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

trishadono · Jul 22, 2016

WDWKOOK said:
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

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?

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

I try to post some pix ech day. I will def get my lv cl view! Then at gf I am curious about what my view will be. More posting there too!

TJA · Jul 22, 2016

WDWKOOK said:
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.

One of these trips, I'm going to post a TR thread rather than trying to post in several different threads. That's what I vote for you to do! In my case, we usually do a split-stay at 2 different CL resorts, and I find it rather tough juggling between the CL thread and the 2 resort threads.

I'm so glad you're keeping RPC!

Sue M · Jul 22, 2016

WDWKOOK said:
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

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?

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

My room was 4319. Just looked it up on my photos. I always take a pic of my room # in case I can't remember it! It did have the large soaker tub.

Sue M · Jul 22, 2016

trishadono said:
I try to post some pix ech day. I will def get my lv cl view! Then at gf I am curious about what my view will be. More posting there too!

Looking forward to the pics!! And if you get the foot cream!!!

WishesQueen · Jul 23, 2016

Just back and I got the foot cream twice out of a 5 night stay, with a thank you note for her tip.

BTW I got a little pixie dust for the first time in 15 years. We received an unobstructed view of the castle in Sago Cay room 5242 right above the suite with the private patio I think its the everglades suite. Which was constantly covered with lizards and I mean COVERED!!!

Thanks for the help regarding the weather, just wondering how June weather is? Is the same as July?

DisneyCowgirl · Jul 23, 2016

mickey2minnie1 said:
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.

I am a fan of spreading out and we tried that last family trip but my family overruled me for future trips--they would rather pile up in one room and have the monorail and the boat the magic kingdom available, and they don't care that the Waldorf Astoria might truly be nicer. To them, being at a Disney resort is a big part of the vacation, which is something I did not realize until we tried something else that should have been wonderful but wasn't as good. Hard to put it into words, but think about what it is about being at the Poly and GF you really like.

Dispro1 · Jul 23, 2016

WishesQueen said:
Just back and I got the foot cream twice out of a 5 night stay, with a thank you note for her tip.

BTW I got a little pixie dust for the first time in 15 years. We received an unobstructed view of the castle in Sago Cay room 5242 right above the suite with the private patio I think its the everglades suite. Which was constantly covered with lizards and I mean COVERED!!!

Thanks for the help regarding the weather, just wondering how June weather is? Is the same as July?

We have gone many times at the end of May/early June (we were just at GF last month) and the weather is hot but not scorching. I like it to be pretty warm in order to swim, so to me it's great! Early May can be cool still...I had to buy a hoodie at a park once it was so cool... Plus It rains a lot in April and that can carry over into early May. So we like to stick with the first week of June or mid October (fall break). We will be at Poly Tuesday, and I know it will be miserably hot, but my dd17 wanted to visit FSU so of course we had to go back to Disney...plus, we get to meet up with Trish, blueskies, and Pas!!!

Almost forgot...awesome upgrade you received!!!!

WishesQueen · Jul 23, 2016

Dispro1 said:
We have gone many times at the end of May/early June (we were just at GF last month) and the weather is hot but not scorching. I like it to be pretty warm in order to swim, so to me it's great! Early May can be cool still...I had to buy a hoodie at a park once it was so cool... Plus It rains a lot in April and that can carry over into early May. So we like to stick with the first week of June or mid October (fall break). We will be at Poly Tuesday, and I know it will be miserably hot, but my dd17 wanted to visit FSU so of course we had to go back to Disney...plus, we get to meet up with Trish, blueskies, and Pas!!!

Almost forgot...awesome upgrade you received!!!!

Thanks so much for all your help. Now I just have to figure out if I want to wait until early June or mid October .....or should I try January!!! I would actually LOVE to do January with the kids and early June just me and my DH, since that is our anniversary and we did honeymoon in WDW.

Have a great time Tuesday, its hot but there's always plenty of AC to jump in and out of. I haven't been to Kona Cafe for dinner in years and this year we wound up there for our last dinner and it was AWESOME.

