Grand floridian worth the extra ?

[chipndale]

Hiya :wave:

Is the grand floridian main building really worth the cost? we have a special occasion coming up and I know the other half would love to stay there

Is there a 24 hr food court place
is there a spa?
can we see the fireworks from the beach?

I read about some kind of beach party thing as well?

[cosmicray]

well everyone will have different ideas but we love it and try to stay whenever we can

there is a 24 hour food court although its not got that much in it, you can see the fireworks and there is a very nice spa

[Tink]

It is a beautiful resort to be sure! We've only ever visited and dined there, never stayed.

I think I would like to stay one day. :yes: I would like a room with a water view, not sure how easy that is to obtain.

Our Slowhand stays at this resort often, so he can give you some really good advice. :yes:

I know you can see the EWP from this resort. :yes:

(Bet you can't guess what the CMs of the other resorts call this resort...) :D

[Keith]

(Bet you can't guess what the CMs of the other resorts call this resort...) :D

ooo do tell!

We've stayed a couple of times. Neither time did we get a great room. I don't think we liked it as much as we expected to.

I do love the turn down service with ice and chocolates, the decor and the elegance of the whole thing.

[Tink]

Well...if you insist. :wiggle:

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.The Red Roof Inn! :laugh:

[Keith]

:laugh:

Actually I wonder if we really stayed long enough to enjoy it properly. We only stayed a few nights to "try it". Perhaps we'll try it again soon

I think I'd go for the main building though

[Britchick]

i do want to stay there one day but i think i'm more of a AKL/ WL kind of person.

[Keith]

i do want to stay there one day but i think i'm more of a AKL/ WL kind of person.

ahhhhh yes, the WL. Greatest undiscovered beauty of WDW :yes: Absolutely love it there

[Britchick]

not stayed there yet- but fingers crossed for sometime soon :yes: :thumbsup:

[Keith]

not stayed there yet- but fingers crossed for sometime soon :yes: :thumbsup:

oh you must :yes: it's such a great place. Wonderful short but fun boat ride to MK and just so quiet and lovely to stay at. Of course, artist point helps too!

[Britchick]

well i do have a big birthday and 20th wedding anniversary coming up:yes:

[Keith]

well i do have a big birthday and 20th wedding anniversary coming up:yes:

well then :yes: you know where to stay :D

[Taja]

If you're likely to use the amenities and enjoy the atmosphere, it's a terrific resort. :yes: Haven't stayed there yet, but hope to do a split stay some day with the last two or three nights at the GF.

For me, it wouldn't be worthwhile for an entire holiday. I'm a DIY person and really don't use the amenities. I'm better served staying elsewhere at WDW and saving the money for a stay the upscale resorts in Las Vegas! :lol:

But it would be nice to experience the GF! :D

[Keith]

If you're likely to use the amenities and enjoy the atmosphere, it's a terrific resort. :yes:

I didnt REALLY notice that many more amenities :/ I'm feeling I lost out now :lol: what does it have that the other ones dont Taja?


saving the money for a stay the upscale resorts in Las Vegas! :lol:


See, I completely agree with that! It seems strange to me that we can stay at a top class hotel in Disney and still have a walk to our room in one of the outside buildings :/ and really nothing AMAZINGLY special over the cheaper places (as much as I like it). In vegas WOW you know it when you spend a bit more on the hotel and then you REALLY wow when you spend a bit more on the room at the hotel.

[Taja]

I didnt REALLY notice that many more amenities :/ I'm feeling I lost out now :lol: what does it have that the other ones dont Taja?



See, I completely agree with that! It seems strange to me that we can stay at a top class hotel in Disney and still have a walk to our room in one of the outside buildings :/ and really nothing AMAZINGLY special over the cheaper places (as much as I like it). In vegas WOW you know it when you spend a bit more on the hotel and then you REALLY wow when you spend a bit more on the room at the hotel.

I don't know if the GF has more amenities than the other WDW deluxe resorts, Keith. More than the moderate or value resorts, though. :lol:

We spend most of our time at the parks or exploring, so the amenities at the WDW resorts are pretty much wasted on us the first 6 or 7 nights of our visits. :rolleyes: We've found we're better off staying at a value or moderate resort for the bulk of our visit, switching to a deluxe the last two or three nights when we slow down a bit! :lol:

[PsychoAlice]

I am thinkin that unless you plan on being at your hotel quite a bit and actually using the stuff that is there its a waste of money...

