Long time lurker first time poster. I know GF isn't always loved by everyone here but it certainly was by our family.
Backstory: We were getting on a Royal Caribbean cruise on Sun 12/1 leaving Ft. Lauderdale. We were late to find out our schedules for the week as DW is a nurse. We find our schedule out two weeks before and decide we have time for two days at Disney (by changing flights to Orlando and saving $700.00) (Black Friday 11/29 and 11/30). I looked at bookings and we want to stay at Mono resorts when we only have a day or two. Poly was booked and Contemporary just had Garden through third parties. GF was available from Disney with their current room special so I booked it (Standard - Outer Building - Lagoon view) and grabbed the fast passes I could and booked BOG for 11/30 at 8am.
Plane lands in Orlando on 11/29, hop on Magical Express, check our carry ons with bell service and we take a Lyft to get to Animal Kingdom by 10:40. First FP was Everest (fun as always, they ever gonna fish all those hair ties off that mountain?) then Dinosaur and Na'vi River. We shopped a little, got our pictures with Scrooge McDuck and I get a text that our room is ready (around 230pm) the location is in the main building. Right away I'm thinking there must be a mistake and I would clear it up later. We leave Animal Kingdom as we wanted to grab some extra fast passes by doing a quick view of DVC.
DVC tour included two $75.00 gift cards and 4 Fast Passes for Me, DW, DD. I figured with how late we booked the trip this would help (and it did!) We were in and out of the tour within 30 minutes. Bus picked us up at GF and took us to CCV. (I am very interested in DVC but likely only at resale)
Now HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GREAT!
We get back to the GF and pickup our checked items and within earshot one of the greeters for the hotel says "Sir what did you say your name is?" and I said "My name is Nick ___" and he asked if we were from (enter state here) and I said yes and then if we were from(enter city here) and I said yes. He then said we were the Grand Floridian Family of the Day (I never knew this was actually a thing). He then advised we had been upgraded to Concierge Level Room (3rd floor main building) front of the door faces the lobby and the balcony faced the main pool and the lagoon (could see Poly and the Bungalows very well). This also included access to the Club amenities. a Gift Bag, and to top it off One VIP FP each day without restrictions (unlike the DVC ones). This was so awesome! We had the best time we have ever had on a vacation those two days at Disney.
We spent a lot of time on Seven Dwarfs over our trip but it was truly an unforgettable experience as we had a ton of fun at MK, AK, and Epcot. (We avoided Hollywood because of Star Wars crowds).
I am sure we were upgraded because of our short stay but either way it was our best experience ever and felt like I needed to share it!
Backstory: We were getting on a Royal Caribbean cruise on Sun 12/1 leaving Ft. Lauderdale. We were late to find out our schedules for the week as DW is a nurse. We find our schedule out two weeks before and decide we have time for two days at Disney (by changing flights to Orlando and saving $700.00) (Black Friday 11/29 and 11/30). I looked at bookings and we want to stay at Mono resorts when we only have a day or two. Poly was booked and Contemporary just had Garden through third parties. GF was available from Disney with their current room special so I booked it (Standard - Outer Building - Lagoon view) and grabbed the fast passes I could and booked BOG for 11/30 at 8am.
Plane lands in Orlando on 11/29, hop on Magical Express, check our carry ons with bell service and we take a Lyft to get to Animal Kingdom by 10:40. First FP was Everest (fun as always, they ever gonna fish all those hair ties off that mountain?) then Dinosaur and Na'vi River. We shopped a little, got our pictures with Scrooge McDuck and I get a text that our room is ready (around 230pm) the location is in the main building. Right away I'm thinking there must be a mistake and I would clear it up later. We leave Animal Kingdom as we wanted to grab some extra fast passes by doing a quick view of DVC.
DVC tour included two $75.00 gift cards and 4 Fast Passes for Me, DW, DD. I figured with how late we booked the trip this would help (and it did!) We were in and out of the tour within 30 minutes. Bus picked us up at GF and took us to CCV. (I am very interested in DVC but likely only at resale)
Now HERE IS WHERE IT GETS GREAT!
We get back to the GF and pickup our checked items and within earshot one of the greeters for the hotel says "Sir what did you say your name is?" and I said "My name is Nick ___" and he asked if we were from (enter state here) and I said yes and then if we were from(enter city here) and I said yes. He then said we were the Grand Floridian Family of the Day (I never knew this was actually a thing). He then advised we had been upgraded to Concierge Level Room (3rd floor main building) front of the door faces the lobby and the balcony faced the main pool and the lagoon (could see Poly and the Bungalows very well). This also included access to the Club amenities. a Gift Bag, and to top it off One VIP FP each day without restrictions (unlike the DVC ones). This was so awesome! We had the best time we have ever had on a vacation those two days at Disney.
We spent a lot of time on Seven Dwarfs over our trip but it was truly an unforgettable experience as we had a ton of fun at MK, AK, and Epcot. (We avoided Hollywood because of Star Wars crowds).
I am sure we were upgraded because of our short stay but either way it was our best experience ever and felt like I needed to share it!
