Grand Floridian Stuffy??

[mrs moon]

thank you all...

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I only stayed there for a couple of days but I absolutely loved it. I'd go back and stay there again if I could afford it. I saw plenty of little kids running around having fun.
It didn't seem stuffy at all.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We are staying for the first time in August, we have visited many times. We love the grand feel. We have stayed at the other two monorail resorts so we are looking forward to the GF. Not stuffy to us just grand!

 

[clapton]

We love the GF and own DVC there.We have never felt that it was stuffy. It's too bad that the resort does have that perception to some people, but if you stay there you will love it! It's beautiful!!

 

[Babsy]

LOVE the GF. It isn't stuffy, IMO. BUT...it is 'stuffy' for some people, apparently. Fortunately, they seem to be the minority.....so you will most likely love staying at the GF!

 

[MrPTato]

We stayed next door at the Poly and we went there a couple times to check it out, and kill time. Beautiful place with all walks of life roaming around.

 

[mickeysimba]

I don't understand how being in shape equates to being stuffy? I'm a mom in very good shape and I've stayed at all levels of WDW resorts. I wouldn't consider myself stuff just because my BMI is low! I don't think all of the marathon runners are staying at Four Seasons either?

I'm sorry my comment was misinterpreted. When we stayed at the Four Seasons, it was the first time I saw multiple nannies at a WDW resort area pool. And I still loved the Four Seasons, but it was just a very different vibe than I have seen in Orlando thus far. It is completely awesome to be in shape!

 

[Ensusieasm]

I'm sorry my comment was misinterpreted. When we stayed at the Four Seasons, it was the first time I saw multiple nannies at a WDW resort area pool. And I still loved the Four Seasons, but it was just a very different vibe than I have seen in Orlando thus far. It is completely awesome to be in shape!

I saw a nanny and she looked like the only person in their group who was happy and excited to be at the GF. The mom and kids looked bored and unimpressed. Too much of a good thing I guess to get excited or grateful about a lovely vacation spot.

 

[North of Mouse]

Racist people are everywhere in this country and at WDW.

So true! And sad! 'But', why post on this GF thread like it was a 'stand out' place to seem called out? As 'you' said, it's everywhere in this country, but 'not' in any one place/area more than others.

I view the GF as a very classy, up scale place to stay (for Disney), but 'staying' classy does not 'make' anyone classy! I love to visit there, eat there, but it is not 'my' kind of hotel. I, personally, like POFQ much better! (Guess what? When you're from the 'colonies', you are sort of treated as outcasts (at times) in another country!!!) So, it's not just non caucasians!!)

 

[hiroMYhero]

So true! And sad! 'But', why post on this GF thread like it was a 'stand out' place to seem called out? As 'you' said, it's everywhere in this country, but 'not' in any one place/area more than others.

I view the GF as a very classy, up scale place to stay (for Disney), but 'staying' classy does not 'make' anyone classy! I love to visit there, eat there, but it is not 'my' kind of hotel. I, personally, like POFQ much better! (Guess what? When you're from the 'colonies', you are sort of treated as outcasts (at times) in another country!!!) So, it's not just non caucasians!!)

Posters were describing their experiences with arrogant GF CMs and guests changing clothes in the GF lobby and they weren't chastised for sharing their experiences.

Their experiences at GF were readily accepted so why not the sharing of mine?
As a third generation American, I was not visiting another country so not sure why visiting a foreign country applies to my GF experience.

 

[Lyons Family]

We have stayed here 2 times, and each time have had the time of our lives.
My husband and myself will be celebrating our 25th. Wedding anniversary here this fall.

Cannot wait.
Great memories.

Safe travels.

 

[toodycat]

We love the GF. We stayed there for our first visit with our son when he was 6 and have returned numerous times. He is 21 and it is still his favorite resort. Far from being stuffy, the GF is very child friendly and has provided excellent customer service and gone above and beyond repeatedly. When we visited during construction, we were concerned because our son has high functioning autism and the workers made a lot of noise, which he finds painful. We contacted the GF in advance and were upgraded to a room far away from the construction. When we visited with my elderly parents and they missed breakfast at RPC, the GF comped their breakfast at the GF cafe. When we were staying at the WL and dining at Citrico's, we missed the last transport back to WL. The GF had a CM drive us to the WL. I could go on, but you get the idea. The GF is the nicest and friendliest of all Disney properties that we've visited.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I haven't found GF's CMs or patrons stuffy, but I wasn't as into the rooms as I thought I'd be. I felt like I was staying at my rich grandmother's, which I do not have. It felt like the rooms were due for a refurb (2013, 2014). That being said, I'd definitely go back. I like the general ambience of the resort and the restaurants provided us a lot of options without ADR's. It still is on our short list of resorts for our trips. I agree with others that it felt a lot like staying at other Disney properties, although while at WDW, I don't notice much except the fun my family is having. I'd say if the resort appeals to you, I'd give it a try.

