All things considered GF or Poly?

[famsen]

Polynesian is my bucket list resort. I was so sad that it was not included in any discounts for Fall. I can get Grand Floridian for about $400 less than Poly with the current promo. All things considered; which would you chose for those that know both. At Poly I have a DVC Studio booked, at GF it would be a outer building garden view room. No dining plan. Help!

 

[Shellyb84]

If Poly is your bucket list resort and the $400 isn't significant for you I would go with Poly. If you really want the savings though, GF is an amazing resort as well! I think Poly has slightly better pools, but otherwise I don't really have a preference between the two and would be happy at either one personally.

 

[SharonZ]

Poly is not one of my favorites, although both are nice hotels. I'd go with GF for the savings, and also the sleeping surfaces.

 

[fab1976]

Poly DVC studio would get you one “real” bed, a pull out couch and a pull down small single Murphy bed, GF would be two beds. Would that make a difference?

 

[Sue M]

I see you haven’t stayed at GF either. I’d go with GF, it’s an amazing resort. We love Poly too, but GF is tops on my list. Boca Chica or Big Pine are my fav buildings. At GF I think it’s the one remaining resort without the ridiculous $100/night upcharge for pool/marina view. So sad Poly took away pool/marina view out of standard view category. Samoa was my fav longhouse.

The outer buildings of GF are beautiful, each has its own little lobby, a mini replica of main lobby. Imo the Poly longhouse entrance looks shabby, at least in the non DVC side. I haven’t stayed on the other side since they turned it into DVC.

 

[eric1985]

I am a DVC member at The Polynesian and like it more than Grand Floridian. I've never stayed at the Grand Floridian but when I go in there I feel like I'm in my grandmother's parlor. It's a very nice hotel and being $400 less, that's significant. In any case, the hotels are right next together and are on the monorail loop. You can easily get to The Polynesian even be walking and can still explore that resort at your leisure.

Fab1976 makes a good point though. Depending on how many people you are traveling with may affect how much space you get. I stayed at the Polynesian in a DVC room during a split stay in January. There was one real bed, one pull out couch and one murphy bed. One bathroom had a toilet, shower and sink, another bathroom with just a shower. I wouldn't call the room spectacular, so for the savings I'd pick GF.

 

[disneyvoice]

I'm not big on any of the DVC Studio rooms so I would probably lean toward the GF for that reason alone. However, I absolutely love the Poly in general so that would be a tough choice. They are both really nice!

 

[Sue M]

I am a DVC member at The Polynesian and like it more than Grand Floridian. I've never stayed at the Grand Floridian but when I go in there I feel like I'm in my grandmother's parlor. It's a very nice hotel and being $400 less, that's significant. In any case, the hotels are right next together and are on the monorail loop. You can easily get to The Polynesian even be walking and can still explore that resort at your leisure.

Fab1976 makes a good point though. Depending on how many people you are traveling with may affect how much space you get. I stayed at the Polynesian in a DVC room during a split stay in January. There was one real bed, one pull out couch and one murphy bed. One bathroom had a toilet, shower and sink, another bathroom with just a shower. I wouldn't call the room spectacular, so for the savings I'd pick GF.

After they refurbed rooms they are nothing like grandmas parlor!

 

[eric1985]

After they refurbed rooms they are nothing like grandmas parlor!

Haha...it's just such a different atmosphere in there. The quiet piano music, everything is white....I fell like I need to take my shoes off and be careful not to spill my drink.

 

[Sue M]

Haha...it's just such a different atmosphere in there. The quiet piano music, everything is white....I fell like I need to take my shoes off and be careful not to spill my drink.

I get it. Our first GF stay I did a split with YC. Only did first 3 days at GF because I wasn’t sure we would like it, and 10 days at YC.
After our 3 days we didn’t want to leave GF. We loved it. It’s an entirely different experience visiting and staying there. Very laid back.

 

[buzznina]

Haha...it's just such a different atmosphere in there. The quiet piano music, everything is white....I fell like I need to take my shoes off and be careful not to spill my drink.

We use to visit GF regularly but never thought we would like staying there until a conference and it became our favorite resort I always tell people that visiting a resort is nowhere near the same as actually staying there.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

GF! The rooms are gorgeous, none of them have a bad view, the service is impeccable, great restaurants, shade at the pools! There is no way I would spend $400 more on a room at Poly that only has one real bed and a sofa bed.

 

[plainoldt]

I'd book Poly of GF every day of the week, but its really a personal choice. GF, as lovely as it looks, is too plain and bland to me; too spread out; smells like a bad yankee candle.

 

[famsen]

Thank you SOOOOO much for all the input. I went with GF. The $400 is pretty significant and although I like the DVC studio at Poly for the 2 showers, in the end it is just my hubby and me. I booked almost all my dining at Poly for Ohana and Kona which we love.

 

[trishadono]

Thank you SOOOOO much for all the input. I went with GF. The $400 is pretty significant and although I like the DVC studio at Poly for the 2 showers, in the end it is just my hubby and me. I booked almost all my dining at Poly for Ohana and Kona which we love.

WE do that too. If I stay at poly I get The garden view tea room at GF and at Gf stays I eat at Kona.

Best of both worlds.

 

[ninafeliz]

Love them both!! In your situation, with Poly being a DVC studio with only one bed (we need 2 beds so would have to use the pull out) and the GF being cheaper, I would go with the GF. But if you’ll always regret not choosing the Poly, go with it as long as your budget is ok with the $400 more!

ETA I didn’t read the thread first- I just saw you already chose.

 

[piratepride]

We are DVC members and have stayed at both. If your bucket list choice is Poly, I would stay there. Both are great resorts! The pool, Dole Whip and Ohana are the deal breakers for our family!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you SOOOOO much for all the input. I went with GF. The $400 is pretty significant and although I like the DVC studio at Poly for the 2 showers, in the end it is just my hubby and me. I booked almost all my dining at Poly for Ohana and Kona which we love.

You will love the GF! The Poly is my favorite, but the GF runs a close second. As others have posted, both are beautiful resorts. Have a great trip .

 

[heidijanesmith]

Great choice! I just got back from my 1st GF stay in January.

I asked for a pool view room with an unobstructed view as I heard that some of the rooms in Big Pine Key are of the back of the pool bar.

I ended up with a lagoon view, 1st floor of Big Pine Key. It was a nice view of the Poly and the Electrical Water Parade.

If you can, make time for Mizners Lounge. It's behind the band and really a lovely space. They have some apps from Citricos, the aranchini is so good! I really enjoyed the band.

I watched the MK fireworks from the boat launch deck, there were some comfy benches to sit on. It was a great view and they played the music too.

 

[famsen]

Great choice! I just got back from my 1st GF stay in January.

I asked for a pool view room with an unobstructed view as I heard that some of the rooms in Big Pine Key are of the back of the pool bar.

I ended up with a lagoon view, 1st floor of Big Pine Key. It was a nice view of the Poly and the Electrical Water Parade.

If you can, make time for Mizners Lounge. It's behind the band and really a lovely space. They have some apps from Citricos, the aranchini is so good! I really enjoyed the band.

I watched the MK fireworks from the boat launch deck, there were some comfy benches to sit on. It was a great view and they played the music too.

I am so happy to hear great things about GF! Since I have a garden view room, what would be the best thing I can hope for in a room request? Is there a better chance of a better view if I request I higher or lower floor room? Is there any area I should try to steer away from such as that which would give me the back of the bar view?