Welcome back! Hope everything is/was ok
Thanks!
Yes, everything is OK. DD was in a car wreck a couple months ago, which has taken up a lot of our time trying to get the other insurance to do the right thing. But she wasn't seriously hurt, thank goodness, and finally has her car back.
Popping in to say hello
I finally got a moment to catch up on the thread...been so busy at work these days (this is my busiest time of year). Unfortunately for me, I won't get a break now till the end of July and in the midst of work insanity, I have both girls celebrating birthdays soon with one Sweet 16 birthday bash to finish planning and get thru . Oh, and did I mention that even though my DD's are 4 years apart, their actual birthdays are only 3 days apart...yeah, that was some poor planning on my part.
I've enjoyed reading about everyone's recent trips and all those who are excited about their upcoming stays. I, for one, CANNOT wait for our first stay at the Grand... August won't come fast enough!!!
August will be here before you know it.
LOL about the poor planning in regards to your DDs birthdays - my boys' b'days are 2 days apart, and my DD's is just 2 weeks from theirs. Silly me.
Hi Everyone! I am new to the DIS but not to Disney. My family of three will be at GF in Late September. I am so excited!!! Has anyone ever ordered the Tiara in their room for their arrival? If anyone has, do you have an image of it?!
Much appreciated
I have not, do you mean from the Disney Florist? If so, I'm sure there is a photo on the website.
....
I am not sure where to start.... Maybe do a mini TR ..in segments...
~ The GF....
Our stay was just wonderful... the resort after so many renovations over the last few years is looking lovely...and spring and summer have sprung..lots of beautiful folliage...
As in our last stay..while there are turndown chocolates..there are no longer those turn down cards with the little sayings on them...so I am thinking they are gone for good...
~SL renovation is in full swing...not that I could see anything other than the construction walls...lol... I did hear similar to what
grannieminnie has heard with regards to what is going on with the lounge refurbs..it is not being made larger..rather being re arranged....and from what I understand should have a look color wise similar to Gasparilla's!! To me that is good news..as Gaspies has that same blue and green palette that is on the walls in the pool elevator lobby...I only hope this is accurate info....
~The food...lol...I know that many of you are all about the food too!!! But...I have a lot of errands to run..and need to look through my photos to give some specifics....so...I will be back later or tomorrow to fill you in!!
Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday!! Which btw is Friday the 13!!
preppy GF gal who is happy that she booked a BB!!
Thanks for the update, hope you are starting to feel more relaxed after your travels.
I'm so sad about the turn down cards, boohoo. Good news about the SL lounge colors, hope that is the case. I'm not a fan of the photos of the outer lobbies.~shudder~
Hello! New here!
We're doing a switch from Contemporary (which would have been our first time, we've always stayed at the WL) to the Grand (need a room for 5). I've been very behind in planning his trip for some reason and I'm 5 days out!
My
travel agent made all the specific room requests I have (Conch, upper floor), but I just want to make sure she did it. Is there a specific # I call. I just tried call Disney and they tell me to call her...do I call the Grand itself? and I've seen some people know what building then are going to be in before they go? Am I reading that correctly? How did you do that??
I'm very overwhelmed with this trip! We've always stayed at the WL and I'm not big on change and we usually go at the end of summer -- I teach, so I usually have more time to get things under control!! Freaking out!!
And I have friends texting me that we'll never get on the Seven Dwarfs ride! AGH!
Welcome!
Sorry to say, you won't be able to call Disney directly for info on your reservation. The TA "owns" your reservation, so all communications have to go through them, unfortunately, which is why they are telling you to call her. Maybe she can give you a copy of the reservation with the requests added?
Some people see building options when they do online check in, I assume that is why they say they know in advance. No one knows for sure until check in, even if they do make a choice of building during online check in. Many situations can change room assignment right up to the moment you receive your room keys. Maintenance issues, previous guests decide to stay longer, etc.
Take a deep breath and try not to stress too much.
I'm sure you will have a great trip, even though you haven't been able to plan as much as you are used to doing. Maybe you'll find the lack of planning each day leads to some new discoveries. My suggestion for any park in the summer, but especially the MK, is try to get there at park opening and go straight to the new ride. I'm sure you know this already, but hearing it from others may help you remember it is never impossible.
Have you done any of the FP+ stuff? I can't help much with that, as we haven't experienced it yet, but I'm sure others can give suggestions.
Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask questions. We're here to help.
I have about a month until our first GF SL stay!!!!!
I noticed the monorail summer schedule plans - does anyone know what time the boat will start operating in the mornings? I just want to make sure I allow plenty of time to reach RD. An estimate to MK via boat?
Also, is the bus stop area for park buses going to be near where ME drops us off when we arrive? I just want to get a lay of the land!
Thanks!!! We are so excited for our first (but I'm sure not last) stay at the Grand!
Very excited for your first GF stay!
The park bus stop IS quite near where the ME bus drops off. You will exit the ME bus in front of the resort portico - if you look to the left, you will see a white railing and covered area with benches. This is the park bus stop. There are photos on the first page, I think, but if I didn't transfer them they are on the previous FAQ thread. I'll post a link here in a bit so you can see it.
We are 11 days away from our first GF stay. I was booked at POFQ, but then decided that my 86 yr old Gram deserved something special for her first trip and I switched to the Grand. The driving force behind this change was the monorail because she gets car sick and I thought the buses would be too much for her. Now we find out we won't be able to take the monorail to either rope drop at either MK or EP.......not happy
I know they have closed it down midday before, and I understand that...but Rope Drop??? What are they thinking??
I guess if you are trying to find a positive spin on this, maybe RD crowds won't be as bad with the monorail not running. Epcot opens at 9. The monorail starts running at 9. So if we can catch a bus, or taxi before that, we will be ahead of the people who don't know about the monorail. Fingers are crossed
I was very upset yesterday when I saw this news on FB. But after stewing about it all day...and tossing and turning all night....I just keep repeating my mantra "this will NOT ruin our trip" "this will NOT ruin our trip" "this will NOT ruin our trip". We are still staying at the gorgeous Grand Floridian for the first time ever. It is still my grandmother's first and probably last trip. I will make sure she has a magical vacation! We will figure out RD without a monorail....somehow.
So sorry about the monorail change. Very frustrating, I agree. You are right, this will not ruin your trip, but you have every right to feel frustrated.
I'm sure the resort will have a plan in place to get everyone to the parks at RD. Ask at check in. Enjoy the trip with your grandmother, how wonderful you will be able to take her for her first WDW trip.
What monorail schedule? Where do I find it? And it doesn't sound good.
ETA Found the schedule and I guess we'll be taking the boat most mornings to MK.
Epcot Monorail: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Resort Monorail: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Express Monorail: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m
Thanks for the info. Do you know when this starts? Maybe that has been posted and I missed it.