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

[baler31]

All of your comments were awesome! Thank you so much!!!! I am excited! Now I am trying to rearrange dining reservations to see what would make the most sense with my new hotel

More info about the deluxe kings: The furniture placement is before the most recent rehab but basic floorplan is the same.

Basically, the GF has a category called "deluxe". All of these rooms are in the main building and there are two different sub categories that you can request.

#1A. King Deluxe room: there are 9 rooms located on the 2nd floor of the main building. They all come with king beds, whirlpool tubs, a small sitting area and a balcony that overlooks the castle. They are all the same size as a standard room. (room #4201-4209) (maximum occupancy is 3)

#1B. King Deluxe room: there are 6 rooms located on either end of floors 3, 4 and 5 of the main building. They all come with king beds, regular tubs, larger sitting area and turret style windows that offer a panoramic view of the resort. None of these rooms have a balcony, but they are much larger. (room #4321, 4421, 4021 & I think #4330, 4430, 4030) (maximum occupancy is 3) Here is the room layout for the King deluxe options:

 

[FastPassPluto]

Hello there everyone!! We are due to be staying at the Grand in August this year (which we still can't believe!!) and myself and my wife are discussing the room requests currently with each other and how to go about it. Because we are from the UK we have heard different things about requests such as faxing a number with your request etc and ringing up but what is the best way?

I think we have settled on Boca Chica as a building, we would absolutely LOVE a Theme Park/Lagoon view but I'm not sure that this will happen on a Garden View Room booking so any tips on how/if this can happen would be brilliant!

Just want to say also thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread thus far as it has helped massively already!!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Hello there everyone!! We are due to be staying at the Grand in August this year (which we still can't believe!!) and myself and my wife are discussing the room requests currently with each other and how to go about it. Because we are from the UK we have heard different things about requests such as faxing a number with your request etc and ringing up but what is the best way?

I think we have settled on Boca Chica as a building, we would absolutely LOVE a Theme Park/Lagoon view but I'm not sure that this will happen on a Garden View Room booking so any tips on how/if this can happen would be brilliant!

Just want to say also thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread thus far as it has helped massively already!!

I think you would have to change your ressie to that room type ?

 

[FastPassPluto]

I think you would have to change your ressie to that room type ?

Ah ok I thought this may be the case, in which case are there any room tips for Boca Chica? We're not a fan of the Dormer rooms as they feel a bit 'closed in' if that makes sense!

 

[Dispro1]

All of your comments were awesome! Thank you so much!!!! I am excited! Now I am trying to rearrange dining reservations to see what would make the most sense with my new hotel

Baler31 is right about the king turret rooms not being a bookable category (although it should be), but I tend to forget about the second floor deluxe kings because I have always been able to get a turret room when I requested it (knock on wood). Perhaps I'm being a bit naive, but I've always assumed that not that many people who booked a deluxe king (going at the same time that I am going) will know to ask for a turret room. I hope I don't "eat my words" with my request for a turret room in February! At least I know what I'll get in October since the Deluxe Queen rooms are a bookable category! I would definitely mention that you need the extra space for the pack n play (in your room request)! I do always try to check in early in hopes of checking in before other people that may want a turret room also. If your room is not ready, they cannot tell you the room number you got, but they can tell you whether or not you at least got one of the rooms you requested...I'm assuming this is allowed since they've always told me this much.

 

[VbChristy]

Baler31 is right about the king turret rooms not being a bookable category (although it should be), but I tend to forget about the second floor deluxe kings because I have always been able to get a turret room when I requested it (knock on wood). Perhaps I'm being a bit naive, but I've always assumed that not that many people who booked a deluxe king (going at the same time that I am going) will know to ask for a turret room. I hope I don't "eat my words" with my request for a turret room in February! At least I know what I'll get in October since the Deluxe Queen rooms are a bookable category! I would definitely mention that you need the extra space for the pack n play (in your room request)! I do always try to check in early in hopes of checking in before other people that may want a turret room also. If your room is not ready, they cannot tell you the room number you got, but they can tell you whether or not you at least got one of the rooms you requested...I'm assuming this is allowed since they've always told me this much.

