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

[GADisneyDad14]

i am thinking about renting pool cabana for half a day at GF. Not staying at GF so we would also get to utilize the amenities there as well. Anyone ever rented one before? Is it worth it?

FYI, I don’t think they are back to renting half day cabanas yet. Only full day has been an option given Covid, since reopening.

But yes, the GF cabanas are awfully nice for a splurgy pool/relaxation day!

 

[elbarto007]

FYI, I don’t think they are back to renting half day cabanas yet. Only full day has been an option given Covid, since reopening.

But yes, the GF cabanas are awfully nice for a splurgy pool/relaxation day!

Thanks so much. Full day wouldn’t be bad. Might just have to get massages then too.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks so much. Full day wouldn’t be bad. Might just have to get massages then too.

Might be do it yourself massages since the spa is still closed too, at least at the moment.

Sorry, I’m a pile of bad news!

 

[elbarto007]

Might be do it yourself massages since the spa is still closed too, at least at the moment.

Sorry, I’m a pile of bad news!

It’s ok. We don’t go til June so here’s to hoping a bit more is open by then. Fingers crossed

 

[beesly]

FYI, I don’t think they are back to renting half day cabanas yet. Only full day has been an option given Covid, since reopening.

But yes, the GF cabanas are awfully nice for a splurgy pool/relaxation day!

Hoping you might be able to help me with another GF cabana question. I called to book one for our trip and the phone CM told me that only the “Courtyard Cabana” had availability for my dates. I asked her if she could tell me more about what that is, and her reply was, “Sorry, I’m really not sure. They kind of dumped all this on us without any training.”

I went ahead and booked it and now I’m trying to figure out what I’m in for. I’ve searched the boards and found some info on poolside patio reservations, which I’m guessing is what I booked. I’m fine with the seating, but wondering if it includes the same refreshments as the cabanas at the main pool. I saw people say they got coolers with drinks, but no mention of the fruit/chip situation. Do you have any insight?

 

[nintz]

I thought I read that besides cabana's their is an option to reserve and area that comes with a umbrella chairs and seating area? or did I misread that?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hoping you might be able to help me with another GF cabana question. I called to book one for our trip and the phone CM told me that only the “Courtyard Cabana” had availability for my dates. I asked her if she could tell me more about what that is, and her reply was, “Sorry, I’m really not sure. They kind of dumped all this on us without any training.”

I went ahead and booked it and now I’m trying to figure out what I’m in for. I’ve searched the boards and found some info on poolside patio reservations, which I’m guessing is what I booked. I’m fine with the seating, but wondering if it includes the same refreshments as the cabanas at the main pool. I saw people say they got coolers with drinks, but no mention of the fruit/chip situation. Do you have any insight?

Hey there. I'm sorry, I don't have personal experience with those. I thought they came with a snack basket - think chips, Oreos, etc. From the Page 1 info, which I 'think' is accurate (with the usual Covid caveats, just in case they've tinkered with things:

POOLSIDE PATIO AMENITIES:

• Padded lounge chairs
• Padded sectional couch
• Snack Basket
• Complimentary sodas and water
• Snack basket (may not be available without advance reservations)

• FULL DAY POOLSIDE PATIO RENTAL - $159.75

*Poolside Patio Rentals ($) - To make a reservation, call #(407) WDW-PLAY


POOLSIDE PATIO

 

[beesly]

Hey there. I'm sorry, I don't have personal experience with those. I thought they came with a snack basket - think chips, Oreos, etc. From the Page 1 info, which I 'think' is accurate (with the usual Covid caveats, just in case they've tinkered with things:

POOLSIDE PATIO AMENITIES:

• Padded lounge chairs
• Padded sectional couch
• Snack Basket
• Complimentary sodas and water
• Snack basket (may not be available without advance reservations)

Thanks! I missed this in my search. I’ll report back next month.

 

[leannak]

How far in advance can the cabanas be rented?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

How far in advance can the cabanas be rented?

60 days out. I'm having a brain freeze and can't recall if the +10 days from your check-in date applies to recreation activities like cabanas or not, hopefully someone that knows for sure will chime in.

 

[mrsap]

I thought I read that besides cabana's their is an option to reserve and area that comes with a umbrella chairs and seating area? or did I misread that?

Thats correct! There are two areas:

Courtyard Pool Area:



Splashpad Area:



If you click below, it will take you to page one where you will find some additional information about both! Hope that helps.

PAGE 1 POOL AREA INFO

 

[boltjames]

Does anyone have experience with any of the food delivery services at the GF? Uber Eats, Doordash, Grubhub, etc?

Wondering how long the wait times are at dinner time, if GF staff will bring it up to my room, if I have to go down to the lobby and show ID, etc.?

I'm thinking we're going to get bored of the hotel restaurant after a few days and will need to have at least 5 meals delivered. Anyone experience it at the GF?

 

[mrsap]

Does anyone have experience with any of the food delivery services at the GF? Uber Eats, Doordash, Grubhub, etc?

Wondering how long the wait times are at dinner time, if GF staff will bring it up to my room, if I have to go down to the lobby and show ID, etc.?

