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

[BlueSkies]

Blue I prefer YC over BC mostly because of balcony. I NEED a balcony, lol! I was lucky at BC CL we had a GV with full balcony. But all YC rooms have balcony. Also for busses, YC is first pick up. So pretty much guaranteed a seat. BC bus stop was much more crowded. Maybe because of the additional families leaving Cape May after breakfast to get to the parks? Long line & tons of strollers. YC is also first to be dropped off.
BC lobby is very busy, prob from Cape May & Beaches & Cream. I could care less about that. To me a lobby is just something to walk thru to get to my room, and most Deluxe resort lobbies are busy because of dining. But YC lobby is quieter. Except when talking about GF lobby, which I do enjoy sitting in to listen to the music!!

Thanks so much Sue.... I appreciate the feed back...

Sue, I agree with your comparison between the BC and YC lobbies. And, like you, we don't just "pass thru" the GF lobby! It needs to be enjoyed!
We are under a month now looking forward to our next visit. Getting a head start on the trip by dividing the drive so as to arrive earlier on our first day. Staying at the WL but probably gonna camp out at the GF much of the time.

The GF lobby was made for lounging.... Almost time grannyminnie ...yay for arriving earlier!

I'm pleased to say I'm returning to the Grand this year

I was originally return to the WL (club level) but for various reasons have now switched to the GF, unfortunately my UK agent did not have any contractual rates for CL (I nearly fainted when they quoted me a price for RPC lol) so I won't be returning to the RPC this time after my wonderful stay last May. I'm happy I've a lagoon view room and of course I'm still returning which is the main thing.

As I've only stayed RPC before can I ask for some recommendations please for which building to request for a lagoon view? I'm not too concerned about distance to the main building as nothing is really very far is it.

Thank you

LVs are so pretty....I'm with the others on the recommendation of BPK..I also think there are some pretty LVs in Boca Chica...

We will be staying in an outer building theme park view....can you please tell me the best building. Thank you!

Another vote for Conch Key!

We love Conch Key's theme park view...head-on and beautiful!

Our lagoon view from Big Pine Key was lovely, we were looking at the Poly and the wedding pavilion, and I've read that the lagoon views from Boca Chica are also nice...maybe someone has a photo?

I agree and yes there are also some nice LVs in BC too...Seems like BPK is the most preferred for them though...

Oh I see you are under 30 days now!

Hope all had a good weekend! We drove down to VA and had a pre-Easter dinner Saturday night with sil family and my mil was up from Fla. My nieces are 11 and 13 and I enjoy being around younger girls now that mine is 20!!!

Hey Trish Glad that you had a fun family weekend... Is the extended family now booked for a future Disney vacay....lol...This is called Disney persuasion....

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a magical Monday! preppy GF Gal....

 

[BlueSkies]

baler Looking forward to hearing your thoughts after your BC stay....and a comparison to your stays at the GF....maybe this will help me to just take the plunge...lol...and stop waffling about that split stay....

grannyminnie Think of the annual pass as $$ saver ....room discounts...merchandise discounts...even some dining discounts.... Disney math at its finest!!!

 

[ClareH37]

Thank you for the recommendations ladies, I'm also thinking I might put a request in for a dormer room, they look so pretty and as it's just me, perfect for a solo traveller.

 

[loveshak22]

Hi everyone! I got a little surprise in the mail today! It was a cute little box with the Incredibles that says 'Get set for a vacation that's Incredible,' and then there's this cool black box with the Mickey ears image on it inside, and an individualized brochure inside of that - so cute and an example of why I love Disney! I'm guessing this is somewhat new? We haven't been since 2013 and then I think we just got a basic package of info (personalized as well) after we paid in full so this was a fun surprise!!!

 

[got15]

Hi everyone! Last September was our first Disney trip and we got some amazing pixie dust- due to the WL pool closure we were moved to the GF. Honestly, the hotel online looked a little bad grandma and I wasn't interested in the theme. From the minute we got there we fell in love- I think we were upgraded to a lagoon view room in BPK bc we saw the water and poly and wedding pavilion- but don't know. But I fell in love with the hotel and we booked out next Disney vacay beginning of May again at GF. I can't think of going anywhere else!! Almost at 30 days!!!

