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

[WildGinger]

Honestly, I would always choose CL over a view because we don't spend much time in our room. Then, for the view, I book a dinner at Narcoossee's and/or Cali Grill and watch the fireworks from there. We like the ease of having breakfast, snacks, appetizers, desserts and wine/beer there for us in CL. If you spend more time in your room, don't drink wine/beer, and like a full breakfast (eggs, bacon,pancakes, etc) then CL might not be the right choice for you. It's all personal preference.

My family really likes having the lounge and access to snacks and drinks during the day, so we usually pick CL over the view. That said, I've also had some amazing view rooms at the GF from an outer building. It really depends on what you think would mean more to you. For us, it's the convenience of the lounge (since there are places we could go so see that view), but I could see other people choosing differently.

Thank you both! If you book the outer building standard club room are they all in Sugarloaf?

 

[mmmears]

Thank you both! If you book the outer building standard club room are they all in Sugarloaf?

Yes. We have stayed in Sugar Loaf several times in the past and found that it was very conveniently located -- close to both the main building and the courtyard pool.

 

[BlueSkies]

I seem to remember from my trip in 2012 that all the rooms have an iHome in them. Is this still the case? Is there some sort of adapter for people with iPhone 5s or 6s with the different charger? Would love to be able to plug my phone in to listen to some music in the afternoons when we are chilling in the room.
We are CL if that makes a difference.
6 more days!! Hallelujah! It will be a sweet reunion for me and my BF after 6 months apart... And what better place than at the GF!

I will look thru my pics and post what is there now...but I believe that it is still the same....

Wow! I didn't know that because we've always been in 4320 (somehow we've always been lucky) except for when we were without kids and in a turret room. Maybe I should add "non-accessible room, please" to my room request since I always take a giant bubble bath when I'm there!!

My advice is to request the specific room that you want ( on your reservation..and also thru IPO) and then as a second list your room type preference..for example 3rd floor....

Does anyone know what kind of refurbishments they will be doing at Gasparillas? Wasn't that remodeled about 3-4 years ago? I guess it's always better to keep places upgraded!

Not sure what is being done...but there were a few of us here that had the same thought...When we were there recently everything looked to be in good order....But as you said...better to keep it that way....

I have a question, I keep reading about the monorail being down this summer with no end date... and every where I read has different options or different answers. I am 62 days out (yippee!) and am trying to work on my schedule. I have an 8:05 reservation at Crystal Palace (another yippee!) and am worried about making it there on time. I want to be outside MK by 7:45am (hopefully) so I am not late. Now in the past I have always stayed at moderates so I have just taken the bus.. I was hoping for the monorail to take me over so I would only have to be at the stop by 7:30 ... this looks like its not an option... does anyone know what time the buses at the GF start running or the boats start running, and what time should I get to either station to make it to MK by 7:45? TIA!

Typically if the monorail is not running there will be water launches available with adjusted hours to accommodate ..I would recommend just double checking at the concierge desk located in the lobby of the resort for the most up to date transportation information.....As for travel time...30 minutes should be fine even if you are taking a launch...

For our upcoming stay in November, we can either choose a Outer building-Theme Park view (which we loved last year) or Outer building-standard club level. I am so torn on what to pick. Which would you pick??

It really comes down to what your personal preferences are....It the view is very important than I would go with the TPV room....if the amenities the CL offer are more appealing than I would say book a CL room...the view from SL are either garden or marina...both very nice...but not the same as having a TPV room...personally we like the convenience and amenities available by staying CL....but I am sure that what ever you choose will be grand!

Honestly, I would always choose CL over a view because we don't spend much time in our room. Then, for the view, I book a dinner at Narcoossee's and/or Cali Grill and watch the fireworks from there. We like the ease of having breakfast, snacks, appetizers, desserts and wine/beer there for us in CL. If you spend more time in your room, don't drink wine/beer, and like a full breakfast (eggs, bacon,pancakes, etc) then CL might not be the right choice for you. It's all personal preference.

Well said!

