Is Grand Floridian really worth....

[JohnnySharp2]

£250 per night ..............how much is too much?

Having recently booked flights for next August we are determined to add a few nights on-site before our usual villa stay.
That part is booked, Cumbrian lakes home sorted. However, we really wanted to stay at Grand Floridian for the first few nights especially as we had a good look around there in April.
However, over £250 per night begs the question, surely we cannot pay that? Polynesian at a mere £200 or so is obviously a cheaper option

DVC resorts appeal because of the extra room, cooking facilities so points rental is a possibility, really want a Magic Kingdom or EPCOT location.

Anyone feel the same about any other holidays were they paid over the odds or high prices, took the plunge and had regrets?, or was it worth every penny.

With holidays become even more and more expensive we are thinking it's impossible to justify.

 

[Netty]

Are you sure its that much per night?? I'm sure the prices are cheaper through DU or other websites than going direct.
We have never stayed there but sil has twice and absolutely loves it!

 

[2Tiggies]

Have you had a look at the Contemporary? It is cheaper than the Poly. I know it looks a bit plain from the outside but the rooms are really nice and you could WALK to MK if you wanted to.

Also, Wilderness lodge is really nice - not quite on the monorail but only a boatride from MK and, IMO, in a lovely setting.

I don't know that the GF would be my first choice, even if all the resorts were the same price. It all depends what you want to do while you are there. If you just want to be close to the parks so you can spend more time at the parks ... you are paying a premium for a room you are never in. If you spend loads of time at the resort, you are buying park tickets that you aren't using as you would.

Personally I draw the line with anything when there is an impending threat of needing to justify how I spend (in this case) my time, to get maximum value.

 

[jtlover]

Hi Johnny

I would say it is worth it - we have stayed at GF twice and loved it. It is relaxing and so close to MK.

I would say with Joshua it will be great as the weather is humid you can go back to the hotel for some chill time and within a few minutes be back at MK and you can watch the fireworks from the dock area too. There are also 2 pools which I am sure he would love.

We loved it because we felt like we were always at MK. I know it is quite expensive but we think it is worth it.


Next year we are going to SSR as we are taking an additional person, or we would probably go back

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Disney UK show price as £777 for 3 nights, got an AA quote from Dreams Unlimited for £816.

Wherever we stay it will be either Magic Kingdom or EPCOT located, don't really fancy anywhere else to be honest.
It is kind of linked to one or two limitations we have with Joshua, when at the villa it's common for him not to want to go out in the evening, whereas I am the opposite, rarely go out drinking or anything at home - in fact I honestly cannot remember the last time I was in a pub - just on holiday I like to.
Finding the place that suits all 3 of us is not easy and to be honest we aren't really hotel people anymore - but for 3 nights we really want a change of scenary.
We can afford it but it's the justification of it all, after all it's costing £975 for our 13 nights at the villa, flight prices high, all adds up to a 'getting out of hand' situation. Irony is I had at least 3 quotes for nice villas that were cheaper than any over the past few years.

We shall see - sorry Wilderness & Contemporary, don't fancy either.

 

[Frances999]

I love the Grand Floridian but I only think the Main Building rooms are "worth it". We have stayed regular lodge room garden view before and I didn't really fall in love with it. Whereas the lodge/separate building system works really well at The Polynesian (IMO), I don't think it fits the GF and it annoyed me not being part of the main lobby and the focal point of the resort.

Having said that, it is a beautiful resort with top dining facilities and a perfect location. Have you also considered BLT?

 

[2Tiggies]

Disney UK show price as £777 for 3 nights, got an AA quote from Dreams Unlimited for £816.


It is kind of linked to one or two limitations we have with Joshua, when at the villa it's common for him not to want to go out in the evening, whereas I am the opposite, rarely go out drinking or anything at home - in fact I honestly cannot remember the last time I was in a pub - just on holiday I like to.
We shall see - sorry Wilderness & Contemporary, don't fancy either.

