A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[pas130]

Originally Posted by k&a&c'smom

Welcome home. Glad you and your girls were able to visit the GF and lunch there - love the Cafe! I agree with your DD5, it IS the most prettiest place in the whole World.

It was my first time eating there. It was great and we sat my the window. Dds enjoyed looking out at the flowers...ahhhh the lobby was so beautiful

Originally Posted by Jungle Cruiser

Finally got our Internet back, 3 weeks after Sandy! Catching up on my DIS.

pas sent me some great pictures while she was at the GF. There is something about that Christmas tree that just makes me smile

Did Sandy Cove open? Anyone been in yet? How does it look?

k&a&c'smom , it's good to be back!

I miss the grand SO much already. I'm glad you liked the pics!

[k&a&c'smom]

Originally Posted by VS85

Thanks for the info about the hair dryers! Looks like I will be bringing my own, I absolutely need a diffuser! Glad I will be prepared

Glad to help! I don't blame you, we are picky about our hair in this house, too. Back when they only had the wall-mount dryers we usually brought our own. Still do when we drive, along with all the shoes we could possibly use in a week.

Originally Posted by pas130

It was my first time eating there. It was great and we sat my the window. Dds enjoyed looking out at the flowers...ahhhh the lobby was so beautiful


I miss the grand SO much already. I'm glad you liked the pics!

First time eating at the Cafe?! What did you have? We love breakfast there, have it every trip, but lunch is great, too. DD and I ate there...5 times, I think, this past trip. Two breakfast, two lunch and one dinner. A table by the window is lovely and restful, looking out on the beautiful landscaping.

[jcondrad]

Originally Posted by k&a&c'smom

Sorry, no TPV rooms in SL, Conch Key is in the way. Not sure if any stray fireworks can be seen from the rooms on the very end, but I know we did not see any from our second floor corner room the last time we were in SL.

Welcome!

Thanks for the reply! I figured no good views since all the rooms are standard

[polyfor4]

The Polynesian has always been our favorite but due to no military rate GV rooms being available, are thinking about staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time in May. I've visited the Grand several times and of course think that the grounds are gorgeous. Is comparing the Poly to Grand just completely apples to oranges? I feel like I get a certain nostalgia and "feel" like I'm at Disney when I'm at the Poly. I'm worried that staying at the Grand will just feel like I'm at a nice hotel. Please give me some pixie dust or reassurance that we need to give the Grand a shot

[pas130]

Originally Posted by k&a&c'smom

First time eating at the Cafe?! What did you have? We love breakfast there, have it every trip, but lunch is great, too. DD and I ate there...5 times, I think, this past trip. Two breakfast, two lunch and one dinner. A table by the window is lovely and restful, looking out on the beautiful landscaping.

I had the GF burger. YUM!!! Girls all had the kids meals, which was a bargain they had appy, entree, and dessert!!! They all ate worms in dirt, which was chocolate mousee with gummi worms and topped with chocolate crumbles!!!

Here's a pic of Bree (I love this pic)

[bdklein]

Originally Posted by polyfor4

The Polynesian has always been our favorite but due to no military rate GV rooms being available, are thinking about staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time in May. I've visited the Grand several times and of course think that the grounds are gorgeous. Is comparing the Poly to Grand just completely apples to oranges? I feel like I get a certain nostalgia and "feel" like I'm at Disney when I'm at the Poly. I'm worried that staying at the Grand will just feel like I'm at a nice hotel. Please give me some pixie dust or reassurance that we need to give the Grand a shot

I did feel the same way as you. We booked the GF, but we kept saying Poly (we went with another family who "had" to stay at the GF). On our first day, when we rode on the monorail past the Poly, we kept saying Poly. And when we went to the dinner show at the Poly (which stunk), we kept saying Poly.
But when the week was over, we were really happy at the GF. If you don't stay there, you will never know. It definitely did not feel "stuffy" being a guest there. And we did fell like we got away on a vacation and didn't have Disney in our face, just not with the same foliage.

Keep in mind the construction at each resort. I would work around that.

Either way you are at a nice place. Enjoy. It's not like you are staying in a dumpy motel.

[sydneysmom]

Originally Posted by polyfor4

The Polynesian has always been our favorite but due to no military rate GV rooms being available, are thinking about staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time in May. I've visited the Grand several times and of course think that the grounds are gorgeous. Is comparing the Poly to Grand just completely apples to oranges? I feel like I get a certain nostalgia and "feel" like I'm at Disney when I'm at the Poly. I'm worried that staying at the Grand will just feel like I'm at a nice hotel. Please give me some pixie dust or reassurance that we need to give the Grand a shot

I've never stayed at the Poly, but we stayed at the Grand for the first time in 2010. It spoiled us completely. I honestly cannot say enough great things about the Grand and just how purely magical the CM's make everything during your stay. You won't feel at all like it's "just a nice hotel", you'll be transported to another era where it's just lovely. The CM's are SO friendly and truly go out of their way to make everything so special. The rooms and the views are wonderful. It was my birthday when we went... they upgraded us to a castle view and put in our room a big chocolate Mickey w/ choc covered strawberries, a red rose, a card from the characters and a white chocolate GF postcard. It's hard not to fall in love.... I literally cried our first day when we walked in our room.

