Poly or GF?

[lala3291]

Hello All,
I just booked for next February at GF. I am wondering if this is the right choice. We have stayed at the GF before and loved it. I am wondering if we should try a different resort. I have heard great things about the Poly. Does anybody have any advice? Is there a true difference between the resorts?
Our travel party includes me, DH, DD 17, DD 15, DD 7, and both of my parents.
Hope this all makes sense.
Thanks for any input.

 

[JimR24]

Not sure you can go wrong with either. If you were happy with the GF last time you guys were there, I would go back. I know we tend to not screw with what works for us.

 

[lala3291]

bump

 

[johnsonet]

Not sure you can go wrong with either. If you were happy with the GF last time you guys were there, I would go back. I know we tend to not screw with what works for us.

I agree! I love both resorts but the decor and ambiance is totally different. I didn't get the courage to try a new resort (AKL) until after about 5 years of GF stays! I loved it! But IMO one great stay at GF deserves another

 

[selting73]

We just got back from the Poly. After dining and walking through the GF, I wish we would have chosen it over Poly. JMO!

 

[ConcKahuna]

I would rather the Polynesian over the "Red Roof Inn" any day of the week!

Nothing on the GF, it's pretty enough, I just hate the victorian decor and the snooty buisness travelers (most people there are great, but all the people working and on conventions bug me) it's not a place I can feel relaxed.

It's why I hate staying at Business hotels anywhere, be they the GF or CR, or the Gaylord Palms or Omni Rosen.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at the GF but we LOVE the Poly . The victorian theme just doesn't do anything for us . We love the tropical feel of the Poly. We've visited the GF and we just think the Poly has a more laid back atmosphere.

 

[kinggoofy]

I would rather the Polynesian over the "Red Roof Inn" any day of the week!

Nothing on the GF, it's pretty enough, I just hate the victorian decor and the snooty buisness travelers (most people there are great, but all the people working and on conventions bug me) it's not a place I can feel relaxed.

It's why I hate staying at Business hotels anywhere, be they the GF or CR, or the Gaylord Palms or Omni Rosen.

I cant agree with you more. The POLY is very laid back resort. Thats why we have taken a liking to it.

We can always tell who the "business" people are that are coming from the GF or CR. They seem to have a "strut" about them that their "*&^%$#" doesnt stink. Their noses are a bit "up in the air" and they look at you as though you are "inferior" to them.

When we are on the monorail and its stops at the GF and some of the "conventioners" are waiting to board ..I want to say to them..."YOU ARE IS DISNEY WORLD. GET OFF YOUR HORSE."

Just my 2 cents. We will stay at ANY resort other than the GF or CM.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

I've stayed at both and have always chosen to go back to the Poly. I agree with an above poster....the GF has too many snooty people, IMO. I love the resort and it's beautiful....but the people seem kinda uppity.

I love the relaxed feel of the Poly and we always go back.

Good luck!

 

[heatherlynn444]

I love the GF and have NEVER felt anyone was stuck up or snotty. the GF is my favorite, with the Poly coming in second.

 

[FairyDust2008]

From those that say how snooty the GF is, I wonder if they have actually stayed at the resort or are just basing their opinions on what they see on people coming on the monorail or from visiting the GF. That isn't a fair review to give someone really if you haven't even stayed there. I would pick the GF over POLY. We did and I'm anxiously awaiting our 1st stay onsite and that first stay being the GF. It is my hubby and I, our 2 children, ages 10 & 12. If you read some of the recent reviews from people that have actually stayed at the Poly, they aren't overly great reviews. You'll get the good/bad from all resorts but don't let people talking of how snooty the GF is deter you, ESPECIALLY coming from people that have never actually stayed inside the resort. Go visit the GF thread on the boards and you'll find lots of information there that will make you comfortable with the decision to stay at the GF. PLEASE, don't let anyone sway you from staying there because they label it "SNOOTY" when they haven't a clue because they never even stayed there. We went back and forth between the Poly and GF and I'm glad I picked the GF over the Poly afterall and I can't wait to stay there. Goodluck to you

 

[FairyDust2008]

I cant agree with you more. The POLY is very laid back resort. Thats why we have taken a liking to it.

We can always tell who the "business" people are that are coming from the GF or CR. They seem to have a "strut" about them that their "*&^%$#" doesnt stink. Their noses are a bit "up in the air" and they look at you as though you are "inferior" to them.

When we are on the monorail and its stops at the GF and some of the "conventioners" are waiting to board ..I want to say to them..."YOU ARE IS DISNEY WORLD. GET OFF YOUR HORSE."

Just my 2 cents. We will stay at ANY resort other than the GF or CM.

You are basing your opinion on PEOPLE, not an actual experience at the GF. You can run into SNOOTY people anywhere. I wouldn't call being in business attire or being on a convention, making someone snooty?? They are professional working people on a business trip, NOT vacationing. There are business people galore I hear at CSR, which is a moderate resort. Would you say the CSR is snooty because of all their business people?? Unless, you have stayed there inside the resort, not just walking through, you can't really give a solid review. I've read reviews of people saying how, not kid-friendly, snooty the GF is and when it boiled down to MY vacation, I decided to not listen to those reviews and book. I'm glad I did and am soooooooooo looking forward to our stay. Every CM I've spoken to when making ADR's, etc when I said we were staying at the GF, they spoke very highly of the resort. I mean the GF is where the My Disney Princess Tea is held, The Wonderland Tea, the 1900 Park Fare with Cinderella and Prince Charming, the Alice in Wonderland breakfast, the Pirate Cruise, Adventures in Cooking, etc. I don't see this as a snooty environment. I have my dd and I booked for the My Disney Princess Tea and I read reviews from many saying how worth it was and then I read reviews about the snooty women, etc etc.......... I'm not letting that deter me from doing the tea. I am not going to base my decision to not do it, because a few people had a bad experience or didn't feel comfortable. That would only hurt me and dd and hold us back from experiencing something awersome. Again, snooty people can be found anywhere. Go to Disney, stay where YOU feel is the best for you and your family and HAVE FUN Don't let someone elses attitude make your vacation bad.

