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

[dansdad]

so far, this seems the way to go!

If you do go the 2 room route just be prepared for the possibility the 2 rooms will not be near each other.

 

[StefR]

Just fyi - my less than stellar (but balanced) review of the Grand Floridian on TripAdvisor was posted after a 2 day review.

 

[Lisann]

Just fyi - my less than stellar (but balanced) review of the Grand Floridian on TripAdvisor was posted after a 2 day review.

Thanks for your review. In reference to this:
Check in was very difficult with several tries (and long walks to and from the lobby to the outer buildings) before the staff could get our magic bands to open the door to our room. The person helping us at the front desk - Denny - was extremely nice and was trying his best - but it seems like if there is a known issue with these bands, they should send someone with us to our room to ensure they work rather than making keep returning. To compare with a luxury hotel that has someone walk you to you room and show you around the property, this was very much a non luxury experience.

Honestly, Disney really needs to get this flaw worked out. It's maddening to have to start a vacation this way. And we've had months now with these bands, fix 'em for cryin' out loud. This is an all-too-common occurrence at most of the resorts.

 

[Dispro1]

Ok, this will ramble a little but some opinions needed here! We are booked for a standard RPC room for the second half of our anniversary trip. I've always wanted to stay in the main building, but now I wonder if it would be better to get the outer building TPV and scratch the main building altogether.

I don't like to roll the dice with my view because I love sitting on a balcony and staring off! I can't tell from touring plans exactly what the view would be in a standard room in the main building. I'd be very happy with a marina view if that's standard but don't really like looking at a pool. What are your thoughts?

It all comes down to personal preference really. Although the views are perhaps better in an outer building TPV room, I love the convenience of the main building and the band/pianist/atrium overlooking the lobby! I also happen to love the views from the RPC lounge too! The lounge tables closer to the king turret room (4421) even have a view of the castle! I think the standard rooms pretty much either overlook the courtyard pool or the beach pool, but it's more than that! The rooms overlooking the courtyard pool often get a glimpse of part of MK and the beach pool side also looks at part of seven seas lagoon and part of poly (although the view is different since they added the villas). I guess I should mention that we have always stayed in the deluxe rooms on the courtyard side so I don't actually have first hand experience with the standard room views, but those rooms are right next to the standard rooms on the courtyard side so I assume the views are the same. I've been around the GF for a long time, and I've seen lots of pictures of beautiful standard views from the main building. We are staying in our first standard room on May 29th because the Deluxes were booked, and I am not worried about the view at all! As I have said many times in the past, the view from the giant third floor balcony is beautiful too, and there's rarely anyone out there! Again, this is just my opinion of things, and everyone is different, but the main building has much more than a good view, it has great ambiance! Good luck with your decision!

 

[Dispro1]

Thanks for your review. In reference to this:
Check in was very difficult with several tries (and long walks to and from the lobby to the outer buildings) before the staff could get our magic bands to open the door to our room. The person helping us at the front desk - Denny - was extremely nice and was trying his best - but it seems like if there is a known issue with these bands, they should send someone with us to our room to ensure they work rather than making keep returning. To compare with a luxury hotel that has someone walk you to you room and show you around the property, this was very much a non luxury experience.

Honestly, Disney really needs to get this flaw worked out. It's maddening to have to start a vacation this way. And we've had months now with these bands, fix 'em for cryin' out loud. This is an all-too-common occurrence at most of the resorts.

So sad that Denny is working at the front desk! He was the best CL escort ever! I'm sure if he had the choice, he would've escorted StefR to her room!

 

[MommyGina]

Denny is at the front desk??? He is such a nice man. He met us at the bus several years and took us to SL or RPC. What is the GF coming to? No more greeters, no more cordials in SL, and no more mint foot rub. Ugh.

 

[Avery&Todd]

@Avery&Todd by no means an expert but when were there last weekend the monorail was running fine. I couldn't seem to get a straight answer when the boats started to run but if park opens at 9, I dont think they would be running early enough to get you to your 8am reservation.

so then I should be able to take the monorail from the GF to MK as early as 7:15-7:30am for our 805am ADR at Crystal Palace??

