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

[mcarr1635]

Arriving at WDW tomorrow
Super excited!!
Staying at the Polynesian in a bungalow for one night. We snagged a last minute cancellation.
We are DVC members and I know that this was a LOT of points, I figure that we'll never get another chance to stay there.
Then we are off to the Boardwalk for one night and finally the Grand Floridian.
Lots of resort hopping, but glad to be able to get these resorts for a last minute planned vacation.

Very happy that Matthew is off to sea.
Thoughts and prayers to those still affected by this storm.

 

[Sue M]

Hey, all! We have reached our 60 day mark! Hmm, I thought fastpasses were available. They won't let me look past November, though. Perhaps I have made a boo boo somewhere along the line.

Thank you for posting the beach photos, elaw. They have solved that particular problem rather nicely. The additions don't seem to detract too much from the area. We'll see for ourselves in December!

Yes, they did do a good job of the beach, but we miss the red lounges with the awnings on the beach. Those are gone. And during our late August stay they weren't allowing anyone on the beach after dark. My daughter wanted to go sit on a lounge on the beach and read, but was asked to leave beach. Movies have been moved to the lawn by Courtyard Pool. They had out a towel to sit on the ground . I had hoped that once the security of the beaches were finishes, things would go back to normal.

 

[pas130]

Happy Sunday to my Grand groupies
Glad Matthew didn't hit as hard as predicted! Sounds like the GF really took care of their guests from reading up in a few groups on FB.
Hubby and I will be at the Grand next month!!! No CL this trip, and I checked this morning...SL was open for our dates but it will DOUBLE the price so nope.
Food and Wine from the Grand take two...and I am hoping the hubby loves it (or at least likes it this year) Dh and I are doing MVMCP on our arrival night and the last weekend of F&W (WOOHOO). I am a wee crazy for switching from an EPCOT resort but I don't care Here's to hoping they start decorating when we are there since DH would love that for sure!!!

 

[wonderlandwego]

Can anyone tell me if there are Christmas themed resort activities in December? I have tried to look online and can not find any daily schedules.

 

[Sue M]

Does does anyone remember when Gingerbread House goes up? Thinking about 2017 trip, not sure what resort I'll be at, all depends on the discounts, but I want to go when the resort special decorations are up, like Gingerbread house and BC Chocolate Carousel.
I've never been able to go early Dec due to work (school) but retiring at end of June, so will finally be able to see Christmas at Wdw! Yay!

 

[Sue M]

Happy Sunday to my Grand groupies
Glad Matthew didn't hit as hard as predicted! Sounds like the GF really took care of their guests from reading up in a few groups on FB.
Hubby and I will be at the Grand next month!!! No CL this trip, and I checked this morning...SL was open for our dates but it will DOUBLE the price so nope.
Food and Wine from the Grand take two...and I am hoping the hubby loves it (or at least likes it this year) Dh and I are doing MVMCP on our arrival night and the last weekend of F&W (WOOHOO). I am a wee crazy for switching from an EPCOT resort but I don't care Here's to hoping they start decorating when we are there since DH would love that for sure!!!

Hi Pas! We love GF, CL or no CL. In August we had a room in Big Pine, standard view over Courtyard a Pool, and could see Wishes from our balcony.
Saw Janet in August!

 

[pas130]

Hi Pas! We love GF, CL or no CL. In August we had a room in Big Pine, standard view over Courtyard a Pool, and could see Wishes from our balcony.
Saw Janet in August!

Thanks Sue! Miss Janet terribly it's been way too long since I've seen her. I'll let you know about Christmas decorations mid November and congrats on retirement. Being able to take DH to MVMCP is a plus to our trip which coincides with the last weekend of Food and Wine.

Any Grand groupies done the Sunday brunch at Narcoosee's?? I snagged an ADR but I don't recall hearing too much about it.

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian DISers and Happy Columbus Day to our Italian American peeps

 

[TJA]

Happy Sunday to my Grand groupies
Glad Matthew didn't hit as hard as predicted! Sounds like the GF really took care of their guests from reading up in a few groups on FB.
Hubby and I will be at the Grand next month!!! No CL this trip, and I checked this morning...SL was open for our dates but it will DOUBLE the price so nope.
Food and Wine from the Grand take two...and I am hoping the hubby loves it (or at least likes it this year) Dh and I are doing MVMCP on our arrival night and the last weekend of F&W (WOOHOO). I am a wee crazy for switching from an EPCOT resort but I don't care Here's to hoping they start decorating when we are there since DH would love that for sure!!!

Sounds awesome pas130! I've been toying with the idea of staying at GF without CL too. Mainly because I had my heart set on GF at Easter again (last year was pretty near perfect there!) but the costs are sky high for RPC, makes me ill to think about it. So I booked WL deluxe room CL. But I'm just not settled on the decision. We like WL and like the food and CM's in the CL, but there's just that something special about GF.... having such a hard time with this! Hoping AP discounts are great for the spring and I can maybe do a split stay.

 

[lomillerin]

What is everyone opinion about first floor with a lagoon view?

 

[KonaKaiTom]

What is everyone opinion about first floor with a lagoon view?

