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

[hiroMYhero]

Hi GF friends! I don't have any questions or anything to add about GF, but miss posting on here LOL!!

I guess I can report that I'm 6 days away from my 60 day mark! Almost time to plan FPs!!!!

That's exciting!

I have a favor to ask if you have booked a package. I'm doing research for the FP Thread on the Theme Parks board and the OP of the thread and I are trying to determine what happens in this scenario:
- package booked
- online check-in completed at earliest possible date
*Does the online check-in activate the tickets and open the FP window from the current-actual date (60 days out) through to the checkout date of the package?

Our goal is to find out if the FP booking calendar is completely open or is still only open from package check-in day through checkout day. Some have reported that online check-in triggers the "active" state of the packaged tickets. Because the OP and I don't book packages, we need help from others and everyone on this GF thread is extremely helpful! Thanks in advance!!

 

[loveshak22]

That's exciting!

I have a favor to ask if you have booked a package. I'm doing research for the FP Thread on the Theme Parks board and the OP of the thread and I are trying to determine what happens in this scenario:
- package booked
- online check-in completed at earliest possible date
*Does the online check-in activate the tickets and open the FP window from the current-actual date (60 days out) through to the checkout date of the package?

Our goal is to find out if the FP booking calendar is completely open or is still only open from package check-in day through checkout day. Some have reported that online check-in triggers the "active" state of the packaged tickets. Because the OP and I don't book packages, we need help from others and everyone on this GF thread is extremely helpful! Thanks in advance!!

Hmmmm....I'm a newbie to FP so I can try to help! This is my first time booking a trip since FP+ was rolled out.

I have booked a package (room and tickets). I have not done online check-in (I thought this didn't open up until closer to my trip anyway).

My FP 60 day mark is 09/15. So I plan to log on at 12:01 a.m est and book my FPs. I didn't think that check-in was related to FP at all? At least I had no plans to check-in until a few days before our actual trip in November.

Does that help, or am I confused?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Hmmmm....I'm a newbie to FP so I can try to help! This is my first time booking a trip since FP+ was rolled out.

I have booked a package (room and tickets). I have not done online check-in (I thought this didn't open up until closer to my trip anyway).

My FP 60 day mark is 09/15. So I plan to log on at 12:01 a.m est and book my FPs. I didn't think that check-in was related to FP at all? At least I had no plans to check-in until a few days before our actual trip in November.

Does that help, or am I confused?

I believe you can complete online check-in 60-days out... I did that for our April stay and also for our upcoming GF stay. So, after you book your FPs, can you check-in online within the next day or so? Online check-in can be modified up until your trip if you need to make changes.

After you complete online check-in, can you go back into your FP area and pretend like you are booking a new FP to see what the booking calendar looks like? We would like to know if the calendar is showing you open days for the actual day through to your check-out day. After that, you can just close out of the FP area and it won't affect your booked FPs.

Don't feel as if you need to research for us. We just didn't want to book a bogus package just to experiment and then cancel. Thanks!

 

[loveshak22]

I believe you can complete online check-in 60-days out... I did that for our April stay and also for our upcoming GF stay. So, after you book your FPs, can you check-in online within the next day or so? Online check-in can be modified up until your trip if you need to make changes.

After you complete online check-in, can you go back into your FP area and pretend like you are booking a new FP to see what the booking calendar looks like? We would like to know if the calendar is showing you open days for the actual day through to your check-out day. After that, you can just close out of the FP area and it won't affect your booked FPs.

Don't feel as if you need to research for us. We just didn't want to book a bogus package just to experiment and then cancel. Thanks!

I don't mind helping with the research at all!! I'm always willing to help pass on information where I can!!

So, just to make sure, you'd like me to:
1. Book my FPs at my 60 day window, before doing online check-in
2. The next day go in and do my online check-in
3. Go back to my FP options and see which days during my trip are showing availability for FP

Did I get that right?

 

[marlaine8]

Marlaine8, sorry to hear about you having to cancel and I hope your Father-in-law recovers well. Oddly enough, we are the family staying in that room! I saw this and had to register to post.

As much as I hate to hear that happened (and wish it was under different circumstances) it allowed us to upgrade for our 4th anniversary celebration and our 2 year old's first trip over the room we originally booked. So while we hope you get back and enjoy this room soon, it was in good and gracious hands.

To make you feel a little better, know that last night we had an evacuation from a false fire alarm at 4:00 AM and the room right next door had the alarm sounding until 5 AM! It was a scary few moments getting scared out of bed.

I'm happy to hear that a good family is enjoying that room! IMHO, I think it's the best room in the whole resort! Sorry that the fire alarm caused problems and broke up your sleep. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!!

 

[trishadono]

Gosh, you guys have been busy beavers on here! I have missed pages and pages of posts, all because I got no "alert" at the top of the page about this thread~
I'm 2 days away from my trip to Calif. and visit to DL. Very excited, as you can imagine!

