I never thought I would be able to say this...

[BeccaGrace]

...but thanks to some AAA rates and reduced airfare from switching airports, I have been able to narrow down my resort choices to my ultimate 3 (I am so excited right now I could scream!)....

Which would you choose for us, the cast being:
--A mom who has been dreaming of bringing the full Disney experience to he family since she got married 6 1/2 years ago...
--A husband/father who is devoted to his little girls but not too excited about going to WDW
--A 4 year old who wants to be Cinderella (or a Ninja Turtle depending on the day!)
--A 2 year old who loves everything...

Here are the choices (and AAA rates for 7 nights--I love you Ron at DU!) (I am so excited I can barely type!)
--Grand Floridian, Garden View--$2505
--Polynesian--$2209
--Boardwalk Inn--$2139

Any advice on the merits or faults of each would be appreciated. I'll be honest, I'm hoping for good GF response (even though it puts me about $100 over budget and I'd love to be able to show dh I got in under budget--but it's the GF! And there could always be AP rates!) I know dh thought Boardwalk was too beachy but don't think he feels the same about the Poly (go figure!). My mom isn't picky at all. The girls just want to go already. And everyone in the family is totally sick of me making them watch the photo slide shows on All Ears and telling me which pool or room decor they like best!!!!

Please help--I can't believe I am so close to choosing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gymbomom]

If it were me picking I would pick the Poly. I have always felt very comfortable there. And personally feel a little 'stuffy" at the GF, but that is just me...we have young children.....maybe when they are older, I iwll like it more.
I would pick Poly and GF over BWI. With 2 little ones, they are going to love the MK, and it is so convenient to have monorail access.
Also the Poly has a great pool and has open hours at the Neverland Club during the day (something like 2-4) where you can take the kids (you have to stay with them) to play for awhile. ~~Please correct me if I am wrong and they have changed this.

 

[BrianD]

you will get several recommendations for all three and the truth is, choosing a Disney resort is not an easy thing because they are all so great. Given that, I could easily recommend all three, you can't go wrong with any of them.

But despite all that, given your circumstances, I would say go for the GF. Here are my reasons:
- Despite some comments that you may see on these boards, it is considered Disney's flagship resort, and it is very nice indeed.
- I noticed that your dates have you there during the Christmas season. The GF is considered one of the top two resorts (along with the WL) for Christmas decorations. We were just there this past December, and it was indeed impressive.
- The ages of your children probably means that you will spend a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom. The GF is extremely close to the Magic Kingdom, just one monorail stop away. So it will be very convenient to get to the park and back to the hotel room for naps.
- Your 4 year old really likes Cinderalla and there is a character dinner at the GF featuring Cinderella & Prince Charming.

Like I said, you can't go wrong with any of the three, and there could also be some compelling reasons to stay near Epcot at the Boardwalk Inn. One of our favorites is the Yacht Club, and if that had been in your top three, then it would have been tougher for me to pick between that one and the GF.

But nevertheless, I say go for the Grand! Have a wonderful trip no matter which resort you choose!

 

[Leota]

Given your cast of characters & the difference in cost..... I'd choose the GF.
I love the Boardwalk area,but with the younger ones, esp. the one who wants to be Cinderella, the MK area is much better. The monorail will be a great convienence to you. So I would narrow it down to the MK / Monorail resorts.

Of the 2 monorail resorts, I personally, like the GF much, much, much better. I have stayed at both. GF, pool view & Polynesian GV Concierge. While I really enjoyed the concierge lounge at the Poly & the transpo options, I found the pool small, the rooms darker than I would have liked & ours was damp & there was an underlying mold smell. I know others have mentioned that as well, but not everyone notices it.

The GF was very nice & light & airy. We were in Boca Chica which was convienent to everything. I hadn't oringinally wanted to stay there, but the special event that I was going to included rooms there. I was surprised at how much I loved it. It was very convienent & best of all for your Cinderella loving daughter, loaded with that special Princess feeling. There were tons of Princeses & Pirates in the lobby for character meals & Pirate cruises.

 

[J/T Gramdma]

I would chose the Poly because it feels like you have left the real world and have gone to a paradise land. I love the smell of the vegatation and the zero pool is great for the ages of your girls.

 

[TheNerdyMinnie]

I've stayed at all three and I'd go for either the BWI or Poly. It all depends which parks you plan on going to the most. If you're there for magic kingdom then definitely opt for the Poly. It's a beautiful and fun resort (my favorite of all) and the monorail passes right through it!. Id you plan on going to epcot and mgm a lot then opt for the BWI (my second fav of all the resorts). It's only a walk from Epcot, and a boat ride from MGM. Plus, the boardwalk itself is tons of fun...especially at night when the performers are out. Ohh I forgot to mention the INCREDIBLE slide at the boardwalk in. 200 meters....twists...turns....your kids will just love it! I know I did ) Poly also has a nifty volcano slide.

