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

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning my GF Gals!!! Sorry I have been MIA, but I have been lurking in order to keep up with everyone and the beautiful Grand Floridian.

Jet Blue finally released flights for the summer so its official....I am book in July at the Grand!! Now I hope for a discount, usually don't get one until April/May.

This trip is with 14 people and is probably my last summer trip. I think I am ready to spend my DH's chunk of vacation time seeing other vacation destinations. BUT I am also ready to see the Grand and WDW for other seasons not the DD will be in college next year. This is hopefully open up more opportunities for no school days.

I am a little stressed on getting ADRs and Fastpasses for the 14. Everyone of course is entrusting me on the plans. I have a plan in place, now hopefully it works with reservations....

I hopefully will be around more often, life seems to be getting settled down around here. Today is my mom's birthday 11/11!!!

Have a Grand day!!

Grannyminnie - So sorry to hear about DH!!!! Hope he feels better soon!!

 

[cattywampus]

So sorry Grannyminnie!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut You Poly persuader you!!! Love it...lol...

I try my best

Yes they are included, as I'm staying in a Deluxe Queen Room in the Main Bldg/RPC in 10 days and I qualified for free dining. Good luck!

Have a great time .

It's awesome to know that the queen deluxe rpc rooms qualify for discounts!! Thanks for the insight!! I can't even book until August. We're looking for November post thanksgiving to early December 2016. So I obviously have a loooonnngggg wait!

Does anyone have experience with using the military salute on these rooms? I saw free dining and bb mentioned, but the salute is what I am hoping to use. Provided it is renewed for that time period. �� Seems so far away...

We don't qualify for the military discount so I don't have personal experience with it, but I have seen posts of others booking CL rooms under that discount. With that said, I'm not sure if the deluxe RPC rooms are included or not as I've never seen someone post about booking that particular room category, but that isn't to say they're not. I would plan on calling as soon as that discount is released (provided it's renewed) and inquire about those CL rooms. Good luck .

Hello, I am sorry if this has been asked recently but just wanted to confirm...monorail service from GF to MK starts at 7am? Thanks

I can't help, but hopefully others will be able to answer .

30 days! 30 days from now we will be at the GF! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

19 days for us, it's so exciting isn't it?! Our first trip back in three years and our first stay at the grand. Still can't decide which room / area we want to stay in either. Argh still so much to do before we go haha.

You are going to LOVE the Grand!! Have a great trip .

Saturday!!!!

Good morning..early morning.. Was supposed to be headed to the airport right now for our Cal. trip but DH got sick, so no go. Very bummed right now, and not even a WDW trip planned to console me!
I spent yest. canceling flights, hotel, car rental, etc. Not fun!

Mickeynut, still considering that Labor Day deal, but probably not at the Poly, unless I can convince my sis to leave the GF! She's spoiled to it's beauty, like I am! (do you know if the percent off at the Poly is even better than the GF's discount at that time?) Blue, it's not that I need any persuading, it's that I have to have my sister's agreement as well!

I'm so sorry about your DH, I hope he feels better soon .

The Poly is amazing, but I do understand about loving the Grand . I'm not sure what the % off is for the GF, but I do know it's just GV and no CL. Both standard and CL are offered at the Poly, with CL being about 45% off and I think standard is around 50-55%. I didn't price the GF as I wanted CL (especially for that kind of savings), but from posts I've read from others who have booked the GF under that deal, it seems to be a pretty great discount, so my guess is it's close (if not the same) as Poly standard .

Good Morning my GF Gals!!! Sorry I have been MIA, but I have been lurking in order to keep up with everyone and the beautiful Grand Floridian.

Jet Blue finally released flights for the summer so its official....I am book in July at the Grand!! Now I hope for a discount, usually don't get one until April/May.

This trip is with 14 people and is probably my last summer trip. I think I am ready to spend my DH's chunk of vacation time seeing other vacation destinations. BUT I am also ready to see the Grand and WDW for other seasons not the DD will be in college next year. This is hopefully open up more opportunities for no school days.

