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

[jerseygal]

Bags are packed, airport shuttle arrives around 8:00 am and we are off!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!
Can't wait to see the Grand for the first time this Dec!

 

[BlueSkies]

I think I was wrong on the opening date...The first date I read was that it would open sometime this weekend now I just read that it will open on 11-21 so I'm not sure which it is

Thanks for the info ah...

Thanks. I'm really excited to surprise mom.

So happy that your trip is still on... What a wonderful surprise...

Checking in tomorrow!!! Thank you everyone for all of the great information and help. It is much appreciated from this over planning DL vet on our first foray into the World!

Safe travels cattywampus Have a grand vacation!!

Hi Everyone!! This may be old news, but it's news to me and I just had to ask! Just heard that the Beach Pool is closing in 3/6/15 - 4/9/15 . So disappointed as we'll be there during the rehab or whatever it is they're closing it for......Does anyone know why??

I believe its for general refurbishment...but there is also the courtyard pool as an alternative...no slide there..but it is also zero entry..

Love this thread.

Me too!! Lotsa of good info..and grand love going on...

I believe it's for refurbishment. Just saw this myself and am now not sure what to do as we are scheduled for 4/2-4/11/15. The Grand is a one time dream for me. Now I'm worried about Easter crowds with The Villas and GF sharing one pool?! Not to mention no slide for DD. Maybe one of the veterans of the GF here can give their thoughts on the crowd impact at the remaining pool in this scenario?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news...but..I am thinking that the pool will be quite crowded....I have noticed that since the villas opened both pools are a lot busier than they used to be...so given the time of year and having only one pool available... JMO though....

ksks Thank you for your review ...glad that you enjoyed your trip!

grannyminnie Were you able to reschedule your DL trip...Hope so...

MickeyNut Plenty of texts will be on their way... Especially pics of your fave resort...

jerseygal Your trip will be here before you know it!!

It seems that next week there will be quite a few colder days at WDW..so the repacking has begun..again... lol..don't think Blizzard Beach will be in our plans....so maybe an extra DTD day....can never spend too much time shopping...Ummm I mean browsing.... lol....

Probably won't have a chance to pop in before we leave....so I hope that all of my fellow GF fans have a wonderful week..those at WDW and those at home too....I am not a picture poster...but will take some to share with our hostess k&a&c'smom.... preppy GF gal who hopes to enjoy being a Poly princess....

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut Hey there!!!

Hi there Blue

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.

Glad everything worked out and you are able to keep your RPC stay .

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.

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

Thanks for your review, glad you had a nice time and enjoyed the GF .

Hi. We are checking in on Sat for a week! Excited, but really nervous because had originally researched Wilderness Lodge and moved due to pool refurb. I don't feel as though I know the GF as well as I should, but have an Outer-Lagoon and requested an upper floor but without a dormer, so we should be good!!

Anyway, will they store our luggage? Given that there are 4 of us (2 adults and 2 kids), plus a stroller, I'm thinking it will be tight. If not, are the beds built so we can slide suitcases underneath?

Thanks!!

You shouldn't have any trouble finding a place for your luggage. We are a family of 4 (all adults) and although we've never had a stroller, we always have 4 large suitcases and never had a problem finding a place for our empty luggage . Have a great trip.

Good Evening fellow GF fiends

It's a little soggy not to mention cold here in my part of PA, I'm dreaming of........Just getting over a MEGA migraine that developed late Sunday

Hi Mickeynut. I'm always lurking...Always planning just not booking yet

Hi there ahcupcake

It's not rainy here, but it is cold ......I think winter is setting in. Sorry about your migraine, hope you are feeling better .

There's nothing wrong with always planning . I have 1 trip booked for the middle of August of next year and in the process of planning one for possibly June/July, but nothing definite yet. But it is fun to think about .

Checking in tomorrow!!! Thank you everyone for all of the great information and help. It is much appreciated from this over planning DL vet on our first foray into the World!

Have a great trip .

Hi Everyone!! This may be old news, but it's news to me and I just had to ask! Just heard that the Beach Pool is closing in 3/6/15 - 4/9/15 . So disappointed as we'll be there during the rehab or whatever it is they're closing it for......Does anyone know why??

I haven't heard of anything, but as others have said, if the pool is going to be closed, it's probably for regular maintenance. As BlueSkies posted, there is the courtyard pool and while it doesn't have a slide, it is a nice pool with zero entry .

MickeyNut Plenty of texts will be on their way... Especially pics of your fave resort...

