(2014-2020) Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA + VILLAS Information & Questions

[phyllis1966]

Ok so we are currently booked at the Poly at the end of August for 10 days. I am really starting to question staying there with all the renovations so now am considering switching over to GF. It will be me my DH, DS 13 and DS6months.

Have a few questions. One is my oldest is worried there will no kids his age there since the hotel is so "fancy". Lol. I told him I didn't think that was the case. We visited the GF many times and alway see kids there. And second. Where would you suggest I make a room request for. I would like to be in a pretty centralized location. We would be booking standard if we did make the switch.

Appreciate your help!!!

We've been staying at the GF since our DD was only three...it's her favorite resort at WDW now, and no matter what age she was, there have always been plenty of kids her age having a great time.

If you're booking a GV room, Big Pine Key or Boca Chica are the most central buildings, but beware that both buildings have some rooms that will afford you a view of the pool house/bar. Some views are partially blocked by this building and some are totally blocked from lower floor rooms. I posted the view from our Big Pine Key room a few pages back.

 

[AlexisMaxMommy]

These posts make me jealous and excited. We don't go until November. I can't wait!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

These posts make me jealous and excited. We don't go until November. I can't wait!

ME TOO! I am in countdown mode lol. The days were going fast til I hit my 90 day mark and now the days seem to be lagging! We will be staying here in April and me and my older son are beyond excited. It's been a dream of ours to stay here and I honestly never thought we would be staying here so soon! I just wish the days would go a little bit quicker lol

 

[CruisinEars]

You have to call CRO and have a note put on your file and then also ask again at check-in.

Thank you for your answer. We called today and have the king bed request on our reservation.

Just under 2 months to go now. I am super excited to stay at GF. Have visited the hotel many times but this will be our first stay. No parks this trip though so I will have 2 days while my hubby is at his conference to hang by the pool and explore/shop.

 

[Babsy]

Ok so we are currently booked at the Poly at the end of August for 10 days. I am really starting to question staying there with all the renovations so now am considering switching over to GF. It will be me my DH, DS 13 and DS6months.

Have a few questions. One is my oldest is worried there will no kids his age there since the hotel is so "fancy". Lol. I told him I didn't think that was the case. We visited the GF many times and alway see kids there. And second. Where would you suggest I make a room request for. I would like to be in a pretty centralized location. We would be booking standard if we did make the switch.

Appreciate your help!!!

I wouldn't worry about enough children at the GF! We were in the lounge and a little boy ran to my husband and hugged him! Such a sweet little boy! We have seen many other children having loads of fun!

The big pine key building is my favorite in the regular resort rooms. The location is fabulous, between the two pools , near the main building and the boat dock. As PP said, request a room far away from the small building near the pool. You want the end nearest the main building if you are in a standard room.

If you choose the GF, you will love it!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Good morning GF friends. A balmy 1 degree here in Connecticut. 5 days more!

Maxie, don't tell Blue, but I haven't packed yet!

Blue, are you there yet?

Ironically, I was scrolling through the evening channel guide last night and saw a show about going to Disney World -- it looked to not be recent, but it was still nice putting the magical mood up a notch.

Tom

 

[trishadono]

Thank you for your answer. We called today and have the king bed request on our reservation.

Just under 2 months to go now. I am super excited to stay at GF. Have visited the hotel many times but this will be our first stay. No parks this trip though so I will have 2 days while my hubby is at his conference to hang by the pool and explore/shop.

I had a one day break at CR in 2013(we also had to request a king). I rode the monorail and explored and shopped. I love to ride the boat from GF/Poly/MK just because we are not amusing our kids for a change.

If you ride the boat at night you can time it to either watch the fireworks or electric water pageant. Nice park free things to do.

Lastly, the monorail bar crawl is fun too! Mizner's, Tambu and at CR The Wave , Outer Rim or even the bar at CG.

 

[pixarmom]

Ok so we are currently booked at the Poly at the end of August for 10 days. I am really starting to question staying there with all the renovations so now am considering switching over to GF. It will be me my DH, DS 13 and DS6months.

Have a few questions. One is my oldest is worried there will no kids his age there since the hotel is so "fancy". Lol. I told him I didn't think that was the case. We visited the GF many times and alway see kids there. And second. Where would you suggest I make a room request for. I would like to be in a pretty centralized location. We would be booking standard if we did make the switch.

Appreciate your help!!!

