Tell me your great stories about the GF

[*123JOANNA123*]

I didn't want to post this on the 'downhill' thread, but I got to thinking that there may be some posters here that have reservations at the GF, and might be getting a tad nervous. This thread is for the GF-lovers among us- it's not intended as a bash thread, a defensive one, or one belittling the bad experiences that others have had.

I'm going to post my experiences with the CM's I encountered last year. Anyone else feel free to share.


We stayed last year and I really thought the staff couldn't have been nicer or friendlier. Firstly, the CM showing us to Sugar Loaf gave us the greatest mini- guided tour on the way- pointing out the pools, Gasparilla etc. etc. It was a real nice introduction to the hotel.

One day I was walking across the gardens with my little girl in her stroller. Practically every CM I walked past greeted me with a smile and a "good afternoon". One particular CM passed me in a golf cart. A minute after he parked, I heard him calling "ma'am ma'am"....I turned around, he had gotten out of his golf cart and was running towards me with dd's hat which she had thrown on the ground and I hadn't noticed. He handed me the hat and said 'wouldn't want your little lady to get sunburn, have a great day' and strolled back to his golf cart.

In the concierge lounge dh was about to refill the babies bottle and was looking at the milk in the jug. One of the lounge staff rushed over and offered to take the bottle to the kitchen and fill it with milk from the fridge so the baby 'wouldn't be drinking milk that had been sitting around'. She also told us not to hesitate to ask if we needed any more at any time!

Dining in Citrico's, the waitress took my 3 yo over to the kitchen, introduced him to the pastry chef and showed him a dessert plate with a dalmation drawn in chocolate on it. The chef couldn't have been nicer to my little boy. Later, at the table I looked over in horror to see my little girl (18mo) drawing on the tablecloth with the crayons provided (she had reached across her highchair table to do this). I took the crayons from her and told her that you can't write on tablecloths- I was sooo embarrassed. In a flash the same waitress came over and spoke directly to my little girl "don't you worry honey, you're at disney world", then looked at me, smiled and reassured that it really wasn't a problem. She really put me at ease and made us feel so relaxed.

I know these are all small stories and probably uninteresting to many, but I wanted to point out that there are some great CM's and that we had a wonderful time there.

Anyone else?

 

[BounceyOne]

We love the grand floridian I have nothing bad to say about it at all. Everytime we go there I have a wonderful relaxing time. Both pools are great for families and the beach is nice for children to play on.
The are so many dining choices here, you never have to leave the resort.
That being said we stay in the RPC and have never had any trouble or aggrivation with the CMs there. The poly on the other hand I could do without and so many people here love it.
To each her own.

 

[RobinMarie]

I don't know what it is, but when I am at the Grand Floridian I just say "ahhhh I'm back". When we purchased our APs we tried out quite a few hotels but finished our AP run at the GF and I thought, "why didn't we stay here more?"

My blonde/blue dd walking through the lobby at the GF with the Alice in Wonderland dress I found at the outlets was priceless! Every cast member we passed bowed slightly and would greet her by calling her Alice.

I love the lobby and the Victorian themed shops!

I love the pool, and I'm not a huge pool lover. I love the way the zero depth entry meets the beach/view of MK resort properties. I thought the slide was great! My daughter enjoyed the sidewalk-fountains and watching toddlers in them is a cute form of entertainment.

I loved the different soaps/shampoos and how they fit the theme and weren't the 'same ole' black,white,red Mickey things we received in all the other Disney resorts.

I get a kick out of the doorman who greets you when you drive up to the hotel. He was always in supply of stickers for the children. We've stayed in several of the buildings and I've never felt like my room was a long walk to anywhere. I can't say the same for some of the other places we've stayed.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone!

 

[dwdeb]

Hi, We spent last Christmas at the GF SL concierge... prior to leaving I had read negative posts... however we had a wonderful stay... Cast members couldn't have been more helpful. Everyone we encountered was pleasant.
We like to find out for ourselves what each resort is like, and in truth, we have never had a negative experience on property!

 

[Tonyspad]

My family visits WDW once a year and we have always stayed on property in a deluxe hotel( Six years running with my children). I was in love with the CR because it held a special place in my heart from my childhood visits there. Two years ago we stayed at the YC because the CR " was feeling a little tired", the YC was great. When we came home I got the feeling that we had NOT gone to Disney since we were not on the Monorail and had not spent a lot of time in the MK. We decided to try the GF RPC since the Poly con. was going to be rehabing. Well it was the best thing we could have done, we immediatly felt at home. The pools were great, the property was beautiful and the CM were amazing. There was not any part of this past trip that was poor, as a matter of fact the trip was entirely GRAND!

Give it a try and do not let the postings of the few that have had bad trips sway you from trying this fabulous resort hotel.