Have a great trip .

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Morning fellow GF fiends

Still nothing here except that it's super cold oh we had a light dusting of that yucky white stuff.....

Anyone know if the 2015 planning dvd's are available yet? Maybe I'll just hold off on ordering one until after Thanksgiving

Bags are packed, airport shuttle arrives around 8:00 am and we are off!

Safe Travels

Thanks for the info ah...


It seems that next week there will be quite a few colder days at WDW..so the repacking has begun..again... lol..don't think Blizzard Beach will be in our plans....so maybe an extra DTD day....can never spend too much time shopping...Ummm I mean browsing.... lol....

Probably won't have a chance to pop in before we leave....so I hope that all of my fellow GF fans have a wonderful week..those at WDW and those at home too....I am not a picture poster...but will take some to share with our hostess k&a&c'smom.... preppy GF gal who hopes to enjoy being a Poly princess....

You're Welcome......Yes but it will still be probably warmer there than in the NE. Although 4 years ago it was warmer here than there in the beginning of Dec. Clowny say Hi ........Safe Travels send lots of pics

Hi there ahcupcake

It's not rainy here, but it is cold ......I think winter is setting in. Sorry about your migraine, hope you are feeling better .

There's nothing wrong with always planning . I have 1 trip booked for the middle of August of next year and in the process of planning one for possibly June/July, but nothing definite yet. But it is fun to think about .

Hi Mickey I still want to call you McD gotta stop that........Thanks. Migraine is gone I hate feeling when I have one. Just saw the weather for next and it's supposed to be even high's of 35 ........LOL that sounds like mom & I in 2011, AP's make you do crazy evil things . Planning never hurts I think I "booked" a 2 week RPC stay on the Platinum Plan for my next b-day if I remember correctly the Disney portion cost just under 25K plus 2K to board 3 animals.....Like I said a dream

 

[abk96]

Hello everyone! I've been reading some of the posts but not posting lately. Been busy with searching/visiting colleges for my oldest daughter and doing cheer stuff with my youngest.

Have a great trip Blue and everyone else headed to the happiest place in the world.

We're looking at July again for next year but haven't booked anything yet. At least I have Nationals in Feb with youngest daughter.

 

[cattywampus]

Can you post when the gingerbread house is done? I will only be at Poly from 11/18-21. Hoping for mom to get to see it.

Thanks!

It's done and puffing out gingerbread smelling smoke!! Someone said it isn't technically open but it looks open to me unless you normally go inside??

We arrived tonight around 7:00 pm and went to check in to our outer building garden view but were surprised with an upgrade to Sugar Loaf club level. We are on top floor dormer with a gorgeous view of the pool!

Rooms are beautiful. Service has been great! We had 9:15 pm Narcoosees reservations. Food was fabulous, water pageant was fun and Wishes was magical with a window seat view and the music piped in. We finished dinner around 10:45, threw caution to the wind and grabed the boat to the MK for EMH parks open until 1:00 am, which is only 10 pm to us! magic Bands perfect so far!

Caught the last half of MSEP right at the entrance and then rode Buzz, Space Mtn, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and Small World in last 90 minutes. Everyone tucked in tight. Tomorrow full MK day including Christmas Party!

Goodnight all!!

 

[grannyminnie]

It's done and puffing out gingerbread smelling smoke!! Someone said it isn't technically open but it looks open to me unless you normally go inside??

We arrived tonight around 7:00 pm and went to check in to our outer building garden view but were surprised with an upgrade to Sugar Loaf club level. We are on top floor dormer with a gorgeous view of the pool!

Rooms are beautiful. Service has been great! We had 9:15 pm Narcoosees reservations. Food was fabulous, water pageant was fun and Wishes was magical with a window seat view and the music piped in. We finished dinner around 10:45, threw caution to the wind and grabed the boat to the MK for EMH parks open until 1:00 am, which is only 10 pm to us! magic Bands perfect so far!

Caught the last half of MSEP right at the entrance and then rode Buzz, Space Mtn, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and Small World in last 90 minutes. Everyone tucked in tight. Tomorrow full MK day including Christmas Party!

Goodnight all!!

Goodness, you had a full day!! And a Magical upgrade....sweet!

Ahcupcake, I have "planned" those big trips in my mind before....all of course on a huge lottery win!

Blue, no, I have not yet rescheduled the DL trip. Not sure we will this year. Happy re-packing! And have a wonderful visit!!

Hello Mickeynut...

Hi, Trish...hope you have a fun time with your mom!

