Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa + Construction Updates!! **LOBBY REFURB STARTED 4/14**

[pixiedust2u]

Is there any hope that the character breakfast at 1990 Park Fare will ever re-open, or specifically open before the holiday season? We are at the Poly a few days pre cruise in December and we have a free morning before doing MVMCP and I wanted to do a late morning breakfast and check out decorations at the monorail resorts. Was looking for an alternative to Ohana. And I’m def not interested in Chef Mickeys.

 

[MommyMouse143]

Is there any hope that the character breakfast at 1990 Park Fare will ever re-open, or specifically open before the holiday season? We are at the Poly a few days pre cruise in December and we have a free morning before doing MVMCP and I wanted to do a late morning breakfast and check out decorations at the monorail resorts. Was looking for an alternative to Ohana. And I’m def not interested in Chef Mickeys.

If it doesn't open in time, I know its not monorail, but Toppolino's is IMHO the best character dining on property currently, definitely for breakfast. It is on the skyliner....

 

[pixiedust2u]

If it doesn't open in time, I know its not monorail, but Toppolino's is IMHO the best character dining on property currently, definitely for breakfast. It is on the skyliner....

Thank you. Yes, we did Topolino’s in 2021 and loved it. My favorite character meal and food to date. I was considering it, but I’m really trying to have more of a lazy morning in the MK area since the plan is to be up late with our school aged kids for the party that night.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Anyone care to share tips for a RELAXING stay that is centered around GF and surrounding areas? Or your favorite things to do on a resort only stay?

We were at GFV this last spring with our two littles and it was a seriously stressful experience (no fault of the resort’s, just our kids being in tough phases). But we (perhaps stupidly ) just booked again for May 2023. We will definitely be doing the parks but we want to simplify this time around. We want to minimize the running around and mostly stick to dining and parks we can access easily from GF.

I’d love to hear about any of your favorites that might fit into this “simple” Disney trip.

You have the monorail resorts plus WL and FW to access for food and fun. You can walk or take the monorail to MK to catch a boat to WL and have a fun meal at Whispering Canyon Cafe, a character meal at Storybook Dining, formerly Artist Point, or a relaxing meal at Geyser Point. There is also a boat to Fort Wilderness from MK which has a great playground for the kids that is close to the boat dock. You can walk over to the horse stable where the kids can ride the ponies.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I admit I do not normally follow D23 so don’t know if resort things ever get promoted in the past, maybe they don’t, not sure. But why wouldn’t an actual real project like GF get at least a little attention this year? Tons to brag about with new V&A, Citrico’s, Narcoossees getting redone, BPK opening, renovations seeming to now move on the resort side. Why the secrecy? Seems so odd to me. Going in with a big splash and fanfare about your “flagship” WDW resort, get people fired up.

Maybe when I’m in charge someday.

 

[trishadono]

I admit I do not normally follow D23 so don’t know if resort things ever get promoted in the past, maybe they don’t, not sure. But why wouldn’t an actual real project like GF get at least a little attention this year? Tons to brag about with new V&A, Citrico’s, Narcoossees getting redone, BPK opening, renovations seeming to now move on the resort side. Why the secrecy? Seems so odd to me. Going in with a big splash and fanfare about your “flagship” WDW resort, get people fired up.

Maybe when I’m in charge someday.

Cant wait.
Fire Chapek
Hire GA Dad

Come on people, make it happen.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Cant wait.
Fire Chapek
Hire GA Dad

Come on people, make it happen.

Lol, well I actually don't mind Chapek. Yes, I know, I’ll see myself out.

And upon further reflection I don’t want to be in charge of WDW…. Just Club Level. Lol. My platform includes the return of afternoon scones and the orchestra.

 

[lotsohugginbear]

Is there any hope that the character breakfast at 1990 Park Fare will ever re-open, or specifically open before the holiday season?

