2014 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ: Vacationing in Grand Style!

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:hug:

Mickeynut, pixarmom, SueM, Trish and all my Grand Groupies I am unintentionally leaving out :grouphug:

Hi pas :wave2:. Good to "see" you back. Hope things are going well :).

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.

You are going to love the GF. The Poly is our favorite resort, but the GF runs a very close second for me as everything about it is wonderful :goodvibes.

Count us in as more displaced Poly guests. We were going to do Poly for DH's 40th in August, but after seeing the most recent posts about the pool closure and not being able to get from one side of the resort to the other, we decided to switch to GF for the first time.

Looking at the pictures in this thread is convincing me we made the right choice, especially the updated room décor. I was always afraid it would seem too old-fashioned, but the new bedding looks great.

We'll be there Aug 29-Sept 2. Can't wait!

I think you made a good choice as the GF (IMO) is a great alternative to the Poly ::yes::.

:hug: 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.

Good to "see" you back. Glad things are settling down a little for you :flower3:.

Good (almost) Afternoon :wave2:

It's a little soggy here again, hope it dries out soon. Last week it was soooooooo humid UGH.

:wave2:

Thank you.. thank you friends... for the warm welcome back!!! :goodvibes :grouphug: :goodvibes

~ The GF....:lovestruc 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...:flower2::flower2::flower2: 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!! :thumbsup2 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....:confused3

~The food...lol...I know that many of you are all about the food too!!! :goodvibes 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!! ::yes::

Welcome back. Glad you had another amazing GF stay :wizard:.

Hi! We are staying at the GF for the first time in September. We have an outer building, theme park view. I have never really requested a room, except at POR where I like the mansions and not alligator bayou. Is it recommended that I request a certain building or just let it be a surprise? Just me and the DH will be going.

Like k&a&c'smom said, requesting a particular building is a personal decision, but it is nice to have that option if there is a certain location you would like to be in. With that said, if you do make requests and are assigned a room that doesn't meet those requests, you can always ask if there is another room available. Disney can't guarantee anything, but they will try their best to accommodate you :).

I have been reading through all the pages on tips for the GF. It is very overwhelming. I am planning to book a garden view room. What building do you suggest would be great to stay in. I have only been to the GF for dinner so I do not know the resort very well. We do enjoy hanging at the pool and being close to activities. I don't believe the resort is as spread out as the POLY. Am I correct?

You are correct that the GF isn't as spread out as it might seem (but I also don't think the Poly is all that spread out), so none of the outer buildings are too far from the main areas, IMO. With that said, my two favorite buildings for GV are Big Pine Key and Boca Chica. Both have pretty views of the courtyard pool and are very convenient to the main building, the beach pool, and Gasparillas :goodvibes.
 
Good Afternoon :wave2: The sun has finally shown itself.....Don't know if any of you you remember the NASTY hailstorm that the south eastern part of PA had a few weeks ago, but one of the casualties was aunt & uncles car so they finally got a new one and we took my aunt to pick it up this morning, stank having to share a car with them for the last 2.5 weeks.
Hey, ahcupcake!! :wave2: Any trips on the horizon for you and your mom??
Sadly no:sad1::sad: Nothing booked but when we decide to go I'll be calling my magical pixiedust: TA, who I think you might know

I am not sure where to start....:upsidedow Maybe do a mini TR ..in segments...

~ The GF....:lovestruc 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 foliage...:flower2::flower2::flower2: As in our last stay..while there are turn down 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!! :thumbsup2 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....:confused3

~The food...lol...I know that many of you are all about the food too!!! :goodvibes 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!! ::yes::

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday!! Which btw is Friday the 13!! :earsgirl: preppy GF gal who is happy that she booked a BB!! :yay:
Thanks for the mini TR Blue, how can you have the chocolates without the cards?

