HAVING A GRAND OLD TIME! The 2013 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ

[mickeynut1]

HAHAHA Northwest Indiana makes sense! I just kept thinking....something didn't make sense cuz North WI is not near Chicago burbs...lol....but NW Indiana sure is Those darn acronyms can get so confusing when they have multiple meanings. No offense, but I hate traveling through Indiana in snow and ice because the road conditions, in my experience, were just awful. As soon as we would cross the line into IL the roads were instantly better. What's up with that? Is it my bad luck?

LOL.....yes those acronyms can sometimes be confusing . No offense taken.......especially since I know exactly what you mean . I do agree.....IL roads seem to be much better in the winter.

Just left GFV this morning, after years of wanting to stay at the GF we were not disappointed. We had a 6th floor deluxe studio room 1605 and it was amazing! Had a view of the entrance fountain, monorail and pool to the right.

Glad you had a great time and loved the GF . I've only seen pics of the villas, but they look amazing!!!

I love the Grand! Can't wait to check in next month.

You will be checking into the GF before you know it .

We sure did...I miss the GF already.

It's hard not to miss the GF.....it's such a beautiful, relaxing place .

Good morning, GF pals...I could have been posting a TR at 5 this morning, I woke so early!

We had a wonderful stay last week, and it started just driving up to the GF entrance and seeing the look of the new villas blending in seamlessly with the Grand itself.

Sounds like you had an amazing trip and the GF didn't disappoint . How nice that you were given SL access, as well as getting up to RPC and touring some suites .

Woke up to SNOW this morning!!! Where is my great GF view

Friday we arrived via ME at 3pm. We were met right at the door of our bus quite enthusiastically. "Come on, I am going to escort you right to your room"!!!

Glad you had a great trip and loved RPC.....it really is hard to beat .

Our temps dropped drastically late yesterday, and were supposed to be in the low 20s overnight, upper 30s today. Then, back to 50s for the rest of the week - I hope!

How much snow did you get?

We were in the low 30s today, with that to be the going temp over the next few days . Everything was covered pretty good this morning, but we didn't get 6" (thank goodness )....but for some reason I'm thinking we are in for a not-so-mild winter .

Good morning fellow GF fans!

MickeyNut Whats new and exciting my friend?? Any new trip plans..Inquiring mind here...

Hi Blue . No changes have been made yet, but I am contemplating one .

i got an email today that magical vacations travel is doing their labor day promo again. i emailed to get pricing and was told that there are no GF CL rooms available with the promo. what a bummer!

I got the same email. Sorry GF CL isn't available .

4030 deluxe king

I loved this skyline of GF from boat!

Great pics....thanks for sharing .

In your time mixing with the Mouse and his minions, was there word on start date for the room renovations?

I was wondering this myself .

And, to answer your question about the room renos, Followthatmouse, a guy came into our room in Boca to measure the drapes or sliders, and said that the concierge rooms would be last; and I gathered from what he said that they would not begin working on RPC and SL until later in the spring. When I told him we planned to return in early May, he said that buildings 7,8 and 9 (I think) would be done by then. And one of the CMs in the SL lounge said they had not been told when SL would be closed yet.

Thanks for this info, grannyminnie .

Aaaaaargh! We are booked for RPC in May. Oh, well! I'm sure we can make the most of anything at the GF.

You will love it......RPC will be amazing with or without a refurbed room .

 

[followthatmouse]

You will love it......RPC will be amazing with or without a refurbed room .

We DO love it, mickeynut1! This will be (hopefully) our third RPC stay. We feel very fortunate. Actually, we feel as though we have a second home! It's for this reason we hope that the RPC is up and running during our stay. But, if not, it's not the end of the world. Indeed, we would be pretty selfish and petty people if we throw a tantrum over room types at the GF. I'm sure there are many for whom this type of vacation is just an impossible dream. But, it is our favorite spot at WDW, especially for my DM. Just love the larger deluxe rooms and many of the CMs seem part of the family as they have been so good to us. So, we will hope for the best.

 

[figmentfan510]

[QUOTE=" Are you asking about the walk from the outer buildings with standard resort rooms, or the Villas with a lagoon view? From the Villas, posters have said it is about a 5-7 minute walk to lobby/monorail. If you mean from one of the outer buildings like Boca Chica or Big Pine, it is about 3 minutes to walk to the lobby, add an extra minute or two for elevator or take the stairs. HTH![/QUOTE]

I was asking about the outer buildings. Thank you!!

 

[Networth]

Hello all!

