*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Owners & Lovers Group* - LOBBY REFURB BEGAN 4/14!

[AstroBlasters]

Thanks! I should have specified that our small children will be with us, if that changes your answer!

Second question - we have a 1BD standard reserved. Is there a particular area/room request I should ask for? Or just roll the dice with what I get assigned? Nothing really stuck out to me when I reviewed TP.

Thanks!

I highly recommend this video and the Touring Plans website.

 

[sndral]

I highly recommend this video and the Touring Plans website.

Agree on the touring plans room finder feature on their website (which is free, but you have to navigate a bit to find it) also, on page 1 of this thread there are links to villa views which I find helpful.
Regarding the video, it’s dated & bold to have such decided opinions about locations from someone who admits she’s never stayed in the DVC GF villa building . FWIW, I personally would not follow her advice, but I’ve stayed in the villas several times & disagree w/ her guesses about what the views are based on my personal experience. Her first choice in standard is ground floor right by the entry & that would be my last choice since I like to sit on my balcony/patio & folks can easily see those patios as they come & go. She suggests avoiding the villas overlooking the Porte Cochere up to the 4th floor, this is our view from 1426 & I enjoyed that view, every time the monorail went by I smiled, it was so close!

Thanks! I should have specified that our small children will be with us, if that changes your answer!

Second question - we have a 1BD standard reserved. Is there a particular area/room request I should ask for? Or just roll the dice with what I get assigned? Nothing really stuck out to me when I reviewed TP.

Thanks!

There aren’t many villas in the building so chances are your first choice villa won’t happen to have someone checking out the same day you check in. My approach is to just make a general request (I prefer upper floors) & I’ve enjoyed the views from each of my villas for different reasons. We absolutely love the 1 br.s .

 

[tidefan]

Agree on the touring plans room finder feature on their website (which is free, but you have to navigate a bit to find it) also, on page 1 of this thread there are links to villa views which I find helpful.
Regarding the video, it’s dated & bold to have such decided opinions about locations from someone who admits she’s never stayed in the DVC GF villa building . FWIW, I personally would not follow her advice, but I’ve stayed in the villas several times & disagree w/ her guesses about what the views are based on my personal experience. Her first choice in standard is ground floor right by the entry & that would be my last choice since I like to sit on my balcony/patio & folks can easily see those patios as they come & go. She suggests avoiding the villas overlooking the Porte Cochere up to the 4th floor, this is our view from 1426 & I enjoyed that view, every time the monorail went by I smiled, it was so close!
View attachment 896045



There aren’t many villas in the building so chances are your first choice villa won’t happen to have someone checking out the same day you check in. My approach is to just make a general request (I prefer upper floors) & I’ve enjoyed the views from each of my villas for different reasons. We absolutely love the 1 br.s .

I would stay away from 1221 though...

 

[kgou]

Great idea, we love Poly and didn't check out Captain Cooks on our last visit, plus we love the boat as a transportation option!

If the weather’s nice I’d hop on the boat over to the Poly & grab something from their QS - Captain Cooks, and then head to the MK via monorail or boat from there.

Also on my list that I am thinking about! Thank you!

If your kids are picky at all, go to Gasparilla and then take the boat to over to MK.

Thanks! I'll check out the video. I love TP and have found it helpful at other resorts, for some reason I feel pretty clueless about VGF even after having looked at it. Maybe I'll wing it and now throw in a request at all ...roll the dice!

I highly recommend this video and the Touring Plans website.

We are VERY excited to stay here for our first time and the 1BDs look lovely! The rooms overlooking the monorail would make me smile too. I don't feel very strongly about the room assignment so maybe I won't make any type of request at all, though I do prefer upper floors also rather than ground level.

There aren’t many villas in the building so chances are your first choice villa won’t happen to have someone checking out the same day you check in. My approach is to just make a general request (I prefer upper floors) & I’ve enjoyed the views from each of my villas for different reasons. We absolutely love the 1 br.s .

Oh gosh, why? Going to TP now to try and figure it out, haha!

I would stay away from 1221 though...

 

[BlueGreen5]

Great idea, we love Poly and didn't check out Captain Cooks on our last visit, plus we love the boat as a transportation option!

Pro-tip that I'm sure is shared elsewhere on these boards: Tambu lounge (one floor above ground/lobby/Cap't Cooks/Trader Sam's; same level as the monorail station and about 100 steps from it) serves many of the popular dishes from Ohana, but it's a la carte. We would NEVER even consider passing up this spot on a WDW trip. I would strongly recommend Tambu Lounge over Cap't Cooks.

The Grand Floridian is an amazing resort and the VGF rooms are sooo nice. You will love it, even if you are in the xx21 block of rooms. Enjoy your trip!

 

[sndral]

…


Oh gosh, why? Going to TP now to try and figure it out, haha!

1221 is a studio on the second floor, so you won’t end up in it. The TP pix of the view doesn’t look so bad because it’s looking sideways, if you look straight ahead you are looking directly at the Porte Cochere roof & because you’re on the second floor you can’t really see above that roof.

