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

[grannyminnie]

I don't lol. Ok maybe clothes and food for the kids welcome home!

You're funny!
Thanks for the welcome home! I miss it already!

 

[SomeImaginationHuh]

SomeImagination The GV rooms at the GF are anything but standard...they all (well mostly..there are a few behind the pool house views in BPK and Boca Chica I believe..) have very lovely views of the pool or marina (yes marina view is in the GV category...) or the beautiful grounds in general....each of the outer buildings has their pluses ..proximity to the pool..main building etc....Our fave is Boca Chica...right close to both the courtyard pool and the boat dock ..and has very nice views of the main building across the courtyard pool area...No matter what you chose...or are assigned...I am sure that you will be pleased!

Thanks so much! That's so wonderful to hear. I had to tell my TA something, so I asked for Conch Key, first floor. I figured it would be nice to be close to the boat dock at the end of a long MK day. Hopefully that's a good decision. I know I'll love it no matter what!

 

[Sue M]

We are here in a Sago Cay dormer with a view of the marina! We love the proximity to the Main Building and dining venues.

Our "Spa Day" was marred due to another guest's behavior and this is what happened:
We checked into the spa early due to our room not being ready. Had an amazingly relaxing time in the spa pool and had the tile loungers to ourselves over a 4-hour time period... akin to a private spa experience!

While waiting in the Relaxation room immediately prior to our treatments, where people enter and exit to get to the lockers, a Caucasian lady begins to leave and asks a CM for help. At the doorway, she fake bows and in a cartoonish-Asian accent says: "Is it ... Um ... Say oh nair uh?"
I respond: We only speak English; it's just "bye."
She responds: "Could have fooled me."

In the hallway, we hear her asking the CM if we are Chinese... No, we are 3rd and 4th generation Americans!

Not a great way to have pleasant GF memories and this happened less than a minute before our massage therapists arrived to welcome us!

Spa photos:
Senses Spa located across from the Villas
View attachment 125058
Relaxation Room that is poorly situated. All spa traffic flows through this room. As described above, not a "relaxing" area.
View attachment 125059 View attachment 125060 View attachment 125061
Spa area includes whirlpool, tile loungers, and steam room. In the photos, the lines of algae/mold behind the glass waterfall can be seen. Loungers were lukewarm, at best.
View attachment 125062 View attachment 125063 View attachment 125064 View attachment 125065
Locker room was very nicely equipped and well-serviced. Two rain showers and vanities areas were in addition to the locker area. Soft plushy robes were in great supply.
View attachment 125066
We had a "massage for two" and Jacob and Tara, our massage therapists, were excellent at deep tissue massage! I receive massages every three weeks because I'm training for the Princess and Tink 10K runs and the quality of this Senses massage was amazing. CM friend, an entertainment performer, felt wonderful after her massage.

We both felt that our treatments were excellent but we rated the spa area a 7 out of 10 due to size, the loungers, and obvious mold growth. Also, if the flow of traffic were better designed, we certainly would have been relaxed immediately prior to our massages.

Somehow I can't see your pics :-(. We've never been in the spa. Maybe next time! Sorry stupid people marred your experience. When we go to wdw I have to pack extra patience & do a lot of tongue bitting some days.

 

[mandy200587]

Somehow I can't see your pics :-(. We've never been in the spa. Maybe next time! Sorry stupid people marred your experience. When we go to wdw I have to pack extra patience & do a lot of tongue bitting some days.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who has to do a lot of tongue bitting at Disney

 

[Sue M]

Good to know! I just booked the Fairy Tale Suite @ DLR for our March stay PM me about your DL trip if you want to brag about your ladies great time!

I also booked GVTR for a 4:45 dinner (food is enough for us girls) for January too! Need my GF fix!

There has been so many comings and goings lately, I can't keep track either! Have been enjoying the pix and mini TR's

I expect lots of pics! It's going to be a long year for me without my usual January wdw trip! Stupid work gets in the way of life!!

 

[loveshak22]

@BlueSkies - yes!! Less than 2 months!! So exciting! Doesn't it seem like I've been on this thread forever complaining how long it's going to be for November to get here!! LOL!!

Thanks for the info on the FD release separate from the RO offer. Fingers crossed it's announced when we get there in November and it's an awesome deal!

 

[loveshak22]

We are here in a Sago Cay dormer with a view of the marina! We love the proximity to the Main Building and dining venues.