First time staying at the Grand Floridian. I stayed many times as a child at the Contempory Tower, but I took my first steps as a baby in the Grand Floridian resort . My girlfriend and I our coming down the 12-19th of December, she thinks we are staying at a moderator (the first of many surprises.) Like I said its a week long trip her first time on property and first time visiting anything but the Magic Kingdom when she was a child. We have reservations that first night at V&A's, which is where I will be popping the question Now my question is what building(s) should I request?

And any other GF tips/tricks/ that maybe helpful for this once in a lifetime trip. Thanks guys enjoy your vacations! and if you happen to be at the Grand Dec 12-19th and see an ecstatic couple walking by feel free to say hi.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

not sure, as i am familiar with rack rate of GF RPC but not poly or BC off the top of my head. i will say that the poly standard room she just sent me was $212/ night. if i weren't headed to go pick my kids up from swim practice i would look up the rack rates for you on all ears for comparison!

When is Poly offered at that rate?? Wow! My Florida resident rate or AP rate has never been below $280...even AKL isn't that cheap

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Hello all!

First time staying at the Grand Floridian. I stayed many times as a child at the Contempory Tower, but I took my first steps as a baby in the Grand Floridian resort . My girlfriend and I our coming down the 12-19th of December, she thinks we are staying at a moderator (the first of many surprises.) Like I said its a week long trip her first time on property and first time visiting anything but the Magic Kingdom when she was a child. We have reservations that first night at V&A's, which is where I will be popping the question Now my question is what building(s) should I request?

And any other GF tips/tricks/ that maybe helpful for this once in a lifetime trip. Thanks guys enjoy your vacations! and if you happen to be at the Grand Dec 12-19th and see an ecstatic couple walking by feel free to say hi.

Awe... Congrats!!! As a Disney Bride, I get very excited for Disney Proposals/weddingS!
This will be my first stay at GF, so no advice really on building..but maybe one looking at the Wedding Pavilion..

 

[grannyminnie]

not sure, as i am familiar with rack rate of GF RPC but not poly or BC off the top of my head. i will say that the poly standard room she just sent me was $212/ night. if i weren't headed to go pick my kids up from swim practice i would look up the rack rates for you on all ears for comparison!

Wow!!! For that price, I could be persuaded to switch over...almost! I do wonder (and might inquire) as to the price of the GF standard rooms, however, my sister has a health issue that keeps us from going in the heat of the summer, so it's probably not going to happen.

On to more thoughts on our GF stay last week:

The resort was apparently pretty full, based on the CMs comments, but as usual, it never seemed so. As we all know, those grounds are just so amazingly relaxing...

We found the MBs to be easy to use, and never had any issues in the park, tho I thought that getting into the room required a little more finesse (getting my wrist placed just so on the door ). I noticed alot of people without MBs so some must still be opting out thus far. I did take my keycard everywhere with me as backup!

We love sitting in the lobby to hear the piano and orchestra, and expecially enjoyed the new pianist, Wes, two or three times. He's quite personable, actually leaving the piano to go over to guests to ask for requests! Christian is still our favorite tho!

For the first time ever, we got to enjoy the decoration of the gingerbread house! That was a treat... It took about 3 full days. The bad thing was, it took away alot of lobby seating, and there was a log jam near it in the evenings and people gathered to watch and take pictures.

We also went to a DVC presentation over at Saratoga Springs, to learn about the GF villlas. That was interesting and informative and we sure would love to buy into it, but just can't swing it. Gotta win the lottery for that!

More later...

 

[trishadono]

What time was this picture taken?

Is this during the afternoon tea service or during the evening appetizers?

I know I have had champagne with the appetizers. Cannot recall having bubbly with tea. If it is, HOW did I miss it?

Thanks!

That was 3pm and champagne is available upon request. Some have even had it mixed with orange juice at breakfast in the past.

My checkin guy pretty much insisted I go and a glass first thing

 

[MommyGina]

Good morning friends. Trying to catch up on my reading here! I love seeing pictures of the GF! I, too, wish that I was there yesterday. We woke up to snow flurries as well here in CT. Yuck.

When we came home in July from the GF, I tried to book RPC again for next July. It was unavailable. Even TA could not book. I had mentioned a while back that I thought that this is when the rooms were being done over. From what I have read, sounds like this is timeframe...all of July for RPC. I think many rooms in SL are unavailable in June because of the refurb as well.

If rooms are put back in RPC for July, we will move over to there from SL. We love being in the main building and having the extra space in the lounge to move around. Food is still the same, but the feel is different.

