A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm not there but did just get off the phone w/a CM. His report is that the G.Grill will be opening by or near the 15th and the pool area the 'end of the month.' However, the online cm I chatted w/today stated that the pool area is scheduled to open on Dec 17th. Unfortunately, I can't book w/o knowing for sure. We <3 the Grand but we love it for that nice hot tub at the end of the day or in Dec while the boys are swimming. Looking less and less like a Grand Christmas this year.

Sorry, 15th of Dec. I'm not sure if I can link or post another site, but AE is reporting both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard pool to be opened by the 17th (Dec).

Thanks for the update. The WDW website still has "mid-December" and "late December" for the finish of the grill and pool, so this is added info.

Thanks for the welcome, recommendation, and words of comfort in case we are parked in front of a tree!

I'm hoping you will get a perfect view.

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

Safe travels (is it today?) and have a Grand vacation!!

 

[jojomickey]

What are the chances of them opening up earlier?

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Hello GF lovers!

I just booked a RPC TPV room and I am beyond excited! It's only for one night before we head over to the Dolphin for NYE and then on to BC CL for the rest of our stay, but regardless I am so happy to get another taste of RPC

A quick question for the experts. Is there a way to hear the fireworks soundtrack from the GF TPV rooms? I want to make sure we get the full experience for Fantasy in the Sky and I may have to resort to bringing my own music if I can't get it there TIA

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hi I Heart! The music for Fantasy in the Sky fireworks is piped in at the marina by Gaspirillas, as well as the dock by Narcoossees. You might be able to hear the music from a TPV RPC room, but it really depends on the noise level outside and your room's location. Worst case is you have to leave the room and go down stairs to the marina. Very excited for you!

 

[Mouseturtle]

I am posting just to see my ticker

 

[tamj]

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

I'm sure you're lost in the Magic and seeing double through the pixie dust, but if you have an update, I can't wait to hear it!

 

[phyllis1966]

We are here now - we fly back home tomorrow *sniff*...

We were super-surprised at check-in when we were upgraded to Sugarloaf, presumably because I added to our reservation that we are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! What a lovely surprise! It's been great, and a real treat for our DD - she just loves feeling so pampered...we're all a bit spoiled now!

Yesterday, we rented a cabana for the first time, because the lack of adequate seating got to us after the first few days. It was so relaxing that we wondered why we'd never done it before. We'll definitely do it next time we're here.

Although I requested to be put on the marina side to avoid looking at the pool construction, we felt so blessed to be upgraded to Sugarloaf that it seemed ungracious to ask for a different view. With the enclosed balcony of the third floor dormer room we were in, once we sat down, we couldn't see the construction anyway, so it was all good. There was no noise, because there was no work being done all week.

Seven days have gone by so quickly! Any questions, ask away.

 

[HFC1969]

It must have been a week of upgrades! We are here now and we were upgraded from Sugar Loaf to a suite in the main building. Talk about being spoiled!

Booked our bounce back even though we would rather have the room discount. Wait and see what our AP gets us after the first of the year.

Hope everyone stays safe during Sandy!

We are here now - we fly back home tomorrow *sniff*...

We were super-surprised at check-in when we were upgraded to Sugarloaf, presumably because I added to our reservation that we are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! What a lovely surprise! It's been great, and a real treat for our DD - she just loves feeling so pampered...we're all a bit spoiled now!

Yesterday, we rented a cabana for the first time, because the lack of adequate seating got to us after the first few days. It was so relaxing that we wondered why we'd never done it before. We'll definitely do it next time we're here.

Although I requested to be put on the marina side to avoid looking at the pool construction, we felt so blessed to be upgraded to Sugarloaf that it seemed ungracious to ask for a different view. With the enclosed balcony of the third floor dormer room we were in, once we sat down, we couldn't see the construction anyway, so it was all good. There was no noise, because there was no work being done all week.

Seven days have gone by so quickly! Any questions, ask away.

 

[dipastor]

none

 

[HFC1969]

Agree weather has been super for having Sandy sitting out to our east.

Food and Wine was packed tonight!!

 

[dukiephi]

What was the current bounce back? We are going in December and hoping for December 2013 discount.

We changed to TPV to make sure and avoid view of pool under construction.

 

[HFC1969]

Current bounce back is free dining. With a hotel stay with tickets, sorry cant think of the terminology.

Lots of east coast folks scrambling to get home today. Wish them luck. We are headed to Hollywood studios.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

jojomickey - with the report of no work this week (I assume due to weather), I highly doubt the pool will open early.

i_heart_the_mouse - congrats on your booking! As Jungle Cruiser posted, the GF has speakers that often broadcast the music at Gasparilla's, which would likely be able to be heard in the TPV main bldg. rooms. Even if the speakers are not working (as sometimes happens) you can usually hear it faintly from the MK.

Mouseturtle - nearly there.

We are here now - we fly back home tomorrow *sniff*...

We were super-surprised at check-in when we were upgraded to Sugarloaf, presumably because I added to our reservation that we are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary! What a lovely surprise! It's been great, and a real treat for our DD - she just loves feeling so pampered...we're all a bit spoiled now!

Yesterday, we rented a cabana for the first time, because the lack of adequate seating got to us after the first few days. It was so relaxing that we wondered why we'd never done it before. We'll definitely do it next time we're here.

