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

[edgefamily]

We are checking in in 25 days! We have booked an Outer Building- Lagoon View. Any suggestions on a specific building to request? We have small children, so that may be taken into account too. We will be spending time at the splash pad and are planning on using the monorail and walking path. Give me all of your suggestions! Thanks!

 

[boltjames]

It was bookable prior to covid. Now people are reporting getting assigned one randomly. It is a garden view so I would request one at hotel arrival. (you will get a room ready text but just go to desk and ask if available.)

Also for GF dd and I walk to MK, we uber to HS and Epcot but bus to AKL. Leaving has not been an issue for any of the parks, even closing just is not as busy anymore without nightshows. So overall only spent about $25 each trip.

Path from GF is near end of Sago where main building is. It goes to mk along the water. It ends where boat loads for WL. There is security there and easy to get through/short lines. Then you just head for MK turn styles to get in.

There is another path to Poly if needed. You walk past the beach pool and follow path IN FRONT of the VGF building waterside. It will take you along the water to poly. If interested you can walk to TTC from poly just follow the signs.

You're the best, wow, thank you so much for taking the time to provide such detail. Greatly appreciated.

We really would like that room type, so we'll do our best to get one when we arrive, it would make the trip so much more enjoyable to have that little bit of extra space for my teen and my gradeschooler.

 

[mrsap]

We are checking in in 25 days! We have booked an Outer Building- Lagoon View. Any suggestions on a specific building to request? We have small children, so that may be taken into account too. We will be spending time at the splash pad and are planning on using the monorail and walking path. Give me all of your suggestions! Thanks!

So exciting! Here is a map of the property. Big Pine Key is the closest to the pools/main building and a quick walk to the path! Just to note: everything here is so close to each other, there is not a whole lot of walking involved no matter where you choose to stay!




If you click here, on Page 1, there are some recent room views. Hope they help!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...a-information-questions.3814628/post-62358618
Have a great trip!

 

[trishadono]

You're the best, wow, thank you so much for taking the time to provide such detail. Greatly appreciated.

We really would like that room type, so we'll do our best to get one when we arrive, it would make the trip so much more enjoyable to have that little bit of extra space for my teen and my gradeschooler.

We had the room once and it is nice to have 2 tvs lol.

Keep in mind floors 2-4 will have a balcony but 5th floor does not. So if at checkin your 2nd digit is a 5 don't be afraid to ask for that room with a balcony.

Glad to help!

 

[boltjames]

We had the room once and it is nice to have 2 tvs lol.

Keep in mind floors 2-4 will have a balcony but 5th floor does not. So if at checkin your 2nd digit is a 5 don't be afraid to ask for that room with a balcony.

Glad to help!

So are you saying that rooms with the "5" as the second digit will be the room type I'm looking for with that extra bumpout for the sofa?

 

[Bird003]

We got the bounce back offer! Crazy deal. Switched from riviera in two weeks over to GF. Lagoon view

 

[mrsap]

We got the bounce back offer! Crazy deal. Switched from riviera in two weeks over to GF. Lagoon view

That’s wonderful! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[trishadono]

So are you saying that rooms with the "5" as the second digit will be the room type I'm looking for with that extra bumpout for the sofa?

No at gf the 2nd digit is floor number. So if you ask for that room type and the room is X5XX just know you won’t have a balcony.

 

[boltjames]

Reaching out to see if anyone was at the GF last week (President's Day, big vacation week) and could let me know about crowding. We are going during the next big vacation week, (lead up to Easter, 3/27 to 4/3).

Were you concerned or didn't feel safe at the pool, in the restaurants, in the elevators, etc?

We've been locked down since March of last year and are spending the big money to stay on property as we feel it will be safe and people will be respecting distancing, masks, etc. Anything to report positive or negative during a busy vacation week?

Thanks!

 

[KerryCM]

So very excited today! We are down to 29 more days and I just found out my son just booked a VIP guide for our trip! We have never done one before, but after reading about the crowds, he decided it was a good investment. My grandchildren are going to be so excited. He is not telling them until we meet the guide at the Magic Kingdom that morning. We have to meet at the theater at 9 am. My husband and I don’t do many rides, but the kids will be so happy to be able to ride their favorites!
Had to share with people who would understand my excitement!

 

[mrsap]

Reaching out to see if anyone was at the GF last week (President's Day, big vacation week) and could let me know about crowding. We are going during the next big vacation week, (lead up to Easter, 3/27 to 4/3).

Were you concerned or didn't feel safe at the pool, in the restaurants, in the elevators, etc?

We've been locked down since March of last year and are spending the big money to stay on property as we feel it will be safe and people will be respecting distancing, masks, etc. Anything to report positive or negative during a busy vacation week?

Thanks!

