A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[bdklein]

I'm looking to break up the monorail rides -- if she does back to back she might get green around the gills, so if we conveniently miss the connection, all will be well.

Perhaps take the GF boat/launch from the GF to the Poly. Then walk to the TTC and monorail to Epcot. That will break up the monorail time. And ul ike to walk.

And I can't imagine the monorail getting anyone sick for the short duration on whch you ride it. Perhaps I am wrong. But IMO it's much smoother than a car, bus, airplane.

And maybe Bonine might help, even when compared to the similar non-drowsy Dramamine.

Good luck. Have a great trip/

 

[jcondrad]

Hoping someone could clarify this for me
I know at the Epcot area resorts the deluxe rooms have access to club level..,is this the same at GF? Was looking at AP rates and an outer building deluxe garden view was available but no club rooms. TIA!

 

[runskimom]

Hello fellow GF lovers!

Soooo, anybody at GF today (Sept 5) or soon that can tell us if Gasparilla's closed and/or the pool bar reopened today like on the published timeline?

 

[bedogged]

I booked today and have a question. I asked this on the attractions board, but haven't had an answer. Perhaps someone here could answer this? How early does the resort monorail start running? I want to make a reservation at Kona Cafe at the Poly at 7:30 a.m. Will I have any problem making this reservation using the Monorail?

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I'm staying for the first time at the GF, but from what I've read on here the Poly is a short walk from GF -- very short walk, like less than 10 minutes. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

TIA,
Tom

 

[dipastor]

The resort monorail starts running at 7am.

here's the link for hours.

wdwmagic.com/transportation/monorail

Have fun.

 

[bdklein]

I booked today and have a question. I asked this on the attractions board, but haven't had an answer. Perhaps someone here could answer this? How early does the resort monorail start running? I want to make a reservation at Kona Cafe at the Poly at 7:30 a.m. Will I have any problem making this reservation using the Monorail?

You could walk-take 15 minutes or so probably (depending on the person). Assuming the path is open and not closed due to the DVC construction.

 

[phyllis1966]

The walk from the GF to the Poly is lovely - it only takes us about 10-15 minutes, and we don't rush. It's much better than the monorail in this instance, because the Poly would be the farthest stop from the GF, and it could possibly take a bit longer than walking, depending on how long the monorail waits at each stop.

We love that walk - it really stimulates the appetite for a big Kona Cafe breakfast!

 

[bedogged]

You could walk-take 15 minutes or so probably (depending on the person). Assuming the path is open and not closed due to the DVC construction.

There has been some speculation about it being closed on another thread. Can someone verify that it is still open?

 

[bdklein]

There has been some speculation about it being closed on another thread. Can someone verify that it is still open?

I guess someone could do that, but I would think it could hange due to the constrcution. Meaning no sure things either way. It appeared to be open a coppl of weeks ago. I say that because we were driven by a cart from the GF to the Poly via the path.

 

[cardidog]

I can hardly believe that 4 weeks from today my dear husband and I will be checking into this wonderful-looking resort! I've always wanted to stay at the Grand Floridian---this will be my 13th trip to WDW since my first visit in 1974. We are only staying for 3 nights before our 17th wedding anniversary on a 7 night Disney cruise---that will be my 7th Disney cruise since 2007---I absolutely love Disney cruises!

I am a little worried about the construction but you all have been very reassuring in your posts that the property is still magical and worth visiting. I sure hope so. We didn't request any specific building---we just asked for a king and booked a garden view room.

Does anyone staying there recently feel that it is crowded? What are my odds of getting an upgrade at check-in? Also, are there any bounce-back offers in the rooms for next year's stays? I'd appreciate any knowledge or advice from the professional GF guests;-)

We also have tickets to the MK Halloween Party one night---how does one return to the hotel from the park after midnight?

Does the GF have more than one store to shop at? Do you know if they make GF-themed beach towels?

I'm sure I'll have other questions but these are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Thanks

Susan (and Tom)

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

*snipped by me*

Does anyone staying there recently feel that it is crowded? Also, are there any bounce-back offers in the rooms for next year's stays?

Hi, we just returned a few weeks ago from our first visit to GF. I can only answer a few questions, I will leave the others up to the experts. We didn't feel like it was crowded at all. There was one weekend where about 600 college students descended upon the place, but other than that one day and night, I never got the feeling like it was crowded. We practically had the courtyard pool to ourselves most of the time.

