Please help me decide...Poly or GF?

[queenofhartz]

DH and I will be traveling (alone-just the two of us ) to Disney the last week in April (thanks to the Disers that helped me figure out when to go! ) We want to try a monorail resort, and we would like to stay at the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. The GF is about $150 more (total) than the Poly, so there's not really a major, major difference in price. Here is what is important to us at a hotel (in order from greatest importance to least importance)

1. clean
2. friendly, helpful service
3. easy to get to the parks (we will have our own car to use in case the buses are running a bit slow)
4. quiet rooms
5. Disney magic factor at the hotel (themeing)
6. we do spend on planning some time at our hotel, so a nice view would be great. for this reason, we've selected a lagoon view room. but, to be totally honest, i have no idea what "lagoon view" rooms face besides just some water which would be just fine with us. we just don't want to face a parking lot or the dumpster (which I was facing years ago at the WL, but I think they changed this)
7. pool

So, what would you select? Thank you in advance for your recommendation!!

 

[gardenia]

I think they're both nice in their own way - totally different themes and ambience. But we got much better, friendlier service at the Poly. I thought the service at the GF was shockingly bad, considering the hype about it being a four star hotel.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I voted for the Polynesian because I think they have the better theme then the Grand Floridian and transportation wise they win because when you go to Epcot all you do is walk to the TTC, where as at the Grand Floridian you need to take the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary before arriving at the TTC.

 

[Minnie824]

We stayed at the GF this past Nov with our 2 kids and LOVED it. It is by far our favorite resort. The pool wasn't as crowded (whereas the one at Poly was packed the night we went to dinner there). Everyone was out of their way friendly to us, from the minute we pulled up to the hotel. We've stayed at YC, BC & Pop so far, and GF is definitely our favorite. I vote for GF.

 

[DWDude]

If you like heavily starched shirts, stay at the GF.
If you like loose fitting, cool, colorful Hawaiian shirts, stay at the POLY.

 

[Gary M]

I have stayed at both resorts and the GF is the better suited for me. My experience was that the staff at the GF were great and the Poly not so great. I'm a Hoosier and felt comfortable wearing very casual clothes at the GF, not intimidated at all. GF has hot tubs, which the Poly doesn't have and the sinks in the bathroom are separate from shower/stool area which Poly doesn't have. All regular rooms at the GF have either a balcony or patio and Poly doesn't have those for every room. GF has automatic turn down service and bath robes furnished and I don't remember if Poly does, but I don't think so.

 

[FortWildernessLoopy]

I personally LOVE the Polynesian. They have a much better pool and the theme is a bit better (if you ask me). The Polynesian is more romantic just with the theme and a bit more intimate with the smaller size. You can use the facilities at all of the resorts (except their pool) when you stay at a WDW resort, so if there is anything in particular you liked about the resort you didn't choose, you could still use it (ie restaurants, spa, etc.)

Lagoon view means that you will overlook the lagoon and will have a great view of the castle as well. the "beach" of either resort is a great place to go and watch the fireworks. BTW, there is a great electrical parade on the lagoon after the fireworks for those staying on the Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake

 

[boomhauer]

Haven't stayed at either. Next July will be our first stay at the Polynesian (if I can continue to pay a little off at a time.) I think it really depends on personal taste. For us, the GF doesn't do anything. The rooms look nice, but the resort itself doesn't appeal to us.

 

[f7prez]

This was a hard choice, but I chose Poly due to theming and romance factor since this is a trip without kids. Just remember that most longhouses at Poly don't have balconies on the second floor, only the third floor, and patios on the first floor.

 

[xoxtinks]

I have been to disney 15 times and i have stayed at the GF 13 times out of the 15! i loveeeeee the GF its just amazing and relaxing if you need help finding stuff to do in the resort ask me i kno that resort lyk the back of my hand. (there are even some secret things in the resort)

 

[kerry34]

I have never stayed at the GF but have stayed at the POLY. I would think the Poly would be the way to go since it is only the two of you. Loved the theming of the grounds. I pick the poly.

 

[queenofhartz]

WOW! I am kind of surprised that the Poly is winning in the poll. I don't know why, but I thought GF would probably win (I supposed I just assumed this b/c it's Disney's flagship resort). But, thanks for all of the wonderful opinions and advice!

Initially, I had picked the Poly, but then I read a few threads about cleanliness in the rooms being a bit of an issue (people finding half eaten stuff on the floor or bathrooms not being cleaned). I guess that's really going to happen once in awhile in any hotel at Disneyworld. But, it made me think, "well, maybe I should check out GF." GF looks beautiful, but I kind of wondered if it was the "starched shirt" feel that DWDude mentioned.

Gosh this is a really, really tough decision....so, I'm going to ask a new question:

Are discount codes usually offered for either of these resorts for the last week in April?

Thanks again to everyone!!

 

[DWDude]

You should always pick the hotel you think you will be most comfortable in.
We love Hawaii and have always felt like we are back on the islands when we walk into the POLY lobby. Although the restaurants in the GF are wonderful, we have an ADR for Christmas dinner at Narcoossee’s, we just didn’t feel like we were on vacation there. We love Ohana and Kona Café at the POLY as well.

 

[Jen32113]

I have stayed at both resorts and both resorts are beautiful! It would be a tough decision for me too because I like them both, alot!!! Anyway, the only thing I can really say that might sway my own decision is that I have heard the only rooms at the Poly that have a king bed are the suites. All other rooms have doubles. I have never needed a king while staying there because we always have DS with us and my DH is a BIG guy so the two of us couldn't fit in one of the doubles.
But again, either resort is beautiful and awesome!
Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[DWDude]

All the Polynesian rooms have a day bed and two queens and sleep 5 (6 if one is under 3 and in a crib) Suites have king-size beds and queen-size beds.
According to tikiman

 

[Jen32113]

All the Polynesian rooms have a day bed and two queens and sleep 5 (6 if one is under 3 and in a crib) Suites have king-size beds and queen-size beds.
According to tikiman

Sorry, I meant two queens.
I wasn't sure if i was wording that correctly when I was writing it. Oh well...

 

[Pakey]

We have stayed GF concierge, main bldg and some of the guests were a little stuffy. My DH and I found it entertaining!!! Not all of the guests were that way, most of the people there w/children were fun to talk to but there were some couples who left us with some hysterical memories. If you want a more "Disney" feel experience, stay Poly.

 

[DWDude]

We have stayed GF concierge, main bldg and some of the guests were a little stuffy.

Just a little stuffy???????????

 

[queenofhartz]

Ok, thank you SO much everyone for all of the opinions and advice!! After a lot of thought and looking at other websites (Tikiman's website is awesome!!)....

I've decided to stay at the Poly this trip.

Here are some reasons that I selected it:

1. People on the Disboards seem crazy about the Poly, so it must be something really special.
2. DH and I have always wanted to go to Hawaii, but we have never been, so this is a chance for us to have a little Disney-Hawaii flavor.
3. I think it will be really neat to stay at a resort that Walt himself dreamed up.
4. Tikiman's website just clinched it for me. The resort looks beautifully themed and lush. DH and I will like some peace and quiet, so I'm going to request the 2nd or 3rd floor, Tahiti Longhouse.

Thank you thank you so much! So far, Disers have helped me determine my date AND my resort for our vacation!! I really appreciate it!

Polynesian, here we come!!!!!! yay!!!!