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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
We are headed to Disney in May. My kids are two, three and six. I will be going with the big double stroller. The last time we went, we stayed at the Polynesian and I swore I would never stay in a non-monorail hotel as long as I have the stroller. Now I’m caught up between the grand Floridian and the beach club.
Do I stay at the grand Floridian for the convenience of the monorail or do I stay at the beach club because of the pool area for my kids? I’m so back-and-forth. I personally would like to stay at the grand Floridian because I know it’s a nicer hotel but I’m concerned it’s too stuffy and/or calm for my little guys. Thoughts? If it influences your decision, we plan on going to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot and equal amount of days.
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Posted 1/4/19 7:54 AM  |
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bunnyluck
LIF Adult
Member since 1/14 3196 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
I have the exact dilemma but am torn between the Poly or GF. I absolutely LOVE the GF, but thought we'd try something new. I honestly didn't find the GF to be too stuffy for kids. In some ways, I actually think it is the most child friendly resort bc the staff are soooooooo sweet. There were a ton of families when we stayed and they have a splash park plus 2 pools, one geared towards kids with a water slide, with a full service bar/restaurant, and another more quieter pool (not adults only, but kids were definitely drawn towards the water slide pool).
Do you have any thoughts on the Poly? We booked it, but I love the GF so much I may change it..
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| Posted 1/4/19 8:32 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Absolutely love the pool at the Beach Club. We stay at the Yacht Club side. We spend hours in the pool area. If you will spend time in the pool and not be in the park all the time, I would choose beach club
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| Posted 1/4/19 8:44 AM |
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lightblue
LIF Adult
Member since 1/17 2249 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Do you plan on spending a lot of time at the pool? If not, I'd go with GF just for the convenience of the monorail.
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| Posted 1/4/19 8:56 AM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Yay! We’ll be there in May too. What are your dates?
Did you checkout the sun and fun packages? See what deals you can get. We stay at the contemporary in a theme park tower room. That promo saved me $1000! (Granted it’s still a fortune)
The monorail also goes down sometimes. So keep that in mind.
Just as another option, have you thought about Poly? They have a great pool and splash area. They’re on the monorail to MK, plus you can easily walk to ttc for the Epcot monorail. So you get the best of both worlds.
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| Posted 1/4/19 9:06 AM |
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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
I have stayed at both... I am going back to Beach Club this year and my whole family said never again to GF. My kids were 5 and 7 when we stayed there. Its a lovely hotel but kinda boring and definitely felt like it was for an older crowd. Of course, there was kids everywhere but it just felt like staying in a super fancy hotel and nothing too Disney or young kid friendly about it. Also, I hated the monorail to epcot bc the transfer/switch you have to do, especially with a double stroller - you have to go down a ramp just to go back up another ramp. I didn't find it convenient at all and was more of a pain than getting on a bus, IMO.
The Beach Club is my favorite resort bc of the ease of transportation. You can walk to epcot and Hollywood studios! There is also a boat to HS which is easier than walking. The boat is like 5 minutes long. So I feel like the BC is so easy for 2 of the 4 parks. And the buses for MK and AK are not long. Kids those ages will LOVE the pool too.
Message edited 1/4/2019 9:20:47 AM.
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| Posted 1/4/19 9:17 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Ugh I can't make up my mind!! This should be the biggest dilemma I ever have in life. 
I have stayed at the Poly and we were looking to change it up. We really loved it there and the convenience of the monorail was money. The ONLY downside for us was the fact that there was no Disney theming, which I'm sure is the case with the GF. Not a Mickey to be seen. It was really a lovely place though and we loved it.
So I have lagoon view GF and standard view Beach Club. Decisions decisions.
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| Posted 1/4/19 10:20 AM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by FirstMate
Ugh I can't make up my mind!! This should be the biggest dilemma I ever have in life.
I have stayed at the Poly and we were looking to change it up. We really loved it there and the convenience of the monorail was money. The ONLY downside for us was the fact that there was no Disney theming, which I'm sure is the case with the GF. Not a Mickey to be seen. It was really a lovely place though and we loved it.
So I have lagoon view GF and standard view Beach Club. Decisions decisions.
Did you price them both out with the sun and fun package? You would prob get a better price at beach club if that’s a factor.
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| Posted 1/4/19 10:25 AM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
There’s also the option of doing a split stay.
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| Posted 1/4/19 10:26 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
There’s also the option of doing a split stay.
Haha, my mom is my TA and I just called her about this after I saw your post because I thought that was a great idea and she said "You have to be nuts to do to that with your three boys! Unpacking, packing, unpacking, are you crazy?"  My mom has such a way with words! Then she told me the price would actually go up a bit if I did that so that totally knocked the idea out.
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:30 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by lightblue
Do you plan on spending a lot of time at the pool? If not, I'd go with GF just for the convenience of the monorail.
