Grand Floridian views

[Wonder05]

Ok, so the last time we were at Disney (heck had a vacation) was 2010 and went with family stayed at Value resort during Christmas time and we all vowed Never Again (worst trip)

Before that in 2005 my husband and I honeymooned at the GF main building and we're surprised by my dad as he (told my husband) not me he upgraded us to theme Park view club (this was way before the renovation)

Now, we want to go with my parents and our 3 young children (who will be 6yrs, 3yrs, 1yr) and I would really like a nice view. As it will also be our anniversary and everyone would enjoy seeing a pretty view.
(My parents will have there own room of course)
I would go crazy if I had to stare at a tree or dumpster. If we splurge for a Lagoon or Theme park could our view be blocked? We won't be doing sugar loaf as I think we'd just be disappointed compared to when we had the Royal Palm (it was beautiful)

I also don't want to be on the first floor in case one of my children tries to go for a walk. My 5 year old has opened the door to follow my parents while I was feeding the baby. He just did this today. We were having lunch. Luckily , my mom was right on him.

Sorry, this is so long.

Another option we are considering is Polynesian but I read the GF beds are better, and I don't know staying at the GF was magical and the staff were so sweet but like I said we were in the main and that was when they only had the one club level.

 

[wilkeliza]

Lagoon and theme park mean you'll at least have a 50% view of either (I believe). I don't think GF has the blocked issued like Poly does. At Poly you can book lagoon view and while yes you are looking at the lagoon most of what you may see is actually the new waterside DVC rentals. I found the Poly beds to be fine but hte issue with their lagoon/Theme Park views is starting very early and going very late you can hear the boats whistles. At the GF the boats are much smaller so don't have super loud whistles like the one from the TTC. We loved it because we are adults only and like atmosphere setters but with kids it would make nap time hard.

 

[Wonder05]

They have slept through the neighbors parties (they decided to throw Spring Break next door this year drove me and my husband nuts but the Littles did finally pass out and were fine the next day)so I imagine they might be ok? But they also wouldn't be at home so who knows lol . I'll take that into consideration thanks!

The big thing right now is I keep just thinking that I don't want my currently five year old deciding to open the slider and take a stroll. And that I might stare at something not that pretty lol

 

[Shanti]

We had a theme park view room at Grand Floridian, and it had a picture perfect view of the castle, fireworks, Bay Lake, monorail and the Electric Water Pageant. It was the best view we've ever had.

 

[Wonder05]

We had a theme park view room at Grand Floridian, and it had a picture perfect view of the castle, fireworks, Bay Lake, monorail and the Electric Water Pageant. It was the best view we've ever had.

Wow!
Was this an outer building? I tried looking at Touring plans I got confused cause some views didn't seem like theme Park or lagoon? And some garden were like the back of a building.

And they had Polynesian views seemed blocked as well?

 

[Shanti]

Wow!
Was this an outer building?

Yes. It was last summer at Sago Cay. We were on one of the upper floors- I think it was the 4th floor. No obstruction, view couldn't be beat. It was a small balcony, but we didn't care.

If you look at Touring Plans' room views, you can get an idea of our view by looking at one of the 4th floor theme park views at Sago Cay.

 

[Shanti]

By the way, I'll add that I've been to many different Disney resorts (see my signature), & never had a view of a dumpster. I promise even the worst view on property wouldn't be of something like that.

Since view is important to you, I recommend checking in early, and checking the view off of your balcony immediately. If you don't like it, walk back to the front desk and ask if they can change it. The earlier you ask, the more likely they'll have availability to change your room. No guarantees, but they will try.

 

[Wonder05]

That's at least good to know!

By the way, I'll add that I've been to many different Disney resorts (see my signature), & never had a view of a dumpster. I promise even the worst view on property wouldn't be of something like that.

