(2014-2020) Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA + VILLAS Information & Questions

[Maddie's Nana]

I've never bothered with online check in since we stay CL and I always want to make sure I am happy with the room they've given us. I would call IPO to make sure it was noted on your reservation (even though you emailed). They assign rooms 3-5 days ahead of your arrival ( at least that's what I've been told) so maybe you can call a couple of days before you arrive to see if you were assigned connecting rooms, if you are concerned. I know they are not allowed to tell you the room numbers for security reasons, but maybe they can at least tell you that the rooms are connecting??

Thanks for the help, Dispro1 - good idea. I will call next week.

 

[Sue M]

Only a few more days!!! I got the email to set up my texting. I also got another email to stream line check in too! Since I am a little crazy I have the room numbers for SL memorized so when I get my text with room number I can do a happy dance.

Mil surgery today but dr's are very optimistic that all will go well and back to herself in little time.

Gonna pack this weekend once I know mil is ok!

Oh and dd wants tonga toast so I told her do a run to poly, get takeout, take mono back to lounge. I'm not skipping rope drop for food! (She wanted to go have breakfast one morning at poly)

It is nice that you can food hop with the mono resorts!

Hope MIL has a fast recovery.

I'm packing this weekend too! Prob Sunday as Saturday we're going to our friends grand baby's 2nd birthday party.

I wanted to get Tonga Toast last Aug while at GF, but like you, didn't want to miss rope drop and limited monorail service in the morning couldn't do it. And it was just too dang hot to walk!! Been checking Accuweather, glad to see this summer isn't as hot as the insane temps last year!! And this trip, no prob getting Tonga Toast lol

 

[Ismo]

Sorry, don't want to give misleading info. If you're DVC or renting DVC points from someone or an agency like David's DVC they don't replenish supplies you're correct. But if you just are doing a regular booking with Disney, anyone can book a DVC room just like standard rooms, then you get daily service like any wdw room. I hope I'm explaining it ok!

Ahhh that makes more sense. I got excited for nothing! I don't know why though, I hate hotel room coffee, but I drink it no matter where I stay!

 

[Dispro1]

Hope MIL has a fast recovery.

I'm packing this weekend too! Prob Sunday as Saturday we're going to our friends grand baby's 2nd birthday party.

I wanted to get Tonga Toast last Aug while at GF, but like you, didn't want to miss rope drop and limited monorail service in the morning couldn't do it. And it was just too dang hot to walk!! Been checking Accuweather, glad to see this summer isn't as hot as the insane temps last year!! And this trip, no prob getting Tonga Toast lol

Wow! All of you that do rope drop are making me feel really guilty/lazy! There's NO WAY my kids will get up that early, but maybe DH and I should try it...it's been SO many years!

Editing to add that my kids will be 17 and almost twelve for our October trip...I wouldn't leave little kids asleep in a hotel room!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Congrats! Next month we will be taking our 1st trip as DVC Members too!

Yay!!!! I'm so excited!!!

 

[BabyFu18]

Our magic bands arrived today and it makes it really real, our trip is fast approaching!

I'm super concerned about trying to get our dog boarded, we are on the wait list with our vet where we normally board him (they had half our dates availble so I'm just waiting and praying they get an opening for the first part of our trip). If we can't get him boarded with our vet we may not be able to go on our trip (he has some special medical needs, so we only like to board him with our vet), so anyone who feels so inclined please pray an opening comes along for our sweet little dog so he can stay at the doggy resort while we stay at the GF!

 

[branv]

I'm finalizing my plans for our first VGF stay in 28 days and I have a timing question.

We have an ADR at BoG for 08.05 on 09/04. We are planning on leaving the resort at 07:15. Is that early enough or should we try to leave closer to 7? I'm not sure what the monorails are going to be like that day that early.

I'd love to know this too. The monorail refurb info is all so old, I don't know if the resort monorail is still running later on M-W starting at 8:30 am! Then I saw something about pre-opening ADR buses? Is that a thing still? Do they run the MK boat pre-opening from GF if the monorail isn't available that hour? And how long does the monorail even take from the GF? I mean, I'm so lost.

 

[Ismo]

I'd love to know this too. The monorail refurb info is all so old, I don't know if the resort monorail is still running later on M-W starting at 8:30 am! Then I saw something about pre-opening ADR buses? Is that a thing still? Do they run the MK boat pre-opening from GF if the monorail isn't available that hour? And how long does the monorail even take from the GF? I mean, I'm so lost.

Glad it's not just me! I see so many conflicting details on when the monorails are running. Some say the changes are through December others say August. I know I can ask when I check-in, but I don't think I can leave it that last minute and not panic!

