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

[JessicaW1234]

We have a PPO ressie for BOG 8/21. Will the monorail be running at 7:00am to get to MK from GF?

Also, how early do we need to leave GF for a 8am EMH at EP if traveling by monorail? Will it be open that early?(on 8/18).

 

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning Everyone!

Just returned from a great trip at the Grand. The weather was the hottest in years that we could remember, but the rain worked around our dinner reservations so no complaints here.

We also visited Universal and stayed at the Portofino, the hotel was beautiful but nothing compared to the Grand. We loved seeing Harry Potter but other then that we were not impressed with the rest of the parks or City Walk.

My family is dying to return sooner rather then in a year like we usually do, but would love cooler weather, just not too cool that we can't enjoy the pool. Can anyone help me...when would that be? I need to book a new trip to help with my laundry blues...

 

[Regan117]

Question: We have never stayed in an outer building 2-bedroom suite with club level access before. Which club level do wen have access to? I read somewhere that all suite guests have access to the RPC, but I don't know if that is accurate.

 

[trishadono]

Good Morning Everyone!

Just returned from a great trip at the Grand. The weather was the hottest in years that we could remember, but the rain worked around our dinner reservations so no complaints here.

We also visited Universal and stayed at the Portofino, the hotel was beautiful but nothing compared to the Grand. We loved seeing Harry Potter but other then that we were not impressed with the rest of the parks or City Walk.

My family is dying to return sooner rather then in a year like we usually do, but would love cooler weather, just not too cool that we can't enjoy the pool. Can anyone help me...when would that be? I need to book a new trip to help with my laundry blues...

I like April and October for nice low 80's and not so humid.

I feel the same about US. Love Harry but the rest, YUCK!

Can't wait to sit in the courtyard pool! Not long now!

 

[trishadono]

Question: We have never stayed in an outer building 2-bedroom suite with club level access before. Which club level do wen have access to? I read somewhere that all suite guests have access to the RPC, but I don't know if that is accurate.

I thought they assign one based on location. Not sure though since I haven't booked one.

Sounds like a nice trip.

 

[Regan117]

I thought they assign one based on location. Not sure though since I haven't booked one.

Sounds like a nice trip.

Thank you. I will have to cross my fingers and see. We probably wouldn't use RPC for breakfast daily with all the kids (too inconvenient), but when my husband and I go out for our date nights it might be nice to stop there for a drink before we go.

 

[Sue M]

Thank you, @Sue M. RPC seems really spread out: Lounge on 4th floor, suites on 5th floor, outdoor area and check-in/concierge on 3rd floor. Are there any other RPC areas of interest?

I've only been on 3rd & 4th floor. My 3rd floor room was quite close to elevator/concierge desk area with deck. So I found it quite convienent to get around, I just nipped up the stairs to lounge.

 

[trishadono]

I'd love some CL opinions and I hope you won't mind me thinking out loud a bit.

I have my first solo trip booked for September. It's sort of a bucket list trip of places I've never tried. I have a 3-way split of 3 nights each booked at:

Tower Club (CR), BC (last Deluxe at which I've never stayed), and RPC.

I keep telling myself this trip is supposed to be one where I cross off my list some of the last CLs and a Deluxe I've not experienced. But, I'm having second thoughts and losing excitement over RPC and I'm wondering if I should try and switch to SL or even consider King Kamehameha LV instead. I stayed TPV last year at GF, but never CL, so either CL would be a first.

Based on recent reports, I'm starting to feel like I won't feel the level of service and ambience is worth paying 35% more than SL. Maybe I didn't really "need" to put it in my "have to stay there someday" list? For those of you who've stayed both RPC and SL, did you feel like RPC was worth 35% more?

I'm booked in an RPC Deluxe Queen and it seems the views are overlooking the pool area with the Poly beyond or overlooking the courtyard area. Is this correct? I'm not a fan of pool views and actually prefer a marina/monorail view over those views, which SL would have. My concern about SL is past reports that it's quite noisy there since the lobby lounge noise travels easily to the rooms. I've seen some really messy and crowded lounge photos that look unappealing, though I am going when crowds should be at their lowest. It doesn't look like a very "cozy" lounge with great views, but maybe that doesn't come out in photos?

I guess since RPC is the tippy-top CL, I keep questioning the value after reading negative reviews. I've also not tried King Kamehameha at Poly, but generally negative reviews, mostly about the CMs and room cleanliness, make me keep putting it off. I know this is only for 3 nights at the end of my 9-day trip, but I would appreciate some opinions

I have never ever had a bad stay at Disney.

