GF vs Poly...really need some help!

[mherb]

Hi everyone!

I really need help with this decision, especially since my 11 year old daughter and husband have no idea we are even going on this trip. It is their Christmas gift from me. We have only ever stayed at POFQ and our last 3 trips at BC. BC wasn't available for our dates, so we currently have WL courtyard view. I just happen to be cleaning out my junk email account and stumbled across a coveted pin code. I can't use it for WL, but I do have the option to book GF outside building standard room with a lagoon view or a Poly standard view deluxe studio villa.

I would love feedback on this choice. Again, we do have an 11 year old daughter. I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, but am not sure about the villa side. The lagoon view at GF looks amazing too. Help!

 

[SamanthaH]

I love the lagoon view at the GF. If you think your daughter would enjoy the electrical water pageant, this would be my first choice. The parade travels right by the lagoon view rooms every night and all rooms have a balcony. We loved sitting outside on the balcony by the water. The rooms in the GF are the among the nicest and most spacious. I love the Poly too, but more so for the outdoor ambiance and location to the TTC. I have not stayed on the villa side, but some of the standard studios face the parking lot. The studios look nice and have 2 bathrooms, which would be convenient when getting ready. The GF is particularly beautiful around Christmas. The lobby is amazing with the tree and gingerbread house. Hope this helps.

 

[Dreams&wishes]

In all honesty I would be looking more at what the resort has to offer rather than the view as you will not be spending that much time in your hotel looking out the window anyway. I think that for your daughter the GF pool is very underwhelming, my daughter who is 9 and loves the look of the GF, said she wouldn't want to stay there because the pool is not as fun as the Poly pool. Also when I was staying at the Poly I loved how we were the first stop for the bus to leave and the first to be dropped off. For us having a stroller this meant that we could position ourselves in the bus comfortably. Finlly the Poly is close to the TTC which made it easier to get the monorail to Epcot

Other than these three things, that may or may not affect you towards the Poly I would go GF, just cuz I like the look better. But if you are going in pool season than absolutely the Poly. I hope I was clear!!

 

[ErinsMommy]

For US the GF outer buildings are spread too far apart and the atmosphere feels more stuffy. The Poly is just everything. Walk to the TTC to go to Epcot or monorail to MK - you can also take 2 different boats to MK. Plus Poly has a very tropical feel to it. Capt Cooks has a fabulous menu. The pool my daughter just loves. Dole Whips by the Pineapple Lanai. Pina Coladas by the poolside bar. My vote would be Poly hands down.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Oh and the "Villa" side is just more the buildings closer to the TTC than the GCH. Really walkable and not as far apart as I had initially thought before we went there for the first time ourselves.

 

[buzzrelly]

I would definitely watch some YouTube videos and see which you’d prefer. They are very different in both look and feel. And though I’ve never stayed at GF, that is by choice because the look and feel of the Poly just speaks to me more. I love any kind of Polynesian vibe, I love the pool, I love getting a Dole Whip right at the resort, and I love being able to walk to and from the TTC right back to my room.

Also, some standard DVC villas at the Poly have kind of a side view of the MK. Of course, when we stay there we end up walking to the beach to watch the fireworks anyway.

You can’t go wrong with either, it’s a matter of personal preference.

 

[mherb]

You guys are really super helpful. I have watched videos and love them both lol. I am the most indecisive person ever. The view is amazing from lagoon, but it seems like there is so much more to do at the Poly. I will gladly take more advice from anyone.

 

[DrunkJam]

We got a great deal on GF for xmas 2017, and it was fine, but tbh, it just didn't give me the sense of home and excitement and just warm fuzziness that I *love* at WL.
My second choice after WL would be Poly but, I have only visited there, not stayed.

 

[Princess Merida]

We have only stayed in the studio villas at both. If the cost is close or the same I would choose Grand Floridian every time. I like the Polynesian, especially the pool and tropical vibe, but the luxury at the Grand cannot be beat. I love Gasparilla Island Grill and that it's open 24 hours. You can see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom from there. Captain Cooks is great too, but my kids and husband are picky and plain eaters and it's not their favorite. The Grand pool near the villas has a good slide and the pool chairs are amazing with the thick cushioning. Love the Alice in Wonderland splash area(your 11 yo may be too old for this). There is a large selection of shops at the Grand. Rooms are beautiful. If Polynesian DVC points were lower than the Grand Floridian I would stay there because it is also a great resort, but because for me with points they are close to the same cost Grand Floridian is the way to go. Good luck with your choice!! No matter which you choose I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

[jscottnc]

If your DD is OK with sleeping on fold out sofa or pull down bunk, then stay in the Polynesian deluxe studio. The location, split bathroom, and kitchenette (frig, coffee maker, microwave and toaster) are worth it. That said, our DD prefers a real bed; GF standard room would get our nod.