We've stayed at Poly many times, with our most recent stay earlier this month. We finally decided to try GF for two nights before our Poly stay, primarily because we liked the GF room renovation. So glad we did! Our boys are ages 8, 14 and 15 and I'll be honest - our teens still prefer Poly. It's just their thing - the whole casual, tropical atmosphere - not surprising for teen boys. Our youngest can't choose a favorite. The GF and Poly themes are really different, so they do generate different vibes.

Regarding kids, during our stay we ran into plenty of other kids, but mostly younger kids. Our 8-year-old actually made more friends in the GF club lounge than in the Poly lounge this time. Same at the splash pad - he always found new friends, but it was never crowded. I didn't remember seeing any other teens there during our stay, but that may just be random.

Our teens would tell you that GF is not "fancy." It's a nice resort with a very well-done theme and wonderful and spacious rooms (my favorite rooms of all the deluxe resorts.) As I mentioned in my earlier review, we did encounter a few guests who the boys said "fancied themselves fancy."

And as I also mentioned in my review, GF is a perfect example of why I never judge a resort until I stay there. I don't love the ground floor of the lobby, but I absolutely love the lobby from the club lounge and the GF rooms are spectacular. The view from our GF room was equally spectacular.

Any chance you would be interested in a split stay?

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

We've stayed at Poly many times, with our most recent stay earlier this month. We finally decided to try GF for two nights before our Poly stay, primarily because we liked the GF room renovation. So glad we did! Our boys are ages 8, 14 and 15 and I'll be honest - our teens still prefer Poly. It's just their thing - the whole casual, tropical atmosphere - not surprising for teen boys. Our youngest can't choose a favorite. The GF and Poly themes are really different, so they do generate different vibes. Regarding kids, during our stay we ran into plenty of other kids, but mostly younger kids. Our 8-year-old actually made more friends in the GF club lounge than in the Poly lounge this time. Same at the splash pad - he always found new friends, but it was never crowded. I didn't remember seeing any other teens there during our stay, but that may just be random. Our teens would tell you that GF is not "fancy." It's a nice resort with a very well-done theme and wonderful and spacious rooms (my favorite rooms of all the deluxe resorts.) As I mentioned in my earlier review, we did encounter a few guests who the boys said "fancied themselves fancy." And as I also mentioned in my review, GF is a perfect example of why I never judge a resort until I stay there. I don't love the ground floor of the lobby, but I absolutely love the lobby from the club lounge and the GF rooms are spectacular. The view from our GF room was equally spectacular. Any chance you would be interested in a split stay?

Thank you for the info! I'm just so torn. I love the poly but really don't want to stay there if there is still a good bit of construction going on. The renovated rooms at the GF look beautiful but just as your teen sons my DS 13 prefers the atmosphere of the poly. We have don't split stats in the past and I love doing that. Affords you the opportunity to stay at all the different Disney resorts, but this year we are opting against it b/c we will have a new baby with us! Our next DS is due any day now so will only be 6 months old so staying in one place will be much more convenient

 

[Maxie86]

Ok so we are currently booked at the Poly at the end of August for 10 days. I am really starting to question staying there with all the renovations so now am considering switching over to GF. It will be me my DH, DS 13 and DS6months.

Have a few questions. One is my oldest is worried there will no kids his age there since the hotel is so "fancy". Lol. I told him I didn't think that was the case. We visited the GF many times and alway see kids there. And second. Where would you suggest I make a room request for. I would like to be in a pretty centralized location. We would be booking standard if we did make the switch.

Appreciate your help!!!

There will be lots of kids at the Grand just like every other Disney resort. Big Pine or Boca Chica would be closest to the pools, but the resort isn't very big, nothing is too far from anything.

Good morning GF friends. A balmy 1 degree here in Connecticut. 5 days more!

Maxie, don't tell Blue, but I haven't packed yet!

Blue, are you there yet?

Ironically, I was scrolling through the evening channel guide last night and saw a show about going to Disney World -- it looked to not be recent, but it was still nice putting the magical mood up a notch.

Tom

Your secret is safe with me. My suitcases are still in the attic...no packing here yet either. Blue got there today, I arrive on Saturday.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Your secret is safe with me. My suitcases are still in the attic...no packing here yet either. Blue got there today, I arrive on Saturday.

I'm so jealous of Blue right now, and Maxie tomorrow -- it is cold and snowing here today. I just looked at the 10 day forecast and DW world is going to be upper 60s and low 40s while we are there. Most would not be happy with such cold temperatures, however, the forecast for here is upper teens and lows below 0 -so here is what I say to the DW temps next week
Tom

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

This time next week, I should be rolling up to the Grand!!!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

This time next week, I should be rolling up to the Grand!!!

