Help-GF first time!

[PavelB]

We try to go to WDW every July - hot and crowded I know but it is the only time we can go. This year we finally decided to change from the Beach Club to the Grand Floridian. We start paying for school next year and this may be the last time we go for awhile. So, my question is this- the only room available for the only week I can go in July is the GF lagoon view. Normally I don't care about the view. My children are older now and we don't spend too much time there. I don't like to spend the money on this -- is it worth it? Are most of the lagoon views at the GF lodge good? There are 5 of us so the main bldg is out. Two rooms would be just too $$$
I also tried to get lodge concierge. I figured that with three teenage boys I would get my money's worth. No go! So my second question is this ---how often do these rooms come free?
Am I wasting my time trying to call every day?
Any hints on the best time to call?

Note- I tried to get the garden view from the very first day they had the 5 + 2. Either they sold out in the second hour or they never had any.
Thanks for the help!

 

[karemore]

Any lagoon view from the GF is going to be fantastic.

Is it worth the money? No.

We just stayed at the GF in April, in the main building concierge with a castle view. Was it the most wonderful place I had ever stayed? Yes.

But I kept thinking I can't believe people actually spend this much money and then spend their days in the parks.

If you can't get a rate you are comfortable with, I'd wait and try again another year.

Karen

 

[mirlow]

We are staying at the GF for the first time this summer too I wanted to get a GV room and all of the AP discounted rooms were gone. I'm just like you about the view and spending the extra money on it. I'm afraid I'm going to have a tree blocking my LV. I also don't want Big Pine Key. We are spending the last part of the Polynesian and I don't really want to be looking at it the first part of my trip.
I have called a couple of times and no luck on getting it switched. I'm not going to give up. We wanted the AKL concierge in January and I had to keep calling and I got it. This was probaly three weeks out from our trip.

 

[Wendi]

Is Lagoon View worth it............yes and no. It depends on how much time you are in the room. We go in off season so the parks close earlier and with 2 small children we go back to the room for a nap. WE love lagoon view. I sit on the balcony and listen to the activities at MK and late at night I sit and listen to them cleaning the park. It sounds weird but you can hear where they are and what they are doing, it's kinda neat. If you not going to spend a lot of time in the resort, I would keep calling to get the room and rate you want.

We have stayed in the lodge concierge and liked it a lot. We only used the lounge for snacks and a light dinner. It was good though.

If you try calling at about 8:00 p.m. their time, you tend to have more patient people because the call level is lower. That's what a cm told us.

Have fun.
Wendi

 

[lkg61]

The first four times we stayed at the GF, we stayed in a GV room. I just thought spending that extra money for a view of the water was a waste of time. Well, on our 15th anniversary we could only get a LV. I absolutely fell in LOVE with the LV, and now I cannot stand NOT to book a LV. We do spend alot of time in the parks, but I love the peacefulness of looking out over the water (and hopefully of Cindy's house too). I say go for it especially if you are getting the 5 for 7. (We will be at the GF in a LV in just 16 days!!!!)

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Yes, the lagoon view is awesome. I've stayed in both Boca Chica and Sago Cay. I loved watching the electric parade from the balcony, and relaxing and watching those doing watersports, the boats, or even just the ducks at sunset. It's hard to answer if it's worth the money or not... it's very expensive...I prefer it to the garden view, but staying at GF is wonderful with any kind of view, overall. I've liked my garden view stays as well, but it's not as relaxing as the water views.

 

[Janet2k]

PavelB, welcome to the Dis!

There is a great FAQ thread here on the Dis regarding the GF -- click here to view it. Please look through it when you get the chance. It might help you determine what sort of room you want to book.