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

[k&a&c'smom]

Are there rooms on the 1st floor of the Sugarloaf building? We are not fans of 1st floor rooms, so I want to know if I need to request an upper floor. Isn't the lounge on the 1st floor? TIA

Yes, there are rooms on the first floor. The lounge area is in the center lobby, the rooms stretch out down hallways in either direction. You can add "2nd floor or higher" to your reservation, just call or email IPO.

ETA: oops, BC1836, I missed your post.

 

[Candy Orlando]

mariamouse,

We have been going to Disney three times a year for the past ten years. Dec, Jan and May. We take our daughter and granddaughter with us so we go when they are available.
This year we booked Dec and Jan only because our 500 VGF points only covered two trips. Plus when we were there this May the yellow flies bit me all over my legs. I don't think I want to go in May again.

We want to go three times a year so we have to try a different time of year for our third trip and we just bought 125 more VGF points. We thought maybe we should try Oct for our third trip.

What do all of my Grand friends think about an Oct trip?

 

[Mousemommy1]

Yes, rooms are also on the first floor, the lounge floor.

All the best.

Yes, there are rooms on the first floor. The lounge area is in the center lobby, the rooms stretch out down hallways in either direction. You can add "2nd floor or higher" to your reservation, just call or email IPO.

ETA: oops, BC1836, I missed your post.

Perfect!!! "2nd floor or higher" request is on my to do list! Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

I have to share my night before leaving for WDW dream...I forgot to bring my husband...whoops

Friends (who like me do not like the new décor) here is my idea...set up cots in RPC, not the level of the offerings...just by the stairwells a bit. We can have a HUGE slumber party, shower by the pool. All the ambience of the Grand without seeing "red". Just an idea OK back to my homework (BTW I still am booked at YC......)

Hi pas ....nice to "see" you back .

on dreaming you forgot your DH.

Love the slumber party idea ....just tell me when .

Have you stayed at WL since the wood floors were added there? I wonder how they are holding up, that would probably be an indicator.

We have not stayed at the WL since the refurb and while I've only seen pictures of the entry with the flooring, it looks very cheap to me (as does the flooring in the GF rooms). I know pictures can be deceiving, but IMO, that flooring cheapened up the rooms at both resorts .

Thank you and I am so glad that you enjoyed the review! I could not agree more about the beauty of the resort grounds and convenience of Boca Chica. My mom is already talking about booking our stay for next year. I've told her that I'm not ready to decide where I would want to stay next year yet, although I do know that the new GF room decor has made it a lot easier to try out a different resort this time around... Guess we'll just have to return after the next room refurbs come around!

Yes, I very much enjoyed reading about your trip . Too funny about your mom already thinking about next year's trip, but I do the same thing . We are always discussing where we will stay next time while we're still on our current trip . I agree with you that the new rooms make it easier to stay at another fav resort or try something new. I really wish I could like the new decor, but it's just not going to happen for me .

Fellow worrier here... Till I get on that plane...then its all good!

~ With reguards to the wood flooring.... when we toured the new VGF I asked if their wood floors were indeed wood and the CM said that she was pretty sure it was laminate... so I am thinking..and for all of the reasons discussed here ..that the new flooring in the rooms is laminate too......

BTW...I hate snow! lol....

Me too.....I worry about every little thing right up until we leave the house, but once we're at the airport and on that plane, those worries go away....although it's probably because if I did forget something, there's not a whole lot I can do about it at that point .

I would have to agree if the VGF are laminate, the GF is probably the same thing . However, with Disney and all of the goofy (no pun intended) changes they've been making to the rooms, there's always a chance it's something different .

I'm with you on the snow.....it's time for it to go away!! We got another 5 or 6 inches this afternoon and evening.....is it spring yet???

As someone else mentioned a while back, I'm wondering if they will add some things back into the room as time goes on - for example, the nesting table, the bathroom phone, the bench at the end of the bed.

I was so sad to see the bench taken away .

What do all of my Grand friends think about an Oct trip?

