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

[HeyIt'sMe]

We usually stay at the Poly but because of all the construction we are staying at the GF for our trip this October. We always visit and/or eat at the GF when we visit WDW but this is the first time we'll be staying there and I am really excited!

On this trip there will be 4 of us - me, DH, DD (17) and DD's BF (19). We have a standard room reserved with a request for "2 Queen Beds plus a Day Bed". Is there a certain building I should request? Anything else special I need to know?

TIA!
Debbie

 

[trishadono]

We usually stay at the Poly but because of all the construction we are staying at the GF for our trip this October. We always visit and/or eat at the GF when we visit WDW but this is the first time we'll be staying there and I am really excited!

On this trip there will be 4 of us - me, DH, DD (17) and DD's BF (19). We have a standard room reserved with a request for "2 Queen Beds plus a Day Bed". Is there a certain building I should request? Anything else special I need to know?

TIA!
Debbie

Hi Debbie!

I have a ds17 and dd19 and we stay mostly with any monorail resort. Since you don't have a stroller or need to worry about them getting tired(you might) a building request really won't be necessary. Most rooms have the day bed and if you get a room without go back to lobby or call front desk and ask again. Sometimes requests slip through.

Gf is so beautiful and with the new room updates your family should have a great time

Just keep reading here to keep up to date and make sure you read page 1

We had a great visit there in January and if you love to visit there, staying there is much better

 

[trishadono]

Grannyminnie!! Having a great time I hope! Is mine train fun?

I think the weather will be wonderful for you

Enjoy!

 

[BlueSkies]

2 week dance I think you are right about the bumps too...It is much safer for me to visit here since RPC seems to be booked up for August. I am feeling very settled at WL so far. Sue M and Candace will be at the Grand at the same time so I will definitely be visiting my happy place. I can't wait to sit by the piano in the lobby while one of my Princesses sings and dances along

Thanks for sharing in my pre trip excitement pas When I joined the DIS I was already a Disney veteran...with lots of trips over many years under my belt..and although there really is always some thing new to learn..for me reading about others trips..and sharing in their excitment the absolute best part of being here!

Totally OT lol..but...Looking foward to hearing about your WL stay..our good friend MickeyNut is always saying how much she enjoys her stays there...

We usually stay at the Poly but because of all the construction we are staying at the GF for our trip this October. We always visit and/or eat at the GF when we visit WDW but this is the first time we'll be staying there and I am really excited!

On this trip there will be 4 of us - me, DH, DD (17) and DD's BF (19). We have a standard room reserved with a request for "2 Queen Beds plus a Day Bed". Is there a certain building I should request? Anything else special I need to know?

TIA!
Debbie

Hi Debbie and welcome! That sounds like the a perfectly clear and concise request... I would say that you might want a building request..depending on your personal preferences..near the boat dock..over looking the marina or courtyard pool...there is a map on the first page of this thread that will show you everything is located...

A standard view at the GF is anything but standard..they are all quite lovely...and my recommendation is to just take some time to enjoy the grouds..the music in the lobby and the general ambiance of this beautiful resort!

Happy planning...have a grand vacation!

If I don't get to pop back in tomorrow...

~ Happy Memorial Day all ...remembering all of our veterans..and their service to our country..and also all of the men and women in our military (and their husbands and wives too) who continue to serve...

 

[BlueSkies]

Hey Trish... Looks like we were posting at about the same time...and sharing similar advice..

 

[trishadono]

Hey Trish... Looks like we were posting at about the same time...and sharing similar advice..

You are the queen of same time posting

After 20 years of marriage I finally said yes and we got a boat. We took it out on Cayuga Lake(finger lake upstate ny). We had a great family day

Sitting with my wine and enjoying the sunset.

Happy Memorial Day to all!

 

[mickeynut1]

We usually stay at the Poly but because of all the construction we are staying at the GF for our trip this October. We always visit and/or eat at the GF when we visit WDW but this is the first time we'll be staying there and I am really excited!

On this trip there will be 4 of us - me, DH, DD (17) and DD's BF (19). We have a standard room reserved with a request for "2 Queen Beds plus a Day Bed". Is there a certain building I should request? Anything else special I need to know?

