A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[MommyGina]

BethClayton I wish we were at the GF last April, but that was not me. We were there in July.

Suem we love Sago. I have always stayed in the same room, 5427. It is not an adjoining room and not a dormer room. It overlooks the marina.

 

[Ariel484]

Hello all!

I lurked on this thread for a bit before my trip...thanks so much for the helpful information!

I thought I'd post a mini-review...we were originally booked at the Polynesian for Marathon Weekend (reservation for 1/9/2013-1/14/2013). No discounts came out, so we gave up the reservation and switched to the GRAND! I truly thought we'd never get to stay here...we were so excited!

The CM at the front desk that checked me in, Nathan, was SO nice. We chatted for 5-10 minutes...the first of many great CM interactions we had that weekend.

When we booked our discounted room we ended up with a deluxe standard view. We were in Conch Key, room 7506 (building 7, floor 5, room 6).

(Sorry for the weird lighting...I'm just learning how to edit photos):

Vaulted ceilings!! Loved this.

And an extra seating area...I guess this is what makes this a "deluxe" room. We weren't expecting this at all.

Second TV in the cabinet:

No balcony in this room, but we did have a nice view.

Courtyard pool construction on January 9, 2013:

DVC construction on January 9, 2013...here's hoping we win the lottery so we can buy in!

And to our left...Narcoossee's, the Contemporary and Space Mountain!

The nightly movie played just outside our window, and we could heard the Electrical Pageant each night and the boat horns. But it was very quiet overall.

We have had some great rooms at Disney, but this is probably the best one of the bunch. The resort itself was WONDERFUL - I felt like the CMs here really went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable. It was our first time staying on the monorail - LOVED that, and loved taking the boats. Really liked Gaspirilla Island a lot.

The construction wasn't a big deal, and we were notified of it ahead of time by the resort, but I do have a small complaint. When I checked in I asked about hot tub access, thinking I would want it after the races (I ended up not having time for hot tubbing). Nathan told me that with the construction my only options were to go to the Contemporary and use their hot tub, or to use the hot tub at the Grand Floridian spa. But I could only use the spa if I paid $25 for a pass. That rubbed me the wrong way - we were staying in a discounted room but it's not like we still weren't paying a decent amount to stay there. Seems they could have waived the $25.

Overall, the Grand was fabulous. We loved it much more than we expected, and I really, REALLY miss it. We'll definitely be back.

Thank for letting me ramble on!

 

[nalia]

17 days till we arrive at the Grand. We are all getting excited. Still hoping they are making progress on the courtyard pool. Does anyone have any recent photos? Either way we can't wait!

 

[JoBird]

Ariel484-
Thanks so much for taking the time to post pictures of your recent stay at the Grand! Looks like you had a perfect room and view! A Deluxe room does include that extra seating area -- what a nice surprise since you weren't expecting it.

So glad you enjoyed your first stay and hope the Marathon was great for you as well! Sorry about the no Hot tub. It seems like they could have made an exception once-- I'm sure that would have been a welcome luxury after the run.

We have found that the CM's at the Grand are one of the reasons we return there- they just seem to really add to the experience. Glad that overall you found that to be the case.


Thanks again for the wonderful review!

 

[butternut]

Thanks for the great reviews. Just love love love the room and view. We are arriving March 14th fro the week and am hoping to have something as awesome. We are there on a conference and not sure if that helps or dampens our chances for a room with a view. Anyway im super excited. A question i asked once before but no response... Does anyone know if the coffee makers are single serve and if so is there any coffee pods i can bring from home to use instead of their terrible coffee ?

 

[psac]

Thanks for the great reviews. Just love love love the room and view. We are arriving March 14th fro the week and am hoping to have something as awesome. We are there on a conference and not sure if that helps or dampens our chances for a room with a view. Anyway im super excited. A question i asked once before but no response... Does anyone know if the coffee makers are single serve and if so is there any coffee pods i can bring from home to use instead of their terrible coffee ?

The coffee makers are single serv flat pods, for sure not K-cups, but I don't know exactly what type to look for. They're circular and somewhat flat. Good luck!

 

[dvc at last !]

I am in to read later...

 

[butternut]

The coffee makers are single serv flat pods, for sure not K-cups, but I don't know exactly what type to look for. They're circular and somewhat flat. Good luck!

Thanks!! Ill go flat pod hunting!!!

 

[Sue M]

The coffee makers are single serv flat pods, for sure not K-cups, but I don't know exactly what type to look for. They're circular and somewhat flat. Good luck!