I think October is a great time to go . We have been twice at the very end of September through the first week of October and once at the very end of October through the first week of November and all 3 trips were great as far as weather and crowds (although now it seems there really isn't any "slow" time as far as crowds ). But I would definitely recommend going in October as the weather is not only great, but there's MNSSHP as well as F&W .

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi pas ....nice to "see" you back .

on dreaming you forgot your DH.

Love the slumber party idea ....just tell me when .



We have not stayed at the WL since the refurb and while I've only seen pictures of the entry with the flooring, it looks very cheap to me (as does the flooring in the GF rooms). I know pictures can be deceiving, but IMO, that flooring cheapened up the rooms at both resorts .



Yes, I very much enjoyed reading about your trip . Too funny about your mom already thinking about next year's trip, but I do the same thing . We are always discussing where we will stay next time while we're still on our current trip . I agree with you that the new rooms make it easier to stay at another fav resort or try something new. I really wish I could like the new decor, but it's just not going to happen for me .



Me too.....I worry about every little thing right up until we leave the house, but once we're at the airport and on that plane, those worries go away....although it's probably because if I did forget something, there's not a whole lot I can do about it at that point .

I would have to agree if the VGF are laminate, the GF is probably the same thing . However, with Disney and all of the goofy changes they've been making to the rooms, there's always a chance it's something different .

I'm with you on the snow.....it's time for it to go away!! We got another 5 or 6 inches this afternoon and evening.....is it spring yet???





I was so sad to see the bench taken away .



I think October is a great time to go . We have been twice at the very end of September through the first week of October and once at the very end of October through the first week of November and all 3 trips were great as far as weather and crowds (although now it seems there really isn't any "slow" time as far as crowds ). But I would definitely recommend going in October as the weather is not only great, but there's MNSSHP as well as F&W .

The floors at WL were nice in person. Up close they are "rustic". These floors at GF are a better color than the WL, IMHO. I think they are pulling from the VGF flooring ideas.

 

[mommyrosa2]

HUGE shout out to the GF IPO!!!!! As you know, I was worried about handing over my reservations to them as I am too much of a control freak. ADR day is today and woke up to find I got all of my reservations, including 'Ohana and Be Our guest and opening at crystal Palace...all for the exact times I asked for!!!!

GF IPO rocks!!!!

Yay...knew you wouldn't have any issues! Congrats !!

 

[Circusgirl]

HUGE shout out to the GF IPO!!!!! As you know, I was worried about handing over my reservations to them as I am too much of a control freak. ADR day is today and woke up to find I got all of my reservations, including 'Ohana and Be Our guest and opening at crystal Palace...all for the exact times I asked for!!!!

GF IPO rocks!!!!

I'm so happy you got everything you wanted, and good for you for being brave enough to let them take care of you!

Good point, I hadn't thought of that - those pictures have been in the rooms since before the 2007 renovations. (see photo) I don't know why they didn't get pictures that are a more appropriate size.

I agree about the bath, beige, beige everywhere and nary a drop to drink.

Thanks about winter, I was reading your trip reports and I assume from your location you have had more winter than usual, too. (DH has a friend in Portland who got snow and we were surprised to hear that's unusual for them!)


LOVE your slumber party idea. If we could sleep in the lounge, or near it, that would be awesome, like sleeping under the Christmas tree.

I lived in Boston for 17 years before I lived here, and I am still that two inches of snow can paralyze a city. They don't sand or salt or plough much if at all (I saw a snow plow near my house for the first time this year) and people here really don't know how to drive in the snow. I live on the top of a big hill, and the other drivers are more in my way of my being able to get home than the weather. I used to love a Sunday afternoon snow when I could be home or play outside while the snow made the world beautiful and silent, but I am happy to never jump through slushy puddles or shovel my car out ever again.


Thanks for the posting the room picture. I would happily go back in time!


