Newbie who can't pick: GF or Poly?

[DizWacko]

Defintely the GF. Theming aside (only YOU can decide which theme you prefer), the GF is generally cleaner and the staff nicer. I love the Poly feel and atmosphere, but the previous poster had it right concerning the friendliness of the staff at the Poly, and I dont base this on one CM or one visit.... finally, the pool is at the Poly has been PACKED in each of the 3 visits I have had there.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Defintely the GF. Theming aside (only YOU can decide which theme you prefer), the GF is generally cleaner and the staff nicer. I love the Poly feel and atmosphere, but the previous poster had it right concerning the friendliness of the staff at the Poly, and I dont base this on one CM or one visit.... finally, the pool is at the Poly has been PACKED in each of the 3 visits I have had there.

What a downer...concerning the CM's I am mean...WOW...I would expect excellent service because not often do I pay over 300 a night for a simple hotel room...volcano pool or not...too bad everyone is having problems at Disney with the service lately. What a bummer. I know my aunt and uncle with my two cousins, long ago...stayed ONLY at the GF and they have HUGE expectations with reguards to hotels. I have read a lot about bad service here from just about every resort. I am hoping that is not the case in September

 

[shelly3girls]

Honestly bad service is possible anywhere, it just required running into someone who is having a bad day. We once had a bad experience at the GF but have had many positive ones since. The last time we stayed at the Poly the service was acceptable just not "magical." This would not keep us from going back but does make us favor the GF just a little more. We truly have experienced wonderful service overall throughout all of WDW, just not every single time.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Honestly bad service is possible anywhere, it just required running into someone who is having a bad day. We once had a bad experience at the GF but have had many positive ones since. The last time we stayed at the Poly the service was acceptable just not "magical." This would not keep us from going back but does make us favor the GF just a little more. We truly have experienced wonderful service overall throughout all of WDW, just not every single time.

Just curious...what makes service MAGICAL vs just acceptable? Are there any resorts that you can say have magical service continually?? I switched from the CR to Poly for the reasons we are discussing here, and a few others...and now I am hearing the most expensive resort has the best CM's...well darn it I refuse to upgrade again!! Just asking a question not being sarcastic or anything...really wanted your observations...

 

[traci]

We are also traveling with young babies and taking our first trip Disney World as well. Since we will be spending most of our time at Magic Kingdom we wanted something close to our resort. We figured we would be spending probably more time than most at the resort so we also wanted something my husband and I would feel comfy and relaxed in. Our babies are too young for the kids clubs, so any activities would be with mom and dad. I have heard great things about the pools there (zero entry, not very crowded). The resort looks so posh and plush - how could we not relax there?

Good-Luck with your decision

p.s. our son will be almost 2 years and our daughter will be 8 months when we go.

 

[shelly3girls]

Just curious...what makes service MAGICAL vs just acceptable? Are there any resorts that you can say have magical service continually?? I switched from the CR to Poly for the reasons we are discussing here, and a few others...and now I am hearing the most expensive resort has the best CM's...well darn it I refuse to upgrade again!! Just asking a question not being sarcastic or anything...really wanted your observations...

For us it was mostly how the CM interacted with our children. I don't think it is their job to talk to my children or notice their princess crown but when they do my girls get all bubbly and excited. When we checked in to the Poly it was all business, nothing was said like "Have a magical day," or "I hope you enjoy your stay." Where at the GF the CM was friendly and welcoming. We enjoy both resorts, we just found that during our last trip that the CM at the GF went out of their way to be friendly and welcoming which we did not experience at the Poly. I would not choose one resort over another simply based on this. Price is usually our deciding factor between the two resorts since we enjoy both of them but this (along with the pool) is the tie breaker if the prices are close (which they were for our Sept. trip).