 

[grannyminnie]

Good morning friends. Trying to catch up on my reading here! I love seeing pictures of the GF! I, too, wish that I was there yesterday. We woke up to snow flurries as well here in CT. Yuck.

When we came home in July from the GF, I tried to book RPC again for next July. It was unavailable. Even TA could not book. I had mentioned a while back that I thought that this is when the rooms were being done over. From what I have read, sounds like this is timeframe...all of July for RPC. I think many rooms in SL are unavailable in June because of the refurb as well.

If rooms are put back in RPC for July, we will move over to there from SL. We love being in the main building and having the extra space in the lounge to move around. Food is still the same, but the feel is different.

Thanks for that info...not that we ever go in July, but it's good to know an approximate time frame anyway. A girl can dream about an extra trip!!

 

[catflorida]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of doing a stay for fourth of July. It will be my second stay at the Grand Floridian. Do they show the fireworks on both the 3rd and 4th every year or was this a special event for 2013. Thanks.

 

[mickeynut1]

We DO love it, mickeynut1! This will be (hopefully) our third RPC stay. We feel very fortunate. Actually, we feel as though we have a second home! It's for this reason we hope that the RPC is up and running during our stay. But, if not, it's not the end of the world. Indeed, we would be pretty selfish and petty people if we throw a tantrum over room types at the GF. I'm sure there are many for whom this type of vacation is just an impossible dream. But, it is our favorite spot at WDW, especially for my DM. Just love the larger deluxe rooms and many of the CMs seem part of the family as they have been so good to us. So, we will hope for the best.

I'm sorry.....I thought you were talking about possibly getting a room that wasn't refurbed yet....didn't realize RPC might be out of commission . I hope everything works out and you are able to stay RPC. Other CLs are nice, but there really isn't anything like RPC .

Hello all!

First time staying at the Grand Floridian. I stayed many times as a child at the Contempory Tower, but I took my first steps as a baby in the Grand Floridian resort . My girlfriend and I our coming down the 12-19th of December, she thinks we are staying at a moderator (the first of many surprises.) Like I said its a week long trip her first time on property and first time visiting anything but the Magic Kingdom when she was a child. We have reservations that first night at V&A's, which is where I will be popping the question Now my question is what building(s) should I request?

And any other GF tips/tricks/ that maybe helpful for this once in a lifetime trip. Thanks guys enjoy your vacations! and if you happen to be at the Grand Dec 12-19th and see an ecstatic couple walking by feel free to say hi.

Congrats on booking the GF for such a special occasion . I don't think any of the buildings are bad, but we enjoyed our stay in Big Pine Key. Our room overlooked the courtyard pool and we were very convenient to the main building and Gasparillas. With that said, Boca Chica is also nice, which is located right next to BPK, facing the courtyard pool. I'm sure you'll have an amazing trip as the GF is wonderful any time of year, but especially so during the holidays .

On to more thoughts on our GF stay last week:

The resort was apparently pretty full, based on the CMs comments, but as usual, it never seemed so. As we all know, those grounds are just so amazingly relaxing...

We found the MBs to be easy to use, and never had any issues in the park, tho I thought that getting into the room required a little more finesse (getting my wrist placed just so on the door ). I noticed alot of people without MBs so some must still be opting out thus far. I did take my keycard everywhere with me as backup!

We love sitting in the lobby to hear the piano and orchestra, and expecially enjoyed the new pianist, Wes, two or three times. He's quite personable, actually leaving the piano to go over to guests to ask for requests! Christian is still our favorite tho!

For the first time ever, we got to enjoy the decoration of the gingerbread house! That was a treat... It took about 3 full days. The bad thing was, it took away alot of lobby seating, and there was a log jam near it in the evenings and people gathered to watch and take pictures.

We also went to a DVC presentation over at Saratoga Springs, to learn about the GF villlas. That was interesting and informative and we sure would love to buy into it, but just can't swing it. Gotta win the lottery for that!

More later...

Thanks for more review of your trip . How nice that you were able to see the gingerbread house get decorated. The gingerbread house is great, but I agree that it does take away a lot of room in the lobby. LOL on buying into the VGF if you win the lottery .

Good morning friends. Trying to catch up on my reading here! I love seeing pictures of the GF! I, too, wish that I was there yesterday. We woke up to snow flurries as well here in CT. Yuck.

It's always good to have something as nice as the GF to think about when there's snow on the ground .

A girl can dream about an extra trip!!

