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

[VbChristy]

Are you using the car for the week? Do you want it? Otherwise you could hire a car service and get you to an all star or the GF. I personally just overpay that first night and stay where I'm staying. I don't like dealing with changing hotels and all that (unless I'm doing a true split stay, but I don't love that either...)

 

[grannyminnie]

When we arrived at 11am our room was ready and other trips earlier some have or have not been ready. Hopefully you'll get a early check in.


Note: they do try to dump undesirable rooms early ( rooms with a bad view etc) so check it out and if not to your liking go back and nicely ask for a different room.

That's good to know, Trish. I had never heard that, and we usually try and arrive early in order to get a good room!

 

[Dispro1]

I'd stay at the Marriott and get a good night sleep then just do the rental car in the morning. There's a car place not very far from the hotel if you need to return it.

Are you using the car for the week? Do you want it? Otherwise you could hire a car service and get you to an all star or the GF. I personally just overpay that first night and stay where I'm staying. I don't like dealing with changing hotels and all that (unless I'm doing a true split stay, but I don't love that either...)

Thanks for the input, ladies! Having a driver take us to a Disney hotel is definitely another option we are considering. We are renting a car for the week, so one of us has to get the rental car and one of us will use a driver. The cheapest thing available at GF that night is over $700, which is probably about what we are paying anyway since we're staying in a deluxe in RPC, but I honestly have trouble paying that since we would be getting in so late! I'd rather go shopping with that money...hmm...the Premium outlets are on the way to GF and DH won't be with us!!! Maybe I should change up my plans for October 7th I guess I'll let my girls give their two cents about what to do before I book things. If they are part of the decision, they are less likely to complain -lol

 

[Sue M]

We fly in 12/5 @ 9:00 am and I know check in isn't until 3:00 pm. I guess this means that we would receive the text closer to the 3:00 pm or later time. Also, you mentioned that someone met you with the info packet and all. Where was that? In the main lobby or elsewhere?

We arrived (last August) at 9:00 am, were met outside and escorted upstairs for check in and our room was ready! Just lucky I guess.
Good thing, because wdw doesn't text to phones outside the US. When we arrived at Poly this past August, they had to email us. We went back to the resort at 3:00 to see if our room was ready, it was ready by 4:00. But didn't receive our room ready email until 7:00

 

[Sue M]

When we arrived at 11am our room was ready and other trips earlier some have or have not been ready. Hopefully you'll get a early check in.


Note: they do try to dump undesirable rooms early ( rooms with a bad view etc) so check it out and if not to your liking go back and nicely ask for a different room.

It has gone both ways with me. Last GF stay we checked in early we got major being upgraded from SL to RPC deluxe room. Other times with early arrivals I've ended up back at desk asking for another room.

 

[Sue M]

Need some advice!! DH can't fly down with us now on October 6th because the CEO from Switzerland will be here on the 6th and 7th Since the girls and I don't get in until 11:40ish, I'm wondering if we should stay at the Marriott at the airport or if we should stay at All Star Movies and use magical express?? The AP discount makes ASM only $83 for that night, but I'm wondering if ME would make our hotel arrival time around 1:30am or something?? I'm also a bit concerned about staying at ASM...are the beds awful? Marriott has a free shuttle so we could get a rental car the next morning...FYI, I like my sleep Has anyone ever done anything similar? Normally, DH would pick up the rental car and drive us to a marriott close to Disney to sleep before an early morning GF check-in, but this is throwing everything off! I can't drive that late at night...I get sleepy! DD17 could do it if the car rental place would let her. Any suggestions?

Car rental won't let anyone under 25 drive. We went thru this last year, my dd was 24.
When we arrive late, I've booked Pop for the night. And take our luggage with us on DME. In the morning we get a cab to transfer us & luggage to next resort. You can request a taxi Van. For me with 2 daughters the van is better for luggage and doesn't cost any more.
I've found the beds at Pop comfortable.

Edit- I just saw you plan on using a rental car for your stay, so if you stay at Pop or Allstars you can book rental at Disney Car Care Centre, either Alamo or National. They will come pick you and your luggage up and take you to the CCC to pick up your car. And if you choose to drop car off there at end of rental, they'll take you back to your resort for DME pick up. I'd rather go DME so I don't have to deal with luggage at the airport. But of course you can book to drop car at airport.
I think rental is cheaper too not picking car up at airport.