 

[trishadono]

It's done and puffing out gingerbread smelling smoke!! Someone said it isn't technically open but it looks open to me unless you normally go inside??

We arrived tonight around 7:00 pm and went to check in to our outer building garden view but were surprised with an upgrade to Sugar Loaf club level. We are on top floor dormer with a gorgeous view of the pool!

Rooms are beautiful. Service has been great! We had 9:15 pm Narcoosees reservations. Food was fabulous, water pageant was fun and Wishes was magical with a window seat view and the music piped in. We finished dinner around 10:45, threw caution to the wind and grabed the boat to the MK for EMH parks open until 1:00 am, which is only 10 pm to us! magic Bands perfect so far!

Caught the last half of MSEP right at the entrance and then rode Buzz, Space Mtn, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and Small World in last 90 minutes. Everyone tucked in tight. Tomorrow full MK day including Christmas Party!

Goodnight all!!

Wow nice upgrade

Make sure to catch tea time. That's our favorite part about gf's CL

Thanks for posting update. Mom says she wants to head right to MK when we arrive so I think we will stop on the way at gf lobby for a quick peek

Hi, Trish...hope you have a fun time with your mom!

Thanks!!! Also looking forward to meeting Blue too

 

[mickeynut1]

Good Morning fellow GF fiends

Still nothing here except that it's super cold oh we had a light dusting of that yucky white stuff.....

Anyone know if the 2015 planning dvd's are available yet? Maybe I'll just hold off on ordering one until after Thanksgiving

Hi Mickey I still want to call you McD gotta stop that........Thanks. Migraine is gone I hate feeling when I have one. Just saw the weather for next and it's supposed to be even high's of 35........LOL that sounds like mom & I in 2011, AP's make you do crazy evil things :. Planning never hurts I think I "booked" a 2 week RPC stay on the Platinum Plan for my next b-day if I remember correctly the Disney portion cost just under 25K plus 2K to board 3 animals.....Like I said a dream

I would think the 2015 DVDs would be out now, but you never know with Disney . Waiting until after Thanksgiving to order one is probably a good idea as I'm sure the new ones will be out by then .

Glad the migraine is gone and you're feeling better . It's very cold here, too.....temps only in the high 20s/low 30s ......and later this week they could dip into the teens .

Sounds like a great trip you've priced out, I'm sure it would be amazing...or at least I'd hope it to be at $25K .

Hello everyone! I've been reading some of the posts but not posting lately. Been busy with searching/visiting colleges for my oldest daughter and doing cheer stuff with my youngest.

Have a great trip Blue and everyone else headed to the happiest place in the world.

We're looking at July again for next year but haven't booked anything yet. At least I have Nationals in Feb with youngest daughter.

Hope the college visits are going well .

I don't have anything booked for our summer trip yet, either....but it is still fun to think about/plan . Hope you have a great time in February.

We arrived tonight around 7:00 pm and went to check in to our outer building garden view but were surprised with an upgrade to Sugar Loaf club level. We are on top floor dormer with a gorgeous view of the pool!

Rooms are beautiful. Service has been great! We had 9:15 pm Narcoosees reservations. Food was fabulous, water pageant was fun and Wishes was magical with a window seat view and the music piped in. We finished dinner around 10:45, threw caution to the wind and grabed the boat to the MK for EMH parks open until 1:00 am, which is only 10 pm to us! magic Bands perfect so far!

Caught the last half of MSEP right at the entrance and then rode Buzz, Space Mtn, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and Small World in last 90 minutes. Everyone tucked in tight. Tomorrow full MK day including Christmas Party!

Goodnight all!!

Thanks for checking in, congrats on the nice upgrade .

Have a great trip and enjoy the Christmas party tonight .

Blue, no, I have not yet rescheduled the DL trip. Not sure we will this year.

Hello Mickeynut...

I hope DH is feeling better and I hope you are able to reschedule your DL trip .

Mom says she wants to head right to MK when we arrive so I think we will stop on the way at gf lobby for a quick peek

Thanks!!! Also looking forward to meeting Blue too

That sounds like a great plan .

Have fun meeting Blue and her DD .

 

[grannyminnie]

Thanks, Mickeynut....no re-scheduling yet. Matter of fact, it hasn't even been mentioned by either of us so far. I'm so hesitant to make any plans with him now, given his seemingly frequent chronic bronchitis!

