Just Back From a Split Stay -- Grand Floridian and Polynesian -- My Thoughts on Both!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

Love your pics of the Poly Shelly! Wish I was there right now!!!!

I'm sure your review is really helpful to someone who has never stayed there.
I also agree with a pp who said the Alice splash thing belongs in a value. It does kinda ruin the elegance of the GF.

Thanks!! Wish I was there too!

Yeah, it's really too bad about the changes at the GF.

Originally Posted by DisMomAmy

Hi Shelly! I'm finally finding some post-Christmas DIS time & found your resort report! Sounds like you had a great trip... at least as far as the resorts go. Sorry about the lack of sleep at the GF though. Can't wait to read the full TR!!

Sad to hear about your step-mom. I hope she gets out of the hospital soon & recovers from the cancer quickly!! Sending my thoughts your way!

Hi Amy! Hope you had a nice Christmas.

Yes, we had a wonderful trip. I can't wait to tell all about it. Hoping to get the TR started very soon!

Thanks. It's not too likely that my step-mom is going to recover. It was found too late and is stage 4. Right now we are praying for peace and comfort for her.

[jenniferma]

love your report!

I think you should have your own blog.

Quick question-- we are staying at Poly January 15-21. Would you recommend tokelau to avoid construction mess? We were debating between Tokelau and samoa.. are people staying on the quiet pool side of Samoa right now.. overlooking the ugly fence mess?

thanks!
Jen

[pixarmom]

First, great review with VERY helpful photos and updates. I've been staying at Poly for nearly 30 years, but this recent construction is throwing me off a bit. Really appreciate all the details - thank you!!!

Originally Posted by jenniferma

love your report!

I think you should have your own blog.

Quick question-- we are staying at Poly January 15-21. Would you recommend tokelau to avoid construction mess? We were debating between Tokelau and samoa.. are people staying on the quiet pool side of Samoa right now.. overlooking the ugly fence mess?

thanks!
Jen

Now that's really funny, because I just posted this exact same question on the Poly thread last night! (And I'm also from NoVa!) We're arriving at Poly on January 26 and we requested Samoa, volcano pool side, 3rd floor (I know, tall order.) But I was considering Tokelau as a backup. My husband currently has a strong preference for Samoa based on the location and volcano pool side view, but I'd appreciate any additional construction information/recommendations!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by jenniferma

love your report!

I think you should have your own blog.

Quick question-- we are staying at Poly January 15-21. Would you recommend tokelau to avoid construction mess? We were debating between Tokelau and samoa.. are people staying on the quiet pool side of Samoa right now.. overlooking the ugly fence mess?

thanks!
Jen

Thanks!! I hope to start a full trip report very soon, after I get the rest of my Poly pics posted here and get this wrapped up!

That's a good question...I can't really say if I saw anyone going into any of the rooms on the other side of the hall or not. I just asked DH and he is pretty sure he saw someone going into the room right across from us once. So those rooms must be open. And I actually think if you were on that side on the top floor it would be okay, because you could look out over that mess. I don't think I would want to be on the second floor, and I sure hope they aren't putting people in the first floor rooms there.

But yes, if you wanted to avoid it all together you could request Tokelau.

Originally Posted by pixarmom

First, great review with VERY helpful photos and updates. I've been staying at Poly for nearly 30 years, but this recent construction is throwing me off a bit. Really appreciate all the details - thank you!!!


Thank you!



Now that's really funny, because I just posted this exact same question on the Poly thread last night! (And I'm also from NoVa!) We're arriving at Poly on January 26 and we requested Samoa, volcano pool side, 3rd floor (I know, tall order.) But I was considering Tokelau as a backup. My husband currently has a strong preference for Samoa based on the location and volcano pool side view, but I'd appreciate any additional construction information/recommendations!

Well hopefully my response to jenniferma helped you some. I'll have to head over to the Poly thread and see what response you got there!


