Thoughts on GF

[JJ&JSMOM]

We won't be going to WDW until Spring 09 but I've started researching hotels. We're a family of 5 so we're probably deluxe until kids are old enough for connecting rooms. I made a list of the deluxes we want to try but GF wasn't on it so DH was wondering why. To be honest I never thought he'd want to stay there as it appears that it would be too fancy. I've looked at the sticky thread a little - it seems like a lot of folks stay concierge there and we couldn't afford that. So I thought I just come out and ask people's opinions on GF. What they liked/disliked? I'm off to do some more research on GF - who would have guessed?

TIA
Joanne

 

[Tara]

Personally, we love GF. It is definitely "fancy" compared to some of the other resorts, but while some people think that equates to snooty, we've always found it to be inviting and comfortable.

Things I like:
1 monorail stop from MK
Direct boat launch from MK back to GF (quicker than monorail most of the time)
Variety of restaurants
Nice pool with zero-level entry
Lobby is great to relax in after a long day at the parks -- orchestra plays, families just spending time together...nice
Staff has always been helpful (IME)
Efficient valet service
Nice to watch Electrical Water Pageant from the beach or fireworks from the boat dock
Variety of shopping options
Beautiful grounds
Lots of recreation - boat rentals, tennis are things I've done before
Spa services

Things I don't like:
Linens aren't upgraded -- I keep hoping they'll move to more luxurious, white bed linens like Contemporary rather than what I call Floral Polyester Horror
I wish everything was under one roof, but unless you stay in a suite or Royal Palm concierge, your room will be in an outbuilding.
Bus service to AK/MGM/Epcot is slow IMO and shared with other resorts - we ALWAYS use our car for going anywhere besides MK.

 

[BCV23]

Well, just remember that far more people don't stay club level there than do.

I love the GF. It has great restaurants and nice shops. The rooms are comfy if a bit smaller than some at the Polynesian which is our deluxe "home." The CMs are Disney friendly and it enjoys a great spot on Seven Seas Lagoon. It's fun to take the monorail to the MK and return via launch.

The decor is Victorian so that may make it look "fancy," but the guests are the same as other deluxes that have a business center...i.e. at times there will be some corporate types mixed in with families.

Happy planning!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Personally, we love GF. It is definitely "fancy" compared to some of the other resorts, but while some people think that equates to snooty, we've always found it to be inviting and comfortable.

Things I like:
1 monorail stop from MK
Direct boat launch from MK back to GF (quicker than monorail most of the time)
Variety of restaurants
Nice pool with zero-level entry
Lobby is great to relax in after a long day at the parks -- orchestra plays, families just spending time together...nice
Staff has always been helpful (IME)
Efficient valet service
Nice to watch Electrical Water Pageant from the beach or fireworks from the boat dock
Variety of shopping options
Beautiful grounds
Lots of recreation - boat rentals, tennis are things I've done before
Spa services

Things I don't like:
Linens aren't upgraded -- I keep hoping they'll move to more luxurious, white bed linens like Contemporary rather than what I call Floral Polyester Horror
I wish everything was under one roof, but unless you stay in a suite or Royal Palm concierge, your room will be in an outbuilding.
Bus service to AK/MGM/Epcot is slow IMO and shared with other resorts - we ALWAYS use our car for going anywhere besides MK.

I totally agree with Tara. We love the GF. We have always stayed concierge but there are other rooms that you can get for less money than RPC or SL. The YC is another nice resort but the GF is our favorite.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for the opinions. We have stayed at the Poly and everytime we were on the monorail going by the GF it looked so nice. Seems like a nice place & the pool looks very nice. Pools play a big role in our family. I believe the Poly & GF shared buses quite a bit. Seems like the bus was empty upon arrival at the Poly & then we'd go to GF. Thanks again.

 

[BrianD]

I agree with your husband. The GF is too often automatically overlooked because it is a little more expensive while appearing real "fancy", and folks assume that they place would not be a great & fun place to stay on a Disney vacation. I love the GF and it is my favorite resort. Yeah, maybe the decor is more frilly than I would do in my house (like I have a say in that anyway!), but the ammenities, the conveniences, and the service make it a great place to stay, in my opinion.

We have two young children and therefore spend lots of time at the MK, and being one monorail stop or a short boat ride away makes that real convenient!

As for the rooms, they are nice and spacious, the beds are very comfortable, the bathrooms are roomy, and there is turndown service every night, which I really like. I nice to come back in the evening with a fresh set of towels, the beds turned down and the lights dimmed, and the little chocolates. Yes, I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.

There are many restaurants there, from very casual to AAA 5 diamond rated Victoria & Alberts. The quick service restaurant, Gasparillas, has good food and is open 24 hours. (except for the grill)

Also, there are two nice pools there, one that is near the beach and a smaller version of the Poly's volcano pool.

And yes, we do love that lobby too. It is just a very nice and relaxing atmosphere and having the live orchestra and piano really add to the ambience.

In spite of all this, there is still Disney all over the place, from the gift shops, to the character meals (breakfast & dinner), to the hidden mickeys in the halls and in the rooms. We just love staying there.

I would say definitely consider the GF!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I agree with your husband. The GF is too often automatically overlooked because it is a little more expensive while appearing real "fancy", and folks assume that they place would not be a great & fun place to stay on a Disney vacation. I love the GF and it is my favorite resort. Yeah, maybe the decor is more frilly than I would do in my house (like I have a say in that anyway!), but the ammenities, the conveniences, and the service make it a great place to stay, in my opinion.

We have two young children and therefore spend lots of time at the MK, and being one monorail stop or a short boat ride away makes that real convenient!

As for the rooms, they are nice and spacious, the beds are very comfortable, the bathrooms are roomy, and there is turndown service every night, which I really like. I nice to come back in the evening with a fresh set of towels, the beds turned down and the lights dimmed, and the little chocolates. Yes, I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.

There are many restaurants there, from very casual to AAA 5 diamond rated Victoria & Alberts. The quick service restaurant, Gasparillas, has good food and is open 24 hours. (except for the grill)

Also, there are two nice pools there, one that is near the beach and a smaller version of the Poly's volcano pool.

And yes, we do love that lobby too. It is just a very nice and relaxing atmosphere and having the live orchestra and piano really add to the ambience.

In spite of all this, there is still Disney all over the place, from the gift shops, to the character meals (breakfast & dinner), to the hidden mickeys in the halls and in the rooms. We just love staying there.

I would say definitely consider the GF!

Thank you so much. The GF has definitely made our list. I just asked DH again and he said he'd definitely want to stay there. As I mentioned before the pools are very important but so are the food options and that sounds like there would be no problem at all. Also would probably do Park Faire & GFC. Great - I'm getting excited! Thanks again - its nice to have a man's view.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Come on over to the NEW GF FAQ thread. We have new pics and its all updated.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1629507

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Will do. I'm heading out to do some shopping but that gives me something to look forward to when I get back. I peeked real quick & it looks great!

 

[Minnie*23]

I love the GF. Especially at/around Christmas. Yes, I did stay at Sugar Loaf which is concierge. That was my favorite building. If you do stay there maybe you can be upgraded. It is beautiful. Of course it is fancy, but I LOVED it.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We love the GF - of course we're also crazy about YC and really like the Poly.

We've stayed garden view and "theme Park View" and had a wonderful time. This is the first resort we stayed at with our younger kids (starting in 2003) so it always holds a special place in our hearts.

Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that the GF isn't kid friendly or is too "stuffy". You'll see lots of kids swimming in the GF pools and they act exactly like every other kid - no stuffiness at all.

Have a wonderful time deciding - I change my mind on resorts constantly!