When opting for a luxurious lodge close to Magic Kingdom at the monorail loop at Walt Disney International, holiday planners debate between two Deluxe Hotels: 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 International Resort Comparability Sequence, which incorporates a number of different tricky dilemmas you could face when making an attempt to select a lodge. Different as opposed to posts come with Animal Kingdom Resort vs. Desert Resort, BoardWalk vs. Seashore Membership, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, or even Caribbean Seashore vs. the Poly.
This Grand Floridian vs. Polynesian comparability pits Walt Disney International’s flagship lodge towards a a laugh fan-favorite that some would possibly argue will have to be WDW’s “crown jewel” lodge. Whilst each are equivalent relating to location (actually a brief stroll from one every other) and pricing, there are lots of variations relating to theme, environment, eating places, and facilities.
Whilst we will be able to draw our personal conclusions as to which is best, alongside the way in which we will be able to provide an explanation for our reasoning, so you’ll be able to shape your personal conclusions. Since such a lot of this can be a topic of subjective, private desire, we really feel that’s the easiest way to method those comparisons. Plus, it could be a horny brief weblog submit if we didn’t be offering explanatory textual content at the side of the winner of every component.
Earlier than we get going, something to notice is that each motels are nonetheless in the middle of huge reimagining and/or enlargement initiatives. Relating to the Poly, a big tower is being constructed at the outer edge of the lodge. Relating to the Grand Floridian, the primary development and foyer are nonetheless in the middle of a reimagining. The excellent news is that the room reimaginings at each at the moment are completed. No less than at this time, neither of those initiatives have a lot have an effect on at the visitor enjoy, with the exception of minor (most commonly external) visible blight. We predict each building initiatives to wrap up via overdue 2024.
K, with that, it’s time to look whether or not the Grand Floridian delivers a ill Folks’s Elbow to the Poly, or if the Poly can pull off a wonder Stone Chilly Stunner… (Sorry, I’ll prevent with the wrestlin’ communicate–the ones are the one phrases I do know, in any case.)
Theme: It Relies – Theme is this type of difficult topic since such a lot of it’s predicated in private desire. Moderately than making a price judgment about which theme is inherently “higher,” we method this from their respective execution of theme.
Grand Floridian is surely essentially the most sublime and delicate lodge at Walt Disney International, befitting of its high-brow Victorian theme. The foyer oozes sophistication and sophistication, and makes a powerful first influence. From that on my own, it’s simple to look why Grand Floridian is Walt Disney International’s most opulent and flagship lodge. It’s, because the title suggests, grand.
If there’s a excellent “reverse” of opulence, Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge is it. The Poly captures the essence of vacationing at a tropical lodge. From the plush grounds to the South Seas vibe during the lodge, it’s the confluence of twentieth century tiki tradition and original island paradise. It’s an excellent spot to decompress and has an simple “holiday mode” vibe.
Each come across executing their subject matters in some regards. There are spaces the place the Grand Floridian feels dated, like a Nineteen Nineties interpretation of the increased Victorian theme. Some say it reminds them of “grandma’s space.” Then there are spots the place modernization feels a bit of bland and off-theme, the the Attractiveness and the Beast bar. The lobbies of the outer constructions all have won the similar Mary Poppins-inspired overhaul because the visitor room, and that has been tastefully achieved, balancing trendy luxurious the the theme of the lodge, for essentially the most phase.
It’s a equivalent tale with the Polynesian. Its theme has been chipped away at lately with the removing of its foyer waterfall and different tropical components, however different improvements make it really feel like a excellent mix of mid-century and trendy. To the level that they’ve happened, the Moana additions were tasteful and reasonably restrained in not unusual spaces.
If this have been merely our private personal tastes, we’d give the win to the Poly. Then again, that’s additionally since the inside of the primary development on the Grand Floridian hasn’t but been redone. In the event that they set up to take care of that as delicately because the outer constructions, threading the needle on themed design and trendy luxurious, it would pop out on peak. Objectively, the 2 motels are tricky to check since they’re making an attempt various things. Each be successful and stumble in the similar tactics, so we’re calling this a push.
