k&a&c'smom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 29, 2002
Hello, everyone! Thanks for the welcome back. This is going to be a long one, I hope I don't miss anyone.
Thanks, I've missed all my GF friends, too. Now that things are starting to get back to normal, I'll try to post more often.
Thanks, it's good to be back! We don't smoke so haven't had to look for the best SAs, but just from a logistics standpoint I would think getting in and out of the SL building would be easier to access a smoking area? Could be wrong about that, but it seems like walking out the back door and down the marina side to the SA near Conch would be easy and pleasant. Or around to the one near Sago.
LOL about the DD loving Summer Lace - there's a lot to love in that shop!
This has been my experience, too, on our one trip in early January. Similar dates, though I think each year is slightly different.
Good to see you! Huh. Me, either, that would make the "large" room very crowded! Maybe due to the desk area changing it will be better than it sounds?
Thanks, glad to be back! I don't blame all you Poly lovers for switching to the Grand, construction can be a downer. Not always, of course, but the kind of major building that is going on over at the Poly would make me switch, too.
Maybe not a wacko, but I understand the second guessing. Rack rate in RPC would make me cringe, especially near Christmas!
O.M.G. Fourteen days. I'm so envious.
We love early December, too, but have not gone in that time period lately.
As others posted, BPK does face the Poly and most of the lagoon view rooms seem to be in this building. A very pretty view.
Boca Chica has a wonderful panoramic view of the lagoon, with Space Mtn., CR, and the Poly all within view. There are a lot of big trees on the lagoon side of this building, which may be why there are still lagoon view category rooms after the category split from "theme park view".
There has been some question as to whether any of the Sago or Conch rooms on the MK end are still designated "lagoon view". Some posters have said they were placed in obstructed views even with a TPV paid room, so it's possible they are all marked as TPV. The rooms that are over the marina are mostly designated garden view.
HTH! If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Welcome! Sorry to hear about your dad's passing, and your mother's health issues. WDW is a great place to vacation for anyone with mobility issues.
As far as I know, all areas are accessible. BCV23 is our resident expert, though, she would know much more about that aspect. As others posted, the courtyard pool, at least, has an accessible lift into the pool, not sure about a water wheelchair. I may have a photo somewhere to illustrate - if I find it, I'll post a link.
LOL about the head banging. I can relate, as I do a lot for my elderly mother. Whether the CL is worth it is relative, but it sounds like that might be a good way for your family to add some comfort and security for your mother. Having the lounge area to escape to would be a relief, I think, and the ease of breakfast and snacks will be helpful. ETA: be sure to look for discounts, though, as the CL rooms have gotten sooo expensive! We're nearly priced out of them.
Hey, you! Good to "see" you, sounds like you've had another great stay at the Grand! Can't wait to hear all about it after you rest up. Sorry about your long flight delay, seems that happens more and more, right?!
LOL! No need to feel bad, many of us cheat on our favorite resort!
It all depends on your family and their style of travel. For many, it is a hassle to stay one night at a resort, then pack up and move over to another. We have done it a few times, and if you plan well, it isn't too much of a hardship. We usually pack one bag for the first night, so we don't have to unpack our larger suitcase(s). Just throw the used clothing into that bag, grab your toiletries and go.
If one night at the beginning is the only way you can give the GF a try, and you think your family is up for it, more power to you!
Hey, love your new avatar photo!
Hello, my good friend!
Welcome back, and enjoy your planning; good luck on your choice. It's so hard to choose, so many great resorts!
Kudos on your upgrade! Glad you had a magical stay, thanks for the review. Good luck snagging the extra day in August - just keep checking, it may open up as you get closer.
As others have posted, the decorations are often up through that week, in various stages. I would think at least the 3rd you will see most of them, as the holiday pricing often runs through that date.
Agreed and agreed.
HAHA! Isn't that the truth?!
Welcome back....you have been missed around here. I know how it is sometimes when things get so busy you don't have much time for anything, let along computer time. I hope things are settling down and you have more down time for yourself.
Thanks, I've missed all my GF friends, too. Now that things are starting to get back to normal, I'll try to post more often.
....
We will probably do November or early December to see Christmas lights so weather should be decent. We live up north so it will be warm to us.
Thanks!
Good to see you back K&A&C's mom
Dd and I had a great time at poly and spent a lot of time at gf. That girl loves to shop in Summer Lace. Have to say the lounge chairs with cushions at GF are better than Cr and Poly!
Thanks, it's good to be back! We don't smoke so haven't had to look for the best SAs, but just from a logistics standpoint I would think getting in and out of the SL building would be easier to access a smoking area? Could be wrong about that, but it seems like walking out the back door and down the marina side to the SA near Conch would be easy and pleasant. Or around to the one near Sago.
LOL about the DD loving Summer Lace - there's a lot to love in that shop!