We stayed at the Four Seasons after a Fantasy cruise at the end of our last trip. I loved the grounds, but found too large a percentage of the staff to be stuffy. In particular, there was one supervisor (?) that asked multiple questions, multiple times in order for us to be allowed in the pool area. We were cleared by other staff members and then he stopped us and asked more questions twice in the same day. I don't what triggered the heightened need for security for us. Some of the staff made us feel like we were at a country club where we didn't belong. I've been to their other properties and never encountered this. I would add that the non-stuffy staff were excellent and made us feel very welcome. We may give them another chance, as I loved the pool area, but will skip it this summer. Poly and BC, here we come.

That's surprising. Do you know if this is common at other (upscale) Four Seasons, or just at this particular one?

 

[jeepnjudy]

We love the GF and own DVC there.We have never felt that it was stuffy. It's too bad that the resort does have that perception to some people, but if you stay there you will love it! It's beautiful!!

We also own DVC here and love it. And with DS12 and DS3...it does not seem stuffy at all for either of them...Just lots of FUN!!

 

[Fuhnuh]

That's surprising. Do you know if this is common at other (upscale) Four Seasons, or just at this particular one?

We've stayed at other Four Seasons and similar level places and this experience seemed unique. It felt like more of the staff and customers acted as if they were rich people at a resort in the movies. It was a short stay, so my sampling size is so small, I wouldn't read that much into it. I was mainly just trying to add our experience to others to provide more information. I might be also a little bitter because there was a 125$+ non-authorized charge to my room while we were eating offsite that I didn't notice on checkout and could not get straightened out between calls and emails. They could tell me what was ordered but not what name it was signed other. After two failed promises to get back to me, I just gave up. I suspect the charge went to the wrong room, but could not get them to check the poolside receipt. I let it go, because at some point my time and wellbeing is worth more than that.

 

[rastahomie]

If I won the lottery tomorrow and had the money to stay at Disney Deluxe resorts, I still wouldn't stay at the GF.

When I think of a Disney vacation, I think, "Fun!" I don't think "Turn-of-the-century upper-crust gentility," which is what the Imagineers seem to have been going for at the GF.

Having said that, the GF is beautiful, but it's beautiful like an art museum is beautiful. When I walk in there, I feel like I felt when I was a kid at my great grandmother's house: I must be quiet and not touch anything.

But, different strokes, as they say. If I had that kind of money to spend, I'd be at the Polynesian, no questions asked.

 

[pangyal]

If I won the lottery tomorrow and had the money to stay at Disney Deluxe resorts, I still wouldn't stay at the GF.

When I think of a Disney vacation, I think, "Fun!" I don't think "Turn-of-the-century upper-crust gentility," which is what the Imagineers seem to have been going for at the GF.

Having said that, the GF is beautiful, but it's beautiful like an art museum is beautiful. When I walk in there, I feel like I felt when I was a kid at my great grandmother's house: I must be quiet and not touch anything.

But, different strokes, as they say. If I had that kind of money to spend, I'd be at the Polynesian, no questions asked.

Honestly, I would respectfully completely disagree with that assessment . We've done sandcastle building, marshmallow roasting, movie nights, Princess waltzes, all kinds of activities that involve staff getting their hands a bit dirty in the name of the greater good (such as marshmallows ). They actively encourage guests to sit in the lobby and relax. We own DVC there, and find both the villas side and the main side to be more of an undercurrent of casual elegance...not at all stuffy or prohibitive. There some super fun activities there, but I do agree that it is quieter and less boisterous than many other resorts. That being said, I don't find it any less "fun". Fun doesn't have to be raucous!

 

[Harambe]

We stayed once, and altho there were no issues at all, it just wasn't our favorite place. We did feel a little out of place, but again, no fault of the resort! We were there over Labor Day weekend and there were umpteen weddings!! There were a few wedding showers right off the lobby, and one in the GF Cafe a few tables over from us.

As others have said, to each his own - and thank goodness, or we'd all be clamoring for a ressie at GF just like people clamor for an ADR at BOG!

 

[PlainJane]

I've never found the GF stuffy. I have never stayed here, but I have been visiting for meals, shopping, etc. since I was a little girl. I can't remember ever encountering a rude attitude from a guest or CM. There are children a plenty, especially with 1900 Park Fare being right off the lobby. The resort that would worry me the most with a child would actually be YC, lots of adults in suits and very few children. Though, I'd still stay there with children too.

One time my mother even fell ill while we were at the Grand Floridian Cafe, and the waitress arranged for a taxi back to the resort we were staying at, at no expense to my family. She was very kind and helpful.

I'm sorry my comment was misinterpreted. When we stayed at the Four Seasons, it was the first time I saw multiple nannies at a WDW resort area pool. And I still loved the Four Seasons, but it was just a very different vibe than I have seen in Orlando thus far. It is completely awesome to be in shape!

I am far from in shape and I found your comment funny. I understood that you meant that there was an unusual amount of very fit mothers, not that it was a requirement to stay there.

 

[disneylovinfamilyof6]

GF isn't stuffy at all. It's very kid friendly. We have a large family and stay at GF at least once a year (twice last year). It was gorgeous and we had excellent CM interactions in the CL lounge and with housekeeping staff. The only poor experience we've ever had was with a server at GF cafe. She wasn't stuffy at all, quite the opposite actually. She was rude and insulting when one of our entrees came out incorrect and then ignored our table for the rest of time we were there. Another server actually took care of us even though we weren't in his section and he was wonderful.