I think that comparing the Poly to the Grand are two totally different things. It would be like asking if you vacationed in Hawaii for all these years, would you like London equally as well. It's not going to be the same feeling. While the GF has a more "proper" feeling to it, please don't feel like that translates to "stuffy or snotty", because it doesn't. We took our DD there and she was 4 1/2. Never once did I feel like we were out of place with a child or that it was too stuffy. Quite the opposite. I think that both the Poly and the GF have their great points and if you are willing to try the GF once, just jump in and do it but go in with a fresh mind and not compare it.

When we were figuring out where to stay for our next trip (next June) we went around and around where to stay. Our minds kept sneaking back to the GF. But what if we don't get a discount, what if we don't get a pin.... well, finally we just said, look...we've been saving for 3 years, so lets go back to where we want to go....the Grand. If we get a discount code, great, if we don't, that's fine. But here's the thing... it's alot of money no matter where you stay, so stay where it's going to make your heart feel happy. For us, we don't go every year. We were going to stay at the Poly or CR, but my DH kept saying "are we going to look across the lagoon and wish we were at the Grand?". I knew the answer because the Grand ruined him for anything else.

For us, the Grand is a magical Disney experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Whatever you choose, I hope your trip is wonderful !!

[jojomickey]

My family feels the same way too !
We stayed once at another resort but our hearts are at the Grand!!!!


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!

[itisamymc]

Originally Posted by sydneysmom

I've never stayed at the Poly, but we stayed at the Grand for the first time in 2010. It spoiled us completely. I honestly cannot say enough great things about the Grand and just how purely magical the CM's make everything during your stay. You won't feel at all like it's "just a nice hotel", you'll be transported to another era where it's just lovely. The CM's are SO friendly and truly go out of their way to make everything so special. The rooms and the views are wonderful. It was my birthday when we went... they upgraded us to a castle view and put in our room a big chocolate Mickey w/ choc covered strawberries, a red rose, a card from the characters and a white chocolate GF postcard. It's hard not to fall in love.... I literally cried our first day when we walked in our room.

I think that comparing the Poly to the Grand are two totally different things. It would be like asking if you vacationed in Hawaii for all these years, would you like London equally as well. It's not going to be the same feeling. While the GF has a more "proper" feeling to it, please don't feel like that translates to "stuffy or snotty", because it doesn't. We took our DD there and she was 4 1/2. Never once did I feel like we were out of place with a child or that it was too stuffy. Quite the opposite. I think that both the Poly and the GF have their great points and if you are willing to try the GF once, just jump in and do it but go in with a fresh mind and not compare it.

When we were figuring out where to stay for our next trip (next June) we went around and around where to stay. Our minds kept sneaking back to the GF. But what if we don't get a discount, what if we don't get a pin.... well, finally we just said, look...we've been saving for 3 years, so lets go back to where we want to go....the Grand. If we get a discount code, great, if we don't, that's fine. But here's the thing... it's alot of money no matter where you stay, so stay where it's going to make your heart feel happy. For us, we don't go every year. We were going to stay at the Poly or CR, but my DH kept saying "are we going to look across the lagoon and wish we were at the Grand?". I knew the answer because the Grand ruined him for anything else.

For us, the Grand is a magical Disney experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Whatever you choose, I hope your trip is wonderful !!

Do all rooms get chocolate covered strawberries, a rose, card, etc or was that concierge level?

[jojomickey]

We have been to the grand staying TPV the last few times. This time we are staying lagoon view.Does anyone know what are the better buildings with lagoon view that maybe we could see the castle just a little bit? We have stayed in the conch Key and Sago before with TPV. Thanks

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally Posted by jojomickey

We have been to the grand staying TPV the last few times. This time we are staying lagoon view.Does anyone know what are the better buildings with lagoon view that maybe we could see the castle just a little bit? We have stayed in the conch Key and Sago before with TPV. Thanks

You'll most likely be in Big Pine Key facing the Wedding Pavilion and Polynesian. I did have the view before the villa construction began, but we actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It is a very relaxing, gorgeous view. We were on the second floor and it seemed like we were close to the water, I liked seeing the boats on their way to the Polynesian.

As to if some of them have a partial castle view, I don't know. We haven't been able to confirm where exactly the lagoon vs TPV rooms are, as I and some other posters have had rooms that we believe should be lagoon but we've paid for TPV with them. My best guess is still that lagoon would only be south facing in Big Pine Key, the rest of the lagoon facing rooms would be TPV. Your mileage may vary, of course.

[cgulls]

here are some photos (from wdwmagic) of the newly reopened Sandy Cove. It looks as though they have a pretty cool selection of GF garb.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/san...urbishment.htm

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally Posted by cgulls

here are some photos (from wdwmagic) of the newly reopened Sandy Cove. It looks as though they have a pretty cool selection of GF garb.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/san...urbishment.htm

Wow, Sandy Cove looks great! I really like that brown t-shirt and the blue track jacket, I'll have to make sure I get them next year.

[jojomickey]

Thank you CaliforniaDreaming for your help I guess we will have to see when we get there I think one year we were in the conch key building facing the little boats you rent when we had lagoon view if I'm not mistaken I just don't remember

[MommyGina]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It is nice to see that Sandy Cove has Grand Floridian specific merchandise. Can't wait until I get there to buy a new T-shirt. To me, this has the look of what Gasparilla looked like, just a bit.