We had BPK first floor with a beautiful view of the Poly bungalows a couple of years back -- it was very nice -- and quiet too.

Tom

 

[pas130]

Sounds awesome pas130! I've been toying with the idea of staying at GF without CL too. Mainly because I had my heart set on GF at Easter again (last year was pretty near perfect there!) but the costs are sky high for RPC, makes me ill to think about it. So I booked WL deluxe room CL. But I'm just not settled on the decision. We like WL and like the food and CM's in the CL, but there's just that something special about GF.... having such a hard time with this! Hoping AP discounts are great for the spring and I can maybe do a split stay.

It's so hard for me not to want to stay CL but I know we won't be around for much except breakfast. And the Grand is my happy place I'm so excited to get back there!!! WL is the bestest a deluxe room sounds wonderful. maybe you'll be there for the new CL!

 

[Tash87]

Sorry to jump in but just wanted to share that I've only got 31 days until we check into the GF for the first time!

Would love to walk in and see the gingerbread house up or being built! What do you think the odds are? Check in 12th Nov. Keep your fingers crossed for me please

 

[pas130]

Sorry to jump in but just wanted to share that I've only got 31 days until we check into the GF for the first time!

Would love to walk in and see the gingerbread house up or being built! What do you think the odds are? Check in 12th Nov. Keep your fingers crossed for me please

We are checking in the 10th! So fingers crossed here too! I think we might see the beginnings of some decorations. If not at least the MK will be glorious right? I went with my girls one year around 11/5-6 and they were just starting the gingerbread house (and giving out samples...YUM). Perhaps later in your trip you have an excellent change of it "beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

 

[KonaKaiTom]

We are checking in the 10th! So fingers crossed here too! I think we might see the beginnings of some decorations. If not at least the MK will be glorious right? I went with my girls one year around 11/5-6 and they were just starting the gingerbread house (and giving out samples...YUM). Perhaps later in your trip you have an excellent change of it "beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

Fingers crossed for both of you that you will see the Christmas magic of Disney.

Tom

 

[baler31]

Thanks Sue! Miss Janet terribly it's been way too long since I've seen her. I'll let you know about Christmas decorations mid November and congrats on retirement. Being able to take DH to MVMCP is a plus to our trip which coincides with the last weekend of Food and Wine.

Any Grand groupies done the Sunday brunch at Narcoosee's?? I snagged an ADR but I don't recall hearing too much about it.

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian DISers and Happy Columbus Day to our Italian American peeps

We have done brunch Narcoossee's. I posted some photos somewhere, not sure if it was this thread or the restaurant board. Will look when I am at home. Brunch was very good. We each ordered entree's and waiter told us to order a few for the middle of the table as well. We did not like the chicken and waffles, only miss of the meal. Loved the halibut, desserts were excellent although no almond cheesecake. I doubt it will be offered for very long as we were told on a typical day they serve around 15-20 tales the whole day. I think price and lack of promotion are a factor.

 

[trishadono]

Sorry to jump in but just wanted to share that I've only got 31 days until we check into the GF for the first time!

Would love to walk in and see the gingerbread house up or being built! What do you think the odds are? Check in 12th Nov. Keep your fingers crossed for me please

@Sue M
I go often in November. Last year I have of pic of it on 11/13/15 at 10:15 am so hopefully it up for you too.

Also the small version at CR was up as well.

Love the smell. I think its usually assembled close to then but the store inside of it may not be open. However the 1st floor gift shop was selling gingerbread at that time.

 

[pas130]

Fingers crossed for both of you that you will see the Christmas magic of Disney.

Tom

Thanks Tom!!

We have done brunch Narcoossee's. I posted some photos somewhere, not sure if it was this thread or the restaurant board. Will look when I am at home. Brunch was very good. We each ordered entree's and waiter told us to order a few for the middle of the table as well. We did not like the chicken and waffles, only miss of the meal. Loved the halibut, desserts were excellent although no almond cheesecake. I doubt it will be offered for very long as we were told on a typical day they serve around 15-20 tales the whole day. I think price and lack of promotion are a factor.

Thanks Baler, your input is much appreciated. I do agree about the lack of promotion as a factor for sure, because I happened upon it by accident. My DH tends to be a little bit of a picky eater so I did see the menu and wondered if we shouldn't just grab a GF Café or Kona ADR. I definitely look forward to your pics, thanks again!

 

[pas130]

I go often in November. Last year I have of pic of it on 11/13/15 at 10:15 am so hopefully it up for you too.

Also the small version at CR was up as well.

Love the smell. I think its usually assembled close to then but the store inside of it may not be open. However the 1st floor gift shop was selling gingerbread at that time.

We did see the WL tree up and CR and Poly were all decorated that November girls trip. I hope hope hope...you know I need that hubby of mind to find some Grand love

 

[trishadono]

Fingers crossed for both of you that you will see the Christmas magic of Disney.

Tom

i can't see all of your signature. Do i see 2 trips? One looks a lot like the Grand roofs lol.

 

[trishadono]

Just remembered to book our favorite, Garden View Tea Room! So 1/17/17 at 12P it is!

Love visiting GF!!!