Connecting Rooms within Grand Floridian

[devotedchristian]

I can't believe trying to decide on a Disney Resort is so hard! We are a party of 3 (maybe 4). We are only staying 2 nights so this will be a very short trip. Here are my needs:

Home away from Home (1 or 2 bedroom something), our family likes to spread out
Maid Service
Room Service-Would like breakfast delivered to our room so we my Toddler can be fed before leaving for the parks. And also Dinner delivered if he does not want to go out in the evenings for dinner.
Close to Magic Kingdom (for 3 yr old DS at time of Travel)
Resort itself must be an attraction because we are not All Day Park people and we don't plan to return in the evening.
And being an extreme introvert, I need Quiet/Calm/Relaxing after a hectic day at the parks.

My heart beats fast as I look at the pictures of the Grand Floridian and then stops when I see the prices for a Suite.

There is no way I can justify spending over $1,000 bucks per night (even if I did save a year in advance for it).

So then I thought about two connecting rooms. That would seem cheaper to do as opposed to a $1,000 per night Suite. Please advise on that. Also, Can you tell me what is it like to have connecting rooms. Even if it is just me, DH and DS will he be safe in a connecting room?

And if you know about connecting rooms at Grand Floridian?

 

[devotedchristian]

bump

 

[3lilprincesses]

well, i don't know about connecting rooms other than to say i know they have them. GF is a beautiful resort. i'm sure you would find it VERY relaxing and not at all hectic there. it is so convenient to MK. they do have room service, as well as a snack bar that you could go to in the morning and bring breakfast back. also, they have refrigerators in the rooms so you can do what we did, and bring milk and cereal with you. or you can buy milk in the snack bar. i know that you said you like to spread out, but for only 2 night, i can't believe the 3 of you can't be in one room. it seems a shame to spend so much more money on a 2nd room. the rooms sleep 5 very comfortably, and they do have balconies. we stayed there w/ our 3 DD's, and after they were in bed, DH and i moved to the balcony to look out at the castle and the water. it was beautiful, and plenty of room for us.

good luck making a decision!

 

[4greatboys]

I would rent points from a DVC member. The dvc rooms are wonderful and its so nice to be able to spread out and do laundry in your room if needed.

 

[devotedchristian]

i can't believe the 3 of you can't be in one room. it seems a shame to spend so much more money on a 2nd room.

Thank you princess, well, it's more so DS. He is a really light sleeper and he has to have total peace and quiet to sleep. So if DH and I were to stay up a little later and watch tv or something, the tv would bother him. Hence the 2 room so as not to disturb him.

 

[sharonk]

Yes, the GF has connecting rooms. We stayed in 2 last June.

I would think it would be perfectly safe to have your son in the connecting room....you could leave the door open slightly to ensure you would be able to hear him.

The GF is beautiful and I don't think you would be dissappointed staying there.

Sharon

 

[jjohnson]

The only problem is Disney won't guarantee connecting rooms.

Did you take a look at the junior suites at WL? The bedroom is seperated by french doors & is $400 is value season.

 

[Hollymom1229]

Or consider trying to rent enough points for a 1 -bedroom at VWL for the trip. For both nights it would probaby range between $900 and $1500 for both nights. A little pricey, but definitely less than the GF. I can vouch for the quietness of this resort. Most relaxing place I've ever stayed. You'd have your own room separate from your son, a full kitchen, and can get room service because you're connected to a deluxe resort. It's also just a short boat ride to the MK. Also for a slight extra fee you can have daily Maid Service added on at the DVC resorts.

 

[devotedchristian]

The only problem is Disney won't guarantee connecting rooms.

Did you take a look at the junior suites at WL? The bedroom is seperated by french doors & is $400 is value season.

Well, my heart is set on GF. Out of all the Disney resorts, this is the one I got the "best feeling" from.

I called them and the CM said they could guarantee the connecting rooms

 

[mmb]

They told us the same thing when we stayed in November, but there wasn't a problem getting a connecting room assigned to us once we got there. They had a note in our reservation beforehand and told us if the hotel wasn't extrmemely busy, it shouldn't be a probelm. The connecting room sounds perfect for your situation!