I truly enjoy my CL stays and enjoyed each I tried.

There is no BEST. Some have more food, or a great view. The hotel location also plays a part in it.

Since I have stayed in Sl, RPC and KK more than once each I can say that I loved each for different reasons.

SL: I really liked this much better AFTER the room and lounge updates. Food is great! I enjoyed the quick access to pool and main building too. Views are either marina or Pool so both nice. However to sit with champagne and scones and NOT have a view

RPC: Now champagne and listening to the piano or band Many have stayed in the deluxe queens. Views are nice. If you look on touringplans.com you can see where these rooms are located. More about the lounge. I liked that the seating felt more separate. I enjoyed exploring the floors too.

Poly: I have had gv and tpv and lv. I loved 1st floor prior to the bungalows. I will be there next week and will let you know if any change. I have stayed there 4 times and loved them all.
My absolute favorite lounge. Its so pretty. I talked to my mom last night and we reminisced about our stay 11/14. I knew it was my only trip with her and I picked that over all the others. She still is raving about it.

I prefer to rotate among the Mono cl resorts. We tried BC and it was nice. I loved the food and the lounge was updated but again, where is the view like Cr Atrium and Poly???

I am not really gonna be much help. In the end I think everyone should try RPC at least once. I did it with Lys by only doing one night (cost). Then the next time we did sl with a great rate. I would probably not book RPC again due to rate but I did have a long weekend with my DH and the night with dd. I am glad I tried it. It was a fun experience. It is just so darn expensive lol! Pm me if you want more specific info.

 

[trishadono]

Thank you. I will have to cross my fingers and see. We probably wouldn't use RPC for breakfast daily with all the kids (too inconvenient), but when my husband and I go out for our date nights it might be nice to stop there for a drink before we go.

We had a stay in the hospitality suite at cr which is out in the garden section. We too had to go into the main building to access the lounge.

My kids were teens but still I do the MOMMYING on our trips. I would explain my room location and ask for things to take back to the room. GF has trays so you could load up and carry back to your room. Remember when you get off the monorail to stop and load up too. Ask for cartons of milk etc for your room for later. I have stuffed my purse with sodas before too! Then I don't have to fetch later.

If you are already booked then just email IPO and ask which one you will have.

Also you can take the wine out of the lounge too. I have taken it back to my room many times. Wouldn't it be nice to have a glass after the kiddos are asleep? If you have to walk a long way put the wine in a coffee to go cup then pour later in your room.

 

[Dispro1]

Your TGIF question of the morning...

Is a "Garden Deluxe - Main Bldg. - 2 Queens" the Deluxe Queen? That's how Touring Plans describes it and it's as close as I could get to what must be my booking.

From the first page of this thread and TP, it seems there are two configurations. TP isn't always correct, but they're showing 3 Deluxe Queens on floors 3 and 4 for a total of 6.

I prefer 4422 or 4322 which seems to be the only Deluxe facing toward Poly/monorail/7SL. What are the reasons the two that face the courtyard might be preferable? Do they have a connecting door? Any reason to choose one floor over the other? Seeing Wishes from my balcony isn't a priority for me nor is balcony size or proximity to lounge, but I always prefer not to have a connecting door.




So, to paraphrase, I need to keep my RPC booking because I might get a suite upgrade? This rationale works for me



If the Queen of Resort Changing "feels" it's time, then I can't argue with that. However, didn't said RC Queen have some "issues" during her RPC stay and later declared SL her favorite? I seem to recall this, though details are sketchy, and it stuck in my mind when asking myself whether I should change to SL to avoid RPC not meeting expectation$.



Un-smack your head. It's not the first time one of us has been confused by the others' bookings



Thanks for the atmosphere reminder, Sue. This sounds like what I'm booked in. They said the only RPC room available with the Military rate was a Deluxe room. When I asked if it was the king, since I'm solo, she said it's the two queens. Seems the kings are more of a "Honeymoon suite."

So the deck is on the 3rd floor and lounge is on 5th?

