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

[mwilliams311]

Hi Everyone! We just switched our April reservation from CR to GF because our TA was able to save us over $1300 for our family's two rooms! We were all in shock that we can stay at GF for less than what we were expecting to pay! We are booked for two Outer Building Theme Park Rooms. I've read through most of the thread, and I think I have a handle on which building offers the best Cinderella's Castle view. We are going to switch our Chef Mickey's ADR to 1900 Park Fare, but I can't decide if we should do breakfast or dinner. Any advice? Thanks so much for all of the great information!

 

[mandy200587]

Hi Everyone! We just switched our April reservation from CR to GF because our TA was able to save us over $1300 for our family's two rooms! We were all in shock that we can stay at GF for less than what we were expecting to pay! We are booked for two Outer Building Theme Park Rooms. I've read through most of the thread, and I think I have a handle on which building offers the best Cinderella's Castle view. We are going to switch our Chef Mickey's ADR to 1900 Park Fare, but I can't decide if we should do breakfast or dinner. Any advice? Thanks so much for all of the great information!

We were in the same boat last year, even with concierge. I personally love Park Fare's breakfast. Oh and their other table service, GF Cafe is pretty dang good too.

 

[mama36]

4th stay at GF coming up, first CL stay in sugarloaf I've looked at the building on touring plans, but didn't find it super helpful. Any room insights I should know about when making a room request? We prefer pool side, otherwise are pretty open. We are squeezing 5 in a room and will need a rollaway or pullout. Suggestions?

 

[mandy200587]

4th stay at GF coming up, first CL stay in sugarloaf I've looked at the building on touring plans, but didn't find it super helpful. Any room insights I should know about when making a room request? We prefer pool side, otherwise are pretty open. We are squeezing 5 in a room and will need a rollaway or pullout. Suggestions?

The sofa in the room makes into a bed. We were on the 3rd floor I believe when w stayed, I enjoyed it. We were water view though.

 

[mama36]

The sofa in the room makes into a bed. We were on the 3rd floor I believe when w stayed, I enjoyed it. We were water view though.

Thank you Mandy!

 

[trishadono]

Good Morning my Grand friends. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas (or a wonderful holiday that you do celebrate). Mine was tough as mom fell at her nursing home around 1am on the 22nd -- and we had to deal with her and her broken hip -- poor woman went through a nightmare -- but we got her back to the nursing home in time for her 93rd birthday, which is Christmas day -- to her that is "home" and she desperately wanted out of the hospital.

Anyhow. To my split stayer friends, can someone confirm the following for me? Two of us are arriving at the GF on the 1st of February, 3 more will be arriving in the early evening on the 4th. On the 5th we leave the GF for the luxury of 2 bathrooms in an AOA family suite in Cars. While I'm diligently attending my conference on the 5th, in order for the vacationers magic bands to work, I assume I need to drive over to AOA when I get up in the morning, and "check in." Once I do that, the kids can get up, go have breakfast (I'm assuming at that point they can't charge to the GF room anymore) and then off to the parks, is that correct?

TIA,

Tom

Not sure if this helps: When I go with DD and DH any of the 3 of us can do checkin. I ALWAYS do online checkin. I make sure to link my credit card, I authorize who can use MBs for charging privileges and assign the security code. Then when any of us arrives, first one there just has to show a valid ID to check in. Is anybody in your group 18 and older? That way they could do the check in for you.

PS hope mom is feeling better

Oh our MB"S worked at the park even though they didn't work on room at GF in August. As long as your tickets in your MDE where the Magic Band is that should work.

 

[loveshak22]

Happy New Years! We just got up to Whistler today, for New Years. My last hurrah before back to work

Enjoy your last few days off relaxing and ringing in the New Year!!

 

[pas130]

Off topic but strange coincidence, my MIL fell and broke her hip this morning! We're at the hospital right now...at least it's after Christmas. I hope you get all your trip details worked out...I'm dreaming of GF right now!

:/ Oh no!! Healing hugs and pixie dust!!!

My best wishes go to Tom, Sue and Dispro and their Moms / Mothers in Law. I hope the coming year brings health and blessed relief for you all.

Last night, we paid the balance for our May trip. I have been giggly ever since - a feeling that is sure to last until I receive my credit card bill!

No more falling for our Grand family!!

I hear you on the happy dance for PIF! I almost changed to YC CL for the summer trip to save $$$ but NAH...I want to be at the Grand

 

[BlueSkies]

Hello and Happy New Year to all of my fellow GF fans....also hope that you all had a Merry Christmas..Happy Hanukkah..or as Tom said a wonderful holiday that you do celebrate! Wouldn't it be nice it we were all celebrating at WDW!

AM Glad that you popped in...All the best to you and your family in the year ahead! Hoping that you will be able to book a new GF trip soon!

