HELP...basic room at GF or POLY?

[Cookie Princess]

We are normally a CR family. However, DH and I are planning a last minute trip to WDW as DS is going to Europe with his school. Basic/garden views are available at both GF (a little less money) and the Poly. Which do you recommend and why?

 

[mickeynut1]

You really can't go wrong with either one as they are both great resorts, but the Poly has a slight edge over the GF for us. We love the tropical atmosphere, the pool, the beach for watching the fireworks, having a great view of the castle off in the distance, and Captain Cooks. With that said, we did like the GF and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again .

 

[mmmears]

We love both resorts -- they do have very different looks to them. Does the decor or the gardens at one of them appeal to you more? The Poly has a slight edge transportation-wise since you can walk to the TTC and get a direct monorail to Epcot, but I am happy at either one.

 

[Needafix]

I've stayed at both and I'd take Poly every time. I personally found GF too stuffy - too many weddings. Honestly you can't go wrong with either though- they're both beautiful with top notch staff so I think it boils down to whatever theming you prefer. I love the theming and smell of the Poly.

 

[SharonZ]

I would pick the GF even though I always make a trip to the Kona Cafe. To me, the Poly seems a little run down and tired looking. But, you can't go wrong with either choice.!

 

[Cookie Princess]

I would pick the GF even though I always make a trip to the Kona Cafe. To me, the Poly seems a little run down and tired looking. But, you can't go wrong with either choice.!

Now I am a tad worried...are the rooms run down?

 

[mmmears]

Now I am a tad worried...are the rooms run down?

Our room certainly wasn't on our last trip, but I had read on here that they were... Some people think the Poly looks dated, some don't. The best way to judge is to look at the photos and see what you think.

I don't think you can go wrong here -- both the GF and the Poly have a lot to offer.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Now I am a tad worried...are the rooms run down?

I have to be honest. I just went to the Poly last week for a week...our first visit to the Poly (with 3 stays at CR in the past, but 10 years ago), and honestly, I felt our Poly room was a bit run down and could have been a bit cleaner (dust wise). The bathroom had NO fan, had some peeling paint due to this and just seemed so odd to have a bathroom without a fan to vent the steam. So you had to leave the door open for venting, which adds to privacy issues (esp if you have older kids). Also, not so practical, it had all features in one space (sink, toilet, shower). Our bathroom door lock did not work, and I saw loads of dust on the wall next to our bed, on our nightstand etc. We had peeling wallpaper in our bathroom and a few little broken things in there. Our beds were extremely uncomfortable and the mattresses seemed CHEAP and just not comfortable, even after a day of walking miles. The ac worked good but was SOOO loud it was disturbing to sleep (for me). But DH insisted it stay on...so that was an annoyance to me re the room.

Now for the positives...we loved the resort. Loved the location. Loved the pools. Loved the grounds (OMG, gorgeous). Loved the restaurants, etc, view of castle and fireworks, etc. Loved our room location (tokelau). We had a very big room too.

So would I stay there again? Yes, one day, just for that tropical resort feel and for all the reasons I listed. But we are currently planning an Oct trip and are looking into the WL for a more recent hotel and hopefully nicer room.

However, I originally was debating b/w the GF and the Poly and chose the Poly for the above reasons. I am glad I did and honestly have since crossed the GF off my list for now. We visited there and it just seemed SO stuffy for a family with children. The gift shops closed at 10, it was like a ghost town at night whereas Poly had alot going on, gift shops open till 11 or later, etc.

About the Poly seeming dated....I used to think that. I had visited there many years ago (probably 20 yrs ago) and thought it seemed so drab and dark. I was actually not going to stay there due to this, however, once we did stay there, that feeling went away and the decor and lighting all just went with the theme. So that wasn't an issue (dated feeling) to us.