 

[Brett Wyman]

You guys are really super helpful. I have watched videos and love them both lol. I am the most indecisive person ever. The view is amazing from lagoon, but it seems like there is so much more to do at the Poly. I will gladly take more advice from anyone.

Those are our two favorite resorts on property so I feel your pain. Don't forget they are a 10 minute walk away from each other so no matter which you choose you can enjoy all the amenities (pools excluded) from either resort. Over a standard view outside building at GF and a Poly studio, Id do the Poly studio (request Tokelau building). I think an 11 year old will enjoy that theming more too, but I could be wrong.

Polys the best of all words transportation wise.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hi everyone!

I really need help with this decision, especially since my 11 year old daughter and husband have no idea we are even going on this trip. It is their Christmas gift from me. We have only ever stayed at POFQ and our last 3 trips at BC. BC wasn't available for our dates, so we currently have WL courtyard view. I just happen to be cleaning out my junk email account and stumbled across a coveted pin code. I can't use it for WL, but I do have the option to book GF outside building standard room with a lagoon view or a Poly standard view deluxe studio villa.

I would love feedback on this choice. Again, we do have an 11 year old daughter. I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, but am not sure about the villa side. The lagoon view at GF looks amazing too. Help!

I would go with GF. We are also a family of 3 and my DS was fine on the pull-outs in the studios when he was younger, but he is now 12 and finds them quite uncomfortable. At GF, you will get two queens, a day bed and a very, spacious room. I've stayed at both resorts multiple times and, while I love the theming at Poly, I much prefer GF. It's quieter and has far more dining options. I find Poly to be quite loud and chaotic.

 

[SG131]

If your DD is OK with sleeping on fold out sofa or pull down bunk, then stay in the Polynesian deluxe studio. The location, split bathroom, and kitchenette (frig, coffee maker, microwave and toaster) are worth it. That said, our DD prefers a real bed; GF standard room would get our nod.

This! The biggest issue is that the second bed isn’t a real bed in the villas. Can be a tad uncomfortable, but at your daughters age she may be fine.

 

[Sara_H]

My vote would be for the Poly. I haven't stayed at GF or Poly but the Poly is on my bucket list and the theme of GF just doesn't do it for me. Plus you can get Dole Whips at the Poly...just saying. :-0

 

[Brett Wyman]

I find Poly to be quite loud and chaotic.

Exactly why an 11 year old will probably have more fun there than GF.

 

[mherb]

She would be fine on the pull down or the sofa bed. Dole Whips are her favorite thing ever so that is a plus I forgot about!

 

[kylenne]

With a kid I would choose the Poly hands down over GF. I would not let food factor in too heavily because there's plenty of "basic" food at the Poly and even if you don't like it, the GF is literally a monorail stop or 5-10 minute walk away, you also have CR to take advantage of. Poly is just much more convenient in terms of transportation. You don't have to change monorails to go to Epcot, you're much more likely to get a seat on the resort monorail to MK during the busy AM rush because less people are boarding from CR and TTC, MK is the next stop on the resort launch, and shared buses back from the parks always drop off at Poly first.

I also don't especially think the Poly is super loud or chaotic unless for some ungodly reason you're loitering around 'Ohana during the busiest times of breakfast and dinner service, and my partner and I both have ADHD/anxiety with sensory issues. There's plenty of quiet spots at the resort. But remember that these resorts are right next to each other so whichever one you don't stay at, you still have access to the amenities besides the pools (and those you can still access if you book a cabana or patio).

 

[mrsap]

Funny, I had just asked my 11 and 8 year olds about a week ago where they’d rather stay next trip: GF or Poly. Both kids said, without hesitation, GF. They LOVE the pools at GF. GF is their favorite resort, with CCV and Poly in 2nd. Either resort, they’ll have a great time. Both fun and beautiful in their own way. Enjoy and good luck deciding!

 

[mherb]

Okay, we ended up booking the Poly. I didn’t realize was almost $300 more than my current ressies since Poly only offers 15 percent off room rate with pin not 30 percent. I still am not sure if I made the right decision and there is a chance I might switch to GFKeep the pros and cons coming! I should also add that while I am giving this as their Xmas gift, we aren’t actually going until May.

 

[Hi Pluto]

I took a school group of teenagers on the monorail loop and we stopped to do a scavenger hunt at each of the 3 resorts. Granted, these were 14-18 year olds, but the contemporary didn't wow them, the grand floridian seemed too stuffy, but they were in LOVE with poly! The Hawaiian vibe, the dole whips, the beach, the grounds, etc. They were like, "why aren't we staying HERE?!!" I explained that one night at poly would cost the same as their 4 nights at pop, but I didn't stop hearing about it the entire trip...and back at school for the next several weeks, months...year. Lol.