First Time at Grand Floridian - Questions

[GovieMom]

With the recently released discounts, I booked a lagoon-view room at the GF, as it turned out to cost a bit less than the standard-view room I had originally booked at the Poly. We've never stayed at the GF before, so one thing I was wondering about was how far of a walk it would be from the outer buildings to the bus stop and monorail (I'm guessing we'll be placed in the furthest building away).

Another concern I have is availability of open seats on a bus, or even the monorail. Because IIRC the GF is the last stop on the monorail resort line for both of those. I realize the walkway over to the MK should be open by the time we go next March, but that would be quite a bit further than I'd like to walk. I do enough walking in the parks! lol

Thanks for any help or advice; who would think someone would have concerns about staying at the GF

 

[holden]

GF is so small. That's one thing I like about it. The walk from your room to the bus/monorail is probably about 5 minutes.

Traditionally, the monorail is packed by the time it gets to GF at peak times. They might reserve some cars for GF (i.e. not let people in them before it gets to GF), but I'm not sure. The walkway might alieviate some of the crowding on the monorail.

I'm not sure about crowding on the bus because we usually avoid using the buses. We do Minnie Van/Uber/Lyft.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

None of the buildings are more than a 5 minute walk to the monorail or buses. In terms of the monorail, even if there aren't seats available, GF is the last stop before MK, so you wouldn't be standing very long.

 

[TaraWasHere]

I'd say from the furthest rooms 5-8 minutes to walk to the main building take the elevator (or stairs) up and hop on the monorail.

 

[mickeynut1]

As others have said, the walk to the bus or monorail is only a few minutes no matter which outer building you're in. The GF isn't as spread out as it seems, so it doesn't take long to get around the grounds. Another option for getting to MK is the boat. Sometimes the boats are just as full, but sometimes not and it is nice to have another option.

 

[GovieMom]

Thanks, everyone. I never realized how compact the resort was; good to know! And I almost forgot about the boat, so thank you mickeynut!

 

[SharonZ]

Your best bet is the boat launch.

 

[kiford]

It doesn't take long to get to the monorail or the buses. We usually stay in Conch Key which is close to the boat launch which is what we usually take to get to MK. For other parks, we typically take the bus. We only use the monorail if we want to go to CR or Poly.

 

[GovieMom]

Thank you everyone, for your helpful advice. One more question: Where on GF property would be the best place to view fireworks (with sound hopefully provided)?

 

[Katie1174]

A lot of people sit or stand in front of Gasparilla Grill. Great view of the castle(from a distance) and fireworks and they pipe in the music. But other good places are the boat dock(where the resort launch leaves from) and on the grass at the end of Conch Key (to the left of the entrance to the launch)

You are doing exactly what we did a few years ago. We had a standard at Poly but switched to Lagoon view GF when the discounts came out. Best decision ever! We love GF and even though we enjoy hanging out at Trader Sams, we all agreed it was the right choice. You are going to love it.

 

[GovieMom]

Thank you so much Katie for the advice and encouraging words!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks, everyone. I never realized how compact the resort was; good to know! And I almost forgot about the boat, so thank you mickeynut!

You're welcome! Have a great trip .

 

[SillySallySews]

I know you didn’t ask, but I think your choice of switching resorts was a great one! GF is our favorite, we like it 100x better than Poly! We stayed in conch key and it was maybe 5-10 minutes from our room to the monorail. We did have to use the elevator because we had a stroller, but if you could do the stairs that would be faster. Most of the time we skipped the monorail and used the little boat because it was less crowded. I’m pretty sure they pipe the music in at the marina outside Gasparilla for the fireworks, and also on the boat dock. The resort is so much smaller and less spread out than it actually appears. I hope you will love it, have a great time!

 

[chris1212]

I know you didn’t ask, but I think your choice of switching resorts was a great one! GF is our favorite, we like it 100x better than Poly! We stayed in conch key and it was maybe 5-10 minutes from our room to the monorail. We did have to use the elevator because we had a stroller, but if you could do the stairs that would be faster. Most of the time we skipped the monorail and used the little boat because it was less crowded. I’m pretty sure they pipe the music in at the marina outside Gasparilla for the fireworks, and also on the boat dock. The resort is so much smaller and less spread out than it actually appears. I hope you will love it, have a great time!

Do you have to fold up your stroller to go on the boat? Once we have it loaded up with everything it's a pain to have to fold it down sometimes.

 

[ADisneyAgent]

as mentioned here from GF I take boat to MK , I will always utilize the bus system at thou, WDW, I will take boat to MK, then proceed to take either monorail to Epcot or a bus to Downtown Disney..or anywhere else I want to go. weird..but I do it

 

[Marionnette]

The boat from GF to the MK stops at Poly before going to the MK. So the monorail will be quicker in most instances (although I recently spent >30 minutes waiting on the monorail between GF - MK).

For the return trip, taking the boat back to GF will be quicker.

Also, for travel to Epcot, we walked from GF, thru Poly, to the TTC to catch the Epcot monorail. It’s a pleasant walk and takes about the same amount of time from the villas as it does to catch the resort monorail at GF and make the loop around to the TTC (shorter if there are monorail issues, of which there are many).

 

[GovieMom]

Thanks for the added advice about taking the boat. Chris1212 I hope someone can answer your question about taking a stroller on the boat.

 

[rosiebean]

I love the vibe at Poly but enjoyed staying at GF much more. Poly was always hectic (so many people visiting for ‘Ohana, Trader Sam’s, the Luau) and GF was just serene...there’s actually much more and liked about GF over Poly. The great thing is that the Polt is a short walk from the GF, so you can head over there at night for a drink or a meal, enjoy the ambience, and go back to the peaceful atmosphere of GF when you’re done.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When my son was a CM, he booked us a stay at GF with lagoon view (it was cheaper). We got Big Pine Key and it was close to everything.

 

[Katie1174]

Do you have to fold up your stroller to go on the boat? Once we have it loaded up with everything it's a pain to have to fold it down sometimes.

I am no authority but we have stayed at GF multiple times in recent years and at least every time we have been there and taken the resort launch ( which is most of the time because my hubby loves the boat ride more than any other mode of transport to MK) the skipper has made every stroller big or small get folded up before boarding. I think its more of a safety issue as trying to get a unfolded stroller unto the launch may cause stumbles etc.