Reviews of Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 10/21/2019
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We spent a week at the grand Floridian. We go to WDW often and we thought we would indulge ourselves. I was disappointed and so were my two daughters. It didn’t have the “Disney” feel. It felt like a place rich people go who don’t want to be bothered by silly characters and the magic of Disney. We won’t stay there again. The location was great, the accommodations were fine, but it was not the magical experience that we have at the other resorts.
Pros:
Location and the monorail and boats but still had to take busses to many of the parksCons:
Costly and not as magical as the other resortsReviewed by hussinpa Review Date: 01/08/2014
Rating: (3) Recommended
My family (disabled wife, 2-adult children) checked into a standard view 1-BR villa on January 1st. Besides villa not being available until after 4 PM, I was shocked to find the villa did NOT have the infinity tub. The villa had a regular tub next to the toilet in bathroom and a sink with roll in closet in single room where the sink and infinity tub with separate walk-in closet. After assisting wife around in parks, I look forward to relaxing in Jacuzzi tub in 1-br villas.
I immediately requested to get out and to another villa or location on property. The check-in manager looked for options locally (WLV and BLT) and was unable to locate anything suitable. I requested she expand her search as we raced out to try and make our dinner reservations. She said she would and that she would contact me with an update. When we returned after dinner and some park time there was no message regarding status of my request.
I returned to check-in/concierge desks speaking with a CM there and asked about my request for information. I was informed that manager had left early and had assigned my request to another CM. The check-in/concierge CM said he would have a manager contact us first thing in the morning.
I went down about 9:30 to check with manager and found they were running late and had the check-in/concierge CM call a manager over from the Grand Floridian. That manager showed me the accessible 1-BR villa with shower and a regular 1-BR villa. It appears that DVC elected to keep the villas the same size and reduce the amenities in their accessible villas to accommodate turning radius/access issues. I called DVC and was told that we paid points for location not amenities (silly me I thought it was both).
After waking up in a pool of sweat several times the second night (poor HVAC control), I found an accessible room at the Polynesian and arranged for my family to stay there the balance of the trip. They were very accommodating in getting us out of the villas but losing 1 1/2 - 2 days of a vacation to unnecessary stress is not what i expected from the Grand.
Now onto basic review, I noticed a sticky floor in the bathroom. I damp mopped the floor with a couple of wash clothes (that turned dark grey) and dried the floor with bath mat. Not sure why housekeeping was a con with all the reviews so far but I concur that is an issue.
Finally, these are beautiful villas for "normal" people (why I give it a 3 over a 1) and I would recommend them to you. But having a disabled wife it was very disheartening that DVC felt it was ok to provide substandard (less than in regular villas) amenities to accessible patrons.
Pros:
Beautiful marble, quiet locationCons:
Substandard Accessible accomodations, management fgollow-up, housekeepingReviewed by maze4 Review Date: 10/01/2016
Rating: (8) Recommended
We rented points to stay a Deluxe studio Sep 13-16. Used ME and was shocked to see that you shared ME with other resorts which took longer. Checkin went very well and was given Anniversary pins to wear. Room wasn't ready so we left carryons and jumped on monorail to Epcot. Never waited for a monorail more than 5 min and always found a seat. Love the easiness of traveling to the parks on monorail. Received email later in day room #. Didn't get back to resort until late and used Gasparilla café for late night meal. Not big variety but needed to get refillable mugs. Long walk from there to villas. Room was very clean and loved the lakeview. Didn't get any extras for anniversary but didn't matter enjoyed it very much. Would have scorded higher but would like to see amenities at the villas so you don't have to go clear to main bldg.to get refills or quick service meals.
Pros:
monorail,beautiful resort,wonderful castmembersCons:
no quick service in villas, too far walk for refillable mugsReviewed by Katherine Review Date: 10/24/2021
Rating: (9) Recommended
Lovely vacation home away from home. We are not DVC members and have stayed in the one bedroom villa twice (10/2020 and 10/2021). This hotel is stunning in every inch of the property and room. The cast members are pleasant and remember your name even from year to year. Tons of space in the one bedroom villa with all the comforts you would want PLUS an indoor laundry and coat closet and landing station for your magic bands, cell phones, and popcorn buckets when coming home from parks. There is enough space in entry to park the stroller and not be in the way! Great dining options - even quick service is excellent and poolside tater tots are amazing! Beautiful pool and entertaining splash pad for the young kids. My family loves how quiet this resort is and the excellent views of DMK fireworks from the glorious private balconies on standard rooms (yes, standard!). The new walking path is a dream! Ferry, monorail, or walk to Magic Kingdom is all fun to do! Parking is also quite close to villas building with swanky entrance nearby the beautiful wedding pavilion. The hints of Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, and Victorian era are magnificent. The Vilas at the Grand Floridian are a luxury worth every penny.
