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

[mandy200587]

Would love to hear your report when you get back!!

Absolutely! I can tell you one thing, it's been fairly rainy so far.

 

[loveshak22]

Absolutely! I can tell you one thing, it's been fairly rainy so far.

Sorry to hear that!! Hopefully it clears up for you soon!!!

 

[mandy200587]

Sorry to hear that!! Hopefully it clears up for you soon!!!

I sure hope so! We have two halloween parties this week.

 

[loveshak22]

I sure hope so! We have two halloween parties this week.

Hopefully all the rain came today and then clear skies here on out!!

 

[mandy200587]

Hopefully all the rain came today and then clear skies here on out!!

I hoped that yesterday driving in but we had some this morning at Epcot. Cleared the park though!

 

[loveshak22]

I hoped that yesterday driving in but we had some this morning at Epcot. Cleared the park though!

Rain, rain go away!!

 

[mandy200587]

Rain, rain go away!!

Yes!!!

There's been some issues off and on still with the monorail, it was down this morning to Epcot. Express was down for a bit this afternoon. Don't know about Resort one having any issues yet.

 

[loveshak22]

Yes!!!

There's been some issues off and on still with the monorail, it was down this morning to Epcot. Express was down for a bit this afternoon. Don't know about Resort one having any issues yet.

Ugh! I'm so worried about transportation for our trip in November! Hopefully it's more predictable in 2 months!

 

[mandy200587]

Ugh! I'm so worried about transportation for our trip in November! Hopefully it's more predictable in 2 months!

Hopefully it will be! Outside of the rain everything has been great and honestly reminded me truly why we use to stay concierge.

 

[Dispro1]

Hopefully it will be! Outside of the rain everything has been great and honestly reminded me truly why we use to stay concierge.

That's definitely a perk of staying CL...if it's raining, you can always just skip the parks and hang out in the lounge. I hope your weather improves! The nice thing about Disney, IMO, is the fact that you can make a vacation of it even in the rain (unlike a beach vacation, especially one where you had water activities planned). We've had Disney trips where we had to just put on the ponchos and go I've never had to deal with that for a Halloween party, however, so I hope you don't either!

 

[mandy200587]

Well so far today we have beautiful weather but I just know it could be raining and it's still warmer then back home right now.

 

[mmmears]

The silver lining with all that rain is that usually there are shorter lines in the parks. Even so, I hope you have clear skies for the rest of your days.

 

[mandy200587]

That's the truth!

If my phone would let me I'd upload some photos I've taken but they are to big at the moment.

 

[BlueSkies]

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!!

I know that I am late in your send off...but maybe you will see this if you pop in...Have a magical vacation my friend!

BlueSkies definitely has great taste Come to think about it..so do you and I Sorry we are missing you, I know we will all have a Grand trip, even if it's not at the GF.

Thank you for your kind words!! You will def have a grand trip! So sorry that we will be missing each other...but..there is always next time... It was my pleasure to share my pics with you!

Hello my GF friends. I just read online that after a 20 year run this will be the last year for the Osborne Lights at DHS. They are being removed to make way for the Toy Story Midway Mania and Star Wars renovations. So if the lights are on your bucket list you have this as the last season to see them. It doesn't sound as if they will be going back up.

Tom

Thanks for that info Tom ...so sad to hear this...the light really are spectacualr! ..Thankfully we will do have a DHS evening planned with time to see the lights...So happy that we will get to see them one last time...

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself to the thread. I'm taking my granddaughter to WDW Christmas week to celebrate her birthday. My husband and I have been many times, but this will be my granddaughters first trip to WDW and on a plane. This will also be my first time at a deluxe and the GF. I'm so excited and looking forward to spending some quality time with her alone and showing her why I love Disney so much!

Welcome tinamarie What a wonderfully Grand way to celebrate the holidays...seeing WDW thru the eyes of your granddaughter will be soooo magical..Staying at the GF will make it even more so.....Enjoy!

