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

[followthatmouse]

Oh my gosh you're right!! Too bad I didn't notice that - I had my girls stand on each side of it and emailed the pic to my parents!

It's just a bunny who is determined to get those flowers to their destination. Perhaps he works for Interflora!?

But, seriously, the detail and the work that has gone into each of the eggs is phenomenal. I wish I had even a fraction of the ability and patience of Erich's team. Huzzahs and bouquets all 'round!

 

[menotyou21]

New to this thread. I'm happy to spend my weekend reading the past 50+ pages, but I'm more interested in the GF "crew" helping me decide between GF (Garden View OB) or Poly (Standard View). I did get some good advice from one of my fav DISers (in this thread too), but I would appreciate any and all input.

Background info: 2A/4C (maybe 5C) ages 11,11,9,7 (maybe 16) - Staying Sep 2-9. We would book two rooms.

Any idea which resort would give my family the best chance of getting connecting rooms?

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[dansdad]

New to this thread. I'm happy to spend my weekend reading the past 50+ pages, but I'm more interested in the GF "crew" helping me decide between GF (Garden View OB) or Poly (Standard View). I did get some good advice from one of my fav DISers (in this thread too), but I would appreciate any and all input.

Background info: 2A/4C (maybe 5C) ages 11,11,9,7 (maybe 16) - Staying Sep 2-9. We would book two rooms.

Any idea which resort would give my family the best chance of getting connecting rooms?

Thank you so much in advance.

Because of the conversion of some of the regular rooms to DVC at the Poly, you will have about a 30% better chance of getting connecting rooms at GF just because there are more of them.

 

[menotyou21]

Because of the conversion of some of the regular rooms to DVC at the Poly, you will have about a 30% better chance of getting connecting rooms at GF just because there are more of them.

Thanks for the reply and input.

 

[thaggie1]

Ok so now you all have me worried about my GF SL trip in August!!

 

[dina7]

Anybody who has stayed at the GF recently, can you post the updated menu from Gasparilla's since the latest refurb?
Also, if anyone has photos of any of the new menu items, those would be great to see!
Thanks!!

 

[merry_nbright]

Just paid off a surprise Labor Day weekend 4 day, 3 night adventure for our first time at the GF! Me and DM ( Disney Mom! ) are super excited!

 

[trishadono]

Ok so now you all have me worried about my GF SL trip in August!!

We had a wonderful trip in March. Nice room, view, lots of great food, wine whenever I wanted and great location.

Don't be worried. There is always something great about each resort/trip and some "meh" things. No trip is perfect.

Enjoy your planning!

I just came back to add: I used to think I didn't like the lounge. However after several trips I realize comparing it to Poly or cr wasn't practical. I now see it as part of the sl building. It is relaxing to look down over the rail to the lounge or again sitting in lounge and looking up to that beautiful atrium. They gf buildings have nice wood work, paintings and decor too.

 

[trishadono]

Just paid off a surprise Labor Day weekend 4 day, 3 night adventure for our first time at the GF! Me and DM ( Disney Mom! ) are super excited!

I will be there too!!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Ok so now you all have me worried about my GF SL trip in August!!

I totally agree with @trishadono above. I wouldn't worry too much about what you may read on here. Reviews and opinions are useful to a point, but can be so subjective. What's meh to me may be awesome to you. All the resorts and CLs have various pros/cons, it's part of the fun of trying them!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Just paid off a surprise Labor Day weekend 4 day, 3 night adventure for our first time at the GF! Me and DM ( Disney Mom! ) are super excited!

I will be there too!!!

We would love to find another excuse to stay at GF. If cheap airfare came out I would be tempted to stay here again.

 

[mmmears]

I will be there too!!!

Us, too! (but after a couple days in the Epcot area)

 

[TJA]

Ok so now you all have me worried about my GF SL trip in August!!

I agree with the others not to worry about SL! Have you stayed in RPC before? If so, just go into it knowing not to compare the two. They both have advantages and disadvantages of their own. If you have not stayed in RPC before, then you're all set and won't be comparing! You will have a great trip just being at GF .

 

[GPC0321]

A couple of questions for the veteran Grand Floridian folks!

1. When staying at the Villas and arriving by Magical Express, I assume we are dropped off at the main building?
2. Do we have any reason to go into the main building upon arrival for any type of checking in, etc?
3. Or do we just mosey over to the Villas to check in there?
4. Is 8:30pm a good ADR time for Narcoossee's if we want to catch the 10pm fireworks from there?

Thanks for all the wisdom!

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

A couple of questions for the veteran Grand Floridian folks!

