A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Mousemommy1]

Hey, we stay garden room, request marina view. While I pay alot for GF, there's no way I would pay for CL!!

What's a conveniently located building that's not Sugarloaf?

 

[BlueSkies]

If you're at the courtyard pool looking at Sugar Loaf, we were on the second floor right side. it was room 6222. It had a kind with a sofa bed.....

Thanks syndeysmom ! DH and I sometimes have a opportunity to visit with out the kids...and prefer a king room ..I will add that to my listof fave rooms..Should I even admit that I have one of those..LOL...

MickeyNut I have a feeling that no matter what CL that you book for pre and post cruise..that you are going to end up at a certain resort that has a Hawaiian theme to it!!

pas130 I think that the elevator that you are referring to is what is called the "pool" elevator.. and I think it got that name when the courtyard pool was the only pool of the GF grounds...it was easier to use to head to the pool....and also to not be heading thru the lobby in swim attire?? ...the entrance is right before Gasparillas entrance.. in a small lobby..that area is also used as a service entrance/exit for room service deliveries...its most convenient to those RPC room that are theme park view...but is more out of the way for most of the other rooms...think that you need a room key to access any of the floors using that elevator... Hope that helps..if that is the elevator that you are referring to...?? LOL..

 

[BlueSkies]

What's a conveniently located building that's not Sugarloaf?

Mousemommy...Depends on what you are looking for... The building that probably is closest to both pools and the main building that is not club level is Big Pine Key...Boca Chica is in a very nice spot if you want to be close to the courtyard pool (and has lovely views IMO...) and the water transportation...Sago is closest to Gasparillas and the bus stops...

 

[pas130]

pas130 I think that the elevator that you are referring to is what is called the "pool" elevator.. and I think it got that name when the courtyard pool was the only pool of the GF grounds...it was easier to use to head to the pool....and also to not be heading thru the lobby in swim attire?? ...the entrance is right before Gasparillas entrance.. in a small lobby..that area is also used as a service entrance/exit for room service deliveries...its most convenient to those RPC room that are theme park view...but is more out of the way for most of the other rooms...think that you need a room key to access any of the floors using that elevator... Hope that helps..if that is the elevator that you are referring to...?? LOL..

Totally is the elevator I was referring to. Thank you! However, I'll be at BLT instead.... Couldn't get hubs on board with RPC

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello all!

I will be reading this board soon! We just returned from a week and AKL and are doing a quick over-nighter at GF before DD goes to camp. I am so excited! I have stayed at every deluxe EXCEPT the GF! We will probably hang around the resort for the Saturday and Sunday since we just got back and HOT!!! Oh my!! it felt like 100 every day.

Congrats on booking the GF.....you're going to love it .

I have stayed YC CL and WL CL and really loved WL CL while YC CL was just okay (loved YC as a resort though)....anybody here who has stayed at those and can compare it with Sugarloaf?? RPC is out of the question, just too darned expensive, even with a 40% discount.

Having never stayed YC CL I can't compare anything to that one, but I prefer WL CL to GF SL. I will admit, though, that SL is very convenient to the courtyard pool for grabbing snacks/drinks while relaxing pool side .

What's a conveniently located building that's not Sugarloaf?

I agree with BlueSkies about Big Pine Key. On one of our GF stays we had a GV in Big Pine Key and it was very convenient to the courtyard pool, as well as to the main building (and not too far from Gasparillas, either ). Boca Chica is also a great building for a GV room as far as being close to everything.

MickeyNut I have a feeling that no matter what CL that you book for pre and post cruise..that you are going to end up at a certain resort that has a Hawaiian theme to it!!

LOL....you know me too well, Blue . It's already been decided that Poly CL is where we'll be after the cruise, but I can't for the life of me decide where to stay pre cruise as there are too many great choices to pick from .

 

[BlueSkies]

Pas130 Glad that was the right elevator... As for staying BLT this trip..which happens to be so very nice...You can always book a bounce back!

MickeyNut!! I am predicting a double Poly stay!!! Yep! So book whatever ...then head on over to the resort changers thread..LOL...cause you will be changing it!

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut!! I am predicting a double Poly stay!!! Yep! So book whatever ...then head on over to the resort changers thread..LOL...cause you will be changing it!

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind..... . We all love the Poly, so trying CL is a go for everybody . But as far as pre cruise.......my oldest DS wants AKL (we've stayed there before but not CL); my DH wants to try CR; I would like to try YC or BWI, and my youngest DS doesn't care . I know that whatever resort(s) we don't try this time we can always try next time, but that's not helping because I want to try all of them now .

 

[DetTigsGal]

What's a conveniently located building that's not Sugarloaf?

Well, you know us, we drive and self park. We originally picked sago because of the parking lot - we drive everywhere but MK!- Gasparillas - we run there alot and the courtyard pool- more our style. We run into Gasparillas, get a refill and head to the pool. It's across the marina from sugarloaf.

 

[Jennygt]

I am reading about this "soft goods" rehab of the rooms. is this similar to what they just did at the Poly? Any time frame for this?

 

[BlueSkies]

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind..... . We all love the Poly, so trying CL is a go for everybody . But as far as pre cruise.......my oldest DS wants AKL (we've stayed there before but not CL); my DH wants to try CR; I would like to try YC or BWI, and my youngest DS doesn't care . I know that whatever resort(s) we don't try this time we can always try next time, but that's not helping because I want to try all of them now .

