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

[PattyCakes808]

Yes, Narcoossee’s does have a fireworks/castle view! You can either watch from inside the restaurant (most tables along the windows can see) or when it’s time, there is a full balcony outside and you can go outside to watch! I think their food and service is excellent. I’ve never had a bad meal there. We eat there at least once a year, sometimes twice. Enjoy!!

O wow! This is great to read! Thank you for the info! I’ve been sweating this opening night meal so much as I feel like I’m “hosting” my family (even though we’re all traveling down. I’m the Dis nerd (of OUR group…. Not to the level of most of you! ) and since there’s so many celebrations and some of the group haven’t been to WDW in years, I really want to get it started well.

plus my husband & I are staying at TGF! So this is a plus for us (not far too go for dinner!)

We are thinking of requesting Sago as our main concern is being closest to the walkway to the MK. Is Sago the closest? It seems to be.

 

[mrsap]

Yes, Sago would work! When we went with a large group, I pretty much TOLD everyone where they were eating But for the signature restaurants, I had everyone look at the menus and since we were staying at Beach Club at the time, we all agreed on Yachtsman. I’ve only been to Ohana for breakfast (dinner menu does nothing for me), so I can’t help you there. Maybe save it for another night?

 

[sdk1231]

O wow! This is great to read! Thank you for the info! I’ve been sweating this opening night meal so much as I feel like I’m “hosting” my family (even though we’re all traveling down. I’m the Dis nerd (of OUR group…. Not to the level of most of you! ) and since there’s so many celebrations and some of the group haven’t been to WDW in years, I really want to get it started well.

plus my husband & I are staying at TGF! So this is a plus for us (not far too go for dinner!)

We are thinking of requesting Sago as our main concern is being closest to the walkway to the MK. Is Sago the closest? It seems to be.

You're right. Sago is closest to the walking path. The downside (to me) is that if you book Garden View, you run the risk of facing the back - the walking path and the monorail. That's a very boring view in my opinion. If you're at the front of the building, you overlook the marina, Gasparilla Grill and face the Sugar Loaf and Conch Key buildings. You'll have a slight view of the lake and if you're on a high floor you can see the Contemporary and Space Mtn, but not the electrical water pageant (because most of the lake is blocked by Conch Key).

Sugar Loaf is the first building as you exit the Main Building. Sugar Loaf was always the Outer Building Club Level (not sure if Outer Building CL is happening right now). I like Sugar Loaf a lot. You walk out the front door and you're at the pool. You walk out the back door and you're at the marina and Gasparilla Grill. You can walk to the walking path (and Sago) in like 10 seconds. Garden View will get you either a view of the pool and the main area of the Grand Floridian. Very pretty at night. OR you face the marina/Gaspy's and look across at Sago and the monorail.

Conch Key is next to Sugar Loaf, closest to the boat dock. My family loves taking the boat to the MK. Last trip we "raced" several times, me taking the walking path, family taking the boat. They usually beat me by a minute. I beat them once, by about a minute. The Garden View rooms will get you either a very pretty view of the main GF area including the pool and Narcoosee's, and depending on floor height, you can see Space Mtn/Contemporary and can see the electrical water pageant. If you face the back, you overlook the marina/Gaspy's and Sago. You can walk to Sugar Loaf in 10 seconds and get to the walking path in about one minute (maybe 30 seconds?).

I like all 3 of those buildings, but probably prefer Conch Key. My kids prefer Sugar Loaf because it's closest to the Main Building, the pool and Gaspy's. Keep in mind, every building has a "front" and "back" door.

Dinner - I second the vote for Narcoosee's over O'hana. My family and I had dinner at O'hana circa 2018-2019 and disliked it. We won't go back. Just didn't really like the food. Narcoosee's is always delicious and the fireworks view is awesome. Don't sweat the dress code or think of it as stuffy/pompous.. The atmosphere is nice, friendly. Some people really dress up for dinner there. Others are very resort casual. I walked up one arrival day and ate dinner at the bar (no reservation needed for the bar). I was looking like something the cat dragged in. I did not feel under dressed or worried about my appearance, whatsoever.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are thinking of requesting Sago as our main concern is being closest to the walkway to the MK. Is Sago the closest? It seems to be.

Sago is right next to the walking path. It is also the closest outer building to the bus stop. We had requested a nice view and received a marina view. We loved the location.

 

[Dream Big Live Grand]

Another vote for Narcoosees but Is your ADR date for the 30th? There are no fireworks that night .

 

[sndral]

You're right. Sago is closest to the walking path. The downside (to me) is that if you book Garden View, you run the risk of facing the back - the walking path and the monorail. That's a very boring view in my opinion.…

I must be a boring person, I really liked my view from the ‘back side of Sago‘ when I stayed in one those rooms - of course I also enjoy the view of the back side of water on the Jungle cruise . I enjoyed sitting on my balcony watching the monorails glide by across the bit of water in the foreground. This was pre walking path, but I liked how peaceful it was ‘back there.’ I often timed my return to the room so that I could pause & watch the fireworks from in front of Gasparilla Grill, it was lovely.

