GF stuffy?

[TigrLvsPooh]

Love, Love, Love, LOVE the GF! One of my favorite resorts. I don't find it stuffy, it's just very classy and luxurious. But not in an adult way, because it's super kid friendly. In fact my oldest ds is always asking to stay there again.

 

[Gary M]

DW and I have stayed at GF 8 times and didn't find it stuffy. We are small town Hoosiers and didn't feel "out-of-place".

 

[SeaSpray]

We stayed there when DSs were 13 and 10. It wasn't stuffy at all. In fact I really wouldn't even call the decor "sophisticated". It's Victorian themed, that's all. I don't see why everyone gets uptight about the Grand Floridian. I have stayed in many hotels that were FAR more "sophisticated" than the Grand Floridian. We found it very comfortable, and especially liked it because of the location and view from our balcony

 

[rcraw45425]

We stayed there in'99 when the girls were 2 & 4. DH had a medical conference there and we had a rate of $205 a night. Boy I wish I had that for our trip coming up! We found the CM's friendly and helpful, often going the extra mile for us. They brought our DDs little "mini me" robes so they could be like mom & dad. Turndown service, towel swap in the evening, chocolates on the pillows, it was all great! When we asked DD7 where she wanted to stay for her 8th birthday trip, she asked for the GF. I had already booked CR tower but switched over for her. It truly is a magical hotel, perfect for a little girls birthday! I agree with an above poster that said if you go in feeling out of place you will be. Walk in like you are as good as eveyone else. You are! You paid your money just like they did. Give it a chance.

 

[PartyOf5a]

I had always heard the stuffy rumors as well so it was never on the top of our list of resorts to stay at. However, when the 7/4 fairytale package came out a couple years ago, we decided to stay at the best. Believe me, we were very hesitant but we decided we should make up our own minds on the resort. This trip ended up being our best stay at a Disney resort EVER! Boy were we pleasantly surprised! There was absolutely no stuffiness and quite frankly I found the opposite. Every CM I ran into was awesome! We NEVER felt out of place and we are the shorts and t-shirt kind of family. As far as the lobby, that was one of our favorite places to hang out and people watch. Very, very relaxing. I would not hestitate to stay at the GF again.

 

[jjohnson]

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad for the most part they are positive. I was reading the "Which resort would you never stay at thread" & worried after reading so many would not stay at GF. Feel much better now.

 

[cdpa4d]

I have visited the GF many times. I honestly don't think the resort is stuffy. I would say the theme makes the resort seem stuffy. You have to remember this is the way people would dress up in the 20 and 30's. It kind of reminds me of the movie "Titanic".....Just an observation.
ADP

 

[bethzfl]

Wow this thread was exactly what I needed tonight! I was having a "buyer's remorse" moment.. questioning my decision to stay there.. but I'll get those thoughts out of my head now! Best of all, its a surprise for my bf

 

[sters]

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.

We've walked through the lobby and grounds as well as eaten at the cafe. The resort is just so beautiful, pictures do not do it justice! It's very elegent. Having said that, it does seem like a Fancy Pants establishment and I can't imagine feeling comfortable paddling through to the pool there. Not my style.

 

[bballmom56]

Definitely not stuffy! We called it "casually elegant". The last time we were there was 12 years ago when my kids were 4 and 8. They loved it. The CM's were all very friendly. We loved the pool (complete with other kids) and the monorail access. If we could afford to stay there again, we would in a heartbeat. It was a truly magical experience. Enjoy your stay! Sounds like many of us would love to go back!

 

[bugsy]

I seriously considered the GF, I love staying at a luxurious resort. We are tho staying at the YC, from what I hear, also very nice, because of the close proximity to the Boardwalk area for evening dining/dancing/shopping. also I believe it is not too far from DTD, all for the same above activities. The only reason I did not choose GF is it's distance from all of the above, and the monorail stops operating 1 hr after park closing (I checked), and if we were out late, transportion would be a little more complicated.

