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

[grannyminnie]

I'm so sorry for the stress you are undergoing. Maybe we are naive, but I know a lot of us on this board know when discounts come out, and plan trips around them....yes, there is no reason for Disney to have to give them to us, but that being said, Disney clearly knows what we spend on every aspect of our trips, most of us go multiple times a year.....and they don't care.

Regarding the discounts, while I truly love Disney, I have a hard time analyzing this -- I just booked a two week stay at a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo on Kaanapali Beach in Maui, including roundtrip airfare for 6 people, and it is going to cost the same amount it would cost for a 1 week at the Poly. So, we are flying 5 times the mileage and staying at a 4 star rated resort that really is Hawaii and not the Disney version there of....for half the price.

Last question, what is the UOC discount?

Tom

Yikes! Are you kidding me? When I see numbers like that in print, it makes me wonder how Disney can be so lucky for this long, charging the rates it does and having full resorts! I know we fans love it, but at some point even we lovely die-hards are gonna ditch the ridiculously high prices for a superior off-site location. I like most of you have seen the discounts lowering and feared that each GF stay was going to be my last.

Edited to add: I meant to say "loyal", not "lovely", but that works to describe us too!

 

[trishadono]

Yikes! Are you kidding me? When I see numbers like that in print, it makes me wonder how Disney can be so lucky for this long, charging the rates it does and having full resorts! I know we fans love it, but at some point even we lovely die-hards are gonna ditch the ridiculously high prices for a superior off-site location. I like most of you have seen the discounts lowering and feared that each GF stay was going to be my last.

Thanks for calling me lovely

Have to agree, the rates just keep going up and the discounts down!

I did book BWI with Disney 25% off with Orbitz coupon 48HRSALE 15% with a $54 credit for Columbus weekend. That way IF dh says he wants to go to food and wine I'm ready. Gf/poly/cr were either sold out or $550up

Meanwhile, I did my prepackaged yesterday!!! I have never days that many days at gf cl and can't wait

 

[mickeynut1]

Wow, maybe I need to check out Hawaii! We haven't been because it takes a really long time to get there, and flying hurts DD11's ears....but for a deal, I might be able to convince her! My neighbors went for two weeks and it cost 19k, so I haven't ever really priced it. We LOVED Turks and Caicos, but the flight is only 2hrs 55 mins from Atlanta. BTW, that heat you were talking about in AR is what I've had to deal with for the last two weeks...I live in west TN.

It's crazy how much Hawaii can/does cost! My cousin went last year and spent around $15,000 for her family of 4. They went for 8 or 9 nights and split between 2 islands. They stayed in a condo on both islands and bought food to cook some nights instead of going out to eat the whole time, but I know food in Hawaii is expensive, so not sure just how much they saved by doing that. DH and I have been to Hawaii and have always wanted to take our boys, but I can't get past the cost just to fly . I know I can find a decent price for a resort or condo, but getting over the $4,000+ cost just to get there is a hurdle I haven't gotten over yet.

For real I need to check where people get these kinds of deals out too, I've wanted to go to Hawaii forever but flights absolutely kill it for me. I've priced it and cannot find anything reasonably priced, flights, resort room and food puts us easily a couple thousand over what we pay at disney. If we could go to Hawaii for the same price as Disney World it'd be no contest we'd pick Hawaii in a heartbeat!

Same here. I've priced Hawaii the last couple of years and it doesn't matter the time of year or airline, I haven't found flights for under $1100/pp....that's just under $4,500 just to get there . The resort I want to stay at on Maui isn't too terribly expensive (they do run specials), but I can't get over the cost to fly there. It takes about 8-9 hours from Chicago and since California is about half way, I've priced flying there to break it up and then getting a flight from CA to HI......turns out it cost MORE to do that than to get a non-stop flight from Chicago .

I am NOT admonishing anyone so please don't take it that way, but with the new reservation rules(not being able to change your reservation unless that same room is still available)..... If we book rooms ahead of time they will be tied up and not included in the discounts because once they reach a certain occupancy they do not offer any more rooms for discounts.

This will be more noticeable in room categories that have few rooms like king deluxe or even main building standard, outer building deluxe. Even when people cancel, occupancy may be so high that Disney will not return those rooms to the discount pool.

That said, the rates are really astronomical now. We have children that will be going to university soon, and at a certain point as DH points out , when we can stay at The Four Seasons for SUBSTANTIALLY less and get a VIP guide with the difference it is an easy choice.

