Upgrade to Grand Floridian for $800?

[traylorc]

Honestly I can see the debate between different Deluxes but between a mod and the GF? I just don't see it as a debate.

Agreed. I would go for the upgrade.

 

[praline3001]

Not the best route to take regardless of which building you're in as the launch heads to the Polynesian after leaving the GF before going to the MK. It is a great way to travel to the MK from the Polynesian however.

Returning to the GF, the launch is very quick and a lovely way to travel regardless of your building.

To the OP, I think the GF is a bargain for $800 more/7 nights as long as it's a comfortable expense for you. Your kids will love the pool and beach and everyone will enjoy the convenience.

Not to get into any debates but if your in Conch or in one of the buildings close to the boat dock it actually is faster to take the boat to MK ... I know I timed it
You have to take into account the long walk to the main building, going through the lobby, up the stairs and then to the monorail station, wait for the monorail =)

Now if your in the main building or close to the main building the monorail is faster.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

YES!!!!

 

[BCV23]

Not to get into any debates but if your in Conch or in one of the buildings close to the boat dock it actually is faster to take the boat to MK ... I know I timed it
You have to take into account the long walk to the main building, going through the lobby, up the stairs and then to the monorail station, wait for the monorail =)

Now if your in the main building or close to the main building the monorail is faster.

We've had races like that, Praline.

But as much as I love the launches, I still think that on average you'll get to the MK faster using the monorail. The launches just vary so much. It depends on the captain, the number of people boarding at the Polynesian, strollers to fold etc.. And there are not as many launches as monorail trains so you're more likely to wait longer for one than for a monorail.

Both are fun ways to travel though.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

If you can swing the $800 do it! We stayed at GF in March of 08 and it was beautiful!!! It was a great place to stay!!!

If your concerned about room size you may consider upgrading to Poly instead of GF. DH and I stayed at Poly last month and the rooms were HUGE in comparison to other rooms we've stayed at in WDW! But, if you were to upgrade to Poly you may consider requesting a room in one of the building closer to the Grand Ceremonial House. We were in the tahiti building and it was a hike!

 

[George69]

Would POR be more child friendly?

 

[praline3001]

Would POR be more child friendly?

I do not know how GF got the bad rep of being not kid friendly

I have seen this many times but I have never seen it.
Shoot the lobby is overran by ankle biters in princess garb every mealtime!!!

There are tons of kids. They have their own kids' activities director that has tons of games and fun stuff by the pool every day for kids.
They have the campfire sing along beach party thing at night... along with showing cartoons on the beach.

They have an arcade full of kid games and even the CLAW
The pool has a water slide that is for kids... and a splash area for kids as well.

My kids have never felt uncomfy here and love staying at the GF. The cm's are always so sweet and have kind things to say to the kids. NOT once has me having kids made me feel less welcomed.

 

[dpndka]

I do not know how GF got the bad rep of being not kid friendly

I think some people are just intimated by the resort because of its "grand" reputation. I felt a bit nervous also before our first stay last year. But we had a great time. Our boys loved the resort.

 

[iakot]

Would POR be more child friendly?

I don't think "child friendly" is quite the right way to express it. Disney takes care of the kids at all the resorts. In that respect, they are all kid friendly.

GF is just decorated for the older crowed. Kids love the value resorts because of the fun themes. Unless you have precocious kids that like to read Little Women, GF is not a fun theme for little kids. I think they would be more intrigued by a place like Poly or POR.

With the ages of your kids, you can really benefit from the Monorail access to MK. Of the 3 resorts on the Monorail, I think Poly would be the most interesting for kids. I also think Poly is a little cheaper than GF.

However, since you are a party of 5, your options for 1 standard room are POR and GF. You can't fit 5 in Poly. Are you sure $800 is the right amount for GF? For July, the difference is $963 (the difference in the cost of 4 nights).

 

[praline3001]

GF is just decorated for the older crowed. Kids love the value resorts because of the fun themes. Unless you have precocious kids that like to read Little Women, GF is not a fun theme for little kids. I think they would be more intrigued by a place like Poly or POR.

I couldn't disagree more. Seriously I have 2 teenage boys who will only pick up a book on pain of punishment. If given a choice between a value or GF? They would laugh at me and ask me if I was serious

Just because a kid doesn't like Little women type tea parties doesn't mean they don't like nice digs

 

[praline3001]

I think some people are just intimated by the resort because of its "grand" reputation. I felt a bit nervous also before our first stay last year. But we had a great time. Our boys loved the resort.

I will admit the front lobby is very grand. I guess for some it has that "shhhh whisper and be on your best behavior" feel to it. But even the main lobby has a kids sitting area ..with tiny little chairs and TV and all.. its cute!

For those who have never stayed at the GF ... and have only been in the main lobby I can see how you could get the impression the entire resort is like this but thats far from the truth. There is just as much for kids to do if not more at the GF than the other resorts.
Make sure to check the activities board at the pool for scheduled kids activities if you stay there.

