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

[Sue M]

We are on the Magical express now leaving the airport! First stop Poly then the Grand!!

Yay! Post room pics

 

[trishadono]

Just back from a nine night stay at the GF. What a magical trip! Just a few observations... This trip we stayed in Conch Key. I think I like the location of Sago better. Just a tad closer to almost everything. I'm seven months pregnant, and CK seemed like a hike from everywhere but the boats! I think if I'd been in my regular shape it wouldn't have seemed so far! Our 4 year old had a fabulous time at the Beach Pool Friday. She loved the slide and the activities for kids by the pool. We had a so much fun Halloween night... They had lots of kid friendly activities by Summerhouse and great candy, plus Mickey and Minnie were there for meet and greets! Minnie was in her witch costume and Mickey was dressed as a scarecrow. My only minor negatives were less than stellar housekeeping upon arrival and the slimmed down menu at Gasparilla Grill.

We stayed a night at AoA the night we flew in. I asked my daughter which resort she preferred, and she immediately answered "Grand Floridian, it's so fancy and I love it!" Glad to know she has great taste!!!

I'm sad because we didn't book the bounce back offer for the first time in 3 trips. We're having a baby next year, and we've done 4 trips in 3 years with DD. I think we may take a break until new baby is 2.5. But we'll see if we can stay away that long........

We went back when my second was 18 months. So maybe you don't have to wait tooo long. We just made sure he could walk well first.

Sounds like a hauntingly fun time at the GF! Thanks for posting!

 

[trishadono]

Yay! Post room pics

What about the food? or the lounge? or the view?????

 

[bethclayton]

hello!

i have really enjoyed getting to read about everyone's preparations for their upcoming trips! it's always so exciting!

we were considering booking a mom/ son SL this winter but i ended up pulling the trigger on a MK view at BLT instead. my friend sold me her points and we only paid a little over $800 for four nights. i have always wanted to try the CR or BLT so with such a great price it just made sense, especially for the view. SL was about $2400 with my AP discount! we will be there jan 3-6. wow- i guess i need a ticker! our friends are staying at VGF at the same time, so we will definitely be visiting the GF plenty, and i am also going to email V&A and ask to be put on a wait list (they have nothing open, boo).

baler, we are in the same situation as you, unfortunately. i think this our last trip for a long time. after this trip, the only times we can go are school breaks and that just doesn't work for us. i hate crowds and how jacked-up the prices are during holidays. we were spoiled by many years of going when school was in session and got used to the low crowd levels. we even felt that august was crowded this year, and additionally, have decided as a family that we don't want to do disney in the summer again. we were just too hot to enjoy it as much as we normally do. we love disney so much, and we will be back for sure, but we will be vacationing elsewhere the next few years. both my kids get to go to disney for their HS junior school trip (which for dd is next year and ds in 3 years) so they at least will have that.

oregongirl, if you want luxury, then you will want to eat at victoria and albert's. you won't be disappointed. i have eaten there three times, it's a real treat.

glad to hear everyone is doing well!

 

[Aurora0427]

We went back when my second was 18 months. So maybe you don't have to wait tooo long. We just made sure he could walk well first.

Sounds like a hauntingly fun time at the GF! Thanks for posting!

If we can stay away for 3 years, it'll be a miracle!!! LOL

Did you post in another thread about staying value soon at AoA? Be prepared... It is so not the GF, but it's not terrible. Just beware of the beds... They aren't great. Interestingly we went over to WL one night bc my mom had to stay 4 nights at the GF and 4 nights at the WL. There were striking differences between even the GF and WL. I think we'll be GF lifers.... As long as the money doesn't run out.

 

[Sue M]

hello!

i have really enjoyed getting to read about everyone's preparations for their upcoming trips! it's always so exciting!

we were considering booking a mom/ son SL this winter but i ended up pulling the trigger on a MK view at BLT instead. my friend sold me her points and we only paid a little over $800 for four nights. i have always wanted to try the CR or BLT so with such a great price it just made sense, especially for the view. SL was about $2400 with my AP discount! we will be there jan 3-6. wow- i guess i need a ticker! our friends are staying at VGF at the same time, so we will definitely be visiting the GF plenty, and i am also going to email V&A and ask to be put on a wait list (they have nothing open, boo).

baler, we are in the same situation as you, unfortunately. i think this our last trip for a long time. after this trip, the only times we can go are school breaks and that just doesn't work for us. i hate crowds and how jacked-up the prices are during holidays. we were spoiled by many years of going when school was in session and got used to the low crowd levels. we even felt that august was crowded this year, and additionally, have decided as a family that we don't want to do disney in the summer again. we were just too hot to enjoy it as much as we normally do. we love disney so much, and we will be back for sure, but we will be vacationing elsewhere the next few years. both my kids get to go to disney for their HS junior school trip (which for dd is next year and ds in 3 years) so they at least will have that.

oregongirl, if you want luxury, then you will want to eat at victoria and albert's. you won't be disappointed. i have eaten there three times, it's a real treat.

glad to hear everyone is doing well!

