A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[sydneysmom]

Wow!! What a change in Gasparillas! It looks so big! I have to admit, I'm glad the games are separated...maybe it will cut the noise. I wonder if they've added any new eats to the menu?

[andyman8]

Gasparilla Island Grill (better get used to calling it by its new name) looks great!

With WDW releasing the April - June hotel discounts, we think we're booking a 5 night June trip Saturday. Hoping most of the construction walls will be down by June even though DVC opens in late 2013. Wife and I are going to review 2013 budget on Saturday, as I go back to work tomorrow. Excited!

[k&a&c'smom]

sydneysmom - doesn't it look great?! I think the seating looks more comfortable than the old chairs, and I agree about the noise of the arcade.

I think Tam1067 posted earlier that the menu is essentially the same, with a few new items.

andyman8 - since many people had a hard time with the old name, good luck getting everyone to change.

Very exciting about the possibility of a June trip - congrats!

[sydneysmom]

Originally Posted by k&a&c'smom

sydneysmom - doesn't it look great?! I think the seating looks more comfortable than the old chairs, and I agree about the noise of the arcade.

I think Tam1067 posted earlier that the menu is essentially the same, with a few new items.

andyman8 - since many people had a hard time with the old name, good luck getting everyone to change.

Very exciting about the possibility of a June trip - congrats!

I have to say, I LOVE the colors too!! It's kind of "spa-looking". I can't wait to see it in person!

[BCV23]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDreaming

cgulls, here is an article about the new site: http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/walt-disney-world-resorts-information/news/15dec2012-new-official-walt-disney-world-website-roll-out-begins-including-'my-disney-experience'.htm It notes that it isn't yet available to all users.

Also, here are WDW Magic's lastest construction pictures of the villas: http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/disneys-grand-floridian-dvc/news/17dec2012-photos---disney's-grand-floridian-resort-dvc-wing-construction-update.htm We might be able to see the overall roofline around the beginning of the year.

Thank you for the updates. I read this when you posted but the holidays were so busy. Appreciate you taking the time to post the links, Cali-D.

Originally Posted by andyman8

Gasparilla Island Grill (better get used to calling it by its new name) looks great!

With WDW releasing the April - June hotel discounts, we think we're booking a 5 night June trip Saturday. Hoping most of the construction walls will be down by June even though DVC opens in late 2013. Wife and I are going to review 2013 budget on Saturday, as I go back to work tomorrow. Excited!

Happy planning for June.

I like the new name. Fits with the names of the outer buildings. However, I don't think I will be spelling it out every time. GIG is more likely for me.

Originally Posted by Gareth& Hayley

I posted pictures via a link a few pages back.

The games are still there but now right at the back - think they had a kids club there or something in the past. But basically all where it used to be games is now seating.

Our last day today but for the first time in two weeks they are working on the courtyard pool!

Hope you had a truly Grand vacation.

johnsonet, Thanks for the photos and thank you to k&a&c'smom for posting them. Love the tribute to JungleCruiser in your signature.

[k&a&c'smom]

BCV23 - The little Jiminy Cricket always makes me think of Sarah.

Thanks for reposting those links, and thanks to Cali-D for posting them - I need to catch up!

LOL about GIG.

Originally Posted by sydneysmom

I have to say, I LOVE the colors too!! It's kind of "spa-looking". I can't wait to see it in person!

Me, too!

[Butterflygirl35]

It looks great.. I cant wait to see all the improvements when we go in August!!

Hoping we will have a beach again by then.. No more walls!!!

[TiggerAllie]

Is the gingerbread house still up at GF? We are on the parks now, and I'd like to go over and see it if it is. TIA!

[Luvamouse]

So we moved over from Port Orleans Riverside after a once night stay on January 1. We arrived around 9:30, getting a bit later start than I hoped (that always seems to happen with my late night crew...) While I had been upgraded at POR (online-check-in)-- but to mansions which I did not want, we politely declined for the one night-- my start at GF wasn't as good. I had paid for lagoon view, but my assigned room (not online check-in) was garden view. Technically marina view- there was an OK view to the side of the lagoon, through lots of trees. The CM checking me in was a little surprised since they did give me a high floor as requested, as well as building 7 as requested (7 or 8). Those being only requests, I wouldn't have been surprised not to get, but the paid category? Sigh. Using the photos that are in the check-in system, the CM showed me a room in Big Pine Key that you could see the Poly from, but NOT the DVC. At that time I mentioned that a daybed was important, more so than floor. She indicated it on the far end of the building away from the DVC. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the pictures are rather old. We had bell services bring us to room 9405 and... it was a dormer room. My husband is a balcony sitter. It was the second room from the DVC end. The noise? Well, if anyone else here said it was really noisy in the daytime, I bet I didn't believe them. It was so noisy my husband couldn't talk to me on the phone from the balcony. So we left all the luggage, tipped the bellman and told him it was all good, then I promptly headed back down to the lobby.