1. When staying at the Villas and arriving by Magical Express, I assume we are dropped off at the main building?
2. Do we have any reason to go into the main building upon arrival for any type of checking in, etc?
3. Or do we just mosey over to the Villas to check in there?
4. Is 8:30pm a good ADR time for Narcoossee's if we want to catch the 10pm fireworks from there?

Thanks for all the wisdom!

1) Yes, main building.
2) No need to go to the main building upon arrival (except for its awesomeness). The one exception is that if you arrive after 10PM, there will be no cast members in the lobby of the villas, so you will need to check in at the main building.
3) Just mosey over. There is a covered walkway. If you do advance check-in and have your magic bands, you may get a text message so you can go straight to your room without checking in. However, I usually do check in to make sure that the Magic Band room charge privileges are set up.
4) Yes, that should give you plenty of time. When the fireworks start, pretty much everybody will go out on the porch to watch. The music is piped in. It is a great place to watch the fireworks. It seems like our reservation was for 7PM, but that night the fireworks were at 9PM. Also, at some point the Wishes fireworks show is being retired, and they have not announced the replacement. It could be another fireworks show, or it could be something with drones like at Disney Springs. Just check to make sure that Wishes is still occurring for your dates.

 

[GPC0321]

1) Yes, main building.
2) No need to go to the main building upon arrival (except for its awesomeness). The one exception is that if you arrive after 10PM, there will be no cast members in the lobby of the villas, so you will need to check in at the main building.
3) Just mosey over. There is a covered walkway. If you do advance check-in and have your magic bands, you may get a text message so you can go straight to your room without checking in. However, I usually do check in to make sure that the Magic Band room charge privileges are set up.
4) Yes, that should give you plenty of time. When the fireworks start, pretty much everybody will go out on the porch to watch. The music is piped in. It is a great place to watch the fireworks. It seems like our reservation was for 7PM, but that night the fireworks were at 9PM. Also, at some point the Wishes fireworks show is being retired, and they have not announced the replacement. It could be another fireworks show, or it could be something with drones like at Disney Springs. Just check to make sure that Wishes is still occurring for your dates.

1. Gotcha.
2. Good to know. Should be arriving mid-morning if all goes well. Definitely will be enjoying the awesomeness of the main building!
3. Cool. I'll be doing the same regarding the Magic Band room charge privileges.
4. This will be a MVMCP night, so we will get to see Holiday Wishes from Narcoossee's (assuming they haven't changed those fireworks too! I hope not!)

Thanks so much!

 

[housetomouse]

We had a wonderful trip in March. Nice room, view, lots of great food, wine whenever I wanted and great location.

Don't be worried. There is always something great about each resort/trip and some "meh" things. No trip is perfect.

Enjoy your planning!

I just came back to add: I used to think I didn't like the lounge. However after several trips I realize comparing it to Poly or cr wasn't practical. I now see it as part of the sl building. It is relaxing to look down over the rail to the lounge or again sitting in lounge and looking up to that beautiful atrium. They gf buildings have nice wood work, paintings and decor too.

Why are you worried? We just got back from GF Sugarloaf and now I don't want to stay anywhere else on property, it was so wonderful. We liked Poly better than YC/BC, but now I don't know if I'll want to stay at Poly again, I liked Sugarloaf and the GF so much. I was glad we didn't book CL in the main building because we liked being able to walk into and out of the lounge at ground level.
Edit: I meant to say that to the original poster who you were replying to, it was cut out of the reply though!

 

[trishadono]

We would love to find another excuse to stay at GF. If cheap airfare came out I would be tempted to stay here again.

$850 for 3 days was better than what I paid 10 years ago!

Just love a Labor Day special

 

[thaggie1]

Have you stayed in RPC before? If so, just go into it knowing not to compare the two. They both have advantages and disadvantages of their own. If you have not stayed in RPC before, then you're all set and won't be comparing!

Yes we've stayed in RPC in December (really hard to beat that)! but thank you all for the input. I think since this is summer we will love the closeness of SL to the pool and ease of grabbing a beer, wine or soda without having to go to RPC.

Ok I'm getting excited again!!

 

[trishadono]

Yes we've stayed in RPC in December (really hard to beat that)! but thank you all for the input. I think since this is summer we will love the closeness of SL to the pool and ease of grabbing a beer, wine or soda without having to go to RPC.

Ok I'm getting excited again!!

Sl is so close to the courtyard pool and hot tub. Dd loved that ! We did 8/15 and 3/17 in sl and 8/16 we were in sago. She kept pointing to sl and frowning we were not there !