A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[BCV23]

k&a&c'smom,

BVC free wifi in the MK, sounds great!

I had fun yesterday morning checking out wait times at the MK on "My Disney Experience." We used to love MK on Sundays until about noon. Not busy at all. That changed when it became EMH. I decided to see if things had improved. Not!!! No Sunday ams at MK for us next trip. Love that app so far.

The peak price now for deluxe dining is July and that is when the value rates are out for rooms. Talk about frustrating!

Peak room rates run as high as $1,170 for a standard RPC room. Value for part of July is "only" $805. The difference in dining is just $1.35/adult/day and $1/child/day for the regular dining plan according to Mousesavers. Not much to worry about really compared to all you will save on your room rate.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

I'm getting interested in the VGF...the resort is amazing enough that I'm sure renting DVC points and staying at VGF when they open would be a great way to experience the resort with paying so much

 

[Tink rules]

From what I've heard... the points for the VGF will be priced VERY high... it's going to be higher than BLT but it might not be as high as the eventual Poly DVC... they say that there is much more interest in that than in VGF...

Also the amount of points to stay at the Grand is expected to be higher as well.. .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - thanks.

Those were the days, weren't they, when you had a simple chart for value, regular, peak and holiday? Now it looks like an algebra equation.

BCV23 -

Good point about the resort savings in value season - you get a good portion whacked off before the discounts even start!

I need to get DD to download that new app, sounds great.

Tink rules - I've heard the same, some really high estimates for point price AND usage. I hope it isn't as bad as predicted.

disneydreamfan14 - Welcome! I'm sure you are not alone, many out there are looking forward to the completion of the new DVC.

 

[Tink rules]

I think they are going to use the high points to discourage others from booking the Grand. & I think they are going to also move the bridals to that wing, thus freeing up more of RPC.

 

[pas130]

How cute your DH is so excited about the buffets. We are not huge buffet people, we never get our money's worth, but the 1900 PF and CP buffets are very nice.

LOL about the last night RPC. Good luck with resisting.

Thanks about DD.

Yes, we are no longer eating at 1900 park fare....

because Saturday morning/afternoon we will be checking in for one night to

RPC Deluxe King

shocker I know

pas, Saturday at 1900 Park Fare on Saturday, yay! I will look forward to getting your pictures and posting them on the thread. Sooo, excited you will be at our beloved GF this week!

And ever other dance I can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not much to worry about really compared to all you will save on your room rate.

Speaking of room rates...when I called to see what was available Saturday, I was quoted rack rate.....YOWZER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Congratulations pas, enjoy the RPC!

BCV, I have "Disney World Wait Times" on my iPad. I think it's the same type of app as "My Disney Experience". I can't find your app unfornately However, if anyone cares Toy Story Mania is currently 100 minutes!

k&a&c'smom, are you still on for WDW with your DD in a couple of weeks? I LOVE mother daughter trips

 

[pas130]

Congratulations pas, enjoy the RPC!

Thanks Sarah

 

[BCV23]

pas130, that is so exciting and so funny . It's so much fun trying to keep up with your plans. A deluxe king...yay! Did you request turret or the second floor? Have a wonderful anniversary trip with your DH.

Jungle Cruiser, thanks about that app. I haven't heard of that one. I have the verizon one but My Disney Experience is so much better. It was just released last week and is only available on iphone and ipads right now. I need to borrow my son's ipad to try it as people rave about it on there. I'll download yours, too. Can't have too many WDW apps, right?

As for GF DVC, who knows about points and cost/point. Personally I would guess that the point structure would be similar to BLT. There are usually good incentives to buy when it first becomes available. Will be interesting to see.

 

[lmb80129]

So I've read through most of this thread and it seems that most of the construction around the pools and restaurants will be completed in December. If we plan a trip in January for Sugar Loaf, will the construction be limited to the DVC areas or will it still seem like a construction zone? TIA

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - RPC, woohoo!! So soon, can't believe you'll be there in a few days.

Jungle Cruiser - yes, the trip is ON!! You are so right, mother/daughter trips are wonderful, looking forward to this has probably helped DD through her disappointment over the job.

Tink rules - I haven't heard the rumor about the bridal parties, makes sense. So close to the Wedding Chapel.

BCV23 - I hope you are right about the GFV having a similar pricing structure to BLT. It would be so deflating if the price per point and usage were wildly higher.

DD has a times app from UT on her Android, works pretty well. I wonder if "My Disney Experience" will work on her iTouch? I know some of the previous "i" apps would only work on the phone, not the Touch. If I can remember to ask when she's here, we'll try to download.

So I've read through most of this thread and it seems that most of the construction around the pools and restaurants will be completed in December. If we plan a trip in January for Sugar Loaf, will the construction be limited to the DVC areas or will it still seem like a construction zone? TIA

Welcome!! Glad you've joined us.

If all goes according to plan, the DVC construction should be all that's left in January. Maybe the outdoor work on DVC will even be finished after the first of the year. Keeping our fingers crossed.

 

[pas130]

pas130, that is so exciting and so funny . It's so much fun trying to keep up with your plans. A deluxe king...yay! Did you request turret or the second floor? Have a wonderful anniversary trip with your DH.

No requests....I feel bad, I did request a balcony (so that's non-Turret, right?) on a prior booking. Either will be amazing. I just want to stay there...they can put an Army cot in the lounge and I'll be good with that

pas130 - RPC, woohoo!! So soon, can't believe you'll be there in a few days.

SO EXCITED!!!!!!! I HAVE 2 HONEYMOON ROOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We are tentatively planning a split GF/BC stay next summer. We would be at the GF over the 4th of July. Years ago we had a fantastic TPV room for the 4th of July. Of courses prices are a lot higher now and it's about $150 a night more for a TPV room thana gv room.

