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

[Sue M]

They both would have marina water views. Marina views are standard garden views at GF.

 

[WishesQueen]

Hi Wishes. I don't have any interest in Universal either...I'm a ride wuss, so I don't think there would be much for me to do. However I do think they have nice resorts and I wouldn't mind staying there. I'm sure your kids will love it.

Blue, I don't see why Dispro can't sneak away for a couple days...she is going in July...August is another month.

Dispro, I can work that Disney math for you... I hear August is such a nice time to go.

Strikan, The lounge is on the 4th floor and the concierge desks are on the 3rd. I like either one, easy to walk up or down the stairs. I do like being on the atrium side facing the beach and Poly. The rooms are a little bigger on that side with a wet bar...lots of extra storage. Otherwise they are all pretty much the same.

Hi Grannyminnie,

dina7 and kallanach, Nothing is really far at the Grand. Sago wouldn't be my choice, but I know others love it. It is not that convenient to the pools or beach, but if that isn't important to you it will be fine.

Hey Maxie86 Good to see you. I am not a into the rides too much and either is my DS even at 22, but I am looking forward to the Harry Potter area and the hotel. I just hate change!!!

The most important thing I can tell you is to relax and take it easy. There is little to no planning with universal because of the express passes. My crew has never made it up for early entry but we were able to do HP thanks to the Universal apps wait times. The afternoon you can do HP with 20-30 minute waits. At least that was our experience. Loved the pool at PBH, but I've never done a cabana. Have you considered CL there instead of a cabana? The staff is the best! And you could save $ with breakfast and bottled water etc. please feel free to PM me for any questions!

Thanks I'll take your advise, but I have to say I love planning a WDW trip. I love that there is so much to do while awaiting and counting down. I do have to download that app I totally forgot and I'll definitely look into CL. I didn't originally because we are meeting friends that live in Florida and we wanted our rooms together and they booked first. But I would like to look into that, but it definitely wouldn't be in exchange for a cabana. My DD has albinism and although she does great in the Florida sun with tons of sun protection I like her to be able to take a break while we hang by the pool. I am going to get out early the first morning just to make sure we get over to HP, but the next morning is up the kids. Thanks for all the tips, if you think of anything else please let me know.

You'll love Universal. 2 yrs ago we did 3 nights at Portofino before our Wdw/GF stay. Portofino was amazing. We had a beautiful Deluxe room in the west wing. We also had one of the few rooms with a balcony. We had a water view and was close to the water taxi. If you look up from the bay, ours was the top floor with the stone balcony. Try to see the singers in the evening preform on the balcony off lobby. We got a meal from the Deli and grabbed an outside table on the piazza to watch. A highlight of our stay.

Both Harry Potter areas are amazing. The Gringotts ride we had to do with early admission. The lines were really long, and ride sometimes broke down. They've prob got that fixed by now. It's been 2 yrs.

Orlando Informer has tons of info on Universal, incl touring plans. I could have easily done 4 Universal days!

We hired a Town Car in advance to transfer from Portofino to GF. Driver was great. I told him not to tell my daughters where we were staying in Wdw, I wanted to suprise them. It was fun watching their faces as we pulled into GF, then escorted up to RPC!

Thanks so much, I figured we had to get out early at least morning and they are so not going to be happy. By any chance was your driver Anthony? He seems great, but I'll worry until that morning that he actually shows up. I wanted to do Universal first but we're meeting friends and it worked out the opposite way. I wish I could surprise my kids but they would never be surprised we going to the GF, I think they would more surprised we didn't...


to anyone I missed!!

Off to look in some of this great info. Thanks everyone!!

 

[trishadono]

I need opinions. We have a RPC theme park view room booked for the 5 of us (kids' ages are 4, 3 and 3). A one-bedroom villa just became available at VGF but it's standard view, and since the master bedroom only has one king bed, it actually has one less bed than the other room in the main building. The villa is $250/night cheaper, but a villa so not CL or anything. The the extra living space is nice since the kids nap in the afternoon and hubby and I don't like to be trapped in a dark room while they do. If we have a living room, we can hang out there while the kids nap in the bedroom. But we love CL and the convenience of the main building.