TIA!
Debbie

You will love the GF. The Poly is our favorite, but the GF is also an amazing resort and runs a very close second for us . The GF isn't really that spread out, IMO, so all of the outer buildings are pretty convenient to the main areas, but Big Pine Key and Boca Chica are two of my favorites. Both overlook the courtypool and are close to the main building and the beach pool (and neither are too far from Gasparillas). As BlueSkies posted, there is a map on the first page of this thread that gives a pretty good view of where each building is located. I also agree with BlueSkies that a standard room is anything but standard. I don't think there are any bad rooms/views at the GF as they are all great .

Totally OT[/B lol..but...Looking foward to hearing about your WL stay..our good friend MickeyNut is always saying how much she enjoys her stays there...

Yes, the WL is an amazing resort .




HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY to everyone in case I don't get back tomorrow.

 

[BlueSkies]

You are the queen of same time posting

After 20 years of marriage I finally said yes and we got a boat. We took it out on Cayuga Lake(finger lake upstate ny). We had a great family day

Sitting with my wine and enjoying the sunset.

Happy Memorial Day to all!

I think that you are right on that! lol...

Congrats on your new boat!! sounds like a lovely day even if you weren't at Disney.. lol...

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi there MickeyNut!! I am the queen of posting at the same time!! LOL... Cause we were posting at the EXACT same time!!! LOL...

I see that WL/GF split stay in my future...and it will be partly due to your recommendations on the WL!

 

[jcjen519]

anyone else going to be there the first week of June? Its looking like the days are going to be really HOT! and rainy too. I'm bringing ponchos, umbrellas and the rain cover for the stroller. I think our days may end up being shorter then we have planned and include more pool time. Not a problem Haven't been to Disney in June in a long time if ever though. Do you guys think June is a lot hotter then say September?

 

[BlueSkies]

jcjen It is hot and rainy at WDW from June thru September...I think that July is hotter than June and August a bit hotter than July...and then September slightly cooler than all three....as for the rain..August is generally the rainiest of the summer months...in our experience... .

Still..I would rather have heat and rain at Disney than at home any day!!

 

[trishadono]

anyone else going to be there the first week of June? Its looking like the days are going to be really HOT! and rainy too. I'm bringing ponchos, umbrellas and the rain cover for the stroller. I think our days may end up being shorter then we have planned and include more pool time. Not a problem Haven't been to Disney in June in a long time if ever though. Do you guys think June is a lot hotter then say September?

5/30-6/4!

Have my ponchos and umbrellas packed

Good thing it doesn't usually rain all day just part of the day.

Keep dry and have a great time

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi there MickeyNut!! I am the queen of posting at the same time!! LOL... Cause we were posting at the EXACT same time!!! LOL...

I see that WL/GF split stay in my future...and it will be partly due to your recommendations on the WL!

You are the queen ....and you're right.....we were posting at the exact same time .

I hope you can squeeze the WL in for a few nights on a future trip.....it really is a great resort and is worth at least one stay for you to try .

anyone else going to be there the first week of June? Its looking like the days are going to be really HOT! and rainy too. I'm bringing ponchos, umbrellas and the rain cover for the stroller. I think our days may end up being shorter then we have planned and include more pool time. Not a problem Haven't been to Disney in June in a long time if ever though. Do you guys think June is a lot hotter then say September?

We have been in June, July, and September and I agree with BlueSkies that June is hot, with July being a little hotter, and August being the hottest of the three months. September can still be hot and humid at the beginning, but we have had 2 stays where we checked in at the very end of the month and found the weather to be great (still hot, but not as humid as the summer months or earlier in September ).

 

[jcjen519]

jcjen It is hot and rainy at WDW from June thru September...I think that July is hotter than June and August a bit hotter than July...and then September slightly cooler than all three....as for the rain..August is generally the rainiest of the summer months...in our experience... .

Still..I would rather have heat and rain at Disney than at home any day!!

fair enough! haha. I'd rather have rain and heat at disney too! especially since things are pretty hot and rainy here anyways (in atlanta) I guess we'll have to suffer though I think the RPC lounge will help us cope, can't wait to arrive!