I am not a complainer. I tend to seek people out to compliment them since I know people tend to complain much more than compliment. But even with 35% off, this just wasn't going to do. Very long story short: CM (Tori) lovely, called room assignment. On hold forever, went in the back, came back and called again. Full 10 minutes hold, spots particular CM who could help. Full 20 minutes she is down with him. Only thing they can do is further down in Big Pine Key- all booked. I apologize for 20th time, tell him it won't work. The category I paid for was NOT given to me. I'd even downgrade to garden view like the first room I saw on screen. Send me to Poly that I know. Booked solid. With my request to go garden, he finds a room with monorail and marina view. Says he guarantees I will like it. 2 Q and Daybed. I promise him it will be fine, just no DVC. Before I make it back to the room, my girls text me from the new room to let me know that if you lean on the railing, you can see the castle. Room 7409. Conch Key. And yes, I did go back down later to thank him very much. He said I made his day. Well, he made mine, even if it did take a while.

Regular stuff now:

Gasparilla's- It is beautiful. The new upholstery is perfect for the setting. I like no touch screens and that they deliver items to your table rather than beeper style Poly had. Maybe that's what it always was. I like it. All food has been excellent so far. I do find that the coolers are very poorly stocked, regardless of the time of day. Maybe they aren't running on full steam yet? Love that coffee is brewed, not Nescrap-e. I feel that there are a few things missing from old menu, but only from viewing it online. Maybe that was an old menu. Make-Your-Own-Salad just like Port Orleans. Love.

Pool- Courtyard Pool closed but the walls that are up are truly subtle. Slide pool and splash area nice. Tons of warm towels.

Rooms- We were spoiled by Tahiti. Biggest standard rooms on property. The rooms here are so light compared to the Poly. The robes, the turndown (oh I love that tiny perk!), the USA today in the lobby of each building, the staff has all gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful. I love the separate shower/toilet from the sinks, but I wish there was at least a curtain to close off the sink area for changing. I love the openness of the buildings.

Why am I sitting typing this at 12:20?? Shouldn't I be in the park? My DD12 woke this morning with a fever of 101. DD 18 and I left the room to go grab breakfast, and the housekeeper spoke to me from across the "balcony" to ask if we'd like the room made up right then. I thanked her but said my youngest wasn't feeling well. She told me to come find her as soon as I would like it done, she would be on the floor for the day. Then she said, "Wait a minute, I make something for her" and trotted right off to her housekeeping cart where she got an adorable towel duck, telling me it was for Meg. My daughter just woke, and we will be heading out to Gasparilla's for a drink in a little but at which time she will do the room. She's asked me if I need anything special, anything changed (just fresh sheets for daybed), truly just a lovely lady. I can't say enough about the interactions here from housekeeping to valet, to bell hops to check in to concierge. Above and beyond what I expected.

Thanks to everyone who gave me tips and suggestions. It has been appreciated.

[Tam1067]

Originally Posted by TiggerAllie

Is the gingerbread house still up at GF? We are on the parks now, and I'd like to go over and see it if it is. TIA!

No. The gingerbread house and tree are both down.

[Luvamouse]

Originally Posted by Tam1067

No. The gingerbread house and tree are both down.

I was so sad to see these down when we came in the morning of January 2! The lady in concierge told me they were surprised also, that they expected to see them up until the weekend. Oh well, I'll have to do this again-- but at Thanksgiving to get it a little slower.

[glovergirls]

To the lady who is there now could you please ask what date they are guessing for the pool. I know they are saying March now but it's going to come right down to the day for us so I am keeping my fingers crossed . Thanks very very much!!!!

[psac]

Thanks luvamouse for the very detailed post and review!! Glad your room worked out in the end. Hope your daughter feels better soon!!!

[dreamcruiser]

Luvamouse, I also appreciated your detailed comments on CM interaction. Thank goodness you were taken care of in the end!
And wow! does Gasparailla's look great!!

