(2014-2020) Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA + VILLAS Information & Questions

[ITALIANNYC]

Hi All. Currently have copper creek villas booked but have a chance to go grand floridan villas for slightly more.

Last time we stayed at animal kingdom lodge. I was thinking of getting a change from the lodge idea lol

How fast is it to get to Epcot by monorail. I truly love the idea of it being on the monorail line.

Is it as beautiful as it looks? Does it feel “ Disney “ at all

We’re just two adults going and I’m celebrating my wife’s 30th

Seems like it would feel a little more “ grand “

Are they bars at the pool or bar options at night?

Is the standard view nice?

And lastly, I was reading that the beach pool will be shut down till spring 2018. I thought it originally was gonna be closed in November for refurb? I am worried that it will still be closed come end of July. Should I worry or do you think it will be finished? Also, are there photos of what they are gonna do to it?

Thanks so much and sorry for all the questions.

 

[pepperandchips]

Hey! Great place to ask your questions! You've got a lot of GF groupies here who might be a little biased though I do own at VGF but love both lodges!

How fast is it to get to Epcot by monorail. I truly love the idea of it being on the monorail line.

Not as fast as I would have hoped... you're 3 stops from the transfer and the Epcot monorail is kinda long. Nevertheless it's worth it to stay at the Grand and some days they were running buses to Epcot from the Grand as well (which would be your only good option from WL)

Is it as beautiful as it looks? Does it feel “ Disney “ at all

Yes and yes! I love the elegance without feeling like I'm clobbered over the head with Disney IP. There are great little Mary Poppins touches (and dumbo and others) all around if you stop to notice. And talk about the Disney service!

We’re just two adults going and I’m celebrating my wife’s 30th

Sounds like either is a great option, what does the wife think? Hard for me to pass up an opportunity to stay at the new Copper Creek rooms as they look so pristine!

Are they bars at the pool or bar options at night?

Um yes and you are right on the monorail for further exploring! The poly is a short walk or one stop boat ride for Trader Sams and Tambu Lounge and Mizners at the GF is one of my favorite bars on property (super classy) plus they serve some items from Citricos which are scrumptious to say the least. I love the monorail crawl which you could do from either resort and would be a great 30th celebration. Don't miss Geyser Point even if you swap to the Grand!

Is the standard view nice?

depends which standard you're assigned - you could get a fireworks view or a roof view but perhaps if you mention you're celebrating you could get a nice view.

Hope that helps!

 

[ITALIANNYC]

Hey! Great place to ask your questions! You've got a lot of GF groupies here who might be a little biased though I do own at VGF but love both lodges!


Not as fast as I would have hoped... you're 3 stops from the transfer and the Epcot monorail is kinda long. Nevertheless it's worth it to stay at the Grand and some days they were running buses to Epcot from the Grand as well (which would be your only good option from WL)


Yes and yes! I love the elegance without feeling like I'm clobbered over the head with Disney IP. There are great little Mary Poppins touches (and dumbo and others) all around if you stop to notice. And talk about the Disney service!


Sounds like either is a great option, what does the wife think? Hard for me to pass up an opportunity to stay at the new Copper Creek rooms as they look so pristine!


Um yes and you are right on the monorail for further exploring! The poly is a short walk or one stop boat ride for Trader Sams and Tambu Lounge and Mizners at the GF is one of my favorite bars on property (super classy) plus they serve some items from Citricos which are scrumptious to say the least. I love the monorail crawl which you could do from either resort and would be a great 30th celebration. Don't miss Geyser Point even if you swap to the Grand!

depends which standard you're assigned - you could get a fireworks view or a roof view but perhaps if you mention you're celebrating you could get a nice view.

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much! Do you have any information on the pool closing? I can’t find much about what they are doing but it says work was supposed to begin Jan 2 and be finished spring 2018

 

[HappyMomma]

Thank you so much! Do you have any information on the pool closing? I can’t find much about what they are doing but it says work was supposed to begin Jan 2 and be finished spring 2018

Hi Italinannyc! I'm taking our first PLANNED trip to the GF in April. We are generally HUGE Poly fans. After some issues we had at the Poly on our last stay we were upgraded to a Suite with Club Level for one night at the Grand. We were floored with how majestic and classy the GF is. All of the staff in every part of the building were above and beyond. We vowed to stay at the GF again if we had the chance. We were all booked for the Poly this year but when the discounts came out the Poly was only 10% off and the GF was 20% off. We could get club level at the GF for only 500 more than the standard room we had at the Poly. Now when I tell you I adore the Poly, it's an understatement. I read and research everything poly I can between visits to stay on top and feel a bit of that magic so for me to switch to GF with such a small tip in the scale says something. I really think you'll enjoy your stay there.

