trishadono
DIS Legend
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That is great! DH enjoys that a lot. We arrive the day after it starts so it shouldn't be too bad.
(2014-2020) Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA + VILLAS Information & Questions
- Thread starter k&a&c'smom
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trishadono
DIS Legend
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2 of my friends heading down there this weekend and both families packed shorts!
I have swam many times in January too.
grannyminnie
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 27, 2007
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I've seen that kind of gear on the lifeguards in February. It does look funny seeing them by a pool, while one hardy soul is swimming (we southerners don't get in the pool in temps like that!!).
followthatmouse
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 18, 2008
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Hoping to swim in December!
I am heading off to my last day of work before my trip!!! Our visit is looming up rather swiftly. A little too swiftly in one way. We discovered that our long-serving travel agent is extremely ill and has been on leave for the past two months. No one has been watching our file so there are a couple of loose ends to tie. Fortunately, no loose string involving the GF! But, when you are travelling internationally, you like all your little ducks in a row. We are more concerned for our dear travel agent. She has been helping us travel beautifully for years.
One week to go !
I am heading off to my last day of work before my trip!!! Our visit is looming up rather swiftly. A little too swiftly in one way. We discovered that our long-serving travel agent is extremely ill and has been on leave for the past two months. No one has been watching our file so there are a couple of loose ends to tie. Fortunately, no loose string involving the GF! But, when you are travelling internationally, you like all your little ducks in a row. We are more concerned for our dear travel agent. She has been helping us travel beautifully for years.
One week to go !
MaryLovesPoohBear
DIS Veteran
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- Sep 27, 2014
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We are heading to the pool, now. As in right now.
It was in the 80's today. It is warm enough to swim.
It was in the 80's today. It is warm enough to swim.
Wood Nymph
DIS Legend
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It sounds lovely. I hope the weather stays warm for the next ten days at least.
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thumper*
Disney Dreamer
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- Mar 25, 2010
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Alright so excited for GF that only 3 weeks after reserving this trip I have altered the ressys to add another day to GF. We're cutting out 3 nt's at WL and doing 2 nt's POFQ and now 4 nt's at GF instead of 3nt's. If I play my cards right might even be able to up that to 5 nt's. WOO HOO
ivanp91
DIS Veteran
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- Nov 20, 2015
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- 586
It's been a few weeks since my first stay at GF and I'm only just getting around to posting about it! We stayed using points at the Villas for 7 nights, requested 1429 or 1329 and ended up with 1329, so I was quite happy about that 
We took it at our own pace, went to the pools a few times, and roamed through the lobby and stores a little... aside from that we didn't spend too much time exploring the property, but I'm definitely happy to call it my home resort.
There were several negatives during the stay (some being the Disney's problem, some not), but don't get me wrong, it was a great trip:
- There were a few broken items in the room, eg one of the drawers under the bed, a door in the kitchenette.
- Did breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe one morning. Never again. It was really quite bad. At least we got a little bit of a DVC discount.
- Woke up one morning to an email saying we didn't have any valid park admissions remaining and that our FP+ for the next day will be cancelled. We had been to the parks a week earlier off the Disney Magic, and it turned out when we linked our one-day DCL pass to MDE the next time we scanned into a park it took an admission from the 2-day pass we purchased for our proper stay. It took a bit longer than I'd hoped (over half a day and a few front desk visits) but they fixed it up for us.
- We thought we would watch the water pageant one night, I thought I would record it to show one of my friends that's huge on Disney. One of the rooms we were standing near had a bunch of adults and kids on the balcony watching, and the moment the kids realised I was filming the show they started screaming and yelling obnoxiously. And I mean SCREAMING at the top of their lungs. The moment I stopped recording they shut up. The parents half-heartedly told them to be quiet once but it didn't do anything. I was pretty angry, there was no need for it.
- We thought the resort merchandise was a bit feminine and not really the kind of stuff two guys would buy. We loved the assortment of merchandise at Polynesian, and thought GF could do well to follow their example.
