2014 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ: Vacationing in Grand Style!

[dtr_angel]

So for our December trip, I had 2 nights booked at GF with the fall discount (no AP rates available because I booked late) and the rest was going to be off site. Then we decided to add a 3rd onsite night but no monorail resorts were available, so I booked 1 night for the Beach Club. I have been looking for the 3rd night at a monorail or at the GF and AP rates and finally had luck... I got all 3 nights at the GF, and 2 of them are AP rate! It's saving around $100/night for those 2 nights. Now if only the first night would open up at an AP rate. So this is what we have - check in for 1 night outer building lagoon view, fall room only discount. Then 2 nights outer building garden view AP rate. They are 2 different categories, so I don't think we are going to get to stay in the same room all 3 nights

Anyone think I have any chance of getting these requests - same room for all 3 nights, early check in on first day, and no dormer room? I don't care about the view or anything just hoping it's not of the parking lot or service areas. I had a seriously awesome CM named Doris help me. She suggested I do online check in for the first night, but not the second to hopefully get early check in. She said at the front desk I should be able to request to stay in the same room all 3 nights but the more expensive view is the first night.

I'm going to keep checking for outer building garden view for the first night with the AP rate but I'm not sure if I'll end up getting it.

A few weeks ago we booked a semi-last minute short trip for October to go to the MNSSHP. I booked 1900 Park Fare for breakfast before we drive home on departure day. I'm having trouble deciding which building I want to request. I see Boca Chica recommended most often, but going by the map I think Big Pine Key looks like it would be better since we'll probably be using the Beach Pool & the splash area with our 2 year old more than the Courtyard pool. I'm excited to get a chance to see the GF in person (we've been there to eat twice, and did a photo session there on our honeymoon on the beach) to check out the buildings before I do online check in!

I'm going to try not to be sad at the end of our October trip since we will be back in 6 weeks to stay at the Grand Floridian for 3 nights!!!!!!

 

[smellyia]

1. Check in. It was a disjointed disappointment.......4. The monorail. It's great, and it's why we have been staying at the Poly and the GF since we had 2 kids. But it's only great when it's running.

We stayed at AKL CL and the service and food were delightful to the point if another CL experience didn't love up to that - and at a much higher price point to boot - I would not be pleased. GF should be the gold standard so I definitely understand where you're coming from on the CM level of service. Their job is to provide you with a certain level of service. It's a shame they didn't come through.

As for the monorail I've seen some posts about it being a service and blah blah as you mentioned. That's ridiculous. Monorail MK resorts are deluxe and at the highest end of the deluxe fee schedule - why? Because it's on the monorail and location! So when that service is not available the upcharge for the resort isn't as justifiable.

Thanks for your review. I've actually been nervous about staying at GF with so much going on in the MK resort area and with the monorail schedule. We are normally Beach Clubbers so this is different.

 

[ninafeliz]

As for the monorail I've seen some posts about it being a service and blah blah as you mentioned. That's ridiculous. Monorail MK resorts are deluxe and at the highest end of the deluxe fee schedule - why? Because it's on the monorail and location! So when that service is not available the upcharge for the resort isn't as justifiable.

Thanks for agreeing with me! . I've read some other threads over the years when the monorail is on restricted hours where some people really get beaten up for even suggesting that having the monorail down makes the monorail resorts less desirable. I completely agree with what you wrote, and you did it in a more elegant manner than I did You choose to pay extra money for many things at the monorail resorts, but having the monorail at your door is a big one of those things. So when it isn't there, offering a bus or boat doesn't cut it. Our biggest reason is not having to fold the huge double stroller to get onto the bus. Heck, my DH doesn't even want to go to DHS or AK because we can't avoid the buses to get there. We've been known to walk to the TTC from the Poly, take the monorail to Epcot, and walk through Epcot and out the International Gateway to walk to DHS to avoid the buses. (Obviously not when we're in a hurry )

 

[ninafeliz]

I forgot to mention resort specific merchandise in my review. I found quite a bit of it, more than anywhere else I've had reason to check in the past couple of years. In Sandy Cove they had white women's jackets, 2 styles of women's t-shirts, a typical t-shirt, mugs, travel mugs, 2 types of hats, key chains, luggage tags, postcards, and a couple of sizes of paintings of the resort and wedding pavilion. In Summer Lace all I noticed were robes and pens. I could have forgotten a few items, or missed some things, but those are what I remember. It was hard on my wallet - I left with a t-shirt, jacket, robe, travel mug, 2 key chains, and postcards. I don't even need a new robe, but on our last night I made an impulse buy! I can't even blame the ease of using magic bands, because I used my Disney Visa to save the 10% so I had to make sure to have it with me.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Just wanted to give a quick review of my recent stay at the VGF. We had a fantastic time! I absolutely loved the villas building. We were on the sixth floor, room #1603. Great view of the main building, fountain, monorail, and a little of the beach and pool. The 1 bedroom villa is gorgeous, they did a great job with the design, most notably the bathrooms! Loved the large walk in shower.

