Polynesian vs Grand Floridian (2026)

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort seen from outside — Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa seen from outside — Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The short answer

These two cost within about $10 a night of each other on average, so price won't decide it. The split is clean. The Polynesian wins on water: pools score 9 against 7, and splash pads 10 against 9. The Grand Floridian wins on food and grown-ups: five sit-down restaurants against three, three signature restaurants against none, and an adults score of 8 against 6. Bringing little kids and want the pool to be the star? Take the Polynesian. Want the best dinner on property and a quieter evening? Take the Grand Floridian.

Choose Polynesian if you have kids under about seven, you'll be in the pool every day, and Magic Kingdom is your main park.

Choose Grand Floridian if you're traveling as adults or with older kids, you care about dinner, and you want the quieter of the two lobbies.

Polynesian is about $6 a night cheaper on average, about $42 over a seven-night stay.

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Side by side

Category	Polynesian	Grand Floridian
Nightly rate, on average	$872	$878
Pools	9 / 10	7 / 10	7.0
Splash pads and slides	10 / 10	9 / 10	7.7
Things to do on site	6 / 10	6.5 / 10	7.0
Suits toddlers	8 / 10	8 / 10	7.4
Suits ages 7 to 13	6 / 10	7 / 10	5.9
Suits adults	6 / 10	8 / 10	5.4
Table-service restaurants	3	5
Signature restaurants	0	3
Bars and lounges	5	4
Getting to Magic Kingdom	10 / 10	10 / 10
Overall average	7.9 / 10	7.9 / 10

Averaged across the scored categories the two are level, at 7.9 and 7.9 out of ten. On the numbers this is a genuine coin toss, so pick on the one or two lines above that matter most to you. Green marks the better of the two on that line. Counts of restaurants, bars and beds are quantities, not scores. The average across all 32 resorts is pools 7.0, splash pads 7.7, things to do 7.0.

The case for each

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Deluxe · about $872 a night on average · sleeps 5

GoodThe better water of the two: 9 for the pools and a full 10 for splash pads, with a zero-entry edge, a separate splash area and a beach on Seven Seas Lagoon. Plus five bars and lounges, the most on property, including Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.

Less goodNo signature restaurant and only three sit-down places. Things to do scores 6, below the average of 7.0 out of 10, and the resort has been under construction and refurbishment.

Pick this one if: you have kids under about seven, you'll be in the pool every day, and Magic Kingdom is your main park.

Dining on site‘Ohana and Kona Cafe for sit-down meals, Capt Cook's for counter service, and five bars including Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.

What there is to do on siteScores 6 out of 10, below the average of 7.0 out of 10: the Lava Pool Party, Kukui nut lei making, the Big Kahuna Quiz, Aloha After Dark and a campfire on the beach.

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Deluxe · about $878 a night on average · sleeps 5

GoodThe best dining on property: five sit-down restaurants, three of them signature, including Victoria and Albert's. It scores 8 out of 10 for adults, tied for the highest of any resort, with a full-service spa and a band in the lobby most evenings.

Less goodPools score 7 against the Polynesian's 9, and there's no splash area on the same scale. At about $878 a night on average, it's the most expensive resort on property.

Pick this one if: you're traveling as adults or with older kids, you care about dinner, and you want the quieter of the two lobbies.

Dining on siteVictoria and Albert's, Citricos and Narcoossee's for signature dining, plus two more sit-down restaurants and four bars.

What there is to do on siteScores 6.5 out of 10, a little below the average of 7.0 out of 10: Cheshire Challenges by the pool, Captain's Shipyard boat rentals, a nighttime pool party, nighttime trivia and a campfire.

Both are on the monorail, and both are expensive. If the monorail is why you're looking, they're equal: both score a full 10 for Magic Kingdom. Pool and splash pad scores are our judgment. Restaurant counts, room sizes and nightly rates come from Disney's own pages, averaged across three snapshots.

Your family will rank these differently

Ages, budget, room size and which parks you are doing all change the order. Resortings scores all 32 resorts against what your family actually needs, and tells you when not to spend the money.

Plan your trip and see where to save →

Resort sold out for your dates? Set a room alert and we will email you when one opens.

Common questions

Is the Polynesian or Grand Floridian better for young children?

The Polynesian. Its splash pads score a full 10 against 9 and its pools 9 against 7, and both score 8 for under-fours. The Grand Floridian is the better hotel for adults, scoring 8 against 6.

Which one is cheaper?

They're basically the same. The Polynesian averages about $872 a night and the Grand Floridian about $878, and a gap that small shouldn't decide it.

Which has better food?

The Grand Floridian, easily: five sit-down restaurants including three signatures, against three and none at the Polynesian. Victoria and Albert's is right there too.

Do both have a monorail station?

Yes. Both score a full 10 for Magic Kingdom, and both are on the resort monorail loop with a walk or a boat as backup.