A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Disney-Kim]

Disney-Kim,

Posted on the construction walls are artist's renderings of Sandy Cove and Gasparilla's...can't tell much about the gift shop, but the sketch of Gasparilla's looks amazing - high ceilings with luxurious-looking booths and tables. I don't know how accurate the sketch is, but it looked beautiful.

thanks, I saw the rendering and it looks really pretty...we are very excited for our first GF stay next April

 

[Disney-Kim]

Are there garden view rooms in Conch Cay or Sago Cay? (hope I got the names right) are the marina view rooms considered garden? I like the location of those buildings

 

[DetTigsGal]

We have stayed garden view Sago and requested marina view.

 

[dragonfly57005]

Coachbagfanantic: we're looking at waiting until 2014 as well. Seems like a new vehicle might be in our future.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - GF Cafe next Thursday! Here's hoping the gingerbread house is in progress...haven't heard anything so far, maybe I'll check around the web this afternoon.

CoachBagFanatic - sorry about canceling the trip. Congrats to your son, though, what a great program. Very exciting! You are, indeed, blessed to have such a great kid.

Are there garden view rooms in Conch Cay or Sago Cay? (hope I got the names right) are the marina view rooms considered garden? I like the location of those buildings

Garden view in both Conch Key and Sago Cay, and yes, the marina view is considered garden view! With Conch, you could end up with a courtyard pool view; in Sago, you could get a back landscape/monorail view. Be sure to request a view of the marina, and ask again at check in.

Coachbagfanantic: we're looking at waiting until 2014 as well. Seems like a new vehicle might be in our future.

Sounds like you are having car issues, or are you simply ready for a new vehicle? Either way, sorry you may have to postpone a vacation, phooey. Still, a new car is exciting!

In response to the comments about no rooms being available in the main building with TPV, my family was originally booked to be in the main building TPV for the week of Thanksgiving. I received a call a little over a month ago letting us know that we were being moved. It is my understanding that guests are being moved due to Gasparilla's construction and how noisy it would be in those rooms. I would suppose that they are not taking reservations for those rooms until construction is expected to be completed.

Thank you for this info, clears that up! With these rooms directly over Gasparilla's, it makes sense to wait until the construction is nearly finished to open those rooms for booking. No reason to move people if they don't have to do so.

i_heart_the_mouse - with Gasparilla's scheduled to be finished by mid-December, IPO is probably waiting to move people who are scheduled after the projected dates. Here's hoping they will finish on time and your RPC stay is perfect!

 

[pas130]

pas130 - GF Cafe next Thursday! Here's hoping the gingerbread house is in progress...haven't heard anything so far, maybe I'll check around the web this afternoon.

I have been searching the web like a mad woman HRH really wants some gingerbread...hoping we can at least get a glimpse of the beginnings at least...

 

[Princess-ish]

Has anyone heard of a room refurb or linens refresh in the near future? While I have no complaints of the current conditions... the GF and AKL are soon to be the last deluxe properties with patterned bed spreads.

After the WL's major refurb and soon to be refurb at the Poly... the GF just seems so lacking in the room decor category!

I was set on the BC for our Sept trip... but I'm falling in the love with the overall resort changes! For whatever reason though... I just can't get over the rooms for that price point!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

pas130 - GF Cafe next Thursday! Here's hoping the gingerbread house is in progress...haven't heard anything so far, maybe I'll check around the web this afternoon.

CoachBagFanatic - sorry about canceling the trip. Congrats to your son, though, what a great program. Very exciting! You are, indeed, blessed to have such a great kid.



Garden view in both Conch Key and Sago Cay, and yes, the marina view is considered garden view! With Conch, you could end up with a courtyard pool view; in Sago, you could get a back landscape/monorail view. Be sure to request a view of the marina, and ask again at check in.



Sounds like you are having car issues, or are you simply ready for a new vehicle? Either way, sorry you may have to postpone a vacation, phooey. Still, a new car is exciting!



Thank you for this info, clears that up! With these rooms directly over Gasparilla's, it makes sense to wait until the construction is nearly finished to open those rooms for booking. No reason to move people if they don't have to do so.

i_heart_the_mouse - with Gasparilla's scheduled to be finished by mid-December, IPO is probably waiting to move people who are scheduled after the projected dates. Here's hoping they will finish on time and your RPC stay is perfect!

I hope we don't get moved but I am starting to get nervous. The fact that I am an addicted resort changer doesn't help.

I'd rather just change now and accept it then get stuck somewhere else that I don't want to be but my DH doesn't want me to change. Although I will say haven't mentioned to him that it is possible we may get walked. Maybe I should fill him in

 

[autumnpalm]

Has anyone heard of a room refurb or linens refresh in the near future? While I have no complaints of the current conditions... the GF and AKL are soon to be the last deluxe properties with patterned bed spreads.

After the WL's major refurb and soon to be refurb at the Poly... the GF just seems so lacking in the room decor category!