When I was there last, it was from this past Thanksgiving till the week after. As I mentioned the other day, at no time did I feel uncomfortable, the pools were never overcrowded, and the pool seating was spaced out at all times. Here’s some pictures I took over the 8 days I was there, hope it helps ease your mind a bit.

 

[mrsap]

So very excited today! We are down to 29 more days and I just found out my son just booked a VIP guide for our trip! We have never done one before, but after reading about the crowds, he decided it was a good investment. My grandchildren are going to be so excited. He is not telling them until we meet the guide at the Magic Kingdom that morning. We have to meet at the theater at 9 am. My husband and I don’t do many rides, but the kids will be so happy to be able to ride their favorites!
Had to share with people who would understand my excitement!

What a nice surprise!! I hope you and your family have a great time!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

So very excited today! We are down to 29 more days and I just found out my son just booked a VIP guide for our trip! We have never done one before, but after reading about the crowds, he decided it was a good investment. My grandchildren are going to be so excited. He is not telling them until we meet the guide at the Magic Kingdom that morning. We have to meet at the theater at 9 am. My husband and I don’t do many rides, but the kids will be so happy to be able to ride their favorites!
Had to share with people who would understand my excitement!

That's wonderful! I did a VIP tour in October and we had a GREAT time. We were able to hit every park and do 14 (ish) attractions (we only did Frozen at Epcot)

Make sure you Son has a plan in mind as that will help it go more smoothly! (A piece of advice: eat beforehand and have a reservation for dinner in the park you're ending at! Stopping to eat would take time away from your tour time and we were STARVED by the end!)

 

[edgefamily]

When I was there last, it was from this past Thanksgiving till the week after. As I mentioned the other day, at no time did I feel uncomfortable, the pools were never overcrowded, and the pool seating was spaced out at all times. Here’s some pictures I took over the 8 days I was there, hope it helps ease your mind a bit. View attachment 558871View attachment 558872View attachment 558873View attachment 558874View attachment 558875

Just beautiful! We are 24 days out and we can't wait for our first stay! Thanks for sharing!

 

[mrsap]

Just beautiful! We are 24 days out and we can't wait for our first stay! Thanks for sharing!

Of course! It’s an amazing resort! I hope you have a great time!

 

[boltjames]

When I was there last, it was from this past Thanksgiving till the week after. As I mentioned the other day, at no time did I feel uncomfortable, the pools were never overcrowded, and the pool seating was spaced out at all times. Here’s some pictures I took over the 8 days I was there, hope it helps ease your mind a bit.

Thanks!

As a family staying on Disney property, is there anything to do at night now that the parks are closed, no fireworks, etc.? Trying to figure out what we're going to do from 6pm to 11pm each night if we don't want to venture off Disney grounds. Any thoughts?

 

[mrsap]

Thanks!

As a family staying on Disney property, is there anything to do at night now that the parks are closed, no fireworks, etc.? Trying to figure out what we're going to do from 6pm to 11pm each night if we don't want to venture off Disney grounds. Any thoughts?

Being that you will be there the week of a holiday, hours should be extended. Obviously, not sure how late, but assuming it will be busy, I’d think there’s a really good chance!

We take advantage of the pool (weather permitting), movies under the stars, outdoor activities, going to dinner and even going to find a good place for dessert!! One place that we were impressed with, and were slightly disappointed that we didn’t discover earlier, was the bakery located at the Contemporary! We walked around one morning prior to breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, and the desserts looked amazing!!! Not sure how we never noticed them before! We already have it penciled in that we are going there for dessert a couple nights over our summer trip! There’s also Fantasia mini-golf on property, too. Enjoy!

 

[boltjames]

Being that you will be there the week of a holiday, hours should be extended. Obviously, not sure how late, but assuming it will be busy, I’d think there’s a really good chance!

We take advantage of the pool (weather permitting), movies under the stars, outdoor activities, going to dinner and even going to find a good place for dessert!! One place that we were impressed with, and were slightly disappointed that we didn’t discover earlier, was the bakery located at the Contemporary! We walked around one morning prior to breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, and the desserts looked amazing!!! Not sure how we never noticed them before! We already have it penciled in that we are going there for dessert a couple nights over our summer trip! There’s also Fantasia mini-golf on property, too. Enjoy!

Are they still running movies at night? Like the smores at Ft. Wilderness for example?

 

[mrsap]

Are they still running movies at night? Like the smores at Ft. Wilderness for example?

Yes, the movies are still showing, however, campfire’s have not resumed yet, due to COVID. There will be a movie schedule posted at the Grand (days/movies showing), along with daily activities.

 

[boltjames]

Yes, the movies are still showing, however, campfire’s have not resumed yet, due to COVID. There will be a movie schedule posted at the Grand (days/movies showing), along with daily activities.

Thanks! You’re the best. What about indoor restaurants? Are the ones at GF spaced to your liking or did you sense crowding? And are the monorails working at night so we can travel to CR or Poly for dinner there?