Atmosphere around the resort was great as well. I didn't feel we missed anything by staying in the villas as opposed to the resort rooms. We spent every afternoon either at the beach pool or the courtyard pool. Ate at the GF Cafe, Citricos, Narcoosse's, and Gasparilla. Enjoyed seeing both Wishes and HalloWishes from the resort.

Looking forward to returning to the Grand again soon...maybe next year! Just wish the parks had more to offer, as we seem to be losing interest quickly. Guess 25+ trips will do that to you.

 

[cattywampus]

Thanks ninafeliz for your review. I did read your review in its entirety , and I found it balanced and honest. Thank you!

I ended up renting a car for our upcoming trip, primarily for AK and HS and you confirmed that I made the correct decision. Being a Native Southern Californian, I'm addicted to having a car and controlling my own destiny but wondered if I was being foolish. I would be crazy if I had to wait for busses for any significant time and I'm claustrophobic in super crowded areas, so a crammed bus would not be good for me. We also have a stroller, so I would rather load it at the car, taking my time. Thanks again!

 

[grannyminnie]

I also read your entire review, Ninafeliz, and appreciated your balance as well. (good with the bad but it all turned out ok )

I do agree also that an upcharge for a monorail Deluxe is unfair if the monorail is useless! My sis and I will be headed down in 3 weeks and I suppose we will be using the watercraft more often!

 

[trishadono]

Ill be amazed if anyone actually read the entire thing. Sorry!! I hope it was helpful and didn't sound like just complaining, because we did love our stay. We loved the room, the location, the RPC, the food, the pool, the play area, the cabanas, the grounds, the shops, and I'm sure plenty of other things I'm forgetting right now. My husband and I have had many discussions over which hotel we prefer, the Poly of GF, and I just can't make up my mind. I'm leaning a little toward the GF, DH leaning toward the Poly at this point. They both have plusses, and both are awesome. We would return to either (particularly with a great rate!). We had a spectacular week, and coming home was hard!!

Yep I read it

Glad my heads up about 4201 helped somebody

I float between cr/poly/gf. I just don't think one is better than the other. All have good things, just different. For my moms first deluxe stay I am taking her to poly CL in November. Originally I thought construction would be a problem but really, we won't swim or sit in the lobby, we will be in our room or lounge Besides I got an awesome rate on Orbitz

I agree about the check in issues. I have had either great or not-great checkins at all three. I find out later usually it is an "somebody was sick so they pulled in an inexperienced cm" or they are "in training" .


Thanks for taking the time to post
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For us kids in college parents, I am heading up to watch ds run XC in Rochester. Dd is coming over from Buffalo to watch then dh and I are going to buffalo with her and to Niagara Falls later too. Yippee

Sure miss my disney

 

[trishadono]

Just wanted to give a quick review of my recent stay at the VGF. We had a fantastic time! I absolutely loved the villas building. We were on the sixth floor, room #1603. Great view of the main building, fountain, monorail, and a little of the beach and pool. The 1 bedroom villa is gorgeous, they did a great job with the design, most notably the bathrooms! Loved the large walk in shower.

Atmosphere around the resort was great as well. I didn't feel we missed anything by staying in the villas as opposed to the resort rooms. We spent every afternoon either at the beach pool or the courtyard pool. Ate at the GF Cafe, Citricos, Narcoosse's, and Gasparilla. Enjoyed seeing both Wishes and HalloWishes from the resort.

Looking forward to returning to the Grand again soon...maybe next year! Just wish the parks had more to offer, as we seem to be losing interest quickly. Guess 25+ trips will do that to you.

We loved it too!

Glad you had a great trip

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Hi everyone. We returned from a week at the GF last Sunday, and I thought I would post a few thoughts. I kept waiting to post anything until I had time to write a good review, and then I realized that will never happen so I figured I would just write few things as they come to me, and if I think of more later I'll write again. So this won't really be in any order, just different things, good and bad, about our stay and the GF.