WDWKOOK · Jul 23, 2016

dansdad said:
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!!

Excellent advice (tents fingers). Then it's a done deal, off to the TR forum I go, when I get closer to take-off. I'm looking forward to posting about my experiences and I'll be sure to post a link when the TR is up and running. Hope you'll be minding "the shop"

elaw said:
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

Is AKL CL, too or have you tried it before? Are you going to post LIVE?

mickey2minnie1 said:
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.

Welcome! I understand the lure of more space, potentially better service and a lower price point, but when it comes to a Disney vacation, it's all about location. Back many years ago when it was announced that the WAO would be opening, I created the first resort thread for it. I was so excited about staying there, but when it came down to it, it wasn't on property and would be missing much of the magic that comes with an onsite stay, which @DisneyCowgirl alluded to. I was excited, too about the Four Seasons opening. I know it out surpasses any Disney resort and it's even closer than the WAO, but it's missing some of the magic of an on-property resort.

I know you want CL, but have you considered staying at VGF? You'd have more space and it would be less than a suite.

trishadono said:
I try to post some pix ech day. I will def get my lv cl view! Then at gf I am curious about what my view will be. More posting there too!

I'll have to make sure I check back in with the Poly thread today so I start getting those alerts again.

TJA said:
One of these trips, I'm going to post a TR thread rather than trying to post in several different threads. That's what I vote for you to do! In my case, we usually do a split-stay at 2 different CL resorts, and I find it rather tough juggling between the CL thread and the 2 resort threads.

I'm so glad you're keeping RPC!

Sue M said:
My room was 4319. Just looked it up on my photos. I always take a pic of my room # in case I can't remember it! It did have the large soaker tub.

Thank you.

JessicaW1234 · Jul 23, 2016

JessicaW1234 said:
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).

Can anyone help?

JulieT3 · Jul 23, 2016

Hello, all! We are looking forward to a stay at the Grand Floridian in a few weeks, but I have a quick transportation question before we arrive. We have an 8am reservation in EPCOT one morning, so I know the monorail will not be an option. Is there a bus that will go directly from the GF to Epcot or will we have to do some sort of ridiculous shenanigans like taking the resort monorail to the TTC and transferring to a bus there? Thanks for the help!

Dispro1 · Jul 23, 2016

WishesQueen said:
Thanks so much for all your help. Now I just have to figure out if I want to wait until early June or mid October .....or should I try January!!! I would actually LOVE to do January with the kids and early June just me and my DH, since that is our anniversary and we did honeymoon in WDW.

Have a great time Tuesday, its hot but there's always plenty of AC to jump in and out of. I haven't been to Kona Cafe for dinner in years and this year we wound up there for our last dinner and it was AWESOME.

Thanks, I'm excited

. My DH and I usually go for our anniversary in early February, and we love it, but it's too cold to swim, IMO, even if the days are warm enough to lay out by the pool. Just something to think about if you're taking kids then...although if the weather is warm enough, the water would probably be ok for them. That's why DH and I like RPC in winter because if it's too cold, you can hang out in the lounge and listen to the band!

cyneswith · Jul 23, 2016

50 days til my VGF stay!

Staying on the monorail was my top priority, to avoid breaking down strollers every time we leave a park. Staying at GF because part of the point was to spoil my mom who is having a rough year (her boss is working her 60+ hours a week in a non-hourly position - because the boss won't replace a woman who retired.) Mary Poppins is her favorite Disney movie, she loves English tea type stuff, Victorian architecture, etc. Just yesterday, my mom said - for the first time ever - "you know, a massage sounds great..." Which is perfect because I already had a surprise spa appointment booked for our rest day.

Sue M · Jul 24, 2016

WishesQueen said:
Just back and I got the foot cream twice out of a 5 night stay, with a thank you note for her tip.

BTW I got a little pixie dust for the first time in 15 years. We received an unobstructed view of the castle in Sago Cay room 5242 right above the suite with the private patio I think its the everglades suite. Which was constantly covered with lizards and I mean COVERED!!!