At the 60 day mark! Just booked FP+ so excited!

Quick question does anyone know the room numbers at the Sugarloaf which have a balcony pool facing?

Thank you. Love all the help thats on this board!

I know that Trish already answered this...and added in her terrific SL room maps......Just wanted to say....congrats..60 days woohoo!! The time seems to fly after the FPP point IMO...also...If you are requesting pool view in SL...the rooms that end in 10 on the upper floors have a big old tree in front of the balconies....and...lol...rooms with the lowest numbers on the upper floor...as described in Trish's room map...do have dormer balconies which are a bit smaller and enclosed....

Thank you so much! I just faxed in my room requests today - I really only specified that a king bed would be our #1 request.

We are so excited! I say this may be our first and only time at the GF but we might be really spoiled after this...

Congrats! In our experience..the rooms assignors do a very nice job of trying to accommodate requests... and yes be prepared to be spoiled...and want to go back for some more grand stays!....

From what I have heard, they are not looking at faxed room requests anymore. You need to call Disney and have it noted on your reservation. Have a great trip!!

We always note any requests on our reservation thru CRO also...I think that is always the safest bet! I know that it is generally stated these days that the resorts don't read fax requests any longer...but....a family member had a recent stay at the Poly...faxed a request...they were also noted on her reservation..but the fax had additional details...and all of their requests were accommodated...could just be coincidence...but thought I'd mention it...

Basically the even number rooms face the courtyard/pool and the odd face the marina. All the rooms have a balcony except for a few of the deluxe/ledge tower rooms with the "bump out".
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Thanks for this wonderful resource!!! U did a grand job!

I have heard that rumor and believed it so I took my mom last year. I'll sure miss those lights, one of my favorite holiday experiences at Disney.

I am thinking that you need one more re do..with your mom this year.... Get that trip booked girl....you know that you need a vacay!

Good to know! In my years at WDW I've never done Fantasmic or the Osborne lights. Either we've been rained our or we scheduled DHS for the morning and another park in the evening for some reason or another. But this year I'm finally doing F! and Osborne lights...so I guess that's good timing on my part.

That really was good timing on your part!! F! is such a great show...as are the OL....you are in for a holiday treat!!! Looking forward to hearing what you think about them....

I've booked an outer building deluxe room. Do you know if they have balconies? The few floor plan diagrams I've found show a balcony. The only pictures I've found, other than WDW website, look quite old. These room sightings are as rare as Yeti at Wilderness Lodge!

Lol...Not sure why there are not more pics...Hopefully you will come back after your stay and share some pics with us! The deluxe rooms tend to have a much larger balcony....with exception to the ones that are located on the top floor of each outer building...due to the suite next door..these do not have a balcony....

~Maybe someone else will remember...but there was a thread dedicated to the newly refurbished deluxe rooms a while back...but for the life of me I cannot remember who posted it.....

Our magic bands arrived yesterday!! One would think I would stop being excited after so many trips, but I am just as excited as ever!

Totally understand!!!! We do too.... Getting the bands means your tip is almost here!!!

Quick question for those of you who had Outer building Lagoon Views. Did any of you have luck with actually being able to see the castle from your rooms? If so, what building/room number did you happen to have? I really wanted to book a TPV but none were available for our stay. Thanks much in advance.

Boca Chica I believe has rooms that are categorized LV...that have views of the castle with just a turn of the head....

Checked into sugarloaf today. Room is much better then we excepted, and we have a beautiful view.

Have a wonderful trip! And thanks for checking in here!

Rain, rain go away!!

I'll do the rain rain go away dance with you!

Ugh! I'm so worried about transportation for our trip in November! Hopefully it's more predictable in 2 months!

Please try not to worry too much about this loveshak..There are so many transportation options at the GF that you will be just fine...we have been there when the monorail was down mid day..and while there was a bit longer of a wait for the boats...it was not bad at all...Ask about monorail/boat/bus hours when you check in...and you will be all set....and able to manage your travel time very well...