[WDWKOOK]

Originally Posted by Luvamouse

So we moved over from Port Orleans Riverside after a once night stay on January 1. We arrived around 9:30, getting a bit later start than I hoped (that always seems to happen with my late night crew...) While I had been upgraded at POR (online-check-in)-- but to mansions which I did not want, we politely declined for the one night-- my start at GF wasn't as good. I had paid for lagoon view, but my assigned room (not online check-in) was garden view. Technically marina view- there was an OK view to the side of the lagoon, through lots of trees. The CM checking me in was a little surprised since they did give me a high floor as requested, as well as building 7 as requested (7 or 8). Those being only requests, I wouldn't have been surprised not to get, but the paid category? Sigh. Using the photos that are in the check-in system, the CM showed me a room in Big Pine Key that you could see the Poly from, but NOT the DVC. At that time I mentioned that a daybed was important, more so than floor. She indicated it on the far end of the building away from the DVC. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the pictures are rather old. We had bell services bring us to room 9405 and... it was a dormer room. My husband is a balcony sitter. It was the second room from the DVC end. The noise? Well, if anyone else here said it was really noisy in the daytime, I bet I didn't believe them. It was so noisy my husband couldn't talk to me on the phone from the balcony. So we left all the luggage, tipped the bellman and told him it was all good, then I promptly headed back down to the lobby.

I am not a complainer. I tend to seek people out to compliment them since I know people tend to complain much more than compliment. But even with 35% off, this just wasn't going to do. Very long story short: CM (Tori) lovely, called room assignment. On hold forever, went in the back, came back and called again. Full 10 minutes hold, spots particular CM who could help. Full 20 minutes she is down with him. Only thing they can do is further down in Big Pine Key- all booked. I apologize for 20th time, tell him it won't work. The category I paid for was NOT given to me. I'd even downgrade to garden view like the first room I saw on screen. Send me to Poly that I know. Booked solid. With my request to go garden, he finds a room with monorail and marina view. Says he guarantees I will like it. 2 Q and Daybed. I promise him it will be fine, just no DVC. Before I make it back to the room, my girls text me from the new room to let me know that if you lean on the railing, you can see the castle. Room 7409. Conch Key. And yes, I did go back down later to thank him very much. He said I made his day. Well, he made mine, even if it did take a while.

Regular stuff now:

Gasparilla's- It is beautiful. The new upholstery is perfect for the setting. I like no touch screens and that they deliver items to your table rather than beeper style Poly had. Maybe that's what it always was. I like it. All food has been excellent so far. I do find that the coolers are very poorly stocked, regardless of the time of day. Maybe they aren't running on full steam yet? Love that coffee is brewed, not Nescrap-e. I feel that there are a few things missing from old menu, but only from viewing it online. Maybe that was an old menu. Make-Your-Own-Salad just like Port Orleans. Love.

Pool- Courtyard Pool closed but the walls that are up are truly subtle. Slide pool and splash area nice. Tons of warm towels.

Rooms- We were spoiled by Tahiti. Biggest standard rooms on property. The rooms here are so light compared to the Poly. The robes, the turndown (oh I love that tiny perk!), the USA today in the lobby of each building, the staff has all gone out of their way to be friendly and helpful. I love the separate shower/toilet from the sinks, but I wish there was at least a curtain to close off the sink area for changing. I love the openness of the buildings.

Why am I sitting typing this at 12:20?? Shouldn't I be in the park? My DD12 woke this morning with a fever of 101. DD 18 and I left the room to go grab breakfast, and the housekeeper spoke to me from across the "balcony" to ask if we'd like the room made up right then. I thanked her but said my youngest wasn't feeling well. She told me to come find her as soon as I would like it done, she would be on the floor for the day. Then she said, "Wait a minute, I make something for her" and trotted right off to her housekeeping cart where she got an adorable towel duck, telling me it was for Meg. My daughter just woke, and we will be heading out to Gasparilla's for a drink in a little but at which time she will do the room. She's asked me if I need anything special, anything changed (just fresh sheets for daybed), truly just a lovely lady. I can't say enough about the interactions here from housekeeping to valet, to bell hops to check in to concierge. Above and beyond what I expected.

Thanks to everyone who gave me tips and suggestions. It has been appreciated.

I just LUV a detailed live TR, Luv! Thank you for taking time out of your day to fill us all in. I know we all love a happy ending, so so far, it's looking much better than 1-2-13. Are the crowds really low or are there still many families whose kids are still out of school? School was back in session here in NoVA Tuesday. Is your DD feeling better? Hope everyone else is well.