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

[Lisann]

I'm probably the only one on these boards who actually loves the dormer rooms.

 

[HappyMomma]

I'm probably the only one on these boards who actually loves the dormer rooms.

I stayed in my first one this past week. I ended up LOVING it!! I'll actually request dormer rooms in the future. I don't like feeling like I'm stuffed in a tiny box like the regular rooms.

 

[gulliesmom]

Is the only way to get those beautiful 1 BR with kitchen rooms through DVC?? I have been looking on Youtube to get a sense of the resort and rooms and was just blown away by how gorgeous and huge the 1 BR villas are, WOW!!

One other question- what are the benefits of Club Level at the GF? I just realized there is a nominal price difference in the cost per day for a Standard Clob level vs. the Theme Park I have booked and wondering if the loss of Theme Park view is worth upgrading to Club Level. Again, it is Thanksgiving Week so I k now it will be super crowded, etc. Wondering if Club Level gives us breakfast or any other amenities that are worth the switch.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Question- when it is time to make our room request, what do you recommend? We have a reservation for an Outer Building Theme Park view. Is it correct that the dormer rooms (5th floor?) are smaller? Should I put in my request "non-dormer room"? Also, anyone know the quietest outer building theme park view rooms? We will be there Thanksgiving week so definitely looking for quieter once we are back at resort since we know crowds will be astronomical all day.

Yes, dormer rooms are smaller. I knew this from various sites. So I was really disappointed to get a dormer room. It seemed to be about 3 or 4 feet smaller, however, it had high dormered ceilings also (which was really nice). It just was too small for us, with a crib in that space. Had I not had a crib (or such a long stay), it would have been fine. I cant answer the rest of your questions, not sure. We stayed in Big Pine Key (which I did request) to be closer to the pools for our children.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I stayed in my first one this past week. I ended up LOVING it!! I'll actually request dormer rooms in the future. I don't like feeling like I'm stuffed in a tiny box like the regular rooms.

The dormered ceiling is nice, but we needed the extra floor space . And the enclosed balcony railings are nice for privacy, but we wanted our little one to be able to see out.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I am excited to experience the GF for the first time when we are there for Thanksgiving! The pics look beautiful.

It was also our first time. You will love it! And while I will try another resort next time to experience something new, I worry I might regret my choice!

 

[trishadono]

Is the only way to get those beautiful 1 BR with kitchen rooms through DVC?? I have been looking on Youtube to get a sense of the resort and rooms and was just blown away by how gorgeous and huge the 1 BR villas are, WOW!!

One other question- what are the benefits of Club Level at the GF? I just realized there is a nominal price difference in the cost per day for a Standard Clob level vs. the Theme Park I have booked and wondering if the loss of Theme Park view is worth upgrading to Club Level. Again, it is Thanksgiving Week so I k now it will be super crowded, etc. Wondering if Club Level gives us breakfast or any other amenities that are worth the switch.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-and-questions.3414590/

1st try learning about cl then come back with questions. Lol I would need to write a book to explain it all.

In the end I would pick cl over tpv at gf. The view just isn't as good as from poly or cr IMO.

Happy reading. Just scroll down to the gf sections. The foods and hours etc are all posted in that thread.

 

[baler31]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-club-level-cl-information-and-questions.3414590/

1st try learning about cl then come back with questions. Lol I would need to write a book to explain it all.

In the end I would pick cl over tpv at gf. The view just isn't as good as from poly or cr IMO.

Happy reading. Just scroll down to the gf sections. The foods and hours etc are all posted in that thread.

Agree, would choose CL over TPV every time.

 

[baler31]

I'm probably the only one on these boards who actually loves the dormer rooms.

This is why there is not a general “best room.” Everyone values different things and thankfully or we would all be competing for the same room. GF has a lot of good rooms and few poor IMO.

I don’t like the dormers. Mainly because they seem dark.

 

[trishadono]

Is the only way to get those beautiful 1 BR with kitchen rooms through DVC?? I have been looking on Youtube to get a sense of the resort and rooms and was just blown away by how gorgeous and huge the 1 BR villas are, WOW!!

One other question- what are the benefits of Club Level at the GF? I just realized there is a nominal price difference in the cost per day for a Standard Clob level vs. the Theme Park I have booked and wondering if the loss of Theme Park view is worth upgrading to Club Level. Again, it is Thanksgiving Week so I k now it will be super crowded, etc. Wondering if Club Level gives us breakfast or any other amenities that are worth the switch.

