Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Information & Questions + Construction Updates

[FastPasser.]

Hey guys I hope you like the new thread!! I Love The Grand and and I’m so happy to be part of the new thread!!

New here but not on the DIS. Great job on this thread MRSAP. I'm a big fan of the GF, so many great memories. I've never been there as a Guest but I spent a lot of time there as a CM many years ago. Started in Bell Services, then moved to the Front Desk and ended up as a Concierge in the Sugerloaf building. At one time I actually drove the white classic car that's out front. Does anyone remember the miniature old time street cars that were used to bring Guests to thier rooms when they checked in? Kids loved to ring the bell.

 

[MomOTwins]

Thanks! You’re the best. What about indoor restaurants? Are the ones at GF spaced to your liking or did you sense crowding? And are the monorails working at night so we can travel to CR or Poly for dinner there?

The only indoor table service open now is Grand Floridian Cafe. Honestly, it did feel a little packed, even though the tables are 6 feet apart. Enchanted Rose is the lounge, and we felt the spacing there tight in the main room with the bar, but better in the side room. We ate outdoors at the counter service, Gasparilla's; I'm not even sure if they had seats inside because DH picked up our food and brought it out.

The monorail hours are tied to the park hours, so it will depend on what time MK closes that night (generally, monorail runs 30 minutes after park close). If you are dining at a monorail hotel, there is a special bus that stops at all the resorts on the loop after the monorail closes that you can take back to GF. Note: if taking the monorail to Poly, you need to exit at TTC since the poly monorail station is under construction. There is also a walking path between Poly and GF.

Again, dining is somewhat limited at those resorts too though--At Poly, Kona, Tambu lounge, and the dole whip stand are open but O'hana, Tiki Terrace and Trader Sam's are not. At CR, Cali Grill and Wave are open, but Chef Mickey is breakfast only.

 

[mrsap]

The only indoor table service open now is Grand Floridian Cafe.

Thanks! You’re the best. What about indoor restaurants? Are the ones at GF spaced to your liking or did you sense crowding? And are the monorails working at night so we can travel to CR or Poly for dinner there?

Just to add, Narcoossee’s is also open. We ate there for Thanksgiving dinner, and it was excellent! The tables were very spaced out, and I did not feel it was crowded at all, especially with it being Thanksgiving.

Gasparilla’s is quick service, and we went in there several times for ice cream and lunch. There are indoor tables, which are also spaced out. There is also outdoor seating.

 

[mrsap]

New here but not on the DIS. Great job on this thread MRSAP. I'm a big fan of the GF, so many great memories. I've never been there as a Guest but I spent a lot of time there as a CM many years ago. Started in Bell Services, then moved to the Front Desk and ended up as a Concierge in the Sugerloaf building. At one time I actually drove the white classic car that's out front. Does anyone remember the miniature old time street cars that were used to bring Guests to thier rooms when they checked in? Kids loved to ring the bell.

Thank you for the very kind words and for visiting us! How fascinating! What an amazing place to work!! So cool you got to drive the classic car!!!! Any pictures to share?! You probably have so many great stories!!

 

[FastPasser.]

Any pictures to share?! You probably have so many great stories!!

It was before smart phones so no photos. Yes, so many stories and experiences. If you like the GF now, you would have loved it back then.

 

[ahcupcake]

New here but not on the DIS. Great job on this thread MRSAP. I'm a big fan of the GF, so many great memories. I've never been there as a Guest but I spent a lot of time there as a CM many years ago. Started in Bell Services, then moved to the Front Desk and ended up as a Concierge in the Sugerloaf building. At one time I actually drove the white classic car that's out front. Does anyone remember the miniature old time street cars that were used to bring Guests to thier rooms when they checked in? Kids loved to ring the bell.

Our first stay was the first week of August 1988, 5 weeks after the GF opened.
We were left some goodies in our room daily, slippers, a travel alarm clock and wrist watches(that still work btw)
I don't remember those cars just the golf cart style that took us to our room in Conch Key (any way I can find out what our room number was?). They sound like fun though.

I do miss the birds that were once housed in the lobby

 

[TheFloatingBear]

It is amazing how often you see reports like this around the DIS. I think those CMs are well-intentioned, but if they search/pull up the wrong thing or don’t know exactly what they are looking at, you end up with bad info. And they likely get cabana calls so few/far between, it’s just not something they are good at. I don’t mean that as an excuse, it’s just interesting how frequently this comes up.

Glad we got you on the right track.

And glad to see you around the DIS - it’s been awhile!

It definitely has, thanks! - nice to be back and planning a Disney escape! At the risk of repeating myself, we've never stayed here, so it's all new and I find that fun. One of my favorite things about Disney is no matter how many trips we've had, there's always a mix of family traditions and things we've never tried/done. We have yet to have a trip that we haven't done something new. Yes, however...true about info calls sometimes. She said she was looking at a map, but I was looking at the first page of the thread, but the pricing and other info was also a jumble so I figured I could always follow up here!

