Please tell me about the Grand Floridian Hotel...

[Disneyland1084]

I probably won't be going to WDW for a few years, but it's never too early to start planning. The Grand Floridian hotel caught my eye. Is it nice? How's the service,food, etc? What do you like/dislike about it? I'd love to hear everything!!! Thanks!

[KNRG]

I don't like the Grand, and would rather stay at either of the other two monorail resorts - Polynesian or Contemporary - first if you insist on being on the monorail and if not then definately consider one of the lodges - Wilderness or Animal Kingdom - or going to an Epcot resort - Yacht, Beach, or Boardwalk.

I don't like the Grand. The place is overpriced, opverrated crap and I spent time there on the comapny dime and still didn't like it. Heard endless complaints from people about it. The only people who do like it are celebs who live it up in the highest concierge rooms who get their rears wiped for them by the staff and the occasional Disney-nazi type you find on the internet who just sees it as the be-all end-all of WDW.

The staff is rude, unhelpful, and the rooms are subpar. Stained sheets and someone elses used soap along with grimey hand marks on the windows and a musk in the room is not what a $400+ a night "resort" should be about.

I've never had an experience like I had at the Grand Floridian at the other WDW resort, not even the moderates, or even the values. I complained, and was ignored. Even minor problems at the other resorts were taken care of immediately - the fact that the toilet in my room backed up was ignored at the Grand.

I've heard the same complaint countless other times. Unless you want to fork over for concierge, don't bother, they treat anyone not in concierge like second class or even 3rd or 4th class citizens and it shows. The other resorts even make fun of the attitude problem - refering to it as the "high end Red Roof Inn."

[Goin2Disneyland]

I haven't stayed there, but it is lovely in an understated way. From my experiences with the Deluxe resorts, it is by no means my favorite. I would much rather stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge (which is MIND-BLOWING) or Yacht & Beach Club (walk right into Epcot, anyone?). Of the monorail resorts, I like Polynesian the best.

I would say save your money and stay at a nicer, more interesting Deluxe resort like the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Did I mention the Animal Kingdom Lodge?

[Jennifer]

I agree that I would not choose to stay at the Grand Floridian as my choice of a deluxe resort.

[Scott in LA]

I certainly haven't had the type of experiences KNRG did when I've stayed there--for me, it was a perfectly fine hotel, and I do love the gingerbread house at Christmas--but I do agree with the sentiments that it's not a favorite of the Deluxes.

My pick for a monorail resort is also the Polynesian, hands down, and if I were to stay in a non-monorail Deluxe, it would be one of the Lodges.

[Maxdad]

We dropped by a couple of weeks ago, and while we were not staying there, it certainly was.... well.... large.

It was very nice, and clean, and deserving of the term "Grand." Cant say anything about the rooms, but K, next time you get stained sheets, by all means, call housekeeping. For those prices, they should get a crew to disinfect immediately!

I liked to wear meself out climbing all those stairs. I think it is a bit grand for me... and the Polynesian is a little dated. I think I am more of a Beach Club kinda guy... but thats not on the monorail.

[Ronda_Rae]

For convenience, I'd pick the Boardwalk.

But for overall atmosphere, I'd totally stay at the DAK Lodge.

[Maxdad]

Ok Ronda. I will meet you there next week. Thanks!

[Ronda_Rae]

Wonderful!

We'll have so much fun!

I will take you to all my favorite benches to pass out on.

[KNRG]

We dropped by a couple of weeks ago, and while we were not staying there, it certainly was.... well.... large.

It was very nice, and clean, and deserving of the term "Grand." Cant say anything about the rooms, but K, next time you get stained sheets, by all means, call housekeeping. For those prices, they should get a crew to disinfect immediately!

I liked to wear meself out climbing all those stairs. I think it is a bit grand for me... and the Polynesian is a little dated. I think I am more of a Beach Club kinda guy... but thats not on the monorail.

I prefer the Poly, because Tiki-kitsch is kinda cute. However, Victorian-kitsch comes off as cheap. To explain, the two resorts share something - they are both heavily themed with decorative items which are entirely fake.

At the Poly, it tiki stuff. Lots of it. If you realize it's not carved wood, you're ok, because, no one expected Disney to kill a forest and set up real tiki torches each night all along the walkways of the resort.

However, over at the Grand, faux-Victorian..? It's not white clapboard, which isn't hard to fabricate.. it's vinyl siding from "Sears." The finials, the sconces, the bannisters, the rails, and everything - PLASTIC! Don't touch any of the trim molding or anything decorative there.. nothing is made out of wood. It's really depressing.

It's like K-Mart's patio decor department threw up the "gingerbread" motif on the place once you see the plastic - and once you see it you can't un-see it. You realize it's everywhere (I probably jsut ruined the resort for everyone who reads this thread).