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

[michlyn]

A building by building rehab that is supposed to be completed by the summer, at least that's what one CM manager told us last month. When the main building is under rehab, the first two floors (which have no guest rooms) and their respective enterprises (restaurants and stores) will remain open. All the best.

Thank you! Does a rehab involve construction? Or more cosmetic changes? I haven't heard of construction at the gf which is why we booked it over the poly,

 

[BC1836]

Thank you! Does a rehab involve construction? Or more cosmetic changes? I haven't heard of construction at the gf which is why we booked it over the poly,

Cosmetic: new wallpaper, drapes, painting, accessories. Following somewhat in the footsteps of the GFR VC.

Poly, of course, is transforming with its new VC building. Lots of construction.

All the best.

 

[mariamouse]

BlueSkies, mickeynut, k&a&c'smom, grannyminnie, DisneyDmbNut, Candy Orlando, mousemommy1, bethclayton, mariamouse, trishadono, pas130, KonaKaiTom (hang on for the snowstorm), and all my friends on this thread, HAPPY NEW YEAR!@@ I hope that we can all have at least one trip to the GF this year. Have been keeping up, just not posting. All is well in Connecticut, at least for now. Very cold weather and snow coming. Would love to be by the pool at the GF now! Candy Orlando, I loved reading your trip report. How grand it is to be going back so soon! For Sarah, she is missed, but not forgotten. Circusgirl, thank you for the beautiful pictures. Can never get enough of the Grand!

Thank you so much, MommyGina, and a very happy 2014 to you as well! Here's hoping that it will include the GF visit that you are dreaming about! We are lucky enough to be kicking off the new year with a stay at the GF in just 15 days!! So looking forward to being back again. And of course I will be right there with you shoveling in CT when the snow arrives! As long as it doesn't snow the day we need to fly down to Florida, I'm happy! And, just like you, I am always lurking here, but just do not get around to posting as frequently as I would like to (as evidenced by my weak post count after 13 years of being a DISer.. ha). So nice to see you on here, though, and I truly do hope that I am reading about your next GF stay soon!

Hello Everyone. I am totally new to this thread and you are all so kind and friendly with one another. My family's disney story is this: we took our first trip, with our older two kids in 2010, when they were 4.5 and 3 years old. I had a great pin and we had a 1BR at the boardwalk. we loved it. One year later, we had twins and our life got so busy. We felt badly for the older two kids because of all the new changes, so when the twins turned 1, we left them for a week at Grandmom's, while we took the older two on a surprise trip and stayed at the Poly for the first time. OMG, we loved it. Last year, my husband surprised me by wanting to go back with the older two children and we stayed at the poly again. All of us love it there. Well, this year, it's time to take the twins (just before they turn3). We are going 2/24-3/4 2014. We booked the room offer but the poly was not available. Initially, I booked the beach club because the price was pretty good but we really want the monorail for 4 kids and young twins that will need naps each day. we still wanted the poly but with all the construction and monorail outage, I am hesitating even wanting to go back. Just before midnight last night, and before the offers expired, I snagged a room at the GF. I'm happy to be on the monorail again but I had a few questions: for midday naps, how will I get back from MK or EP to the GF with no monorail? is there a walkway between the GF to the MK or between the GF to the Poly? should I still consider going back to the poly? (when we stay there, we either take the monorail to MK or walk to the TTC and go directly to epcot-will I miss that feature at the GF?) I'm just so torn. the poly has room at the club level and that would be a huge splurge for us. I'd hate to to club level for the first, and only time, at a place that is under construction with limited access to monorail-scared I will regret it..... just not sure what to do.....

This GF FAQ truly is one of the friendliest on the DIS (if not the most)! As for your indecision, I would advise giving the GF a try this time around! We absolutely love the Poly as well, but have increasingly grown to love the GF just as much in recent years. I think the Poly construction gives you a nice opportunity to try something new- plus, the Poly is connected by walkway to the GF (10-15 min walk depending on pace), so you can easily visit the Poly if you miss it! Note that, like the Poly, there is no walkway between the GF and MK. You will probably miss the quick access to the TTC from the Poly a little bit since that definitely is a perk, but it's still easy enough to get to the TTC from the GF via express monorail. With regard to not having the monorail in the middle of the day, you can just boat back to the GF from MK (first stop), which we enjoy just as much as taking the monorail back (and often faster). I assume that Disney will just provide buses to return to the GF from EPCOT mid-day (same for Poly). Personally, I wouldn't splurge for Poly CL at this point given that the view from the CL lounge is largely construction. The GF is a truly gorgeous resort and, if you don't love it, you can always return to the Poly post-construction! Hope this helps.