Yeah, see I don't know! The last time we went was in November so while it was 80 degree days, there was zero humidity and it was really perfect weather. We never had that "OMG its so freakin hot get me to a pool" issue. This time we are going in May. We went to Lego Land in April and it was 90+ every day so I'm sure we will be using the pool more in May. I"m not sure if it's so hot in May that we will need that mid-day park pool break.
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:32 AM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
There’s also the option of doing a split stay.
Haha, my mom is my TA and I just called her about this after I saw your post because I thought that was a great idea and she said "You have to be nuts to do to that with your three boys! Unpacking, packing, unpacking, are you crazy?" My mom has such a way with words! Then she told me the price would actually go up a bit if I did that so that totally knocked the idea out.
Lol yeah. Unpacking, packing and unpacking is not ideal but lots of people do it. You can pack in packing cubes and make it really easy.
Why would the price go up?
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:34 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by Aries14
I have stayed at both... I am going back to Beach Club this year and my whole family said never again to GF. My kids were 5 and 7 when we stayed there. Its a lovely hotel but kinda boring and definitely felt like it was for an older crowd. Of course, there was kids everywhere but it just felt like staying in a super fancy hotel and nothing too Disney or young kid friendly about it. Also, I hated the monorail to epcot bc the transfer/switch you have to do, especially with a double stroller - you have to go down a ramp just to go back up another ramp. I didn't find it convenient at all and was more of a pain than getting on a bus, IMO.
The Beach Club is my favorite resort bc of the ease of transportation. You can walk to epcot and Hollywood studios! There is also a boat to HS which is easier than walking. The boat is like 5 minutes long. So I feel like the BC is so easy for 2 of the 4 parks. And the buses for MK and AK are not long. Kids those ages will LOVE the pool too.
You make very valid points. When we stayed at the Poly my ONLY gripe was the lack of true Disney theming for my little guys. Not that they knew any better. They didn't care. It was just something I noticed. I feel that it would be the same this time too if we did GF. They won't care...a pool is a pool to them but I would know something way better exists LOL
Well if this doesn't epitomize first world problems, I don't know what does!
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:35 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by ANewDayHasCome
There’s also the option of doing a split stay.
Haha, my mom is my TA and I just called her about this after I saw your post because I thought that was a great idea and she said "You have to be nuts to do to that with your three boys! Unpacking, packing, unpacking, are you crazy?" My mom has such a way with words! Then she told me the price would actually go up a bit if I did that so that totally knocked the idea out.
Lol yeah. Unpacking, packing and unpacking is not ideal but lots of people do it. You can pack in packing cubes and make it really easy.
Why would the price go up?
Something with the way the packages worked out. If I split the reservation, it would go up about $500. It has to do with the average price per room per night.
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:38 AM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
The beach and yacht club are my favorite resorts. Club level is great and you can probably stay there for less than a regular room at the poly. Pool is amazing, and the resort itself does not feel as crowded as the monorail area hotels.
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| Posted 1/4/19 11:51 AM |
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Aries14
Can't plan life...
Member since 8/08 2860 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by Aries14
I have stayed at both... I am going back to Beach Club this year and my whole family said never again to GF. My kids were 5 and 7 when we stayed there. Its a lovely hotel but kinda boring and definitely felt like it was for an older crowd. Of course, there was kids everywhere but it just felt like staying in a super fancy hotel and nothing too Disney or young kid friendly about it. Also, I hated the monorail to epcot bc the transfer/switch you have to do, especially with a double stroller - you have to go down a ramp just to go back up another ramp. I didn't find it convenient at all and was more of a pain than getting on a bus, IMO.
The Beach Club is my favorite resort bc of the ease of transportation. You can walk to epcot and Hollywood studios! There is also a boat to HS which is easier than walking. The boat is like 5 minutes long. So I feel like the BC is so easy for 2 of the 4 parks. And the buses for MK and AK are not long. Kids those ages will LOVE the pool too.
You make very valid points. When we stayed at the Poly my ONLY gripe was the lack of true Disney theming for my little guys. Not that they knew any better. They didn't care. It was just something I noticed. I feel that it would be the same this time too if we did GF. They won't care...a pool is a pool to them but I would know something way better exists LOL
Well if this doesn't epitomize first world problems, I don't know what does!
I feel your pain!!! I literally just went through this exact same thing this week! We had to decide between Beach Club and Wilderness lodge. We went back and forth so much and finally decided on going back to beach club. But I was literally doing the same thing as you lol.
As someone who stayed at both hotels relatively recently - my opinion for what its worth is Beach Club. Especially with boys - the only reason we even tried GF is bc I have 2 girls and thought they would love the "princess" like of it. NOPE! they hated it. Well, they hated it as a Disney hotel, I am sure they would have liked it otherwise but after staying at a bunch of other Disney resorts - this one just was not "fun" for us.