I am a little stressed on getting ADRs and Fastpasses for the 14. Everyone of course is entrusting me on the plans. I have a plan in place, now hopefully it works with reservations....

I hopefully will be around more often, life seems to be getting settled down around here. Today is my mom's birthday 11/11!!!

Have a Grand day!!

Grannyminnie - So sorry to hear about DH!!!! Hope he feels better soon!!

Hi Wishes .....good to "see" you.

Congrats on airfare being released and for booking your trip for next summer .

Good luck with the planning for so many people. I might be in the same boat as my family is considering a big trip next summer and I must say I am looking forward to doing everything BUT booking for FPP. I wish Disney would have left the FP system alone as it gave everyone an equal chance for those, but, it is what it is. Good luck to you with all of the planning .

Happy Birthday to your mom ....hope everyone has a nice day celebrating.

 

[grayse]

All I could snag on this crazy last minute trip is an outer building garden view. I wondered what is my best shot at maybe just maybe we can see MK? And if so would it be further out from the main building and monorail? Having not stayed at GF I'm a little unfamiliar with the layout and kind of scrambling throwing this all together. Thanks so much.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

All I could snag on this crazy last minute trip is an outer building garden view. I wondered what is my best shot at maybe just maybe we can see MK? And if so would it be further out from the main building and monorail? Having not stayed at GF I'm a little unfamiliar with the layout and kind of scrambling throwing this all together. Thanks so much.

If you follow the link below you can see the layout of the resort -- none of the outer buildings are very far from anywhere -- it is no more than a leisurely 5 minute walk to anywhere. As far as possbily getting an MK view, you could pretty much get one from almost any of the buildings except maybe SugarLoaf (which is a club level building anyhow) -- but some of the views you might have to lean and look around a tree or a balcony. Pretty much the only truly MK views are the end units in the buildings facing the MK or the upper levels of the main building.

Tom

http://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/...on_distance]=3&filters[ug]=&filters[view]=334

 

[grannyminnie]

Blue, did I miss "seeing you off"?? Sorry if I did... been busy the last few days. Have a wonderful time and check in with us if you can!

 

[grayse]

Thanks for the feedback Tom. Is there a link/post that gives room numbers with the best shot?

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks for the feedback Tom. Is there a link/post that gives room numbers with the best shot?

Yes there is -- if you click on an individual building and then click on rooms you will actually be able to see the view that room has.

Just click and play in that link -- it is a dangerous tool -- when I make reservations I usually give them 3 room numbers and the response is "Oh, you've been here before." I have always gotten either the room I wanted, 1 floor up or down, or adjacent too. But, I've also never booked garden view and then tried to switch it to one of the true MK views -- if they want to upgrade to that -- well that's what we call pixie dust. I'm not sure what the rate is, but there appear to be a couple of "rooms," not "suites" on the end (2) per floor that have a view of the MK -- check it out -- start with room 5145.

Tom

 

[BWV Dreamin]

So totally bummed. I am 27 days from my first ever stay at RPC and my furnace died!! To replace it and pipes and such is gonna cost me 10K. I may have to chg resorts. So sad

Wow! Will you be able to keep your reservation? Is there anything else open this late? Keep us posted

 

[grayse]

Yes there is -- if you click on an individual building and then click on rooms you will actually be able to see the view that room has.

Just click and play in that link -- it is a dangerous tool -- when I make reservations I usually give them 3 room numbers and the response is "Oh, you've been here before." I have always gotten either the room I wanted, 1 floor up or down, or adjacent too. But, I've also never booked garden view and then tried to switch it to one of the true MK views -- if they want to upgrade to that -- well that's what we call pixie dust. I'm not sure what the rate is, but there appear to be a couple of "rooms," not "suites" on the end (2) per floor that have a view of the MK -- check it out -- start with room 5145.

Tom

5145 in Spago? That appeared to be the only one I could really get a peek of the castle judging from the site. Also, I am a little unsure what white vs pink shaded indicates. I'm guessing black are the suites and/or true upgraded vws.

