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

[ShayBells]

9/6 reads the sign today...
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Current hours, but be prepared for random closures. We've experienced several so far which necessitated waiting for a bus, which goes to all 3 monorail resorts.
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Thank you so much! I hope you are enjoying your trip!

 

[grannyminnie]

Wow, I'm away for a few days, and lots of pages to read...haven't even gotten thru them (gotta go get my second cup)...

Circusgirl, I am soooo jealous of you getting to go to the D23 Expo! If you have detailed the trip on here, hope I can find it!

Blue, to you!

Kook, wowza on your pixie-dusted trip!! And the pictures, lovely...

CdnJason, thanks for your detailed TR.

 

[dansdad]

We've noticed this trip (last was April), that service has actually been too fast at the TSs. Entrees have consistently been coming out while we're still eating apps., then the server apologizes and blames the chef. I think this is a new trend to get more diners through the restaurant. We really dislike it and it makes for a rushed and unrelaxing meal.

That is one of my pet peeves, drives me nuts. I have started asking the server to bring our entrees back to the kitchen and keep them warm until we're done with our appetizers. One of our neighbors is a waitress at a popular local restaurant that had this habit and she confirmed they were under pressure to "get more butts in the seats per night". She was the one who suggested it as the servers get dinged if a meal is ready and sitting under the warmers for more than 2 minutes. But if they bring it out and the customer says they're not ready and asks to bring it back they're good. After more and more customers started doing this, that particular restaurant stopped trying to rush people.

 

[mickeynut1]

We did but I have that darn PDD, and I am itching to book the next trip!

I hear ya, it's always sad coming home from a Disney trip . BUT...that's all the reason to start booking the next trip .....so get booking, girl! Where do you think you'll stay next??

I have a reservation at Crystal Palace at 8:20 . . . how early will they let me in the park for this? The best way to get there from GF and what time to leave? The reservation is on a Saturday, and it looks like the monorail will be running . . .

Thanks for your help!

I agree with cdnjason to take the monorail (it's the first stop for MK) and get to the monorail station around 7:20-7:30 .

I've never done a pre-opening meal before. I'm very excited to see Main Street (almost) empty.

We've never done this either, but I've always wanted to. Hoping to plan an early ADR for CP next summer when we go back .

I love how you're encouraging RPC

You wouldn't regret it! If you like the GF, you will LOVE RPC!

Yesterday morning:

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Loving all the pics, especially the early morning ones .

Thanks for sharing about your stay, as well as all of your awesome photos!

has anyone done a cabana lately or have any pics to share?

I can't help, but hopefully others will be able to give some input, along with some pics .

Two things.. I readthat gasperillas is only closed until 9/4... Anyone know if this is accurate?

And... Does anyone have a link to updated monorail hours? I arrive on 9/13 for a week and would like even a little bit of a heads up and can't find anything about it that's updated.

Thanks!

KOOK answered your questions, but I wanted to say I hope you have a great trip .

After taking a break from finishing up my packing by looking at all the fantastic pictures and catching up with the thread I checked in for my flight to find that my mileage plan upgraded me to first class, great start to my trip!

Soon I will do this and experience .

Congrats on the first class upgrade! Have a great trip and enjoy the GF .

 

[Dispro1]

Thank you! I've never done a pre-opening meal before. I'm very excited to see Main Street (almost) empty.

It's SO awesome to get pictures in front of the castle with no one else in the picture! It has been a VERY long time since we have done that, but my kids don't want to get up early anymore. Enjoy every minute!!

 

[pas130]

I hear ya, it's always sad coming home from a Disney trip . BUT...that's all the reason to start booking the next trip .....so get booking, girl! Where do you think you'll stay next??

Honestly, Beach Club was incredible, but even before seeing Kook's ch-ch-change I was chatting with DH about the GF. He is still on the fence, but my compromise was more Universal days...like a 5/7 split (but that's what he says....I say 6/6) We are probably looking at July 2016, my vote is for GF and I have lots of reasons why:

• Even staying at BC, MK is the park we went to the most.
• We are not monorail folk...but the boats YES!!
• We need CL, and DH actually will not stay at Disney anymore without it
• Proximity to the pool and lounge from SL would be awesome!
• You can see the castle from the resort
• It's the GF!
• Better CS options in the area
• It's the GF!
• Because I said so

I wish we could do a MK/Epcot split, but the one thing I realized this trip was packing and moving was no fun. We did 5 nights at the beach, 7 and BC, and 4 at Universal. It will also be hard for me NOT to book BC CL, because the CMs there really were great. That said, SL was very good to us when we stayed there....

