Booked GF, need some info.

[Fish2girls]

Hi everyone!
I just booked a 6 day DV at the GF for Dec.7th to the 12th. We are a family of four and have never stayed at the GF before. I am excited but nervous at the same time because of the atmosphere. It is the chance of a lifetime for us because we got a great deal with a code I used and are lucky enough to try this resort for the price.
My questions are:
1. How is the atmosphere really? Is it stuffy or will we fit in?
2. We are booked in a standard room GV. What can we request at that level and what do you suggest?
3. How are the standard rooms and do they come with a daybed, fridge?
4. What should I take advantage of whlile staying there (character meals, storytime etc...)
5. How friendly and accomodating are the staff, mousekeeping etcc.?
6. When was the last renovation or have all the rooms been updated?
Thank you for your patience!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disney Fool]

You will have a blast! enjoy your trip. All the garden views are nice, all rooms have balcony. Two pools. Yes, rooms have daybed and fridge, and coffee pot. You can also request a microwave (which is a new thing); children's activies are: Wonderland Tea Party, 1900 Park Fare Restaurant for dinner with Cinderella and her evil stepsisters and stepmother, Pirate Cruise, Grand Adventures in Cooking, Perfectly Princess Tea Party with Aurora and Rose Petal ($$$); Of course you will fit in! that is the biggest mistake people make about this resort. they take a peek at it from the monorail, assume it's snooty, and pass on. Their mistake! You will love the Grand Floridian. My personal favorite building is Big Pine Key. don't forget to have a meal at Narcoosie's --wonderful food, and you can hear the Wishes music piped in when the fireworks go off.

 

[LukenDC]

Hi everyone!
I just booked a 6 day DV at the GF for Dec.7th to the 12th. We are a family of four and have never stayed at the GF before. I am excited but nervous at the same time because of the atmosphere. It is the chance of a lifetime for us because we got a great deal with a code I used and are lucky enough to try this resort for the price.
My questions are:
1. How is the atmosphere really? Is it stuffy or will we fit in?
2. We are booked in a standard room GV. What can we request at that level and what do you suggest?
3. How are the standard rooms and do they come with a daybed, fridge?
4. What should I take advantage of whlile staying there (character meals, storytime etc...)
5. How friendly and accomodating are the staff, mousekeeping etcc.?
6. When was the last renovation or have all the rooms been updated?
Thank you for your patience!!!!!!!!!

1. There are lots of kids at the GF. Most of the people there are American tourists in shorts and t-shirts. There are, however, wedding parties that require some decorum in their vicinity.

2. I stayed in Sago Cay and liked it. My room faced the Marina and was a short walk away from Gasparilla's.

3. Standard rooms do come with a daybed and fridge. The GF is in the processing of renovating all of its rooms.

4. Take some time to sit in the lobby at night and enjoy the music. The main building has several secluded balconies on the second floor that are very nice for some fresh air and quiet time.

5. The staff is friendly.

 

[Fish2girls]

You will have a blast! enjoy your trip. All the garden views are nice, all rooms have balcony. Two pools. Yes, rooms have daybed and fridge, and coffee pot. You can also request a microwave (which is a new thing); children's activies are: Wonderland Tea Party, 1900 Park Fare Restaurant for dinner with Cinderella and her evil stepsisters and stepmother, Pirate Cruise, Grand Adventures in Cooking, Perfectly Princess Tea Party with Aurora and Rose Petal ($$$); Of course you will fit in! that is the biggest mistake people make about this resort. they take a peek at it from the monorail, assume it's snooty, and pass on. Their mistake! You will love the Grand Floridian. My personal favorite building is Big Pine Key. don't forget to have a meal at Narcoosie's --wonderful food, and you can hear the Wishes music piped in when the fireworks go off.

Didn't mean to throw the word "stuffy" in there, but your right, that is what I heard. I just want to make sure that we have the best time possible and everytime I would pass by and see the GF I want to stay there. I am so excited that my family will get this chance!!

Which buildings offer the GV ? I was thinking of Big Pine Key too, but want to put all options on the table. I would like a balcony but I don't think they are guaranteed. It looks as though on the map, that all the buildings are in close proximity to the main building with all the amenities.
Thanks for your time

 

[3for Me]

To answer one of your questions, I believe all of the rooms are now finished being renovated. Check over on the GF FAQ and you'll see some lovely pictures.

The ladies over there are VERY knowledgable and LOVE the resort. They can help you with any question you may have.

Enjoy your stay - its our FAVORITE resort!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You will love the GF - we always do.

My favorite garden view rooms are gv rooms in either Sago Cay or Conch Key, marina side. I love looking out at the marina. In fact when we were in Conch Key in early January we could look sideways from our room and see the Castle and the fireworks!

1900 Park Fare has a great character breakfast (Mad Hatter, Alice, Mary Poppins, Tigger and Pooh).

THe dinner character buffet is Cindrella, her stepmother and the step sisters.

They have three great children's programs - Wonderland Tea Party, Grand Adventures in Cooking and the Pirates Cruise.

At night you can go down to Gasparilla's and sit outside and see Wishes and the castle chaning colors.

Believe me, we started going to the GF when the kids were really young (2, 4 and 5) and never felt it was too "stuff".

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Come join the fun over at the GF info thread!!

We love the GF and don't find it stuffy at all. And the GF at Christmastime is divine!! We'll see you there!

 

[BamaTigger]

The GF is the most BEAUTIFUL resort (IMHO) of all the resorts at WDW. It is airy, bright, and not stuffy at all. It is really nice, and posh in a Disney kinda way. The lobby is just stunning, with its soft colors and bright ceiling! You will see brides and grooms dressed up and you might see business people walking around due to conventions, but other than that, you will see regular ol' disney folk! It is not stuff, pretentious, or snobby!

The rooms are simply darling...flat screen tvs, daybed (some) and safes...and fridges and coffee pots. Just nice and clean and recently rehabed.

We had a MK view in December, and it was worth the price we paid for it ...and we had a GV room the first time we stayed there last Feb and it was very nice as well. I just love the place. We used to love the WL and since we stayed at the GF for the 1st time last Feb, we are hooked! We would rather stay there than anywhere else!

Gaspy's is a 24 hr snack/eatery, so if you need something, you can just walk in a get a snack. Then right outside of Gaspy's, there are tables and you can sit and you have a great view of the castle! Breathtaking!!

Also, if you are a picture buff, there is alot of great and pretty photo ops around the GF...so keep a good eye open!

And if....IF you can afford it, try and eat at Narcoosee's---they have the BEST FILET MIGNON you will ever put in your mouth!

HAVE A GREAT TIME !!!!

 

[Fish2girls]

I just want to thank everyone who replied to this thread, I couldn't get on the computer for a while my daughter and I had the dredded stomach flu So now I can catch up and visit the GF thread
Thank you!