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

[misskerri]

This was said in another thread. I would love for you guys to tell me that this person is wrong about the GF. One of the reasons I hadn't even considered GF before the WL pool closure was because I was afraid it might be "stuffy."

I was amused by the general air of haughty that I found pervading the Grand Floridian. The service at the GF was awful throughout our stay. I had been to the "real" Grand Floridian (the Hotel Del Coronado in California) many times and the staff truly couldn't have been nicer. It was almost embarrassing how far they bent over backward to anticipate the guests needs. Whenever I see that the GF is considered a 5 star hotel I have to laugh. Must be "Disney Stars" like "Disney Dollars"...but I digress. Except to say that it appears all level of resorts are capable of dropping the ball. And then fumbling it. And then blaming the fans.

 

[addiesmom]

Hi Everyone! We just got back from our first stay at the Grand in June. (Poly converts) and we are planning our stay next Summer. Since all concierge rooms were booked at the time we went this year, we are booking early to ensure we can get one next Summer! I've read so much about the two lounges, but for those of you that have stayed there, please help!! We have stayed Poly concierge and loved the convenience to the pool and views, but didn't really find the food offerings very impressive and the CM's were just okay, nothing special. We liked the convenience, nothing magical really. When we stay at the Grand we will spend several days just at the resort since our DD LOVES the pools! I'm leaning toward Sugar Loaf for convenience but my thought is we will be missing extra special service in RPC. Is service different in RPC, what can we expect? Is RPC inconvenient for several days spent at the pools? Oh and what is the view in the RPC lounge? Can we see fireworks? Any help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!! Have a Grand day.

 

[addiesmom]

This was said in another thread. I would love for you guys to tell me that this person is wrong about the GF. One of the reasons I hadn't even considered GF before the WL pool closure was because I was afraid it might be "stuffy."

I can share our experience from our first stay in June. Short answer-we absolutely did NOT find it stuffy!!

Now for my long answer! We frequent Disney several times a year and have stayed at almost every resort, but June was our first stay at the Grand. I found the resort to be quiet and peaceful, a nice contrast to the crazy crowded hot days in the Parks. My DD just turned 6 and she made several friends playing at the hotel pools, so now it's all her all time favorite! lol. We talked to several couples at the pools and everyone was very friendly. The only thing that struck me as different is it seemed a bit empty for all the rooms. However, this was a good thing...a VERY Good thing. Sugar loaf was closed that month, but even with the Villas none of the amenities were ever crowded. We never fought for a lounge chair, never had crowds at Gasparilla's. We were so used to over crowding even at the Deluxe resorts, it was a welcome change of pace. It is relaxed, not at all stuffy in my opinion. Now my DH says we can't stay anywhere else! Oh and I should add we had inlaws with us from Greece and they are all um, how shall we say VERY loud and we never felt out of place! Last comment is we did actually have an issue with our lagoon room, bad "door engineering" after the remodel. Sound poured in the room from the Boca Chica lobby like we were sleeping in the lobby itself. I was impressed with the way the GF team handled the issue, so much we are going back. Everyone can have a different experience, but ours was awesome.

 

[addiesmom]

I couldn't figure out how to delete a double post so I just edited this one.

 

[BlueSkies]

This was said in another thread. I would love for you guys to tell me that this person is wrong about the GF. One of the reasons I hadn't even considered GF before the WL pool closure was because I was afraid it might be "stuffy."

I was amused by the general air of haughty that I found pervading the Grand Floridian. The service at the GF was awful throughout our stay. I had been to the "real" Grand Floridian (the Hotel Del Coronado in California) many times and the staff truly couldn't have been nicer. It was almost embarrassing how far they bent over backward to anticipate the guests needs. Whenever I see that the GF is considered a 5 star hotel I have to laugh. Must be "Disney Stars" like "Disney Dollars"...but I digress. Except to say that it appears all level of resorts are capable of dropping the ball. And then fumbling it. And then blaming the fans.

