Polynesian vs. Grand Floridian
When choosing a luxury hotel near Magic Kingdom on the monorail loop at Walt Disney World, vacation planners debate between two Deluxe Resorts: Grand Floridian and Polynesian. This head-to-head comparison weighs the pros & cons of each, picking a “winner” in theme, dining, transportation, pools, and other categories. (Updated April 14, 2024.)
This continues our Walt Disney World Hotel Comparison Series, which includes several other difficult dilemmas you might face when trying to pick a hotel. Other versus posts include Animal Kingdom Lodge vs. Wilderness Lodge, BoardWalk vs. Beach Club, Port Orleans Riverside vs. French Quarter, and even Caribbean Beach vs. the Poly.
This Grand Floridian vs. Polynesian comparison pits Walt Disney World’s flagship hotel against a fun fan-favorite that some might argue should be WDW’s “crown jewel” hotel. While both are similar in terms of location (literally a short walk from one another) and pricing, there are many differences in terms of theme, atmosphere, restaurants, and amenities.
While we will draw our own conclusions as to which is better, along the way we will explain our reasoning, so you can form your own conclusions. Since so much of this is a matter of subjective, personal preference, we feel that’s the best way to approach these comparisons. Plus, it would be a pretty short blog post if we didn’t offer explanatory text along with the winner of each element.
Before we get going, one thing to note is that both resorts are still in the midst of massive reimagining and/or expansion projects. In the case of the Poly, a gigantic tower is being built on the periphery of the resort. In the case of the Grand Floridian, the main building and lobby are still in the midst of a reimagining. The good news is that the room reimaginings at both are now finished. At least right now, neither of these projects have much impact on the guest experience, aside from minor (mostly exterior) visual blight. We expect both construction projects to wrap up by late 2024.
Okay, with that, it’s time to see whether the Grand Floridian delivers a sick People’s Elbow to the Poly, or if the Poly can pull off a surprise Stone Cold Stunner… (Sorry, I’ll stop with the wrestlin’ talk–those are the only terms I know, anyways.)
Theme: It Depends – Theme is such a tricky subject since so much of it is predicated in personal preference. Rather than making a value judgment about which theme is inherently “better,” we approach this from their respective execution of theme.
Grand Floridian is no doubt the most elegant and refined hotel at Walt Disney World, befitting of its high-brow Victorian theme. The lobby oozes sophistication and class, and makes a strong first impression. From that alone, it’s easy to see why Grand Floridian is Walt Disney World’s most luxurious and flagship resort. It is, as the name suggests, grand.
If there’s a good “opposite” of opulence, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is it. The Poly captures the essence of vacationing at a tropical resort. From the lush grounds to the South Seas vibe throughout the resort, it’s the confluence of 20th century tiki culture and authentic island paradise. It’s a great place to decompress and has an undeniable “vacation mode” vibe.
Both stumble on executing their themes in some regards. There are areas where the Grand Floridian feels dated, like a 1990s interpretation of the elevated Victorian theme. Some say it reminds them of “grandma’s house.” Then there are spots where modernization feels a bit bland and off-theme, the the Beauty and the Beast bar. The lobbies of the outer buildings all have received the same Mary Poppins-inspired overhaul as the guest room, and that has been tastefully done, balancing modern luxury the the theme of the resort, for the most part.
It’s a similar story with the Polynesian. Its theme has been chipped away at in recent years with the removal of its lobby waterfall and other tropical elements, but other enhancements make it feel like a good blend of mid-century and modern. To the extent that they’ve occurred, the Moana additions have been tasteful and relatively restrained in common areas.
If this were simply our personal preferences, we’d give the win to the Poly. However, that’s also because the interior of the main building at the Grand Floridian hasn’t yet been redone. If they manage to handle that as delicately as the outer buildings, threading the needle on themed design and modern luxury, it could come out on top. Objectively, the two resorts are difficult to compare since they’re trying different things. Both succeed and stumble in the same ways, so we’re calling this a push.
Rooms: It Depends – This updated comparison catches both resorts as they’ve recently debuted new rooms inspired to varying degrees by different characters. In both cases, these are really more movie motifs than they are fully-fledged character themes. In our view, this is a good thing.
The Poly’s new Moana rooms are bold, with distinctly “Disney” style and use of characters. They have a lot going on in terms of colors, patterns, and textures that won’t appeal to everyone. We think they strike the right balance, but some will undoubtedly disagree, finding them too “loud.” Regardless of that, the quality of finishings, features, and functionality is all high. (See our Review, Photos & Video: New Moana Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.)
