Grand Floridian Outer Building - Opinions?

[carrielouhoo]

My Mom and I are taking my children to WDW at Christmas this year. My Mom hasn't been to Disney in approximately 25 years, and it has always been her dream to stay at the Grand Floridian. My husband, children, and I have stayed at the Grand Floridian, but we usually rent DVC points, so I have never really paid attention to the details of the outer buildings at the main resort. I have perused the Grand Floridian thread on this board, but would like your opinions as well. Do you like staying in the outer buildings? Do they feel disconnected (culturally) or really far away (geographically) from the main building? I would love to make my Mom's dream come true, and would appreciate any and all opinions. Thank you!

 

[Crispity]

We've stayed at GF twice, both times at Boca Chica, which is one of the outer buildings. We love the GF, and none of the outer buildings are very far from the main building (a pleasant 5 minute stroll on the beautiful grounds at most). For comparison, we have stayed at AKL in one of the rooms that is as far you can get from the lobby, and I found the distance quite inconvenient, even though it was all one building.

Culturally, it didn't feel disconnected at all. The vast majority of the resort guests are staying in the outer buildings, and a casual visitor to the main building likely wouldn't even be aware that there are hotel rooms there. I'd highly recommend staying a GF, especially if it has always been your mom's dream. Good luck!

 

[ACL2000]

Each outer building is modeled after the main building and retains the same atmosphere. The only thing different is they're more quiet and secluded then the main building. Some more then others. Sago Kay Building being the most secluded. Everything is within a 5 minute walk as all center around main resort features like the marina and pool.

 

[Nancyg56]

I like the outer buildings. They are lovely, and have a beautiful central entrance that is gorgeous. Given a choice I believe I would choose the outer buildings over the main because I like the transition from "parks" mode to "home", and that short stroll does it for me.

 

[toodycat]

We've stayed at the GF a bunch of times, but only in the main building once. The outer buildings are lovely and the atmosphere is very much the same as the main building. The GF has fewer rooms than many other Disney resorts, so it retains a more intimate vibe throughout all the buildings. We've stayed in Sugarloaf, Sago Cay and Boca Chica. Even the time we stayed in the cheapest possible room---under $300 per night in the fall and not far from the laundry truck loading dock---we could still see some of the marina and we had a great view of the parasol parade.

 

[mickeynut1]

My Mom and I are taking my children to WDW at Christmas this year. My Mom hasn't been to Disney in approximately 25 years, and it has always been her dream to stay at the Grand Floridian. My husband, children, and I have stayed at the Grand Floridian, but we usually rent DVC points, so I have never really paid attention to the details of the outer buildings at the main resort. I have perused the Grand Floridian thread on this board, but would like your opinions as well. Do you like staying in the outer buildings? Do they feel disconnected (culturally) or really far away (geographically) from the main building? I would love to make my Mom's dream come true, and would appreciate any and all opinions. Thank you!

My favorite outer buildings are Big Pine Key and Boca Chica, but I think anywhere at the GF is great. BPK & BC overlook the courtyard pool and are just steps from the main building & beach pool. Conch and Sago are on the other end by the boat dock and Gasparillas. Some buildings are slightly closer to the main areas than others, but the GF isn't that spread out so none are far away. Staying in the main building is great, but I wouldn't hesitate to stay outer building GV again as the resort overall is amazing .

 

[JessicaW1234]

I have stayed in Sugarloaf and Boca Chica and would highly recommend the outer buildings. We have stayed at Christmas time and the buildings are a close walk to the main building.
You will love it! If you have other questions I'd be glad to answer them!

 

[Marthasor]

We've stayed in every building at GF (all outer buildings and the main building) and they are all beautiful. In fact, I preferred staying in the outer buildings to the main building! I actually think you get more of the ambiance of GF when staying in an outer building as you walk the grounds and see how absolutely beautiful it is. You can also see the lagoon, the other MK resorts and MK. There is not a bad building at GF.

 

[carrielouhoo]

Thank you all so much for your comments! All of your sentiments about the outer buildings matched what I had recalled from our stays at VGF, but because I hadn't ever really focused in on these buildings, I wanted to make sure my memory was serving me correctly! I will be booking today!