A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[KonaKaiTom]

Florida says rain almost all the time anyway and sometimes it is just a 10 minute thundershower...So I am putting my blinders on and thinking that is what it means

That's the right attitude - weathermen are known for predicting afternoon thunderstorms whenever daytime temps go above 85 degrees.

Tom

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Hi Everyone It's been a while since I have posted. I have lurked but just haven't been in the mood to post as so many crazy things have happened. It's all good now. It's going to take me a while to catch up here on the GF thread but when I find the time, I will.

Just a few things:

Just a quick shout out to my friend pas130 Hope you and your family are doing good and I really hope everything turned out OK for your DD. Any new plans for WDW. Oh wait, I should know the answer to that question.

k&a&c'smom Hope you all are doing well? I see you are still doing an awesome job here. Any new plans for you to return to the world?

We are planning our 2014 return trip to the GF for Michael's HS graduation. It seems like I just planned his 8th grade graduation trip in 2010. 2013 will be Busch Gardens in VA as we are taking John with us again. I just love that kid.

Oh boy, I know I have missed a lot so I guess I better get to reading soon. First have to go and make pasta carbonara for my DH.

Boy I miss you all and my beloved GF.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We were worried about the weather for our trip at the end of August. Forecast a couple weeks ahead predicted rain every day. Normally I don't worry too much, as Florida rain is usually a flash in the pan, but there were posts here on the DIS for late July/early August of guests who were caught in a deluge. Luckily, as the trip neared the predicted days of rain dropped dramatically, and we ended up with only 1-2 days out of 7 that were rainy all day, even with Isaac in the Gulf.

CoachBagFanatic - good to see you! I hope everything is well with you and your family.

It seems like we just returned from our YC/GF trip, but it has been a whole month! We have no plans for our next vacation, I'm not sure when we'll make it back to WDW. DD and I agreed we need another beach vacation with the whole family, which will likely be next year. DD and DS's fiance just started new jobs, so it will take a bit to coordinate schedules. It is possible DD and I can make a quick trip to the World at some point, but not likely. I'm glad they've found work, though.

Very exciting about your 2013 and 2014 plans. High school graduation creeps up on you, doesn't it?!

 

[Luvamouse]

Looks like I wrote my post the other day, then had "Look! A squirrel!" moment and never hit "post"...

We are arriving at the GF LV on New Year's Day. It will be our first stay at the GF and we are really looking forward to it. (As you can tell by the sig., we tend to default to the Poly!) DH asked me to upgrade us to LV, so after a .03 second hesitation, I switched us from GV.

Two questions:

We have LV since the MK is too far away to make that upgrade worth it. Which buildings could that be and which do any of you recommend? My cousin was in Sago Key last February and we were so happy to visit with them a bit and really see what the GF was like. Once we were in their rooms a few times, and since we could use the pool there due to the Poly Volcano pool being refurbed, we really felt comfortable. It looks so fancy, but we never felt less than comfortable. Now we are happy to have had that chance to visit and try a new resort!

When does the Gingerbread House come down? We saw it in 2007 in our first family trip at Thanksgiving. So amazing. Any hope of seeing it or any remaining Christmas Decorations? I believe the last night of Osborne Lights is January 4, although Josh at EasyWDW suspects it may go until Jan 6 (a Sunday).

Thanks so much for any help and advice, and thank you all for such a terrific GF thread! Without resort specific threads, finding such great info (and up to date pics) would be next to impossible!

Heidi

 

[pas130]

Hi Everyone It's been a while since I have posted. I have lurked but just haven't been in the mood to post as so many crazy things have happened. It's all good now. It's going to take me a while to catch up here on the GF thread but when I find the time, I will.

Just a few things:

Just a quick shout out to my friend pas130 Hope you and your family are doing good and I really hope everything turned out OK for your DD. Any new plans for WDW. Oh wait, I should know the answer to that question.

You were missed DD5 is PERFECTO All her tests came back fine, and she goes for a recheck in December! I broke my ankle, but it's all healed up..mostly...I am a Klutz

New plans... but not for the GF, not in my current budget, 2 Pop trips. One in November with my daughters, and January with DS11 and the RC girls

Hope you are well my friend back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Looks like I wrote my post the other day, then had "Look! A squirrel!" moment and never hit "post"...

We are arriving at the GF LV on New Year's Day. It will be our first stay at the GF and we are really looking forward to it. (As you can tell by the sig., we tend to default to the Poly!) DH asked me to upgrade us to LV, so after a .03 second hesitation, I switched us from GV.

Two questions:

We have LV since the MK is too far away to make that upgrade worth it. Which buildings could that be and which do any of you recommend? My cousin was in Sago Key last February and we were so happy to visit with them a bit and really see what the GF was like. Once we were in their rooms a few times, and since we could use the pool there due to the Poly Volcano pool being refurbed, we really felt comfortable. It looks so fancy, but we never felt less than comfortable. Now we are happy to have had that chance to visit and try a new resort!