For the longest time, Grand Floridian ranked last on our lists like this due to a combination of that price point and the reality that its rooms we’re on par with a mid-tier Marriott. Although prices haven’t budged, Grand Floridian is taking massive leaps forward with new rooms that transform them into something both distinctly Disney and luxurious.
The reimagined rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are easily the biggest before/after improvement of any hotel room at Walt Disney World in the last decade. This reimagining brought with it greater usability, attention to details, luxurious finishings, thematic flourishes inspired by Mary Poppins, and a range of other details. Whether you’re assessing from a function or form perspective, these are a marked improvement. We also love these new rooms–see Grand New Rooms at Walt Disney World’s Flagship Resort for a look inside.
Which resort’s new character-inspired rooms are better will almost entirely come down to personal preference–both of the resorts as a whole and whether you or your family prefers Moana or Mary Poppins. Both are tastefully done and befitting of their respective resorts. We’d give a slight edge to Grand Floridian for a truly flawless execution, whereas Moana does have some imperfections–but others might argue the opposite.
It’s really going to come down to whether you want elegant and sophisticated with a dash of Mary Poppins whimsy or top-notch tropical fun with Moana. One thing is for sure–the new rooms at both the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian are better than the Incredibles accommodations at the Contemporary!
Dining: Grand Floridian – The culinary scene at the Grand Floridian is befitting of its flagship status. Narcoossee’s and Citricos are two of the most highly regarded restaurants at Walt Disney World, and the latter just received a Mary Poppins-inspired overhaul that took it to the next level. Then there’s Victoria & Albert’s, which is in a league of its own.
When it comes to character dining, Grand Floridian once again offers 1900 Park Fare for breakfast and dinner. This returns after a multi-year hiatus with a new “theme” (air quotes) of wishes. It also features a grabbag of characters that don’t really make much sense together. The whole thing is thematic nonsense, but it’s fun!
At the less expensive end of the spectrum, Grand Floridian Cafe is an underrated gem and has become one of our favorite spots for a casual meal or last minute Advance Dining Reservation around Magic Kingdom. Gasparilla Island Grill is likewise a strong counter service restaurant. There’s also the recently-reimagined Enchanted Rose Beauty and the Beast Bar, we aren’t fans, but others seem to like it.
The casual end of the spectrum is where Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort excels. Captain Cook’s is one of Walt Disney World’s best counter service restaurants. Of course, ‘Ohana is a fan favorite…although we think it’s overrated and has gone downhill in the last several years, it’s still a fan-favorite and deserves to be on your shortlist for novelty and (potential future) nostalgia factor.
Two other options pick up the slack. Kona Cafe is another underrated gem, a stand-out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, the Poly has one of the best lounges at Walt Disney World.
We ultimately give the edge to Grand Floridian due to the Poly’s lack of fine dining options–a big misstep for a Deluxe Resort–but this is another category that comes down to personal preference. It should also be kept in mind that resort-hopping for meals is incredibly easy among the monorail loop resorts.
Transportation: Push – This should come as no surprise given that the Polynesian and Grand Floridian are right next to one another. Both are on the Magic Kingdom Monorail loop. Both offer boat transportation. Both have comparable (shared) bus service to other parks.
Both are now walkable to Magic Kingdom, or will be once the Poly tower is finished and that pathway reopens. We’ve already breathlessly covered this in Photos & Video: Meandering the Magnificent Magic Kingdom to Grand Floridian Walkway. In case you missed that, it’s possible to walk all the way from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom (when there’s no construction).
Grand Floridian is closer to Magic Kingdom, giving it the edge there. However, the Poly is closer to the Ticket & Transportation Center, which means it’s more convenient for walking to the monorail to Epcot. All of that makes this a tie.
This is another topic that’ll need to be revisited once the new Polynesian tower opens, as it’ll add a massive number of rooms to the resort and could cause the transportation infrastructure to buckle. Unfortunately, if that does happen, it’ll probably impact both resorts–not just the Poly.
Pools: Polynesian – Our favorite pools at these resorts at Beach Pool at the Grand Floridian, which we ranked #4 on our list of the Top 10 Pools at Walt Disney World, and Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (#2). We give the edge to the Lava Pool because it’s more imaginative, immersive, and ultimately, more fun for kids.
