A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[roryc]

Just booked a last minute quick trip for RPC June 30-July 3. Will the waterslide be open then or not?

I am not even sure we'll do more than one park day because my children always beg to be at the pool at the resort, so that's why I booked this trip. My girls are 3, 8 and 11. I have been to WDW the 4th of July and I remember crowds, heat and humidity. So the parks are not calling me this time.

This will be our fifth trip to GF and 4th time to RPC in 7 years. My husband is all about the pool and the relaxing. One park day and I think we'll all be okay. Right?? Wrong?

Has anyone ever done a one-park, no park trip? We just went in November and then before that in December. And in November, the big pool was under reconstruction, no Gasparillas, no spa...so this has to be better, right?

We hadn't planned on a summer trip this year, but then I realized I had 5 days and nothing planned. 30% Summer room rates. SOLD!

Is there an after 2PM/4PM park ticket anymore?

 

[chrisw127]

Hi,

I was wondering if the gym is still open? I know Senses is but I can't seem to figure out where I can work out.

Thank you in advance.

 

[andyman8]

Okay, just got home from my first whole day of work, and oddly enough, all I could think about was the GF! To be honest, while I really liked the Polynesian on this recent trip, I prefer the Grand a lot more! The kids have a four day weekend in October so I'm hoping for a 4-nighter at GF!

Hi,

I was wondering if the gym is still open? I know Senses is but I can't seem to figure out where I can work out.

Thank you in advance.

When I went to work out on Monday, it was fully operational back in its original building next to Senses, so yep the fitness center is back to its original location! At this point, construction is limited to the villas which extends to the edge of the Beach Pool. I think the villas will be done by October!

 

[chrisw127]

Okay, just got home from my first whole day of work, and oddly enough, all I could think about was the GF! To be honest, while I really liked the Polynesian on this recent trip, I prefer the Grand a lot more! The kids have a four day weekend in October so I'm hoping for a 4-nighter at GF!



When I went to work out on Monday, it was fully operational back in its original building next to Senses, so yep the fitness center is back to its original location! At this point, construction is limited to the villas which extends to the edge of the Beach Pool. I think the villas will be done by October!

Thank you! I wasn't looking forward to going over to the Contemporary--their gym is . . . kind of depressing.

 

[MagicPrincess]

Well, we did it! We surprised our kids on the last day of school this week- and we told them we are going to Disney this month! It was thee most awesome and magical surprise I have ever planned! ( I can't believe we kept it a secret for so long- I'm so proud of myself! LOL)

I decorated our dining room in Mickey Mouse colored crepe paper, made a big sign, and when I woke them up I told them I had a special last day of school breakfast planned (I made mickey pancakes, and had Donald duck OJ!), and I told them to come downstairs together....

My husband told me when they were on their way, so when he gave me the signal, I began to play "When you Wish Upon a Star"...when they walked into the dining room for their breakfast that morning, I said, "G an R, today is your last day of school, what are you going to do next?!?!" and my daughter yelled, "We're going to Disney World!" (meanwhile my son who is 7 is laughing not realizing what is happening) and I say, "WE ARE! WE ARE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD"!!! My daughter , who is 11, breaks down into tears, saying, "We are??? We're going to Disney???" It was thee most awesome moment EV-ER!!!! My son yells, "Did we win the lottery or something???"

I took video and need to find a way to share! It was probably one of the most awesome moments I have ever experienced being a parent. Everyone (besides my silly 7 year old LOL) was crying! It was great! I am so happy I went above and beyond to make it a special surprise!

The kids were so excited to go to school and tell all their friends and teachers about their big surprise, and now we are counting down the days until we go!

Grand Floridian- See Ya Real Soon!!!

 

[swimfly]

Well, we did it! We surprised our kids on the last day of school this week- and we told them we are going to Disney this month! It was thee most awesome and magical surprise I have ever planned! ( I can't believe we kept it a secret for so long- I'm so proud of myself! LOL)

I decorated our dining room in Mickey Mouse colored crepe paper, made a big sign, and when I woke them up I told them I had a special last day of school breakfast planned (I made mickey pancakes, and had Donald duck OJ!), and I told them to come downstairs together....

