Is the rate at GF worth it?

[Chicago526]

Are the high rates at the Grand Floridian really worth it? I've been inside the lobby, and it's a beautiful place. I'd love to stay there but the sticker shock just keeps me at a Moderate resort. Some day I'll save up for a stay there, but I don't want to be disapointed...

 

[Pluto]

We decided to bite the bullet and try it this summer and we did not like it at all. I agree the lobby is beautiful but the rooms were smaller than those at Poly and Cont, the slide pool was small and closed at 8:00, and I always felt like I was inconviencing the people and the grill for ordering food and it took them forever to cook it. We did not do the concerige or eat at the fancy restaurants. We love going to DW and the feel of the DW hotels but me and DH kept saying the samething, that we didn't feel like we were at DW at the GF. Of couse now this is only our opinions.

 

[disneycuban]

I have stayed at the GF, and liked it , it has something special about it, you feel like you're in Disney. For me, its the Alice in Wonderland rooms, I just feel great there, you will too. I love the fact that they have the largest rooms on property.

 

[dznyntnh]

The Grand Floridian is wonderful.

But the question of whether it is worth it is one only you can answer.

To me it was worth the money. It's a beautiful hotel. The rooms are very nice and the service was awesome.

But the reason WDW has so many different hotels is that everyone's taste is different. My Mother, despite the fact that I love, has no desire whatsoever to stay at there. That has nothing to do with the price and everything to do with the fact that it is just too ornate for her tastes.

She would much prefer CR or POR to GF.

That's what I love about WDW, all the choices.

 

[daannzzz]

It really does depend on you. I have stayed at many of the WDW resorts including the GF. It was very nice but for the price we paid minus the 10% MKC discount it really was not "better" than other places. It is all dependent on how much you like the decore. It was nice before but the new room decor is way to frilly for me. I thought the service was better at the WL. We paid the same price for our lagoon view room at GF as we did for our deluxe room at AKL and I loved it there. The decore was more rustic and the view of the animals was well worth it.
If the look of the GF is very enticing for you I would go ahead and spend a couple nights there instead of booking a whole stay.

 

[Calcio]

Is the Grand Floridian worth the rates?

No

For all the reasons listed by others, I think the GF is a very poor value for the very high rate. Yes, it's a nice hotel, and the rooms are very nice, and if you are spending a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom, the location cannot be beat. The sit down restaruants are also very good, although, not surprisingly, pricey.

If you spend less time at the MK, transportation isn't great. Eating options are very limited, and if you're looking for action and activity, the GF isn't the place. Finally, given the price, the service is not up to snuff. When you're paying those rates, it had better be beyond expectations, instead of well below expectations.

The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk are, I'd guess, the preferred deluxe resorts by most WDW veterans. They're slightly different, yet all very nice, plus less expensive than the GF.

Just my opinion, but I feel pretty strongly about this one. Good luck Chigago526.

 

[mariamouse]

Are the rooms at the Grand Floridian really smaller in square footage than the Polynesian and Contemporary? I thought I had read that the rooms at the GF were the biggest in WDW (aside from Shades of Green). Maybe the source wasn't accurate? Regardless, we are staying at the GF for the first time in Feb '04 because we love the decor and access to the monorail. Yes, the resort is probably overpriced for the afore-mentioned reasons, but if it is a resort that you have always loved and dreamed of staying at, I would save up or maybe just stay fewer nights. At least the memories of staying there might make the price worth it... My grandmother has always wanted to stay at the GF, so we want to make sure being there is an experience she will have had in her lifetime (and in ours!) The Polynesian and Beach Club are also resorts I love, although my opinion is that you stay at the resort you have always held fondly in your heart.

mariamouse

 

[johnsonet]

There's a reason Disney features GF pics so often in their promotional videos, etc. The hotel is GORGEOUS as are the grounds. And the real estate is PRIME. Views of Cinderella's castle and a 3-min. monorail ride to the MK, plus all the other transportation options (take the boat to Poly for dinner one night and the monorail back; or the monorail to Chef Mickey's or Cali. Grill), 5+ restaurants, 24-hour room service, 24-hour Gasparilla's Grill and Games, Spa, 2 pools, one w/ a fun slide, boat rental, water mice rental, several terrific kids programs, 2 character meals and on and on - all add up to a first-rate resort experience. It is NOT stuffy. Almost EVERYONE is in shorts and tshirts or bathing suits, except maybe couples on their way to dinner or wedding parties, etc. - I've never understood that argument...what do people want? To see everyone walking around in "wife-beaters" and sweats?
I wouldn't recommend breaking the bank to stay there - or anywhere! - but I think it IS worth the price for Disney's most LUXURIOUS resort.

