A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[MommyGina]

MagicPrincess - Congratulations on booking your Grand Floridian SL vacation! I could never keep a secret from my kids like that. I'm more excited than they are! They would know that something was up.

You will enjoy SL. My kids love it there. They don't want to stay on any other property. It has to be the GF or nothing. I think I spoiled them. We are now in double digits as of today for our trip to the GF. 99 days and counting.

 

[MagicPrincess]

Thanks! We loved SL back in 2010, thought about going elsewhere by just couldn't do it! LOL I'm sure my kids will know something is up, but what a great surprise it will be if we can pull it off!!! Can't wait to see their faces!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mariamouse - Hey, you!! How have you been?

I think you dreamed it. Just kidding - I think Cali-D may have mentioned a rumor about a room refurb coming soon. Or maybe I dreamed THAT!

The dreaded white duvets.~sigh~ Oh, well, I've never been much of a fan of the GF bedspread.

MommyGina - 99 days will go by before you know it.

MagicPrincess - Hope you are better able to keep a secret than me - I'm with MommyGina, terrible at keeping vacation secrets.

 

[sjs314]

Well so I came home today to a big box from Enviroscents on my front step!

I was almost as hyper as when it's time to leave for the Grand.

I plugged it in and took a sniff of the air and then I wasn't sure if it was right or not. Of course I'd been reading the directions and sort of smelling it in the canister at the same time so I could have been overwhelmed.


I have it in my foyer, which has a vaulted ceiling to the second floor. The scent is VERY strong. My house is right at 3400 sq ft and I can smell it in almost every room upstairs and down. I even turned it down about an hour ago because it was-- *gasp*-- a little strong.

After it had run for an hour, I wanted to test it out to see if I thought I had the same reaction, that maybe it wasn't the right scent, so I went outside with the dog for a bit. When I came back into the house, I opened the door, closed my eyes and stepped in.....
WHAM!!!! It's the GRAND!!!!!!!

I think the difference is that the GF lobby has a ton of lilies in different arrangements and that is what gives a different scent to it. Lilies are my favorite flower and usually I have a fresh arrangement on my dining room table of them but today of course I have the type doesn't smell. I'm pretty sure if I had some of the oriental lilies or star gazers, yep, the scent would be I-dentical! (My Cousin Vinny, anyone? )

My DD 10-- the one who refuses to step onto WDW property if she isn't staying at the GF-- when she came in, I told her to walk in and smell the air and tell me what she thought. She squealed and said "MOM!! It's the Grand!!"

So there you have it! I'm waiting on my other two kids to come in from school to get their reactions. I'll let you know what they think.

If anyone wants to order a machine---- I have a code to share to get 20% off of it. Brings the total to $159. That's the machine and one canister. A canister will last for about a month. Just send me a PM and I'll share it with you!

Jo so happy for you sounds lovely. Enjoy

 

[mariamouse]

mariamouse - Hey, you!! How have you been?

I think you dreamed it. Just kidding - I think Cali-D may have mentioned a rumor about a room refurb coming soon. Or maybe I dreamed THAT!

The dreaded white duvets.~sigh~ Oh, well, I've never been much of a fan of the GF bedspread.

Well hello to you too, k&a&c's mom! So nice to see that you are still active on here and providing so many DISers with your endless GF knowledge! This thread is lucky to have you.

We returned from a stay at the BCV this past January and I have not really checked in on the DIS since then since the DIS immediately after a trip sometimes makes me feel a little bit too nostalgic. But, now that we are potentially planning a trip for Jan 2014, I can start getting into excited planning mode again!

We had a fantastic December stay at the GF about 1.5 years ago, but we were a bit dismayed at how worn our room looked-- threads hanging off furniture, shower grime, etc. We also didn't find the bedding that comfortable and those quilts are so heavy! What is it about the white duvets that you dread? We haven't stayed in a room with them yet, but I think the pics of the renovated BC/YC/BWI rooms look great. Not sure about the comfort factor, though.

I think we are leaning toward the Poly this time around due to the fact that the rooms will have been recently renovated, plus it has been longer since we've stayed there. That being said, I am a little concerned that there may be exterior work happening when we want to visit (due to all of the hot tub/volcano pool/GCH/DVC rumors). Guess we will play it by ear once further information is released!

What's new with you?! Hope all is great!

 

[mariamouse]

From what I've heard.. it's supposed to be done after the Poly gets it's rooms redone and they are in the midst of the refurb now.

No exact dates though... Disney doesn't give them...

They usually go about 6-7 years before a refurb so they are due.