The GF is a very posh and beautiful resort, but when it comes to kids and wel overall fun, go for the Poly or BWI.

 

[elan]

I'd pick the Poly first, GF second and BWI last.

With POLY and GF you have instant access to MK with the monorail. This is great especially with young ones. Between these two I'd pick the POLY but, I've never dreamed of staying at the GF ( and I LOVE the POLY). If your heart is set on GF and its with in your financial reach stay there.

Have a great trip.

 

[tinkerbee]

If I had to choose I would go with the Poly. GF is a beautiful resort but just walking around it I felt I had to be very quite.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

IMHO

With your "Cast of Characters" I would go to the GF or Poly. BWI is great, however, your family will love the Monorail access to the Magic Kingdom and the atmosphere afforded by the GF or Poly with the Lagoon, etc..

If I had to choose between GF & Poly...I would stay at the Poly simply because it is my favorite Disney Resort

Good Luck and whichever resort you choose....have a GREAT time!

 

[debbiedoo]

I would choose the GF. second would be poly, then BWI.

No matter which one you choose it will be great!!

 

[mrsswat]

All three are great - go for the POLY

Monorail transportation can't be beat for MK for the little ones, and heaven knows you'll spend time there!! Atmosphere is amazingly different from any other of the resorts (except AKL) - it will tansport you to a different place when you return from the parks. It will instantly relax you, that's just the way it is!!

Save the GF trip for when it's just you and hubby. You two will appreciate it when you are alone, and know you've splurged for the two of you. The girls are too young to appreciate that fact, and from experience, may never appreciate the $ factor until they have to pay themselves. We have two girls 19 & 23, and since they have never paid for vacations, they were not as impressed with GF as we were. They have preferred the Poly for 15 years!!!

Relax, don't stress too much! Just being in Disney will excite them!! And do whatever the girls want to do - you and your husband will enjoy that the most, and once he goes, you WILL get him back. Then you can do all the YOU things together when you finally get the YOU trip!!

 

[Christy]

I'd choose the Poly. The GF is beautiful, no doubt, but it reminded me of a fancy upscale hotel-not one that had a separate theme like the Poly. I should say, I've never stayed at the GF, so I may be missing the details-we just went there for breakfast & dinner...

 

[joliesmom]

You definately want to stay at a resort with a monorail, especially if you're going to have a stroller for the 2 yo. I'd choose the Poly first and then GF. I think that the Poly is more kid friendly. The GF seems a little "stuffy" for kids (no offense to anyone), it's a beautiful resort but appears more adult oriented. At either one you'll have a great stay, but also at Poly you can walk to TTC with a stroller making EPCOT easier.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'd definitely say go with the GF, but then again that's my personal favorite. It is not stuffy with kids, even though lots of people who never stayed there report this. It is wonderful with kids and it's very relaxing after hectic days in the parks. My second choice would be the POly. I think staying on the monorail is a big plus with the age of your kids. Have a great time. If you do go with GF ask for Sago Cay, marina view - it's still gv price but a whole lot nicer.

 

[BeccaGrace]

Thank you everyone!

Well...we finally decided!

I spoke to dh & the kids and (drumroll)...we're going with the Poly!

It definitely ended up being between the Poly and GF--we will probably do the Epcot resorts when the kids are older--the deciding factors were that dh liked the Poly theme better and I liked the idea of being able to walk to the TTC instead of switching monorails for Epcot.

Thanks to all of you for your Saturday morning advice--this is feeling SO much more real for me now!

 

[Ilovestitch]

PoLyNeSiAn is the best!!

 

[cdpa4d]

BeccaGrace -
Don't forget to keep your eyes pealed for those great AP Rates. You could literally save $400 to $500 on your Poly reservation if you can get one. They will possibly become available the closer you get to your trip. Check these boards frequently and check www.mousesavers.com. They usually post them immediately when they become available.
ADP

 

[scootch]

I took our 2 and 5 year old and the Poly has a great pool with a zero depth entry(they walk in). They also loved the beach too. My 2 year old would say when she is tired, "mama take me to the big house!" It was great.

 

[weluvpluto]

If DU is making your reservation, I think they'll watch for the AP rate for you. I've never booked with them myself (too much of a control freak, and we change our minds too much! ) but I'm pretty sure they take care of that too.

Good choice on Poly... if I had gotten in earlier I would of said to pick one of the Magic Kingdom resorts, because your daughters will love being able to see Cinderella's castle