I'm thinking for our 8am ADR at Ohana we could just walk if needed!!

 

[dina7]

I just read a bunch of reviews of GF on Trip Advisor and there are several that mention that the GF needs to be "updated", specifically the rooms. I thought the rooms had been refurbished within the last couple of years. Does anyone know what these reviewers are talking about?

I would have no idea because the last time I stayed there was about 24 years ago, on our honeymoon, lol. I'm looking forward to staying at The Grand, no matter what, but was just curious as to why more than one reviewer mentioned that it needs updating and is dated.

 

[dansdad]

I just read a bunch of reviews of GF on Trip Advisor and there are several that mention that the GF needs to be "updated", specifically the rooms. I thought the rooms had been refurbished within the last couple of years. Does anyone know what these reviewers are talking about?

I would have no idea because the last time I stayed there was about 24 years ago, on our honeymoon, lol. I'm looking forward to staying at The Grand, no matter what, but was just curious as to why more than one reviewer mentioned that it needs updating and is dated.

The rooms were recently updated. I have a feeling the reviewers didn't realize the true theme of the Grand is of the Victorian era. That could be my only guess as IMHO the rooms are beautiful.

 

[Missymoe4]

So close! Yes, I've done this and I've requested it at check-in. We weren't granted it, but it was all good anyway. Have a grand time!

I have always been told I need to call the day before departure and be put on a short list. I got like an extra hour in the room...I think I was being played.

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

It all comes down to personal preference really. Although the views are perhaps better in an outer building TPV room, I love the convenience of the main building and the band/pianist/atrium overlooking the lobby! I also happen to love the views from the RPC lounge too! The lounge tables closer to the king turret room (4421) even have a view of the castle! I think the standard rooms pretty much either overlook the courtyard pool or the beach pool, but it's more than that! The rooms overlooking the courtyard pool often get a glimpse of part of MK and the beach pool side also looks at part of seven seas lagoon and part of poly (although the view is different since they added the villas). I guess I should mention that we have always stayed in the deluxe rooms on the courtyard side so I don't actually have first hand experience with the standard room views, but those rooms are right next to the standard rooms on the courtyard side so I assume the views are the same. I've been around the GF for a long time, and I've seen lots of pictures of beautiful standard views from the main building. We are staying in our first standard room on May 29th because the Deluxes were booked, and I am not worried about the view at all! As I have said many times in the past, the view from the giant third floor balcony is beautiful too, and there's rarely anyone out there! Again, this is just my opinion of things, and everyone is different, but the main building has much more than a good view, it has great ambiance! Good luck with your decision!

I think this was exactly what I needed! We are going to stay put in a standard RPC room - thank you (for the input and for understanding my rambling HAHA)

 

[baler31]

Denny is at the front desk??? He is such a nice man. He met us at the bus several years and took us to SL or RPC. What is the GF coming to? No more greeters, no more cordials in SL, and no more mint foot rub. Ugh.

I am surprised some of the CM's have stayed. Denny used to be in IPO and I loved him there even more than curbside, such a friendly person to deal with. I know he retired from banking/finance up north. They basically are putting the CM's in all kinds of roles now. I know some that were concierge only that are working in food service in the lounge now.

I just read a bunch of reviews of GF on Trip Advisor and there are several that mention that the GF needs to be "updated", specifically the rooms. I thought the rooms had been refurbished within the last couple of years. Does anyone know what these reviewers are talking about?

I would have no idea because the last time I stayed there was about 24 years ago, on our honeymoon, lol. I'm looking forward to staying at The Grand, no matter what, but was just curious as to why more than one reviewer mentioned that it needs updating and is dated.

I am a big critic of the service cutbacks but I am puzzled by this. The rooms are in wonderful condition with the exception of some of the tile work in the bathrooms that they chose not to replace during the last refurb.

I think that management has forgotten that it does not take much to influence guests opinions in a negative or positive way. Over at the Contemporary I have a neighbor that is raving about EVERYTHING at the resort. While I too like the resort she continually mentions that they received daily water and the larger size toiletries that we have only received in the suites at GF as a basis for her overall positive impressions. Again, small things but they really influenced her opinion in a positive way.

