A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Luvamouse]

Hi Everyone,

I have caught up on the last 10 or so pages and hope that the pool is done by New Year's Day-- my New England kids won't think anything of cool water/weather!

I am trying to stay positive about leaving RI December 28 to head to WDW, but the Hurricane and then the Nor'Easter and snow (!?!) have me trying VERY hard to be positive about the weather! After reading everything to boost my spirits (oh please let it be gorgeous weather here and fairly atypically temperate for coastal NE in January..... we CAN get 40's half the month) I have one more question:

How do the day beds compare to the ones at the Poly? They definitely look a lot smaller in any photos I see of the rooms. Both my girls are 5' 5", and fit nicely on the Poly daybed. The GF one has me leery. Should have had them try it when we visited my cousin's room in February...

Thanks! And I hope all those of you in NY and NJ who had a much worse time than we did are seeing improvement!

Heidi

 

[Dream Big Live Grand]

Lovamouse
I am 5' 5" and have slept very comfortably on the daybed

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas, it won't be long now.

Luvamouse - my DD is 5'4" and though we've never had to sleep on the daybed, we pulled it out and she tried it on our last trip. She had plenty of room. I have a photo of it opened, not sure if I have posted it on the first page yet, but I'll go find it and post here in a bit.

Sending pixiedust for great weather for all of our NE friends.

DreamBigLiveGrand - Welcome! Good to know the daybeds are not just for holding our jackets and bags.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here's the photo of the open daybed!

And a few photos of the new coffee makers with coffee pods and tea bags for everyone who has been wondering about them.

Instructions on top of coffee maker

 

[Dream Big Live Grand]

K&a&c'smom thanks for the welcome

 

[VS85]

Hi everyone! I am a newbie to these boards... it took me over a week to read through the whole thread, but I finally made it! So much great information... my cousin and I are visiting the GF the week before Christmas (we have been dreaming of our perfect Disney vacation since we were twelve, and now we are finally going!). This is our first time staying on Disney property, and I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping to find the answer to from all of you experts!

1. We are arriving mid-day and want to head to DTD for dinner that evening at Wolfgang Puck Express (we're on the regular dining plan). How long does it usually take to get from GF to DTD, and is the only mode of transportation the bus (or cab)? I'd like to get back in time to watch the EWP that evening... where can we watch that from the hotel? Does it occur every night? I read somewhere that it usually starts around 9:15 - is that right?

2. We have reservations at Narcoossee's one night at 9pm. For those of you who have dined there before, is it difficult to request a table by a window? I really would love to watch the Wishes fireworks while we have dinner. Do you have to be by a window or can you see the fireworks from anywhere in the restaurant as long as you can see out the window?

3. From what I've read, in terms of room requests, I think I will request an upper floor in Conch Key marina view first and then Sago Cay marina view second. We are booked in a standard GV room. I haven't heard much about the main building though... is that because any GV rooms there will overlook construction? I would love to be in the main building because it is so central to everything, but definitely don't want to be by construction.

I would really appreciate your insight and advice! Also, if you have any tips on enjoying GF and the World during Christmas time, that would be great too! Thanks a bunch!

 

[tatar63]

We checked inti the G F today
The have the area roped off to start the Gingerbread House and are starting it tomorrow!

 

[dragonfly57005]

VS85: how exciting o take the trip like this!

 

[Tink rules]

Hi everyone! I am a newbie to these boards... it took me over a week to read through the whole thread, but I finally made it! So much great information... my cousin and I are visiting the GF the week before Christmas (we have been dreaming of our perfect Disney vacation since we were twelve, and now we are finally going!). This is our first time staying on Disney property, and I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping to find the answer to from all of you experts!

1. We are arriving mid-day and want to head to DTD for dinner that evening at Wolfgang Puck Express (we're on the regular dining plan). How long does it usually take to get from GF to DTD, and is the only mode of transportation the bus (or cab)? I'd like to get back in time to watch the EWP that evening... where can we watch that from the hotel? Does it occur every night? I read somewhere that it usually starts around 9:15 - is that right?

2. We have reservations at Narcoossee's one night at 9pm. For those of you who have dined there before, is it difficult to request a table by a window? I really would love to watch the Wishes fireworks while we have dinner. Do you have to be by a window or can you see the fireworks from anywhere in the restaurant as long as you can see out the window?

3. From what I've read, in terms of room requests, I think I will request an upper floor in Conch Key marina view first and then Sago Cay marina view second. We are booked in a standard GV room. I haven't heard much about the main building though... is that because any GV rooms there will overlook construction? I would love to be in the main building because it is so central to everything, but definitely don't want to be by construction.

I would really appreciate your insight and advice! Also, if you have any tips on enjoying GF and the World during Christmas time, that would be great too! Thanks a bunch!

Marina view either way is good...

It may take a little longer to get a table at the window. I've waited for one - sometimes if you get there a little earlier, you can tell the CM at the entrance and they will note that for you.

I don't do the buses, so I imagine someone else can answer for you.

 

[andyman8]

Here's the photo of the open daybed!

Do you have to request for it to be opened or can you do it on your own?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

K&a&c'smom thanks for the welcome

Thanks for posting the daybed info, I was joking about the bags thing but it is good to know it is comfortable for adult sleeping.

Hi everyone! I am a newbie to these boards... it took me over a week to read through the whole thread, but I finally made it! So much great information... my cousin and I are visiting the GF the week before Christmas (we have been dreaming of our perfect Disney vacation since we were twelve, and now we are finally going!). This is our first time staying on Disney property, and I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping to find the answer to from all of you experts!

