***OFFICIAL Grand Floridian Construction Thread (new info!)***

[Butterflygirl35]

I really dont see this as a major issue other than being a bit of an eyesore..

Disney really is good at minimizing the effects....

I am sure a lot of requests will be put in for Marina view

As long as Beach Pool is open and there is extended CS (plus we can use Poly amenities)... I personally am not too concerned about view from window as long as there is not too much noise.

We are at the parks all day and the convenience of the monorail and the price I paid definitely make up for it.

Although, if I paid rack.. I'd go somewhere else...

 

[JenDonnelly10670]

Sorry to hear it. When is your trip??

September 29-October 6. We are traveling with a four year old and 2 two year olds. We are concerned about the noise because we planned on returning to the room each afternoon for naps.

 

[Doodles 33]

We had ressies for Oct 6th - 11th and cancelled them at the GF and booked at AKL. The switch was painless. They were very accommodating. We are travelling with a 2-year old that loved the courtyard pool and the fountain right near it. Also, we don't like to be held down to ADR's, so we eat a lot of our meals at Gasparilla Grill. I just couldn't see paying all that money to stay at a construction site. We love the GF and it's serenity and close proximity to MK, but it's for another time. They assured us the GF will be all for the better after the construction, but for now, we will stay at AKL and deal with the busses.

 

[andyman8]

Here's a full update of Disney's Grand Floridian Villas and the resort enhancements.

http://www.disneyparksplanning.com/apps/blog/show/17505645-update-on-grand-floridian-villas

 

[dukiephi]

We are going 12/7-12/16 and I'm hopeful Gasparillas will be done by then or the substitute options for CS will be good. DD5 likes their chicken nuggets and snack options. I'm not changing resorts though... Even with the construction, I don't think I'd be happy elsewhere.

I'll post an update about things when I'm there.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We are going 12/7-12/16 and I'm hopeful Gasparillas will be done by then or the substitute options for CS will be good. DD5 likes their chicken nuggets and snack options. I'm not changing resorts though... Even with the construction, I don't think I'd be happy elsewhere.

I'll post an update about things when I'm there.

We'll be there around the same time. We are hopeful too that Gasparillas & the courtyard pool will be done by then!! Even though reports are saying late December...

 

[MinnieM21]

We are going 12/7-12/16 and I'm hopeful Gasparillas will be done by then or the substitute options for CS will be good. DD5 likes their chicken nuggets and snack options. I'm not changing resorts though... Even with the construction, I don't think I'd be happy elsewhere.

I'll post an update about things when I'm there.

In the MouseSavers newsletter it says: Gasparilla Grill and Games (Grand Floridian Resort) closed 8/24/12-12/16/12.

 

[Sfmarine]

Mid December isn't too bad. I will still miss it since I will be there in the middle of november. I am really going to miss my quick service meals at gasparillas.

 

[dragonfly57005]

Here's a full update of Disney's Grand Floridian Villas and the resort enhancements.

http://www.disneyparksplanning.com/apps/blog/show/17505645-update-on-grand-floridian-villas

Thanks for the update!

 

[MagicKingdom4Ever]

Are both pools open as of right now? If not, when does the Beach Pool open?

 

[BCV23]

Both pools are open. The courtyard pool is supposed to close in late August IIRC. Right now, there are those barricades/fencing around the new splash area at the Beach pool but the pool itself is open.

 

[MagicKingdom4Ever]

Both pools are open. The courtyard pool is supposed to close in late August IIRC. Right now, there are those barricades/fencing around the new splash area at the Beach pool but the pool itself is open.

Thank you so much. When does the splash area open? And are there walls up all along the beach?

 

[bdklein]

In an email I just got from GF IPO, Courtyard Pool is scheduled to go down for refurbishment 8/28 and Gasparilla's on 8/24. No word on anything else.

 

[megan926]

We are headed to GF in about 10 days...someone mentioned a pool closing, will it be then?

Also, someone else mentioned being able to use Poly amenities. Does that mean the pool too? I would love that!

