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

[trishadono]

Sorry Grand friends, long day and we are at dinner now. It has not been a bad experience at RPC but it's not my favorite CL. We didn't get a turret room and I am fairly disappointed with the size of the room. But tomorrow is a new day and food and wine plus the Osborne lights TO DIE FOR! This is our view View attachment 132870

Room 4201, Lys and I got that room in in August 2014.

Feel your disappointment .

Loved the access to gaspies, pool and busses with the closeness to 2nd elevator.

 

[pas130]

We do enjoy the evening offerings in RPC and enjoyed the carving station on our last visit. Hopefully the other nights will have something you enjoy. I had a horrible stay at BC CL last summer but everyone agreed that the desserts were much better at BC than GF. I think everyone has a favorite and a negative experience somewhere that will influence their opinion.

I hate having a room that you really don't like, it is a big deal for me. If you don't mind moving I would at least inquire about a room change.

If they kept the carving station my hubby would've been in heaven. The hot offerings last night were crab Rangoon, a chicken kebab with taziki sauce sorry for the spelling. And on the kids side mini corn dogs. There were plentiful crudités and cold apps. For me the CL is also about the wow factor too. Even the woman pouring the wine was less than enthusiastic, not rude but not Disney. I agree.. Different strokes. And now I'm off to the lounge because it's a new day!!

 

[sbeets]

If they kept the carving station my hubby would've been in heaven. The hot offerings last night were crab Rangoon, a chicken kebab with taziki sauce sorry for the spelling. And on the kids side mini corn dogs. There were plentiful crudités and cold apps. For me the CL is also about the wow factor too. Even the woman pouring the wine was less than enthusiastic, not rude but not Disney. I agree.. Different strokes. And now I'm off to the lounge because it's a new day!!

I'm so impressed by your great attitude! You'll have a great trip, just because of your positive attitude!

 

[pas130]

I'm so impressed by your great attitude! You'll have a great trip, just because of your positive attitude!

It's amazing at Disney always!!

 

[trishadono]

hello!

i have really enjoyed getting to read about everyone's preparations for their upcoming trips! it's always so exciting!

we were considering booking a mom/ son SL this winter but i ended up pulling the trigger on a MK view at BLT instead. my friend sold me her points and we only paid a little over $800 for four nights. i have always wanted to try the CR or BLT so with such a great price it just made sense, especially for the view. SL was about $2400 with my AP discount! we will be there jan 3-6. wow- i guess i need a ticker! our friends are staying at VGF at the same time, so we will definitely be visiting the GF plenty, and i am also going to email V&A and ask to be put on a wait list (they have nothing open, boo).

baler, we are in the same situation as you, unfortunately. i think this our last trip for a long time. after this trip, the only times we can go are school breaks and that just doesn't work for us. i hate crowds and how jacked-up the prices are during holidays. we were spoiled by many years of going when school was in session and got used to the low crowd levels. we even felt that august was crowded this year, and additionally, have decided as a family that we don't want to do disney in the summer again. we were just too hot to enjoy it as much as we normally do. we love disney so much, and we will be back for sure, but we will be vacationing elsewhere the next few years. both my kids get to go to disney for their HS junior school trip (which for dd is next year and ds in 3 years) so they at least will have that.

oregongirl, if you want luxury, then you will want to eat at victoria and albert's. you won't be disappointed. i have eaten there three times, it's a real treat.

glad to hear everyone is doing well!

We have stayed at BLT a few times, one of our favs. We loved VGF too. It will be nice for you to get to see both.

FYI i believe the 3rd is last day for Osborne lights.

 

[trishadono]

It's amazing at Disney always!!

i loved the ham for breakfast! Have a great disney Grand day Jeanette!