Well in your case, you have very specific needs. To be honest, I gave you my opinion based on personal taste and logic. I guess you may do well to consider it then, especially if you are likely to be in during the evenings. There are also the DVC resorts, but cost wise for the three of you you may be just as well staying at the GF. I would recommend looking to see if you can get better quotes. Have you considered booking that part of your holiday direct with Disney US? If you are able to pay the accommodation upfront to them, you can lock in your exchange rate and they have different deals to what we do hear. It is worth a look.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Johnny

I would say it is worth it - we have stayed at GF twice and loved it. It is relaxing and so close to MK.

I would say with Joshua it will be great as the weather is humid you can go back to the hotel for some chill time and within a few minutes be back at MK and you can watch the fireworks from the dock area too. There are also 2 pools which I am sure he would love.

We loved it because we felt like we were always at MK. I know it is quite expensive but we think it is worth it.

Next year we are going to SSR as we are taking an additional person, or we would probably go back

Thanks you obviously enjoyed your stay there, which building were you in?

Have you also considered BLT?

Yes Frances we have, from a points rental side of things, but we really do not like the look of the place and the rooms whilst modern just look a bit 'cold' can't think of another way of putting it really, we haven't ruled it out based purely on location and kitchen facilities though. Also not that taken by the Contemporary and doubt Julie would go for a stroll over there as much as she would either at GF/Poly....BWV we would need 5 less points per night and we also like that location - just didn't like the room at all last time we stayed there, however, renting points is a real possibility value for money wise. The Poly is also an option, works out around £100 cheaper than the GF.
We walked from the Poly to the GF in April and had a real good look around, to be honest it's perfect for what we want, boat rentals, beach, 2 great resorts side by side, restuarants that suit Joshua, like the look of the poolside cabana rentals, plus plenty of bars in easy walking distance for me in the evening = paradise (but at a price we are struggling to justify).

I would recommend looking to see if you can get better quotes. Have you considered booking that part of your holiday direct with Disney US? If you are able to pay the accommodation upfront to them, you can lock in your exchange rate and they have different deals to what we do hear. It is worth a look.

A good point, we have looked at that or at least thought about it - we paid a deposit for an 'intended stay' at Polynesian for this year - we later cancelled as the price rose by nearly $200 and Disney never informed us (whether they should have is up for debate, that said the price on the initial invoice was increased), we told them to erm, well I can't tell you what we actually told them!

 

[jtlover]

We stayed in Boca Chica on our first stay and the one by Gasparillos last time. I will have to look it up to find out which one it was.

You mentioned about having a drink, there are a few places to drink at GF so that wont be a problem.

We had a look at the boardwalk in August and that looks really nice too. You have got the clown pool with the elephants and will be able to see the fireworks at night and entertainers on the boardwalk. We felt that this had the same feel as GF.

I dont know if it is much cheaper though and you also have the boats to the parks there as well.

 

[wayneg]

Is it worth it?
To you possibly, to me no, been a few times to visit, see Xmas decs, eaten 2 meals there. Not somewhere I would want to stay. Contemp I would bulldoze, just don't like at all(sorry all who like it). Poly would be the only one of the 3 I would want to stay at, great theming and Dole whips on tap

 

[jtlover]

Is it worth it?
To you possibly, to me no, been a few times to visit, see Xmas decs, eaten 2 meals there. Not somewhere I would want to stay. Contemp I would bulldoze, just don't like at all(sorry all who like it). Poly would be the only one of the 3 I would want to stay at, great theming and Dole whips on tap

I agree with you about Contempory my DD thinks it looks like a car park and the added building has not improved it at all- it is very dated

Dole whips on tap

 

[TinkTatoo]

We were there for a few nights last summer and enjoyed our stay there. We were in Sugar Loaf which is the concierge building right by the quiet pool and that suited our needs really well. Our stay was at the end of our holiday and we just wanted to chill out and make the most of the resort, which we were able to do.

I booked through Disney USA which meant I was able to take advantage of any pin codes that came out and that meant getting 40% off the rack rate. It's very easy to book through Disney US and you only have to give them one nights deposit and pay the balance on check out. If you keep an eye on the Codes board you'll get the heads up on any discounts that cover your dates and can then call Disney for them to apply the discount to your booking.