Since view is important to you, I recommend checking in early, and checking the view off of your balcony immediately. If you don't like it, walk back to the front desk and ask if they can change it. The earlier you ask, the more likely they'll have availability to change your room. No guarantees, but they will try.

That's good to know!
I'm trying to decide between the GF and Polynesian as Conpory doesn't interest any one of us. My dad Loves Hawaii but can't fly there anymore since his surgery (he used to travel for work and was even able to pay for mom to come with a couple times) However, I want the hotel to be relaxing and beautiful for us. And looking at Touring plans quite a bit of Polynesian views are Palm trees in your face or ground floor.
Both GF and Polynesian have the neatest looking Splash pads so the Littles will be happy. Thinking that would be one way to get them out of the park mid day , cool down right before going for a nap.

 

[Aurora0427]

Ok, so the last time we were at Disney (heck had a vacation) was 2010 and went with family stayed at Value resort during Christmas time and we all vowed Never Again (worst trip)

Before that in 2005 my husband and I honeymooned at the GF main building and we're surprised by my dad as he (told my husband) not me he upgraded us to theme Park view club (this was way before the renovation)

Now, we want to go with my parents and our 3 young children (who will be 6yrs, 3yrs, 1yr) and I would really like a nice view. As it will also be our anniversary and everyone would enjoy seeing a pretty view.
(My parents will have there own room of course)
I would go crazy if I had to stare at a tree or dumpster. If we splurge for a Lagoon or Theme park could our view be blocked? We won't be doing sugar loaf as I think we'd just be disappointed compared to when we had the Royal Palm (it was beautiful)

I also don't want to be on the first floor in case one of my children tries to go for a walk. My 5 year old has opened the door to follow my parents while I was feeding the baby. He just did this today. We were having lunch. Luckily , my mom was right on him.

Sorry, this is so long.

Another option we are considering is Polynesian but I read the GF beds are better, and I don't know staying at the GF was magical and the staff were so sweet but like I said we were in the main and that was when they only had the one club level.

My mother had an excellent lagoon view in Boca Chica a few years ago. She could actually see the fireworks, but they sold it as a lagoon view because her view was somewhat obstructed by a tree.

We always stay in Sago or Conch Key and we ask to be on the monorail/lake side. It's pretty. It's considered a garden view, but you see water.

The only terrible views at the GF are in Big Pine Key- there are a few rooms with views of the pool house. We always request not to be put in BPK for this reason, because just my luck we'd get one of those rooms. We'd only stay in that building if we paid for a lagoon view, as they look at the lake and the Poly.

I can't give advice as to a theme park view, but my guess would be the end rooms in Conch Key facing the water would be awesome, as they directly face the castle.

 

[Aurora0427]

That's at least good to know!


That's good to know!
I'm trying to decide between the GF and Polynesian as Conpory doesn't interest any one of us. My dad Loves Hawaii but can't fly there anymore since his surgery (he used to travel for work and was even able to pay for mom to come with a couple times) However, I want the hotel to be relaxing and beautiful for us. And looking at Touring plans quite a bit of Polynesian views are Palm trees in your face or ground floor.
Both GF and Polynesian have the neatest looking Splash pads so the Littles will be happy. Thinking that would be one way to get them out of the park mid day , cool down right before going for a nap.

We usually stay at the GF, but we defected to the Poly this August because I think my one year old is going to freak over the pools and the Hawaiian vibe works for August. I'm hoping the service and management is as excellent as the GF.... I do think the Polynesian has better dining options. We are kind of tired of the options at the Grand.

 

[Wonder05]

We usually stay at the GF, but we defected to the Poly this August because I think my one year old is going to freak over the pools and the Hawaiian vibe works for August. I'm hoping the service and management is as excellent as the GF.... I do think the Polynesian has better dining options. We are kind of tired of the options at the Grand.

Have you been to Disney before in August? Do you find it Crazy hot and croweded?


I'm wondering about the service as well.

