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

[pas130]

We should break out in a chorus of "It's a small world after all...." It appears we are all coming and going at the same time!

Tom

Consider it done However I will need to get my hubby some beers before he merrily sings along. Bless him since he rides with me every time, he knows it's my favorite!

 

[TJA]

Well, I'm back home!! The post trip depression hasn't set in yet because I'm happy to be with my dog...and I'm tired from traveling home. We had a fantastic trip, but of course we wish it had been a little longer...those darn school schedules!! Some of my pictures didn't post the other day for some reason, but I'll try again FYI, the weather was fantastic but the parks were packed!! I thought it was because it was Columbus Day weekend, but Vonnie (a long time RPC concierge) said it's been that way for 3 weeks!! There wasn't even a BB offer in my folder because according to Dan (another RPC concierge) they are offering those less and less and whether or not you get an offer of any kind depends on where you live (PIN codes too, evidently) Dan said GF is at 100% capacity 90% of the time....so the high View attachment 128643 prices and low discounts (if any) are here to stay! Some celebrities were staying in RPC while we were there, but I didn't see any Some friends of mine were on the elevator with Kurt Russell!! But the beauty of GF is unsurpassed, IMO, so that was good enough View attachment 128648View attachment 128649 View attachment 128650
For those of you with upcoming trips... I'm wishing you low crowds and excellent weather!!! The weather was fantastic (sunny and warm) when we were there I'm not even sure why the last photo I posted shows so many clouds...they must have "burned off" when the sun really came up??

Welcome home and thanks for posting pictures! So glad you had a nice time . We used to go to Disney during Columbus Day week and I remember that gorgeous weather! Not great news about the full capacity at RPC, though. I'll be curious to see how full it is at Easter time when we'll be there. Any particular news about the lounge offerings? The normal, or did anything stand out as being different? I'm so excited to stay there!

....and congrats to all of you with upcoming trips! I'll sure be following along!

 

[pas130]

I am literally dancing right now. RPC King room with the AP discount. Three weeks from today I will be in the Main building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dispro1]

Welcome home and thanks for posting pictures! So glad you had a nice time . We used to go to Disney during Columbus Day week and I remember that gorgeous weather! Not great news about the full capacity at RPC, though. I'll be curious to see how full it is at Easter time when we'll be there. Any particular news about the lounge offerings? The normal, or did anything stand out as being different? I'm so excited to stay there!

....and congrats to all of you with upcoming trips! I'll sure be following along!

I have some pictures of some of the food offered, but I didn't take pictures of everything, unfortunately. We spoke to the chef a few times, and they got rid of sushi altogether because it isn't fancy enough...LOL...even though it was a guest favorite. So some of the new items I noticed, which I think others may have noted previously, are numerous chilled soups...I didn't care to try some of them, but the potato leek soup and corn soup were both delicious...as were the shrimp cocktail and sesame tuna. There really were a lot of good ones... Lamb meatballs, pot stickers, butternut squash ravioli, baked Brie, delicious sliced pork, some kind of marinated sliced beef skewer (awesome), and chicken tortelloni with Alfredo sauce...to name some. Breakfast was pretty much the same...ham, turkey, cheeses, breads, bagels and pastries and now hard-boiled egg halves. They also often had mini corn dogs on the kid side (among other things) which were popular with my older kids (and me).
Afternoon snacks
Evening

 

[Dispro1]

I am literally dancing right now. RPC King room with the AP discount. Three weeks from today I will be in the Main building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's awesome!! You're going to love it...especially without kids!!! Don't forget to put in a request for a turret room!!

 

[pas130]

That's awesome!! You're going to love it...especially without kids!!! Don't forget to put in a request for a turret room!!

Are those on particular floors, that info is probably on pg. 1 right? IPO asked if I wanted 2nd floor TPV or 3,4,5th floor Beach pool or monorail view. I don't know which to pick #bestproblemever

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

30 day mark.....SO EXCITED....headed to the villas. We check in on 13 and leave on 19. Do you think all the Christmas decorations will be up at the GF? This is our first holiday trip. Something I have wanted to do for years.

 

[TJA]

I have some pictures of some of the food offered, but I didn't take pictures of everything, unfortunately. We spoke to the chef a few times, and they got rid of sushi altogether because it isn't fancy enough...LOL...even though it was a guest favorite. So some of the new items I noticed, which I think others may have noted previously, are numerous chilled soups...I didn't care to try some of them, but the potato leek soup and corn soup were both delicious...as were the shrimp cocktail and sesame tuna. There really were a lot of good ones... Lamb meatballs, pot stickers, butternut squash ravioli, baked Brie, delicious sliced pork, some kind of marinated sliced beef skewer (awesome), and chicken tortelloni with Alfredo sauce...to name some. Breakfast was pretty much the same...ham, turkey, cheeses, breads, bagels and pastries and now hard-boiled egg halves. They also often had mini corn dogs on the kid side (among other things) which were popular with my older kids (and me). View attachment 128736
Afternoon snacksView attachment 128745
EveningView attachment 128752
View attachment 128755

