We stayed at GF Aug 12-19. It was a big family trip, with DH & I, our 4 kids (ages 19 yrs-32 years), 2 of their spouses, and 3 of our 4 grands (age 7 yrs, 4 yrs, & 2 yrs). My daughter left her youngest (17 mos) at home with her in-laws. None of us had ever stayed at GF, in fact, it's the only Deluxe that I've never stayed at. We booked FP for all of us for the headliners throughout the week, and had 2 ressies for meals together: dinner at Ohana, and breakfast at Chef Mickey. In addition, my daughter and son-in-law had a date night at Narcoossee's while DH and I kept their kids, and my son & daughter-in-law had an anniversary dinner at Jiko while we kept their 2 yr old. My daughter and I did Afternoon Tea with my DGD4. Other than that, everyone did whatever they liked......some days we spent lots of time together just hanging out; other days everyone went their own way. It was a wonderful trip, and we all LOVED the Grand Floridian (which is now my new favorite resort).
I made use of the *** agency discount, and booked 3 GV Outer Bldg rooms. I made no specific bldg/room requests. I did not do online check-in, because there were 3 separate rooms and I wanted to make sure that my credit card was not attached to all 3 room accounts' Magic Bands charging privileges. So we flew into MCO with no issues (arrived around 12:30pm), and waited briefly for our ME bus. We've never flown in/checked in on a Sat before that I remember, and the airport and ME lines were much busier than I remembered. Our bus was almost completely full. Once on board, we departed shortly and had an uneventful ride. (I mention that only bc it seems like the Disney buses are prone to be in accidents or drama lately according to the boards). We stopped at Ft Wilderness, where at least 1/2 the bus got off. Then stopped at the Poly, where it began to rain. By the time we got to GF, it was a total downpour. However, we only had 1-2 steps til we were under cover of the Portico out front, and made our way to the lobby. We all checked in with separate desk CMs. They were quick, efficient and helpful. My check-in CM caught the fact that although my son and I had connecting rooms, my daughter and her family were in a separate bldg. She quickly notified the desk CM checking my daughter in and made arrangements to find her a room in our bldg. She did that before I asked her. Our rooms were all ready. It was about 2:45pm. They asked if we needed assistance with luggage, and we declined because our checked bags were all with ME. However, since it was coming a monsoon outside, a GC ride to our building would've been nice. Maybe they would've complied if we asked, but I didn't think about it at the time, and looking back, I'm surprised they didn't offer.
My son and his family had connecting rooms with DH, myself and my 2 DS's. We were in 7112 and they were 7116 on the first floor of Conch Key. They had nice sized outdoor patios, and we loved using them, especially in the mornings. As you enter Conch Key from the Narcoossee side, they are located immediately on the right off the lobby. In fact, the CK lobby was kinda like our extended living area. I was afraid that it might be noisy, but it was very quiet and nothing ever disturbed us. My daughter was in 7122, just down the hall a bit. All rooms were identical in size and configuration, and they worked so well for all of us.
I loved the small touches that the GF had that I have never experienced at other deluxe properties: the robes, the hampers for dirty/wet linens, turn down service, laundry rooms in each building, live music in the lobby, etc The entire feel of the resort was so elegant and relaxing. I did not find it stuffy in any way. It truly felt like I was on vacation instead of just killing time between park visits.
I loved the Courtyard Pool so much. It was never crowded, the lovely soft jazz music playing was relaxing (in contrast to CR's pool which is a continual daytime rave for lower elementary aged kids. And it was such an easy pool for the little kids to play in safely (in contrast to SAB which keeps a Mom or GM hopping to keep sight of your kid) In fact, i never visited the kids pool or the beach pool.
Gasparilla Grill was a good QS option IMHO. Their menus appears pretty limited, but if you engage with them, they will usually cook you whatever you want. For example: I wanted a salad and they offered me romaine or iceberg lettuce. I asked if they had spinach, and they left and returned immediately with some. My DS19, has celiac disease, and they cooked to order anything he wanted at all hours of the day and night. GG was also the most relaxing and quiet QS place I've been at any resort.
DH and I ate at GF Cafe once (for the wonderful French Onion Soup & Pimms Punch). It's a pleasant place, but during the day seems to have a strange menu to me. It's basically breakfast with a few lunch items until 2:30pm. Can't speak to dinner menu.
Afternoon tea was elegant, beautiful and pricey. I think it was a good value for what you get if you savor it and just relax. We ordered the Cheshire Tea, which comes with a fruit and cheese plate, and I"m glad we did bc the rest of the tea was heavy on the sweets. They were all lovely and tasted wonderful, but a bit too much sweets without a savory balance (if you didn't get the fruit/cheese). My 4 yr old DGD enjoyed it for about 30 mins and ate quite a bit of her little treats and Treasure Tea (apple juice) before my DH came to pick her up so my daughter and I could finish the tea in peace....lol. Then we all met up again for the Princess Promenade in the lobby. So magical for little princesses
Mousekeeping was really good. Our room was always clean and stocked so well, except for misunderstandings about the coffee pods. When we checked in, there were several different pods to choose from: French Roast, Breakfast Blend, Breakfast Blend Decaf, Earl Grey Tea, Green Tea, some kind of Hot Choc I believe. Anyway, the French Roast was too strong for me, so I called and asked for more Green Mountain Breakfast Blend. No results. So I left a handwritten note for Mousekeeping. Instead got a pile of Green Tea left on desk. Next day left the not out again, after crossing out the Green Mountain part, and just asked for Breakfast Blend. Got a few French Roasts. Spoke to a Mousekeeper at Turn Down and she brought me both Green Tea and French Roast. After 4 days, I gave up! Just either drank the French Roast or went to GG and bought coffee there. One night I called to request an extra blanket and they assured me they'd send one right up. We waited for a bit, fell asleep and never received one. However, my daughter had a wonderful Mousekeeper that brought a big Princess Balloon Bouquet to my DGD, made Towel Animals, and brought them hug quantities of whatever they asked. Really gave them a magical experience. I'm not complaining about our service; as long as they keep the room clean and stocked, I'm fine with it.
Transportation was good with the exception of some bus travel experiences. Monorail was always good, and only out of service on our last night from Epcot. Instead you had to take a bus to TTC then switch to resort monorail. The resort launch back from the MK was so quick, and just a few steps from our Conch Key location. It was down a time or two bc of lightning, but that is to be expected. Bus service to AK was good both coming and going. However, the DHS Bus transportation was a big mess on 3 separate occasions. Once we waited 25-30 mins for one to appear at DHS around 8:30pm. And another night some of us closed down DHS and waited 65 minutes for a bus
That is unacceptable at any level resort, but especially at the flagship resort. There was at least a bus load and a half waiting, and they all got on because it was getting so late. Pretty sure we exceeded the capacity. Also the Disney Springs transportation situation seems inconvenient and very costly in terms of time.
The wows were many, the disappointments very few and far between at the GF. So glad we chose it for our family vacay, and it won't be our last visit there I'm sure. I tried to mention some things that new visitors might wonder about. Let me know if I can answer any questions.
Hope you all have a grand week
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