Hopefully it will be! Outside of the rain everything has been great and honestly reminded me truly why we use to stay concierge.

The silver lining with all that rain is that usually there are shorter lines in the parks. Even so, I hope you have clear skies for the rest of your days.

That the truth....and rain ponchos work wonders!!! Sending wishes for clear skies too...clear blue skies....

follow Another great pic!!! Thanks!

~ I have mentioned this before ...and I will say it again....as far as dining reservations go..yes...of course its all about the food.... ...if at first you don't succeed...try try again....When we had to move our trip dates we lost some very hard to get ressies....but with some diligence...ok I might be a bit of a dining stalker...lol... ...We now have ressies for BOG and Cali Grille..... ...dining plans are totally complete...I think...lol...

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a magical Monday!!! preppy GF gal who thinks the middle of the night might be the best time to look for dining reservations......lol...

 

[BlueSkies]

I found it!!!!! sbeets I found the thread with the pics of the deluxe room....It is called "Grand Floridian Review" the poster is DISser HairyChest...and while I thought it was a thread dedicated to the deluxe room...it is not...but has lots of pics and info...including a picture of the deluxe room...along with room views ...HTH....

 

[sbeets]

I found it!!!!! sbeets I found the thread with the pics of the deluxe room....It is called "Grand Floridian Review" the poster is DISser HairyChest...and while I thought it was a thread dedicated to the deluxe room...it is not...but has lots of pics and info...including a picture of the deluxe room...along with room views ...HTH....

WOW, THANK YOU! You've got a great memory.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Hi Blue: We have a short visit for F&W and depart on 11/1 -- hoping that they might be doing test illuminations. We are staying at the Swan so we can walk/stagger back home every night, so it would be easy to take a quick boat ride down to DHS to see them. I guess I need to wish upon a star!

Tom

 

[loveshak22]

I get to book my FPs tonight at midnight, and when I'm trying to account for my 4th FP through the IPO texting service can I account for Group 2 FPs? For example, at DHS, TSMM and RnRR are both in Group 2. If I use my FP for TSMM and then try to get a 4th FP can I use it for a Group 2 ride (assuming they are available) or do I have to use it for a Group 1 ride? Or does it not matter as long as there is a FP available?

TIA!

 

[Dispro1]

Totally understand!!!! We do too.... Getting the bands means your tip is almost here!!!

Exactly!!

 

[trishadono]

I get to book my FPs tonight at midnight, and when I'm trying to account for my 4th FP through the IPO texting service can I account for Group 2 FPs? For example, at DHS, TSMM and RnRR are both in Group 2. If I use my FP for TSMM and then try to get a 4th FP can I use it for a Group 2 ride (assuming they are available) or do I have to use it for a Group 1 ride? Or does it not matter as long as there is a FP available?

TIA!

Pm me if you need help my friend. Basically you get the first 3 . Then you get a "next" FP only after the 3 are used or time expired. You get those at kiosks in the park OR from texting at a Disney hotel offering the service to do that for you. At this time a few hotels with CL are doing this. Currently gf cl will do this for you. As I previously posted I pre-prepared a text with a request to the CL so when I got thru the FP machine I could get my request in ASAP!


I never got more than a 4th because we did RD , lunch and lounge time, then FP from5/6,6/7,7/8 for our 3 (give or take). Then we did one more then back for desserts

So after 3 I would ask for headliners ( were not available) and a few other choices as a back up. If you stay in the parks and use FP early you could get more headliners. You can use 3 at MK for example then be done around noon and ask for FP at hs or Epcot. What is available depends on what is available( people cancel, rain or season could effect this). So it is hard to predict.

When dd and dh went in March I was able to change their FP from one park to another and got headliners because dd changed her mind, lol!!!! That was 11:30-12pm.

Hope this helps, Trish