 

[baler31]

If they kept the carving station my hubby would've been in heaven. The hot offerings last night were crab Rangoon, a chicken kebab with taziki sauce sorry for the spelling. And on the kids side mini corn dogs. There were plentiful crudités and cold apps. For me the CL is also about the wow factor too. Even the woman pouring the wine was less than enthusiastic, not rude but not Disney. I agree.. Different strokes. And now I'm off to the lounge because it's a new day!!

Did they already change the carving station? I know in the summer it was only two nights a week (Wed, and Sun. I think) but really! It had just started.

 

[BlueSkies]

Um, what's a FLUFFY DRINK"???

Sorry, been a busy day and I have the giggles now!

Congrats on 2 tickers

Those nice smooth pretty drinks...like a strawberry daiquiri..yum!

I realise that I haven't welcomed our wonderful Blue home from the Mouse House! Welcome home, weary traveller!

Many thanks!!! ..I am ready for another trip back...lol...

May be a little early here, but would love some feedback on where to request. We have a garden view room booked.

Just a little info on the group traveling...

September 2016
3 rooms
Grandkids 2 and 1 at the time of travel
6 adults (2 single sons)​

I will be combing through this thread but any little pointers about this resort would be greatly appreciated.

Congrats!!! Multi generational trips make for the best memories! ..I am going to second Sue's suggestion...Boca Chica is such a nice outer building! Beautiful views and nice and close to the pools and boat dock too..

My fav GV room is Boca Chica. You have a nice view of the courtyard pool & lawns. Central location, close to both pools and main building.

Hello friends, we are back (late last night) from a quick 5 day trip for F&W - we stayed in Epcot at the Dolphin. The vacation started like this at checkin -- good evening, we have upgraded you to the 11th floor, lake view. It only got better from there!!! We need a vacation to recover.....more to come.

Tom

What a nice start to you trip!! Glad that you had a great time!

Hi Blue: no worries, we sensed the happy thoughts. A mini - trip report, who knew I would be getting up at noon on vacation.....well, when you stay up until 3am, you need your beauty sleep!!!!

Tom

....Adequate rest is necessary for having lots of fun!

Hi all! I'm so thankful for the DIS & threads like this! We are planning on renting DVC points to stay at the GF for our 3rd trip next November. Threads like this are a lifesaver! I've always wanted to stay at the GF ever since I was a little girl & we went and visited my Aunt & Uncle who were staying there while we stayed at the Holiday Inn, LOL!!!

Welcome!! I am sure that you will enjoy every Grand moment....a suggestion....spend some time in the lovely lobby in the evenings...to enjoy the music ...and the general ambiance of it!

We are staying at a Garden view outer building in Decembe for the first time. What building should we request?

I always recommend Boca Chica...as I posted above...think it has lovely views...courtyard pool/garden view...and centrally located on the property.. There is a map on page one that will give you a good idea of where each building is located..which might help you decide..the grounds are pretty compact though..and nothing is a very far in proximity ...All good choices IMO....Enjoy your first GF stay!

I'm staying for the first time in less than 3 weeks and had the same question. From the responses I received, one building isn't significantly better or farther away than another -- just preference. It's a matter of wanting to be closer to the boat dock, the main building, or the pool. While being near the pool would be important to me during a warmer month, it's not this time. I would probably like to stay in Big Pine Key, but I'm so fearful of getting that dreaded behind the pool house view, that I'm not willing to risk it. Boca Chica has less of a chance of that view, but there are still a few rooms that could stick you with that. Conch Key would be nice, but I think I want to be a little closer to Gasparilla's, so we've settled on Sago Cay (granted, depending upon what part of the building we wind up in, we may not be much closer). Sugar Loaf would be ideal, but alas, we're not staying concierge level. Everything I've read is that you really can't go wrong.

Very well said and very true!!! There are several Sago fans around here...The grand is simply Grand! Remember to take the time to enjoy the lovely grounds and the beautiful lobby too....and let me not forget to mention the shops....lots of nice shops...lol...