 

[loveshak22]

Hi everyone! Last September was our first Disney trip and we got some amazing pixie dust- due to the WL pool closure we were moved to the GF. Honestly, the hotel online looked a little bad grandma and I wasn't interested in the theme. From the minute we got there we fell in love- I think we were upgraded to a lagoon view room in BPK bc we saw the water and poly and wedding pavilion- but don't know. But I fell in love with the hotel and we booked out next Disney vacay beginning of May again at GF. I can't think of going anywhere else!! Almost at 30 days!!!

Exciting!! I've always felt the same way as you about GF and it feeling a little too 'old' and 'stuffy'...but I've looked at more pictures and read other reviews like yours where the person had the same perception and then stayed there and ended up loving the resort. I've been going back and forth on what resort we should stay at in November and I finally decided to splurge on GF and I put down a deposit for the room. I thought I might start second guessing myself but I haven't...I still have over 200 days and I feel like I get more and more excited every day!

I can't wait to hear about your upcoming trip. I hope it's amazing! We usually do short 4 day trips and just hit all the parks and head home but for our November trip I've added 2.5 resort days as well. So when you get back feel free to send me any tips on 'must-dos' at the resort!!

 

[trishadono]

Exciting!! I've always felt the same way as you about GF and it feeling a little too 'old' and 'stuffy'...but I've looked at more pictures and read other reviews like yours where the person had the same perception and then stayed there and ended up loving the resort. I've been going back and forth on what resort we should stay at in November and I finally decided to splurge on GF and I put down a deposit for the room. I thought I might start second guessing myself but I haven't...I still have over 200 days and I feel like I get more and more excited every day!

I can't wait to hear about your upcoming trip. I hope it's amazing! We usually do short 4 day trips and just hit all the parks and head home but for our November trip I've added 2.5 resort days as well. So when you get back feel free to send me any tips on 'must-dos' at the resort!!

I like to ride the boat from GF/Poly/MK at all times of the day. If you go at night around EWP and Wishes it is fun to watch those from the boat! and FREE!

I also enjoy exploring all the monorail resorts. Either bar hop or cupcake hop. They have different specialty cupcakes at each QS of the resorts. November can have some really cute Thanksgiving ones

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Thank you for recommendations on TPV! Much appreciated.

 

[loveshak22]

I like to ride the boat from GF/Poly/MK at all times of the day. If you go at night around EWP and Wishes it is fun to watch those from the boat! and FREE!

I also enjoy exploring all the monorail resorts. Either bar hop or cupcake hop. They have different specialty cupcakes at each QS of the resorts. November can have some really cute Thanksgiving ones

Yum cupcakes!!!!! I never have enough room for all the food I want to eat at WDW!!!

 

[Lisann]

Hi everyone! .....But I fell in love with the hotel and we booked out next Disney vacay beginning of May again at GF. I can't think of going anywhere else!! Almost at 30 days!!!

I love it when someone visits the Grand Floridian and sees and feels just what the rest of us do. It's a wonderful resort in so many ways. I'm glad you had a great time!

 

[Sue M]

Sue, I agree with your comparison between the BC and YC lobbies. And, like you, we don't just "pass thru" the GF lobby! It needs to be enjoyed!
We are under a month now looking forward to our next visit. Getting a head start on the trip by dividing the drive so as to arrive earlier on our first day. Staying at the WL but probably gonna camp out at the GF much of the time.

We also love WL and like to explore all the hidden nooks on various floors that look out on the lobby there's also that balcony on floor above lobby with rocking chairs. Enjoy!
Also enjoy the lake trail to FW. Last time we saw deer. It's a 10/15 min stroll. Many things to enjoy at WL!

 

[HLAuburn]

Quick question... thinking about booking a "outer building" room but there seems to be many bed configurations. We would need the 2Q plus day bed option - can you request that? And what are the chances of getting it? thanks!

