The *New* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (NOV 2008)

[Maxie86]

Hi Grand Floridians!
I'm wandering over here from the Poly thread because I'm just getting nervous about my upcoming March trip. I booked the Poly garden view, but truthfully the 70's Hawaiian/dark wood just really isn't my style. So I am thinking about the GF and have just read this thread. I had a few questions, so I was hoping you all could answer and let me know if I should make a change to my ressies.
1. Anyone have any pool pics? I saw a scant few in this thread and I'd really love to see more! The pool is one of the big reasons that I booked the Poly. I probably would have booked the Beach Club except their pool is going to be in renovations during our trip. The pool is important to us because we are coming from rainy Oregon and really want to have a great time in the pool (weather permitting). Does the pool close at night? Is there a slide (and any pics of that)? If there is a slide, is it permitted for a 5 year old to go on it? Is the pool typically overcrowded (as is claimed for the Poly pool)? We will be there during Spring Break, so that is a concern. I saw a mention that it is a zero-entry pool, any pics of that?
2. My next question is based on being a casual West Coast family. Will we feel out of place here? And is the theming too "girly"? I'll be coming to WDW with my 2 sons and hubby, and none are very into pink and flowery decor. Some of the room pics looked very floral, but they also said 'before the renovations', so I'd love to see what the room decor is like now.
3. I saw that it says in the room description that "Most rooms offer day bed"... what percent have the day bed? If requested, would I be fairly certain that I would receive one? With a 17 year old and a 5 year old, they are not going to share a bed! That day bed is a must-have for us. Thus many resorts are off our list just for that reason.

Thank you for humoring my questions. I'm trying to gather up my info quickly before the availability is gone for the Grand! I am just not sure the Poly is right for me.

Welcome to the GF thread. You will find pool and room pics on the first couple of pages of this thread. I know the courtyard pool is open 24 hours, and I think the beach pool, the one with the slide is also, but the slide will close at night. The pool does not get as crowded as the Poly pool. Most of the rooms have a day bed, the exception being the top floor dormer rooms. Just put that you want a day bed on your ressie. In the off chance that you get a room without one, just ask to be moved. The GF is casual elegance. You will not be out of place at all. We are casual New Englanders and they let us in. The flowery wallpaper has been replaced. Boys seem to love the GF as much as girls. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Juliebee! Maxie really put it perfectly to say the GF is casual elegance...and it truly is...there is nothing stuffy or formal about it...just elegant The room decor is warm but not girly also bright and cheerful...I have 2 boys -three counting the DH and we all love it...

There are lots of pool pics on the previous GF thread...you will find a link at the beginning of this thread....

We are pool people...love spending time at the resort not just the parks and I will tell you that the GF has 2 great pools...

The themed pool with water falls and slides is great fun(this is the zero entry one)...they even have pool activities for the little ones and the court yard pool which is always open is large lots of room for swimming it has a deep end..nice for all ages...and has a ping pong table too...our teens enjoyed this

We were there last summer and the pools never seemed crowded at all...

I would also suggest renting a cabana...very nice way to spend the day around the themed pool...relaxing and a little pampering too...

The GF is a great family resort...we have been enjoying it for years...there is something about it that just keeps us coming back...

Whatever you choose have a magical vacation

 

[k&a&c'smom]

denisekayt - you're welcome! Yes, I don't think they have gone up that much.

erosenst - Welcome to the DIS!

Joshua_me - the octagonal king rooms are amazing! They are not a separate category, but you can put in a request - keeping in mind, of course, that it is only a request. They do their best, but sometimes it doesn't work out. Good luck!

juliebee - I thought I had some pool photos, but I can't find them, sorry. We love the GF pool for the very reason you mentioned - it is seldom crowded. And, their quiet pool is large compared to some, DD often chooses to swim there instead (she's 19, she doesn't care as much about the slide, lol). I don't know much about the slide rules and ages, but I'm sure it's the same rule as all the Disney slides. The zero entry allows you to walk in from the beach side.

