Poly Vs GF?

[TaraZ]

I saw the Poly vs CR post... now I'd like everyone's opinions of the Poly vs the GF. A little background... I have never been to WDW, my DH has been a TON of times as a child/teen (stayed in the Poly, GF, CR, Swan), and my DD has never been either! We will be going next Jan (2009) and my DD will have just turned 3.

Okay... convince me which is the best choice!

 

[LukenDC]

I have stayed at both the Poly and the GF and while I like both of them, I prefer the Poly. Unlike many people, I did not find the GF to be stuffy, but it is more orderly than the Poly with its well-manicured grounds and white trim buildings. The Poly's landscaping is gorgeous, very lush and tropical looking and perhaps a bit on the wild side.

Both resorts have two pools. One big plus to the Poly's volcano pool is that the Castle is centered directly in front of it across the Lagoon. You can sit in the pool at night and watch the Castle change color. Overall the Poly's MK views are better than the MK views at the GF. The Poly also has a much longer stretch of beach than the GF.

The GF has more and better dining options than the Poly and the shopping at the GF is more extensive than the Poly. Remember, however, that the GF is only one Monorail stop from the Poly and one can also walk between the two resorts. Anyone can enjoy the restaurants and shops at the GF regardless of where they stay.

At night there is a band that plays in the GF lobby. At the Poly, tiki torches illuminate the resort grounds.

Regarding transportation, I give the edge to the Poly. It serves the MK via Monorail and boat and the TTC with its Monorails to Epcot is a five minute walk away.

Overall, I find the Poly more relaxing than the GF. It feels magical and like a true vacation resort. In fact, it's my favorite place to stay in the entire world (as in planet earth, not WDW).

 

[SeaSpray]

I've stayed at both resorts, and while I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the GF, I choose the Polynesian, for ALL of the reasons that LukenDC mentioned. He put it very eloquently; I couldn't have said it better myself. He did an excellent job of comparing the 2 resorts and I agree 100% with his assessment!

 

[TaraZ]

Does anyone have pics of these resorts?

 

[pixie08]

I have stayed at both the Poly and the GF and while I like both of them, I prefer the Poly. Unlike many people, I did not find the GF to be stuffy, but it is more orderly than the Poly with its well-manicured grounds and white trim buildings. The Poly's landscaping is gorgeous, very lush and tropical looking and perhaps a bit on the wild side.

Both resorts have two pools. One big plus to the Poly's volcano pool is that the Castle is centered directly in front of it across the Lagoon. You can sit in the pool at night and watch the Castle change color. Overall the Poly's MK views are better than the MK views at the GF. The Poly also has a much longer stretch of beach than the GF.

The GF has more and better dining options than the Poly and the shopping at the GF is more extensive than the Poly. Remember, however, that the GF is only one Monorail stop from the Poly and one can also walk between the two resorts. Anyone can enjoy the restaurants and shops at the GF regardless of where they stay.

At night there is a band that plays in the GF lobby. At the Poly, tiki torches illuminate the resort grounds.

Regarding transportation, I give the edge to the Poly. It serves the MK via Monorail and boat and the TTC with its Monorails to Epcot is a five minute walk away.

Overall, I find the Poly more relaxing than the GF. It feels magical and like a true vacation resort. In fact, it's my favorite place to stay in the entire world (as in planet earth, not WDW).

Wow thanks for that comparison. We are planning a trip in June for our first anniversary. We got married in Disney at the Wedding Pavilion but we honeymooned in hawaii so we thought the Poly would be the perfect place but I was still unsure because the GF is the "flagship" and supposedly most romantic but I think it is going to be the Poly!

 

[auntie]

I saw the Poly vs CR post... now I'd like everyone's opinions of the Poly vs the GF. A little background... I have never been to WDW, my DH has been a TON of times as a child/teen (stayed in the Poly, GF, CR, Swan), and my DD has never been either! We will be going next Jan (2009) and my DD will have just turned 3.

Okay... convince me which is the best choice!

Going with a 3 year old..the Poly. Bit more relaxed..and family oriented.. Just my opinion, your dining options are better also...again at least in my opinion. Save the GF for when she's older or for the two of you. I have stayed Poly..visited the GF...personally, I'm not overly impressed. Did eat there. My neighbor stayed in the GF, and was not in the main building..so she was dissapointed...and not impressed with the the other accomodations. She was there for a business conference with her husband...don't know if they put them somewhere out of the way or what..but she didn't care for the location. She has stayed Beach Club, and Poly(as have we) and wouldn't choose to stay GF if she were paying for it.

 

[Native NYer]

We were at the Poly for the first time two weeks ago and LOVED it! My 4 year old nephew loved it also. I think it's a great resort for young children.