We were in a deluxe king room in the main building from September 13-21. Overall we had a wonderful trip, we loved our room and view, and really enjoyed staying at the GF. So please don't think my comments mean we didn't like it, there was a lot more good than not so good, but of course, as tends to happen, we remember the things to complain about

1. Check in. It was a disjointed disappointment. We took the ME, and only got off with one other family. There was no one waiting there with tablets, as we had expected. So we made our way in to the main building, and I asked the first CM that I saw who looked like he belonged in that area where we checked in for CL. He did say that they should take us there to check in, and that he would find someone. So he led us over to the bell services area and told someone that we needed to check in to CL. They all seemed a little confused, like they knew we should be taken upstairs but none of them were the ones to do it. A woman there who was at the front desk said she would find someone, and for us to wait. So we stood in the lobby kind of between the bell services area and the regular check in for over 5 minutes just waiting awkwardly. Someone had asked our name at some point, so after a while another CM came with a check in packet, pulled out 2 buttons, and said "I see we have some kids here celebrating birthdays!" Well, it wasn't us. When we told her that she got a confused look on her face, put the buttons back, and said I'll be back. After another few minutes standing there someone else came, who was very nice, and took us upstairs to the third floor CL desks. One desk was free, so the first CM took us there and said we needed to check in. Then the 2 of them proceeded to try to figure out who should check us in. The CL CM said we should be taken directly to our room, and the original CM said she didn't know how to do that and didn't have access or anything. It was just odd, it felt like no one wanted to do it. Finally the CL CM got us a packet (we had not done Online check in), activated my band, and made sure we were set up for charging. Then the original CM took us to our room on the second floor. We didn't get any info about the building, club level, our room, the lounge, or anything. If I hadn't known a lot from here and prior CL stays at the Poly I would have been clueless. We also had a room on the second floor, which I knew from asking here had to be accessed from a different elevator that didn't connect to the lobby. I think they should have gone over things like that when walking us to our room. Again, if I hadn't known it, I would not have realized we needed to take 2 elevators to get to the monorail. It all just felt super disjointed, and was kind of a let down start to what we had expected to be a super luxurious stay. I mean, we used the ME, so they should be able to know what bus we are on as soon as we scan in the airport. How hard would it be to somehow connect that, so they have someone waiting for CL check ins? I don't know what happened, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way it is supposed to go. We did see other people throughout the week being taken up the elevator by a CM with a tablet, and I assume they were getting the normal check in. We've stayed CL 3x at the Poly and now once at the GF, and have only been met by someone and taken to CL without having to find someone ourselves once, and it was when we rented a car and drove. It's just a nice touch that seems like it should be easily doable. The check in sets the stage for the stay, and when it isn't smooth it takes some recovery time for the vacation. At least I've found it to feel that way. It doesn't ruin it, obviously, but it's disappointing.

Thank you for your review! You are absolutely right with this setting the stage for your stay. This happened to us in July at WL except we stood around OUTSIDE for 10ish while the CM with the clipboard chatted with other CMs. I'm glad it didn't ruin your stay and your room was delightful! We are staying in the same category and hopefully don't get the dreaded "Tree Room."

I agree that the bus situation needs some refinement. Sadly, I am not much for standing in line. If I see a LONG bus line I'll take other transport (boat to MK then the DHS bus from there) just to be moving! I can't help but feel I'm wasting my time standing in line. Not a good trait when going to WDW and pretty annoying for DH I can only hope AK buses are as frequent in October because that is the only rope drop EMH we are doing this trip!

Our son has just finalized his trip to join us our first week for our anniversary so I was revising some reservations to include 2 more. Imagine my surprise when I found BoG AND for our MNSSHP night!

And we are in the teens for our countdown! SO excited.

Hope everyone has a GRAND weekend!

Liz

 

[ksks11]

Hi all!
Not sure what would be better for my family-
Our stay at GF starts Nov. 1st. - We could not get good airfare that Saturday, so we are actually leaving Halloween night and staying at the HYATT inside MCO airport then taking Magic Express over to GF int he morning.

Are we better off doing online check-in to get early admittance (and just hope our AAA agent got our specific requests met) or am I better off checking in upon arrival so that I can verbally request our hopes and wishes (i.e. sago cay marina view toward the end of the building closer to the lagoon- note: we actually booked lagoon view)

Thanks!
Kim
34 days to go!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

With online check in what are the options you can select for GF? I assume the different buildings are listed. What other options are available to select?

