HAVING A GRAND OLD TIME! The 2013 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Interesting about the duvet...

Maybe she stayed in one of the test rooms?? Would love to see some pics to see if anything else was different. I have not seen any mention of permits being pulled yet for the GF refurb. I have been looking every few days(on another forum website) but nothing....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

trishadono - I think mickeynut is talking about the queen deluxe rooms and you are describing the king deluxe rooms.

mickeynut - Aww, sorry you had to push your trip back! The queen deluxe (categorized simply as "deluxe - main bldg." on the website) are 4 over the courtyard pool and 2 over the beach pool. The ones over the courtyard are rectangular, there are some photos on the first page. I've had one of those rooms, love them - lots of room and the 2 on the 4th are just down the hall from the lounge.

The 2 over the beach pool are more triangular and are right next to the king deluxe rooms (4022 and 3022). I have a layout diagram, let me go find it.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Maybe she stayed in one of the test rooms?? Would love to see some pics to see if anything else was different. I have not seen any mention of permits being pulled yet for the GF refurb. I have been looking every few days(on another forum website) but nothing....

I would love to see some pics! I honestly love the look of the villas. I think they are beautiful, and what I would expect for a flagship resort. I do hope that there are some wonderful hidden Disney touches in the room though, like the current rooms have.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mickeynut - I don't seem to have my queen deluxe diagrams on my Photobucket account, so it was quicker to grab this post of minniesota's from an earlier thread.

Link to the deluxe rooms photos on the first page. HTH!

In my earlier post, I forgot to say that all the queen deluxe rooms are fairly close to the lounge. The 3 on the 4th floor (two over courtyard, one over beach pool which is across the atrium from the lounge) are on the same floor, of course, but even those on the 3rd are just a short flight of stairs away.

Maybe she stayed in one of the test rooms?? Would love to see some pics to see if anything else was different. I have not seen any mention of permits being pulled yet for the GF refurb. I have been looking every few days(on another forum website) but nothing....

Good point! I thought she may have gotten a room that needed a new spread, but they were discontinued - so the duvet was put in there. ?? If we could see some photos (Belle72 - hint, hint!) we might be able to tell.

I would love to see some pics! I honestly love the look of the villas. I think they are beautiful, and what I would expect for a flagship resort. I do hope that there are some wonderful hidden Disney touches in the room though, like the current rooms have.

Do you mean pix of the villas, or of the room in Boca with the duvet? Either way - yay, pix!

I was just remarking about your switch from BWI to AKL, but I see you have already changed again.

 

[Mousemommy1]

mickeynut - I don't seem to have my queen deluxe diagrams on my Photobucket account, so it was quicker to grab this post of minniesota's from an earlier thread.

Link to the deluxe rooms photos on the first page. HTH!

In my earlier post, I forgot to say that all the queen deluxe rooms are fairly close to the lounge. The 3 on the 4th floor (two over courtyard, one over beach pool which is across the atrium from the lounge) are on the same floor, of course, but even those on the 3rd are just a short flight of stairs away.



Good point! I thought she may have gotten a room that needed a new spread, but they were discontinued - so the duvet was put in there. ?? If we could see some photos (Belle72 - hint, hint!) we might be able to tell.



Do you mean pix of the villas, or of the room in Boca with the duvet? Either way - yay, pix!

I was just remarking about your switch from BWI to AKL, but I see you have already changed again.

Would love to see pics of the room in Boca!

Ah yes, the resort changing.... You missed the move to BC just prior to going back to GF again...

Hopefully, the GF reservation won't change. I really think it's the best fit for my family for our next trip!

 

[mickeynut1]

The BWI slide does look awesome (before the regurgitated kids coming out of the mouth at the end ) but, my DD's aren't going to do a crazy slide. They wouldn't do the one at BC/YC. The loved the one at WL, and GF's slide looks pretty similar.

This will be an ultimate trying something new for us, but yes, there is a lot of time left. I'm feeling strong right now!

If you need decision help....the RC thread is always open to you!

Good luck!

Yes, the fact that everyone is "regurgitated" out of the clown's mouth is a little freaky . My boys are older but they still love slides.....and my DH....he's the ring leader so he's right there with the boys . We love the WL slide too, but the GF one is also nice, so I'm sure your girls will love it .