I am so in for the slumber party!

mariamouse,

We have been going to Disney three times a year for the past ten years. Dec, Jan and May. We take our daughter and granddaughter with us so we go when they are available.
This year we booked Dec and Jan only because our 500 VGF points only covered two trips. Plus when we were there this May the yellow flies bit me all over my legs. I don't think I want to go in May again.

We want to go three times a year so we have to try a different time of year for our third trip and we just bought 125 more VGF points. We thought maybe we should try Oct for our third trip.

What do all of my Grand friends think about an Oct trip?

The Halloween season and MNSSHP are huge fun, so I give the idea an enthusiastic .

k&a&c'smom, thanks for the pre-2007 room picture! I think I would have been at home in that room....love the decor! Unfortunately, we did not get to stay at the GF during that period!

I know! I wish I could book back in time!

 

[DisneyMomChristine]

Just curious - a few pages back, there was talk of GF being the last stop on DME and that it took forever...we're these at peak times of year? Also, traveling with 2 little ones, is there a bathroom on the bus? I can't remember!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Yay...knew you wouldn't have any issues! Congrats !!

I'm so happy you got everything you wanted, and good for you for being brave enough to let them take care of you!



I lived in Boston for 17 years before I lived here, and I am still that two inches of snow can paralyze a city. They don't sand or salt or plough much if at all (I saw a snow plow near my house for the first time this year) and people here really don't know how to drive in the snow. I live on the top of a big hill, and the other drivers are more in my way of my being able to get home than the weather. I used to love a Sunday afternoon snow when could be home or play outside while the snow made the world beautiful and silent, but I am happy to never jump through slushy puddles or shovel my car out ever again.


Thanks for the posting the room picture. I would happily go back in time!


I am so in for the slumber party!





The Halloween season and MNSSHP are huge fun, so I give the idea an enthusiastic .




I know! I wish I could book back in time!

Thanks ladies!!!

Now I just need to finalize my airfare, which won't be available until 3/3. Should be ok though, I have $1100 in credits with SW, so I'll be using that.

Also.....REALLY random question.....

Does Sugarloaf have gummy bears in the lounge mid day???

 

[dad2bkcs]

Another snow day! Uncle!!! 9 days until GF!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Another snow day! Uncle!!! 9 days until GF!

So lucky!!! We can't go until August!

Our girls have been out of school since last Wednesday.

They are going back today, however, have a 2 hour early release since we are getting another storm mid day.

Please make it stop.

 

[grannyminnie]

So lucky!!! We can't go until August!

Our girls have been out of school since last Wednesday.

They are going back today, however, have a 2 hour early release since we are getting another storm mid day.

Please make it stop.

Even here in Ga. our kids had a week out due to the ice and snow! Nowhere near a foot of it, but 4 inches in my yard is considered alot! And that was the second round of it. I think we had about half a foot in total. My "grands" enjoyed the snow days, I'm sure!

I don't recall gummy bears in SL, but not being with kids, I didn't pay that close attention either.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Even here in Ga. our kids had a week out due to the ice and snow! Nowhere near a foot of it, but 4 inches in my yard is considered alot! And that was the second round of it. I think we had about half a foot in total. My "grands" enjoyed the snow days, I'm sure!

I don't recall gummy bears in SL, but not being with kids, I didn't pay that close attention either.

The gummy bears are for me....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

.... when we were there this May the yellow flies bit me all over my legs. I don't think I want to go in May again.

We want to go three times a year so we have to try a different time of year for our third trip and we just bought 125 more VGF points. We thought maybe we should try Oct for our third trip.

What do all of my Grand friends think about an Oct trip?

Congrats on the VGF purchase! We love October, it's a great time of year, weather is usually good and the F&W Festival is going on! Sorry you didn't enjoy last May, we have had good luck in May.

....

We have not stayed at the WL since the refurb and while I've only seen pictures of the entry with the flooring, it looks very cheap to me (as does the flooring in the GF rooms). I know pictures can be deceiving, but IMO, that flooring cheapened up the rooms at both resorts .
....

