Can't decide...Poly or GF....

[QJ411]

We've stayed at WL for our past trips, and I want to try a different resort. During our last stay, we walked around Poly (love their pool) and the GF (love their "romantic" theme)...we're heading back there at the end of Nov. and I can't decide.

(In reality, I'm hoping for some AP codes...but we'll see how much it helps us...)

But during that time (Christmas decor will be up- and I LOVE the GF Christmas tree)...which resort do you enjoy more? How's the service at either?


THANKS!

 

[contempgal]

I've stayed at both but between the two, prefer Poly. While I agree that GF does have a romantic feel, I think Poly does as well. I loved walking along the torched walkways with the music playing and all of the beatiful plants. My sis also loved that all CM's said "aloha" to you as you passed. The beach area is wonderful as well. My experience at GF was nice but admittedly hampered by a very noisy neighbor that we could hear through the wall and couldn't sleep....we were later moved to a new room. I did love the view and the wonderful comfy robes in the room.

My vote: Polynesian

 

[Kim&Chris]

Both are gorgeous resorts, but I also prefer the Polynesian. I think it has a certain "magic" to it, because it's an original WDW resort.

We stayed at the Poly just before Christmas '02, and LOVED every second of our stay. I loved hearing the sounds of the WDW railroad in the morning, and being able to see all the fireworks from our beach (I loved being able to call it OUR beach!!!).

Also, I thought it was really cool that they played Hawaiian-themed Christmas carols by the pools. We hummed the songs during our stay (wish I could find these songs on a CD!!).

 

[LongCove]

I can't decide on the two either....what is your feeling on the matter.

We want luxury for our honeymoon, but we also want an experience and not "just be a number"

Can anyone help me sort this out?


Thanks!

 

[QJ411]

Wow, all these votes for POLY!

I do love the Poly, we went there for the Luau and for O'hana...we do love the theme...

But while we were there in May, I was SEVERELY eaten alive by these...gnats/bugs...and I came home w/ weeks of allergic reations. I'm hoping that in Nov./Dec., we wouldn't have these bug problems.

I'm still torn though...I love the decor and ambiance of GF...but I was afraid of the "hospitality/service"...I'm afraid that it might be a bit..."snotty"... If it's like that, then we'd rather go w/ Poly.

UGGGGHHH...I'm so confused....hee hee maybe we'll split our stay ...

At the same point, I do agree, I love the beach at Poly and all the "Alohas"...


I'm SOOOOOO confused!!!!

 

[Geomich]

Here is another vote for Poly. When we booked our honeymoon my DS originally was going for the Poly but the CM convinced him the GF is the way to go because of the occasion. I thought it was a bit "formal" for me. Poly is very relaxed.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Don't be thinking that the Poly is less romantic than GF. The torches, the music, the beaches, the lush tropical lobby...the only thing the Poly lacks is a romantic restaurant, but you can easily access any monorail resort restaurant or Epcot from the Poly.

There is nothing snobby about GF. It just doesn't have that same laid-back feel as the Poly. Decide based upon your tastes. We have friends who adore the GF and just can't get why ANYONE would possibly choose the Poly. We wouldn't want to stay anywhere OTHER than the Poly.

Poor you. What a terrible choice to have to make!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Sorry if this adds to your confusion, but I have to differ and vote for the Grand Floridian. I absolutely love this place!!! I've stayed at six of the deluxes and it is my favorite--so unique and incredible. You feel so pampered, and the beds are incredibly comfortable. The white sand beach is very romantic, as is the lagoon view at dusk. I love the electric parade and the motor launches that go between MK and GF/ Poly. However, I prefer the elegant Victorian theme to the Hawaiian theme. Our service has always been perfect at GF, no problems ever, and our rooms are beautiful...we love the Alice in Wonderland bath supplies and decor. Sometimes I just want to go to WDW just to get another stay at GF!!

 

[GeekChic]

i have to vote GF as well! Have stayed at both and just love the feeling at the grand. it didn't feel snooty at ALL when we stayed at sugarloaf (lodge concierge) i would think the other buildings were fine too the main building staff was nice.

aside from one rude concierge and concierge manager (whom were both talked to by someone in upper-management before we left, and she did a great job making it up to us) everyone there was wonderful.

oh, how i wish we were going to stay there again.

one thing: the lounge of Royal Palm was, in the morning, filled with business people! I was surprised. I expected more honeymooners/families. But nope, there was a big pharmaceutical convention happening at the hotel and i felt out of place with the suits in the lounge.

BUT, sugarloaf is da BOMB! (now it'll be harder for me to get ressies there when i want them later LOL oh well!)

geek

 

[QJ411]

Thanks for all the votes...I think in the midst of it all, I'm really leaning towards GF. But like I said, I was just worried that the CMs might be a bit....

But I think it's a beautiful resort, we've visited during Christmas and in the summer and it's just magnificent! (Although, I am still a true fan of WL , and always will be...but I thought I'd try something new this time).

Well, I'm going to call and make my ressies soon...but I'm really hoping for those AP CODES!!!

During the time we go, I believe it's value season....I hope the codes will help a little too.