Pros:
Location - easy access to DMK, great service, food options, fun pool, pretty buildings and rooms, fun tastefully themed, amazing murphy trundle bed for toddlers and young children, so much storage space!Cons:
Expensive, old tvs that barely work, old coffee makers, no usb ports and plugs behind heavy furniture.Reviewed by Jazzfool20 Review Date: 10/31/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed for a week, 10/11-18, at the GF Villas, and what a lovely stay it was. It's really a taste of "old florida," with modern, luxury touches. It's always a thrill to get out of your room and hear "She Belongs To Me," or "White Jazz." Unfortunately most of those touches are lost on people, but it shows the extent to which Disney goes to immerse you in a story/theme. In any case, the room was great (studio), as was the staff. The Grand Floridian is really the "place to be," and the grounds, restaurants, bars, etc...are all superb. The only complaint, and this is more of a DVC issue, it that we were there for a whole week, and did not receive a full cleaning, only a trash and towel! There were only two of us in the room, and it was quite dirty after a week. I spoke to a front desk clerk, and she informed me it was only after eight nights, not seven, do you get a full cleaning. If you're a cash-paying guest, you do get a full cleaning every day. Otherwise, everything was marvelous, and can't wait to return!
Pros:
Old Florida liteCons:
noneReviewed by dvcnut Review Date: 08/27/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
While the Villas at GF are not my home resort, I was lucky enough to get a reservation in June and July for a studio. I've always wanted to stay there and am glad I finally did.
I stayed in both a standard studio(one night) and a lake view studio(7 nights). I loved the décor, but having to walk to the main building for everything(monorail, food, refillable mug) got to be annoying almost immediately. I normally stay at BLT, so I'm used to the walk to the Contemporary for services, but this walk just seemed longer. I also didn't like that there was very little storage for clothes in the units. Because the trundle bed is now under the TV, you are limited to putting your clothes on a shelf in the closet instead of having drawers to put them in. The big difference I noted in the two rooms was that the standard room only had one bathroom where the lake view room had a split bath with the tub & toilet on one side and the sink and shower on the other. The two halves were separated by pocket doors. However, I think the best part about staying at GF is that you're only one monorail stop from the MK.
Despite the small inconveniences, I loved my stay at GF. You will get your exercise staying there, so come prepared!
Pros:
locationCons:
having to walk to the main building for everythingReviewed by Jazzfool20 Review Date: 10/03/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
My family and I just returned from a stay (Sept. 23rd - Oct. 1st) at my "home" the GF Villas, and Everything was almost perfect. This was my premier stay, and it had been a dream to stay at the Grand Floridian for many years. Having been a DVC member by association for many years (my parents own at OKW) I've come to expect a lot, and was not disappointed. The grounds and building are stunning. The theme and period music, i.e. Paul Whiteman, The Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Artie Shaw, etc...are par excellence (though sadly most people don't notice, and it's lost on them). Covered walkway from the villas to the main building is wonderful, especially when it rains. The rooms are equally exceptional. We were in a studio, and had a great view of the monorail and grounds. There's one bed, and a pull-out sofa, which my parents said was the best they'd ever slept on. Closet/drawer space was fine for three people, though might be a bit tough for four. Linens, and robes were lovely, as was the split bathroom.
There were a few very minor negatives: There was almost nowhere to hang anything - only one double hook in one bathroom. Very little drawer space - in fact only one, and a weird pull down drawer on the other side. Also only one sink. The overall size of the room was a bit on the small side, but I think that's because the bathrooms are so big, and I'm comparing them mainly to OKW which as the biggest DVC studios on property.
Overall would highly recommend, and can't wait to return!
Pros:
Beautiful room, exceptional theme, lovely grounds, and location...Cons:
noneReviewed by annat856 Review Date: 12/25/2020
Rating: (10) Recommended
We rented points for a stay in mid December 2020 for a 2 bedroom standard view villa. The front desk staff were all so friendly and helpful. We had a magic band issue that they alerted us to and then fixed it. The decor and layout of the villa is one of the best ones for the DVC. I personally love the balcony that runs across the whole side and spent a lot of time out on the balcony. The new walkway is open to MK but we took the monorail ourselves. They did some fireworks testing on our last night so it was nice to see fireworks from our balcony. If MK is one of your fav parks and you have a large party it was a wonderful stay and worth trying. I know I want to go back.
Pros:
Monorail or walk to MKCons:
can't think of anyReviewed by Joel0917 Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was on my bucket list and it did not disappoint. We stayed here in July as a family. The villa studios sleep 5 with a pulldown bed so its great. The new pool area is a good size, although it rained alot the two days we were there. We had a rental car so easy to park and get around. The monorial is great to get to MK and to the other resorts.
Pros:
Luxurious! You can get spoiled.Cons:
none!Reviewed by nrymut Review Date: 06/27/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
We stayed in a 1 bedroom villa the first week in May. Did online check-in which was seamless. Room was in excellent condition and very clean. Housekeeping well done. Bell services were fast. Very much enjoyed our stay here and will be glad to visit again.
