Grand Floridian First Timer

[PamNC]

We've decided to stay at the Grand Floridian for our trip in late May. It's our first time. Please, tell all. Favorite room locations, the new pool, etc etc. Any tips/info at all will be appreciated.

We've had a stressful, yet successful, 2002 so far and we've decided to treat ourselves by choosing the flagship resort of WDW. We have stayed in the past at All Star Music, CBR, CSR, Contemporary, Beach Club, and Yacht Club. Our favorite so far is the Beach Club (stayed there the last two times). We've decided to try something different.

PamNC
56 days and counting....

 

[nicurnc]

Pam,
You will love the GF. We stayed there in '98 for our 25th anniversary. So elegant and relaxing!

Get a lagoon view if possible.
The Garden restaurant is great for breakfast.
Try tea some afternoon, sink into one of the love seats they have and be pampered.
Service was wonderful...a dozen peach roses and fruit basket with small split of champagne was delivered to our room for our anniversary.
Can't beat the monorail for quick trips to MK.

Have fun,
Loretta

26 Days!!!!till OKW

 

[chrissyk]

We're also going to stay at the GF in May It is our first time there also. We have a garden view booked and we are wondering if there are any particularly good, quiet areas to request for our room location.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The Grand Floridian is a great resort! I actually like the garden view rooms (I've done both garden and lagoon) because it gives you a chance to "people watch" and also admire the Grand Floridian atmosphere. The Garden views fit into the "Grand Floridian theme". Quiet rooms are in Sago Cay and Conch Key, Big Pine Key and Boca Chica are right around the pool area so they have a little more action going on around them. All the rooms at the Grand are great, I couldn't say any rooms are "bad".

Have fun!!!

 

[RaiseAStar]

The Grand Floridian truly is a beautiful resort. We loved the lagoon view room we had in Boca Chica. We loved sitting out on the balcony in the morning and evening listening to the howls from the Haunted Mansion, and the whistle of the MK steam engines. Magical location! So many conveniences with a GF room----monorail, 24 hr. food at the Gasparilla Grill, plush, cozy cotton robes in each room (great for morning or nighttime balcony sitting!), stunning landscaping---beautiful roses! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[princess angel]

you will LOVE the GF!
it is an awesome resort! we stayed there for our first 4 trips to WDW! and now I'm starting to have withdrawals!

there are no bad views at the GF! if you have a lagoon view, I like conch key the best!

be sure to sit a while in the lobby and just soak it all in! the new pool is beautiful! I havent stayed there since it has been there, but I visited it, and it looks so serene, like a great place to relax and unwind!!!! just goegeous!

we have always had excellent service at the GF, never a bad experience at all!

it's great to sit outside on the patio in front of gasparilla grill late at night and watch the castle change colors!

make sure to take a moonlit stroll over to the Poly late at night too! so romantic!!!

Laura

 

[PamNC]

Thanks everyone - I'm getting very excited about this trip. I didn't realize you could hear Magic Kingdom sounds from the GF. That's wonderful and quite magical!

PamNC

 

[Janet2k]

PamNC, the GF is a beautiful resort (it is my husband's favorite). I am sure you will have a wonderful time. I have some photos of the new pool area posted here: Janet2k's GF Pool Photo Album. My husband & I swam in that pool on a very cold & chilly December morning. Brrrr! But the pool water was warm and we had it pretty much all to ourselves (I think we made the Life Guards cold, though, since they had to "watch" two crazy adults swim in the cold weather).

 

[Daryl]

Great Choice!! Many people like the garden view better. I've done both and stayed in several different loge Buildings I Honestly can't say one view or building was nicer Than another. They all have unique charms. You can't loose.Lucky you! Have Fun!

 

[las3888]

This may not be the popular opinion, but my advice for first-timers would be not to set your expectations TOO high. Stayed there for the first time 2 years ago and was SO excited. Have stayed at almost all the deluxes except GF and thought we would splurge and go for the GF. I guess I expected MORE from the other deluxes (i.e. Poly, Y&BC) because it is more $, but found it really similar. In fact, I would pick the Poly over GF. It was really nice and I can't imagine you won't like it, I of course did, but maybe had set my expectations a little bit too far up there. We had a dormer room with views of MK and fireworks. I really enjoyed that part, but maybe would not get a dormer room next time (it's a bit smaller than other rooms).

 

[Janet2k]

Las3888, that was a very appropriate thing to bring up, and it is true of all resorts (aka, hotels). I have had some disappointing concierge stays at the GF that have tainted my love of that place. However, my husband has also had the same tainted stays as myself and yet he still adores that resort (of course he agrees with me regarding the concierge goof-ups). I am a little gun shy of staying there again, but then I think of how beautiful that resort looks, and I get all wistful again. It is a glorious grand dame.

 

[KaterBell]

WE love the GF . We've stayed there 90% of all our disney trips, and I call it my "Second home"...(well... not anymore I guess, as we just joined DVC - so my second home is now The Beach Club Villas!) ..but... I recommend the GF to anyone who will enjoy the theming and relaxed environment. I love to walk around the grounds, watching the fireworks from Narcoosees restaurant.... rent out the boats at the Marina... go to the main building and listen to the band or piano player... amazing!!