Rooms: It Relies – This up to date comparability catches each motels as they’ve these days debuted new rooms encouraged to various levels via other characters. In each instances, those are in point of fact extra film motifs than they’re fully-fledged persona subject matters. In our view, this can be a excellent factor.
The Poly’s new Moana rooms are daring, with distinctly “Disney” taste and use of characters. They have got so much happening relating to colours, patterns, and textures that received’t attraction to everybody. We predict they strike the proper steadiness, however some will definitely disagree, discovering them too “loud.” Without reference to that, the standard of finishings, options, and capability is all excessive. (See our Evaluate, Footage & Video: New Moana Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge.)
For the longest time, Grand Floridian ranked final on our lists like this because of a mix of that worth level and the truth that its rooms we’re on par with a mid-tier Marriott. Even supposing costs haven’t budged, Grand Floridian is taking huge leaps ahead with new rooms that grow to be them into one thing each distinctly Disney and opulent.
The reimagined rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Lodge & Spa are simply the largest prior to/after growth of any lodge room at Walt Disney International within the final decade. This reimagining introduced with it better usability, consideration to main points, sumptuous finishings, thematic prospers encouraged via Mary Poppins, and a spread of different main points. Whether or not you’re assessing from a serve as or shape point of view, those are a marked growth. We additionally love those new rooms–see Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney International’s Flagship Lodge for a glance inside of.
Which lodge’s new character-inspired rooms are higher will nearly totally come down to private desire–either one of the motels as a complete and whether or not you or your family members prefers Moana or Mary Poppins. Each are tastefully achieved and befitting in their respective motels. We’d give a slight edge to Grand Floridian for a in point of fact flawless execution, while Moana does have some imperfections–however others would possibly argue the other.
It’s in point of fact going to return down as to whether you need sublime and complicated with a touch of Mary Poppins whimsy or top-notch tropical a laugh with Moana. Something is needless to say–the brand new rooms at each the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian are higher than the Incredibles lodging on the Recent!
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 very popular eating places at Walt Disney International, and the latter simply won a Mary Poppins-inspired overhaul that took it to the following degree. Then there’s Victoria & Albert’s, which is in a league of its personal.
In terms of persona eating, Grand Floridian as soon as once more gives 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 includes a grabbag of characters that don’t in point of fact make a lot sense in combination. The entire thing is thematic nonsense, however it’s a laugh!
On the more cost effective finish of the spectrum, Grand Floridian Cafe is an underrated gem and has transform one among our favourite spots for an informal meal or final minute Advance Eating Reservation round Magic Kingdom. Gasparilla Island Grill is likewise a powerful counter provider eating place. There’s additionally the recently-reimagined Enchanted Rose Attractiveness and the Beast Bar, we aren’t enthusiasts, however others appear to love it.
The informal finish of the spectrum is the place Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge excels. Captain Cook dinner’s is one among Walt Disney International’s highest counter provider eating places. In fact, ‘Ohana is a fan favourite…even supposing we expect it’s overvalued and has long gone downhill within the final a number of years, it’s nonetheless a fan-favorite and merits to be to your shortlist for novelty and (attainable long term) nostalgia issue.
Two different choices pick out up the slack. Kona Cafe is every other underrated gem, a stand-out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto, the Poly has one of the crucial highest lounges at Walt Disney International.
We in the end give the threshold to Grand Floridian because of the Poly’s loss of advantageous eating choices–a large misstep for a Deluxe Lodge–however that is every other class that comes down to private desire. It will have to even be stored in thoughts that resort-hopping for foods is amazingly simple a few of the monorail loop motels.
Transportation: Push – This will have to come as no wonder for the reason that the Polynesian and Grand Floridian are proper subsequent to each other. Each are at the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop. Each be offering boat transportation. Each have related (shared) bus provider to different parks.
Each at the moment are walkable to Magic Kingdom, or will probably be as soon as the Poly tower is done and that pathway reopens. We’ve already breathlessly coated this in Footage & Video: Meandering the Magnificent Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian Walkway. In the event you ignored that, it’s conceivable to stroll the entire approach from the Transportation and Price tag Middle to Magic Kingdom (when there’s no building).
