Poly vs. Grand Floridian

[kian]

In my efforts to get to WDW this coming year, I'm hoping to find a way to afford a Deluxe Resort stay, especially if I can see the MK from the rooms.
Can anyone tell me if they stayed at the Grand Floridian or the Poly and if they had views of the MK? Did they like the views, were some obstructed, etc?
I'm usually at the All Stars but if there's going to be a 40th Anniversary, I really want to be as close to the MK as possible to enjoy it all

Kian

[yodiwan1]

From what I remember, the views of Mk are much better at Poly since it is much closer the GF.

[theBIGyowski]

I have not stayed at either resort...

However...on my last trip (a month ago)...DW and I decided to spend a few hours resort hopping via the Monorail one evening. This allowed us to spend about 30-45 minutes at each of the 3 Monorail resorts to take in the "Disney". Based on that...

Poly: From the beach you pretty much get a direct shot at MK. You can see Cinderella's Castle and Space Mountain...but they are off in the distance. The grounds at the Poly are perfect if you want to "get away" as you walk back and forth between the bus stop/Monorail/your room.

Grand Floridian: You are closer to MK, but you do not get a direct shot at it. So, if you are wanting to watch Wishes...it would look cooler from the Poly. A benefit to the location though is that you are the last stop on the Monorail Resort Line. So...it's a quick trip to MK from there without having to stop at the other places along the way. Of course...this means when you go back to your resort from MK you will have to make a few stops along the way...unless you take the boat I think.

Both places are amazing and I would give anything to take DW to either one for our first anniversary (only 11 months away ). They both have Disney magic without being "too Disney"...if that makes sense. In other words...you can completely escape the crazy side of Disney at these two resorts...and still be close to MK.

[Mousekedude]

I have not stayed at either resort...

However...on my last trip (a month ago)...DW and I decided to spend a few hours resort hopping via the Monorail one evening. This allowed us to spend about 30-45 minutes at each of the 3 Monorail resorts to take in the "Disney". Based on that...

Poly: From the beach you pretty much get a direct shot at MK. You can see Cinderella's Castle and Space Mountain...but they are off in the distance. The grounds at the Poly are perfect if you want to "get away" as you walk back and forth between the bus stop/Monorail/your room.

Grand Floridian: You are closer to MK, but you do not get a direct shot at it. So, if you are wanting to watch Wishes...it would look cooler from the Poly. A benefit to the location though is that you are the last stop on the Monorail Resort Line. So...it's a quick trip to MK from there without having to stop at the other places along the way. Of course...this means when you go back to your resort from MK you will have to make a few stops along the way...unless you take the boat I think.

Both places are amazing and I would give anything to take DW to either one for our first anniversary (only 11 months away ). They both have Disney magic without being "too Disney"...if that makes sense. In other words...you can completely escape the crazy side of Disney at these two resorts...and still be close to MK.

Very well said... and accurate. There are certain rooms at the GF from which you can get spectacular views of MK, but they are only on upper floors of certain buildings, and it's really hard to get one just by asking. It's kinda the luck of the draw. From the grounds, there's only a few good viewing places, but like theBIGyowski said, it's at an angle. You get better "straight-on" views from the Poly beach, even though it's a little farther away.

[Jacca5660]

It's a bit off topic, but did you know you can get a great view of Wishes from Italy in EPCOT? Been there, watched it!

EDIT: Speaking of Wishes, watch this!!

http://www.thebigdpodcast.com/

[theBIGyowski]

It's a bit off topic, but did you know you can get a great view of Wishes from Italy in EPCOT? Been there, watched it!

EDIT: Speaking of Wishes, watch this!!

http://www.thebigdpodcast.com/

Totally awesome!

I do remember that on nights when Wishes and Illuminations were going on at the same time, we could see and hear both from the boat that travels between DTD and Port Orleans. It was a nice little bonus to the serene boat trip.

[theBIGyowski]

BTW...here is what the view is like from the Poly beach looking straight at MK. You can see the castle in the middle and of course Space Mountain on the right.



