GF or Poly for a splurge trip?

[Masonmj84]

Thinking about taking a splurge trip the week after Thanksgiving 2012 (staying at either the GF or Poly and eating on the DxDP).

Originally was set on the Poly for these reasons:

(1) more laid back atmosphere;
(2) more centrally located between MK & Epcot;
(3) people generally rave about it more than GF;
(4) if the rumors about the 2013 Poly refurb end up happening, I want to experience staying at the "old Poly" before the big change

However, the following reasons have me leaning toward the GF:
(1) better Christmas decorations;
(2) hot tub;
(3) I have more meals planned here than in the Poly (particularly if the rumors about the Cali Grill being closed Q4 2012 are true - in which case we'll probably substitute Narcoossees for Cali Grill)

For someone who has stayed at neither, what would you recommend?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

On a splurge trip a couple years ago I chose to stay at the Poly. My main reason was theming, however that is a completely subjective matter. Ours was a January trip -just my wife and I, so the pools were not a factor. We found Poly to be every bit the relaxing romantic retreat we hoped it would be. It was nice to be able to walk over to TTC and catch the Epcot monorail. We did spend time at GF, enjoying the lovely walk between the two resorts. On multiple occasions we rested on the Poly beach hammocks during teh day and evening, taking in the view and atmosphere. I especially liked watching Wishes from there one evening.

I know it's not much help, but I don't think you could go wrong either way.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and while they are both awesome resorts, our preference is the Poly. We love the Poly for the tropical atmosphere, the beach for watching the fireworks, the view of the castle from the volcano pool, and Captain Cooks for CS meals and snacks . It's also relaxing walking around at night under the lit tiki torches. With all that said, you really can't go wrong with either resort as both are wonderful .

 

[toodycat]

I have to chime in for the GF. The Poly is nice and the rooms are quite large, but they are dark. The hallways are unadorned and don't communicate the magic the way they do at other resorts. We found the pool area very crowded and the lobby too small. The beach is pretty and the hula lessons for kids are fun. But, our heart belongs to the GF with its spacious lobby, light palette and pretty rooms. The two pools are never crowded and all the restaurants are outstanding. I also think the grounds make for a nicer walk at the GF. I'm sure you'll have an amazing vacation either way, but I think the GF is head and shoulders better.

 

[bethclayton]

Thinking about taking a splurge trip the week after Thanksgiving 2012 (staying at either the GF or Poly and eating on the DxDP).

Originally was set on the Poly for these reasons:

(1) more laid back atmosphere;
(2) more centrally located between MK & Epcot;
(3) people generally rave about it more than GF;
(4) if the rumors about the 2013 Poly refurb end up happening, I want to experience staying at the "old Poly" before the big change

However, the following reasons have me leaning toward the GF:
(1) better Christmas decorations;
(2) hot tub;
(3) I have more meals planned here than in the Poly (particularly if the rumors about the Cali Grill being closed Q4 2012 are true - in which case we'll probably substitute Narcoossees for Cali Grill)

For someone who has stayed at neither, what would you recommend?

I love both. But in your situation, I would stay at Poly. I feel like your post shows that you have a more sentimental attachment to the idea of staying there, which should not be overlooked. Your reasons for the GF are more practical, but I don't think they're coming from your gut. Yes, GF has better Christmas decorations, but in my opinion, only in the main building. The outer buildings are decorated but nothing to write home about. You will be at the GF main building plenty for your meals so you will see all the decorations at those times. And I personally found the Poly Christmas decorations to be very lovely in their own way. As for the hot tub, we were there early Dec last year and it was freezing and we did not use the hot tub once (and we are pretty good about getting in the hot tub even when it is cold, but it was COLD). So, I would not let the hot tub be a determining factor at that time of year. The monorail ride from Poly to GF is literally like 2 mins, so depending on what building you are in you could actually almost get to the Main Bulding just as quickly as you could if you were staying on GF property.

Good luck with your decision. You cannot go wrong with either choice. Both are great resorts.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

A vote for the GF. We did a split stay between the Poly and the GF in 2009. I was blown away when we got to our room at the GF. It was fantastic.

I didn't have to use a flashlight to find things on the floor. The bathroom was roomy and the colors were relaxing.

The Poly is great in it's own way. I stayed there as a kid as well, and loved it. But, the GF is really spectacular. I'm so thrilled it's going to have a DVC! Yay!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

And what is all that about the Cali Grill being closed? Someone point me to the thread on that. I'm confused!

I'll go searching for it....

 

[Warren W]

And what is all that about the Cali Grill being closed? Someone point me to the thread on that. I'm confused!

I'll go searching for it....

Same here.

 

[thptrek]

If you have vacationed in Hawaii or Oceania before then you may want to stay at GF. If not, I would stay at Poly. I like both resorts and it just depends on what atmosphere you want. Don't worry about logistics, getting between Poly and GF is super easy.

 

[nklooz]

So, I think you need to prioritize what you're looking for in the resort to decide. You've laid out your perceived advantages to each so then which of those things are most important to you?

