Just back from Grand Floridian!!! Mixed Reviews

[BamaTigger]

Just returned from our Christmas/GF stay and it was really nice. This was our 2nd stay at the GF, so I did find some "not so grand" things. THe good first!

The view (the one I was stressing over) was just great! We stayed in Sago with a wonderful view of the MK and the castle. I asked for Conch like Channing suggested, but the were already gone, so the CM told me Conch was the next best and it was!!!

The room was absolutely WONDERFUL! I love the new theme and color! I like it better than the Alice theme room we had in February! The bed was so comfy, we just ordered a mattress just like it! (Sealy model number 720). Very clean, smelled fresh and new! Loved it! Flat screen, Mickey lamp, toiletries, and plenty of stocked fluffy towels. And dont forget the robes!
Nightly turndown service, but not one towel animal this time.

We saw the lady with the pink bags of toys that was in the lobby EVERY DAY and I asked a CM what she was doing there, and I was told "her husband just died last week" and was given a look like dont say another word to me about her, so I just smiled and walked off. Im sorry, but she was kinda creepy.

The decorations were great! The CM's were nice, friendly, and very helpful.
The gingerbread house was just adorable...and I had to buy a mini house for 65.00! It is so cute! Now I gotta figure out what to do with it!!!

I had a chocolate cake delivered from the GF Bakery, and it was very good! (Thanks again for the tips Channing! ) It was chocolate mousse filled and decorated with tiny poinsettias and candy canes. Very Yummy!

Ate Christmas Dinner at Narcoossee's...ONE WORD--- FABULOUS!

BAD REVIEWS--

Not really bad, cause I know it was Christmas, BUT IT WAS SOOOOO CROWDED in the lobby everyday! People looking at the decorations, gingerbread house, etc. It was just aggravating trying to weave through the guests to get to the monorail, bus stops, etc.

I was totally disappointed in the "Disney magic" this trip. It didnt seem like there was ANY! For example, Christmas Eve I was expecting something "extra" from the GF....a plate of cookies, or something...instead got 2 extra mints in a gold box and a card during turndown service. Now maybe, I was over-expecting and am being a little picky, but I thought ALL resort guests should have gotten a little more than that for Christmas Eve. Or, maybe its just me.

And one last thing I noticed at the resort was I really wish they would re-route the service/maintenance/laundry/trash trucks because the are too ugly to be on such beautiful grounds and they CM's drive too fast!!! They are EVERYWHERE!!!! Just an eyesore IMHO.

I will start my trip report this weekend with pics....have lots to say about the parks!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey, Bama!! Thanks for the review....sounds like it was a nice stay for the most part. I am happy you had the view you wanted.

You know, we were there last Christmas and I know on Christmas Eve ALL GF resort guests in ALL buildings received that beautiful platter of cookies and truffles that I had posted a while back with a card from the GF. Looks like they cheaped out this year.

We saw that lobby lady too. Oh well, curious minds......

Lives4Disney

 

[BamaTigger]

Hey, Bama!! Thanks for the review....sounds like it was a nice stay for the most part. I am happy you had the view you wanted.

You know, we were there last Christmas and I know on Christmas Eve ALL GF resort guests in ALL buildings received that beautiful platter of cookies and truffles that I had posted a while back with a card from the GF. Looks like they cheaped out this year.

We saw that lobby lady too. Oh well, curious minds......

Lives4Disney

Yea, thats what I was expecting...that platter...maybe concierge guests got it...I dont know...I just know we didnt! Hhhhmmm... oh well...

Oh yea, one more review....TOO CROWDED AT CHRISTMAS!!! WE WILL NEVER GO BACK FOR CHRISTMAS AGAIN!!!! back to the slow season!!!

 

[Beana9802]

Thanks for your teaser..let us know when you start your trippie!


Kathleen

 

[alldiz]

Glad you had a nice trip....

I hear ya.....I will also NEVER go during xmas week.....or
easter week for that matter....

Although...I am going in april when the schools are closed here....
Hopefully it won't be as bad.....
Or I betta have a smart kid.....cause she will miss some school
Kerri

 

[BamaTigger]

Glad you had a nice trip....

I hear ya.....I will also NEVER go during xmas week.....or
easter week for that matter....