 

[KatMark]

I couldn't disagree more. Seriously I have 2 teenage boys who will only pick up a book on pain of punishment. If given a choice between a value or GF? They would laugh at me and ask me if I was serious

Just because a kid doesn't like Little women type tea parties doesn't mean they don't like nice digs

I truly believe it depends on the personality of the child. At very young ages and then as they got older my boys said they would not stay at the GF. Now, I don't let my kids dictate where we stay, but I had no problem with it because my DH won't even walk in the place and I don't care for it myself. Your pictures are very well done, but I'm not impressed by the rooms. I'm not into the "tea parties" or the victorian theme or the lace stuff myself.

That's why there are so many different resorts at Disney--different strokes for different folks.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I booked a 14 night trip to the Beach Club but started to think about the Grand Floridian resort and the more I thought about it the more I wanted it. After a couple of months with more overtime than usual I went ahead and changed my booking to the GF and that is for a solo trip. I am really looking forward to my holiday.

PS can we please have a new GF faq thread????????????/

 

[KatMark]

I booked a 14 night trip to the Beach Club but started to think about the Grand Floridian resort and the more I thought about it the more I wanted it. After a couple of months with more overtime than usual I went ahead and changed my booking to the GF and that is for a solo trip. I am really looking forward to my holiday.

PS can we please have a new GF faq thread????????????/

There is a post from one of the webmasters that it should be up in the next 24 hours.

 

[praline3001]

I truly believe it depends on the personality of the child. At very young ages and then as they got older my boys said they would not stay at the GF. Now, I don't let my kids dictate where we stay, but I had no problem with it because my DH won't even walk in the place and I don't care for it myself. Your pictures are very well done, but I'm not impressed by the rooms. I'm not into the "tea parties" or the victorian theme or the lace stuff myself.

That's why there are so many different resorts at Disney--different strokes for different folks.

I totally agree with that... everyone has their favorites
But having such a wide spread statement as the PP made that the GF isn't kid friendly is way far from the truth.

 

[CarolA]

WOW, I am sorry to hear that your stay was so bad. We have stayed there since our DS13 was 1 1/2 and have never experienced what you have described but one incident with the bus. Our service has always been pretty good but everyone's experiences are different.

It's good that the op is getting different opinions.

I compare the service at the GF to a REAL deluxe resort like the Ritz Carlton Grand Lakes.

Disney doesn't measure up in ANY area but "location" Sorry, but the level of service and room quality Disney provides at this hotel gets it a 3 star rating by independent agencies. (AAA rates it higher, but considering how much money they make booking Disney it's hard to call them "independent" LOL!)

So for what Disney charges I expected what I get at the Ritz. That was an error. Disney "allows" you to stay, Ritz welcomes you.

 

[praline3001]

So for what Disney charges I expected what I get at the Ritz. That was an error. Disney "allows" you to stay, Ritz welcomes you.

But that is true of all of their resorts as everyone of them is overpriced. If someone is concerned about this aspect then there are some really nice off property resorts to stay at.

I can stay at a really nice Holiday inn express which has a full hot breakfast bar free of charge for $80 a night. This includes 2 queen beds with box springs .... a much nicer resort and much better deal than the values

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

However, since you are a party of 5, your options for 1 standard room are POR and GF. You can't fit 5 in Poly. Are you sure $800 is the right amount for GF? For July, the difference is $963 (the difference in the cost of 4 nights).

Yes, you can fit five in a standard Poly room. There are two queen beds and a day bed, and the rooms are huge. Seems like some of the rooms at BC/YC also have a day bed, but it has been about five years since we were at the BC.

Standard rooms at the CR also have two queens and a day bed, unless something has changed. There are quite a few deluxe options for families of five, but the only moderate that accommodates five in a regular room is POR (unless you count the cabins, which I think might be considered a moderate now).

 

[Finally08]

I don't think "child friendly" is quite the right way to express it. Disney takes care of the kids at all the resorts. In that respect, they are all kid friendly.

GF is just decorated for the older crowed. Kids love the value resorts because of the fun themes. Unless you have precocious kids that like to read Little Women, GF is not a fun theme for little kids. I think they would be more intrigued by a place like Poly or POR.

With the ages of your kids, you can really benefit from the Monorail access to MK. Of the 3 resorts on the Monorail, I think Poly would be the most interesting for kids. I also think Poly is a little cheaper than GF.

However, since you are a party of 5, your options for 1 standard room are POR and GF. You can't fit 5 in Poly. Are you sure $800 is the right amount for GF? For July, the difference is $963 (the difference in the cost of 4 nights).

I think any little girl would love this place. I grew up watching Polyanna and Mary Poppins and I felt like I entered their world when I walked into the GF!

 

[George69]

I checked online to see availability for my dates and AKL and Sarasota(sp?) were also available, but club level suites or something like that and way more than the GF Garden View difference....so it was the cheapest deluxe avail. for my dates. The 800.00 price diff...as far as how I got that...I looked at web site and compared it with POR 4/3 and Garden View and 800. was the diff. I did it 3 times, I don't think I missed anything in price diff. (hope not). I have to call Disney this weekend and see if there is anything else maybe not seen on the website????