I'm thinking we're going to get bored of the hotel restaurant after a few days and will need to have at least 5 meals delivered. Anyone experience it at the GF?

I’m sorry we can’t be of help, but I suggest starting a separate post outside of this thread to see if you can get some answers. Hope you find the information you’re looking for.

 

[kylenne]

Does anyone have experience with any of the food delivery services at the GF? Uber Eats, Doordash, Grubhub, etc?

Wondering how long the wait times are at dinner time, if GF staff will bring it up to my room, if I have to go down to the lobby and show ID, etc.?

I'm thinking we're going to get bored of the hotel restaurant after a few days and will need to have at least 5 meals delivered. Anyone experience it at the GF?

A YouTuber I watch had a video of his stay at the Villas and he got Uber Eats. You have to meet them in the lobby. I would assume it’s like food delivery services elsewhere and you only have to show ID if you order alcohol.

Edit: food delivery services aren’t your only option, one of the benefits to staying at a monorail resort is the plethora of dining options a short ride or walk away. Capt. Cook’s and Kona are open right next door at the Poly and I think all the food places at CR are open now.

 

[boltjames]

A YouTuber I watch had a video of his stay at the Villas and he got Uber Eats. You have to meet them in the lobby. I would assume it’s like food delivery services elsewhere and you only have to show ID if you order alcohol.

Edit: food delivery services aren’t your only option, one of the benefits to staying at a monorail resort is the plethora of dining options a short ride or walk away. Capt. Cook’s and Kona are open right next door at the Poly and I think all the food places at CR are open now.

Thanks!

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but we're going the week of 3/27 at the height of Spring Break and I'm picturing a scene where the restaurants from 6-7pm are crowded with distanced requirements causing long waits. It's why I'm trying to understand the Doordash or Uber Eats scenario at the GF, I'm thinking we may have to use a service like that multiple times and if it's no faster than the lines at the monorail restaurants, ouch.

Thoughts?

 

[bigAWL]

Jan 1, 2015

 

[BlueSkies]

@bigAWL..Great pictures! thank you for sharing....I am sad though to think of the GF lobby in the afternoons and evenings without the wonderful sounds of the GFSO...
@beesly While those pictures of the Poolside Patio do give you a good idea of the furniture and their configurations..in person it feels much more tucked away and private than it appears ...as you are entering the courtyard pool area it is off to the left corner.. and there are trees both in front and to the side of the cordoned off area....looking forward to hearing what your thoughts after you have tried it...IMO courtyard pool time is so lovely and relaxing! (especially with a sunshine Margarita in hand! )..lol..

 

[bigAWL]

@bigAWL..Great pictures! thank you for sharing....I am sad though to think of the GF lobby in the afternoons and evenings without the wonderful sounds of the GFSO...

Thanks! It's been a while since our last trip to WDW, and we're just now planning a quick stay in Aug or Sep, so I'm hitting the Disboards again to catch up on the latest developments. Thought it would be fun to reminisce at the same time with some of my old photos. It is terribly sad to think of all the great entertainers who are no longer bringing their magic to Disney guests. I am hopeful (maybe naively so?) that many of them will eventually be back... one day.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thanks!

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but we're going the week of 3/27 at the height of Spring Break and I'm picturing a scene where the restaurants from 6-7pm are crowded with distanced requirements causing long waits. It's why I'm trying to understand the Doordash or Uber Eats scenario at the GF, I'm thinking we may have to use a service like that multiple times and if it's no faster than the lines at the monorail restaurants, ouch.

Thoughts?

No personal experience (we’ve found the dining options around the resorts/in the parks perfectly manageable) but for kicks I just pulled up Uber Eats and set my address as the Grand Floridian. It’s 6:10pm on a Monday. Just going from the options, most are in the 35-60 minute range.

Frankly that’s probably not all that different than what you’ll find with Gaspy’s mobile ordering or mobile ordering at Captain Cooks / Kona Cafe.

My total guess is that things like Uber Eats/Door Dash are going to ebb/flow with the time of day and overall demand in similar ways that you see with WDW mobile dining options.

Don’t forget GF also in-room dining (but make sure to leave plenty of time for this - our orders were around an hour at peak times in October). Although the downside of in-room dining is you’re pretty stuck to your room until it arrives, vs mobile ordering or Uber Eats/Door Dash which free you up to go do other things around the resort.

Hope that helps.

 

[boltjames]

No personal experience (we’ve found the dining options around the resorts/in the parks perfectly manageable) but for kicks I just pulled up Uber Eats and set my address as the Grand Floridian. It’s 6:10pm on a Monday. Just going from the options, most are in the 35-60 minute range.

Frankly that’s probably not all that different than what you’ll find with Gaspy’s mobile ordering or mobile ordering at Captain Cooks / Kona Cafe.

My total guess is that things like Uber Eats/Door Dash are going to ebb/flow with the time of day and overall demand in similar ways that you see with WDW mobile dining options.

Don’t forget GF also in-room dining (but make sure to leave plenty of time for this - our orders were around an hour at peak times in October). Although the downside of in-room dining is you’re pretty stuck to your room until it arrives, vs mobile ordering or Uber Eats/Door Dash which free you up to go do other things around the resort.

Hope that helps.

You rock! Thanks.