I'm torn and need feedback. We've never stayed in the villas so I don't really know it it's even comparable...

We stayed in a 2 br when it first opened. What is nice is the space! You will have a 2 room length balcony. The laundry may be handy with little ones! It is nice to have separate space if you don't want to go to sleep when they do. Everything was beautiful. The sofa sleeper and pull down beds are comfortable too.

RPC tho! Some people never get to try it. Will you regret giving it up?

Other thoughts:

The TPV RPC rooms are furthest from the lounge. So you will have nice views but after 8pm or so (kids asleep) you will be stuck on your balcony.

The villa you could stock your own adult beverages and desserts etc and have a room and balcony to enjoy and still have your kids tucked in.

I usually stay CL when just me and dd but as a family I do villas. I just make my own Cl experience in the room. I love to get choc covered strawberries from The Confectionery at MK and some wine for the evening. You could order room service or one of you run out to get some food and bring back. It really isn't far to get to Poly either from the villas. One night my dh got us to go food from Cap Cooks at Poly for something different. (walked over then mono back).

If the kids were older I would keep RPC. I myself wouldn't leave them alone in the room with the rooms so far from the lounge. If you had one of the rooms adjacent to the lounge then you could see the door and make sure no one escaped, lol ! Maybe switch to a std rpc room? Then request near lounge.

Hope those ideas help! Hard to choose between such great options!

 

[PolyRob]

They both would have marina water views. Marina views are standard garden views at GF.

Thank you! I completely overlooked that garden view stated marina! That explains it!!

 

[Strikan]

Strikan, The lounge is on the 4th floor and the concierge desks are on the 3rd. I like either one, easy to walk up or down the stairs. I do like being on the atrium side facing the beach and Poly. The rooms are a little bigger on that side with a wet bar...lots of extra storage. Otherwise they are all pretty much the same.
.

Maxie86 - Thank you so much for the information. Are all the rooms on that side a little larger or just the ones that have the odd configuration when you look at the room plans?

 

[Southernswthrt]

Trying to decide on my room request for September. We're booked Outer Bldg Garden View and I'm thinking of Big Pine Key or Boca Chica for the proximity to the pools since we'll likely spend a fair amount of time there and they seem to be close to the main building. Any suggestions?

 

[mmmears]

Trying to decide on my room request for September. We're booked Outer Bldg Garden View and I'm thinking of Big Pine Key or Boca Chica for the proximity to the pools since we'll likely spend a fair amount of time there and they seem to be close to the main building. Any suggestions?

They are both great for pool access and also close to the main building. I'd be happy with either one, really.

 

[Sue M]

Hey Maxie86 Good to see you. I am not a into the rides too much and either is my DS even at 22, but I am looking forward to the Harry Potter area and the hotel. I just hate change!!!



Thanks I'll take your advise, but I have to say I love planning a WDW trip. I love that there is so much to do while awaiting and counting down. I do have to download that app I totally forgot and I'll definitely look into CL. I didn't originally because we are meeting friends that live in Florida and we wanted our rooms together and they booked first. But I would like to look into that, but it definitely wouldn't be in exchange for a cabana. My DD has albinism and although she does great in the Florida sun with tons of sun protection I like her to be able to take a break while we hang by the pool. I am going to get out early the first morning just to make sure we get over to HP, but the next morning is up the kids. Thanks for all the tips, if you think of anything else please let me know.



Thanks so much, I figured we had to get out early at least morning and they are so not going to be happy. By any chance was your driver Anthony? He seems great, but I'll worry until that morning that he actually shows up. I wanted to do Universal first but we're meeting friends and it worked out the opposite way. I wish I could surprise my kids but they would never be surprised we going to the GF, I think they would more surprised we didn't...


to anyone I missed!!

Off to look in some of this great info. Thanks everyone!!

We like rotating resorts so they never know where they'll be, lol. Looking forward to our 3rd GF stay. Yay. Next year may be Universal again!
I don't recall our drivers name. I'm not sure I can mention what car service we used here .