So happy to hear your trip was wonderful!! Your comment regarding Christmas lights reminded me to ask how long the GF Christmas decorations remain each year. It would be interesting to see the GF decorations if they are still around when we arrive on January 5 (or maybe earlier, but for now, it's January 5!)
Last year our trip was 1/1-1-8. Lights and gingerbread house came down before we left GF on 1/5. Lights were down at CR when we arrived there on 1/5.
For parks I think they were up until that Sunday 1/5.
The Osborne lights were up I believe until the 5th too. We saw them on the 4th.
This year sunday falls on 1/4 so unfortunately you will probably miss them
This has been my experience, too, on our one trip in early January. Similar dates, though I think each year is slightly different.
I didn't get too much info but that there will just be one desk with a CM, and one of the CMs will stand at a podium near the entryway to the lounge. And I believe the kids' area is to be moved into the "large" (I use the term loosely as compared to the RPC lounge... ) room. I don't see how this is gonna work!
Good to see you! Huh. Me, either, that would make the "large" room very crowded! Maybe due to the desk area changing it will be better than it sounds?
glad to see you back! You were such a help last year with our first stay at GF! Loved it so much, returning this Aug for 14 nights . Was orig booked at Poly, but construction was getting a bit much, so switched to GF. Can't wait to be back!
Thanks, glad to be back! I don't blame all you Poly lovers for switching to the Grand, construction can be a downer. Not always, of course, but the kind of major building that is going on over at the Poly would make me switch, too.
I'm one of those crazies paying rake rate for RPC ... The worse part is I know I'm nuts and then I'm justifying it with that it's only for 3 days and celebrating our 35th anniversary but still I feel like a wacko! Staying 11 days at WL first before our RPC stay and the plan is the enjoy the club offerings, the pool and Christmas decorations. Still I keep second guessing myself yikes!
Maybe not a wacko, but I understand the second guessing. Rack rate in RPC would make me cringe, especially near Christmas!
Early Dec I think would be perfect! Low crowds & I think one of the value seasons for price! And Christmas Gingerbread House & all the decorations!!!
Rack rate, ack! I won't even pay rack rate for POR
I got a very magical deal for GF for August and 14 days will be
O.M.G. Fourteen days. I'm so envious.
We love early December, too, but have not gone in that time period lately.
We have a lagoon view room booked and I was wondering....looking at a map, it looks like Big Pine Key is facing the Poly? What about Boca Chica? Is the view from there strictly the lagoon? I am just trying to get an idea what building to request as we'd most prefer to just see the lagoon. Also, are Sago Cay and Conch Key mostly reserved for TPV on the lagoon side?
Sorry for so many questions!
Thanks
As others posted, BPK does face the Poly and most of the lagoon view rooms seem to be in this building. A very pretty view.
Boca Chica has a wonderful panoramic view of the lagoon, with Space Mtn., CR, and the Poly all within view. There are a lot of big trees on the lagoon side of this building, which may be why there are still lagoon view category rooms after the category split from "theme park view".
There has been some question as to whether any of the Sago or Conch rooms on the MK end are still designated "lagoon view". Some posters have said they were placed in obstructed views even with a TPV paid room, so it's possible they are all marked as TPV. The rooms that are over the marina are mostly designated garden view.
HTH! If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
First thanks for putting together such a great informative thread.
We are surprising my mom with a stay a GF. I am thinking about doing club level. It's been rough for all of us since my dad passed and my mom has chronic health issues so I want to really make this trip special. Any tips for taking a handicapped person to GF?
She uses a walker but will use a wheelchair in the parks and maybe at the resort. I will be booking handicapped room. Are all areas of the resort wheelchair accessible? Does the pool have a water wheelchair?
And of course is club level worth it?? I know that's a trick question. I'm thinking that since my mom can only handle 1/2 days at the parks that she can hang out in the lounge. Anyone who has traveled with a parent who complains too much will understand why I want to keep her safe and happy. This is our fourth time to wdw. We usually stay at CBR but I want our last trip special and mostly free of my wanting to bang my head against the wall. Thanks
Welcome! Sorry to hear about your dad's passing, and your mother's health issues. WDW is a great place to vacation for anyone with mobility issues.
As far as I know, all areas are accessible. BCV23 is our resident expert, though, she would know much more about that aspect. As others posted, the courtyard pool, at least, has an accessible lift into the pool, not sure about a water wheelchair. I may have a photo somewhere to illustrate - if I find it, I'll post a link.
LOL about the head banging. I can relate, as I do a lot for my elderly mother. Whether the CL is worth it is relative, but it sounds like that might be a good way for your family to add some comfort and security for your mother. Having the lounge area to escape to would be a relief, I think, and the ease of breakfast and snacks will be helpful. ETA: be sure to look for discounts, though, as the CL rooms have gotten sooo expensive! We're nearly priced out of them.
Good Morning fellow GF fans!