What we like about sugar loaf is the buildings convenient location, plentiful offerings compared to other cl's, rooms all have a nice view, with tea time with champagne upon request screams "I'm on vacation"!

Also cl biggest advantage is TIME SAVINGS.

You get back from the park and have to walk through the lounge anyways, might as well grab a water, juice coffee etc. Then you spot what's laid out for that time and remember you are hungry lol. Grab a plate and sit in lounge or carry up to the room.

Trays available upon request.

The paper to go coffee cups are in the drawer below where water dispense is . ( right wall when entering building)

I keep milk for ds in room using those cups. He loves cookies all hours of the day

I have heard certain discreet guests also use them to drink wine when needing to go incognito. However I do stroll with a beverage with clear cups too.

Beer and wine and sparkling upon request all day. If want a to go let them know to put in plastic. I often take to pool or to bus stop while I wait lol.

Saw on cl thread you booked. I think you'll be glad you did.

 

[trishadono]

This is a nice detailed video of a refurbished 1 bedroom cl suite. I have been watching for the new decor and never found any pix/video of one.

The suite looks lovely!

 

[HappyMomma]

Yes, dormer rooms are smaller. I knew this from looking at room pics on Touring pages. So I was really disappointed to get a dormer room. It was about 3 or 4 feet smaller, however, it had high dormered ceilings also (which was really nice). It just was too small for us, for a 9 day stay, with a crib in that space. Had I not had a crib (or such a long stay), it would have been fine. I cant answer the rest of your questions, not sure. We stayed in Big Pine Key (which I did request) to be closer to the pools for our children.

I was assured that the rooms had the same foot print as the regular rooms? I didn't notice a difference. And if there was, it certainly isn't 4 feet.

The dormered ceiling is nice, but we needed the extra floor space . And the enclosed balcony railings are nice for privacy, but we wanted our little one to be able to see out.

I'd love so see someone actually measure the rooms. The CL concierge assured me they were the same size as the other rooms. He said he reads the message boards and sees this info out there and has no idea how it got started as they are the same. The floor plan shows the rooms the same size and I didn't notice any difference. *IF* they are smaller, it certainly isn't four feet smaller. If you look just from the outside of the building you'll see that every dormer room is exactly above a standard room with the same spacing. the dormer rooms appear to be shorter from the outside as they are set back BUT, they are also in the smaller hallways set back inside too.

I'm taking a tape measure with me the next time I go because I think this is baloney. LOL. I have to see it for myself on a measuring stick.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I was assured that the rooms had the same foot print as the regular rooms? I didn't notice a difference. And if there was, it certainly isn't 4 feet.


I'd love so see someone actually measure the rooms. The CL concierge assured me they were the same size as the other rooms. He said he reads the message boards and sees this info out there and has no idea how it got started as they are the same. The floor plan shows the rooms the same size and I didn't notice any difference. *IF* they are smaller, it certainly isn't four feet smaller. If you look just from the outside of the building you'll see that every dormer room is exactly above a standard room with the same spacing. the dormer rooms appear to be shorter from the outside as they are set back BUT, they are also in the smaller hallways set back inside too.

I'm taking a tape measure with me the next time I go because I think this is baloney. LOL. I have to see it for myself on a measuring stick.

I wish you would measure. Official facts are good. Could it be a 2 feet difference, not 3 or 4? That is definitely possible. But having went from a Dormer to a regular room within one hour, with the same crib in it, I can tell you it was smaller for sure. Maybe the enclosed balcony railing also made it feel smaller. The balcony itself even felt smaller. I would love to see someone measure this.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I was assured that the rooms had the same foot print as the regular rooms? I didn't notice a difference. And if there was, it certainly isn't 4 feet.


I'd love so see someone actually measure the rooms. The CL concierge assured me they were the same size as the other rooms. He said he reads the message boards and sees this info out there and has no idea how it got started as they are the same. The floor plan shows the rooms the same size and I didn't notice any difference. *IF* they are smaller, it certainly isn't four feet smaller. If you look just from the outside of the building you'll see that every dormer room is exactly above a standard room with the same spacing. the dormer rooms appear to be shorter from the outside as they are set back BUT, they are also in the smaller hallways set back inside too.

I'm taking a tape measure with me the next time I go because I think this is baloney. LOL. I have to see it for myself on a measuring stick.

I just looked at a pic. This was our building, and to me, if you look at the doors on both the 5th floor and the lower floors, it does not look like it lines up to me. Maybe it just appears that way, but it looks like the dormers are recessed by a few feet. Which is what I felt it was from inside the room too. Either way, this amount definitely would not be an issue if someone did not need that extra space for a full sized crib.