Staying at GFV for the first time May 2015 and looking at an ADR at GF Cafe but when I check days prior to my arrival I can't find anything for 7+ guests. Has anyone had any luck booking there with that many people or should I just try to make 2 smaller ADRs around the same time?

And yes I've been practicing my ADRs to see which one's i should try for first.

Thanks to everyone on this board for getting me and my family exciting for our first GF stay. The pics and stories are great.

This is definitely the right place for Grand excitement!! ... Usually the GF Cafe is generally not a difficult ADR to get...so strange that you are not able to book it this far out...I would recommend calling the dining line and seeing if they can work it out for you....

hello!

i have really enjoyed getting to read about everyone's preparations for their upcoming trips! it's always so exciting!

we were considering booking a mom/ son SL this winter but i ended up pulling the trigger on a MK view at BLT instead. my friend sold me her points and we only paid a little over $800 for four nights. i have always wanted to try the CR or BLT so with such a great price it just made sense, especially for the view. SL was about $2400 with my AP discount! we will be there jan 3-6. wow- i guess i need a ticker! our friends are staying at VGF at the same time, so we will definitely be visiting the GF plenty, and i am also going to email V&A and ask to be put on a wait list (they have nothing open, boo).

glad to hear everyone is doing well!

I think that you are going to enjoy your stay at BLT ( congrats on getting such a nice savings too )..I have family that stayed there during our GF stays ..and we have had the opportunity to visit....the views are just beautiful...and they have a super nice pool area (no we did not pool hop...lol...just snooped ) ...not to mention is just a hop skip and a quick walk over to the MK...Looking forward to hearing what you think after your stay....Enjoy every minute with your DS...

Best of luck with the V&A ADR too.... Hope it a time opens up!

Yes, we all know it's all about the food

We are staying at the VGF next week and have one PPO breakfast at CP. with the monorail maintenance what is the best way to get there. Also does anyone have the Monorail schedule.

Not to worry....There is always transportation over to the MK either via monorail or the water launches for people with pre rope drop ADRs...I would suggest asking for the current schedule once you check in ...also the concierge desk in the lobby will be able to give the info as well...

Sorry Grand friends, long day and we are at dinner now. It has not been a bad experience at RPC but it's not my favorite CL. We didn't get a turret room and I am fairly disappointed with the size of the room. But tomorrow is a new day and food and wine plus the Osborne lights TO DIE FOR! This is our view View attachment 132870

So sorry that the Grand has not been as grand as we were hoping it would be for you... You do have the best attitude about it though! No surprise about that! Hope that today is much grander and that you are having the very best time!!!

Room 4201, Lys and I got that room in in August 2014.

Feel your disappointment .

Loved the access to gaspies, pool and busses with the closeness to 2nd elevator.

The silver lining!

I'm so impressed by your great attitude! You'll have a great trip, just because of your positive attitude!

Ain't it the truth!!!

Did they already change the carving station? I know in the summer it was only two nights a week (Wed, and Sun. I think) but really! It had just started.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news..but we were just at the GF..and the carving stations are no longer there.... ...

Aurora Glad that you had such a great trip....as for waiting such a long while before going back.... ..lol...We traveled to WDW with little ones in tow...starting a age one...and found that staying at the GF..so close to the MK...and spending more resort time overall made for a great trip! Disney logic..from a GF enabler here.... Congrats and best of luck to you on the new addition to your family!

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a wonderful Wednesday... preppy GF gal who has a hand cramp and a bit of confusion...lol.. from typing this super duper multi quote!

 

[MsDisney5]

I'm staying for the first time in less than 3 weeks and had the same question. From the responses I received, one building isn't significantly better or farther away than another -- just preference. It's a matter of wanting to be closer to the boat dock, the main building, or the pool. While being near the pool would be important to me during a warmer month, it's not this time. I would probably like to stay in Big Pine Key, but I'm so fearful of getting that dreaded behind the pool house view, that I'm not willing to risk it. Boca Chica has less of a chance of that view, but there are still a few rooms that could stick you with that. Conch Key would be nice, but I think I want to be a little closer to Gasparilla's, so we've settled on Sago Cay (granted, depending upon what part of the building we wind up in, we may not be much closer). Sugar Loaf would be ideal, but alas, we're not staying concierge level. Everything I've read is that you really can't go wrong.

