A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Butterflygirl35]

Okay.. now back to reality....

The splash area looks really nice and is almost complete.. They were testing it when we were there. It will open in mid-September when the Pool grill opens up.. (According to a CM who IMO really knew what was going on).

Only after both Pool Grill and Splash pad are open then will then close Courtyard pool for refurbishment. As of now, Gasparillas is still scheduled for refurbishment as they need to have it ready for DVC.

Unless you are at the Beach Pool right now you will not be impacted very much by the construction.. Of course this will change when Courtyard pool closes as I think this will have a HUGE effect on everyone staying. It is right in the middle of everything and will be a huge eyesore.

We had an amazing time and our timing was perfect. Minimal closures and mother nature also gave us a rain free trip...

Monorail was running smooth, never waited more than two minutes and always had seats.. We did not take busses so I can not comment. Love the boat launch....

I have pictures but no idea how to post them... LOL

[bedogged]

Originally Posted by sydneysmom

We had also requested a king room and we got a BEAUTIFUL water view in Big Pine Key.... from the balcony we saw the Electric Water Parade, the fireworks and Cinderella's castle. It was wonderful !! there's nothing more peaceful than sitting on your balcony at night just watching the beauty around this wonderful resort.

When we went, it was September 2010 and they were starting to put up the Christmas lights on the castle. It was incredible, I'd wake up at 3-4 am, while everyone was still sleeping, and peek outside and see the castle all lit up for Christmas. By morning, it was all back to normal. It was like having a REALLY wonderful secret. Sorry, I digressed for a moment there.....

Anyway, we absolutely LOVED Big Pine Key!! Have a really wonderful trip !!

Thanks for your reply. Isn't Big Pine Key closest to the construction?

[sydneysmom]

Originally Posted by bedogged

Thanks for your reply. Isn't Big Pine Key closest to the construction?

Yes, if you're on the water side facing the Poly. I wish I could figure out how to insert the map.... but if you go to Page 1 of this thread, you'll see the map. Looking at Big Pine Key, we were in the rooms facing the Contemporary (along the same water line as Boca Chica) The main body of Big Pine Key faces the water / construction / Poly while the other faces the courtyard pool. But at the very end there is a little part that faces the Contemporary. (and you can also see Cinderella's castle) From our room, we didn't really see the Poly clearly except to the far right (from the balcony). I hope that makes sense....

[jackson2422]

We checked out yesterday and had another Grand time.
The construction of the DVC is not that disruptive. In fact with the waterfall running at the beach pool, I couldn't hear any noise. Now, when the courtyard pool goes down, that could be a different story. Originally, when the pool was supposed to be closed for our visit, I had requested a marina view, knowing we were in Sugarloaf, to be away from the courtyard. We definitely lucked out with the pool and Gasparilla open for our entire stay.

[Mrsdonaldduck]

Originally Posted by jackson2422

We checked out yesterday and had another Grand time.
The construction of the DVC is not that disruptive. In fact with the waterfall running at the beach pool, I couldn't hear any noise. Now, when the courtyard pool goes down, that could be a different story. Originally, when the pool was supposed to be closed for our visit, I had requested a marina view, knowing we were in Sugarloaf, to be away from the courtyard. We definitely lucked out with the pool and Gasparilla open for our entire stay.

Welcome home! Glad you had a wonderful trip!
We were at gf sugar loaf marina view two weeks ago. It is always wonderful
Cl at the grand but we felt this year was exceptional.
They wen above and beyond! We were apprehensive with
The construction but it turned out so good! Did you enjoy
Scones and Devonshire cream?

[KonaKaiTom]

How long does it take to go via monorail from GF to TTC, get on a different monorail to Ep, and then get on boat to DHS? My niece tends to get carsick if she is in a car/bus for 20 minutes or more, and dramamine, even non-drousy, makes her loopy for rest of day. Therefore, if I can break up the rides this way instead of a long bus ride, she won't need the dramamine. BTW, she has never gotten sick on WDW rides!!! She doesn't do rollercoasters as she knows they would make her sick, but everything else she is fine with.

