Just returned from my first ever stay at the GF. It was a quick 4 night girls trip with a college friend. She rec'd a very nice pin offer and although the Poly is my absolute favorite resort and where I preferred to be, she wanted to give the GF a try. I was somewhat familiar with the resort from all the strolls my husb and I have taken over from the Poly. I've always found the resort and grounds beautiful but the main building a bit formal for me. I had some concern about the atmosphere being a bit stuffy for me, but this was not the case at all. From the moment DME dropped us off, we received warm greetings and felt instantly welcomed and comfortable. I wasn't used to being escorted by a greeter to the registration desk. Kind of made me feel alittle special!
We were checked in promptly without any wait. We were actually the only ones checking in. Got our room requests for Boca Chica and had a very nice view of the quiet pool. Those balconies are really nice! We kept wishing they had little ceiling lights for some early morning coffee and reading. Our room was clean and neat. It had just been furnished with new mattresses. Very, very comfy! The decor was pretty, although similiar to my own decorating style. While lovely throughout, I missed the theming throughout the Polynesian. I just felt that I was at a lovely resort. Housekeeping came every morning as requested, so we always returned to a made up room. CMs throughout the resort were friendly and always offered a smile and hello. I made 2 requests by phone to have our shower and sink drains checked for slow drainage. When no one responded after 2 days, I went to the front desk, spoke to the CM who checked us in, and maintenance immediately appeared. Problem fixed. We were out of our room early each day for park time before returning for sun, swimming, and pina coladas at the pool!
Yum. I am having pina colada withdrawals right now. Never ate at the GF, other than lunch at Gasparilla Grill twice, as we'd head back to the parks at night. Transportation is wonderful staying on the monorail route, although I think the Poly is actually the most convenient and quickest. From the Poly, you can take the launch or ferry to the MK which is a quick 5 min ride or scoot on the monorail. To get to Epcot, you need only to walk to the TTC which is quicker than taking the resort monorail around the loop. There was construction going on at the GF. Seemed every picture I wanted to take around the pool had mattress carts in it. They seemed to be located primarily around Boca Chica and Big Pine Key. I am sure everyone will appreciate getting those new mattresses though. There was alot of floor work construction in the main lobby. It was blocked off by those wall screens, and there were alot of them. It did take away from the ambience, but I'm not sure how you can avoid that with renovations. I also saw a crane and scaffolding around Sugarloaf but not much work. Overall, we had a wonderful girls trip and really nice stay at the GF. I'm glad my friend chose the GF. I otherwise would never have stayed there. As soon as I leave the Polynesian, I want to get right back there!
So for you Poly people with trips booked to the GF, I think you will find yourself enjoying the resort immensely and not feeling out of place at all. It's different there, but everyone we encountered was extremely nice. Even met a disboard member in the pool from Chicago! We had alot of fun chatting. It was her first time at the GF too, and she felt the same as me.
Just wanted to add... I loved the turn down service and little chocolates left on our bed each night. I've never had that service before and felt very pampered receiving it!
Have fun on your adults-only trip!
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