Nervous about Grand Floridian. Please help.

[Jasminetigger]

We are going to our 1st ever MNSSHP in October. I really wanted to stay at one of the monorail resorts since we will be spending most of our time at MK while we are there. Our 1st choice was the Poly. It's booked. Our 2nd choice was CR. It's booked. Of course that leaves us with our 3rd choice, the GF.

I can't quite explain or put my finger on what does not appeal to me about the GF. We usually stay at WL which I love. I think it has a cozy and laid back feeling. Am I going to get that from the GF? From what I have seen the GF looks very bright. How is the pool? I haven't heard too much about the GF pool. I have 2 girls 14 and 9. Is this a kid friendly resort?

For some reason I just can't seem to embrace the idea of staying there. We are very easy to please so I am sure we will probably like it. We recently had to cancel a trip due to family matters, so I just want this trip to be special. I think I'm obsessing about it too much.

Any info you can share about your experiences at the GF would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa

 

[rcraw45425]

We love the GF. We have two girls 10 & 12 now, our last stay there was last spring break, '06. The rooms are very spacious, bright and airy with the drapes open. The mail pool is fun, there is a water slide that takes you out from the rock wall, my girls enjoyed it a lot. There are lounges with the cabana type enclosures available ( I think there is an extra charge). We first stayed there in '99, before the new pool was built. The girls were tiny then and I found everything to be very convenient. One thing I really enjoyed was the turndown each night, they changed out any wet towels so you had all fresh for the next morning. They have robes in the room and I believe that you can still call down to housekeeping and they will bring up robes for the children to use. Great for the pool treks. I think you'll be surprised at how much you will enjoy yourselves there. There is also a resort launch that will take you from the GF to the MK by water, we found it very convenient for party night. Enjoy!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi, Lisa! I'm in NC by way of Boston!

I felt much the same you do before our first stay at the GF, but it became my favorite resort. We are different in that I found the WL too dark (visited, not stayed there) and visiting from Boston wanted Palm trees

GF was so pretty - we had a fantastic room location - the far end of Boca Chica...although it was considered a garden view room (it overlooked Narcoosee's), we could see the lagoon, monorail gliding by in the distance, MK boat docks, and the MK Train Station - it was wonderful! WISHES was like a private viewing ~ without music though.


The rooms are lovely, bright, airy...and the turn down service is delightful...room is freshened up, fresh towels etc and a little surprise on the bed. One feels so pampered at GF.

I would stay at that end of the resort any time - beautiful. You might want to request a renovated room - GF rooms could use some sprucing up, so one of the refurbished rooms would be very nice.

Hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did. Oh, the Poly is my all time favorite

 

[Jasminetigger]

Robin and Christine, thanks for the encouraging info. Hopefully it will become one of our new favorite resorts. I probably would like it more if the price tag wasn't so high.

 

[LukenDC]

I stayed at the GF in July. It is a beautiful resort and very kid friendly. I saw lots of families with children while I was there. It has two pools, both of which are quite nice. It also has a lovely beach area.

Since you will be spending the bulk of your time at the MK, you will appreciate being one Monorail stop away from the park. There is also a boat that takes guests to the MK.

You will have a great time. Enjoy!

 

[rcraw45425]

Jasminetigger, I agree about the price. I'll make you truly sick: our visit in '99 was for a medical conference, we paid $209 a night for garden view and received an upgrade (I didn't know anything about them then or I would have been bowled over) to dormer room with lagoon view of the Poly. DH and I thought we had died and gone to heaven! Until then we had stayed at the Swan once (very nice, also a conference) and the CR. The GF was incredible, especially being able to wheel the double stroller onto the monorail to MK (girls were barely 2 & 4 then). The only pool then was the "quiet pool" and the kiddie pool, and I spent my mornings there while DH was in his meeting until lunch. Those were the days. Spring break '06 I paid $325 a night with AP for garden view, but they upgraded us at checkin to Boca Chica lagoon view, view of Space Mountain and the castle through a tree. They had overbooked GV and asked if we would concider a king room with a queen sleeper for the girls. This was the view:

Excuse the messy room

 

[Jasminetigger]

Robin, thanks for the pictures. Those are some great views.
One of the things I love about the WL is the lobby. I love to go find a chair, "plop" down and people watch and take in the atmosphere. I just don't see myself "plopping down" at the GF. But the idea of staying at the GF is starting to grow on me. I am going to take advantage of the 3 day weekend and research the heck out of the GF.