 

[jimmysmommy]

I would be very cautious about putting a 3yr old in a connecting room by themself. He could very easily lock the door, and get into trouble....Someone on another thread mentioned that this had happened to them. You would be much better off with a villa or junior suite at Wilderness Lodge....It is beautiful and quiet.

 

[dis-happy]

One way to help your ds sleep (connecting room or not) is to get a white noise machine and start using it now, every time you put him to bed. That thing is a lifesaver in a hotel room, where you never know if someone is going to be coming in late at night talking down the hallways, or whatever. You will also come to appreciate it at home to offset any neighborhood noise. My favorite one is from Brookstone, with the rain setting. You can also get a smaller travel version. Just be sure to get one that will run continually as long as you want it to--some have auto shut-offs after an hour, instead of being able to run all night long. Good luck!

 

[3lilprincesses]

we always bring a white noise machine with us when we travel too. DH is a light sleep too and this works great for him! i don't blame you for having your heart set on GF. it is beautiful! i wouldn't worry about letting DS sleep in an adjoining room if it is just for sleep purposes. i'm sure he would be fine if you keep the door open.

 

[devotedchristian]

I would be very cautious about putting a 3yr old in a connecting room by themself. He could very easily lock the door, and get into trouble....Someone on another thread mentioned that this had happened to them. You would be much better off with a villa or junior suite at Wilderness Lodge....It is beautiful and quiet.

Okay, well that rules out the connecting room. Thanks for the information.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I have to tell you I worried about this with my ds when he was 2. He had always slept in his own room and I was worried he wouldn't be able to fall asleep with me, DH and his 2 ds in the room. I worried for nothing. He was so tired he fell asleep before his head hit the pillow. DH and I were able to keep the tv on, low, or sit on the balcony and enjoy the sights of the GF. You will love the GF. Ask for a gv room in Sago Cay marina view and it is one of the most relaxing places in the whole resort.

 

[bellarella]

The only problem is Disney won't guarantee connecting rooms.

Did you take a look at the junior suites at WL? The bedroom is seperated by french doors & is $400 is value season.

I believe they will when it is for one family with minor children. They don't when it is for multiple parties or all adults.

 

[lclark0621]

Disney will guarantee a connectiing room if the second room will only have minors in it.

I understand you concern about your DS sleeping. But I could never justify spending that much money for a second room just for my toddler.

My DS fell asleep fine with us in the room last week. He slept through the tv on low, us chatting, etc.

Sorry but it justs seems crazy to spend all that money on a hotel room for a toddler only.

And the added concern of having a toddler in his own hotel room at night. He could close & lock the connecting room door, fall of the bed, lock himself in a strange bathroom, get into all sorts of trouble. And you would be asleep in the next room never knowing.

 

[devotedchristian]

I'm sorry, I need to clarify myself...

We are co sleepers. When we are done watching tv or reading, we would join him in bed. The room would not have been for him alone. The room would have been a place to go so as not to disturb the next person.

I don't mean that I would leave him in there all night by himself. And that is why I asked what WAS a connecting room like...

 

[jjohnson]

Well, my heart is set on GF. Out of all the Disney resorts, this is the one I got the "best feeling" from.

I called them and the CM said they could guarantee the connecting rooms

I tried to search for a discussion I had a few weeks ago on this board about the same subject. CRO told me guaranteed too but when you receive your confirmation it states "connecting rooms preferred". It is not 100% guaranteed unless there is 1 adult on the reservation.

If it was guaranteed I would be staying at POR & not squishing the 5 of us into 1 room.

Since its just 2 nights I would go with 1 room but that's JMO.

 

[tlbwriter]

I would be very cautious about putting a 3yr old in a connecting room by themself. He could very easily lock the door, and get into trouble....Someone on another thread mentioned that this had happened to them. You would be much better off with a villa or junior suite at Wilderness Lodge....It is beautiful and quiet.

You could easily prevent him from locking the connecting door by getting one of those C-shaped foam wedges that prevents the door from closing all the way for both the connecting door and the bathroom. However, you'd probably want locks or alarms for the front door and balcony door, and it might just be easier to get the junior suite at WL.

I love the GF, and we stayed in the connecting rooms there last year. They're just like other hotels - two identical rooms with a door inbetween.