Anyone actually stay at GF, and NEVER going back?

[lucincia]

Just got back from 8 nights stay at GF (see my trip report for other details - link in the sig). Will we do it again? Yes, but only if employer is paying for it due to an onsite convention or something like that.

We can get better 5 stars hotel treatement elsewhere at lower price point. Yes, I know this is Disney - where everything is expensive, but for a supposedly "flagship" hotel, it really does not live up to the hype. I get more "Disney Magic" and feeling from WL than GF.

Staff is professional and nice, but you can get that at other Deluxe Disney resorts. I can't tell the difference in service between GF and WL.

Theming is very pretentious and not very Disney. I don't know - hard to explain. I guess if I wanted that kind of feeling, I would be checking into an off-site 5 stars hotel where I can get more personal service at lower cost.

Big plus - view (we had MK facing room) and monorail (one stop from MK).

So, now we can say we have stayed at GF. Been there - done that. But, will not be doing it again on our own dimes.

Going back to WL! They need to run the monorail to WL and make that the flagship resort!

 

[popstar7867]

One thing to mention. I keep reading the word "Snooty."

I think that often the more reserved atmosphere at the GF is mistaken for snooty. Yes, there will be bad apples here and there, but I've run into them at the BC, YC, AKL, AS, BW, CR, PR, and WL as well. Overall the atmosphere and CM's at the GF are pleasantly reserved, not snooty at all.

If you are expecting an ultra casual, laid back atmosphere, you'll be disappointed. It's not "down home friendly" like you'd find at the BC, the BW, the WL, and the PR. The GF is more genteel, the atmosphere more elegant. But that doesn't make it snooty.

The resort can't make you feel like you don't belong there. Only you can do that to yourself.

I agree completely! We did not find the Grand Floridian too snooty at all. My boyfriend and I are very young (21 and 22) and have never stayed anywhere as elegant as the Grand Floridian and do not come from families who live the lifestyles that many at the Grand Floridian surely do back home. This was a real treat for us and at first we felt like we might no belong (kind of how we sometimes feel at overly fancy restaurants). Not once did we have that feeling at the Grand Floridian. It is very elegant and regal. I felt like I was sailing first class on the Titanic! There were a lot of families there (actually we noticed more families here than at Saratoga Springs) and we felt like royalty the entire time. We encountered a few "snooty" guests, but not once did we feel out of place at this amazing resort!

 

[5kwallace]

Too late to change, and yes I need to stay off of threads like this. The problem is very few people who go GV are saying they had a great experience. The GF people who chime in are usually the Concierge people, so I keep looking for the few who are GV who still like the resort since it seems the experience is very different. Especially since the RPC guest keep telling us that it is a great resort yet they keep saying they will only go RPC or SL. And Channing was one that has been very nice to tell me that GV is great and she had booked it for November for a great rate, but now its just not good enough. But in reality, I have never tried Concierge, so I wouldn't know what I was missing! Channing would! She is never anything but helpful so no disrepect was intended to her. I do need a lot of reassurance, I kinda thought that was what the DIS boards was for. After all there are lots of posts like this and most on this five page thread have been negative. So I apologize for getting a little nervous- and yes, we think close to 300.00 a night is a lot for a hotel room so for me, I am really nervous when we see a post like this one.

Sorry!

So no disrespect taken. I will be in the category of "have to try it to see" and I will now leave the GF posts! I better stick to Theme Park and Restaurants where I can stress about those choices!

Cmbar, Hakuna Matata. I stayed at the GF GV for my 40th birthday last November. I loved the GF. It is my 2nd favorite resort. I have a very hyper 5 year old DS who also loved it there. We did not feel out of place at all. The staff was very friendly. I really enjoyed my stay here. The self parking did not bother me at all. When we checked out, bell services loaded up our stuff in a cart and drove us to our car. Have a great trip!

 

[disneychic]

We honeymooned at the GF in Oct. 2000 - went all out, did the Grand Plan for 10 days. It was amazing, everything was top notch. Having said that, we also joined DVC while on our honeymoon and since that trip we haven't stayed at the GF -- I probably won't stay there in the future unless DVC builds on some rooms there -- too many points per night to stay at the GF.

 

[Todd&Copper]

We walked around the GF last week and it was very impressive and clean, but quiet, almost too quiet. It was kind of eerie to not hear kids playing/laughing. That said, if DH & I never have kids, I would not mind staying here if we return to WDW.

 

[rie'smom]

Beautiful but 'been there done that'. I really think that the CMs at CSR are more accommodating. It wasn't too snooty just not us.

