Grand Beach Resort

[greenclan67]

Just wondering if anyone stayed here recently? We are booked Dec 20th to 27th. Looking forward to it. We usually stay at Grand Villas, but have wanted to try Grand Beach for a while. Any pro's or cons to where we should request a room location? Thank you.

 

[chalee94]

i'm useless to you as i've never stayed there, but i have been intrigued by that "poor man's grand floridian."

when you come back, be sure to post some pics and give a review of the resort. having stayed at the sheraton vistana across the street, it looks like a left turn out of the resort would be difficult (and that would ideally be a better way to get to disney - taking a left out of the resort and then a right at the next light.)

it gets positive reviews on TUG but i would like more details, too...

 

[lilmakattack]

We stayed there for a few nights this summer. I totally called it the "mini grand floridian". It was very nice, better than grande villas in my opinion. I enjoyed swinging in the hammock while my kids ran around on the beach and playground. The accommodations were nice, similar to other diamond resorts. I was hoping to stay there again in December but the points were too high. We'll be roughing it over at Cypress Pointe lol.

Sorry but I don't have any pictures! I think you will be pleasantly surprised. It was close to everything!

 

[greenclan67]

Thank you both for the replies. This is a non Disney trip. So we will be taking right turns heading to SeaWorld & Aquatica. We stayed at Green springs by Diamond in Williamsburg Va and liked it too. So I am sure as long as the pools are warm the rooms are clean, and there is NO snow all will be good. If anyone is looking for me Xmas day, I will be in those Hammocks.
We are doing a surprise Packers game on Dec 21st in Tampa. Its my hubbies team, and he has no idea! My cousins are taking our girls to Aquatica for the day we are taking the bus bowl to Tampa and doing the game. Did I mention I dislike football but am A great wife. I will be sure to report back.

 

[BonnieA]

Do you have a three bedroom? They are beautiful, 2 masters, 1 twin. Got it cheap a few years back on skyauction. Haven't gotten a good price recently.

 

[greenclan67]

Yes we have two, 3 bdrms rented. We didn't need 3 bdrms but lucked out with them.
Nobody knows we are going except me it is so hard keeping it quiet in this house

 

[sweetnjmom]

My husband and I stayed there in May 2009 (so not recently) and were VERY happy. It was a free week from my uncle and friends were supposed to join us, but they did not. So the 2 of us had this huge 3 bdr condo.

It didn't take us more than 15 minutes to the park entrances then and it was very convenient. And no hard timeshare sells (just one light try). We would have gone back but the week we wanted wasn't available when we booked and now we'll be at the Sheraton Vistana Resort this coming May (2015).

 

[dwheaton]

We stayed in a 3 BR back in January 2012 and loved it. My wife's parents have a timeshare in Orlando, and it's easily the best of the ones we've chosen. The 3 BR condos are huge and very nice, and it's close to Disney and highways to get to other parks. We're going back there in January!

 

[disnee4mee]

I haven't stayed there in awhile but I would add that if you go to one of the upper floors and stand on the balcony you can see fireworks from several of the parks. We stayed over New Years and didn't want to fight the crowds but still got to see fireworks.
The 2 master bedrooms are nice. The 3rd BR is right across from the hall bath and has 2 twin beds: so very good for kids.
They have a nice little "beach" onsite and hammocks to enjoy the weather if it is warm.
When we were there that had several activities including an ice cream social and crafts.

 

[RnbwSktles]

My parents just recently sold the timeshare they originally bought there. It was with a bigger timeshare company so we could go other places in the world, but this was our "home" resort. I haven't been in 2 years, but I don't think it's changed much.

It's a beautiful resort and the rooms are really nice (we always had a 3 bedroom, or 2 bedroom with lock-off one bedroom suite). There used to be a lot more hammocks than there were the last time I visited, but if you can grab one they are a great place to relax and take a little snooze. As young kids, my brother and I would walk around the paths near the beach/lake and try to catch toads. For some reason this kept us entertained for hours

The pools are ok. They are small and often crowded. One is actually away from all of the buildings because they were supposed to build a whole new section to the resort.