Interesting....different strokes for different folks as they say....We are GF fans tried and true ( with many stays over the years)...and have always found the resort vibe to be relaxing..and the CMs to be friendly and helpful....JMO...

Hi Everyone! We just got back from our first stay at the Grand in June. (Poly converts) and we are planning our stay next Summer. Since all concierge rooms were booked at the time we went this year, we are booking early to ensure we can get one next Summer! I've read so much about the two lounges, but for those of you that have stayed there, please help!! We have stayed Poly concierge and loved the convenience to the pool and views, but didn't really find the food offerings very impressive and the CM's were just okay, nothing special. We liked the convenience, nothing magical really. When we stay at the Grand we will spend several days just at the resort since our DD LOVES the pools! I'm leaning toward Sugar Loaf for convenience but my thought is we will be missing extra special service in RPC. Is service different in RPC, what can we expect? Is RPC inconvenient for several days spent at the pools? Oh and what is the view in the RPC lounge? Can we see fireworks? Any help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!! Have a Grand day.

Both lounges offer that same amenities and have the same food and drink offerings...

The main difference between RPC and SL is the lounge area...while RPC has a large lounge..that overlooks the atrium/lobby area ..which also allows you to enjoy the evening music from that is playing via the GF Society orchestra and pianist...it definitely gives you a different ambiance... and the lounge views are of the courtyard pool area...

I think the the SL lounge is more like a small bistro...with no real views...but still lovely and convenient too ..since the lounge is in the lobby of the building..to grabbing a drink or a snack on the go...and super convenient to the courtyard pool...We are big fans of both CL's...but in the summer always choose SL for its proximity to the pool... ..and that extra convenience... HTH....

 

[BlueSkies]

This was said in another thread. I would love for you guys to tell me that this person is wrong about the GF. One of the reasons I hadn't even considered GF before the WL pool closure was because I was afraid it might be "stuffy."]



I can share our experience from our first stay in June. Short answer-we absolutely did NOT find it stuffy!!

Now for my long answer! We frequent Disney several times a year and have stayed at almost every resort, but June was our first stay at the Grand. I found the resort to be quiet and peaceful, a nice contrast to the crazy crowded hot days in the Parks. My DD just turned 6 and she made several friends playing at the hotel pools, so now it's all her all time favorite! lol. We talked to several couples at the pools and everyone was very friendly. The only thing that struck me as different is it seemed a bit empty for all the rooms. However, this was a good thing...a VERY Good thing. Sugar loaf was closed that month, but even with the Villas none of the amenities were ever crowded. We never fought for a lounge chair, never had crowds at Gasparilla's. We were so used to over crowding even at the Deluxe resorts, it was a welcome change of pace. It is relaxed, not at all stuffy in my opinion. Now my DH says we can't stay anywhere else! Oh and I should add we had inlaws with us from Greece and they are all um, how shall we say VERY loud and we never felt out of place! Last comment is we did actually have an issue with our lagoon room, bad "door engineering" after the remodel. Sound poured in the room from the Boca Chica lobby like we were sleeping in the lobby itself. I was impressed with the way the GF team handled the issue, so much we are going back. Everyone can have a different experience, but ours was awesome.

Thanks for sharing your trip expereince! LOL on the LOUD inlaws.... I agree ..that any issues we have even encountered have been taken care of in and efficient and expedient way.... The wonderful relaxing atmosphere...and as I mentioned the wonderful staff...not to mention the lovely grounds.. are what keep us coming back again and again too...

 

[ErinsMommy]

I saw they do hair wrapping there. Where is this done and is that something we need to make reservations for in advance - hoping not, because I'm not sure DD wants it done and dont really want to commit us to a time. TIA

 

[BlueSkies]

I saw they do hair wrapping there. Where is this done and is that something we need to make reservations for in advance - hoping not, because I'm not sure DD wants it done and dont really want to commit us to a time. TIA

No ressie necessary..There is a stand set up near the beach pool...

