resorts is the higher one, in your opinion? Is cash the deciding issue for you or is one thing else? Is there something you possibly can consider to make Grand Floridian the higher choose? Do you like the Moana rooms on the Poly or Grand Floridian’s extra subtle fashion laced with Mary Poppins? Are we lacking a key variable that might, doubtlessly tilt the scales within the Grand’s favor? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
