Is the Grand Floridian "worth it"

[blackacex2]

Considering doing a split stay for our upcoming April vacation between the Swan and the Grand Floridian. Never stayed on the monorail loop. Poly isn't an option because it's even more money than the GF and the contemporary garden view room doesn't appeal to my wife.

Our dates would be something like Sat-Wednesday at Grand Floridian, and Wednesday-Saturday at the Swan and Dolphin.

Here is the cost breakdown:

GF Garden View Spring Room Offer 4/13-4/17 $1,953

Swan 4/17-4/20- AAA rate + 1 night free starwood points= $476

Total- $2,249 for 7 nights or $347 per night

Another option would be 4/13-4/14 at the Swan and 4/14-4/20 at the boardwalk villas for $1,984. Total $283 per night

Finally, we could stay all 7 nights at the Swan for $1,428 or $204 (that includes the resort fee)

 

[kapoof]

I always thought the gf would be my dream resort until I visited it last trip. It is a very beautiful resort but uncomfortable. I love Lacey frilly pink things so I am a girly girl, but something was just off. The bwi while very beautiful too is much more comfortable. Just my $.02. The swan is nice too, but no Disney feel if that matters to you. If you want to save some $ that is a nice option.

 

[jecon]

I think it is worth it especially if you have never stayed in a monorail resort. Treat yourself- you only live once!

 

[Pakey]

I have stayed at GF a few times and my take is that it's only worth it to stay in the main building. To pay that much money to walk to an outer building doesn't work for me. I love staying RPC but I would rather stay somewhere else than stay again in an outer building at GF.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Here's my 3 cents... We've stayed at the GF, once... Just wasn't pleasant... Didn't seem welcomed, had an out building and its like staying in someone's garage ... You're so unattached from the main building for all that money plus the walks to the main for food and drinks... You can have it... More better places on property for less money .

Swan or Dolphin... Will never stay or consider... Unappealing non Disney resorts with extra fees...

We're not users of split stays, we like to unpack and move in for the duration... I'd rather pick a resort where I can hang my hat for the full duration then trying to save a buck here or there with some points ...WL cones to mind, our favorite... A deluxe, In the MK area, on the lakes and slot cheaper than the monorail resorts!

 

[blackacex2]

Thanks for the great responses. We are really considering it! Just had a offer to possibly stay at a 1 bedroom at boardwalk villas for 6 nights for a little less money than 4 nights at the GF, so now it's even harder to decide!

 

[Pakey]

Thanks for the great responses. We are really considering it! Just had a offer to possibly stay at a 1 bedroom at boardwalk villas for 6 nights for a little less money than 4 nights at the GF, so now it's even harder to decide!

I own DVC and this would never be a hard decision; take the one bedroom. Full kitchen, laundry, plus king bed and jacuzzi tub in the master.

 

[nocomment711]

The past two trips we've stayed at GF. I love it yhere. I disagree that the outer buildings aren't worth it. They're cheaper than the main building and ultimately have the same feel. The layout is wonderful. So you have to walk a little bit to get to the main building. It's no different than having the room farthest from the elevator in any other hotel.

I say great yourself.

 

[El Perro]

Thanks for the great responses. We are really considering it! Just had a offer to possibly stay at a 1 bedroom at boardwalk villas for 6 nights for a little less money than 4 nights at the GF, so now it's even harder to decide!

there's your answer.

GF does nothing for me. Florida is full of hotels just like it. It's nice, but hardly unique.

 

[blackacex2]

We are leaning toward that 1 bedroom at boardwalk, but we would be renting DVC points and it is contingent on getting a standard vs preferred view. Waiting to hear back from someone about it right now.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I usually stay at BWV/BCV, and I've stayed at Swan-Dolphin, so I really prefer that EPCOT area.
However, I grew up staying at Poly, and stayed at Bay Lake @ Contemporary two years ago. (I thought I hated Contemporary prior to that, but I actually really like it. Granted, I stayed at BLT, but had a view of Bay Lake, not Seven Seas Lagoon, but I really liked the whole complex.)

Anyway, back to your question, I took a monorail/boat tour last year of all the MK resorts. I absolutely love Poly (stayed there again in August), wanted to see Wilderness (loved it -stayed in August - split stay w/ Poly), and wanted to give Grand Floridian a chance. It felt stuffy to me as a kid.

We got off the monorail, walked in, and I was like, "Let's just go now before they have to ask us to leave..." But we forged on and tried to look around and give it a chance. Ugh. Still stuffy. And we are DVC members who only stay Deluxe, so its not like we're more comfortable at a hostel or anything. Nor do we look like bikers (not that there's anything wrong with that). I just really preferred the more laid-back style of Boardwalk or Poly. I wouldn't stay at GF on a dare. Seriously.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Take the BWV 1 bedroom! The convenience of the washer/dryer, full kitchen, whirlpool tub and all that space will rock your world! Believe me, it will be hard to go from a 1 bedroom villa to a regular room again.