My question is - if you've stayed at the GF over the 4th recently how crowded do the Wishes viewing areas (down by Gasparillas and the marina and the boat dock near Narcoossee's) get. Hate to spend the extra $1000 if we can easily get a good public viewing area but I don't want to regret not being able to have a good view of the fireworks.

Any thoughts?

 

[BCV23]

pas130, I'm with you. A cot in RPC would be just fine with me. Have a Grand time.

k&a&c'smom, I don't think I was clear enough about GF DVC. I don't have a clue about pricing or points. It is totally a guess on my part that point structure might be similar to BLT. As for price, historically, DVC offers incentives when a new resort begins sales especially when the resort isn't actually open yet. I would think the price will certainly be more than opening price at BLT but probably close to the current BLT price point. Totally a guess. Are you getting excited about your trip?

Robyn, good to see you here. I've never stayed at GF over 4th of July so can't help you. Hopefully someone here has. Sounds like a great split stay.

 

[cgulls]

Happy Wednesday. I can't find the original post or question about "times apps" but I see some replies. I assume everybody already uses Lines, yes? Sorry if that isn't related to the original question or suggestion.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - you are right, either deluxe king will be great!! We love the turret rooms, I think it's our favorite room in all of WDW, but the 2nd floor rooms have a balcony and a nice view of the castle. Plus, as far away from the construction as you can get.

So excited for you!!

BCV23 - thanks for clarifying, I knew you were saying it was just a guess but I probably confused others with my rambling.

We ARE excited, can't wait for YC (SAB, 'nuff said!) and GF, best of both worlds.

DisneyMomx7 - Welcome back! We have never braved the World over July 4th, not sure why as it is my favorite holiday. I hope someone can help, it seems baler31 may have been there over the 4th?

I know what you mean regarding the cost of rooms these days, the rack rates seem sooo high.

cgulls - Happy Wednesday! BCV23 posted about the free wifi in the MK and the new iPhone app, My Disney Experience, a couple pages back. I don't think there was a question about it, so no worries.

I'm not sure what the app is called that DD uses, it was from UT. I just asked her, and she can't remember the name, either! Is Lines for a particular type of interface? ETA: I just looked at touringplans, looks like they have a version for most phones - we'll try that one, too!

 

[pas130]

pas130, I'm with you. A cot in RPC would be just fine with me. Have a Grand time.

pas130 - you are right, either deluxe king will be great!! We love the turret rooms, I think it's our favorite room in all of WDW, but the 2nd floor rooms have a balcony and a nice view of the castle. Plus, as far away from the construction as you can get.

So excited for you!!

I promise to REMEMBER to have & charge the camera

 

[cgulls]

pas130 - you are right, either deluxe king will be great!! We love the turret rooms, I think it's our favorite room in all of WDW, but the 2nd floor rooms have a balcony and a nice view of the castle. Plus, as far away from the construction as you can get.

So excited for you!!

BCV23 - thanks for clarifying, I knew you were saying it was just a guess but I probably confused others with my rambling.

We ARE excited, can't wait for YC (SAB, 'nuff said!) and GF, best of both worlds.

DisneyMomx7 - Welcome back! We have never braved the World over July 4th, not sure why as it is my favorite holiday. I hope someone can help, it seems baler31 may have been there over the 4th?

I know what you mean regarding the cost of rooms these days, the rack rates seem sooo high.

cgulls - Happy Wednesday! BCV23 posted about the free wifi in the MK and the new iPhone app, My Disney Experience, a couple pages back. I don't think there was a question about it, so no worries.

I'm not sure what the app is called that DD uses, it was from UT. I just asked her, and she can't remember the name, either! Is Lines for a particular type of interface? ETA: I just looked at touringplans, looks like they have a version for most phones - we'll try that one, too!

Lines from Touring Plans is fabulous as is the "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World", its sister reference. They post the parks' "posted" wait times plus what they've calculated to be the actual wait time. I've used their pre-set (but customizable) Touring Plans for the parks, too. Yikes, this sounds like a commercial! But my intent is that if somebody hasn't used it they might really benefit from it as I have.

 

[cgulls]

Lines from Touring Plans is fabulous as is the "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World", its sister reference. They post the parks' "posted" wait times plus what they've calculated to be the actual wait time. I've used their pre-set (but customizable) Touring Plans for the parks, too. Yikes, this sounds like a commercial! But my intent is that if somebody hasn't used it they might really benefit from it as I have.

Oops, I didn't answer the one question you asked. Lines works on iPhone and Droid phones. That's helpful in the parks. But you can use it in any browser on any pc or mac as far as I can tell. That doesn't help you IN the parks but it can help you plan. Or just have fun thinking about Disney when you're not there.

 

[Angel16]

Hello Everyone It has been awhile since I have posted on here, but I have been checking in on you all and keeping track of changes going on at GF. They will be wonderful I hope when they are completed. I am a little sad that the amazing view of the wedding chapel and Poly will be changed forever. Oh well progress. We will be back to GF after all the construction is finished.

We are heading to WDW in just a few weeks we will be staying at Shades of Green for a couple of nights to really enjoy the Magic Kingdom and resort dining. We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary (sure does not seem like that many years...they have been wonderful and flew by)

Question: Is the monorail still being taken down daily? I have not recently read anyone talking about that? Also, it closes down one hour after the MK closes, is that correct? I have read some people having problems as the monorail has broken down a few times. Is that common?

Want to be prepared with a backup plan. Thank you in advance.

Angel16