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

[Dispro1]

I get to book my FPs tonight at midnight, and when I'm trying to account for my 4th FP through the IPO texting service can I account for Group 2 FPs? For example, at DHS, TSMM and RnRR are both in Group 2. If I use my FP for TSMM and then try to get a 4th FP can I use it for a Group 2 ride (assuming they are available) or do I have to use it for a Group 1 ride? Or does it not matter as long as there is a FP available?

TIA!

They will get you a 4th FP for whatever is available, but I wouldn't count on getting TS or RR. It's possible but not likely that you would get either of those (but it has happened before, although not for us). If we really want to ride TS, we book that and then wait for RR if we want to ride it the same day. TS (as you probably know) wait times are usually 90 minutes or so but you can usually time RR right and get it at about 30-45 wait time...but this has been my experience...others may disagree?? Of course, if it somehow turns out to be really busy the day you are at HS, RR may not drop below 60 minute wait times...but let's think happy thoughts The 4th FP is a little extra fun to your day without the wait, but it usually only works for rides like Winnie the Pooh or Buzz at MK or Star Tours at HS (usually). Good luck...book Mine Train for any day you can get it before trying for others...it goes SO fast!

 

[trishadono]

I found it!!!!! sbeets I found the thread with the pics of the deluxe room....It is called "Grand Floridian Review" the poster is DISser HairyChest...and while I thought it was a thread dedicated to the deluxe room...it is not...but has lots of pics and info...including a picture of the deluxe room...along with room views ...HTH....

He was the first to post pics of my poly when it remodeled, lol. He is good at getting pix out there for us old folks

Oh, did you use all of your smilies for the day??? Kind of close!!!

So want to take mom, ..... So far so sold out

 

[Dispro1]

Pm me if you need help my friend. Basically you get the first 3 . Then you get a "next" FP only after the 3 are used or time expired. You get those at kiosks in the park OR from texting at a Disney hotel offering the service to do that for you. At this time a few hotels with CL are doing this. Currently gf cl will do this for you. As I previously posted I pre-prepared a text with a request to the CL so when I got thru the FP machine I could get my request in ASAP!


I never got more than a 4th because we did RD , lunch and lounge time, then FP from5/6,6/7,7/8 for our 3 (give or take). Then we did one more then back for desserts

So after 3 I would ask for headliners ( were not available) and a few other choices as a back up. If you stay in the parks and use FP early you could get more headliners. You can use 3 at MK for example then be done around noon and ask for FP at hs or Epcot. What is available depends on what is available( people cancel, rain or season could effect this). So it is hard to predict.

When dd and dh went in March I was able to change their FP from one park to another and got headliners because dd changed her mind, lol!!!! That was 11:30-12pm.

Hope this helps, Trish

Great advice!! I forgot that some people actually get up early at Disney! We usually have our first FP of the day from 11:30-12:30, so I never even hope for a good 4th FP, LOL!!

 

[trishadono]

They will get you a 4th FP for whatever is available, but I wouldn't count on getting TS or RR. It's possible but not likely that you would get either of those (but it has happened before, although not for us). If we really want to ride TS, we book that and then wait for RR if we want to ride it the same day. TS (as you probably know) wait times are usually 90 minutes or so but you can usually time RR right and get it at about 30-45 wait time...but this has been my experience...others may disagree?? Of course, if it somehow turns out to be really busy the day you are at HS, RR may not drop below 60 minute wait times...but let's think happy thoughts The 4th FP is a little extra fun to your day without the wait, but it usually only works for rides like Winnie the Pooh or Buzz at MK or Star Tours at HS (usually). Good luck...book Mine Train for any day you can get it before trying for others...it goes SO fast!

So, we not busy tonight ???

I love mine train

Amazing tho that dd and I didn't always even use all 3 passes. Some nights we just were content with 2.

 

[trishadono]

Great advice!! I forgot that some people actually get up early at Disney! We usually have our first FP of the day from 11:30-12:30, so I never even hope for a good 4th FP, LOL!!

We never miss rope drop!!! Dd takes a nap evry day but never misses park opening!!!!

 

[mmmears]

We never miss rope drop!!! Dd takes a nap evry day but never misses park opening!!!!

Same with us! We are way too excited to sleep in!

 

[loveshak22]

@BlueSkies - thanks for the reassurance about transportation! It just makes me nervous trying to get to ADRs and not having reliable transportation! But I will check in with the CL staff in the mornings so I can be prepared!!

