Staying at GF next week! Any advice

[Crazymomof3boysss]

My family and I (5 of us) are staying at the GF. We arrive next week! To say we are excited is an understatement. we've done Disney during December multiple times so the crowds and such are not a big deal or concern. We have 3 kids who aren't big on rides but they love the food, the characters etc. Any advice on staying at the GF with 3 kids. How's the arcade and anything else they have geared towards kids. How is the food there at breakfast time?

 

[808blessing]

I went into the quick service breakfast after mobile order but it was way slower than if I had just stood in line. I noticed the same thing with breakfast at boardwalk quick service.So I won't do mobile in the morning again.

 

[eandt]

My family and I (5 of us) are staying at the GF. We arrive next week! To say we are excited is an understatement. we've done Disney during December multiple times so the crowds and such are not a big deal or concern. We have 3 kids who aren't big on rides but they love the food, the characters etc. Any advice on staying at the GF with 3 kids. How's the arcade and anything else they have geared towards kids. How is the food there at breakfast time?

Grand Floridian cafe is awesome if you are looking for a sit down breakfast … shhhh don’t tell anyone

 

[Crazymomof3boysss]

Grand Floridian cafe is awesome if you are looking for a sit down breakfast … shhhh don’t tell anyone

Good to know. We have breakfast reservations for our first day there. Then we plan on walking or taking the monorail to mk.

 

[Crazymomof3boysss]

I went into the quick service breakfast after mobile order but it was way slower than if I had just stood in line. I noticed the same thing with breakfast at boardwalk quick service.So I won't do mobile in the morning again.

I noticed that during peak times too at places. But we aren't early risers. We won't be getting up til after the parks open. I do plan on one "rope drop" day at mk. I have never done one.

 

[TeeKo]

Good to know. We have breakfast reservations for our first day there. Then we plan on walking or taking the monorail to mk.

It’s a pretty walk. Not crowded. We almost always walk back from MK since you have to make all the stops to get back to the Grand Floridian.

 

[T00dles]

Arcade is lots of fun -- plenty of games.

Gasparilla Grill is awesome. Would agree with above posters that it seemed like it was quicker to avoid mobile order. The coffee bar rocks, and I love hitting it up with my refillable mug.

The lobby is best in the morning as most folks haven't arrived yet to ogle at the giant edible house.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We LOVE GF, our families favorite Deluxe resort. Just enjoy the resort, the lobby, all of the stores, GF Cafe, the wonderful stairs for great pictures etc. A lot of times I would get ready 1st and just sit in the lobby waiting for my family and then sometimes we would just relax in the lobby after a park day as well.
The only downside, for us, was taking the monorail to and from Epcot, it consistently took a long time, to the point that I wish they had buses. I read that some people find walking to and from TTC to be better.

 

[Crazymomof3boysss]

We LOVE GF, our families favorite Deluxe resort. Just enjoy the resort, the lobby, all of the stores, GF Cafe, the wonderful stairs for great pictures etc. A lot of times I would get ready 1st and just sit in the lobby waiting for my family and then sometimes we would just relax in the lobby after a park day as well.
The only downside, for us, was taking the monorail to and from Epcot, it consistently took a long time, to the point that I wish they had buses. I read that some people find walking to and from TTC to be better.

How long would you say it takes to get to Epcot? Are the stores good? Do they have any toys?

 

[katallo]

They have a very nice emporium type store and a wonderful soap and moisturizer store called Basin White!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Not sure your ages but we always enjoy the recreation activities. Usually a few good ones over the course of a stay we like to hit - tie die shirts, pool games, etc.

I do find the journey to/from Epcot a little less desirable when staying at GF - we’ll often rideshare a leg or two depending on the mood/timing constraints. Minnie Van can be a good (although expensive) option for a crew your size, and the fun factor of it.

Have a great trip!

 

[Crazymomof3boysss]

Not sure your ages but we always enjoy the recreation activities. Usually a few good ones over the course of a stay we like to hit - tie die shirts, pool games, etc.

I do find the journey to/from Epcot a little less desirable when staying at GF - we’ll often rideshare a leg or two depending on the mood/timing constraints. Minnie Van can be a good (although expensive) option for a crew your size, and the fun factor of it.

Have a great trip!

Mine are 5,5 and 10 all boys. We have to use strollers or wagon for the kids. My one son is disabled and we have to get a pass for his wagon and my husband uses a scooter due to his health . So our transportation options are a little limited. I'll definitely check into the Minnie van. I've never done that before. Do the activities cost money? I know 2 of my kids would love to do things like that.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

How long would you say it takes to get to Epcot? Are the stores good? Do they have any toys?

An average of 45+ minutes. The M Mouse Mercantile (has toys) is great and then Sandy Cove Gifts. I have 2 DDs, so the Basin White was a real big hit for them and my DW, I did like the smell of it and also trying some of the scrubs at their trial sink area. LOL

 

[TeeKo]

Are the stores good? Do they have any toys?

For toys and Disney souvenirs, we would take the monorail to Contemporary.
When the trail was open (was closed due to construction of the tower, don’t know if open now) walking to the Poly to shop or get a Dole Whip was nice.

 

[dizneedoll]

Mine are 5,5 and 10 all boys. We have to use strollers or wagon for the kids. My one son is disabled and we have to get a pass for his wagon and my husband uses a scooter due to his health . So our transportation options are a little limited. I'll definitely check into the Minnie van. I've never done that before. Do the activities cost money? I know 2 of my kids would love to do things like that.

The Minnie Vans are available through the Lyft app. They do have an accessible van you can request that will accommodate the scooter. There can be a bit of a wait for that at busy and peak times.

Over on the main GF thread, it’s been reported that lines for the monorail are very long right now so keep that in mind too.

We will be there next week also! We are super excited to stay and I hope you and your family have a wonderful trip!

 

[focusondisney]

As for breakfast, the Garden View Tea Room has a great spread, and the kids can enjoy a mix of sweets and savory options.

When did Garden View Tea Room start offering breakfast? It still shows as closed on the website.

 

[kylenne]

When did Garden View Tea Room start offering breakfast? It still shows as closed on the website.

They have to be confusing it with GF Cafe because when we stayed in September the only thing that room was being used for was resort activities.

 

[focusondisney]

They have to be confusing it with GF Cafe because when we stayed in September the only thing that room was being used for was resort activities.

Must be it. We were there in September too, hadn’t heard anything about that changing since then.