 

[mmmears]

We've stayed at the GF with a toddler twice and didn't notice that it wasn't child-friendly or that the people were "snooty." It is hard to get a feel for a hotel by just visiting it once -- we've been to the Poly for dinner several times and didn't get the "feeling" that people who love it talk about. I figure I cant judge it based on a short visit. There are alot of people who are turned off or intimidated to take their kids to the GF -- but there are lots of kids who love it there! (And that waterslide at the pool wasn't built just for adults!)

There are lots of people who love or hate specific hotels, but everyone gets to have their own opinion and choose where they spend their vacation! That's what's great about America!

Good luck making your decision. And check out the GF room thread for more information!

 

[kinggoofy]

Fairydust2008....

my post, as well as a few others, were OPINIONS.

In one of your post, you gave your opinion, "We went back and forth between the Poly and GF and I'm glad I picked the GF over the Poly". Thats is your opinion, BUT...if you have never stayed at the POLY, how can you compare GF vs. POLY ?? You are basing your opinion on your recent stay at GF and I, as well as other posters, are basing our opinions on our recent stays at POLY.

Again, these are just opinions.

KG

 

[Minnie824]

We've stayed at both. LOVED the GF. Didn't care for the Poly. I know it gets great reviews here, but to us, it didn't remotely compare to the GF. Stick w/your first choice!

 

[minniesota]

I've stayed at both and my vote, especially with your daughters and parents, is the GF! I love the understated elegance of the GF and in more than 8 stays, have never found it stuffy or stuck-up. It's open and airy and a very peaceful oasis from the frenzy of the parks. I never got that feeling at the Poly. I know there are people who think it's tropical and laid-back but to us, it felt crowded and very busy.

Your girls and parents will love the GF!

And by the way, it's now my DH's favorite too!

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

From those that say how snooty the GF is, I wonder if they have actually stayed at the resort or are just basing their opinions on what they see on people coming on the monorail or from visiting the GF. That isn't a fair review to give someone really if you haven't even stayed there. I would pick the GF over POLY. We did and I'm anxiously awaiting our 1st stay onsite and that first stay being the GF. It is my hubby and I, our 2 children, ages 10 & 12. If you read some of the recent reviews from people that have actually stayed at the Poly, they aren't overly great reviews. You'll get the good/bad from all resorts but don't let people talking of how snooty the GF is deter you, ESPECIALLY coming from people that have never actually stayed inside the resort. Go visit the GF thread on the boards and you'll find lots of information there that will make you comfortable with the decision to stay at the GF. PLEASE, don't let anyone sway you from staying there because they label it "SNOOTY" when they haven't a clue because they never even stayed there. We went back and forth between the Poly and GF and I'm glad I picked the GF over the Poly afterall and I can't wait to stay there. Goodluck to you

I HAVE stayed at the GF and still think the people are kinda uppity.

It's funny because everytime I make ressies for a trip, I always debate between the GF and the Poly. I always end up choosing the Poly. When I walk through the GF during our trip, I know I made the right decision.

The GF is a beautiful, breath taking resort. Absolutely stunning.

It's all a matter of preference.

Have a great trip!

 

[kinggoofy]

I HAVE stayed at the GF and still think the people are kinda uppity.

It's funny because everytime I make ressies for a trip, I always debate between the GF and the Poly. I always end up choosing the Poly. When I walk through the GF during our trip, I know I made the right decision.

The GF is a beautiful, breath taking resort. Absolutely stunning.

It's all a matter of preference.

Have a great trip!

Well said.

Those who are making a big fuss about how "NOT SNOOTY" the Red Roof Inn is are the ones who have the guilty consciences.

 

[disyady]

We've stayed at both the Poly and GF. We only tried the GF one year because we couldn't get the Poly and we were disappointed because we had visited (but not stayed at) the GF quite a few times and just didn't feel that we would fit in and feel relaxed. We could not have been more wrong. Since that first visit it has remained our (me, DH58, DD18, DD13 and DD13) favorite resort (and we have stayed in quite a few). We just bought two small DVC contracts, so now our goal is to use DVC points for a May visit and return to the GF late August every year. It is such a personal choice and you won't really know what you love until you try it for yourself - even if you have visited you won't know until you stay. As for the people - I'm sure there are all kinds anywhere you stay but I've found that it doesn't vary one bit from one resort to another. We're just so happy that we can be at WDW one more time I don't really notice or remember and differences. You'll enjoy whichever resort you choose - have a magical time!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Well said.

Those who are making a big fuss about how "NOT SNOOTY" the Red Roof Inn is are the ones who have the guilty consciences.

uumm....no. I am not rich or snotty by any standard. I am a southern/country all american newlywed, who likes to save a lot of money for a nice trip b/c I get one a year and want to stay somewhere nice! No guilty conscience here. Just my favorite place on earth, and it makes me sad that a first time poster debating on the GF may be turned off for fear of them thinking its snotty. I have yet to encounter a rude or snotty person there. maybe I am just lucky and went at good times, I dont know, but they ahve all been very nice and helpful. they called 911 for me when my husband was violently ill, they opened up the store after hours for me so i could buy him some medicine, and all the guests and cms all said "congrats" whenthey saw our just married buttons, asked about our wedding, etc.