Pro-tip that I'm sure is shared elsewhere on these boards: Tambu lounge (one floor above ground/lobby/Cap't Cooks/Trader Sam's; same level as the monorail station and about 100 steps from it) serves many of the popular dishes from Ohana, but it's a la carte. We would NEVER even consider passing up this spot on a WDW trip. I would strongly recommend Tambu Lounge over Cap't Cooks.

The Grand Floridian is an amazing resort and the VGF rooms are sooo nice. You will love it, even if you are in the xx21 block of rooms. Enjoy your trip!

Funny how different folks have different favorites. My experience w/ the bar next to Ohana (Tambu lounge) has always been while waiting to be seated at Ohana and/or Kona & it’s always been crazy crowded & loud. Maybe it’s less hectic before Ohana opens? Whereas, Captain Cooks has nice indoor & outdoor seating, a decent menu for a QS, & the outdoor seating is usually fairly quiet which might be a good fit w/ OP’s small children . They can always do the quick boat hop over to the Poly from the GF & then opt for whichever venue appeals - the more upscale Tambu lounge or the more casual Captain Cooks - once they get there & afterwards head over on the boat to the MK for the party .

 

[kgou]

thanks everyone for all the suggestions! still kind of pinching myself that we own at VGF! really looking forward to our visit!

 

[Dis507]

Heads up folks! The entry path and patio directly in front of Gaspi’s is walled off with construction ferns and torn up. I’ll add pics as soon as it’s light enough out.

 

[Dis507]

Pics of the work.

 

[kmorlock]

Toiletries @ Resort Studio- still individual? Is conditioner included?

 

[Dis507]

It’s the standard wall dispenser in the tub shower. There is conditioner included.

 

[Chuck96]

The work area outside of Gasparilla Grill was under several inches of water last night and this morning. But folks were still diligently working.

 

[mrsap]

The work area outside of Gasparilla Grill was under several inches of water last night and this morning. But folks were still diligently working.

If you have time, would you please take pictures for us? Thank you so much for reporting.

 

[Chuck96]

mrsap, my apologies! I posted that note from MCO, having departed VGF this morning (before Ohana and the trip home).

 

[mrsap]

mrsap, my apologies! I posted that note from MCO, having departed VGF this morning (before Ohana and the trip home).

No worries!!! Thanks for letting us know! Hope you had a great trip!!

 

[mrsap]

Gasparilla Island Grill Gets Choose-Your-Own Salad Bar at Grand Floridian

Gasparilla Island Grill is located near the convention center at the Grand Floridian. On our most recent visit, we noticed the addition of the Choose-Your-Own Salad Bar with plenty of toppings choices.



Choose-Your-Own Salad offers your choice of Romaine or Spring Mix with unlimited toppings and dressing for $11.29. There are two protein options that increase the price: chicken, coming in at $13.29, and steak for $15.29.

Cast Members will build your salad behind the glass per your requests, similar to Subway or Chipotle.



There is everything from vegetables, cheeses, and sauces available at the topping bar.



There is prepackaged Ken’s dressing available, typically used for the prepackaged salads, in case you want or need more dressing.


There are also prepackaged bags of Monarch Croutons. Again, these are typically for the prepackaged salads, but you are welcome to add these if you decide you need more croutons.



Gasparilla Island Grill is the quick-service food location for the Grand Floridian. It is open to guests from 6 a.m. through 12 a.m.

 

[mrsap]

NEW Merchandise at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Curiouser Clothiers New Merchandise

Curiouser Clothiers in Disney’s Grand Floridian has tons of new merchandise! Let’s jump right in with the Disney Spa Collection!




Pamper yourself with the Disney Spa Body Polish for $35…



…the Disney Spa Body Cream for $35…


…the Disney Spa Body Wash for $35…




…the Disney Spa Shampoo for $45…



…and/or the Disney Spa Conditioner for $45.



The shop also has the Kendra Scott Disney Jewelry line! The collection’s Disney-inspired necklaces and earrings are adorned with Mickey and Minnie heads.




Of course, there’s also new Grand Floridian merchandise! You can rep your love for the resort hotel with items like the Grand Floridian Glass for $14.99. The glass features the hotel’s logo in gold lettering.




The Grand Floridian Beach Towel is $29.99 and shows the resort logo on a blue hotel-inspired wallpaper pattern.



There’s also a Grand Floridian Mickey and Minnie Magnet for $14.99…




…and a Grand Floridian Mickey and Minnie Ornament for $26.99! The duo are shown driving in a car…




…that has a Grand Floridian license plate!

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I need that beach towel! It's about time they made more GF merch; I do wish they'd add a few things that were GF DVC specific though (other than the few items on DisneyStore that you can customize.) Was just in the Grand Californian gift shop in August and they had a "Villas at the Grand Californian" sweatshirt; I'd definitely purchase something like that from the Grand Floridian.

 

[Dis507]

I need that beach towel! It's about time they made more GF merch; I do wish they'd add a few things that were GF DVC specific though (other than the few items on DisneyStore that you can customize.) Was just in the Grand Californian gift shop in August and they had a "Villas at the Grand Californian" sweatshirt; I'd definitely purchase something like that from the Grand Floridian.

Yeah! That and the rocks glasses. It would be nice if they would add more DVC merch for the GF. I have always felt it seemed to be under represented.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

We checked out on Saturday and I'm already missing my second home.