Thanks for the help regarding the weather, just wondering how June weather is? Is the same as July?

Yay for foot cream, there is hope yet!! Sounds like you had a great trip!

Ferrentinos · Jul 24, 2016

JulieT3 said:
Hello, all! We are looking forward to a stay at the Grand Floridian in a few weeks, but I have a quick transportation question before we arrive. We have an 8am reservation in EPCOT one morning, so I know the monorail will not be an option. Is there a bus that will go directly from the GF to Epcot or will we have to do some sort of ridiculous shenanigans like taking the resort monorail to the TTC and transferring to a bus there? Thanks for the help!

I'm not 100% sure... but we did take the monorail to the TTC once and the EP monorail wasn't running yet so they did bus us. It was quite easy as the bus was right by the monorail exit and there were CM's all over telling people where to go. We too have an 8am ADR at EP in a few weeks so I'm expecting to have to take a bus. I'm just not sure if there is a bus from GF or if we will have to go to TTC.

DVC4US · Jul 24, 2016

JessicaW1234 said:
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).

JulieT3 said:
Hello, all! We are looking forward to a stay at the Grand Floridian in a few weeks, but I have a quick transportation question before we arrive. We have an 8am reservation in EPCOT one morning, so I know the monorail will not be an option. Is there a bus that will go directly from the GF to Epcot or will we have to do some sort of ridiculous shenanigans like taking the resort monorail to the TTC and transferring to a bus there? Thanks for the help!

Monorail schedules change all the time - still awaiting the schedule for the beginning of August. Your best bet is to check with the front desk when you get to the GF for a transportation schedule and determine at that time your best option.

elaw · Jul 25, 2016

WDWKOOK said:
Is AKL CL, too or have you tried it before? Are you going to post LIVE?

Kook, We got a great rate at AKL (std view) that was cheaper than our original POR preferred location rate so we just couldn't resist making the switch. We're hoping for a non-parking lot view but we'll probably be ok with whatever we end up with because of the room rate. We've done CL at AKL a few times ... It's very nice but not an absolutely must do CL for us like WL or GF. I might be posting Live a little bit while we're here, especially if people have questions about specific things or would like pictures of specific things.

BlueSkies · Jul 25, 2016

WishesQueen said:
Just back and I got the foot cream twice out of a 5 night stay, with a thank you note for her tip.

BTW I got a little pixie dust for the first time in 15 years. We received an unobstructed view of the castle in Sago Cay room 5242 right above the suite with the private patio I think its the everglades suite. Which was constantly covered with lizards and I mean COVERED!!!

Thanks for the help regarding the weather, just wondering how June weather is? Is the same as July?

Glad that you had another grand stay!! and some pixie dust too!!! :goodvibes

...That view is so lovely!!

Dispro1 said:
We have gone many times at the end of May/early June (we were just at GF last month) and the weather is hot but not scorching. I like it to be pretty warm in order to swim, so to me it's great! Early May can be cool still...I had to buy a hoodie at a park once it was so cool... Plus It rains a lot in April and that can carry over into early May. So we like to stick with the first week of June or mid October (fall break). We will be at Poly Tuesday, and I know it will be miserably hot, but my dd17 wanted to visit FSU so of course we had to go back to Disney...plus, we get to meet up with Trish, blueskies, and Pas!!!

Almost forgot...awesome upgrade you received!!!!

We are fans of May and October.... kind of a nice blend of weather...without being too hot....See ya real soon!!! :grouphug:

JessicaW1234 said:
Can anyone help?

If the monorail is not running...the water launches should be...but as DVC4US us had posted..the most accurate travel information that you will get is to check with the front desk at check in..that should enable you be sure of your transportation options for your stay! :thumbsup2

JulieT3 said:
Hello, all! We are looking forward to a stay at the Grand Floridian in a few weeks, but I have a quick transportation question before we arrive. We have an 8am reservation in EPCOT one morning, so I know the monorail will not be an option. Is there a bus that will go directly from the GF to Epcot or will we have to do some sort of ridiculous shenanigans like taking the resort monorail to the TTC and transferring to a bus there? Thanks for the help!