 

[Candice30]

Wow! Will you be able to keep your reservation? Is there anything else open this late? Keep us posted

Thanks yes there are a few options that would save me money like WL club or YC club level. I have CR tower the first 2 nights and sadly no openings the rest of my stay except garden view. Hoping I can work it out. This is a surprise for my mom and luckily she only knows about CR portion so she won't be disappointed if I have to cancel GF.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hello fellow GF fans...

Good morning..early morning.. Was supposed to be headed to the airport right now for our Cal. trip but DH got sick, so no go. Very bummed right now, and not even a WDW trip planned to console me!
I spent yest. canceling flights, hotel, car rental, etc. Not fun!

Mickeynut, still considering that Labor Day deal, but probably not at the Poly, unless I can convince my sis to leave the GF! She's spoiled to it's beauty, like I am! (do you know if the percent off at the Poly is even better than the GF's discount at that time?) Blue, it's not that I need any persuading, it's that I have to have my sister's agreement as well!

Oh grannyminnie so very sorry that you had to cancel...Hope that your DH us feeling better..and that you get to reschedule your trip...

As for a Labor Day trip....I think that you might have to twist your sisters arm a bit...lol... No matter what resort I sure do hope that we will finally have trips that over lap...

BTW..you did not miss our send off...but in the single digits!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Good Morning my GF Gals!!! Sorry I have been MIA, but I have been lurking in order to keep up with everyone and the beautiful Grand Floridian.

Jet Blue finally released flights for the summer so its official....I am book in July at the Grand!! Now I hope for a discount, usually don't get one until April/May.

This trip is with 14 people and is probably my last summer trip. I think I am ready to spend my DH's chunk of vacation time seeing other vacation destinations. BUT I am also ready to see the Grand and WDW for other seasons not the DD will be in college next year. This is hopefully open up more opportunities for no school days.

I am a little stressed on getting ADRs and Fastpasses for the 14. Everyone of course is entrusting me on the plans. I have a plan in place, now hopefully it works with reservations....

I hopefully will be around more often, life seems to be getting settled down around here. Today is my mom's birthday 11/11!!!

Have a Grand day!!:

Wishes Hi!!! Always happy to "see" you! Glad that you are all booked for July...now let that super planning begin....Your family is very lucky to have a seasoned planner attending to all of the details that now need to be handled with FPP and all....

Getting to go to the World during different season will be lots of fun...

All I could snag on this crazy last minute trip is an outer building garden view. I wondered what is my best shot at maybe just maybe we can see MK? And if so would it be further out from the main building and monorail? Having not stayed at GF I'm a little unfamiliar with the layout and kind of scrambling throwing this all together. Thanks so much.

Last minute trips have been some of our best trips! I see that Tom posted the link to that terrific tool from TP.... Lots of wonderful views at the GF...even if they are not MK view..

If you follow the link below you can see the layout of the resort -- none of the outer buildings are very far from anywhere -- it is no more than a leisurely 5 minute walk to anywhere. As far as possbily getting an MK view, you could pretty much get one from almost any of the buildings except maybe SugarLoaf (which is a club level building anyhow) -- but some of the views you might have to lean and look around a tree or a balcony. Pretty much the only truly MK views are the end units in the buildings facing the MK or the upper levels of the main building.

Tom

http://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/...on_distance]=3&filters[ug]=&filters[view]=334

Thanks again for posting that link Tom...it is super helpful!

MickeyNut Hey there!!!

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday!!! preppy GF gal who was finally able to snag a BOG FPP for lunch....

 

[Candice30]

Good News!...NO...GREAT NEWS! Was able to work things out for a new furnace....so we are still heading to RPC in 24 days!! can't wait to see mom's face when she finds out.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Good News!...NO...GREAT NEWS! Was able to work things out for a new furnace....so we are still heading to RPC in 24 days!! can't wait to see mom's face when she finds out.

That is WONDERFUL news! Do you believe in magic?


Tom

 

[Kona65]

Wonderful site, with very useful information.