 

[Dispro1]

I think this was exactly what I needed! We are going to stay put in a standard RPC room - thank you (for the input and for understanding my rambling HAHA)

I think you'll be very happy with your decision! Even with the changes (cutbacks), RPC is still awesome! I absolutely love it! Yes, I love all of GF and it is all beautiful and special, but RPC is extra special!

 

[Lisann]

Dispro1...what's the connection with FSU? I saw on your ticker you are having an FSU/Poly vacation. I graduated from the School of Music at Florida State University...great school!

 

[pas130]

Denny is at the front desk??? He is such a nice man. He met us at the bus several years and took us to SL or RPC. What is the GF coming to? No more greeters, no more cordials in SL, and no more mint foot rub. Ugh.

Denny is one of the most magical CMs ever! He made our SL stay amazing in 2011. No more foot rub I normally like changes, these not so much

 

[pas130]

I have always been told I need to call the day before departure and be put on a short list. I got like an extra hour in the room...I think I was being played.

Congrats on completing your Masters, hopefully next year I can FINALLY say the same!

 

[pas130]

So sad that Denny is working at the front desk! He was the best CL escort ever! I'm sure if he had the choice, he would've escorted StefR to her room!

AGREED!

 

[Dispro1]

Dispro1...what's the connection with FSU? I saw on your ticker you are having an FSU/Poly vacation. I graduated from the School of Music at Florida State University...great school!

My DD17 will be a senior this year ...so we are going to visit FSU and of course we had to add on another Disney trip since we'll be so close! I hope it's a good school because we won't get in-state tuition (but she'd better get some scholarships!). My DD will be pre-med and says FSU has a good program, but she really loves FL because we've been taking her forever! It's all part of the plan

 

[mmmears]

The rooms were recently updated. I have a feeling the reviewers didn't realize the true theme of the Grand is of the Victorian era. That could be my only guess as IMHO the rooms are beautiful.

I completely agree. We were just there and the room looked wonderful.

I am surprised some of the CM's have stayed. Denny used to be in IPO and I loved him there even more than curbside, such a friendly person to deal with. I know he retired from banking/finance up north. They basically are putting the CM's in all kinds of roles now. I know some that were concierge only that are working in food service in the lounge now.

I am a big critic of the service cutbacks but I am puzzled by this. The rooms are in wonderful condition with the exception of some of the tile work in the bathrooms that they chose not to replace during the last refurb.

I think that management has forgotten that it does not take much to influence guests opinions in a negative or positive way. Over at the Contemporary I have a neighbor that is raving about EVERYTHING at the resort. While I too like the resort she continually mentions that they received daily water and the larger size toiletries that we have only received in the suites at GF as a basis for her overall positive impressions. Again, small things but they really influenced her opinion in a positive way.

I agree that these cutbacks are very short sighted and that they are not taking the guests into consideration here. I thought I remembered Denny from IPO a while back, thanks for confirming it. I can't say that the CMs we chatted with were pleased with all the cutbacks.

My DD17 will be a senior this year ...so we are going to visit FSU and of course we had to add on another Disney trip since we'll be so close! I hope it's a good school because we won't get in-state tuition (but she'd better get some scholarships!). My DD will be pre-med and says FSU has a good program, but she really loves FL because we've been taking her forever! It's all part of the plan

Smart thinking! My D chose to go to college on the east coast (we are in CA) but she didn't want to be in Florida. How wonderful it would be to visit WDW and a college kid at the same time!

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

My DD17 will be a senior this year ...so we are going to visit FSU and of course we had to add on another Disney trip since we'll be so close! I hope it's a good school because we won't get in-state tuition (but she'd better get some scholarships!). My DD will be pre-med and says FSU has a good program, but she really loves FL because we've been taking her forever! It's all part of the plan

Ahem. I know it's slightly off-topic, but I'd like to recommend UF. It's got an exceptional program! And you can leave campus and be back at the GF in about 2 hours. Go Gators!!