A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[KonaKaiTom]

Does anyone know if there is Grand Floridian specific clothing for sale and if yes, where? I was surprised when I was at POR that there was nothing specific to POR at Fulton's.

TIA,

Tom

 

[pas130]

Lol... 8 going on 18... My Dd9 is Definitely the one in charge!

I can't wait to be back at the Grand after all the construction! if they would close Basin white on me than I would have some serious issues.. lol

me too....we are coming back in Aug...the new courtyard pool..splash area....perfect..imho

Does anyone know if there is Grand Floridian specific clothing for sale and if yes, where? I was surprised when I was at POR that there was nothing specific to POR at Fulton's.

TIA,

Tom

There definitely is...when we were at sugarloaf DH was wearing a universal t-shirt. Well a management type fellow was in the lounge chatting with my daughter and mentioned daddy needs a grand Floridian shirt...less than 30 min later.....I remember seeing it in the window of a shop.....the exact one.....I know the expert panelists here can help!!!!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

At least it's not only my friends and family I confuse yes k&a&c'smom is correct...I DIDN't change to SL....it killed me not to book it ..... Tell me again why I let the Princesses dicate when I book...OH, they are in charge, I forgot I'm but a monorail stop away.....
I know Candace, my hand wants to dial CRO.....MUST RESIST

And for this very reason is why k&a&c'smom is the creator of this thread and not me. I just went back to read your post again and I understand it now. Yes, you are only one stop a way. Still calls for a the

Whether we have princesses or princes, I think they are the ones who are in charge when it comes to vacation. At least for us anyway. Our DS16 still has a great impact on where we go and what we do.

 

[pas130]

And for this very reason is why k&a&c'smom is the creator of this thread and not me. I just went back to read your post again and I understand it now. Yes, you are only one stop a way. Still calls for a the

Whether we have princesses or princes, I think they are the ones who are in charge when it comes to vacation. At least for us anyway. Our DS16 still has a great impact on where we go and what we do.

Because we want everyone to love Disney like we do...so I'm willing to sacrifice picking the resort just to give the kiddos their choice...hrh will want to go back home to the grand...she just thinks construction is too loud..she is very sensitive to noise. So she's the boss

 

[Luvamouse]

I imagine this might be listed somewhere in this thread, but I don't think I noticed it in the first few pages of description:

I know that the rooms feature varied patterns of spreads, etc. Is it consistent throughout each resort building though? Or is it completely random? We visited my cousin's room in Sago Key on our February trip. Her room's decor was nice, but some of the standard rooms look so much prettier than others. I am requesting Conch Key or Boca Chica for our January Trip and just wondered what it might look like. That is in case they are consistent in a building. Not that my husband (or the rest of our crew either) is looking for overkill frill! lol...

I keep looking at the rehabs and praying that none are behind schedule. It would be so nice to have most of the walls down and the locations back up and running as they expect.

Thanks!!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Quick question...and it's just a question...

If staying in a Sugarloaf garden view room, what view would you get? Would the construction view be involved at all?

 

[jillmc40]

Hi Everyone!! We are back from girls weekend! It was so lovely at the GF and hard for us to leave! My dd5 kept saying she didn't want to go, and neither did I! Here is a quick wrap-up:

We had a lovely dormer room in Big Pine Key, 4th floor. If I went out on the balcony and looked to the right, through a tree, I could see the castle and the water parade at night I had visions of seeing the fireworks from my room at night but alas, we never made it home in time.

We had wonderful service in our room with great towel animals every day. My dd5 really enjoyed those. Friday night we went to the MNSSHP and it was so late and we were so busy, we forgot to eat dinner. So my brother and I ordered room service at about 1:00 am and it was really delicious! 2 turkey clubs. DD was long asleep at this point.

I did find the CD for my DH. It is sold in the men's shop right now. Car service to SS was great for our spa appointment, although I think the spa at SS could use an update. It didn't seem that luxurious to me for some reason, with the exception of DD's robe. I really wanted to buy one but they don't sell them. My manicure was chipping off after 2 days, and so was dd5's.

We spent a good amount of time in the pool as it was so incredibly hot and humid while we were there. It also rained a good amount of time but for short periods of time. Usually a couple of rides on the people mover and it was over.

All in all it was a great trip, it was supposed to be a relaxing girls weekend, with no rushing, etc. but somehow we were/are exhausted!!

Tom - the wifi was pretty good from my room, but everytime I tried to post on the board it would crash. I too only brought my ipad and was ok with it, but I really wasn't on it very much.

Jill

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Tom - the wifi was pretty good from my room, but everytime I tried to post on the board it would crash. I too only brought my ipad and was ok with it, but I really wasn't on it very much.

Jill

Thanks Jill and welcome back! The next 12 days should be going on so motion, but thank God some craziness came up at work and I will be extremely busy and distracted for the next week. Anyone else find that work goes insane right before vacation?

You mentioned room service at 1am? Since Catherine will not land at MCO until 9, which will get us to GF around 10 -- is that what everyone would suggest for food for her? Or, would there be anything still serving at that time of night at GF?

TIA,

Tom

 

[dansdad]

Anyone else find that work goes insane right before vacation?

Yup! Never fails!

 

[jillmc40]

Work always goes insane for me before a trip, which does help with the wait ...

I was under the impression cs closed at 11 and we needed "real food". Chips and a hot dog wasn't going to cut it. It was fun sitting there in the room, I don't know what it is about room service that makes the food better . It was a 45 minute wait, so keep that in mind.

