A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[dfarner]

Is turn down offered for all guests, of just those staying club level?

 

[MommyGina]

Is turn down offered for all guests, of just those staying club level?

Turn down service is for all guests no matter where you stay at the GF. Also, chocolate is left on the bed too!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We are now seriously thinking of switching our resort from YC to the GF. We have stayed at YC before and have LOVED IT!!!
But as we have have been thinking...... we now have our 7 year old daughter, my husband has back problems so after a long day in the park it may be an easier walk to our room since the resort is not as spread out, we would be on the monorail for the first time, and it is a special vacation for us.........
Just worried we won't like it as much as YC which we were very excited to get back to. I have never been a huge fan of the room decorating at GF but that is probably the only thing I can find that I may not like....

It will be a big expense for us but we were alreay planning on YC so it isn't THAT much more money..... (has been my rationalization)

Are most all of the room rather close to the monorail and main building?

 

[swimfly]

Turn down service is for all guests no matter where you stay at the GF. Also, chocolate is left on the bed too!

So exciting! This goes above the other deluxe resorts we have stayed at (Poly & YC).

We are now seriously thinking of switching our resort from YC to the GF. We have stayed at YC before and have LOVED IT!!!

We made the switch for 4th of July! Hoping to get into the MK early in the day and then return to enjoy the resort each afternoon. Booked TPV so we wouldn't have to be in the crowds for the fireworks. We're really looking forward to it. Was a hard switch to make b/c we LOVE YC!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

It will be a big expense for us but we were alreay planning on YC so it isn't THAT much more money..... (has been my rationalization)

that's always my rationale. I first booked and paid for CBR...then a couple weeks later I upgraded to WL, then I last week I said "what the heck", lets do the GF. We're doing a long weekend and its only a couple hundred on each upgrade. and we've always wanted to stay there.

Now the problem will be next year.....who am I kidding, I'll use that same strategy.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

that's always my rationale. I first booked and paid for CBR...then a couple weeks later I upgraded to WL, then I last week I said "what the heck", lets do the GF. We're doing a long weekend and its only a couple hundred on each upgrade. and we've always wanted to stay there.

Now the problem will be next year.....who am I kidding, I'll use that same strategy.

I'll have to try that too!!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[BlueSkies]

Best location for Tpv? We also want to be closer to the water so I guess main building is out. I think boca chica?

Jennygt I think that the best TPVs near the water are in Conch Key..with Boca Chica second... there are also TPVs in Sago Cay..but that is not as centrally located on the GF grounds IMO....

K&A&CsMom has put together some very comprehensive info on the firsts few pages of this thread...page one has a map of the grounds that will give you a good idea of where all the building are located....

HTH

 

[dfarner]

Turn down service is for all guests no matter where you stay at the GF. Also, chocolate is left on the bed too!

Thank you! That is good to know. We are booked over the 4th of July for Beach Club, Club Level. My DH and girls don't know where we are booked, but DH is talking so much about being on the monorail, and "Wouldn't it be great to go back to the Poly or the Grand?". He is soooo giving me hints as to where he want to be....

 

[fabulousfive]

Had to post another photo! Today, I received a Thank You from WDW for our recent visit - inside the envelope was a card signed by the characters, it is frameable quality. Nice touch!

If you can't read the text, it has our name (blocked out) and this message:

From all your Disney pals, we hope you created magical memories during your visit to Walt Disney World Resort in 2013.

Love this!!! Is this a new touch? Nice! Hope we get one too.

 

[fabulousfive]

We are now seriously thinking of switching our resort from YC to the GF. We have stayed at YC before and have LOVED IT!!!
But as we have have been thinking...... we now have our 7 year old daughter, my husband has back problems so after a long day in the park it may be an easier walk to our room since the resort is not as spread out, we would be on the monorail for the first time, and it is a special vacation for us.........
Just worried we won't like it as much as YC which we were very excited to get back to. I have never been a huge fan of the room decorating at GF but that is probably the only thing I can find that I may not like....

It will be a big expense for us but we were alreay planning on YC so it isn't THAT much more money..... (has been my rationalization)

Are most all of the room rather close to the monorail and main building?