Our trip to Tokyo, staying at the luxury Conrad (in a suite booked with a 50% suite discount) and Tokyo Disney resorts will be less than our recent RPC trip with AP discount.

I agree about the rates being astronomical. Sooner or later it will catch up with Disney (IMO) as it will price a lot of people out of Disney vacations (or at least push them to stay offsite). Along with the resort rates constantly going up, park ticket prices have gotten ridiculous, too .

Yikes! Are you kidding me? When I see numbers like that in print, it makes me wonder how Disney can be so lucky for this long, charging the rates it does and having full resorts! I know we fans love it, but at some point even we lovely die-hards are gonna ditch the ridiculously high prices for a superior off-site location. I like most of you have seen the discounts lowering and feared that each GF stay was going to be my last.

I agree .

 

[jani3]

Same here. I've priced Hawaii the last couple of years and it doesn't matter the time of year or airline, I haven't found flights for under $1100/pp....that's just under $4,500 just to get there .

Have you signed up for email specials from Hawaiian airlines? I've seen flights for around $500 from Chicago and NY when I quickly browse their emails. I'm from CA and reg rates are around $700-800 but the email specials are half that so that's when I go.

Also, Sign up for Alaska airlines email specials. I've seen great rates from them too.

 

[Dispro1]

I am NOT admonishing anyone so please don't take it that way, but with the new reservation rules(not being able to change your reservation unless that same room is still available)..... If we book rooms ahead of time they will be tied up and not included in the discounts because once they reach a certain occupancy they do not offer any more rooms for discounts.

This will be more noticeable in room categories that have few rooms like king deluxe or even main building standard, outer building deluxe. Even when people cancel, occupancy may be so high that Disney will not return those rooms to the discount pool.

That said, the rates are really astronomical now. We have children that will be going to university soon, and at a certain point as DH points out , when we can stay at The Four Seasons for SUBSTANTIALLY less and get a VIP guide with the difference it is an easy choice.

Our trip to Tokyo, staying at the luxury Conrad (in a suite booked with a 50% suite discount) and Tokyo Disney resorts will be less than our recent RPC trip with AP discount.

I can't believe your Tokyo trip will cost less! That's sickening, really. As for booking the rooms early, I am one of those contributing to the problem, I know; however, since I can't control other people's booking habits, if I don't book early, I don't get the room I want -if I get a room at all. But I may not be part of the problem much longer. Like you, I will have a daughter going to college soon (Junior in HS this year), so we may be changing our Disney strategy (like I said earlier...whatever Deluxe has the best discount). Honestly, we probably should've scaled back the vacations years ago since my DDs go to a private school, but vacations are the only thing that keep my husband sane! My older daughter wants to go to Europe when she graduates, so maybe we'll go to DL Paris Thanks for the tip on the earplanes. DD11 has been using a decongestant when she flies, but it doesn't help much. I'm hoping she will grow out of the ear problem soon like my older daughter did. In the meantime, if you happen to stay at the Four Seasons at Disney, let us know what you think! We've grown to love the GF so much, it would be hard to leave. DD16 would rather go to a different location altogether-LOL...but she's my adventurous one! BTW, I've heard the Four Seasons in Hawaii is really nice

 

[mickeynut1]

Have you signed up for email specials from Hawaiian airlines? I've seen flights for around $500 from Chicago and NY when I quickly browse their emails. I'm from CA and reg rates are around $700-800 but the email specials are half that so that's when I go.

Also, Sign up for Alaska airlines email specials. I've seen great rates from them too.

Good idea, thanks for the tip . That's an awesome price from Chicago! I remember flights years ago being around $2400 for 4 r/t CHI to HI and thought that was high (which it was back then) and now they are almost double . If I could find those rates again, I'd grab them and go .

 

[uagirl]

With the discount, we made some changes to our reservation in order to save some money. We switched from CL to a standard room, but upgraded to deluxe dining! It's been 15 years since I stayed at the GF, so I'm excited! Which outer building would you recommend requesting for a travel party including a 1 year old all the way up to grandparents?

 

[Dispro1]

Have you signed up for email specials from Hawaiian airlines? I've seen flights for around $500 from Chicago and NY when I quickly browse their emails. I'm from CA and reg rates are around $700-800 but the email specials are half that so that's when I go.