Sorry to those who have had to change/cancel visits to the Grand...been there done that, and know the pain (even if it is a family event or illness). We have not booked the GF for our next trip because we didn't get a good discount, and are at the AKL...for now! Some of you "resort changers" on here will know that plans change, and sometimes change again!

Have a great time with sis! Pm me any pix if want since my first DL trip coming up soon.

Have fun

 

[Dispro1]

Hi GF friends! I don't have any questions or anything to add about GF, but miss posting on here LOL!!

I guess I can report that I'm 6 days away from my 60 day mark! Almost time to plan FPs!!!!

I'm happy to say that time seems to go faster after that 60 day mark, IMO! I suppose that is because you can stop worrying about what needs to be done next or what FP you will be able to get My ticker just dropped below a month (and we actually fly in the evening of October 6th)!

 

[loveshak22]

I'm happy to say that time seems to go faster after that 60 day mark, IMO! I suppose that is because you can stop worrying about what needs to be done next or what FP you will be able to get My ticker just dropped below a month (and we actually fly in the evening of October 6th)!

Less than a month now - nice!!!!

 

[dizprincess717]

Help!

It's my first time staying at the GF and it's my husband's and my babymoon. Last trip for a looong time. We have booked a Lagoon View room.

My questions are: (1) Is there a particular building that I should be requesting? I don't know if 1 building is more preferred than the other as I've never stayed there before. (2) I would prefer a room with a king bed since I'll be bringing my huge body pillow with me (it's the only way I get a good night's sleep) and would love a dormer room. Is this even a possibility?

Any other tips/things to request would be greatly appreciated! We will be checking in at this time next week - can't wait!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

I don't mind helping with the research at all!! I'm always willing to help pass on information where I can!!

So, just to make sure, you'd like me to:
1. Book my FPs at my 60 day window, before doing online check-in
2. The next day go in and do my online check-in
3. Go back to my FP options and see which days during my trip are showing availability for FP

Did I get that right?

Perfect!! We just need to see if the calendar opens for the days before your actual check-in day.

What we are trying to do is see if the complete calendar is open... some guests change plans and arrive a day or two before their packages begin. They are locked out of scheduling pre-booked FPs - but - if online check-in is the trigger to activate their tickets early, an early arriving guest could book FPs for the days, up to 10, preceding their package. Thank you!!

 

[loveshak22]

Perfect!! We just need to see if the calendar opens for the days before your actual check-in day.

What we are trying to do is see if the complete calendar is open... some guests change plans and arrive a day or two before their packages begin. They are locked out of scheduling pre-booked FPs - but - if online check-in is the trigger to activate their tickets early, an early arriving guest could book FPs for the days, up to 10, preceding their package. Thank you!!

Will let you know and will take screen shots to share as well!!

 

[DisneyDoogie]

marlaine8,
What makes 4025 at the GF the best room at the resort? We've stayed RPC many times but never in that room. What makes it so extra-special?!

 

[pas130]

Well, we were supposed to be at The GF right now (Sept 6 - 12), but had to cancel 4 days prior because my 94 year old Father-In-Law became ill and had to be hospitalized. He's doing better now, but I just couldn't take a chance on something bad happening while we were gone. So, some other family is staying in our favorite room as we speak (Rm 4025 in RPC). I'm so sad and disappointed! It would have been our 10th annual Sept trip. We stayed at The Poly the first 8 years and switched to GF last year. We loved it so much that we were staying at the GF again this year. We rescheduled for the last week of January. Same exact vacation. I was pleasantly surprised to get the exact restaurants too. I know we did the right thing by re=scheduling, but I really wish we were there right now! Last year we went the same time as some friends, and the Mom just sent me pictures of our two families together at the first MNSSHP. Exactly one year ago, Sept 9. All I can say is, come on January 26!

The good thing is your trip WILL be here soon and if you were there now it would almost be over. I am one of those people who gets the instant post-Disney depression. I am glad your FIL is doing better!

Marlaine8, sorry to hear about you having to cancel and I hope your Father-in-law recovers well. Oddly enough, we are the family staying in that room! I saw this and had to register to post.

As much as I hate to hear that happened (and wish it was under different circumstances) it allowed us to upgrade for our 4th anniversary celebration and our 2 year old's first trip over the room we originally booked. So while we hope you get back and enjoy this room soon, it was in good and gracious hands.

To make you feel a little better, know that last night we had an evacuation from a false fire alarm at 4:00 AM and the room right next door had the alarm sounding until 5 AM! It was a scary few moments getting scared out of bed.

Thank you for posting, Happy anniversary, and how cool is the DIS that you saw the above post?? SO cool!!

Gosh, you guys have been busy beavers on here! I have missed pages and pages of posts, all because I got no "alert" at the top of the page about this thread~
I'm 2 days away from my trip to Calif. and visit to DL. Very excited, as you can imagine!

Sorry to those who have had to change/cancel visits to the Grand...been there done that, and know the pain (even if it is a family event or illness). We have not booked the GF for our next trip because we didn't get a good discount, and are at the AKL...for now! Some of you "resort changers" on here will know that plans change, and sometimes change again!