I have so much shampoo, body wash, etc. this will certainly last until my next visit

Jill

 

[MommyGina]

Quick question...and it's just a question...

If staying in a Sugarloaf garden view room, what view would you get? Would the construction view be involved at all?

Good morning. If facing the pool side of Sugar Loaf, you will see the courtyard pool under renovation. If staying on the marina side, which we always stay, you will not see any construction.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Does anyone know if there is Grand Floridian specific clothing for sale and if yes, where? I was surprised when I was at POR that there was nothing specific to POR at Fulton's.

TIA,

Tom

Yes! As pas posted, there is GF clothing - usually at Sandy Cove, but it is under construction now, and most of their items are now at M. Mouse Mercantile upstairs. You may find resort-specific items at Commander Porter's (2nd floor, next to Mizner's) for the guys and Summer Lace (first floor) for the gals.

I imagine this might be listed somewhere in this thread, but I don't think I noticed it in the first few pages of description:

I know that the rooms feature varied patterns of spreads, etc. Is it consistent throughout each resort building though? Or is it completely random? We visited my cousin's room in Sago Key on our February trip. Her room's decor was nice, but some of the standard rooms look so much prettier than others. I am requesting Conch Key or Boca Chica for our January Trip and just wondered what it might look like. That is in case they are consistent in a building. Not that my husband (or the rest of our crew either) is looking for overkill frill! lol...

I keep looking at the rehabs and praying that none are behind schedule. It would be so nice to have most of the walls down and the locations back up and running as they expect.

Thanks!!

Hello! I think you have some old information. There is no longer a varied room decor at the Grand; after the 2007 renovation, all rooms (excepting some of the big suites) have the same decor. The room you saw in Sago in February will be identical to every room, in every building. You can find photos of that decor on the first page (post #8), but here is a sample for you:

Quick question...and it's just a question...

If staying in a Sugarloaf garden view room, what view would you get? Would the construction view be involved at all?

As MommyGina posted, you could have a courtyard pool view or a marina view. I have some photos of both views on the first page, I'll go check the post # (think it might be 12?). ETA: it is post #12, but no photos of the pool view, phooey. I know Jungle Cruiser posted some a while back, I'll see if I can find them.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here is a photo posted by JungleCruiser back in June, shows part of the courtyard pool view from Sugar Loaf. I don't think she'll mind if I re-post it. So pretty! (not so pretty right now, of course, with the pool construction)

 

[k&a&c'smom]

jillmc40 - Welcome back, thanks for the review. So glad you had a great time at the Grand, I know what you mean about not wanting to come home.

Thanks Jill and welcome back! The next 12 days should be going on so motion, but thank God some craziness came up at work and I will be extremely busy and distracted for the next week. Anyone else find that work goes insane right before vacation?

You mentioned room service at 1am? Since Catherine will not land at MCO until 9, which will get us to GF around 10 -- is that what everyone would suggest for food for her? Or, would there be anything still serving at that time of night at GF?

TIA,

Tom

With Gasparilla's down and the hours at Mizner's not set in stone, I would go with Private Dining which is available 24 hours a day. Always good, in our experience, and usually very prompt. There is a copy of the menu on the bottom of page 1.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Yes! As pas posted, there is GF clothing - usually at Sandy Cove, but it is under construction now, and most of their items are now at M. Mouse Mercantile upstairs. You may find resort-specific items at Commander Porter's (2nd floor, next to Mizner's) for the guys and Summer Lace (first floor) for the gals.

Thanks so much.

Tom

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KonaKaiTom - You're welcome! I see you posted at nearly the same time as my second response regarding the Private Dining - I edited a second later, so you may not have seen the whole post. Just want to make sure you don't miss the info.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

OK, GF experts... we have only stayed there once, at RPC (it was a free upgrade). For marathon weekend, we are thinking of either staying in an outer building with MK view or Sugar Loaf (which apparently has no MK views?). How nice is the view from the SL lounge? Is it worth it? (Extra info, I am running the marathon, if that helps).

 

[k&a&c'smom]

OK, GF experts... we have only stayed there once, at RPC (it was a free upgrade). For marathon weekend, we are thinking of either staying in an outer building with MK view or Sugar Loaf (which apparently has no MK views?). How nice is the view from the SL lounge? Is it worth it? (Extra info, I am running the marathon, if that helps).

Welcome back!

Sorry to say, there is no "view" in the Sugar Loaf lounge. The lounge is in the first floor lobby, so you can see out the doors but that's about it. The room views are all of the marina or courtyard pool.

Whether SL is worth it depends on what you are hoping for in your vacation. If you want a pretty view, but not of the MK, and access to the snacks, beverages and CM assistance, then you will likely enjoy SL - especially if you can snag a good discount. If, on the other hand, you want a view of the Castle, you will be better off booking a TPV or upgrading to RPC theme park view for both.

 

[Luvamouse]

Well, I am not thrilled with it, but it sure beats the 1999 photo up on AllEars gallery! I think it isn't old info as much as it is that the photos of the rooms are from over the years and I have seen many different spreads, etc. I am still excited for a change of pace from the Poly! Got my 35% RO discount today and am saving $1094! That makes me even more excited

Thank you!!

Hello! I think you have some old information. There is no longer a varied room decor at the Grand; after the 2007 renovation, all rooms (excepting some of the big suites) have the same decor. The room you saw in Sago in February will be identical to every room, in every building. You can find photos of that decor on the first page (post #8), but here is a sample for you:

 

[DetTigsGal]

Just wanted to say hi to all...I am following along with you all, but since we're not staying Grand this time I don't get over every day.

Tom, not long now