You can rent paddle boats, canoes, and a few other things I don't remember. I think you can rent fishing equipment as well. There is a jetski rental place on the lake a short-drive away. I recommend it!

This is the only picture I can find right now of the whole resort, and it's of the lake, which probably isn't helpful

The locations is great. It's a really short drive to everything, and even making a left-turn when necessary is completely doable

 

[greenclan67]

My parents just recently sold the timeshare they originally bought there. It was with a bigger timeshare company so we could go other places in the world, but this was our "home" resort. I haven't been in 2 years, but I don't think it's changed much.

It's a beautiful resort and the rooms are really nice (we always had a 3 bedroom, or 2 bedroom with lock-off one bedroom suite). There used to be a lot more hammocks than there were the last time I visited, but if you can grab one they are a great place to relax and take a little snooze. As young kids, my brother and I would walk around the paths near the beach/lake and try to catch toads. For some reason this kept us entertained for hours

The pools are ok. They are small and often crowded. One is actually away from all of the buildings because they were supposed to build a whole new section to the resort.

You can rent paddle boats, canoes, and a few other things I don't remember. I think you can rent fishing equipment as well. There is a jetski rental place on the lake a short-drive away. I recommend it!

This is the only picture I can find right now of the whole resort, and it's of the lake, which probably isn't helpful

The locations is great. It's a really short drive to everything, and even making a left-turn when necessary is completely doable

Thank you for your review. We are very much looking forward to it. Not much longer now

 

[tjlamphere]

We have stayed there 4 times, 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011....3 BR each time and we loved it each time. It sits on Lake Bryan, a fairly large lake. Fishing there is good. The pools are nothing to write home about. Yes, you have to cross 535 coming out of the resort to go to WDW, but it is like any busy highway. Use caution and take your time. I think you will like it...always very roomy and clean. No wireless internet in the rooms, which is a pain...have fun!

 

[greenclan67]

We have stayed there 4 times, 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2011....3 BR each time and we loved it each time. It sits on Lake Bryan, a fairly large lake. Fishing there is good. The pools are nothing to write home about. Yes, you have to cross 535 coming out of the resort to go to WDW, but it is like any busy highway. Use caution and take your time. I think you will like it...always very roomy and clean. No wireless internet in the rooms, which is a pain...have fun!

Thank You!! We are in Orlando now, got here yesterday. Staying at Liki Tiki Village right now, check into Grand Beach on Sat the 20th. Liki Tiki is nothing to write home about, but Diamond Resorts just bought it a year and a half ago, and seeing signs of improvement.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Thank You!! We are in Orlando now, got here yesterday. Staying at Liki Tiki Village right now, check into Grand Beach on Sat the 20th. Liki Tiki is nothing to write home about, but Diamond Resorts just bought it a year and a half ago, and seeing signs of improvement.

Enjoy your trip. We're checking in on 12/20 too!

 

[katallo]

What is the best way to book the Grand Beach?

 

[Gr8t Fan]

What is the best way to book the Grand Beach?

I' ve booked Grand Beach through Skyauction in the past and most recently on eBay.

 

[chalee94]

What is the best way to book the Grand Beach?

it's a timeshare so ideally, you'd book it by trading a timeshare week through RCI or interval international (II). RCI and II also have last minute specials on occasion that are discounted and can be booked for cash without a trade.

this is the direct link to the resort but not sure how often they offer deals on the room/villa prices:

https://www.diamondresorts.com/Grand-Beach

 

[greenclan67]

Enjoy your trip. We're checking in on 12/20 too!

Into Grand Beach? We will be the crazy Canadians swimming when it is cold at night. LOL and we will have drinks in hand!! Have a safe trip.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Into Grand Beach? We will be the crazy Canadians swimming when it is cold at night. LOL and we will have drinks in hand!! Have a safe trip.

Yes, into Grand Beach. We'll probably be swimming too, hoping that the pool doesn't close too early. And if it's too cold for swimming, we'll probably be in hot tub.

 

[greenclan67]

Yes, into Grand Beach. We'll probably be swimming too, hoping that the pool doesn't close too early. And if it's too cold for swimming, we'll probably be in hot tub.

Yep us too. Safe travels. I think its 11 or 12 but not sure. See u there.