Which would you pick, the Poly or the GF if cost was the same?

[Karebear]

Hi all,

My cousin, her husband and 2 kids are going to WDW next Spring. They haven't been since their honeymoon 15 years ago--kids have never been. Anyway, since it has been so long and since kids have never been, she wants to "do it right". Her 2 kids are a boy (10) and a girl (8). She has a discount code and because it is a higher % at the GF the rate for both the Poly and the GF come out the same. This would be for a garden view room. They plan to spend equal time in all 4 parks. I told her to go with the Poly because you are close to the TTC and because all of the rooms have a day bed (she wants each kid to have their own bed). But I figured that I would ask the experts--any opinions or advice that I can give to her? They plan on using the pool for some down time, but will spend a lot of time in the parks too......

 

[rusty4]

Being that the GF is usually more expensive I would for the GF. The kids may enjoy the pirate cruise there. Does one theme stand out for them better?

This link has links to both of resorts with great pics and info. HTH!

http://www.wildernesslodgesite.com/content/links

 

[KatMark]

We've only stayed at the Poly which we absolutely love. We've no interest in the GF for a number of personal reasons. Our family's choice would definitely be the Poly (our boys loved it when we stayed there when they were younger).

 

[Karlzmom]

We've been disappointed with less than stellar mousekeeping at the Poly our last 2 trips [is it really too much to ask that the old food in the fridge be thrown out before the next guest checks in? ] So, of the 2 I'd go with the GF, but I'm really more of a "none of the above" girl....

 

[Bev J.]

We would go to the Poly for the outstanding tropical feel and the super friendly CM's we met there. We were just visiting not staying there- maybe someday.

Bev

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

The GF!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Gf

 

[haley123]

I would definitely go with the GF.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've done both, Poly several times and the GF once. GF was not to our liking, layout, restaurants etc. won't be returning there in the future.

The Poly was a great resort but for us has out priced itself for what you get. Garden rooms are great, like the feel of the resort, small pool but we go off season and it served us well. It's neat being close to the TTC, easy access to EPCOT monorail and we like taking the big ferry to the MK on occasion, especially at park closing avoiding the huge line for the monorail. But alas, they want just too much for their rooms, discounts and all....we switched to the WL, small, alittle nicer to us and location is great and the price is right. Hope you pick wisely and have a great trip.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I'd look at it this way. Whether you stay at the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian, you can enjoy everything about both resorts.... except the swimming pools and hot tubs.

From what I hear, the Grand Floridian rooms are just nicer. Many of the Poly rooms do not have a balcony or patio... the sliding glass doors just open to a railing. The lobby is much bigger and the piano player and orchestra are nice touches. I think the swimming pools there are bigger and nicer, plus there are hot tubs. Polynesian has no hot tubs, although you can use the GF's fitness center.

The Polynesian's volcano pool has a view of the castle..... but the Grand Floridian has a similar pool with a slide (no castle view). But you can view the castle and fireworks from other parts of the GF. And you can always boat or walk to the Polynesian one night if you want a Poly experience...go to Spirit of Aloha, watch the fireworks from the beach, etc...

From either GF or Poly, you can get to many restaurants... but the GF's restaurants are MUCH, MUCH better... you have a character breakfast and dinner (we liked the food at both), 2 signature restaurants - Citricos and Narcoossees (we like them too!), and the GF Cafe.

The Polynesian has the Ohana breakfast (we like Stitch so that's good), but the Ohana dinner is awful in our opinion ---- long, long waits to get in due to a messed up checkin process and the food is lousy. I thought we would like Kona Cafe until I saw flies all over the desert display. Capt. Cooks, the quick service place, is VERY small.

There's enough theming in the parks to not need it at the resort. The Polynesian theme is kind of fun with the tiki torches lit up at night... but the feeling of being in Polynesia is kind of ruined by the maintenance/housekeeping motorized cards that speed through their almost running people over....

Now, I said theme wasn't important... we were going to stay at the Grand Floridian in Dec. 2010... but to save some money, we stayed at All Star Movies... I was sure DS would like it there... and he did.

 

[bethclayton]

I love both. I have stayed both garden view and club level at both. For garden view, I would personally pick Poly.

They are both wonderful resorts. I truly think that they should go with whichever resort's theming appeals to them more. They can't go wrong with either resort.

As I posted on a similar thread, they have what my best friend calls, "a high class problem!" lol! It's a great dilemma to have, isn't it?

 

[maverickmoos]

If cost were the same then I'd say GF

 

[TinkerBrie]

I have stayed at both. Hands down, the Poly! My daughter is 8 and hated the GF!!! She turned 7 when we were there, she turned 8 when we stayed at the Poly! She loved the Poly so much that she cried when we left!! My husband agree also....

 

[Nancy F]

No doubt about it. Love the GF.
Nancy

 

[toodycat]

GF for sure! We've stayed at both a few times and the service is far superior at the GF.

 

[mickeynut1]

They are both beautiful resorts and we've had great stays at each, but my family prefers the Poly . We stayed at the Poly in Sept '07 and just got back from an AKL/GF split and both of my boys and DH said next time go back to the Poly . We had a great time at the GF, but they like the tropical atmosphere of the Poly and all of us thought the Poly CS was better than the CS at the GF. Plus not all rooms at the GF come with a daybed, so if a daybed is something they really want (or need), they should go with the Poly as all rooms are equipped with a daybed . As far as service, friendly CMs, and cleaniness, we found both resorts to be great in all areas .

 

[CathieArms]

I've never stayed at either, but - based upon the pictures - I think I'd much prefer the GF.

 

[DizGirl20]

Grand Floridian all the way. They can always visit the Poly for meals, etc. but GF is in a league of it's own!

 

[pixarmom]

First, I'll admit that I have a family history at the Poly, so I'm sentimental about it. But since childhood, I've stayed in several different WDW resorts and I'm always able to make a decision based on our family's needs and preferences for each trip. Our current favorite resort is Beach Club, but we've chosen Poly over GF for reasons unrelated to cost.

For us, the difference between GF and Poly comes down to transportation, theme and atmosphere:

1) At Poly, I like that we can walk to either TTC for the direct monorail to Epcot or take the direct monorail to MK from the Great Ceremonial House. We prefer not to have to transfer monorails to get to Epcot - those transfers cut down on the convenience factor for us. (BC is our favorite because we can walk to two parks, and not have to rely on any bus, boat or monorail.)

2) We enjoy the atmosphere and theme at the Poly more than GF. The Poly atmosphere feels more laid back to us, and we like that. And while new BC room decor is a clear favorite for us, I prefer the room decor at Poly over GF. It's just a personal taste issue.

Lots of other factors to consider - pool, dining options, etc. that others have mentioned. Good luck with your decision - either is a great choice!

 

[sandym718]

We're in the same position as your friend -- going in March and because the % discount is greater at the GF, it would actually be about $50 cheaper (something like that, don't remember exactly) to stay at the GF than the Poly, which we have booked. I considered switching - for about a second. We just love the Poly TOO much!! We've been twice before and it's our Disney "home" now. I've been in the GF to take DD to the salon. It is gorgeous, but just not that laid-back, tropical feel that I love.

Now I will admit, this is by far the most we'll pay for the Poly, unless a better discount comes out. So the cheaper rate at the Beach Club is a bit more tempting. The kids would love that pool, and it would be so nice to walk from Epcot. But, again, we KNOW we love the Poly, and the kids just adore the monorail....so for now we're staying put!