.

I also want to add this link. The dormer rooms actually are a bit smaller, I wasn't imagining it. Take a look at the space between the bed closest to the balcony doors and the table next to it. That table is shoved in there, pretty much bumped up to the bed and the door wall. In a regular room, there is space between the bed and the table, as well as a bit of space between the table and the door wall. The writer also even states the dormer rooms are a bit smaller. http://www.victoriaonvacation.com/2014/07/review-grand-floridian-garden-view.html

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I was assured that the rooms had the same foot print as the regular rooms? I didn't notice a difference. And if there was, it certainly isn't 4 feet.


I'd love so see someone actually measure the rooms. The CL concierge assured me they were the same size as the other rooms. He said he reads the message boards and sees this info out there and has no idea how it got started as they are the same. The floor plan shows the rooms the same size and I didn't notice any difference. *IF* they are smaller, it certainly isn't four feet smaller. If you look just from the outside of the building you'll see that every dormer room is exactly above a standard room with the same spacing. the dormer rooms appear to be shorter from the outside as they are set back BUT, they are also in the smaller hallways set back inside too.

I'm taking a tape measure with me the next time I go because I think this is baloney. LOL. I have to see it for myself on a measuring stick.

I have been thinking about this all day (wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy!) and did some more reading. Allears says the dormer rooms are 3 feet smaller (which is what I thought). And the balcony in a dormer is smaller, which is what I also noticed when I went to my room change. http://allears.net/acc/faq_gf.htm

From Allears -
What is the difference between a standard room and a dormer ("attic") room?

Both types of rooms are furnished the same and contain the same features. The dormer rooms are actually a bit smaller (3 feet smaller) than the standard rooms, but seem larger, since dormer rooms feature vaulted ceilings. Standard rooms sleep 5 people, while dormer rooms sleep only 4. Dormer rooms are also the only rooms to feature a private balcony. Note the Dormer Room balconies are about half the "regular" room size. Standard rooms have balconies, but they are not private. From the outside of the resort, you can easily tell the two types apart. Rooms on the lower floors with wide balconies are the standard rooms. Rooms on the upper floors with balconies under peaked portions of the roof are the dormer rooms.

 

[trishadono]

I have had the dormer twice . Sorry I did t get more pix.

 

[pepperandchips]

Is the only way to get those beautiful 1 BR with kitchen rooms through DVC?? I have been looking on Youtube to get a sense of the resort and rooms and was just blown away by how gorgeous and huge the 1 BR villas are, WOW!!

You can sometimes book the DVC villas through disney regular reservations like you would a standard room. None of us really understand how disney allocates their inventory of DVC points. Typically one bedrooms are the easiest reservation to get for a DVC member, not sure how that affects "cash" availability.

Be VERY careful booking one of those gorgeous one bedroom units at the Grand though. It's now why I own DVC

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I have had the dormer twice . Sorry I did t get more pix.

View attachment 319659 View attachment 319658

This pic of the side table next to the bed shows that it is smaller, as I had been saying. That table is squeezed into that space, unlike the other rooms.

 

[trishadono]

This pic of the side table next to the bed shows that it is smaller, as I had been saying. That table is squeezed into that space, unlike the other rooms.

Yes the footage lacks there. However you gain ceiling height so doesn't seem noticeable.

 

[gulliesmom]

View attachment 319535 View attachment 319536


What we like about sugar loaf is the buildings convenient location, plentiful offerings compared to other cl's, rooms all have a nice view, with tea time with champagne upon request screams "I'm on vacation"!

Also cl biggest advantage is TIME SAVINGS.

You get back from the park and have to walk through the lounge anyways, might as well grab a water, juice coffee etc. Then you spot what's laid out for that time and remember you are hungry lol. Grab a plate and sit in lounge or carry up to the room.

Trays available upon request.

The paper to go coffee cups are in the drawer below where water dispense is . ( right wall when entering building)

I keep milk for ds in room using those cups. He loves cookies all hours of the day

I have heard certain discreet guests also use them to drink wine when needing to go incognito. However I do stroll with a beverage with clear cups too.

Beer and wine and sparkling upon request all day. If want a to go let them know to put in plastic. I often take to pool or to bus stop while I wait lol.

Saw on cl thread you booked. I think you'll be glad you did.

YES!! I am so glad I upgraded to CL. Only adding $200 to our entire reservation and seems like a no-brainer.