Which resort? GF - WL - Poly - BW

[SouthPhilly]

Hey guys,

Our family friends had booked us a trip this month with their DVC points as a “sorry your wedding* got screwed by covid...twice” gift lol.

We were originally booked for Polynesian, but she just let us know that there’s availability at:


Boardwalk
Wilderness Lodge (both)
Polynesian (current)
Grand Floridian

We’re going from 9/28 - 10/4 and I see that many things are scheduled to reopen by 9/21. We’ve stayed at WL and loved it (non DVC) and we’ve only ever been to the other three for dinner.

I was hoping to get some opinions here for where we should stay for this trip and why. GF sounds great and some of our favorite restaurants are there and we’re hoping they may reopen on 9/21, but boardwalk seems pretty cool too and convenient for park access.

Just some extra details;
Two adults, no kids. This’ll likely be our last Disney trip together before having children so we wanted to have some nice date night dinners and just enjoy the resort and not just be in the parks all day.

Thank you in advance!

 

[iheartglaciers]

I vote for Boardwalk so you can walk to two parks, and also have additional dining options within walking distance at Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Swan/Dolphin. The Wilderness Lodge has a lot open right now, so it's also a good choice. I also like their pools better than Boardwalk and it's a relaxing place to be if you'll be spending a lot of time at the resort (which you probably will with the reduced park hours).

 

[Marionnette]

Hey guys,

Our family friends had booked us a trip this month with their DVC points as a “sorry your waiting got screwed by covid...twice” gift lol.

We were originally booked for Polynesian, but she just let us know that there’s availability at:


Boardwalk
Wilderness Lodge (both)
Polynesian (current)
Grand Floridian

We’re going from 9/28 - 10/4 and I see that many things are scheduled to reopen by 9/21. We’ve stayed at WL and loved it (non DVC) and we’ve only ever been to the other three for dinner.

I was hoping to get some opinions here for where we should stay for this trip and why. GF sounds great and some of our favorite restaurants are there and we’re hoping they may reopen on 9/21, but boardwalk seems pretty cool too and convenient for park access.

Thank you in advance!

On one hand, I would choose the GF because when are you ever going to get to stay there again? The rooms are large, bright and beautiful. The resort is lovely. You have easy dining options available at all of the monorail resorts.

If not GF, the BWV wins for convenience sake. I’m staying there in October and just the thought of not having to take a Disney transportation to two resorts is reason to smile. Dining options on the Boardwalk itself are pretty limited (pizza window, BW Bakery, Trattoria al Forno) but you’ve got the Swan restaurants plus the Dolphin restaurants on weekends. YC’s Ale & Compass is open and then there’s B&C at the BCV.

 

[SG131]

That's a tough one. I think I would pick the grand floridian. It really does feel indulgent while you're there. I love the boardwalk, but the grand floridian is a more expensive resort so it will be easier for you to stay at the boardwalk in the future than the grand. Boardwalk would be my second choice.

 

[Geomom]

I would pick Boardwalk at the moment since there is no date listed for when the nicer restaurants at GF will open. We stayed at VGF during the NBA bubble. Grand Floridian Cafe (TS), Gasparilla Grill (QS), pool bar, and Enchanted Rose bar were open. There were a few shops open as well. GF atrium was so empty anytime we went in to use the monorail. We also stayed at BWV. Trattoria Al Forno (TS), Abracadbar, pizza window, pool bar, and Boardwalk bakery were open. Screen door shop also open. It was definitely quieter than other visits, but it had more life than GF. The fact that you can walk to/from Hollywood studios and Epcot are key. You could have an end of park day dinner at either of those parks on your days there and not have to worry about transportation back. As others have said, you can also walk to restaurants at Swan/Dolphin, Yacht and Beach clubs.

And Congratulations!

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

My vote would go to BW or GF. I own at Poly, I have never actually stayed, but we are planning a 12 night trip there for 2023 with our points. That said, with the resort under extensive refurb right now, I'm not sure it's the best time to stay there. If you really want to stay on the monorail (and potentially have access to the new walkway), GF is a great idea. BWV is also awesome and the access to Epcot and DHS is great. You can't go wrong. Depending on your arrangement with your friends, if you stay at BWV, your points would go further than a VGF stay too.