 

[Lives4Disney]

For us it was mostly how the CM interacted with our children. I don't think it is their job to talk to my children or notice their princess crown but when they do my girls get all bubbly and excited. When we checked in to the Poly it was all business, nothing was said like "Have a magical day," or "I hope you enjoy your stay."

That's pretty much it. We stayed LVC and expected some form of friendliness from the concierge staff & got NONE.

The bell staff was too "busy" (3 of them standing around at the podium chatting & WE were the ONLY ones checking in at this time) to take us to the Hawaii building in a cart. The leis were hanging behind the concierge desks, and my girls saw them and started to give up hope of getting them, so as we finished the checkin process & got up to leave I ASKED for them. Sorry, but that is just not the same as being offered in a welcoming way!!!

My daughters made leis in the lobby on our last morning. The woman in charge didn't smile or say boo to my girls. For me, a kid's fun/enthusiasm is contageous. Not to the Poly CMs we came across. This lei lady didn't seem happy to have this job.

Just no "Ohana" feeling at the Poly when we went. I think "magical" for me means really NICE CMs that try to make you feel welcome. They are happy that you chose their resort & show it by giving good service.

It is always great when they notice your kids. My kids are everything to me. If my kids are happy - I am happy!

Good luck on your choice! They are both beautiful resorts and I know you will enjoy either one. Enough people love the Poly - it seems to be a DIS favorite.

Lives4Disney

 

[mlwear]

That's pretty much it. We stayed LVC and expected some form of friendliness from the concierge staff & got NONE.

The bell staff was too "busy" (3 of them standing around at the podium chatting & WE were the ONLY ones checking in at this time) to take us to the Hawaii building in a cart. The leis were hanging behind the concierge desks, and my girls saw them and started to give up hope of getting them, so as we finished the checkin process & got up to leave I ASKED for them. Sorry, but that is just not the same as being offered in a welcoming way!!!

My daughters made leis in the lobby on our last morning. The woman in charge didn't smile or say boo to my girls. For me, a kid's fun/enthusiasm is contageous. Not to the Poly CMs we came across. This lei lady didn't seem happy to have this job.

Just no "Ohana" feeling at the Poly when we went. I think "magical" for me means really NICE CMs that try to make you feel welcome. They are happy that you chose their resort & show it by giving good service.

It is always great when they notice your kids. My kids are everything to me. If my kids are happy - I am happy!

Good luck on your choice! They are both beautiful resorts and I know you will enjoy either one. Enough people love the Poly - it seems to be a DIS favorite.

Lives4Disney

AAAHHH!!! Now I'm back to worried. I just let go of my anxiety of staying at Poly LVC and hoping that spending that much $ for our trip would just work out.
Has anyone ever pointed out to management that the CM's aren't meeting your expectations (or even coming close)?

 

[Lives4Disney]

e CM's aren't meeting yoAAAHHH!!! Now I'm back to worried. I just let go of my anxiety of staying at Poly LVC and hoping that spending that much $ for our trip would just work out.
Has anyone ever pointed out to management that thur expectations (or even coming close)?

We didn't because we didn't really even think of it. We actually just shrugged it off & laughed about it. Some CMs were just so blah it was kind of funny in hindsight. We kind of made fun of them later. (not nice, I know, but come on....you gotta have a sense of humor) We almost thought it was just us, since so many on the DIS are crazy about the place!!!

We really aren't complainers - this was our first Poly stay and it just left us a bit disappointed. Nothing was a major deal, just nothing that great, either. We have always stayed CR tower club or YC/BC and my husband ALWAYS wanted to try the Poly. After our one stay he doesn't ever care to stay there again.....

I know sooooo many people LOVE the place, but it left us cold. Everyone has a different experience. I really was thinking about giving it a second try, still may as it has many plusses, but I just feel a bit better about staying GF. (I will be there the same time as you MLWEAR)

No flame & I don't mean to scare anyone - this was just our experience and how we handled it!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Sammie]

Just curious...what makes service MAGICAL vs just acceptable? Are there any resorts that you can say have magical service continually?? I switched from the CR to Poly for the reasons we are discussing here, and a few others...and now I am hearing the most expensive resort has the best CM's...well darn it I refuse to upgrade again!! Just asking a question not being sarcastic or anything...really wanted your observations...