I was thinking that if they actually do a lobby re-furb at GF, maybe they would start with 1900 Park Fare. It's a huge restaurant, but
the interior is kind of chopped up and blah. I would guess a lobby re-do would be done in sections, so they could start there right now!

100% agree with GeorgiaDisneyDad about a big announcement for
updating the GF lobby! That furniture is so dingy. Even replacing the furniture would be big news! (keep the marble floor)

 

[disneyfan150]

I have done that in August with 90+ temps. I felt it was worth it to have my stuff !

I have also walked mine from, bwi to bc, S&D to bwi, CBR to RR. I really don’t like waiting for my stuff lol.

I realize I am late to the party, but I just had to say that I am so glad that I am not the only one! I dragged my stuff from S&D to YC last month. Just one more reason why I love these boards-finding like minded Disney fans! Most people wonder why I love WDW so much. If they knew I lugged my suitcases over that bumpy boardwalk, they would think I was nuts.

 

[disneyfan150]

I’d walk rather than worry about how soon the monorail will arrive, if it will be too full and we’ll have to wait for the next one, etc.

I would also walk. I have been stuck on the monorail when it was "holding for traffic." It was very stressful when trying to make it to RD. The walk is very nice. Things may have changed. But as of last summer, it was very peaceful entering MK from the walkway.

 

[trishadono]

Lol, well I actually don't mind Chapek. Yes, I know, I’ll see myself out.

And upon further reflection I don’t want to be in charge of WDW…. Just Club Level. Lol. My platform includes the return of afternoon scones and the orchestra.

And trifle, don’t forget the trifle!

Oh and the coconut cream pies shaped in a mickey head crust.

Or perhaps the champagne station set up at 3pm .

I have a list…….please and thank you.

 

[sdk1231]

Anyone care to share tips for a RELAXING stay that is centered around GF and surrounding areas? Or your favorite things to do on a resort only stay?

We were at GFV this last spring with our two littles and it was a seriously stressful experience (no fault of the resort’s, just our kids being in tough phases). But we (perhaps stupidly ) just booked again for May 2023. We will definitely be doing the parks but we want to simplify this time around. We want to minimize the running around and mostly stick to dining and parks we can access easily from GF.

I’d love to hear about any of your favorites that might fit into this “simple” Disney trip.

Relaxing - that's my kind of stay! I stay at the GF about 4 times/year to visit my daughter who is a CM (at the GF actually). Some of our "easy favorites".

1. Hit the parks in 3-4 hour increments. We go to MK for Early Entry, walk on all the Fantasyland rides, do a couple of others, leave by 11 AM to return to resort for relaxing afternoon. Return to MK in the evening to watch fireworks (preferably from the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party). Ride a couple of rides. If DHS is a must, same deal - Early Entry until 11 AM (hit up Toy Story and SWGE) or go in the evening from 6-close. DHS is a killer mid-day due to heat, crowds, very little shade. I skip Epcot and DAK when I'm trying to do an "easy" trip. The littles in my family (and I) stay fresh and un-crabby when we stick to the 3-4 hour park limits.

2. Pick a day to sleep in. On that day, head to the MK at about 10:30. Get spring rolls from the Spring Roll cart when it opens at 11. Take your "lunch" over to the tables behind the Christmas Shoppe. Stay at your table in the shade and watch the noon Festival of Fantasy parade as it passes through Frontierland and over the bridge to the hub. Return to the resort for the afternoon. Head back to the park in the evening and ride Fantasyland rides during fireworks, when they're walk-on. Kids love riding Barnstormer while the fireworks are going off. Being in Fantasyland during fireworks is pretty cool.

2. Rent a pontoon at the marina by Gasparilla Grill. It's $40 for 30 min, walk-up (no reservation required). In 30 min you can boat all the way over to the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge, then come back by the Poly and return to the GF. Pontoons are bluetooth equipped so you can play any music you have on your phone. It's fun, littles love it.

3. Take an afternoon stroll down the beach path to the Polynesian for ice cream (Dole Whips!). Alternative - visit Trader Sam's Grog Grotto right when they open at 3. Kids have have fruit punch while parents have a drink. Very entertaining atmosphere.