Can anyone recommend a "room" or "view"...oh...also...we're smokers... ...I know...very bad....what floor will we be on? (Like at WL, we were on the 6th Flr. only...but we asked for a castle view and it was GREAT watching the fireworks from there.) Any good tips for room requests?

THANKS everyone!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I don't think that GF is snooty...at least I've never experienced it that way. It is luxurious, but I've never felt stifled or out of place, and I went w/ a toddler!

As for smoking, I'm not sure because we always get non-smoking. I've had all types of views at GF and have never had anything undesirable. The garden view was a lovely view of the inner courtyard (we were in Big Pine Key for both of our garden view stays), the lagoon view was in Boca Chica and we could see the island and the contemporary, and we had a castle lagoon view in Sago Cay that was great, too. Sorry I can't help w/ which building to consider for a smoking room--if anyone else answers which building/ floor is smoking I can help w/ its location w/in the resort and was to request in terms of what to view.

Have a great trip! It makes me feel lovely just to think of staying at Gf

 

[ead79]

I also vote for the GF. It sounds to me from your post that the GF is where you would really prefer to stay. Having stayed there twice and loved it both times, I say to give it a try. It's holiday theming is much more elaborate and detailed than the Polynesian's, so I think it's a wonderful choice for that time of year. I have also stayed at the Polynesian during the holidays, and it doesn't feel as Christmasy as the GF does to me (not that I had a bad time, quite the opposite--we really enjoyed the Poly too). I don't feel that the GF comes across as snotty, just as luxurious.

 

[LadyLt]

All of the smoking optional garden view and lagoon view guest rooms at the GF are in the Big Pine Key building. Floors 4 and 5 are Smoking Optional. Those are lovely rooms and the building is the closest to the Main builing.

Of course, there are smoking optional suites in the Main building. But the above are the only smoking rooms in the regular guest lodges.

 

[ead79]

LongCove,

We spent part of our honeymoon at the GF following our Disney wedding, and we never felt like a number. We were on the concierge level, and we even had staff members greet us by name when they saw us. Everyone we encountered, from bell staff to front desk CMs to room service CMs, was polite and friendly. Disney is a very popular honeymoon destination, and we did see lots of other couples wearing their bride and groom Mickey/Minnie ears and even some other brides and grooms in their wedding attire, but we always felt special.

 

[sotoalf]

I've stayed at both in the last year. The GUESTS at the Grand Floridian are worse than the CM's, in my experience. The hotel itself is filled with children, which is a disadvantage if you're paying close to $300 a night.

However, the GF has the best restaurants in WDW: Citricos, Narcoosee's, GF Cafe. And to me it sounds like your heart is set on the GF, so go for it.

 

[QJ411]

Thanks for all the info everyone! We did decide to book w/ GF. It's just something about it....it's so...romantic!

This trip till be our 2 yr. wedding anniversary...so we're pretty excited!!!!

I looked at some of the photos from AllEarsNet.com and some of the rooms were.......not what I expected. I firgured, the theme in the rooms would be similar to the outside, white, red, soft, simple...but the funky wall paper and bed posts...

I'm still gonna give it a try though....thanks for all the room/section recommendations!!!! Keep 'em comin if you got more info! Anyone has photos of their own from GF?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I don't know if you can tell from the pics but the wallpaper is of Alice in Wonderland. It's kind of a Victorian styled decor, with vibrant blues and yellows, and with pictures of teacups, books, Alice and the white rabbit. The pictures may have not given the room justice, they really are very pretty, but not subdued, as you described the outside. I think they are the prettiest rooms onsite, however (but I study Victorian lit, so the era really appeals to me ). But I know its a personal thing, and some think the yellows and blues of the wallpaper and bedspreads are too bright. I like the wicker bathroom accessories--very cute. The room is also very large and there is nothing like being inside the waterfall pool and looking at the lagoon--because its zero entry it looks like the pool is extending into the lagoon--its wonderful, particularly at dusk with the sunset and all the ducks. At Christmas you will also have the reindeer in white lights in front of the lobby and the gingerbread house inside the lobby, where they sell all kinds of cookies and candies....and the huge tree, of course.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I forgot to mention that if you are in Big Pine Key, for smoking, if you get a garden view you will see the inside courtyard area of the Gf, and if you get a lagoon view you will see the waterfall pool area, and the part of the lagoon that faces the Polynesian.

 

[QJ411]

LADYHAWKE10,

Thanks so much for the info!

Most likely we'll stick to a garden view (watchin our budget). Big Pine Key (Smoking)...is that the building I should ask for? Or will they just assign it b/c of the smoking.

I'm SO excited. I can't wait to see their beautiful tree again! Oh...one more thing...does the rooms at GF have balconies? Any room? Thanks!!!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

All the rooms at GF have big balconies. I have had a garden view twice in Big Pine Key, and it was lovely, and very close to the main building for easy access to the Christmas decorated lobby and shops/restaurants. I guess Big Pine Key is the only building that offers smoking--a garden view on the fourth or fifth floor (the smoking floors) should be really nice.