GF or Poly for my Moms Christmas trip...help me decide

[mommytobug]

I m taking my Mom to Disney to see the Christmas decorations. I would like suggestions on which resort you all would suggest. We stayed at CR this past November and loved the rooms and the convenience but it did not have the feel I am looking for. I know my Mom would love the WL theming but I would prefer monorail. She has fibromyalgia so some days are good and some bad. I really dont want to stay somewhere that she has to walk a ton to get to transportation. CR was perfect for that point but again I am also looking at decor, etc. She loves Christmas. I want her to enjoy the resort. I am looking at concierge. DD wants Poly but I remember the walking we did when staying there. If we did GF, it would be in main building and I keep thinking about the gingerbread house, etc. Also, dd likes to do Alice in Wonderland Tea Party. We will probably do MK and Epcot. We are DVC members so may just book a room with them for first night. Any suggestions, pictures or help would be helpful. This will be her birthday present in March so I am trying to line everything up now.

 

[mommytobug]

I forgot to say that MK view is also important. I would love for her to be able to see the castle and the electric water parade from the room. She is not high maintenance (I am ) but I want this to be special for her.

 

[hrt2hrtmomdeb]

We stay at the poly every year for 3 weeks from halloween to the week of the first MVMCP. Even though i adore the Poly it seems to lack the christmas spirit in my opinion. I guess it's tough trying to stick to the poly decor and blend the xmas decore I'm used to.The decorations at the GF and WL are beautiful. The GF will also be very convenient for access to the mk and Epcot. The only pics I have of the holiday decorations at GF they are of the gingerbread house but i'll gladly forward them to you if you'd like. Wherever you end up staying I'm sure your mother will have a fabulous time!! Happy planning!!!

 

[Martyb]

If you have the money, stay at the Grand Floridian. It's extra-beautiful during the holidays. For MK travel, it's one stop away by monorail. On the return trip you are one stop away by boat (if the family can manage the boat).

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Judging by what you've told me, I'd suggest the GF. I'm a Polynesian fan but for really 'grand' christmas decorations with a wonderful MK view, go with the GF.

 

[disnut8]

I don't know if this makes a difference but the Polynesian does not have a hot tub. I mention this because some people who have trouble walking like to soak in the tub after a long day of walking.

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi ! We are huge GF fans! We stay there twice a year and it is our favorite resort!
I did a girls trip with my mom in December and we stayed in RPC( Main Building) We had a great time as always and are doing it again next December. A castle view is just a request in RPC, there is no guarantee. We often times get one if we request a castle view but the castle view rooms are the furthest from the lounge so I did not ask for one. Wanted to be closer to the lounge for my mom.
We love to sit in the lounge, listen to the orchestra and have a glass of wine, (a cup of tea for my mom!) We really took advantage of the offerings this time since we did not do commando park hopping! The RPC CM's are fabulous and the resort is gorgeous at Christmas time with the gingerbread house, giant tree, beautiful swags and topiaries everywhere. It really gets you in the Christmas spirit. The shops are great too and we spent a few hours just Christmas shopping there at the GF - I love Basin!

We have spent a lot of Christmas trips there besides this last one, so feel free to ask more questions or PM if you want!

 

[helenk]

Another vote for the GF. Having stayed at both resorts I love the feel of the GF over the Poly.
At the GF you can actually sit in the lobby and relax, the lobby at the Poly is so noisy with all the people there for Ohana and Kona and the waterfall, it just was not relaxing to me.
The Christmas decorations at the GF are the best, the tree, the garland and the Gingerbread House just can not be beat.

 

[appleorchard]

GF, no question. We stayed there concierge for two days in Dec 2005 then moved to the BWV for 2 more days and would love to do it again this year but the new $95 surcharge for booking non DVC hotels will keep me from doing it, on top of the high point cost! The decorations, easy monorail access, live music in the lobby in the afternoon and evening, plus the room decor are all mom pleasers! I took my mom to the Poly this sumer for just a day and it didn't thrill her--tropical really isn't her style at all!

 

[lvloopingbag]

Hands down, GF.......

 

[Cinderumbrella]

GF, absolutely!! But the main building rooms are hard to come by, especially at Christmas...