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

[baler31]

Well my news feed just reported that Walmart is bringing back greeters. If Walmart can dig deep do we think WDW can bring back the curbside CL greeters ?

 

[Avery&Todd]

quick question - I know that the GF and Poly are next to each other but how easy is it to walk to the Poly from the GF?? I want to book a 7:30am ADR at Kona and I'm wondering how long it would take us to walk there? We don't have any physical restrictions so we could walk easily...

on the flip side, if we wanted to take the monorail, about how long would that take??

thanks!

 

[Sue M]

Paid off our vacation today,it's still a while away I know, but still making that final payment makes the trip seem that much more real!

It sure does! We've been PIF since March. Always a happy day!

 

[Sue M]

quick question - I know that the GF and Poly are next to each other but how easy is it to walk to the Poly from the GF?? I want to book a 7:30am ADR at Kona and I'm wondering how long it would take us to walk there? We don't have any physical restrictions so we could walk easily...

on the flip side, if we wanted to take the monorail, about how long would that take??

thanks!

I'd allow 25 min for walk. It's very doable. Taking monorail you'd stop at MK, CR, TTC then Poly.

 

[Avery&Todd]

I'd allow 25 min for walk. It's very doable. Taking monorail you'd stop at MK, CR, TTC then Poly.

thanks!!! We'll just stick with the GF Café and skip Kona!

 

[Sue M]

thanks!!! We'll just stick with the GF Café and skip Kona!

Depending on your walking speed it could be quicker, it's really a pretty stroll along the lake path. 25 min is a slow stroll!

 

[Avery&Todd]

Depending on your walking speed it could be quicker, it's really a pretty stroll along the lake path. 25 min is a slow stroll!

I'm sure we could walk it quicker than that - but we will be heading to HS after breakfast, so I figured if we just ate at the GF Café at 7:30 we could be out of there in less than an hour and hopefully on a bus on the way to HS before 9am. And eating at the GF means the boys and DH can sleep in for that 20-25 min that we would have needed for walking to the Poly! HA!

And not eating at Kona just means we'll need to book another trip so we can fit it in!

So excited for our stay at the GF in 35 days!

 

[likesdisney]

For a studio (DVC), do I have to make a special request to get a separate shower? I saw it mentioned on here separate shower & bath and have seen photos of it. But wanted to make sure if it is the same for all studios at VGF or if I have to special request that. One of us has a bit of a mobility issue and separate shower would be fantastic.

 

[xipotec]

We are staying at GF for the fist time this November, wifey has always wanted to. Normally we stay at POLY , but we also always dine at Narcossee and she really lokes the old world feel of GF.

Since it first visit, a few questions..

1. How is GF grill breakfast? Looks like nice choices? Similar to Kona?
2. Staying in Lagoon view, which building? Can we request same as POLY?
3. Any special things that only occur at GF?
4. Boats or Monorail for MK?

Many thanks!

 

[Pmctn]

Monorail to MK, boat back to GF if fewer than 30 people waiting

 

[hunthearin]

Counting down the days to our RPC trip in September! Saw that George W Bush and Prince Harry are both staying at GF right now!

 

[Sue M]

We are staying at GF for the fist time this November, wifey has always wanted to. Normally we stay at POLY , but we also always dine at Narcossee and she really lokes the old world feel of GF.

Since it first visit, a few questions..

1. How is GF grill breakfast? Looks like nice choices? Similar to Kona?
2. Staying in Lagoon view, which building? Can we request same as POLY?
3. Any special things that only occur at GF?
4. Boats or Monorail for MK?

Many thanks!

Mostly we pack bagels or cereal and prefer to have breakfast in room while getting ready. Occas we go to Gasperillas for breakfast, and we like it.

Some special things happening at GF are the Parasol Parade, a couple of times a week, and in the afternoons they've added a Princess Dance in the lobby.
We enjoy the piano and orchestra that play in the lobby.

Def. monorail to MK & boat back

 

[Circusgirl]

We are staying at GF for the fist time this November, wifey has always wanted to. Normally we stay at POLY , but we also always dine at Narcossee and she really lokes the old world feel of GF.

Since it first visit, a few questions..

1. How is GF grill breakfast? Looks like nice choices? Similar to Kona?
2. Staying in Lagoon view, which building? Can we request same as POLY?
3. Any special things that only occur at GF?
4. Boats or Monorail for MK?

Many thanks!

