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

[baler31]

Hi all

Really excited about staying at the villas. Just one quick question are you able to order room service to the villas?

Thanks

Yes.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/villas-at-grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/dining/

 

[kallanach]

Happy (almost) birthday!

In the "old" days, GF was the only resort where ALL rooms automatically received nightly turn-down without the guest requesting it. At other (non-CL) Deluxes, it was by-request only. We did receive it automatically at GF, but we were last there one year ago. Maybe it's no longer automatic at GF and no longer by-request at other Deluxes? This wouldn't surprise me at all. It also wouldn't surprise me at all if this was yet another Disney resort "inconsistency."

Well, I can tell you this: today, we were in our room resting during the time mousekeeping was coming by knocking on doors asking if folks wanted turn-down service. We put a privacy sign up so she skipped us. This was at 3. Otherwise, we have been receiving turn-down and chocolates nightly. We are not in CL. Interesting.

 

[kallanach]

I have not used it, however, I'm the one who posted about them offering FREE delivery. According to what I posted, delivery is to Bell Services, in about 2 hours. I saw a post today on the Poly thread from someone who did use Amazon Pantry, I believe, but I don't think that's the same as Amazon Prime Now. They had mixed results with one order making it and one order not. But again, this was Poly and Amazon Pantry, I believe.



The offer was actually in your room (like the old days) and not in the Be Our Guest booklet that's in your packet of resort info? Just curious if they're going back to placing the offer on a table. This method was easier for guests to find, but often, would be missing from the room or late in getting into the room. All our recent visits, the BB has been hidden in the middle of the BoG booklet in the resort folder.

Have a GRAND day!

Hi there! The offer is in the booklet. I knew where to look for it. I agree with you about the old days. I remember when it was presented separately--maybe even with tragical express checkout papers!! now with social media in full force, maybe Disney doesn't think they have to to as aggressive advertising on bounce back? Not sure.

 

[MommyGina]

baler31 - Thank you for your honest evaluation. I would be the last person to label anyone a complainer! After what I have read, it is very disappointing to see the little extras of the GF disappearing. Last time were stayed at the GF was in 2013 in RPC. We were met at the bus by one of the door greeters, Oliverio. He said the "our family name" is here. It was like a homecoming, since we stayed at the GF 8 years in a row (no kids in college at that time!). We were escorted to our room. We had a picture of the GF in a box that was made of chocolate. I don't know if they do that anymore. We had animal towels everyday for the kids. Our beds were turned down with not only chocolates left every nights, but the good night cards as well. Towels were changed at night, if needed. Plenty of body butter, foot cream, soap, etc.

The food at that time was ok. Always had enough, but we never took more than what we could eat.

I'm sorry to hear the little extras disappearing. What's worse is that the price continues to go up and service and extras going down. This reminds me of the grocery store. No more 16 oz packages of crackers or cookies. Everything has been scaled back but with a higher price. I just don't buy the extras anymore, unless it's on sale.

Thank you for your honest opinion!

 

[michelepa]

Not that chocolates and turndown service makes or breaks your vacation, but this is what bothers me....all guests should be receiving the SAME basic amenities/service regardless of anything! (I'm not including guests who stay CL since they pay for those extras)

Regular GF guests are indeed paying for turn down and chocolates in their deluxe hotel room rate. I do not consider these extras but part of a deluxe hotel.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Checked in! Room view

 

[saintrob]

Hi all, I have read these posts a lot over the past 8 months and felt they were very helpful, so I wanted to post a review of our recent stay at Sugarloaf. Although I have stayed at other Disney properties in the past, I had never stayed at the GF or CL, so my review is based on first time impressions of both. We were there for 7 nights the first week of August and had a very positive stay. I would definitely recommend it, although I would add the caveat of knowing that there are nicer lounges (appearance wise) if you are willing to pay more.

First of all, I loved staying at the GF, which was not something I was sure would happen. I stayed at the Polynesian last visit and thought that I had found my favorite resort. I honestly had never anticipated staying at the GF and thought that Beach or Yacht Club would be my next destination, but when the summer discounts came out, the offers on the monorail resorts were much more tempting. I knew the GF would be lovely, but I thought I would walk away feeling that it was a one and done experience. I couldn't have been more incorrect! I was basing my thoughts on previous experiences of being in the main lobby and had no idea how wonderful the atmosphere of the rest of the grounds would be. As compared to the Poly, I liked the openness and the calmness of the grounds. It was classy without being pretentious.

Upon arrival we were greeted by Richard, which felt magical right from the start! I had received a text that my room was ready, so I entered the main lobby and walked up to the bell services desk. When they saw my room number, they took us to a cart and drove us around for a tour of the grounds, then walked us into Sugarloaf and introduced us to the concierge, Tony. He was super nice and made my children feel at home right away.