And we will be on the launch to the MK to the launch for FW. We will try not to make too much of a shambles of the GF while there!


Tom

 

[PinkPrincess4Ever]

Does the Grand Have Hammocks to relax in by the beach or anywhere on property? Can you swim in the beach pool 24 hours even though it has posted hours for life guards since there is no fence? during busy season crowd levels 7, 8 and 9 is there a problem with monorail being full to Magic Kingdom in the morning since it's the last pick up? Trying to pick best monorail resort for our family 3 teens and 2 adults. We love to relax by the pool during day, and also kids are night owls and love to swim at night hoping for late night swim times. Thanks

 

[Babsy]

Does the Grand Have Hammocks to relax in by the beach or anywhere on property? Can you swim in the beach pool 24 hours even though it has posted hours for life guards since there is no fence? during busy season crowd levels 7, 8 and 9 is there a problem with monorail being full to Magic Kingdom in the morning since it's the last pick up? Trying to pick best monorail resort for our family 3 teens and 2 adults. We love to relax by the pool during day, and also kids are night owls and love to swim at night hoping for late night swim times. Thanks

The pools are fenced at the GF, so no swimming after hours, I guess.

We don't visit during high season, typically, but we have never had a problem getting on the monorail.

The GF is a great choice, imo.

 

[Babsy]

Last day at the GF RPC! Anyone with questions, I will try to get answers.

Stayed in a king room over Gasparilla Grille! Awesome view!

RPC is as great as always. The CM s here are among the best for sure. Still can get bottled water on request at the moment.

Moving to BWI tomorrow.

 

[PinkPrincess4Ever]

The pools are fenced at the GF, so no swimming after hours, I guess.

We don't visit during high season, typically, but we have never had a problem getting on the monorail.

The GF is a great choice, imo.

Last time I was there the court yard pool was fenced in but the beach pool was not.. Is there a fence around the Beach pool now too? How about the hammocks are those still there? Thanks

 

[Candy Orlando]

Last time I was there the court yard pool was fenced in but the beach pool was not.. Is there a fence around the Beach pool now too? How about the hammocks are those still there? Thanks

The beach pool is not fenced in. The hammocks are not there.

 

[smidgy]

first time staying at GF!! so excited!! (in the villas)
a few questions.

so allearsnet says there is a hot tub by the courtyard pool... true? is there also one by the beach pool?

where are good places from which to view wishes? when allearsnet says boat dock, do they mean out by the ferry pick up? I had heard a good spot was outside gasparilla grill.. do they pipe in the music?

can you go watch them on the deck outside Narcosses we have eaten there quite a few tomes and have seen manypeople out there at wishes time.. I assume they pipe the music out there?

again, allearsnet suggests the GF beaches.. where would the one be that you can see wishes from?

thanks so much I know, a lot of questions... sorry.

 

[smellyia]

I just wanted to leave a review on our club level stay at the Grand Floridian Sugar Loaf building. We just had a fabulous 6 nights there before transferring to Yacht's club level and found the service top notch.

Breakfast was pastries, bagels, toast, deli meats, cheese, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, cereals, juices, teas, coffees. Overall it was satisfying but after a few days the carb heavy selection had me going to Kona for steak and eggs. An improvement would be hard boiled eggs added.

Daily snacks and tea were a great surprise. The crudités were veggies including grilled squashes and asparagus with the standard, dips, chips, and a fantastic spinach and artichoke dip. The tea biscuits, clotted cream, and trifle or jam tart was a nice pick me up.

Appetizers & Desserts
App service was the best we have had on property. Each night there were 3-4 small plates with items like curry chicken salad, bacon jam, sushi, etc. There were also 2 hot items like spring rolls and chicken satay, chicken Wellington, potstickers, etc. Crudités remained available. Breads were included and kids selection each night was great with mini corn dogs, Ham & cheese sandwiches, chicken nuggets. Easily this was dinner. Only con is the teeny plates they give. It gives the feeling of a cocktail hour and for people like my husband no matter how many plates he never realized he was full until after the fact - I think it's psychological wanting that big meal on a big plate. We only ate out twice and I've been in varying degrees of full since I got off the plane.

Drinks
There are sodas juices teas coffees milk etc. the booze is plentiful and there is beer and several wine options. They only set the beer and wine out during apps but you can ask for it anytime. I think I even saw them serving some guests champagne. Desserts have the added liquor selection which was very nice. The alcohol selection and availability was enough for us to upgrade to sugar loaf every trip. Drinks stay out till 10.