Although...I am going in april when the schools are closed here....
Hopefully it won't be as bad.....
Or I betta have a smart kid.....cause she will miss some school
Kerri

Amen to that....we have been Easter, July 4th, Labor Day, Memorial Day,
President's Week and the week after T-giving , BUT NOTHING COMPARES TO THE CROWD AT CHRISTMAS!
A CM told us that there were HALF A MILLION people at the WDW complex Christmas Eve/Day. They closed the MK both days early!! It was just unreal!!! Never Never Again!!!

 

[heatherlynn444]

thanks for the review. we ate at narcoossees the night of the 21st and I commented on how crowded the lobby was and how if we were staying there aging (we were not that time) I would be mad! I saw the lady with the bags too! weird...

I agree that you should ahve gotten something special on Christmas eve. hhmm...

we agreed about the crowds....never again!

overall i hope you enjoyed your stay!

 

[mickekmania]

We also just returned from our GF Christmas stay (12/16-12/27). We stayed GV and had a wonderful room in Big Pine. Loved it!!!!!

Overall, we had a wonderful trip, our first time at GF. On our second evening, upon returning from MK, we recieved a beautiful plate of cookies with a Solid white chocolate Mickey in the center of the plate in our room. I contacted the Front Desk manager immediately to thank them and inquire as to why we received this and was told that it was sent by a cast member "just because". It was a wonderful surprise!!!!!

The restaurants were wonderful, although we had a 75 minute wait for our ADR at 1900 for Christmas dinner. The lobby was absolutely packed and no where to sit the wait.

I was very pleased we came in on the 16th, the crowds were very manageable until about the 21st!!!!!

We had many pleasant conversations with the "Teddy Bear Lady". My DD 8 and my DM ended up sitting by her one afternoon early on in our trip and became fast friends. She is a lovely lady who recetly lost her husband. They have been coming to DW for many, many years and ultimatley retired to Orlando. She and her husband have been coming to the GF 5 days a week for quite some time. On Christmas Eve we met her daughter and her grandson, very lovely people. A few days before Christmas, my daughter asked if we could give her a present for christmas. So, we took her shopping and she picked out something. On Chritmas morning, I think my daughter was actually more excited to get to the lobby with the present than she was to see what Santa brought. That afternoon we hurried along to the lobby to bring her new friend her present. When we got there, there was a beautifully packaged gift waiting for my daughter as well. The two exchanged gifts and were absolutley delighted. When we said our good-byes she thanked us for spending time with her and getting to know her. She said most people just walk by slowly and stare at her. :

Before we left, I had read a few posts about he "Teddy Bear Lady". While we don't encourage our kids to talk to strangers, we were very comfortable in this situation. This actually was a very good lesson for them. We try to teach our kids that everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone lives their life the way that we do, but who are we to judge them. It's important to reach out to others and spread a little bit of sunshine. Knowing that we put a smile on her face made our day.

It was a great trip on many different levels!!!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We had many pleasant conversations with the "Teddy Bear Lady". My DD 8 and my DM ended up sitting by her one afternoon early on in our trip and became fast friends. She is a lovely lady who recetly lost her husband. They have been coming to DW for many, many years and ultimatley retired to Orlando. She and her husband have been coming to the GF 5 days a week for quite some time. On Christmas Eve we met her daughter and her grandson, very lovely people. A few days before Christmas, my daughter asked if we could give her a present for christmas. So, we took her shopping and she picked out something. On Chritmas morning, I think my daughter was actually more excited to get to the lobby with the present than she was to see what Santa brought. That afternoon we hurried along to the lobby to bring her new friend her present. When we got there, there was a beautifully packaged gift waiting for my daughter as well. The two exchanged gifts and were absolutley delighted. When we said our good-byes she thanked us for spending time with her and getting to know her. She said most people just walk by slowly and stare at her. :

Before we left, I had read a few posts about he "Teddy Bear Lady". While we don't encourage our kids to talk to strangers, we were very comfortable in this situation. This actually was a very good lesson for them. We try to teach our kids that everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone lives their life the way that we do, but who are we to judge them. It's important to reach out to others and spread a little bit of sunshine. Knowing that we put a smile on her face made our day.

It was a great trip on many different levels!!!!!

THAT is so sweet. What a great Christmas story.

I don't think we will be going back for Christmas any time soon, either.....or Thanksgiving for that matter. Spring break some time, maybe, but we have ours over Easter this year so we are staying far away from WDW.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

We also just returned from our GF Christmas stay (12/16-12/27). We stayed GV and had a wonderful room in Big Pine. Loved it!!!!!