 

[addiesmom]

Both lounges offer that same amenities and have the same food and drink offerings...

The main difference between RPC and SL is the lounge area...while RPC has a large lounge..that overlooks the atrium/lobby area ..which also allows you to enjoy the evening music from that is playing via the GF Society orchestra and pianist...it definitely gives you a different ambiance... and the lounge views are of the courtyard pool area...

I think the the SL lounge is more like a small bistro...with no real views...but still lovely and convenient too ..since the lounge is in the lobby of the building..to grabbing a drink or a snack on the go...and super convenient to the courtyard pool...We are big fans of both CL's...but in the summer always choose SL for its proximity to the pool... ..and that extra convenience... HTH....

Thanks!

 

[ErinsMommy]

No ressie necessary..There is a stand set up near the beach pool...

Awesome, thank you.

 

[WishesQueen]

MickeyNut - We're thinking July 21st!! Everyone wants to book soon and hoping for a discount. Disney Visa for July usually comes out around Spring Break...so fingers crossed!!

Blue - How's the wedding plans??? Whens the big day (for both)??? Regarding snacks...I have to have a coca cola concoction at Hollywood studios, I have to have a Grey Goose Slush in EPCOT (they discontinued my Red Stag in the US)

MissKeri - I guess thats whey there are soooo many different hotel options at Disney. They only I can say is I hate to leave and plan returning before I get home.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mickeynut - Very sweet of you.

....

k&a&c'smom Thanks for sharing that info that Kook provided you with ( and thatnks to you Kook for sharing the info! )... Good to know that doing OCI and making requests will go right along with requests that are on the ressie thru CRO...

....
~ Calling all foodies...lol...Love to know what everyones "must" have snack is in each park ..or at the resorts...At the GF..since this is the GF thread...the almond crusted cheese cake at Narcoosees is sooo delicious!

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a magical Monday.... preppy GF gal.. who is now compiling a list of must have snacks in each park/resort!! lol... (~ anybody ever try the sweet cream cheese pretzel from the Lunchig Pad in Tomorrowland....) ..

Oh, man, you don't know what you are asking!! I have a list, I'll post it in a little while. We have tried the cream cheese pretzels at the Lunching Pad, they have them at several other spots around the World as well. Pretty good, but our all time favorite is the jalapeno cheese pretzel - they took it away from the MK, but you can still get it in AK (couple spots - Harambe market is one) and Epcot, at the Fife & Drum. We love it so much, we've been known to go into Epcot just to get them!

DD's favorite WDW dessert is that almond crusted cheesecak, but I think they have changed the dark cherry sauce, right?

You're welcome about passing along KOOK's info.

This was said in another thread. I would love for you guys to tell me that this person is wrong about the GF. One of the reasons I hadn't even considered GF before the WL pool closure was because I was afraid it might be "stuffy."

I was amused by the general air of haughty that I found pervading the Grand Floridian. The service at the GF was awful throughout our stay. I had been to the "real" Grand Floridian (the Hotel Del Coronado in California) many times and the staff truly couldn't have been nicer. It was almost embarrassing how far they bent over backward to anticipate the guests needs. Whenever I see that the GF is considered a 5 star hotel I have to laugh. Must be "Disney Stars" like "Disney Dollars"...but I digress. Except to say that it appears all level of resorts are capable of dropping the ball. And then fumbling it. And then blaming the fans.

I'm always amused by the idea of the GF being stuffy. Ummm....how can Disney be stuffy? (or haughty) Do we ever encounter any guests who seem superior? Yes. Do we encounter them all over the World? Yes.

The Grand is a beautiful resort, the CMs are great and the guests are people just like you and me. Nothing stuffy about it.

BTW - I don't think anyone pretends the GF is 5 stars. If you look it up on almost any site that rates it, they usually give a 3 or 4, depending on how they rate resorts. Even so, it's our favorite WDW resort and we are by no means haughty or elitist.