We haven't been down since an Insanely busy Christmastime 7 years ago. Waited hours for a bus at value resort when apparently nearly the entire resort was filled with cheerleaders for a competition so they were always had a bus filled. And they were practicing while in line (my niece almost got a foot to the head)
We had the Worst service , nothing like our Honeymoon at GF a few years before. It was so bad that My dad ended up with a hernia cause he was told he had to drag our luggage. It ended up costing him 3 surgeries. The attitudes were Awful.

 

[Shanti]

I'm trying to decide between the GF and Polynesian as Conpory doesn't interest any one of us. My dad Loves Hawaii but can't fly there anymore since his surgery (he used to travel for work and was even able to pay for mom to come with a couple times) However, I want the hotel to be relaxing and beautiful for us. And looking at Touring plans quite a bit of Polynesian views are Palm trees in your face or ground floor.
Both GF and Polynesian have the neatest looking Splash pads so the Littles will be happy. Thinking that would be one way to get them out of the park mid day , cool down right before going for a nap.

I find the Grand Floridian more relaxing than the Polynesian, although I like both. The Grand Floridian is also prettier. You can dine at the Poly and see it that way. Very easy to do as both resorts are on the monorail.

Have you been to Disney before in August? Do you find it Crazy hot and croweded?.

We went in late July last year, and crowds were the lowest I'd seen them since January 2009. Fall has become the "new summer" at WDW, and summer is nowhere near as crowded as it used to be, except at the water parks.

 

[MGTDisney]

I can't help with the view question for GF, because we've stayed RPC or Sugarloaf in the past, but I wanted to tell you that I think you'd prefer GF based on what you've written. We have 1, 3, & 5 year olds and prefer the GF to Poly. To us the Poly was very hectic and crowded. I think it's because the main lobby and restaurants are so close to the kids splash pad and nighttime movie area. It seems to have a lot more people in and out of the area which made it so stressful for us.
We've stayed at GF the second week of August, and while its hot, it's still a lot of fun. It's so nice to be able to be one stop on the monorail from the Magic Kingdom, and the first stop on the boat from the magic kingdom for afternoon naps and escaping the heat of the middle of the day in the theme parks.

 

[Wonder05]

I find the Grand Floridian more relaxing than the Polynesian, although I like both. The Grand Floridian is also prettier. You can dine at the Poly and see it that way. Very easy to do as both resorts are on the monorail.

We went in late July last year, and crowds were the lowest I'd seen them since January 2009. Fall has become the "new summer" at WDW, and summer is nowhere near as crowded as it used to be, except at the water parks.

Really? Oh man, our anniversary is early September. So we were thinking around then. Back 05' it was nearly empty (no joke) however, it was HOT we sweated up a storm especially my husband who was walking around in the Groom Top hat. So , Mama's packing sunblock for all! I'm not leaving home without it lol They were just putting up the Halloween decorations as we were leaving.

 

[Aurora0427]

Have you been to Disney before in August? Do you find it Crazy hot and croweded?


I'm wondering about the service as well.

We haven't been down since an Insanely busy Christmastime 7 years ago. Waited hours for a bus at value resort when apparently nearly the entire resort was filled with cheerleaders for a competition so they were always had a bus filled. And they were practicing while in line (my niece almost got a foot to the head)
We had the Worst service , nothing like our Honeymoon at GF a few years before. It was so bad that My dad ended up with a hernia cause he was told he had to drag our luggage. It ended up costing him 3 surgeries. The attitudes were Awful.

We live in Houston, so our weather is identical to Orlando in August. It doesn't bother us at Disney, but it changes our touring plan. When we go in cooler weather, we go until dinner, but in August we take a break after lunch and go back out after dinner.

We've been to Disney twice in August. The first time was in 2007, and we went in early August, and it was insanely crowded. Lots of visitors in from the U.K. Our last August trip was the last week in August and it was fine crowd wise. We are going 8/23-8/30 this year, and hoping we get the same slow summer crowds that others have seen this summer.

