OK...
I have been beating myself up over this. I can't decide...Poly or GF???I narrowed it down to these two due to proximity to MK & the transportation & we decided on 2 separate rooms.
We have a DD 14 & DS 9. My sister & her GS 7 & GD 6 are coming with us. Which would be better?
Dreaming of a Monte Cristo!!!
Poly- coming from someone who has stayed at neither
. I love the feel of Poly and the restaurants are great and more kid friendly. GF is beautiful but doesn't feel as relaxing to me.
Why do people go on The Amazing Race without bothering to learn how to drive a stick shift?
They are both amazing. I have never actually stayed @ either, but just by visiting.. I would go to Poly.
**Kristin**
You just have to have it in you... the MAGIC*
The GF is soooooo beautiful I can't imagine anyone who can afford to stay there would choose not too
However, with the age range of the kids, the Poly might be a better choice. I just find it so hard to say no to GF - it is the flagship and soooooo gorgeous.
For me, the GF is TOO nice, if such a thing is possible. There is a certain percentage of visitors who will go for the most expensive lodging without thinking twice about it. So the GF is going to have a higher percentage of "rich" folks - not that there's anything wrong with that. It may just be me and my bluejeaned schlubby self, but I never feel quite comfortable at the GF. I like Mizner's Lounge for an evening drink or 3 while listening to the lobby big band. But I've never really wanted to stay there. I'd kinda feel like I had to dress up just to go down the hall and get some ice!
So I say Poly! Great theming, two terrific restaurants in Kona Cafe and 'Ohana, and a perfect location. Try to stay in a room on the Transportation and Ticket Center side. That way you can walk to the TTC and hop a monorail to Epcot.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
I totally agree! To me it is like San Francisco, a great place to visit, but I don't actually want to live there!Originally Posted by danyoung
Why do people go on The Amazing Race without bothering to learn how to drive a stick shift?
I have never stayed at either one...but I would go for the Poly!
Love 'Ohana...and the feel of the resort...
I whole heartily agree!!! We just stayed at the Poly in the Tahiti building. It is a bit of a walk to the Grand Ceremonial house, but it is so nice to be able to walk to the TTC and hop on the Epcot Monorail without having to go all the way around. Also the Ferry Boat to MK is right there and was the kids favorite way to get to MK.
There is no doubt the GF is beautiful, and has it's own charm. It's very grand and feels very posh.
The Poly is lush and tropical. It feels more relaxed to me.
_____________
Jenni
A friend of mine is pretty picky and those are both their favorite resorts. Is your trip long enough to consider splitting your stay between the two resorts to determine your own favorite for your next visit??
Either way, it sounds like either one will be exceptional! Have fun!
So Excited!
I totally agree* The D"future"H and I will be staying @GF our wedding NIGHT and the night after* Just enough to say we've tried it, but Poly is where are hearts want to stay for the honeymoon part, so that's where we are going to stay
**Kristin**
You just have to have it in you... the MAGIC*
Having stayed at the Polynesian earlier this month, I have to go with the Poly. Not only do you have the lush, tropical feel of the islands, great restaurants and a more relaxing feeling, BUT you have the convenience of visiting the Grand Floridian in just minutes! You can sit at the beach and have a great view of the GF! I love looking across the lagoon to see how beautiful the GF looks (especially at night)! But the Poly feels so much more comfortable to me! Poly guests can take the path over to the GF and use the Health Club and Spa too, which was a nice benefit for us. And the Barefoot Pool Bar serves the best drinks as you watch the fireworks and electrical water pageant from the white sands of the beach! Loved it!!!
Next Trip: Yacht Club ~ May 14-22, 2013
Although we would like to stay at the GF as some point, we absolutely loved the POLY. It is such a beautiful resort, the Volcano pool is just the best, monorail access, two great restauarants, and it really is just a comfortable feeling resort! It is hands down our favorite!