At the bottom of the first page of this thread, you can see photos of the new decor - it has floral bedspreads, but the rest of the room is fairly plain, no real girly touches. And, we are from a rural part of Missouri, and find the GF to be very welcoming - I don't think you'll find it hard to fit in. Some people say they feel the GF is stuffy, but we have never found it to be so, all the CMs are warm and friendly.

As Maxie86 mentioned, I don't think you'll have a hard time getting a daybed.

Good luck with your planning, and have a wonderful trip!

ETA - I see BlueSkies added some great info about the pools! It took me so long to compose my post, I missed it, lol.

 

[Lcaemom]

Hope everyone here is enjoying their holidays! I just want to thank all of you who contribute so much to this board. I have lurked here for about a year and have posted a couple times with some questions. We just returned, 12/14 from our first stay at the GF. Thanks to all of your wonderful and helpful information we had the most amazing stay. It started when we checked in. It was 7:30am on 12/7...we transferred over from POR, where we stayed for one night in order to fly down one day early. The CM who checked us in was so sweet. She gave us our cards and told us that although she couldn't tell us our room number, we could use our cards to enter the building, in order to have breakfast before heading over to the park. She gave us directions to the SL building and it was then that I realized that we had been upgraded...we didn't ask, or request in advance...not sure how that happened but, I was so excited!!! The rest of the week was just as wonderful...loved every minute of our stay. It would not have been half as enjoyable however, had I not arrived with all of the valuable knowledge that I have learned here. I can't wait to start a TR. Soon...now that the holidays are over. I can't wait to return...not sure when that will be. Thanks again to all of you!!! Happy New Year!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Those octagonal rooms look *amazing*

Can you reserve them specifically, or is it luck of the draw ?

You have to reserve a Deluxe King Club Room...and then request the turret suites. Those have no balconies, vs the deluxe honeymoon rooms on the 2nd floor that DO & also have direct castle views.

Hi Grand Floridians!
I'm wandering over here from the Poly thread because I'm just getting nervous about my upcoming March trip. I booked the Poly garden view, but truthfully the 70's Hawaiian/dark wood just really isn't my style. So I am thinking about the GF and have just read this thread. I had a few questions, so I was hoping you all could answer and let me know if I should make a change to my ressies.
1. Anyone have any pool pics? I saw a scant few in this thread and I'd really love to see more! The pool is one of the big reasons that I booked the Poly. I probably would have booked the Beach Club except their pool is going to be in renovations during our trip. The pool is important to us because we are coming from rainy Oregon and really want to have a great time in the pool (weather permitting). Does the pool close at night? Is there a slide (and any pics of that)? If there is a slide, is it permitted for a 5 year old to go on it? Is the pool typically overcrowded (as is claimed for the Poly pool)? We will be there during Spring Break, so that is a concern. I saw a mention that it is a zero-entry pool, any pics of that?
2. My next question is based on being a casual West Coast family. Will we feel out of place here? And is the theming too "girly"? I'll be coming to WDW with my 2 sons and hubby, and none are very into pink and flowery decor. Some of the room pics looked very floral, but they also said 'before the renovations', so I'd love to see what the room decor is like now.
3. I saw that it says in the room description that "Most rooms offer day bed"... what percent have the day bed? If requested, would I be fairly certain that I would receive one? With a 17 year old and a 5 year old, they are not going to share a bed! That day bed is a must-have for us. Thus many resorts are off our list just for that reason.

Thank you for humoring my questions. I'm trying to gather up my info quickly before the availability is gone for the Grand! I am just not sure the Poly is right for me.

Maxie and Blue Skies answered your questions, but I had lots of pool pics...they must be on the previous GF threads. You can see them at the top of the board there is a sticky thread and you can hit the past & present GF threads from those.