4. Cabana rental at the Beach pool. Nice "home base" with drinks and snacks for a leisurely poolside afternoon. (The chicken nuggets at the Beaches pool bar and grill were rated "10 stars" by the littles in my group.)

5. Afternoon resort activities. When I went a few weeks ago, GF was doing tie-dye shirts at 3pm.

6. Movies Under the Stars and fireworks from the marina by Gasparilla Grill. Very fun, very relaxing.

Comments on dining along the "Beam Team" (aka monorail resorts) + Wilderness Lodge/Fort Wilderness:

Contemporary - kids love monorailing into the Contemporary. Chef Mickey's can be fun for kids (I avoid this one like the plague. The song they sing gives me a headache. LOL). Steakhouse 71 is awesome any time of day. Great food and service, fair prices.

Poly - Ohana is a skip for my group. My family actually dislikes the dinner food there.

Wilderness Lodge - Whispering Canyon is not one I'd go out of my way for whatsoever. Storybook Dining w/Snow White - cool characters, worst food ever. Will never eat there again.

Fort Wilderness - On my last trip, I booked the hyped Hoop De Doo dinner show at 4pm. It took exactly 1 hour to get there. Rode monorail to MK, then caught the ferry from MK to Fort Wilderness. 1 hour. Littles were getting antsy by the time we got there. Show is 2 hours long. Littles were even more antsy (and seemed to be in sensory overload from the show antics). Boat back to the MK. Antsy kids continued. So.... we left the GF at 2:30 and got back to the MK at about 6:30. A four hour time commitment was just too long for a corny dinner show. I know the show has many fans, but it was was a once-and-done for my group. It was just not to our taste. We'd have all preferred to eat at Liberty Tree or Steakhouse 71 (for 1/4 the time and effort and half the price).

 

[mrsap]

Lol, well I actually don't mind Chapek. Yes, I know, I’ll see myself out.

And upon further reflection I don’t want to be in charge of WDW…. Just Club Level. Lol. My platform includes the return of afternoon scones and the orchestra.

Cant wait.
Fire Chapek
Hire GA Dad

Come on people, make it happen.

His first order of business would be to bring back the Grand 1 Yacht and make flip flops mandatory in all Signature restaurants!! But I can stand behind this and would support it. However, I have a couple of concessions… All CL’s must provide mandatory Moscato and/or Sweet Riesling at all hours of the day. The kids food section in the lounge is equal to or greater than the amount of adult food put out. And finally, I’d love the Orchestra to come back, but even more so, a band during the evening would be the cherry on the cake. (And they’d have to take on-demand requests from me.) If I think of any more, I’ll let you know.

 

[sdk1231]

His first order of business would be to bring back the Grand 1 Yacht and make flip flops mandatory in all Signature restaurants!! But I can stand behind this and would support it. However, I have a couple of concessions… All CL’s must provide mandatory Moscato and/or Sweet Riesling at all hours of the day. The kids food section in the lounge is equal to or greater than the amount of adult food put out. And finally, I’d love the Orchestra to come back, but even more so, a band during the evening would be the cherry on the cake. (And they’d have to take on-demand requests from me.) If I think of any more, I’ll let you know.

What's Moscato? LOL - as you can see, I have never been to RPC. My "best" was GF CL Outer Building (when that was a thing). My favorite there was the afternoon scones. Yum. Grand 1 Yacht... I overheard some gossip when I was there a couple of weeks ago that someone is shopping for a "new" Grand 1 Yacht, as the old one had gotten oldie moldy during Covid downtime and is irreparable (or just too old to restore?). Not sure. Just gossip I heard.

 

[mrsap]

What's Moscato? LOL - as you can see, I have never been to RPC. My "best" was GF CL Outer Building (when that was a thing). My favorite there was the afternoon scones. Yum. Grand 1 Yacht... I overheard some gossip when I was there a couple of weeks ago that someone is shopping for a "new" Grand 1 Yacht, as the old one had gotten oldie moldy during Covid downtime and is irreparable (or just too old to restore?). Not sure. Just gossip I heard.

