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

[dina7]

Delta just changed our flights, so instead of arriving on 11/20 at 6:30 pm, we arrive at 10:30 am. While the thought of waking up at 4:30 am doesn't thrill me, I am slowly starting to embrace the idea that we now have a nice chunk of a day to enjoy the resort/do other things when we arrive.

We are booked in an Outer Building Theme Park view room. Any idea what time rooms are usually ready? I am guessing by the time we arrive at the resort it will be close to noon (we are using DME for transportation). Trying to decide if we should hand carry our luggage and then leave it with concierge and then go off and explore, maybe do DS for shopping and lunch, then come back for when room is ready. We never check bags when we travel so I don't want to pay to check bags just for the convenience of the DME handling everything and delivering straight to the rooms. Any idea if we would be allowed to leave luggage someplace if we don't do the check-in through to the resort?

Other ideas of things to do while we wait for our room? We aren't planning on doing parks until Thursday so we will now have 1 1/2 days of resort time..

You can definitely leave your luggage with Bell Services after you check in. They will hold it for you & give you a little claim ticket to hand them when you return to pick it up.

Your idea of Disney Springs is a good one. Maybe make an ADR at a restaurant there. You could also explore the resort, take a walk over to check out the Poly or a monorail ride over to see the Contemporary. Or if you keep your swimsuits handy, you can go in the pools at GF. Enjoy!

 

[Tigerlily125]

If $$ is no object.

http://disneyworld.disneyfloralandgifts.com/home.do


A cake is always nice.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/official-disney-cake-chatter-part-v.3558085/

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately $$ is a consideration, and her parents will probably get her a cake. Maybe I will order a toy or princess dress from one of the park shops and have it delivered to her room.

 

[gulliesmom]

Anyone have experience renting boats at the GF? Or other fun resort activities?

 

[happymomof1]

My family rented a pontoon boat for a drive around the lagoon a couple of years ago. It was very nice! I cannot think of a more magical place to rent a boat!

 

[happymomof1]

On a side note, the entire resort and especially the pool areas are so beautiful. Be sure to plan some down time to be able to enjoy it. We regret not doing more pool time.

 

[MaskedRose86]

We are staying at GF for 5 nights in August! I wondered if anyone could give me an idea of activities at the resort? Or just a screenshot of what is being offered currently? There is already so much between the theme parks and the pool but I was curious.

 

[pepperandchips]

Other ideas of things to do while we wait for our room? We aren't planning on doing parks until Thursday so we will now have 1 1/2 days of resort time..

If the weather prohibits pool time (which would be my first choice), I'd use the opportunity to check out the other resorts. You can take the monorail to the contemporary and then take the boat from there to the Wilderness Lodge (or you could do the same transfer at Magic Kingdom but I love looking at the shop in the Contemporary and window shopping for cupcakes at Contempo Cafe). The Wilderness Lodge is fun to walk around, watch the geyser, sit by the fire, get a drink and a snack from Geyser Point (which I love and visit at every opportunity). You could either boat back to Contemporary and monorail to the Poly or back "home" to the Grand or connect at MK again. Wow now I want to go do a little resort tour myself!!

 

[dansdad]

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately $$ is a consideration, and her parents will probably get her a cake. Maybe I will order a toy or princess dress from one of the park shops and have it delivered to her room.

Just an FYI. Unless you are staying Club Level, any purchases made in the parks are delivered to the resort Gift Shop and will need to be picked up there.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I generally grab lunch or late nite snacks so not sure about breakfast.

However I have not seen tater tots at lunch although someone else may know for sure.

Since everything is custom made if they have the items they may make it, so free to ask.

For quiche I often get it at Epcot at the (french pastry shop )Patisserie. They usually have 2 kinds one with and one without meat.

Oh that sounds so good, thank you ! I am not a vegetarian but I have issues with pork making me sick

 

[baler31]

 

[baler31]

Well the lounge was very crowded during our stay and the food was frequently empty for long periods of time. 3 CM's working the lounge, 1 serving alcohol and cleaning tables and 2 for lounge service. 2 of the CM's worked VERY HARD the 3rd not so much. But it was inexcusable for the food to be empty for 15 minutes or more. When I say empty, I mean basically every food item in the lounge.

For those concerned...this is not the norm. It seemed to be more a case of large crowds that consumed a lot and lack of attention from one CM.

 

[baler31]

 

[baler31]

New to me...they had hand sanitizing wipes available in the lounge. Not new to me...multiple shoe less guests. One no shirt, no shoes. one gentlemen in an open robe that really needed to be more well tied. Yes, I am obviously an extinct dinosaur but these are public spaces. We had Mickey waffles prepared one morning and a chef preparing hot apps one evening. We were on our way out so I did not get to see what was being served. Sorry!