 

[mandy200587]

Another consideration you could do is check in at pop so you can use magical express. Then the next morning use the complimentary transportation to pick up the rental car from the car care center, then return it on your last day and take magical express back to the airport.

 

[loveshak22]

When we arrived at 11am our room was ready and other trips earlier some have or have not been ready. Hopefully you'll get a early check in.


Note: they do try to dump undesirable rooms early ( rooms with a bad view etc) so check it out and if not to your liking go back and nicely ask for a different room.

Good to know! I always thought they filled the good rooms first and then when people came in later in the day and complained about their room they could say, "there are no other rooms available" and then they'd have to switch less people.

 

[trishadono]

It has gone both ways with me. Last GF stay we checked in early we got major being upgraded from SL to RPC deluxe room. Other times with early arrivals I've ended up back at desk asking for another room.

That's true! It seems I either get exactly what I want or not! I only have switched a few times with 50 trips. Our first gf was ds 8th birthday . When he found out he was on 1st floor and no "really cool balcony" I had to go back and switch for my guy. Also at VGF I knew we were only staying there once and refused a 1st floor but only had to wait 1hr. I kept the tree rooms at SL and RPC because they were only 1 nighters.

Funny, now that I think of it I kept all my other rooms at other resorts, just gf I was fussy about.

 

[Dispro1]

Car rental won't let anyone under 25 drive. We went thru this last year, my dd was 24.
When we arrive late, I've booked Pop for the night. And take our luggage with us on DME. In the morning we get a cab to transfer us & luggage to next resort. You can request a taxi Van. For me with 2 daughters the van is better for luggage and doesn't cost any more.
I've found the beds at Pop comfortable.

Edit- I just saw you plan on using a rental car for your stay, so if you stay at Pop or Allstars you can book rental at Disney Car Care Centre, either Alamo or National. They will come pick you and your luggage up and take you to the CCC to pick up your car. And if you choose to drop car off there at end of rental, they'll take you back to your resort for DME pick up. I'd rather go DME so I don't have to deal with luggage at the airport. But of course you can book to drop car at airport.
I think rental is cheaper too not picking car up at airport.

Yes, I knew about the car rental places not allowing anyone under 25 drive Otherwise, we would've kept all plans the same only DD17 would've driven us instead of DH. I know I sound like such a wimp, but I don't think I'm a very good driver when I'm tired. DD17 says she thinks I'll be fine to drive because I'll be pumped up on Disney adrenaline, but I'm not so sure. The more I think about it, the more I think I'll just hire a driver and let DH deal with the rental car! Now if I can just decide where to stay....

ETA: I did check into getting a rental car from CCC after you suggested to check, and it was $100 more, but I'm not sure if that's just because I'm checking on a Saturday?? I know flights are more expensive on Saturday. We do like having a car to drive back to the airport since DME makes us leave too early!

 

[Maxie86]

Yes, I knew about the car rental places not allowing anyone under 25 drive Otherwise, we would've kept all plans the same only DD17 would've driven us instead of DH. I know I sound like such a wimp, but I don't think I'm a very good driver when I'm tired. DD17 says she thinks I'll be fine to drive because I'll be pumped up on Disney adrenaline, but I'm not so sure. The more I think about it, the more I think I'll just hire a driver and let DH deal with the rental car! Now if I can just decide where to stay....

ETA: I did check into getting a rental car from CCC after you suggested to check, and it was $100 more, but I'm not sure if that's just because I'm checking on a Saturday?? I know flights are more expensive on Saturday. We do like having a car to drive back to the airport since DME makes us leave too early!

Getting in that late I would stay at the Hyatt at the airport. It is so easy, just get your luggage and go upstairs to the Hyatt, you don't have to deal with shuttles. In the morning, you can pick up your rental car, take ME, or hire a driver. Another thing to keep in mind is that car rentals are a lot cheaper if you rent for a week, five days is considered a week, so if DH won't be there for at least five days, it will be a lot less expensive for you to pick up the car.

 

[Dispro1]

Getting in that late I would stay at the Hyatt at the airport. It is so easy, just get your luggage and go upstairs to the Hyatt, you don't have to deal with shuttles. In the morning, you can pick up your rental car, take ME, or hire a driver. Another thing to keep in mind is that car rentals are a lot cheaper if you rent for a week, five days is considered a week, so if DH won't be there for at least five days, it will be a lot less expensive for you to pick up the car.