Well..You do have a quandry there MN!! LOL...sounds like you have alot more trips to plan! You know I am a CR fan..after the GF of course...BWI CL is nice...I too am curious about BC/YC ....I say make that DH happy and just try CL at the CR...great views...

jennygt "soft goods" rehab generally means bedding..maybe some recovering of day beds or chairs....carpeting...And it is time for the GF rooms to have one of those....I think disney has a cycle f every how many years that they do those types of refurbs...Not sure what is is tho...???

 

[mickeynut1]

Well..You do have a quandry there MN!! LOL...sounds like you have alot more trips to plan! You know I am a CR fan..after the GF of course...BWI CL is nice...I too am curious about BC/YC ....I say make that DH happy and just try CL at the CR...great views...

LOL.....I'm already chomping at the bit waiting for the 2014 rates to come out so I can start pricing a trip (or two, or three) for next year . BWI CL is one I want to try, but I can't get DH or my DSs to agree to another Epcot resort......the limited CS options just don't work for them.....but CR CL is in the running . My DH would be happy anywhere as he's very easy going.....plus he knows how my big of an obsession I have with Disney so he just goes with the flow and lets me decide .

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I am reading about this "soft goods" rehab of the rooms. is this similar to what they just did at the Poly? Any time frame for this?

Before I went to AKL last week, I saw that they were getting "soft goods". I noticed that all the towels were new. So new, they still had inspection stickers on the tags...pretty sure they hadn't made a cleaning cycle yet. They were super soft BUT they are no longer Wamsutta's Disney Resort Collection. They are Softlinen brand

 

[carol-lamb]

Back this past Saturday from a weeks stay at the Grand Floridian - Sugarloaf. It was absolutely a dream come true for me. Club level was wonderful (a first for me) and the cast members were so nice and welcoming - every day. I loved our room - 3rd floor dormer room - marina view. It was very hard for me to close the door to that room on my last day! I have had some serious Disney withdrawals the past couple of days and that usually doesn't happen to me! I am pretty sure the Grand Floridian is responsible for that. BTW - the DVC construction was to big deal at all. Obviously being at Sugarloaf we didn't hear anything from there, and even when we were walking around the resort or at the pool (we went to both), it wasn't that loud. That clanking bell from the kiddy pool was louder than the construction! We saw them lowering two cupolas on top of the DVC resort on two separate days. That was pretty cool to watch.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

So I am beyond excited that our trip is booked and we will be at GF Nov 18th
to the 25th!
We have never stayed at the GF before and due this year marking our 10th anniversary and both my DH and I turning 50. We decided to celebrate!!
And our little princess will also love it too I'm sure!

 

[mickeynut1]

Back this past Saturday from a weeks stay at the Grand Floridian - Sugarloaf. It was absolutely a dream come true for me. Club level was wonderful (a first for me) and the cast members were so nice and welcoming - every day. I loved our room - 3rd floor dormer room - marina view. It was very hard for me to close the door to that room on my last day! I have had some serious Disney withdrawals the past couple of days and that usually doesn't happen to me! I am pretty sure the Grand Floridian is responsible for that. BTW - the DVC construction was to big deal at all. Obviously being at Sugarloaf we didn't hear anything from there, and even when we were walking around the resort or at the pool (we went to both), it wasn't that loud. That clanking bell from the kiddy pool was louder than the construction! We saw them lowering two cupolas on top of the DVC resort on two separate days. That was pretty cool to watch.

Glad you had a great time. The GF is an awesome resort .

So I am beyond excited that our trip is booked and we will be at GF Nov 18th
to the 25th!
We have never stayed at the GF before and due this year marking our 10th anniversary and both my DH and I turning 50. We decided to celebrate!!
And our little princess will also love it too I'm sure!

What a great place to spend your anniversary......you're going to love the GF .

 

[davale4]

So I am beyond excited that our trip is booked and we will be at GF Nov 18th
to the 25th!
We have never stayed at the GF before and due this year marking our 10th anniversary and both my DH and I turning 50. We decided to celebrate!!
And our little princess will also love it too I'm sure!

Congratulations!!! My DD loves it there and so do we. I'm sure you folks are going to enjoy it

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello, GF lovers!! I had to pop in and see how everyone's summer plans are progressing. For everyone there now or heading soon, have a magical vacation. BTW - for anyone recently returned, is the waterfall operating at the Beach Pool? I haven't heard.

sydneysmom - welcome back, thanks for the review!! Glad you ended up with a great room and you had a wonderful trip.

Did someone say Citrus pancakes?!

carole-lamb - thanks for the review, glad you had a Grand stay.: I know what you mean about hating to close the door for the last time.~sigh~

MrsJ Henry - congrats on your anniversary/birthday trip!

BlueSkies - Your description of the pool elevator is my understanding as well; so named back in the day when the courtyard pool was the only pool.

pas - I caught up with several pages at once and laughed at the differing plans along the way!

 

[Syndrome]

Hello, GF lovers!! I had to pop in and see how everyone's summer plans are progressing. For everyone there now or heading soon, have a magical vacation. BTW - for anyone recently returned, is the waterfall operating at the Beach Pool? I haven't heard.

Here is a picture from Sunday 6/16 (thanks Rock Doctor). If you look closely, you can see the beach pool waterfall working fine !
(I asked the same question a few days ago, and Rock Doctor was nice enough to go over to the GF and take an updated construction picture for me)

We have about 1 month until we are relaxing in Sugarloaf !!! Cant wait !!!




HTH,
Syndrome

 

[MagicPrincess]

5 MORE DAYS TIL SUGARLOAF!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

We have about 1 month until we are relaxing in Sugarloaf !!! Cant wait !!!

How exciting....the month will go by before you know it .

5 MORE DAYS TIL SUGARLOAF!!!

Have a great trip .