Our "Spa Day" was marred due to another guest's behavior and this is what happened:
We checked into the spa early due to our room not being ready. Had an amazingly relaxing time in the spa pool and had the tile loungers to ourselves over a 4-hour time period... akin to a private spa experience!

While waiting in the Relaxation room immediately prior to our treatments, where people enter and exit to get to the lockers, a Caucasian lady begins to leave and asks a CM for help. At the doorway, she fake bows and in a cartoonish-Asian accent says: "Is it ... Um ... Say oh nair uh?"
I respond: We only speak English; it's just "bye."
She responds: "Could have fooled me."

In the hallway, we hear her asking the CM if we are Chinese... No, we are 3rd and 4th generation Americans!

Not a great way to have pleasant GF memories and this happened less than a minute before our massage therapists arrived to welcome us!

Spa photos:
Senses Spa located across from the Villas
View attachment 125058
Relaxation Room that is poorly situated. All spa traffic flows through this room. As described above, not a "relaxing" area.
View attachment 125059 View attachment 125060 View attachment 125061
Spa area includes whirlpool, tile loungers, and steam room. In the photos, the lines of algae/mold behind the glass waterfall can be seen. Loungers were lukewarm, at best.
View attachment 125062 View attachment 125063 View attachment 125064 View attachment 125065
Locker room was very nicely equipped and well-serviced. Two rain showers and vanities areas were in addition to the locker area. Soft plushy robes were in great supply.
View attachment 125066
We had a "massage for two" and Jacob and Tara, our massage therapists, were excellent at deep tissue massage! I receive massages every three weeks because I'm training for the Princess and Tink 10K runs and the quality of this Senses massage was amazing. CM friend, an entertainment performer, felt wonderful after her massage.

We both felt that our treatments were excellent but we rated the spa area a 7 out of 10 due to size, the loungers, and obvious mold growth. Also, if the flow of traffic were better designed, we certainly would have been relaxed immediately prior to our massages.

What!!! That person sounds crazy! Rude and crazy! Sorry you had to deal with that, especially on a place for rest and relaxation! I do not know what makes people think they can say the things they say sometimes! I should start a thread on the craziest things people have said to you and just sit back and read the stories that you just have to laugh at because it's so insane.

Thanks for the spa review! I'm on my phone so the pictures aren't showing up so I'll have to get on my computer and see if they show up. I have read the spa is small so I've got my expectations set. But it at least doesn't sound too crowded.

Do they provide snacks and tea for people who have appointments over several hours?

 

[hiroMYhero]

What!!! That person sounds crazy! Rude and crazy! Sorry you had to deal with that, especially on a place for rest and relaxation! I do not know what makes people think they can say the things they say sometimes! I should start a thread on the craziest things people have said to you and just sit back and read the stories that you just have to laugh at because it's so insane.

Thanks for the spa review! I'm on my phone so the pictures aren't showing up so I'll have to get on my computer and see if they show up. I have read the spa is small so I've got my expectations set. But it at least doesn't sound too crowded.

Do they provide snacks and tea for people who have appointments over several hours?

DISboards has been glitching photos for the last week or so. Photos and avatars posted from iOS devices appear/reappear: my photos are there and will magically appear as DIS works to "fix" their problems and then they will probably disappear again!

There are snacks (stale) available in the infamous "relaxing room" as well as tea, cucumber-infused water, and brew your own Twinings tea. There was also a bowl of apples.

 

[trishadono]

DISboards has been glitching photos for the last week or so. Photos and avatars posted from iOS devices appear/reappear: my photos are there and will magically appear as DIS works to "fix" their problems and then they will probably disappear again!

There are snacks (stale) available in the infamous "relaxing room" as well as tea, cucumber-infused water, and brew your own Twinings tea. There was also a bowl of apples.

Oh I thought all that pix mess was me! Thanks for posting.

 

[loveshak22]

DISboards has been glitching photos for the last week or so. Photos and avatars posted from iOS devices appear/reappear: my photos are there and will magically appear as DIS works to "fix" their problems and then they will probably disappear again!

There are snacks (stale) available in the infamous "relaxing room" as well as tea, cucumber-infused water, and brew your own Twinings tea. There was also a bowl of apples.

Oh I thought all that pix mess was me! Thanks for posting.