It sounds like the coffee makers we've had at AKL in Aug, and POFQ recently. They are Cusinart single serve machines, but 2 sides, so you can make 2 cups at a time. The coffee is Cusinart as well, not the Nescafe.
I have heard WDW is discontinuing Nescafe Contract, and going with Jofferys. No idea when the change will happen.

 

[butternut]

Thank goodness for that!!

 

[Ariel484]

It sounds like the coffee makers we've had at AKL in Aug, and POFQ recently. They are Cusinart single serve machines, but 2 sides, so you can make 2 cups at a time. The coffee is Cusinart as well, not the Nescafe.
I have heard WDW is discontinuing Nescafe Contract, and going with Jofferys. No idea when the change will happen.

Yes, that's what is there now...flat Cusinart pods in the room. Not bad at all!

 

[Bezalel]

Been lurking on the forums for a while, but we are 17 short days away from being at WDW. Staying March 1 - 5 w/ my bride and DS(12), DD(8), and DD(4).

This will be our first time at GF having stayed previously at WL and POFQ.

Was concerned about the construction, but from some of the most recent posts it seems like it won't be an issue.

Anything I should know or request as a first time guest at GF?

 

[graceesmom]

Also curious on the latest information regarding the status of construction. We aren't going until the end of April, but just looking for the latest updates.

 

[cgulls]

Also curious on the latest information regarding the status of construction. We aren't going until the end of April, but just looking for the latest updates.

There are some new photos at wdwnewstoday.com. There's a shot of the CY pool but it doesn't reveal anything. There's a crane of some sort. Maybe it's there to move in some very heavy beach chairs?

 

[Sue M]

BethClayton I wish we were at the GF last April, but that was not me. We were there in July.

Suem we love Sago. I have always stayed in the same room, 5427. It is not an adjoining room and not a dormer room. It overlooks the marina.

Excellent!

17 days till we arrive at the Grand. We are all getting excited. Still hoping they are making progress on the courtyard pool. Does anyone have any recent photos? Either way we can't wait!

Ariel just posted pics of the Courtyard pool. We were just there for Narcossees dinner and walked around. Pool looks the same, still behind screens and screens are still up along beach. I hope the beach screens will be down by our Aug stay!! The courtyard pool I heard will re open by March?

 

[Chrisrokc]

That crane is one that pours concrete. With a large concrete pool you would need one of these to get the concrete in the middle. Looks like they will have the pool done sooner rather than later. Would love to see a picture from an overlooking balcony.

 

[cgulls]

That crane is one that pours concrete. With a large concrete pool you would need one of these to get the concrete in the middle. Looks like they will have the pool done sooner rather than later. Would love to see a picture from an overlooking balcony.

would they also use that sort of crane to pour concrete on a pool deck? Photos seem to show that's been torn up, too.

Why would that indicate sooner rather than later? Is this a step closer to the end than the beginning of the rehab?

 

[Chrisrokc]

would they also use that sort of crane to pour concrete on a pool deck? Photos seem to show that's been torn up, too.

Why would that indicate sooner rather than later? Is this a step closer to the end than the beginning of the rehab?

They could also use this to pour the pool deck. I would imagine they would pour it first, then the pool bottom.

The concrete being finished is a major step forward IMO. With it completed everything can be finished; landscaping, painting, pool finishing, etc.. The last step would be to fill the pool/hot tub and introduce pool chemicals.

 

[sydneysmom]

SueM- we have always booked garden view with a request of Sago with marina view.

I always go for Conch Key with Marina View...

See, you learn something new everyday on the DIS!! I had no idea that a marina view could be under a "garden view". I don't honestly know what I thought, but I kind of thought marina would be under the water view. This is so good to know!

We haven't made any requests for a building...we're kind of leaving it to chance. The last time they put us in Big Pine Key w/ a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon and we could see the castle. It was spectacular!! I have to admit, I'm getting WAY TOO EXCITED to sleep!! We're at the 3 1/2 month mark. And I can remember when my ticker was at 545 days!!!

I can't wait to stay at the Grand again. It's one of the most wonderful places ever!!! and just puts you right in the Disney mood!!!

 

[MommyGina]

I know the feeling about being too excited to sleep before a vacation at the GF. My niece is now coming with us in July. She is 16 and has never stayed on property. She keeps telling my DD that she will not be able to sleep until she is at Disney with her cousins!