 

[ksks11]

Hi all-
First off, thank you for all your help in answering my many questions. This was our first stay at the GF, as well as our first trip to Disney.
I will tell you a little about our stay. We went from November 1st to the 11th. The weather was much colder than I expected and wished I packed more long sleeves and pants. Speaking of packing... my husband made me promise that I will not pack that much EVER again. I think I read to many blogs on what you might need in Disney. And then I packed all of those items.. and then some. I guess there is such a thing as being TOO prepared.

The hotel is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! The rooms are spacious and views are wonderful. The overall feel of the resort is wonderful. My husband said we will never stay anywhere else [he loved it that much]. It was so nice that we canceled some plans on the last couple of days so we could enjoy the hotel and pools.

There were some things I didn't like. There were several lights out in our room. We asked them to replace them and they never were. There was a box of some sort on the ceiling over the one bed and it was not secured on. It was sort of just hanging. The maid service was a bit disappointing. I made colorful Disney cards decorated with character clipart [which were so cute by the way] and filled them each with $5 to put out every morning. I was hoping for a few towel animals for my 5 and 3 year old. Every day we came back hoping their Mickey stuffed animals would be in a funny pose. We were lucky if they were picked up off the couch. The lotions and such were not replaced along with coffee cups. Needless to say the next morning I did not leave a tip card... wouldn't you know it --- the next day the room looked quite nicer, with all of our stock replenished. I did tip the rest of the vacation. Just wanted a little more magic when we walked into our room after a day at the parks.

The drawer space was lacking. But I knew this before we went. So we mailed down those closet hangers that you can fold clothing and put inside. I put my DD's items in the one set of drawers- my DS's clothing in the other set of drawers... and my husband's and my clothing in the sorters in the closet. It worked out for us.

The grounds were immaculate! The pools were clean and beautiful and a wonderful place to relax away from all the hustle and bustle.
I originally thought the marina looked great in pics - but once there it was not as impressive- so didn't mind that we got Conch Key instead. We had an end room with the lagoon view on the 2nd floor... which was nice b/c we didn't have neighbors to our right. It took about 4 nights until I realized we had a view of the castle. It was blocked by a tree- but if you looked at night you could see it through the branches.

We went to both the Contemporary [Cali Grill] and Polynesian [Ohana] for dinner. We definitely like the GF much much better. My DH said the Contemporary looked like a dated casino and he thought the Poly was way too dark and closed feeling [the remodeling didn't help any].
I was worried the GF would not be kid-friendly- but I was wrong. Kids were very welcomed there. Loved the beachy feel of the grounds.
Gasparilla Grill's food was good [not great] but good. It had a good feel though. The resort never felt crowded and we always found a seat at the pool.

Transportation has a lot to be desired re: buses. However, loved being on the monorail. So easy to get to other resorts for dinner and easy access to MK and Epcot. The buses were not good. The Deluxe resorts should have their own buses. And I was not happy with the Magical Express. We slept over at the MCO airport before heading to the GF in the morning [totally rec. that and we would do that again]. We went down to get the ME and had to wait for at leasdt 3 buses to come and go to the GF (shared with the Wilderness Lodge] before we even got on the bus. Next time I would consider taking private transportation or rent a car. That way we would stop at Target or something to stock our room.

Overall, I loved the GF and would definitely rec. it to anyone. It was very much a Magical trip!

 

[Candice30]

That is WONDERFUL news! Do you believe in magic? Tom

Oh I do!

 

[Aurora0427]

19 days for us, it's so exciting isn't it?! Our first trip back in three years and our first stay at the grand. Still can't decide which room / area we want to stay in either. Argh still so much to do before we go haha.

 

[grannyminnie]

Candice, happy for you that the furnace problem will not keep you from having a Grand trip!

ksks, thanks for your TR. You and your DH have now discovered why so many of us on here have a love affair with the GF! She's just a beauty!

Blue, hey there! I'm sure you have packed and re-packed...and are very excited!! How many days now?

 

[jacquelynb]

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