TIA,
Debbie

ETA: I started the online check in process just to see what the options are and they do include all the buildings plus "near convention center", "ground floor", "lower floor", "upper floor", "dormer room".

So is it safe to say if I select Boca Chica, Upper Floor I'll get a balcony and no dormer?

 

[speedo]

Hi everyone. We returned from a week at the GF last Sunday, and I thought I would post a few thoughts. !!

Just wanted to say I agree with you regarding CL - was just there mon-wed. There was one team that was excellent - Dan and Mejay from colombia. They said they have been there 15 years and seemed happy to be there and were always so friendly and helpful.

However the others were just plain rude. I got to the point where I would only approach the concierge if i saw the good team on duty. Unfortunately our check in was with the rude team. So our checkin experience was really bad and i was beginning to regret our stay. Our room was not ready until well after 3 which made us late for our 4pm tea reservations at the tea room. When I complained, there was no apology instead they said the room can be ready anytime after 3- really? Checkin is at 3pm the room should be ready at checkin.

Then the room we waited for was on the very end of the theme park view rooms and there was a palm tree blocking the view of the castle. So we had to stand on the side of the balcony to view the castle. When I complained about the partial theme park view i was met with sarcasm, about it just being a palm tree. We decided that we were probably given this room because our stay was an AP discounted room. But still i was expecting a full view of the castle. That being said we still had a great view of most of the fireworks, because of the angle of the view.

But our stay quickly turned around by the next morning and in large part because the friendly demeanor of Dan and Mejay. We like to trade pins with the cast members and did this first thing with them and just had so much fun talking with them and trading the pins.

Overall it was a good stay, but not my favorite, The Polynesian CL is my favorite of the 4 I've tried. In Dec i am trying the CL at the contemporary so we will see how that goes.

 

[Sue M]

Ninafeliz thank you for your review. Sorry that your experience was not perfect, a bit disappointing after planning & looking forward to it, then doesn't live up to your expectations.

We returned a few weeks ago from GF, our 2nd time staying here but first time at RPC. We were in a deluxe queen room on 3 Rd floor overlooking courtysrd pool.
Our experience was the polar opposite. We were met as expected and escorted upstairs by the CM at the door, who also completed our check in. At our other CL stays at BC & AKL it was the CL CMs who did check in, but guess process changed.
We found all the RPC staff excellent. And exceeded our expectations.

I totally agree about the food offerings, best of all the CLs I've been at. I loved AKL tea, but GF has it beat! Trifle . I've not tried Poly CL, but the others took wine away when it was cordial & dessert time. It would be nice to have wine still out :debwalk:

Bus stop some mornings was I don't understand why people line up clogging ramp so no one can get down if their bus comes. Mostly benches were empty, but everyone just made a line and backed up ramp .
My friend was staying in a different building, so we always met in front of Gaspys then walked on the pathway behind Gaspys to get to bus stop, avoiding the ramp problem, and sat on a bench to wait. CM at bus stop did a great job, but sometimes people just didn't listen

Beach pool was our fav, but we'd retreat to courtyard pool when pool party started . Our kids are now in their 20's. I wish both pools had more umbrellas we all enjoyed the slide! Also wish people were more considerate and dropped their towels in the bin when leaving instead of leaving them on lounges so others could enjoy the lounge without wondering if it was taken or not

 

[Sue M]

I forgot to mention resort specific merchandise in my review. I found quite a bit of it, more than anywhere else I've had reason to check in the past couple of years. In Sandy Cove they had white women's jackets, 2 styles of women's t-shirts, a typical t-shirt, mugs, travel mugs, 2 types of hats, key chains, luggage tags, postcards, and a couple of sizes of paintings of the resort and wedding pavilion. In Summer Lace all I noticed were robes and pens. I could have forgotten a few items, or missed some things, but those are what I remember. It was hard on my wallet - I left with a t-shirt, jacket, robe, travel mug, 2 key chains, and postcards. I don't even need a new robe, but on our last night I made an impulse buy! I can't even blame the ease of using magic bands, because I used my Disney Visa to save the 10% so I had to make sure to have it with me.

Summer Lace had 2 nice women's tees. I got the pink vee neck that says Grand Floridian in white. I was torn between that one and the white one that had a grey Mary Poppins silhouette on bottom off to the side. Then grey GF logo on sleeve.

