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

[Sue M]

Hopeful for you. Fingers crossed!

I also did the fax form on touring plans. A first..

 

[Sue M]

Hi everyone! Yesterday I woke up in the GF and this morning at home - lol! We're just back from a long stay in Orlando for a conference (at the Marriott World Center) that concluded with 3 nights at the GF in a deluxe garden view room. This was my first time staying there and it was myself and my husband and two teenage boys (well one is 18...lol). I have some pics I'll try to post later if I can figure it out. Our room was in Conch Key on the 3rd floor with a view of the garden, a bit of the quiet pool and we could see some of the lake too - very convenient to the boat launch. I had to rent a scooter (another story) so I can't use the boat launch but the rest of the family said it was great for returning especially.

I was VERY impressed with the rooms - gorgeous and spacious and well appointed. No foot cream (I've seen that discussed here - lol!) but I asked for a million pillows and got them - they were very happy to bring us extra towels and pillows. My 18 year old slept on the fold down sofa and was comfortable - he loved having his own space there with the tv. The bathroom area is so large - loved that. The beds are fantastic - I would love to have kept one. The service everywhere was excellent and all the CM's were friendly and often greeted us as we walked by and were always helpful and nice to talk to - more talkative than other resorts. The grounds were beautifully kept and views everywhere were wonderful.

What were the downsides? The biggest for me was the door that went to the balcony had only a sheer curtain so in the morning the sun just came full on into that window and lit up the room and right into my eyes. My family knows how I love a dark room with the curtains closed for sleeping - and at the very least a semi-dark room - but it was way too bright to be comfortable. Honestly for that reason alone I wouldn't book that room again. Do the regular rooms have a curtain you could close all the way? It's not even something I thought to ask about as ...well...pretty much every place has curtains you can close to block the sunlight. If we'd had a longer stay I would have probably asked to be moved or if they could hang a regular curtain there - lol!

Overall the resort is gorgeous - pools are gorgeous - rooms are wonderful - people are friendly - it was a top notch Disney experience. I think for me personally I still love the Contemporary more - it has more of my sort of "vibe" to it (whatever that is - a bit more bustling, less floral, more modern, and I still love being able to walk or scooter to the MK). I also remember the CR from my childhood (only that and the Poly were there) and so it always tugs at my heartstrings. I've not stayed at the Poly yet (but just about every place else now - lol!) so I may try it next. My husband still prefers the BC/YC as his favorite - he likes being able to walk to Epcot.

Would I go back to the GF? You bet!! For the overall "Disney" feel and experience and the best of customer service - they had it in every area. Just like the people who post on this thread who are so very helpful with answering questions - top notch in every way - I thank you all much!

We had a deluxe queen in RPC and had the regular drapes.

 

[MommyGina]

When we were in RPC, we had the sheers and the heavy draw drapes to keep out the sun.

 

[Sue M]

GV room view from Boca Chica 2013. Really loved this view, so requested it again.

 

[MommyGina]

Sue M - Beautiful picture! I can see myself there right now.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

@Sue M - thanks for sharing -- it is hard to find a bad view at the GF -- Boca Chica and Sago are my favorites -- I have found the "bad" view at BPK -- the one of the back of the poolhouse building -- but it was the GF, I got over it. Enjoy your time at the Grand!

Tom

 

[JessicaW1234]

I also did the fax form on touring plans. A first..

What is that? Can you tell me about it?

 

[Sue M]

What is that? Can you tell me about it?

I have a subscription for the web site touringplans.com. It's around $9/yr. web site is hosted by the authors of WDW The Unofficial Guide. Lots of useful things on it. I started using it when I was a Wdw newbie for their touring plans.
They also have crowd calendars, a phone app with wait times for attractions, etc.

One of the new things they have on web site is resort room maps. Click on a room and it shows the view for that room, or one nearby. This is where room fax comes in. When you click on a room, if you like that view it gives you the option of fax service. They will send resort the fax on your behalf a few days before your arrival.
I haven't used it before, but not wanting to leave things to chance, I also have my requests noted on my reservation, and online check in. Just one more tool.

