What makes the Poly and the GF so much better?

[minnie61650]

So much better than what? In my opinion they are not better. ...... The GF is just one monorail stop from the MK, but in my opinion it trys to pass itself off as a real world five star resort and it is not. .....

I agree.

One of the reasons I think (JMHO) that Disney has a hard time getting a solid 4 star rating (note they have never achieved a 5 star rating) is because they sorely lack in customer service.

Most 4 and 5 star hotels have experienced staff at the front desk checking in guests and handling customer's questions and complaints. The check in is handled much speedier in most cases than at Disney. The staff at a 4 or 5 star is more prepared to answer questions and has the authority to handle most of the guest's complaints in a speedy fashion and to the satisfaction of the guest.

A lot of the CM's at the front desk at Disney's resorts --even their deluxe resorts are trainees-- many of these trainees are college students who are only there for a semester.

I do applaud Disney's college program and I think it is great learning experience for them.

But having so many trainees at the front desk slows down the check in process. Also if a guest has a problem a phone call quite often does not solve the problem.
The guest then needs to go to front desk to talk to a CM in person but there is a long line of guests,
so the guest with the problems needs to wait in line which makes the guest more frustrated.
Once the guest talks with the front desk CM that guest is often told they need to talk with the manager.
Why the manager?
Because the "trainee" CM does not have the knowledge and /or the authority to solve the problem.
What happens if the manager is unavailable?
The guest is given a number and told to call the manager later.

Those situations very rarely happen at most 4 star hotels but they happen way too often at Disney !

That is one of the main reasons why when I vacation at Disney I either stay at a Disney value resort or I stay at the Swan or Dolphin.
The Swan and /or Dolphin resorts are true 4 star hotels with stellar sevice.

JMHO

 

[sunee]

Disney doesn't need to provide excellent service because the hotels are cute and well themed...and they are right there by the parks.

And many people are coming on vacation. They don't know the difference between excellent service and Disney's anemic replication of it. And they don't care. They get a pretty hotel with adorable little touches, which is just icing on the cake of the reason they're there - the parks.

Disney did finally change the name of "Concierge" to "Club level." Long time coming, that. Calling that "concierge" was the most laughable of all Disney's advertising.

 

[chasgoose]

Disney doesn't need to provide excellent service because the hotels are cute and well themed...and they are right there by the parks.

And many people are coming on vacation. They don't know the difference between excellent service and Disney's anemic replication of it. And they don't care. They get a pretty hotel with adorable little touches, which is just icing on the cake of the reason they're there - the parks.

Disney did finally change the name of "Concierge" to "Club level." Long time coming, that. Calling that "concierge" was the most laughable of all Disney's advertising.

I don't know about you, but when I pay upwards of $400 a night for a hotel room, I want a little more than just "cute and well themed."

 

[MaleficentFan]

I personally love the GF. But it has a special meaning for me... we stayed there on our honeymoon. I have always been a fan of Victorian style architecture. Plus MK is my absolute favorite park. The GF is a short monorail or boat ride away. I can sit on my room balcony and watch the fireworks over the castle... or even just gaze at the castle alone!

It really comes down to personal taste... some will love it, some think it's just okay, others will hate it. Good thing Disney offers many different resort options... we all can enjoy our time at the World in a resort that's just right for each of us!

 

[sotoalf]

I don't know about you, but when I pay upwards of $400 a night for a hotel room, I want a little more than just "cute and well themed."

I think swanee was merely voicing what lots of guests think. H/she doesn't believe these things his/herself.

 

[bytheblood]

Mon-o-rail!!!

 

[kileybeth]

I totally agree that the location and themeing is absolutely how Disney gets away with subpar service.

If I wanted true 4-5* service I would stay off site. That is just not the point of a Disney vacation for most.

That said, I have never stayed on site except this past Jan2007 (SSR) (see sig.) but have stayed often in 4* (only once in true 5*) accomadations and it was kind of hard to swallow the price tag for the Poly but it's all about being in Disney for us this trip.