So I still vote for Poly out of the 2.....but IMO, be prepared, the rooms are def nothing to brag about and certainly not without flaws. HTH

 

[RDP]

If your a foodie i would stay at the GF, lots of nice places to eat! but having said that it would be the Poly whilst the construction is going on at the GF and the overall facilities are reduced.

 

[1Jackpot]

I agree that the GF felt stuffy to me. I'm a big believer that even if you have money, there's no reason to be rude.

Our family loves the Poly. We are currently planning a month long trip there and will be staying at one of their suites. Can't wait!

It is definitely not run down at all, but I suggest you take a peek at some pics and you be the judge. Have fun!

 

[bluejasmine]

The room at Poly are NOT run down! They have been refurbed! The decor is not your typical white walled or wall papered room. Its tropical! Lots of burnt orange and wood tones and tiki stuff.

We love the Poly for its ultra relaxation feeling and tropical flare.. The grounds are beautiful. The view from the pool, beach or boat dock is phenomenal! We were lucky enough to be in a CL TPV room and I will NEVER FORGET that amazing view!

That being said we also love the GF. This will be our first stay at the GF but I love the grounds here and from what Ive seen of the rooms they also look nice! The smell in the lobby.. Oh just wonderful!

We have been to GF to shop and eat several times and NEVER once felt anyone was being snobby.. Im not sure why ppl get that impression..Maybe because it not your typcial every day hotel you would stay in.. I say if you cant make up your mind do a split stay!

 

[LuvDisney19]

Have stayed at the Poly many times - never stayed at GF. That being said - like others mentioned - the resort, in parts, can seem a little run down. I found the carpets were what needed the biggest upgrade - especially in the hallways. Is the Poly a bit dated? - Yes. However, it is such a fabulous resort with tropical grounds that are like no other Disney resort. Wishes fireworks from the beach is so wonderful. Just having the castle as a backdrop to the pool every day is magical, if you like MK. The lobby is a great place to kick back. It has a wonderful feel,very laid back. Having visited the GF for meals, I'd say the overall theme is entirely too stuffy for my family. I'd also do a google search for the video/pics that show the latest construction at GF. It is a personal choice as to whether that would bother you. It seems very disruptive to me, especially considering the price tag. For transportation reasons, both resorts offer conveniences you can't find if you stay off the monorail and that, IMHO, is HUGE! Good luck!

 

[alex9179]

YES, the construction may be a factor. Someone posted their photos of the pool area a week or two ago and the wall was right by the pool. It blocked the view of DVC construction... and everything else. I'm usually not too picky, but this is something I would choose to avoid.

 

[castmemberb4]

I have to be honest. I just went to the Poly last week for a week...our first visit to the Poly (with 3 stays at CR in the past, but 10 years ago), and honestly, I felt our Poly room was a bit run down and could have been a bit cleaner (dust wise). The bathroom had NO fan, had some peeling paint due to this and just seemed so odd to have a bathroom without a fan to vent the steam. So you had to leave the door open for venting, which adds to privacy issues (esp if you have older kids). Also, not so practical, it had all features in one space (sink, toilet, shower). Our bathroom door lock did not work, and I saw loads of dust on the wall next to our bed, on our nightstand etc. We had peeling wallpaper in our bathroom and a few little broken things in there. Our beds were extremely uncomfortable and the mattresses seemed CHEAP and just not comfortable, even after a day of walking miles. The ac worked good but was SOOO loud it was disturbing to sleep (for me). But DH insisted it stay on...so that was an annoyance to me re the room.

Now for the positives...we loved the resort. Loved the location. Loved the pools. Loved the grounds (OMG, gorgeous). Loved the restaurants, etc, view of castle and fireworks, etc. Loved our room location (tokelau). We had a very big room too.

So would I stay there again? Yes, one day, just for that tropical resort feel and for all the reasons I listed. But we are currently planning an Oct trip and are looking into the WL for a more recent hotel and hopefully nicer room.