 

[rcraw45425]

YC is also great! We stayed there in Feb. I'd call it "refined elegence". Again, not stuffy, just nice. The pool is awesome! Sand bottom zero entry. The Boardwalk is easily walkable. DTD is accessible by bus. We found the buses to be manageable.

 

[bugsy]

YC is also great! We stayed there in Feb. I'd call it "refined elegence". Again, not stuffy, just nice. The pool is awesome! Sand bottom zero entry. The Boardwalk is easily walkable. DTD is accessible by bus. We found the buses to be manageable.

okay, I asked DH what a zero entry pool was, he didn't know either,
it must be great..what is it? ps thanks for the YC info..I can't wait!! 59 days and 6 pounds left to go

 

[Tara]

okay, I asked DH what a zero entry pool was, he didn't know either,
it must be great..what is it? ps thanks for the YC info..I can't wait!! 59 days and 6 pounds left to go

It's a pool that you can walk right into like walking from beach into water -- it gradually gets deeper. Several of the pools at WDW are zero entry -- GF, Poly, SSR (I think), Y&BC...

 

[TammiMcMan]

That's what I love about Disney, so many choices. Personally, I feel that the Polynesian is way too much "Brady Bunch in Hawaii" and the Contemporary resort is something straight out of the "Jetsons". I probably would never stay at either of those resorts because of my preconceived feelings. On the other the hand, the GF is my families favorite resort. We've been going there since my kids were little. I've never once felt out of place and never felt that my children were expected to be seen and not heard. They offer character meals, kids adventure packages and kids activities by the pool. On the flip side, they have a wonderful restaurant in Victoria & Alberts and cater to fairytale brides. With so many resorts to choose from, go with something you know you'll be comfortable staying at.

 

[2princessintraining]

We like it so much that DH wanted to stay again this year. Coffee offerings in the lodge lobbies in the mornings make you feel special. (Not concierge level either) It is beautiful to look at, Everyone seems happy to be there, the girls actually preferred the "quiet pool" to the themed pool. (probably because our rooms were right near that pool. Gasprarilla's was a pleasure. AND most of all, I felt like I was on vacation!!!!!!!

THis time my parents are coming with us!!

 

[ducklite]

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.

HAHAHA! So funny, yet so true for us as well.

Anne

 

[MargaretF]

We stayed at GF two years ago and absolutely loved it! The kids were 10 and 8 and had asked to stay there. They fell in love with it the year before when we ate at 1900 Park Fare. It didn't feel stuffy at all, there were people in shorts and people in dressy shorts. The pools weren't crowded (July) and my kids spent hours in each one. We "dressed up" for tea, (didn't wear t-shirts ) We loved all the activities, rented water mice, watched the fireworks and the Electrical Parade, sat in the lobby and watched people and listened to the music. Also loved the boat to MK, much faster than the monorail. I had a great time watching the brides pose for photos on the grand staircase. The room was very nice, I love that turn of the century decor and the rooms felt very restful to me. If it wasn't for the price, we'd be staying there this year.

Poly (June 2005)
GF 2003
AKL 2002
AKL 2001
BC 2000
WL 1999
Poly 1998
CBR 1997
WL 1996
PORFQ 1992

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Been to GF to eat & have tea!!! Great place to be pampered & feel like a princess!!!

Allison

 

[MPLsDad]

Stuffy is in the eye of the beholder - people enjoy the different resorts because each has its own unique theme. If you keep in mind that the GF is a themed resort too and you enjoy it for its classic beauty and air of sophistication, you will not find it stuffy at all. The resort is extremely kid friendly - a children's seating area with cartoons playing near check-in, the Grand Adventure for Kids programs, Princess Teas and character dining at 1900 Park Fare are many examples of the child-friendliness of the resort. Adults are probably put off by the theme because it evokes an atmosphere in which they were told to be on their best behavior as children. The pool has a great slide that my 3yo DS loved. We watched the Electric Water Pageant from the zero entry end of the pool. Embrace the theme and you will fall in love with the place. Now if I could only afford to go back!!!!!