Hi Everyone! We just got back from our first stay at the Grand in June. (Poly converts) and we are planning our stay next Summer. Since all concierge rooms were booked at the time we went this year, we are booking early to ensure we can get one next Summer! I've read so much about the two lounges, but for those of you that have stayed there, please help!! We have stayed Poly concierge and loved the convenience to the pool and views, but didn't really find the food offerings very impressive and the CM's were just okay, nothing special. We liked the convenience, nothing magical really. When we stay at the Grand we will spend several days just at the resort since our DD LOVES the pools! I'm leaning toward Sugar Loaf for convenience but my thought is we will be missing extra special service in RPC. Is service different in RPC, what can we expect? Is RPC inconvenient for several days spent at the pools? Oh and what is the view in the RPC lounge? Can we see fireworks? Any help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!! Have a Grand day.

I agree with everything BlueSkies posted, both CLs are great, the food offerings are pretty much the same. Only real difference is the location and the lounge set up.

You will find the food offerings quite a bit more substantial than those at any of the other WDW resort CLs. Non-stop food, we call it.

I can share our experience from our first stay in June. Short answer-we absolutely did NOT find it stuffy!!

Now for my long answer! We frequent Disney several times a year and have stayed at almost every resort, but June was our first stay at the Grand. I found the resort to be quiet and peaceful, a nice contrast to the crazy crowded hot days in the Parks. My DD just turned 6 and she made several friends playing at the hotel pools, so now it's all her all time favorite! lol. We talked to several couples at the pools and everyone was very friendly. The only thing that struck me as different is it seemed a bit empty for all the rooms.

Glad you had a Grand stay! The GF seems quieter even when the rooms are booked due to the large number of conventioneers who stay there.

Cute about your DD!

I saw they do hair wrapping there. Where is this done and is that something we need to make reservations for in advance - hoping not, because I'm not sure DD wants it done and dont really want to commit us to a time. TIA

Hair wrap is done at the Beach Pool, in the pool house. No appt. necessary - or accepted, I believe.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

No ressie necessary..There is a stand set up near the beach pool...

Awesome, thank you.

I was in the midst of my multi-quote, I missed the response and the response to the response!

 

[ErinsMommy]

I was in the midst of my multi-quote, I missed the response and the response to the response!

Thank you too!!

 

[Sue M]

just checking in! Arrived in Ft Lauderdale Thurs night Friday saw mom, went to beach & did a grocery shop. Our suite has a full kitchen. Handy for breakfasts, & occas dinner. Opened my wallet to pay at grocery store, and no U.S. Visa :-0 no idea where I left it. Could be Seattle? Phoned to cancel and they are sending me new one.
Plenty of beach time, as hotel is hAlf a block away. Yesterday we maybe spent a wee bit to long at beach, lol. So taking a break today.
Tonight having family dinner at Cracker Barrel with brother & cousin.
Brother came down Saturday, so we've been visiting. He leaves tomorrow.
Saturday we head to Orlando.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Is Monday half-over or is there still half of Monday to get through. Whether a pessimist or an optimist, I hope everyone is having a great Disney Planning Day.

I'm late with posting my OCI information, but your fine hostess has posted for me in my absence. I asked a WL Room Assignor once about OCI room requests Vs. those that are called in or emailed to the IPO when staying CL. He assured me that ALL requests are seen by the Room Assignor. The way it works is that the reservation is dropped into the resort about a week prior to arrival. At about the 3-5 day mark, the Room Assignor assigns your room, taking into consideration the requests in your reservation. This is why all requests need to be in about a week prior to arrival.

Helpful hints: Brevity and specificity help and not having conflicting requests is a plus! Try to describe room features or locations or specific buildings instead of asking for specific room numbers. If the specific room number isn't available, the RA won't know why you requested the room and will have a hard time finding a similar room.