This past winter we had an early ADR in EPCOT and there was bus transportation provided....It was interesting to arrive by bus ...as opposed via the monorail....I had never been at the EPCOT bus stop before....Have to see if I have a pic to share....It was very festive looking with neat Epcot banners....

Dispro1 said:
Thanks, I'm excited. My DH and I usually go for our anniversary in early February, and we love it, but it's too cold to swim, IMO, even if the days are warm enough to lay out by the pool. Just something to think about if you're taking kids then...although if the weather is warm enough, the water would probably be ok for them. That's why DH and I like RPC in winter because if it's too cold, you can hang out in the lounge and listen to the band!

Love the low crowds in early February too...just wish the weather was a little bit warmer!

DVC4US said:
Monorail schedules change all the time - still awaiting the schedule for the beginning of August. Your best bet is to check with the front desk when you get to the GF for a transportation schedule and determine at that time your best option.

Sage advice :thumbsup2

..we do just that..every trip...

elaw said:
Kook, We got a great rate at AKL (std view) that was cheaper than our original POR preferred location rate so we just couldn't resist making the switch. We're hoping for a non-parking lot view but we'll probably be ok with whatever we end up with because of the room rate. We've done CL at AKL a few times ... It's very nice but not an absolutely must do CL for us like WL or GF. I might be posting Live a little bit while we're here, especially if people have questions about specific things or would like pictures of specific things.

Nothing like some live posts!!! Have a great trip!

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a magical Monday! :earsgirl:

WDWKOOK · Jul 25, 2016

JessicaW1234 said:
Can anyone help?

JulieT3 said:
Hello, all! We are looking forward to a stay at the Grand Floridian in a few weeks, but I have a quick transportation question before we arrive. We have an 8am reservation in EPCOT one morning, so I know the monorail will not be an option. Is there a bus that will go directly from the GF to Epcot or will we have to do some sort of ridiculous shenanigans like taking the resort monorail to the TTC and transferring to a bus there? Thanks for the help!

All resorts have an "early ADR bus." These buses go where needed based on guests' pre-park opening ADRs. Just make sure to tell the bus driver where you need to go. The buses begin around 7:00, but the MK bus may begin a bit earlier. Once at the park, you'll see a line just for guests with pre-park opening ADRs. They will check your name against the list before you can enter the park. The resort monorail often starts at 7:00, but with frequent schedule changes being the norm, make sure to check the posted monorail schedule each day near the station or ask a concierge or front desk CM.

cyneswith said:
50 days til my VGF stay!

Staying on the monorail was my top priority, to avoid breaking down strollers every time we leave a park. Staying at GF because part of the point was to spoil my mom who is having a rough year (her boss is working her 60+ hours a week in a non-hourly position - because the boss won't replace a woman who retired.) Mary Poppins is her favorite Disney movie, she loves English tea type stuff, Victorian architecture, etc. Just yesterday, my mom said - for the first time ever - "you know, a massage sounds great..." Which is perfect because I already had a surprise spa appointment booked for our rest day.

Awww, what a sweet daughter you are. I bet you're her favorite

Sue M said:
Yay for foot cream, there is hope yet!! Sounds like you had a great trip!

In the Time of Tags, the bolded would have been a good one.

elaw said:
Kook, We got a great rate at AKL (std view) that was cheaper than our original POR preferred location rate so we just couldn't resist making the switch. We're hoping for a non-parking lot view but we'll probably be ok with whatever we end up with because of the room rate. We've done CL at AKL a few times ... It's very nice but not an absolutely must do CL for us like WL or GF. I might be posting Live a little bit while we're here, especially if people have questions about specific things or would like pictures of specific things.

LMO429 · Jul 26, 2016

Are there any king beds in Boca Chica or are all the rooms in Boca Chica 2 queen beds only.

Also are there stairs readily available at boca chica. I know there is an elevator but sometimes I just prefer to take the stairs.

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