I was initially disappointed to have been assigned to a dormer room, but since the rest of my family liked it, I decided not to ask for a switch. I ended up really liking the room! The vaulted ceilings gave it a feel that was different from a typical hotel room. I didn't spend as much time on the balcony as I had anticipated, so the closed wall never bothered me. My only complaint would be that the balcony and dormer roof did block the natural light more than I would have liked. I would be perfectly happy to be assigned to a dormer room again. The rest of the room was impeccably clean and well appointed. I thought the shower light was too dim, but that is honestly my only complaint. We got turn down service with chocolates every night, but never got the foot cream. One day our housekeeper put balloons in the room for my kids, which was a sweet touch.

As far as the lounge, as anticipated it was small and had no views, but we still really enjoyed it. We never had trouble finding a table, and with the exception of the man who came in for a beer wearing nothing but a Speedo, found other guests to be respectful. One child piled a plate with about 12 sections of Uncrustables, but they were very quick to replenish it. The food was great and definitely allowed us to have more flexibility in our park touring. We still ate in the parks, but leaving in the morning after breakfast and heading back out in the evening after having appetizers made it less of a priority to find food. We enjoyed having lunch reservations the best, eating our largest meals earlier in the day and snacking both in the lounge and the parks in the evening. They were great about providing us with bottled water when asked, although they never stocked the cooler with it.

I felt spoiled by the whole experience and definitely felt that staying CL took vacation to a new level. I would not hesitate to stay at SL again. Although I have no doubt that a stay in RPC might even be better, SL was a great stay for the amount that we were comfortable paying. I feel it's unfair to directly compare the two when considering the difference in price. For us, SL met all of our needs and made vacation feel special.

We must have been in the lounge at the same time as you as we also saw the speedo man!

 

[Magical JenK]

HockeyMomR - that's a gorgeous view! One I'm hoping for in November!! Is that Sago Cay? Did you request it?

Checked in! Room view
View attachment 187566

 

[HockeyMomR]

HockeyMomR - that's a gorgeous view! One I'm hoping for in November!! Is that Sago Cay? Did you request it?

Yes, Sago Cay as requested.

 

[michelepa]

Yes, Sago Cay as requested.

Is it a standard room? If so I'd love to know the room number - maybe we can move right in after you guys when we arrive in 13 days!!!

 

[jedipenguin]

We got our Magic Bands in the mail yesterday! Just a few more weeks until I'm "home".

 

[PammyPoppins]

I haven't stayed at the Grand Floridian in about 10 years and I was wondering are the pools still open 24 hours, I believe it was the quiet pool that they said you could swim 24 hours.
Thanks,
PammyPoppins

 

[dansdad]

I haven't stayed at the Grand Floridian in about 10 years and I was wondering are the pools still open 24 hours, I believe it was the quiet pool that they said you could swim 24 hours.
Thanks,
PammyPoppins

All pools now close sometime between 9PM and 11PM depending on the season.

 

[DLgal]

I haven't stayed at the Grand Floridian in about 10 years and I was wondering are the pools still open 24 hours, I believe it was the quiet pool that they said you could swim 24 hours.
Thanks,
PammyPoppins

Last week, the pool hours for both pools was 9am-11pm. I don't think any of the pools at any resorts are open 24/7. There was a drowning at a value resort that prompted the pools to close daily.

 

[lomillerin]

I am thinking about booking a room here in October. As it is only 6 weeks away, the only choice we have is AK or GF.
It would be a lagoon view.
I really hate staying at resorts under construction.
Is there any construction going on at GF? Or will there be any in October? Pools down? Construction noise etc?

 

[dansdad]

I am thinking about booking a room here in October. As it is only 6 weeks away, the only choice we have is AK or GF.
It would be a lagoon view.
I really hate staying at resorts under construction.
1. Is there any construction going on at GF?
2. Or will there be any in October?
3. Pools down?
4. Construction noise etc?

1. Nope
2. Nothing has been announced.
3. Not currently
4. Not currently

 

[lomillerin]

1. Nope
2. Nothing has been announced.
3. Not currently
4. Not currently

Thank you.
One more-when was the last time the rooms were redone?

 

[Lisann]

Thank you.
One more-when was the last time the rooms were redone?

I believe it was last year or the year before. I think. Well, it was relatively recently.What do I know.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Having a Grand day! A follow up to my previous view post...view looking to the right.

 

[JessicaW1234]

What is the order of drop off from Magical Express from the airport? Which other resorts are included w/GF?