Calling all GF & Poly Lovers... I need decision Help.. Please weigh in...

[NeverSayNever]

Ok..

Here's my dilemna:

We made our 1st trip ever to Disney this past Sept to celebrate my twins 4th B'day and stayed at the GF. I loved the GF, the atmosphere, the monorail, the food..., the quietness, everything about it.. and yes everything was not perfect we did have some problems but we rolled with it and in the end the GF did right by us.

Ok, so now we have an opportunity to perhaps go back to Disney in Dec. for a quick 4night trip. Airfare is awesome at the moment and I have a resv for GF already booked but with no code... it just has not been available on the dates that we could make work.

So ofcourse I am constantly checking and low and behold what pops up for the right dates is the POLY and it comes in $500 less! (That's alot especially on our tight bugdet to make this happen).

So now my question... tell me the good bad and ugly... Should we change to Poly... what would I love or hate in comparison to GF...?

Am I going to sit at the Poly and pine away the whole time looking across the lagoon at the "Big Red Hotel" as my kdis refer to it as?

Keep in mind that the hotel is a big part ofthe experience for us, as we tend to spend many hours there...

Also, I know about the decorations at GF at xmas what about Poly?

Ok... I need all your opinions... what would you do and why!

THANKS,

 

[aljack33]

We have stayed at both and honestly, the Poly wins hands down for us. It just fits with us better. Although, the xmas decorations are not as nice at the GF's. I can tell you that.

If it were me and just for a short trip like that, I would give the poly a try for the $500 less. We absolutely love it. We are going in March again and we split our stay between the Poly and BC because I cannot bear to not stay at the Poly!

Although the GF is nice, it just doesn't feel like Disney to us. We would not go back. But am glad we did try it the two times we did. Actually, we stayed at the GF the first two times we went to disney and were afraid to try anything else. But now it is Poly all the way.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Ok..

Am I going to sit at the Poly and pine away the whole time looking across the lagoon at the "Big Red Hotel" as my kdis refer to it as?



THANKS,

YES! I say that because that's exactly what happens to me when I try a different resort. I have my favorites.

The GF is wonderful, and at Xmas it is gorgeous and soooo festive. There are different live performers in the lobby nightly & the gingerbread house & the beautiful floral arrangements. We were there last Xmas and all the resorts were lovely, but the Poly didn't have as much decoration as the other resorts. Seems like they cut back last year. .....maybe that won't be the case this year, though. Not sure what that was about.

Whatever you decide, have a great time. We love Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka", , and the Poly is nice, but we just weren't feeling/seeing Christmas at the Poly.

Like the PP said it comes down to what "fits" you better. For us, its the GF. They are both nice resorts, but VERY different.

Lives4Disney

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I hear ya!!!!
We LOVE the YC!!!
We decided that this next trip we would stay on the monorail since we now have a toddler with us.
I was having a very hard time warming up to staying at the Poly. I like the light and airy feel of the YC/BC. So many things that i love about it over there... I would not be able to have at the Poly.
BUT..... DH and I talked and I was reading how so many people LOVE the Poly and really... Why not try another resort????
We are staying 5 nights. I think 5 nights or less why not try another resort and see how you like it?
BUT... I think if you are going to do this then you really have to let yourself be open to it so you aren't sad your whole trip that you are not in another resort.
$500 is a nice chunk to be able to save!!!!! And you are still on the monorail!!!

 

[lookingforward]

I have stayed at both resorts and there is nothing that compares to GF during the holidays. That said, we are staying at the Poly in December because it was cheaper and it is really, really relaxing and lots of fun with kids. There are some great restuarants (Kona and Ohana's) and a fun volcano pool. The rooms have been recently renovated too, which is great.

It is one short stop from the Grand Floridian and you can always hop over there for tea or a meal. You will love the Poly!