The GF is WONDERFUL. We've stayed Poly several times and keep kicking ourselves and asking WHY...why?!?! There is no comparison to the GF. I have a 18 yr old son and my husband along with 2 younger daughters and GF is our favorite. We are casual too...but we like NICE and we enjoy GOOD SERVICE and you will find both at the GF. We didn't find those in generous amts at the Poly. Since you are a family of 4, they might try and stick you in a dormer room with no daybed. DEFINITELY request a daybed. Most rooms at the GF are queen queen daybed rooms but if you have luck like mine, you'd wind up with what you don't want if you don't ask for different.

The CMs at the GF are top notch. (didn't find that at the Poly, either) They will make you feel very welcome. All the stuff about it being uppity is ridiculous. The GF CMs are the nicest people and the guests we have met are the kindest & nicest also.

The decor is now more Victorian vs. chintzy ruffly in it's previous state. It's pretty and elegant but it's Disney so I think casual & cheery at the same time. There are hidden Mickey's and other characters in the rooms - you know you're at Disney World.

The Poly doesn't compare. If you are thinking the GF appeals to you, I would definitely jump ship quick & change your Poly plans!!!

Happy Planning!

Lives4Disney

Hope everyone here is enjoying their holidays! I just want to thank all of you who contribute so much to this board. I have lurked here for about a year and have posted a couple times with some questions. We just returned, 12/14 from our first stay at the GF. Thanks to all of your wonderful and helpful information we had the most amazing stay. It started when we checked in. It was 7:30am on 12/7...we transferred over from POR, where we stayed for one night in order to fly down one day early. The CM who checked us in was so sweet. She gave us our cards and told us that although she couldn't tell us our room number, we could use our cards to enter the building, in order to have breakfast before heading over to the park. She gave us directions to the SL building and it was then that I realized that we had been upgraded...we didn't ask, or request in advance...not sure how that happened but, I was so excited!!! The rest of the week was just as wonderful...loved every minute of our stay. It would not have been half as enjoyable however, had I not arrived with all of the valuable knowledge that I have learned here. I can't wait to start a TR. Soon...now that the holidays are over. I can't wait to return...not sure when that will be. Thanks again to all of you!!! Happy New Year!

I am so glad you had a great stay!! Nice upgrade!

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi Grand Floridians!
I'm wandering over here from the Poly thread because I'm just getting nervous about my upcoming March trip. I booked the Poly garden view, but truthfully the 70's Hawaiian/dark wood just really isn't my style. So I am thinking about the GF and have just read this thread. I had a few questions, so I was hoping you all could answer and let me know if I should make a change to my ressies.
1. Anyone have any pool pics? I saw a scant few in this thread and I'd really love to see more! The pool is one of the big reasons that I booked the Poly. I probably would have booked the Beach Club except their pool is going to be in renovations during our trip. The pool is important to us because we are coming from rainy Oregon and really want to have a great time in the pool (weather permitting). Does the pool close at night? Is there a slide (and any pics of that)? If there is a slide, is it permitted for a 5 year old to go on it? Is the pool typically overcrowded (as is claimed for the Poly pool)? We will be there during Spring Break, so that is a concern. I saw a mention that it is a zero-entry pool, any pics of that?
2. My next question is based on being a casual West Coast family. Will we feel out of place here? And is the theming too "girly"? I'll be coming to WDW with my 2 sons and hubby, and none are very into pink and flowery decor. Some of the room pics looked very floral, but they also said 'before the renovations', so I'd love to see what the room decor is like now.
3. I saw that it says in the room description that "Most rooms offer day bed"... what percent have the day bed? If requested, would I be fairly certain that I would receive one? With a 17 year old and a 5 year old, they are not going to share a bed! That day bed is a must-have for us. Thus many resorts are off our list just for that reason.

Thank you for humoring my questions. I'm trying to gather up my info quickly before the availability is gone for the Grand! I am just not sure the Poly is right for me.

A lot of others have given you great info. Just wanted to say that my DS and DD love the GF ! From the pools, CMs, the restaurants - everything about it. While they thought the Poly was fun, they still prefer the GF and I definitely do - we return to the GF everytime! The Poly pool had a great theme but it was so overcrowded! I never feel that way about the GF theme pool.
I agree with Lives4Disney, nothing compares to the GF!
Good luck with your decision!

