Poly or GF?

[brockscandy]

We got a 20% code in the mail yesterday for the dates we have a reservation for already. However, our reservation is at the Poly and the code does not apply at the poly. We can stay at the Grand Floridian for $250 less. For whatever reason, my husband has never wanted to stay there (we stayed at the Hotel Del in San Diego for our honeymoon). We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in Dec. 2006 and loved it, but this time there are 5 of us instead of 4. Would you save the money at the GF or keep the reservations at the Poly?

Thanks

 

[Minnie824]

GF is SO much nicer than the Poly...just our opinion. We've stayed concierge at both and are going back to GF. I know theres a lot of Poly fans, but we won't return there. We just weren't as fond of it. With a great discount like that especially, I'd definitely go for the GF.

 

[CoolPool]

The one thing that would keep me at the Poly over the GF is the simple fact that you can walk to the TTC to get on the monorail to Epcot. It might not be worth $250 though.

 

[DiznEeyore]

We've stayed at -- and really enjoyed -- both, but return to the Poly time and again. The rooms are larger and definitely more suited to our family's tastes.

We feel the grounds at the Poly are worlds above the GF's, and one thing we really didn't like at the GF was all the conventioneers that were constantly around. We felt like we were intruding on corporate events all the time. There's none of that at the Poly -- it was all family-oriented and relaxing.

I think you'd enjoy either hotel, but the Poly is definitely our family's favorite.

 

[Lives4Disney]

GF is SO much nicer than the Poly...just our opinion. We've stayed concierge at both and are going back to GF. I know theres a lot of Poly fans, but we won't return there. We just weren't as fond of it. With a great discount like that especially, I'd definitely go for the GF.

I'm with Minnie on this one. GF is WAY nicer than Poly. Poly did not impress us - we tried it several times and now we're done with it. GF is tops.

Lives4Disney

 

[joenan88]

I stayed at The Poly in November and I was not impressed, in fact, my room stunk of mold and smoke (from previous guests) and the hallways and elevators were still from 1962. The GF is beautiful..if you can get a better deal there go for it!

 

[G8r4evr]

I have yet to stay at either, but my dream is GF...so for $250 less, that would be any easy choice for me =)

 

[lmhall2000]

I've stayed at the Poly, hung out at GF (for tea party) and can see everyone's points. If it were me, I'd stay at the GF purely for the savings, then I'd plan a dinner at 'Ohana's so you can soak up the surroundings, the landscaping and atmosphere are great, but we spend most our time at the parks and the pool, my kids loved the volcano pool but GF also has a slide and a decent pool...so I vote for saving the money...now if you told me you called back and they found a room to apply the discount to for the Poly, then I'd choose Poly, but $250 speaks to me! That's a good chunk of take me home memories!

Tara

 

[frdeb1999]

We have stayed both and prefer the Poly. It's just all what your wanting in a resort. We prefer the theming, pool, views, fireworks ect. The rooms are huge and TTC is a short walk. GF is a beautiful resort, but just not our cup of tea.

 

[JayCT]

Personally, I prefer the Poly. I find it much more relaxing than any of the other resorts. It does not have that big hotel feel that the others have. I hate having to get on an elevator and then walk through a busy lobby to to the pool. Just makes me feel I am in a big city not a resort. To me the decor of GF is too stuffy and formal. I also d not agree that the halls are "1962". They are decorated with Polynesian colors which many people mistake for the 70's decor. Anyway, no one can tell you if it is worth $250 to switch. It is personal prefernece. We were faced with a similar situation on our last trip and we still went to the Poly. Next trip we are staying at YC to save money (we can get s discount there that we can't get at the Poly). Jay

 

[jewelmicky]

We just got back from the Poly....took the boat shuttle over to GF a couple times....the Volcano Pool at Poly is closed so they have a boat shuttle back and forth so you can use the pool at GF. The two resorts are SSSOOOO different! The atmosphere at the GF IMHO is more "stuffy." Very elegant...to me it just seems like a really fancy hotel. The Poly is much more of a "theme" resort and more "comfy." I felt much more at home there. We live in Mich and have stayed at the Grand Hotel at Mackinaw several times and the GF reminded me of that.

Just as a side....my family members made an observation...the guests at the two hotels seemed different as well. We saw much more Polo and Tommy Hilfiger at the GF then anywhere else at WDW.

 

[kkproulx]

Last year we had reservations at the Poly and when the codes came out there wasn't one available for the Poly but there was for the GF. We saved $800! This was a no brainer for us with the savings. We absolutely LOVED the GF. By the way, it was not a 'stuffy' place at all like some other threads have said, IMO. We went over for breakfast at the Poly. With the 'first impression' of the Poly we were glad that we made that decision. That's just our opinion. I think you'll be happy staying at either place.....if you save the $250 you can just buy that many more souveniers!

 

[iloveeeyore]

They are both wonderful resorts but one is an apple and one is an orange. Which one is better or nicer is definitely a matter of personal taste.

To my family, the GF is very lovely and elegant, not at all stuffy. However, we have no personal desire to stay there, the theme is just not enticing to us...not bad or offensive in any way, just not alluring. We can find that atmosphere in many luxury hotels around.

The Poly offers something more unique in OUR opinion. The pool/slide is themed very well and I think is more exciting for most kids. Also, the Poly has the edge when it comes to transportation because it is located at the back door of the TTC, as another poster has mentioned. That alone to me is "worth" $250, but you alone can decide what it's worth to your family.

DH and I had a big discussion yesterday about our upcoming April trip to WL...we can save $$ to stay somewhere else with a code that is not available at WL, or we can pay what it costs to stay where we really want to stay. We decide to stay where we want to stay. Only YOU can decide for your family.

The good thing is that you can easily stay at one and visit the other, they are a lovely walk from eachother.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I'm a big fan of the Polynesian so my recommendation would be to stay there.

The GF is very nice and "elegant". It is the kind of resort that brings to mind a lot of formality. Very nice to visit but personally I can't stay there. We love visiting to listen to the live piano music and the 12 piece orchestra (they are awesome!) but the decor is just too pastel, bright and frilly for my taste.

 

[karemore]

LOVED GF. It isn't at all stuffy when you are staying there. We were in the main building concierge and people walk around in their flip flops on the way to the pool just like any resort.

If people happen to be there for a wedding in formal attire, it doesn't seem to faze anyone that other people are in shorts and tee shirts. It's WDW, anything goes.

We walked over to poly each day to enjoy the walk and the scenery. Didn't like the feel of the place inside, seemed like something out of a Brady Bunch episode, but thr grounds were beautiful. But everyone has their own tastes.

 

[LSchrow]

compare apples to oranges & you get different tastes.

basically, WDW is paying you $250 to try something new (both are equally beautiful, with neither being a clear winner across the board, imho) ~ i would choose the extra money offered with the GF

laurie s

 

[princessesrule4]

Definitely GF!

 

[Pirate at Heart]

If you NEED to save the money than stay at the GF. If not, stay were you want and don't worry about it.

We also got a pin code offer and if we reschedule our trip for 1 week later we could use it and save $$$. Sounds like a no brainer right? Wrong. Pop Warner would be at the parks that week, so I had to decide to save $$$ or take a chance on Pop Warner week. We decided to keep our original reservation.


Have a great trip what ever you decide

 

[Frankiesmom]

While the POLY is my fave... I have stayed at the GF in the Sugar loaf bldg. and we had a great trip! If you want an opinion from a die hard POLY lover that's me and I think I would save the $250 and take the GF- I mean it's the GF! LOL and just remember you can always plan another trip to the POLY on a hopefully offered in room bounceback offer! JMHO