 

[MichiganDVC]

We are leaning toward that 1 bedroom at boardwalk, but we would be renting DVC points and it is contingent on getting a standard vs preferred view. Waiting to hear back from someone about it right now.

I've only stayed preferred view (both pool/garden and Boardwalk), but people usually rave about standard view. I guess its why there's never any available - less points, awesome location.

I would get preferred if I could, though. Overlooking the pool area is great (not too loud as others may argue. Its run-of-the-mill pool noise - Music, laughter, chatter...kind of a general background noise. It sounds like vacation.) Same for the quiet pool view: Far away from elevators...be warned, but GREAT location otherwise. Have quiet pool jacuzzi all to yourselves when you come back from parks at night. Worst spot is garden view facing Swan. You hear that darn Friendship boat horn every thirty seconds. Nearly drove me insane...

 

[bdklein]

I have stayed at GF a few times and my take is that it's only worth it to stay in the main building. To pay that much money to walk to an outer building doesn't work for me. I love staying RPC but I would rather stay somewhere else than stay again in an outer building at GF.

And I feel just the opposite. When I go into outer building, basically the only people in there are guests. Unlike the main building which can be overrun with non-resort guests.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

If you are comparing GF garden view to Poly garden view, Poly will always be cheaper. I would check again. You might be looking at a GF garden view vs. Poly lagoon.

As for GF, it is a super nice resort with quick access to the MK. I just didn't like he rooms/theming as much as the Poly and CR.

The dolphin is our choice when we stay near Epcot/DHS. The location is great. The resort is nice with good restaurants. You can't beat the rates with the discount we get for teachers. Even with the resort fee (which includes Internet, paper, and two bottles of water) the price is hard too beat.

 

[grimley1968]

Poly isn't an option because it's even more money than the GF and the contemporary garden view room doesn't appeal to my wife.

Our dates would be something like Sat-Wednesday at Grand Floridian, and Wednesday-Saturday at the Swan and Dolphin.

Here is the cost breakdown:

GF Garden View Spring Room Offer 4/13-4/17 $1,953

Swan 4/17-4/20- AAA rate + 1 night free starwood points= $476

Total- $2,249 for 7 nights or $347 per night

Another option would be 4/13-4/14 at the Swan and 4/14-4/20 at the boardwalk villas for $1,984. Total $283 per night

Finally, we could stay all 7 nights at the Swan for $1,428 or $204 (that includes the resort fee)

I just looked at the Disney website, and for non-discounted rooms at GF and Poly, the Poly is less expensive than GF, though both are quite expensive. For the Poly to be more expensive than GF, the only way would be some kind of unevenly-applied discount, and you'd have to be getting a much bigger discount percentage on GF than on Poly. I'd check out the Poly again, making sure to select a standard (garden) view room.

But having said that, I'd stick with one place for the week. I've had to do split stays in the past, and I've always hated having to switch resorts mid-week. A lot of time is wasted in the process of moving. The Swan probably wouldn't be a bad place to be for a week.

 

[blackacex2]

Wow the GF is a very divisive place! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the bwv. Maybe we will just stay in a studio at bwv (6 nights at $1,900 direct through Disney) instead of the grand Floridian for 4 nights and swan for 3.

Ahhh decisions!

 

[ford91exploder]

We are leaning toward that 1 bedroom at boardwalk, but we would be renting DVC points and it is contingent on getting a standard vs preferred view. Waiting to hear back from someone about it right now.

A choice between a outbuilding at GF vs 1 BR any view, Take the 1 BR far more comfortable than the GF outbuilding, I would only stay in the GF main building especially during winter season.

 

[ford91exploder]

Poly is a much more popular resort and it has great pools and amenities, The GF is more on the order of a grand hotel and has amenities that one would expect at a grand hotel i.e. high end retail. GF is where celebs and people with Money with a bold face capital M.

You would never see Stitch at the GF, (they don't let his type in ) Mary Poppins yes

I've been there I like it, I've also been to the Del Coronado in California which is where Disney got the idea for the place. But to me the GF just seems like another 5 star hotel - not DISNEY if you know what I mean. The Poly on the other hand just exudes Disney atmosphere. (And has Stitch) which is important for DW.

I just looked at the Disney website, and for non-discounted rooms at GF and Poly, the Poly is less expensive than GF, though both are quite expensive. For the Poly to be more expensive than GF, the only way would be some kind of unevenly-applied discount, and you'd have to be getting a much bigger discount percentage on GF than on Poly. I'd check out the Poly again, making sure to select a standard (garden) view room.

But having said that, I'd stick with one place for the week. I've had to do split stays in the past, and I've always hated having to switch resorts mid-week. A lot of time is wasted in the process of moving. The Swan probably wouldn't be a bad place to be for a week.

 

[Missyrose]

OP, what happened to being happy at Bonnet Creek while you saved up for DVC?