As far at the beach pool. I booked a cabana for a full day this April. And I believe the cabanas are at the beach pool so they wouldn't have allowed me to book it if they weren't planning to have the pool open. At least I don't believe so anyway.

ETA.... forgot to mention that there was a live jazz band playing in the lounge. We couldn't go in the lounge with our kids but it was hard to peel us away from the lobby where you could hear it as well. Love, love, loved!

 

[MommyGina]

No more soft serve at Gaspies???? Oh no. I loved the soft serve. Just one more thing that is gone from the GF.

 

[saintrob]

Does anyone know why there is no availabilty for SL for the whole of June, July or August? There is availability in every other area of the GF so I don't think it's sold out. Is a refurb the more likely reason that I can't book? We've just returned from the BWI and I've booked a bounceback - I wanted SL but have taken the CR to guarantee the rate.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

Hi Italinannyc! I'm taking our first PLANNED trip to the GF in April. We are generally HUGE Poly fans. After some issues we had at the Poly on our last stay we were upgraded to a Suite with Club Level for one night at the Grand. We were floored with how majestic and classy the GF is. All of the staff in every part of the building were above and beyond. We vowed to stay at the GF again if we had the chance. We were all booked for the Poly this year but when the discounts came out the Poly was only 10% off and the GF was 20% off. We could get club level at the GF for only 500 more than the standard room we had at the Poly. Now when I tell you I adore the Poly, it's an understatement. I read and research everything poly I can between visits to stay on top and feel a bit of that magic so for me to switch to GF with such a small tip in the scale says something. I really think you'll enjoy your stay there.

As far at the beach pool. I booked a cabana for a full day this April. And I believe the cabanas are at the beach pool so they wouldn't have allowed me to book it if they weren't planning to have the pool open. At least I don't believe so anyway.

ETA.... forgot to mention that there was a live jazz band playing in the lounge. We couldn't go in the lounge with our kids but it was hard to peel us away from the lobby where you could hear it as well. Love, love, loved!

This is what undercover tourist says

• Jan. 2-Spring 2018: The Grand Floridian Beach Pool & Pool Bar will be undergoing refurbishment. During this time, it is possible guests may see or hear construction, but noise should not be heard from guest rooms between dusk and 9:00 a.m. The water play area and mug refill station will still be available at this location. In addition, all other dining locations and the Courtyard Pool will be available.

And here’s a link saying it was supposed to close in nov

http://www.chipandco.com/grand-flor...refurbishment-beginning-november-20th-281475/

 

[HappyMomma]

This is what undercover tourist says

• Jan. 2-Spring 2018: The Grand Floridian Beach Pool & Pool Bar will be undergoing refurbishment. During this time, it is possible guests may see or hear construction, but noise should not be heard from guest rooms between dusk and 9:00 a.m. The water play area and mug refill station will still be available at this location. In addition, all other dining locations and the Courtyard Pool will be available.

And here’s a link saying it was supposed to close in nov

http://www.chipandco.com/grand-flor...refurbishment-beginning-november-20th-281475/

All I know is that they allowed me to rent a cabana on April 18 right in the middle of what they're calling a construction zone. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[ITALIANNYC]

All I know is that they allowed me to rent a cabana on April 18 right in the middle of what they're calling a construction zone. Take it for what it's worth.

Then I think its all ok. I can see what you mean by the majestic ness and classiness of the hotel. It looks amazing. I have copper creek villas booked right now and am really considering switching. I just don't know if its worth the extra 400 added to the trip

 

[HappyMomma]

Then I think its all ok. I can see what you mean by the majestic ness and classiness of the hotel. It looks amazing. I have copper creek villas booked right now and am really considering switching. I just don't know if its worth the extra 400 added to the trip

Being at a monorail resort is worth the extra 400 IMO. But everyone is different. You could figure average commute times of the monorail vs whatever other transportation you'd plan to take. Then subtract to find the difference and then multiply that by your hourly wage you earn working. If it comes out to how much you make per hour or close, it's worth it. Because that's how much your time is worth when not on vacation. That's how we justify hiring out services too. My husband and I are weirdos.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does anyone know why there is no availabilty for SL for the whole of June, July or August? There is availability in every other area of the GF so I don't think it's sold out. Is a refurb the more likely reason that I can't book? We've just returned from the BWI and I've booked a bounceback - I wanted SL but have taken the CR to guarantee the rate.

