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

[HockeyMomR]

It did get fenced, but doesn't need MB for entry like Poly. But that doesn't seem to stop others or off site people from getting into Volcano pool. Last year I was sitting in hot tub listening to a couple who had dinner ADRs at Kona, and deciding what a good idea it was to bring bathing suits for a dip before dinner. They were locals.
They follow you in, so short of slamming the gate in their face, they get in.
I wish all resort pools were like SAB.

I really thought a MagicBand was needed for the Courtyard Pool! I wish all resort pools were like SAB too! We enjoy the deluxe resort amenities and are willing to pay for them. I guess if people want to pool hop and they do this without regard for the rules, there is no stopping them short of having a CM posted at each entrance.

 

[Sue M]

I really thought a MagicBand was needed for the Courtyard Pool! I wish all resort pools were like SAB too! We enjoy the deluxe resort amenities and are willing to pay for them. I guess if people want to pool hop and they do this without regard for the rules, there is no stopping them short of having a CM posted at each entrance.

Nope! We stayed a couple of tines since it was fenced. I don't think the courtyard pool is as big of a draw to pool crashers as the Poly Pool, although I was surprised they made their new Oasis (quiet pool) MB operated.
I'm looking forward to trying one of those Pinapple ciders Trish mentioned, yum.

 

[trishadono]

No, it wasn't too long, I guess I am tall.

I tried the front desk too!! I was tempted to take one and get charged for it, but I really wanted a fresh one.

I was so busy I didn't get your meaning that you didn't get my meaning lol!

I meant it won't be long UNTIL YOU ARE BACK TO DISNEY.

Sorry, I didn't mean robe too long. Teehee oops

 

[trishadono]

Trish, thanks for the report and pix! Which tea did you purchase? (name of it on the menu) I love seeing that there are macarons! They are some of my fave pastries/cookies. What time did you and DD book your tea for? Also liked knowing that there is a server knowledgeable about teas. Can you choose to try more than one kind of tea?

I like black teas and asked for suggestions. I don't remember name but I picked one with most caffeine (my request).

Alyssa got one more flavorful. We each only get one pot each time but if you don't like it you can get something else.

We got a 4:35 time which was nice. We were trying to substitute this for our usual 5pm apps from CL (non CL at gf this trip).

I got the Derbyshire but asked to sub out sandwiches for cheese plate. Alyssa did the Cheshire tea and just added a glass of champagne.

Kit really made it for us. I always loved getting his sister and he is as good if not better. Ask whoever you get as many questions as you need. Sometimes after they leave you forget and need a reminder as to WHAT? did I just eat, lol.

 

[trishadono]

Boo regarding the party. Agreed, should be limited in some way.

Good news about plenty of seating at Courtyard Pool!! This is now completely fenced and MagicBand needed for entry, correct? Hope so.

No mb and also no lifeguards.

Lots of grown men and boys enjoy throwing and dunking each other and could do it without being disciplined lol.

I really like this pool. I would swim around the deep end then go sit and sun in the shallow end. Dd found a place to lay out easily.

At poly it was much harder to find a spot and the pools both were more crowded.

Also when I was to leave I ordered a sandwich to go and took it back for ds in tne room. That was much easier then going to Gaspies and ordering food while I was in my swimsuit. He said the turkey and bacon sandwich was good too

 

[jedipenguin]

I am not a fan of the backstage tour of the Grand Floridian. It is not actually backstage at all. The tour is actually an architectural tour that describes the period when the Grand Floridian was being designed by a team of architects. They looked for design cues from some of the turn of the century grand hotels in Florida. The tour show you pictures of these old hotels, then they show you where these design elements show up in the lobby, or on the outside of the main building. The one place they show you that is off the beaten path is the dining room at Victoria &Alberts, including the Queen Victoria Room. If you can imagine seeing a restaurant after hours with all the ventilation turned off and no staff there, that is what you see. If you have ever eaten there, it is a disappointment because to experience the restaurant when it is serving food is a great treat but seeing it dead is just some smelly carpet.
Finally they serve some dessert treat from 1900 Park Faire on the landing outside Citricos. The cast member leading the tour will be nice and enthusiastic. But I found the content disappointing.

If this sounds appealing, you may enjoy it. Otherwise, skip it.

Thank you for the info. I'll be skipping this tour.

 

[jedipenguin]

View attachment 185618 View attachment 185619
View from sago 3rd floor ending in 29.