Disclaimer: I have no experience with GF RAs, but I assume they all function the same way. Also, in my experience, some resorts do a much better job than others in trying to fulfill guests' requests.

Doing ok here!
I pop in here and there and check in on y'all.
We're finally heading back to RPC in November, TPV! Yea!
So, I'll be hanging out here more now.

Where have you been??!! RPC in November sounds fabulous and it's so good to read that you're doing well. Will you be there toward the end of the month when everything is decorated?

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut Sounds like you and Wishes are going to be very busy planning your summer trips! If you plan an event together it would be like having your own convention...

I'm starting to get exciting just for the planning as it will be fun planning a trip with my niece .....especially since we have 2 boys who are now young adults and not so little any more .

LOL on the convention .

This was said in another thread. I would love for you guys to tell me that this person is wrong about the GF. One of the reasons I hadn't even considered GF before the WL pool closure was because I was afraid it might be "stuffy."

I was amused by the general air of haughty that I found pervading the Grand Floridian. The service at the GF was awful throughout our stay. I had been to the "real" Grand Floridian (the Hotel Del Coronado in California) many times and the staff truly couldn't have been nicer. It was almost embarrassing how far they bent over backward to anticipate the guests needs. Whenever I see that the GF is considered a 5 star hotel I have to laugh. Must be "Disney Stars" like "Disney Dollars"...but I digress. Except to say that it appears all level of resorts are capable of dropping the ball. And then fumbling it. And then blaming the fans.

Everyone has a different perspective when it comes to each resort, but I agree with the others that the GF is in no ways "stuffy". I will say, however, I am one of those people who got that preconceived notion before my first stay . We visit the GF every trip and we always got that "stuffy/uppity" feeling every time we visited and said we would never stay there. Well, after my first stay, my views quickly changed. In my experience, visiting a resort vs actually staying there can give you a totally different feeling/view of the resort. Prior to my first stay, I didn't think I'd like the GF as much as I do, but after that stay, it quickly became one of my favorites. The Poly will always be my favorite resort overall, but the GF runs a very close second .

Hi Everyone! We just got back from our first stay at the Grand in June. (Poly converts) and we are planning our stay next Summer. Since all concierge rooms were booked at the time we went this year, we are booking early to ensure we can get one next Summer! I've read so much about the two lounges, but for those of you that have stayed there, please help!! We have stayed Poly concierge and loved the convenience to the pool and views, but didn't really find the food offerings very impressive and the CM's were just okay, nothing special. We liked the convenience, nothing magical really. When we stay at the Grand we will spend several days just at the resort since our DD LOVES the pools! I'm leaning toward Sugar Loaf for convenience but my thought is we will be missing extra special service in RPC. Is service different in RPC, what can we expect? Is RPC inconvenient for several days spent at the pools? Oh and what is the view in the RPC lounge? Can we see fireworks? Any help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!! Have a Grand day.

Glad you had a great stay . I'm sorry you weren't too happy with Poly CL. We've stayed at the Poly and love everything about it and are hoping to try CL, however, I am worried about how it will compare to RPC as everything about RPC is wonderful. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try SL, but I wasn't too impressed with the lounge size and the fact that there are no views since the lounge is located in the center of the lobby as you enter the SL building. With that said, I do think SL is in a very convenient location as the building is right next to the courtyard pool, so if you will be spending a lot of time at that pool you can't beat the convenience of being able to grab snacks and drinks throughout the day .