Thanks. And did I read correct that some have a castle view? Should I specifically ask for that?

 

[WishesQueen]

Hey Everyone!!! Busy, busy here today!!

I meant do you have any suggestions to get a seat since it's often crowded

I am so embarrassed...I reread your post and thought I deleted this response and re-entered a correct response. This is what happens when you scan quick to catch up with everyone. What I said in my second post is......I think the bar opens at 4:00 and is usually pretty empty until the evening. You can take your drink with you to balcony next to the mens shop up there if thats not too crowded or anywhere else for that matter, but the evenings are crowded especially if there are a lot of weddings going on. As for the menu its small and so are the portions but very good for a little snack. My apologies for not reading your post thoroughly the first time. Hope this helps...definitely give it a try, the views an atmosphere are awesome.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Hey Everyone!!! Busy, busy here today!!



I am so embarrassed...I reread your post and thought I deleted this response and re-entered a correct response. This is what happens when you scan quick to catch up with everyone. What I said in my second post is......I think the bar opens at 4:00 and is usually pretty empty until the evening. You can take your drink with you to balcony next to the mens shop up there if thats not too crowded or anywhere else for that matter, but the evenings are crowded especially if there are a lot of weddings going on. As for the menu its small and so are the portions but very good for a little snack. My apologies for not reading your post thoroughly the first time. Hope this helps...definitely give it a try, the views an atmosphere are awesome.

Lol that's ok I felt a little bratty correcting you Sometimes I check on here in the middle of the night if I can't sleep but never post because I'm afraid of crazy typos.

We are definitely going to check it out. I haven't looked at the menu since last year but I will go check it out again.

Fast Pass Pluto - I haven't stayed at the GF since I was ten years old so I maybe someone else can answer.

I've asked this a few times but no one answered...I have memories from when I was 10 years old of being in awe of the gift shop by the monorail on the 2nd floor. Does anyone have pics? I think it's called the mercantile.

 

[Dispro1]

Thanks. And did I read correct that some have a castle view? Should I specifically ask for that?

If you are referring to the turret rooms, 4321, 4421, and 4021 have a castle view. Baler31 listed the room numbers of the turret rooms that don't have a castle view also. I would personally not list castle view on my request because they might think that is more important to you than location and put you on the second floor. I have heard the castle views on the second floor are really nice, but personally, I would rather have a turret room on floors 3-5 no matter what the view for their size and convenience. The second floor rooms, as baler said, are smaller, and you have to take the back elevator up to the fourth floor to get to the lounge or to access the main elevator. The monorail is on the second floor, but there is no access to the second floor rooms from the main atrium area. FYI, it doesn't hurt to list the room numbers you prefer (with a castle view) and say, if possible please. I have received what I asked for, although second choice room number once, but this is never guaranteed.

 

[RookieLady]

So I am back from my first Grand stay last week. We stayed 6 nights Club at SL. This was a fantastic stay.

What I liked:

The club staff is amazing. They would get me a glass of wine in the afternoon and one sweet lady went to the main house to get my son ice cream on his birthday. He asked her for ice cream, and I told him they didn't have it, and she went off and got it anyway. I was a bit mortified that she went to so much trouble, but it was so sweet.

Had a minor planning "catastrophe" where we arrived on a Sunday for Star Wars weekends. The kids said they hated star wars and I was only to plan one day. So, after Sunday, they decided they wanted to go back for another day. The lovely staff was able to score a Toy Story for half my party and RnR for the other half, as well as other fastpasses at good times. Wonderful help because my app showed no availability. They were also very helpful in moving around a coveted Ohana breakfast reservation so it didn't interfere with the new Star Wars day.

Loved the beach pool. The slide was amazing. The kids had a great time at this pool, and lately, I have been hearing from my kids that the Disney pools were for babies, so this was nice. They even liked it better than the beach club, because they don't like walking so far to the slide.

I enjoyed the transportation options. I thought bus service was much better than from the Epcot resorts to MK. I was well pleased. I didn't realize how close HS is, so that too was a bonus.