 

[TammiMcMan]

When we first started going to Disney, back in the early 80's, we stayed off-site. Slowly we worked our way up to the FW campsite, then a cabin and finally obtaining a certain amount of financial freedom, we discovered the Grand Floridian. Since that time, we have not stayed in any other Disney resort. Every time I start planning a trip, I'll say this is the year we're going to try AKL or the WL, but then I get the looks from my family and it's right back to the GF. For instance, DH and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year and I asked him where he wanted to go. We're still kids at heart, so he said Disney World of course. Now I thought, this is it, only the two of us, maybe we should try AKL. The safari is my DH's favorite thing to do and I know that AKL concierge offers the sunrise safari for it's guests. I researched everything and when I presented it to him, he was actually disappointed. The first thing out of his mouth, was why weren't we going back to the GF. So, needless to say, my deposit has been made and we are booked into the main building from 1/3-1/7. I'm hoping the holiday decorations will still be up.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We'll, I can say that the Grand Floridian is the best of all the Disney resorts, and reguardless of what everyone says, I've never really encountered a rude CM (front desk, to concierge, to restaurants/gift shops, to groundkeepers). The resort is beautiful, and while the place has been looking a little worn lately, it's still my favorite.

It isn't for everyone, and if you don't like it, you have plenty of other resorts to choose from.

 

[Vlahakis2001]

The best resort in Disney. I also have never encountered rude CM's. I haven't a bad thing to say about it. HEAVEN ON EARTH!!

 

[BowlingAriel]

I am not there yet, but I can say that Clark from RPC Concierge has been the most helpful and friendly. We wanted 6:30 Liberty Tree ressie's and that time wasn't available. So he booked what time he could and booked us at all the other restaurants in the MK, just so we'd have dinnner at the time we wanted. I thought that was so conisderate. Very thoughtful.

2 Weeks from tomorrow. YIPEE

Michelle

 

[chinamom3]

We recently stayed at the GF the last week in June and it was truly magical and delicious. Memories-the continual and beautiful display of food, musicians playing in the lobby, drinking our wine and listening to the music, taking a little cordial with us for a quiet, late night ride on the monorail. Talking to other families by the pool, enjoying my sister and her family in the room next door, fireworks on the dock, fireworks from our balcony, switching from one pool to the other as the children desired, deciding one evening at 8:30 that we would go to MK for the parade, hopping on the monorail, there in MK in five minutes, back by boat in five minutes. And-absolutely perfect weather, not a drop all week. Deciding at 5:15 another night to eat at Epcot, concierge Jim (so funny and wonderful!) getting us a 6:20 seating at Rose and Crown, singing "God Save the Queen" pushing us on the elevator-jumping on the monorail to Epcot, getting there just in time.Grand Floridian? A dream is a wish your heart makes, and it has all I wish for!!

 

[ducklite]

This past March my DH took me on a fireworks cruise on the Grand One Yacht on my birthday. This was an incredible experience. He had it catered with wine, cheese and crackers, and invited another couple to join us. We left from the GF Marina about half an hour before the fireworks, took a spin around the 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, and then stopped right in front of the castle to watch the display. It was incredible!

After the cruise we returned to the GF where we were encouraged to stay onboard for a little longer to finish our wine, as well as given a complete tour of the boat. The captain and first mate were as wonderful and gracious as any CM I've ever met, and the waiter that brought the wine and cheese from GF Private Dining was also gracious and polished.

This was my number one WDW experience ever.

Anne

 

[hookedup]

Last summer we transfered from another resort to the GF. During the transfer I lost my magnetic clip sunglasses that were specially made for my glasses - and they were quite expensive as a set - they were also only 2 weeks old too!

Anyway, I called the resort that we had been staying at (I really try not to use these forums as a place to badmouth so it will remain nameless) but it was another WDW resort, and they were not very helpful at all. Finally after 3 phone calls, and talking to the bellstaff extensively, and having to ask for a supervisor, my sunglasses turned up in the van. They told me I had better come get them right away or they would send them to the central WDW lost and found. I was happy that they had been found and I was bummed as we did not have a car and the thought of using a planned park afternoon to go get them was a bummer.

I asked a staff member (bell desk) at the GF about the best way to get to the other resort - take a bus or what. They were shocked that the resort had not offered to send them over to the GF, and told me that they would send a staff member over to pick them up for me. I really appreciated that since it was my fault they had been lost. My family and I went out to the park that afternoon and upon returning they had left a message for us that my glasses were in our room. I tried to tip them but they refused. The whole rest of the trip the 2 bell staff members who helped us greeted us by name as we walked through the lobby.

Our last night at the GF we decided to purchase a clock in the gift shop and it was about 9 pm. It turned out that this was the last one and there was no box for it. They called over to the Contemporary and asked if they had another at their gift shop. They did- I was about to send DH out to get it but they offered to send someone to get it for us. It was delivered to our room about 45 mins later - again the CM refused the tip I offered.

