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

[KonaKaiTom]

Big Pine is closest to splash pad, our last stai in August we had a GV, faced pool, and had a view of Wishes higher fireworks.

In 2 of 3 BPK stays I had the lovely view of the back of the pool house. I did have a lagoon category booked the 3rd trip and that gave me a view of the Poly Bungelows - quite nice!

Tom

 

[Sue M]

In 2 of 3 BPK stays I had the lovely view of the back of the pool house. I did have a lagoon category booked the 3rd trip and that gave me a view of the Poly Bungelows - quite nice!

Tom

We had a lagoon view once too. Very nice. That is a danger with BPK, the pool house view and you have to request the other end. We had a 4th floor room toward the end. The very end had 3 dormer rooms, next room was full balcony, ours! Best GV room ever! Nice pool view and Wishes!
If I ever go during winter when pool isn't as important I'd like to try a marina view.

 

[Lyons Family]

Well we just returned from our 6 days at the GF.
We arrived to a very crowded lobby last Sunday the 30th. Room was not ready.
Dropped off our carryons and off to Magic Kingdom by 1:00pm.

Park was not crowded, did space mountain, mine ride, rockets,buzz x 3,people mover, pirates and Haunted mansion all before we ate dinner at Tonys at 5:30.

Thats when we noticed the halloween boo party holders swarming in.

GF notes.

We were texted our room ready at 2:59. Really, not a minute sooner 8115.
We booked the cheapest price room and were told we were given a nicer room, we could see the MK easily, but if we were any floors up a tree could be in our way.
One complaint: I tried to call the front desk because of a question on our package and the phone rang for 35 min. I was not happy.
Met with the powers that "BE" and the assured me it would not happen again. It did

Tuesday we went to epoct.
Walked on mission space and then rode test track 3 x in one hour in regular line.

Then

Went to soarin for our fast pass, and when we left only 10 min regular wait so we did it again.

Waited 90 min for Frozen, did it do not think I would wait that long again.


Things that have changed in 6 years from our last visit.

I do not like the new fast pass system , you have to use all 3 or delete if you want to have more fast passes, and some parks eliminate a ride in certain categories.
The wow bands are awesome.
The regular meal plan sucks, they would rather have you eat a dessert than get a healthy salad.

Monorail worked non stop for us (resort) every day
Only one day from 11 am. to 4 pm. the express was down, I think it was Wednesdaty.

Last night got rain at 10pm. as we were on the monorail leaving the Polynesean.

Ok more later.


Sue

 

[CookieGVB]

Anyone there now speak to the closure of Gasparilla? To be honest, we use it mostly for the refills, which sounds like that can be done at at Mizners & at each of the pools? Anyone know how late those are open until? From what I understand, there are "to go" items at GF Cafe, but wondering if they're considered Counter Service credits? We arrive in 2 weeks & am having dejavu as it was closed for a few days during our last trip too (Sept 2015). Thanks in advance.

I'm wondering that myself. First time staying @ GF in 2 weeks and noticed that they are closed. Any insight as to when they'll be open again?

 

[Magical JenK]

I'm wondering that myself. First time staying @ GF in 2 weeks and noticed that they are closed. Any insight as to when they'll be open again?

I think I read somewhere it's closed until sometime in December.

Still haven't heard if the GF Cafe Grab & Go items are QS credits on the DP tho. It's probably not an issue for us, I was just curious more than anything.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

I'm wondering that myself. First time staying @ GF in 2 weeks and noticed that they are closed. Any insight as to when they'll be open again?

We had breakfast at GF Cafe this morning which had over an hour walk up wait! The CM who was checking folks in directed a few people upstairs for quick service. I didn't catch where because they were practically whispering. 1900 Park Fair now enters by the Cafe now as well.

I have to say service was not what I remembered. Granted we just disembarked from the Disney Dream yesterday, so we were a bit spoiled!

Even with reservations we waited 20 minutes past that time to be seated. We sat for 10 minutes before anyone came to take our coffee request. We ordered French Toast at the same time. Coffee came another 10 minutes later followed almost immediately by the French Toast...but no syrup. After 5 minutes DH got up and had to chase someone down for syrup. Another 5 minutes later we had it. At least it was as tasty as we remembered!

The menu has also changed to include both breakfast and lunch essentially from 7 am until 2 pm. The whole thing is very odd! I noticed some things that were included are now "add-on". The lobster on the hamburger was absent.

