Grand Floridian Or Poly

[lisa costa]

Celebrating my daughters 13th birthday, two other daughters are 14 and 12, they love BWV because of the constant activity, we want to try a new hotel and now I'm so confused. Pros and cons to both from anyone who stayed there would be a great help!

 

[MissionMouse]

Celebrating my daughters 13th birthday, two other daughters are 14 and 12, they love BWV because of the constant activity, we want to try a new hotel and now I'm so confused. Pros and cons to both from anyone who stayed there would be a great help!

While we have stayed at both...have you asked your daughters, considering their ages? The GF in our opinion contains some of Disney's finer restaurants and the ability to produce some finer touches to special celebrations. The PR has better MK views but is also prone to intrusive crowds during the Summer months especially around the 4th of July. Personally, I do not feel you can go wrong in selecting either of these resort, but think you should at least ask each daughter what resort is more appealing to them once they have review information about each resort.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/poly.htm
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/grandfl.htm


The Glass Slipper dessert, The Chocolate Mickey and Strawberries and Castle cake can be order from Grand Floridian restaurants, but must be ordered 48 hours in advance.

 

[rie'smom]

I think your daughters at their ages would prefer the Poly. My daughter is 14 and she prefers the Poly and so do her friends. They love the pool area and the beach.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

We stayed at the GF last year and although beautiful, the service didn't match the $500 a night price tag. We're going to Poly this year, so I'll be able to compare.

 

[mickeynut1]

Having stayed at just the Poly, I can't compare the two resorts, but I can say that the Poly is AWESOME . We've visited the GF many times and we think the Poly is alot more laid back......the GF seems a little uppity to us . My vote would be to go with the Poly .

 

[praline3001]

My family (kids 10,13 and 6) loved the GF. The rooms are light and airy and BRIGHT. I like bright cheery rooms.
I never met anyone who was uppidy ... the very opposite was true ..and trust me we are NOT uppidy people

To me the Poly was a little too Retro Brady Bunch goes to Hawaii for my taste. But everyone has a different opnion so really taking someone's adive on which resort is better ....your going to get a 50-50 split on where to stay
Show the girls the choice of resorts and have them vote on it.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

My kids liked the pool at the Poly but the dark rooms and dark buildings left a lot to be desired.

They are thrilled to be going to the GF this summer. There is a volcano pool there too, so they still get the fun pool without the dark rooms. We have never stayed here, but visited a number of times and have never found anyone snotty. The GF is a bit quieter than some resorts and a lot quieter than POP, but that is not an indicator of snottiness, just the reality of a smaller resort that attracts many childless couples as well as families.

I say ask your children. I wan't sure mine would want the GF...but they are overjoyed.

Now, honestly...If the kids were choosing there would be a volcano pool built at the CR, we would stay in a huge suite on the 14th floor with a MK view and they would each have their own bed...let's just say their fantasies are not likely!!!

 

[CarolA]

I have not stayed at the Poly.

I stayed at the GF several years ago. BIGGEST disappointment ever at Disney. Rude service, LOUSY LOUSY valet service (hopefully the OUTSOUCE guys are better then the former Disney employees) Front desk was CLUELESS.

Basically they "allowed" me to stay in thier lovely hotel for a very overpriced amount. The guests aren't "snotty" but the front desk is!!!!! They overcharged me for the room (charged twice for the same night) and ANNOUNCED that "WE NEVER MAKE ERRORS" DUH????

People say it's got new management, but for those prices the expereince I had is not something I will risk again!

 

[mmmears]

We've stayed at the GF before and loved it. We haven't tried the Poly yet, but our DD would rather go back to the GF. It really is a nice hotel, and we have never noticed any "snootiness" there, even when we checked in with a tired 2yo. We have had great views of the castle and the fireworks, and there is a pool with a waterfall and a waterslide for kids!

You'll find people here who like one or the other. I would ask the girls, or the birthday girl if one appeals to them more than the other. Maybe they'll have a strong opinion one way or the other.

 

[Iceman93]

I've stayed at both, and wholeheartedly recommend the GF. My family used to visit the Poly every year (going back to the mid-70's) and it was a wonderful place, but on my last stay I definitely got the impression they'd lost the magic. A lot fewer smiling faces among the cast, and the concierge lounge was the biggest disappointment.

On the contrary, my stay at the GF absolutely delighted me. I was a little concerned about the perception of snootiness, but that evaporated upon check-in. The cast there is simply wonderful, and they truly seemed delighted to handle every request.

