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

[PolyRob]

Thank you! Do you know if the walkway is currently open?

GF/MK walkway is open.

GF/Poly walkway is closed.

Our trip is quickly approaching and we’d like to put in a room request but don’t know if we booked the right category for it. Can someone help?

We booked a standard/resort view (or whatever they titled the cheapest category nowadays). Ideally we would like a first floor room with a view of the monorail. Is this possible with the room category we booked? What building should we request? Have all the rooms been updated or are there still some buildings that have not yet been done?

All GF rooms have been refurbished. The website is outdated and shows the old room images. If you want first floor with a monorail view with a resort view category your best bet is requesting Sago Cay, ground level, facing monorail. The majority of resort views in other outer buildings will overlook the interior of GF gardens, pools, etc. Sago Cay has some monorail views with no water.

 

[brockash]

Thank you! Do you know if the walkway is currently open?

It was open a few weeks ago the whole week we were there.

 

[Lucys dad]

First stay drawing to a close. Nice resort but not sure I’d return.

Positive - the monorail and the walkway to MK. Both pools are nice. Narcosees and Citricos both excellent. The buildings and grounds are very nice.

Bar staff at both pool bars excellent.

Negative - front desk staff all fairly robotic and not very helpful. 8 day stay and was there 5 times to have bands reactivated for charging and room access. Probably a Disney wide issue with staff training, 100% reliant on their tablets and following rigid procedures rather than appear more personal.

Grand Floridian Cafe understaffed and slow. Gasparilla Grill also very slow.

Maybe bad luck but seemed to be some incredibly rude and self entitled guests. Only resort I found as bad was Polynesian. Hogging multiple tables and loungers at the pool. Loud and obnoxious kids in the pool/slide blatantly Ignoring the lifeguards as the parents look on.

The bus to Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs horrendous waits and again, fellow guests behaviour a sad lesson in human behaviour.

Like Poly, for the price paid its poor value. A shame as it’s a lovely resort.

Riviera and Wilderness Lodge still well ahead in my opinion.

 

[Lucys dad]

Is the walkway to MK currently open? How is it? We have walked from Contemporary to MK in the past (I know this is much further), Swan to Epcot, and Swan to HS. Anyone know how the walk from GF to MK compares to these? Is it safe (well lit) after park closing in the dark?

I’m there now and it’s open. A lovely walk, very safe and well lit. I used it as the family headed for the monorail. Coming back from MK I was back at the hotel before them everytime.

 

[lotsohugginbear]

I feel like Grand Floridian Cafe has been slower since 1900 opened again. They also
made some new menu changes that I don't love. (No frozen cappuccinos)

I love the walkway to MK, and also like using it for extra exercise. (okay, we walk into
MK, get an All American sundae and then walk back to GF) This past trip I was surprised
at how many smokers were at the smoking section on the pathway right before the boat
launch as you head into MK. I don't love walking through smoke, and folks are throwing
their butts on the ground instead of using the trash cans. Has anyone with recent
GF stays noticed this? I don't recall it being an issue before.

 

[sjberg79]

We are staying at Grand Floridian in 2 weeks and I was just looking at some of the menus. Did they really get rid of the broccoli pizza at Gasparillas? It looks like it was replaced with buffalo chicken <sadness>. This is karma biting me for being happy that Sleepy Hollow started offering the waffle with the berries all day.

 

[mrsap]

We are staying at Grand Floridian in 2 weeks and I was just looking at some of the menus. Did they really get rid of the broccoli pizza at Gasparillas? It looks like it was replaced with buffalo chicken <sadness>. This is karma biting me for being happy that Sleepy Hollow started offering the waffle with the berries all day.

I just looked at Gaspy’s menu, and it does appear they have changed some items!! My Italian Hero was removed as well. I’ll post a link below for anyone interested.

GASPY’S UPDATED MENU

 

[BlueGreen5]

First stay drawing to a close. Nice resort but not sure I’d return.

Positive - the monorail and the walkway to MK. Both pools are nice. Narcosees and Citricos both excellent. The buildings and grounds are very nice.

Bar staff at both pool bars excellent.

Negative - front desk staff all fairly robotic and not very helpful. 8 day stay and was there 5 times to have bands reactivated for charging and room access. Probably a Disney wide issue with staff training, 100% reliant on their tablets and following rigid procedures rather than appear more personal.

Grand Floridian Cafe understaffed and slow. Gasparilla Grill also very slow.

Maybe bad luck but seemed to be some incredibly rude and self entitled guests. Only resort I found as bad was Polynesian. Hogging multiple tables and loungers at the pool. Loud and obnoxious kids in the pool/slide blatantly Ignoring the lifeguards as the parents look on.

The bus to Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs horrendous waits and again, fellow guests behaviour a sad lesson in human behaviour.

Like Poly, for the price paid its poor value. A shame as it’s a lovely resort.

Riviera and Wilderness Lodge still well ahead in my opinion.

