A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[pas130]

Interesting - I was sure in the past I read of guests who were there for a whole week and it still wasn't finished when they departed. Good to know!

Great video!

Does anyone know if the tree was started yet?

The GF tree is AMAZING We just came home yesterday. On Thursday we toured MK resorts including WL (we stayed at the Poly)

GF is above and beyond the most beautiful tree I have ever seen! They were constructing the Gingerbread house, and had a lot left to do! Only the base was up and they were starting the shingles on the roof...and they were giving out samples of the Gingerbread (much to HRH's delight)

CR, WL and Poly were completely decorated! We had lunch at GF Cafe, my DDs and I agreed it was grand!!!!

My DD5 said the GF is the most prettiest place in the whole world

 

[Tink rules]

Someone just posted the pics on Facebook...

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The holiday pictures are fantastic! It has been a while since we've been down when the decorations are up; hopefully next year I'll be able to make that happen. All of you who are traveling soon, enjoy! Be sure to take some pictures to share with those of us at home.

 

[VS85]

Hi everyone! First, thanks to all of you for responding to my original questions. We'll leave plenty of travel time to DTD and if we don't get a window seat at Narcoosee's we won't sweat it.

I have another (slightly silly) question... I am pretty low key, but when it comes to my hair I can be a kind of high maintenance. Are the hair dryers provided in the guest rooms the little cheap ones that are connected to the walls in the bathroom, or are they proper hair dryers? Do they have diffusers? This will impact whether I pack my own (which I'd prefer not to do) but I just can't stand the little cheap hair dryers! TIA!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Tink rules - thanks for posting the photos, simply beautiful.

Cali-D - I hope you are able to make it next Christmas, we have not been during the Christmas season in many years due to DD's college schedule. Now that she is out, maybe we can shoot for next year, too.

tatar63 - thanks for the updates, especially regarding Sandy Cove. Hope it opens today as scheduled. Too bad the pool seems to be progressing very slowly, if at all.

To post photos, you have to first upload to a photo hosting site like Photobucket. There are instructions on the Tech Board, here is the link to a vidoe (3rd down).

Sorry you have to leave the Grand today, safe travels home.

Just did my online check in, the system wouldn't accept my 'special request' (Sago Cay) so I called, the computer female voice tried to guess my address based on my name - she first guessed my son's address from 3 years ago, then asked for a zip, and guessed some address here in town, etc. finally after guessing a number of incorrect addresses the computer voice sent me to a live CM who listened patiently to my request then sent me to the online check in line which was a recording which...wait for it...asked if I wanted to take the survey or would I rather just hang up?
Phone call, take 2 - I cleverly avoided the wild what's your address guessing game of the computer voice by saying 'agent' and managed to have a human take my Sago Cay request.
I think this is training for the patience required to really enjoy a WDW vacation, and a tune up on the ability to laugh @ things - anyway, it amused me.
I did notice that you now must supply a credit card number to do online check in, whereas in the past you could always decline.
So, it's officially 10 days to go! In 4 days I'll do the online check in for phase 2 of the vacation - the YC.
Can't wait for my first stay @ the GF!

You must feel you passed some kind of test! It shouldn't be that hard, right?!

Thanks for the info regarding the cc for online check in. You are nearly there, woohoo!

Hi everyone! We made a last minute change and will be staying GF in December! My husband has always dreamed of staying here so I decided to surprise him! We weren't able to get an RPC room for our whole trip, so we will be in Sugarloaf for the first half, then transfer to RPC theme park for the last half. Any recommendations for requests in Sugarloaf? I heard to request marina view to stay away from the construction on the courtyard pool. I know it's only a request and not guaranteed, but can Wishes be seen from the balconies of Sugarloaf?

TIA!! Jenn

Sorry, no TPV rooms in SL, Conch Key is in the way. Not sure if any stray fireworks can be seen from the rooms on the very end, but I know we did not see any from our second floor corner room the last time we were in SL.

Anyone know if there is a photopass photographer in the lobby around this time of the year until Xmas? If so, any idea on the hours they are there?

Welcome!

I know in the past they have been there starting the week of Thanksgiving, usually in the late afternoon, evening.

This has been our experience as well.

The GF tree is AMAZING We just came home yesterday. On Thursday we toured MK resorts including WL (we stayed at the Poly)

GF is above and beyond the most beautiful tree I have ever seen! They were constructing the Gingerbread house, and had a lot left to do! Only the base was up and they were starting the shingles on the roof...and they were giving out samples of the Gingerbread (much to HRH's delight)

CR, WL and Poly were completely decorated! We had lunch at GF Cafe, my DDs and I agreed it was grand!!!!

My DD5 said the GF is the most prettiest place in the whole world

Welcome home. Glad you and your girls were able to visit the GF and lunch there - love the Cafe! I agree with your DD5, it IS the most prettiest place in the whole World.

Hi everyone! First, thanks to all of you for responding to my original questions. We'll leave plenty of travel time to DTD and if we don't get a window seat at Narcoosee's we won't sweat it.

I have another (slightly silly) question... I am pretty low key, but when it comes to my hair I can be a kind of high maintenance. Are the hair dryers provided in the guest rooms the little cheap ones that are connected to the walls in the bathroom, or are they proper hair dryers? Do they have diffusers? This will impact whether I pack my own (which I'd prefer not to do) but I just can't stand the little cheap hair dryers! TIA!

