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

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Hi!!!

 

[trishadono]

@mrsap those saying that the staff is less than friendly, minor issues with rooms, overcrowded etc. I know nothing is perfect, but for the price I have an expectation...lol. At the end of the day, I'm at Disney and I am sure it will be magical!

We are not big on Uber of Lyft, so it sounds like bus it is!
Thank you all for your feedback on transportation! Much appreciated.

Popped in to say a few things that may be helpful?

I was one of the few that do go to JN last year. Dd and I did a split stay . BWI for JN and GF for MVMCP.

That was fun to do both!

JN was both great and disappointing. Originally we were going to get all dressed up. Last few days prior we changed our minds. I’m so glad we did.

There really wasn’t anywhere to be dressed up? Other than walking around looking cute.

What was fun? Having the whole night in the dark with the Christmas lights and music playing. At some spots you would hear the usual Christmas music they have but other spots you heard rock music. It was fun to hear lots of things.

Best part was riding everything! We easily got the VQ for Rotr. SDD was 10 min wait. So we rode lots of rides, strolled around and left before JBB. Disappointing they waited until 12:30am for that, MVMCP has their shows scattered all evening.

Hopefully that changes. Dd and I are planning to do both shows again this year. We enjoy wearing red, green n gold and having holiday treats.
If you are not comfortable with ride share there are taxi cabs . I mention this because dd likes RS but one time the ride got lost and was doing circles in MK parking lot. After watching the delay minutes long I said cancel that there’s a cab. Gf hailed it for us and we got to HS that morning for early entry.

She didn’t know the resorts always have them and with it being right there , sometimes it nice if you just missed a bus. Same for heading to the airport.

 

[webs2kids]

@trishadono thanks for your information. That is very helpful!

 

[trishadono]

@trishadono thanks for your information. That is very helpful!

Glad to help

 

[Upcharge]

If you are not comfortable with ride share there are taxi cabs . I mention this because dd likes RS but one time the ride got lost and was doing circles in MK parking lot. After watching the delay minutes long I said cancel that there’s a cab. Gf hailed it for us and we got to HS that morning for early entry.

She didn’t know the resorts always have them and with it being right there , sometimes it nice if you just missed a bus. Same for heading to the airport.

How long ago was this? There used to be taxis lined up waiting for guests. The valet would signal one for you and they'd come over right away. We attempted to do this a few months ago and the valet had to call for the taxi on the phone. The wait was about 10 minutes, not bad but not instant like it used to be. The valet told us the Mears cabs are no longer allowed to line up and wait. They have to be dispatched.

 

[dansdad]

How long ago was this? There used to be taxis lined up waiting for guests. The valet would signal one for you and they'd come over right away. We attempted to do this a few months ago and the valet had to call for the taxi on the phone. The wait was about 10 minutes, not bad but not instant like it used to be. The valet told us the Mears cabs are no longer allowed to line up and wait. They have to be dispatched.

3 weeks ago we were at Boardwalk waiting for a Lyft who's ETA kept growing. Walked up to a greeter who made a call and a cab was there in less than a minute. 6 months ago pretty much the same thing at CBR.

 

[Upcharge]

3 weeks ago we were at Boardwalk waiting for a Lyft who's ETA kept growing. Walked up to a greeter who made a call and a cab was there in less than a minute. 6 months ago pretty much the same thing at CBR.

Okay thanks. This sounds like they are needing to call for them now. The taxis used to be camped out right by the entrance and a wave or whistle from the valet was all it took. If they're calling on the phone now the time will vary more, like in my example. Thanks for chiming in about your experience.

 

[dansdad]

Okay thanks. This sounds like they are needing to call for them now. The taxis used to be camped out right by the entrance and a wave or whistle from the valet was all it took. If they're calling on the phone now the time will vary more, like in my example. Thanks for chiming in about your experience.

Both cabs were on resort property and I could see them before they were called.

 

[Upcharge]

Both cabs were on resort property and I could see them before they were called.

We must have hit an unusually busy time. Minnie Vans were impossible that trip too. Glad it's not always the case. I get impatient when I want to be somewhere

 

[mrsap]

 

[trishadono]

We must have hit an unusually busy time. Minnie Vans were impossible that trip too. Glad it's not always the case. I get impatient when I want to be somewhere

I usually can see them they are just back a bit. Quick enough to be hailed. Some times it is just busy , you got unlucky.

I find from GF I use RS more than other resorts. Epcot we either do to or from . Leaving midday it often takes forever for a bus to arrive at the parks. If it’s a hot day we just RS back.

 

[trishadono]

View attachment 873525

Literally came to see to see what you’d post!

I’m hosting my mom , sister and other family at my house for a pool party then tonight I’m 1/2 mile from local fireworks.

Wish I was at WDW tho!

Happy Independence Day!

 

[mrsap]

Literally came to see to see what you’d post!

I’m hosting my mom , sister and other family at my house for a pool party then tonight I’m 1/2 mile from local fireworks.

Wish I was at WDW tho!

Happy Independence Day!

I have to make my holiday post!! I know, the FOMO started setting in yesterday morning!!! This will be our first summer without a trip!! Travel ball is getting in the way!! lol Cooperstown is taking the place of Disney this year. We’ll be back in less than a few months, though. Hopefully we’ll cross paths!! Have a great day!!

 

[trishadono]

I have to make my holiday post!! I know, the FOMO started setting in yesterday morning!!! This will be our first summer without a trip!! Travel ball is getting in the way!! lol Cooperstown is taking the place of Disney this year. We’ll be back in less than a few months, though. Hopefully we’ll cross paths!! Have a great day!!

Yep kids schedules!

Luckily we have dis and can enjoy others trip posts .