Sadly, there was no bounceback offer left in our room.
Have a wonderful time! GF was gorgeous and everything we expected and more.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I can hardly believe that 4 weeks from today my dear husband and I will be checking into this wonderful-looking resort! I've always wanted to stay at the Grand Floridian---this will be my 13th trip to WDW since my first visit in 1974. We are only staying for 3 nights before our 17th wedding anniversary on a 7 night Disney cruise---that will be my 7th Disney cruise since 2007---I absolutely love Disney cruises!

I am a little worried about the construction but you all have been very reassuring in your posts that the property is still magical and worth visiting. I sure hope so. We didn't request any specific building---we just asked for a king and booked a garden view room.

Does anyone staying there recently feel that it is crowded? What are my odds of getting an upgrade at check-in? Also, are there any bounce-back offers in
the rooms for next year's stays? I'd appreciate any knowledge or advice from
the professional GF guests;-)

We also have tickets to the MK Halloween Party one night---how does one return to the hotel from the park after midnight?

Does the GF have more than one store to shop at? Do you know if they make GF-themed beach towel

I'm sure I'll have other questions but these are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.



Thanks

Susan (and Tom)

Let's see if I can help. Your chances of an upgrade aren't great and there is nothing you can do to increase your chances. They do happen, we have been upgraded twice, but have also stayed there close to 20 times since the year after it opened. One thing I have read many times is asking for a free upgrade at any of the resorts is a bad idea.

As of a couple of weeks ago it was reported that the Bouceback offer in the room was for free dining for some dates in 2013. However summer season is now over so they may put something new out soon.

Unless something has changed the monorail will be running after the party, as well as the launches to return to the resort. The monorail doesn't stay open to the end of extra magic hours, but it has been open after the parties in the past. If this changes there will be signs up and there will be buses.

THe GF has a number of shops. K&a&c'smom has done a wonderful job on page one of the thread describing and showing pictures of all aspects of the GF. The shops are listed and described there. The shop that has always carried the resort themed merchandise is Sandy Cove, on the first floor by The Grand Floridian Cafe. That would be the place to ask about towels. I have never seen them, but who knows, the resort themed merchandise does change a bit.

Hope this helps.

 

[psac]

Hoping someone could clarify this for me
I know at the Epcot area resorts the deluxe rooms have access to club level..,is this the same at GF? Was looking at AP rates and an outer building deluxe garden view was available but no club rooms. TIA!

I didn't see anyone answer this. As far as I know, the answer is no, the booking has to specify Sugar Loaf or Main Building to be club.

 

[jcondrad]

I didn't see anyone answer this. As far as I know, the answer is no, the booking has to specify Sugar Loaf or Main Building to be club.

Thank you!

 

[mag73]

Hello fellow GF lovers!

Soooo, anybody at GF today (Sept 5) or soon that can tell us if Gasparilla's closed and/or the pool bar reopened today like on the published timeline?

We just returned from GF last night. Gasparilla's is still open, we were told it is not suppose to close until January. The courtyard pool, jacuzzi and bar are open --until mid September. Beach pool has a temporary small bar.

 

[runskimom]

We just returned from GF last night. Gasparilla's is still open, we were told it is not suppose to close until January. The courtyard pool, jacuzzi and bar are open --until mid September. Beach pool has a temporary small bar.

Thank you, thank you for this update! Glad to hear confirmation on this news from someone on site! It is very helpful to me, and I'm sure others as well. I am happy about this news. I hope you had a wonderful trip!

 

[MinnieM21]

We just returned from GF last night. Gasparilla's is still open, we were told it is not suppose to close until January. The courtyard pool, jacuzzi and bar are open --until mid September. Beach pool has a temporary small bar.

Thank you so much for the update!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks so much for the update -- my niece and I are 7 weeks out and can't wait! With Sandy Cove closed for renovations, are they still selling post cards, trinkets, etc?

TIA,
Tom

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hoping someone could clarify this for me
I know at the Epcot area resorts the deluxe rooms have access to club level..,is this the same at GF? Was looking at AP rates and an outer building deluxe garden view was available but no club rooms. TIA!

We are actually staying in a deluxe room at the BC in a couple of weeks, and as you said it has access to the CL. At the GF you have to be staying in the Main Building (RPC) or Sugar Loaf, however if you have a suite in an outer building you are given access to CL. I am not sure if it is the RPC or SL, or both, but my understanding is suites do have access.