My husband told me when they were on their way, so when he gave me the signal, I began to play "When you Wish Upon a Star"...when they walked into the dining room for their breakfast that morning, I said, "G an R, today is your last day of school, what are you going to do next?!?!" and my daughter yelled, "We're going to Disney World!" (meanwhile my son who is 7 is laughing not realizing what is happening) and I say, "WE ARE! WE ARE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD"!!! My daughter , who is 11, breaks down into tears, saying, "We are??? We're going to Disney???" It was thee most awesome moment EV-ER!!!! My son yells, "Did we win the lottery or something???"

I took video and need to find a way to share! It was probably one of the most awesome moments I have ever experienced being a parent. Everyone (besides my silly 7 year old LOL) was crying! It was great! I am so happy I went above and beyond to make it a special surprise!

The kids were so excited to go to school and tell all their friends and teachers about their big surprise, and now we are counting down the days until we go!

Grand Floridian- See Ya Real Soon!!!

So awesome! Luvit.

 

[mickeynut1]

Well, we did it! We surprised our kids on the last day of school this week- and we told them we are going to Disney this month! It was thee most awesome and magical surprise I have ever planned! ( I can't believe we kept it a secret for so long- I'm so proud of myself! LOL)

I decorated our dining room in Mickey Mouse colored crepe paper, made a big sign, and when I woke them up I told them I had a special last day of school breakfast planned (I made mickey pancakes, and had Donald duck OJ!), and I told them to come downstairs together....

My husband told me when they were on their way, so when he gave me the signal, I began to play "When you Wish Upon a Star"...when they walked into the dining room for their breakfast that morning, I said, "G an R, today is your last day of school, what are you going to do next?!?!" and my daughter yelled, "We're going to Disney World!" (meanwhile my son who is 7 is laughing not realizing what is happening) and I say, "WE ARE! WE ARE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD"!!! My daughter , who is 11, breaks down into tears, saying, "We are??? We're going to Disney???" It was thee most awesome moment EV-ER!!!! My son yells, "Did we win the lottery or something???"

I took video and need to find a way to share! It was probably one of the most awesome moments I have ever experienced being a parent. Everyone (besides my silly 7 year old LOL) was crying! It was great! I am so happy I went above and beyond to make it a special surprise!

The kids were so excited to go to school and tell all their friends and teachers about their big surprise, and now we are counting down the days until we go!

Grand Floridian- See Ya Real Soon!!!

That is awesome !!! Have a great trip.

 

[MommyGina]

MagicPrincess - That brought tears to my eyes! It is so fun to see the excitement in your children no matter how old they are and how many times they have been to Disney when they find out that a trip has been booked. Even now my children, almost a senior in high school and almost a sophomore in high school, are getting excited for our upcoming trip. (Their last day of school is June 21.)

Enjoy every second of your planning and upcoming trip. Can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. Safe travels!

 

[Syndrome]

Just considering a stay at GF for our stay in late July, beg. of August. We have visited the GF many many times, but have never stayed as of yet. Is the DVC construction anything that should be considered as a deal breaker if we want to stay at GF ? Anyone have any up to date construction pictures to see how far along they are with it ?
We dont want to deal with all kinds of construction equipt noise while we are on vacation. How is the noise factor ?
The 30% off room only rates are great, and the only downfall for us right now may be the "under construction" factor. Should we be worried about it ? We are even thinking of reserving in the Sugarloaf CL building so we will be guaranteed to be away from any construction............sound like a good plan ?

Thanks for any tips !

Syndrome

 

[MommyGina]

We stayed in SL last year and didn't hear any noise from construction. The court yard pool construction is finished. So if you have either a marina view or pool view, you shouldn't see or hear any construction going on nearby.

I contacted the IPO office a few weeks back and asked if the beach pool was open. The response was yes! However, I don't know if the waterslide is operational at this time. IPO also indicated that the walls are not down as of yet due to construction.

 

[Syndrome]

We stayed in SL last year and didn't hear any noise from construction. The court yard pool construction is finished. So if you have either a marina view or pool view, you shouldn't see or hear any construction going on nearby.

I contacted the IPO office a few weeks back and asked if the beach pool was open. The response was yes! However, I don't know if the waterslide is operational at this time. IPO also indicated that the walls are not down as of yet due to construction.