 

[princessesrule4]

We walked around the GF last week and it was very impressive and clean, but quiet, almost too quiet. It was kind of eerie to not hear kids playing/laughing. That said, if DH & I never have kids, I would not mind staying here if we return to WDW.

That's because 1900 Park Fare is being rehabbed! Trust me , if you would've have walked by there during Cindys breakfast or Feast, you would have heard plenty of playing/laughing children as well as screaming/running children!

 

[bosstoboss]

Okay...GF is a beautiful resort. We have stayed there and were very dissapointed on the smell of mold in the hallways, the mousekeeping was poor at dusting the furniture (i think they only do this before you arrive, then again for the next party). Oh, and vacuming the hallway was never done during our stay.

Really, I have to agree with all the money you spend to stay there, it should be a clean hotel. Also, for a few of my stays, I can honestly say that service was never consistent.

Even Citricos one evening was horrible. I had the chicken and some greens. Obviously they did not wash the greens because I was crunching sand!!!

Just my two cents.

 

[mikkiwikki]

just as a counter post - we've stayed there many times and LOVE it...

i don't know what you mean about lack of theming...perhaps you don't like the theming, but it definitely is themed....

that's the great thing about WDW, different theming for different tastes...

and the service has been outstanding every time we've been there (7 times), whether in standard rooms or concierge....

Not as themed as what it was supposed to be!!!
http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/asian.htm

 

[lucincia]

Not as themed as what it was supposed to be!!!
http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/asian.htm

Now, THAT IS theming Thanks for sharing the link!

GF's current theme is a "let's pretend to be a 5 stars spa and resort" theme, which I don't consider that to be a theme

 

[ducklite]

That's because 1900 Park Fare is being rehabbed! Trust me , if you would've have walked by there during Cindys breakfast or Feast, you would have heard plenty of playing/laughing children as well as screaming/running children!

I agree. Quiet is not a word I'd ever use to describe the GF lobby. "Din" is often a better choice.

 

[kparc]

Stayed there before children , many years ago on a whim.
Won't be going back simply because of the cost.

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

As the OP, I'd like to thank those of you who have stayed on topic and posted about your personal experience that helped you decide NOT TO RETURN to the GF.

It can be difficult to express negative opinions on this board without other posters feeling the need to defend their opposing opinions.

Please keep to the nature of this thread: If you have ACTUALLY STAYED at the GF, and not just visited...why will you NEVER return?

This thread is not intended to "bash" the GF. Theme, decor, cleanliness, quietness, loudness, flowers, view, food, etc. can be objective. They're all just personal preferences--not "right" or "wrong", just opinion.

Thanks!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I have stayed at the GF. My personal opinion....I agree...it won't ever qualify for the 5th star (Disney tried very hard when it first opened to be awarded that 5th star). It's the most "grand" of the Disney resorts but it simply is not a 5 star resort. Small rooms compared to other resorts in the travel industry and amenities do not compare...service does not always compare to 5-star's elsewhere - or even other resorts at WDW.

It's beautiful, great lobby, monorail is convenient....just should not be considered an ultra-deluxe resort.

I WILL offer one compliment, however. During my brief stay I was rushed to the ER in Celebration (ok, if YOU have to go....go to Florida Hospital Ctr)....back to the point..... The GF staff at 2:30 in the morning was very helpful with directions and even offered to pick us up when I was released.

 

[allisonswonderland]

I think the GF is a lovely Resort and stayed there numerous times as a teen w/ my parents. Now as an adult, it is the BC for me, I like the themeing better and I just could not see paying that price for a room at the GF. I dine there and visit each time we go to WDW, but maybe when we have kids or something and need the monorail - I am just a BC gal , I guess. I do not think there is anything wrong with the GF EXCEPT I do not think that it is THAT much better than the other deluxe hotels on property.

 

[wer14631]

We have stayed at the GF and I agree with several of the previous posters. Nothing "wrong" with the resort, just not enough "right" to justify the price.

 

[lilyv]

I do wonder if the Four Seasons will affect pricing at the GF. Right now GF is the flagship, once the Four Seasons is available (whenever in the future that will be) GF will lose first position, IMO. It would be great if the prices fell, somewhat.

I loved visiting GF, but it didn't impress me enough to fork over the bucks.

 

[LukenDC]

I stayed at GF and while I had a very pleasant stay, I am unlikely to return. The Poly is my favorite Disney resort and I also like Boardwalk Inn. There was nothing wrong with the GF, it's just that I prefer the other two resorts.