Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa - **LOBBY REFURB HAS BEGUN 4/14**

[TheFloatingBear]

I know Touring Plans' room finder is a mixed bag in terms of accuracy, but I really don't think there's a bad view at GF. It's not like BC/YC where you want to avoid standard. A lot of people would say it's dumb to book TPV with no fireworks but I did it anyway because like you I really enjoy a nice view, and I just wanted to wake up and see the castle on my birthday.

I would book TPV and keep checking for LV to turn up. But even GV will be beautiful if you end up doing that.

That’s a tough one! I, personally, might wait for fireworks if it’s a real big price difference... but if the price is right I say go for it! There’s nothing better than sitting out on your patio and looking at the castle at the end of the day! It really is breathtaking!!!

I think waking up to a view of the castle would be such a perfect way to start one's birthday, @kylenne! Your whole trip sounds awesome!

Well, I didn't have time to figure it out before I needed to leave to do some errands, and now there is no more availability at all at GF! I had a feeling that might happen! Oh well, I have more time to mull in case it comes up again! I had promised myself I would not be tempted by a TPV without fireworks, but I was warming to the idea

 

[Katie1174]

I think waking up to a view of the castle would be such a perfect way to start one's birthday, @kylenne! Your whole trip sounds awesome!

Well, I didn't have time to figure it out before I needed to leave to do some errands, and now there is no more availability at all at GF! I had a feeling that might happen! Oh well, I have more time to mull in case it comes up again! I had promised myself I would not be tempted by a TPV without fireworks, but I was warming to the idea

Another vote for TPV. We stay at the Grand every year and were sure we didnt need TPV and thought Lagoon or Garden was just fine. Until this year. Technically we were Lagoon view because of a scruffy pine tree, but the branches were all the top only and only obstructed the top floor. We were one floor down and it was phenomenal. We could easily see the castle(lit with different colors at night)space mountain(lit with different colors at night) the train station scrim, the very top of either splash or big thunder, the contemporary, the monorail, the boat dock and boats, the GF walkway, watched the EWP come out of the canal, watched the show, saw it come back in. We enjoyed all the sweeping views and all the activity. My hubby said to me every day that from now on we can only have TPV. He loved it that much! And so did I. So I guess they have finally “got us” but it is worth it now in our opinion.

 

[Jen0107c]

View from room 8332

 

[mrsap]

View from room 8332 View attachment 578050

Beautiful view!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[kylenne]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

 

[Dispro1]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

I'll race you there lol! How nice to have a surprise waiting for you! Our flight leaves later this morning, and I'm so excited! Just some fun in the BW area this afternoon and evening for us before we move to GF in the morning. Safe travels! Thanks to @Jen0107c for the pretty picture that is making me even more excited! Such a beautiful blue sky...it's raining at home right now.

 

[mrsap]

I'll race you there lol! How nice to have a surprise waiting for you! Our flight leaves later this morning, and I'm so excited! Just some fun in the BW area this afternoon and evening for us before we move to GF in the morning. Safe travels! Thanks to @Jen0107c for the pretty picture that is making me even more excited! Such a beautiful blue sky...it's raining at home right now.

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

I hope you both have a wonderful time!!!! Pictures please!!!!!!!!

 

[Anne Scaffo]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

Kyleen, have a great trip! Our trips are so similar. I am looking forward to reading how you made out!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

Have a WONDERFUL trip!! I know you've been looking forward to this for SO long!!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

I'll race you there lol! How nice to have a surprise waiting for you! Our flight leaves later this morning, and I'm so excited! Just some fun in the BW area this afternoon and evening for us before we move to GF in the morning. Safe travels! Thanks to @Jen0107c for the pretty picture that is making me even more excited! Such a beautiful blue sky...it's raining at home right now.

Hope you both have wonderful trips! Hoping for pictures! Happy birthday, @kylenne! How thoughtful of your TA!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Another vote for TPV. We stay at the Grand every year and were sure we didnt need TPV and thought Lagoon or Garden was just fine. Until this year. Technically we were Lagoon view because of a scruffy pine tree, but the branches were all the top only and only obstructed the top floor. We were one floor down and it was phenomenal. We could easily see the castle(lit with different colors at night)space mountain(lit with different colors at night) the train station scrim, the very top of either splash or big thunder, the contemporary, the monorail, the boat dock and boats, the GF walkway, watched the EWP come out of the canal, watched the show, saw it come back in. We enjoyed all the sweeping views and all the activity. My hubby said to me every day that from now on we can only have TPV. He loved it that much! And so did I. So I guess they have finally “got us” but it is worth it now in our opinion.

