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

[Tessaf]

Are taxis readily available like they are at the Polynesian? Heading for our first GF trip next week and rope dropping Hollywood Studios for a boarding group for Rise of the Resistance. Would rather make a decision between bus or taxi then using Uber or Lyft.

We’ve done 3 stays at the GF and use taxi’s to go everywhere but the MK. There has always been taxi’s available right away. I usually see at least 3 parked across the street waiting to be needed.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Are taxis readily available like they are at the Polynesian? Heading for our first GF trip next week and rope dropping Hollywood Studios for a boarding group for Rise of the Resistance. Would rather make a decision between bus or taxi then using Uber or Lyft.

We stayed at the GF in November and used a taxi a couple times. Both times the only waiting taxi was a big 15 passenger van. I felt bad using it when there was just 2 of us, but the driver didn't mind and the cost was the same as a regular taxi.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We stayed at the GF in November and used a taxi a couple times. Both times the only waiting taxi was a big 15 passenger van. I felt bad using it when there was just 2 of us, but the driver didn't mind and the cost was the same as a regular taxi.

We use taxis when staying at the WDW resorts instead of Uber, Lyft or Minnie Vans and we have frequently been given the big passenger vans. I never feel bad about it since they are getting a fare instead of sitting idle.

We had trouble this summer, though, getting a taxi that was willing to travel from WL to GF. We had to wait about 25 minutes for one since no one wanted to take a fare such a short distance. They told us that we should have used Uber or Lyft instead since we would have gotten a ride sooner from them.

 

[mrsap]

We use taxis when staying at the WDW resorts instead of Uber, Lyft or Minnie Vans and we have frequently been given the big 15 passenger vans. I never feel bad about it since they are getting a fare instead of sitting idle.

We had trouble this summer, though, getting a taxi that was willing to travel from WL to GF. We had to wait about 25 minutes for one since no one wanted to take a fare such a short distance. They told us that we should have used Uber or Lyft instead since we would have gotten a ride sooner from them.

We had an issue last summer when we did a fireworks cruise at the Polynesian! We were leaving from Boardwalk, and we were a group of eight. For whatever reason, the CM at the front podium could not get one car/van to take all of us, so we took two separate cars to get there. On the way back from the Grand Floridian, they had one of the bigger vans, but the driver said at first that there were too many of us and we couldn’t fit... we ended up waiting there at least 15 minutes or so and then the guy came back and said what the heck and told us to get in! I think he felt bad we were sitting around waiting for the bigger van. We did not see any that fit 15 people though! We Always have a car with us and would normally drive, but since we were stopping at Trader Sam’s before the cruise, we just wanted to safe way to get everyone home.

 

[Surgie2]

Does the Princess Promenade still take place at the GF?

 

[AngiTN]

We use taxis when staying at the WDW resorts instead of Uber, Lyft or Minnie Vans and we have frequently been given the big passenger vans. I never feel bad about it since they are getting a fare instead of sitting idle.

We had trouble this summer, though, getting a taxi that was willing to travel from WL to GF. We had to wait about 25 minutes for one since no one wanted to take a fare such a short distance. They told us that we should have used Uber or Lyft instead since we would have gotten a ride sooner from them.

I’ve had problems like that before ride share came about. One of the number one reasons I use and love ride share. We do a lot of short trips taxis turn down

 

[grannyminnie]

I actually used Lyft last week for the first time, and found it very helpful, inexpensive, and the drivers friendly. (a couple of them hard to understand tho!)

 

[Grant Parkins]

We use taxis when staying at the WDW resorts instead of Uber, Lyft or Minnie Vans and we have frequently been given the big passenger vans. I never feel bad about it since they are getting a fare instead of sitting idle.

We had trouble this summer, though, getting a taxi that was willing to travel from WL to GF. We had to wait about 25 minutes for one since no one wanted to take a fare such a short distance. They told us that we should have used Uber or Lyft instead since we would have gotten a ride sooner from them.

I'm curious, why do you prefer taxis to rideshares? I see lots of folks recommend Uber/Lyft to get around WDW, so I'm interested in hearing the other side

 

[mrsap]

I'm curious, why do you prefer taxis to rideshares? I see lots of folks recommend Uber/Lyft to get around WDW, so I'm interested in hearing the other side

I know you didn’t ask me, but when we used taxis last trip, it was because they were already outside in both instances we needed them! They were more expensive than an Uber, but we didn’t feel like waiting around to summon one.

 

[PolyTigger]

Has anyone used uber to get to Celebrations form GF and back?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I've rented cabanas at GF before but never heard of the poolside patio rentals until recently.

Has anyone done them? Price and hours?

We are arriving on 4th of July (very early - plane lands at 8 AM!) and I was thinking of using either a cabana or poolside patio as a home base until room is ready.

 

[AngiTN]

I've rented cabanas at GF before but never heard of the poolside patio rentals until recently.

Has anyone done them? Price and hours?