Beth, looking forward to hearing what you think of BLT! Photos please I've never stayed there, cause I'm not sure I'd like it. It's back to GF for us this August. We don't mind the summer heat, gives us time to enjoy the resort & pool.

 

[Sue M]

What about the food? or the lounge? or the view?????

Yes, we all know it's all about the food

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

We are staying at the VGF next week and have one PPO breakfast at CP. with the monorail maintenance what is the best way to get there. Also does anyone have the Monorail schedule.

 

[pas130]

Sorry Grand friends, long day and we are at dinner now. It has not been a bad experience at RPC but it's not my favorite CL. We didn't get a turret room and I am fairly disappointed with the size of the room. But tomorrow is a new day and food and wine plus the Osborne lights TO DIE FOR! This is our view

 

[pas130]

Oh the room and food pics, sorry we only hit the last 10 minutes of afternoon tea & Evening apps were a disappointment. Again tomorrow is a new day

 

[baler31]

Sorry Grand friends, long day and we are at dinner now. It has not been a bad experience at RPC but it's not my favorite CL. We didn't get a turret room and I am fairly disappointed with the size of the room. But tomorrow is a new day and food and wine plus the Osborne lights TO DIE FOR! This is our view View attachment 132870

So sorry, I do not like the location or the size of the 2nd floor king deluxe rooms. Hope things get better for you.

 

[pas130]

So sorry, I do not like the location or the size of the 2nd floor king deluxe rooms. Hope things get better for you.

we are still at here at Disney so it's all good!

 

[baler31]

We are staying at the VGF next week and have one PPO breakfast at CP. with the monorail maintenance what is the best way to get there. Also does anyone have the Monorail schedule.

I believe it still starts at 8:30 but they constantly change the hours for repairs and such. They do have buses for early morning ADR's, ask the resort concierge for confirmation.

 

[baler31]

baler, we are in the same situation as you, unfortunately. i think this our last trip for a long time. after this trip, the only times we can go are school breaks and that just doesn't work for us. i hate crowds and how jacked-up the prices are during holidays. we were spoiled by many years of going when school was in session and got used to the low crowd levels. we even felt that august was crowded this year, and additionally, have decided as a family that we don't want to do disney in the summer again. we were just too hot to enjoy it as much as we normally do. we love disney so much, and we will be back for sure, but we will be vacationing elsewhere the next few years. both my kids get to go to disney for their HS junior school trip (which for dd is next year and ds in 3 years) so they at least will have that.

bethclayton, it is more crowded now as opposed to several years ago. I will never complain about the heat in Orlando after our experience with Tokyo in August. All of my kids will be in high school next year and they have too many summer activities to plan much for the summer as well. We will most likely keep our semi annual traditions of switching off Easter and Christmas each year but won't need AP's for that.

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

I found a schedule for August and September and it was different times for different days.

 

[Sue M]

So sorry, I do not like the location or the size of the 2nd floor king deluxe rooms. Hope things get better for you.

Wow, sorry Pas. We had a deluxe queen room on 3rd floor last Aug 2014 and thought it was huge. And loved the CL offerings. Wonder if they've changed offerings? But our fav thing was enjoying the lounge at dessert and cordial time, listening to either the piano or quartet.

 

[pas130]

Wow, sorry Pas. We had a deluxe queen room on 3rd floor last Aug 2014 and thought it was huge. And loved the CL offerings. Wonder if they've changed offerings? But our fav thing was enjoying the lounge at dessert and cordial time, listening to either the piano or quartet.

I guess it's just not our vibe. We just enjoyed WL CL and BC CL much more...for your Grand pleasure...

 

[baler31]

I guess it's just not our vibe. We just enjoyed WL CL and BC CL much more...for your Grand pleasure...

We do enjoy the evening offerings in RPC and enjoyed the carving station on our last visit. Hopefully the other nights will have something you enjoy. I had a horrible stay at BC CL last summer but everyone agreed that the desserts were much better at BC than GF. I think everyone has a favorite and a negative experience somewhere that will influence their opinion.

I hate having a room that you really don't like, it is a big deal for me. If you don't mind moving I would at least inquire about a room change.

 

[mandy200587]

Those desserts are making my mouth water and want to go back already.

 

[trishadono]

If we can stay away for 3 years, it'll be a miracle!!! LOL

Did you post in another thread about staying value soon at AoA? Be prepared... It is so not the GF, but it's not terrible. Just beware of the beds... They aren't great. Interestingly we went over to WL one night bc my mom had to stay 4 nights at the GF and 4 nights at the WL. There were striking differences between even the GF and WL. I think we'll be GF lifers.... As long as the money doesn't run out.

Ya I have stayed at pop and all stars many times. Not very grand, those values. However I think AoA suite is the option for that trip.

Dd and I always visit gf so we will shop eat and drink there next week and again in January. A few hours there are better than none.