Me too.....I worry about every little thing right up until we leave the house, but once we're at the airport and on that plane, those worries go away....although it's probably because if I did forget something, there's not a whole lot I can do about it at that point .

I would have to agree if the VGF are laminate, the GF is probably the same thing . However, with Disney and all of the goofy (no pun intended) changes they've been making to the rooms, there's always a chance it's something different .

I'm with you on the snow.....it's time for it to go away!! We got another 5 or 6 inches this afternoon and evening.....is it spring yet???


I think October is a great time to go . We have been twice at the very end of September through the first week of October and once at the very end of October through the first week of November and all 3 trips were great as far as weather and crowds (although now it seems there really isn't any "slow" time as far as crowds ). But I would definitely recommend going in October as the weather is not only great, but there's MNSSHP as well as F&W .

You know, I think the reason it seems cheap (to me, anyway) is that I can't wrap my head around them putting wood in a resort room. So, in my subconscious, it must be fake. We were in a Slumber Inn or Sleep Inn on our way back from Chicago, and the entry was fake wood - it did look cheap. But DisneyDreaming said it looked like real wood to them, so it's probably nicer than I'm expecting - just not what I want in a hotel room.

Another snow?!? I'm so sorry for all of you with even more snowfall, will it never end? We just got ours melted off - finally had a day in the 50s yesterday, and due for 64 today!! *sorry, couldn't resist, I'm so excited!*

Boy, you said it - there doesn't seem to be a slow time any more. Everyone is in on it! Oh, and I forgot about MNSSHP!

The floors at WL were nice in person. Up close they are "rustic". These floors at GF are a better color than the WL, IMHO. I think they are pulling from the VGF flooring ideas.

Yes, I definitely think so, too. That was an element I hoped would stay with the VGF - it makes more sense to me there, as they are supposed to look homey. Good to know about the WL floors, I agree the color at GF is better (from memory of the WL photos).

....

I lived in Boston for 17 years before I lived here, and I am still that two inches of snow can paralyze a city. They don't sand or salt or plough much if at all (I saw a snow plow near my house for the first time this year) and people here really don't know how to drive in the snow. I live on the top of a big hill, and the other drivers are more in my way of my being able to get home than the weather. I used to love a Sunday afternoon snow when could be home or play outside while the snow made the world beautiful and silent, but I am happy to never jump through slushy puddles or shovel my car out ever again.


Thanks for the posting the room picture. I would happily go back in time!


I am so in for the slumber party!

The Halloween season and MNSSHP are huge fun, so I give the idea an enthusiastic .

I know! I wish I could book back in time!

Isn't the slumber party idea fun?!? If only...

Oh, for the ability to book the era you would like at WDW.~sigh~ I've been looking through my room photos from that time, I'm going to post a few more, just to torture us all.

I can imagine the difference in response to the snow must be disorienting, almost. We would like to move somewhere we didn't own a snow shovel, I'm sure we would have the same reaction! I feel for anyone who lives where it shouldn't snow and then does - fun for a minute or two, then a scramble to figure out what to do! Even here, where we get snow and sometimes quite a lot of it, we are not prepared for the kind of snow my DS faces in Chicago. For instance, our city has now run out of sand/ice melt; they've been told there won't be any more this year - can you imagine? I'm curious how that happens, do they just stop making it?

Just curious - a few pages back, there was talk of GF being the last stop on DME and that it took forever...we're these at peak times of year? Also, traveling with 2 little ones, is there a bathroom on the bus? I can't remember!

I don't think so - could be wrong, someone correct me if so. We are always at the front of the bus, so it's possible, I guess...

We have been on DME at various times of the year, but we don't go at peak season for the most part.

Also.....REALLY random question.....

Does Sugarloaf have gummy bears in the lounge mid day???

I can't remember what is on the kids' table, and I rarely eat them, but DD does - if someone else doesn't know, I'll ask her later today. Oh - someone posted photos of the SL offerings a few pages back, I'll see if there's one of the midday offerings.