Lisa

 

[rcraw45425]

Robin, thanks for the pictures. Those are some great views.
One of the things I love about the WL is the lobby. I love to go find a chair, "plop" down and people watch and take in the atmosphere. I just don't see myself "plopping down" at the GF. But the idea of staying at the GF is starting to grow on me. I am going to take advantage of the 3 day weekend and research the heck out of the GF.

Lisa

Oh honey, if you're a "plopper" are you in for a treat! I also love the WL lobby but this one is pretty cool too. Not at all stuffy. The lobby has chairs and sofa set up on the main level where there is a grand piano. Every evening there would be someone there playing old standards. There is also a, old fashioned band on the upper level that also plays the old standards. We're in our 40's and thoroughly enjoyed the lobby. THere are also a lot of shops to explore, in all price ranges. Also, hop on the monorail and visit the other resorts and their shops.

 

[rcraw45425]

BTW, here are a few MNSSHP pics:

and these were taken at Liberty Tree Tavern:

 

[Tink rules]

Ok if this doesn't come out, then google allearsnet.com

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_gf.htm

I've stayed there 3 times and it's a very relaxed "elegance".

There are ALOT of kids around - at least there always are when we are there and it's usually around that time - doing DCL before WDW this year.

You will like alot of things about being on the Monorail and also GREAT views of the fireworks at the MK.

Have fun!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

hi Lisa
the gf is great and you will love it. I just stayed there in July and it was amazing. The pool is great with a water slide and you can rent a cabana. COme on over to the GF faq thread and check out all the reviews and pics.

 

[Jasminetigger]

Ok if this doesn't come out, then google allearsnet.com

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_gf.htm

I've stayed there 3 times and it's a very relaxed "elegance".

There are ALOT of kids around - at least there always are when we are there and it's usually around that time - doing DCL before WDW this year.

You will like alot of things about being on the Monorail and also GREAT views of the fireworks at the MK.

Have fun!

I love your description, "relaxed elegance." I am excited about staying on the monorail line. Can you see the fireworks from the beach? Or are there other places at the resort to view the fireworks.

Lisa

 

[Jasminetigger]

BTW, here are a few MNSSHP pics:

and these were taken at Liberty Tree Tavern:

Love those pictures. Just showed them to my DH. Are those your girls? They sure are cute. We are so excited about our 1st MNSSHP. It is ironic. We were so upset when we had to cancel our trip this month. But if we hadn't cancelled this months trip, then we wouldn't be going in October and we wouldn't be going to the MNSSHP. Everyhting happens for a reason.

Lisa

 

[Jasminetigger]

hi Lisa
the gf is great and you will love it. I just stayed there in July and it was amazing. The pool is great with a water slide and you can rent a cabana. COme on over to the GF faq thread and check out all the reviews and pics.

Hi Kelly. I will definitely be researching the GF faq thread this weekend. Thanks everyone for starting to get me excited about the GF. See I told you it doesn't take much to make me happy.

Lisa

 

[Tink rules]

I love your description, "relaxed elegance." I am excited about staying on the monorail line. Can you see the fireworks from the beach? Or are there other places at the resort to view the fireworks.

Lisa

You want to make yourself REALLY happy????

Book the SPA!!!!

Even if you only get a pedicure or something!!!! - and then make sure you use the showers after and make SURE you try and then BUY (I hear you can also get it at the Ivy Trellis (the Beauty shop) the Grand Floridian Pink Grapefruit shower gel.... IT IS TO DIE FOR!!!