Also, Sign up for Alaska airlines email specials. I've seen great rates from them too.

All of you who live in/near large cities are lucky! We usually have connecting flights no matter where we are going! Flying to Hawaii would be a twelve hour ordeal for us! If I lived in CA, I'd go to Hawaii a lot! It's only 5.5-6 hrs from there, right?

 

[loveshak22]

I ended up switching to outer building SL. I'm not the only one. All of the main building rooms were booked for over a month now but today there are RPC rooms available...of course, they don't qualify for the discount! Ugh!

I'm also pricing out a trip to Costa Rica or maybe Belize as an alternative. Southwest just released a sale that includes several Caribbean locations and Costa Rica. Non-stop from Baltimore to San Jose is $348 if you can be flexible and travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday. And I was looking at the Westin for an all inclusive package that will be about $2,800 for six nights. I need to do more research about the weather and talk to DH tonight. I think that's the rainy season.

And I'm still keeping my eye out for enough people to cancel in the main building that it gets added to the RO offer - fingers crossed!

 

[loveshak22]

All of you who live in/near large cities are lucky! We usually have connecting flights no matter where we are going! Flying to Hawaii would be a twelve hour ordeal for us! If I lived in CA, I'd go to Hawaii a lot! It's only 5.5-6 hrs from there, right?

You said you live in West TN right? That is hard. Memphis and Nashville rarely have direct flights - everything is through Atlanta and Minneapolis right? I'm trying to go Cincinnati to Nashville at Christmas, which is like an hour flight, and I have to go through Charlotte!

 

[Dispro1]

You said you live in West TN right? That is hard. Memphis and Nashville rarely have direct flights - everything is through Atlanta and Minneapolis right? I'm trying to go Cincinnati to Nashville at Christmas, which is like an hour flight, and I have to go through Charlotte!

Yes, it's ridiculous! I live outside of Memphis, so I fly from there. Before Delta merged with Northwest, we could get a lot of direct flights because Memphis was the hub for Northwest, but Delta made everything go through Atlanta mostly, but also Minneapolis and Charlotte, like you said. Nashville has better deals on flights because the airport is bigger. I love Nashville! Are you going to the Opryland Gaylord?

 

[loveshak22]

Yes, it's ridiculous! I live outside of Memphis, so I fly from there. Before Delta merged with Northwest, we could get a lot of direct flights because Memphis was the hub for Northwest, but Delta made everything go through Atlanta mostly, but also Minneapolis and Charlotte, like you said. Nashville has better deals on flights because the airport is bigger. I love Nashville! Are you going to the Opryland Gaylord?

I actually grew up in the Nashville area and my parents still live there!! When I lived in Cincinnati Delta had a hub there as well and it really hurt us for direct flights when they merged. Then everything was flying through Atlanta and Minneapolis! It makes for loooooong trips!!

 

[jani3]

All of you who live in/near large cities are lucky! We usually have connecting flights no matter where we are going! Flying to Hawaii would be a twelve hour ordeal for us! If I lived in CA, I'd go to Hawaii a lot! It's only 5.5-6 hrs from there, right?

Yes, it's about a 5 hour flight from LAX, same distance to wdw.

You should fly to Hawaii and stop by Disneyland.

 

[mickeynut1]

With the discount, we made some changes to our reservation in order to save some money. We switched from CL to a standard room, but upgraded to deluxe dining! It's been 15 years since I stayed at the GF, so I'm excited! Which outer building would you recommend requesting for a travel party including a 1 year old all the way up to grandparents?

My two favorite outer buildings are Big Pine Key and Boca Chica. Both overlook the courtyard pool and are convenient to the main building. BPK is slightly closer to the main building and beach pool, but not by much . With that said, the resort isn't that spread out and while some of the buildings are closer to the main areas than others, none are far away. Sago and Conch are by the marina and are close to Gasparillas, as well as to the bus/boat.

All of you who live in/near large cities are lucky! We usually have connecting flights no matter where we are going! Flying to Hawaii would be a twelve hour ordeal for us! If I lived in CA, I'd go to Hawaii a lot! It's only 5.5-6 hrs from there, right?

I thought Hawaii was a long flight for us at 8-9 hours, I couldn't imagine it taking 12 .

I ended up switching to outer building SL. I'm not the only one. All of the main building rooms were booked for over a month now but today there are RPC rooms available...of course, they don't qualify for the discount! Ugh!

