A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Jungle Cruiser]

Thank you again! Very helpful! Doesn't anyone know of a link to a recent TR to GF? Also, are there any plan to close down any pools in late August or the future for the construction? I know if the beach pool was closed that would be a deal breaker for my kids. I'm getting so very excited!

The Beach pool, as k&a&c'smom said is still open. It has been open the whole time. There are walls up, but there are lounge chairs and you can still order food to be delivered.

CM's have reported to guests who have stayed there recently that the courtyard pool is going to be under construction, to make it zero entry starting in late August, when the construction is done at the other pool. I think everyone is confident that both pools will not be impacted at the same time.

There are lots of brief trip reports posted on this thread. I don't know of any specific GF reports on the Trip Report thread, but I am sure they are there.

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Ugh.....really?! That must be why there was such a great deal for the end of August. so if they start to work on the courtyard pool (which don't a lot of rooms face it?)... And then while still open...the beach pool will still have all the fencing up? That would greatly impact a stay and feel for the entire resort...

 

[mariamouse]

Ugh.....really?! That must be why there was such a great deal for the end of August. so if they start to work on the courtyard pool (which don't a lot of rooms face it?)... And then while still open...the beach pool will still have all the fencing up? That would greatly impact a stay and feel for the entire resort...

Definitely has no relation to the rate you got! Disney very rarely discounts rooms during construction.

Construction at the courtyard would definitely have a greater impact on the entire resort since it is so visible, but I would not automatically assume that it will start when you are there or that it will be a huge eyesore.

I would stay posted and hope for the best! If you learn that both will be fenced off/worked on while you are there, then a switch might be in order.

 

[beckysko]

BlessedwithTriplets -

beckysko - thanks for that photo! Do you mind if I copy it to the first page?

For sure! I have a bunch more photos that I will upload, now that I have figured it out!! Once the baby is in bed!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Definitely has no relation to the rate you got! Disney very rarely discounts rooms during construction.

Construction at the courtyard would definitely have a greater impact on the entire resort since it is so visible, but I would not automatically assume that it will start when you are there or that it will be a huge eyesore.

I would stay posted and hope for the best! If you learn that both will be fenced off/worked on while you are there, then a switch might be in order.

I agree...just wish I knew for sure! I called the GF and the person I spoke with said as of now she sees no information on upcoming construction on the courtyard pool...but who knows!

 

[beckysko]

From our recent trip to GF! My husband's work had a conference there, and this was the welcome amenity in the hospitality suite: chocolate boxes full of chocolate with the GF pic on them! They are entirely edible (some of it was eaten in this pic...)

I did laundry (baby stuff) while I was there (in the main building). I do NOT recommend it! The laundry 'facility' is sooo hard to find (2 staff members didn't know where it was and one of them has worked there for 25 years!) There is ONE washer and ONE dryer. And there is no seating in the room (but there is an ice machine) so I brought a book and sat on the floor in the hallway. Here are some pics from that:

and this framed picture is on the wall in the laundry room:

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Oh no! I hope all the buildings don't have only one washer and dryer?! I plan on doing laundry this trip....trying to save money and bring one less suitcase. I imagine most of the guests of the GF don't do laundry

 

[beckysko]

We had 3 adjoining rooms in the main building, 5th floor. One was 2 Queen beds, the middle room was a living room type with a pullout couch and a wetbar area, and the third was a King bedroom.

 

[beckysko]

 

[Candy Orlando]

beckysko

Thank you for the photos. It's always nice to see new photos of rooms we've never seen. The photos of your view are beautiful.

 

[Finally08]

Didn't know if this has been mentioned and was wondering if anyone knew more info - I read on another board that the quick service place at GF would be closing for refurb towards the end of august through december. This obviously affects us....as eating will be pretty difficult if that's the only QS option!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

beckysko - Thanks for the photos! Wonderful room with lovely views. I was surprised to hear some of the RPC staff are unaware of the 2nd floor laundry room, I'm sure others have reported asking for it.

Can I exchange my pre-order PhotoPass + voucher at the Mouse Mercantile in the GF or do I need to go to DTD or a Park?

Welcome! I've never used Photopass, so I can't help. If no one here has any info, you might try posting on the main Resorts board - someone can probably answer in general whether you can exchange at the resorts.

I agree...just wish I knew for sure! I called the GF and the person I spoke with said as of now she sees no information on upcoming construction on the courtyard pool...but who knows!