 

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning Everyone!!

My DD and my DNeice were planning on what their wearing and packing yesterday and even though its still early I really started getting excited. I even booked a few restaurants for Universal and some didn't not have great times available!!

We like rotating resorts so they never know where they'll be, lol. Looking forward to our 3rd GF stay. Yay. Next year may be Universal again!
I don't recall our drivers name. I'm not sure I can mention what car service we used here .

Thanks, no worries, mine isn't necessary a company. It is a man with a bunch of cars and a few people on the Universal thread suggested him. I am just so bad at trusting people.

Very quiet here this morning, I'll check back to see if anyone stopped by. Is anyone from this thread at the GF now?

 

[WishesQueen]

Trying to decide on my room request for September. We're booked Outer Bldg Garden View and I'm thinking of Big Pine Key or Boca Chica for the proximity to the pools since we'll likely spend a fair amount of time there and they seem to be close to the main building. Any suggestions?

For years Big Pine Key was my got to request...love love it. But last year we had stay at Sago Key and enjoyed the change, hopefully trying it again this year. We stayed in so many different buildings over the years and all have been great, its kind of nice trying new ones.

 

[trishadono]

Good Morning Everyone!!

My DD and my DNeice were planning on what their wearing and packing yesterday and even though its still early I really started getting excited. I even booked a few restaurants for Universal and some didn't not have great times available!!



Thanks, no worries, mine isn't necessary a company. It is a man with a bunch of cars and a few people on the Universal thread suggested him. I am just so bad at trusting people.

Very quiet here this morning, I'll check back to see if anyone stopped by. Is anyone from this thread at the GF now?

Morning! I check in 8/1 for 3 days and dreaming about it o

 

[Sue M]

Morning! I check in 8/1 for 3 days and dreaming about it o

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8/13 for me! I'm starting to get excited too. We leave for Florida 8/3. I can't believe it's almost July already!

 

[HockeyMomR]

8/13 for me! I'm starting to get excited too. We leave for Florida 8/3. I can't believe it's almost July already!

Me too! Me too! Can't wait

 

[Selket]

Is anyone from this thread at the GF now?

We check in the GF for our first stay ever in 9 days - can't wait! I'll try to post some pics from there - if anyone has requests let me know.

 

[Sue M]

Me too! Me too! Can't wait

We will have to post pics of us poolside with a green drink lol

 

[HockeyMomR]

We will have to post pics of us poolside with a green drink lol

Sounds about right! All the other pool bars have realized they need that drink on their menu!! Look forward to it.

 

[Circusgirl]

Morning! I check in 8/1 for 3 days and dreaming about it o

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I'm going to just miss you guys, so sad! I'm going to be at WL July 22-26. It's fabulous you get to have a Grand summer moment!

 

[Maxie86]

Maxie86 - Thank you so much for the information. Are all the rooms on that side a little larger or just the ones that have the odd configuration when you look at the room plans?

The rooms are a little bigger probably not much square footage wise but the wet bar area adds more storage. Some of the rooms have a bigger entrance hall which also gives you more storage space. The drawers in the dresser are tiny!...I don't even try to put anything in them. I like to keep the room neat and not have luggage sitting around so I love the extra storage space. I don't think there are any bad rooms so wherever you end up will be good. You can see Wishes from some of the standard rooms on the other side even though you can't see the castle. It really comes down to personal preference.

 

[grannyminnie]

Hi Maxie I haven't been keeping up much. Do you have any upcoming trips? My sister and I are going right after Labor Day but staying at the WL. It's getting where we can't afford the GF, tho we still love being there as much as possible!!

 

[Maxie86]

Hi Maxie I haven't been keeping up much. Do you have any upcoming trips? My sister and I are going right after Labor Day but staying at the WL. It's getting where we can't afford the GF, tho we still love being there as much as possible!!

HI grannyminnie. We have a GF/Poly split in August. Bummer we will miss you by a week or so. I hear ya on the Grand. We're only staying three nights at the Grand and four nights Poly. I don't see us staying at the Grand for a whole week anymore.