TIA,

Tom

[Jungle Cruiser]

Originally Posted by KonaKaiTom

How long does it take to go via monorail from GF to TTC, get on a different monorail to Ep, and then get on boat to DHS? My niece tends to get carsick if she is in a car/bus for 20 minutes or more, and dramamine, even non-drousy, makes her loopy for rest of day. Therefore, if I can break up the rides this way instead of a long bus ride, she won't need the dramamine. BTW, she has never gotten sick on WDW rides!!! She doesn't do rollercoasters as she knows they would make her sick, but everything else she is fine with.

TIA,

Tom

The monorail from the GF to the TTC, then EPCOT should take from 30 (if the connections are perfect) to about 45 minutes realistically. Then, the walk to the boat at IG entrance by the BC should take at least 20 minutes. The boat ride is then about 25 minutes. Have you just considered hopping in a cab to HS? Unless you are breaking up the trip by going this way, it is going to take a fairly long time. If you are walkers though, you can walk to HS from the IG entrance at EPCOT, it's just over a mile if you cut through the BWI. Good luck.

[cgulls]

Originally Posted by KonaKaiTom

How long does it take to go via monorail from GF to TTC, get on a different monorail to Ep, and then get on boat to DHS? My niece tends to get carsick if she is in a car/bus for 20 minutes or more, and dramamine, even non-drousy, makes her loopy for rest of day. Therefore, if I can break up the rides this way instead of a long bus ride, she won't need the dramamine. BTW, she has never gotten sick on WDW rides!!! She doesn't do rollercoasters as she knows they would make her sick, but everything else she is fine with.

TIA,

Tom

Hi Tom, I feel your pain working to accommodate somebody's motion sickness (my daughter gets it). You might consider using this app (link below). It provides travel routes and times between WDW locations.

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/iphone/WDWTWizApp.aspx

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks Jungle Cruiser! Exactly what I was hoping for. I'm looking to break up the monorail rides -- if she does back to back she might get green around the gills, so if we conveniently miss the connection, all will be well. And yes, we are both walkers -- actually I run and she is an athletic 13 year old so we will probably take your advice and walk to DHS as that will also clear her head.

Surprisingly, and they just found out yesterday, my niece suffers from migraines wthhout the headache. She's suffered for years with getting violently ill for days at a time and a specialist was able to determine yesterday that it is actually related to migraines. So, this trip will be a good test of her new medication as well as a great bonding experience!

Thanks!

Tom

[KonaKaiTom]

Originally Posted by cgulls

Hi Tom, I feel your pain working to accommodate somebody's motion sickness (my daughter gets it). You might consider using this app (link below). It provides travel routes and times between WDW locations.

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/iphone/WDWTWizApp.aspx

Thanks so much!

Tom

[bdklein]

Originally Posted by KonaKaiTom

I'm looking to break up the monorail rides -- if she does back to back she might get green around the gills, so if we conveniently miss the connection, all will be well.

Perhaps take the GF boat/launch from the GF to the Poly. Then walk to the TTC and monorail to Epcot. That will break up the monorail time. And ul ike to walk.

And I can't imagine the monorail getting anyone sick for the short duration on whch you ride it. Perhaps I am wrong. But IMO it's much smoother than a car, bus, airplane.

And maybe Bonine might help, even when compared to the similar non-drowsy Dramamine.

Good luck. Have a great trip/

[jcondrad]

Hoping someone could clarify this for me
I know at the Epcot area resorts the deluxe rooms have access to club level..,is this the same at GF? Was looking at AP rates and an outer building deluxe garden view was available but no club rooms. TIA!

[runskimom]

Hello fellow GF lovers!

Soooo, anybody at GF today (Sept 5) or soon that can tell us if Gasparilla's closed and/or the pool bar reopened today like on the published timeline?

[bedogged]

I booked today and have a question. I asked this on the attractions board, but haven't had an answer. Perhaps someone here could answer this? How early does the resort monorail start running? I want to make a reservation at Kona Cafe at the Poly at 7:30 a.m. Will I have any problem making this reservation using the Monorail?

[KonaKaiTom]

I'm staying for the first time at the GF, but from what I've read on here the Poly is a short walk from GF -- very short walk, like less than 10 minutes. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

TIA,
Tom