From past experience, it seems most of the resort CMs are not kept up on the schedule for renovations. Keep in mind, when you call the resort you are more likely talking with someone in a call center - but even if at the resort, we've had reports that CMs denied knowledge of renovations that were taking place that day in the resort.

The info given to baler31 a few weeks ago indicated the construction on the courtyard pool will begin after the work on the beach pool is finished. I think the plan is for late August, but it rarely goes according to plan.

Oh no! I hope all the buildings don't have only one washer and dryer?! I plan on doing laundry this trip....trying to save money and bring one less suitcase. I imagine most of the guests of the GF don't do laundry

Each outer building has its own laundry room except Sugar Loaf. Most seem to have 2 washers, 2 dryers. I've done laundry at the GF many times and rarely been forced to wait.

Didn't know if this has been mentioned and was wondering if anyone knew more info - I read on another board that the quick service place at GF would be closing for refurb towards the end of august through december. This obviously affects us....as eating will be pretty difficult if that's the only QS option!!

Welcome! We have heard this, too, but not sure if a timeline was given. Again, baler31 recently chatted with CMs and management, and they stated Gasparilla's would be renovated, but I don't know if that specific info was given. I think they said it would be expanded, and the possibility of the arcade being removed was mentioned.

This would have a huge impact on anyone, I imagine, except those in club level. CL guests would at least have the option of grabbing breakfast and snacks in the lounge. Hopefully, there will be a temporary solution offered.

 

[bluejasmine]

I just realized I never reported about my June trip for GF SL.

It was fantastic! GF is addicting and the CL was perfect! We had a marina view room and it was ready at 730 am on a Fri morning! CM said it was due to online check in and the email I sent letting them know I would be early.

Food offerings were good, I liked that at breakfast you had some meats and cheeses, at the Poly there are none. My fave turned out to be the salmon cream cheese spread, first I thought eww but tried it and it was fantastic on a toasted bagel!

Court yard pool had plenty of ppl but was never crowded, it was so nice to be able to hop on the monorail and go swimming after a morning at the parks. I will say it will be awhile before I go back in the summer tho, Im use to Sept when you can leave the parks and come back and ride the rides. That is almost impossible in the summer, the lines were ridiculous!

Anyway, we did some shopping in the mens store for my DH for fathers day got a great present at a suprisingly decent price! All the CM were amazing and the property is so beautiful I absolutely loved my first stay at GF!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

bluejasmine - Aww, so glad you had a magical stay at the Grand! Wonderful you were able to get in your room so early, I know they've been trying to assign rooms as people arrive so the wait is as little as possible.

The GF club level breakfast offerings are great, aren't they? We love having the meats and cheeses available, too, and the various spreads throughout the day are our favorites.

I'm always surprised at the deals we find in the GF shops, they often have sales.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Good Morning everyone and thank you so much for all the support and love. Where ever my friends journey brings him, I just hope it's a peaceful one as well.

k&a&c'smom I tried to get a picture for you of the entrance to the GF where Richard was greeting but there was just too many people. So sorry.

pas130You are right, no news is good news. I know how you feel. DS had to endure many tests many he was little and the waiting for results was so hard.

Sending lots of

Here are a couple of pictures of the construction and I will have DH upload some of his GF pictures to photobucket and will post those a bit later when he returns. His turned out better than mine.
These photos were taken on Wednesday 6/27 just when Debby was ending.

These were taken on Monday July 1st. These two photos appear to us to be the kiddie splash area that was mentioned sometime ago about the pool refurb. We could be wrong but it sure looks like that to us.

 

[MommyGina]

Thanks for all the photos of what is going on at the GF. 10 more days and I will be there and report back at that time as to what is going on.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Thanks for all the photos of what is going on at the GF. 10 more days and I will be there and report back at that time as to what is going on.

My Pleasure. I hope you have a wonderful time. I do have to say that the noise was not noticeable once you left the feature pool. No construction going on during the weekends which was nice and quite for those who were staying there.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Coachbagfanatic, I know I thought about it but I don't think I posted (chemo week for me) that I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I have known I am stage 4 for 5 years, so just don't give up all hope. Whatever journey he takes I hope it is easy for him.

Thank you to both Coachbagfanatic and Beckysko for the pictures. I am impressed at how quickly the construction seems to be moving along. It started out slowly but every set of pictures someone posts they seem farther along!

I know people visiting in the next couple of months are concerned about the construction, but I have to say I am pretty impressed that looking at the current pictures, that they have managed to keep the Beach Pool open the whole time!

 

[dragonfly57005]

Those pics are great!

 

[cgulls]

Thanks for the photos!