Poly vs GF? Help me out please!

[teesott]

We are planning our next trip for Chrismtas time and my son's 4th birthday. We will also br brining our 8 year old daughter and my mother (so 3 adults, 2 children total). We are trying to decide between the Poly and GF. The price difference is minimal so that is not factor. Tell me which one you would choose and why! I am so bad at these kinds of decisions! Thanks!

 

[alex9179]

Take my opinion with a grain of salt, since I haven't been to either. We've decided on Poly for the following reasons.

More transportation options. Not only do we have bus/boat/monorail from the resort, but can also walk to TTC to use its options.

Ambiance. I'm a plant lover and feel instantly relaxed when I'm surrounded by gardens. The landscaping looks gorgeous. My husband is a Hawaiian shirt wearing/tropical theme lover. The volcano pool will thrill the kids.

Larger rooms.

Easy access to a variety of dining options at Poly, GF, CR, Epcot, and MK...although GF also offers this.

 

[goofy4tink]

The GF holds zero appeal for me. I like the Polynesian....stayed there before and enjoyed it. I like the ability to take the monorail or boat to MK. I like the ability to walk over to the TTC and get the Epcot monorail line fairly quickly. I like that I can walk over to the TTC and get a bus to either DHS or AK if I choose. Tends to be a bit faster that way since it makes no other stops, for the most part.
I like the pool area at the Polynesian. I love Captain Cooks. And if I want to get to the GF, I can just hop on the monorail and go one stop.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

Poly all the way. IMO, it's better themed than the GF. You can walk to the TTC when going to Epcot and you have a direct view of the castle across the lagoon from the pool/beach so you can watch Wishes at night. It's by far, our favorite Disney resort

 

[Have a magical day!]

Poly! Poly! Poly! We have thoroughly enjoyed our stays there! This past Christmas when we stayed we ate a couple of times of at GF and the lobby seemed pretty busy with people looking at the Gingerbread house. While the Poly doesn't have a "big" Christmas attraction like that, I think it still definitely had that "decorated for Christmas feel". The kids love the beach entry (great for little kids) volcano pool and the view of Cindy's castle from the Poly is amazing! If you can splurge for it, the club level (Disney's version of concierge) there is amazing! From the club lounge you have two story ceiling to floor, wall to wall windows that look out at the lagoon and the castle. At night they have the soundtrack of wishes played over the speakers, so if one night the kids are tired, you can grab jammies and watch wishes from there while enjoying the dessert and cordial offerings. There is a continental bfast in the morning that can save you from paying for breakfast out and it is quick and convenient, so you can get on with your day. Snacks during the day and heavy hor dourves from 5 to 7. I thought I saw Mom was coming too? Maybe she would be willing to watch the kids one evening so you can enjoy a nighttime swing in the hammocks. Wonderfully relaxing! We love the beautiful grounds and relaxed atmosphere of the Poly. Feels like you are definitely on vacation. While the GF is beautiful, it just feels more austere to me - though I know many, many love it and I'm sure you would have a terrific time there as well!! One note - this past Christmas we had several times when the monorail was having trouble. Now both Poly and GF have boat service to the MK that is fast and comfortable and fun. But the GF folks who wanted to get to the TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot were upset as we heard from many of them... If heading to Epcot from the Poly, it is a very short walk directly to the TTC (esp. if you request one of the buildings closer like the Tahiti or stay club level at the Hawaii buildings.) No need to spend a good 20 min. riding the monorail (when it is working properly) over to the TTC from the GF. Hope that helps and Have a magical day!!

 

[mmmears]

My family has stayed at both several times.

I agree that the Poly has better transportation.

But at xmas, I would pick the GF every time. The holiday decorations there are just gorgeous! (At xmas time, I think the WL and the GF are the places to be).

To me, the pools are pretty much equal, both having a nice waterfall, zero-entry and a slide in the feature pool.

The feel, theming, and decor of those two resorts are so different. That may help you make your decision as well. Poly has a more laid-back island feel to it. GF is warm but more elegant.

Hope this helps!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've stayed at both and while we liked the GF, the Poly is our favorite of the two. We thought the beach pool at the GF was ok, but we love the volcano pool at the Poly, especially since it backs up to the beach and has a distant view of the castle. We also like Captain Cooks better than Gasparilla's. What we didn't like about Gasparilla's was that it was always very loud in there due to all the games. If they got rid of the video games and added more seating, it would make for a more enjoyable atmosphere, IMO. The rooms at both resorts are pretty comparable in size, although our room at the Poly seemed bigger. The GF resort and grounds are beautiful, but we found the lobby to be very busy during Christmas time. The Poly doesn't have much as far as decorations compared to the GF and some of the other deluxe resorts, but I would have to go with the Poly for the tropical atmosphere, views, and pool.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

I wouldn't personally choose a resort just based on their Christmas display and decorations. You can always just take the monorail over to the GF if staying at the Poly and see the decorations.

 

[goofy4tink]

I will say that the Christmas decorations at the GF are incredibly wonderful.....much, much better than what the Polynesian has. I'm not sure if the decorations are enough of a draw for the kids....they'll pretty much ooh and ahh the first time they see 'em and then forget about them. But, they are beautiful.

 

[teesott]

Great responses everyone, thanks! I think I just needed a little reaffirmation that choosing the Poly is best for us. My mom was the one pushing the GF. We do plan on eating once over at the GF wherever we stay so the decorations are really not a factor. We will see them then. I am super excited to go at Christmas as it is the only time of year I have not been there but that is not the reason we are going then. Thanks again!

 

[vettegirl]

I have stayed at both and I give the slight nod to the GF. The holiday decor and feeling is just amazing. Also I felt my room at the GF was nicer and cleaner than the one at the Poly. Our bathroom at the Poly smelled like mildew during our trip there. Also the GF has two huge pools and a large hot tub.

 

[tartemis]

Not even close -- Grand Floridian. The rooms at the GF seem newer and brighter. The GF is also much more relaxing --- it is such a nice break from the parks. Plus, the evening live music in the lobby is just lovely.

And for the record, I have two young kids and we have been staying there since our kids were babies. We have ventured to other resorts a few other times, but after this last time (when we did a split with the Beach Club) we all agreed that we would never stay anywhere else at Disney besides the GF.

 

[J&J]

the gf nice hotel and at night you can watch the firworks from their area/
beauitful hotel. poly is like a motel not a hotel.

 

[padawans]

Great responses everyone, thanks! I think I just needed a little reaffirmation that choosing the Poly is best for us. My mom was the one pushing the GF. We do plan on eating once over at the GF wherever we stay so the decorations are really not a factor. We will see them then. I am super excited to go at Christmas as it is the only time of year I have not been there but that is not the reason we are going then. Thanks again!

I haven't stayed at GF yet. The Poly is our favorite. We have stayed at BW/Poly/WL/AKL and BC. It's an amazing time to go. The decorations at all the resorts are beautiful. Keep in mind the Poly does not have a hot tub. For us that is a deal breaker in the cooler months.

 

[pixie08]

Grand Floridian by far. Poly is nice, but level of service, and quality the GF wins.

Poly was a bit hectic with all the visitors, the service is a bit lacking compared to the GF and I felt the pools are way over crowded (maybe pool hoppers, and it is not enforced). The GF is simply stunning and you know you are in the flagship resort. Of course, you pay for it. Transportation wise, aside from the fact that you can walk to the tic from Poly (but only from some parts conveniently) both are equal.

Of course you will have an amazing time at both and nothing is better then grabbing a drink and a hammock, and watching the sunset over the Magic Kingdom!