Our room was exceptionally clean and we had excellent housekeeping this visit. We have had 3 stays since the room checks began and have experienced absolutely no problems. The hotel was obviously full and it seemed just as busy as our Christmas stay (other than the lobby, which was not nearly as crowded as Christmas). I had told someone I would get a photo of their door but the resort was too crowded to take photos of a door that was not mine, lol. We were there for an event for DH so short quick trip. Highlights... After Hours, I cannot rec'd it enough. We also enjoyed The Edison, but it was a catered event so no comments on dinner but a great venue.

We were in a king deluxe turret room, I posted photos awhile back. Lots of new faces at the concierge desk. Quality of food was very good in the lounge. As mentioned above, the one evening we spent in the lounge was challenging with lots of empty dishes. Will try to post more photos later.

 

[baler31]

Maybe an off night but cheeses did not seem to be nearly as interesting as previous visits.

 

[grannyminnie]

Baler31, I'm shocked that there would be NO food offering for that long! And if having to look at a gentleman (and I use that term loosely!) in an open robe in the lounge, then I'm a dinosaur too~

 

[mrsap]

New to me...they had hand sanitizing wipes available in the lounge. Not new to me...multiple shoe less guests. One no shirt, no shoes. one gentlemen in an open robe that really needed to be more well tied. Yes, I am obviously an extinct dinosaur but these are public spaces. We had Mickey waffles prepared one morning and a chef preparing hot apps one evening. We were on our way out so I did not get to see what was being served. Sorry!

Our room was exceptionally clean and we had excellent housekeeping this visit. We have had 3 stays since the room checks began and have experienced absolutely no problems. The hotel was obviously full and it seemed just as busy as our Christmas stay (other than the lobby, which was not nearly as crowded as Christmas). I had told someone I would get a photo of their door but the resort was too crowded to take photos of a door that was not mine, lol. We were there for an event for DH so short quick trip. Highlights... After Hours, I cannot rec'd it enough. We also enjoyed The Edison, but it was a catered event so no comments on dinner but a great venue.

We were in a king deluxe turret room, I posted photos awhile back. Lots of new faces at the concierge desk. Quality of food was very good in the lounge. As mentioned above, the one evening we spent in the lounge was challenging with lots of empty dishes. Will try to post more photos later.

Ew. I can’t believe a CM didn’t say anything to them!! It’s not their house, it’s a public space! I think it’s rude.
Quite surprised about RPC lounge food not being refilled in a timely manner. I felt the CM’s were on top of everything during our stay in Nov/Dec. Hopefully just an off night, could have been understaffed. Hope the rest of your trip goes a little better for you!

 

[HairyChest]

Does anyone have pictures of the rooms in RPC Standard and Theme Park View? Im trying to decide between the 2.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Does anyone have pictures of the rooms in RPC Standard and Theme Park View? Im trying to decide between the 2.

I can’t help with the RPC TPV rooms, but can with RPC standard. This room overlooked the Courtyard Pool. There is another bank of standard rooms that is off the atrium and looks towards the feature pool/Villas building/Poly.

This was perhaps one of my favorite room locations of anywhere we have stayed at WDW. I’d rather have this over a TPV room there, TBH.

 

[Sue M]

New to me...they had hand sanitizing wipes available in the lounge. Not new to me...multiple shoe less guests. One no shirt, no shoes. one gentlemen in an open robe that really needed to be more well tied. Yes, I am obviously an extinct dinosaur but these are public spaces. We had Mickey waffles prepared one morning and a chef preparing hot apps one evening. We were on our way out so I did not get to see what was being served. Sorry!

Our room was exceptionally clean and we had excellent housekeeping this visit. We have had 3 stays since the room checks began and have experienced absolutely no problems. The hotel was obviously full and it seemed just as busy as our Christmas stay (other than the lobby, which was not nearly as crowded as Christmas). I had told someone I would get a photo of their door but the resort was too crowded to take photos of a door that was not mine, lol. We were there for an event for DH so short quick trip. Highlights... After Hours, I cannot rec'd it enough. We also enjoyed The Edison, but it was a catered event so no comments on dinner but a great venue.

We were in a king deluxe turret room, I posted photos awhile back. Lots of new faces at the concierge desk. Quality of food was very good in the lounge. As mentioned above, the one evening we spent in the lounge was challenging with lots of empty dishes. Will try to post more photos later.

Oh gross. Bare feet and no shirt? They should have been asked to leave.

 

[baler31]

I prefer the standard view rooms and am especially fond of those on the atrium side looking towards Poly. However I value them for the small bit of extra space the wet bars give them as well as they seem to be better for “people” noise. Maybe the band and lobby noise cover up the voices and running, stomping feet that annoy me.