December 2007 Poly Concierge Mother/Daughter weekend!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Okay, let me tell you our experience. Next year, we will have our third stay at the Poly (and AKV ). Prior to that, we stayed at CR and GF for many many years. I'd always thought of trying the Poly but I didn't think it would compare to the GF or CR (We like both of those for very different reasons). Also, around the time we switched, there were reports of the Poly being dated and even mold in some rooms. Finally, we decided to try (after all those years). WE LOVED IT! The Poly is a deluxe but has a more Disney and "vacationy" feel to us. I now feel like you do but the reverse. I was tempted to stay at the GF next year b/c of the newly done rooms but I was afraid I'd be looking over the lake at the Poly and pining for it. So we're staying at the Poly and I couldn't be happier! FWIW, we've stayed at the GF at Xmas. It IS beautiful but we also found it to be a bit of a madhouse in the lobby each day. SO many people from all over come to see the lobby. If you're in a hurry to catch the bus, monorail, etc. , the crowds can be difficult to navigate. If you truly feel you'll be pining for the GF across Bay Lake though, you may want to "go with your gut" and stay there! Hope I gave you some food for thought.....

 

[vettechick99]

I stayed at one of the best suites at the GF (turret suite, main lodge, view of the castle) and the Poly is still my favorite MK-area resort. The GF is great, but the Poly's ambience is so nice and relaxing. I think you should try it!

 

[praline3001]

Thanks for starting this thread! I had the same debate as you. I have read the poly has the best CM hands down but the GF was prettier... we decided to try GF this time as I have always wanted to stay there.
I would also like to hear peoples responses.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Thanks everyone!

Still a little up in the air... and now ofcourse DP is wondering if this is such a good idea... more time off... more dollars at the holiday time etc etc...

So we will see but we must make a decision very quick before airfare changes drastically... s it is I have one resv on hold that I might have to release tonight if he continues to grumble.

A compromise maybe only going for 3 nights in which case I would definately give the Poly a whirl.. especially with the cost savings.

Thanks again and sorry for the rambles.

Oh, and keepthe opinions coming... well at least forthe next 24hrs!

 

[frdeb1999]

We have stayed both and they are both great. Although we as a family deffinately prefer the Poly.. I think it is just more family orientated. The kids absolutely love everything about it and given the choice of the best room at the GF and the cheapest at the Poly they would still pick the Poly.. We love sitting by the pool and watching the fireworks and water parade in the evenings. The resturants are absolutely wonderful. And there is so much for kids to do. And if the budget is tight and you can save $500 you deffinately won't be unhappy with you accomodations! Hope you have a wonderful time no matter what you decide!

 

[busytxmom]

Okay, let me tell you our experience. Next year, we will have our third stay at the Poly (and AKV ). Prior to that, we stayed at CR and GF for many many years. I'd always thought of trying the Poly but I didn't think it would compare to the GF or CR (We like both of those for very different reasons). Also, around the time we switched, there were reports of the Poly being dated and even mold in some rooms. Finally, we decided to try (after all those years). WE LOVED IT! The Poly is a deluxe but has a more Disney and "vacationy" feel to us. I now feel like you do but the reverse. I was tempted to stay at the GF next year b/c of the newly done rooms but I was afraid I'd be looking over the lake at the Poly and pining for it. So we're staying at the Poly and I couldn't be happier! FWIW, we've stayed at the GF at Xmas. It IS beautiful but we also found it to be a bit of a madhouse in the lobby each day. SO many people from all over come to see the lobby. If you're in a hurry to catch the bus, monorail, etc. , the crowds can be difficult to navigate. If you truly feel you'll be pining for the GF across Bay Lake though, you may want to "go with your gut" and stay there! Hope I gave you some food for thought.....

OK- so we have stayed at both. I totally agree with everything "woody" said here. We really love the GF, but the lobby does get crazy during Christmas time. We thought that we would go back to the GF this year, but we are going back to the POLY. We have gone back and forth, but what did it for us is the convenience to the TTC. We like that we can hop on the express monorail really quickly both ways. We spend equal amounts of time at both MK and EPCOT. Getting to EPCOT is so easy. The monorail from the GF is fine, but not nearly as convenient as POLY. It was the convenience that outweighed how much we loved the GF. We have 4 children...2 of which must ride in the stroller. We will probably stay at the POLY for the next few years until our kiddos get out of that stroller. Then we will go back to the GF---our favorite!!!