Hope everyone here is enjoying their holidays! I just want to thank all of you who contribute so much to this board. I have lurked here for about a year and have posted a couple times with some questions. We just returned, 12/14 from our first stay at the GF. Thanks to all of your wonderful and helpful information we had the most amazing stay. It started when we checked in. It was 7:30am on 12/7...we transferred over from POR, where we stayed for one night in order to fly down one day early. The CM who checked us in was so sweet. She gave us our cards and told us that although she couldn't tell us our room number, we could use our cards to enter the building, in order to have breakfast before heading over to the park. She gave us directions to the SL building and it was then that I realized that we had been upgraded...we didn't ask, or request in advance...not sure how that happened but, I was so excited!!! The rest of the week was just as wonderful...loved every minute of our stay. It would not have been half as enjoyable however, had I not arrived with all of the valuable knowledge that I have learned here. I can't wait to start a TR. Soon...now that the holidays are over. I can't wait to return...not sure when that will be. Thanks again to all of you!!! Happy New Year!

Sounds like a great stay! Congrats onthe upgrade!

 

[BlueSkies]

Lcae Thanks for letting us know how your trip went...glad it was so nice What a nice upgrade...we really like SL too Looking foward to your TR...

 

[Kaye]

k&a&c'smom--Thanks so much for the pictures. That was exactly what I wanted. They look great and have made me that more excited--I do believe we have a deluxe room. Thanks again!

Happy New Year, everyone.

 

[ShelleyLynn]

Hello!
This is my first time posting on the disboards! I have a few questions for some of the experienced GF crowd. We will be staying March 14-21 and I am looking for suggestions on what building to request. We need to be close to the feature pool for my two DD ages 7 and 5 but in a quiet location. We have booked a standard garden view. We have never stayed at the GF or even visited on our two previous trips. I am so excited and want to make good requests to maximize our chances of getting a location that is good for our family. Thanks so much for any help you can give!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hello!
This is my first time posting on the disboards! I have a few questions for some of the experienced GF crowd. We will be staying March 14-21 and I am looking for suggestions on what building to request. We need to be close to the feature pool for my two DD ages 7 and 5 but in a quiet location. We have booked a standard garden view. We have never stayed at the GF or even visited on our two previous trips. I am so excited and want to make good requests to maximize our chances of getting a location that is good for our family. Thanks so much for any help you can give!

Hi, welcome to the Disboards and the GF thread.

There is a map at the front of this thread & you can see the locations. Big Pine is near the Beach Pool (the one with the waterfall and slide and cabanas) There are garden view rooms in Big Pine. There are GV rooms in all the lodges except the main building and Sugar Loaf - which are both concierge. All the rooms are quiet - I wouldn't worry about that particularly. If you check in, get a room that isn't where you'd like to be, just ask to be moved.

March might be on the chilly side for swimming.....Just an FYI. We've been there middle March and end of March several times and rarely hit the pools. But...with the crazy weather you never know....and kids will pretty much swim in anything.

I have doubts that requests are even paid any attention to. I always wind up switching our room when we check in (except when we stay concierge - they have different room assigners) So...I wouldn't worry too much about requests...just get it straight at check in. You can see where you'd prefer to be from the map...and nothing is very far. The resort looks spread out, but it is well planned and very manageable.

The GF is fabulous. The CMs are terrific and service is grand.

Have a wonderful time.

Lives4Disney

 

[puzzles]

Hi, welcome to the Disboards and the GF thread.

There is a map at the front of this thread & you can see the locations. Big Pine is near the Beach Pool (the one with the waterfall and slide and cabanas) There are garden view rooms in Big Pine. There are GV rooms in all the lodges except the main building and Sugar Loaf - which are both concierge. All the rooms are quiet - I wouldn't worry about that particularly. If you check in, get a room that isn't where you'd like to be, just ask to be moved.