GF Cafe had fabulous food when I was last there in January, with unique choices like citrus pancakes. Lunch and dinner also marvelous.
You can request a building. There is lots of information on the first page of the thread with maps and photos.
The boats are my favorite way to get around but faster to monorail over to MK since the boat goes first to Poly and then to MK (then back to GF) then faster to boat back as long as crowds small enough you don't have to wait for a second boat after you get in line.
The late afternoon/evening scene in the lobby is fantastic. I love taking a book and curling up in one of the sofas to read and listen to the band and piano. It is a little more peaceful in the second floor area and also nice covered decks overlooking Poly and VGF.

 

[MommyGina]

Does anyone have pictures of the refillable mugs at the GF?

 

[baler31]

Does anyone have pictures of the refillable mugs at the GF?

I do not have a photo but remember them because I had to wait forever in Gasparilla's and stood right in front of the display. They had several colors: blue, red, green and it had an arriving to WDW theme (driving thru the gates). A car or minivan, camper etc. driving into WDW with depictions of some of the resorts. Hope that is some sort of help. This was in February.

 

[Sue M]

My youngest dd (26) just decided she wants to join us for part of our trip! Flying down for last 2 days in Ft Lauderdale, and first 4 or 5 days at GF. Yay!
The silly part is GF will have us pay the extra adult fee for my entire 14 day stay, and then at check in reimburse me for the days after she leaves. No way to add her for just the 4 days unless I add her at check in, but then I can't make FP+ and don't want to take the chance of not being able to match or copy all FPs. Guess I'll view it as a savings plan . But so excited she's coming.

 

[Avery&Todd]

Can we talk about views and requesting views/rooms?? We have reserved an outer building, deluxe room, garden view room and I realize there are only a few of these rooms in each building so my choices are limited. I've seen the various views on Touring Plans and (before really researching) on our reservation (online) I requested either Sago Key or Conch Key and checked the box saying early check in took priority over my room requests..

and then I realized we won't even land at MCO until 12:30pm (if the plane is on time) and that means probably not at GF until 2pm - which is only 1 hr prior to check-in time so my "need" for early check in should not take priority over my room requests. And I can't change my room requests online anymore - the boxes are greyed out....dang it!

A few of the room views I've seen (like BPK) are of the next building or I think even in Boca the view was the back of a tree! Is there still way to fax/email the hotel and put in a different room/view request?

I really just want to request: "NO dormer room, 3 or 4th floor and requesting a nice view - NOT of the side of a building or the back of a tree"....

the specific view doesn't really matter - a water view would be nice or the pool would be fine too - I just don't want to pay this much for a view and it be the side of the building next to me or the backside of the pool pump equipment and that's all I see!

Thought/suggestions??

 

[MommyGina]

Sue M - Glad DD is joining you at the GF! Nothing like having family together.

 

[trishadono]

Can we talk about views and requesting views/rooms?? We have reserved an outer building, deluxe room, garden view room and I realize there are only a few of these rooms in each building so my choices are limited. I've seen the various views on Touring Plans and (before really researching) on our reservation (online) I requested either Sago Key or Conch Key and checked the box saying early check in took priority over my room requests..

and then I realized we won't even land at MCO until 12:30pm (if the plane is on time) and that means probably not at GF until 2pm - which is only 1 hr prior to check-in time so my "need" for early check in should not take priority over my room requests. And I can't change my room requests online anymore - the boxes are greyed out....dang it!

A few of the room views I've seen (like BPK) are of the next building or I think even in Boca the view was the back of a tree! Is there still way to fax/email the hotel and put in a different room/view request?

I really just want to request: "NO dormer room, 3 or 4th floor and requesting a nice view - NOT of the side of a building or the back of a tree"....

the specific view doesn't really matter - a water view would be nice or the pool would be fine too - I just don't want to pay this much for a view and it be the side of the building next to me or the backside of the pool pump equipment and that's all I see!

Thought/suggestions??

It's pretty easy to get your room number and decide then. Gf room numbers are 1st digit building number (there are maps out there with the building numbers so familiarize yourself) 2nd digit is floor number.

Therefore if room 5513 you would know it was Sago 5th floor. You could then ask for a non 5th floor room.

Touring plans have all the room numbers. I just made the map for sago and the deluxe room is "13" for that building. You can locate the deluxe room because it is the bump out /octogaon space facing the center of the resort for each building.

So in a few minutes on touring plans you can make a quick guide of the deluxe rooms for gf. By the way, for sugar loaf its room ending in "20", building "6".

Hope that helps!

 

[trishadono]

So when using touring plans you can "look" at each floor. It is helpful so see where the dormer rooms are. Usually top floor AND the rooms towards the ends of the floor below. So mostly 5th floor plus some of 4th.

I have been making these maps for myself so when I get the room text or check in I know if it will work.

For this trip I really don't have a major concern. I would prefer the rooms ending in "30's" because they look like better water views.

Feel free to "roll your eyes", I know not everyone is so peculiar about their planning