A building by building rehab that is supposed to be completed by the summer, at least that's what one CM manager told us last month. When the main building is under rehab, the first two floors (which have no guest rooms) and their respective enterprises (restaurants and stores) will remain open. All the best.

Do we have any clue yet which building will start rehab first? I remember Tikiman having a full Poly building-by-building rehab schedule, but maybe the GF isn't that far along yet.

 

[BC1836]

Do we have any clue yet which building will start rehab first? I remember Tikiman having a full Poly building-by-building rehab schedule, but maybe the GF isn't that far along yet.

We are sure there is a schedule at the GFR, but we were not privy to it. In any event, according to a trusted source, an entire GFR building will be closed at a time, not a floor-by-floor rehab in which other floors are kept open.

All the best.

 

[mariamouse]

We are sure there is a schedule at the GFR, but we were not privy to it. In any event, according to a trusted source, an entire GFR building will be closed at a time, not a floor-by-floor rehab in which other floors are kept open. All the best.

Thank you! Good to know that we will not have to worry about any noise in our building.

 

[princessmocha]

Happy Happy New Year all my GF Friends!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful start to the year. We are home and I definitely have PDD . . . We are in the beginnings of the big east coast storm and I would much rather be at my other home in Florida. I will get back on later do a mini trip report of our stay. It was heavenly! I missed being on here though . . . Now I just have convince DH we need to go back sooner rather than later!

 

[MommyGina]

mariamouse, please let us know if there are new mug designs when you are back at the GF. I have read that there will be, but would like to know from someone who has actually seen them.

bonjovi, there is a walk way from the GF to the Poly. There is no walk way from the MK to the GF. You can take the boat from the MK to the GF, since there will be no monorail running when you are there. I don't know if the entire monorail will be shut down or just the loop to the MK resorts. If they are all shut down, I would hope that Disney provides bus service from Epcot to the MK resorts. We love club level at the GF.

 

[princessmocha]

Hello Everyone. I am totally new to this thread and you are all so kind and friendly with one another.

My family's disney story is this: we took our first trip, with our older two kids in 2010, when they were 4.5 and 3 years old. I had a great pin and we had a 1BR at the boardwalk. we loved it. One year later, we had twins and our life got so busy. We felt badly for the older two kids because of all the new changes, so when the twins turned 1, we left them for a week at Grandmom's, while we took the older two on a surprise trip and stayed at the Poly for the first time. OMG, we loved it. Last year, my husband surprised me by wanting to go back with the older two children and we stayed at the poly again. All of us love it there.

Well, this year, it's time to take the twins (just before they turn3). We are going 2/24-3/4 2014. We booked the room offer but the poly was not available. Initially, I booked the beach club because the price was pretty good but we really want the monorail for 4 kids and young twins that will need naps each day. we still wanted the poly but with all the construction and monorail outage, I am hesitating even wanting to go back.

Just before midnight last night, and before the offers expired, I snagged a room at the GF. I'm happy to be on the monorail again but I had a few questions:

for midday naps, how will I get back from MK or EP to the GF with no monorail?

is there a walkway between the GF to the MK or between the GF to the Poly?

should I still consider going back to the poly? (when we stay there, we either take the monorail to MK or walk to the TTC and go directly to epcot-will I miss that feature at the GF?)

I'm just so torn. the poly has room at the club level and that would be a huge splurge for us. I'd hate to to club level for the first, and only time, at a place that is under construction with limited access to monorail-scared I will regret it.....

just not sure what to do.....

Welcome Welcome! I say give the Grand a try. It is amazing. MK is only a boat ride away from the Grand. It is the first stop on the way back. You can even take it over to the Poly too. I am sure that they will have extra bus service as well (at least that is what I assume) I think if I remember correctly, the volcano pool is closed at the Poly (someone correct me if I am wrong) and at the Grand they have the water play area, that even my older kiddo loved playing in (technically they were too old, but the CM let them play in it since there were no little ones around)

 

[pas130]

Well, based on your comments, you both seem to possess such a spirit .

Thank you, you're too sweet

pas, thanks for the reminder and tribute to our dear Sarah. I can't believe it is a year since we lost her, I miss sharing her thoughts here on the FAQ and elsewhere. What a loss for all who were lucky enough to know her.