Turn down service is fantastic. I never thought it would be a big deal, but it's nice to have towels refreshed in the afternoon, since we swim multiple days and then shower. I used to always ask for extra towels, but its nice not to have to mess with it.

The texting service for extra fastpasses is WONDERFUL. I loved this more than anything. I requested a fastpass for something in the next half hour and sent three different rides with which we would be pleased. I got a text back in about 10 minutes with all three rides booked. She may have made a mistake or I got pixie dusted, but the other times I texted, I only got one fastpass at a time. Additionally, she was able to stagger times within an hour, so all three of these fastpasses were booked in a 70 minute window. We went from ride to ride. It was wonderful. I was also running late for a lunch reservation, and after I texted club about it, they called the restaurant to tell them we would be late (line for attraction was significantly longer than posted).

What I didn't like:

I thought the lounge got a bit crowded at the beginning of each service. They couldn't seem to keep up with the bussing of the tables, which made it a little hard to find seats. I wish they would let us clean up for ourselves.

I didn't like being in a room off the lounge. It was loud. Thankfully, the baby that was left screaming in the lobby checked out on day two, but it still got loud with the service because of our location.

Price. This resort was a bit of a reach for us. I wish I could stay here every time, but it's just not in the cards. However, I thought the experience was wonderful and that I got my money's worth, particularly with the texting service.

 

[TeacherDL]

We are thinking of either a DVC villa rental or just booking a hotel room for next April for a few nights.

Any recommendations on which is the best of the outer buildings. I am not sure if any have had a refurb recently.

We just returned from Boca Chica. It was a great location. Beside the quieter pool and beside the boat dock. Loved it!

 

[mickeynut1]

So I am back from my first Grand stay last week. We stayed 6 nights Club at SL. This was a fantastic stay.

What I liked:

The club staff is amazing. They would get me a glass of wine in the afternoon and one sweet lady went to the main house to get my son ice cream on his birthday. He asked her for ice cream, and I told him they didn't have it, and she went off and got it anyway. I was a bit mortified that she went to so much trouble, but it was so sweet.

Had a minor planning "catastrophe" where we arrived on a Sunday for Star Wars weekends. The kids said they hated star wars and I was only to plan one day. So, after Sunday, they decided they wanted to go back for another day. The lovely staff was able to score a Toy Story for half my party and RnR for the other half, as well as other fastpasses at good times. Wonderful help because my app showed no availability. They were also very helpful in moving around a coveted Ohana breakfast reservation so it didn't interfere with the new Star Wars day.

Loved the beach pool. The slide was amazing. The kids had a great time at this pool, and lately, I have been hearing from my kids that the Disney pools were for babies, so this was nice. They even liked it better than the beach club, because they don't like walking so far to the slide.

I enjoyed the transportation options. I thought bus service was much better than from the Epcot resorts to MK. I was well pleased. I didn't realize how close HS is, so that too was a bonus.

Turn down service is fantastic. I never thought it would be a big deal, but it's nice to have towels refreshed in the afternoon, since we swim multiple days and then shower. I used to always ask for extra towels, but its nice not to have to mess with it.

The texting service for extra fastpasses is WONDERFUL. I loved this more than anything. I requested a fastpass for something in the next half hour and sent three different rides with which we would be pleased. I got a text back in about 10 minutes with all three rides booked. She may have made a mistake or I got pixie dusted, but the other times I texted, I only got one fastpass at a time. Additionally, she was able to stagger times within an hour, so all three of these fastpasses were booked in a 70 minute window. We went from ride to ride. It was wonderful. I was also running late for a lunch reservation, and after I texted club about it, they called the restaurant to tell them we would be late (line for attraction was significantly longer than posted).

What I didn't like:

I thought the lounge got a bit crowded at the beginning of each service. They couldn't seem to keep up with the bussing of the tables, which made it a little hard to find seats. I wish they would let us clean up for ourselves.

I didn't like being in a room off the lounge. It was loud. Thankfully, the baby that was left screaming in the lobby checked out on day two, but it still got loud with the service because of our location.

