Just got back from gf

[nikky luvs mickey]

We had booked a land and sea cruise with our stay at gf as many have read here i was a bit concerned what my gv was going to be. It turned out great when we checked in we had a view of the pool from our balcony and it was beautiful ashort walk from our room to the beach we could watch the nightly fireworks at mk. I was thrilled.unfortuantely after we came off the cruise portion of our vacation i booked us a stay at por to take advantage of the free dining. My eldest daughters comment when we pulled up was "what no valet, what a dump" Unfortunately once we entered the lobby my husband concurred. Once we reached our room my other two chimed in can we go back to the gf? I loved the gf but i didn't think that por was that bad i fear i have spolied them for all future disney stays now. lol

 

[DLo]

Glad to hear you liked your gv room. We are staying GF GV in Nov. Can you tell me what bldg you were in? Any tips for a first timer ? Did your kids like Gasparilla's ? We are not on DDP due to a freat room rate so we will be eating more CS than usual this trip.

 

[Sailorwife]

We are planning a stay at the GF over spring break. I have the same question about where the GV rooms are and what to request. My husband will be on R&R for 15 days from Iraq so we were are going all out and trying the Deluxe Dining Plan. Any room reccomendations?

Sailorwife

 

[Sammie]

Gasparilla's to me is one of the best counter services Disney offers. Conch Key and Sago Cay are very close to it and centrally located and near the boat dock to MK.

 

[nikky luvs mickey]

We stayed in boca chica(which by the way the bellman told us means small mouth) Which was quite funny since we are a family of loud mouths. hehe.
Be prepared to tip often when they park your car when they go get your car when the bellman brings your luggage up and at checkout. valet tipping cost me a small fortune. But they have the guest parking a good ways away from the resort. which would be fine i don't mind walking but you have to cross a main road to get to it. We took a pass on that and sucked it up to pay for valet.I forgot the best part the quiet pool is open 24 hours(no lifeguard) that was the best part for me i loved getting up early before the rest of the family and going for a quick swim.

 

[Sammie]

We are planning a stay at the GF over spring break. I have the same question about where the GV rooms are and what to request. My husband will be on R&R for 15 days from Iraq so we were are going all out and trying the Deluxe Dining Plan. Any room reccomendations?

Sailorwife

Garden view rooms are located in all buildings except the main building which is all concierge. With a garden view room you can see gardens, pools, and the marina and with a few of them, catch a glimpse of the lagoon and fireworks. Truly to me there is no bad location, I would let them make the selection for me.

By then all rooms will be newly rehabbed, so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[Disney Fool]

I love the GF--that said, I also love POR. If I feel like spluring, it's the GF. When I'm in my economical mood, I love the POR. I have never, ever considered it "a dump". The grounds are absolutely beautiful, the landscaping near the mansions is so pretty, it induces one to stroll around the grounds. Nor would I consider the lobby or the rooms below anyone's expectations. The GF is exactly what it is...Grand. But, let's not knock the POR. They are both fine resorts: one is moderate, the other deluxe. That's all.

 

[lucincia]

"Kids! If you don't behave right now, we're staying at POR instead of GF next time!"

"Kids! Do your chores now or it is POR for you!"

"Finish your homework now or no GF!"

"Stop fighting back there or I'll turn this car around and go to POR RIGHT NOW!"

Spin it. It can work

 

[Lives4Disney]

We had booked a land and sea cruise with our stay at gf as many have read here i was a bit concerned what my gv was going to be. It turned out great when we checked in we had a view of the pool from our balcony and it was beautiful ashort walk from our room to the beach we could watch the nightly fireworks at mk. I was thrilled.unfortuantely after we came off the cruise portion of our vacation i booked us a stay at por to take advantage of the free dining. My eldest daughters comment when we pulled up was "what no valet, what a dump" Unfortunately once we entered the lobby my husband concurred. Once we reached our room my other two chimed in can we go back to the gf? I loved the gf but i didn't think that por was that bad i fear i have spolied them for all future disney stays now. lol

Yay!! Glad you liked the GF. I know you were worried.

I have never stayed at Por so no comment. It looks pretty from the pics I've seen, though.

Lives4Disney

 

[nikky luvs mickey]

I was not personally knocking por those were my family's comments. i thought it was nice for a moderate. I was just coemmenting that my family were spoilled by gf and acting a little snobby at por.

 

[matsterrocks]

We had booked a land and sea cruise with our stay at gf as many have read here i was a bit concerned what my gv was going to be. It turned out great when we checked in we had a view of the pool from our balcony and it was beautiful ashort walk from our room to the beach we could watch the nightly fireworks at mk. I was thrilled.unfortuantely after we came off the cruise portion of our vacation i booked us a stay at por to take advantage of the free dining. My eldest daughters comment when we pulled up was "what no valet, what a dump" Unfortunately once we entered the lobby my husband concurred. Once we reached our room my other two chimed in can we go back to the gf? I loved the gf but i didn't think that por was that bad i fear i have spolied them for all future disney stays now. lol

Can you tell me more about the land/sea portion. Did you take a DCL transfer? If so What were the times you had to heve your bags ready and what time did the bus pick you up?

 

[nikky luvs mickey]

Sorry we had a rental car and drove to port but the lady at the desk told us that the bus picks u up at 11:30 at gf then stops at poly before heading to port.

 

[lilyv]

Gasparilla's to me is one of the best counter services Disney offers. Conch Key and Sago Cay are very close to it and centrally located and near the boat dock to MK.

Lunch heaven: Take the boat from MK to GF, walk to Gasparilla's, get a nice dish of frozen yogurt. I can hardly wait till I can do this again!

Having the opportunity to stay on site is such a privilege to me. We loved our stay at POR, and are looking forward to going to AKL. Each and every resort offers something different, and special!

 

[ElizabethB]

We just returned from GF. We were not impressed with Gasparilla's. If that's among the best counter service that WDW has to offer, that's unfortunate. We found the pizza overcooked, the caesar salad tasteless, the cookie stale. The tabbouleh wrap tasted good, but I digested it all afternoon, if you know what I mean.

For counter service, we though Wolfgang Puck Express was great. Too bad it took a car drive to get there.

 

[nikky luvs mickey]

I must agree i was not thrilled with gasparilla but loved wolfgang express. I could not believe it was covered on the dining plan. We spent $75.00 there for the five of us for lunch and it was really good. Even better on the free dining plan.

 

[Sammie]

We just returned from GF. We were not impressed with Gasparilla's. If that's among the best counter service that WDW has to offer, that's unfortunate. We found the pizza overcooked, the caesar salad tasteless, the cookie stale. The tabbouleh wrap tasted good, but I digested it all afternoon, if you know what I mean.

For counter service, we though Wolfgang Puck Express was great. Too bad it took a car drive to get there.

I guess it is all perception and timing. We have always had very good food there, certainly not gourmet but then I was not expecting that. But then I don't care for Wolfgang Puck, so I guess very different tastes.

 

[Mini Sorcerer's Mom]

Were the rooms in the Boca Chica refurbished? If not, what was the decor? We are staying at the GF in Nov. and I loved the old blue "Alice" decor. I'm hoping I won't miss it too much!

 

[nemofan]

is there a wolf at GF????

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

Try the jerk chicken sandwich with coleslaw at Gasparilla's

 

[Sammie]

is there a wolf at GF????

Nope, downtown Disney