We stayed in this room last year! The view is amazing. We requested Sago again for our trip next month.

 

[grannyminnie]

I like black teas and asked for suggestions. I don't remember name but I picked one with most caffeine (my request).

Alyssa got one more flavorful. We each only get one pot each time but if you don't like it you can get something else.

We got a 4:35 time which was nice. We were trying to substitute this for our usual 5pm apps from CL (non CL at gf this trip).

I got the Derbyshire but asked to sub out sandwiches for cheese plate. Alyssa did the Cheshire tea and just added a glass of champagne.

Kit really made it for us. I always loved getting his sister and he is as good if not better. Ask whoever you get as many questions as you need. Sometimes after they leave you forget and need a reminder as to WHAT? did I just eat, lol.

Did the teas come as loose tea or tea bags? And, one more question...I know you have experienced CL selections, which include the scones, trifle, clotted cream, etc. Did you feel as if the service and table place settings made the experience worth the high price of tea there? I'm reconsidering...

 

[trishadono]

Did the teas come as loose tea or tea bags? And, one more question...I know you have experienced CL selections, which include the scones, trifle, clotted cream, etc. Did you feel as if the service and table place settings made the experience worth the high price of tea there? I'm reconsidering...

Funny I have never looked into the pot! I think that was my 4th or 5th time too. There are not any leaves in the tea when you pour it however.

It is pricey for sure! We ate it as a meal and still could not eat it all. They did give us a box for the leftover desserts but I have never been offered to take the cheeses etc as leftovers.

DS loved the leftovers!

If you skip the champagne then the price really comes down. It is the same quality food as the cl lounges and restaurants. If you went out for dinner you would pay the same or even more. We just enjoy the experience.

I would not take my dh or ds there because I dont think they would enjoy the tea cozy and sugar cubes etc like we did. If you like foofoo girly details its fun, if not try appetizers at California Grill or Mizners. Those are two places I keep wanting to do a quickie at but always run out of time.

 

[grannyminnie]

Funny I have never looked into the pot! I think that was my 4th or 5th time too. There are not any leaves in the tea when you pour it however.

It is pricey for sure! We ate it as a meal and still could not eat it all. They did give us a box for the leftover desserts but I have never been offered to take the cheeses etc as leftovers.

DS loved the leftovers!

If you skip the champagne then the price really comes down. It is the same quality food as the cl lounges and restaurants. If you went out for dinner you would pay the same or even more. We just enjoy the experience.

I would not take my dh or ds there because I dont think they would enjoy the tea cozy and sugar cubes etc like we did. If you like foofoo girly details its fun, if not try appetizers at California Grill or Mizners. Those are two places I keep wanting to do a quickie at but always run out of time.

Re: the use of tea bags vs tea leaves, if you had a tea strainer for your cup, you had loose tea. (unless there was a strainer in the top of the teapot)
You know, appies at California Grill sounds like a neat idea! Thanks for mentioning that. I am still trying to decide whether or not to keep my ressie at the tea room. Thanks for your comments.

 

[trishadono]

Boring picture I know but don't want you to miss it. The buildings do have doors on each end. These are very handy on a rainy or perhaps extra hot or cold day. The distance from the end of sago to the awning of the main building is much shorter this way.

Also visitors to gf check out the buildings if you haven't yet. The details in the mini lobbies in each building are lovely. I also cut through VGF lobby one day , also very very nice!

 

[LMO429]

View attachment 186403

Boring picture I know but don't want you to miss it. The buildings do have doors on each end. These are very handy on a rainy or perhaps extra hot or cold day. The distance from the end of sago to the awning of the main building is much shorter this way.

Also visitors to gf check out the buildings if you haven't yet. The details in the mini lobbies in each building are lovely. I also cut through VGF lobby one day , also very very nice!

can you take the stairs up to your room as well sometimes i hate waiting for elevators

 

[Wood Nymph]

Boring picture I know but don't want you to miss it. The buildings do have doors on each end. These are very handy on a rainy or perhaps extra hot or cold day. The distance from the end of sago to the awning of the main building is much shorter this way.

Also visitors to gf check out the buildings if you haven't yet. The details in the mini lobbies in each building are lovely. I also cut through VGF lobby one day , also very very nice!

Thanks for posting the "boring" picture. We will be staying at the GF in Dec, our first time there since it opened in 1988, and I was wondering if they had exit doors like they do at the BC. The exit doors are one of my favorite things about staying there.