However, I originally was debating b/w the GF and the Poly and chose the Poly for the above reasons. I am glad I did and honestly have since crossed the GF off my list for now. We visited there and it just seemed SO stuffy for a family with children. The gift shops closed at 10, it was like a ghost town at night whereas Poly had alot going on, gift shops open till 11 or later, etc.

About the Poly seeming dated....I used to think that. I had visited there many years ago (probably 20 yrs ago) and thought it seemed so drab and dark. I was actually not going to stay there due to this, however, once we did stay there, that feeling went away and the decor and lighting all just went with the theme. So that wasn't an issue (dated feeling) to us.

So I still vote for Poly out of the 2.....but IMO, be prepared, the rooms are def nothing to brag about and certainly not without flaws. HTH

The room at Poly are NOT run down! They have been refurbed! The decor is not your typical white walled or wall papered room. Its tropical! Lots of burnt orange and wood tones and tiki stuff.

We love the Poly for its ultra relaxation feeling and tropical flare.. The grounds are beautiful. The view from the pool, beach or boat dock is phenomenal! We were lucky enough to be in a CL TPV room and I will NEVER FORGET that amazing view!

That being said we also love the GF. This will be our first stay at the GF but I love the grounds here and from what Ive seen of the rooms they also look nice! The smell in the lobby.. Oh just wonderful!

We have been to GF to shop and eat several times and NEVER once felt anyone was being snobby.. Im not sure why ppl get that impression..Maybe because it not your typcial every day hotel you would stay in.. I say if you cant make up your mind do a split stay!

This makes me wonder if some of the Longhouses have been refurbished and some have not. Anybody know ?

 

[Carrie772]

Our bathroom door lock did not work, and I saw loads of dust on the wall next to our bed, on our nightstand etc. We had peeling wallpaper in our bathroom and a few little broken things in there. Our beds were extremely uncomfortable and the mattresses seemed CHEAP and just not comfortable, even after a day of walking miles.

Not challenging you, but we had those issues at WL a year or two ago. (OK, now I see that it was 2010) Those things can happen anywhere. I do wish though that the resort folks would maintain the room better and get out those vacuum attachments!!

This makes me wonder if some of the Longhouses have been refurbished and some have not. Anybody know ?

They were all refurbished sometime between 2005 and 2009. Not sure exactly when, but all the things in all the rooms have been changed. Anybody know specifically?

Answer: I would check out the FAQs for both resorts and see the maps that designate garden view standard rooms. It may be that the GF garden view standards are in an undesirable location, where as I know the Poly garden views can be verrrry pleasant! I.E. garden views from Fiji or Samoa!

 

[Mousemommy1]

This makes me wonder if some of the Longhouses have been refurbished and some have not. Anybody know ?

The Tikiman pages indicates that all of the longhouse underwent a soft goods rehab in 2010. So the furniture is not rehabbed but the carpets, bedding, curtains, etc...would have been replaced.

 

[toodycat]

Full disclosure: I am not a big Poly fan and I am a bit of a GF cheerleader and I never, ever have found it stuffy. I wouldn't say GF right away; I say it depends on what you want. GF has a great lobby for sitting. Poly's lobby is smaller and not as light. I was last a guest at the Poly in 2006 and our room was in excellent shape, but that was six years ago. The rooms at the Poly feel very spacious, so if that is a priority, I would go with the Poly, but rooms at the GF are lovely, too. Food options are far superior at the GF. Gasparilla's has some delicious lobster mac'n'cheese, Citrico's and Narcoosee's are both excellent, 1900 Park Fare is wonderful for character buffet and the GF Cafe is great for any meal. The meals I've had at the Poly were OK, but not memorable. I don't like the way the Kona Cafe is backed up on the lobby area. It feels like you are eating in a mall. Transportation options are superior at the Poly because you can use the monorail to go directly to MK and Epcot whereas you need to switch monorails to get to Epcot from MK. I prefer either pool at the GF to the feature pool at the Poly which is not as clean and does not have a hot tub. Hope this helps.