Poly vs. GF

[BreezysMom]

We are two time Poly lovers and plan on going back in early 2010 but want to try something different. I have always dreamed of staying at the GF. It is a beautiful resort and I like the pool area and the grounds.

I still wonder if I was staying there would I be wishing I was at the Poly. When we do return we plan on staying club level at either resort. I am not willing to stray off the monorail line and CR does not interest us at all.

Thanks for any input.

 

[MoSoccerMom]

We did. We stayed at the GF last January for a couple of days after staying at the Poly the time before that. We just had to try it after looking at it over the lagoon from the Poly. The GF was beautiful, and the beds were sooo comfortable, but we like the Poly's atmosphere better. We also like the grounds, restaurants and pool better. That is just our opinion, though.

 

[BreezysMom]

That is what I want, some differing opinions.

We love the laid back Poly feel. We will go hang out in the lobby for a bit before we head out to dinner and after we get back from the parks or a meal. I do not get that feel in the GF lobby.

Thank for the input.

 

[ploto]

As poly fans, we have considered staying at the GF after seeing across the Lagoon many times. However, we just can't bring ourselves to leave the relaxed, tropical atmoshere of the poly. The GF looks, and is very nice, but we just can't leave the magic of the poly. It feels like home.

 

[BlueSkies]

BreezysMom The theming is so different at these two resorts....I have never stayed at the Poly but have enjoyed the different restaurants and strolled the grounds (although not the pool-no pool hopper here... )...but I am a big fan of the GF...its is a welcoming and relaxing place to stay...and we do enjoy spending time in the lobby listening to the pianist or the band play...the rooms are set up basically the same as the Poly but with a victorian theme...great restaurants and beautiful pools (hot tub too...) and very family friendly... I guess it just depends on what you are looking for....

I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay at either one...

 

[KatMark]

We have stayed at the Poly several times and lov eit. We've never had a desire to stay at the GF--hubby finds it too stuffy after a one-time visit (he won't even go there to shop now). You have to go with what you feel is going to make you happiest (although being at Disney is happiness enough for me).

 

[BamaTigger]

We have stayed at GF and Poly. HANDS DOWN, I love the GF the best. The Poly is nice and all...and the grounds are just beautiful! The lush tropical plants, and the lighted tiki torches are simply nice to walk along in the evening. BUT ...I just dont care for the theme! When I go to disney, i dont want to be "in the tropical south seas!" When we were there in July, the pool was a sight to see...to swim with a view of the castle...nice! But it was simply too crowded, so we didnt get to experience that. The rooms are nice and big, but have a funky smell!

As far as the GF...it is NOT STUFFY at all. You will see all types of people there...fancy folks, folks with kids, run of the mill folks....all types! Me and hubby are Alabama southerners who have a funny accent, and we ARE THERE!
If you go to the GF and think for ONE SECOND that you dont belong there, then you are making a huge mistake! I dont know why folks say it is stuffy!

The rooms are very bright and cheery, and the flowers and grounds at the GF are breathtaking! Everything is so crisp and fresh there. The snack shop is good, alot to choose from. The MK view is awesome! That was my dream and I finally got to experience that and the MK view rooms are great! Dream come true!

My DH LOVES the Poly, so we have to comprimise now and switch from the GF to the Poly every trip...And for our Jan trip, its HIS turn! So we have to stay at the Poly!

If you have dreamed of staying at the GF, THEN GO FOR IT! You have already tried to Poly and you love it, so give the GF a try and you will love it too!!!

 

[mmmears]

I could have written the same thing, only backwards. We've loved our stays at the GF, but are trying out the Poly this time. It feel hard to give up staying at an old favorite when you dont know if you'll like the new resort. There are so many people who love the GF and the Poly, so I figure it's worth a try to check out something new and different. I say go for it! You can always visit the Poly if you miss it!

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

We are just the opposite - absolutely love the GF and have no desire to stay at the Poly. The GF, IMO, is much prettier and the lobby is outstanding (especially during the holidays). It also has two sinks in the bathroom which is nice. I would maybe someday like to try the Poly but every time the monorail stops there, I am not impressed by what I see. To each his own!!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I have once stayed at the Polynesian and we thought it was a nice Resort and I can see why a lot of people enjoy staying there. Now this past August we orignally had a reservation to stay in the Sugar Loaf Club Level building at the Grand Floridian, however we changed that to the Contemporary because we missed staying there. However us switching that reservation was a personal decision, so with that being said we think the Grand Floridian is a great Resort and we always visit a few there a few times while at WDW. Although I am not sure if we would ever stay there, but no matter which Resort you pick I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

Kind of in the same boat right now. We love the Poly & are booked for a 7 night stay in May. We think we want to try something new, the pools look great & the grounds are beautiful. The victorian theme really isn't my thing but the buildings look really nice & bright. That being said, I don't want to change our ressie to the GF & then be looking across the lagoon at the Poly wishing we were there!! I love being in the pool & looking right across at the castle, love the grounds (we always go walking & usually to the GF) pretty happy with the food choices & love the location. No hot tub little bit of a downer. It would only be a price difference of $150 more total to switch to GF. I hate second guessing myself. We loved staying at the WL too & have considered switching there. I think there are too many things at the GF that we just wouldn't use or go to such as afternoon tea, vic & al's,... we don't even valet park!!! Guess we need to decide pretty soon so we don't miss out on the special. Thanks for letting me ramble & thanks for the other opinions!