 

[WDWKOOK]

Ate at Narcoossees last night. Our overall impression was meh. Arrival greeting was underwhelming and our server was, umm, odd which was unsettling. We were one of his first tables of the evening, yet his spiel was so rushed and hurried we understood about half of it. We got the feeling he'd rather be somewhere else. I even commented on how fast he went through his "introduction" and he replied that he aimed to please. Huh? He continued making odd remarks throughout the evening and DD and I would look at each other and suppress laughter.

The appetizer arrived deconstructed, as DD referred to it. Server explained that 9/10 guests don't like the ingredients mixed in, but we noticed several guests who apparently weren't the 9/10 so they mixed in the ingredients for us.

We split a seasonal salad with peaches and rhubarb which came after the calamari. It was lovely and our entrees did not come out as we were eating our apps. so that's a Disney success story in timing! DD had the shrimp and pasta in garlic sauce which was very tasty. I had the 2# lobster which came with a corn soufflé that was very sweet, but delicious. The lobster was a little chewy and not sweet, but it's WDW not Maine.

Desserts were the highlight and though not traditional, the strawberry shortcake was scrumptious and DD declared her no sugar added torte wonderful.

The man who brought our entrees was cordial and even checked up on us once and made sure to make some parting remarks as we were leaving which was appreciated. But, this won't be on our future dining plans. GFC is still our favorite for all meals at GF, though we've not tried V&A.

Why I go to the gym everyday on vacation...

 

[WDWKOOK]

Kook!!

How wonderful for you and DD and oh my, what fun!!!!! I always love all your early morning pics, no matter where they're from!

Enjoy!

Did you take a Sea Raycer from WL over here?! It's very peaceful and beautiful over here and the CMs have been so cordial and friendly.

WDWKOOK, film makers don't call it magic hour for nothing! Gorgeous shots. Thank you for making me crave the GFC Eggs Benedict, too!!!

Thank you! My favorite time of the day at a Disney Resort is sunrise.

Kook, thanks for all the pictures and news about the resort! Both you and Trishadono have caught some fabulous sunsets. After taking a break from finishing up my packing by looking at all the fantastic pictures and catching up with the thread I checked in for my flight to find that my mileage plan upgraded me to first class, great start to my trip!

Soon I will do this and experience .

What a great upgrade, and especially appreciated on a long flight from CA. Hope your travels go smoothly and maybe our GF paths will cross.

Thank you so much! I hope you are enjoying your trip!

You're welcome and we are having a fabulous time.

Wow, I'm away for a few days, and lots of pages to read...haven't even gotten thru them (gotta go get my second cup)

Kook, wowza on your pixie-dusted trip!! And the pictures, lovely...

Thank you

That is one of my pet peeves, drives me nuts. I have started asking the server to bring our entrees back to the kitchen and keep them warm until we're done with our appetizers. One of our neighbors is a waitress at a popular local restaurant that had this habit and she confirmed they were under pressure to "get more butts in the seats per night". She was the one who suggested it as the servers get dinged if a meal is ready and sitting under the warmers for more than 2 minutes. But if they bring it out and the customer says they're not ready and asks to bring it back they're good. After more and more customers started doing this, that particular restaurant stopped trying to rush people.

That's not OT, IMHO. Dining is a HUGE part of a Disney vacation, and one I know most of us really anticipate. BTW, we're looking forward to Sanaa this afternoon.

You wouldn't regret it! If you like the GF, you will LOVE RPC!

Loving all the pics, especially the early morning ones .

Thanks for sharing about your stay, as well as all of your awesome photos!

You're welcome, glad you're enjoying them

Honestly, Beach Club was incredible, but even before seeing Kook's ch-ch-change I was chatting with DH about the GF. He is still on the fence, but my compromise was more Universal days...like a 5/7 split (but that's what he says....I say 6/6) We are probably looking at July 2016, my vote is for GF and I have lots of reasons why:

• Even staying at BC, MK is the park we went to the most.
• We are not monorail folk...but the boats YES!!
• We need CL, and DH actually will not stay at Disney anymore without it
• Proximity to the pool and lounge from SL would be awesome!
• You can see the castle from the resort
• It's the GF!
• Better CS options in the area
• It's the GF!
• Because I said so

I wish we could do a MK/Epcot split, but the one thing I realized this trip was packing and moving was no fun. We did 5 nights at the beach, 7 and BC, and 4 at Universal. It will also be hard for me NOT to book BC CL, because the CMs there really were great. That said, SL was very good to us when we stayed there....

