Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa + Construction Updates!!

[Rachel GB]

Very interesting! I am so hopeful the rooms get a major refresh. We stayed there about a month ago, and while I still love GF, it would be great if the guest rooms came close to matching the $1,500 rack rate ! Last week I was refreshing like crazy (as were many of us) and never found RPC for late April or May 1st. I was finally able to grab November/ December 2021, though!

 

[DisMaven]

I agree! Something strange is going on. My best hope is a room refresh/refurb. We were there in early 2020 pre-Covid and the rooms were in desperate need of a refurb…especially the bathrooms…but if people continue to book at rack rate they have no motivation to refurb.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

The rooms aren't that bad in need of refurbish, right? First timer so I probably won't even notice...

 

[DisMaven]

The rooms aren't that bad in need of refurbish, right? First timer so I probably won't even notice...

You may not agree. I’ll be interested to hear what you think. No, they weren’t THAT bad. Considering that all the other deluxe resorts have had or are having refurbishments I think the GF is long overdue. I love the GF based on the overall feel of the resort but for me the rooms are worn and need a refreshing and they need to replace the curtained showers with new tile and glass doors. Just my opinion.

 

[Rachel GB]

The rooms aren't that bad in need of refurbish, right? First timer so I probably won't even notice...

We looove GF, so are able to overlook that the rooms are worn. I agree that they aren’t terrible, and we still very much enjoyed our stay. They are just certainly in need of a refurb.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

You may not agree. I’ll be interested to hear what you think. No, they weren’t THAT bad. Considering that all the other deluxe resorts have had or are having refurbishments I think the GF is long overdue. I love the GF based on the overall feel of the resort but for me the rooms are worn and need a refreshing and they need to replace the curtained showers with new tile and glass doors. Just my opinion.

I'm hoping that I don't notice! We've never tried GF but always wanted to, and with the new MK walkway we figured it was a good time, but I've seen the refurb issue come up several times here, so just thinking about it. As long as things are generally clean, I'm usually good...

Just as an aside...Given my time frame some resorts weren't available/open for my dates, and now there is *literally* no other Disney resorts available for my dates. I tend to be resort restless so I'm always checking before a trip, even if I don't end up switching. This is the first time I've seen availability dry up so fast - and it's been a while since there's been availability anywhere else (sometimes AoA pops up). Growing pains with the reopening I guess, but I'm just glad I booked something when I did!

I agree about the shower part already even though I haven't seen it yet!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

We looove GF, so are able to overlook that the rooms are worn. I agree that they aren’t terrible, and we still very much enjoyed our stay. They are just certainly in need of a refurb.

I was mostly joking, but we're very excited for our first stay there, and I'm just so excited for a family vacation that I'm sure I'm sure I won't notice!

 

[trishadono]

I was mostly joking, but we're very excited for our first stay there, and I'm just so excited for a family vacation that I'm sure I'm sure I won't notice!

The carpets, wallpaper, curtains, bed still look pretty good. The red sofa is worn and the toilet/tub room is drab and needing work. Sink area still ok.

Its not perfect but still lovely!

 

[03GirlsMom]

We haven't stayed at the GF in a few years but I feel like it was in need of a refurb then. The bathroom area needs an entire overhaul. I'm just hoping they don't decide to do it while I'm supposed to be there next summer

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Talking about a refurb......I STALK another website daily that posts permits for work at WDW. As soon as I see something interesting, I will definitely be sharing

 

[leannak]

So, my sweet young teen/tween daughters are unfortunately not as excited as I had hoped they’d be that we staying at the GF. They absolutely aren’t complaining but I get the distinct feeling they’d prefer something more themed like Art of Animation or Animal Kingdom. With 1900 Park Fare closed and the spa with character makeovers closed and the tea not happening… is there anything I can tell them to make them excited? I know there is a slide at the pool… but they have seen the websites and know the AoA pool is fabulous and gloriously themed and other resorts also have slides… the walkway to Magic Kingdom just isn’t enough to make them over the moon. Part of it is they know GF is crazy expensive and bless their little hearts they don’t want their parents “wasting” too much money on them. Please tell me how to make them love GF! We will take them to the Beauty & the Beast lounge… anything else we should plan? Heading there in a couple of weeks…

 

[mrsap]

So, my sweet young teen/tween daughters are unfortunately not as excited as I had hoped they’d be that we staying at the GF. They absolutely aren’t complaining but I get the distinct feeling they’d prefer something more themed like Art of Animation or Animal Kingdom. With 1900 Park Fare closed and the spa with character makeovers closed and the tea not happening… is there anything I can tell them to make them excited? I know there is a slide at the pool… but they have seen the websites and know the AoA pool is fabulous and gloriously themed and other resorts also have slides… the walkway to Magic Kingdom just isn’t enough to make them over the moon. Part of it is they know GF is crazy expensive and bless their little hearts they don’t want their parents “wasting” too much money on them. Please tell me how to make them love GF! We will take them to the Beauty & the Beast lounge… anything else we should plan? Heading there in a couple of weeks…

Aaawwww!!! I’m sorry they’re not as excited as you hoped they’d be!!!!! It’s funny, my teen/younger one actually get upset if we’re NOT staying there! Have you watched any videos of the resort itself?! It’s gorgeous! The pools are amazing, the slide is one of the best on property (in my opinion!! lol!) You have servers that will come to you while you’re sitting out at the pool to bring you drinks and food...which no other resort does! You can rent a fabulous cabana (which they might enjoy!), and they play great music when you’re at the pool as well! The lobby is fantastic! If the piano player is in there, you could go sit down and just take it all in! Everything is within walking distance! The views are beautiful!!!! You have access to the monorail, boats, and you could also walk to Magic Kingdom ! I can go on and on!!! Definitely recommend throwing YouTube on and watching some videos and try to point out all the positives! Definitely recommend throwing YouTube on and watching some videos and try to point out all the positives! Good luck!!!!!