Dd and I really enjoyed Enchanted Rose. Since we are used to cl and parks are closing so early it saved us lol.

We could get whatever beverages we wanted, a few nice appetizers and the chance to get dressed up but you can wear regular park attire as well. Watch hours, the last hour they start “closing” and may refuse to seat you but you can order a beverage and sit in the lobby,

That is good to know, thanks - especially about the hours/closing! I just looked up some pictures and it looks really lovely! I'm going to look up the menu now and investigate specialty cocktails!

Happy to help! Good luck booking a cabana! They’re definitely a nice little addition to your day at the pool! Hope you both have a wonderful trip!

All of those pictures of the pool areas are really helpful - thanks so much for posting them! Hoping we can book something...we're both early risers and the kids are a bit older now, so the birthday plan is to rope drop MK for a couple of hours, let the teens sleep in and meet us, then relax at the pool and figure out some type of cake situation. Hoping since our trip isn't until June the park hours will be a little longer - fingers crossed!

 

[mrsap]

It definitely has, thanks! - nice to be back and planning a Disney escape! At the risk of repeating myself, we've never stayed here, so it's all new and I find that fun. One of my favorite things about Disney is no matter how many trips we've had, there's always a mix of family traditions and things we've never tried/done. We have yet to have a trip that we haven't done something new. Yes, however...true about info calls sometimes. She said she was looking at a map, but I was looking at the first page of the thread, but the pricing and other info was also a jumble so I figured I could always follow up here!



That is good to know, thanks - especially about the hours/closing! I just looked up some pictures and it looks really lovely! I'm going to look up the menu now and investigate specialty cocktails!




All of those pictures of the pool areas are really helpful - thanks so much for posting them! Hoping we can book something...we're both early risers and the kids are a bit older now, so the birthday plan is to rope drop MK for a couple of hours, let the teens sleep in and meet us, then relax at the pool and figure out some type of cake situation. Hoping since our trip isn't until June the park hours will be a little longer - fingers crossed!

I hope everything works out for you!!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Will the cabanas be sold out if we don’t reserve ahead of time? We are not sure which day(s) will be our pool days and are worried about what would happen in bad weather. Can they be reserved the same day or do they sell out quickly?

Sorry, I'm just catching up with things so I know you posted this a couple of days ago, but just wanted to throw in my two cents...we stayed at the Poly in 8/19 and it was kind of last minute trip. I tried to book a cabana in advance and couldn't, but they told me to check in when I was there. So, checked in a few times during the trip and got lucky with a cancelation, so I booked it for an afternoon. We rushed back from the park to take advantage of the time, but arrived to find out that CMs double booked the cancellation, and of course, we arrived *second* and the other family was already in the cabana. It was a big time waster figuring things out, etc., and then since it was August, it was tough to find chairs together and definitely no shade! We still had fun and it ended up being a running joke for the rest of the trip. Anyway, it's just one experience and probably doesn't happen often, but mix ups are probably less likely with advanced booking (plus just the limited availability and flexible cancelation policy).

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Hey @trishadono ( and anyone else that has been there): Did you just get cocktails at the Enchanted Rose or did you try any of the food, too? If so, what did you try / like / not like?

THANKS!

 

[FastPasser.]

I don't remember those cars just the golf cart style that took us to our room in Conch Key

Actually they were golf carts but with special bodies that looked like little street cars. They had a few regular golf carts too but maybe they didn't have the street cars when they first opened. As they wore out they were replaced by standard golf carts. I was there during the 10th anniversary period. I still have the commemorative pin.

 

[MermaidsMom]

Thanks! You’re the best. What about indoor restaurants? Are the ones at GF spaced to your liking or did you sense crowding? And are the monorails working at night so we can travel to CR or Poly for dinner there?

Please don’t travel if you have any health issues that cause concern! Guests are walking around the grounds at the GF, outdoors, alone, down paths without another person in sight with masks firmly in place. Very, very, very safe.

 

[Mzpalmtree]

Hey @trishadono ( and anyone else that has been there): Did you just get cocktails at the Enchanted Rose or did you try any of the food, too? If so, what did you try / like / not like?

THANKS!

I’m not Trishadono, but we did visit Enchanted Rose a few times on our last trip. We mostly had drinks but once we did get the truffle fries. They were delicious! Even my picky son loved them. When we go next I’d like to try the sliders or the flatbread.

 

[mrsap]

I’m not Trishadono, but we did visit Enchanted Rose a few times on our last trip. We mostly had drinks but once we did get the truffle fries. They were delicious! Even my picky son loved them. When we go next I’d like to try the sliders or the flatbread.

I love truffle fries!!!!!!!!! We were supposed to meet our friends at ER their last night, but I was exhausted and stayed in the room. I heard, repeatedly from my friend by text that night, that I missed the amazing truffle fries. To top it off, she even sent a picture of them to rub it in. I’m not bitter or anything

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

I’m not Trishadono, but we did visit Enchanted Rose a few times on our last trip. We mostly had drinks but once we did get the truffle fries. They were delicious! Even my picky son loved them. When we go next I’d like to try the sliders or the flatbread.