 

[Lorrie7249]

GF...especially if 2 adults for date nights...

 

[bobbiwoz]

GF...especially if 2 adults for date nights...

Plus, it’s not often available!

 

[Sandisw]

I’d go VGF. I love it there. You can walk to the Poly easily...and there is a chance the walkway to the MK is open,

You can also monorail to Contemporary for drinks. It’s just so lovely there.

 

[PsycProfPlum]

I vote either GF or BWV as well. Both are lovely. I tend to prefer the atmosphere at BWV as well as the location. However, GF does feel very special.

 

[SouthPhilly]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone!

 

[momtwoboys]

I say keep the Poly! Tropical quiet vibes with only the DVC portion open and you still can go to the other resorts to eat dinner. BWV doesnt have many choices to eat without going to Swan dolphin, and with no hopping not like you can pop into epcot for dinner each night. We were booked at CCV and have stayed there many times and love it, but went with poly for the theme and options of capt cooks, tambu lounge Kona and all the close by places to eat. Maybe I am in the minority??

 

[RoseGold]

For a romantic-ish trip, I would normally do Poly. The tiki torches and the landscaping are just magical. BUT the cash side will still be closed, so not much dining. I would bet Ohana and Trader Sam's stay close, plus they are doing construction on the monorail stop at Poly in the fall. So, yuck.

So, I am voting for VGF. It's lovely and luxurious and will be a walk to WDW or any bus you want.

And if I'm spending someone else's points, they will always be on VGF, haha.

edit: I’m not a pool person, if you plan to hang at the pool all day I would pick something else. VGF pool is lovely for quick dip, but there are better choices if your goal is pools.

 

[momtwoboys]

the oasis pool at Poly is open! and its a nice walk over to GF if you wanted to eat at Grand Fl cafe. The construction to the monorail I thought was to start oct4th? We are there same dates!

 

[mel&me]

Been at all of them, love them all
but Id pick the GF for your wedding make up gift.
You wont regret the choice.

 

[SouthPhilly]

I say keep the Poly! Tropical quiet vibes with only the DVC portion open and you still can go to the other resorts to eat dinner. BWV doesnt have many choices to eat without going to Swan dolphin, and with no hopping not like you can pop into epcot for dinner each night. We were booked at CCV and have stayed there many times and love it, but went with poly for the theme and options of capt cooks, tambu lounge Kona and all the close by places to eat. Maybe I am in the minority??

We’re debating on a split lol

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I was reading this thread and think split stay between GF and BW. I wasn't sure if you would want to do that but if you are inclined to do it I think you would get to experience two great resorts. I say go for it! Please let us know what you decide.

 

[CarolynFH]

BWV is my home, and I love it, but for y’all I vote for VGF !

 

[dvc lover 1970]

If your heart was set on poly I would take GF simply because you can walk from GF to poly and GF is the best resort imo. However close 2nd is BW for all the BW activity and the walk to the world showcase and hollywood studios. I also like the idea of a split stay...maybe 3 at be and 3 at gf. Also not sure how many points are available but GF is more points than BW especially for Friday Saturday. So maybe do the weekend at BW and the rest at GF

 

[Fangorn]

Here's my two cents worth.

I'd stay at Poly, personally. Yes, the hotel side isn't open, but the announced work on the monorail station doesn't begin until "early October', so it almost assuredly won't begin until after you've left. Both pools are open, as is Kona and Capt Cooks.

We just really find the vibe at Poly too be very relaxing and romantic.

There isn't much open when it comes to the Signature Dining places. I think California Grill is the only one open right now.

My second choice would be Grand Floridian, for many of the same reasons as Poly, except the vibe is different.

I personally detest, loathe and otherwise abhor the Boardwalk Villas, so my advice there is to avoid it at all cost

I live in the Pacific Northwest, so BR and CC have zero draw for me as a vacation spot - too much like home.

Steve