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

[rteetz]

Grand Floridian Resort's Convention Center Refurbishment

 

[Wood Nymph]

Do they pipe in the music from Wishes at the dock and outside of Gasparilla's every night? I loved seeing the Holiday Wishes during the Gone Mad Party and I hope they pipe in the music every night.

 

[trishadono]

I was at the Gone Mad party tonight. The party is held on Sunday and Wednesday night, from 8:30 to 10:30pm. They play dance music and sell refreshments. The best part is that they play the music that goes along with the fireworks. Tonight was the Christmas party so we saw those fireworks. It is a great view. It was worth it for the fireworks. I didn't have any of the refreshments.

I took a picture of the sign and will post it later.

We also booked the new private water taxi service to take us to FW for breakfast tomorrow.

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/11/private-water-taxi-service-coming-to.html

I'll let you know how it works out.

How is it going? I hear the weather has been good.

Let me know about the water taxi that might be nice for mom just for something to do.

Yes the music piped every night. I could hear it from both Sago and SL buildings for those that stay in those(marina facing rooms).

 

[Wood Nymph]

How is it going? I hear the weather has been good.

Let me know about the water taxi that might be nice for mom just for something to do.

The weather has been excellent. We are very happy about that. The Grand Floridian is very lovely and we have a nice water view room facing the wedding chapel and the Poly. But we really don't like the fact that the only transportation to Epcot is via two monorail rides. We really miss the easy access to Epcot from the Beach Club.

 

[trishadono]

The weather has been excellent. We are very happy about that. The Grand Floridian is very lovely and we have a nice water view room facing the wedding chapel and the Poly. But we really don't like the fact that the only transportation to Epcot is via two monorail rides. We really miss the easy access to Epcot from the Beach Club.

Poly is nice to walk to TTC and then only one mono.

We go to mk every day either am or pm. We usually only do epcot one night per trip so our family style we prefer mk area. It is nice that there are lots of options for different styles.

I love all the poinsettias around the resort and the white deer too. Enjoy GF! Its so lovely at Christmas. Wish I was there.

Also I responded later so you might not see it: the music IS piped every night.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thanks for confirming about the music, @trishadono
I love taking advantage of the special things they have for guests.

We had an excellent experience with the private water taxi this morning. It turns out that very few guests have used it yet. The CM at Concierge didn't know what we were talking about at first but eventually discovered how to make the reservation. We showed up promptly at 8:30am for the water taxi and after a little confusion we were on our way to Fort Wilderness.

I asked them if they could go close to the Wilderness Lodge so that we could see the construction from Bay Lake. They were very happy to do that and we talked a little about the construction.

We arrived at FW just in time for breakfast. It was only $20 for the water taxi service and we loved it. The staff at the GF are great.

 

[Tash87]

It's been a week since we have been home and finally feeling back to normal, UK time.

I just wanted to thank you all for the great info and excellent advice you gave me prior to our trip!

The Grand Floridian truly was a dream! Even my hubby has said that this is the place we will be staying in the future !!!
We loved every single minute and words cannot describe how beautiful it is, even the smell of the whole place was just gorgeous. We stayed in Big Pine Key on ground level, I think we could of had a better view but don't get me wrong the view was beautiful.

Obviously gasparillas was closed whilst we was there but that seemed to benefit us as we was closer to the beaches pool bar anyway so hubby would go and top up our refillable mugs in the evening with hot chocolate. Oh the memories

I'll stop rambling on now, I think you get my point

Anyone who is there now or due to arrive soon have a great time!

 

[MommyGina]

Tash87 - glad you enjoyed your stay at the GF. Even though I hear that it is not quite the same as it used to be, I don't think that I would stay any where else on Disney property, except at the Grand!

The pictures are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

 

[trishadono]

@Tash87 How "sweet" to have hot chocolate at bedtime and a nice hubby to fetch too.

I enjoyed your pix, some different and interesting views.

 

[Ydnameht]

I've just booked my flight so I guess I'm now officially doing my first Deluxe stay and staying at the GF in February!
How could I possibly say no to my aunt (who's attending a conference) saying all I had to pay was the extra adult fee and I could come with her?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Headed to GF next week to enjoy 10 nights through Christmas! Can't wait. This is our first stay at GF - it's my dream resort. Does anyone have any preferences in Sugar Loaf as to Marina view or pool/garden view?

 

[MommyGina]

CRSNDSNY - We prefer the marina view when staying in Sugar Loaf. It's very quiet. I've never stayed on the pool side, but I have"heard" that you can hear the sounds from guests using the pool during the day and night.

Marina side is quiet and we love looking at the water and the boats.

 

[disneynutz]

Any status on the Gasparilla re-opening?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Any status on the Gasparilla re-opening?

It was still closed when I was there.

And what a pain. Their options were very limited.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Any status on the Gasparilla re-opening?

I was just there. I was told reopening was late December.

 

[Wood Nymph]

View attachment 209094 It's been a week since we have been home and finally feeling back to normal, UK time.

I just wanted to thank you all for the great info and excellent advice you gave me prior to our trip!

The Grand Floridian truly was a dream! Even my hubby has said that this is the place we will be staying in the future !!!
We loved every single minute and words cannot describe how beautiful it is, even the smell of the whole place was just gorgeous. We stayed in Big Pine Key on ground level, I think we could of had a better view but don't get me wrong the view was beautiful.

Obviously gasparillas was closed whilst we was there but that seemed to benefit us as we was closer to the beaches pool bar anyway so hubby would go and top up our refillable mugs in the evening with hot chocolate. Oh the memories

I'll stop rambling on now, I think you get my point

Anyone who is there now or due to arrive soon have a great time!
View attachment 209093

We just returned from our trip on Wednesday. We were in room 9411 in Big Pine Key and we had a similar view.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Here is the sign for the Gone Mad Party. Right now they have the party on Sundays and Wednesdays. I absolutely loved seeing the Holiday Wishes fireworks, the one that is only on Christmas party nights. I watched it once from this party location in front of Gasparilla's and once from Narcoossee's. You can see the really wide fireworks better from Narcoossee's but the view from Gasparill'as patio includes all but a few of the widest ones. I saw regular Wishes once and the Holiday version twice and I just loved it. They pipe in the music and the fireworks are really close to the resort.

 

[TJA]

Beautiful pics and views!! @Tash87 and @Wood Nymph

Oh how I would love to be staying at the GF during this season! Maybe next year

 

[PolyRob]

Any status on the Gasparilla re-opening?

Here now. The front desk said "next couple of weeks" nothing definitive.

 

[sotoalf]

How has the grab-and-go affected the operations at Mizner's? Is it too crazy to grab a drink in the afternoon?