 

[MoSoccerMom]

I posted this on another thread yesterday, I think it echoes what the other posters have said:
We stayed at the Poly this past June and the GF just a couple of weeks ago. The bell hop told me that the rooms had recently been redone at the GF, and I thought they were gorgeous. The beds were so comfortable. Our GF room also had a split bath, which our Poly room didn't. The restaurant choices are great, but we still took the monorail back to Ohana's and Kona at the Poly because we loved them so much the trip before. If you eat at the food court frequently, though, I thought the GF's was even smaller than the Poly's. We went to the Beach Pool at the GF while we were there-the slide was okay, but not as neat as the volcano one at the Poly according to my kids. Okay, so after all of that, I would have to say that I liked the theme and atmosphere better at the Poly, but the GF room was better. I hope maybe this helps. You definitely can't go wrong either way!

 

[LukenDC]

Does anyone have pics of these resorts?

Here are some pictures that should give you a flavor for each resort:

Grand Floridian (I'm not going to post room pics because the rooms were renovated since my stay last July).

Polynesian

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Allow me to reiterate! I have also stayed at both resorts, the Poly though, keeps calling me back!

 

[Cool-Beans]

They're both nice enough. I prefer the views from the Poly. I'd much rather be at the Poly looking at the GF than the other way around.

GF has better restaurants and Poly has better shopping. GF has a workout room, Poly is close to the monorail. Rooms alone, I prefer GF. Monorail convenience, I prefer the Poly. I like to swim at either one.

One thing I liked about GF that Poly doesn't offer is being able to stay in the main building and not having to run outside through the rain to get to the room.

But I'd take AKL over either one.

Pick the one that is calling your name and go there. You really can't go wrong.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The GF. I would come over to the GF faq thread and check it out. We have tons of pics and info on there. The rooms have been rehabbed. The staff there rocks especially the CMs on the concierge level.

 

[eclectics]

Pick the one that is calling your name and go there. You really can't go wrong.

ITA.

Funny you should mention the AKL. I had it booked for my last trip but the Poly kept "calling my name", quite loudly lol, so I switched. It was love at first sight and I'm so glad I followed my little voice.

 

[TaraZ]

Pick the one that is calling your name and go there. You really can't go wrong.

See... there is the problem! On one hand, I want a true, "theme-y", almost cheesy (in a good way!) Disney experience... which makes me lean towards the Poly.... but then on the other hand, we usually stay in very nice, fancy hotels (which I love-- I am a *bit* high maintenance, I suppose!)-- so that makes me think GF!

There are a couple of fun kids activities at the GF-- the chef thing, the tea party-- but at 3, maybe my DD will be too young still?

ACK! I know that I'll be happy with whichever we choose...

Actually... here's a question... which hotel has the best views? We'll probably spend our evenings on the balcony/patio after DD goes to sleep-- where will we see the best sights?

 

[CandleontheWater]

IMO, the poly will give you the best views, esp. if you stay concierge at the Hawaii building. You can't get a much better view of Wishes outside of Main Street.

 

[LukenDC]

Actually... here's a question... which hotel has the best views? We'll probably spend our evenings on the balcony/patio after DD goes to sleep-- where will we see the best sights?

The Poly has the best views. If you have a Lagoon view, you will be able to see a bit of the MK (many rooms have excellent Castle views), the Contemporary to the right, and the Grand Floridian to the left.

The garden views will usually offer a view of the beautiful landscaping and the pools. The garden view rooms in one half of the the Fiji longhouse includes a view of the Marina.

I like the garden views. At night I sit on the beach and watch the Castle change colors and the Monorails circling the Lagoon. It's a magical sight!

 

[Coconuts]

Never stayed at GF, but was at Poly with my 5 and 3 year olds. They loved it. We stayed in Rarotonga building, which was right outside the GCH doors, so not a long walk to the monorail station. One night we took the boat back to the Poly from MK and watched the fireworks from benches on Poly's docks; it was fantastic. Plus, Poly has a zero entry pool, which may be easier for your 3yo to get in and out of the pool, as long as you keep the floaties/life jacket on! Hope this helps and enjoy your trip.

 

[Cool-Beans]

ITA.

Funny you should mention the AKL. I had it booked for my last trip but the Poly kept "calling my name", quite loudly lol, so I switched. It was love at first sight and I'm so glad I followed my little voice.

What is that sound? Is that the sound of fire turning into ice??? Is hell freezing over?!?!

Dear Diary,

Today I eclectics and I agreed about the little voices in our heads...

When AKL first opened, I had zero interest. I was like, "Africa?! Puhleeze." Totally didn't appeal to me. Now, I'd stay there every time, if I could. Tastes change...and they count for so much when picking a WDW hotel. I always think people should listen to their little voice.

 

[eclectics]

Dear Diary,

Today eclectics and I agreed about the little voices in our heads...

I hope the Tag Fairy is on vacation.

 

[MoSoccerMom]

What is the "Tag Fairy?"