Wow, I had no clue Chicago got tornados and earthquakes!
The Chicago area gets tornadoes, blizzards and heat and humidity But earthquakes are exceedingly rare and usually can't even be felt. The only one I felt was in the 70s and even that was just a weird feeling. The epicenters are usually hundreds of miles away. I don't think an earthquake has done damage here in a couple hundred years.
...my vote is for the Poly...I love the ambiance there...of course, if you want to experience something COMPLETELY different from AKL, then go for GF....did I help you any??
I think that sums up the difference in the overall feel of the two.
We've stayed at the GF 8 times I think but only two were long stays. Most of the rest have been just the type of thing Donald is # 1 is thinking about. We've stayed 2, 3 or 4 nights at the GF before moving to DVC for 5 nights. DVC weekend nights are killers...about twice the points of a week night. I really don't find most guests to be hoity-toity in the least. There is a certain element that seems to think it's the only place to stay (maybe because it costs a bit more?
) but most guests are the same as in the rest of WDW....just happy to be there with their families. At the GF, all rooms get turndown in the evening as well as a couple robes in the room. One of the biggest advantages of the GF is the restaurants...Citricos, Narcoosse's, GF Cafe and of course V&A are all excellent.
Now the Polynesian....ah, pure relaxation. We walk in the front door and just sigh. We've stayed there over 30 times.
so I guess we like it. But these days, it's for short stays before moving to a villa.
The Polynesian has simply the best and most varied transportation options in WDW. Three beaches and two of those are usually deserted. Kona Cafe is wonderful for b,l, and d. All the GF restaurants are a short walk or monorail ride away.
Hmm, adding another day is definitely tempting. Maybe a book at a DVC resort and then wait for AP rates? I agree with all of you in that I think that I would go for the Poly before the GF.
The only problem with that is if you can't save your points by the time the AP rates come out. We usually book our DVC nights well in advance and then wait for discounts to come out for the weekend nights. Then we take what is available. Sometimes we get GF, sometimes the Polynesian. For our March trip, I was able to get a bounceback rate in AKV concierge for the weekend so we ended up in the same club 1 BR villa for the entire week. That was sweet.
Of course, with the realignment of points our strategies will change for 2010. We'll be less likely to move now.
I know a lot of DISers who don't like the
Disneyland Hotel at Paris becuase they feel its too snobby, but we loved it! I think the french staff add to it..Oui Oui! I don't think places like that need to feel snooty though, I always act just a chirpy and the staff seem to lighten up. (Exception being the New York Plaza where it seems they cannot smile.....)
Interesting to read that about DLP. Perception plays a big part in it, don't you think?
, I thought that I would post my current thoughts on my December trip. I am currently booked at Kidani from 12/5-12/15.
Of course, he reminds me so much of my little redhead DS6 - who just lost his first tooth! 
As usual, I am far behind in trying to keep up.
It's beautiful, but I'm never quite comfortable there, KWIM?