Price. This resort was a bit of a reach for us. I wish I could stay here every time, but it's just not in the cards. However, I thought the experience was wonderful and that I got my money's worth, particularly with the texting service.

Thanks for your review. Glad you had a great stay land enjoyed the GF .

I feel the same way about the SL lounge. I found it chaotic most of the time with not enough seating to accommodate the number of people staying there .

I'm with your kids on the pool and SAB. I'm glad we tried the BC/SAB, but we thought it was just ok as there are other pools we prefer .

We just returned from Boca Chica. It was a great location. Beside the quieter pool and beside the boat dock. Loved it!

Boca Chica is one of my favorite outer buildings .

 

[loveshak22]

So I am back from my first Grand stay last week. We stayed 6 nights Club at SL. This was a fantastic stay.

What I liked:

The club staff is amazing. They would get me a glass of wine in the afternoon and one sweet lady went to the main house to get my son ice cream on his birthday. He asked her for ice cream, and I told him they didn't have it, and she went off and got it anyway. I was a bit mortified that she went to so much trouble, but it was so sweet.

Had a minor planning "catastrophe" where we arrived on a Sunday for Star Wars weekends. The kids said they hated star wars and I was only to plan one day. So, after Sunday, they decided they wanted to go back for another day. The lovely staff was able to score a Toy Story for half my party and RnR for the other half, as well as other fastpasses at good times. Wonderful help because my app showed no availability. They were also very helpful in moving around a coveted Ohana breakfast reservation so it didn't interfere with the new Star Wars day.

Loved the beach pool. The slide was amazing. The kids had a great time at this pool, and lately, I have been hearing from my kids that the Disney pools were for babies, so this was nice. They even liked it better than the beach club, because they don't like walking so far to the slide.

I enjoyed the transportation options. I thought bus service was much better than from the Epcot resorts to MK. I was well pleased. I didn't realize how close HS is, so that too was a bonus.

Turn down service is fantastic. I never thought it would be a big deal, but it's nice to have towels refreshed in the afternoon, since we swim multiple days and then shower. I used to always ask for extra towels, but its nice not to have to mess with it.

The texting service for extra fastpasses is WONDERFUL. I loved this more than anything. I requested a fastpass for something in the next half hour and sent three different rides with which we would be pleased. I got a text back in about 10 minutes with all three rides booked. She may have made a mistake or I got pixie dusted, but the other times I texted, I only got one fastpass at a time. Additionally, she was able to stagger times within an hour, so all three of these fastpasses were booked in a 70 minute window. We went from ride to ride. It was wonderful. I was also running late for a lunch reservation, and after I texted club about it, they called the restaurant to tell them we would be late (line for attraction was significantly longer than posted).

What I didn't like:

I thought the lounge got a bit crowded at the beginning of each service. They couldn't seem to keep up with the bussing of the tables, which made it a little hard to find seats. I wish they would let us clean up for ourselves.

I didn't like being in a room off the lounge. It was loud. Thankfully, the baby that was left screaming in the lobby checked out on day two, but it still got loud with the service because of our location.

Price. This resort was a bit of a reach for us. I wish I could stay here every time, but it's just not in the cards. However, I thought the experience was wonderful and that I got my money's worth, particularly with the texting service.

Thanks for this report! We're going for our first GF stay in November and I love seeing positive reviews! I'm excited to try the texting option for FP!! From what I understand you can also text for changes to your ADRs? Is there anything else you can use the texting service for?

As for your last point on price - that's actually one of my worries! Part of me wonders if it could ever live up to my expectations or if I'm going to get there and think, "this is all I get for how much I paid!" But it looks like from your review you thought it was worth the price, just not something you could do every WDW stay??? And from reading this thread it does seem like it lives up to, and surpasses, most people's expectations so I guess I shouldn't be worried!!

 

[Lisann]

RookieLady....thanks for your review. Maybe one of these days I will be able to try Club level, it sounds wonderful. The Grand Floridian is so addictive. Glad you had a good time.

 

[WishesQueen]

Morning Everyone!!