I seem to recall someone making this same observation around here sometime recently. In my experience, such a big block of no availability does seem odd and would imply something could be going on. But who knows, I guess!

 

[MommyGina]

Saintrob - I asked the same question about SL and no availability from June-August. Maybe it's time for me to look at another resort if we do decide to go to WDW this summer.

 

[saintrob]

Saintrob - I asked the same question about SL and no availability from June-August. Maybe it's time for me to look at another resort if we do decide to go to WDW this summer.

We love SL in the summer as it's so convenient for the pool. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that availability will open up but we've booked the CR in the meantime. I do think a refurb could be likely as some of the rooms did look in need of a coat of paint.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We love SL in the summer as it's so convenient for the pool. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that availability will open up but we've booked the CR in the meantime. I do think a refurb could be likely as some of the rooms did look in need of a coat of paint.

I agree with this. While not complaint worthy, my GF SL room in April was among the more beat up / showing its age rooms I've had at DW in awhile, especially the bathroom. I'll get for saying this out loud on this thread, but part of me thinks it's time for a major overhaul to the toilet/shower area. That's where our room felt the most off.

 

[ZZUB]

We stayed SL last summer and really enjoyed it. We were looking forward to going back this year, and am also curious why no availability. A few weeks before we arrived, they had a huge chunk of the ceiling fall and they closed the lounge and were re-directing people to RPC. Talk about your mixed blessings. I wonder if they are planning a major overhaul of the space. As much as we enjoyed SL, the lounge atmosphere was a little Embassy Suiteish.

Our room itself was in good shape, but I agree with my friend whose team will not be winning the national championship on Monday night, the bathrooms need considerable work! The tub/toilet room was pretty dated. But I can't imagine they're redoing the bathrooms in SL and not the rest of the resort. My guess is whatever caused the ceiling chunk to fall last summer needs a more serious, lengthy repair.

Roll Tide!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

We stayed SL last summer and really enjoyed it. We were looking forward to going back this year, and am also curious why no availability. A few weeks before we arrived, they had a huge chunk of the ceiling fall and they closed the lounge and were re-directing people to RPC. Talk about your mixed blessings. I wonder if they are planning a major overhaul of the space. As much as we enjoyed SL, the lounge atmosphere was a little Embassy Suiteish.

Our room itself was in good shape, but I agree with my friend whose team will not be winning the national championship on Monday night, the bathrooms need considerable work! The tub/toilet room was pretty dated. But I can't imagine they're redoing the bathrooms in SL and not the rest of the resort. My guess is whatever caused the ceiling chunk to fall last summer needs a more serious, lengthy repair.

Roll Tide!

Yeah, Embassy Suiteish for sure. Especially an Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa. Dreadful.

I kid, I kid.....

Go Dawgs!

 

[mrsap]

Yeah, Embassy Suiteish for sure. Especially an Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa. Dreadful.

I kid, I kid.....

Go Dawgs!

 

[ZZUB]

Yeah, Embassy Suiteish for sure. Especially an Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa. Dreadful.

Fortunately, we have 16 national championship trophies to display in that dreadful atrium. Gussies up the place. I reckon if we only had a Liberty Bowl trophy to look at , it would be awful.

If anyone finds out what's going on in SL this summer, please post here.

RTR!

 

[pepperandchips]

Yeah, Embassy Suiteish for sure. Especially an Embassy Suites in Tuscaloosa. Dreadful.

I kid, I kid.....

Go Dawgs!

I was really wondering why you even liked that despicable Alabama post

 

[HappyMomma]

I have to admit all the negative comments about Sugar Loaf are making me nervous.

This is my first time staying CL on purpose. We were granted one night with RPC last trip. Now I feel like we are slumming it. LOL As an aside, is there any real reason I should email IPO? I did all of my own ressies. And I intend to do all of my own FP as I'm a control freak and don't trust anyone.