I love truffle fries!!!!!!!!! We were supposed to meet our friends at ER their last night, but I was exhausted and stayed in the room. I heard, repeatedly from my friend by text that night, that I missed the amazing truffle fries. To top it off, she even sent a picture of them to rub it in. I’m not bitter or anything

THANK you - both of you! I was planning a late Skipper Canteen dinner at MK one night on my trip, but now they extended the park hours which means my goal (walking out of an empty park) isn't going to happen. And this chickie isn't as young as she once was. SO I am thinking of cancelling the ADR and just going to the Enchanted Rose for "dinner".

I had drinks there in late 2019 but haven't eaten there yet. I think this is the new plan! (I'm on a solo trip!)

 

[ahcupcake]

Actually they were golf carts but with special bodies that looked like little street cars. They had a few regular golf carts too but maybe they didn't have the street cars when they first opened. As they wore out they were replaced by standard golf carts. I was there during the 10th anniversary period. I still have the commemorative pin.

Gotcha, if I saw them I don't remember them.
An RPC CM (now former) that we got to be friends with sent us 25th Anniversary buttons.

I need to win the lottery so I can open a few nights at my beloved GF and a few nights visiting my fave former RPC CM at her new resort

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Reaching out to see if anyone was at the GF last week (President's Day, big vacation week) and could let me know about crowding. We are going during the next big vacation week, (lead up to Easter, 3/27 to 4/3).

Were you concerned or didn't feel safe at the pool, in the restaurants, in the elevators, etc?

We've been locked down since March of last year and are spending the big money to stay on property as we feel it will be safe and people will be respecting distancing, masks, etc. Anything to report positive or negative during a busy vacation week?

Thanks!

Do you mind if I ask, do you have kids/will your kids be using the pools? I wanted to reply to this but it’s mostly n/a if children aren’t involved.

 

[boltjames]

Do you mind if I ask, do you have kids/will your kids be using the pools? I wanted to reply to this but it’s mostly n/a if children aren’t involved.

Yes....teen daughter, elementary school son. The idea each day would be to tackle a theme park from 9 to 12, come back to the GF to have lunch and swim in the pools, and then head back into the parks from 2 to closing. The typical "extra magic hours avoid the midday crowds and heat" strategy that has served us well in years passed, just without the extra magic.

We're paying a lot of money for the GF to begin with, and without the boating, dinner shows, fireworks, etc. its highly compromised as we know. It would be a disaster if we wanted to get a few hours at the GF pools each day from 12-2 and couldn't get four chairs together, were told the pool is at capacity, etc. And then crowding, in general, for the sake of safety with people in the pool not wearing masks being too close in proximity. So it's both of those things. Access and proximity.

 

[trishadono]

Hey @trishadono ( and anyone else that has been there): Did you just get cocktails at the Enchanted Rose or did you try any of the food, too? If so, what did you try / like / not like?

THANKS!

DD loves cheese lol so we did the charcuterie 3 or 4 times. The sliders were good too! We staying at CR for her birthday in March but going to ER at night just because its the closest to CL of the mono resorts. Tambu at poly good too. The outer rim at CR is just kinda lame. Although for togo would be nice.

 

[4forthemouse]

Yes....teen daughter, elementary school son. The idea each day would be to tackle a theme park from 9 to 12, come back to the GF to have lunch and swim in the pools, and then head back into the parks from 2 to closing. The typical "extra magic hours avoid the midday crowds and heat" strategy that has served us well in years passed, just without the extra magic.

We're paying a lot of money for the GF to begin with, and without the boating, dinner shows, fireworks, etc. its highly compromised as we know. It would be a disaster if we wanted to get a few hours at the GF pools each day from 12-2 and couldn't get four chairs together, were told the pool is at capacity, etc. And then crowding, in general, for the sake of safety with people in the pool not wearing masks being too close in proximity. So it's both of those things. Access and proximity.

We were there for 3 days President's week. The resort did not feel crazy AT ALL. It was in the mid 80s and when we went by the pools they had people in them, but were far from crowded. At that time you wouldn't have had any trouble getting chairs together mid day. There were only a couple kids on the splash pad area. We never had to ride with others in the elevator. The quick service restaurant was almost empty if you wanted to eat inside. Walking around the resort was relaxed and lovely.
On the other hand, the parks felt very crowded everywhere you went (the only park we didn't go to was Animal Kingdom), they felt the same to us as a busy week pre-Covid. It was just my husband and I so we didn't mind skipping rides and just walking around, but the waits were all cuckoo. We are heading back the same week you are with 2 kids and are hopeful the parks will be less crowded (wishful thinking I'm sure). We know our way around with touring and fastpasses in normal times so my kids have never had to wait 40+ minutes for any ride in the parks (and the big attractions were WAY longer), and I don't know how they'll react. We brought them last summer during Covid and there were no crowds (it was super fun even wearing a mask in the heat!). We're trying to brace them.
You will definitely feel more relaxed at the resort. Wish we were going back to Grand Floridian!!