 

[trishadono]

Another vote for Narcoosees but Is your ADR date for the 30th? There are no fireworks that night .

Good catch.

it still would work if someone wanted to watch EWP at least.

 

[sdk1231]

I must be a boring person, I really liked my view from the ‘back side of Sago‘ when I stayed in one those rooms - of course I also enjoy the view of the back side of water on the Jungle cruise . I enjoyed sitting on my balcony watching the monorails glide by across the bit of water in the foreground. This was pre walking path, but I liked how peaceful it was ‘back there.’ I often timed my return to the room so that I could pause & watch the fireworks from in front of Gasparilla Grill, it was lovely.

I can see your point! Peaceful. Always a good thing, especially after a day at the parks.

 

[PattyCakes808]

Another vote for Narcoosees but Is your ADR date for the 30th? There are no fireworks that night .

Really?!?!? Whattttt, nooooo. I thought it was the last night of HEA Is that not the case?!?

 

[PattyCakes808]

PS So much good information on this thread! Thank you all for all the insights and tips. What a great group of people

 

[PattyCakes808]

Yes, Narcoossee’s does have a fireworks/castle view! You can either watch from inside the restaurant (most tables along the windows can see) or when it’s time, there is a full balcony outside and you can go out to watch! I think their food and service is excellent. I’ve never had a bad meal there. We eat there at least once a year, sometimes twice. Enjoy!!

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Such a pretty view

 

[Dream Big Live Grand]

HEA ends on the 29th. But at least you will have a delicious meal and a beautiful view. I’m sure your celebrations will be wonderful.

 

[trishadono]

Really?!?!? Whattttt, nooooo. I thought it was the last night of HEA Is that not the case?!?

Epcot also ending the night show. How are we supposed to get old and new shoes in if they don’t have them lol?

 

[PattyCakes808]

HEA ends on the 29th. But at least you will have a delicious meal and a beautiful view. I’m sure your celebrations will be wonderful.

They WILL be and I won’t let this ruin our trip. I, personally, have a connection to HEA and was really looking forward to saying goodbye but if it ends on the 29th, youtube will have to suffice We’ll be at DISNEY, finallllly (my last trip was March 2020) It will be magical regardless

 

[crazy43]

Frequency of boat to MK? We're going to Boo Bash next Sunday night and will be taking the boat over. We have park tickets so we can go at any time. How often does the boat pick up at GF for the MK around 6-7pm? Thanks!!

 

[trishadono]

Frequency of boat to MK? We're going to Boo Bash next Sunday night and will be taking the boat over. We have park tickets so we can go at any time. How often does the boat pick up at GF for the MK around 6-7pm? Thanks!!

From GF mono is faster. However if you don’t mind stopping at Poly then to MK it’s a lovely ride. Most times 15-20 mins but can vary.

 

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning everyone

Quick question...has anyone heard if Cinderella is returning to GF?

My friend is going to the Christmas party and she unfortunately couldn't get BOG or Royal Table the night of the party and its her DD's 4th birthday. I thought Cinderella would be cute before and then get over the MK from the GF.

Or....does anyone have any other pre-party ideas for a little ones birthday?

Thanks so much for any help

 

[JFDIS]

Good morning!

 

[mrsap]

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Good morning!

Good morning!! What beautiful pictures!! You just made my day!!! Hope you have a wonderful trip… and please keep the sunrise/sunset pictures coming!!!

 

[sdk1231]

Frequency of boat to MK? We're going to Boo Bash next Sunday night and will be taking the boat over. We have park tickets so we can go at any time. How often does the boat pick up at GF for the MK around 6-7pm? Thanks!!

I went a couple of weeks ago, including a Friday night Boo Bash. We had a party of 8, and "raced" to the MK from the GF via the various transport option several times. We split up between the Walking Path, Boat and Monorail. I always took the walking path on an ECV/Scooter, so I was going at pretty good clip (my teens were at a brisk walk). The rest of the group would split between the monorail and the boat. On the way to the Magic Kingdom, the boat nearly always beat me to the MK by about 1 minute. On one occasion I beat the boat by 1 minute. The boat comes to the GF dock very frequently and goes straight to the MK (it does not stop at the Poly). While on the walking path I had fun waving to my crew on the boat and often to the boat captain, who had been informed that we were "racing". The walking path and boaters usually beat the monorail riders, which surprised me (maybe just timing with the arrival of the monorail... I don't know). Prior to this experiment, I'd have assumed that the monorail would be much faster, but that's not what I experienced. On the return to the GF after Boo Bash, most of my group was tired and opted to take the monorail. I dallied at the MK doing some shopping. I left probably 20-30 minutes later than those who'd taken the monorail and returned via the walking path. I was sitting by the marina enjoying the night view of the castle when to my surprise, here came my monorail group. I'd left the MK 20-30 minutes later and beat them back to the GF. They literally yelled "How did you beat us?!" I was surprised.