I know, time passes so quickly, and it is a great reminder to treasure every moment

Thank you, k&a&c'smom..it is indeed a hard time, but we are trying to make the best of it, and visit whenever possible. In the meantime, Disney is always our sweet respite. We try to visit THERE as much as possible too.. Tho, of course, cost prohibits as many visits as we would really like! lol

Darn costs! I always look at our vacations as the "light in the end of the tunnel". No matter how bad my days are Disney is my happy place I am sorry for your mom, it must be difficult, my gramma had dementia for a few years before we lost her. She thought I was my mom and my son was my brother, which was okay by me AND it kept her content. She was the best! And we are here when you need to get your mind off things, if only for a moment

Happy New Year my Grand friends. 30 days until I'm home again, home again jiggity jig!

Tom

29 now!

Arriving on Feb 2nd, counting the minutes

One month dance

Happy New Year to my Grand friends!!! We will be having a bad snow storm this Thur. into Fri. But I'll be back at the Grand in 15 days to get away from this cold weather for another week. Enjoy tonight!!!

AWESOME!!! LUCKY DUCK!!!

Just wanted to pop in and wish all of my GF friends a Happy New Year .

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!!

Been so busy at work but now need to finish packing. I will try to get some different pics. Circusgirl did such a great job I will just try to get any sugarloaf and villa pics that i find.

We arrive just in time for desserts tomorrow night. Yippee! Desserts!!

Safe travels!!! I will hope the snow is all melted for your return! Enjoy the Grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

happy new year, everyone!

trishadono, have an amazing trip, i am looking very forward to your pics/ posts!

Me too!!!! Happy New Year!

pas What a special friend you are to remember and honor your dear friend...

Awww She was amazing. And her spirit definitely remains here She loved the GF, and she loved life, she was such an inspiration to many!

BlueSkies, mickeynut, k&a&c'smom, grannyminnie, DisneyDmbNut, Candy Orlando, mousemommy1, bethclayton, mariamouse, trishadono, pas130, KonaKaiTom (hang on for the snowstorm), and all my friends on this thread, HAPPY NEW YEAR

I hope that we can all have at least one trip to the GF this year. Have been keeping up, just not posting. All is well in Connecticut, at least for now. Very cold weather and snow coming. Would love to be by the pool at the GF now! Candy Orlando, I loved reading your trip report. How grand it is to be going back so soon!

For Sarah, she is missed, but not forgotten. Circusgirl, thank you for the beautiful pictures. Can never get enough of the Grand!

Happy New Year to you!!! My Poly trip has changed..shocking I know But I will be in Sarah's other WDW home..Beach Club. I will definitely be hopping over to GF in August, my Bree wants to do the 1900PF dinner, and I want to give Candace a Snow, snow, snow...is is August yet

Hello Everyone. I am totally new to this thread and you are all so kind and friendly with one another.

My family's disney story is this: we took our first trip, with our older two kids in 2010, when they were 4.5 and 3 years old. I had a great pin and we had a 1BR at the boardwalk. we loved it. One year later, we had twins and our life got so busy. We felt badly for the older two kids because of all the new changes, so when the twins turned 1, we left them for a week at Grandmom's, while we took the older two on a surprise trip and stayed at the Poly for the first time. OMG, we loved it. Last year, my husband surprised me by wanting to go back with the older two children and we stayed at the poly again. All of us love it there.

Well, this year, it's time to take the twins (just before they turn3). We are going 2/24-3/4 2014. We booked the room offer but the poly was not available. Initially, I booked the beach club because the price was pretty good but we really want the monorail for 4 kids and young twins that will need naps each day. we still wanted the poly but with all the construction and monorail outage, I am hesitating even wanting to go back.

Just before midnight last night, and before the offers expired, I snagged a room at the GF. I'm happy to be on the monorail again but I had a few questions:

for midday naps, how will I get back from MK or EP to the GF with no monorail?

is there a walkway between the GF to the MK or between the GF to the Poly?

should I still consider going back to the poly? (when we stay there, we either take the monorail to MK or walk to the TTC and go directly to epcot-will I miss that feature at the GF?)

I'm just so torn. the poly has room at the club level and that would be a huge splurge for us. I'd hate to to club level for the first, and only time, at a place that is under construction with limited access to monorail-scared I will regret it.....

just not sure what to do.....