- The only time we caught the bus was to Disney Springs on a Saturday evening, but we were surprised at the length of time between buses. It also didn't help that the estimated time on the board kept changing by the minute, the bus finally arrived some 20 minutes after the time the screen originally said.
- We had to keep requesting plastic spoons, which was odd as there's supposed to be an initial stock of 4 in the studios. Even on the day 4 service, everything was topped up except for spoons. When we mentioned it to the front desk, the lady said she didn't know why but there had been some trouble with the stocks at the time, and added "it's really not that hard for someone from here to go to Publix to get some", which I thought was a little odd.
As for the positives... Magic Kingdom being RIGHT THERE! Ok, so it doesn't compare to being able to walk from BLT like we did last year (oops, still a little negative haha), but it was great being able to get ready for the Xmas party and then being there 5 minutes later. Walking between GF and Poly and taking in Seven Seas Lagoon. Being able to watch both Wishes and Holiday Wishes from the balcony. Bliss!
Not GF related, but one day we drove out to Vero Beach and spent the day by the pool there. Methinks a little stay there is in order next year! On the way back to WDW we detoured past Port Canaveral and saw not only the Dream depart, but also the Wonder leaving for Galveston (our third encounter with her in a week). One of our CM friends was also awesome enough to give us wristbands to enter Stormalong Bay so we could cool down after a day at Epcot. Loved it
We took it at our own pace, went to the pools a few times, and roamed through the lobby and stores a little... aside from that we didn't spend too much time exploring the property, but I'm definitely happy to call it my home resort.There were several negatives during the stay (some being the Disney's problem, some not), but don't get me wrong, it was a great trip:
- There were a few broken items in the room, eg one of the drawers under the bed, a door in the kitchenette.
- Did breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe one morning. Never again. It was really quite bad. At least we got a little bit of a DVC discount.
- Woke up one morning to an email saying we didn't have any valid park admissions remaining and that our FP+ for the next day will be cancelled. We had been to the parks a week earlier off the Disney Magic, and it turned out when we linked our one-day DCL pass to MDE the next time we scanned into a park it took an admission from the 2-day pass we purchased for our proper stay. It took a bit longer than I'd hoped (over half a day and a few front desk visits) but they fixed it up for us.
- We thought we would watch the water pageant one night, I thought I would record it to show one of my friends that's huge on Disney. One of the rooms we were standing near had a bunch of adults and kids on the balcony watching, and the moment the kids realised I was filming the show they started screaming and yelling obnoxiously. And I mean SCREAMING at the top of their lungs. The moment I stopped recording they shut up. The parents half-heartedly told them to be quiet once but it didn't do anything. I was pretty angry, there was no need for it.
- We thought the resort merchandise was a bit feminine and not really the kind of stuff two guys would buy. We loved the assortment of merchandise at Polynesian, and thought GF could do well to follow their example.
- The only time we caught the bus was to Disney Springs on a Saturday evening, but we were surprised at the length of time between buses. It also didn't help that the estimated time on the board kept changing by the minute, the bus finally arrived some 20 minutes after the time the screen originally said.
- We had to keep requesting plastic spoons, which was odd as there's supposed to be an initial stock of 4 in the studios. Even on the day 4 service, everything was topped up except for spoons. When we mentioned it to the front desk, the lady said she didn't know why but there had been some trouble with the stocks at the time, and added "it's really not that hard for someone from here to go to Publix to get some", which I thought was a little odd.
As for the positives... Magic Kingdom being RIGHT THERE! Ok, so it doesn't compare to being able to walk from BLT like we did last year (oops, still a little negative haha), but it was great being able to get ready for the Xmas party and then being there 5 minutes later. Walking between GF and Poly and taking in Seven Seas Lagoon. Being able to watch both Wishes and Holiday Wishes from the balcony. Bliss!