Best place to see the fireworks is on the boat dock. Get there @ 15 - 20 minutes before they start - they play the music from the speakers at Narcoosees and you can of course hear it from the MK - if you will be there for both nights that they are having the MNSSHP... or MNSSHP... they do the perimeter fireworks and they look just ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS from the GF!!!

You will love the monorail line - you will be going home repeating the spanish translation (everyone does...you can tell the people who stay on the Monorail line because they are all the ones who are mouthing the words as they say them!!!

I rate it up there with the Poly!!! The only thing I don't like much is that the self parking is way out beyond the convention center - but if you pay the valet, at least last time, I only paid for the times I took it in and out - not in between.

Also - just remember that they are having renovations going on at the GF on 1900 Parke Fare - Breakfast is being served at Citricos - MAKE ADR's even if you want breakfast - we got turned away last time because we didn't have them - made due with Gasparilla, but I really wanted Eggs Benedict

Deb has the new pics of the rooms on her site - look under the listing and not the slideshow - look at both actually, but only the new rooms are on the text list. I know they redid Conch Key.

BTW... you will also see the electrical water pagent there also. It goes to the Poly first and then swings around - you can also sit on the grass by Conch Key (by Narcoosees) and see the fireworks, etc from there - don't go to the beach - it's blocked by the buildings.

Have fun!

 

[Jasminetigger]

Michelle, Wow thanks for all that info. I will definitely look into booking a spa treatment. Thanks for the advice about the ADR's.

Lisa

 

[fla4fun]

The main thing I have against GF is that the self parking is across the street, so it can be quite a walk back and forth. If you don't mind valet parking, or if you aren't bringing a car, that won't be a problem for you.

I love WL too, and GF isn't my favorite resort, but it's not my least favorite either (I'd say it's about mid-way on my resort choice list). We've had some very good vacations there. It is very bright and airy compared to the coziness of WL, but that's part of it's charm. The pool on the beach is quite nice, and it's nice to be able to take a stroll over to Poly, just as we'd take a stroll to FW from WL. I don't think you'll be disappointed in your choice.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Lisa, I love the WL lobby for sitting and rocking in front of the fireplace.

While the GF lobby does have a different ambiance, it is a wonderful place to relax - especially when the pianist is there... you sink into the couches and never want to get up!

Not sure if they still do this, but when we were there wait staff would come around and you could order drinks while relaxing in the lobby, listen to the muisc... It was heavenly!

True, the price does pinch - which why we've not been back more often. Hard to justify the cost every visit. You will definitely love having the option of the monorail or water launch to/from the MK.

Even if it does not become a favorite, think you will enjoy your stay.

 

[Jasminetigger]

The main thing I have against GF is that the self parking is across the street, so it can be quite a walk back and forth. If you don't mind valet parking, or if you aren't bringing a car, that won't be a problem for you.

I love WL too, and GF isn't my favorite resort, but it's not my least favorite either (I'd say it's about mid-way on my resort choice list). We've had some very good vacations there. It is very bright and airy compared to the coziness of WL, but that's part of it's charm. The pool on the beach is quite nice, and it's nice to be able to take a stroll over to Poly, just as we'd take a stroll to FW from WL. I don't think you'll be disappointed in your choice.

Thanks for the info on the self-parking. Valet parking is one of the guilty pleasures I allow myself on vacation. So I should be all set.

How far of a walk is it from GF to the Poly? I wasn't aware there was a walkway.

I am glad to hear from some of you that have also stayed at WL. It is helpng me put things into perspective.

Thanks for all the great info everyone.

Lisa

 

[rcraw45425]

I think the main difference between WL and GF other than theming is the room size. You'll definitely notice the larger room and bathroom area. The quiet pool is nice and centrally located, and the theme pool is not that far off. I think the closest building to the theme pool may be Big Pine Key, which is where we stayed the first time in the dormer room. Our other stay was in Boca Chica which is closer to the theme pool and Gasparillas. We never took the path to the Poly, but I don't think it's that long of a walk, plus it's pretty much a straight shot.

Oh yeah, the parking is a bit of a pain, but it's doable if you're in good shape. We have valet parked both times there just for convenience, although we generally just self park.