Overall, we had a wonderful trip, our first time at GF. On our second evening, upon returning from MK, we recieved a beautiful plate of cookies with a Solid white chocolate Mickey in the center of the plate in our room. I contacted the Front Desk manager immediately to thank them and inquire as to why we received this and was told that it was sent by a cast member "just because". It was a wonderful surprise!!!!!

The restaurants were wonderful, although we had a 75 minute wait for our ADR at 1900 for Christmas dinner. The lobby was absolutely packed and no where to sit the wait.

I was very pleased we came in on the 16th, the crowds were very manageable until about the 21st!!!!!

We had many pleasant conversations with the "Teddy Bear Lady". My DD 8 and my DM ended up sitting by her one afternoon early on in our trip and became fast friends. She is a lovely lady who recetly lost her husband. They have been coming to DW for many, many years and ultimatley retired to Orlando. She and her husband have been coming to the GF 5 days a week for quite some time. On Christmas Eve we met her daughter and her grandson, very lovely people. A few days before Christmas, my daughter asked if we could give her a present for christmas. So, we took her shopping and she picked out something. On Chritmas morning, I think my daughter was actually more excited to get to the lobby with the present than she was to see what Santa brought. That afternoon we hurried along to the lobby to bring her new friend her present. When we got there, there was a beautifully packaged gift waiting for my daughter as well. The two exchanged gifts and were absolutley delighted. When we said our good-byes she thanked us for spending time with her and getting to know her. She said most people just walk by slowly and stare at her. :

Before we left, I had read a few posts about he "Teddy Bear Lady". While we don't encourage our kids to talk to strangers, we were very comfortable in this situation. This actually was a very good lesson for them. We try to teach our kids that everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone lives their life the way that we do, but who are we to judge them. It's important to reach out to others and spread a little bit of sunshine. Knowing that we put a smile on her face made our day.

It was a great trip on many different levels!!!!!

Thank you for sharing your story - the true spirit of Christmas!

 

[princessesrule4]

Glad you had a great time at the GF!

 

[BrianD]

We were at the GF 12/15 - 12/20 & I agree with you all about the lobby being incredibly crowded most of the time. Was anyone there the week prior? Like from about the 8th - 15th? If so, how were the crowds in the lobby that week? The reason I ask is that we will be back at the Grand for that week next December, and I'm hoping it will be a little less crowded at least. Thanks!!!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

We also just returned from our GF Christmas stay (12/16-12/27). We stayed GV and had a wonderful room in Big Pine. Loved it!!!!!

Overall, we had a wonderful trip, our first time at GF. On our second evening, upon returning from MK, we recieved a beautiful plate of cookies with a Solid white chocolate Mickey in the center of the plate in our room. I contacted the Front Desk manager immediately to thank them and inquire as to why we received this and was told that it was sent by a cast member "just because". It was a wonderful surprise!!!!!

The restaurants were wonderful, although we had a 75 minute wait for our ADR at 1900 for Christmas dinner. The lobby was absolutely packed and no where to sit the wait.

I was very pleased we came in on the 16th, the crowds were very manageable until about the 21st!!!!!

We had many pleasant conversations with the "Teddy Bear Lady". My DD 8 and my DM ended up sitting by her one afternoon early on in our trip and became fast friends. She is a lovely lady who recetly lost her husband. They have been coming to DW for many, many years and ultimatley retired to Orlando. She and her husband have been coming to the GF 5 days a week for quite some time. On Christmas Eve we met her daughter and her grandson, very lovely people. A few days before Christmas, my daughter asked if we could give her a present for christmas. So, we took her shopping and she picked out something. On Chritmas morning, I think my daughter was actually more excited to get to the lobby with the present than she was to see what Santa brought. That afternoon we hurried along to the lobby to bring her new friend her present. When we got there, there was a beautifully packaged gift waiting for my daughter as well. The two exchanged gifts and were absolutley delighted. When we said our good-byes she thanked us for spending time with her and getting to know her. She said most people just walk by slowly and stare at her. :

Before we left, I had read a few posts about he "Teddy Bear Lady". While we don't encourage our kids to talk to strangers, we were very comfortable in this situation. This actually was a very good lesson for them. We try to teach our kids that everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone lives their life the way that we do, but who are we to judge them. It's important to reach out to others and spread a little bit of sunshine. Knowing that we put a smile on her face made our day.

It was a great trip on many different levels!!!!!

I think the extra treats are just a random event. It is wonderful when it happens!
Does anyone have a photo of this lady? How have I missed her?