Keep us posted on your GF planning

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Did you take a Sea Raycer from WL over here?! It's very peaceful and beautiful over here and the CMs have been so cordial and friendly.

So glad you are having a wonderfully magical trip!

 

[trishadono]

Kook, thanks for all the pictures and news about the resort! Both you and Trishadono have caught some fabulous sunsets. After taking a break from finishing up my packing by looking at all the fantastic pictures and catching up with the thread I checked in for my flight to find that my mileage plan upgraded me to first class, great start to my trip!

Soon I will do this and experience .

Love it! Enjoy!

 

[trishadono]

Honestly, Beach Club was incredible, but even before seeing Kook's ch-ch-change I was chatting with DH about the GF. He is still on the fence, but my compromise was more Universal days...like a 5/7 split (but that's what he says....I say 6/6) We are probably looking at July 2016, my vote is for GF and I have lots of reasons why:

• Even staying at BC, MK is the park we went to the most.
• We are not monorail folk...but the boats YES!!
• We need CL, and DH actually will not stay at Disney anymore without it
• Proximity to the pool and lounge from SL would be awesome!
• You can see the castle from the resort
• It's the GF!
• Better CS options in the area
• It's the GF!
• Because I said so

I wish we could do a MK/Epcot split, but the one thing I realized this trip was packing and moving was no fun. We did 5 nights at the beach, 7 and BC, and 4 at Universal. It will also be hard for me NOT to book BC CL, because the CMs there really were great. That said, SL was very good to us when we stayed there....

 

[Dispro1]

Ate at Narcoossees last night. Our overall impression was meh. Arrival greeting was underwhelming and our server was, umm, odd which was unsettling. We were one of his first tables of the evening, yet his spiel was so rushed and hurried we understood about half of it. We got the feeling he'd rather be somewhere else. I even commented on how fast he went through his "introduction" and he replied that he aimed to please. Huh? He continued making odd remarks throughout the evening and DD and I would look at each other and suppress laughter.

The appetizer arrived deconstructed, as DD referred to it. Server explained that 9/10 guests don't like the ingredients mixed in, but we noticed several guests who apparently weren't the 9/10 so they mixed in the ingredients for us.

We split a seasonal salad with peaches and rhubarb which came after the calamari. It was lovely and our entrees did not come out as we were eating our apps. so that's a Disney success story in timing! DD had the shrimp and pasta in garlic sauce which was very tasty. I had the 2# lobster which came with a corn soufflé that was very sweet, but delicious. The lobster was a little chewy and not sweet, but it's WDW not Maine.

Desserts were the highlight and though not traditional, the strawberry shortcake was scrumptious and DD declared her no sugar added torte wonderful.

The man who brought our entrees was cordial and even checked up on us once and made sure to make some parting remarks as we were leaving which was appreciated. But, this won't be on our future dining plans. GFC is still our favorite for all meals at GF, though we've not tried V&A.

Why I go to the gym everyday on vacation...
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I was really hoping you would have a better experience with Narcoossee's I'm glad they at least got the timing right between your apps/entrees! I will admit that the difference between servers can be huge...at all of the signatures...which can make or break your experience! When we ate at Cali Grill in June, a new server came to our table. When I asked her for the "retro pork/pork old school" that is not on the menu, she immediately went to get us a more experienced server who didn't disappoint! She even brought us out a couple of free creme brûlée desserts when we started talking about Taz and Rachael, two long-time servers who are now married (and still work there)! But even though our experience was awesome at Cali Grill, DH's meal was just ok because he strayed from the usual. It seems that a lot of the restaurants have a few things that they make really well, but their other menu items seem to be lacking. I always get the filet (as does DD16) at Narcoossee's, and it has always been delicious, but I knew you had the filet at Citricos. DH always gets some kind of fish. We ordered "the usual" at Narcoossee's in June and were very pleased. It's a shame people have to be afraid of disappointment if they want to try something new! I hope you at least enjoyed the view!

 

[Dispro1]

That's not OT, IMHO. Dining is a HUGE part of a Disney vacation, and one I know most of us really anticipate. BTW, we're looking forward to Sanaa this afternoon.

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Sanaa...haven't been able to convince my kids to try it (or even Jiko for that matter)!

 

[mmmears]

WDWKOOK - I love the photos! Please keep posting them! I'm glad you were able to switch to the GF, too.

When we feel rushed, we sometimes will order our appetizer and won't order our entree until the appetizer arrives.

