We've just booked a 3-night stay at Poly CL (theme park view) for early Nov, as we're already in town for a meeting. Just DH and I, no kids - we tend to do parks parks parks, then go to dinner and watch fireworks (preferably from a non-park location), so this seemed like a good choice. I went through booking...tried not to look at the price, and then clicked it. Done, dusted.
Until I remembered the stupid bungalows (WHY???). And then read that the food at Poly CL isn't that great compared with others. And then saw that people keep saying the rooms still look dated, even post-refurb.
So in the tradition of all people who obsess over Disney, I started obsessing over whether I'd chosen the wrong resort. I have stayed all over, but have only stayed CL at AKL, WL, and BC - DH has only been with me for the WL and BC trips. the BC trip was a quick 3-day in fall, we wanted to stay close to Epcot for FWF - but the reality is that FWF late in the afternoon is a madhouse, and I felt that we limited ourselves a bit by staying there, although the resort and CL were aaaamazing. We never did hang around at Epcot at night! I'd really like to stay somewhere where we have good accessibility to parks as well as other hotels with great restaurants, plus a great view of fireworks... I have always loved Poly, with the quick walk to TTC, the monorail to GF and CR and MK - but now I am wondering if CR or GF would be a better choice, although only for CL offerings and rooms. CR Atrium level MK view is available for every day of our stay, though not as a single package (I'm sure I could call about that) - price about the same. The GF is only available as a main building theme park view at CL, and the cost is obscene - we can do it, but it would have to be EXTREMELY memorable and amazing. But neither is quite as accessible to TTC and EVERYTHING. We won't always be at MK first thing, so...
I know this is all ridiculous - we are embroiled in political turmoil and people are starving and this is not exactly a tough problem to have and all that - but could someone talk me off the ledge, one way or the other? thanks, fellow obsess-ers!
I'm a Poly guy as my sig probably suggests. I consider a Poly CL TPV room to be about the best room option available in all of WDW. Nothing takes my breath away more than opening up that door to the room each time and seeing the Lagoon/castle in direct view. I get the same feeling with the view from the lounge. It is just one of my favorite places to be.
But I like what
@Eastern said about "considering the whole experience" when it comes to these kinds of things. I first and foremost choose a resort that I like. CL is a bonus and a nice way to enhance certain features/aspects of the resort.
To me, Poly is a good blend of the things that make a successful, relaxing vacation for us. Good transportation options (the walkability to TTC is very important to me), great pools, good bars, relaxing vibe. Staying CL gurantees being in Hawaii and with any of the view categories you know exactly what you're getting. That level of 'control' over my reservation is important to me.
With kids in tow, the whole setup just works very, very well. I know this doesn't apply to you.
Food varies at all CLs, IMO. I was just there in Feb and the offerings have been upgraded quite a bit over prior years. Not sure if you saw my pics, they are back sometime after President's Day on this thread. But food opinions are so subjective, really tough to judge by people's comments for sure.
I think CR CL would be an equally compelling option if I were in your shoes. A TPV room there is second only to Poly CL TPV (in my humble opinion), but in many ways equal. Both lounges have phenomenal views. I really, really like CL there, but I don't enjoy the resort as much so it hasn't been on our rotation as much.
If I were traveling with just me and DW though, I'd probably choose CR CL over Poly CL for a three night, more park-driven trip. BUT, I could easily pick Poly CL and be just as happy.
This is just me, but I wouldn't pay for a GF RPC TPV room, Poly or CR yes, GF no. I don't think the view is as good / worth it there. Now, I would definitely consider a standard view RPC or SL room - GF would seem to fit a lot of your needs in terms of good restaurants, transportation, etc.
Sorry for the long post. Bottom line, I don't think you can really go wrong whatever you choose here. I'd do your research (like you have and are doing) and go with your gut.
. I don't know that we necessarily get full $'s worth out of CL, but we only do WDW every few years, and then only for a few days - the splurge is worth it to us for breakfast and also for snacks/bevs before dinner and bevs for fireworks viewing. It's a convenience thing rather than a wise budgeting move, if you catch my drift. 
I've stayed at all the CLs besides BC and GF, and...
