Anyone stayed at the Grand Floridian?

[Rebecca12345]

Hi what are the best things abt staying at the GF? Location? pool? restaurant? I need to choose resort soon
thanks

 

[Janet2k]

Rebecca12345, welcome to the Dis!

I have stayed in the GF many times. It is a beautiful resort. It also happens to be my husband's favorite resort (mine is the AKL). When I am at the GF, whether I'm staying there or just visiting, I love to hang out in the lobby or at an outdoor table by the marina and just drink a soft drink and people-watch. It's a glorious resort for relaxing.

To find out lots of wonderful things about the GF, click here to view the GF FAQ thread here on the Dis.

 

[Rebecca12345]

ThAnKs for your reply!! (when I had typed in GF search, the threads were closed?!) this is great!

ttfn

 

[phyllis1966]

I must agree with Janet2k, it is a beautiful resort and we love it - the pools are great, though perhaps not as exciting as Stormalong Bay (but our little one is not too keen on swimming just yet), the grounds are lovely, the restaurants are terrific, and contrary to what some others have posted in the past, it is not stuffy at all, in my opinion. There were lots of families with children there when we went in October, and we all had smiles on our faces as we exchanged hellos and goodnights in the lobby day after day. All in all, a wonderful experience and we're going back in November!

For children, there are some nice activities: the Wonderland Tea Party, The Pirate's Cruise, and Adventures in Cooking, where they decorate their own aprons and chef's hats, bake some treats, and then go out into the lobby to offer the goodies to guests.

 

[Rebecca12345]

I think I am more excited than my 2 kids!!

 

[Janet2k]

Phyllis1966 is right on about the children's activities. I have photos of all three of the GF's children's activities posted in my on-line photo albums: click here to go to my main album. When you're on that webpage, just look for the albums entitled "GF Grand Adventures In Cooking Class," "GF Pirates Cruise," and "GF Wonderland Tea Party." My daughter wouldn't miss those for the World. I wish I were young enough to attend them, *sigh.*

 

[phyllis1966]

I know all about the activities by reading about them on the DIS - my DD (4) refuses to attend any of them without Mommy - it's too bad since I think she'd have a great time. Since our trip is still about 5 months away, I might just book one of the activities and see if she's a little more independent of me by then !

 

[Janet2k]

Phyllis1966, I hope she will attend at least one of them when she's there. Maybe you should book either the tea party or the cooking class. My daughter's favorite is the cooking class (mine would be the Pirate Cruise, aye-aye!).

 

[asta]

We are staying at the GF for the fifth time this year. I think the rooms are fantastic. The bathroom/vanity area is larger than in the other Disney resorts in which we have stayed (YC, WL, PO). I also felt like the room was brighter than in the other resorts. Our room at the YC last year just felt damp all of the time. The lobby is beautiful and I like the location next to the MK.

 

[phyllis1966]

Janet2k, we seem to think alike! My DD saw some photos of the tea party and when she saw the Mad Hatter, she said no way would she go to that party if he were there! I think the Pirates Cruise sounds cool, too, but the cooking class might be the best thing for her. Again, I was looking at someone's (maybe yours?) online photo album and it looks like great fun...

 

[cinmell]

We stayed at the GF in September. It's a beautiful resort. You are only one stop away from the MK on the monorail and we always took the boat back from MK to GF which was a very quick trip. The zero entry pool is nice and the "quiet" pool was not crowded. We had a lagoon view room in Boca Chica which was great. Enjoy your vacation .

 

[Mackey Mouse]

What is it they say.. Location, location, location... I love being able to see the castle, hear Old Thunder and whatever else I can soak up from my resort.. I have stayed there in the past and have always enjoyed it.. I think they have fine restaurants and I just the old Florida Victorian decor.. I also think that the castmembers are very cordial there, that has been my experience in the past...

Lately I do prefer staying on the Epcot side and just walking in through the International Gateway... but we always go to the GF and at least have a breakfast or dinner, do some shopping and walking around the grounds...Lovely..

 

[ducklite]

THe rooms are large and lovely. The location is great if you will spend a lot of time in the MK. The restaurants are all wonderful.

The valet parking sitation is deploarable and hasn't improved. The service in guest services is hit and miss.

Otherwise it's wonderful.

Anne

 

[Magic2000]

We finally got to stay at the Grand Floridian last December - and it was WONDERFUL!! The Christmas tree was breathtaking! Everyone was so nice and helpful! The grounds are beautiful! Its a very relaxing resort. We used valet parking several times and it was great! My kids also loved the resort! And, as the others have said - the location is perfect!!!

We always visit the GF at least once every trip - youngest DD always does the Tea Party - and in Oct, she'll be trying the Grand Adventures in Cooking for the first time!
Can't wait!!

 

[MargaretF]

Just back from 8 wonderful days at the GF. Don't forget about the character meals at 1900 Park Fare, your DD will love mingling with the characters with you there too. We had a great room in Boca Chica, second floor, with a wonderful view of the MK fireworks. With small children, GF is great for ease of access to the MK, take the monorail over and the boat back. Cast members were friendly, room was big, pools were uncrowded and we found it very laid back and restful. It was fun to see the folks dressed up for V&A passing by the families just back from the park. Also, there is live music in the lobby every afternoon and evening and it makes a nice place to sit for a spell.