Grand Floridian - Sugar Loaf

[chechas]

So excited! Just booked Grand Floridain in Sugar Loaf Concierge building for 4 days over Mother's Day weekend next week

We have never stayed at GF...any things we should be sure to explore/see while there?

Can we see the MK fireworks from the grounds there? Where to go see the nightly Electrical Parade?

Anyone done concierge there before? How is it?

Thanks in advacne for any tips on GF!

[Luv4WDW]

I've stayed GF Concierge many times (always main building, though). It's fabulous... we'll never stay anywhere else! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. If you sit in the chairs just outside of Gasparilla, the counter service restaurant, you'll be able to view the fireworks. I think you can actually hear the music that goes with the fireworks through speakers at the GF, as well. If you want to watch the water parade you should sit on the beach between the GF and the Polynesian. Make sure you spend some time in the main building listening to the piano players in the afternoons/evenings.... they're amazing! Have a wonderful trip!

[TammiMcMan]

Sugar Loaf is very nice, although not quite the same ambience that you'd find in the main building. The lounge is located in the lobby of the building and to be honest, it's a little small and can get crowded in the mornings. They have a nice continental breakfast, light offerings around lunch, afternoon tea with treats, evening appetizers with wine and beer, late night desserts with cordials and champagne. The staff is on duty from 7am-10pm to assist you with anything you may need while there.

Views from Sugar Loaf are garden or marina. There are a couple of marina rooms that will give you a view of the fireworks, but you won't be able to see the castle. The rooms would be on the 3rd and 4th floor, closest to the main building. There are also 3 lodge tower rooms available by request (at no additional charge). These are larger rooms that overlook the garden. There is a small living room area with a 2nd tv. The lodge tower room on the 4th floor does not have a balcony. Any specific room requests can be placed with your pre-planner.

If you are planning a pool day, there are private cabanas that you can rent by the theme pool. They're available for 1/2 or full day rental. They come with upgraded loungers, table & chairs, entertaiment center, fridge and cabana attendant.

As the previous poster mentioned, you can see the fireworks from the table around the marina, then walk to the beach for the water parade. Or you can head to the boat dock and watch it all from there. It does tend to get a bit crowded. The beach also has movies and a campfire at night, so you can check that out.

Private dining will deliver anywhere on property, so if you want an order of tuxedo strawberries and a bottle of champagne with your best friend on a beach lounger, they'll arrange it for you :cloud9:.

My suggestion for transportation is to take the monorail to the MK and take the resort boat back. When we go to Epcot, we usually take the monorail to MK, then hop on the BC/YC bus and walk through the BC resort into the back of Epcot. It avoids a lot of the crowds at the front entrance, plus we spend more time in the countries anyway.

[rjmdds]

We too only stay at the GF Club Level. We absolutely love it. Another treat is the band that plays from the 3rd floor balcony in the evenings. It is wonderful to just sit in the grand lobby and just listen. Also check out the new marble floors that were placed within the past year. They are at the various entrances to the lobby (monorail floor, main entrance, and other entrances on main floor) they have inlaid characters in the marble...incredibly done. Some are the main characters, one is Peter Pan themed and another is Beauty and the Beast. They are fun to look for. Most people walk over them and don't even notice. Subtle and classy. Ask one of the CM greeters at the main entrance or on the monorail floor and they will tell you all about them.
As for the fireworks, the boat dock near Narcoosie's is a great spot. Have a great time.

[chechas]

Thanks for all the replies!

But the hot water heater went today and had to be replaced...ugh!! So right now Sugar Loaf and the Grand Floridian are in jeopardy for next week! Yikes! LOL