Good Morning my Grand friends. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas (or a wonderful holiday that you do celebrate). Mine was tough as mom fell at her nursing home around 1am on the 22nd -- and we had to deal with her and her broken hip -- poor woman went through a nightmare -- but we got her back to the nursing home in time for her 93rd birthday, which is Christmas day -- to her that is "home" and she desperately wanted out of the hospital.

Anyhow. To my split stayer friends, can someone confirm the following for me? Two of us are arriving at the GF on the 1st of February, 3 more will be arriving in the early evening on the 4th. On the 5th we leave the GF for the luxury of 2 bathrooms in an AOA family suite in Cars. While I'm diligently attending my conference on the 5th, in order for the vacationers magic bands to work, I assume I need to drive over to AOA when I get up in the morning, and "check in." Once I do that, the kids can get up, go have breakfast (I'm assuming at that point they can't charge to the GF room anymore) and then off to the parks, is that correct?

TIA,

Tom

Tom so sorry about your Mom.... Hope that she is on the mend....feeling better..and I'm happy that you got to get her back "home" in time for her birthday...

AS for checking out and in to a resort...it has been out experience that the primary guest does not need to be the one to check the party in...I do think that you can charge to the room up until official check out time...11am....but things are a little grey with a spit stay...so I'm not really sure...but...just our past trip DD arrived at the resort before I did and checked us in...as Trish said..I do believe that someone in the party must be over 18 to do that though...truly its never been an issue for us....hope that it all works out easily..

Hello back to you!! Hope your Christmas was wonderful! Sorry you still have no trips in the works. My sis and I will be going in Jan. but not to the GF. We have moved from the WL over to the Poly. Well, actually ya might as well say we're at the GF, because we'll be spending all our time there!! lol I haven't posted in quite a while either and don't know what's going on with anybody or who's been lately. Hope you get to make plans for 2016 to do so!!

grannyminnie So good to see you! Lots of Poly fans around here...It is so very nice to be at one of the monorail resorts! And easy access to the GF makes being at the Poly even nicer...Lots of nice things to do as you know...Basin..Afternoon tea..and just soaking up the ambiance and music in the ever grand lobby! Enjoy!!!

My daughter and her future husband have just booked this hotel for their honeymoon in April. They were engaged at our last trip to WDW last Christmas and the wedding is in April 2016. They are booked in a lagoon view- so I am just wondering what building would be best to request. Any other helpful information for them would be so appreciated. I really want to make this special for them. Thanks

Congrats to your DD and future son in law...and to you too on the upcoming wedding....GF is sucha special place to honeymoon...I would be sure that is mentioned on their reservation! My recommendation for a LV room would be Boca Chica...we had friends who stayed in a lovely room there that had a king bed..I will have to find the room number and I will be back to share it...I just cant remember it at the moment...

Sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope she wasn't in too much pain over the holiday and her birthday I am not sure about the split stay part. But I think that is correct that you can no longer charge to your room after check-out.

pas Thanks for the confirmation on that....

My best wishes go to Tom, Sue and Dispro and their Moms / Mothers in Law. I hope the coming year brings health and blessed relief for you all.

Last night, we paid the balance for our May trip. I have been giggly ever since - a feeling that is sure to last until I receive my credit card bill!

Congrats follow .. lol..on that giddy feeling...until the CC bill arrives.... ....

4th stay at GF coming up, first CL stay in sugarloaf I've looked at the building on touring plans, but didn't find it super helpful. Any room insights I should know about when making a room request? We prefer pool side, otherwise are pretty open. We are squeezing 5 in a room and will need a rollaway or pullout. Suggestions?

I would suggest requesting just that...pool view....be aware though that several of the upper floor rooms are dormer style...cathedral ceiling...and an enclosed style balcony....also lovely..nice visual space too... rooms that look right out over the pool...and have a balcony with just the pretty railing would be 6314 and 6316....if you are interested in particular rooms... all of the standard rooms at the GF as far as I know have a day bed..and accommodate a party of 5 very comfortably ..enjoy your first CL stay SL is such a nice building!

Dispro Sending many good thoughts your way...Hoping that your MIL is doing better..Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Baler Thanks for sharing your Grand pics... RPC looks lovely in its Christmas finery...

We are counting down...and almost at the 30 day mark...so exciting!!! Nothing like looking forward to the new year with a Disney trip in the works! Wishing you all peace joy and many magical memories in the year ahead....

 

[grannyminnie]

Hey Blue!! Good to "see" you too, and Happy New Year! So, you're looking forward to another trip too? I know you had a Christmas visit and hope that was wonderful. And your Christmas as well...
I loved those Christmas pictures too, Baler! If ya can't be there, pics are the next best thing.

 

[BlueSkies]

Thanks so much grannyminnie Our recent visit was terrific...totally enjoyed all the the world has to offer during the holiday time....we got one last visit to see the OF Lights... and had such fun at MVMCP...Its truly a great way to start off the holiday season.......Have our next trip booked..doing a split stay..we are really enjoying a bit of time over on the Epcot side too....Glad that you and your sister are getting back to the world too....I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on staying at the Poly...