 

[disneyfan150]

So, my sweet young teen/tween daughters are unfortunately not as excited as I had hoped they’d be that we staying at the GF. They absolutely aren’t complaining but I get the distinct feeling they’d prefer something more themed like Art of Animation or Animal Kingdom. With 1900 Park Fare closed and the spa with character makeovers closed and the tea not happening… is there anything I can tell them to make them excited? I know there is a slide at the pool… but they have seen the websites and know the AoA pool is fabulous and gloriously themed and other resorts also have slides… the walkway to Magic Kingdom just isn’t enough to make them over the moon. Part of it is they know GF is crazy expensive and bless their little hearts they don’t want their parents “wasting” too much money on them. Please tell me how to make them love GF! We will take them to the Beauty & the Beast lounge… anything else we should plan? Heading there in a couple of weeks…

My 20 yo DD is the same way. I don't know how she can't be excited about this stay. We check in on Sunday. If anything makes her face light up, I'll let you know.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

The carpets, wallpaper, curtains, bed still look pretty good. The red sofa is worn and the toilet/tub room is drab and needing work. Sink area still ok.

Its not perfect but still lovely!

That doesn't sound too bad - hoping the sofa bed is still fairly comfortable. I'm sure it will be lovely and watching videos of the resort has me very excited! Hoping for a good balcony - and given that it's June, as long as the AC works, I will be happy!

 

[disneyfan150]

I have had issues with split stays and getting my letter. All of my trips this year especially! I think I had 4 splits and those all
Missed my letter.

Since the bus is about 3 hours prior to flight I don’t stress. I know you can print it at check in right up until you have to leave.

If I don’t get it the morning prior on my door I usually ask when I get back midday. If I’m busy I just try when I’m in lobby and it doesn’t look busy.

Thanks for this info. We are about to do a split stay and this info will help me not to stress if I don't get the letter.

 

[trishadono]

Thanks for this info. We are about to do a split stay and this info will help me not to stress if I don't get the letter.

Ya if you got paperwork in mail that it was booked youll be ok , you just need to have it reprinted.

I always book mine online disneysmagicalexpress.com because you get an email conf right away.

 

[trishadono]

That doesn't sound too bad - hoping the sofa bed is still fairly comfortable. I'm sure it will be lovely and watching videos of the resort has me very excited! Hoping for a good balcony - and given that it's June, as long as the AC works, I will be happy!

If you want the full open balcony floors 1-3 have them. All of 5 have dormer/smaller enclosed balconies. 4th floor "center rooms" have open style but the outer wing rooms have dormers. If that matters pay attention to what floor you get or just ask at check in desk.

+ except Sugar loaf only has 4 floors so subtract one compared to above.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

So, my sweet young teen/tween daughters are unfortunately not as excited as I had hoped they’d be that we staying at the GF. They absolutely aren’t complaining but I get the distinct feeling they’d prefer something more themed like Art of Animation or Animal Kingdom. With 1900 Park Fare closed and the spa with character makeovers closed and the tea not happening… is there anything I can tell them to make them excited? I know there is a slide at the pool… but they have seen the websites and know the AoA pool is fabulous and gloriously themed and other resorts also have slides… the walkway to Magic Kingdom just isn’t enough to make them over the moon. Part of it is they know GF is crazy expensive and bless their little hearts they don’t want their parents “wasting” too much money on them. Please tell me how to make them love GF! We will take them to the Beauty & the Beast lounge… anything else we should plan? Heading there in a couple of weeks…

The Basin White shop on the 2nd floor in the main lobby is fun for girls - how about letting them choose their own bath bombs/bath salts to use after a long day in the parks? The various transportation options (monorail, boat, walking path) can't be beat. I don't know if you have the park hopper option, but on our last trip we actually took the quick boat ride over in the evening, grabbed a snack from MK and walked back to the Grand to enjoy it along the way. I'd also mention the Electrical Water Pageant - my kids LOVE it, and these days it's the closet thing to a nighttime show. For what it's worth, we've done a split stay between Art of Animation and the Grand before and my kids all preferred the Grand.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

If you want the full open balcony floors 1-3 have them. All of 5 have dormer/smaller enclosed balconies. 4th floor "center rooms" have open style but the outer wing rooms have dormers. If that matters pay attention to what floor you get or just ask at check in desk.

+ except Sugar loaf only has 4 floors so subtract one compared to above.

I definitely prefer a full balcony - I need to keep this in mind...I've never used the online check in - does it have a place to make requests like that? What do you do if you want to request a specific building (I know it's just a request and can't always be fulfilled, just curious and you're always so knowledgeable about stuff like this!)? Ask them to make a note on the reservation?

Edited for clarity

 

[disneyfan150]

Ya if you got paperwork in mail that it was booked youll be ok , you just need to have it reprinted.

I always book mine online disneysmagicalexpress.com because you get an email conf right away.

I also booked online. I booked the arrival with the GF confirmation number. I booked the departure with the YC confirmation number. I got initial emails that the confirmation would be delayed. Then, I got confirmation emails. I replied to both with a question and heard back from the CMs. After that, I got my letters in the mail. So, I think I am good! I just worry about the notice the night before departure. But thanks to you, I won't worry about it.