We were lucky enough to get one of the few 'bad' views at GF and we were not able to switch. I asked right when we checked in and also a day later. We were in Sago Cay Bldg, on the back side, overlooking the convention center. We had a great view of the loading area, tons of trucks! It was quite noisy. From our balcony we could look to the right and see the edge of the bay. We could see/hear the monorail going by, which was kind of cool. I was not thrilled with the view, especially after we paid so much for the room, but we didnt let it ruin our stay. So don't have you heart set on switching, you may get stuck with the loading area of the convention center. I think if a view is important, upgrade from the Garden View.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We were lucky enough to get one of the few 'bad' views at GF and we were not able to switch. I asked right when we checked in and also a day later. We were in Sago Cay Bldg, on the back side, overlooking the convention center. We had a great view of the loading area, tons of trucks! It was quite noisy. From our balcony we could look to the right and see the edge of the bay. We could see/hear the monorail going by, which was kind of cool. I was not thrilled with the view, especially after we paid so much for the room, but we didnt let it ruin our stay. So don't have you heart set on switching, you may get stuck with the loading area of the convention center. I think if a view is important, upgrade from the Garden View.

The one time we booked GV we had that view too!! I couldn't believe it!! But that is my luck. But MOST GVs are great. AND most of the time there is an option to move..as we had. I have stayed at WDW resorts for the past 17 years...probably 60+ stays....and in all that time whenever I haven't been thrilled with our room for whatever reason I have asked to move...and I have always been able to. That includes Christmas, spring break, Thanksgiving, July 4th week.....so chances are there will be an option to switch. Sorry you didn't have that option, Puzzles. That's a shame.

That is really the only bad view at the GF. Even farther down on that side, toward the lagoon is much better. Yes, it's a pretty bad view but I wouldn't upgrade just because of that one bad section. There are some LOVELY garden views. Most are. There are going to be some not so fabulous views at any resort, any category. Believe me...I've had them. And switched rooms for a better view.

But 90% of the GVs at the GF aren't from that backside of Sago....we even posted "BEWARE the backside of Sago" quite a few times.....but sometimes there's nothing you can do. And requests don't mean squat - sorry to say. I don't think anybody at the GF pays them any mind because people request and request...and they cannot make everybody happy. If you are at the GF...really HATE your view & there is not another better GV, then maybe think about upgrading then and there. If GV is what's in the budget I would stick with GV. I am a major RPC lover, but if RPC isn't in my budget I'd definitely book a GV....I don't think the views in between are worth it. JMO.

Lives4Disney

 

[VBsHustla]

Hi Grand Floridians!
I'm wandering over here from the Poly thread because I'm just getting nervous about my upcoming March trip. I booked the Poly garden view, but truthfully the 70's Hawaiian/dark wood just really isn't my style. So I am thinking about the GF and have just read this thread. I had a few questions, so I was hoping you all could answer and let me know if I should make a change to my ressies.
1. Anyone have any pool pics? I saw a scant few in this thread and I'd really love to see more! The pool is one of the big reasons that I booked the Poly. I probably would have booked the Beach Club except their pool is going to be in renovations during our trip. The pool is important to us because we are coming from rainy Oregon and really want to have a great time in the pool (weather permitting). Does the pool close at night? Is there a slide (and any pics of that)? If there is a slide, is it permitted for a 5 year old to go on it? Is the pool typically overcrowded (as is claimed for the Poly pool)? We will be there during Spring Break, so that is a concern. I saw a mention that it is a zero-entry pool, any pics of that?
2. My next question is based on being a casual West Coast family. Will we feel out of place here? And is the theming too "girly"? I'll be coming to WDW with my 2 sons and hubby, and none are very into pink and flowery decor. Some of the room pics looked very floral, but they also said 'before the renovations', so I'd love to see what the room decor is like now.
3. I saw that it says in the room description that "Most rooms offer day bed"... what percent have the day bed? If requested, would I be fairly certain that I would receive one? With a 17 year old and a 5 year old, they are not going to share a bed! That day bed is a must-have for us. Thus many resorts are off our list just for that reason.