Another snow day! Uncle!!! 9 days until GF!

Sorry for your snow - but yay! Only 9 days to go!

Even here in Ga. our kids had a week out due to the ice and snow! Nowhere near a foot of it, but 4 inches in my yard is considered alot! And that was the second round of it. I think we had about half a foot in total. My "grands" enjoyed the snow days, I'm sure!

I don't recall gummy bears in SL, but not being with kids, I didn't pay that close attention either.

That's me, too, I don't have kids with me now.

I'll bet the kids in your area were ecstatic over the snow days - and the snow, for that matter. Too bad it came with all that crazy ice, you guys had a nasty round of it, for sure. We get as much ice as snow here, and it's nothing to fool around with. Dangerous.

 

[mommyrosa2]

So lucky!!! We can't go until August!

Our girls have been out of school since last Wednesday.

They are going back today, however, have a 2 hour early release since we are getting another storm mid day.

Please make it stop.

I couldn't agree more! We already had 8" on the ground, Saturday's storm dumped another 8" on us, today's mess isn't supposed to accumulate much for us here in Southeastern Mass but it will make for a messy commute nonetheless. Luckily my youngest is home this week for winter break but at the rate this winter is going, it's very likely she'll be in school until the very end of June . I'm so ready for spring right now!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I didn't find photos of the mid-day CL offerings, sorry; I'll ask DD if she remembers gummies.

Random question...does the monorail run during evening EMH? I thought it always did, but it didn't last year when we were trying to get to Epcot for EMH...Wasn't sure if it was a regular thing now or not.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Did this question get answered? I know it's way back, but I found it when looking for the SL photos posted by DisneyDmbNut!

They did away with EMH monorail about a year ago, I think. Everyone was aghast, the powers that be claimed it was due to needing more down time for the monorail and I guess I can see that - the EMH hours sometimes go on 'til the wee hours. But I don't see why it would be in effect all year if that's the reason, during lower seasons EMH ends much earlier. Seemed more like a money saving thing, to me, but that's just my guess.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hopping into the way back machine!

I was wrong, this room was actually Cameo (not Floral)

This was the Floral bedspread, but with some Cameo room decor (Floral had a yellow/green striped wallpaper in some rooms)

Alice theme

And not so way back...sob!

The only room theme I can't find a photo of is the old Swan themed rooms. I might be able to find one online somewhere, or if anyone has one, post it!!

 

[Circusgirl]

Thanks ladies!!!

Now I just need to finalize my airfare, which won't be available until 3/3. Should be ok though, I have $1100 in credits with SW, so I'll be using that.

Also.....REALLY random question.....

Does Sugarloaf have gummy bears in the lounge mid day???

There were no gummy bears at SL. The mid-day offerings included crudites with an assortment of dips and spreads, sometimes a tomato/mozzarella salad, potato chips, pretzels, crackers, breadsticks and cookies. The vegies were better than average - there were carrots and celery sticks, but also asparagus, broccoli and grilled zucchini. The offerings were more substantial than at the Poly CL for mid-day, but fewer of the little munchies like gummy bears.


k&a&c'smom - Thanks for the trip in the way back machine! I am really going to miss the topiary wallpaper too.

 

[Candy Orlando]

These room photos remind me of Laura Ashley fabric designs. I've always loved her fabrics and have a lot of her curtains in my house.

Even though many young people like a more contemporary design now, it doesn't mean everyone wants it in there home.

I have a BFA degree from Mass College of Art. We were taught to have our own ideas of what we like.

The classics are and will always be in style! Actually Audrey Hepburn always said " If you decorate with classical furniture you will always be in style."

Ralph Lauren is another designer I love. I have many elements of his equestrian designs in my home.

Thank you for putting up these beautiful photos!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I found a photo of the old yellow/green striped paper in the Floral rooms, posted on Our Laughing Place. Isn't it sunny and fun and delightfully tacky?!

And I finally found a Swan bedspread:

This photo of a hotel review, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, is courtesy of TripAdvisor.