Ah - glad it just wasn't me as well! I've noticed it's been wonky with pictures - even my profile pic was not showing up the other day when I was posting.

 

[dizprincess717]

My husband and I just returned from our stay at the GF on Monday. I cannot even begin to say how amazing the GF is. I booked a Lagoon View room and on the My Disney Experience website I requested a dormer room in the Boca Chica building as it allowed me to. When I checked in I asked if there were any upgrades (I'm a past CM and love talking to other CM's who are on the College Program and the CM checking us in was doing the CP so I had no issues asking for an upgrade!) and he told me the hotel was at 100%. I checked maybe a week before to see about upgraded (I called reservations) and was told the same thing - the hotel is at 100%. There were several conventions going on and a lot of the deluxe hotels were at 100%. So anyone saying the crowds last week were higher than normal/expected -- totally true!

Anyway - while talking with the CM I got a text saying our room was ready, and we were in Boca Chica room 8523. We were in a dormer room in Boca Chica - exactly what I requested online. And imagine our surprise when we walked out on our balcony and had a full view of the Magic Kingdom!!! There were a lot of trees in front of our building so I get that lots of rooms will have obstructed views. What we don't know is if we did in fact get an upgrade (we just booked Lagoon) or if the room we were in was considered Lagoon View and just so happened to have an amazing view. We could clearly see the fireworks, no trees blocking our view - it was perfect!

We also ate at Citrico's - delicious! We went for my husband's birthday.

The staff were all so friendly. My husband and I walked around with these goofy smiles on our faces the entire time because we were so excited!

The ONLY "complaint" that I would have isn't a fault of the hotels - but of other guests. I'm 23 weeks pregnant, so it's very easy to tell - and I can't tell you how many people would be going into buildings, look back and see us coming, and just let the door slam in our face. Or not say "Thank You" when we would hold the door. There was also the dad yelling at the Concierge because there were no dining reservations at BoG for the days he wanted and he said, and I quote, "I don't care if they are not accepting new reservations, I'm staying at the GF and I deserve to go to that restaurant more than someone staying at the All Star Music!" - how silly! Or, my personal favorite, trying to get onto the elevator before we would get off the elevator. Kind of a sense of entitlement, or maybe just ignorance. Certainly not every guest was like that, just a handful - and of course you can experience this anywhere you go.

Will we return? Perhaps one day in the not so distant future. It was a bit of a stretch with our budget. Maybe when the kids are all grown up

But thanks to everyone on this board with all your information. Thanks!!!

 

[Maddie's Nana]

My husband and I just returned from our stay at the GF on Monday. I cannot even begin to say how amazing the GF is. I booked a Lagoon View room and on the My Disney Experience website I requested a dormer room in the Boca Chica building as it allowed me to. When I checked in I asked if there were any upgrades (I'm a past CM and love talking to other CM's who are on the College Program and the CM checking us in was doing the CP so I had no issues asking for an upgrade!) and he told me the hotel was at 100%. I checked maybe a week before to see about upgraded (I called reservations) and was told the same thing - the hotel is at 100%. There were several conventions going on and a lot of the deluxe hotels were at 100%. So anyone saying the crowds last week were higher than normal/expected -- totally true!

Anyway - while talking with the CM I got a text saying our room was ready, and we were in Boca Chica room 8523. We were in a dormer room in Boca Chica - exactly what I requested online. And imagine our surprise when we walked out on our balcony and had a full view of the Magic Kingdom!!! There were a lot of trees in front of our building so I get that lots of rooms will have obstructed views. What we don't know is if we did in fact get an upgrade (we just booked Lagoon) or if the room we were in was considered Lagoon View and just so happened to have an amazing view. We could clearly see the fireworks, no trees blocking our view - it was perfect!

We also ate at Citrico's - delicious! We went for my husband's birthday.

The staff were all so friendly. My husband and I walked around with these goofy smiles on our faces the entire time because we were so excited!

The ONLY "complaint" that I would have isn't a fault of the hotels - but of other guests. I'm 23 weeks pregnant, so it's very easy to tell - and I can't tell you how many people would be going into buildings, look back and see us coming, and just let the door slam in our face. Or not say "Thank You" when we would hold the door. There was also the dad yelling at the Concierge because there were no dining reservations at BoG for the days he wanted and he said, and I quote, "I don't care if they are not accepting new reservations, I'm staying at the GF and I deserve to go to that restaurant more than someone staying at the All Star Music!" - how silly! Or, my personal favorite, trying to get onto the elevator before we would get off the elevator. Kind of a sense of entitlement, or maybe just ignorance. Certainly not every guest was like that, just a handful - and of course you can experience this anywhere you go.