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of doing a stay for fourth of July. It will be my second stay at the Grand Floridian. Do they show the fireworks on both the 3rd and 4th every year or was this a special event for 2013. Thanks.

I can't help with the fireworks as we've never been at the time, but I'm sure someone else will be able to answer that for you .

 

[Candy Orlando]

It's only 27 degrees right now in Massachusetts.

Our vacation is in 30 days. Our magic bands will be shipped to us soon.

I am so happy Disney built the Villas. I have wanted to stay at the Grand for so long but couldn't because I needed a kitchen.

I love Christmas at the Grand.

 

[bethclayton]

my semi-random thought for the night: with all the talk about summer and refurbs (as well as talk on other threads of the poly and summer and construction)... the more i think about it, staying RPC at the GF last summer was such a lifesaver. i am not sure whether i would do summer again without that option. we are not very heat-tolerant people and we would get very overheated at the parks. by the last few days of our trip we were only making it until 1-3 in the afternoon before feeling totally wilted and needing to return to the resort because we had just had it with the heat. it was a godsend to have that lounge. by the time we arrived back, the scones were usually out, and then the live music started around 3. it was an amazing AIR CONDITIONED way to have a lazy rest of our day. we were so wiped out that we would sit and enjoy the scones/ snacks and the music for quite a while. then, go to the room and get showers and relax before coming out again for the twilight refreshers and more music. then a nice dinner somewhere and shopping... all without ever leaving the AIR CONDITIONED building for the whole rest of the day, with plenty to do to keep us occupied. i would hate to come back to a resort that early and be stuck in the room as my only option to stay cool. hanging at the pool is not very enticing to us as we have a pool at home, one that has no one else's bodily fluids in it, lol!

 

[catflorida]

Hi Mickeynut, thanks again for your help but still can't decide on fourth of July. At least I still have March in a Deluxe King in RPC.

Hi everyone on this board. I have just finished reading through all the threads and this is the nicest group I have found on any forum. You all know way more that I, a Florida resident, that has been going to Disney since 1974. I am learning a lot about the Grand Floridian and would love to post more when I learn to use the computer properly. Thank you all for such great information and for being so welcoming!

 

[grannyminnie]

Beth, I hear ya on the heat down there (we have about the same here in Atlanta so it's not like I'm not used to it). However, as I said yesterday, my sister can tolerate it even less so we rarely go then.

Hi Mickeynut

Hello, Blue.

More thoughts on my trip:

I looked several places for the new Vera B. purses and other accessories but no luck. What's up with that? I found two large duffles in a shop on Main St. but that's not what I was looking for. We didn't get to Downtown Disney so if they are at the big Disney store, I missed them.

As I said, we thought the new building just blended in beautifully with the GF and it was a pleasure to walk around the grounds and have that view over toward the VGF and beyond.

We used the monorail over to the MK and the water launch back. Never any interruptions of service. And really, never a wait.

I booked a BB for the first part of May, but might have to change it due to a family graduation around that time. I wish the prices were not out the roof during March because I think the first week would be a fab time to go, weather-wise as well as crowd-wise.

Did I mention Mousekeeping? We had good ones, several different ones, but all very nice and accomodating when you ask for more toiletries, which we do. I do miss those big green bars of soap with the nubby side. The other ones are just meh.

Oh, I forgot....the PARKING! Guests are now allowed to park up near the building where valet once was!!! Yay!! So much nicer!

I think I've covered about everything, but if anyone has any questions, I'll try to help. Wish I knew how to post pictures...that Dream castle was exquisite! People would just stand on Main St. and stare at it, us included!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Beth,
Oh, I forgot....the PARKING! Guests are now allowed to park up near the building where valet once was!!! Yay!! So much nicer!

:

OH! I am SOOO glad to see this! The one time I had a dining reservation at the GF, I had to park across the street. I hated that (not to mention, there wasn't a spot open). That was going to be the reason I was going to valet in February..just so I wouldn't have to cross the street. I never use my car, but it still would be a pain..kinda a CL let down to have to park before being escorted to CL!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Good Morning my Grand Floridian Friends -- I am very happily updating my ticker -- as I will be coming home on the first week in February! Can't wait to walk into the lobby, nor enjoy all the Grand has to offer.

Tom

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Good Morning my Grand Floridian Friends -- I am very happily updating my ticker -- as I will be coming home on the first week in February! Can't wait to walk into the lobby, nor enjoy all the Grand has to offer.

Tom

oh!! I am right behind you!! Keep the lobby warm for me!

 

[AmyKat]

I'll be there then too! My first stay at GF since I was a kid.