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!
Hi congrats on you upcoming first stay at the GF! It's best not to give specific room numbers but a range of numbers. OK my Unofficial Guide for WDW and for Conch rooms with full balconies that have MK views are 7228 to 7231, 7328 to 7331 and 7425 to 7431( they explain in the book that the first # is the building, second # is floor & last2 digits is the actual room #) So if you would request any room in those ranges you should be good. Sago also has some good lagoon & castle view rooms( 5139,5144, 5145,5242 to 5245, 5342 to 5345)....Call your TA and have her note your requests on your reservation, your TA owns your reservation until you check in so s/he is the only person that can make any adjustments and/or requests( I know that's kind of stinky)



Thanks!:hug: 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.
Glad everything & everyone is ok...I know what you mean about insurance co, my aunt has been dealing with one for damage their car received a few weeks back and she said it has been stressful on top of trying to move back to PA from NYC and care for my uncle who is suffering from dementia so I think she has a few more grays


Any stories of pixie dust experiences at GF... Love to read about those magical moments : )

Here's ours from GF:

We were upgraded from a garden view standard room to SL club ... An incredible surprise
My twin grandsons each received a small red wagon filled with Mickey goodies ect. Balloons and a small birthday cake for each of them for their 5th birthday ... So so surprised!

We had our shopping purchases sent from DDT to the Grand and it never arrived. We called front desk and they checked for us and it seems it was lost. The concierge called us and came and got our receipt for our purchases ... She drove to DDT and got everything for us we had bought and added some extra special treats and figurines for the two boys. Yep she drove to DDT and back to make sure we had everything, amazing!

We booked a lagoon view and our room was in conch key dormer room with a theme park view as well ... So fun!
Congrats on you pixie dust pixiedust: My mom & I have dusted a few times, the first time we had a deluxe king room in the main building (RPC CL) and we were upgraded to the Grand Suite #4001( video I shot is on the first page of this thread...if you have a pinterest page I can PM you the link to page so you can see some still shots of the suite) and the second time we had just a standard RPC room book and we were upgraded to the Walt Disney Suite #4411( I'm still looking for pics to send to k&a&c'smom so she can post them). I also had one at the CR but that was because the we were going to put us in a lake view when I know I booked an MK view, they put us in a very nice suite on the 14th floor. I'd stay at the CR again but not with an MK view, don't like hearing all the car alarms going off when watching Wishes.
 
Good Afternoon :wave2: The sun has finally shown itself.....Don't know if any of you you remember the NASTY hailstorm that the south eastern part of PA had a few weeks ago, but one of the casualties was aunt & uncles car so they finally got a new one and we took my aunt to pick it up this morning, stank having to share a car with them for the last 2.5 weeks.

Sorry about your aunt & uncle's car, but glad everything got settled and they were able to get a new one :).

Hi mickeynut :wave2:
I see you posted while I was writing my novel:lmao:;):rolleyes1. Hope evrything is well with you in your part of the US

Yes, we were posting at the same time :laughing:. Things here are good, thanks. We had some rain at the beginning of the week, but the last few days have been sunny and cool with temps in the mid 70s :sunny:.
 


Some of the information I've seen around (including in this thread) regarding the reduced monorail hours is incorrect.

These are the official hours as of now for June 22 and beyond.

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 8:30am to midnight
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 9:30am to 11:30pm
Epcot beam - 9am to 11pm

An enddate has still not even been nailed down internally but they're hoping to be done around early September (think like the first week).

Thank you for the correction. :) I guess the DIS got them mixed up. I thought that it would be weird that the resort line would be an hour later than the express. Now I can relax.:goodvibes

ETA I read here on the DIS info and on another website that the resort monorail was at 9:30. Only one website that I saw says 8:30. I'm hoping this is correct. It would make more sense.
 
Good to "see" you back. Glad things are settling down a little for you :flower3:.

:hug: Me, too, I prefer a more boring life.;) I did get a nice visit with 2 of my kids during that time, so that's a plus.