If you ever want to do something relaxing and romantic...go to the Poly beach at sunset. The breeze is amazing and it is such a huge relief from the craziness of the parks. Add your favorite beverage to increase the effect. I'm sure the Boilers have done this many a time.

[Wizzard419]

The monorails that go to the hotels only go in one direction, right? I guess an important factor to decide is "Do I want to have a shorter trip the MK with a longer trip back or have the trips be about the same duration?

I'm guesing your favorite park is MK since you want to stay there.

[kcarts]

If you want to stay at Deluxe Resort with great views of MK, why not the Contemporary?

[kian]

I can't thank all of you enough for the info! I heard that there is a lot of noise from the Monorail (and some members of the clan can't stand it) so that was out from the get go.
But if the view is better from the Poly...I'm there. If everyone is hooked on GF, I think we can negotiate that super deluxe resort for a later visit.
And thanks for all the pics and videos! Listening to Subsonic is getting me in the right mind set but 12 months away!
Congrats to theBIGyowski on his wedding and I'm very envious that your Honeymoon was WDW!
Kian

[Wizzard419]

Well, I'm sure others can attest to this as well, I've not stayed in the Contemporary but I have dined at the California Grill and the monorail is nearly silent as it passes through. You could also stay at that other tower they built which has no monorail going through it.

[boilerbabe]

For us the Poly wins hands down! DH and I are Poly junkies! This is my most fav. resort. Others will probably think I sound like a broken record, but my parent's started taking me to Disney at age 3, and we stayed at the Poly! This resort is just gorgeous, the grounds are lush and beautiful. You cannot beat the view from the Hawaii longhouse, DH and I were fortunate to stay there on our honeymoon! You can view the water pageant and fireworks from your room. But, it's also awesome to get a spot on the beach and watch from there as well. You're only a monorail ride away from MK and you are within walking distance to the TTC, which makes it easy to hop a bus or monorail to wherever else you'd like to go! I can't say enough about the Poly! If you don't have a MK view room, the garden views are beautiful as well. The Volcano pool is alot of fun, but there is also the quiet pool. This is my fav. I love lying by the pool and hearing the train horn from MK! The Poly also has the largest rooms of any Disney resort. They were refurbished in '06 and they reflect the true Polynesia. Everything is decorated in earth tones. We absolutely love it! I can post some pics. later tonight when I'm home from work.

DH and I have never stayed at the GF, we like to visit the spa though. I've stayed at the Contemporary but I'm not a fan. To each their own, we all have our favs.

I would say, if you get the chance to stay at a Deluxe, stay at the Poly!!!

[MmeLeota]

I was wondering when we'd get you $0.02 BB....this is your beloved Poly we're talking about!

We've never stayed on property before. We would both love to stay at GF, but that's mainly because we both love the Victorian style. But I loved walking through the Poly and would be thrilled to stay there!!!

[theBIGyowski]

DW and I both want to stay at the Poly...after spending some time walking around it that day. We went to the gift shop and bought some beer, and then just strolled around the resort. We kept telling each other over and over again how it didn't feel like WDW...but that we were in Hawaii. The torches, trees, flowers, beaches, pools, and buildings. Everything was just amazing and was the perfect break from the MK. The real draws to the GF are the restaurants, patio area, and the stunning lobby. They had a real band playing Disney movie music. How awesome is that? Other places pipe in music...but the GF had a band! It was definitely high society and we had fun walking around. The Contemporary was beautiful, but felt more compact and just tall than it did beautiful. Plus, the line to get on the monorail was really long because of the amount of families with kids.

I would highly suggest everyone take a few hours one day and resort hop via the monorail. It was something we will never forget and will probably go back to the Poly to do this again on every trip we can regardless of where we stay.

[kian]

Okay...dumb question. What is TTC (posted from boilerbabe)? I do admit it sounds like the Poly is the hands down favorite so I'm going to work on getting MK view rooms in the Hawaiian Longhouse. I love the idea of being able to be at the one pool and hear the train from the MK.
I've stayed on property at the lesser resorts but it sure sounds like the Poly is going to be the one I visit and will be tough to top...
I can't wait!