Why is the Grand Floridian so unpopular?

captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
On any Disney message board it seems? At least when compared to a few of the other resorts. In any poll, it always comes in behind Polynesian, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. However, in just about any guide book, it's listed as the best resort on property.

I'm curious as to why people don't like it. If you're one of the ones that don't like it, have you stayed there before? Did you have a bad experience?
 
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captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Trotsky said:
Unpopular? Well, I would look at how much it is discounted - VERY LITTLE. Sandy and I don't stay there, we prefer the Wilderness Lodge. But we EAT there a lot... I certainly haven't seen any booking problems :). So I have to assume that SOMEONE likes it - a LOT :).
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Like I said - On Disney message boards.
 
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stefan74

stefan74

Well-Known Member
I have stayed at the GF twice and have loved it!

The first time I stayed, in 2006, was with my sister and my 10 year old nephew. We had a room looking towards the castle and we were in Epcot one night. I asked my nephew if he wanted to stay at Epcot and see IllumiNations or go back to the GF to see the fireworks from our balcony and he chose to go back to the GF to watch the fireworks. We even got to see the Electric Water Parade and he loved the hotel. When my nephew said that, my sister and I looked at each other and I knew we were staying at the right hotel.

Last year, my mom, sister, nephew and myself stayed again because we wanted my mom to experience the fireworks from the guest room and she loved it. We never found the resort stuffy and everyone was always so friendly and nice. If you can get a theme park view room, specifically rooms in the Conch Key Building facing the Magic Kingdom, it is just a beautiful view. Last year, we were able to hear the music and fireworks from MVMCP and it was great.
 
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docandsix

docandsix

Active Member
I don't get the love for the Polynesian in this forum

I've stayed at almost every deluxe resort on property, and would rank Grand Floridian well above the Polynesian. The service and attention we received from the staff there far exceeded that which we got at the Polynesian, which seemed very dark and run-down, especially in our room. Our view from both the GF room and the Poly room was amazing, and the GF room was actually cheaper.

I'll always prefer the Beach Club, however, because it gives me the freedom of walking to two of the parks and walking to the Monorail for a third, if I desire.
 
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J

jformica

New Member
Grand Floridian

Here's the bottom line with the Grand Floridian, it' a visually beautiful resort. It's luxurious. The food is top notch. My wife and I stayed there this past October and enjoyed. We do 2 Disney trips a year, one with the children and 1 with just the two of us for the Food and Wine Festival. We've stayed at every resort except the Poly and Contemporary for no particular reason. We've been to both on every trip to eat and walk the grounds. I believe the issue with the Grand Floridian is the fact that it's luxurious. We can afford to stay there but wouldn't again for the simple fact that the luxury seems to diminish the Disney "magic" that we love so much. There's not the annoying hustle and bustle that the other resorts offer. It's much quieter, less kids running around etc. That's part of the magic for us, seeing families and people having a great time and enjoying themselves.
 
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MarkTwain

MarkTwain

Well-Known Member
I'll always prefer the Boardwalk as far as deluxe goes. You get similar Victorian atmosphere, but with all the nightlife and entertainment that only Boardwalk offers, plus proximity to both Epcot and DHS instead of just the Magic Kingdom. Not as stuffy, but much higher in terms of energy and vitality. If we're not staying at Boardwalk, we'll usually stay at Wilderness.
 
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unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
I believe there is also the "Stuffiness Factor" that must be taken into consideration.

The GF just exudes "stuffiness", where others exude "funness".
 
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paul436

paul436

Active Member
I would love to stay at the Grand Floridian one day. I think it is a beautiful resort. But it wouldn't be my first choice. The theming at the AKL or WL appeal to me much more. So, I wouldn't say I dislike it as much as I would say I like others more.
 
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debpeduz

debpeduz

Active Member
With my husband and family, we have stayed there and love it! We have stayed in many other resorts and where this one is not our favorite, we plan to go back!
We love the decor, the atmosphere, the restaurants and the proximity to the Magic Kingdom. Our experiences at this hotel have always been great!
 
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Pioneer Hall

Pioneer Hall

Well-Known Member
tampabrad said:
People don't like it because it is very expensive. IMO I don't think you actually get what you pay for at the GF. Unless you are staying club level, you get the same service, sometimes less, than at the other deluxe resorts.
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Even the non club rooms at GF get turndown service and robes, which makes it unique from the other deluxe resorts. Most people will also tell you that the level of service from the CM's is a little bit above the rest when it comes to accomodating you. While it is up to each individuals discretion if this signifies the price difference from the other deluxes, you do get a little more a this resort than any other.
 
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captainkidd

captainkidd

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
tampabrad said:
People don't like it because it is very expensive. IMO I don't think you actually get what you pay for at the GF. Unless you are staying club level, you get the same service, sometimes less, than at the other deluxe resorts.
Click to expand...

I only stayed there for 2 nights, but that wasn't the impression I got at all. In fact, the CM's were the friendliest of any resort I've stayed at.
 
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Dznycrzy

Dznycrzy

Member
I have never stayed at GF but if I had the $$$, I would stay at the Poly. I have visited and eaten at both, but the Poly just seems so much cozier and well themed.
 
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FireChiefGoofy

FireChiefGoofy

Well-Known Member
DW and I just think it is too fancy. It's like walking into Nordstrom's everytime we go in. We are afraid to touch anything. Plus, I don't go to Disney to flaunt money, I go to have a magical time!
 
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D

donaldfan

Well-Known Member
Stayed there once in December 2009.

Staying there with a group, a total of three rooms. Only two rooms were connecting (or next door), the third room was somewhere completely different. We made a room request, we they gave us the exact opposite of that request. We checked-in at 9AM, our room was still not ready at 5PM. Had to demand to have our keys so we could get ready. Hot water was a constant problem -- as in there was none. The manager offered us 25% off of one night. Problem was never really resolved. We would just run the water for ten - fifteen minutes prior to getting a shower. Not exagerating (sp?).

We stay at the Poly every year, and absolutley love it. The staff is so friendly, they always honor our requests, and it feels like home. At the Grand we felt like we were a problem and that we were "lucky" to be staying there.

Never again.
 
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T

tim gover

New Member
its the Poly every time the staff are so much more friendly,the staff at the Floridian are so stuck up their selves its untrue.We wont even eat in there,its like Disney have stuck a piece of poo under all the cast members noses ha:xmas:
 
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networkpro

networkpro

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
Grand Floridian Stuffy ? nope, that dog doesnt hunt.

I don't buy into the stuffiness argument one bit. At the Grand Floridian you tend (but not always) to have fewer screaming kids running amok, parents stressed enough to consider the nuclear option, and simply put manners are in effect all day and night. I'm on vacation to have fun and relax in a pleasant environment, not to deal with others' personal purgatories. Screaming is for the parks, that's why we'll never stay at Pop Century or All Stars. Unfortunately it seems that in "on property" resorts price is the only way you can better the odds of your experience (with the exception of Shades of Green, but that's not for the general public and I guarantee there are fewer free ranges kids there)
 
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