 

[jojomickey]

Hello everyone,
Just got home yesterday waking up missing Disney unpacking is not as fun as packing to go for sure. The beginning of the week it was so crowded line out the door at Gasparilla grill in the morning. One of the workers in the grill told us because of the poly construction and the Dvc .This was one of our best trips ever though . The gingerbread house is up puffing smoke but not the tree.We really enjoyed the Grande café but didn't enjoy citracos as much as the last time. Our first day Space mountain down and people mover down and also we had a last minute cancelation for dinner at via Napoli because of a maintenance issue but the rest of our vacation was Grand. Really sad it is over, oh well back to planning the next trip.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks, Mickeynut....no re-scheduling yet. Matter of fact, it hasn't even been mentioned by either of us so far. I'm so hesitant to make any plans with him now, given his seemingly frequent chronic bronchitis!

I'm sorry about your DH's recurring bronchitis. I hope he feels better and gets some relief soon .

Hello everyone,
Just got home yesterday waking up missing Disney unpacking is not as fun as packing to go for sure. The beginning of the week it was so crowded line out the door at Gasparilla grill in the morning. One of the workers in the grill told us because of the poly construction and the Dvc .This was one of our best trips ever though . The gingerbread house is up puffing smoke but not the tree.We really enjoyed the Grande café but didn't enjoy citracos as much as the last time. Our first day Space mountain down and people mover down and also we had a last minute cancelation for dinner at via Napoli because of a maintenance issue but the rest of our vacation was Grand. Really sad it is over, oh well back to planning the next trip.

Welcome back! Glad you had a great time and enjoyed the Grand . Getting home and unpacking is definitely not as fun as packing to go, but it is always fun to start planning that next trip right away .

 

[MommyGina]

Hi GF friends. Stopping to say hi! Wow, many of you have already booked trips for July 2015! That is great for all of you!

DD has been looking at colleges! Yikes, a lot higher price than cost of DS college tuition. No Disney for us anytime soon.

Can't wait to see pictures of the finished gingerbread house.

Have a Grand day my friends.

 

[jerseygal]

Hi GF friends. Stopping to say hi! Wow, many of you have already booked trips for July 2015! That is great for all of you!

DD has been looking at colleges! Yikes, a lot higher price than cost of DS college tuition. No Disney for us anytime soon.

Can't wait to see pictures of the finished gingerbread house.

Have a Grand day my friends.

All I can say about college pricetags is OUCH! Second and last DS is in now.. EXPENSIVE! Good luck to your DD's search!

CAN'T WAIT to see the finished gingerbread house too!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

It's done and puffing out gingerbread smelling smoke!! Someone said it isn't technically open but it looks open to me unless you normally go inside??

We arrived tonight around 7:00 pm and went to check in to our outer building garden view but were surprised with an upgrade to Sugar Loaf club level. We are on top floor dormer with a gorgeous view of the pool!

Rooms are beautiful. Service has been great! We had 9:15 pm Narcoosees reservations. Food was fabulous, water pageant was fun and Wishes was magical with a window seat view and the music piped in. We finished dinner around 10:45, threw caution to the wind and grabed the boat to the MK for EMH parks open until 1:00 am, which is only 10 pm to us! magic Bands perfect so far!

Caught the last half of MSEP right at the entrance and then rode Buzz, Space Mtn, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and Small World in last 90 minutes. Everyone tucked in tight. Tomorrow full MK day including Christmas Party!

Goodnight all!!

Congratulations on the pixie dust!!!! I'm glad you enjoyed Narcoosees -- if you have time, Artist Point at WL is equally nice! Enjoy, we have to suffer through some "winter" first. It is always nice to go to Florida when there are a couple of feet of snow on the ground at home!

Tom

 

[uagirl]

We are officially booking our trip next week when we go home for Thanksgiving! We are staying GF SL for 7 nights!

We are flying in the day after Thanksgiving, but our GF ressie won't start until that Saturday when rates drop. We are trying to decide on the best 1 night option for Friday night. I'm also trying to figure out how magic bands and a split stay are going to work.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

We are officially booking our trip next week when we go home for Thanksgiving! We are staying GF SL for 7 nights!

We are flying in the day after Thanksgiving, but our GF ressie won't start until that Saturday when rates drop. We are trying to decide on the best 1 night option for Friday night. I'm also trying to figure out how magic bands and a split stay are going to work.

So, it will be 4 of you? When you say split stay, are you talking about just Friday night and the rest at GF? Are you thinking another Deluxe (probably not since there won't be a discount), moderate, value or off property? I've done split stays on and off property - the off property is a logisitical nightmare unless you want to pay $$$ for your park admission-- at least that was what happened to me.