So funny that you would mention the Hyatt because I was just telling DH how much easier that would be for us! After hearing your confirmation of this, I think he's sold! But he's still really sad that he's missing a whole day with us at GF

 

[VbChristy]

It's travel day- so excited! My first club level stay and my first GF stay my son (2) kept saying, go on airplane to see Mickey. At one point he also mentioned Mickey's ship but we had to remind him this time we were going to Mickey's house not his ship. So cute. I'm excited!

 

[Maxie86]

So funny that you would mention the Hyatt because I was just telling DH how much easier that would be for us! After hearing your confirmation of this, I think he's sold! But he's still really sad that he's missing a whole day with us at GF

The Hyatt is really nice and so convenient, it couldn't be any easier. Their restaurants are good as well. We have even gone there for lunch while waiting for our flight...so much better than airport food.

It's travel day- so excited! My first club level stay and my first GF stay my son (2) kept saying, go on airplane to see Mickey. At one point he also mentioned Mickey's ship but we had to remind him this time we were going to Mickey's house not his ship. So cute. I'm excited!

How cute. Safe travels and have a wonderful trip.

 

[Dispro1]

It's travel day- so excited! My first club level stay and my first GF stay my son (2) kept saying, go on airplane to see Mickey. At one point he also mentioned Mickey's ship but we had to remind him this time we were going to Mickey's house not his ship. So cute. I'm excited!

Have a GREAT trip!!! It's so fun to see the excitement on a young child's face at Disney

 

[Daisytiff]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if someone could help me out regarding the Ivy trellis. I was just wondering what their hours are and if you need to make an appointment really ahead of time like dining reservations or if they usually have apts available a day or two in advance? Thanks.

 

[MinnieM21]

Nevermind I figured it out.

 

[Dispro1]

The Hyatt is really nice and so convenient, it couldn't be any easier. Their restaurants are good as well. We have even gone there for lunch while waiting for our flight...so much better than airport food.

What a load lifted!! I got the Hyatt booked and made an open reservation for DME so we can take it whenever! Check-out isn't until 12pm, so we can sleep in and have breakfast (I may be eating alone since they sleep forever, but at least I know the food is good)! Thanks to everyone who gave input...I'm very indecisive and I plan things really far in advance, so this really had me rattled!! I talked to Will with IPO three times today, and he was awesome! He switched my Epcot and MK days around so DH doesn't miss out on Epcot, and he got FPs for all three mountains for me and the girls for Wednesday night....so sleeping in, an afternoon by the GF pool, enjoying some appetizers while listening to the band, and the evening at MK....poor DH At least if he only takes a carry-on, he can just grab the rental car and head straight to GF! Of course, I didn't look to see how the crowd calendars look switching my parks around, but at this point, I really don't care-LOL!

 

[mmmears]

What a load lifted!! I got the Hyatt booked and made an open reservation for DME so we can take it whenever! Check-out isn't until 12pm, so we can sleep in and have breakfast (I may be eating alone since they sleep forever, but at least I know the food is good)! Thanks to everyone who gave input...I'm very indecisive and I plan things really far in advance, so this really had me rattled!! I talked to Will with IPO three times today, and he was awesome! He switched my Epcot and MK days around so DH doesn't miss out on Epcot, and he got FPs for all three mountains for me and the girls for Wednesday night....so sleeping in, an afternoon by the GF pool, enjoying some appetizers while listening to the band, and the evening at MK....poor DH At least if he only takes a carry-on, he can just grab the rental car and head straight to GF! Of course, I didn't look to see how the crowd calendars look switching my parks around, but at this point, I really don't care-LOL!

I think you'll like the Hyatt. We have stayed there several times on the back end of our trips when we have a very early flight out of MCO and we liked it. It's not the GF, but it's also not nearly as expensive, and it's so conveniently located, too. Was IPO able to help you with your FP+? Asking since we have an upcoming CL trip and I don't know anything about FP+.

 

[Traceylee]

Thinking about booking a Garden View for December (currently booked at AKL). Last time there we were in Conch Key; but our room overlooked the entrance to the building which DH didn't like. We were originally in Big Pine with a view of the staircase and immediately complained and moved to Conch Key. Can anyone give me room numbers/bldg for a garden view that doesn't overlook a staircase? Thanks.