Service & Lounge
The lounge is the bottom floor and open - you basically walk through the area whenever entering the building. I saw some complaints about that but I have a 1 & 4yo so this was fine. A little more frenetic probably than the main building but very family friendly and mingling with other guests and their kids was very enjoyable.
The service....WOW. I'm pretty spoiled on this and am a fan of utilizing applaus-o-grams and pay attention to service. Good service makes the difference in cost to me most times. The concierge and servers anticipated and offered their services constantly. When I was down there with the kids by myself they would swoop in and help me get food or entertain my kids. Their attitudes were what I would expect at any 5 star that puts the guest experience up front. Made us feel welcome and comfortable. I had an issue with my FP and they fixed it in a blink of an eye and accommodated our needs brilliantly.
The texting service is invaluable. I would pay for this by itself. I had to change 2 spa appointments around for Senses and book Trellis for my daughter and they did it all for me via text messaging. They also added FP's for me and changed ADRs via text. This service was working for me while I toured with my family. I wasn't wasting time at a kiosk, on a call, or on an app on phone. I figure they saved me about 2-3hrs of my premium vacation time dealing with crap so I could enjoy my trip and family. Standout cast members there were Corey, Pete, and Kaitlyn.

Senses Spa & Trellis
This is a new standard for any of our trips. I had a mommy/daughter day first where we did tea then Went to get her hair cut at Trellis on the 2nd floor of the main building - best haircut she has ever had. They also do the bibbity bobbity boutique deal with tiara and nail painting but that hair looks painful and my daughter didn't like the way it looks. So our stylist - Jennifer - curled it and doused her in glitter. DD was beaming! We then went to Senses where we spent a few minutes in the lounge refreshing then had pedis. I LOVE how they give you your own nail tools and little bottle of polish. It's such a fantastic (and sanitary) touch.
My husband had an 80min Swedish massage and hung out in their men's lounge and wet lounge with whirlpool and sauna and said he would do it twice a trip if I'd allow it!
I enjoyed an 80min deep tissue with a masseuse name Pewinnee who was very good but more importantly was all about my relaxing. She used quiet tones and spoke minimally always concerned for my comfort. This is not always the case with masseuses (DH said his was overly chatty) and can make the experience mediocre and overshadow relaxation. I then stayed in the wet lounge - whirlpool and sauna - for about an hour and a half. I came out thoroughly relaxed and rejuvenated.

Room
We faced the marina and saw the monorail go by daily. We love how all the rooms have nice views. This is the second time we have stayed since the refurbish and again noted how much nicer the rooms are in comparison to the other deluxes we have stayed. The textiles, walls, and fixtures are all elegant and modern. The bathrooms are also clean and spacious. The couch is such a welcome space especially if we are just having down time but don't want to lay in bed.

Odds & Ends
Love love loved GF Cafe and Narcoosees. Narc was our nicer dining for our trip and we got the filet and lobster - best we have ever had. We aren't steak connoisseurs but all the same it was beyond our expectations. Narcoosees is nice enough that I thought the service lacked a little. I think it's a fine and priciest enough place they should be training their servers a little better and having a finer presentation. GF Cafe was wonderful. Low key and yummy. I had the shrimp & grits which had a nice kick to them. DH went with the steak and it had some sort of cheese sauce on it that was too rich for me but right up his alley. The French onion soup there is far superior to BoG.
We spent some decent time at the pool/hot tub as weather allowed. Nicely maintained and temperatures were pleasant. Watched Wishes a couple times from the boat dock and we're delighted with the view.
Only hiccup was with garden grocer screwing up our delivery royally. The management staff here took care of everything brilliantly. However bell services seriously asked me if I wanted to come down and pick up my grocery order? Seriously? This sounds snobby but after a certain price point I don't think you should ask your guests if they want to pick up their groceries from bell services whose JOB is to delivery it to you. I politely said no and asked them to be brought up. The lady who delivered it - 90 minutes later - said not a word to me shoved it in my hand and turned away. If I was going to tip (not after that attitude) I wouldn't have had time she was so brisk and rude. I did report that when I was filling out my applause grams for 8 CMs as I thought it was unbefitting Disney service.

Final Thoughts on GF Sugar Loaf Club
All in all this portion has overshadowed our YC stay so far. It was superior to several other places we have been that would qualify in the same price/service range. The spa was a delightful surprise. I would be hard pressed not to book club here again. We will do a GF stay for the foreseeable future and would even buy into their DVC if the walkway to MK was completed.