Thanks for the info, Tink rules! Given that the Poly rooms are supposed to be done this summer/fall, I guess I will cross the fingers that at least some of the GF rooms may be redone by the time January rolls around.

 

[WDWOswald]

For those of you who have stayed at the grand and say it is your favorite resort... what are your favorite things about it in comparison to other Disney hotels?

 

[electricsoup]

For those of you who have stayed at the grand and say it is your favorite resort... what are your favorite things about it in comparison to other Disney hotels?

It's all the little things. The staff. The grand nature of the resort. The grounds. There is not a part of that place that we don't love!

Other resorts feel a little more like hotels. For us it feels like a second home.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mariamouse - I know exactly what you mean about being on the DIS after a trip. Kind of deflating, right?

I was sort of kidding about the "dreaded duvets" as I keep saying the white duvet with a bed scarf is not my favorite look. Mainly because it looks too much like Holiday Inn to me. Nothing wrong with HI, we stay in them on the road, but not what I want for an expensive resort stay. And it makes the rooms seem so impersonal.

Having said that, I do like the BC renovated rooms. The duvets still have the scarf (to which I say WHY?!? give me an actual throw, please, something useful) but the duvet covers are creamy rather than stark white and the room is soothing. To us, anyway. The BWI rooms do look pretty in photos, haven't seen them in person.

Did you enjoy your BCV stay? We love the Y&BC in general.

Good luck with your plans for next year. Hope you are able to book the Poly without too much angst over construction. So stressful.

For those of you who have stayed at the grand and say it is your favorite resort... what are your favorite things about it in comparison to other Disney hotels?

It's all the little things. The staff. The grand nature of the resort. The grounds. There is not a part of that place that we don't love!

Other resorts feel a little more like hotels. For us it feels like a second home.

Ditto to everything electricsoup posted! We love the serene feel of the resort, the beautiful architectural details in the buildings, the music in the lobby, the many dining choices, the landscaping, the 24-hour room service, monorail, EWP, seeing the castle peeking through the buildings, ease of access to the other MK area resorts, the pools, two pool bars, spa, the friendly CMs. Love it all!

 

[mariamouse]

mariamouse - I know exactly what you mean about being on the DIS after a trip. Kind of deflating, right?

I was sort of kidding about the "dreaded duvets" as I keep saying the white duvet with a bed scarf is not my favorite look. Mainly because it looks too much like Holiday Inn to me. Nothing wrong with HI, we stay in them on the road, but not what I want for an expensive resort stay. And it makes the rooms seem so impersonal.

Having said that, I do like the BC renovated rooms. The duvets still have the scarf (to which I say WHY?!? give me an actual throw, please, something useful) but the duvet covers are creamy rather than stark white and the room is soothing. To us, anyway. The BWI rooms do look pretty in photos, haven't seen them in person.

Did you enjoy your BCV stay? We love the Y&BC in general.

Good luck with your plans for next year. Hope you are able to book the Poly without too much angst over construction. So stressful.

I completely understand what you mean about the scarf's lack of utility and the fairly generic look of it all. Still prefer that look to the old heavy bedspreads, though! I still have nightmares about the old bedspread at the CR circa early-2000's.

As always, we had a lovely stay at the BC! The BC is one of my favorite resorts as well and this was our first stay at the BCV (or in any villas, for that matter). We completely lucked out with a room on the top floor directly facing Epcot! We could see Spaceship Earth clearly, as well as "Canada" through the trees. We found the BCV location convenient and the exterior/lobby decor beautiful, but would probably stick with a regular hotel room over a studio in the future due to what we felt was a drastic difference in room decor. Would gladly stay in a 1BR or 2BR over a regular hotel room, though! We just love everything about the BC theme, location and relaxing vibe.

I just read on the Poly FAQ that DVC bungalows are definitely in the works-- not sure, though, whether or not serious construction will begin before/extend through Jan 2014. If so, we will likely find ourselves at the GF since we would like to revisit the MK area this time around and the Poly/GF are our faves. I'm just a little bit worried about the GF room condition, new pool fencing impacting the open feel of the resort grounds, and added crowds due to the completion of the GFV. Do you know what full occupancy at the GFV will be numbers-wise? Just seems like it could be a lot of extra people in the pool, waiting for the monorail, hanging in the lobby, etc. Is there any chance that non-DVC owners will be able to rent at GFV so soon after opening this fall?

Regardless, we will end up at a beautiful resort with easy access to the other. Would still love any thoughts/opinions, though! Decisions, decisions...