Not GF related, but one day we drove out to Vero Beach and spent the day by the pool there. Methinks a little stay there is in order next year! On the way back to WDW we detoured past Port Canaveral and saw not only the Dream depart, but also the Wonder leaving for Galveston (our third encounter with her in a week). One of our CM friends was also awesome enough to give us wristbands to enter Stormalong Bay so we could cool down after a day at Epcot. Loved it
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mommyrosa2
The best thing about Memories is making them
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Messages
- 2,724
Already tweaking dates...
Pushed our trip out by a few days so we are now checking in 8/16 instead of 8/12 - really, really going to try and NOT make too many changes for this upcoming trip
.
Pushed our trip out by a few days so we are now checking in 8/16 instead of 8/12 - really, really going to try and NOT make too many changes for this upcoming trip
.
followthatmouse
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 18, 2008
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- 844
Thank you, MommyGina! We'll have the trusty iPad along for the ride. Hopefully, updates will ensue. Two long travel days ahead on Monday and Tuesday before the fun can begin properly on Wednesday!
Spridell
DIS Veteran
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- Jul 16, 2016
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Just returned from 4 days at the Grand.
Was my 5th time there and as always it was perfect. The resort is in full Holiday mode, If you have never been to see the decorations you MUST go out of your way and go see them.
I think 1900 is one of the if not the best breakfast in all of Disney. There was some monorail problems 2 of the days we were there and had to take the bus back and forth and even UBER one day from the resort
to the parks. (by the way UBER is very quick, not that expensive and they drop you off right at the front entrance to Epcot or Animal or Hollywood.
If anyone is a Christmas junky you must go to Disney during the Holidays.
Already planning next years trip for the Food and Wine Festival.
Was my 5th time there and as always it was perfect. The resort is in full Holiday mode, If you have never been to see the decorations you MUST go out of your way and go see them.
I think 1900 is one of the if not the best breakfast in all of Disney. There was some monorail problems 2 of the days we were there and had to take the bus back and forth and even UBER one day from the resort
to the parks. (by the way UBER is very quick, not that expensive and they drop you off right at the front entrance to Epcot or Animal or Hollywood.
If anyone is a Christmas junky you must go to Disney during the Holidays.
Already planning next years trip for the Food and Wine Festival.
aalliep
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2014
- Messages
- 47
We had our first trip to GF this past September/October and we loved it so much we just booked our return trip for June 2017. We got a 1 bedroom villa at VGF and this time both of our boys (3 & 16) are coming with us. Cannot wait! Our 16 year old really wanted to stay at the Contemporary or BLT for the first time, but my heart now belongs to GF. All it took was one stay and I'm hooked
trishadono
DIS Legend
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- Aug 21, 2011
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- 10,440
My son was 16 when we tried VGF. He did NOT want to stay at gf but after seeing the room in person he was hooked!
The pull down bed under the tv was big enought for my DS at 6"tall too.
That bathroom is amazing!
Enjoy
Lovinallthingsdisney
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2009
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- 366
One of my favorite pics from our first stay at GF a few weeks ago. My 18 year old baby with Richard. He was out there greeting people every day...all day. The charm and beauty of this resort has us hooked. We booked a BB for May. Can't wait to be back!
followthatmouse
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 18, 2008
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- 844
Richard hasn't changed a bit! I am very glad they give him a heater to stand under during the colder months.
grannyminnie
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 27, 2007
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Such a nice man! We love greeting him too.
Wood Nymph
DIS Legend
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- Sep 19, 2012
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I was at the Gone Mad party tonight. The party is held on Sunday and Wednesday night, from 8:30 to 10:30pm. They play dance music and sell refreshments. The best part is that they play the music that goes along with the fireworks. Tonight was the Christmas party so we saw those fireworks. It is a great view. It was worth it for the fireworks. I didn't have any of the refreshments.
I took a picture of the sign and will post it later.
We also booked the new private water taxi service to take us to FW for breakfast tomorrow.
http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/11/private-water-taxi-service-coming-to.html
I'll let you know how it works out.
http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/11/private-water-taxi-service-coming-to.html
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