We have always requested 4320 or 4420 for our deluxe room because they are larger (I think) and we like the layout better. However, these rooms DO have a connecting door. They connect with the HA deluxe rooms 4319 and 4419, but we have never had a problem with noise from the connecting rooms. The room numbers we request have a huge soaker tub also...for some reason, I think the ones you mentioned don't have the garden tub, but I'd have to look at the room plans to be sure?? As for the comparison between SL and RPC...I like SL, but I LOVE RPC!!! It's all about the ambiance, the view, and the convenience of the main building!! Not to mention, there is more room to spread out in RPC..a lot! I find the CMs there to be awesome, but we have become acquainted with them over the years, so that may make a difference. To us, the price difference is worth it (RPC over SL) hands down, but with the increasing prices, we can't justify multiple stays there in a given year which is why we've started exploring other deluxe resorts in the past few years...which has been nice too. I think you will be happy to stay in RPC at least once!

 

[Regan117]

We had a stay in the hospitality suite at cr which is out in the garden section. We too had to go into the main building to access the lounge.

My kids were teens but still I do the MOMMYING on our trips. I would explain my room location and ask for things to take back to the room. GF has trays so you could load up and carry back to your room. Remember when you get off the monorail to stop and load up too. Ask for cartons of milk etc for your room for later. I have stuffed my purse with sodas before too! Then I don't have to fetch later.

If you are already booked then just email IPO and ask which one you will have.

Also you can take the wine out of the lounge too. I have taken it back to my room many times. Wouldn't it be nice to have a glass after the kiddos are asleep? If you have to walk a long way put the wine in a coffee to go cup then pour later in your room.

Thank you for this! You really convinced me this was worth the upgrade. I was sitting here thinking - when are we actually going to USE this?

And I did call and ask and the CM said all suite guests have access to both club lounges. So in case anyone is wondering, that's pretty darn cool. We will probably use Sugarloaf for breakfast and snacks, and RPC for adult time and stops from the monorail.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I believe that the deluxe rooms do not have connecting doors, but I can only speak for the deluxe King rooms. I would imagine the queens to be the same.

Now....SL is my favorite, because both of my stays were superb from the CMs to the lounge guests. It had a family feel for sure. You know how I love my warm and friendly CMs.

RPC...I had higher than high expectations that it would blow me away and it didn't, however if I were on a solo trip (and I might be taking one to see DS15 in the Candlelight....I am booked Poly CL but my eye is on RPC)...sitting in the lounge having coffee or wine and staring out on the lagoon would be divine. The CMs were not warm and fuzzy IMO, and a few were downright rude. I will say the same for a handful of guests and how they treated the CMs. However, that does not away from the beauty of the Grand. The Main building has that WOW factor, and that is why you must stay there. RPC has been my nemesis as you know..from being walked to YC, to not wanting to leave OFC, to having to admit to my DH that the GF was not worth it for our trip. Fortunately for every so-so review there are some amazing ones. The bottom line is the Grand is simply gorgeous. And definitely worth a try (in my case a second chance)

Thanks for the explanation and based on all the thoughtful posts here and on the CL thread, I'm going to keep my RPC booking. I'll be posting LIVE everyday during my trip and I'll be honest about my experiences, so I'll definitely let you know whether you should keep Poly or consider changing to RPC

I've only been on 3rd & 4th floor. My 3rd floor room was quite close to elevator/concierge desk area with deck. So I found it quite convienent to get around, I just nipped up the stairs to lounge.

I have never ever had a bad stay at Disney.

I truly enjoy my CL stays and enjoyed each I tried.

There is no BEST. Some have more food, or a great view. The hotel location also plays a part in it.

Since I have stayed in Sl, RPC and KK more than once each I can say that I loved each for different reasons.

SL: I really liked this much better AFTER the room and lounge updates. Food is great! I enjoyed the quick access to pool and main building too. Views are either marina or Pool so both nice. However to sit with champagne and scones and NOT have a view

RPC: Now champagne and listening to the piano or band Many have stayed in the deluxe queens. Views are nice. If you look on touringplans.com you can see where these rooms are located. More about the lounge. I liked that the seating felt more separate. I enjoyed exploring the floors too.

Poly: I have had gv and tpv and lv. I loved 1st floor prior to the bungalows. I will be there next week and will let you know if any change. I have stayed there 4 times and loved them all.
My absolute favorite lounge. Its so pretty. I talked to my mom last night and we reminisced about our stay 11/14. I knew it was my only trip with her and I picked that over all the others. She still is raving about it.

I prefer to rotate among the Mono cl resorts. We tried BC and it was nice. I loved the food and the lounge was updated but again, where is the view like Cr Atrium and Poly???

