Is GF worth it?

[Tgtown]

We usually stay at moderates, but stayed at the Swan earlier this year. We are planning for our trip next year and were thinking about the GF. We were wondering if it is worth the additional expense since we spend most of our time in the parks. I appreciate the insight.

 

[eliza61]

We usually stay at moderates, but stayed at the Swan earlier this year. We are planning for our trip next year and were thinking about the GF. We were wondering if it is worth the additional expense since we spend most of our time in the parks. I appreciate the insight.

Worth is very subjective. One of the worst, well "worst" isn't a good description, lets say the trip where I had almost every thing go wrong was the one where we stayed at the Grand Floridian. It was a murphy law type of trip where any thing that could go wrong, did go wrong.

1) evidently they had some kind of virus outbreak among mouse keeping. Almost every day of a 6 day trip we didn't get our room cleaned or fresh towels until after 5

2) valet, had just switched over from disney employees to a private company. people were ready to tar and feather them every night. took on average 30 mins to get your car.

3) Went to take monorail from GF to MK. you got it, monorail gets stuck.

LOL after that trip we think GF is cursed. We did enjoy the character breakfast though 1900 park fare. it was good and I enjoy seeing characters I normally don't get to see.

It is a beautiful resort though. We got a very good deal on the room rate though and we had ap's so it was a pretty inexpensive trip.
Would I ever pay rack rate? nope. I doubt if I'd pay the rate without a 40% off code, which I've never gotten.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

Ive never stayed there, but to me it seems over-hyped. Is it big and beautiful? Absolutely. Is it also overpriced? Unfortunately yes. Last trip when we stayed at POR we had dinner with the Princesses (not sure if they still have it) at the GF and it was wonderful. If I was you, I would stay at a cheaper resort since, as you stated, you spend most of your time at the parks, and then commute to GF for a dinner or breakfast which is sure to please everyone.

 

[bdklein]

We usually stay at moderates, but stayed at the Swan earlier this year. We are planning for our trip next year and were thinking about the GF. We were wondering if it is worth the additional expense since we spend most of our time in the parks. I appreciate the insight.

Its not worth it. That's why no one ever stays there.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Ive never stayed there, but to me it seems over-hyped. Is it big and beautiful? Absolutely. Is it also overpriced? Unfortunately yes. Last trip when we stayed at POR we had dinner with the Princesses (not sure if they still have it) at the GF and it was wonderful. If I was you, I would stay at a cheaper resort since, as you stated, you spend most of your time at the parks, and then commute to GF for a dinner or breakfast which is sure to please everyone.

This is a super idea. We did this during spring break when we stayed at CSR (so beautiful!!!) and had the dining plan -- we ate dinner at the GF Cafe one night. It was our favorite meal. Just wonderful.

.

 

[Mamu]

I love this resort. In September of 2010 we spent 9 days at Sugarloaf Lodge with 8 of our Children and Grandchildren. Loved, Loved it.

Got a great rate AP rate at 42% off. I will tell you we did spend half our time at the resort though. Is it any better then the other deluxes? Yes! No! Depends on what your looking for. Just a place to sleep then I would say no.

 

[Karabee]

I was able to stay here because I went with a firned who works at ESPN so we got 50% off. Is it beautiful? Yes. Would I pay full price? Never. If you can get a really discounted rate, it is really wonderful. The staff were some of the best I've experienced at Disney resort. I often go there for dinner at Citrico's when I'm at WDW to have the experience of it, without paying for it.
The rooms were nice, but not $400 nice. I've stayed at some very nice hotels around the world and GF really has no right to charge that much - other than the fact they are Disney.
If it's on your bucketlist though, then I say go and enjoy (but keep an eye out for discounts!)

 

[olive]

We like the GF, but I think it is my least favorite of the monorail resorts. I like the dining options best at GF, though! Decor - for rooms, I prefer CR (and the standard CR room is the same whether you are in the garden wing or the tower); for resort overall, I love the Polynesian. Also really like the transportation options better at CR (walk to MK) and Polynesian (walk to TTC). We had some service issues when we stayed at GF, but of course anyone can have a bad day, and staff change, so that wouldn't keep me from going back. If you mostly are interested in trying a different resort, or a different resort area, and like the idea of being on the monorail line, I would suggest CR garden wing. It is the most economical option, rooms are huge and very nicely done, and you can take advantage of that walk to and from MK. You can then visit GF for a great meal at one of their wonderful restaurants - we love V&A, and had a delicious meal at Narcoossee's, too. If you have always wanted to stay at GF, and a decent discount rolls around, then give it a shot. Like others have said, I wouldn't pay rack rate to stay there, though.

 

[Pakey]

I love the GF but I only like staying RPC in the main building. I don't think the outer buildings give you the same feel and I only enjoy staying here when I am spending a lot of time at the resort. I wouldn't spend that much for a place to sleep.

 

[Tgtown]

Thanks for almost all of the responses, I appreciate the insight. I guess I should have said this wasn't a question of cost, but a question of value for the amount of time we would spend at the resort. Our kids are 10 & 8 and are high energy and dont want to leave the parks. The pools are not a great attraction for them because they can swim at home. The moderates are OK, but I prefer a little bit more comfortable bed. I think we'll do a split stay to see if it works for us.

 

[mickeynut1]

As a pp said, worth is subjective as it has a different meaning for everyone. With that said, we like the GF and we think it's worth it. But we also spend alot of time at the resort and utilize everything the resorts have to offer. Our first onsite trip was at a mod and once we tried a deluxe, we haven't stayed anything since. If you're not sure of staying at the GF the entire trip, I agree with others that a split stay would be a good idea.

 

[kristinakrn]

We stayed at the GF Sept 2011 for 7 nights. Words can't describe how wonderful the stay was. We loved everything about it. The transportation was fantastic. The monorail is only one stop from the MK. Every restaurant was fabulous. We ate at 1900 PF for breakfast and dinner, the GF Cafe, and Narcossee's. The rooms are beautiful and spacious. The only drawback was the price, but we chose to pay that price.
I booked a spur of the moment trip in November for me and my daughter. We are staying at Pop because I don't have the funds right now to pay for the GF. When I told my 5 year old daughter that we weren't staying at the GF, she was devastated! I told her it was Pop or nothing, so her response was "Ok, but the next time we go can we please stay at the GF"

 

[owl0306]

I love GF but rather stay at YC/BC b/c of stormalong and the location

 

[jgates]

I am in the group that would never pack rack rate for this resort. I would consider it if there were a 40% off, but most likely would still save by choosing Poly or Wilderness.

We did stay at Beach Club (free trip) - and the first thing I said when we walked in the door of the room was 'There is no way this place is worth $400 a night'. Now that doesn't mean I didn't like it, but it is just not worth that much per night. You are paying for location, etc - the location is great. As much as I love Swan/Dolphin I won't pay full rates there either (location also great).

So in my opinon the 'value' is not there.