....
Glad everything & everyone is ok...I know what you mean about insurance co, my aunt has been dealing with one for damage their car received a few weeks back and she said it has been stressful on top of trying to move back to PA from NYC and care for my uncle who is suffering from dementia so I think she has a few more grays



Congrats on you pixie dust pixiedust: My mom & I have dusted a few times, the first time we had a deluxe king room in the main building (RPC CL) and we were upgraded to the Grand Suite #4001( video I shot is on the first page of this thread...if you have a pinterest page I can PM you the link to page so you can see some still shots of the suite) and the second time we had just a standard RPC room book and we were upgraded to the Walt Disney Suite #4411( I'm still looking for pics to send to k&a&c'smom so she can post them). I also had one at the CR but that was because the we were going to put us in a lake view when I know I booked an MK view, they put us in a very nice suite on the 14th floor. I'd stay at the CR again but not with an MK view, don't like hearing all the car alarms going off when watching Wishes.

Thanks about DD.:flower3: Sorry to hear about your aunt & uncle's car, it must have been hard to deal with all that when moving. Glad they finally have a new car. Sorry, too, about your uncle - so hard when a loved one struggles with memory loss.:hug:

You certainly have been pixie dusted!:cloud9: I'll try to get those photos posted soon.

These are the official hours as of now for June 22 and beyond.

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 8:30am to midnight
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 9:30am to 11:30pm
Epcot beam - 9am to 11pm

Thank you for the correction. :) I guess the DIS got them mixed up. I thought that it would be weird that the resort line would be an hour later than the express. Now I can relax.:goodvibes

ETA I read here on the DIS info and on another website that the resort monorail was at 9:30. Only one website that I saw says 8:30. I'm hoping this is correct. It would make more sense.

I agree, the 8:30 am beginning for the resort monorail makes more sense. It would make getting to Epcot by rope drop easier, at least. I'll keep my fingers crossed this is the case for everyone going over the summer.:thumbsup2
 


HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the dads :)

:hug: Me, too, I prefer a more boring life.;) I did get a nice visit with 2 of my kids during that time, so that's a plus.

I agree......life is somewhat easier when things are a little boring :laughing:. How nice that you had some time with 2 of your kids....I'm sure it was nice having them home :goodvibes.
 
Hi everyone! I know this was asked a few pages back, but I can't find if it was ever answered....Are the mattresses new with the refurb? Thanks!
 
Some of the information I've seen around (including in this thread) regarding the reduced monorail hours is incorrect.

These are the official hours as of now for June 22 and beyond.

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 8:30am to midnight
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 9:30am to 11:30pm
Epcot beam - 9am to 11pm

An enddate has still not even been nailed down internally but they're hoping to be done around early September (think like the first week).

I have a weird question...... so let's say you have an 8 am breakfast ADR at Cinderella's Castle or Crystal Palace.... will you have to take the boat now to make that ADR? (are the boats going to be running that early so people can make the early ADR's?) We obviously have a long ways to go before it effects us, but I'm just more curious than anything.....:confused:

Also, if MK is EMH, I'm assuming this means that the monorail won't be running and we'd have to take the boat back to GF ?
 
The hours have been on multiple sites, including one that took it from the Hub. The end date comes from a friend working with the reduced hours. My guess is upper Disney management has a bit of a clearer idea than "early September" but I don't have access to anyone at that level familiar with this specific situation.

In terms of reasoning behind the closures, they're automating the monorails (don't worry there will still be CMs inside the driver's station.

Until early Sept?? :faint: : :sad: just great. So basically no morning monorail for my entire 2 weeks. Ugh.
Pool closures monorail closures all during summer :confused3 I don't get it.
 
Checked into GF this afternoon. We booked GV and gentleman that walked us to check in desk sad "I'm sorry to report you've been upgraded to a lagoon view room" !!! So awesome - love having a little magic to start the vacation! We have ground floor room facing the Poly/wedding. Pavilion/villas and beach! Love the large patio also!!
 