They now have hair dryers separate, they are in a bag in the closet. Not high end, but decent, my DD has lots of hair and it works fine. No diffuser, sorry. I have a photo, I'll see if I can find it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I thought I had a photo of the hair dryer itself, but can't find it. Here is the dryer in the bag, in the closet.

 

[tatar63]

Sorry so late on replying about the sailboat. I went by the marina this morning and asked if they had one at GF, they said no you will have to go to the Poly to rent one.

 

[tatar63]

Sandy Cove is open

No photo pass photographer in lobby, a CM said to check at the desk & they could possibly get one to come down from a restaurant. There may be one the week of Christmas

Hope everyone with trips coming up has as Grand of time as we have!

 

[tatar63]

The hair dryer is a nice size one, but no diffuser.

 

[andyman8]

Sorry so late on replying about the sailboat. I went by the marina this morning and asked if they had one at GF, they said no you will have to go to the Poly to rent one.

Thanks for asking! I wonder if that's due to the construction. Oh well, thanks again for asking! It's really appreciated!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Sorry so late on replying about the sailboat. I went by the marina this morning and asked if they had one at GF, they said no you will have to go to the Poly to rent one.

Sandy Cove is open

No photo pass photographer in lobby, a CM said to check at the desk & they could possibly get one to come down from a restaurant. There may be one the week of Christmas

Hope everyone with trips coming up has as Grand of time as we have!

The hair dryer is a nice size one, but no diffuser.

Thanks for all the updates, they have been appreciated! Cool about Sandy Cove. I hope you had a Grand vacation.

Thanks for asking! I wonder if that's due to the construction. Oh well, thanks again for asking! It's really appreciated!

I doubt it is due to construction, I haven't seen a sailboat in the marina for many, many years. I have marina photos from early 2007 and no sailboat.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Finally got our Internet back, 3 weeks after Sandy! Catching up on my DIS.

pas sent me some great pictures while she was at the GF. There is something about that Christmas tree that just makes me smile

Did Sandy Cove open? Anyone been in yet? How does it look?

k&a&c'smom , it's good to be back!

 

[dragonfly57005]

Awwwww....those pics get me in the holiday mood!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Finally got our Internet back, 3 weeks after Sandy! Catching up on my DIS.

pas sent me some great pictures while she was at the GF. There is something about that Christmas tree that just makes me smile

Did Sandy Cove open? Anyone been in yet? How does it look?

k&a&c'smom , it's good to be back!

Welcome back!! So glad to hear from you, I hope you are back in your home and doing well. I'll bet you are glad to have internet. How is the rest of your town?

Sandy Cove opened today, according to tatar63's post above.

 

[VS85]

Thanks for the info about the hair dryers! Looks like I will be bringing my own, I absolutely need a diffuser! Glad I will be prepared

 

[pas130]

Welcome home. Glad you and your girls were able to visit the GF and lunch there - love the Cafe! I agree with your DD5, it IS the most prettiest place in the whole World.

It was my first time eating there. It was great and we sat my the window. Dds enjoyed looking out at the flowers...ahhhh the lobby was so beautiful

Finally got our Internet back, 3 weeks after Sandy! Catching up on my DIS.

pas sent me some great pictures while she was at the GF. There is something about that Christmas tree that just makes me smile

Did Sandy Cove open? Anyone been in yet? How does it look?

k&a&c'smom , it's good to be back!

I miss the grand SO much already. I'm glad you liked the pics!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the info about the hair dryers! Looks like I will be bringing my own, I absolutely need a diffuser! Glad I will be prepared

Glad to help! I don't blame you, we are picky about our hair in this house, too. Back when they only had the wall-mount dryers we usually brought our own. Still do when we drive, along with all the shoes we could possibly use in a week.

It was my first time eating there. It was great and we sat my the window. Dds enjoyed looking out at the flowers...ahhhh the lobby was so beautiful


I miss the grand SO much already. I'm glad you liked the pics!

First time eating at the Cafe?! What did you have? We love breakfast there, have it every trip, but lunch is great, too. DD and I ate there...5 times, I think, this past trip. Two breakfast, two lunch and one dinner. A table by the window is lovely and restful, looking out on the beautiful landscaping.

 

[jcondrad]

Sorry, no TPV rooms in SL, Conch Key is in the way. Not sure if any stray fireworks can be seen from the rooms on the very end, but I know we did not see any from our second floor corner room the last time we were in SL.

Welcome!

Thanks for the reply! I figured no good views since all the rooms are standard

 

[polyfor4]

The Polynesian has always been our favorite but due to no military rate GV rooms being available, are thinking about staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time in May. I've visited the Grand several times and of course think that the grounds are gorgeous. Is comparing the Poly to Grand just completely apples to oranges? I feel like I get a certain nostalgia and "feel" like I'm at Disney when I'm at the Poly. I'm worried that staying at the Grand will just feel like I'm at a nice hotel. Please give me some pixie dust or reassurance that we need to give the Grand a shot

 

[pas130]

First time eating at the Cafe?! What did you have? We love breakfast there, have it every trip, but lunch is great, too. DD and I ate there...5 times, I think, this past trip. Two breakfast, two lunch and one dinner. A table by the window is lovely and restful, looking out on the beautiful landscaping.

I had the GF burger. YUM!!! Girls all had the kids meals, which was a bargain they had appy, entree, and dessert!!! They all ate worms in dirt, which was chocolate mousee with gummi worms and topped with chocolate crumbles!!!

Here's a pic of Bree (I love this pic)