Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel
 

I recently visited the Grand Floridian and feel in love with it. The advertised rate is $300-500 per night. Has anyone ever gotten a rate better than $314? What did you think of the hotel? Was it really worth the loot?

Certainly it depends when you want to go, but Disney has been in a slump and has offered the GF this summer for as little as $199 per night. Call Central Reservations, ask if there are any discounts available, annual pass rates, promotional rates, etc. Tell them that you are price sensitive and won't consider staying without a reasonable discount. Don't expect one however over Thanksgiving, Christmas or school vacations.

Angela - You fell in love with the main Showcase lobby building... very few hotel guests are lodged there... your accomodations will most likely be in one of the smaller buildings on the property. These buildings are upscale motel-like guest rooms that are not as plush as the main hall. For my money... it was not worth the higher price... there are other excellent accomodations at WDW that are half the price and you can sit in the Floridian Lobby anytime you want...

I agree with Garyt, stayed at the GF shortly after it opened. Thought the motel setup of the outlying buildings presented a security risk at the time, the front lobby of the building did not have a 24 hour attendant. Stayed at Port Orleans on a later trip and felt it was almost as nice for a lot less money.

The lobby of the GF is one a favorite of my family and me. A great place to have a drink, the kids can check out the gift shops, and the music from the either the piano or orchestra is wonderful in the afternoon and evenings. The fresh flower bouquets have been in many of our family photos over our 13 trips to WDW. However we never stay at the Disney properties as they are too pricey for the value. We also stay in a condo offsite and just enjoy the lobby before or after a dinner in the evening. For real lodging value, check out Vistana, or Marriott Cypres Harbour, or Hilton Grand Vacation Club.

I worked or Disney in Florida for two summers and we loved to go over to the GF. It is beautiful and I think it is absolutly fantastic! I don't know about deals on rooms though. Cast members get 50% off so we stayed there a couple of times and loved it! Although, in comparision to other $300/night hotels, it doesn't compare. Just remember... it's Walt Disney World not the Ritz Carlton. <BR> My favorite resort on property is Dixie Landings. It is quite and quaint. If you like to "get away" from the crowds and deal with and average room, I think it is wonderful.

I am not affiliated with this company at all but have used them.<BR><BR>www.ourlaughingplace.com they are great at booking your disney vacation but they keep checking to see if better rates come out on your hotel and then they will change it for you. They saved us $700 on our January stay.

ga,<BR>Unfortunately, I did not have the same experience with this outfit. They made many mistakes with our booking and were difficult to get a hold of. One time my husband waited 30 minutes on hold from a pay phone (in the rain) trying to figure out another of their mistakes.

I stayed there for a conference once. It was nice but I was very glad I wasn't paying for it myself -- it's overpriced and I didn't think there was anything that special about it. Very institutional. The room was comfortable but not outstanding enough to merit the huge price tag. Service was fine, again, nothing impressive. Food in the restaurants was pretty good but very overpriced.

yyy - sorry you had a bad experience but I have used them for another trip next summer and so far I have been very happy with them.<BR><BR>For discounts you can check out www.mousesavers.com

I have stayed at Grand Floridian twice. The first time was not long after their opening and was in one of those "out buildings". I agree it was nice, but nothing terribly special -- but we had a great "Florida resident" special price, so felt it was easily worth it. The other time we were there in two rooms with friends, an older couple who are truly "top level" world travelers making their first trip to DisneyWorld. We were concerned about their enjoying it, but we were somehow upgraded to the concierge or club level in the main building. Wow! The rooms were palatial and spectacular. Our friends said it was probably one of the best equipped and laid out rooms they had ever stayed in. In addition we had complimentary cocktails and wonderful hors'doerves each night, and a complimentary breakfast buffet in a special and beautiful lounge on the top floor of that main building. The smoked salmon and the pastries at breakfast were sensational. Not sure how much those club level rooms normally cost, but whatever it is, I'd say it would be worth it.

Buy and Annual Pass - 40% off of rack rate