 

[loveshak22]

Pm me if you need help my friend. Basically you get the first 3 . Then you get a "next" FP only after the 3 are used or time expired. You get those at kiosks in the park OR from texting at a Disney hotel offering the service to do that for you. At this time a few hotels with CL are doing this. Currently gf cl will do this for you. As I previously posted I pre-prepared a text with a request to the CL so when I got thru the FP machine I could get my request in ASAP!


I never got more than a 4th because we did RD , lunch and lounge time, then FP from5/6,6/7,7/8 for our 3 (give or take). Then we did one more then back for desserts

So after 3 I would ask for headliners ( were not available) and a few other choices as a back up. If you stay in the parks and use FP early you could get more headliners. You can use 3 at MK for example then be done around noon and ask for FP at hs or Epcot. What is available depends on what is available( people cancel, rain or season could effect this). So it is hard to predict.

When dd and dh went in March I was able to change their FP from one park to another and got headliners because dd changed her mind, lol!!!! That was 11:30-12pm.

Hope this helps, Trish

It does help - thanks Trish!!! I think it all depends on what I can get for 7DMT as to what the rest of the FPs will look like. Right now, according to TPs, I've gotten our wait time down to 87 minutes. I've never used FP before so I hope TPs is accurate. And I think my goal for a 4th FP will work for my MK day.

They will get you a 4th FP for whatever is available, but I wouldn't count on getting TS or RR. It's possible but not likely that you would get either of those (but it has happened before, although not for us). If we really want to ride TS, we book that and then wait for RR if we want to ride it the same day. TS (as you probably know) wait times are usually 90 minutes or so but you can usually time RR right and get it at about 30-45 wait time...but this has been my experience...others may disagree?? Of course, if it somehow turns out to be really busy the day you are at HS, RR may not drop below 60 minute wait times...but let's think happy thoughts The 4th FP is a little extra fun to your day without the wait, but it usually only works for rides like Winnie the Pooh or Buzz at MK or Star Tours at HS (usually). Good luck...book Mine Train for any day you can get it before trying for others...it goes SO fast!

Thanks Dispro! I figured I wouldn't get RnRR but am hoping I get lucky with a GMR later afternoon...even though I know that will be tough. TSMM is definitely my Group 2 FP! For MK I'm hoping for Under the Sea as my 4th FP and at Epcot I'm hoping for Turtle Talk...and from other sites I've seen, both of those have a lot of availability in the afternoon. DHS lines are all so long compared to the other parks given how few rides are there these days.

Am getting ready to log on now...wish me luck!

 

[loveshak22]

That's exciting!

I have a favor to ask if you have booked a package. I'm doing research for the FP Thread on the Theme Parks board and the OP of the thread and I are trying to determine what happens in this scenario:
- package booked
- online check-in completed at earliest possible date
*Does the online check-in activate the tickets and open the FP window from the current-actual date (60 days out) through to the checkout date of the package?

Our goal is to find out if the FP booking calendar is completely open or is still only open from package check-in day through checkout day. Some have reported that online check-in triggers the "active" state of the packaged tickets. Because the OP and I don't book packages, we need help from others and everyone on this GF thread is extremely helpful! Thanks in advance!!

So I booked my FPs last night and the availability was only for my dates of stay. After I finished my FPs I went to my reservation and didn't see anywhere to check in??

I haven't paid in full yet so is that why check it wasn't available?

 

[hiroMYhero]

So I booked my FPs last night and the availability was only for my dates of stay. After I finished my FPs I went to my reservation and didn't see anywhere to check in??

I haven't paid in full yet so is that why check it wasn't available?

That's probably it. Thanks for checking! mesaboy will have to continue his search for this last puzzle piece. I'm off to Florida on Saturday - I need to focus on packing! I appreciate you taking the time to research!!

 

[trishadono]

So I booked my FPs last night and the availability was only for my dates of stay. After I finished my FPs I went to my reservation and didn't see anywhere to check in??

I haven't paid in full yet so is that why check it wasn't available?

No you don't need to pay in full. Check again today. It might not have been available until after 6am. Or try again tomorrow. Hope you got everything you wanted.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Reservations Now Open for Narcoossee’s Waterfront Brunch

Brunch begins 22 NOV.​

 

[Music City Mama]

Quick question...

