The **NEW** Grand Floridian FAQ!(MAY 2011)

[disneydreamin247]

Sooooo....my hubby agreed to go back to Disney YAY!!!! (I knew I could talk him into it haha)

We are thinking of GF, using the 40% code but are still on the fence about the $$ - last time, we stayed a BC and didn't feel we got as much as we did at POR. The lack of quick dining and the poor transportation were huge issues! We love the Food Court at POR!!

Any information on the week prior to Christmas 12/14 through 12/21? We are only doing two parks days...gonna just relax this time. Also, how are the food choices if you just want a quick bite to eat?

The trade off for staying deluxe is there is no food court. There is a quick service restaurant, but it is not a food court. Gasparilla's has many great options. here's a link to the menu

 

[KCmike]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Keeping with the seven seas lagoon view here's another one from the sea raycers.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Sorry, I was searching for this but couldn't find it...can you watch wishes from the beach at the GF like at the Poly? And do they pipe in the music as well?

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

You can see Wishes from both the dock and the marina outside of Gaspiralla Grill. Music is piped in both places, unless the speakers aren't working!

KCmike, loving the pictures from the Seven Seas Lagoon. What a great picture from a sea racyer! I have tried to take a picture when I am in one but there always seems to be a patrol boat close by and they say no pictures while on the sea racyers. I guess they don't want you to stop or slow down.

 

[Mousemommy1]

You can see Wishes from both the dock and the marina outside of Gaspiralla Grill. Music is piped in both places, unless the speakers aren't working!

KCmike, loving the pictures from the Seven Seas Lagoon. What a great picture from a sea racyer! I have tried to take a picture when I am in one but there always seems to be a patrol boat close by and they say no pictures while on the sea racyers. I guess they don't want you to stop or slow down.

Ok, thank you!!!

 

[lala3291]

Hi All!
I have a question...does anybody know when the Christmas decorations are put up in the GF? We will be there from 11/12-11/17. I am hoping that we see some decorations, but I am thinking we may be too early.
Thanks!

 

[psac]

Lala, we'll be in the world the same week (not at the GF though), and we were there that same week last year. Basically that's the week they start doing the decorations. The gingerbread house will go up that week. In all likelihood, the big tree will NOT be up, unless you're lucky at the very end of the week. The decorations at the parks will all go up that week as well. We went to MK early in the week, and there was nothing. We went back mid-week and it was FULLY decorated! Very impressive.
Enjoy!

 

[pas130]

Sorry, I was searching for this but couldn't find it...can you watch wishes from the beach at the GF like at the Poly? And do they pipe in the music as well?

It was much less crowded watching from the dock than my experience watching from the Poly, but it also wasn't busy when I went. The EWP from the dock was great as well

 

[k&a&c'smom]

andrea2289 - Welcome! Congrats on heading back to WDW, and for snagging a great discount! I think you will love the GF, it is a beautiful resort.

When we last visited the week before Christmas, it was not busy at all until December 24. From what I have read, in the last couple years it has gotten much more popular, but I still think it is uncrowded until around the 21st or so. The GF is beautiful during the holidays, it is one of our favorite times to visit.

Mouseymommy1 - Welcome! Don't hesitate to ask anything, it can be difficult to find a particular item.

 

[Mousemommy1]

andrea2289 - Welcome! Congrats on heading back to WDW, and for snagging a great discount! I think you will love the GF, it is a beautiful resort.

When we last visited the week before Christmas, it was not busy at all until December 24. From what I have read, in the last couple years it has gotten much more popular, but I still think it is uncrowded until around the 21st or so. The GF is beautiful during the holidays, it is one of our favorite times to visit.

Mouseymommy1 - Welcome! Don't hesitate to ask anything, it can be difficult to find a particular item.

Thank you!!! I am just doing some research...we are currently booked at the Poly, which has been my dream resort since I was 7 (when we would come to Disney as a child and my dad was an off-site guy and said we couldn't stay at the Poly) However, that being said, my DD7 (ironic) is in LOVE with GF, and we could financially swing it, so I am considering it. But I want to know that of the things I think I will love about the Poly are at the GF. I also don't want my DD growing up mad at me for not being able to stay at the hotel she wants. (I do still love my dad... ) So, any comparisons to the Poly would be great! Thanks!

 

[mom of 3G's]

I can give you some comparisons of the GF to Poly as I stayed at both in December. We spent a week at GF and couldn't get home because of a blizzard so they found us a room at the Poly for 2 nights. I can't tell you how many times I became disoriented walking the Poly grounds, although the lush landscaping certainly beats GF. We prefer sinks outside the bathroom, and at Poly you aren't going to be guaranteed that. Our room at Poly was larger than at GF, but I didn't feel that made up for the cleanliness issues we had. I prefer GF laundry facilities in each outer building rather than having a large facility as the Poly does. The towels at GF were thicker and larger than at Poly and the complimentary toiletries are a step above at GF. And you certainly compare the smells... Grand Floridian has a very distinguished aroma that takes your breath away. LOVE IT! I prefer the light and airy feeling of the GF buildings and rooms to the darker ambience at Poly.