Moscato is a sweet wine! It’s delicious!! That’s great news about the Yacht, if true! I’m sure they’d get more bookings with a new one! Doesn’t your DD work in RPC?! She needs to hook her mom up!!!!! Aren’t there any perks?! lol

 

[sdk1231]

Moscato is a sweet wine! It’s delicious!! That’s great news about the Yacht, if true! I’m sure they’d get more bookings with a new one! Doesn’t your DD work in RPC?! She needs to hook her mom up!!!!! Aren’t there any perks?! lol

Ha ha! Will have to check out Moscato. And yes, my DD works RPC. She does get some CM room discounts on occasion but usually for Outer Building - they are almost never avail for RPC. One of these days it may happen, or I'll have to ante-up. I always keep an eye out for AP or any other room discounts. I cannot bring myself to pay rack rate for RPC. I have gotten the full RPC tour though, so I'm looking forward to some future stay there!

 

[PolyRob]

Fort Wilderness - On my last trip, I booked the hyped Hoop De Doo dinner show at 4pm. It took exactly 1 hour to get there. Rode monorail to MK, then caught the ferry from MK to Fort Wilderness. 1 hour. Littles were getting antsy by the time we got there. Show is 2 hours long. Littles were even more antsy (and seemed to be in sensory overload from the show antics). Boat back to the MK. Antsy kids continued. So.... we left the GF at 2:30 and got back to the MK at about 6:30. A four hour time commitment was just too long for a corny dinner show. I know the show has many fans, but it was was a once-and-done for my group. It was just not to our taste. We'd have all preferred to eat at Liberty Tree or Steakhouse 71 (for 1/4 the time and effort and half the price).

This trek was so much easier from GF when the blue line boat was running between CR/WL/FW. You could break up travel exploring each resort depending on what it had to offer that time of year (Christmas decorations, Easter eggs, etc) or completely skip one if you were running low on time. So sad to hear that sign was taken down and it's most likely not returning.

 

[followthatmouse]

This trek was so much easier from GF when the blue line boat was running between CR/WL/FW. You could break up travel exploring each resort depending on what it had to offer that time of year (Christmas decorations, Easter eggs, etc) or completely skip one if you were running low on time. So sad to hear that sign was taken down and it's most likely not returning.

We often made that Blue Flag boat journey. It became a favourite lazy Sunday afternoon thing for us. A visit to the Tri-Circle D stables was a must. I believe there are new stables since our last visit. Happy horses, happy visitors. Iced tea enjoyed whilst rocking slowly in the chairs by Crockett’s, and watching the passing parade. Then, usually, it was off to the WL for more rocking, this time in front of the magnificent Lobby fireplace (we may have enjoyed a light refreshment or three at the Geyser, had it been open during our last trip in 2019). Then, for a relaxing boat ride to the CR and a spot of window shopping in BVG etc. (or some actual shopping if we don’t go off on a cupcake tangent!) Then another relaxing ride, this time home on the monorail. Hopefully, in time for scones et. al. in the RPC or a dip in the Courtyard Pool. Okay, I’m getting misty-eyed for the good ol’ days. *sniff*

 

[grannyminnie]

Lol, well I actually don't mind Chapek. Yes, I know, I’ll see myself out.

And upon further reflection I don’t want to be in charge of WDW…. Just Club Level. Lol. My platform includes the return of afternoon scones and the orchestra.

If I could have clicked the Like button twice on this, I would have!! I would run on the same platform, and oh yes, throw in the trifle too!!

 

[mrsap]

See the NEW Grand Floridian Minnie Ears​

Say hello to the Grand Floridian Resort Loungefly Minnie ears! They’re looking pretty grand, just like the hotel. Get them for $39.99 at Curioiser Clothiers