Although I requested to be put on the marina side to avoid looking at the pool construction, we felt so blessed to be upgraded to Sugarloaf that it seemed ungracious to ask for a different view. With the enclosed balcony of the third floor dormer room we were in, once we sat down, we couldn't see the construction anyway, so it was all good. There was no noise, because there was no work being done all week.

Seven days have gone by so quickly! Any questions, ask away.

Thanks for the post, wonderful upgrade! I'm so happy for you, sounds like you are having a magical trip.

It must have been a week of upgrades! We are here now and we were upgraded from Sugar Loaf to a suite in the main building. Talk about being spoiled!

Booked our bounce back even though we would rather have the room discount. Wait and see what our AP gets us after the first of the year.

Hope everyone stays safe during Sandy!

Awesome upgrade! Spoiled is right, it will be tough to return without the suite now, huh?!

We are here and very happy to be.
When we checked in the CM told us he had a great two rooms overlooking the new vacation club villas. I said (in nice words) absolutely not. We requested to be away from construction.

He moved us to two rooms in Boca Chica. We couldn't be happier. The view overlooks future world.. part of the castle and Contemporary. The view is amazing and we like watching the boats go by.

Bathrooms another story but happy to report easily fixable. The next morning after check in I noticed they weren't clean. I saw a housekeeping manager and asked in a nice way if they could please clean them. Happy to say when we returned from a full day away... the minute you walk into the hotel rooms, the smell is clean, clean ,clean. They were very accommodating. That's what I love about this place.

we went to Mizner's for last minute drinks tonight... and again, very accommodating. What they didn't have out... they got for us (I requested some perrier).. they were so nice.
suggestion: don't be afraid to ask for what you don't see.

The pool construction is still underway. I have to say... we really enjoyed walking through courtyard pool area... but.... the walls are nice and we are really not feeling like it's a construction zone. We still like the walk to main building and we have been walking the long way past the marina area... love it.

Gasparilla's construction is so shut off... you don't notice it.
Sandy Cove construction, same thing. It's not noticeable.

New splash area.. amazing!!! We haven't used it because my youngest broke her arm... but my boys will def. be there this week. It's really nice looking and the light green walls around beach pool do not seem intrusive. Even in the rain.. it's been really nice to be here.

I will get some pictures attached this weekend. If you have a particular interest for pics... let me know and I will take the pic and post.

They still have movies on the grassy area (we noticed that last night).

For the weather worried people... they forecasted heavy rain but there was only a spritz today. Weather is amazing!!! very breezy and warm.

Vacation club construction... bones of the building up only... only steel structure as far as I can see.

d.

Thanks for the thorough update, glad you are there and enjoying the Grand. I'm so happy they moved you to Boca, much nicer view.

 

[sndral]

We are here and very happy to be.
When we checked in the CM told us he had a great two rooms overlooking the new vacation club villas. ...

I chuckled when I read this, but am I the only one to find this description a bit disingenuous? I can imagine some poor family who doesn't keep up with current events @ WDW walking into their 'great [view of]... the DVC villas' expecting to see actual finished and landscaped villas only to be confronted w/ a skeleton steel edifice.

 

[DetTigsGal]

That was pretty funny

 

[BCV23]

Hmm, it seems to me that the only rooms that really overlook the construction are in RPC? Those in Big Pine Key are to the East and would directly face the lagoon with a view of the villas to the right. If I were offered two great rooms overlooking the villas, I think I'd ask which building?

Good luck with Sandy all of those on the East coast.

 

[andyman8]

We really want to stay at GF for a potential August 2013 trip, but we haven't booked yet and I just looked and it seems like all GV rooms at GF are sold out for August 7-12, 2013 (which, in my opinion, is ridiculous). I just don't understand how all GV rooms could be booked up overnight. No conference is that large!

I mean last year we were able to book a GV room a month before 4th of July with our FL Resident rate. How can this be?

 

[sndral]

Hmm, it seems to me that the only rooms that really overlook the construction are in RPC? Those in Big Pine Key are to the East and would directly face the lagoon with a view of the villas to the right. If I were offered two great rooms overlooking the villas, I think I'd ask which building?

Good luck with Sandy all of those on the East coast.

Hmm, good point, for an upgrade to RPC I might suddenly develop a fascination with ongoing villa construction.

 

[HFC1969]

That's good to know about booking a month out last 4th of July. We booked now but really are hoping for a big $ discount after the winter.

Weather today was a little cooler but still very doable! Too hot for hoodie and too cold for shorts and t-shirt.

Sitting here on balcony I can see inside the pool. The rebar is anchored in the bottom. Looks like they are ready to poor concrete any day.

Lots of east coasters bailing out today or early in the AM! Good luck!

 

[tamj]

That's good to know about booking a month out last 4th of July. We booked now but really are hoping for a big $ discount after the winter.

Weather today was a little cooler but still very doable! Too hot for hoodie and too cold for shorts and t-shirt.

Sitting here on balcony I can see inside the pool. The rebar is anchored in the bottom. Looks like they are ready to poor concrete any day.

Lots of east coasters bailing out today or early in the AM! Good luck!

Currently talking to a CM at online reservations. The pool opening date is Dec 17th! Hoping dh will say 'book it!'