We plan on eating at Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast one morning during Thanksgiving week (that Tuesday or Wednesday). How necessary do you think it is to make an ADR for that? I'm really not sure which day and I was hoping we could be seated as walk-ups -- probably around 9:00. Thoughts? TIA!

 

[Happyjen27]

I check in to my Lagoon view room on Thursday!! So excited to be trying this resort for the first time.

My room request was simple "close to transportation". Hopefully they interpret that as the monorail and upgrade me to main building club level. I hold out no expectations of course, but, my last trip I got huge pixie dust, upgrade from CR BLV to CR TPV. It paid off for Disney though, because I loved it so much that I just booked that TPV again, and MIL/FIL and SIL/BIL did also. 3 rooms for one upgrade, not too shabby!!

My questions are these, if anyone has the inclination:

1. How long does it take by cab from MCO to GF?
2. Which bar would you recommend to visit for drinks at the end of the night, and which bars are open until 10 or later?
3. If you were leaving MNSSHP and returning to the GF, would you recommend boat or monorail?
4. Am I legitimate to be THIS EXCITED about my girls weekend at the GF? Because I feel like I could burst.

Thank you in advance Grand Floridians!!

 

[trishadono]

I check in to my Lagoon view room on Thursday!! So excited to be trying this resort for the first time.

My room request was simple "close to transportation". Hopefully they interpret that as the monorail and upgrade me to main building club level. I hold out no expectations of course, but, my last trip I got huge pixie dust, upgrade from CR BLV to CR TPV. It paid off for Disney though, because I loved it so much that I just booked that TPV again, and MIL/FIL and SIL/BIL did also. 3 rooms for one upgrade, not too shabby!!

My questions are these, if anyone has the inclination:

1. How long does it take by cab from MCO to GF?

25 mins or so

2. Which bar would you recommend to visit for drinks at the end of the night, and which bars are open until 10 or later?

I love Tambu at Poly and the new traders will be nice. Mizners at Gf is great too. I have done the bar on the 4th floor of contemporary but not my favorite. You can also do the bars at the restaurants.

3. If you were leaving MNSSHP and returning to the GF, would you recommend boat or monorail?

We prefer the boat then. Going to MK mono, home by boat.

4. Am I legitimate to be THIS EXCITED about my girls weekend at the GF? Because I feel like I could burst.

Absolutely
![/QUOTE]

 

[trishadono]

I check in to my Lagoon view room on Thursday!! So excited to be trying this resort for the first time.

Also Disney lets you walk around with our adult beverages. Many times i have ordered the Lapu Lapu( in the pineapple) and strolled the grounds of poly or walked to gf. I have also asked for my drink in plastic and sat outside or in the lobby. My last trip i took my cl drink to the lobby and listened to the piano while sipping my wine. SO, be creative and have a great time.

 

[trishadono]

Quick question...

We plan on eating at Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast one morning during Thanksgiving week (that Tuesday or Wednesday). How necessary do you think it is to make an ADR for that? I'm really not sure which day and I was hoping we could be seated as walk-ups -- probably around 9:00. Thoughts? TIA!

That week is a very busy week. I would do a res. Lots of locals drive in with family. The mono will be very busy with extra traffic too.

Do you know how many people come to GF just to see the gingerbread house???? MANY! I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to eat there while they were there.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Also Disney lets you walk around with our adult beverages. Many times i have ordered the Lapu Lapu( in the pineapple) and strolled the grounds of poly or walked to gf. I have also asked for my drink in plastic and sat outside or in the lobby. My last trip i took my cl drink to the lobby and listened to the piano while sipping my wine. SO, be creative and have a great time.

I don't know how I know this, bahahahahahaa, but apparently the bartenders (especially if you are a regular customer) have been known to put cocktails into to go cups. I have no personal knowledge of course, but I heard that from a reliable source!

Tom

 

[SullyD13]

Quick question.... When I look online and on Disney's site I see different pictures than I do when I look at actual traveler photos on Trip Advisor for the rooms. Did they remodel all of the rooms or did they just remodel rooms in a certain section/building? The new rooms are BEAUTIFUL! Would love to stay here on our trip!

 

[trishadono]

Quick question.... When I look online and on Disney's site I see different pictures than I do when I look at actual traveler photos on Trip Advisor for the rooms. Did they remodel all of the rooms or did they just remodel rooms in a certain section/building? The new rooms are BEAUTIFUL! Would love to stay here on our trip!

The rooms are complete! The suites are not yet finished.

The rooms are very pretty in person!