I have stayed CL twice and to be honest I thought it was OK. We were kind off with most of the offering times and other then the scones everything was just ok (I know I am weird and stand alone). The best part of the whole thing was the location in the main building, but the price wasn't worth it to me. I love Big Pine Key just as much and there is so much in WDW (we have so many favorite restaurants) that we just couldn't eat even when we arrived when the food was out. If price didn't matter, I would definitely stay there just for the location and the room categories!!

I just need to be in Grand to be happy!!!

 

[RookieLady]

It was a lot of food. However, we do drink and they would get us glasses of wine in the afternoon, even though it wasn't out. I liked the staff best. Whenever there was a bump in the road, the staff addressed it. I didn't have to deal with anything. I just texted or told them in person and poof, problem solved. I really liked that because I tried to resolve a couple of dining issues and couldn't, but staff did. I don't know if they are lucky or have more pull, but it was amazing.

 

[grannyminnie]

It was a lot of food. However, we do drink and they would get us glasses of wine in the afternoon, even though it wasn't out. I liked the staff best. Whenever there was a bump in the road, the staff addressed it. I didn't have to deal with anything. I just texted or told them in person and poof, problem solved. I really liked that because I tried to resolve a couple of dining issues and couldn't, but staff did. I don't know if they are lucky or have more pull, but it was amazing.

If you're referring to the SL staff, I agree!

 

[WishesQueen]

It was a lot of food. However, we do drink and they would get us glasses of wine in the afternoon, even though it wasn't out. I liked the staff best. Whenever there was a bump in the road, the staff addressed it. I didn't have to deal with anything. I just texted or told them in person and poof, problem solved. I really liked that because I tried to resolve a couple of dining issues and couldn't, but staff did. I don't know if they are lucky or have more pull, but it was amazing.

Thats great, I didn't have any problems but if I did that would be great.

I did ask for a glass of wine and a beer for my DH one night after it was all gone and they weren't too happy with me, but did get them. The night after that we went to Miznor's because I was embarrassed to ask again, which is crazy for what we were spending, but much easier. We never bothered the staff, we were always dressed properly and actually rare ate or drink anything up there. Like I said the times for offerings just didn't work for us, we did have breakfast and we did grab a scone leaving for the parks one or two days.

I am glad you came across much more helpful staff, everyone seems to. I didn't bother them, so I don't know why they were that way, the entire hotel has such lovely staff, we just were kind of ignored but it was fine.

Everyone LOVES RPC and did love the main building especially when it was raining, maybe one day we'll try again.

 

[Dispro1]

Thats great, I didn't have any problems but if I did that would be great.

I did ask for a glass of wine and a beer for my DH one night after it was all gone and they weren't too happy with me, but did get them. The night after that we went to Miznor's because I was embarrassed to ask again, which is crazy for what we were spending, but much easier. We never bothered the staff, we were always dressed properly and actually rare ate or drink anything up there. Like I said the times for offerings just didn't work for us, we did have breakfast and we did grab a scone leaving for the parks one or two days.

I am glad you came across much more helpful staff, everyone seems to. I didn't bother them, so I don't know why they were that way, the entire hotel has such lovely staff, we just were kind of ignored but it was fine.

Everyone LOVES RPC and did love the main building especially when it was raining, maybe one day we'll try again.

I am really sorry to hear that you experienced that when asking for wine/beer! We ask for this MANY times when we are vacationing at Disney, and nobody has ever made us feel awkward for asking...and they shouldn't! You are paying extra for this service.

 

[MinnieMeep]

It's official...I am returning to the GF this September! I didn't think we would get back this year, but I switched up my reservations and we're now doing BWI CL 9/12-9/17, followed by 3 nights RPC deluxe! I am so excited! We were married & honeymooned at the GF RPC last November, and this trip is our "1st anniversary trip", well, close enough! We just weren't pumped about staying at CR CL TPV so I made the switch over to GF this morning. I wish we could do 4 nights, but there wasn't availability under the discount. I was saving a split stay at AKL CL & GF RPC for next winter, but just couldn't wait any longer to get back! Now if I can only switch my V&A reservation from 9/16 to 9/17, as we were married and had our wedding dinner there on 11/17. I am just so darn excited I can't take it!