Would love to hear after you get back if you got your wish.. and if you enjoyed your view! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Aurora0427]

Ya I have stayed at pop and all stars many times. Not very grand, those values. However I think AoA suite is the option for that trip.

Dd and I always visit gf so we will shop eat and drink there next week and again in January. A few hours there are better than none.

You'll love AoA I think, if you've stayed at Pop & Allstars!!! We'd stay there again- so kid friendly & a great food court!

 

[Aurora0427]

Aurora Glad that you had such a great trip....as for waiting such a long while before going back.... ..lol...We traveled to WDW with little ones in tow...starting a age one...and found that staying at the GF..so close to the MK...and spending more resort time overall made for a great trip! Disney logic..from a GF enabler here.... Congrats and best of luck to you on the new addition to your family!

Thank you!!! I cried all the back to the airport... First time in 4 trips we left without booking a return trip. I got so emotional on our last day when it hit me that it was the end of our last trip just "us three". If we make it until 2018, new baby girl will be 2.5. We'll see if we can hold out that long... I doubt it!

 

[pas130]

impressive multi quote blue skies I have my tootsies up with a glass of champagne eating my turndown chocolate

Wonderful day today, evening offerings had beef kebabs and we are off to MK EMH not by monorail, holy crowded lol. Here's some pics

 

[bethclayton]

Beth, looking forward to hearing what you think of BLT! Photos please I've never stayed there, cause I'm not sure I'd like it. It's back to GF for us this August. We don't mind the summer heat, gives us time to enjoy the resort & pool.

i would be happy to share photos! i hope you have an amazing stay at GF this august, i just know you will. as for the pool... we have an inground pool and hot tub at home so unfortunately i'm totally not a public/ resort pool person. i think i would love august much more if i were!

bethclayton, it is more crowded now as opposed to several years ago. I will never complain about the heat in Orlando after our experience with Tokyo in August. All of my kids will be in high school next year and they have too many summer activities to plan much for the summer as well. We will most likely keep our semi annual traditions of switching off Easter and Christmas each year but won't need AP's for that.

i agree, even summers are a mess to plan, my dd worked 4 jobs this summer, it was a disaster! and i hate that on their school breaks they still have practice every day! there's no break!

We have stayed at BLT a few times, one of our favs. We loved VGF too. It will be nice for you to get to see both.

FYI i believe the 3rd is last day for Osborne lights.

OMG YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU RIGHT NOW. i have been obsessing over this osborne lights situation. i only ever saw them once, very briefly because we had to get to a dinner reservation but i LOVED them. the next time we went back at christmas we never made it over. i tried to get our trip for dates in november so i could see the lights finally before they're gone forever, but there was literally no availability in nov for anything i wanted. for some reason i completely assumed that they were done on christmas and i have been so, so upset about never ever being able to see these stinkin' lights. like irrationally upset. I AM SO EXCITED THAT I CAN ACTUALLY SEE THEM!! our HS day wasn't supposed to be until the 4th... can you imagine how bad i would have lost if it i realized i missed them by a DAY? anyway, thank you sooo much, you are an angel sent from heaven!!!!! lol!!!

T

I think that you are going to enjoy your stay at BLT ( congrats on getting such a nice savings too )..I have family that stayed there during our GF stays ..and we have had the opportunity to visit....the views are just beautiful...and they have a super nice pool area (no we did not pool hop...lol...just snooped ) ...not to mention is just a hop skip and a quick walk over to the MK...Looking forward to hearing what you think after your stay....Enjoy every minute with your DS...