We are arriving on 4th of July (very early - plane lands at 8 AM!) and I was thinking of using either a cabana or poolside patio as a home base until room is ready.

Are they not the same thing?
I just got home from there and the only thing I saw are the cabanas, the white awning/tent things, there are what, 4? We rented one last summer
I'm not aware of anything else, or I totally missed it. Maybe at the DVC pool? I didn't go there

 

[Surgie2]

I've rented cabanas at GF before but never heard of the poolside patio rentals until recently.

We rented a “poolside patio” at the Poly. Was not aware GF has them. They are much simpler (and cheaper) than the traditional cabana at GF. No curtains, just the pool furniture under an open air structure with a roof. They do a set up with towels and came by for beverage and food service but nothing was included...no water, fruit, etc. But it was just fine.

Where did you hear about poolside patios and was if definitely at GF?

 

[mrsap]

I've rented cabanas at GF before but never heard of the poolside patio rentals until recently.

Has anyone done them? Price and hours?

We are arriving on 4th of July (very early - plane lands at 8 AM!) and I was thinking of using either a cabana or poolside patio as a home base until room is ready.

These are the Poolside Patio sets. Over by the main pool across from the Sugar Loaf building.





Cabanas at the Beach pool:

 

[AngiTN]

These are the Poolside Patio sets. Over by the main pool across from the Sugar Loaf building.


View attachment 467843


Cabanas at the Beach pool:

Oh yeah, I did see that last summer.

 

[dansdad]

I'm curious, why do you prefer taxis to rideshares? I see lots of folks recommend Uber/Lyft to get around WDW, so I'm interested in hearing the other side

Another possibility is that some people do not like using their phones/apps to pay for stuff. I know a lot of people who refuse to have their credit card information stored on a device or app.

 

[crazycheryl]

I know you didn’t ask me, but when we used taxis last trip, it was because they were already outside in both instances we needed them! They were more expensive than an Uber, but we didn’t feel like waiting around to summon one.

Same reason we would take one when we stayed at Poly. So much easier to just hop in.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm curious, why do you prefer taxis to rideshares? I see lots of folks recommend Uber/Lyft to get around WDW, so I'm interested in hearing the other side

Another possibility is that some people do not like using their phones/apps to pay for stuff. I know a lot of people who refuse to have their credit card information stored on a device or app.

Same reason we would take one when we stayed at Poly. So much easier to just hop in.

These are two of the reasons we don't use a ride share app - the taxis are waiting at the resorts and there isn't much of a wait and we don't like to use our phones/apps to pay for stuff. With a taxi we can pay cash, which is safer.

The third reason we don't use the ride shares is that we feel confident that the taxi driver won't get lost, knows what they are doing, and are "safe", meaning not criminals. And I feel sorry for the taxi drivers who are having their lively hoods affected by the rides shares.

 

[Jack_Sparrow_NJ]

These are two of the reasons we don't use a ride share app - the taxis are waiting at the resorts and there isn't much of a wait and we don't like to use our phones/apps to pay for stuff. With a taxi we can pay cash, which is safer.

The third reason we don't use the ride shares is that we feel confident that the taxi driver won't get lost, knows what they are doing, and are "safe", meaning not criminals. And I feel sorry for the taxi drivers who are having their lively hoods affected by the rides shares.

Unless things have changed, Lyft and Disney worked out an agreement where Lyft is their official Rideshare Partner. This is for both the Minivans and regular cars. This gives them access that taxis don't have and they certainly know the layout of the property. You will be safer in a Lyft where you know the drivers name and license information than in just a taxi that drove up. If you really are worried about using your credit card in the App you could always purchase a Lyft gift card

 

[AngiTN]

These are two of the reasons we don't use a ride share app - the taxis are waiting at the resorts and there isn't much of a wait and we don't like to use our phones/apps to pay for stuff. With a taxi we can pay cash, which is safer.

The third reason we don't use the ride shares is that we feel confident that the taxi driver won't get lost, knows what they are doing, and are "safe", meaning not criminals. And I feel sorry for the taxi drivers who are having their lively hoods affected by the rides shares.

I'm shocked you can pay cash with a Taxi. But you have a very huge misconception about who is driving a Taxi. They are no more safe than a private car driver via ride share. They can be a criminal just like any other person. They can be new and get lost, just like any person. They are just like any person. You can feel sorry for them and pay more all you like but please, know who it is you are paying and learn if you think being in a Taxi is making you somehow safer. It's not.

Unless things have changed, Lyft and Disney worked out an agreement where Lyft is their official Rideshare Partner. This is for both the Minivans and regular cars. This gives them access that taxis don't have and they certainly know the layout of the property. You will be safer in a Lyft where you know the drivers name and license information than in just a taxi that drove up. If you really are worried about using your credit card in the App you could always purchase a Lyft gift card

No, not in any way shape or form. yes for Minnie Vans, as they are disney employees but not for regular private cars via Lyft. Disney only added on to the Lyft app for requesting a Minnie Van. There is no other agreement or partnership with the private car ride share.