Chicago526 and Mariamouse, you will not be disappointed. Even if it ends up not being your all-time favorite, you will be impressed I am sure. Compare the photos of the resorts online at disney.com. Good luck!

 

[Snurk71]

Another opinion - yes, it is worth it. Those that have spoken negatively about the GF seem to have spoken based on personal tastes, which is why there are so many reports. The GF is not that much more expensive than other deluxes (Poly, Cont, BC, YC, BW).

One of the main things is location, location, location. You're really paying a premium for all Deluxe resorts based on the location (monorail resorts for MK, BC/YC for Epcot and Boardwalk, ALK for AK). So which park is most important to you?

One of the other main things is amenities. Deluxes have more dining options that the other resorts. And for the resort itself, you won't find a better dining option than GF (24 hour Gasparilla, 1900 Park Fare character buffet, GF Cafe, afternoon tea, Citricos, V&A's, Narcooses, and a lounge). There are also a number of activities available at the GF (and other deluxes) - two pools, access to water craft, the GF Spa, tennis, close to golf courses.

So the question you might want to ask is - is a deluxe worth the price. To many, the answer is yes (and not based on the actual room you sleep in). If you think a deluxe is for you, then decide what you want to be close to and what style suits you best.

That's my $.02.

 

[Cris]

it is all about location,location, location!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We love the resort. Considering the prices of the other resorts, I do think it is worth the price they charge.

 

[TinkerPoo]

My " very first official post"

Been to many resorts at Disney but only visited GF. I agree with one of the above post....I don't get the feeling I am in Disney World there...beautiful place but when I go to Disney I wanna know I'm at Disney.

The Poly is my favorite. Location is the best and I love the "tropical atmosphere".

 

[phyllis1966]

I have to agree with johnsonet and Snurk71: there is no place like the GF! I've visited many of Disney's resorts, but the GF is the one I most want to return to! It's a matter of personal preference. Some people feel the GF is overrated (can't relate to that one ) while some think it's well worth the rates. Some think a hotel is just a place to shower and sleep, others love to bask in the ambience of a deluxe resort like the GF. Mind you, between my DH and me, I am the frugal one, but I am hooked on this lovely resort and its many wonderful amenities!

 

[Demosthenes]

I guess it depends on how much difference we're talking about here, but I think the GF is worth the extra money. This is especially true when you can get an AP or code rate; the GF garden view rooms are often only $10-$20 more than a Poly GV room. And the GF offers some basic amenities that no other deluxe does in a standard room (microwaves and refrigerators upon request-free of charge, standard nightly turndown service, robes, upgraded toiletries). Its rooms are some of the largest on property; it offers unsurpassed (ok, maybe not as good as the CR NGW) access to and from the MK. The resort has the best and most varied dining options on property (Though the California Grill knocks the socks off of V&A’s IMHO). The grand also has a full service spa, the largest quiet pool on property, 2 concierge levels, and beautiful views of MK.

 

[hookedup]

I love the GF and I think it is a much nicer resort than the Contemporary or the Polynesian - but of course that's my personal opinion. I have stayed there several times and would do it again.
I would not stay at GF concierge again - it is not worth the money. Stay in a regular room and try to get assigned to a nice view where you can see the fireworks or the lagoon.
The GF is great and really special!

 

[disneycuban]

Originally posted by mariamouse
Are the rooms at the Grand Floridian really smaller in square footage than the Polynesian and Contemporary? I thought I had read that the rooms at the GF were the biggest in WDW (aside from Shades of Green). Maybe the source wasn't accurate? Regardless, we are staying at the GF for the first time in Feb '04 because we love the decor and access to the monorail. Yes, the resort is probably overpriced for the afore-mentioned reasons, but if it is a resort that you have always loved and dreamed of staying at, I would save up or maybe just stay fewer nights. At least the memories of staying there might make the price worth it... My grandmother has always wanted to stay at the GF, so we want to make sure being there is an experience she will have had in her lifetime (and in ours!) The Polynesian and Beach Club are also resorts I love, although my opinion is that you stay at the resort you have always held fondly in your heart.

mariamouse

Maria mouse, the rooms at the GF are the largest on property.

 

[Tinkbell]

The GF is awesome. I did not find it stuffy at all. The majority of people are walking around in shorts and t shirts. You may run into a wedding party or two, but that was one of the things I liked about the place. It is definitely Disney.

 

[Chicago526]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I love fancier hotels, so it sounds like I would enjoy staying at GF. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it!