Stay strong with the GF......I don't think you'll regret it. The SL building is great if you will be spending a lot of time at the courtyard pool as it's right there.....easy access in and out of the lounge for drinks and snacks and then back to the pool .

Thanks for the RC thread heads up......I'm hoping to not change, but as you already know, it's way too easy to change especially when there's plenty of time to do it.....LOL.

Morning Mickeynut!

I have std for first night then deluxe RPC for my upcoming trip.

One set of rooms are on 2nd floor above GGG(9 of them) with view of marina and castle in distance. (Sago on left, SL on right).these rooms look like std room with balcony but have a jacuzzi tub.

Then there are 6 octagon rooms. Floor 3,4,5 in 2 rows. I google mapped the area and you can see them clearly. One row is on monorail side and the other row faces VGF . There rooms do not have balconies but have walk in closets and awesome views.

I will get pics when I am there. Let me know what else too.

Not long now

Good Morning

I would love to see pics from your trip. I see in k&a&c'smom's post below that these are deluxe king rooms, but I didn't know there were that many of those . Any pics of the GF are great.....it's just an amazingly beautiful resort .

It's almost time for you to go ......have you started packing?

mickeynut - Aww, sorry you had to push your trip back! The queen deluxe (categorized simply as "deluxe - main bldg." on the website) are over 4 over the courtyard pool and two over the beach pool. The ones over the courtyard are rectangular, there are some photos on the first page. I've had one of those rooms, love them - lots of room and the two on the 4th are down the hall from the lounge.

The two over the beach pool are more triangular and are right next to the king deluxe rooms (4022 and 3022). I have a layout diagram, let me go find it.

Thanks.....I'm ok with postponing....at least it wasn't a total cancel . Thanks for this information. Any views at the GF are great (IMO), but my favorite is overlooking the beach pool looking across the lagoon at the Poly .

It was strange when I called last night because I pulled the promo up online prior to calling and saw RPC std was available, but I didn't see any deluxe rooms. When I called, the CM had trouble modifying my existing ressie so she had to put me on hold a few times to talk to guest services. When she came back, she asked if I wanted std or deluxe. I didn't know the price difference because online wasn't showing any deluxe rooms available, so I asked her the cost and what the difference in the rooms were. Back on hold I went (but I didn't mind....I had the time and the CM was VERY VERY nice) and once back, she said the deluxe room was 634 sq ft vs 448 sq ft for std.....but she couldn't give me both prices because she wasn't able to price std. We both just laughed as I had already been on the phone for about 45 minutes . Anyway, in the end, the price she gave me for the deluxe room was only $89 more total than std (from what I got on online for std), so I went ahead and booked it. Even though there's only 4 of us and we do fine in a regular room, the extra space will be nice .

I would love to see some pics! I honestly love the look of the villas. I think they are beautiful, and what I would expect for a flagship resort. I do hope that there are some wonderful hidden Disney touches in the room though, like the current rooms have.

I love the look of the GFV....they look absolutely beautiful!!! I can't wait to see it in person .

mickeynut - I don't seem to have my queen deluxe diagrams on my Photobucket account, so it was quicker to grab this post of minniesota's from an earlier thread.

In my earlier post, I forgot to say that all the queen deluxe rooms are fairly close to the lounge. The 3 on the 4th floor (two over courtyard, one over beach pool which is across the atrium from the lounge) are on the same floor, of course, but even those on the 3rd are just a short flight of stairs away.

Thanks for this......it's a big help . I put in a request to be close to the lounge, so good to hear the deluxe rooms are. Being close to the lounge isn't a necessity, but it is nice. Either floor is fine, but I do love that the deluxe rooms are where they are as that beach pool view is the one I'll be hoping to get....LOL. Thanks again .

 

[Mousemommy1]

Stay strong with the GF......I don't think you'll regret it. The SL building is great if you will be spending a lot of time at the courtyard pool as it's right there.....easy access in and out of the lounge for drinks and snacks and then back to the pool .

Staying strong.

When I visited GF a couple of weeks ago, I checked out the proximity of Sugarloaf to the courtyard pool and that's a definite winner!

I think it will be super convenient, especially in August since we will spend a lot of time at the pool.

I also like how close Sugarloaf is to the main building.

 

[mickeynut1]

Staying strong.

