A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[jillmc40]

I guess I can be pretty happy with our 30% off summer offer that included Sugarloaf CL, and we also used it for our BC Deluxe room CL. That 30% off saved us approx $2000. ! Enough to pay for our park hopper, WP & M 10 day tickets x 5 .

Although its not as much as we are usd to getting off rack rates ......we are happy with it !

What happened to the 35% - 40% off rack room only rates ??? . Havent seem those in a while......... prob. never to be seen again .

Hopefully we will be able to book a bounceback that works for us when we stay in approx 30 days !!!

Good luck for everyone looking for discounts !

Syndrome

I had 35% off with ap discount in October. I was a happy girl!

 

[trishadono]

Well I attempted to buy points and book our VGF to save $$$ but... No.

I was hoping that with it being new I might have a chance but my request was not available .

At least with cash ressie you get full room cleanings.

Yes ladies, if I had the choice I would stay at a CL every time
However when all four of us go I really need the space.

My solution of course is the yearly Mom and Me trips with dd. Last year we did Sugarloaf and this year for 18 bday we did Poly GV CL. I have 12/19 as my start for 2bdrm villa but I know ds has school on the 20th. I may finagle things and delete the 19th from our ressie and take dd alone to GF RPC for that night before the guys come.

 

[MommyGina]

When we originally booked through AAA in September, there wasn't a discount. However, we did get a 30% room only discount for RPC TPV when the discount came out in March. We are going in July.

A few years back, we were checking in, we overheard a CM telling a guest who booked through Orbitz that there wasn't a reservation for them. The guest had all the paperwork and confirmation numbers that Orbitz sent her, but the GF had no record of room reservation or park tickets. I don't know what happened after that. We checked in and left. We always book through AAA.

DH and I checked out on line the 2 bedroom villa at the GF. The price is crazy!!! For a standard view, 2 bedroom in July, it is over $79,000!!!! Don't know if we will ever be DVC members at this point.

 

[phyllis1966]

DH and I checked out on line the 2 bedroom villa at the GF. The price is crazy!!! For a standard view, 2 bedroom in July, it is over $79,000!!!! Don't know if we will ever be DVC members at this point.

We checked out the same exact thing...imagine paying that much and having to make your own beds everyday, with a "light" cleaning every third or fourth day?! It's beautiful, but that's way too much money spent, especially if I'm doing my own housework during the vacation. Almost makes RPC look cheap!

 

[knitteresq]

Hello all, long time lurker needing your help! I can't decide... Should we stay 4 nights at the GF or 6 at the Poly? For the dates I wanted, the GF is only available 4 nights Ideally I'd want 6 nights at the GF, but it seems that is not in the cards. DISers... what would you do?!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Members can currently book the VGF at 4 months out for 2013 if they own elsewhere, but the 7 month window applies for 2014. I've seen some availability for January and very limited for October. Not sure if one of the rental sites have any owners willing and able to reserve, the higher point structure at the VGF is a bit more cost prohibitive. I think there should be some possibility of rentals though.

Thanks for the details, very helpful.

Well I attempted to buy points and book our VGF to save $$$ but... No.

I was hoping that with it being new I might have a chance but my request was not available .

At least with cash ressie you get full room cleanings.

Yes ladies, if I had the choice I would stay at a CL every time
However when all four of us go I really need the space.

My solution of course is the yearly Mom and Me trips with dd. Last year we did Sugarloaf and this year for 18 bday we did Poly GV CL. I have 12/19 as my start for 2bdrm villa but I know ds has school on the 20th. I may finagle things and delete the 19th from our ressie and take dd alone to GF RPC for that night before the guys come.

I had forgotten you get daily cleaning with a cash reservation, thanks for the reminder.

Good luck with your December dates, I like your solution of one night RPC for you and your girl.

....

A few years back, we were checking in, we overheard a CM telling a guest who booked through Orbitz that there wasn't a reservation for them. The guest had all the paperwork and confirmation numbers that Orbitz sent her, but the GF had no record of room reservation or park tickets. I don't know what happened after that. We checked in and left. We always book through AAA.

To be fair, I've read of many DISers who have booked through Disney and had this same experience.

....

DH and I checked out on line the 2 bedroom villa at the GF. The price is crazy!!! For a standard view, 2 bedroom in July, it is over $79,000!!!! Don't know if we will ever be DVC members at this point.

We checked out the same exact thing...imagine paying that much and having to make your own beds everyday, with a "light" cleaning every third or fourth day?! It's beautiful, but that's way too much money spent, especially if I'm doing my own housework during the vacation. Almost makes RPC look cheap!

I agree, seems like an outrageous amount for just one week. I haven't seen it posted yet - what is the end date of VGF contracts? Same as BLT?

Hello all, long time lurker needing your help! I can't decide... Should we stay 4 nights at the GF or 6 at the Poly? For the dates I wanted, the GF is only available 4 nights Ideally I'd want 6 nights at the GF, but it seems that is not in the cards. DISers... what would you do?!

Welcome! I would book the 4 nights GF, the other two elsewhere and keep checking back for the extra GF nights. People cancel all the time, dates open up.

