GF Main Building December 2020

[Livelovedance]

I'm over three years ahead of myself but I'm in preplanning mode and trying to get everything situated as I plan for my next birthday in WDW!

We normally stay off site on our trips to Disney. My dream is to stay in either the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian for my birthday weekend in December of 2020. I'd really love to stay in the main building for the full monorail convenience factor. I'm leaning towards the GF, only because I have stayed in the Poly once before (my only deluxe experience). I LOVED it and wouldn't mind going back again, but I've been told the GF is also a great experience, especially when it's decorated for the holidays.

Since my dream is pretty specific to the location, when do you think I would need to book the room by? I know it's too early now, but I just want to get an idea so I can be sure to book at the right time!

 

[Marionnette]

I'm over three years ahead of myself but I'm in preplanning mode and trying to get everything situated as I plan for my next birthday in WDW!

We normally stay off site on our trips to Disney. My dream is to stay in either the Polynesian or the Grand Floridian for my birthday weekend in December of 2020. I'd really love to stay in the main building for the full monorail convenience factor. I'm leaning towards the GF, only because I have stayed in the Poly once before (my only deluxe experience). I LOVED it and wouldn't mind going back again, but I've been told the GF is also a great experience, especially when it's decorated for the holidays.

Since my dream is pretty specific to the location, when do you think I would need to book the room by? I know it's too early now, but I just want to get an idea so I can be sure to book at the right time!

It's pretty difficult to predict booking patterns 3 years in advance. If you're dead set on your dates and your resort, you can book up to 499 days in advance. However, I think that unless you're attempting to book one of the signature suites like the Roy O. Disney suite, you can wait until 2020 to book your room.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you know the room category you want, I would book it at 499 days. Some of those main building categories have very limited inventory, so you might as well lock in what you want as soon as you can.

 

[jriveiro724]

If you already know your exact dates, and what room category you want, I would also recommend booking at 499 days. Also, if you book early, you can still add on any discounts that become available along the way (Deluxe Resorts usually get the highest discount percentage)!

 

[Livelovedance]

It's pretty difficult to predict booking patterns 3 years in advance. If you're dead set on your dates and your resort, you can book up to 499 days in advance. However, I think that unless you're attempting to book one of the signature suites like the Roy O. Disney suite, you can wait until 2020 to book your room.

If you know the room category you want, I would book it at 499 days. Some of those main building categories have very limited inventory, so you might as well lock in what you want as soon as you can.

If you already know your exact dates, and what room category you want, I would also recommend booking at 499 days. Also, if you book early, you can still add on any discounts that become available along the way (Deluxe Resorts usually get the highest discount percentage)!

Thank you for this information! I didn't know you could book that far in advance. That will definitely put my mind at ease once I know I have the reservation for the specific dates I need! That's great that I can add discounts afterwards also! That will be a huge help!

Thanks again! Time to start researching room categories!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you for this information! I didn't know you could book that far in advance. That will definitely put my mind at ease once I know I have the reservation for the specific dates I need! That's great that I can add discounts afterwards also! That will be a huge help!

Thanks again! Time to start researching room categories!

In case you don't know this, yes, you can add discounts later when they come out... but that doesn't necessarily mean a discount will always be available for your particular room type/view category/dates. It's not an automatic given a discount will be available. Now, there often are discounts available for the main building (which are among the most expensive rooms on property), but you do have to pay attention and be somewhat quick to adjust your reservations when they come out. Although depending on when in December you plan on going, discounts could be very limited (going by historical trends).

But - you have LOTS of time to figure this out. Happy planning!

 

[focusondisney]

Just making sure you know the whole main building is club level. There are no regular rooms there. It is the best club level on property tho! A great place to spend a birthday!

 

[Scott MC]

I also think you'll have better availability in early December as opposed to the closer you get to Christmas.

 

[Livelovedance]

In case you don't know this, yes, you can add discounts later when they come out... but that doesn't necessarily mean a discount will always be available for your particular room type/view category/dates. It's not an automatic given a discount will be available. Now, there often are discounts available for the main building (which are among the most expensive rooms on property), but you do have to pay attention and be somewhat quick to adjust your reservations when they come out. Although depending on when in December you plan on going, discounts could be very limited (going by historical trends).

But - you have LOTS of time to figure this out. Happy planning!

Just making sure you know the whole main building is club level. There are no regular rooms there. It is the best club level on property tho! A great place to spend a birthday!

I also think you'll have better availability in early December as opposed to the closer you get to Christmas.

Thank you! I'm looking for the first weekend of December so I should be okay. Because my requests are so specific (dates and location), I'd rather know that I can book and get exactly what I wanted. I was just concerned if I did find a discount it would be too late if I booked early, so I'm glad to know if I do that I can apply the discount after. It's a win win! I've never stayed club level, anywhere, so that is an added bonus! I know the rooms are very expensive there but it's only a weekend trip, and I figured I've got plenty of time to save!

My next task is figuring out what the best room options are. I know I want 2 queen beds. I've heard people have pretty strong opinions for or against "dormer rooms" at GF. What specifically are they? Are those in the main building?

