Grand Floridian Questions

[jbehr12]

This might sound like a dumb question....

My wife and I are heading to Disney this summer, I *think* she wants to stay at the Grand Floridian. I know folks who have traveled and stayed there, many of them came back saying the crowd is rather pretentious. Can anyone tell me if this is true? Before everyone gets all defensive, I'm not saying everyone who stays there is or anything. They just mentioned they'd get dirty looks at Dinner if they showed up in a T-Shirt and shorts, etc. They also mentioned the resort had a 'we're better than everyone else' kind of vibe... I can't deal with that.

We don't have kids, early 30's. We will likely go the route of Club Level, if there is space left.

I'm going to be at the resort for 6 days, so we'll be spending some time at the hotel and I've had bad experiences in the Caribbean staying at certain chains where the guests think they're entitled to something.

I stayed club level there last summer. You can run into some of Disney’s more well to do guests but for the most part everyone is just as down to earth and friendly as anyone else on property.

 

[AngiTN]

As for your initial question, many of your comments about yourself remind me greatly of my DH.
He is not comfortable at GF and would never pick to stay there himself. He's gone so far as to say he does not want to return.
Now, if that was what I booked and got as good a deal as I got last summer, he would. But it's not his first, second, or even third choice
It's not his cup of tea.

 

[exlq]

@AngiTN

Thanks for being on point with your replies.

 

[exlq]

I'm probably being over sensitive to the issue, but like I explained earlier, it's something I do work with/experienced.

My Wife and I stayed at the Ritz Carleton Kapalua a few years back. I hated it. I'm the type of guy who wears a short and t-shirt everywhere. Guests at the resort would barely talk to me, I guess because I don't 'project rich'. Anyway, some other Canadians arrived, it got out what I do and suddenly all those people who didn't want anything to do with me before, were trying to sell me stock, get me to invest in their companies or whatever. Since then I've been going to Melia's and Royalton's, still nice places but its filled with normal folks.

It's not about the money. Money should be able to bring you things in life that are great, but one of those things shouldn't be an attitude that you're better or deserve better than others.

I love Disney, I've always loved Disney and I always will. It hold a special place in my heart because growing up my parents had to save all year, just so we could spend a couple days at one of the value resorts/or camping. I don't want to go somewhere where I run risk of hating and never wanting to go back.

Thanks to everyone who has responded with their opinions and feedback, I've honestly been blown away by how great the folks on this forum are. I've read every single one and thanks!

 

[Miffy]

@Miffy

I really like the privacy (areas not accessible to everyone), I like the ability to grab a snack, or a drink, or a coffee without having to wait in a line. I don't have an issue with the money, it's not about that. I've been to the parks and generally I haven't been bothered by the guests. I'd say that's because 95% of them are just normal everyday folks. I suppose that number goes down at the GF and that's my concern and cause for question.

I think that might be part of what's getting lost here. I'm not saying that I'm going to show up to a nice dinner in some ripped tank top... Anyway this thread has been madly derailed from my initial question...

Ah, now I get it. If you and your wife want to stay at the GF, you should stay there. It's quite beautiful and super convenient to MK. As a PP said, if you plan on spending a great deal of time at Epcot and/or DHS, then you might want to consider one of the Boardwalk area resorts instead.

I get what you're saying about attitudinous people. I've never stayed at the GF, only had lunch there, so I can't really comment on that, yet this is Disney. Someone super snooty is probably vacationing somewhere else!

I don't know if this is even relevant, although it is about me feeling uncomfortable at the resort where I was staying, but the one time I stayed at the Swan, it wasn't that the other guests were above it all, but many many of the people I encountered were there on business and I just didn't feel like I was on vacation but instead that I'd crashed a corporate convention--not the feeling I want to have at WDW. (I changed resorts after the first night!)

 

[exlq]

@Miffy

It's totally relevant. The vibe of the resort is a huge thing. Especially if you're going to spend a couple days at it!

 

[RamblingMad]

I have traveled to resorts with dress codes. They’re usually resort casual. No big deal. Don’t dress like a bum at these places. Have some class.

Now, I don’t expect folks to dress up at Disney. It’s a high end carnival. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see folks in resort casual at the GF.

 

[focusondisney]

So I suppose I'm sensitive to pompous and pretentious attitudes

was simply asking for a general answer, yet people seem to be offended in some cases, which is kind of ironic I suppose.