I will be having my first stay at GF Nov 2016 ( dream come true ) We have got a standard room with a garden view, does anyone know any rooms I can request for the best location/view?

there is a map of the lay out of the property on page one of this thread....the grounds are relatively small....so all of the outer buidling are in pretty close proximity to each other..the pools the transportation adn the main building where the shops, most of the dining and the monorail are located...with that being said...lol...my personal recommendation for an outer guidling GV would be Boca Chica....It is steps from the courtyard pool.. and close to the boat dock..which is a great transportation option..especially when returning to the resort from the MK...there are also beautiful views of the pool area and the main buidling..which looks so beautful all lit up in the evening....at the GF GV rooms encompass views of the gardens...lol..no surprise there...the pool..and also the marina ...and Conch Key has some very lovely marina views...also in the same vicinity of BC..HTH..I am sure there are others that will come along and be happy to share what their recommendations are too...lots of fans of all of the outer buildings around here...

~Some DHS news that I read here on the DIS....with so many things closing...so sad about the Animation Academy...sure hope it reopens in a larger venue as some have suggested....Sound Stage lounge has opened..in the former space occupied by the legend of jack Sparrow??? LOL...the area has benches...so a space to sit and relax a bit...I have often commented that ..particularly at the MK..there need to be more areas to be able to sit in a shady spot for a spell...sadly I have seen many of these areas disappear over the years...??? Remember the lovely park area right in front of the castle...lots of trees and benches....all gone now ...anyway..that what I read...and I am sharing it here with my fellow GF fans....

Hope that everyone is having a magical Monday!!

 

[BlueSkies]

Right with you mmm.... SL is in such a nice location....which we prefer for our warmer weather trips!

 

[trishadono]

Wouldn't a scone and mango trifle be good about now???? ONLY one more month, WOOHOO!!

 

[Tash87]

Thank you BlueSkies, very helpful . To be honest I am going to be extremely happy no matter where I stay in GF.

I have asked on another thread about the Christmas decorations at the GF an seeing as everyone on here seems to be GF pro's I will ask here.....Does anyone know when they are usually put up? We depart on the 22nd Nov and would be gutted if we missed them by a few days ( I think we might though )

 

[trishadono]

Thank you BlueSkies, very helpful . To be honest I am going to be extremely happy no matter where I stay in GF.

I have asked on another thread about the Christmas decorations at the GF an seeing as everyone on here seems to be GF pro's I will ask here.....Does anyone know when they are usually put up? We depart on the 22nd Nov and would be gutted if we missed them by a few days ( I think we might though )

It is just hard to say. I have gone over thanksgiving and earlier many times and its different every year. Good news the parks will be decorated and the gingerbread house too! You have a decent chance the resort will be done by then but know way of knowing. Last year castmembers were posting dates for decorations to go up but in the end Disney changed the order of the mono resorts last minute.

 

[Tash87]

To see the gingerbread house alone would be amazing. I guess I just gotta keep my fingers crossed for the rest

 

[BlueSkies]

Thank you BlueSkies, very helpful . To be honest I am going to be extremely happy no matter where I stay in GF.

I have asked on another thread about the Christmas decorations at the GF an seeing as everyone on here seems to be GF pro's I will ask here.....Does anyone know when they are usually put up? We depart on the 22nd Nov and would be gutted if we missed them by a few days ( I think we might though )

You are very welcome! The grand is such a lovely resort! Last year the gingerbread house opened on the 22nd of November if I remember correctly...but it was up and the GF lobby was looking lovey...As Trish it does very from year to year....but there will be some of the holiday decoration up in the parks! And certainly WDW all together will have that Christmas feel to it!

It is just hard to say. I have gone over thanksgiving and earlier many times and its different every year. Good news the parks will be decorated and the gingerbread house too! You have a decent chance the resort will be done by then but know way of knowing. Last year castmembers were posting dates for decorations to go up but in the end Disney changed the order of the mono resorts last minute.

So true...the decoration schedule really does vary...Great pic!! I am craving scones right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One month!!!! BTW congrats again on booking a DL trip!! What fun!! Do you happen to have room for another mother/daughter to tag along...lol...JK..I will be looking forward to those pictures for sure!

 

[trishadono]

You are very welcome! The grand is such a lovely resort! Last year the gingerbread house opened on the 22nd of November if I remember correctly...but it was up and the GF lobby was looking lovey...As Trish it does very from year to year....but there will be some of the holiday decoration up in the parks! And certainly WDW all together will have that Christmas feel to it!



So true...the decoration schedule really does vary...Great pic!! I am craving scones right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One month!!!! BTW congrats again on booking a DL trip!! What fun!! Do you happen to have room for another mother/daughter to tag along...lol...JK..I will be looking forward to those pictures for sure!

The "house" was up and not not open but we dont buy from the shop inside of it anyways so wasn't an issue.