Good luck to both of you, I hope you both get the room you want and have an awesome vacation!!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

On our last day DS11 and I went on a little Poly tour!

First we walked out to the boat dock and then headed towards the GF.





























There was a wedding going on at the GF wedding pavillion.

[Momof2Disneyboys]

As we walked back towards the Poly we saw another wedding happening right there, right off the sidewalk!









Quiet pool ~



Back of Hawaii ~

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Side shot of our building and balcony, taken from beside the Hawaii building entrance ~

[Momof2Disneyboys]

And last but not least, Ohana pics!























Okay, guess that's it! Hope you have all enjoyed. I will post a link here when I get my TR up!

[ddluvsdisney]

Can't wait for the TR!!

I just realized that I can make my ADRs next week- YAY!!!!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

Can't wait for the TR!!

I just realized that I can make my ADRs next week- YAY!!!!

Working on the TR now!!

YAY for ADR's! What are you going to book? What are your dates again??

[ddluvsdisney]

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

Working on the TR now!!

YAY for ADR's! What are you going to book? What are your dates again??

The only one I'm going to book is BOG. If you remember, this is going to be a more Universal/IOA vacation with some Sea World too That being the case, we'll probably only be at WDW for a day. I really want to try that restaurant!!!
Although if everything works out with DH's new job (we'll know by Jan.13), we'll be at the World a lot more than just one day Woohoo!!!!
So If DH doesn't take the job we'll be there 7/1-7/11. But if he takes the job we'll be there a few weeks so I wouldn't be worried about ADRs as much I'll just go with the flow- we'll be so much more flexible. And we'll get APs!!!!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by ddluvsdisney

The only one I'm going to book is BOG. If you remember, this is going to be a more Universal/IOA vacation with some Sea World too That being the case, we'll probably only be at WDW for a day. I really want to try that restaurant!!!
Although if everything works out with DH's new job (we'll know by Jan.13), we'll be at the World a lot more than just one day Woohoo!!!!
So If DH doesn't take the job we'll be there 7/1-7/11. But if he takes the job we'll be there a few weeks so I wouldn't be worried about ADRs as much I'll just go with the flow- we'll be so much more flexible. And we'll get APs!!!!

Oh I forgot you were mostly doing Universal this time.

I didn't even try to book BOG this time, but I am thinking I might next time...

I hope it all works out with your DH's job. AP's will be awesome!!

[sjs314]

Hello, Miss MIA here Just read your review of GF and so sorry it was not the best ever. I am glad now tht we did not change last minute since we also love the Boardwalk. My concerns were the ones you mentioned, the pool closing and Gasperillas being closed plus the new splash area. Someone also mentioned to me that the lobby was overly busy with visitors this time of year.

Thanks for posting the review Shelly!

[Disneyandphilliesfan]

Question to get a room in the main building at Poly what level of room do I need to book?

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by sjs314

Hello, Miss MIA here Just read your review of GF and so sorry it was not the best ever. I am glad now tht we did not change last minute since we also love the Boardwalk. My concerns were the ones you mentioned, the pool closing and Gasperillas being closed plus the new splash area. Someone also mentioned to me that the lobby was overly busy with visitors this time of year.

Thanks for posting the review Shelly!

Hey Sheila!!

Glad you enjoyed the review! Yeah the GF isn't my favorite, but it was nice. Wish it wouldn't have been such a mess though!

I think we will head to the BWI next time.

Originally Posted by Disneyandphilliesfan

Question to get a room in the main building at Poly what level of room do I need to book?

Hi there.

There are no rooms in the GCH (Great Ceremonial House), which is the main building at the Poly. All the rooms are in outbuildings called longhouses. Several of the buildings have great locations. So you could book garden view, lagoon view, or theme park view - depending on what you want, and then add the request of the building you want. But it's not guaranteed you will get it. The only way to get a guaranteed building is to book Club Level and you will get Hawaii. Hope that helps.