When I visited GF a couple of weeks ago, I checked out the proximity of Sugarloaf to the courtyard pool and that's a definite winner!

I think it will be super convenient, especially in August since we will spend a lot of time at the pool.

I also like how close Sugarloaf is to the main building.

Whenever you feel a change coming on, look at GF pics and come to this thread....that should reiterate your choice for the GF . Yes, SL is very convenient to the courtyard pool as well as to the main building and Gasparillas, which is nice .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Would love to see pics of the room in Boca!

Ah yes, the resort changing.... You missed the move to BC just prior to going back to GF again...

Hopefully, the GF reservation won't change. I really think it's the best fit for my family for our next trip!

Yep, I missed that BC move in the middle there! I'll keep my fingers crossed for the GF res, I think you will love the resort. (d'uh, lol)

ETA: I missed your last post, the location of SL is great, very central.

Yes, the fact that everyone is "regurgitated" out of the clown's mouth is a little freaky . My boys are older but they still love slides.....and my DH....he's the ring leader so he's right there with the boys . We love the WL slide too, but the GF one is also nice, so I'm sure your girls will love it .

....

Thanks.....I'm ok with postponing....at least it wasn't a total cancel . Thanks for this information. Any views at the GF are great (IMO), but my favorite is overlooking the beach pool looking across the lagoon at the Poly .

It was strange when I called last night because I pulled the promo up online prior to calling and saw RPC std was available, but I didn't see any deluxe rooms. When I called, the CM had trouble modifying my existing ressie so she had to put me on hold a few times to talk to guest services. When she came back, she asked if I wanted std or deluxe. I didn't know the price difference because online wasn't showing any deluxe rooms available, so I asked her the cost and what the difference in the rooms were. Back on hold I went (but I didn't mind....I had the time and the CM was VERY VERY nice) and once back, she said the deluxe room was 634 sq ft vs 448 sq ft for std.....but she couldn't give me both prices because she wasn't able to price std. We both just laughed as I had already been on the phone for about 45 minutes . Anyway, in the end, the price she gave me for the deluxe room was only $89 more total than std (from what I got on online for std), so I went ahead and booked it. Even though there's only 4 of us and we do fine in a regular room, the extra space will be nice .

....

Thanks for this......it's a big help . I put in a request to be close to the lounge, so good to hear the deluxe rooms are. Being close to the lounge isn't a necessity, but it is nice. Either floor is fine, but I do love that the deluxe rooms are where they are as that beach pool view is the one I'll be hoping to get....LOL. Thanks again .

I had to respond about the BWI pool, as it came as quite a surprise to me when I started reading about DISers who were cancelling or refusing to book BWI due to the clown slide. I'm not a huge fan of clowns, probably due to the old Stephen King movie, but clown images are just that, an image. ?? The BWI pool is great, my kids loved the slide - and the clown is merely a plastic (or, more likely, fiberglass) representation. Not at all scary, I would have thought. I know none of the kids we encountered during our BWI stays felt it was scary, they all played and slid and enjoyed the pool, just like any other hotel pool I've ever been in.

Back to the Grand - lol. We loved the view over the Beach Pool, too. I'm wondering what it will be like, the first time we have this view and instead of the Wedding Pavilion and Poly, we see the DVC building. Don't get me wrong, the VGF is beautiful, just not what we are used to seeing from those rooms.

How odd about the deluxe/std. thing with online vs. phone! With all that confusion, I would be sure your conf. says "deluxe" and not "deluxe - king" just to be sure. Wow. I think you will be happy with the deluxe, so much room. With the rectangular (like the photos I linked), it felt like we could play catch in that room.

I'll see if I can find the photos minniesota has posted of those triangular deluxe rooms and post the link in a bit.

 

[mickeynut1]

We loved the view over the Beach Pool, too. I'm wondering what it will be like, the first time we have this view and instead of the Wedding Pavilion and Poly, we see the DVC building. Don't get me wrong, the VGF is beautiful, just not what we are used to seeing from those rooms.

How odd about the deluxe/std. thing with online vs. phone! With all that confusion, I would be sure your conf. says "deluxe" and not "deluxe - king" just to be sure. Wow. I think you will be happy with the deluxe, so much room. With the rectangular (like the photos I linked), it felt like we could play catch in that room.