WOOOOOO DL This resort changer missed it here, and missed "seeing" you. Thanks to a special Grand groupie...I am feeling so much better about BWI, and my daughter has been watching all kinds of YouTube videos on BWI in December.

 

[grannyminnie]

Have a great time with sis! Pm me any pix if want since my first DL trip coming up soon.

Have fun

Ooo, sorry..I don't do well with techie stuff like pictures on the phone..lol Not that I'm a total dinosaur, but near to it! hahahahaha
But thanks for the well-wishes, and so glad you are going to get to visit that magical place!!

 

[mmmears]

I'm 2 days away from my trip to Calif. and visit to DL. Very excited, as you can imagine!

2 days! Yay! Have a great time at DL -- we really enjoy the parks there.

 

[grannyminnie]

2 days! Yay! Have a great time at DL -- we really enjoy the parks there.

Thank you! I LOVE DL; have only been to CA for half days 2 or 3 times...I can't tear myself away from Walt's original park!

 

[MarkF0wle]

That's exciting!

I have a favor to ask if you have booked a package. I'm doing research for the FP Thread on the Theme Parks board and the OP of the thread and I are trying to determine what happens in this scenario:
- package booked
- online check-in completed at earliest possible date
*Does the online check-in activate the tickets and open the FP window from the current-actual date (60 days out) through to the checkout date of the package?

Our goal is to find out if the FP booking calendar is completely open or is still only open from package check-in day through checkout day. Some have reported that online check-in triggers the "active" state of the packaged tickets. Because the OP and I don't book packages, we need help from others and everyone on this GF thread is extremely helpful! Thanks in advance!!

I can't help you with pictures since my package came & went in April/May, but from my experience even after doing online check-in you can still only select fastpasses beginning the first day on your package reservation. We actually had a different problem because our stay was 21 days, the FP system hadn't loaded long enough in advance to allow us to book FP+s for the last 2 days of our package I believe, I had to do the last few days a day at a time. I thought there was an issue due to our tickets not being length of stay but after being transferred to the IT technical guy he informed me FP+ can only be done 80 days (give or take a day) in advance.

It also will not allow you to select any FP+s after the check out date.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I can't help you with pictures since my package came & went in April/May, but from my experience even after doing online check-in you can still only select fastpasses beginning the first day on your package reservation. We actually had a different problem because our stay was 21 days, the FP system hadn't loaded long enough in advance to allow us to book FP+s for the last 2 days of our package I believe, I had to do the last few days a day at a time. I thought there was an issue due to our tickets not being length of stay but after being transferred to the IT technical guy he informed me FP+ can only be done 80 days (give or take a day) in advance.

It also will not allow you to select any FP+s after the check out date.

Thank you! The 80 day info is new info for FP booking and I'll pass that info along to the FP expert.

In the last couple of weeks, Disney began opening up the FP booking window for the 1st onsite stay of a split stay even when the package is attached to the 2nd onsite stay. There's been a lot of "quiet" tweaks to FP booking and the FP thread is trying to keep up with them.

Everyone in this thread is so helpful - we are looking forward to our GF stay! Checking in 10 days from today!!

 

[MarkF0wle]

Thank you! The 80 day info is new info for FP booking and I'll pass that info along to the FP expert.

In the last couple of weeks, Disney began opening up the FP booking window for the 1st onsite stay of a split stay even when the package is attached to the 2nd onsite stay. There's been a lot of "quiet" tweaks to FP booking and the FP thread is trying to keep up with them.

Everyone in this thread is so helpful - we are looking forward to our GF stay! Checking in 10 days from today!!

They are keeping pretty good pace with developments which they need to do, with the amount of people vacationing in WDW with all the different styles of families - if they are forcing people to plan through the app they need to make it as flexible as people are different. We had a split stay when we were there, 1 night before cruise, 17 nights after. We were not able to pick FP+ for the 1 night reservation 60 days in advance at that time, but I am talking about 5 months ago.

I asked the guy about the 80 day period & his rationale was that they have to have a "valid" period & can't just have the remainder of eternity available to book as computers can't deal with that. 80 days was just an arbitrary number that was chosen as it was determined that it's very uncommon for people to spend more than 2 weeks there on a package. I did challenge him that British do vacation for 3 weeks fairly commonly & if they moved it to 100 days in advance I could be pretty sure nobody would hit that upper limit, so it may have changed since. We agreed it was an inconvenience but as the days I couldn't book were not available to book for anybody, nobody had any advantage over anybody else so no harm no foul. I was just happy to be told they would open the next day. :-D

 

[Dispro1]

WOOOOOO DL This resort changer missed it here, and missed "seeing" you. Thanks to a special Grand groupie...I am feeling so much better about BWI, and my daughter has been watching all kinds of YouTube videos on BWI in December.

DH and I are staying at BWI (for the first time) a week before you guys arrive, so thanks for saying something about the YouTube videos...I want to see those too! Blueskies seems to like BWI, and I trust her judgement since we seem to like the same things