Christmas at the Grand Floridian: Just do it if You Can

[DancesWithCats]

Oh my gosh! I highly recommend staying here during the Christmas season. If I could figure out how to post pictures, you would see just how beautiful it is. We just got back from an family trip, (Family was the pits, but that is a different story.). I completely disagree with any negative comments out there about this place.
We arrived early, really early, and I asked for an early check in because my daughter is recovering from a very difficult pregnancy, and has a newborn. (made reservations 11 months ago before we knew baby was coming along.) They let us know that we would not get our request for a high floor facing the resort. I said, it didn’t matter as much as just getting the room quickly. Boy, did they deliver. They gave us 2nd floor room 1225 by 10:30 am. The room was very clean, and any pictures you see posted from this room, do not do it justice!!! It is a standard room. Let me tell you, there is nothing standard about that view. From your big balcony, you will see the monorail, the resort, the beautiful decorations on the covered walkway, AND the best fireworks view ever! We all agreed, the fireworks from our balcony were better than from the park itself, and I’m sure the baby was happier too!
The staff were amazing! We had to ask for extra blankets, pillows, and they were there within in minutes delivering what ever we asked for. Towels, and trash were promptly changed on day 4. My husband took a nasty spill by the lobby fountain, and ended up flat on the floor. The staff jumped immediately over to see that he was OK. They offered any medical service if needed, which he declined. It was more of one of those graceful embarrassing moments. But, they were very concerned for him, and did not blow it off.
The decorations, trees, music in the main building put a smile on our faces every time we entered that lobby. I got the best picture with that wonderful gentleman that has been there forever to greet people as they come up to the main building. You know the older one in a white suit outside by the old car. What a great guy.
Anyway, if you can afford it, do it. It is only money. Everyone deserves to do this at least once in their life. Request room 1225, and if I can ever post those pictures, you will see why.
Forgot to mention the showers, big enough for a car wash.
Dose anyone know where to send a thank you?

 

[disneynutz]

GF/VGF has always been a step above IMO. Even the toilet paper is embossed with the resort logo. Requested a blanket at BWV, took an hour and a half to get it, at VGF requested a hair dryer, 10 minutes. The Christmas decorations are less this year and for some reason property wide they have removed much of the draped lighted garland and replaced them with lighted wreath like decorations even on the walkway between GF and VGF. Glad we bought here.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

We were at VGF last week and we had such a great time. We took my 84 year old mom who is really into Christmas, and she really loved the Christmas decorations at the resort. I am timeshare skeptic, but we bought at VGF, and we really love coming here.

Richard is the fellow who greets at the main building and has been there 25 years. We have pictures too.

Within a few days, you will receive a survey about your stay, and you can do your thank you's there. There are probably executives you could send it to, but the survey is looked at closely.

 

[jeepnjudy]

This is our home resort and we LOVE it. So glad we purchased here and yes, Disney has some of the best Christmas decorations. My two DS are still amazed at how tall all the Christmas trees are and want one of them in our house. My response..."NO", of course!

 

[CraigInPA]

If you think Disney's Christmas decorations are impressive, you'd be completely wow'ed and blown away by the ones at Universal.

 

[rwcmath]

I always try to get a picture with Richard, the wonderful greeter!

 

[suebeelin]

We visited for the first time yesterday to see what all the fuss was about. We were not expecting to fall in love.

After all, we visited wilderness lodge last week and didn't like it nor dislike it. We were "meh" and expected to feel the same about grand Floridian.

We walked into the hotel and literally looked at each other and said let's try to stay here someday It's not only BEAUTIFUL, but the service is impeccable. Within 10min of walking around our kids started acting crazy and hard to handle. A CM at Mizners asked for permission to give them a treat... and produced two Mickey rice crispie lollipops!!

Everyone was so gracious and nice. The gingerbread house was amazing. The grounds were impeccable.

I get it now. It's beautiful and wow and ever so nice rolled into one.

 

[OKgirl]

I agree with all the love for VGF! We stayed the week after Thanksgiving and the lobby even SMELLS like Christmas! Gingerbread house, orchestra playing Christmas music, little girls everywhere in princess dresses, 4 story Christmas tree..... I got teary eyed! Our Standard View 1 bedroom villa (Room 1427 I believe) had a wonderful view of MK fireworks every night and my little girl would clap and cheer while watching them at night! I had the most fantastic Shrimp and Grits at Grand Floridian Cafe I've had in my life. The crab cake sandwich at the Beach pool bar was outstanding as well. My banana torte dessert at Citricos was served with a large crown made of chocolate. No resort does it better! Great pool, great lobby, great food, great service! So glad we bought VGF!

 

[drwadadli]

We went to WDW last December for my wife's birthday and she picked the GF to stay for that week. We absolutely totally love it with all it's Christmas decorations and gingerbread house. I said I would never go back to WDW during the week of Christmas because of the crowds BUT I will now go back again and again during Christmastime and would love to to stay at the GF every time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I agree with all the love for VGF! We stayed the week after Thanksgiving and the lobby even SMELLS like Christmas! Gingerbread house, orchestra playing Christmas music, little girls everywhere in princess dresses, 4 story Christmas tree..... I got teary eyed! Our Standard View 1 bedroom villa (Room 1427 I believe) had a wonderful view of MK fireworks every night and my little girl would clap and cheer while watching them at night! I had the most fantastic Shrimp and Grits at Grand Floridian Cafe I've had in my life. The crab cake sandwich at the Beach pool bar was outstanding as well. My banana torte dessert at Citricos was served with a large crown made of chocolate. No resort does it better! Great pool, great lobby, great food, great service! So glad we bought VGF!

I second the crab cake sandwich! We are happy with our small VGF contract!

 

[Donna M]

We were lucky enough to stay in room 1325, twice. I agree that it is an incredible room. We have been in two other standard rooms, but none had a view like this one. We own at SSR, but have stayed at VGR a few times now. It is our favorite too.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

 

[bumbershoot]

On the 24th and 25th they had cookies out next to the nespresso machine.

We liked VGF even more than we thought we would. Has me talking about some resale points in the future!

 

[disneynutz]

We find the DVC elements at the resorts to often be on cheap, often feeling like they got us so they don't bother. There are some exceptions but at VGF it's obvious that something else is going on. Maybe DVC is forced to maintain a higher level of service and accommodations due to the GF being the WDW flagship resort.

The VGF DVC building beautiful, common areas are cleaned continually, 3 or more dedicated CM's in the lobby, expensive appliances in the rooms along with bath robes, a better grade of towels and toiletries, TV's in the bathroom mirrors, (channels are hard to figure out, check channel 50 for the CM TV channel) and housekeeping and maintenance/engineering are at your room in short order when called.

Bill