I was set on the BC for our Sept trip... but I'm falling in the love with the overall resort changes! For whatever reason though... I just can't get over the rooms for that price point!

Just want to say- I agree with you completely. We are booked for the GF for next August and could not be more thrilled to be staying there but it seems very odd to me that the rooms still have those old patterned bedspreads. As Disney's flagship resort, I would imagine they would have the highest room standards. It would be nice to see rooms refurbished by next August but either way, we will be thrilled to pieces just to be staying at the Grand!

 

[DisneyShamrock]

What are the room configurations at the Grand? We tend to like two beds and a sink out of the bathroom. Are there rooms like this? How likely would we be to get one if we make a request on our reservation?

Thank you!

 

[jillmc40]

I've been home for one month today.....I WANT TO GO BACK!!!!!

CoachBagFanatic - That sounds like a wonderful program for your son...My kids are still very young...My oldest is in Kindergarten, but I won't take her out of school more than one day for a vacation. I already miss the days when she wasn't in school, and I feel guilt for being sad too

Princess-ish - I was just on the BC Villas page today because I have always wanted to stay there so I can walk to Epcot. The regular BC looked so nice with the solid spreads...BCV had floral spreads and it instantly looked shabby to me! I wonder if BCV have been updated since the pictures I saw, but I have to say I didn't notice them as much at GF...Maybe I was just in lala land

Who else got this silly snow yesterday? Maybe that will mean we will have a mild winter again!! After that crazy hurricane and now this, I need another vacation!!! I am booked for Feb - off prop for a week, then a few days at AKL. We plan to eat at GF a few times though...I can't go to WDW and not visit GF!

 

[Melodious]

We're on the DME to the Grand Floridian!! I just wanted to let everyone know a piece of advice in case someone has the same issue we did. If you have an additional person joining you for part of your trip who arrives on the plane with you but is not yet listed on your package or resort reservation (you'll check the person in at the resort), simply go to the DME and let them know and they will print off an additional voucher to ride the DME. We didn't have to separate or pay extra, simply the resort charge when we check in! Disney made it easy as usual

 

[runskimom]

What are the room configurations at the Grand? We tend to like two beds and a sink out of the bathroom. Are there rooms like this? How likely would we be to get one if we make a request on our reservation?

Thank you!

Yes, this is exactly how they are. The sink area is separate from the commode and bath/shower. I'm fairly sure that they are ALL like this. I'm sure there are pictures on this board somewhere! And yes, they do have double bed rooms.

 

[DisneyShamrock]

Yes, this is exactly how they are. The sink area is separate from the commode and bath/shower. I'm fairly sure that they are ALL like this. I'm sure there are pictures on this board somewhere! And yes, they do have double bed rooms.

Thank you runskimom.

Is there is a door to close off the sinks at all? I found some photos, and it looks like there should be, but it's hard to tell.

 

[DetTigsGal]

No, it is open off the little entry area. Across from the closets.

 

[followthatmouse]

It's Saturday morning down here at Chez Follow. I woke early to watch the golf from WDW. Well, actually, I wasn't watching for the sport, but rather for the occasional peeks of the GF and MK through the trees of Magnolia Course. The best part was the wonderfully evocative sound of the whistles of the Railroad in the MK and the boats on Seven Seas Lagoon. It made my day just to think of hearing those sounds in person next month.

 

[DetTigsGal]

It's Saturday morning down here at Chez Follow. I woke early to watch the golf from WDW. Well, actually, I wasn't watching for the sport, but rather for the occasional peeks of the GF and MK through the trees of Magnolia Course. The best part was the wonderfully evocative sound of the whistles of the Railroad in the MK and the boats on Seven Seas Lagoon. It made my day just to think of hearing those sounds in person next month.

We do the same thing. We go for Thanksgiving week, so when we arrive some of the stands are still up. We turn it on for the glimpses of the poly and listen for the whistle and we say " next week we will be there...

 

[Mary T in PA]

We have a reservation for the week after Thanksgiving, RPC TPV. After reading thru some posts, I decided to call IPO to double check that everything was ok with our reservation. IPO just told me that my reservation is fine, we do have RPC, TPV, for the week after Thanksgiving. She said we would either be on the 3rd or 4th fl.

All of the rooms on the 2nd floor Main Bldg are out of service due to the construction work being done at Gasperella's. She stated that many of the room on the 2nd fl are king rooms.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We have a reservation for the week after Thanksgiving, RPC TPV. After reading thru some posts, I decided to call IPO to double check that everything was ok with our reservation. IPO just told me that my reservation is fine, we do have RPC, TPV, for the week after Thanksgiving. She said we would either be on the 3rd or 4th fl.

All of the rooms on the 2nd floor Main Bldg are out of service due to the construction work being done at Gasperella's. She stated that many of the room on the 2nd fl are king rooms.

Glad to hear your reservation will stand, good to know the 3rd and 4th floor rooms aren't scheduled for a move. All of the rooms on the 2nd floor main building are king rooms over Gasparilla's, they are booked as "main building - deluxe king - club level"; these are the rectangular deluxe king rooms.

