GF stuffy?

[jjohnson]

I have read alot of comments on these boards stating GF is "stuffy". Is everyone's opinion based on stays at the resort, walk thru's or just the "look" of the resort.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I don't think its too stuffy. We saw people walking around "git r done" larry the cable guy shirts and hats at the GF.

 

[F1Julie]

I've called the GF stuffy and I base that on many trips of dining at the GF. I haven't stayed there, and nor do I want to. The lobby area looks like my grandmother's formal living room. It's very prim and proper and gives me the feeling that you aren't allowed to touch anything. It isn't warm or friendly feeling to me. I have a 4 year old, and it doesn't feel like a place for kids which is ironic since they have some of the best kids programs at WDW (and we've done a few of them). That's just me though. There are many people who love the GF.

 

[goodferry]

We ate at the GF also and felt it would not be somewhere we would want to stay with the kids, not that our children are wild or anything, I just don't think it would be someplace that they would appreciate. They ADDORED the Polynesian and the BC/YC, so for now that's where we stay. However, for an adults only trip, it is a beautiful resort and I would definitely consider it.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

We always have dinner at 1900 Park Fare an everytime we go there I feel like I have to tell my kids to be quiet. I think it is WAY to stuffy for our family. My kids are very well behaved but I still feel more comfortable in the other resorts.

 

[Harambe]

We stayed for a few days this past September and it wasn't for us. The resort is lovely, and we loved our view from the balcony - but the resort just didn't do anything for us. Just our feeling, mind you. We felt the CM's were okay, but this place didn't have that Disney magic! We ended up going over to the Poly to shop and hang out a bit!

 

[MinnieM21]

I've stayed at the Grand Floridian in December and had the a wonderful time there. We'll be returning again in October because our trip was so fantastic. It's not stuffy at all, I don't know where people get that idea! The CMs are SO friendly. They made sure we got the room we requested and even the manager came over and helped the CM get us the room we requested. The people who stay there are very friendly. It's not super fancy really, it just looks that way because it's supposed to be a turn of the century Victorian themed resort. You don't need to be super quiet while walking through the resort and can touch things. The Grand Floridian isn't stuffy.

 

[webray]

The GF is not stuffy at all.

Your stay is not grand, but the resot is not stuffy. Worst disney resort we have ever stayed at.

 

[msteddom]

I don't think it's stuffy. I think it's quite beautiful. I would love to be able to stay there but it is out of my price range.


Melissa

 

[Tara]

I've never found it stuff -- it is definitely sophisticated. But all you have to do to feel at home is settle into one of the couches in the lobby in the evening -- people coming in from the parks, kids running around, babies crawling around under the watchful eyes of their parents, people taking pictures of each other, little girls making "grand entrances" on the staircase...pretty much everyone just like you -- trying to have a good time, soaking in the magic, and glad they've saved their pennies to stay at such a magnificent place.

 

[jjohnson]

The GF is not stuffy at all.

Your stay is not grand, but the resot is not stuffy. Worst disney resort we have ever stayed at.

Could you give me more details of what went wrong?

 

[daannzzz]

It is only stuffy if you allow it to be. Walk in like you own the place and you will feel fine
Really. The first time I visited I was with my sister (in her 40's) who said she didn't feel comfortable. I told her to realxe, it's Walt Disney World not New York or Paris. Once we strolled around she was fine.

 

[Eeyore's Queen]

We stayed there in July 2003. I didn't think it was stuffy. The CM's were more than helpful and nice. My kids would run around outside and cry from time to time (they were younger then). Nobody cared and a CM even gave them balloons when we were checking out. We had a great time but I didn't appreciate it. I thought it should have been more than it was or something. Maybe my expectations were too high. However, we went back a couple of times for dinner and the Pirate's Cruise this past Dec. and I really wished we had stayed there. I especially missed the monorail. We are going to try the Poly this July but the thoughts of GF ran through my head. But we want to try different resorts and see which we like the best. So far the GF is winning.

 

[OceanAnnie]

GF wasn't stuffy to us! We enjoyed our stay there. We're pretty laid back. Went to a character meal at Park Fare, the kids were all having a blast! It was kid central. Smiles, chatter and it was all about them. As it should be.

CMs were nice and friendly. Accomodations nice not over done. We too went to the lobby to enjoy the music and let the kids dance after a day at the parks. Mine ended up having a few dance partners they had never met. It was cute.

Loved the pool, the grounds, and being on the monorail. We will probably stay at the GF again the next time we go!

 

[jockey]

My DH and I first stayed at the GF when we were under 30 and we are NOT stuffy. We did not find this resort stuffy at all - infact the other guests and CM's have been very friendly anytime we have stayed there!!! Yes it does look grand but thats why its called the GRAND floridian and is Disneys flagship hotel!!! Can't wait to stay here on our next trip with our baby!!!


Your on vacation - enjoy yourself - leave the stuffy people - if you are unfortunate to meet any - to get on with it!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

It's been my experience that the people who think of the GF as stuffy are usually people who have never stayed there. We always stay there. THe first year my kids were 2 1/2, 4 and 5. CMs were very friendly. Kids are kids. I didn't feel the need to tell them to be quiet all the time. THey had a wonderful time and that's why we keep going back. Go out to the pool sometime in the summer and you'll see kids just having fun - you wouldn't know whether it was the GF or the all stars. It's a beautiful resort, but not stuffy at all!

 

[disyady]

We have stayed at the GF three times. My oldest DD was 20 months the first time and we were only there because it was the only Disney resort available on such short notice. I really wasn't looking forward to it because when we visited previously I thought that it was way too fancy and stuffy. As it turned out that was our favorite stay up until that point - topped only by our third stay in 2003 for our 20th anniversary with all three of our DD's (13, 8 and 8 at that time). Our usual resort is POR which we absolutely love but when we can afford to splurge on the GF it is truly magical. Different resorts do it for different people but you truly don't know until you actually stay there. We thought that the BC would be a favorite but we just didn't like it too much. They're all worth a try at least once, but for us so far the GF is our favorite (we've tried the CBR and Poly as well as GF, BC and POR).

 

[Sammie]

I would consider it refined and sophisticated, instead.

Even though many families do stay there, I could see where some might percieve it to be stuffy.

Certainly not the laid back, relaxed atmosphere of the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Leota]

I had always thought the Grand Floridian would be too stuffy for me. I'm definately a cut-off jeans & tee-shirt, aging hippie kind of girl. I had eaten there, but never wanted to stay there....
Last year for Happy Haunts, we did the Phineas package which included accomodations at the GF. I was worried I would feel out of place there. Much to my surprise, I fell absolutely in Love with it! I was always comfortable, whether it was strolling the grounds, napping poolside or sitting in the lobby gabbing with friends. Our balcony overlooking the quiet pool couldn't be beat!

The other guests we encountered were all smiles & hellos, just as much so as any other resort. The kids ran & laughed & played, just like anywhere else. Seeing all the Pirates & Princesses there for the kids activities was just so sweet. We even had a troop of little Chef's bring us cups of Worms & Dirt.

I will most definately stay there again. I can't wait to bring my DH & DS for a stay there (I went with a friend for HH) I know they will love it's serene atmosphere as much as I did.

 

[momto2]

The GF is not stuffy at all.

Your stay is not grand, but the resot is not stuffy. Worst disney resort we have ever stayed at.

I agree, we found it too be the worst we stayed at too! Just thought that for all the hype it would be WOW. The WOW was definitely missing at GF!