Both of these resorts have a couple solid pools beyond their main feature pools, but none of the quiet or secondary pools at Grand Floridian move the needle back towards it. If anything, the retro style (and shade structures!) at Polynesian’s Oasis Pool provide an adult foil to the more family-friendly main pool. By contrast, both of the “main” pools at the Grand Floridian skew towards adults.
Cost: Polynesian – While these are the two most expensive resorts in all of Walt Disney World when comparing standard rooms, the Grand Floridian is significantly more expensive. While rates vary by season and room category, you can expect to pay about 20% more for a comparable room at the Grand Floridian.
However, the practical reality is that many guests aren’t paying rack rate at the Grand Floridian whereas many are at the Poly. Due to differences in popularity, the Grand Floridian routinely offers exceptional savings–of 25% to 35% off. By contrast, the Polynesian’s discounts are usually lower–from 10% to 25% off. Worse yet, the Poly is occasionally excluded entirely and often has no availability even when it’s not excluded.
The end result is that even while sticker prices at the Poly are lower, guests can end up paying more on average due to disparities in discounting and availability. That makes this comparison really tricky.
Verdict: Polynesian – This used to be an incredibly easy one for us, but Grand Floridian has really narrowed the gap with its new Mary Poppins-inspired rooms. However, there is still a gap. Even in the categories that the flagship won, I have a difficult time seeing the Grand Floridian with an advantage that matters to me as a guest staying at the hotel. In fact, everything we love most about the Grand Floridian–dining and lobby atmosphere–can just as easily be enjoyed while staying at the Poly and doing a “date night” at the Grand.
The Grand Floridian has grown on us and improved in the last few years, but the Polynesian is a masterpiece of Imagineering that’s transportive in theme and feels like the quintessential Walt Disney World resort. It’s where we actually want to stay while on vacation, with atmosphere, amenities, rooms, and other features we’d use regularly over the course of a trip.
When comparing any two resorts, other factors will obviously come into play. Important amenities, location, recreation, and other variables are going to matter and weigh differently for different parties. If you want to compare for yourself or see how other resorts stack up, check out our Rankings of ALL Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World from Worst to Best.
Our goal is for this post was to offer a head-to-head comparison of the most crucial elements of each Walt Disney World resort experience, but we suggest supplementing this with our full review of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and our Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Review for further explanation of pros & cons, room photos & video, and much more.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Which of these two Deluxe Resorts is the better one, in your opinion? Is money the deciding factor for you or is something else? Is there anything you can think of to make Grand Floridian the better pick? Do you prefer the Moana rooms at the Poly or Grand Floridian’s more sophisticated style laced with Mary Poppins? Are we missing a key variable that could, potentially tilt the scales in the Grand’s favor? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I like these head to head battles! Especially looking forward to the moderates and dvc which I know are harder for you to rank!
I would be interested in a match up between Art of Animation and Fort Wilderness cabins. They are the two most reasonably priced options for 6 people that I have found. We stayed at AoA 4 years ago and are staying at FW in May.
I’d like to see this too. I keep going back and forth between these two when trying to plan my next trip.
OKW vs SSR, The Cabins @ Fort Wilderness vs A of A family suites, and Riverside vs CBR would be 3 compelling matchups.
After my last stay at the GF, I longed for the dining options at the Poly. I will give the Grand a serious advantage during Christmas, as I really don’t like the feel of the Poly during that time of year.
I would love to see if restaurant compare/contrast. CRT and Chef Mickey’s perhaps? California Grill vs Narcoossee? Or Narcoossee vs Flying Fish?
The restaurant comparison idea is an interesting one, but I almost feel like I’d have to do them the same trip to have a strong basis of comparison. Hotels can and do change, but it seems like it’s a much more gradual process. By contrast, a restaurant’s menu/quality can change a lot quicker.
I’ll have to think about that one some more, because it does seem like a good idea, but it could get expensive for us pretty quickly!
Awesome idea! Maybe start with all the Character meals, especially the ones with Mickey/Minnie? Chef Mickey’s, Tusker House, Garden Grill, Cape May Cafe, Hollywood & Vine. even though these are all buffet style, your comparison will certainly help us to narrow down the choices!
In my opinion the restaurant match ups are more valuable because there are a relatively small number of resorts and it is likely I will try them all. There are so many restaurants and my time at WDW is so limited there is no way I will ever come close to trying them all.
For me, it’ll always be the GF. The Poly is gorgeous but always feels extremely chaotic in the Great Cermonial House. As a young child, back when rooms prices were a little more within reason for a quick trip, our family always stayed at the Grand Floridian. I recall it being very quiet and easy-going; then again, my brother and I were naturally this way so my parents felt we could fit in here and not be a disturbance.