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| Posted 1/4/19 12:27 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Beach Club!
You will love how close it is to Epcot. A straight, level, 5 minute walk. And I love the International Gateway entrance. It's so much more chill than the front.
MK you'll need to take a bus but it'll probably be quicker than the double monorail transfer (from what I've heard.)
You'll have all the fun of the Boardwalk nearby and that pool is amazing.
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| Posted 1/4/19 2:02 PM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge last year which we loved. There is a boat to the magic kingdom. But we ended up going to Epcot to eat most nights, which was hike. This year we really want to stay at the Beach resort because of the proximity to Epcot so we can do dinner at night easily. I feel like at the other resorts it is harder to go elsewhere to eat. We likely wouldn't be going to the Magic Kingdom more than one time a day.
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| Posted 1/4/19 4:58 PM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
We stayed at GF last time and that's the only place I want to stay going forward. They have a cute Alice in Wonderland splash area and an adequate pool with a slide. I love the decor of the resort but the main selling point is the monorail. Can't beat the convenience (especially with young kids) and this is by far my favorite hotel on the monorail.
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| Posted 1/5/19 7:45 PM |
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mommy2be716
LIF Adult
Member since 1/16 2921 total posts
Name:
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
personally, i would try to get a suite at the contemporary instead... but if you're really between GF and beach, then I would pick GF just because of the monorail
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| Posted 1/6/19 2:12 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7789 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by Sparrow
We stayed at GF last time and that's the only place I want to stay going forward. They have a cute Alice in Wonderland splash area and an adequate pool with a slide. I love the decor of the resort but the main selling point is the monorail. Can't beat the convenience (especially with young kids) and this is by far my favorite hotel on the monorail.
And this is exactly what made me change my mind and change my reservation. If anyone needs the most patient TA in the universe, I'll be happy to give you my mother's number. She has not killed me yet!
Actually a few things happened that made me change my mind. I saw the tiki torches I bought for my house as a reminder of the Poly and I remembered how much we loved the serenity of that place. Then I remembered our promise to ourselves to stay on the monorail so long as we had the stroller. And then, the final thing that swayed me, was that a friend was telling me how much she loved the BC and mentioned that my older son would love it and that one of us could stay with the little ones. Right then and there I knew we would be contending with major issues if the little ones had to separate from my big guy. I know I'm going to have to deal with it for the rides and the thought of dealing with it at a pool too was too much for DH and I to handle. We decided to do GF this time and next time, when they are bigger, we will stay at BC.
And I got theme park view for the same price as the BC standard view. I don't know how that worked out, but I'm just going with it! LOL
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| Posted 1/7/19 1:09 AM |
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ANewDayHasCome
Love multiplies, not divides
Member since 11/12 14481 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by Sparrow
We stayed at GF last time and that's the only place I want to stay going forward. They have a cute Alice in Wonderland splash area and an adequate pool with a slide. I love the decor of the resort but the main selling point is the monorail. Can't beat the convenience (especially with young kids) and this is by far my favorite hotel on the monorail.
And this is exactly what made me change my mind and change my reservation. If anyone needs the most patient TA in the universe, I'll be happy to give you my mother's number. She has not killed me yet!
Actually a few things happened that made me change my mind. I saw the tiki torches I bought for my house as a reminder of the Poly and I remembered how much we loved the serenity of that place. Then I remembered our promise to ourselves to stay on the monorail so long as we had the stroller. And then, the final thing that swayed me, was that a friend was telling me how much she loved the BC and mentioned that my older son would love it and that one of us could stay with the little ones. Right then and there I knew we would be contending with major issues if the little ones had to separate from my big guy. I know I'm going to have to deal with it for the rides and the thought of dealing with it at a pool too was too much for DH and I to handle. We decided to do GF this time and next time, when they are bigger, we will stay at BC.
And I got theme park view for the same price as the BC standard view. I don't know how that worked out, but I'm just going with it! LOL
Yay!
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| Posted 1/7/19 7:11 AM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
We were there in August. The monorail broke down twice when we needed it. First time, we were on and made to get off. It took us 2 hours to get back to our resort. Second time was our day of departure to get back to Bay Lake Tower from Epcot. We had to take a cab.
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| Posted 1/14/19 9:08 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ok Disney fanatics...i need opinions
Posted by DancinBarefoot
We were there in August. The monorail broke down twice when we needed it. First time, we were on and made to get off. It took us 2 hours to get back to our resort. Second time was our day of departure to get back to Bay Lake Tower from Epcot. We had to take a cab.
The monorail always breaks down when we have been on it in recent years. And no a/c, so it's like a sweat box sitting there. If I paid all that money to stay at a monorail resort and had to deal with that, I would not be very happy to be honest!
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| Posted 1/15/19 8:42 AM |
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