Divaofdisney As promised ..here is the room number of that LV king room in Boca Chica.. its 8433...had was a dormer room...with the smaller enclosed balcony...and a big old tree right in front of it..made if feel kind of private...but there were still nice lagoon views from it..and if you looked to the left...an incredible castle view!

Also..forgot to add earlier....Candy!! Hey!! Nice to see you..When is your next VGF stay...looking forward as always to your wonderful descriptions..and hopefully pics..as I see you have figured out how to post them too... ...

 

[Mousemommy1]

Does anyone know if cribs are still available at GF?

We had no issue getting one at the Contemporary this past April, so I'm hoping we can get one at GF as well.

 

[MommyGina]

Happy New Year to all my GF friends!

 

[pas130]

Does anyone know if cribs are still available at GF?

We had no issue getting one at the Contemporary this past April, so I'm hoping we can get one at GF as well.

So it was 5 years ago since we needed a crib, but we did get a full size crib at GF. Not to mention there was still plenty of room to walk around even with the crib I cannot believe your little man is turning 1 soon!!

Happy New Year to all my GF friends!

Happy new year to you!!


A happy, healthy, GRAND 2016 to my Grand buds!!!

My ticker is at the 6 months mark (plus 4 weeks but YAY)

Blue and Grannyminnie Yay for upcoming trips!!!

I hope whoever is at the Grand tonight celebrates for all of us!!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

So it was 5 years ago since we needed a crib, but we did get a full size crib at GF. Not to mention there was still plenty of room to walk around even with the crib I cannot believe your little man is turning 1 soon!!

Happy new year to you!!


A happy, healthy, GRAND 2016 to my Grand buds!!!

My ticker is at the 6 months mark (plus 4 weeks but YAY)

Blue and Grannyminnie Yay for upcoming trips!!!

I hope whoever is at the Grand tonight celebrates for all of us!!!

12 more days and he will be ONE!! I already refer to him as a 1 year old though. The year has flown by!!

 

[baler31]

Does anyone know if cribs are still available at GF?

We had no issue getting one at the Contemporary this past April, so I'm hoping we can get one at GF as well.

Just walked by one in the RPC hallway.

 

[loveshak22]

Just walked by one in the RPC hallway.

We saw a couple in the SL hallways as well during our trip in November.

 

[Sue M]

We are back from our stay-we had connecting rooms in Boca Chica, was supposed to be a garden view, but we had a view of the fireworks, which was fantastic. The rooms were a great size, we had all of our requests easily accommodated (crib in the room, microwave, adjoining rooms). We had a pretty big delay getting checked in because of magic band issues and as a result were given three fast passes to any ride on two consecutive days! well worth the minor inconvenience (we didn't complain or anything, they just did that). The pools were great (although the pool bar closes really early) and the convenience can't be beat.

The biggest negative for us was food related-we are not the type to book meals six months in advance, or even guess when/where we will eat-which makes this somewhat hard-we just find it very hard with five young children to know where we will be at a specific hour for dinner that far in advance. It was virtually impossible to get in to dinner anywhere other than the cafeteria. our one saving grace was finding the bar at citricos to have dinner late at night (with grandparents in the room with the kids)-otherwise we ate more French fries and chicken nuggets than any one person should in a lifetime! We went to Disney springs two evenings and were able to use an app to book tables easily. But on site eating was a challenge for sure.

Most trips now we only do TS for half out trip. It's somewhat freeing not to be tied down to ADRs all the time. But even with CS, we've found many places that have great options. Like Columbia Harbour House at MK. You can get a salmon entree with rice & veg. Many CS places now have better entree choices. Last August we had a 10 day trip without any TS, I just had knee surg and getting around was difficult. Never had a chicken nugget or burger once!

 

[Sue M]

Hi Everyone! We just switched our April reservation from CR to GF because our TA was able to save us over $1300 for our family's two rooms! We were all in shock that we can stay at GF for less than what we were expecting to pay! We are booked for two Outer Building Theme Park Rooms. I've read through most of the thread, and I think I have a handle on which building offers the best Cinderella's Castle view. We are going to switch our Chef Mickey's ADR to 1900 Park Fare, but I can't decide if we should do breakfast or dinner. Any advice? Thanks so much for all of the great information!

We love the dinner, the step sisters are hilarious.

 

[OregonGirl]

Well, I just changed our reservations from March 1-5 to May 9-13. Our studio has too much going on in the beginning of 2016 to take a vacation that soon. Downside: I was more jazzed than I should admit to be making FP+ choices tomorrow, which now has to wait another 61 days. Upside: With their 'Springtime Special' Disney currently has going on, I got the EXACT SAME room, tickets and dining plan for $1000 less. A nice surprise I was not anticipating. In case anyone is curious, we are staying Deluxe King CL RPC with Deluxe Dining and Park Hopper with water park + more. Originally $6k, now $5k. When I vacation I splurge, so the price doesn't bother me. I respect whatever amount people spend/save/can afford for Disney, so please don't flame me. Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!