I found the service at the GF to be exceptional for us and I can't wait to return next month. We almost booked another deluxe but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I kept thinking that I would be looking at the magnificent GF as we went by on the monorail I would be regretting not staying there!!!!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

Where to start...

My fondest memory of our stay there in 11/2000 was the look on my daughters face when we sat at an outside table at Gasparillas and she saw the castle for the first time. Priceless.

On our way to an early opening day at MK my daughter tripped and fell and spilled her chocolate milk. A GF gardener came over to my daughter helped her up and handed her a perfectly bloomed rose. She smiled and thanked him. We still have that rose.

When we dined at Citricos, my son who at the time was only 1 wanted blueberry yogurt. The staff opened the cafe downstairs JUST to get him his yogurt.

After a late night out, we decided to stop in at Narcoosees for a late night dinner, it was packed! We asked the host at the podium if there were any tables available. Keep in mind we had with us a 1yro DS and a 2yro DD. They asked if we were staying at the GF, we said yes. They said, "give us 5 minutes". We were then seated at one of the best tables with a view of the fireworks! AMAZING!

I cannot say enough about this resort. Also a tip: If you are staying at the GF and want the perfect memento, try the gift shop, I think it was called Sandy Beach. They have framed prints of the GF. I had mine shipped home and it was waiting for us when we got there. I now have a gorgeous GF pic of the gardens and the resort.

Wishing everyone a "magical day"

GF Sago Cay Lagoon View 11/2000
POR 10/2003 CANT WAIT!!

 

[Magic2000]

We've stayed at many of the Disney hotels, and we've always had a wonderful stay! Last year, for our early Dec trip, we got a great code and were finally staying at the Grand Floridian!

From the time we checked in til the time we checked out - we had a wonderful stay! All the CMs were so nice; we were surprising our DDs with a stay at the GF and when I went to check in, the CM got us a room that was ready (it was only 10:30 AM) and had our luggage sent right up so that I could meet my DH and DDs at MGM.

The decorations for Christmas were beautiful, especially the Christmas tree!!

My youngest DD has done the Alice in Wonderland Tea three times (and will be doing it again in Oct), and also the Pirate Cruise once. The CMs that work with the children are GREAT!!!

What a wonderful hotel!!

 

[karen1]

Just returned this morning from first stay at GF and my husband said we've found the place we MUST stay at every trip!!! 7 nights of magic!!!Even the kids loved it!!!

After reading some negative threads before the trip I got a bit nervous, however I should have learned from my trip last yr to CBR that you can't believe everything you read!! The unofficial guide had knocked CBR but I was still determined to try it and we had a great stay!!!

That's not to sat people can't have bad experiences, but for us GF was a wonderful vacation!!! NOw to start planning for next yr.....

 

[phyllis1966]

My DH and I can't say enough good things about the GF! We absolutely love it and are going back with his and my parents this November. I can't wait for them to experience the magic of the GF - I'm sure they'll love it as much as we do. I want to try some of the other deluxes, but I can't imagine pulling up to the GF's monorail stop and not going "home" to our beautiful room ! Even our DD(4) is looking forward to returning to the GF to show her grandparents her favorite things about "her" hotel. I would never trivialize anyone's bad experiences, but we encountered no such rudeness or apathy with any of the CM's there. Everyone was kind, courteous and helpful and we had a magical stay - we highly recommend it!

 

[PghDisney]

Thank you for this post and the replies within . . . Early in June I basically stumbled onto the FTP special that ended the 29th of June, and was first surprised and then excited upon seeing the truly low cost of even concierge level. To be honest I did not even know what the concierge level was before June, but read up on it and became more excited. My fiance and I had stayed at the GF before, and it was truly spectacular in every way, certainly no problems to speak of, just magic, so I had thought that the concierge would be the same but even more so. Then I, like most here, read all the negative experiences that some have had, and then worried and struggled with the decision of whether I made the right decision on GF (SL concierge which seemed to be knocked the most) based on the standard room great experience in the past. In the end I stuck with that past experience, I still am a bit worried, but less so from reading this post. I go the first week in September and promise to provide a report, and hope those going before can post their experiences in SL concierge as they return. Again, thanks to all and have wonderful (and hopefully frustration free) trips.

 

[ead79]

I stayed at the GF in May of 2000, and I absolutely fell in love with it. It is such a luxurious resort, and we felt so pampered. I haven't stayed there since (I've been busy trying to try out all the deluxe resorts--I've done all of them except the Contemporary), but I can't wait to return. It was an easy decision to return there for my honeymoon this December.

 

[Tinkbell]

I spent 10 days of pure magic there in 2001. That trip will be a tough one to top. Everything about the GF was wonderful.

 

[PartyOf5]

This is such a wonderful thread to read! We are going to GF next month, and I can't wait. Although I will admit I am a bit nervous about trying a new resort. Not because we are afraid it won't be magical but rather we are afraid this will be our resort of choice, thus making a huge dent in our budget! Hopefully they will have packages similar to Fairytale in the future.