 

[Scott MC]

Thank you! I'm looking for the first weekend of December so I should be okay. Because my requests are so specific (dates and location), I'd rather know that I can book and get exactly what I wanted. I was just concerned if I did find a discount it would be too late if I booked early, so I'm glad to know if I do that I can apply the discount after. It's a win win! I've never stayed club level, anywhere, so that is an added bonus! I know the rooms are very expensive there but it's only a weekend trip, and I figured I've got plenty of time to save!

My next task is figuring out what the best room options are. I know I want 2 queen beds. I've heard people have pretty strong opinions for or against "dormer rooms" at GF. What specifically are they? Are those in the main building?

I do believe there are dormer rooms in the main building. We had one in an outer building and personally we loved it. The room is a little smaller as is the balcony, but the high ceilings give a very elegant field to the room which we loved. We are also a party of two so having a slightly smaller room didn't matter to us. In the future, although we usually stay at BC or YC, my capital DF has said, "whenever we stay at the grand, request a dormer room!"

 

[GADisneyDad14]

My next task is figuring out what the best room options are. I know I want 2 queen beds. I've heard people have pretty strong opinions for or against "dormer rooms" at GF. What specifically are they? Are those in the main building?

Most of top floor rooms in the buildings at GF are typically "dormer" rooms, including the main building. I'm generalizing because there are exceptions for various room types, but that's generally the case.

The building you see in the pics below is the "Main Building." "Dormer Rooms" would be the ones you see on top floor (which is the fifth floor). As you can see, the balconies are smaller and enclosed when compared to the "normal" balconies on the floors below it. Many people don't like the dormer balconies due to the smaller size and enclosed feel - eg, you can't sit in a chair with a beverage and see out.

Personally, I prefer to be on the 4th floor which is a 'normal' floor from a balcony perspective for most of the room (I'm ignoring the turret rooms for sake of simplicity). It's also the same floor as the CL lounge, which to us is a bonus.

There are lots of GF experts around here, especially on the GF and CL threads. Don't hesitate to ask lots of questions and we'll get you headed down the right path.

 

[Livelovedance]

Perfect explanations, thank you! The photos were especially helpful! I think for my first stay I'd rather not stay in a dormer room, but it'll be something to think about for future visits!

I'm slowly reading through the GF thread. There's so much good information in there, I'm glad I've got plenty of time to sift through it all. I'll also look for the CL threads. Thanks again!

 

[Auntrosie]

Just making sure you know the whole main building is club level. There are no regular rooms there. It is the best club level on property tho! A great place to spend a birthday!

? I don't think this is correct. Club level is certain floors. I thought.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

? I don't think this is correct. Club level is certain floors. I thought.

No, all rooms in the GF main building are "club level" rooms. It is also called the Royal Palm Club, or RPC.

GF is a bit unique when it comes to CL. The entire main building and a secondary outer building are CL (although both are independent CL operations). Many (but not all) of the CLs at other resort are just on a single floor.

Hope that helps.

 

[holden]

The resort is very small. We stayed in the DVC building in June and could walk anywhere in about 5 minutes. Honestly, we thought our location was the best. Five minutes to anywhere on property and 5 minutes walk to the Polynesian. Perfection!

 

[Auntrosie]

No, all rooms in the GF main building are "club level" rooms. It is also called the Royal Palm Club, or RPC.

GF is a bit unique when it comes to CL. The entire main building and a secondary outer building are CL (although both are independent CL operations). Many (but not all) of the CLs at other resort are just on a single floor.

Hope that helps.

Thank you

No, all rooms in the GF main building are "club level" rooms. It is also called the Royal Palm Club, or RPC.

GF is a bit unique when it comes to CL. The entire main building and a secondary outer building are CL (although both are independent CL operations). Many (but not all) of the CLs at other resort are just on a single floor.

Hope that helps.

Thank you I hadn't realized that. I thought it was just the three top floors. I see now if you're staying in the main building your key will access those floors.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you

Thank you I hadn't realized that. I thought it was just the three top floors. I see now if you're staying in the main building your key will access those floors.

Well you were kind of right. The main building rooms are located on the top three floors (3-5) along with a small sliver of rooms on the 2nd floor over on top of Gaspys.

Most of the 1st and 2nd floor space in the main building is stores, restaurants, etc,

 

[Auntrosie]

Well you were kind of right. The main building rooms are located on the top three floors (3-5) along with a small sliver of rooms on the 2nd floor over on top of Gaspys.

Most of the 1st and 2nd floor space in the main building is stores, restaurants, etc,

That makes sense.

 

[mickeynut1]

I've never stayed club level, anywhere, so that is an added bonus! I know the rooms are very expensive there but it's only a weekend trip, and I figured I've got plenty of time to save!

You will love RPC! It is expensive, but it's also an amazing CL and is worth it, IMO. Enjoy the planning, I hope a discount comes your way as it gets closer .

 

[SharonZ]

Also, book what you can afford before any discounts. As others have said, there are no guarantees that discounts will be offered and they are always limited.