Hello, Kelley! Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question.
As a
Disney Vacation Club Member, one aspect of Membership that I love is the ability to try out different resorts all around the Walt Disney World Resort and beyond! In choosing between Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows and The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you can't go wrong. Mary Poppins might say they are each "Practically Perfect in Every Way!"
However, since Mary Poppins isn't able to answer questions right now, I will give you some comparisons and hope to guide you into the best accommodation for you and your traveling party.
First, let's start with the similarities. Both resorts have monorail access to Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot. Both resorts have beautiful pool areas with plenty of chairs to lounge and enjoy your day. Also, both resorts have a myriad of different dining options, from lounges, like the new
Enchanted Rose at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to Character Dining, like the
Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch at 'Ohana, located inside Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Another similarity lies in the Deluxe Studios. Both resort options have Deluxe Studio rooms that sleep 5 guests with 1 queen-size bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa and 1 single pull-down bed.
While these two Disney Vacation Club Resorts do share many likenesses, they are quite different thematically. The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are like falling into a Victorian-era dream, complete with a live orchestra that you can catch playing in the lobby. On the other hand, Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows have a island-vibe with warm tropical colors and sights and sounds Moana would love.
If you have a larger traveling party and are interested in Villa accommodations beyond that of a Deluxe Studio, 1- and 2- bedroom Villas and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas are available at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. At Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, there are no 1-Bedroom Villas. However, one-of-a-kind Bungalows are available that sleep 8 guests.
With both similarities and differences, your decision may rest on your personal decor preferences and the number of people in your traveling party. If you have a little Princess (or grown-up one) who would love nothing more than to feel like she is living her own Fairy Tale, I would recommend trying out Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and even indulging in
Disney's Perfectly Princess Tea or
Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room.
If you're hoping for an island-escape where flip-flops are required (not really!) and you can kick-back and relax with a drink in your hand, I would book a stay at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, making sure to stop by
Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace for a famous drink before viewing the
Happily Ever After fireworks from the beach.
Kelley, wherever you lay your head on your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation, I hope it is Magical.
Lauren