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

[Lisann]

When my sister and I checked into the Boardwalk Inn, the first room they gave had a bad musty smell. It was awful. I marched right down to the front desk and requested another room. they gave us another room and it was fine. I couldn't stand a musty smell, I don't know how you're doing it!!! I'm glad you enjoyed the pianist and the band, though. There is so much to love about the Grand Floridian!

 

[grannyminnie]

When my sister and I checked into the Boardwalk Inn, the first room they gave had a bad musty smell. It was awful. I marched right down to the front desk and requested another room. they gave us another room and it was fine. I couldn't stand a musty smell, I don't know how you're doing it!!! I'm glad you enjoyed the pianist and the band, though. There is so much to love about the Grand Floridian!

Isn't that musty odor mold and wouldn't that be quite dangerous for someone allergic?

 

[pas130]

We ate a breakfast at GG when we got there, and it was okay. You really can't mess up Mickey Waffles, but we liked the breakfast at Pop better It was fresher and faster. Sooooo, in 19 days we will back at the Grand. We are trying SL again, and I'm assured it will be Grand My kids are actually pretty excited, and since my MIL will have her own room no snoring (yes my kids were concerned). I really hope we have a grand time, and I trust that GF will do right by us this time

 

[mmmears]

Isn't that musty odor mold and wouldn't that be quite dangerous for someone allergic?

I was thinking the same thing... And it sounds like there are quite a few "musty" rooms at WDW...

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Isn't that musty odor mold and wouldn't that be quite dangerous for someone allergic?

It isn't just dangerous for someone allergic, its bad for everyone. I use two different inhalers everyday, so my respiratory system isn't the best. If my room is even remotely musty, I'm back in the lobby in heartbeat getting my room changed. Lately I've been sending in an advanced request for a room cleaning for someone with multiple respiratory problems. They've accommodated me every time.


Tom

 

[Lisann]

The musty smell in our room was something like stinky sneakers, so I don't know if there was mold. Can't mousekeeping notice that? It was as if someone had stinking socks and wet bathing suits that had stunk up a room for an entire week. How could you NOT notice that??? Of course, the person at the front desk had no idea if the room was stinky or not, so I don't blame them, but mousekeeping??? come on!

 

[uagirl]

4 days! My 5 year old is so excited! Truthfully, I might be more excited than she is!

 

[Maddie's Nana]

4 days! My 5 year old is so excited! Truthfully, I might be more excited than she is!

Have a "Grand" time. Five is such a great age for Disney!! I have wonderful memories of taking our 5 year old DGG to Disney - great at any age but I really think age 5 was extra-special.

 

[Aurora0427]

The musty smell in our room was something like stinky sneakers, so I don't know if there was mold. Can't mousekeeping notice that? It was as if someone had stinking socks and wet bathing suits that had stunk up a room for an entire week. How could you NOT notice that??? Of course, the person at the front desk had no idea if the room was stinky or not, so I don't blame them, but mousekeeping??? come on!

I wonder if the carpet was wet somewhere. Sometimes wet carpet can give off that smell. Either way, I agree. Come on housekeeping. Seriously.

 

[Aurora0427]

Waiting to check out, had to give a new tip: last night we ate at the beach pool bar. It was great!! I had the escabeche and crab cake sandwich, DH had a burger. It was the best counter service of our trip, and was actually hot when delivered, unlike GG. It was faster too. I wish we'd eaten there more often.

.

We discovered the beach pool bar too on our last trip! So much better than GG!

 

[Sue M]

We ate a breakfast at GG when we got there, and it was okay. You really can't mess up Mickey Waffles, but we liked the breakfast at Pop better It was fresher and faster. Sooooo, in 19 days we will back at the Grand. We are trying SL again, and I'm assured it will be Grand My kids are actually pretty excited, and since my MIL will have her own room no snoring (yes my kids were concerned). I really hope we have a grand time, and I trust that GF will do right by us this time

I hope you have a wonderful trip this time!!

 

[Music City Mama]

Shower drain is fixed! Musty smell still here. It seems slightly better or I'm just getting used to it. Doesn't bother DH or kids as much as me, so I'll just deal. As of yesterday, tree still wasn't up. Maybe it went up overnight. Chillin' this morning, will probably rent a boat in just a bit and also enjoy the grounds with this gorgeous weather.