 

[dancergirlsmom]

For anyone that has had reservations for the poolside patios, did you receive an email confirmation? I called a couple of days ago and got a reservation for our end of August trip. I was given a confirmation number over the phone but haven't received an email confirmation and nothing shows in MDE. I see that my CC has been charged. Also, when we show up is our name in one of the areas or do we just pick one of the areas? How do they know we have even booked it? Thanks.

 

[Upcharge]

For anyone that has had reservations for the poolside patios, did you receive an email confirmation? I called a couple of days ago and got a reservation for our end of August trip. I was given a confirmation number over the phone but haven't received an email confirmation and nothing shows in MDE. I see that my CC has been charged. Also, when we show up is our name in one of the areas or do we just pick one of the areas? How do they know we have even booked it? Thanks.

I never get an email confirmation for the patios or for cabanas at any resort. It also never shows in MDE unless I specifically ask the phone cm to put a note in my account. Yes, your last name will be on a sign in front of the one you are assigned. You'll probably get a text either the night before or the morning of your reservation with the number of the one you've been assigned. As long as you saw the charge on your credit card, you are safe to assume that everything will be fine. I definitely worried about it my first time, but there was no need.

 

[dancergirlsmom]

I never get an email confirmation for the patios or for cabanas at any resort. It also never shows in MDE unless I specifically ask the phone cm to put a note in my account. Yes, your last name will be on a sign in front of the one you are assigned. You'll probably get a text either the night before or the morning of your reservation with the number of the one you've been assigned to. as long as you saw the charge on your credit card, you are safe to assume that everything will be fine. I definitely worried about it my first time, but there was no need.

Thank you so much. I feel much better about this now. My DD and I are staying there over Labor Day weekend and attending the MNSSHP. She managed to get a great cast member rate so had to go for it. We've never reserved a cabana or patio so this will be a first. A nice relaxing day after the party.

 

[bethclayton]

I thought I’d add my very subjective thoughts on our recent stay at the GF RPC in case it helps anyone who hasn’t stayed there in some time. The TL; DR on this one is that I was worried that it would not come close to the way it was “back in the day,” but I was worried for nothing, because it was every bit as wonderful as I’d remembered.

We had stayed 3 times between 2010-2015 and it was always hands down my absolute favorite. For a few years after that we were mostly taking non-Disney vacays for a variety of reasons, then it seemed like RPC prices were getting a bit out of reach. And since covid, I have read so many negative things about all the cuts that have been made, and it was just really not sounding all that magical to me for the $$. But, I just couldn’t stop craving a stay there and so finally on a pretty decent Disney Visa discount, we got to check it out from June 23-28. And I am SO GLAD that we did!

The new lounge decor is gorgeous and I love the seating options. The majority of CL CM’s were wonderful; special shout outs to Beth and Irv. Breakfast was fantastic. Dh and I don’t really do carbs so for us, having the bacon and eggs every morning was a dream and much better for us than the breakfasts they had years ago. Mid-day offerings were pretty underwhelming and I definitely miss the Tea. Evening offerings were fabulous and while I believe I have read on here that they don’t offer as much variety as they used to, to my (admittedly rusty) recollection they seemed just as plentiful as always and very tasty. I’ll be forever sad about the loss of the orchestra, but I must admit I still really felt the same old wonderful vibe in the lounge even though we only have the pianist now.

Overall, for anyone who may be hesitating that things are very “watered down” compared to the offerings and service from years ago, I want to reassure you that our personal overall experience felt as relaxing and indulgent as ever. Yes, on paper, I realize there have been cuts, and of course I wish there hadn’t been. But for us, we experienced it just like we always had. It “felt” the same. It was an amazing vacation and we loved it so much that we snagged a BB for RPC Feb. This time it will be just myself and dh for the first time ever and we are already super excited. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

 

[Jsharp13]

Hello GF guests! I am completely new to this thread. Over the weekend, my most dear friends used some of their DVC points for a February trip. They booked a 2BR villa and invited me to go along! I just could not believe it. I am so grateful! What an amazing trip we will have!
To be clear, I am a Value level girl, so this trip to GF will be quite different for me! I hope I have enough nice outfits!
I'm sure I'll have many questions as we get closer to our trip. I did a search here and could not find this at all, so maybe someone can help.
We will be there during SuperBowl and I have to watch that game. On a previous trip, I watched a playoff game in Rix Sports bar and that was fun. I have read that Splitsville, City Works, and maybe Planet Hollywood would be fun places to watch too. Obviously, I can also hang out in the room and watch there too!
Are there other places at GF (or maybe monorail resorts) that would have a fun place to watch, like a pool bar or something? Thank you!!

 

[kylenne]

Hello GF guests! I am completely new to this thread. Over the weekend, my most dear friends used some of their DVC points for a February trip. They booked a 2BR villa and invited me to go along! I just could not believe it. I am so grateful! What an amazing trip we will have!
To be clear, I am a Value level girl, so this trip to GF will be quite different for me! I hope I have enough nice outfits!
I'm sure I'll have many questions as we get closer to our trip. I did a search here and could not find this at all, so maybe someone can help.
We will be there during SuperBowl and I have to watch that game. On a previous trip, I watched a playoff game in Rix Sports bar and that was fun. I have read that Splitsville, City Works, and maybe Planet Hollywood would be fun places to watch too. Obviously, I can also hang out in the room and watch there too!
Are there other places at GF (or maybe monorail resorts) that would have a fun place to watch, like a pool bar or something? Thank you!!

They will almost certainly have it on in the bars around the resort. We were staying at the Poly last year during the NBA Finals and Tambu had it on every night. The only big sporting events I've not been able to catch around the monorail loop bars have been international sports that aren't as popular here, like a few bigger soccer matches and F1.