 

[Sue M]

Ahhh that makes more sense. I got excited for nothing! I don't know why though, I hate hotel room coffee, but I drink it no matter where I stay!

I'm sorry! So I guess you're staying on DVC points! I sometimes bring those Starbucks things that you add hot water to. But Disney coffee has been getting better, they now serve Joffreys.

Wow! All of you that do rope drop are making me feel really guilty/lazy! There's NO WAY my kids will get up that early, but maybe DH and I should try it...it's been SO many years!

Editing to add that my kids will be 17 and almost twelve for our October trip...I wouldn't leave little kids asleep in a hotel room!

My dd's are in their 20's. Mostly the older one comes. But younger one doesn't always want to do rope drop. So she'll meet up later. But she sure was waking everyone up for Universal last year, lol. Huge Harry Potter fan!

 

[Ismo]

I'm sorry! So I guess you're staying on DVC points! I sometimes bring those Starbucks things that you add hot water to. But Disney coffee has been getting better, they now serve Joffreys.

Yep, it's our first time going as DVC members! I thought about getting the instant Starbucks coffee. I already did my Garden Grocer order and forgot to add coffee. But DH promised to go to Gasparilla Grill every morning and fill my thermos with coffee

 

[loveshak22]

Our magic bands arrived today and it makes it really real, our trip is fast approaching!

I'm super concerned about trying to get our dog boarded, we are on the wait list with our vet where we normally board him (they had half our dates availble so I'm just waiting and praying they get an opening for the first part of our trip). If we can't get him boarded with our vet we may not be able to go on our trip (he has some special medical needs, so we only like to board him with our vet), so anyone who feels so inclined please pray an opening comes along for our sweet little dog so he can stay at the doggy resort while we stay at the GF!

Good luck with your doggy boarding situation! Hopefully the vet has an opening soon!

Could you hire one of the vet techs at the office to watch him? They should know how to take care of his medical needs and can get him to the vet in case on an emergency?

 

[mickeynut1]

We leave on 10/31 for our 1st stay at VGF!!!! Is it too early to start packing?????

I don't think it's ever too early to start packing .

I'm finalizing my plans for our first VGF stay in 28 days and I have a timing question.

We have an ADR at BoG for 08.05 on 09/04. We are planning on leaving the resort at 07:15. Is that early enough or should we try to leave closer to 7? I'm not sure what the monorails are going to be like that day that early.

I think 7:15 is plenty of time. MK is the first stop from the GF, so it's just a 5 minute ride once on the monorail .

Wow! All of you that do rope drop are making me feel really guilty/lazy!

Don't feel guilty! We don't do (and have never done) rope drop and I don't feel guilty or lazy . DH and I are early risers just out of habit, but we take it easy on vacation. We don't really sleep in, but we tend to take our time in the morning and not rush to get going.

Our magic bands arrived today and it makes it really real, our trip is fast approaching!

I'm super concerned about trying to get our dog boarded, we are on the wait list with our vet where we normally board him (they had half our dates availble so I'm just waiting and praying they get an opening for the first part of our trip). If we can't get him boarded with our vet we may not be able to go on our trip (he has some special medical needs, so we only like to board him with our vet), so anyone who feels so inclined please pray an opening comes along for our sweet little dog so he can stay at the doggy resort while we stay at the GF!

Yay for your magic bands arriving .

I'm sorry the vet doesn't have all the dates you need for boading your doggie. I hope the dates you need open up.

And how long does the monorail even take from the GF?

MK is the first stop from the GF, so just about a 5 minute ride (if that) .

Yep, it's our first time going as DVC members!

Hope you have a great trip .

 

[BabyFu18]

Good luck with your doggy boarding situation! Hopefully the vet has an opening soon!

Could you hire one of the vet techs at the office to watch him? They should know how to take care of his medical needs and can get him to the vet in case on an emergency?

I hadn't though of that, but I'll look into that for sure, he's got an appointment Monday so maybe something will work out!

 

[cdnjason]

1 week! Woot!

 

[Circusgirl]

Only a few more days!!! I got the email to set up my texting. I also got another email to stream line check in too! Since I am a little crazy I have the room numbers for SL memorized so when I get my text with room number I can do a happy dance.

Mil surgery today but dr's are very optimistic that all will go well and back to herself in little time.

Gonna pack this weekend once I know mil is ok!

Oh and dd wants tonga toast so I told her do a run to poly, get takeout, take mono back to lounge. I'm not skipping rope drop for food! (She wanted to go have breakfast one morning at poly)

It is nice that you can food hop with the mono resorts!