 

[jcjen519]

5/30-6/4!

Have my ponchos and umbrellas packed

Good thing it doesn't usually rain all day just part of the day.

Keep dry and have a great time

we will be there may 31st-june 8th. cannot wait! with how hot it is the rain will probably help a little bit.

Hope you all have a great time too!

 

[davale4]

fair enough! haha. I'd rather have rain and heat at disney too! especially since things are pretty hot and rainy here anyways (in atlanta) I guess we'll have to suffer though I think the RPC lounge will help us cope, can't wait to arrive!

 

[jcjen519]

We have been in June, July, and September and I agree with BlueSkies that June is hot, with July being a little hotter, and August being the hottest of the three months. September can still be hot and humid at the beginning, but we have had 2 stays where we checked in at the very end of the month and found the weather to be great (still hot, but not as humid as the summer months or earlier in September ).

good to know. I think I know what to expect and I don't think I need to worry about hotter weather then I've experienced before. I'll take whatever the weather is though, this is going to be a great trip! We were at RPC earlier this month, but just for 3 nights. I'm so ready to check in, unpack and spend 8 wonderful days in the Grand Floridian's main building with my whole extended family.

 

[mickeynut1]

fair enough! haha. I'd rather have rain and heat at disney too! especially since things are pretty hot and rainy here anyways (in atlanta) I guess we'll have to suffer though I think the RPC lounge will help us cope, can't wait to arrive!

I agree....RPC is so wonderful that it makes you feel like you're in another world .

good to know. I think I know what to expect and I don't think I need to worry about hotter weather then I've experienced before. I'll take whatever the weather is though, this is going to be a great trip! We were at RPC earlier this month, but just for 3 nights. I'm so ready to check in, unpack and spend 8 wonderful days in the Grand Floridian's main building with my whole extended family.

Sounds like an amazing trip. I'm sure everyone will have a great time .

 

[Lisann]

Here are some photos from my recent trip. I didn't take the photos...still waiting to purchase a great camera!

Our beautiful room number.


Me investigating the closet for some reason, I have no idea. Is someone in there? The flowers were from my daughter for Mother's Day, from Disney Florist.


The interior hallways. Yes, the carpet is pretty, but it has no relation to the lobby furniture, or the rooms themselves. Very strange. And the red in the carpet is actually an orange color. Who was the designer on this? Don't think I'm strange, but the hallways are my favorite aspect of the building. I like the recessed doorways, the ivory cream molding and the large size. Love it!


While the sofa is pretty, the furniture colors seem to clash with the carpet and the marble floor inlays...all different color palettes. I would have loved the designers to continue with all citrus palette...that would have been beautiful. The sofa color is not quite this vibrant in real life.


The blue is nice in the wallpaper.





See how the sofa is somewhat dull next to the carpet? It's color is "off".


Our room. The bolster pillow on my bed had a big water stain on it (or at least that's what I thought it was). Would it have killed housekeeping to replace it? It should have been cleaned and/or replaced. You can't put stained items in a guests' room. See how this room looks like a room from a NYC hotel? I don't see the Victorian-ness at all.







The bathroom. All different colors and shades of off-white. Sand, taupe, ivory/cream...and they don't work, the undertones don't blend. Also, the towel shelf above the toilet looks like something that belongs at the Polynesian.





Hallway wallpaper detail. It was very pretty.





And me and my new best friend. He was a total cutie pie.

​

I still love the Grand...the designer just needs to be fired. It's still my happy place. Love that resort.

 

[Diamond_Girls]

And loved every minute of it. I think the updates are gorgeous. The Victorian style is still there but in a more elegant way. I loved the new beds and the nightstand which is beautiful. I have 2 negatives. The toilet paper flipped off the roll so often that we left it off. And they actually let me leave. I thought for sure they would invite my family to stay forever!

We were in Big Pine with upgrade to Lagoon view so we were able to see the over-the-water bungalows being built. They look like they will be awesome but since folks can't go in the water, it will never succeed in substituting for my dream of going to Fiji!