We were in conch key and it really is a short walk to the main building where you get the monorail. It's a lovely resort! We love it!!!

 

[mariamouse]

Last month, a manager-looking CM with a hard hat and I were chatting and he speculated they'd come down around June. And when I walked up the side stairs at Big Pine, you could see them working actively on the beach area. I believe they're replacing all the concrete work and such.

But I have no idea if (i) the CM really knew or (ii) how much will change as the project progresses. Fingers crossed for you. It will look even that much better once you can see the lagoon from the Beach Pool.

Hope this is true!

Did we ever find out what the reason was for the beach pool waterfall not working? I thought I had read something about a beach pool expansion on the DVC side. If true, any clue when this would happen?

 

[Rhongepooh]

Ok I ended up requesting Sago Cay since it looks close to the main building and Gas' Grill. Anyone stay here before? I got a higher floor just because we don't want a ground level floor.

 

[DetTigsGal]

Ok I ended up requesting Sago Cay since it looks close to the main building and Gas' Grill. Anyone stay here before? I got a higher floor just because we don't want a ground level floor.

Stayed there twice and requested again for this trip. Garden, marina viewWe have stayed 4th and ground floor- had no issue either time. We like it because we self-park and use the car alot and Gasparillas.

 

[Lynn-e-pooh]

Do the shops at GF sell bottles of wine? I would like to get a bottle as part of my parent's anniversary gift.

 

[Rhongepooh]

Stayed there twice and requested again for this trip. Garden, marina viewWe have stayed 4th and ground floor- had no issue either time. We like it because we self-park and use the car alot and Gasparillas.

Glad to hear it! Thanks so much!

 

[phyllis1966]

Ok I ended up requesting Sago Cay since it looks close to the main building and Gas' Grill. Anyone stay here before? I got a higher floor just because we don't want a ground level floor.

I would request a higher floor (we always do) and marina view...the other side of the building faces trees and the monorail track. While the monorail may be cool to see as it whizzes by, I think that the marina is a more interesting view than those trees, especially at night.

 

[Sue M]

Do the shops at GF sell bottles of wine? I would like to get a bottle as part of my parent's anniversary gift.

I think all the resort shops sell beer, wine & alcohol. I've not stayed at GF yet, but every other wdw resort we've stayed in has wine.

 

[BayGirl22]

I'm back and said I would post photos of the Lagoon View room we were upgraded to. This is room 8145 in Boca Chica, it has 2 balconies, one facing the lagoon with a MK view and the other facing Narcoosies. It looks like the rooms above would have the same layout.

Here's the view at night with the electric water pagent. The castle (lit in purple) and space mountain are in the background. There is a tree in the view, this is the ground floor so we were kind of under the tree, but could sill see most of the fireworks show.

Because its a corner room the entrance way curves around. The closet is to the right here, bathroom in front when you enter. That gave us a nice area for the double stroller, diaper changing area, and room to get the kids ready near the closet. It felt very spacious and organized to me, and I'm kind of an organization freak.

Doorway to the main area

Past the bathroom area there is a table and 2 chairs and 1 door to the lagoon-facing balcony. This area seems to be additional to what's in the usual rooms

And finally the rest of the room, with the regular sliding door balcony facing Narcoosies. This is what the room looked like after turn down.

Also from this thread I had the impression the beach was completely blocked off. Not the case. Behind the kids splash pad there's a wide area of beach open, the outer buildings are just to the left in this picture, the construction is to the right. My son playing on the beach:

We were not bothered by the construction at all. The only time I noticed it was walking back from Poly, and that was in the evening so it was quiet. We spent some time at the splash pad but the water was so loud I didn't notice if there was noise from next door. I really wouldn't choose to stay somewhere else based on the construction at this point, I feel its isolated from the resort and the improvements to the main areas are already done and can be enjoyed.

 

[BayGirl22]

I think all the resort shops sell beer, wine & alcohol. I've not stayed at GF yet, but every other wdw resort we've stayed in has wine.

Yes, the Sandy Cove store has a cooler full of beer and wine.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

BayGirl22 Thanks so much for the pics. The room looks lovely Was there a daybed in this room?