Best of luck with the V&A ADR too.... Hope it a time opens up!

hi blue!! how are ya? thanks for the positive words on BLT. i can't wait to report back!

 

[loveshak22]

We are getting closer to our trips

You are going to have an amazing time in CL! Eat some scones for us

Weather in the 80"s too!

PS Lys added one more night so now we doing MVMCP too! Then she gets Saturday with her parents before a 4:15pm ME.

I know!! Tomorrow puts me in the single digits!!! You're heading back earlier than us though so you don't have too long at all!!!

 

[loveshak22]

I found a schedule for August and September and it was different times for different days.

Can you provide the links? TIA!

 

[loveshak22]

Sorry Grand friends, long day and we are at dinner now. It has not been a bad experience at RPC but it's not my favorite CL. We didn't get a turret room and I am fairly disappointed with the size of the room. But tomorrow is a new day and food and wine plus the Osborne lights TO DIE FOR! This is our view View attachment 132870

Sorry it's not living up to your expectations!!!

Honestly, I'm a little worried as well that with 10 months of planning and reading rave reviews that there's no way the hotel can live up to what I've built up in my head - LOL! Hopefully your trip just gets better and better though!

And - sorry about not getting the turret room! I haven't stayed in a King Deluxe but I originally booked one for our stay (until there were no discounts) and I know I would have been disappointed to get one of the 2nd floor rooms. They really should allow people to book the turret rooms separately because they really do seem much more "deluxe" than the 2nd floor rooms from all the pictures I've seen.

Again, hopefully the rest of your trip becomes amazing!!

 

[Sue M]

Pas great pics! Thanks for posting.

 

[OregonGirl]

We are on the Magical express now leaving the airport! First stop Poly then the Grand!!

Yay! Any pictures you can upload while your there would be awesome! I need my Disney fix! Have tons of fun!!

We booked GF the first week in Feb. along with the new Club Villian dinner... Let me know if anyone has any photo requests and I will try to take and post.

What's a Club Villian dinner? It sounds very cool. Your NY trip sounds fun!

 

[trishadono]

impressive multi quote blue skies I have my tootsies up with a glass of champagne eating my turndown chocolate

Wonderful day today, evening offerings had beef kebabs and we are off to MK EMH not by monorail, holy crowded lol. Here's some pics View attachment 133055View attachment 133056View attachment 133057View attachment 133058

Lol I enjoyed champagne in that room too!

 

[trishadono]

i would be happy to share photos! i hope you have an amazing stay at GF this august, i just know you will. as for the pool... we have an inground pool and hot tub at home so unfortunately i'm totally not a public/ resort pool person. i think i would love august much more if i were!


i agree, even summers are a mess to plan, my dd worked 4 jobs this summer, it was a disaster! and i hate that on their school breaks they still have practice every day! there's no break!



OMG YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU RIGHT NOW. i have been obsessing over this osborne lights situation. i only ever saw them once, very briefly because we had to get to a dinner reservation but i LOVED them. the next time we went back at christmas we never made it over. i tried to get our trip for dates in november so i could see the lights finally before they're gone forever, but there was literally no availability in nov for anything i wanted. for some reason i completely assumed that they were done on christmas and i have been so, so upset about never ever being able to see these stinkin' lights. like irrationally upset. I AM SO EXCITED THAT I CAN ACTUALLY SEE THEM!! our HS day wasn't supposed to be until the 4th... can you imagine how bad i would have lost if it i realized i missed them by a DAY? anyway, thank you sooo much, you are an angel sent from heaven!!!!! lol!!!



hi blue!! how are ya? thanks for the positive words on BLT. i can't wait to report back!

You only need 20-30 minutes for it so if it's your Epcot might you could work it in . Glad to help! So excited to see them this year too!

Your excitement wore off on me so I changed my avatar to a more holiday themed one

Its actually the back of my jacket I bought last year. Just snapped a pic of it