Thanks! Yes, I was aware of that. Not my favorite area, to be sure! But this trip for me is more about the "littles", so I'll deal with the kids splash area.
GADisneyDad, now you have me re-thinking (a good thing). I don't know if I want to be sitting by the splash pad area. It looks like it's maybe too separate / too far from the Beach Pool? Then again, a whole group of 8 people... it might be hard to find chairs at the Beach Pool on a Saturday in August. Hmm... cancel and hope to find chairs? Or keep as a pool day "reserved home base" and walk back and forth to the Beach Pool? The "littles" in my group might play at the splash pad some, but will probably want to spend more time at the actual pool.
At least you can dwell on it up to the day prior. So many things can change between now and then.
All really great considerations and I appreciate your input! I'm definitely not doing a cabana. They weren't available so I didn't even have to consider whether or not I'd pay that price (which I probably would not). The $159 poolside patio seemed okay for an all-day dedicated space, with shade and seating for 8, including drinks. I go pretty often and typically spend most days at the resort with lots of pool time (late afternoon/evening park gal here). My pool "must have" is a chair in the shade, which I've never had trouble getting. In this case though... group of 8... August... Hot... Makes me nervous about no shade, no chairs or chairs not together. The "eyes on" question is a good one, but I do think we have enough grown-ups to keep a firm eye on the littles, even if we're having to run back and forth. It's just too bad there are no poolside patios at the beach pool.At least you can dwell on it up to the day prior. So many things can change between now and then.
I don't even need a chair. I dump my stuff and sit in the water for 20-40 mins then I am out. The only time I ever did a "thing" was the patio at poly on my going home day. For the $55 or so that was worth it to have a home base. I don't mind spending $$$ on things I enjoy but I would not ever use a cabana long enough to justify the rate at GF.
However I have 2 friends that love the cabanas. They like to sit outside for hours and it works for them. It all depends on purpose. Do you want to just sit and enjoy being at gf? Then it will work. If you need to have eyes on the kiddos? Maybe not.
Decisions decisions lol. Disney Planning takes up a lot of our time
Thanks for mentioning this video. I hadn't seen it and have been interested in more information the Outer Building Suites. I found Tim Tracker's video helpful. Grand Floridian - Outer Building 1 Bedroom Suite Theme Park View... The online description says "sleeps up to 4 adults" and then lists "1 King Bed and 2 Queen-Size Sleeper Sofas". Wouldn't 2 Queens plus 1 King equal 6 adults? Tim Tracker's video showed 1 King Bed in the bedroom and 1 Sleeper Sofa in the living room. I didn't see a 2nd Sleeper Sofa. It appears that the online room description of sleeping space is incorrect. The suite looks pretty cool, nice balconies (though the bug situation was awful), but 1 King and 1 Sleeper Sofa seems like very little actual sleeping space for such a pricey room. The Grand Floridian "Outer Bldg - 1 Bedroom Ste" (no park view) description online shows "sleeps up to 6 adults" and lists "2 Queen Beds and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa". Online photos seem to indicate that that suite is up in the dormers though, with no balcony in the living room area (ugh). In either case, the price point is such that it would be more cost effective to just get 2 rooms, or try to rent a Villa. The 2 Bedroom Suite... extremely high pricing, online photos also make it appear to be up in the dormers, and also appears to have no balcony off the living room. Interesting.
Years ago there was a website that posted all the suites at GF. There are many different configurations. Some have a bar and an extra small balcony for example. If you walk GF grounds you can see most on 5th floor but some are not. So it’s hard to know what you would get, However if you need something you can always call and request one.
After our trip last week I can’t imagine wearing masks gain, especially in the heat of summer.OH NO after todays announcement I dread the way things are going!!!! What to do???
My trip is not till Dec still hoping things go back the other way!!!!
Thanks! I guess my brother is training for a marathon and needs to keep it up at Disney. First time I heard of it lol. He'll be happy to hear!Yes, the gym is open! Enjoy.
Pages 6-8 of this thread I posted tons of pix.
December is a great time to visit GF and the gingerbread house is back this year !Well we just decided to postpone our trip from Sept, 21 to Dec, 22.Hopefully the virus will be less contagious by then. We are still going to GF.