And if you like bacon, the deal breaker will be for GF. Gasparilla's was the only quick service restaurant and buffet that served thick bacon. Mmmmm....

If you were to ask my boys (ages 9 and 7) what hotel they prefer, they will say hands down it's GF!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - Aww, sorry you have to switch your resort again, and won't be staying at the GF! I understand, though, and would make the same choice - we have taken a number of DD's friends along with us, and have to make resort plans accordingly.

Will you have to change any of your dining plans?

I am so sorry that I missed this. I am sad that we won't be staying at the GF either but we will still visit. With two teenagers, the second bathroom is priceless.

Thankfully we only had to change one meal.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Thank you!!! I am just doing some research...we are currently booked at the Poly, which has been my dream resort since I was 7 (when we would come to Disney as a child and my dad was an off-site guy and said we couldn't stay at the Poly) However, that being said, my DD7 (ironic) is in LOVE with GF, and we could financially swing it, so I am considering it. But I want to know that of the things I think I will love about the Poly are at the GF. I also don't want my DD growing up mad at me for not being able to stay at the hotel she wants. (I do still love my dad... ) So, any comparisons to the Poly would be great! Thanks!

I've stayed at both resorts. The GF wins hands down. I thought the POLY was too spread out. I can remember walking down hallways that went on forever. I thought the rooms at the POLY were too dark and at the time needed some serious cleaning. Also to be fair, I can't stand the smell of terriaki sauce and whenever I entered the main lobby, that was all I could smell. The lobby at the POLY just feels run down and too busy. I just feel the GF is light and airy. A nice compact resort. Never a long walk to anything. The rooms are much brighter, although a tad bit smaller.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I am so sorry that I missed this. I am sad that we won't be staying at the GF either but we will still visit. With two teenagers, the second bathroom is priceless.

Thankfully we only had to change one meal.

For a few teips we stayed a BLT in a 1BR suite instead of my beloved GF. We had our young adult children with us and the extra room, the second bathroom, not to mention the washer and dryer made a huge difference. Like you said, you can visit the GF, but sometimes more room and privacy makes more sense.

The GF isn't going anywhere, you will be staying there again soon!

 

[focusondisney]

Hi all! Checked into GF today for our short 2night stay. Sitting inthe RPC lounge listening to the band right now. Surprized DH with deluxe whirlpool room. It's beautiful & everyone has been so sweet & enthusiastic about our anniversary. Got a wonderful room with spectacular castle view & champaine. Too bad vacation is almost over!

 

[andrea2289]

Hi all! Checked into GF today for our short 2night stay. Sitting inthe RPC lounge listening to the band right now. Surprized DH with deluxe whirlpool room. It's beautiful & everyone has been so sweet & enthusiastic about our anniversary. Got a wonderful room with spectacular castle view & champaine. Too bad vacation is almost over!

Congrats!! Do you mind sharing the room number? I was looking for a few with good views to request!

Thanks!

 

[focusondisney]

Congrats!! Do you mind sharing the room number? I was looking for a few with good views to request!

Thanks!

Hi! I'll post our room number after we get back. I'll try to get a picture of the view; but I'm not very tech savvy so I don't know if I'll be able to figure out how to post it. It is a king bed, deluxe room. If I can't post a picture, I'll try to find one already on the thread with a similar view.

 

[stitchlet]

Congrats!! Do you mind sharing the room number? I was looking for a few with good views to request!

Thanks!

Can't speak for focusondisney, but DH & I loved RPC #4401 - same floor as the lounge and a beautiful TPV of the Castle!

(ETA: this was a "regular" room, no whirlpool or anything fancy, but we loved the location & the view!)

 

[andrea2289]

Can't speak for focusondisney, but DH & I loved RPC #4401 - same floor as the lounge and a beautiful TPV of the Castle!

(ETA: this was a "regular" room, no whirlpool or anything fancy, but we loved the location & the view!)

Hi! I'll post our room number after we get back. I'll try to get a picture of the view; but I'm not very tech savvy so I don't know if I'll be able to figure out how to post it. It is a king bed, deluxe room. If I can't post a picture, I'll try to find one already on the thread with a similar view.

Thanks so much!

 

[latinqt]

Does anyone know if there is a good view of the castle from SL?? Not sure what the views there would be. But I would love to see the castle. Help from anyone would be appreciated. I'd like a higher floor in case that might give us a better view. I sure don't want to look at another roof top however.