When does the Gingerbread House come down? We saw it in 2007 in our first family trip at Thanksgiving. So amazing. Any hope of seeing it or any remaining Christmas Decorations? I believe the last night of Osborne Lights is January 4, although Josh at EasyWDW suspects it may go until Jan 6 (a Sunday).

Thanks so much for any help and advice, and thank you all for such a terrific GF thread! Without resort specific threads, finding such great info (and up to date pics) would be next to impossible!

Heidi

Welcome!! LOL about the "squirrel" moment, I can relate.

Congrats on your first GF stay, and during the Holidays - such a great time of year! The gingerbread house seems to have various dates for going up and coming down. If I recall, they usually start to take it down in the first week of January, so you should get to see it. Other decorations vary in their dates as well, I know we've seen them around the 4th or so, and that year they disappeared around the 7th? BCV23 has been during the first week of January a number of times, hopefully she can post more.

For a lagoon view, you could be in any of the outer buildings (except Sugar Loaf). The main thing I would watch for is Big Pine Key - lagoon view there will look toward the Poly, and therefore right at the DVC construction. It's possible most of the outside will be completed by New Year's Day, but that's just a guess.

We love Boca Chica, it has a nice location for the boat and the courtyard pool. It should be open again by then (fingers crossed). Conch Key is my favorite building, near the boat dock, courtyard pool, marina and Gasparilla's. With the change a few years back to theme park view category, I'm not sure what rooms would still be classified "lagoon view" but I would guess any facing the lagoon with an obstructed MK view? Rooms overlooking the marina are part of the garden view category.

HTH! Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[ireneryan]

We love Boca Chica, it has a nice location for the boat and the courtyard pool. It should be open again by then (fingers crossed). Conch Key is my favorite building, near the boat dock, courtyard pool, marina and Gasparilla's. With the change a few years back to theme park view category, I'm not sure what rooms would still be classified "lagoon view" but I would guess any facing the lagoon with an obstructed MK view? Rooms overlooking the marina are part of the garden view category.

HTH! Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

I'm so glad to see you back posting again! Your info is invaluable!

This is our first ever trip to WDW and we're staying at GF for the first half and Poly for the second half. We paid for TPV and I put in a request for Conch Key, I am soooo excited to find out it's your favorite building! Is there a specific floor or room that's worth putting a request in or are they all equally wonderful there?

We have a similar concern to the other poster about the Gingerbread House, we're there in early November. I saw that last year the House opened on Nov 14 which was 10 days before Thanksgiving. 10 days before this year would be Nov 12 which would make it possible for us to see, do you think, that might happen, or am I just dreaming? Thank you for all your work on this thread!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I hope you get to see the Gingerbread house -- it looks so amazing in pictures, I can't imagine how nice it looks in person. Unfortunately, I will be long gone before it goes up.

Tom

 

[ireneryan]

I hope you get to see the Gingerbread house -- it looks so amazing in pictures, I can't imagine how nice it looks in person. Unfortunately, I will be long gone before it goes up.

Tom

Ahhh but I'm so jealous, you get to go on vacation This Month!!! So super awesome and in 2 hours I can wish you a Very Happy October!!!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I can't wait to be back at the Grand....

We are looking to book Sept 2013 again!!!!

In the meantime - Boardwalk in January.....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm so glad to see you back posting again! Your info is invaluable!

This is our first ever trip to WDW and we're staying at GF for the first half and Poly for the second half. We paid for TPV and I put in a request for Conch Key, I am soooo excited to find out it's your favorite building! Is there a specific floor or room that's worth putting a request in or are they all equally wonderful there?

We have a similar concern to the other poster about the Gingerbread House, we're there in early November. I saw that last year the House opened on Nov 14 which was 10 days before Thanksgiving. 10 days before this year would be Nov 12 which would make it possible for us to see, do you think, that might happen, or am I just dreaming? Thank you for all your work on this thread!

Aww, thank you, so sweet of you. I'm very excited for you, what a great split for your very first trip!

We prefer an upper floor in any building, we like having an overhead view of the grounds. With a TPV, you will likely have a beautiful view no matter which room you are assigned - but if you get in it and it isn't what you hoped, call the front desk and ask if they have something more to your liking.

The dates for the gingerbread house are flexible, but I think you have a good shot at seeing it on November 12. It takes them a few days to get it assembled, so it may not be completed before you leave, but seeing the process is fun, too, I hear! (we've never been during November)

I hope you get to see the Gingerbread house -- it looks so amazing in pictures, I can't imagine how nice it looks in person. Unfortunately, I will be long gone before it goes up.

Tom

You may miss the Christmas festivities, but October is our next favorite time of year for the World! LOVE F&W and MNSSHP.

I can't wait to be back at the Grand....

We are looking to book Sept 2013 again!!!!

In the meantime - Boardwalk in January.....

YAY for 2013!! Very exciting about BWI in January, love the Epcot area and BWI is very pretty. Have you stayed there before?

 

[KonaKaiTom]

You may miss the Christmas festivities, but October is our next favorite time of year for the World! LOVE F&W and MNSSHP.

Don't tell anyone, I'm not missing Christmas festivities after all -- apparently I am going to be staying at OKW from December 26-January 1. I didn't know the elves were making plans.