It's Saturday morning down here at Chez Follow. I woke early to watch the golf from WDW. Well, actually, I wasn't watching for the sport, but rather for the occasional peeks of the GF and MK through the trees of Magnolia Course. The best part was the wonderfully evocative sound of the whistles of the Railroad in the MK and the boats on Seven Seas Lagoon. It made my day just to think of hearing those sounds in person next month.

One month, very exciting!

We do the same thing. We go for Thanksgiving week, so when we arrive some of the stands are still up. We turn it on for the glimpses of the poly and listen for the whistle and we say " next week we will be there...

Fun way to get a glimpse of the Grand.

We're on the DME to the Grand Floridian!! I just wanted to let everyone know a piece of advice in case someone has the same issue we did. If you have an additional person joining you for part of your trip who arrives on the plane with you but is not yet listed on your package or resort reservation (you'll check the person in at the resort), simply go to the DME and let them know and they will print off an additional voucher to ride the DME. We didn't have to separate or pay extra, simply the resort charge when we check in! Disney made it easy as usual

Thanks for the tip, glad you arrived safe and sound and are now in the World. Have a magical vacation.

I've been home for one month today.....I WANT TO GO BACK!!!!!

....

Who else got this silly snow yesterday? Maybe that will mean we will have a mild winter again!! After that crazy hurricane and now this, I need another vacation!!! I am booked for Feb - off prop for a week, then a few days at AKL. We plan to eat at GF a few times though...I can't go to WDW and not visit GF!

I hope you haven't been too affected by Sandy and the recent snow storm. Best wishes, glad you have another trip to keep your spirits up.

What are the room configurations at the Grand? We tend to like two beds and a sink out of the bathroom. Are there rooms like this? How likely would we be to get one if we make a request on our reservation?

Thank you!

Thank you runskimom.

Is there is a door to close off the sinks at all? I found some photos, and it looks like there should be, but it's hard to tell.

As runskimom posted, all standard rooms at the GF are configured the same as you describe (except king rooms, which are few), no need to make a special request.

There is no door for the dressing/sink area, you can see the layout in photos on the first page of this thread - I think it is post #12, I'll have to go check to be sure. ETA: Oops, it is post #8.

I hope we don't get moved but I am starting to get nervous. The fact that I am an addicted resort changer doesn't help.

I'd rather just change now and accept it then get stuck somewhere else that I don't want to be but my DH doesn't want me to change. Although I will say haven't mentioned to him that it is possible we may get walked. Maybe I should fill him in

Sounds like only deluxe king Clarendon Level (2nd floor) rooms are being moved, so it may not affect you. ?? Hope not, and your vacation is smooth and Grand.

Has anyone heard of a room refurb or linens refresh in the near future? While I have no complaints of the current conditions... the GF and AKL are soon to be the last deluxe properties with patterned bed spreads.

After the WL's major refurb and soon to be refurb at the Poly... the GF just seems so lacking in the room decor category!

I was set on the BC for our Sept trip... but I'm falling in the love with the overall resort changes! For whatever reason though... I just can't get over the rooms for that price point!

I haven't heard of any plans for a GF soft goods change, even though Cali-D and I have our fingers crossed. The last major refurb of the GF was in 2007, after the CR and Poly room rehabs. It was just a year or so before the changes made to the Y&BC/BWI decor, where they added duvets instead of bedspreads. Not sure why they chose to keep bedspreads at GF/Poly. I wasn't happy with the new decor, we loved the old look, with each building a different pattern.~sigh~ Oh, well, I've had to accept the new(er) look and now it seems fine to me.

I'm not a huge fan of white duvets with bed scarves, looks too much like a Holiday Inn to me, but I'm obviously in the minority.

Just want to say- I agree with you completely. We are booked for the GF for next August and could not be more thrilled to be staying there but it seems very odd to me that the rooms still have those old patterned bedspreads. As Disney's flagship resort, I would imagine they would have the highest room standards. It would be nice to see rooms refurbished by next August but either way, we will be thrilled to pieces just to be staying at the Grand!

While the bedspreads are my least favorite aspect of the GF rooms, they are not the old type of low-end, nylon spread of my youth (though they sort of look like it in photos, lol). The material for the spreads is very nice. The damask-type pattern of the wallpaper is quite pretty, as are the curtains in the room. Not a huge fan of the striped bed skirts, they do not seem to go with the rest of the room, but overall the rooms look and feel more luxe than they might appear in photos.

I have been searching the web like a mad woman HRH really wants some gingerbread...hoping we can at least get a glimpse of the beginnings at least...

I hope so, too. So close now!

 

[pas130]

I hope we don't get moved but I am starting to get nervous. The fact that I am an addicted resort changer doesn't help.

It's be GRAND

I hope so, too. So close now!

I am getting antsy and excited!!!!!!!!!!!