Thanks for the info. We just bit the bullet and reserved a standard room in SL. We dont arrive until late July, so by then most everything should be fine. The only issue right now, from what I can tell, is that there are some walls up over by the beach area ? But there is still some access to the beach ? Are those the only walls everyone is talking about ........ limited to th beach area by the DVC construction?

Anyone have any current pics of the construction. Last time we were in WDW was October and the GF DVC was only a shell of a building with no walls up yet.

Thanks !

Syndrome

 

[Jennygt]

Well, we did it! We surprised our kids on the last day of school this week- and we told them we are going to Disney this month! It was thee most awesome and magical surprise I have ever planned! ( I can't believe we kept it a secret for so long- I'm so proud of myself! LOL)

I decorated our dining room in Mickey Mouse colored crepe paper, made a big sign, and when I woke them up I told them I had a special last day of school breakfast planned (I made mickey pancakes, and had Donald duck OJ!), and I told them to come downstairs together....

My husband told me when they were on their way, so when he gave me the signal, I began to play "When you Wish Upon a Star"...when they walked into the dining room for their breakfast that morning, I said, "G an R, today is your last day of school, what are you going to do next?!?!" and my daughter yelled, "We're going to Disney World!" (meanwhile my son who is 7 is laughing not realizing what is happening) and I say, "WE ARE! WE ARE GOING TO DISNEYWORLD"!!! My daughter , who is 11, breaks down into tears, saying, "We are??? We're going to Disney???" It was thee most awesome moment EV-ER!!!! My son yells, "Did we win the lottery or something???"

I took video and need to find a way to share! It was probably one of the most awesome moments I have ever experienced being a parent. Everyone (besides my silly 7 year old LOL) was crying! It was great! I am so happy I went above and beyond to make it a special surprise!

The kids were so excited to go to school and tell all their friends and teachers about their big surprise, and now we are counting down the days until we go!

Grand Floridian- See Ya Real Soon!!!

What a great story!!!! My eyes were teared up as I read! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Sfmarine]

Gratuituous photo of the day.

 

[Syndrome]

Hey,
I was wondering, since the GF is celebrating her 25th birthday this month ( June 28, 1988 grand opening ?) is there going to be any special things going on? Anyone hear anything?

Syndrome

 

[MagicPrincess]

Hey,
I was wondering, since the GF is celebrating her 25th birthday this month ( June 28, 1988 grand opening ?) is there going to be any special things going on? Anyone hear anything?

Syndrome

OOOH! I don't know, but I will let you know- we will be there that day!

 

[Jennygt]

i would like an outer building, non cl, boca chica or conch key? i am having a hard time finding balcony pics from boca chica?

 

[johnsonet]

i would like an outer building, non cl, boca chica or conch key? i am having a hard time finding balcony pics from boca chica?

Been a long time since I've had a TPV from either of those bldgs but here is MK view from Conch Key w/ no zoom:

Castle is in center of photo. Dock is to the right. Very convenient location. Small bldg.

Boca Chica is large bldg, great location. Similar views but not as "dead-on"
More like this (this is with zoom )

 

[Jennygt]

Been a long time since I've had a TPV from either of those bldgs but here is MK view from Conch Key w/ no zoom:

Castle is in center of photo. Dock is to the right. Very convenient location. Small bldg.

Boca Chica is large bldg, great location. Similar views but not as "dead-on"
More like this (this is with zoom )

Hey thanks for the quick response!! Is that first shot a first floor? Was that you patio? Love it! We had first floor at the poly last time by the water and the kids loved it. Once more thanks for the info!

 

[Sfmarine]

That's a great vantage point for Wishes.

 

[johnsonet]

Hey thanks for the quick response!! Is that first shot a first floor? Was that you patio? Love it! We had first floor at the poly last time by the water and the kids loved it. Once more thanks for the info!

You're welcome.
Yes, we had a beautiful 2-bedroom suite that trip. That was in late 2005 and is the only time we've ever stayed in Conch. Isn't that patio incredible? The furniture will have been updated by now but here's another shot:

Anyway, I would request Conch Key (call and have request added to your res. Online check-in requests have not been effective for me.)

BTW, I've had a first floor patio at the Polynesian and loved it. But we were near the quiet pool. On the water would be really awesome