 

[Music City Mama]

Tree's up! All decorations magically appeared overnight!

 

[pas130]

I hope you have a wonderful trip this time!!

I think we will! My DD11 is so funny she's happy I am saving money...kids

Tree's up! All decorations magically appeared overnight!

Yay! Now it's the holiday GRAND style! Enjoy!

 

[likesdisney]

Hoping to be able to stay at Villas at The Grand Floridian next fall, and have a couple things I'm curious about.
I am assuming that there is no turndown service available while staying at a studio?
When I check in (getting ahead of myself considering this is next year but . . .) do I check in at the main building or directly at the Villa's building?

 

[DisneyPeachNJ]

Just booked our trip for August 2016!

 

[locashaina]

Hi all! I am going to WDW for NYE and will be staying at the Grand for my first time ever! We are planning to ring in the New Years at the Grand... I was hoping someone could tell me what goes on at the Grand for the countdown? Would it be better to be at the dock for the fireworks or inside for the balloon drop? Thanks all!

 

[ivanp91]

When I check in (getting ahead of myself considering this is next year but . . .) do I check in at the main building or directly at the Villa's building?

The Villas have their own dedicated check-in, no need to go near the main building

 

[MsDisney5]

We are booked for Aug 2016 at the moment with three rooms and ages ranging from 1-55 years old. It has always been my husbands wish to stay at the Grand as he repeats himself with his saying "top of the line, best of its kind" Well when the Magical deal was announced we jumped on it but now I'm second guessing myself. With the recent views of rooms being musty or other problems and gaspys not being the best....I am wondering if I should change to another resort. I know no one can really answer this for me but I am asking for opinions. We just stayed at Beach Club this past September with the same group and there only real complaint was that it didn't have the normal counter service like other resorts. I see on the first page there was a refurb completed in Aug 2014... Doesn't seem that long ago but I realize the high volume of guests these rooms see. Is the resort already ready for another refurb? Or would you consider this a small percentage of rooms that could use some TLC... Decisions Decisions

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

 

[loveshak22]

We are booked for Aug 2016 at the moment with three rooms and ages ranging from 1-55 years old. It has always been my husbands wish to stay at the Grand as he repeats himself with his saying "top of the line, best of its kind" Well when the Magical deal was announced we jumped on it but now I'm second guessing myself. With the recent views of rooms being musty or other problems and gaspys not being the best....I am wondering if I should change to another resort. I know no one can really answer this for me but I am asking for opinions. We just stayed at Beach Club this past September with the same group and there only real complaint was that it didn't have the normal counter service like other resorts. I see on the first page there was a refurb completed in Aug 2014... Doesn't seem that long ago but I realize the high volume of guests these rooms see. Is the resort already ready for another refurb? Or would you consider this a small percentage of rooms that could use some TLC... Decisions Decisions

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

I would say that if you'e always wanted to stay at the Grand and you've gotten a good deal then go for it! You can get musty rooms at any of the hotels. I've been offline a few days so I haven't had a chance to comment yet, but I hate that musty smell room. But I feel like it's not uncommon in FL and the Caribbean. I think it's a combination of people going in and out of the rooms to the balcony and probably leaving doors open and then the humidity getting trapped in the room. We stayed at AKL in January 2013 and we had that issue. So, I think that probably can happen at any resort. If you get a musty room, just ask to be moved.

As far as GG not being that good, there are other food options. I wasn't aware the grill at the beach pool had a different menu but a couple of folks said that was tasty. We did room service one night and I was nervous after all of the horrible reviews, but it was decent. And actually the cheapest meal we had - LOL! So if your main concerns are the musty smell and GG, I don't think those should be reasons to switch - hope that helps!!

We just got back from our first stay at the Grand and, for what it's worth, if someone asked me why they should change from GF to another resort the only thing for me would be cost. I personally feel that for the cost I didn't get anything more exceptional than at the WL or AKL when we stayed at those resorts. In fact, I feel like service and CM friendliness was better at AKL - there were more personal touches. The GF gives you convenience but with the monorail issues and our style of touring the parks (we don't go back and forth to the resort during the day) it wasn't that much more convenient for us on this last trip. But it's a great resort! So for people who have always wanted to stay there and have a good deal on top of it, then I say enjoy the Grand!!