 

[davale4]

Hello all, long time lurker needing your help! I can't decide... Should we stay 4 nights at the GF or 6 at the Poly? For the dates I wanted, the GF is only available 4 nights Ideally I'd want 6 nights at the GF, but it seems that is not in the cards. DISers... what would you do?!

I would do a split GF 4N/Poly 2N. At least you get your 6 days! Not too bad switching hotels as people might think.

 

[jillmc40]

Thanks for the details, very helpful.

I agree, seems like an outrageous amount for just one week. I haven't seen it posted yet - what is the end date of VGF contracts? Same as BLT?

50 years!

If you think 79,000 is crazy...I just looked up how much it is per night in July. 1153.00 per night in a 2 bed standard view in the second half of July(cheaper than the first half). Multiply that by 7 nights, it is 8071.00...Do that for 50 years...$403,550.00 Of course that doesn't take into account the maintenance fees you would have to pay (if you were looking at about 526 points it would be 2845 per year in mf (142,000 over 50 years). Of course all the prices go up and up and up (cash per night, and maintenance fees) per year...No matter what way you slice it, it's a LOT of money!!!! For now, I will take my 100 points and have special long weekends there

 

[k&a&c'smom]

50 years!

If you think 79,000 is crazy...I just looked up how much it is per night in July. 1153.00 per night in a 2 bed standard view in the second half of July(cheaper than the first half). Multiply that by 7 nights, it is 8071.00...Do that for 50 years...$403,550.00 Of course that doesn't take into account the maintenance fees you would have to pay (if you were looking at about 526 points it would be 2845 per year in mf (142,000 over 50 years). Of course all the prices go up and up and up (cash per night, and maintenance fees) per year...No matter what way you slice it, it's a LOT of money!!!! For now, I will take my 100 points and have special long weekends there

Oh, I'm not disputing it is cheaper to purchase DVC points than pay OOP (rack) for the same week. I would never do either in this instance! I guess you could say, I wouldn't do either, period; I've looked into DVC, but it just isn't for us.

My question about end date was this: Don't all DVC properties have the same end date, no matter the year you purchase, rather than a time frame (e.g. 2053 vs. 50 years from whenever)? I thought the old DVC properties were 2047 or so, the new ones 2052. (I'm sure I don't have the dates exactly right, lol.)

 

[jillmc40]

Oh, I'm not disputing it is cheaper to purchase DVC points than pay OOP (rack) for the same week. I would never do either in this instance! I guess you could say, I wouldn't do either, period; I've looked into DVC, but it just isn't for us.

My question about end date was this: Don't all DVC properties have the same end date, no matter the year you purchase, rather than a time frame (e.g. 2053 vs. 50 years from whenever)? I thought the old DVC properties were 2047 or so, the new ones 2052. (I'm sure I don't have the dates exactly right, lol.)

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off as trying to convince you, that was not my intention at all, I was just throwing out crazy numbers Either way, it is

Each is 50 years but because they start in different years they end in different years. The start being when the resort started. So currently if you bough VGF you would have it until 2064, if you waited 10 years and bought it it would still expire in 2064. If you bought BCV this year you would only have it for maybe 30. (I'm not sure exactly when that resort opened) If you bought BCV when it opened you would have it for 50.

I think one of the resorts extended...SSR maybe, but other than that they each have a specific end year, no matter when you buy it.

I am so bad at explaining things on the computer...I hope that made sense.

 

[Tink rules]

I would do a split GF 4N/Poly 2N. At least you get your 6 days! Not too bad switching hotels as people might think.

It's rumored that the Poly is going to be ripped apart BIG time starting in Oct...

So keep something like that in mind...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off as trying to convince you, that was not my intention at all, I was just throwing out crazy numbers Either way, it is

Each is 50 years but because they start in different years they end in different years. The start being when the resort started. So currently if you bough VGF you would have it until 2064, if you waited 10 years and bought it it would still expire in 2064. If you bought BCV this year you would only have it for maybe 30. (I'm not sure exactly when that resort opened) If you bought BCV when it opened you would have it for 50.

I think one of the resorts extended...SSR maybe, but other than that they each have a specific end year, no matter when you buy it.

I am so bad at explaining things on the computer...I hope that made sense.

No worries, I didn't take it that way. You are right, it is hard to get your point across in writing - I was trying to clarify that I wasn't slamming VGF specifically, I'm an equal opportunity DVC rejector.

Yes, you have made it clearer. This is what I thought I understood, if you purchase within the next year you'll have 50 years, but purchases every year after you will have a year less. Wow, I just made it worse.

It's rumored that the Poly is going to be ripped apart BIG time starting in Oct...

So keep something like that in mind...

Yikes! Thanks for the update. Are they moving right along with their DVC project?

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to drop by and share my excitement! Just booked a long weekend stay at the GF for labor day wknd

Ive never stayed at the Grand before but always spend lots of time dining/visiting the resort and daydreaming what it would be like to actually be there as a real guest - I can't wait! I was able to get an AMAZING deal through a travel agency (I dont think I can post the name?) but I ended up saving about $350 more than the public discount rate .. I am a little nervous using an agency since i'm a bit controlling and particular and find that the planning of the trip is just as much fun as going...but I think I can manage if it means I can stay at my dream resort!