And the transportation compared to other resorts is such a perk. I know some consider it slow but come on, really , who else gives you free transportation where ever you need to go at a huge resort like that? I've had limo service often at nicer hotels but altho they claim to be free someone on either end is always holding out their hand for sure.

That said, when did a nice decor come to equal stuffy? I miss that logic.
Someone once called my home museum quality, unitl they saw the way my little rugrats were allowed to actually live and play here! So no, decor does not equal stuffy. And what better place to play then at Disney! If I could swing it, we'd probably be over at GF to be honest, just appeals to me more but I'm sure the Poly will be excellent as well.

also those rooms at the Contempory do appeal to me (size, decor) but just not the rest of resort!

 

[Jen66]

That said, when did a nice decor come to equal stuffy? I miss that logic.
Someone once called my home museum quality, unitl they saw the way my little rugrats were allowed to actually live and play here! So no, decor does not equal stuffy. And what better place to play then at Disney! If I could swing it, we'd probably be over at GF to be honest, just appeals to me more but I'm sure the Poly will be excellent as well.


I could not have said it better myself!!! I love elegance; that in no way makes me stuffy

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

When I think of the GF, I think of ladies in gowns that cover their ankles, carrying parasols and men wearing pants too short, with bow ties. I think of Model T's.

And I don't mean that as an insult, because I think it's what Disney intended. Times back then were more formal than they are now - and I while I can't speak for anyone else, it's what I don't like. The GF feels too formal for me. "Feels" doesn't necessarily equate to "is".

It doesn't mean other people can't love it! I think the hotel is gorgeous from the outside and I'm glad it's there. The diversity in the hotels makes WDW all the more special.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't like the decor of The Polynesian, and goodness knows I've heard enough people dog the fact my all-time favorite, The Wilderness Lodge, doesn't even deserve to be a deluxe. To each their own. Unless you're sharing a room with me, it doesn't bother me!

 

[DumboDash2006]

Ok, I have never stayed at any of them and always though I would love to stay at the GF as the outside is just gorgeous!

Then I saw the pictures of the inside. I wouldn't call it stuffy looking but it reminds me of an old ladies house, or *gasp* a funeral home. Ugh. I guess when I can stay in a deluxe, it won't be that one!

 

[johnsonet]

I have stayed at the GF at least 10 times over the past 10 years and the Poly at least 4 times in the past few years... I have also stayed in every Disney Deluxe but the YC.

For me, there is just something special about the MK resorts. Looking across Seven Seas Lagoon, watching boats on the water, the large ferry transporting guests to the MK, seeing the monorail glide around on its track, seeing the Contemporary Resort, a classic Disney image from the 70s... the Poly too ... or looking over at the GORGEOUS GF, depending on what resort you are staying at...there is just a magic there.

Keep in mind that the MK is the most-visited (by a long-shot) of any other theme park in the world, which makes that particular real estate incredibly valuable. No Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons, with all their 5-star service, can boast a view of Cinderella's Castle, or allow you to hear The WDW Railroad off in the distance.

I love AKL a LOT and its theming is incredible. WL is fabulous. I have enjoyed the BC and BWI and am still amazed when I am able to walk back to my room after IllumiNations at Epcot...but for me, the Poly and GF just put you in a unique place in The World - They are BEAUTIFUL resorts and their beaches, pools, landscaping and dining and transportation options, plus the ever-popular monorail, really set them apart

 

[Doc CW]

The monorail, the food, the location. Everything about this resort was done to perfection (GF, never been to Polly so cant say anything about it). I thought that it was the best place to stay if you have a baby cause you dont need to collapse the stroller to get on a bus to MK or EPCOT It's really conviennient for you. I just thought GF was the best resort I've ever stayed at.

 

[minnie61650]

Ok, I have never stayed at any of them and always though I would love to stay at the GF as the outside is just gorgeous!

Then I saw the pictures of the inside. I wouldn't call it stuffy looking but it reminds me of an old ladies house, or *gasp* a funeral home. Ugh. I guess when I can stay in a deluxe, it won't be that one!

Thank you for your observation.