Heading home tomorrow once the open the roads up again after Marathon Weekend! Poor planning on my part.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!


Liz

 

[MommyGina]

Wow, by reading the last few posts, the Grand doesn't sound like it was the Grand Floridian of the past. How sad. Sue, can't wait to read more details about your trip.

Maybe if people don't book the Grand, "the powers that be," will realize that something is wrong and will do something about it. However, until folks stop going there, Disney is going to keep on cutting back.

 

[Lyons Family]

They opened up one of the bars behind the band stand on the second floor to do an imitation Gasparillas.

About 10 tables, muchies sandwiches and some re heated sandwiches for sale, soft drinks on tap for your cups and a refrigerator section for bottled stuff.

Never crowded when we were there.

We took the bus too Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs, waited by the bus stop no more than 15 min for either, had a lot of buses running.

One thing we noticed where ever we went, it was not cold even with the air on, the ride and venues were hot as well as the buses and monorail.

We were soooooooooooooooooo disappointed with Peco Bills in MK, they made it a quick cheap mexican luncheon type meal, save your meal plan, not worth it eating here.

Another thing I noticed, security was awesome, never in my life did I see so many guards everywhere.

WE ate at the California grill (2 dinners tokens on our plan) awesome, they gave us free champagne and a salad for our 25th anniversary.
We also ate at crystal palace, love that place, excellent
Ate down down at Blues Cafe, over priced ala, carte, not on plan.
We also ate at Tony's, great meal and service
And of course cannot forget the Whispering Canyon at Fort wilderness lodge and we did not ask for ketchup and the meal was great.

Could not get reservations for Ohana or new one ??Be our guest.


We talked to a cast member and he told us that the new wow bands sense you approaching the entrance checkin point about 20 feet out and start aquiring your data
If lost, they can de activiate old one and replace with new one.

The new soda cups are the cheapest yet, ours had no handle and we had to pick them up at the bar behilnd the band stand on second floor.


They must of had us tagged on their screen every where we went we were given wishes for a happy anniversary, even when we did not wear our badges.
By the way we kept getting them and came home with over 14.

Ok gotta go to store to buy food, more later.

Sue

 

[pas130]

Happy Sunday! 4 days until we return home to the Grand! This is our first stay non-Cl at GF, so we really aren't stressing over CMs as with previous trips. I am SO looking forward to walking around the resort. My only hope is that DH and I get a king bed, I really wish that was a bookable category like at the moderates. I am pretty excited to see what room we end up with!! I am anticipating crowds for Veteran's Day, especially since most of the resorts have been fully booked since I started planning. We REALLY got lucky with availability with an agency exclusive discount! Off to nap, then back to work later......2 more 12 hour shifts until my GRAND GETAWAY

 

[Caboosey]

Eeeek, I'll be arriving at the Grand on the 18th for a super-short two night stay. I'm so excited!!!

 

[TJA]

Happy Sunday! 4 days until we return home to the Grand! This is our first stay non-Cl at GF, so we really aren't stressing over CMs as with previous trips. I am SO looking forward to walking around the resort. My only hope is that DH and I get a king bed, I really wish that was a bookable category like at the moderates. I am pretty excited to see what room we end up with!! I am anticipating crowds for Veteran's Day, especially since most of the resorts have been fully booked since I started planning. We REALLY got lucky with availability with an agency exclusive discount! Off to nap, then back to work later......2 more 12 hour shifts until my GRAND GETAWAY

Happy send-off pas! I hope your stay is awesome and I can't wait to hear about it!

 

[disgirl411]

What does the other side of Sago Cay building view or is there even another side besides the one that faces the Sugarloaf? Do you view the wedding pavilion or is there a garden area?

 

[dina7]

What does the other side of Sago Cay building view or is there even another side besides the one that faces the Sugarloaf? Do you view the wedding pavilion or is there a garden area?

I would think the view on that side is of trees and the monorail.

 

[Sue M]

Well we just returned from our 6 days at the GF.
We arrived to a very crowded lobby last Sunday the 30th. Room was not ready.
Dropped off our carryons and off to Magic Kingdom by 1:00pm.

Park was not crowded, did space mountain, mine ride, rockets,buzz x 3,people mover, pirates and Haunted mansion all before we ate dinner at Tonys at 5:30.