I love your DISname BTW (huge fan ) We were booked at the Poly with a GREAT rate. But, keep in mind, the construction is directly by the Hawaii (CL) building. So there is no getting away from it unfortunately. You can take the boat from MK to the GF. And the monorail from Epcot will not be affected by the construction, so monorail to MK, boat to GF. I just love the boats! You will unfortunately have to fold strollers for the resort boats at MK, unlike on the Epcot side where they roll aboard.

That said, I see you are going next month and the construction isn't really intrusive just yet....SOOOOOOO I may stay at Poly if that was my first choice. UNLESS you are staying club level at the Grand....

I am not sure if I helped at all, but honestly the construction will affect Poly guests later in the year as the pools close, etc....more so than the guests arriving within the next 2 months...IMHO. And if you stay at the Grand, there is still a walkway between GF and Poly.

Hi! I'm a newbie planning my first trip to GF with my family this August. I heard that GF has some room rehabs starting this month? What exactly does that mean? Thanks!

Thank you! Good to know that we will not have to worry about any noise in our building.

We are sure there is a schedule at the GFR, but we were not privy to it. In any event, according to a trusted source, an entire GFR building will be closed at a time, not a floor-by-floor rehab in which other floors are kept open.

All the best.

Thanks for the inside scoop!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Been so busy at work but now need to finish packing. I will try to get some different pics. Circusgirl did such a great job I will just try to get any sugarloaf and villa pics that i find.

We arrive just in time for desserts tomorrow night. Yippee! Desserts!!

Hope you're having a great time .

mickeynut Here's to getting together again in 2014!

BlueSkies, mickeynut, k&a&c'smom, grannyminnie, DisneyDmbNut, Candy Orlando, mousemommy1, bethclayton, mariamouse, trishadono, pas130, KonaKaiTom (hang on for the snowstorm), and all my friends on this thread, HAPPY NEW YEAR!@@

All is well in Connecticut, at least for now. Very cold weather and snow coming. Would love to be by the pool at the GF now!

Happy New Year to you too MommyGina . I'm with you on dreaming about being by the GF pool. We have about 4 inches of snow with more to come this afternoon, with us possibly ending up with as much as 8 inches my tomorrow morning .

Those of you bracing for more bad weather...hang on, and dream of the GF!

I'm picturing myself there right now .

Hello Everyone. I am totally new to this thread and you are all so kind and friendly with one another.

My family's disney story is this: we took our first trip, with our older two kids in 2010, when they were 4.5 and 3 years old. I had a great pin and we had a 1BR at the boardwalk. we loved it. One year later, we had twins and our life got so busy. We felt badly for the older two kids because of all the new changes, so when the twins turned 1, we left them for a week at Grandmom's, while we took the older two on a surprise trip and stayed at the Poly for the first time. OMG, we loved it. Last year, my husband surprised me by wanting to go back with the older two children and we stayed at the poly again. All of us love it there.

Well, this year, it's time to take the twins (just before they turn3). We are going 2/24-3/4 2014. We booked the room offer but the poly was not available. Initially, I booked the beach club because the price was pretty good but we really want the monorail for 4 kids and young twins that will need naps each day. we still wanted the poly but with all the construction and monorail outage, I am hesitating even wanting to go back.

Just before midnight last night, and before the offers expired, I snagged a room at the GF. I'm happy to be on the monorail again but I had a few questions:

for midday naps, how will I get back from MK or EP to the GF with no monorail?

is there a walkway between the GF to the MK or between the GF to the Poly?

should I still consider going back to the poly? (when we stay there, we either take the monorail to MK or walk to the TTC and go directly to epcot-will I miss that feature at the GF?)

I'm just so torn. the poly has room at the club level and that would be a huge splurge for us. I'd hate to to club level for the first, and only time, at a place that is under construction with limited access to monorail-scared I will regret it.....

just not sure what to do.....

Welcome to the GF thread .

I think you made a good choice with the GF. The Poly is our favorite resort, but we also love the GF. Both resorts offer a very different resort experience (IMO) and although the construction wouldn't bother me at the Poly, having the main pool closed would be a deal breaker for us. As mariamouse posted, there is no walkway between the GF and MK, but MK is still very convenient as it's the first stop on the monorail (if it's running) or a nice boat ride away. As much as I love the Poly, I'd stick with the GF as it really is a beautiful resort and is a great alternative to the Poly .

Hi! I'm a newbie planning my first trip to GF with my family this August. I heard that GF has some room rehabs starting this month? What exactly does that mean? Thanks!