Mom loved getting her picture taken in front of it and smelling the gingerbread when you come in the lobby

I posted my disneyland dates...... I have no control over your personal booking, lol!

 

[Magical JenK]

1) Last time we went (it will be two years in August) we got a Lagoon View and had a view of MK (we were in Boca Chica). I understand a lot of rooms are like that, you just have to look over the balcony to the left/right to see the castle so its not technically a theme park view.

3) According to WDWMAgic.com, Gasparilla is closing August 23 and re-opening to guests on September 5th: http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/gasp...grill-closing-for-refurbishment-in-august.htm

4) There are no doors, but I found that the noise/light wasn't really an issue. Unless your DH I a REALLY light sleeper, I don't think you'll wake him up getting ready!

Thank you so much britterbell! I appreciate your info! I have requested Boca Chica! We arrive on the 6th...sooooo fingers crossed that there are no delays on Gasparilla!!!

I just wanted to say that we will be there that same week and I'm getting so excited (my 60 day window opens at midnight tonight). I'm hoping the posted timetable for Gasparilla Grill is accurate and stays on schedule. I'm afraid inevitable delays will have it closed during our stay (we arrive on 9/8 for 9 days). I am/was planning on eating there often, so fingers crossed. We moved our reservation from the Poly to avoid closures etc., but I know it's not the end of the world if it is closed.

We also have a non-CL lagoon view booked. I was thinking of Big Pine Key but now I'm leaning toward Boca Chica as a request. That lagoon view just seems more appealing to me!

Agree! As much as I love my Poly, I'm not sure I want to see it out my GF window! So Boca Chica it is!!! Hope you had fun getting all your FP+!!

Our friends had a terrific room in Boca Chica that was LV and had a king bed....only thing is that it was a dormer room..so smaller balcony..still lovely...I will try and post a pics or two...it was room number 8433...

As for the bathroom/dressing rooms area...while the sink/dressing area does not have a door there is a doorway that leads to it..and it is located off the entrance hallway...so does not open out to the main room and is distinctly separate ..the bathroom itself..with the commode and bathtub is behind a closed door...

Ahh perfect! Thank you so much! Yes, he's not a heavy sleeper, but I'm hoping the light going into hallway vs room will help.

Question about Dormer Rooms...the balcony is "smaller" than a regular room right? But does that mean there are no chairs? Or if there are chairs can you see anything or is the balcony closed off? (if that makes sense)

Thank you

 

[asta]

Looking forward to being at the GF later this week. Yay! I have decided to treat my two daughters to a massage at the GF spa. Since they are twenty somethings I thought it would be a grown up treat for this trip. Has anyone used the spa for this? Just looking for any hints that might help.

 

[trishadono]

Looking forward to being at the GF later this week. Yay! I have decided to treat my two daughters to a massage at the GF spa. Since they are twenty somethings I thought it would be a grown up treat for this trip. Has anyone used the spa for this? Just looking for any hints that might help.

My mil did a massage and my daughter had a mani/pedi last year. Both loved it. They just called from the room for available times and got in the following day with no problems. That was over New Years weekend which was busy too.

 

[trishadono]

Question about Dormer Rooms...the balcony is "smaller" than a regular room right? But does that mean there are no chairs? Or if there are chairs can you see anything or is the balcony closed off? (if that makes sense)

Thank you

I looked on page one for a picture??

I have seen pics and there are chairs. The balcony is enclosed but at least private. Others that have that that room will probably chime in.

Came back: found this by Jack Spence on Allears! sure wish he hadn't retired, he was the best!

 

[BlueSkies]

My mil did a massage and my daughter had a mani/pedi last year. Both loved it. They just called from the room for available times and got in the following day with no problems. That was over New Years weekend which was busy too.

Good info...thanks!!!

 

[BlueSkies]

For Magical Jen....

The regular balconies have a more open feel...on the other hand dormer balconies have a cozy feel to them...and all of the wood work adds quite a bit of charm....

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I just wanted to pop over and say how excited I am for our upcoming GF stay! I'm already pre-planning another trip in my mind to see the Christmas decorations.

 

[BlueSkies]

Looking for the dormer room pic....

 

[BlueSkies]

Found it! This is from a LV room in Boca Chica...

 

[trishadono]

Found it! This is from a LV room in Boca Chica...View attachment 109636

I waited for a response and no one was around.... Filled in with what I could

I figured you had a nice pic!!