Funny, I am sensitive to any kind of condescending attitudes. I have family members who wear being “poor” like a badge of honor. They look down on anyone who has more money or nicer things than they do. They make snobby & derogatory comments about people they think “have money”. That’s just as pompous to me.

So if the offended comment was referring to me, I’m not offended. Just pointing out my point of view. I also think I am pretty oblivious most of the time. I don’t notice attitudes of other guests or what clothes they are wearing anyway. And I find CMs are friendly & helpful no matter where they work.

 

[nkereina]

I've seen all walks of life all over WDW. As mentioned, there will be the wealthy people who only stay at GF and can pay the price with no problem. There's also others who save for years to stay there as their dream once in a lifetime vacation. When I was 10, my parents (a truck driver and a cafeteria worker) saved for 3 years for us to be able to stay at the Grand Floridian on our very first Disney trip/family vacation. They knew it was the flagship resort and wanted to go "big". Pretentious people exist everywhere and likely at all resort levels. Stay where you want and don't worry about their crappy attitudes.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

This is the kind of feedback I love on these forums. You all are honestly incredibly helpful.

Here's the reason I've asked all of these questions. I grew up with my parents both working two jobs and they would save every penny that they could in order to goto Disney. I never went to college, I played hockey. I still play hockey. I'm involved with a number of charities that give opportunities to all kids, regardless of income. I constantly see kids who's parents could never afford to take them to a place like Disney. To me, it has nothing to do with manners, or dress. It has to do with the attitude.

So I suppose I'm sensitive to pompous and pretentious attitudes. I'm also the type of person who will say something, so I don't want to be on a vacation where I'm constantly annoyed with the other patrons. To be frank, I think I've answered my own question here...

I totally get it. I was raised by a single mom who struggled to keep a roof over our heads as did my DH. Fast forward a few decades and we make a decent living and, because of DH's job, live in one of the highest income bracket areas in the US where every person is more entitled than the next. We both feel like fish out of water and when we go on vacation, though we like "luxurious" resorts and amenities, we do not want to encounter the entitled behavior we witness in our hometown on an almost daily basis. Here's the thing, though (and this is coming from someone who visits WDW multiple times a year) - there are tons and tons of people visiting WDW - all different walks of life, different socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, etc. and you will see all kinds of behavior in the parks and in the resorts. It's just nothing you can control. No matter where you go in WDW, you will probably be bothered by something someone else does - whether it's an entitled attitude at a resort, line cutting in the parks, being nipped in the foot by a stroller or ECV - it's going to happen. When you put that many people in one place, it's hard to avoid. If you can pack your patience and kindness (and don't worry about perceived dress codes - you'll be fine!), you can have a great trip in spite of a couple of jerks you might encounter. And truly, after 50+ trips to WDW under my belt, those jerks have been few and far between. Based on your past experiences, if you think you will be uncomfortable at GF, I wouldn't book it. There are so many other great resorts at WDW.

 

[focusondisney]

Pretentious people exist everywhere and likely at all resort levels. Stay where you want and don't worry about their crappy attitudes.

This! What I have been trying to get across but you said it so much better!

 

[exlq]

@DisneyWishes14

Preach. What a great response. I'm not worried about the intangibles, I know I'm going to get bumped into. Stepped on, rolled over, it is what it is. I'm only concerned about the resort, because that's where I expect to spend my downtime.

50 plus trips is crazy! Does it still stay fresh and magical after that many visits?

 

[Maxie86]

We have been staying at the Grand Floridian twice and sometimes three times a year for many years. I have never felt out of place in any thing that I wore. People are the same as at any other Disney resort. You will see people dressed in all kinds of attire, from bathing suits, shorts and tshirts to fancy evening attire to go to Victoria and Alberts. You will see people in suits...most will be managers or people going to V&A. The GF is also a convention hotel and you will see people in business attire, the same as any other deluxe resort with a convention center. Other than that it is a resort attached to a theme park and most will be dressed accordingly. As a PP mentioned that shorts and tshirts are acceptable in a casual table service restaurant they are not at a signature restaurant...at the Grand Floridian or any other signature restaurant. They have a dress code, but it is not really enforced except for V&A so you will see people dressed in shorts and t's...they may or may not get a "look" Dress shorts and collared shirts are acceptable.