1. We are arriving mid-day and want to head to DTD for dinner that evening at Wolfgang Puck Express (we're on the regular dining plan). How long does it usually take to get from GF to DTD, and is the only mode of transportation the bus (or cab)? I'd like to get back in time to watch the EWP that evening... where can we watch that from the hotel? Does it occur every night? I read somewhere that it usually starts around 9:15 - is that right?

2. We have reservations at Narcoossee's one night at 9pm. For those of you who have dined there before, is it difficult to request a table by a window? I really would love to watch the Wishes fireworks while we have dinner. Do you have to be by a window or can you see the fireworks from anywhere in the restaurant as long as you can see out the window?

3. From what I've read, in terms of room requests, I think I will request an upper floor in Conch Key marina view first and then Sago Cay marina view second. We are booked in a standard GV room. I haven't heard much about the main building though... is that because any GV rooms there will overlook construction? I would love to be in the main building because it is so central to everything, but definitely don't want to be by construction.

I would really appreciate your insight and advice! Also, if you have any tips on enjoying GF and the World during Christmas time, that would be great too! Thanks a bunch!

Welcome! Glad you've joined us, and the DIS, congrats on booking your first stay on property. You'll love the Grand!

To add to what Tink rules posted - yes, the bus or cab is the only way to DTD, unless you rent a car. It takes about 30 minutes to get there, once you've boarded the bus, a little less by cab. I can't remember if the bus stops elsewhere during the day, but I feel like it makes a stop at Typhoon Lagoon? Someone else can probably answer that for sure, it's been a while since we've taken the bus to DTD - we usually grab a cab if we don't have a car. ETA: here is a link to a great tool for calculating travel times within WDW.

EWP is every night, yes it is usually at 9:15 (there is sometimes a delay for other water craft or early fireworks at MK). You can watch from the boat dock.

It is much easier to see Wishes from a window table, but some non-window tables have a decent view. As Tink rules suggested, just ask the CM when you check in.

All rooms in the main building are club level, no garden view rooms there, sorry.

Marina view either way is good...

It may take a little longer to get a table at the window. I've waited for one - sometimes if you get there a little earlier, you can tell the CM at the entrance and they will note that for you.

I don't do the buses, so I imagine someone else can answer for you.

LOL about the buses, we are using them less and less. Used to be one of the big pluses for us at WDW, but it has been less magical the last few years.

We checked inti the G F today
The have the area roped off to start the Gingerbread House and are starting it tomorrow!

YAY! Those headed to the World soon will be very happy to hear this.

Do you have to request for it to be opened or can you do it on your own?

It can be opened fairly easily - there are loops for pulling it open, it took us about 2 minutes to figure it out. If the mousekeepers know you are using it for sleeping, they will make it up for you each night during turn down.

 

[lala3291]

We will be arriving at the GF tomorrow morning! I cannot wait, and I can't believe that our trip is just about here!

One quick question, does anyone know which stop the GF is for the Magical Express bus from the airport to the resort? GF was second stop for us last November, but I was wondering if that changed.

Thank you all for the information on this thread, it has been super helpful! I will try to post updates live from the GF this week as well!

 

[tatar63]

We arrived yesterday by ME, we stopped at Poly first then GF.

 

[lala3291]

We arrived yesterday by ME, we stopped at Poly first then GF.

Thanks for the info! We are so excited!

 

[sndral]

We will be arriving at the GF tomorrow morning! I cannot wait, and I can't believe that our trip is just about here!

One quick question, does anyone know which stop the GF is for the Magical Express bus from the airport to the resort? GF was second stop for us last November, but I was wondering if that changed.

Thank you all for the information on this thread, it has been super helpful! I will try to post updates live from the GF this week as well!

We arrived yesterday by ME, we stopped at Poly first then GF.

I was told by a bus driver once (I know - standing joke re: a bus driver @ WDW told me, but...) that because of the way the parking lots/roads are configured if the DME is stopping @ Poly and GF, they stop @ Poly first, if they did it GF first the bus would have to do a 3 pt turn around (or something like that.) I don't think the DME buses have set routes, though.

 

[Tink rules]

Well.. they'd have to drive right past the Poly to drop people at the GF...

 

[nonzerosum]

We were the first stop, so this probably meant that there wasn't anyone Poly bound on our bus. Too bad, I was looking forward to being first again this time around.

 

[Luvamouse]

Lovamouse
I am 5' 5" and have slept very comfortably on the daybed

Thank you! And K&A &C's mom - the picture said it all! It seems nearly identical to the bed at the Poly After our 60 degree weekend, I am staying positive! The fact that it is freezing in some of the southern states does have me leery. The fact that we drive makes a huge difference IMHO, as we do not need to worry about flight issues. Getting very excited and thinking no-snow thoughts.. .

 

[islandtimect]

For folks who are at GF this wk, is the gingerbread house up yet? Hoping it will be up by next Monday!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We have never been lucky enough to head straight to the Grand on ME. One trip, we were the fifth stop. It was late, and the driver stuck his head in just before we left MCO to say we'd be dropping guests at PO (2 stops) before heading to the MK resorts (I think we hit CR, Poly, GF). Our second time on ME, we went to WL, Poly, GF.~sigh~

For folks who are at GF this wk, is the gingerbread house up yet? Hoping it will be up by next Monday!

Welcome! I quoted tatar63 below, who posted on 11/11. It takes a couple weeks to complete the gingerbread house, so it will likely still be in progress next Monday.

We checked inti the G F today
The have the area roped off to start the Gingerbread House and are starting it tomorrow!