I won't stay at the Poly again (at least not for several years) but would gladly return to the GF.

 

[beccasmom]

We like the GF. It is a gorgeous resort and has a good number of places to eat and to shop (or window-shop! ) The service could improve a bit, IMHO, (especially considering the prices) but it is still generally good.

We are in the minority, not being Poly fans. We've always seemed to stay there between renovations. It has never appealed to us and the rooms are too dark for our taste. But it sure has lots of fans! We have tried both and prefer the GF.

 

[mmmears]

I've stayed at both, and wholeheartedly recommend the GF. My family used to visit the Poly every year (going back to the mid-70's) and it was a wonderful place, but on my last stay I definitely got the impression they'd lost the magic. A lot fewer smiling faces among the cast, and the concierge lounge was the biggest disappointment.

On the contrary, my stay at the GF absolutely delighted me. I was a little concerned about the perception of snootiness, but that evaporated upon check-in. The cast there is simply wonderful, and they truly seemed delighted to handle every request.

I won't stay at the Poly again (at least not for several years) but would gladly return to the GF.

What exactly was disappointint about the concierge lounge at the Poly? We are trying to decide between Poly concierge or GF concierge for our next trip and but are having trouble justifying the concierge prices (they have really gone up). Never stayed at Poly, leaning now towards going back to the GF.

 

[mr.mike]

Everyone loves the Poly..can't go wrong there...beaches, pools, views,





leave that uppity GF all for me

 

[magical4us4]

Everyone loves the Poly..can't go wrong there...beaches, pools, views,





leave that uppity GF all for me

Ditto!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I have stayed at both and conicerge at both and I love the GF. The poly is nice but I also had some poor service when I was there. I have stayed at the GF more than the Poly but I love it there. The rooms are all new, the pools and cabanas are great. Many food options and good transportation options. Its all about personal taste, check out the DIS FAQ threads for each and talk to your girls. Oh there is also a tea at the GF that is soooo nice. Its at the Garden View Lounge.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Having stayed at just the Poly, I can't compare the two resorts, but I can say that the Poly is AWESOME . We've visited the GF many times and we think the Poly is alot more laid back......the GF seems a little uppity to us . My vote would be to go with the Poly .

I dont know how you can say its uppity but you have never stayed there. Maybe you should try it one night and see if you still feel that way

 

[mickeynut1]

I dont know how you can say its uppity but you have never stayed there. Maybe you should try it one night and see if you still feel that way

I was just giving my opinion that it SEEMS uppity to us the many times we have visited (which is what I stated in my post). We have no desire to stay there for that reason. If it is or isn't that way, that's fine; but for our family, we didn't have a good first impression when we visited for the first time, and the feeling has not changed over the years. I was merely giving my opinion of how the resort feels to us. Plus, I think people can still get a "feel" for a resort without having to actually stay a night....it's all in one's opinion and likes/dislikes.

 

[Caitsmama]

What exactly was disappointint about the concierge lounge at the Poly? We are trying to decide between Poly concierge or GF concierge for our next trip and but are having trouble justifying the concierge prices (they have really gone up). Never stayed at Poly, leaning now towards going back to the GF.

We have stayed Poly concierge last november, and we just came back from Sugar Loaf concierge at the GF last weekend -- i can HONESTLY say, HANDS DOWN that the POLY IS BETTER. (Of course, that's MY opinion)

The Poly concierge staff seemed to always be outgoing and greet you whenever you walked in the door, but i was NEVER once greeted by the GF concierge when i came in the door. The food was just way too "fancy" for me there as well, the Poly had GREAT food everynight -- and always had something the kids would eat - my dd (who is 7) didn't like anything that the GF put out til the last night when they finally put out those pb&j sandwhiches - which i believe the Poly had out everyday.. Not to mention the view at the Poly lounge!! It's awesome to be able to go there and have your nighttime snacks and watch wishes with the music piped in!!!

I think the grounds at the GF were beautiful - and the pools were nice. But, I definately prefer the Poly.. in every way. And the newer rooms at the poly are beautiful!! We already booked the Poly Concierge for our March trip!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would say the GF RPC has a wonderful view more on par with the Polys.
The SLs view isnt.

 

[Caitsmama]

Maybe the RPC has a lil' view, but the Poly has a 2 story all glass wall view! LOL That's hard to beat!! And it's in a direct line across from the castle..

And, ya, the SL at the GF has NO view.. LOL I definately agree there!