Offsite 77, FW 80, Offsite 88, Offsite 90, Offsite 92, Offsite 97, CSR 04, POR 06, CR 08, POR 09, Offsite 09, Poly 10, POR 11, Offsite 11, Offsite 12, VWL 12, Poly 13, SSR 13
Chris - DL in 2014!
Wow...Thank you all for the wonderful insight!
Looks like it is the Poly! :o)
Dreaming of a Monte Cristo!!!
We've stayed at both and both of them are beautiful in their own way.
Believe it or not...with my kids, the POFQ is the way to go for us. The pool is amazing and the atmosphere can't be beat.
I know it's a drop down from a Deluxe to a Moderate...but WOW! I was so impressed with POFQ.
Poly has a very busy and noisy lobby. 'Ohana is fabulous and so is the Kona Cafe'. The pool is "ehhh" IMHO.
And as for GF, it's fancy schmancy...and again to compare...the pool is pretty overlooking the Lagoon as the Poly is too.
If you are looking for convenience of location because it's a monorail hotel, then they are the way to go.
If I do go with DH w/o kids someday, we would consider the GF or Poly...but with kids POFQ all the way. (Now we are giving the Cabins a whirl...can't wait!)
Have a Magical Day, Month, Year!!!
When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable ~ Walt Disney
Stephanie
~A man's character can be judged by the way he treats his dog.~
Thank you! I love Mouse Planet! EVERYONE is always SO helpful! :o)
Dreaming of a Monte Cristo!!!
The Floridian. No contest.
But if you'd like a second choice or fall back, go with either the Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge.
Animal Kingdom Lodge as a third.
No contest, in your opinion. In mine, plenty of contest - regardless of cost, I'd do the Poly before the GF any day.
Dan
The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.
- James Taylor
Never stayed at the Grand Floridian, but have eaten there and walked the grounds several times.
I have stayed at the Poly, just this past summer.
Hands down...the Poly. I can't wait to go back. People have disagreed with what I'm about to say, but the GF has always felt too sterile for me. My wife feels the same way as well. No doubt it's beautiful, but...I don't know...I think sterile really describes it for me.
The Poly is lush and relaxed and fun.
Here's a strange way of looking at it. I think if both places were removed from Disney property and put in their "natural surroundings" - the Poly in the tropics and the GF a victorian seaside resort - I'd go for a stay in the tropics anyday. If I'm buying into the theme (and I try to when I'm at any of Disney's resorts.) and I'm "pretending" that I'm in a specific type of resort, I'd rather pretend I was in Polynesia then at a grand victorian seaside resort. When it's snowy and cold and I stare out the window, I drift off and think, "Boy I wish I was in a lush tropical resort right now." I rarely wish I was in some grand victorian seaside resort. To me the Poly delivers on that wish. That's just how I look at it.
CB
Pefrectly put. My wife and i have felt the same way everytime we've been there.
CB
GF: That's why we are only trying it on our wedding night and the night after because- I am totally wearing my wedding dress for 3 days straight
**Kristin**
You just have to have it in you... the MAGIC*
We had our Honeymoon at the GF. To us, the atmosphere is romantic for Honeymooners. Now with kids, it's a different story.
Have a Magical Day, Month, Year!!!
When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable ~ Walt Disney
Stephanie
~A man's character can be judged by the way he treats his dog.~
You and me both, Dan.
I adore the Poly because I love the laid-back atmosphere and the best location location location. I love getting on the monorail right at the hotel (OK, yes, the GF has this too, but if you're going to MK in the morning, the folks at Poly have first shot at seats!). I love being able to walk to the TTC.
GF just seems too formal to me, and I want to kick back/relax on vacation!
MaryK@CruisingCo.com
Now that I'm finally in the neighborhood, I'm going to have to go check it out. I was there yesterday, but we didn't get off the monorail at the Poly because we were short on time. But soon, I'm going back and I'm taking my time to enjoy every element of that wondrous place.
Please let me know your take, too!
Dreaming of a Monte Cristo!!!
I've always been interested in the GF - would like to stay there some time. But my wife is totally put off by it - thinks it's too stuffy. So I guess it's the more "down to earth" for us!
Stan
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