 

[DisTXMom]

Before staying there, I was very worried about pretentious people at GF, to a point I almost didn’t even want to stay there. We have now stayed 3 times and would say it’s a pretty normal group of people and we never felt out of place or like we were at “the club” or anything. It’s just a nice hotel

 

[Searc]

@Miffy

It's totally relevant. The vibe of the resort is a huge thing. Especially if you're going to spend a couple days at it!

GF has a convention center attached to it, too.

 

[RamblingMad]

Before staying there, I was very worried about pretentious people at GF, to a point I almost didn’t even want to stay there. We have now stayed 3 times and would say it’s a pretty normal group of people and we never felt out of place or like we were at “the club” or anything. It’s just a nice hotel

I know millionaires that stay at value hotels. No one seems to notice.

 

[maryj11]

We stayed there a few years ago and never felt like anyone was pretentious .I worried about that before we went. I’m just a country girl and definitely not rich.
I felt right at home just like any of the other resorts and we have stayed at value, moderates, and other deluxes. I loved the GF it’s at the top of the list for one of my favorites. I would go back in a heartbeat if I could get a really good discount.

 

[rosiebean]

I used to think the same about GF's atmosphere (stuffy/pretentious), and frankly, I was personally a little 'judgey' about the resort and the people who stayed there (internally about the people, lol...but I made assumptions).

Through the years, I made many trips to WDW and met many friends who love the place as much as I do. I realized that some of them that are incredibly wealthy don't necessarily stay at deluxe resorts (probably how they stay wealthy, lol). And many people save and go to WDW every three or so years so that they can stay at deluxe resorts, because enjoying the resort amenities are as much a part of their vacation as going to the parks.

I eventually stayed at GF because it was my mother's dream resort, and a really amazing rate through a TA made it possible for me to justify the per-night rate. And I had an incredible time there. My kids and I loved it, and it's now in my rotation of top 3 resorts. Ironically, my mom liked her stay a few years before at Poly better, lol. She didn't find the atmosphere at GF pretentious, just a bit boring (my dad...a down home fellow from the South with no advanced education, who worked shift work at a plant and on oil rigs until he retired, who hunts and fishes and wears jean and a belt with a huge buckle and black shoes with white socks everywhere...was comfortable there; he might have gotten a few looks, but he also made several friends with other old dudes who while hanging out in the lobby with his afternoon cocktail and enjoying the piano.).

Like others have said, if your wife wants to stay there, I think it's worth staying for at least a few nights. I'm really glad I was able to bring my mom there. Maybe consider a split stay?

One last note: the few times I've ever felt a bit of pretentiousness coming from other guests was at the BC. But compared to the majority of my interactions with guests and cast members at all levels of resorts, it's a really rare occurrence.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I stayed at Royal Palm Club for my first and only stay at the GF in 2018. I had always wanted to stay at GF since I was a kid and the Tanners went there on Full House and the "main building" was what excited me the most. While my husband and I are well off, and so are my parents, we certainly didn't dress up to go to the lounge (only time we wore anything nice was to go to V&As for my birthday dinner). 5 of us stayed in a single Theme Park View room in RPC and it was a bit cramped even with one of us being 3 years old. The people who worked there were really great and friendly and didn't feel pretentious at all. There were several families that were dressed almost business casual every day in the lounge and their children were wearing very expensive designer brands. I got a bit of a snobby vibe from those folks, but they never acted like I didn't belong (like I said it's a theme park, I'm not going to wear a dress when I can put on a character t-shirt and some mouse ears). So if you can handle some people projecting their wealthiness a bit more than others you'll be totally ok. As for the private areas, it did feel nice to be able to go up the elevator from the monorail station and just be back at your room. However at the end of a long day an elevator only going up came, and people were very angry at my family for getting in it when they all wanted to go down to reach the other buildings. That was the only thing that truly made me feel awkward about being in the RPC, but I can't control which way the elevators go! Personally I loved being able to take the monorail/boat back and forth to MK and also the walking path ought to be open sometime soon. It's an awesome resort!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

@DisneyWishes14

Preach. What a great response. I'm not worried about the intangibles, I know I'm going to get bumped into. Stepped on, rolled over, it is what it is. I'm only concerned about the resort, because that's where I expect to spend my downtime.

50 plus trips is crazy! Does it still stay fresh and magical after that many visits?

Yes! WDW is always doing something new - new rides, shows, restaurants, resorts, Skyliner - the list goes on and on, so we always mix up our favorites with all of the new things they have to offer!

I certainly hope you find a resort you love for your trip!