I am not really gonna be much help. In the end I think everyone should try RPC at least once. I did it with Lys by only doing one night (cost). Then the next time we did sl with a great rate. I would probably not book RPC again due to rate but I did have a long weekend with my DH and the night with dd. I am glad I tried it. It was a fun experience. It is just so darn expensive lol! Pm me if you want more specific info.

Love the RPC-Poly-SL comparo, thank you, @trishadono. You always post very helpful CL information. I'm going to keep RPC and get it out of my system.

Are you booked LV next week? Will you be posting LIVE to the Poly thread or CL thread?

We have always requested 4320 or 4420 for our deluxe room because they are larger (I think) and we like the layout better. However, these rooms DO have a connecting door. They connect with the HA deluxe rooms 4319 and 4419, but we have never had a problem with noise from the connecting rooms. The room numbers we request have a huge soaker tub also...for some reason, I think the ones you mentioned don't have the garden tub, but I'd have to look at the room plans to be sure?? As for the comparison between SL and RPC...I like SL, but I LOVE RPC!!! It's all about the ambiance, the view, and the convenience of the main building!! Not to mention, there is more room to spread out in RPC..a lot! I find the CMs there to be awesome, but we have become acquainted with them over the years, so that may make a difference. To us, the price difference is worth it (RPC over SL) hands down, but with the increasing prices, we can't justify multiple stays there in a given year which is why we've started exploring other deluxe resorts in the past few years...which has been nice too. I think you will be happy to stay in RPC at least once!

Thank you, @Dispro1 for the Deluxe room connecting door information. You're correct about the two different queen room configurations and different tubs. I feel excited again about trying RPC...at least once

 

[elaw]

Thanks for the explanation and based on all the thoughtful posts here and on the CL thread, I'm going to keep my RPC booking. I'll be posting LIVE everyday during my trip and I'll be honest about my experiences, so I'll definitely let you know whether you should keep Poly or consider changing to RPC

Kook, when will you be there at the GF? We'll be there 9/26-9/30

 

[WDWKOOK]

Kook, when will you be there at the GF? We'll be there 9/26-9/30

Unfortunately, our trips don't seem to overlap

SEP 5-8 Tower Club
SEP 8-11 BC
SEP 11-14 RPC

Are you doing a split?

 

[dansdad]

Unfortunately, our trips don't seem to overlap

SEP 5-8 Tower Club
SEP 8-11 BC
SEP 11-14 RPC

Are you doing a split?

That looks like one awesome split stay there Kook!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Hope you have a Magical trip!

 

[WDWKOOK]

That looks like one awesome split stay there Kook!! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Hope you have a Magical trip!

Thank you and I'm glad you approve, @dansdad. I'll be posting LIVE everyday. Might be easier to post to a TR thread rather than posting to each of my threads. What do you think? I've never done a TR thread, just have posted to the appropriate resort thread.

 

[dancemonkey]

Question: We have never stayed in an outer building 2-bedroom suite with club level access before. Which club level do wen have access to? I read somewhere that all suite guests have access to the RPC, but I don't know if that is accurate.

I believe You'll be in Sugar Loaf. It's really nice. We don't mind either but we prefer to be in the main building!

 

[dansdad]

Thank you and I'm glad you approve, @dansdad. I'll be posting LIVE everyday. Might be easier to post to a TR thread rather than posting to each of my threads. What do you think? I've never done a TR thread, just have posted to the appropriate resort thread.

I would post to a proper TR Thread. Otherwise you'll be jumping all over the place. When you come back you can post your thoughts of each resort in that resort's thread. But either way I'll be following along for sure!!

 

[elaw]

Unfortunately, our trips don't seem to overlap

SEP 5-8 Tower Club
SEP 8-11 BC
SEP 11-14 RPC

Are you doing a split?

Darn ... One of these years

We're doing a 3 way split too ...

AKL 9/22 - 9/26
GF - SL 9/26 -9/30
BC (CL) 9/30 - 10/02

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Hi everyone! I am enjoying this thread. I am a Poly girl but my DH has always wanted to stay at the GF. However, he is easy about it and just wants me to stay within the budget.

I am thinking we may on our next trip as a family next June. It would have to be a split between the two, maybe a 4/3. I am considering CL. We are a family of 5 and it seems so beneficial with all of us. On the other hand I was looking at the Waldorf Astoria and we could get a two bedroom suite instead and I know he would love that because we could be spread out, have our own room, and it looks lovely too.

Any thoughts? I am open. Thank you so much for your time.