Checked into GF this afternoon. We booked GV and gentleman that walked us to check in desk sad "I'm sorry to report you've been upgraded to a lagoon view room" !!! So awesome - love having a little magic to start the vacation! We have ground floor room facing the Poly/wedding. Pavilion/villas and beach! Love the large patio also!!

Wow fabulous!! So nice to get so me pixie dust on your first day and I love the lagoon view : ) have a magical trip and keep us updated on the fun at Floridian as you have time
 
Checked into GF this afternoon. We booked GV and gentleman that walked us to check in desk sad "I'm sorry to report you've been upgraded to a lagoon view room" !!! So awesome - love having a little magic to start the vacation! We have ground floor room facing the Poly/wedding. Pavilion/villas and beach! Love the large patio also!!

How exciting!!! What an amazing way to start your vacation! :goodvibes
 
I was just reading about the pool cabanas on another thread,
http://www.easywdw.com/forums/showthread.php?11897-Polynesian-Cabana-review
(this one was at the Poly, but I'm assuming they're all similar)
and the poster mentioned that tips were not allowed.
Can anyone who's used one recently confirm this?
I just assumed a tip would be expected?

Seems to me I remember us tipping several years ago, but the policy may have changed. If the "cabana boy" waits on you (brings drinks, etc), why shouldn't we be allowed to tip him? :confused3
 
Any stories of pixie dust experiences at GF... Love to read about those magical moments : )

Here's ours from GF:

We were upgraded from a garden view standard room to SL club ... An incredible surprise
My twin grandsons each received a small red wagon filled with Mickey goodies ect. Balloons and a small birthday cake for each of them for their 5th birthday ... So so surprised!

We had our shopping purchases sent from DDT to the Grand and it never arrived. We called front desk and they checked for us and it seems it was lost. The concierge called us and came and got our receipt for our purchases ... She drove to DDT and got everything for us we had bought and added some extra special treats and figurines for the two boys. Yep she drove to DDT and back to make sure we had everything, amazing!

We booked a lagoon view and our room was in conch key dormer room with a theme park view as well ... So fun!

That's the nicest thing I have ever heard. How sweet of her. :goodvibes
 
Seems to me I remember us tipping several years ago, but the policy may have changed. If the "cabana boy" waits on you (brings drinks, etc), why shouldn't we be allowed to tip him? :confused3

We rented a cabana last Summer at the Polynesisan. We also ended up renting a cabana another day at the Grand because of one being destroyed during a storm at the Poly. We tried to tip both attendants at both resorts and neither would accept it. They both told us it was not allowed. I agree; I felt awkward not tipping when they took care of so much for us. They brought extra towels, kept the fridge stocked, etc. But they said they couldn't accept it and we tried very hard to give them money! :confused3

On another note...we are VERY excited to check in on Wednesday for our first stay the Grand!!! We are Poly converts due to the construction and we are so excited!! :banana: Thank you to everyone who provides information on this board, it's so helpful!! :thumbsup2
 
Thank you grannyminnie & addiesmom for the info re: cabana tipping.
I'm going to offer the tip on the off chance they can take it. I would feel like a real cheapskate if I didn't at least offer; and I'll feel a whole lot better if they're able to take it.::yes::
 
Thank you grannyminnie & addiesmom for the info re: cabana tipping.
I'm going to offer the tip on the off chance they can take it. I would feel like a real cheapskate if I didn't at least offer; and I'll feel a whole lot better if they're able to take it.::yes::

We have rented cabanas in the past at the Poly (the last time was fall 2012) and every time the attendant has accepted our tip. As grannyminnie said maybe the policy has changed? But we have definitely tipped in the past. :confused3 I agree with your approach, it can't hurt to offer the tip the worst that can happen is they will politely decline.
 
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