 

[princessesrule4]

We were at the GF 12/15 - 12/20 & I agree with you all about the lobby being incredibly crowded most of the time. Was anyone there the week prior? Like from about the 8th - 15th? If so, how were the crowds in the lobby that week? The reason I ask is that we will be back at the Grand for that week next December, and I'm hoping it will be a little less crowded at least. Thanks!!!

We stayed at the GF beginning on the 12th and the lobby was always a madhouse! We have been there the week before Christmas 3 times and I would say that the lobby crowds this year starting on Dec.12th were a bit better though! I think the GF gingerbread house is a "must do" for a lot of people with good reason! We stayed up in RPC and I have to say that it was great to look down and get the ambience of the lobby without having to fight the crowds. It was also great to look down to check the line for the Gingerbread House! If the line was short we would make a break for the elevators!
You picked a great week for next year - the crowds and wait times at the parks were minimal! We are going next year the same week again!

 

[Luv2Roam]

We were at the GF lobby the morning of December 8, and all looked normal and was very manageable. It would figure the closer to Christmas the busier the entire area.

 

[Pakey]

We too love staying at GF but will never do it again once the xmas decorations go up as the foot traffic through there does not make for a very relaxing stay. Now we just visit GF at xmas time and add ourselves to the number of annoying visitors there!!!

 

[Maxie86]

:

We had many pleasant conversations with the "Teddy Bear Lady". My DD 8 and my DM ended up sitting by her one afternoon early on in our trip and became fast friends. She is a lovely lady who recetly lost her husband. They have been coming to DW for many, many years and ultimatley retired to Orlando. She and her husband have been coming to the GF 5 days a week for quite some time. On Christmas Eve we met her daughter and her grandson, very lovely people. A few days before Christmas, my daughter asked if we could give her a present for christmas. So, we took her shopping and she picked out something. On Chritmas morning, I think my daughter was actually more excited to get to the lobby with the present than she was to see what Santa brought. That afternoon we hurried along to the lobby to bring her new friend her present. When we got there, there was a beautifully packaged gift waiting for my daughter as well. The two exchanged gifts and were absolutley delighted. When we said our good-byes she thanked us for spending time with her and getting to know her. She said most people just walk by slowly and stare at her. :

Before we left, I had read a few posts about he "Teddy Bear Lady". While we don't encourage our kids to talk to strangers, we were very comfortable in this situation. This actually was a very good lesson for them. We try to teach our kids that everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone lives their life the way that we do, but who are we to judge them. It's important to reach out to others and spread a little bit of sunshine. Knowing that we put a smile on her face made our day.

It was a great trip on many different levels!!!!!

What a great story. Sadly, I was one of those that noticed her but just walked by and never said anything. Hopefully I didn't stare at her though. What a wonderful thing to teach your DD. It is true that everyone has a story if we just take the time to hear it. You have a very special DD.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We were at WDW 12/7 thru 12/16 and we had dinner one night and while we were waiting for the beeper to go off, I sat in the lobby and chatted with her. She had taken notice of my DDs and mentioned how well behaved they were. I couldn't tell if she was a guest or if she was just visiting the lobby, but she seemed to fit right in and no one asked her to leave. When the beeper went off we got up and she reminded me to remember that my kids will only be kids for a little while and I need to sit back and enjoy them while I can, because they eventually grow up and move away. What great advice. Glad to know she wasn't just a lost soul, I hope she enjoyed her Christmas holiday, I'm sure the PPs DD made her day.

 

[dclfun]

Thanks for posting. We went one year during Christmas week and I agree- never again! This year our stay was the 16th-21st and the real crowds were just beginning as we left. I don't think I've ever seen the "lobby lady" but wow...they spent 5 days a week at the GF all the time...or was it only at Christmastime? It really breaks my heart to think of someone who probably is sitting there remembering time spent with her now-deceased husband but I'm so glad that she received the true Christmas spirit from some people who were drawn to her. Call it fate, but I always feel we do things, notice people, interact, etc. for a reason...and the story about the gift exchange gave me chills. What a wonderful Christmas blessing for everyone involved!---Kathy

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I forget the date my family and I 1st went to visit the Grand Floridian during our most recent time at WDW, but it was the only time we noticed it being very crowded in the lobby. Of course there was some Chruch group singing there and everyone wanting to visit the Gingerbread House. The next few times we went the lobby was less busy and there were less guests at the Gingerbread house and all the times we went there was during the evening.