Thats when we noticed the halloween boo party holders swarming in.

GF notes.

We were texted our room ready at 2:59. Really, not a minute sooner 8115.
We booked the cheapest price room and were told we were given a nicer room, we could see the MK easily, but if we were any floors up a tree could be in our way.
One complaint: I tried to call the front desk because of a question on our package and the phone rang for 35 min. I was not happy.
Met with the powers that "BE" and the assured me it would not happen again. It did

Tuesday we went to epoct.
Walked on mission space and then rode test track 3 x in one hour in regular line.

Then

Went to soarin for our fast pass, and when we left only 10 min regular wait so we did it again.

Waited 90 min for Frozen, did it do not think I would wait that long again.


Things that have changed in 6 years from our last visit.

I do not like the new fast pass system , you have to use all 3 or delete if you want to have more fast passes, and some parks eliminate a ride in certain categories.
The wow bands are awesome.
The regular meal plan sucks, they would rather have you eat a dessert than get a healthy salad.

Monorail worked non stop for us (resort) every day
Only one day from 11 am. to 4 pm. the express was down, I think it was Wednesdaty.

Last night got rain at 10pm. as we were on the monorail leaving the Polynesean.

Ok more later.


Sue

Thanks for the review! The problem with phoning the front desk from room is that call goes to an offsite call centre that answers like you're calling the front desk. If you need anything or have a question about package it's best to go down in person.

 

[Sue M]

Happy Sunday! 4 days until we return home to the Grand! This is our first stay non-Cl at GF, so we really aren't stressing over CMs as with previous trips. I am SO looking forward to walking around the resort. My only hope is that DH and I get a king bed, I really wish that was a bookable category like at the moderates. I am pretty excited to see what room we end up with!! I am anticipating crowds for Veteran's Day, especially since most of the resorts have been fully booked since I started planning. We REALLY got lucky with availability with an agency exclusive discount! Off to nap, then back to work later......2 more 12 hour shifts until my GRAND GETAWAY

Have a Grand time! And maybe post some pics!

 

[Lyons Family]

Some thoughts on the GF itself.

The pools and hot tub were remarkably clean.
Abundance of towels, never had to look far for a lounger to rest.
First time back to the GF for us with zero entry on main pool, well done.
Life guards very attentive, watch closely all swimmers and children.

The only have access to the zero entry pool by disignated entry gates, we used to cut thru the pool to go Gasparillas to get coffee but no more, it is secure, just like what we noticed at Wilderness lodge, they gated the pool. Oh well safety first.

The grand lobby was clean as always and the evening pianist was fabulous.
Also
The band played on and we could have listened to them all night.

Waiting for Breakfast in the sit down venue was a very slow process, ate their 4 times and every one took about 50 min from coffee to check.
Excellent meals though.

The grounds were clean and the ducks still quack along and you are reminded not encourage them to swim in the pools.

Our Maid Marie was awesome, and let me repeat AWESOME.
So great that we hunted out the manager of housekeeping to compliment her and also left her something special and extra, more than we have ever left ($$).

The boat ride was painless, did not like the cobwebs, and they were not halloween decorations.

Did not see any snakes or alligators, only a ton of geckos.

Refillable cups were cheap, we were given the ones with no handles, make sure you ask for ones with in case you want it that way.

Richard was still there and greeted us last Sunday, my how he

has aged.

Newspapers available in all the lobbies.

Oh, how could I forget..................................

All the trick or treat candy from halloween in Magic Kingdom to everyone everywhere passing it out GF, wilderness lodge, monorail........................yup really generous.

Ok when I think of more I will write.

 

[Monorail Bob's dd]

Are there any rooms or room types that do not have balconies?

 

[pas130]

Happy send-off pas! I hope your stay is awesome and I can't wait to hear about it!

It can't NOT be awesome, right? I saw the Gingerbread house is going up so cool!!!!

Have a Grand time! And maybe post some pics!

Thanks Sue!!! I will certainly try to get some pics (I am the worst at remembering pics)

Thanks friends

 

[TJA]

It can't NOT be awesome, right? I saw the Gingerbread house is going up so cool!!!!

Oh it absolutely has to be awesome! I'm so envious about staying at GF during this time of year....someday I'll get there! Yay for the Gingerbread house -- enjoy!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Private Water Taxi Service Coming to the Grand Floridian​