Back from another grand stay at our fave resort!! Bet there has been lots of planning going on around here....
Lots going on at the GF...SL is in the midst of its renovation...saw workmen checking things in RPC...for its upcoming rehab I suppose...
Will be back later or tomorrow with food news...lol..its always about the food...and renovation details...after a looooong flight delay I am still catchin up on getting back to reality!
Hope that you are all having a terrific Thursday! preppy GF gal who "needed" to book a bounce back!!!
Hey, you! Good to "see" you, sounds like you've had another great stay at the Grand! Can't wait to hear all about it after you rest up. Sorry about your long flight delay, seems that happens more and more, right?!
Sooooo excited!! Just changed our reservation from CR over to Grand Floridian. Did I mention I'm excited!! Can not wait to stay at this beautiful resort for the first time
Congratulations -- I admit once you stay GF, it is really hard to stay anywhere else -- although my ticker indicates I do cheat on the Grand - but I feel bad about it.
Tom
LOL! No need to feel bad, many of us cheat on our favorite resort!
I have always wanted to stay at the Grand. After looking through this thread and seeing the newer room refurbs, I want to stay even more. They look beautiful. When we head to WDW next June, I was debating on staying our first night at the Grand (the rest of the trip would be at BC). Would it be worth it, or do you think it's a hassle to just stay one night and then move to another resort?? We plan on getting into town between 3 and 4 pm and will just have dinner reservations at Chef Mickey's or O'hana and don't plan on going to a park! Any advice, suggestions would be great!!
It all depends on your family and their style of travel. For many, it is a hassle to stay one night at a resort, then pack up and move over to another. We have done it a few times, and if you plan well, it isn't too much of a hardship. We usually pack one bag for the first night, so we don't have to unpack our larger suitcase(s). Just throw the used clothing into that bag, grab your toiletries and go.
If one night at the beginning is the only way you can give the GF a try, and you think your family is up for it, more power to you!
Hey, love your new avatar photo!
....
Mickeynut, pixarmom, SueM, Trish and all my Grand Groupies I am unintentionally leaving out
Hello, my good friend!
Hello !! We're finally planning our next trip to Disney! (even though it's June 2016, I'm still excited....) At first I was settled on the YC or BC, but it's hard not to come back to the GF. So I'm totally unsure at this point.....
So I think I'll hop back on this thread and peek in on all the pictures and trip reviews. Our last trip to the GF was not the best at all.... our first trip was a dream come true trip then the second one kind of stunk. But we all loved the GF so much.... there's a part of me that keeps hearing "pick me!!". I know it's the ONLY one my DH loves....
So, for the next 1 1/2 years, I'm going to drive myself insane overthinking this.... but in the meantime, it's going to be SO much fun to see everyone's pictures!!
Welcome back, and enjoy your planning; good luck on your choice. It's so hard to choose, so many great resorts!
Can't believe I forgot to check in here with you guys after my early June GF stay!
We had an awesome time; I've decided GF is undoubtedly the best hotel at WDW by far. When we checked in, we had booked a Garden View room, but I asked if our room could face the castle. The young man at check-in spent some time looking and upgraded us to a room that I guess you could call a really awesome lagoon view. While you couldn't really see the castle from inside the room, you stepped out on the balcony, turned your head to the left just a tad and had an outstanding, unobstructed view of MK. I got a picture and will try to upload it. It was room 8103 in Boca Chica. I loved that it was on ground floor and you could hear the Main Street entrance loop, stream train, and even MK welcome show from the room. I also faintly saw Celebrate the Magic and got an outstanding view of Wishes from the room. Love that hotel!
In fact, we're trying to get back to the GF for a special birthday in the family in August but of course the night before is all booked up due to some intern convention. I'm holding out hope though and am checking constantly. Hopefully something will open up.
Kudos on your upgrade! Glad you had a magical stay, thanks for the review. Good luck snagging the extra day in August - just keep checking, it may open up as you get closer.
This is our first time staying at GF. YEAH!!!! Always stay at Poly but with all the changes don't want to be in the middle of that. We are arriving in Sat. January 3rd and there till the 10th. Will the Christmas decorations still be up at GF? How about MK and HS. Hoping to catch some before they start to come down.
As others have posted, the decorations are often up through that week, in various stages. I would think at least the 3rd you will see most of them, as the holiday pricing often runs through that date.
I've ask the same questions about when they go up in Nov. so I did read also info. on when they start coming down as well. From what I've read around the 5th of January the take down starts ... I've been at Disneyland during this time and anytime around that first Monday depending on when it falls I'd say your good to see Christmas decorations during your first several days : )
( someone please correct me if I'm mistaken )
Your first stay at GF ... That will be so special and you'll fall on love with the resort for certain
Agreed and agreed.
Hi Blue and welcome back. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip and, of course, the food. I think I plan more around our dining than our actual vacation.
HAHA! Isn't that the truth?!