All best thoughts and wishes for your MIL to have a swift easy recovery. I hope that you will be able to have your trip knowing she is mending well.

I haven't forgotten the cupcake hop! I can't wait.

The Poly is so close and the walk is beautiful. I made a 10:30 reservation for Kona breakfast my first day. Coming from the west coast, I've found what works best with the time change is to sleep in a little on the first morning and then hit a park in the afternoon. I've got FPs at Epcot for the afternoon and am looking forward to kicking off my stay with Macadamia pineapple pancakes and all the other lovely things in the Big Kahuna breakfast. I sure miss staying at the Poly, but I don't have any construction tolerance because my city is under constant tortuous construction. Must have peace and quiet!

Hope all goes super smoothly for the next couple of days and I look forward to hearing your reports from the Grand!

 

[loveshak22]

I hadn't though of that, but I'll look into that for sure, he's got an appointment Monday so maybe something will work out!

We loved the vet where we lived last and his daughter did pet sitting at her house. We left our dogs with her a few times. On one occasion one of our dogs ate some fringe off a carpet she had where she left them during the day. It caused some stomach issues and our vet ended up treating him for free, without us even saying anything!

I doubt your vet would do that if a vet tech was watching them LOL but thought it was just a fun story to share. But the vet techs are usually young, love animals, understand how to take care of animals, have easy access to the vet, and probably could use the money! Hopefully you get a spot at the boarding center though, because that still sounds like the best option!! Good luck!!

 

[jani3]

My trip is for mid-nov and haven't started packing yet. But I started a list of the things I need to pack. I'm getting more excited especially when I read this thread.

Does anyone know if the running path from GF to Poly is lit up? I like to run in the early morning, before the sunrise and wondering if I need to bring a headlamp.

 

[Sue M]

All best thoughts and wishes for your MIL to have a swift easy recovery. I hope that you will be able to have your trip knowing she is mending well.

I haven't forgotten the cupcake hop! I can't wait.

The Poly is so close and the walk is beautiful. I made a 10:30 reservation for Kona breakfast my first day. Coming from the west coast, I've found what works best with the time change is to sleep in a little on the first morning and then hit a park in the afternoon. I've got FPs at Epcot for the afternoon and am looking forward to kicking off my stay with Macadamia pineapple pancakes and all the other lovely things in the Big Kahuna breakfast. I sure miss staying at the Poly, but I don't have any construction tolerance because my city is under constant tortuous construction. Must have peace and quiet!

Hope all goes super smoothly for the next couple of days and I look forward to hearing your reports from the Grand!

Time change from west coast is a killer for sure! I'm glad I'll be in Ft Lauderdale first and get on east coast time there, no rope drop lol!! Leave Tuesday! By the time we get to WDW I'll be ready for rope drop! And Tonga Toast is calling my name

 

[BabyFu18]

We loved the vet where we lived last and his daughter did pet sitting at her house. We left our dogs with her a few times. On one occasion one of our dogs ate some fringe off a carpet she had where she left them during the day. It caused some stomach issues and our vet ended up treating him for free, without us even saying anything!

I doubt your vet would do that if a vet tech was watching them LOL but thought it was just a fun story to share. But the vet techs are usually young, love animals, understand how to take care of animals, have easy access to the vet, and probably could use the money! Hopefully you get a spot at the boarding center though, because that still sounds like the best option!! Good luck!!

Thanks, that is a great story, I bet having the vets daughter take care of your dogs gives you a nice piece of mind while you are away. We love our vet and his office staff they are amazing with our dog. Their boarding is really special because each dog has their own room with things like a TV, a rocking chair, and a half door that stays open as well as windows to the outside. The rooms are super cute and themed, and you can take anything and everything you want for your dog and out it in their private room. Also they send you pictures or videos and even text you with updates about your pets. So, fingers crossed!

 

[BabyFu18]

I haven't forgotten the cupcake hop! I can't wait.

The Poly is so close and the walk is beautiful. I made a 10:30 reservation for Kona breakfast my first day. Coming from the west coast, I've found what works best with the time change is to sleep in a little on the first morning and then hit a park in the afternoon. I've got FPs at Epcot for the afternoon and am looking forward to kicking off my stay with Macadamia pineapple pancakes and all the other lovely things in the Big Kahuna breakfast. I sure miss staying at the Poly, but I don't have any construction tolerance because my city is under constant tortuous construction. Must have peace and quiet!

Hope all goes super smoothly for the next couple of days and I look forward to hearing your reports from the Grand!

I read that as Macadamia Pineapple cupcakes at breakfast and was about to ask which restaurant server cupcakes for breakfast! Then I reread it and was sad... Haha