Is there really that much a difference in room at GF?

[java]

So we finally decide to bite the bullet and do the Grand Floridian. And with everything I have been reading here I thought oh I guess Lagoon view is best. Well the price difference between that and the deluxe garden view is about $500 for our stay. Is it that much better? Is only the view better? We are park commandoes- early to get there and usually stay till close. So will we even get to use the view? I guess my question is are there any differences other than view? And which would you do? I am thinking that $500 buys a few dinners.

 

[SeaSpray]

$500 is such a relative amount. If $500 is a stretch financially, then maybe it's better spent on other things. But if it's not a stretch, then a lagoon view is really nice How many nights will you be staying for?? An extra $500 for 2-3 nights might not be worth it, but an extra $500 for 4-5-6+ nights, I'd say is worth it.

We didn't use our balcony much either when we stayed at the GF. Our balcony faced the MK and had a great view of the castle. Even though we didn't use the balcony a LOT, it was wonderful to see that castle change color all night long.

P.S. I know this is off topic, but if you were asking if a balcony on a cruise ship was worth an extra $500, I'd say ABSOLUTELY

 

[TammiMcMan]

Java, the garden views at the GF are beautiful. I know in some other resorts, you might end up with something awful, like a view of the parking lot. This is not the case at the GF. If you're not going to be spending that much time in your room, I would pass on the lagoon view. Just as a point of reference, the buildings Big Pine Key and Boca Chica garden views are going to be of the central courtyard area and right by the regular swimming pool. These buildings are pretty close to the main building, where you can either take the monorail or bus. Conch Key is probably the furthest walk from the pools and main building, but we're only talking 3 or 4 minutes. It's the closest to the boat launch. It's a quiet building and the view will be of the central courtyard. Sago Cay is wonderful. It's near the main building, Gasparillas 24 hour counter service, but again, a 3 or 4 minute walk to the beach pool. The garden view here will also include the monorail, so if you have younger kids that might enjoy seeing it whisk by their balcony, that might be a good idea to request. Corner rooms are the best!

As a side note, depending on the capacity at the resort, you may end up with the upgraded view anyway.

Tammi

 

[java]

Thanks for the info. Tammi is there a specific floor that I should request in Sago Cay to be able to see the monorail? We have not stayed here in a long time- be are usually beach club people, but this year we will have our baby and 2 year old with us so we thought monorail is the way to go.

 

[kpm76]

We stayed GF LV for 2 nights of our honeymoon in Sept. We loved the GF but were a bit disappointed in the LV....hard to describe but it was no match for the LV we had at the Poly. Basically, we looked out on our balacony and say the tip of the Lagoon, the monorail and the trees in the back. Not a bad view but not worth the extra $$. Next time we stay at the GF, we'll take a GV...have fun!!

 

[BCV23]

There is no difference in the rooms themselves to answer part of your question.

If you won't be in the room much, I'd forgo lagoonview. Like the gardenview rooms at the Polynesian, the gardenview rooms at the GF have very pretty views.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

The rooms are the same, just the view is different. We like to watch the fireworks from our room at night so we're going with a lagoon (hopefully MK) view. If you are park commandos I would pick gv. We love gv at Sago Cay facing the marina. It's very relaxing and one room we had even had a view of SPace Mountain. You will love GF.

 

[HM]

We had a Sago Cay standard room that overlooked a bit of lagoon but was facing the monorail. It was just lovely. I'd suggest requesting Sago Cay with a monorail view. -HM

 

[TammiMcMan]

Java, I would opt for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floor. If you stay on the 1st, you'll have the walk out patio. It is fenced in, but you are in Florida and they do have some creepy crawly things around, enough said. I'm pretty sure that Sago Cay has a 5th floor and those rooms would be slightly smaller, with smaller enclosed balconies. They do have nice cathedral ceilings, but I prefer the larger balcony.

 

[DisneyFan0304]

I agree with what others said -- if you're not going to be spending a lot of time in your room, go with the garden view. Twice we stayed in lagoon view rooms, and both times we wound up with views of the Polynesian (I think we were in the same room both times, about 8 years apart -- what are the odds?). I've heard it's very difficult to get a MK view from the GF. The garden views are great. I also agree with staying away from the first and top floors. I don't like those small balconies and I certainly don't want to be that close to whatever's crawling around outside!!

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

Agreed, save that $500 for your next trip to the world! The garden view at the GF are great. Also there is always that small chance that you may be upgraded to a lagoon view anyway!