Not sure it was bad luck. We stayed at both VGF and RIV for a different weekend each in June. It's a beautiful resort, but you definitely feel like the resources are stretched too thin. I wrote up a pretty detailed report, here.

 

[webs2kids]

I just switched my resort to GF for my 50th BDay trip in December. Staying two nights before boarding my very first Disney Cruise, to take advantage of the holiday discount. Some of these reviews of the hotel are making me a bit nervous. I have never stepped foot into the GF, so I was SO excited to stay here.

My question: If I were to grab Jollywood tickets, what is the best way to get to Hollywood Studios from the hotel.

 

[mrsap]

I just switched my resort to GF for my 50th BDay trip in December. Staying two nights before boarding my very first Disney Cruise, to take advantage of the holiday discount. Some of these reviews of the hotel are making me a bit nervous. I have never stepped foot into the GF, so I was SO excited to stay here.

My question: If I were to grab Jollywood tickets, what is the best way to get to Hollywood Studios from the hotel.

What reviews have you nervous? Do you have specific questions regarding the resort we can try to help you with?

The bus is probably your best bet.

 

[Deb1993]

I just switched my resort to GF for my 50th BDay trip in December. Staying two nights before boarding my very first Disney Cruise, to take advantage of the holiday discount. Some of these reviews of the hotel are making me a bit nervous. I have never stepped foot into the GF, so I was SO excited to stay here.

My question: If I were to grab Jollywood tickets, what is the best way to get to Hollywood Studios from the hotel.

I may be wrong, but 99% sure you can take monorail from GF to TTC and then monorail to Epcot and then boat to HS from the Boardwalk area. We were there last year for Jollywood and we were at the Boardwalk for dinner and then took boat to HS.

 

[Dave006]

I may be wrong, but 99% sure you can take monorail from GF to TTC and then monorail to Epcot and then boat to HS from the Boardwalk area.

While you can go that route there are a couple of complexities. The time required for each travel method and the need to walk through Epcot from the Monorail line to the International Gateway exit. @webs2kids would need park hoppers or burn a ticket.

Example:

GF to TTC - 20 minutes
Wait for Epcot Monorail 5-15 minutes
Monorail to Epcot - 16 minutes
Walk through Epcot - 15-20 minutes
Friendship boat from IG to HS - 20 minutes

@webs2kids would be better serviced by the HS bus as @mrsap indicated or take a ride share, Minnie Van, Lyft or Uber.

Dave

 

[mrsap]

While you can go that route there are a couple of complexities. The time required for each travel method and the need to walk through Epcot from the Monorail line to the International Gateway exit. @webs2kids would need park hoppers or burn a ticket.

Example:

GF to TTC - 20 minutes
Wait for Epcot Monorail 5-15 minutes
Monorail to Epcot - 16 minutes
Walk through Epcot - 15-20 minutes
Friendship boat from IG to HS - 20 minutes

@webs2kids would be better serviced by the HS bus as @mrsap indicated or take a ride share, Minnie Van, Lyft or Uber.

Dave

Couldn’t agree more. It just sounds excessive, especially when you can take a bus directly to HS.

 

[mrsap]

New snacks are now available at Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

This treat is made with chocolate pâte à choux filled with chocolate chantilly cream for $6.79.



The Marshmallow-Pecan Brownie is a chocolate brownie filled with sugared pecans and caramel sauce topped with chocolate ganache and toasted marshmallows for $5.29.


*updated

 

[webs2kids]

@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.

 

[mrsap]

@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.

While no Resort is perfect, I can tell you the one thing you can do is experience it and see it for yourself. We usually stay at The Grand twice a year, over busy holidays, and have never had any of the issues stated above. It’s such a beautiful resort all around. I wouldn’t second guess your decision to stay there. But that’s just my opinion! Look up some YouTube videos when you have time!! They’re so helpful. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[Disneydawg74]

I may be wrong, but 99% sure you can take monorail from GF to TTC and then monorail to Epcot and then boat to HS from the Boardwalk area. We were there last year for Jollywood and we were at the Boardwalk for dinner and then took boat to HS.

Were the boats running after the party was over?

 

[Deb1993]

Were the boats running after the party was over?

We took the bus back to GF after the party. Getting to the party we had plenty of time to spare. We had dinner on the Boardwalk so taking the transportation as we did was a personal choice, not a choice for brevity.

 

[earfulofmagic]

I just looked at Gaspy’s menu, and it does appear they have changed some items!! My Italian Hero was removed as well. I’ll post a link below for anyone interested.

GASPY’S UPDATED MENU

On the bright side -- new turkey sandwich is a welcome addition! I still miss the old turkey sandwich with the orange segments/orange vinaigrette, if anyone remembers it

 

[mrsap]

On the bright side -- new turkey sandwich is a welcome addition! I still miss the old turkey sandwich with the orange segments/orange vinaigrette, if anyone remembers it

I’m sure some will love it!! Not something I would order, though. I guess I’ll have to get my Italian Hero from Boardwalk Deli.