Thank you for humoring my questions. I'm trying to gather up my info quickly before the availability is gone for the Grand! I am just not sure the Poly is right for me.

Hi! I'm new to this thread as well, although I do lurk in here on occassion. We love the GF and it's definitely a great choice. I have a few pics of the pool, but I definitely have better ones somewhere that I can't quite locate at the moment. Hope these help for now!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi ShelleyLynne Like Lives4Disney said Big Pine is closest to the themed pool (also near the court yard pool) but the resort is set up so that all of the buildings are in pretty close proximity...We have never had a bad GV at the GF...I personally like Boca Chica...never stayed in Sago... The property is so lovely...If I'm not staying CL we always choose GV also...

You're going to love the GF!! Have a great trip

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Lcaemom - glad your stay was all you hoped, and what a nice upgrade!

Kaye - you're welcome!

 

[juliebee]

Thank you all for answering the questions and most especially to VBsHustla for the pool pics! (wading through 250 pages from an older GF thread is pretty daunting, and the search feature is horrid!) Love the pool pics! Thanks for showing the zero entry! I'll show my DH and see what he says. Any other pics would be so helpful!

 

[ShelleyLynn]

Thanks for the advice!! It is so helpful to talk with people who have stayed at the resort before. We are so excited and I bet this will not be our last stay at the GF! I think I will request Big Pine and keep a sense of humor about the request in general and know that we could swing an upgrade if needed if the dreaded "back side of Sago" becomes our plight. I would rather save the cash if possible for cabana rental, pictures, "fruity drinks" and the such. I will have more questions over the next few months....thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you all for answering the questions and most especially to VBsHustla for the pool pics! (wading through 250 pages from an older GF thread is pretty daunting, and the search feature is horrid!) Love the pool pics! Thanks for showing the zero entry! I'll show my DH and see what he says. Any other pics would be so helpful!

I didn't think you'd have to use SEARCH....each of the older GF threads has a lot of pics on the first few pages. Easy to find. Just thought I'd offer that suggestion & sometimes it is fun to look thru the older threads.

Thanks for the advice!! It is so helpful to talk with people who have stayed at the resort before. We are so excited and I bet this will not be our last stay at the GF! I think I will request Big Pine and keep a sense of humor about the request in general and know that we could swing an upgrade if needed if the dreaded "back side of Sago" becomes our plight. I would rather save the cash if possible for cabana rental, pictures, "fruity drinks" and the such. I will have more questions over the next few months....thanks!

I wouldn't worry about your location. Chances are you can switch if you're not happy. I know everybody used to request Sago for it's location....but then people started getting rooms on the backside ......and it seems Sago has become scary & unwanted.

You will LOVE the Grand Floridian.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[seabee]

I have tried to read through this thread(very informative ), I must admit, I did scan the last few pages. I hope I'm not reposting this, but I'm looking for info on the Grand Adventures in Cooking. My DDs would like to try this on our next trip and I was just wondering what it was all about. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have tried to read through this thread(very informative ), I must admit, I did scan the last few pages. I hope I'm not reposting this, but I'm looking for info on the Grand Adventures in Cooking. My DDs would like to try this on our next trip and I was just wondering what it was all about. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi....welcome to the GF Faq Thread....

The bummer is that they CANCELED the Grand Adventures in Cooking in September!! My daughters always loved this little "class".....

In October my DD8 took the Pirate Adventure for the first time and I can HIGHLY recommend that one!!! SHe LOVED IT!!!! She just couldn't say enough about how fun it was. This is something they never cared to even consider before...they would do the Alice Tea Party and the Cooking....but this time since there was no cooking available DD tried the Pirate thing and had a ball!!

Sorry for the bad news, but hopefully the Alice Tea Party or the Pirate Adventure might be something your DDs would enjoy.

Lives4Disney