 

[Tink rules]

Thanks for the info, Tink rules! Given that the Poly rooms are supposed to be done this summer/fall, I guess I will cross the fingers that at least some of the GF rooms may be redone by the time January rolls around.

I think it's also going to be done in conjunction with the DVC... you can't have a brand spanking new building with new decor next to the one that needs to be refurbed.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Hello everyone! Just back from a wonderful vacation!

So bummed thay we didn't book the GF when we went over there to check it out! The contruction is no big deal! I can't believe I was making this much of a fuss over this!
Poly was nice, but it wasn't the Grand.
Spring break and the weather was something to experience also! LOL
So,DH decided to let me do a BB!!!!!

(drumroll..........) we've got the RPC's deluxe queen booked for this October!!!!!
My favorite Grand room! AND saved 35% off!

So excited~Need to unpack and do so many other things, I have some pics of GF.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Lulu'sMom - welcome back!! Awesome you had a great trip, and woohoo about the RPC BB. Can't wait to see your photos.

Having the courtyard pool finished has definitely improved the impact of the construction. With only the DVC building going on, I don't have any qualms over our upcoming Grand stay.

mariamouse - I think the numbers are 143 or 148 keys for the DVC? Something like, anyway, so not as many rooms as the other DVC properties. (if I'm wrong, someone please correct me)

I mostly agree about the bedspreads - I posted a few pages back if I could only choose between duvets and ugly bedspreads, I'd have to opt for the duvets. Over time, the current spreads have grown on me, but when they first debuted I thought they looked sooo tacky. I've always disliked the Poly spreads, they have never seemed to go with anything else in the room.

I recall BCV23 posting she would choose a 1- or 2-bedroom villa over a regular room, but a regular room over a studio. You are obviously not alone!

BTW, I forgot to say thanks for your kind words. I feel guilty getting compliments, as there are so many knowledgeable posters here. (you included!! )

Tink rules - have you heard anything about how much longer they expect the Poly room refurb to take?

 

[Tink rules]

They THINK by the end of the summer... but you know Disney... that's fluid...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Well, I found the projected number of keys for VGF, it is 147 - I was all around it.

They THINK by the end of the summer... but you know Disney... that's fluid...

So true! I hope they are able to get close to that goal.

 

[mariamouse]

Well, I found the projected number of keys for VGF, it is 147 - I was all around it.



So true! I hope they are able to get close to that goal.

Thanks so much for the info! And agreed about getting close to that goal!

 

[ladisneylady]

Does the Grand Floridian have a dedicated shuttle from the airport for their guests only?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks so much for the info! ....

I should have posted the reported maximum keys for BLT as reference - 428. Much less at the VGF.

Does the Grand Floridian have a dedicated shuttle from the airport for their guests only?

No, they do not. Magical Express buses usually visit 3 resorts, which could include WL, CR and/or the Poly. When we have used ME, it was CR/Poly/GF.

 

[MommyGina]

Tink rules - how did you like the new CY pool? Did the fence around it make the grounds look bad?

 

[sydneysmom]

For those of you who have stayed at the grand and say it is your favorite resort... what are your favorite things about it in comparison to other Disney hotels?

I know for me, it's the beauty and peacefulness of the resort. You just wake up and you're on vacation. You're not immersed 150%in Disney theme, but you're close enough to the magic to know you're at Disney....I loved that it was so quiet. Everything was within good walking distance and the bus /monorail / boat transportation was terrific.
Staying on the monorail is absolutely priceless. That had to be our favorite part... the convenience. And when the monorail line is too long, you can take that wonderful little boat and just sit back and enjoy all the beauty.
I love that the GF Cafe is the best kept secret....because the lobster burger is one of THE best things to have at Disney! I love having 1900 PF Character meal at the resort... it's a really fun meal for dinner.
The CM's are very friendly, and truly go out of their way to make your stay very special.

Comparing this experience to the other resorts I've stayed at....POR, CSR, and CBR, hands down there is no comparison. For me, I didn't care for CSR or CBR. They were way too spread out and you felt like you had to walk forever to get to the food court or to a bus or your room. POR will always be in my heart a favorite. It's gorgeous, the people are wonderful, and taking the boat to DTD was really worth it.

But they were just very different from the GF. The GF is more intimate, quieter and you have the convenience of being a monorail ride away. It was so nice to be able to hop the monorail for MK and Epcot and not have to take the bus everywhere.

We debated whether or not to go back to the GF for this trip in June... (this has been in the works for 3 years now) We toyed w/ the YC. Well, we just kept coming back to "it's just not the Grand". Soooo.....in June, we'll be going back to the Grand!