If you do a search for previous discussions of the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian you will find just as many posts that say the Grand Floridian is snobby, the CM's were rude and aloof, and service was horrible. Then search the Polynesian and you will find just as many posts that say the CM's were the best, Aloha's at every turn, simply paradise. The ups and downs of public opinion over resorts changes here as much as the weather.

I would never make a decision about where to stay based on Internet forums opinions. Read the facts listed, read the opinions, take them with a grain of salt and make your own decisions.

Each resort has many magical CM's and some bad apples too. Whether your stay is a magical one in my opinion depends on attitude and alot on timing.

To the OP you can not go wrong with either resort and in my opinion your children will have fun as long as you do. So pick what works best for you and your husband. There will be plenty of time in the future for the kids to give you their imput.

 

[triplefigs]

GF is where we will be staying again!

Hmm... are you SURE????????

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hmm... are you SURE????????

TRIPLEFIGS -OK, OK, don't make fun of me!!!

I REALLY think so!!! Really, I do!! The tiki torches are calling me, but I LOVE the GF!!

Lives4Disney

 

[leighe]

What a great problem to have! Poly or GF? I love both of them. The atmosphere and transportation options of the Poly can't be beat. The GF is just gorgeous and you definitely wouldn't feel out of place with children. So I'm no help.

I forgot when your trip is planned? If it's summer-time or warm weather I'd go with Poly and if it's around Christmas-time I'd go with the GF.

 

[shelly3girls]

If you do a search for previous discussions of the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian you will find just as many posts that say the Grand Floridian is snobby, the CM's were rude and aloof, and service was horrible. Then search the Polynesian and you will find just as many posts that say the CM's were the best, Aloha's at every turn, simply paradise. The ups and downs of public opinion over resorts changes here as much as the weather.

I would never make a decision about where to stay based on Internet forums opinions. Read the facts listed, read the opinions, take them with a grain of salt and make your own decisions.

Each resort has many magical CM's and some bad apples too. Whether your stay is a magical one in my opinion depends on attitude and alot on timing.

To the OP you can not go wrong with either resort and in my opinion your children will have fun as long as you do. So pick what works best for you and your husband. There will be plenty of time in the future for the kids to give you their imput.

I completely agree. I am sure we will stay at the Poly again at some point. We did not complain because we still had a wonderful vacation. We did not run into any CM that did anything wrong. There are many people on these boards that love the Poly. Honestly, if I had called to book our next trip and the GF was not available I would have booked the Poly and been excited about it. We have a preference for the GF but I could make a long list of positives about the Poly.
The advantages for us of the GF are the two pools, shopping, and more restaurants. We personally love the atmosphere also. We do not find it stuffy at all like some others have reported, but I think it is just a matter of personal preference because the themes are completely different.

 

[triplefigs]

What a great problem to have! Poly or GF? I love both of them. The atmosphere and transportation options of the Poly can't be beat. The GF is just gorgeous and you definitely wouldn't feel out of place with children. So I'm no help.

I forgot when your trip is planned? If it's summer-time or warm weather I'd go with Poly and if it's around Christmas-time I'd go with the GF.

That is exactly why we chose GF for our next trip. We're going in December, so we want to see all the Christmas decorations. But, we honeymooned at the Poly and loved it. I think if I were going in a month other than December, I'd try the Poly with my kids the next time. Or the CR Tower, or the BWI, or the BC...

 

[triplefigs]

TRIPLEFIGS -OK, OK, don't make fun of me!!!

I REALLY think so!!! Really, I do!! The tiki torches are calling me, but I LOVE the GF!!

Lives4Disney