GF or Poly?

[cinderlexa's mom]

Considering a trip during a slow(er) week in Dec. Traveling with DH, a toddler and a tween.

Love, love, love the Poly--it's my favorite. Very magical. Tiki torches, lush landscaping, pretending to be in Hawaii... But, in Dec'03 the lack of Christmas decorations was a real downer...

Never stayed at GF. Didn't "feel" any magic while visiting. Didn't care for Victorian? style and it seemed subdued. Food at child-friendly GF Cafe wasn't good.

The lure of brand new rooms, Christmas decorations, and desire to stay at all the resorts, at some point, are reasons for considering. Is that enough?

Garden view price is the same at both resorts--except for addition of "free" one day tickets at GF. How do the fast food restaurants, room size, bathroom size, etc. compare at each? I'll take any and all suggestions!

 

[boomhauer]

I've never stayed at either. That being said, I'm with you - GF does nothing for me. However, recently saw some pics of the rooms, and must say - They look awesome!

Staying at Poly next July. Always wanted to.

If it's a Christmas feel you're looking for, maybe think about the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I didn't vote in you poll because: The Poly for Christmas doesn't do it for me. The decorations are so limited. I really thought I would love the GF so that's where we stayed last year and I was soooooo dissappointed. This year it's AKL which, when we stayed there a few years back for Christmas absolutely wowed us. Last year we went there for dinner and all of us regretted that we hadn't stayed there again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for the Polynesian because my parents and I are staying there a week before Christmas if you look at my signature. Besides that you said yourself how you loved the Polynesian and how you did not feel for the Grand Floridian and their theme.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Thanks for the replies! Well, maybe we should look at AKL? We've stayed at WL twice, and the rooms are a little small...I do welcome any and all comments.

 

[boomhauer]

Thanks for the replies! Well, maybe we should look at AKL? We've stayed at WL twice, and the rooms are a little small...I do welcome any and all comments.

FYI - Rooms at AKL are the same size as WL.

I can't wait to stay at the Poly, but I wouldn't want to stay there around Xmas. Guess I'm not much help on this one. For nothing else, I would think the gingerbread house at the GF would be worth it.

 

[helenk]

I've only stayed at the GF once and the Poly twice and one of my stays at the Poly was over the holidays. Hands down I would chose the GF, each year I make sure I get over to the GF for the tea and to look at the decorations in the lobby. The lobby at the GF is nicer to sit in and just relax and enjoy the decorations. We found the lobby at the Poly to be noisy, due to Ohana, Kona and the noise of the waterfall.
I would love to stay in the GF while it is decorated for the holidays, but I can not justify it for my budget when I do my solo trips. Hopefully I can convince my husband to go with me next year and then it will definately be the GF.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Consider AKL -- you can get a delux room OR for less that the cost of GF you can get a DVC room at AKL as they are taking reservations for those rooms for december.

 

[LoveKermit]

Even if you don't choose either one for your stay, stop by the GF just to see the decorations. It is really neat. Also great, BWI.

Good luck.

 

[Snurk71]

Considering a trip during a slow(er) week in Dec.

I don't think such a thing exists at GF any more. We've been about every week other than xmas and it seems the resort is always at about max capacity.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The lure of brand new rooms, Christmas decorations, and desire to stay at all the resorts, at some point, are reasons for considering. Is that enough?

It's enough for me. I like the GF very, very much. The grounds are lovely (and very neat, everything is just perfect and in its place, so to speak) and have enough of a tropical feel to keep me happy.

I haven't been in the new rooms, but the old ones were fine by me. Everyone said they were too busy, and they kinda were, but I think it was pulled off very well. I felt relaxed there, anyway.

The one thing I missed was the feeling that I'd been transplanted somewhere else. I really like the theme at the Poly and at AKL, for that very reason.

Every meal I've had in the GF Cafe has been good. I have no complaints there.

The staff was nice, but no better than anywhere else...check-in was a breeze though. Maybe I lucked out, but I got a very friendly and efficient girl. The whole thing took maybe 5 minutes. Best check-in I ever had!

Like you, I have to stay everywhere once! I like the Poly more, but GF isn't a bad place to stay by any stretch.

 

[LukenDC]

I have stayed at both resorts and prefer the Poly. That said, for a Christmas trip, I would probably stay at the GF because it will have more of a traditional holiday feel to it. Any other time of the year, I would choose the Poly.

Please note that the GF is in the midst of renovating their rooms and it will still take some time before they finish all of the lodge buildings. I stayed in Sago Cay in July and my room was not renovated.

 

[simonkodousek]

If you were going any time other than December I would pick the Polynesian, but since the Christmas decorations will be up, the Grand Floridian wins my vote 101%. IMO, the GF is the best decorated during Christmas.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Wow! Thanks for all the good advice! I'm leaning toward GF still--but am a little concerned about the room renovations...how many buildings should be done by then? Also, how long is the walk from GF to Poly?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Also, how long is the walk from GF to Poly?

I think that I have read it's a 10 minute walk or just a little more, however I can't remember it 100%. In December when my parents and I try this walk then I would know for sure the exact time.