 

[Sue M]

@Sue M - thanks for sharing -- it is hard to find a bad view at the GF -- Boca Chica and Sago are my favorites -- I have found the "bad" view at BPK -- the one of the back of the poolhouse building -- but it was the GF, I got over it. Enjoy your time at the Grand!

Tom

Yes, that's the reason I didn't request BPK! The dreaded pool house view. But our last stay we were in BPK, lagoon view. We faced Poly. Sago would be nice too, marina view, but in August I like being near pools.
May be getting the suitcases out soon Tom

 

[JessicaW1234]

I have a subscription for the web site touringplans.com. It's around $9/yr. web site is hosted by the authors of WDW The Unofficial Guide. Lots of useful things on it. I started using it when I was a Wdw newbie for their touring plans.
They also have crowd calendars, a phone app with wait times for attractions, etc.

One of the new things they have on web site is resort room maps. Click on a room and it shows the view for that room, or one nearby. This is where room fax comes in. When you click on a room, if you like that view it gives you the option of fax service. They will send resort the fax on your behalf a few days before your arrival.
I haven't used it before, but not wanting to leave things to chance, I also have my requests noted on my reservation, and online check in. Just one more tool.

That sounds neat. Thanks for the update!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Yes, that's the reason I didn't request BPK! The dreaded pool house view. But our last stay we were in BPK, lagoon view. We faced Poly. Sago would be nice too, marina view, but in August I like being near pools.
May be getting the suitcases out soon Tom

I think the next trip is cheating on the GF, again , It appears the Westin on 7 Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is next time I drag the suitcases out early in the morning for a flight!

Tom

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

I think the next trip is cheating on the GF, again , It appears the Westin on 7 Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is next time I drag the suitcases out early in the morning for a flight!

Tom

I'm cheating with Beaches in the fall instead of a big family trip to Disney Fortunately I'll get my fix at a conference I'm going to in 6 weeks.

 

[Sue M]

I think the next trip is cheating on the GF, again , It appears the Westin on 7 Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is next time I drag the suitcases out early in the morning for a flight!

Tom

Lol! I may be cheating next Aug, and doing a Universal/Seaworld/Aquatica/Busch Gardens trip. Depends on one of my daughters. But will be back to Wdw Dec 2017. I've never seen the Christmas decorations. Working in a school, just can't get that time off, early Dec. and no way will I go during Christmas break :-0. But I'll be retiring in a year so I'll be able to!

 

[HBGdancermom]

Hi everyone!

So excited to share that my 13 year old son and I are coming in a month to stay at the GF for the first time. Coming Aug 17-20th. Whoop! Sugarloaf CL. Can't wait!!

 

[margot31]

So I was looking at a 2 bedroom villa on YouTube ... Did I really see that there is a tv in the master room bathroom? If true I don't think my husband would ever leave.

 

[PolyRob]

So I was looking at a 2 bedroom villa on YouTube ... Did I really see that there is a tv in the master room bathroom? If true I don't think my husband would ever leave.

I believe even the studios have a television in the mirror of the bathroom

 

[MommyGina]

Hi folks. Did you see on another thread what the GF has done at the beach? Looks like rocks are now the barrier from the water to the beach, much like where the villas are.

Well, sorry to say that my pixie dust that I thought I had turned to ash for our trip next year. Have A Grand Day!

 

[Mousemommy1]

GV room view from Boca Chica 2013. Really loved this view, so requested it again. View attachment 181679

This makes me want to be back there right now.

 

[Sue M]

Hi folks. Did you see on another thread what the GF has done at the beach? Looks like rocks are now the barrier from the water to the beach, much like where the villas are.

Well, sorry to say that my pixie dust that I thought I had turned to ash for our trip next year. Have A Grand Day!

I did see it, was fun watching the progress. Thank goodness it doesn't ruin the beach views. And hopefully we can have the beaches back now. I wish they didn't have to put the rope fence up in addition to rocks, but I can live with it.

 

[trishadono]

So I was looking at a 2 bedroom villa on YouTube ... Did I really see that there is a tv in the master room bathroom? If true I don't think my husband would ever leave.

Yep I sat in the large tub and watched it lol!