We've only done a value once- Art of Animation for one night last October before checking in at the GF. We found the service at the front desk to be excellent, but the food courts are more crowded.

 

[Shanti]

Really? Oh man, our anniversary is early September. So we were thinking around then. Back 05' it was nearly empty (no joke) however, it was HOT we sweated up a storm especially my husband who was walking around in the Groom Top hat. So , Mama's packing sunblock for all! I'm not leaving home without it lol They were just putting up the Halloween decorations as we were leaving.

Early September will probably not be bad. Late September & October are when the worst crowds have been reported in recent years.

 

[geekbri]

Ok, so the last time we were at Disney (heck had a vacation) was 2010 and went with family stayed at Value resort during Christmas time and we all vowed Never Again (worst trip)

Before that in 2005 my husband and I honeymooned at the GF main building and we're surprised by my dad as he (told my husband) not me he upgraded us to theme Park view club (this was way before the renovation)

Now, we want to go with my parents and our 3 young children (who will be 6yrs, 3yrs, 1yr) and I would really like a nice view. As it will also be our anniversary and everyone would enjoy seeing a pretty view.
(My parents will have there own room of course)
I would go crazy if I had to stare at a tree or dumpster. If we splurge for a Lagoon or Theme park could our view be blocked? We won't be doing sugar loaf as I think we'd just be disappointed compared to when we had the Royal Palm (it was beautiful)

I also don't want to be on the first floor in case one of my children tries to go for a walk. My 5 year old has opened the door to follow my parents while I was feeding the baby. He just did this today. We were having lunch. Luckily , my mom was right on him.

Sorry, this is so long.

Another option we are considering is Polynesian but I read the GF beds are better, and I don't know staying at the GF was magical and the staff were so sweet but like I said we were in the main and that was when they only had the one club level.

On our honey moon my wife and I splurged on a theme park view at the GF. We had a 5th floor former room at big pine key and had a phenomenal view of the magic kingdom for the fireworks. Since it was a dormer room I did have to stand due to the design of those balconies. It didn't bother me one bit though.

The year before we had gone to the GF for our engagement and had a garden view at conch key. It was unremarkable but nice being able to see when the pool wasn't crowded!

I have booked a lagoon view for October 2017. Im hoping to get one that can see the fireworks. I haven't seen anybody recommend one that can.

Anyway, I loved the theme park view and want to splurge on it again but my wife is opposed. I totally think it's worth it. There is something about standing on your balcony watching that is just awesome.

 

[Wonder05]

Ours we actually didn't use a lot for sitting outside back in 05' cause we were getting bugs buzzing around at night for some reason. We had used it about twice and rest of our trip I think we watched from the glass inside. I'm trying to remember. Now with Musquitos not sure want to take chance with Littles hmm

I wouldn't want a dormer as the Littles couldn't watch easily. I didn't even think of that until now. Thanks for mentioning it cause I really should consider they may not be able to all see at once.

Hopefully, you'll get the view your hoping for.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We had Lagoon view at Big Pine Key.

 

[Aurora0427]

On our honey moon my wife and I splurged on a theme park view at the GF. We had a 5th floor former room at big pine key and had a phenomenal view of the magic kingdom for the fireworks. Since it was a dormer room I did have to stand due to the design of those balconies. It didn't bother me one bit though.

The year before we had gone to the GF for our engagement and had a garden view at conch key. It was unremarkable but nice being able to see when the pool wasn't crowded!

I have booked a lagoon view for October 2017. Im hoping to get one that can see the fireworks. I haven't seen anybody recommend one that can.

Anyway, I loved the theme park view and want to splurge on it again but my wife is opposed. I totally think it's worth it. There is something about standing on your balcony watching that is just awesome.

If you go up and read my first post on the thread, I wrote that my mother had a lagoon view in Boca Chica. She sat on her balcony every night and watched the fireworks while we "slummed" it in Conch Key!