Grand Floridian is nearer to Magic Kingdom, giving it the threshold there. Then again, the Poly is nearer to the Price tag & Transportation Middle, which means that it’s extra handy for strolling to the monorail to Epcot. All of that makes this a tie.
That is every other subject that’ll want to be revisited as soon as the brand new Polynesian tower opens, because it’ll upload a large choice of rooms to the lodge and may just purpose the transportation infrastructure to buckle. Sadly, if that does occur, it’ll most definitely have an effect on each motels–no longer simply the Poly.
Swimming pools: Polynesian – Our favourite swimming pools at those motels at Seashore Pool on the Grand Floridian, which we ranked #4 on our checklist of the Most sensible 10 Swimming pools at Walt Disney International, and Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge (#2). We give the threshold to the Lava Pool as it’s extra imaginative, immersive, and in the end, extra a laugh for youngsters.
Either one of those motels have a pair forged swimming pools past their major function swimming pools, however not one of the quiet or secondary swimming pools at Grand Floridian transfer the needle again in opposition to it. If anything else, the unfashionable taste (and color buildings!) at Polynesian’s Oasis Pool supply an grownup foil to the extra family-friendly major pool. In contrast, either one of the “major” swimming pools on the Grand Floridian skew in opposition to adults.
Price: Polynesian – Whilst those are the 2 costliest motels in all of Walt Disney International when evaluating same old rooms, the Grand Floridian is considerably dearer. Whilst charges range via season and room class, you’ll be able to be expecting to pay about 20% extra for a related room on the Grand Floridian.
Then again, the sensible fact is that many visitors aren’t paying rack fee on the Grand Floridian while many are on the Poly. Because of variations in reputation, the Grand Floridian mechanically gives outstanding financial savings–of 25% to 35% off. In contrast, the Polynesian’s reductions are generally decrease–from 10% to twenty-five% off. Worse but, the Poly is infrequently excluded totally and steadily has no availability even if it’s no longer excluded.
The result is that even whilst decal costs on the Poly are decrease, visitors can finally end up paying extra on moderate because of disparities in discounting and availability. That makes this comparability in point of fact difficult.
Verdict: Polynesian – This was once a shockingly simple one for us, however Grand Floridian has in point of fact narrowed the space with its new Mary Poppins-inspired rooms. Then again, there’s nonetheless an opening. Even within the classes that the flagship received, I’ve a troublesome time seeing the Grand Floridian with a bonus that issues to me as a visitor staying on the lodge. Actually, the whole thing we like maximum in regards to the Grand Floridian–eating and foyer environment–can simply as simply be loved whilst staying on the Poly and doing a “date evening” on the Grand.
The Grand Floridian has grown on us and progressed 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 International lodge. It’s the place we in fact need to keep whilst on holiday, with environment, facilities, rooms, and different options we’d use continuously over the process a go back and forth.
When evaluating any two motels, different elements will clearly come into play. Necessary facilities, location, sport, and different variables are going to topic and weigh another way for various events. If you wish to evaluate for your self or see how different motels stack up, take a look at our Scores of ALL Lodge Lodges at Walt Disney International from Worst to Absolute best.
Our function is for this submit used to be to provide a head-to-head comparability of essentially the most an important components of every Walt Disney International lodge enjoy, however we recommend supplementing this with our complete evaluation of Disney’s Grand Floridian Lodge & Spa and our Disney’s Polynesian Village Lodge Evaluate for additional rationalization of professionals & cons, room footage & video, and a lot more.
Making plans a Walt Disney International go back and forth? Find out about motels on our Walt Disney International Lodges Critiques web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to shop for, learn our Guidelines for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Trip Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to begin is our Walt Disney International Shuttle Making plans Information for the whole thing you want to grasp!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of those two Deluxe Hotels is the simpler one, on your opinion? Is cash the deciding issue for you or is one thing else? Is there anything else you’ll be able to bring to mind to make Grand Floridian the simpler pick out? Do you like the Moana rooms on the Poly or Grand Floridian’s extra refined taste laced with Mary Poppins? Are we lacking a key variable that might, doubtlessly tilt the scales within the Grand’s prefer? Do you settle or disagree with our selections? Any questions we will be able to will let you solution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
