Can't decide - Poly or GF?

[dato63]

I'm debating on the Poly or GF for our next visit.

Does anyone know if the Grand Adventures are offered on Thanksgiving Day? Or if they take that day off due to it being a holiday? I tried to ask Disney directly and they said they didn't know. And does anyone know when the gingerbread house goes up?

There are some posts here about the Poly not being as friendly & is dirty. It looks like a neat theme though.

This year (2008) we are staying in the WL. In 2009 we've not decided if we will go again for our twins birthday (11/13th) or since they are starting Kindergarten if we will go over Thanksgiving. If we go over Thanksgiving my thoughts were to stay at the GF and skip the parks on Thanksgiving day and let the girls do the grand adventure stuff instead, if they offer them.

Thank you for any input.

 

[missycj96]

Both hotels are outstanding. You won't go wrong either way. Its completely a matter of personal preference. If you give some more input about what you want from this vacation and what is important to you, I can offer suggestions. I just wrote a review of the GF.

 

[tinklvr64]

there have been many debates on this board for this...check it out!

 

[dato63]

Thank you.

We are just wanting a memorable family vacation. Each year we want to try a different resort. This is our first year - and we are going to the Wilderness Lodge.

When looking at the different resorts - I was interested in either Poly or GF as they both have the monorail, the beach for seeing fireworks at night & both have beautiful themes.

We do have children, so I was worried GF might be too upscale. But the guidebooks I have read said otherwise. I was leaning toward GF if we do the grand adventures just for the ease of taking them and coming back. Plus we could have them go to the child care facility one night while we dine in one of the nicer resteraunts there.

I just wasn't sure if Poly was more child-friendly. With the leis, the hula lessons, etc.

Our girls will turn 5 this year in November.

 

[mickeynut1]

I can't answer your question regarding the Grand Adventures, but I can tell you that our experience last September at the Poly was WONDERFUL (can't comment on the GF as we've never stayed there ). But as far as the Poly is concerned, everybody was VERY friendly and the resort was NOT dirty at all. I read many not-so-good reviews about the Poly before our stay and I decided to basically take each "bad" review with a grain of salt and try the resort for myself. I'm SOOO GLAD we did......the Poly is now our favorite resort, with the WL coming in second . You can't beat the monorail convenience, the beach to watch fireworks, seeing the castle from the pool, great restaurants, walking around at night with the tiki torches lit.....the list goes on and on . But the Poly isn't for everybody.....just like any other resort.....everybody has their own preferences . If the theme and location appeal to you....I say give it a try. If the GF seems more to your liking....go with that one. It's a tough decision as Disney has so many great resorts to choose from, but that's one of the best things about Disney.....there's something for everybody, whether it be cost, theming, location, etc. . But honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either resort as they are both in great locations and are both nice resorts . Good luck with your decision and have a great trip .

 

[dato63]

there have been many debates on this board for this...check it out!

Thanks. I had looked through quite a few posts, before posting. But after reading yours I went even further and found more.

After reading them - I think I'll wait until we iron out which week. If it is the girls' birthday go to the Poly, and save GF for when we go over Thanksgiving . . sounds like it is amazing when fully decked out for Christmas.

 

[dato63]

I can't answer your question regarding the Grand Adventures, but I can tell you that our experience last September at the Poly was WONDERFUL (can't comment on the GF as we've never stayed there ). But as far as the Poly is concerned, everybody was VERY friendly and the resort was NOT dirty at all. I read many not-so-good reviews about the Poly before our stay and I decided to basically take each "bad" review with a grain of salt and try the resort for myself. I'm SOOO GLAD we did......the Poly is now our favorite resort, with the WL coming in second . You can't beat the monorail convenience, the beach to watch fireworks, seeing the castle from the pool, great restaurants, walking around at night with the tiki torches lit.....the list goes on and on . But the Poly isn't for everybody.....just like any other resort.....everybody has their own preferences . If the theme and location appeal to you....I say give it a try. If the GF seems more to your liking....go with that one. It's a tough decision as Disney has so many great resorts to choose from, but that's one of the best things about Disney.....there's something for everybody, whether it be cost, theming, location, etc. . But honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either resort as they are both in great locations and are both nice resorts . Good luck with your decision and have a great trip .