I'll see if I can find the photos minniesota has posted of those triangular deluxe rooms and post the link in a bit.

I agree....the VGF are beautiful and the building fits right in with the resort, but the view of the Poly across the lagoon was just . I'm sure it will be ok, but like you said, it's not what we're used to .

I thought it was odd, too, but I do read here on the boards at times that what someone wanted when they called wasn't available on the phone, but was available online and vice versa . I did check my confirmation and it says "main bldg - deluxe room - club level". At first I was worried she was looking at an outer building deluxe room, but when she gave me the price, I knew it was in the main building; then when I got the email confirmation it confirmed it .

Pics would be great if you can find them .

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We will be there in 35 days! Can't wait. It will be our first time at the GF and I can't think of a better place to celebrate my 50th birthday and our 10th anniversary!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

We will be there in 35 days! Can't wait. It will be our first time at the GF and I can't think of a better place to celebrate my 50th birthday and our 10th anniversary!!!

You are going to love the Grand and I agree, it's a great place to celebrate anything, but especially an anniversary and birthday .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

This is one of minniesota's shots of the balcony/view from queen deluxe 4422, I'm still looking for her interior photos.

Oh, and a link to her photos of SL lounge, for those asking about that earlier.

Remember when we were having that discussion about the standard rooms in RPC, and whether there were king std. rooms? Here are photos of one of those rooms near a king deluxe, overlooking the beach pool.

I agree....the VGF are beautiful and the building fits right in with the resort, but the view of the Poly across the lagoon was just . I'm sure it will be ok, but like you said, it's not what we're used to .

I thought it was odd, too, but I do read here on the boards at times that what someone wanted when they called wasn't available on the phone, but was available online and vice versa . I did check my confirmation and it says "main bldg - deluxe room - club level". At first I was worried she was looking at an outer building deluxe room, but when she gave me the price, I knew it was in the main building; then when I got the email confirmation it confirmed it .

Pics would be great if you can find them .

I know, I will miss that view.~sigh~

Glad you got the right description in the confirmation, yay! I know what you mean about online vs. phone, I've had that experience in the past and had to say, "but I can see it online!"

We will be there in 35 days! Can't wait. It will be our first time at the GF and I can't think of a better place to celebrate my 50th birthday and our 10th anniversary!!!

Happy Birthday AND anniversary! This is your first visit to the Grand?! What a wonderful celebration it will be.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Thanks for posting the link to the Sugarloaf pictures!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Finally, success! Here are some photos of minniesota's stay in room 4422, the option 2 version of the queen deluxe rooms (prior to 2007 renovations, so old decor).

And some photos from johnsonet, too.

Thanks for posting the link to the Sugarloaf pictures!!

You are welcome!:

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for posting the link to the Sugarloaf pictures!!

Oops, I meant to ask if you've seen these photos posted by JoBird? Scroll down past the Club Level text, she has a great summary.

 

[phyllis1966]

I'm a GF lover, but certainly no expert (yet)! So I have a question: are there any Queen deluxe TPV rooms in RPC?

DD is 14 1/2 and, given the option of a vacation in lieu of a big Sweet 16 party, wants to take her BFF with us for that special trip when the time comes. I want to stay RPC and will need the extra space, but would love to see Wishes from the balcony (that RPC TPV surprise upgrade in 2011 has spoiled me for good!)...so, anyone know if there are any?

 

[yce22princess]

Group of "light" sleepers here booked for July 2014. . If I were to request a building, what would you recommend as ones that might be a little less full of hustle and bustle? Thanks!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Oops, I meant to ask if you've seen these photos posted by JoBird? Scroll down past the Club Level text, she has a great summary.

Yes, I have seen these. Thanks!

Oh, and pas130 says Hello! It's too hard for her to come over and "visit" because the urge to change is just too strong.

 

[Belle72]

Oh yes, I know. Which is why it was so odd to me that GF was clinging to them. We had duvets at YC and WL, which is fantastic. Even some of the Disney value resorts have the triple sheeting instead of bedspreads. I'm happy the GF is getting rid of them.

I thought it was interesting because the GF room refurbs aren't rumored to be until next year.

It wasn't all of the rooms- ours had the white duvet but other rooms in the same building did not- they still had floral bedspreads. Nothing else in our room seemed new or refurbed to us.