Will we return? Perhaps one day in the not so distant future. It was a bit of a stretch with our budget. Maybe when the kids are all grown up

But thanks to everyone on this board with all your information. Thanks!!!

I know what you mean about GF - it really is special. Many years ago a GF CM was rude to me and so I never wanted to stay there. This year I thought - 30 years is a long time to hold a grudge (LOL) so I booked GF. So glad I did. It is now my favorite resort. We also ran into people getting on elevators before we could get off and people not saying thanks for holding the door for them, etc. Thankfully it is only a few. As for the dad wanting a BOG ressie because he was more entitled - ugh. So glad you had a great trip and congrats on your pregnancy.

 

[mandy200587]

My husband and I just returned from our stay at the GF on Monday. I cannot even begin to say how amazing the GF is. I booked a Lagoon View room and on the My Disney Experience website I requested a dormer room in the Boca Chica building as it allowed me to. When I checked in I asked if there were any upgrades (I'm a past CM and love talking to other CM's who are on the College Program and the CM checking us in was doing the CP so I had no issues asking for an upgrade!) and he told me the hotel was at 100%. I checked maybe a week before to see about upgraded (I called reservations) and was told the same thing - the hotel is at 100%. There were several conventions going on and a lot of the deluxe hotels were at 100%. So anyone saying the crowds last week were higher than normal/expected -- totally true!

Anyway - while talking with the CM I got a text saying our room was ready, and we were in Boca Chica room 8523. We were in a dormer room in Boca Chica - exactly what I requested online. And imagine our surprise when we walked out on our balcony and had a full view of the Magic Kingdom!!! There were a lot of trees in front of our building so I get that lots of rooms will have obstructed views. What we don't know is if we did in fact get an upgrade (we just booked Lagoon) or if the room we were in was considered Lagoon View and just so happened to have an amazing view. We could clearly see the fireworks, no trees blocking our view - it was perfect!

We also ate at Citrico's - delicious! We went for my husband's birthday.

The staff were all so friendly. My husband and I walked around with these goofy smiles on our faces the entire time because we were so excited!

The ONLY "complaint" that I would have isn't a fault of the hotels - but of other guests. I'm 23 weeks pregnant, so it's very easy to tell - and I can't tell you how many people would be going into buildings, look back and see us coming, and just let the door slam in our face. Or not say "Thank You" when we would hold the door. There was also the dad yelling at the Concierge because there were no dining reservations at BoG for the days he wanted and he said, and I quote, "I don't care if they are not accepting new reservations, I'm staying at the GF and I deserve to go to that restaurant more than someone staying at the All Star Music!" - how silly! Or, my personal favorite, trying to get onto the elevator before we would get off the elevator. Kind of a sense of entitlement, or maybe just ignorance. Certainly not every guest was like that, just a handful - and of course you can experience this anywhere you go.

Will we return? Perhaps one day in the not so distant future. It was a bit of a stretch with our budget. Maybe when the kids are all grown up

But thanks to everyone on this board with all your information. Thanks!!!

We had the same issues as you with the elevators except with a wheelchair. We were there same time as you as well!

 

[Sue M]

It's official, I booked GF for August woohoo!

 

[MommyGina]

Sue M - Congratulations on booking your trip! So excited for you. Now the countdown starts.

Dizprincess717 - Unfortunately, there are rude people no matter where you go.

 

[VbChristy]

3 days- eek!!! So so so much to do before my first stay still. One way or another I wil be 'taking a plane to see Mickey' as my 2 year old says.

 

[mandy200587]

Have a good time VbChristy! Have a Mickey Waffle at the GF Cafe for me.

 

[Maddie's Nana]

3 days- eek!!! So so so much to do before my first stay still. One way or another I wil be 'taking a plane to see Mickey' as my 2 year old says.

What fun!!! We took our DGD when she was 2 years old. I will never forget it - She loved all of the characters and the rides, great memories. Have a wonderful time.

 

[mandy200587]

cannoli from the concierge lounge

 

[Dispro1]

Oh...so I guess I'm not "next" on the list...it's VbChristy! Have a great time I'll be there soon too!!