I too like the outside of the GF. The outside kind of reminds of an overgrown version of the Grand Hotel ( http://www.grandhotel.com/ ) on Mackinac Island in Michigan. The Grand Hotel is a fav of mine. In 1980 the movie Somewhere In Time, that was filmed at Grand Hotel and stared Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer was released.

The first time I stepped into the GF lobby there was something about it that struck me as not quite right and I could never put my finger on why I felt that way about it. I just felt that GF was trying to create a" fantasy" of elegance and could not quite pull it off. It just felt "creepy" to me.

 

[cara loves the poly]

Thank you for your observation.

I too like the outside of the GF. The outside kind of reminds of an overgrown version of the Grand Hotel ( http://www.grandhotel.com/ ) on Mackinac Island in Michigan. The Grand Hotel is a fav of mine. In 1980 the movie Somewhere In Time, that was filmed at Grand Hotel and stared Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer was released.

The first time I stepped into the GF lobby there was something about it that struck me as not quite right and I could never put my finger on why I felt that way about it. I just felt that GF was trying to create a" fantasy" of elegance and could not quite pull it off. It just felt "creepy" to me.

Linda, my brother in law wrote a book that takes place on Mackinac Island! There are 3 books in the series, the first is Days Gone Bye.

 

[BrianD]

How about this hotel: http://www.hoteldel.com/ Remind you of any resort at WDW? The GF was actually modeled after this resort, as can be clearly seen.

Also, just to clarify, here are the diamond rankings for the deluxe resorts (including Swan & Dolphin) from AAA:
3 diamond - AKL, BWI, WL, Swan, Dolphin
4 diamond - BC, CR, GF, Poly, YC

I believe that the CR & Poly are new to the 4 diamond level. Perhaps the room upgrades helped them out there. As for the GF having been docked a star/diamond, if they were a few years ago, they got it back.

Also, I wonder about with the coming Four Seasons resort (a truly 5 star/diamond run hotel) that will be on property, that maybe it will help influence the Disney resorts to kick it up a notch because of the competition that it will bring. Speaking of that resort, it may have MK views, considering it is supposed to be built on the other side of Bay Lake. I am very much looking forward to trying out the Four Seasons, once it is finished.

 

[ConcKahuna]

The Poly, GF, and YC are all AAA 4-Diamond properties. The GF did loose it for a bit, the Poly just got it, and the YC is on "Probation" and risk loosing their 4th diamond.

Oh, and just an FYI, there are NO 5-diamond hotels anywhere near Orlando.

 

[disneyfan67]

The Poly, GF, and YC are all AAA 4-Diamond properties. The GF did loose it for a bit, the Poly just got it, and the YC is on "Probation" and risk loosing their 4th diamond.

Oh, and just an FYI, there are NO 5-diamond hotels anywhere near Orlando.

I thought that the Ritz Carlton near WDW would have been 5 Diamond hotel for sure. That's kind of surprising that it's not considered one.

At least the general Orlando area is getting better quality resorts, then in years past. I was down there in the late 80's and was kind of surprised considering it was a big vacation Mecca. I do hope that the new Four Seasons on WDW that's going to be built soon, will force WDW resorts to pick up the slack and offer better service.

 

[Sammie]

Regardless of what some who are not fans of the Grand Floridian will try to have your believe; as stated by ConcKahuna there are no 5 star or 5 diamond resorts in Orlando.

The only 5 star Mobil resorts in Florida are:

Four Seasons Palm Beach
and Ritz Carlton in Naples and Palm Beach

The only 5 diamond in Florida are:

The Breakers - Palm Beach
Mandarin Oriental - Miami
Ponte Vedra Inn and Club - Ponte Vedra Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove
The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne new in 2006
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota

I know some do not like the Grand Floridian or think it is a not deluxe resort but at least let's get the facts straight about rankings.

 

[disneyholic family]

We've never found the GF to be stuffy at all. On the contrary, everyone there is extremely friendly, always smiling, saying hello and asking if everything is going well.

We love staying there. But then again, we love all the Disney resorts (except for the CR, which we hated).