I guess from the looks of this thread I have a lot of reading up to do on things like best standard room location, QS dining options etc I better get started

 

[jillmc40]

I'm an equal opportunity DVC rejector.

Yes, you have made it clearer. This is what I thought I understood, if you purchase within the next year you'll have 50 years, but purchases every year after you will have a year less. Wow, I just made it worse.

I was always equal opportunity rejector too...I don't know WHAT got into me?!?!?!

Your thinking on years is exactly right!


PrincessBelle - Congrats on the savings! That always makes it better

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi Everyone! Just wanted to drop by and share my excitement! Just booked a long weekend stay at the GF for labor day wknd

Ive never stayed at the Grand before but always spend lots of time dining/visiting the resort and daydreaming what it would be like to actually be there as a real guest - I can't wait! I was able to get an AMAZING deal through a travel agency (I dont think I can post the name?) but I ended up saving about $350 more than the public discount rate .. I am a little nervous using an agency since i'm a bit controlling and particular and find that the planning of the trip is just as much fun as going...but I think I can manage if it means I can stay at my dream resort!

I guess from the looks of this thread I have a lot of reading up to do on things like best standard room location, QS dining options etc I better get started

Congrats on booking your dream resort . The GF is an amazing resort.....you're going to love it .

 

[Tink rules]

Yeah... big rumors out there but from a good source...

It's still undecided if they will do the over the water bungalows... they had divers in last week doing tests, etc.

One building is coming down for DVC

& the Spirit of Aloha show is having it's last show in Oct.

I think they are going to start as soon as the GF DVC is done.

 

[BlueSkies]

Boy it took me quite a while to catch up around here...LOL..

Appledown~ Comgrats..Bet youare having a GRAND trip!

MickeyNut~ Is there such a thing as calling CRO or IPO to much!!!???

Syndrome One month to go! It you are considering requesting a lodge tower/turret room.. ... there are different balcony situations for each of the three..2nd floor has a closed balcony as that is part of the portico roof line...the third floor has a full balcony with the pretty white railing..and the forth floor has no balcony at all...

Mikeandallismom~ Congrats on celebrating at the GF and booking SL too...

Californiadreaming~ We have eaten at the Wave..and it was OK..definitely not in the same class as California Grille...We cant wait for it to reopen either...Your coments about Ohana have me rethinking that ADR..we havent eaten there in quite some time either..and decided to try it again on our next trip...maybe not though???

Disneyfan08~ Congrats on your VGF booking...As for dining at GG with food allergies...I have a DD with food allergies..and they were very informative..and accomodating..and do make many items fresh...

k&a&c'smom~ When we were in M.Mouse Mercantile in May it didnt look any better stocked??? I thought maybe they were still adjusting inventory due to the new and expanded SC?

DVCMike~ Talk about having alots of DVC homes! Wow! What about SS and OKW?? LOL..

trishadono~ A two bedroom villa..how nice!

SueM~ Any view decisions yet????

Momoftwodisneyboys~

Jillmc40 and MommyGina~ On those rates...

Knitteresq~ Although I have never done this..there are many around who have done/do split stays... maybe a 3 nite GF and 3 nite Poly so you wont have to move so quickly...

Tinkrules~ I know that Tikiman had some info on his site about the DVC possibilities at the Poly....sounds like there will be lots of construction going on there soon! Not sure how the monorail is going to handle all of the extra guests though...

PrincessBelle~ Congrats on booking the GF...and getting a good deal too! Nothing better than that!

As for the room discounts~ Looks like the days of 40% off are over..havent seen any in quite a while.. I think the current bounce back offer is 35% off at the GF....that covers dates thru the end of the year..but less days than in previous years also...Im thinking there will be a new fall/winter room only offer coming out soon...??? Hoping so any way! Always gives me reason to book another trip..and save $$$...

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Boy it took me quite a while to catch up around here...LOL..



Momoftwodisneyboys~

Hi there!! It was so nice meeting you at the Grand in December! I made mention of our meeting in my TR!!

 

[BlueSkies]

MickeyNut!! We were posting at the same time again!!!!

Tink~ I will be sorry to see the Spirit of Aloha show go..even though its been quite some time since we have seen it ...I view that as one of the classics..even though I know its different than the original show... Have you heard if they will replace it with a new show somewhere else at the Poly??? To us its not all about the parks...we always enjoy visiting all the different resorts..and what they have to offer....Every few years we like to visit the Hoop De Doo...

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut~ Is there such a thing as calling CRO or IPO to much!!!???

As for the room discounts~ Looks like the days of 40% off are over..havent seen any in quite a while.. I think the current bounce back offer is 35% off at the GF....that covers dates thru the end of the year..but less days than in previous years also...Im thinking there will be a new fall/winter room only offer coming out soon...??? Hoping so any way! Always gives me reason to book another trip..and save $$$...

Hi Blue

Nope.....no such thing as calling CRO or IPO too much .

I agree about the 40% discounts.....I think they are gone and never to return .