Now for my long answer! We frequent Disney several times a year and have stayed at almost every resort, but June was our first stay at the Grand. I found the resort to be quiet and peaceful, a nice contrast to the crazy crowded hot days in the Parks. My DD just turned 6 and she made several friends playing at the hotel pools, so now it's all her all time favorite! lol. We talked to several couples at the pools and everyone was very friendly. The only thing that struck me as different is it seemed a bit empty for all the rooms. However, this was a good thing...a VERY Good thing. Sugar loaf was closed that month, but even with the Villas none of the amenities were ever crowded. We never fought for a lounge chair, never had crowds at Gasparilla's. We were so used to over crowding even at the Deluxe resorts, it was a welcome change of pace. It is relaxed, not at all stuffy in my opinion. Now my DH says we can't stay anywhere else! Oh and I should add we had inlaws with us from Greece and they are all um, how shall we say VERY loud and we never felt out of place! Last comment is we did actually have an issue with our lagoon room, bad "door engineering" after the remodel. Sound poured in the room from the Boca Chica lobby like we were sleeping in the lobby itself. I was impressed with the way the GF team handled the issue, so much we are going back. Everyone can have a different experience, but ours was awesome.

Glad you had a great first stay at the GF .

LOL on the loud relatives .

MickeyNut - We're thinking July 21st!! Everyone wants to book soon and hoping for a discount. Disney Visa for July usually comes out around Spring Break...so fingers crossed!!

We may be there at the same time ......I am thinking the week of the 19th, maybe arriving the Friday before on the 17th. The dates aren't set in stone as we are just in the beginning planning stages, but hopefully our dates will overlap .

mickeynut - Very sweet of you.

The Grand is a beautiful resort, the CMs are great and the guests are people just like you and me. Nothing stuffy about it.

I agree about the Grand being beautiful with great CMs and it not being stuffy at all .

Is Monday half-over or is there still half of Monday to get through. Whether a pessimist or an optimist, I hope everyone is having a great Disney Planning Day.

I'm late with posting my OCI information, but your fine hostess has posted for me in my absence. I asked a WL Room Assignor once about OCI room requests Vs. those that are called in or emailed to the IPO when staying CL. He assured me that ALL requests are seen by the Room Assignor. The way it works is that the reservation is dropped into the resort about a week prior to arrival. At about the 3-5 day mark, the Room Assignor assigns your room, taking into consideration the requests in your reservation. This is why all requests need to be in about a week prior to arrival.

Helpful hints: Brevity and specificity help and not having conflicting requests is a plus! Try to describe room features or locations or specific buildings instead of asking for specific room numbers. If the specific room number isn't available, the RA won't know why you requested the room and will have a hard time finding a similar room.

Disclaimer: I have no experience with GF RAs, but I assume they all function the same way. Also, in my experience, some resorts do a much better job than others in trying to fulfill guests' requests.

Hi KOOK

Thanks for all of the information about room requests. You always give such detailed input .

 

[coopersmom]

... With that said, I do think SL is in a very convenient location as the building is right next to the courtyard pool, so if you will be spending a lot of time at that pool you can't beat the convenience of being able to grab snacks and drinks throughout the day .

Can't RPC guests still access Sugar Loaf's lounge, but not vice versa? That's the way it was last time we were there in 2011, though we never really took advantage as we spent most time at the beach pool.

Speaking of which ... Last time we were there the villas were under construction and the beach was said to be in jeopardy. Any recent beach pictures so I can compare and see what's left?

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

*Blinks at 5 pages to catch up on since Friday! The Grand folks have been busy this weekend!

Good Morning Everyone!!!

The GF was beautiful, I liked the new rooms, but its not Disney themed!! As always we had the cabana and Holly for 3 days and it was wonderful!!

I'm glad you've had a Grand July and a wonderful time at GF!

I'm curious since you have recent experience with the cabana. We are thinking for getting one for a down / laundry day. Can you give more details? I'm ready to reserve it but DH needs more convincing!

Hope everyone has had a Grand Monday! (Is that possible without being at WDW?)

Back to catching up!

Liz

 

[WishesQueen]

Tinkerbellliz - We rent a cabana every other day for our stay every year. We absolutely love it. The refrig is packed and they are more then happy to refill what you like. There is also a delicious fruit tray and great attendant. If you get Holly she'e the best. The attendant can also get you lunch even using your meal plan.

If you have any questions please let me know!!