Tom

 

[ireneryan]

Don't tell anyone, I'm not missing Christmas festivities after all -- apparently I am going to be staying at OKW from December 26-January 1. I didn't know the elves were making plans.

Tom

October and December, Best of both worlds, so super awesome!!! Have a great time!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

October and December, Best of both worlds, so super awesome!!! Have a great time!

Thanks and you as well!


Tom

 

[Butterflygirl35]

YAY for 2013!! Very exciting about BWI in January, love the Epcot area and BWI is very pretty. Have you stayed there before?

We always visit the area but never stayed there.... It is BWV as we are renting points.... We always loved the area and wanted to try it and got a great deal... But Grand Floridian can not be beat... More excited for Sept that January.. LOL

 

[MommyGina]

Hurray! We booked our July vacation on Saturday for the GF RPC with TPV! I am so excited!!! I know, July is a long way away, but something to look forward to!

 

[HFC1969]

Hurray! We booked our July vacation on Saturday for the GF RPC with TPV! I am so excited!!! I know, July is a long way away, but something to look forward to!

Congrats!


We might see you then... We are headed down in 3 weeks for MNSSHP and plan on booking July 4th week again. My the fireworks.

The weather here in STL is already to cold for me... So hopefully in a couple weeks.. MCO / GF will have some super warm weather.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Hurray! We booked our July vacation on Saturday for the GF RPC with TPV! I am so excited!!! I know, July is a long way away, but something to look forward to!

That's awesome, Gina! It will help get through the cold, snowy, New England Winters! I'm a little anxious as I will be at GF during the 1 year anniversary of the October snowstorm. I, fortunately, have a generator and have the house hardwired for it -- but had to live on generator power for 11 days! I ended up with 14 neighbors staying with me by day 3. The good news -- 7 of the 8 houses on my street now have generators!

Tom

 

[mariamouse]

That's awesome, Gina! It will help get through the cold, snowy, New England Winters! I'm a little anxious as I will be at GF during the 1 year anniversary of the October snowstorm. I, fortunately, have a generator and have the house hardwired for it -- but had to live on generator power for 11 days! I ended up with 14 neighbors staying with me by day 3. The good news -- 7 of the 8 houses on my street now have generators!

Tom

Oh, I remember that freak October storm very well.

Thankfully, the chances of that happening again this year are slim to none! Have a great trip.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I just received this Tables In Wonderland email. Seems a little last minute so I'm guessing they had cancellations?


Citricos
Chef’s Domain
Selbach-Oster Estate with Johannes Selbach
Friday October 5, 2012. 6:00pm – 8:30pm


Reception
Selbach Riesling Classic 2010


1st course
Lump Blue Crab Salad with Curry Aioli
Selbach-Oster Kabinett 2010


2nd course
Pan Seared Bronzini with Roasted Squash and Spiced Apple Relish
Graacher Domprobst Spaetlese Halbtrocken 2005


3rd course
Buttered Escargot with Potato Cake and Creamy Mustard
Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spaetlese Trocken 2007


4th course
Crispy Fried Veal Cutlet with Spaetzle, Lemon Drizzle, Roasted Onions and Capers
Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2008


5th course
Chef Erich’s Dessert Extraordinaire Plate
Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese 2007


Johannes Selbach comes from a family of wine producers and shippers in the heart of Germany`s famed Mosel wine growing region. Mr. Selbach has firsthand experience both in producing and marketing wines. He studied oenology at the state viticultural research and experimental institute in Trier. After completing undergraduate studies in economics, he graduated from the business school of the University of Cologne in 1986. He spent the 1984 academic year studying at Penn State University and conducting research for his thesis on the marketing of German wines in the United States. Mr. Selbach worked for the German Wine Information Bureau, New York, in 1985, parts of 1986 and in 1987 as trade consultant. In January 1988, Mr. Selbach returned to Germany, became partner in the family estate, Weingut Selbach-Oster, and family winery, Weinkellerei J. & H. Selbach. In July 1993 the Selbach-Oster estate was handed over to him by his father Hans Selbach. He has since grown the Selbach-Oster estate to become an increasingly important part of the family business with additional investments in vineyards and quality. Selbach-Oster has, for many years, consistently received very favorable reviews by German and international publications. It is ranked amongst the “Top 100” in Germany. Aside from developing their own domaine, Weingut Selbach-Oster, Mr. Selbach and his family continue to grow the reputation of their négociant or wine merchant house, J. & H. Selbach, as a top source for some of the finest wines from Germany. Mr. Selbach got married to his wife Barbara in 1989. They have two children, Hannah and Sebastian.

Dinners are limited to 10 guests each. These dinners are open to all Guests, and are not Tables in Wonderland exclusive. $155 per person, plus tax. Gratuity is included.


To book, please call 407-824-3988 or via email at Keith.Gimbel@Disney.com. Credit card guarantee is required and there is a 72-hour cancellation fee. Please include a cell phone number when leaving a message or emailing for confirmation. Please indicate any special dietary needs at the time of booking.