 

[jackson2422]

We are arriving on August 29. I am having second thoughts because of the construction. Thinking of going to the CR or the Poly instead.

Any thoughts? I would like to stay club level, but have not done so other than the GF. This is mainly because of the continental breakfast, as it is easy with two young kids, so as long as I can get a quick basic fruit/toast/cereal/juice breakfast, club level is not that important.

Thanks,

 

[mag73]

We are also arriving on the 29th but I'm hopping that the the construction impact on our stay is going to be minimal. I just looked up room availability at the GF on the Disney web site and it looks like there are rooms still available in every category, also under the hotel description is a construction update:

"Please note, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

• Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 20, 2012
• Courtyard Pool: August 28 to November 30, 2012
• Gasparilla Grill & Games: August 24 to December 17, 2012
• Mouseketeer Club: August 8 to late 2012
• The Spa: April 19, 2011 to early 2013

These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience. Refurbishment dates are subject to change."


I'm little nervous about qs breakfast choices but I'm hoping for the best. I booked knowing about the construction, so it's not a deal breaker for us. As far as Poly and CR I'm not a big fan, and I would rather stay at GF with the construction than at either one of those. But once again it is my personal preference. There are a lot of people who really enjoy both of those two resorts.

 

[bdklein]

We are also arriving on the 29th but I'm hopping that the the construction impact on our stay is going to be minimal. I just looked up room availability at the GF on the Disney web site and it looks like there are rooms still available in every category, also under the hotel description is a construction update:

"Please note, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

• Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 20, 2012
• Courtyard Pool: August 28 to November 30, 2012
• Gasparilla Grill & Games: August 24 to December 17, 2012
• Mouseketeer Club: August 8 to late 2012
• The Spa: April 19, 2011 to early 2013

These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience. Refurbishment dates are subject to change."


I'm little nervous about qs breakfast choices but I'm hoping for the best. I booked knowing about the construction, so it's not a deal breaker for us. As far as Poly and CR I'm not a big fan, and I would rather stay at GF with the construction than at either one of those. But once again it is my personal preference. There are a lot of people who really enjoy both of those two resorts.

Not sure what is your budget but perhaps staying Club Level might work. solves for breakfast issue-plus if you snack a fair amount and right you can save on meals, drinks, etc. Lots of water for the hot weather.

 

[mag73]

I was thinking the same thing, we stayed in SL last year and I really enjoyed the snacks. Unfortunately my dd has celiac and there wasn't much for her to eat, and my ds is such a picky eater that he only ate some cookies and had some chocolate milk. I think we will make the decision to upgrade once we get there and see what the qs choices are.

 

[jackson2422]

I have been humming and hawing about changing resorts because of the construction at the GF. Disney has updated their website today and pushed back the closures of the courtyard pool and Gasparilla Grill.

They were originally scheduled for closure right before we arrived.

Hope they don't change it back.

Refurbishments*
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our offerings, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

Beach Pool Bar: April 2 to September 4, 2012
Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 18, 2012
Ivy Trellis Salon: October 20 to December 3, 2012
Courtyard Pool: Mid September to Mid December, 2012
Gasparilla Grill & Games: September 4 to December 17, 2012
The Spa: September 19, 2011 to December 5, 2012
These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience.

* Please note, refurbishment dates are subject to change.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I have been humming and hawing about changing resorts because of the construction at the GF. Disney has updated their website today and pushed back the closures of the courtyard pool and Gasparilla Grill.

They were originally scheduled for closure right before we arrived.

Hope they don't change it back.

Refurbishments*
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our offerings, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

Beach Pool Bar: April 2 to September 4, 2012
Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 18, 2012
Ivy Trellis Salon: October 20 to December 3, 2012
Courtyard Pool: Mid September to Mid December, 2012
Gasparilla Grill & Games: September 4 to December 17, 2012
The Spa: September 19, 2011 to December 5, 2012
These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience.

* Please note, refurbishment dates are subject to change.

Awesome news!!! Thanks for sharing