In your match ups I’d love you to include one focusing on resort rooms that accommodate families of 5. For example a standard room at Boardwalk vs. a Port Orleans Riverside room that sleeps 5 or even a studio room at the Poly for that matter. I’d love to hear your analysis on the pros and cons for a larger family staying in each of those.
Sarah has mentioned doing a post like that, but rather than doing a versus like this, I’d probably just do a post covering rooms that sleep 5. With the sleeper beds below the TV becoming more and more common (basically being added to every resort that has a hard goods refurbishment), pretty soon I suspect every Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa will be on that list!
Would love to hear your opinion if Contemporary is added to this mix.
We stayed at Grand in December 2015; we were club level outer building. We were pretty close to the main building, but it was very easy (and enjoyable) for us to walk to the Poly.
To me, staying at either resort allows easy access to all of the restaurants if you like walking; we do.
For our next trip (December 2017), we decided to stay at Animal Kingdom. I sincerely hope that I do not regret booking AK and that I do not feel too downgraded after being at the Grand. That monorail might be missed with a 3 year old still in a stroller.
I was thinking the same thing – was actually looking through the comments for Contemporary references – and who do I see posting this?? We’re leaning toward booking a trip for end of August/beginning of September at Contemporary – then adding the free dining when it opens up. Give me a call at the office or on my cell when you get a few minutes – I’m also curious if you’ve had any scheduling updates or heard anything along those lines relating to a certain retiring official.
I am a DVC member, but am looking towards a Value resort for when I blow my points at GF ha! How about AofA and Pop? People have strong opinions of both! Love this post and I totally agree about checking out villas.
Funny thing for me is that I find the Grand Floridian so much better to stay at. Have you all stayed at both to compare? I do love the Polynesian feel but the pool at the Floridan is amazing in its own right. I met so many friendly people at the Floridan, those I didn’t meet at the Polynesian. The staff was amazing and so kind. Plus, the chocolates on my pillow every night were an added bonus. 😉 The Floridian has those special extras that I have failed to see at other resorts on Disney property. There’s something exceptionally magical that cannot be found at other resorts.
We love the Poly resort over GF, but as a DVC owner, GF is usually the winner for us, hands down. We love the design of the GF villas, and feel like it was a big miss (for us) that the Poly rooms are studio-only.
I would second a SSR vs OKW comparison!
PS- love your site. Until very recently, we were a kid free couple in our 30s so we appreciate your perspectives!
Great idea to do a vs. series of articles I look forward to them. And this specific match up is one I’ve been discussing with a friend who is trying to decide which to stay at on his families next trip.
I’d also like to see restaurant vs. restaurant posts.
We just got back from 6 days at the poly – stayed in a villa. Theming surpasses the GF. GF is too stuffy and even smells stuffy/perfumy, whereas the poly is relaxing and transports you to a south seas setting – a welcome relief from the frenetic parks. The Oasis Grill is a hidden gem. Poly worked for our crew of 5 (15, 20, 20, and parents). Double bathrooms were key.
It was interesting to read your dining comparison, as my feelings match up with yours exactly – except for your final rating. For me, the fact that Polynesian does casual dining so much better than the Grand Floridian with little focus on fine dining gives it the edge in dining. I realize that guests staying at either resort have, on average, significantly more money (and probably inclination) to spend on fine dining, but I can’t help but believe that few families with small children want to spend the majority of their resort dining in a signature restaurant. I would imagine it would be a lot more enjoyable to have the Poly’s line-up at your daily disposable, especially knowing how easy it is to hop on the monorail for one or two date night meals over at the Floridian.
All in all, I LOVE this type of post, and I can’t wait to read your future match-ups. Thank you for the great read!
The Poly is definitely more family friendly than the Grand Floridian (not just in terms of food, but direct monorail access to two parks, and them); but I really didn’t factor different demographics into the rankings, as I think that would’ve made the post way too long. (And I think people can probably glean that for themselves when reading the descriptions.)
I definitely see your perspective. Personally, I think the lack of fine dining at the Poly (a luxury tier hotel) is more glaring than only having so-so counter service at the Grand Floridian. Additionally, I’d rather have a ‘fancy’ dinner at my home resort so it’s easier to change clothes before/after the meal, and also go back to the room and collapse in a food coma. (Although I suppose the same could be said for ‘Ohana with that last point.)