For on property, it was very easy -- as a matter of fact I'm doing a GF and FW split stay in a couple of months. Everything is set up in MDE, when I check out of GF, I need to go to FW to check in and my MB will have all of my park hoppers still on it.

I hope this is helpful.

Tom

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Afternoon GF Fiends
Still soggy here but it has also gotten uber cold

It's done and puffing out gingerbread smelling smoke!! Someone said it isn't technically open but it looks open to me unless you normally go inside??

We arrived tonight around 7:00 pm and went to check in to our outer building garden view but were surprised with an upgrade to Sugar Loaf club level. We are on top floor dormer with a gorgeous view of the pool!

Rooms are beautiful. Service has been great! We had 9:15 pm Narcoosees reservations. Food was fabulous, water pageant was fun and Wishes was magical with a window seat view and the music piped in. We finished dinner around 10:45, threw caution to the wind and grabed the boat to the MK for EMH parks open until 1:00 am, which is only 10 pm to us! magic Bands perfect so far!

Caught the last half of MSEP right at the entrance and then rode Buzz, Space Mtn, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan and Small World in last 90 minutes. Everyone tucked in tight. Tomorrow full MK day including Christmas Party!

Goodnight all!!

Congrats on the upgrade!

Ahcupcake, I have "planned" those big trips in my mind before....all of course on a huge lottery win!

I think we all plan "those" trips. Fingers crossed for that BIG b-day trip.........Oh mom & I already had that talk if the lottery is big enough we're moving to Orlando, Golden Oaks here were come

I would think the 2015 DVDs would be out now, but you never know with Disney . Waiting until after Thanksgiving to order one is probably a good idea as I'm sure the new ones will be out by then .

Glad the migraine is gone and you're feeling better . It's very cold here, too.....temps only in the high 20s/low 30s ......and later this week they could dip into the teens .

Sounds like a great trip you've priced out, I'm sure it would be amazing...or at least I'd hope it to be at $25K .

I asked cause I haven't seen any posts about them & I wish there would be 2 separate disks 1 for WDW & 1 for DL that way there an be more info about the resorts and parks.

Thank Mickey, that one kinda snuck up on me but maybe it was from sitting in the car for most of the day, I will say that it wasn't Blues fault.

I would so be eating at V&A every night and taking advantage of all those tours that are included in the cost

Hi GF friends. Stopping to say hi! Wow, many of you have already booked trips for July 2015! That is great for all of you!

DD has been looking at colleges! Yikes, a lot higher price than cost of DS college tuition. No Disney for us anytime soon.

Can't wait to see pictures of the finished gingerbread house.

Have a Grand day my friends.

Good Luck with the college search for your DD.

I found 2 more pics of this years House..pics courtesy of Mousesteps FB page

 

[Tylerandhayleysmom]

2 more days!!! I can't believe that I'll be having my dream come true Thursday morning when we check-in at the Grand and staying at the RPC!!!!! Very first stay at the Grand and I hope its all that I imagined. Can't wait to come back here and share my experience guys

~ Gina

 

[cattywampus]

Day #3. Yesterday we had a MK day including MVMCP after dinner at Citricos, where we had a blast and rode many rides and attractions with zero waits - walk directly onto ride vehicles , including twice on Splash Mountain. The Wishes fireworks were literally going on around us as we rode and the finale came at a perfect moment. We also watched the Christmas parade and then took the monorail back to GF. Magic Bands have worked perfectly for everything and we really like them!

So peaceful to walk through the lobby filled with the smell of gingerbread and onto Sugarloaf.

Today, we did Epcot prepared for the rain which arrived around 1:00 pm. Luckily, we made Test Track before it closed down. We poncho'd up and did everything we wanted to do in Future World, went to dinner at Le Cellier before throwing in the towel early in favor of the resort. Enjoyed some yummy desserts in concierge lounge (mini cheesecakes, lemon cake, key lime tarts, profiteroles, etc.) and hit the hay early.

Staff has been wonderful and we have enjoyed them all. My family has loved all the tips and insider info and wanted to thank you all very much!

A note to those concerned about storage in the room. Yes, the drawers in the armoire are small, but there are 8 of them plus two larger drawers in nightstand. There are four of us in the room and are fine using drawers, shelf in closet, shelves under the safe, and I also brought a collapsible hanging shelving unit from Target that worked great. Most of luggage easily stored under counter in bathroom.

Animal Kingdom tomorrow!