 

[donaldndaisy]

We were, sort of, in the same boat. In May, we have 7 nights at the Poly and 7 nights at the AKL. But, we changed to our AKL ressie to the GF, for the second week. We have the Poly, again, because there was no way we could EVER give this up , but dh and ds10 has always wanted to stay at the GF- plus, we've stayed at the AKL, many times. I'm really hoping we like the GF, since this is the one resort, I've always seen as a little stuffy .

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Funny I could post the same thing!
We have always stayed at POLY and LOVE LOVE IT! We have thought of trying GF next but honestly I just don't know. It looks like a beautiful resort but I think POLY is more for us. I love the lush landscape, the relaxing feel the resort has, and I just love Hawaii so I feel like I am having 2 vacations in one
I think we will be sticking with POLY

 

[BamaTigger]

I think there are too many things at the GF that we just wouldn't use or go to such as afternoon tea, vic & al's,... we don't even valet park!!! Guess we need to decide pretty soon so we don't miss out on the special. Thanks for letting me ramble & thanks for the other opinions!

We dont use alot of the things at the GF either...we only eat at Gaspy's...Narcoossee's and the GF Cafe. We dont do the afternoon tea, or the gym, or use the cabanas or use the pool!!! We are usually in the theme parks! BUT, the GF is just a beautiful resort and very relaxing! You cant beat a 2 min ride to the MK!!!

Maybe those of you who cant decide, how about a split stay? That way you can have your cake and eat it too!!! And experience both wonderful resorts!

 

[lovmy2girls]

We are big Poly fans and always comment on how beautiful the GF is when on the monorail, and even say something like "maybe we should try it next time?" but we never have because our heart is at the Poly. The atmosphere can't be beat, the torches lit at night the volcano pool, and view of the castle etc..........

so to answer your question, if you like the Poly,,, I bet you miss it when your at the GF

I've read the same thing over and over here on the boards. The GF is nice but miss the Poly or the Poly was better for one reason or another. Good luck.

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

Thought about sitting down & making a little plus & minus type list. Can't do the split stay because of the 4/3 deal. Wish I wasn't 'allowed' to change! That would solve everything!! I know both are beautiful & relaxing & I will love it no matter where we stay. We actually just stayed at POR for the third or fourth time before Christmas & we love it there too. I adapt!!!

 

[donaldndaisy]

Thought about sitting down & making a little plus & minus type list. Can't do the split stay because of the 4/3 deal. Wish I wasn't 'allowed' to change! That would solve everything!! I know both are beautiful & relaxing & I will love it no matter where we stay. We actually just stayed at POR for the third or fourth time before Christmas & we love it there too. I adapt!!!

I may be missing what you're saying, but I booked a split stay in May, using the 4/3 deal. We have May 4-11, at the Poly and May 11-18, at the GF. We've never stayed at POR, but I always thought they were lovely resorts, as well.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[vod2117]

We have stayed at the GF Sugar Loaf and we love the whole elegant ambience. We love the CMs, food, grounds, everything. We have considered Poly club level at the Hawaiin building but we did not like the whole setup at Poly. If we had to, we would most definetly choose Poly because it is considered a Deluxe hotel with a beautiful concierge. I also like GF because in the morning if you have to get to MK for EMH MK is the first stop on the monorail. Also by Poly MK is the 2nd stop on the monorail. What I don't like about the GF is the MONEY. It is crazy expensive and so is all the monorail resorts. We have now been staying at WL club level and I will be staying at BWI club level next year due to the excellent recommendation by my mother. If you need more inf on WL club level or BWI club level, pm me.

Happy booking!!

 

[tink_lover]

This past year we stayed both a week at the Poly and one week at the GF. Hands down, we love the POLY! It's funny, at the end of the stay, both dh and I talked about which monorail resort was our fave and we both said Poly. While we didn't dislike the GF - the room was great, service was great, location was great - we spend a fair amount of time at the pool and we really didn't like the set up there. We had no desire to rent a cabana and because of that, had to sit far away from the pool and could not see the kids from our chairs. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. We just love the grounds of the Poly. It is so lush and beautiful and feels like we are somewhere else.