Thank you! It is nice to be reminded to take the bad with a grain of salt. For every bad post on the Poly, I saw several more positive ones. I grew up in Hawaii, so the theme does have a certain draw for me. We are trying the WL in 2008, and I'm thinking the Poly for 2009. I want to see the GF when it is decked out for Christmas, so we'll save that for 2010.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you! It is nice to be reminded to take the bad with a grain of salt. For every bad post on the Poly, I saw several more positive ones. I grew up in Hawaii, so the theme does have a certain draw for me. We are trying the WL in 2008, and I'm thinking the Poly for 2009. I want to see the GF when it is decked out for Christmas, so we'll save that for 2010.

Alot of people think the Poly is too "Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii", but we didn't feel that way. We've been to Hawaii and I think Disney does a good job of portraying the Hawaiian theme at the Poly . We also did the luau in September despite all the reviews I read of how bad the food was and how cheesy the show was . We actually thought the food was great and the show cute. So if the Poly is one you want to try....go for it . And I must say that you will LOVE the WL . We've stayed there twice and are booked for our third stay there in December . So, enjoy the resort as it's beautiful.....you'll have a great time .

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Both Resorts are great and I am sure you will be happy no mattter which one you select.

 

[christa112]

I would go for the Poly, the GF seems way too fancy. I think I would feel totally out of place there.

 

[tinklvr64]

I would go for the Poly, the GF seems way too fancy. I think I would feel totally out of place there.

Have you ever stayed there?? If not dont assume...and dont stir the pot...actually Poly was dark, dingy, moldy smelling, and WAY over hyped. I can say this because I have stayed there and moved after 1 night.

OP make your own decisions based on what you feel fits your family

 

[thesupersmartguy]

I would go with the GF. We make it a point to stay there whenever it's available. It is very welcoming, and the staff is extremely helpful.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

We stayed at the Poly last October with my 3 kids, 10, 7, and 5. They looooved it! We loved everything from the food, to the pool, and the walks around the resort at night with the tiki torches lit. I loved leaving the parks and returning to what felt like paradise. Everyone was friendly and we cannot wait to go back!

Good luck!!

 

[vanillarum]

Go to the GF. We love the Poly and that will make it less crowded for us !!

 

[dato63]

Go to the GF. We love the Poly and that will make it less crowded for us !!

LOL - that is too funny. I know it may be silly to already be trying to figure out where to stay in 2009 (since our 2008 trip is still months away), but I want to book the room as soon as the 2009 opens, as I want to get a theme park view.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I've stayed at both and it really just depends on what your looking for. I like the formality of the GF (although some feel it is pretentious). I also like the relaxed and fun atmosphere of the Poly. As far as the rooms, we stayed concierge at GF and a regular room at the Poly. Aside from the concierge difference, we liked the resorts equally. I've heard complaints about both from time to time, but we never encountered issues with dirty rooms, nasty CM's or any other problems at either place. No matter what you choose I don't think you'll have a bad time.

 

[PamNC]

We've stayed at both and we prefer the Poly. Although, the GF is certainly fabulous! The main reason for our preference is the theme. We love the tropical, relaxed feel of the Poly. The rooms at the Grand are actually nicer and brighter. Smaller though. We prefer the pool at the Poly as well.

However, for the holiday time frame, the Grand does a much better job decorating. That's for sure!!!

PamNC

 

[dato63]

Thank you to everyone for your input. I think our 2009 decision has been made for me. One of my twins saw me looking at pics on this board - saw the bedroom at GF and asked if we could stay there. The awe in her face. . .so I'm sold. 2008 is WL, 2009 is GF. Perhaps we will try Poly in 2010.

Thank you. We are celebrating their 5th birthday there this year, and even seeing the thread with the cakes was awesome. We ordered a cake with princesses on it (my twins are Princess nuts), and I can't wait to see what it looks like!

 

[thesupersmartguy]

Thank you to everyone for your input. I think our 2009 decision has been made for me. One of my twins saw me looking at pics on this board - saw the bedroom at GF and asked if we could stay there. The awe in her face. . .so I'm sold. 2008 is WL, 2009 is GF. Perhaps we will try Poly in 2010.

Thank you. We are celebrating their 5th birthday there this year, and even seeing the thread with the cakes was awesome. We ordered a cake with princesses on it (my twins are Princess nuts), and I can't wait to see what it looks like!

Glad I could help out. Have a Super trip to the World!