(1) more laid back atmosphere;
(2) more centrally located between MK & Epcot;
(3) people generally rave about it more than GF;
(4) if the rumors about the 2013 Poly refurb end up happening, I want to experience staying at the "old Poly" before the big change

However, the following reasons have me leaning toward the GF:
(1) better Christmas decorations;
(2) hot tub;
(3) I have more meals planned here than in the Poly (particularly if the rumors about the Cali Grill being closed Q4 2012 are true - in which case we'll probably substitute Narcoossees for Cali Grill)

For me, I'd choose the GF for a splurge trip because of the theme/Christmas decor, hot tub and the on site signature dining. The 3 advantages you listed for GF all seem better in line with splurge. As far as people raving more about the Poly, I feel that I also hear more people complaining about it, people seem to be at one extreme or another.

 

[pepe of ohio]

When you say splurge...you mean spend the most money on? We always stay deluxe and to us..that's the splurge.....for what you get for that money is a different event...

We've stayed at both the Poly and GF...but the GF only once....did not care for the resort at all....entirely too much white.....as for the lobby...nice to walk through and that's about it......we won't go back, especially for their price...

The Poly we have stayed at numerous times but alot of years ago....when the rates were decent and discounts better....we like the overall general feel to the property over the GF.....but it's out priced itself for us for what you get...we've moved on...

Have you given any thought to the Wilderness Lodge? Still a deluxe but not with that huge price tag.....smaller in room size but huge in stature...we prefer it over your 2 picks.....compact, under one roof, great pool, 2 hot tubs and 1 more over at the villa section with a quiet pool...just saying, splurging for us is what we get for our money and we spend less at the WL but have a highly remarkable feeling when we walk into its lobby and grounds.....still in the MK area, pleasant boat ride to the MK, boat to CR to catch the monorail and off the beaten path with alot less day visitors wandering around...

 

[ktlm]

We stayed at the Poly in December 2009 and 2010, and this year we stayed at GF. They are both terrific places to stay. Both resorts are beautiful.

GF is definitely beautiful at Christmas. I love the piano player and the big band in the lobby in the evenings (but be aware that the lobby can be absolutely packed and crazy in the evenings) I also like that the grounds are very well lit up and open and that I feel perfectly comfortable walking around by myself after dark there (I don't feel comfortable after dark by myself on the Poly grounds) The staff is great at GF. The rooms we had at the Poly were a little bigger, but not really that noticable- definitely not a big enough difference that it would be a deal breaker. The beds were much more comfortable at the Poly. Maybe we just got a room with some bad mattresses, but the GF beds in our room were hard as a rock and one sunk in at the middle, so that DH and I both rolled into the middle to the point that we wound up switching beds with DD after a couple of days. Her bed was better, but still not the greatest as it was still pretty hard. The pillows were hard too, but after the fact I heard that you can contact housekeeping and request down pillows, so that should solve that problem. This trip is the first time I can recall really having trouble sleeping at a WDW resort. Of course, after a few days at WDW, you are so worn out at night that you can pretty much sleep anywhere anyway.

The main difference, and one that definitely leaves DH and I prefering the Poly, is the transportation. (DD (5) would still tell you that she adores the GF over anyplace else). We have stayed at GF, Poly, WL, AKL, and POR and the bus service at the GF was the worst that we have ever encountered at any WDW resort. Frankly, I don't find that acceptable for the prices they charge for that resort. We never waited less than 30 minutes for a bus, and it was not unusual to wait longer. We were definitely never the 1st people there waiting even though it took us over half an hour. GF shares buses and it is the 3rd bus stop (Contemporary and Poly are the first 2). It was not unusual for the buses to come through completely full, and the driver would just open the door and wave and tell everyone they would have to wait for the next bus.

The boat service to the MK was great. Only one time was there ever any significant wait. We went to MVMCP 3 nights (I know crazy- it was an impluse decision during the trip). 2 of the nights they were running 2 boats; however, the 3rd night they were running only the one boat back and forth and the boat line was crazy (as was the monorail). The people 2 parties behind us had to wait for the 3rd time the boat docked back to get on (they got cut off, the time we got on the boat) and the line was pretty huge behind them.

At the Poly, you can walk to the TTC and get the express monorail to Epcot. At the GF you have to take the resort monorail line to the TTC and then the express monorail to Epcot. When we stayed at the Poly, it took about 20 minutes to get to Epcot. From GF, it was closer to an hour. We did enjoy the monorail ride though, but it sure was nice to get to and especially back from Epcot quickly from the Poly.

Finally, one of our mornings at GF, the resort monorail line was down. It was a disaster at the bus stop. A big mob of not very happy people with long waits trying to get to MK or Epcot. If it had been the Poly, everyone could have just walked over to the TTC as I'm guessing the other monorail line was operating.

 

[RocketEAR99]

It's a tough call but I would go to Poly and the dining choices at GF are a very short monorail ride away!