I'm also pricing out a trip to Costa Rica or maybe Belize as an alternative. Southwest just released a sale that includes several Caribbean locations and Costa Rica. Non-stop from Baltimore to San Jose is $348 if you can be flexible and travel on a Tuesday or Wednesday. And I was looking at the Westin for an all inclusive package that will be about $2,800 for six nights. I need to do more research about the weather and talk to DH tonight. I think that's the rainy season.

And I'm still keeping my eye out for enough people to cancel in the main building that it gets added to the RO offer - fingers crossed!

Glad SL was still available with the discount. I agree about keeping an eye on RPC and checking every so often for rooms to be included with the discount. If Disney sees enough people modifying their reservation and going to a cheaper GF room or another resort (or cancelling all together), they might just add a few RPC rooms to the discount inventory .

You should fly to Hawaii and stop by Disneyland.

I know you posted this is Dispro, but this is what I would like to do if we ever do make it to Hawaii. CA is about a 4-4 1/2 hr flight for us, so about half way to Hawaii, give or take. It would not only break up a long 8+ hr non-stop flight, but it would give us 2 vacations in 1 as we've talked about going back to Hawaii as well as to DL .

 

[Dispro1]

Yes, it's about a 5 hour flight from LAX, same distance to wdw.

You should fly to Hawaii and stop by Disneyland.

I've actually thought about doing that...maybe two days in CA before and after Hawaii

 

[mmmears]

We live in CA and it really is about the same distance (flight-wise) to MCO or Hawaii. I've often suggested that Disney fans stop in LA for a couple of days at DL on their way to Hawaii. Not only is it a good way to break up the flight, but it gives you 2 trips in one and also that special Disney magic.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hello fellow GF fans...no time to catch up...but wanted to say..

Adding my 2 cents on the increased room rates...and the decreased discounts. ..find this to be both frustrating. .and disappointing...and as others have said...may lead us to look at other vacation options. ...we shall see...

Hope that everyone had a terrific Tuesday

 

[Aurora0427]

So I finally found a reservation for tea at the Grand Floridian! Yay! It'll be myself, my husband, and our 4.5 year old. She's going to love the tea! Question.... It's not the perfectly princess tea party, but can she wear a princess costume anyway? We can definitely just do a nice dress, but I know she's going to want to go princess.....

 

[baler31]

I can't believe your Tokyo trip will cost less! That's sickening, really. As for booking the rooms early, I am one of those contributing to the problem, I know; however, since I can't control other people's booking habits, if I don't book early, I don't get the room I want -if I get a room at all. But I may not be part of the problem much longer. Like you, I will have a daughter going to college soon (Junior in HS this year), so we may be changing our Disney strategy (like I said earlier...whatever Deluxe has the best discount). Honestly, we probably should've scaled back the vacations years ago since my DDs go to a private school, but vacations are the only thing that keep my husband sane! My older daughter wants to go to Europe when she graduates, so maybe we'll go to DL Paris Thanks for the tip on the earplanes. DD11 has been using a decongestant when she flies, but it doesn't help much. I'm hoping she will grow out of the ear problem soon like my older daughter did. In the meantime, if you happen to stay at the Four Seasons at Disney, let us know what you think! We've grown to love the GF so much, it would be hard to leave. DD16 would rather go to a different location altogether-LOL...but she's my adventurous one! BTW, I've heard the Four Seasons in Hawaii is really nice

The Four Seasons Hualalai is a very special resort. In our top 10 of all time and our second Four Season after Paris. We did not care for Four Seasons Manele, it is on our bottom although the beach is better there. However, just like Disney there is a substantial increase in price between the two. Like others mentioned going for a night or two to Disney and then on to Hawaii would be a great option.

You can often book some low fares or use lower points that way for Hawaii. We have found it easier and less expensive to book a flight with a stop there rather than direct from our airport.

 

[Sue M]

Hello fellow GF fans...no time to catch up...but wanted to say..

Adding my 2 cents on the increased room rates...and the decreased discounts. ..find this to be both frustrating. .and disappointing...and as others have said...may lead us to look at other vacation options. ...we shall see...

Hope that everyone had a terrific Tuesday

Hi Blue!!

I'm disappointed too with increases in everything at WDW. But if we get priced out of WDW, there's always Universal! We combined Universal/Portofino stay last year with GF. I was very impressed with Portofino.

Grannyminnie I liked the lovely part too lol