I like the way your hubby thinks! Wow - Sounds amazing! I love to watch the activity - I love to watch things "waking up" in the morning! And yes, I'm sure the colors at night are beautiful too. Sadly, nothing there today! I do think maybe as we get closer things will start loosening up...maybe...I have a feeling we may be at the resort more this trip, so it may be worth it since we spend a lot of time on the balcony anyway. We're in such a transition time for the parks/resorts, that I'm prepared to bail on the park if it's too hot or too crowded and go back in the evening. We've tended to be afternoon break people anyway, but with no FP and not sure about crowd levels, ride capacity etc., I feel like we're going to need to be more flexible and just roll with things (listen as I justify the splurge! )...

 

[disneyfan150]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

I hope you can get some sleep tonight! Have a wonderful trip and birthday!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Has anyone tried booking a cabana lately? My 60+ is coming up on Thursday and I want to grab two days in my 5 day trip. Wondering how popular they are now since covid restrictions have started loosening up. Also, if I can't get a cabana, I want to grab a poolside patio but Disney doesn't seem to mention them anymore on the website. Can you still book them?

 

[gretabull]

I arrive tomorrow, I’m so excited!! And my sweetheart of a TA told me I have something waiting for me at the front desk. I’m like a kid the night before Xmas lol

Safe travels! I'm leaving Sunday for my first time at GF and first solo trip! I'm both nervous and excited!

 

[gretabull]

I put in a room request with touring plans but I have not done online check in....I'm thinking I would rather speak with a cast member and try to get the view I want rather than checking in online.....do any of you think it matters? Or should I do online check in anyway? Thanks!

 

[kylenne]

I put in a room request with touring plans but I have not done online check in....I'm thinking I would rather speak with a cast member and try to get the view I want rather than checking in online.....do any of you think it matters? Or should I do online check in anyway? Thanks!

You should still do online check in, it won’t affect your request through Touring Plans at all as long as you don’t make any additional requests when you do. At this stage of the game your room has probably already been assigned anyway, they tend to do that about 5 days from your check in date (or at least that’s how it was pre Covid). But it’s always worth it to do online check in so you can get the text and go straight to your room when it’s ready. Sometimes you won’t get it and will have to go to the front desk but that’s rare in my experience.

Safe travels and enjoy your solo trip, they are very addicting and you will be spoiled!!

Has anyone tried booking a cabana lately? My 60+ is coming up on Thursday and I want to grab two days in my 5 day trip. Wondering how popular they are now since covid restrictions have started loosening up. Also, if I can't get a cabana, I want to grab a poolside patio but Disney doesn't seem to mention them anymore on the website. Can you still book them?

I booked a cabana at 60 days for Memorial Day even, with no problems. YC is another story lol but you should be fine at GF. If anything you might have even better luck, if they start offering half day rentals again.

 

[gretabull]

You should still do online check in, it won’t affect your request through Touring Plans at all as long as you don’t make any additional requests when you do. At this stage of the game your room has probably already been assigned anyway, they tend to do that about 5 days from your check in date (or at least that’s how it was pre Covid). But it’s always worth it to do online check in so you can get the text and go straight to your room when it’s ready. Sometimes you won’t get it and will have to go to the front desk but that’s rare in my experience.

Safe travels and enjoy your solo trip, they are very addicting and you will be spoiled!!

Thank you!!!!!

 

[gretabull]

One more question.....can I get a Birthday pin at the front desk (I am arriving on my bday) or do I have to get one at the parks?

 

[kylenne]

One more question.....can I get a Birthday pin at the front desk (I am arriving on my bday) or do I have to get one at the parks?

Omg birthday twins!!! Mine is Sunday too!!

You can get the buttons at the front desk.

 

[followthatmouse]

Happy Birthday, GF b’day twins!