Im just as happy at POP that I would be anywhere else..but Im a commando...

[Keith]

I am thinkin that unless you plan on being at your hotel quite a bit and actually using the stuff that is there its a waste of money...

Im just as happy at POP that I would be anywhere else..but Im a commando...

I love pop century really do. I've got a special place in my heart for all star movies as it's where we stayed on our first trip but I think pop century has won me over with its location

[Britchick]

i know exactly what you're saying Sara,and Keith and Taja hit the nail on the head too I've had much better value for money and service in other places for the same price BUT you're at WDW and that's why they can charge more- that's why i think the more themed the better, for me anyway. I like staying in pop and all stars too because of that very reason.

[Johnie]

I'm just as happy to be at Pop Century as well :yes:

I have visited and dined at GF many times. I have always had impeccable service! I have never been made to feel like I didn't belong there......however I don't know that I could stay cause I really can't see myself carrying a Wal-mart bag through the lobby :sorry:

[Taja]

I'm just as happy to be at Pop Century as well :yes:

I have visited and dined at GF many times. I have always had impeccable service! I have never been made to feel like I didn't belong there......however I don't know that I could stay cause I really can't see myself carrying a Wal-mart bag through the lobby :sorry:

Hey! If I can carry a CVS bag through the lobbies of the Bellagio, Venetian and Wynn resorts in Las Vegas, you certainly can carry a WalMart bag through the lobby of the GF! :thumbsup:

Regardless of where we stay in Las Vegas, we always toddle to CVS for snacks and stuff on our first day. :lol:

[Johnie]

Well I know I can.....and I know they wouldn't look down on me. However, I would feel weird. Does that make any sense? :unsure:

[Keith]

Well I know I can.....and I know they wouldn't look down on me. However, I would feel weird. Does that make any sense? :unsure:

totally does

I felt/feel the same but nevertheless, I get over it when I bring my CVS shopping back :lol:

[Britchick]

i'm surprised Johnie, i tell you what next time i'm there i will walk through the lobby with a walmart bag!!! lol

[Johnie]

ok and then you tell me what happens!!

[uscwest]

We stayed there for Donna's 50th. We got a great rate through Shades of Green, which was being remodeled at the time. They upgraded us to Concierge. The room faced the front, was extremely tiny, though extremely comfortable. However, we both said that had we had to pay the full price, which was over $500/day, that we would have been sorely disappointed.

[Britchick]

we got a room through shades of green for the contemporary John for $99 per night- sadly not the tower though

[PsychoAlice]

I, personally, would rather stay at Ft Wilderness Cabins if I had the money every time....quiet, quiet, quiet...no one above you, no one below you, no one to the side of you...however, I really didnt hear anything loud when I was at POP either...we were by hourglass lake though so we were away from the hustle and bustle of the main area...but Ft Wilderness is really where my heart is at...but we shall see when I hit SSR!

[Slowhand]

Hiya :wave:

Is the grand floridian main building really worth the cost? we have a special occasion coming up and I know the other half would love to stay there
As Tink mentioned my DW and I have stayed at the GR oodles of times and even now that we have a villa in Davenport, we cannot resist the temptation to stay there for a few nights every time we visit Florida. [Mainly funded by our DVC points so the cost is not really an issue].
By now we know many of the CM`s who work there and it feels like we are arriving back home whenever we visit.
We have never stayed in the main building and to be honest, personally I don`t think it would be worth the extra cost in our case. Yes, they have a concierge available and a continental breakfast along with snacks during the day but as I enjoy a more traditional breakfast and would run the risk of spoiling dinner if I gorged during the day, then I would not take advantage of these perks.


Is there a 24 hr food court place....Yes! It`s called Gasparilla`s and is located just outside the main building in front of the boating marina. They do a wide variety of hot and cold meals throughout the day...the pizzas are really good. :thumbsup:


is there a spa?....Again yes! It is a two minute walk from the main building just past the tennis courts to the rear of the beach area.


can we see the fireworks from the beach? ....You`ve guessed it, yes again! :lol:
Although a better vantage point to see the MK fireworks would be either at the boat dock next to Narcoosee`s restaurant, or from the boating marina outside Gasparilla`s. These two locations are where many folks gather to view them each evening.


I read about some kind of beach party thing as well?..Sorry, dunno about this one!