 

[WDWtwentyfifteen]

View attachment 186403

Boring picture I know but don't want you to miss it. The buildings do have doors on each end. These are very handy on a rainy or perhaps extra hot or cold day. The distance from the end of sago to the awning of the main building is much shorter this way.

Also visitors to gf check out the buildings if you haven't yet. The details in the mini lobbies in each building are lovely. I also cut through VGF lobby one day , also very very nice!

Hi. Do you know if they also have the stairs on The SugarLoaf club level building as well?

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

YAY! Just got our reservation changed from Standard to Deluxe room in the Main Building! Room requests are Water View (1) and King Bed (2) with Early check in as priority. Does that sound good?

 

[HockeyMomR]

View attachment 186403

Boring picture I know but don't want you to miss it. The buildings do have doors on each end. These are very handy on a rainy or perhaps extra hot or cold day. The distance from the end of sago to the awning of the main building is much shorter this way.

Also visitors to gf check out the buildings if you haven't yet. The details in the mini lobbies in each building are lovely. I also cut through VGF lobby one day , also very very nice!

One week! We'll be there in one week from today! Hoping for Sago Marina view! I would happily take your exact room. Thanks for the stairway picture and hints.

 

[Sue M]

I like black teas and asked for suggestions. I don't remember name but I picked one with most caffeine (my request).

Alyssa got one more flavorful. We each only get one pot each time but if you don't like it you can get something else.

We got a 4:35 time which was nice. We were trying to substitute this for our usual 5pm apps from CL (non CL at gf this trip).

I got the Derbyshire but asked to sub out sandwiches for cheese plate. Alyssa did the Cheshire tea and just added a glass of champagne.

Kit really made it for us. I always loved getting his sister and he is as good if not better. Ask whoever you get as many questions as you need. Sometimes after they leave you forget and need a reminder as to WHAT? did I just eat, lol.

It looks like they changed the names of the Tea combos. Can't remember what the one I used to get was called, but sounds similar to the one you got. I miss the loose leaf. I think it was called The Buckingham? Now it's just tea bags. When it was loose tea you could ask for more hot water. Can't anymore. Since they raised price and started using bags we stopped going. But may at some time go again. It is a nice experience, just not what it used to be.

 

[BabyFu18]

Can you go for tea and not get any of the food? I wouldn't eat eat any of the food offerings (food allergy and the food doesn't appeal to me), but I would love to experience the afternoon tea. They probably don't allow that, from what I can tell from menus/reviews it looks like an all inclusive package type thing, but I figured I'd ask if anyone has been able to enjoy the afternoon tea without having to include the food service with it.

 

[hunthearin]

Re: the use of tea bags vs tea leaves, if you had a tea strainer for your cup, you had loose tea. (unless there was a strainer in the top of the teapot)
You know, appies at California Grill sounds like a neat idea! Thanks for mentioning that. I am still trying to decide whether or not to keep my ressie at the tea room. Thanks for your comments.

grannyminnie,

We had tea in the Garden View lounge last September on our trip to GF. This was our first time staying at the Grand, and we had access to the daily offerings in RPC prior to our tea reservation. The seated tea in the garden view lounge was definitely its own experience, and highly worthy of the extra expense.

We'll be back at RPC this September, and have elected to have tea again on this trip. Our trip to the Grand Floridian would not be the same without this experience!

 

[hunthearin]

YAY! Just got our reservation changed from Standard to Deluxe room in the Main Building! Room requests are Water View (1) and King Bed (2) with Early check in as priority. Does that sound good?

Ah - my favorite room category of all!

If I'm not mistaken, all Main Building Deluxe Rooms have King Beds and have Castle / Water Views except for 3 of the 6 turret rooms. You will most likely be staying on the Clarendon Level (2nd Floor,) that is accessed via the small elevator adjacent to the suites (Walt Disney, Roy Disney, Victorian) with ground level access next to Gasparilla Island Grill. These rooms are directly above Gasparilla's, and look directly across the lagoon at the Castle. They feature balconies and jetted tubs. We stayed in one last year and it was lovely!

Alternatively, you could really luck out and get one of the 6 turret suites - these are opposite the Royal Palm Club, across the main lobby on floors 3-5. These do not have balconies, but feature a lovely sitting area, four-post bed, and sweeping picture window views. They are often hailed as the best rooms at Disney. I have requested one of these for our upcoming stay in September - here's to hoping that we are able to snag one!

I hope your trip to RPC is awesome - we love it the most!