 

[ProTraderColin]

Quick question... thinking about booking a "outer building" room but there seems to be many bed configurations. We would need the 2Q plus day bed option - can you request that? And what are the chances of getting it? thanks!

I stayed in a lagoon view in Big Pine Key last August with the specifications you are looking for. I asked for that type of room when I made the reservations, however upon check in they didn't have it noted but were still able to accommodate. An extra plus was that we were on the top floor where the ceilings are pointed instead of flat. We had a nice view of the Polynesian, Wedding Pavilion, monorail, and kids pool.

 

[got15]

Exciting!! I've always felt the same way as you about GF and it feeling a little too 'old' and 'stuffy'...but I've looked at more pictures and read other reviews like yours where the person had the same perception and then stayed there and ended up loving the resort. I've been going back and forth on what resort we should stay at in November and I finally decided to splurge on GF and I put down a deposit for the room. I thought I might start second guessing myself but I haven't...I still have over 200 days and I feel like I get more and more excited every day!

I can't wait to hear about your upcoming trip. I hope it's amazing! We usually do short 4 day trips and just hit all the parks and head home but for our November trip I've added 2.5 resort days as well. So when you get back feel free to send me any tips on 'must-dos' at the resort!!

Will do!!! We will be there for 6 days- can't wait!

 

[baler31]

Quick question... thinking about booking a "outer building" room but there seems to be many bed configurations. We would need the 2Q plus day bed option - can you request that? And what are the chances of getting it? thanks!

Unless you book a king, they all have two queens and a daybed. Ignore the description Disney gives, the important part in small wording at the bottom is occupancy 5. Even the deluxe outer rooms are incorrect, since the renovation they also have 2Q and a day bed.

 

[trishadono]

Looks like us Noreasters are enjoying an actual warm day

This is just a page 3 save!!!

I have an Easter Minnie in Lys Easter Basket of course! Enjoy your weekend peeps and maybe next week we shall get back to planning.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Looks like us Noreasters are enjoying an actual warm day

This is just a page 3 save!!!

I have an Easter Minnie in Lys Easter Basket of course! Enjoy your weekend peeps and maybe next week we shall get back to planning.

Trish, it is 60 for the first time since October!

Tom

 

[bethclayton]

Trish, it is 60 for the first time since October!

Tom

i second this!!!

 

[JVP1]

I love it when someone visits the Grand Floridian and sees and feels just what the rest of us do. It's a wonderful resort in so many ways. I'm glad you had a great time!

Well you can add me to that list!! Our favorite resort has always been the Polynesian, but with all the construction going on we decided to try the Grand Floridan for our stay just last week. We immediately fell in love with the GF. So much so that I can't imagine staying anywhere else. We loved the main pool. It is large enough that it is not overrun with kids. Of course it helps there are two other pools geared towards the little ones. From the minute we arrived the staff was a step above any other Disney Resort. We were greeted by a man with an iPad that escorted us to the front desk and magically the front desk clerk already knew our name ! We arrived at noon and they said our room wasn't ready yet next thing I knew they found a room they could give us immediately in Boca Chica, which was the building we requested. We spent 5 nights there and I was kicking myself that I didn't book 7. Next time!!!

 

[loveshak22]

Well you can add me to that list!! Our favorite resort has always been the Polynesian, but with all the construction going on we decided to try the Grand Floridan for our stay just last week. We immediately fell in love with the GF. So much so that I can't imagine staying anywhere else. We loved the main pool. It is large enough that it is not overrun with kids. Of course it helps there are two other pools geared towards the little ones. From the minute we arrived the staff was a step above any other Disney Resort. We were greeted by a man with an iPad that escorted us to the front desk and magically the front desk clerk already knew our name ! We arrived at noon and they said our room wasn't ready yet next thing I knew they found a room they could give us immediately in Boca Chica, which was the building we requested. We spent 5 nights there and I was kicking myself that I didn't book 7. Next time!!!

This makes me so excited to hear! Come on 225 days...

I like that MyDisneyExperience has a countdown but what's that old saying about watching water boil? That's what this feels like!