 

[WishesQueen]

3. The bus stop.

4. The monorail.

5. The pools

6. Gasparillas.

8. CL staff

9. Why, why, why don't they pipe the music for wishes and hallowishes to the area around Gasparillas at night? Tons of people sit there and watch nightly, it would be great and so easy. They do it at the Poly on the beach, and I'm told the music is on the TV at the CR. The fireworks are great, we had a perfect view from our balcony, but without the music it just isn't as impressive to me. we did buy the wishes soundtrack and play it on the TV, but it wasn't the same and we couldn't time it just right. You can't even buy Hallowishes, and the wi-fi didn't work well enough to use you tube. Plus, it would be so much better with good sound.

Welcome Back!!

Buses - My DH is always is shock that for the flagship resort the bus service is horrible. We are not a family that leaves early, so we have never seen someone at the bus stop. We did see the TV this year and it was funny because the times just keep changing if the bus didn't arrive. Not sure exactly what thats supposed to be???? Especially leaving Hollywood Studios after Fantasmic....Tons of buses from every other resort pass in multiples. We have had to take a CR or Poly bus many times.

Monorail - In July we have never had a problem with the monorail, but then again I just its because we never look to leave the hotel too early.

Pools - We love the beach pool and the cabanas!!!! The person who takes care of us in the cabanas informed us that the height restriction is mainly because at the end of the slide there is a curved edge. So if your too tall you can definitely get hurt, its there to stop the smaller children.

We do go to the quiet pool in the evenings....very relaxing the kids love a little ping pong too!!

Gasperillas - We love it there...love the new set up sooooo much!!! Love that they bring you your order!!! Love the view outside...my favorite breakfast spot!!

CL Staff - Have to agree 100%...sorry I know 99% of the people on this thread love and stay RPC!!! But I tried it twice and never received any attention what so ever....except ugly looks!!! We never got to enjoy any of the offerings, our schedule was just not in sync with anything except breakfast and I only eat toast and always bring my own peanut butter. Forget the dirt looks that I received for making a dish for my children that were still in the room and NEVER come to breakfast!!

One night (like most nights) we just missed cocktails and asked if we can get a glass of wine and rusty nail for my DH after many nights of never having anything (I read on the thread you can do that). We received a dirty look and with an "I guess so"!! One night it was pouring, we sat in the lounge (we got our drinks then) and noticed that all the regulars were on first name first basic with EVERYONE!!! They had special trays of food and drinks made for them. The staff even sat with them!!

So the next visit (trying RPC one more time) the same thing happened but there were two beers left in the refrigerator, so I took them as I passed by....That was the dirtiest look of all!!! So the rest of the trip we sat in Mizners which is crazy for what you pay for RPC. I did get a scone once or twice as we were leaving for parks.....AWESOME!!!!

Anyway, I love my Garden View upper level, no dormer room now. I pay for my drinks and bring back breakfast for my kids. Everyone smiles at me and I am in my happy place!!! lol lol!!!

Wishes Music - I am sure the pros here know the answer to this but I know the music used to be piped in. I have it on family videos from years ago. I have no idea why they would stop that. We ask ourselves every year, but always forget to ask the staff!!


Anyway, hubby returns for Cali today!!! Woo Hoo!!!
Looking forward to everyones trips to the Grand and hearing all about them!!!

Have a great Sunday!!!

 

[MagPixDust]

Is there any benefit to the online check-in? Or should we just wait to check-in at our arrival? Thanks

 

[Lisann]

Just poppin' in to say hello to everyone!

I'm busy at work this time of year, so my visits have been brief. I'll pop in some more soon, hopefully!

Have a magical day, everyone!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hey there fellow GF fans!

Just skimmed..as life has been getting in the way of being able to stop in and chat about my fave vacation place...

Thanks to all for your candid resort reviews...

Interesting how different people..and at different times experiences can vary...

Overall though I see that we all agree that the Grand is exactly that...Grand!!

So much to enjoy whether CL or not...signature dining.. regular TS or QS...one of the benefits of this lovely resort is that there are so many options...CR and Poly used to have many options way back when..but it seem that the GF is the only monorail resort that has as many options currently...

We are counting down to our trip.... Can't wait to be at out happy place...

Hope that everyone is having a Magical Monday!! preppy GF gal who has rearranged her FP+ and dining once again.... lol...

 

[jocey4577]

Hello - Can anyone tell me if a half gallon of milk would fit on the door of a mini fridge in a GF standard room? Thanks!