Having stayed at the Poly, I'm not sure that it would suit Joshua's needs. The main pool is small for the size of the resort and often crowded. My DS, who has autism, found it too loud and busy so we didn't use it much but there is a quiet pool which he preferred.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We stayed in Boca Chica on our first stay and the one by Gasparillos last time. I will have to look it up to find out which one it was.

You mentioned about having a drink, there are a few places to drink at GF so that wont be a problem.

We had a look at the boardwalk in August and that looks really nice too. You have got the clown pool with the elephants and will be able to see the fireworks at night and entertainers on the boardwalk. We felt that this had the same feel as GF.

I dont know if it is much cheaper though and you also have the boats to the parks there as well.

Thanks, renting points at BWV could work out much cheaper, depending on $ per point from the seller - I actually can't stand that clown but the location is very good, especially the ESPN club - fast giving myself a reputation as a drinker here but the reality is just the opposite.

Contemp I would bulldoze, just don't like at all(sorry all who like it). Poly would be the only one of the 3 I would want to stay at, great theming and Dole whips on tap

I have never liked the Contemporary either though I do in a way see the appeal of the kitchen facilities at BLT - Dole Whips, had one in April for the first time, hated it, give me Mr Softee vanilla anyday!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We were there for a few nights last summer and enjoyed our stay there. We were in Sugar Loaf which is the concierge building right by the quiet pool and that suited our needs really well. Our stay was at the end of our holiday and we just wanted to chill out and make the most of the resort, which we were able to do.

I booked through Disney USA which meant I was able to take advantage of any pin codes that came out and that meant getting 40% off the rack rate. It's very easy to book through Disney US and you only have to give them one nights deposit and pay the balance on check out. If you keep an eye on the Codes board you'll get the heads up on any discounts that cover your dates and can then call Disney for them to apply the discount to your booking.

Having stayed at the Poly, I'm not sure that it would suit Joshua's needs. The main pool is small for the size of the resort and often crowded. My DS, who has autism, found it too loud and busy so we didn't use it much but there is a quiet pool which he preferred.

Hiya Tink,

Great points as always, must admit when we had a look around the Poly did seem much busier, and the GF so tranquil and appealing.

Just been saying to Julie once again how it's difficult to justfiy the cost but can see your idea being a good one. Who knows what we will do but at some point we will decide, I will check Disney US & keep an eye on the 'codes board'.

 

[tubtruck]

Is the Grand Floridain worth the money? Hmmmmmm it is rather expensive, but what I would say having stayed at both the grand and the poly is that it is certainly worth an extra £50 more than the poly per night which IMHO is the most over priced dated looking resort on site and if it wasn't on the mono rail would likely be empty.

 

[jockey]

We love the GF and YES it's worth every penny. We first stayed here when we got married and fell in love with it. The staff are wonderful, the rooms are a nice size and very bright. There are lovely restaurants to choose from and even the room service is excellent. You can get other monorail resorts cheaper but I would recommend it here even if it's just for a few nights

 

[mark@saratoga]

I would say yeah go for it although is it really worth staying anywhere on your first night that is that expensive when all you really want to do is get your head down.

Why not stay somewhere cheap and cheerful for the first night and then in the morning head over to the GF and start your holiday from there? That way you can save best part of £200, make breakfast at GF and really not change too much on your holiday plans.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I would love, love LOVE to stay there or the Contemporary, but there's no way I will ever be able to justify the cost . . . I can barely justify the cost of the holiday!! I always make sure I book a couple of meals in each resort so I get to spend some time there. If I could afford it I would though, so I say go for it!!!!

 

[Ware Bears]

I would say go for it ~ if you feel afterwards that it wasn't worth the money then you will know for next time.

We have splashed out for two nights at the Yacht Club over New Year so that we can have a drink or two and walk back from Epcot.

 

[earthelves]

To me its worth every single penny i spend per night there Did 4 for 3 in Jan this year Went back in Oct & stayed just over a wk,Both times RPC Next Christmas 2010 will be spending 2 wks RPC It has the "WOW Factor" for me I took my 10 year old nephew with me in Oct & he has stayed AKL CL, WL CL & OKW, his favourite is "The Grand" Actually he is coming with DH & myself for Christmas 2010

Good Luck with your decision