BC1836 answered about the refurb, but I wanted to say welcome to the GF thread . There are very informative (as well as very nice) people on this thread that are always willing to help with any questions and/or suggestions you may need, so don't hesitate to ask anything .

We are lucky enough to be kicking off the new year with a stay at the GF in just 15 days!! So looking forward to being back again. And of course I will be right there with you shoveling in CT when the snow arrives! As long as it doesn't snow the day we need to fly down to Florida, I'm happy!

This GF FAQ truly is one of the friendliest on the DIS (if not the most)!

You will be on your way before you know it . I hope any snow that comes your way gets there long before you are supposed to fly out so there are no delays .

I totally agree about the GF FAQ......so many friendly people on here that makes it a very nice place to chat and get a lot of great information .

We are sure there is a schedule at the GFR, but we were not privy to it. In any event, according to a trusted source, an entire GFR building will be closed at a time, not a floor-by-floor rehab in which other floors are kept open.

Thank you for this information .

 

[mickeynut1]

Happy Happy New Year all my GF Friends!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful start to the year. We are home and I definitely have PDD . . . We are in the beginnings of the big east coast storm and I would much rather be at my other home in Florida. I will get back on later do a mini trip report of our stay. It was heavenly! I missed being on here though . . . Now I just have convince DH we need to go back sooner rather than later!

Glad you had a great trip. Can't wait to hear all about it .

My Poly trip has changed..shocking I know But I will be in Sarah's other WDW home..Beach Club.

Something tells me you will be back at the Poly at some point

 

[mariamouse]

Happy Happy New Year all my GF Friends!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful start to the year. We are home and I definitely have PDD . . . We are in the beginnings of the big east coast storm and I would much rather be at my other home in Florida. I will get back on later do a mini trip report of our stay. It was heavenly! I missed being on here though . . . Now I just have convince DH we need to go back sooner rather than later!

I totally understand how rough PDD can be (will be experiencing it in 20 days!), but I am so looking forward to reading your mini report. Welcome home and good luck with the storm! Thankfully, my office is letting us all work from home tomorrow.

mariamouse, please let us know if there are new mug designs when you are back at the GF. I have read that there will be, but would like to know from someone who has actually seen them.

Believe it or not, I have never actually noticed the GF mugs. Does that make me a GF non-expert? But if you can post pics of or a link to the existing mugs, I will be glad to scope out the gift shop for you!

You will be on your way before you know it . I hope any snow that comes your way gets there long before you are supposed to fly out so there are no delays .

I totally agree about the GF FAQ......so many friendly people on here that makes it a very nice place to chat and get a lot of great information .

 

[followthatmouse]

I would like to wish all our wonderful GFers a very Happy New Year.

We have just returned from three weeks in Sydney. For some reason the site would not let me post from my iPad. So, this is the first chance to wish you all a safe, happy and magical 2014.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Happy Happy New Year all my GF Friends!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful start to the year. We are home and I definitely have PDD . . . We are in the beginnings of the big east coast storm and I would much rather be at my other home in Florida. I will get back on later do a mini trip report of our stay. It was heavenly! I missed being on here though . . . Now I just have convince DH we need to go back sooner rather than later!

I can't wait to hear all about your trip!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Believe it or not, I have never actually noticed the GF mugs. Does that make me a GF non-expert?

I think you are very well versed in the GF . I am by no means a GF expert by any stretch of the imagination and although there are some that know more than others, I think everyone that comes to this thread has helpful suggestions/hints about the resort .

I would like to wish all our wonderful GFers a very Happy New Year.

We have just returned from three weeks in Sydney. For some reason the site would not let me post from my iPad. So, this is the first chance to wish you all a safe, happy and magical 2014.

Thanks for the New Years wishes and a Happy & Healthy New Year to you as well .

I hope you had a nice trip .

 

[mariamouse]

I think you are very well versed in the GF . I am by no means a GF expert by any stretch of the imagination and although there are some that know more than others, I think everyone that comes to this thread has helpful suggestions/hints about the resort .

Ha agreed, mickeynut1! Thank you as always.

 

[mickeynut1]

Ha agreed, mickeynut1! Thank you as always.

 

[followthatmouse]

I hope you had a nice trip .

We did, thank you,mickeynut1!

 

[kylaura]

I'm debating a new studio villa vs. a normal garden view. What is your experience?

 

[stevesgirl]

Is there a way to find out which hotels/buildings will be under construction at any given time?