In any event, interesting to hear others draw differing conclusions with the same premises! 🙂
Ok, call me fickle, but your clothing change and food coma argument has me questioning myself. Great point!
Great post! I do like the side by side comparisons. Going along with what Steven said, I think comparing different categories but similar theme is a great idea. Like Beach Club vs. Caribbean Beach, or Wilderness Lodge vs. Fort Wilderness. Where there are similar feels, but is the price jump worth it?
This is a really good idea, and one I didn’t think of. I’m going to steal this, albeit not with the specific examples you gave (at least to start). Thanks! 🙂
I agree with this idea, and am glad Tom is stealing it!! 🙂
I LOVE these “match-up” posts! Always interested in hearing your and Sarah’s preferences and the “why’s” behind them. We did the week after Thanksgiving this past year at CBR (since POR did not participate in the free dining offer), with a final evening at POR (because it’s my favorite and it was my birthday…and I said so!) Other than the feature pool, CBR disappointed us in every way – from CM attitudes to amenities, to food and beyond. Next time, I’ll pay OOP for the dining and book another Royal guest room at POR – my happy place (or perhaps POFQ, which we’ve not yet done, save for a trip to the pool). Looking most forward to this match-up!
Flying in the face of the “head to head” mandate… #sorrynotsorry … I think you should complete the loop so to speak and add the Contemporary to this match-up
Ditto!
I’m surprised you chose push for the rooms. Even after the refurb the poly rooms (not the poly DVC rooms) are still too brown and dark for my taste. I much prefer the GF rooms which have a light and airy feel.
Saratoga vs. OKW are two that we always look at that are pretty similar.
Agreed! ^
We stay primarily in villas (though not as DVC members) and would appreciate your comparison of luxury properties suited to the traveler seeking a quieter venue. We are aware of transportation & proximity to parks. Of more value are your views of the luxury experience of each resort. We easily travel to all locations for nice dining and have discovered most of those. Our focus is the elegance factor, the upkeep and condition, the lobby and grounds experiences from the lens of empty nesters (with or without grandkids in tow!) We see many people our age vacationing in WDW as retired couples. The trick is doing it well, avoiding the noisy places, and seeking the refreshing. It can be done…we have developed some tricks for avoiding crowds, many thanks to you…but we tend to stick with our favorite known resort, the Beach Club Villas. Thanks!
I had to make this call when we decided on our WDW trip for this year. I chose Poly…for all the reasons you listed. We stayed at Beach Club last year (and loved it), but wanted to stay at a different resort and a little closer to MK this time. Next time, we will probably stay at Wilderness Lodge and maybe their construction will be (mostly?) done. I LOVE the idea of this series…can’t wait to see more. Thanks!
Please run a Beach Club vs Polynesian match-up! I know they are not close to each other but I had the hardest time deciding between the two when I went a few years ago (I ended up at the BC as they were cheaper, and I have no regrets, but I would love your opinion).
I’d be curious as to how much demand/interest there is for a comparison like this (so if others are interested, please speak up in the comments!). I want to start with the resorts where I think there is a logical nexus, and then potentially expand from there if this is a post concept people enjoy.
Thank you for the feedback! 🙂
I’m definitely interested in hearing your thoughts on AKL v. WL. We stayed at both during the same trip last year, and while both were enjoyable, Wilderness Lodge was the clear winner. Another one I’d like to see is a straight comparison between a Value and a Deluxe, which sounds obvious but might be interesting.
I’d be interested in the Poly vs Beach Club comparison, as those are two of my favorite resorts.
I would also be interested to see an AKL-Jambo vs AKL-Kidani post!
I’d definitely be interested in this head to head. We booked BC for our 2017 trip, and I’m really excited about it… but I do have an itch that needs scratching in regards to the Poly. Trying to convince my wife we should splurge on another stay.
I would like this comparison especially given the fact that the Poly almost has a direct Monorail to Epcot while the BC has a walking path. But the comparison could be expanded to Monorail Resorts verses the Cresent Lake Resorts. In other words, the GF, PVR, BLT and Contemporary verses BC, YC, BW and Swan/Dolphin. I think a lot of people debate monorail vs. Cresent Lake and once they decide, then try to narrow down the resort. Fun?
Although those two resorts are of most interest to me, perhaps a more general showdown of the resorts of the Seven Seas Lagoon vs those of Crescent Lake might be of interest to a broader audience. It can be tricky to decide which area is a preferred location for visitors.