 

[jani3]

Yesterday morning:

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Love those pics. Were those early morning pics before or after sunrise? I'm an early morning runner and I'm trying to figure out how early I need to get up to do my run, finish, then get back to the room to grab my camera to take those early morning pics.

Also, did you notice if those lights posts lit enough of the pathway in the early morning where I could see where I'm running? Or would you recommend a headlamp? Thinking of running around 5am.

 

[mum22girlz]

It's SO awesome to get pictures in front of the castle with no one else in the picture! It has been a VERY long time since we have done that, but my kids don't want to get up early anymore. Enjoy every minute!!

Thank you! I am going to try and soak up every minute that I can Are the Photopass photographers there that early?

 

[loveshak22]

9/6 reads the sign today...
View attachment 120146

Current hours, but be prepared for random closures. We've experienced several so far which necessitated waiting for a bus, which goes to all 3 monorail resorts.
View attachment 120147

I'm really nervous about your experience with the monorail! Did the random closures seem to happen around the same time - like morning, afternoon or evening? I'm worried about planning around the monorail to get to an ADR (like pre-park opening) and then missing my time because of having to switch to a bus. That would be frustrating!

Isn't the monorail work supposed to be completed by the end of August?

 

[marlaine8]

Does anyone tip the CM that meets you when you get off DME and escorts you to your room? We're staying RPC. I remember feeling funny about it last year. I certainly would do it, if it is allowed.

 

[mickeynut1]

Honestly, Beach Club was incredible, but even before seeing Kook's ch-ch-change I was chatting with DH about the GF. He is still on the fence, but my compromise was more Universal days...like a 5/7 split (but that's what he says....I say 6/6) We are probably looking at July 2016, my vote is for GF and I have lots of reasons why:

• Even staying at BC, MK is the park we went to the most.
• We are not monorail folk...but the boats YES!!
• We need CL, and DH actually will not stay at Disney anymore without it
• Proximity to the pool and lounge from SL would be awesome!
• You can see the castle from the resort
• It's the GF!
• Better CS options in the area
• It's the GF!
• Because I said so

I wish we could do a MK/Epcot split, but the one thing I realized this trip was packing and moving was no fun. We did 5 nights at the beach, 7 and BC, and 4 at Universal. It will also be hard for me NOT to book BC CL, because the CMs there really were great. That said, SL was very good to us when we stayed there....

All great reasons to book the GF .

We are going back next July (at least right now, always subject to change....LOL) and while I booked a Poly/CR split as I really want to try the CR, the GF keeps calling my name . Everything about it is amazing and although we do like trying different resorts, we also like going back to our favorites .

Ate at Narcoossees last night. Our overall impression was meh. Arrival greeting was underwhelming and our server was, umm, odd which was unsettling. We were one of his first tables of the evening, yet his spiel was so rushed and hurried we understood about half of it. We got the feeling he'd rather be somewhere else. I even commented on how fast he went through his "introduction" and he replied that he aimed to please. Huh? He continued making odd remarks throughout the evening and DD and I would look at each other and suppress laughter.

The appetizer arrived deconstructed, as DD referred to it. Server explained that 9/10 guests don't like the ingredients mixed in, but we noticed several guests who apparently weren't the 9/10 so they mixed in the ingredients for us.

We split a seasonal salad with peaches and rhubarb which came after the calamari. It was lovely and our entrees did not come out as we were eating our apps. so that's a Disney success story in timing! DD had the shrimp and pasta in garlic sauce which was very tasty. I had the 2# lobster which came with a corn soufflé that was very sweet, but delicious. The lobster was a little chewy and not sweet, but it's WDW not Maine.

Desserts were the highlight and though not traditional, the strawberry shortcake was scrumptious and DD declared her no sugar added torte wonderful.

The man who brought our entrees was cordial and even checked up on us once and made sure to make some parting remarks as we were leaving which was appreciated. But, this won't be on our future dining plans. GFC is still our favorite for all meals at GF, though we've not tried V&A.

Why I go to the gym everyday on vacation...
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Thanks for your review . I'm sorry your experience at Narcoossee's wasn't the best, but I hope all of your other dining was great.

You're welcome, glad you're enjoying them

I always do .

Does anyone tip the CM that meets you when you get off DME and escorts you to your room? We're staying RPC. I remember feeling funny about it last year. I certainly would do it, if it is allowed.

We never use DME, but if it's a CL CM that meets you and takes you upstairs, I don't think they can accept tips. Hopefully others will be able to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[marlaine8]

Thank you mickeynut1! That's who I was asking about. I know the CL CMs aren't supposed to take tips in the lounge, but I wasn't sure if it should be treated differently.