GF Club Level Theme Park View or Poly Club Level Theme Park View?

[babygiant]

We're two adults (over 50) heading back to Disney this winter, and we have the option to stay at the GF or the Poly (both club level "regular" rooms/not suites, both with a theme park view). The GF is considerably more expensive, but we don't want money to be the only deciding factor, and we'd rather not deal with the potential stress of a split stay. If you had this option, where would you stay and why? We love the idea of being able to walk to the MK easily from the GF, and we know that the club levels rooms were very recently renovated and look very nice. (We also know about the "Moana renovations" at the Poly, etc.) Is there a big difference in the club level food offerings? Do you get more personal service at one resort versus the other? Is there a "special" concierge check-in at both resorts? Is the resort room with the theme park view at one location "better" than the other? Thanks so much for your input on these and whatever other factors you would consider. We're really having difficulty making this "happy" decision.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Two adults over 50 says GF CL over Poly CL to me. Poly CL is the largest CL by room count and is very popular with families, the lounge always has lots of children, etc. It can also be pretty busy during certain times of day (mainly mornings and 5-6pm). GF CL will of course have families and children too, but it is by far the more ‘refined’ or adult oriented CL experience in everything from the size of the lounge and available seating, food offerings, and attentiveness of CMs.

I do think a Poly TPV room view wins out over GF TPV - Poly has the better angle and the view of MK and the Seven Seas Lagoon is far more expansive than GF CL. I also very much prefer the Poly rooms over the recent GF room renovations, but GF regulars seem quite pleased with the new rooms, so I’m in the minority opinion.

Both are fantastic resort and CL experiences in their own ways, but if I’m going to go with the usual CL crowd around these boards when thinking of an adults only trip or if you just really want the Poly vibe, GF wins in my view.

Good luck deciding!

 

[focusondisney]

We’re in our 60s, I’d say GF. We’ve stayed at RPC 5 times I think but never @ Poly. I’ve considered staying there a few times, but the trip reports I read always scare me off. The lounge seems busy & small & not what we’re looking for. I’ve also read a few reports of unsupervised kids getting into the foods & maybe not leaving them in a sanitary manner. The GF lounge area is on 3 floors. It’s easy to find a place to sit & relax & not feel crowded. Or like we should get up so others can have a place to sit & et. There haven’t been many kids when we’ve been there. The service counters are relatively high, so I haven’t seen kids helping themselves very often. There are families there of course, but you’re not on top of each other so it’s still very relaxing.

 

[Dave006]

While you can't go wrong with either choice @babygiant based in your questions I would say that GF RPC CL has the slight edge over a stay at the King Kamehameha Club (KKC) at the Polynesian.

We love the idea of being able to walk to the MK easily from the GF, and we know that the club levels rooms were very recently renovated and look very nice. (

Yes the RPC club level rooms are right above the lovely lobby in the GR main building. While it is quite nice and maybe enjoyable to walk to the MK you do have other options if the weather is not agreeable for a walk.

You also have the Monorail or the resort launch which stops at the Poly on the way to MK. Guests at the Poly also have option to walk to MK (walkway to GF should reopen soon) and the Monorail and a quicker boat to the MK.

Is there a big difference in the club level food offerings?

In my personal opinion yes since both reflect the food offerings available in each resort's local restaurants. The lounges are quite different. The RPC lounge is spread across 3 floors of the GF main building with many quite areas with seating.

The KKC lounge is located in a smaller space that features two-story views facing Magic Kingdom, with a perfect view of Cinderella Castle and fireworks in the evening. The KKC can be quite busy and noisy at peak morning and evening times.

Do you get more personal service at one resort versus the other? Is there a "special" concierge check-in at both resorts?

Yes at the GF there tends to be a higher ratio of staff to guests available but you are paying a Premium for this service. Yes there is a special concierge check-in at both resorts. The CL lounge and non-suite CL rooms are located in the Hawaii Longhouse at the Poly.

Is the resort room with the theme park view at one location "better" than the other?

I would have to give the edge to the Polynesian TPV rooms as you have a more direct view of the MK from your room and even from the 2 story lounge.

I am sure that I missed a few great features but stay tuned and other DIS member should show up and provide great input.

Dave

 

[gottalovepluto]

Since cost isn’t the driving issue here I say it’s GF hands down. Poly Club can get to be an absolute nuthouse with families/kids. And that’s made even worse because the pool is right there and they are always running in to grab stuff for the pool.

 

[babygiant]

Thanks so much to everyone for your thoughtful (and very helpful!) replies. We really appreciate your input and think that we'll head to the GF for this trip. Either way, we feel so lucky to be going back to Disney World, where we have so many great memories from years ago. Best wishes to everyone for a great holiday season!

 

[justme0729]

I will say that if you like to hang at the pool a lot, Poly club level is very close and easy to access in/ out vs. the Grand Floridian royal palm club