Yay! Thanks so much for posting info and pictures! We're so excited to stay at RPC. We LOVE both Poly and BC CL and have stayed at both of them quite a lot, tried CR CL and WL CL too....hoping and knowing we'll love RPC just as much if not more!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Are those on particular floors, that info is probably on pg. 1 right? IPO asked if I wanted 2nd floor TPV or 3,4,5th floor Beach pool or monorail view. I don't know which to pick #bestproblemever

Oh the struggles we face, Pas. We are debating when we walk through the international gateway, should we turn left to United Kingdom or right to France?? I think we will go directly to the UK and hoist a pint or 2 or 5 - well we are planning on drinking our way around the world, and eating, so I guess maybe we start in Canada and work I way across. My lovely young lady coming with me insists we can't start in Mexico as between the tequila flights and the beer flights, we won't make it passed there. No wonder I love her, she has such good judgment....and taste.!!!

Tom

 

[pas130]

Oh the struggles we face, Pas. We are debating when we walk through the international gateway, should we turn left to United Kingdom or right to France?? I think we will go directly to the UK and hoist a pint or 2 or 5 - well we are planning on drinking our way around the world, and eating, so I guess maybe we start in Canada and work I way across. My lovely young lady coming with me insists we can't start in Mexico as between the tequila flights and the beer flights, we won't make it passed there. No wonder I love her, she has such good judgment....and taste.!!!

Tom

Smart chica you've got there Tom! My DH and I started in Mexico...I was in a wheelchair thanks to my broken ankle, and we needed a break by the time we got to Italy And France, oh how I love those slushies I'm making my lists of must haves as I type!

 

[pas130]

Yay! Thanks so much for posting info and pictures! We're so excited to stay at RPC. We LOVE both Poly and BC CL and have stayed at both of them quite a lot, tried CR CL and WL CL too....hoping and knowing we'll love RPC just as much if not more!

I have a feeling we will both love it!!! BC CL was fabulous, loved it!

 

[mandy200587]

I'm already ready to go back and I still have 11 months before my vacation.

 

[loveshak22]

I am literally dancing right now. RPC King room with the AP discount. Three weeks from today I will be in the Main building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is something to be excited about - congrats!!!

 

[hunthearin]

I'm already ready to go back and I still have 11 months before my vacation.

I'm in the same boat. Counting down the days...

Also - can anyone shed some light on using the Grand's IPO? DGF and I have already been talking about what our dining plans will be for next year, and I'd love to nail down all of my reservations in one fell swoop at the 180 day mark (3/23/16). Should I be in contact with GF IPO prior to this date? I already have my confirmation for next year's trip.

 

[mandy200587]

I wish I could help you with IPO, we didn't use them till after we made our own reservations. Hopefully someone else can answer for you.

 

[Dispro1]

30 day mark.....SO EXCITED....headed to the villas. We check in on 13 and leave on 19. Do you think all the Christmas decorations will be up at the GF? This is our first holiday trip. Something I have wanted to do for years.

I haven't been in mid-November before, but I'd say there's a good chance since they were putting up the lights at HS for Osborne Festival of Lights (sp?) last week! I hope they are all up for you

Are those on particular floors, that info is probably on pg. 1 right? IPO asked if I wanted 2nd floor TPV or 3,4,5th floor Beach pool or monorail view. I don't know which to pick #bestproblemever

I have no idea if that info is on page 1 or not -LOL- but I would say "nothing on the second floor please!" The turret rooms (6 total) are on floors 3-5...2 on each floor. They are much larger than the ones on the second floor and have a big walk-in closet! I am still shocked that they are not charging more for these particular rooms! The bedroom area is round in shape with windows stretching 180 degrees around! There is no balcony in these rooms, but you do not miss it! If you want a balcony, you can go to the CL balcony on the third floor. DH and I watched wishes from there our last night while the kids enjoyed the park. That balcony is a DSA and DH likes to smoke a cigar while on vacation (I allow him 4 a year). We were the only people on the balcony...it's usually empty!

 

[trishadono]

I have some pictures of some of the food offered, but I didn't take pictures of everything, unfortunately. We spoke to the chef a few times, and they got rid of sushi altogether because it isn't fancy enough...LOL...even though it was a guest favorite. So some of the new items I noticed, which I think others may have noted previously, are numerous chilled soups...I didn't care to try some of them, but the potato leek soup and corn soup were both delicious...as were the shrimp cocktail and sesame tuna. There really were a lot of good ones... Lamb meatballs, pot stickers, butternut squash ravioli, baked Brie, delicious sliced pork, some kind of marinated sliced beef skewer (awesome), and chicken tortelloni with Alfredo sauce...to name some. Breakfast was pretty much the same...ham, turkey, cheeses, breads, bagels and pastries and now hard-boiled egg halves. They also often had mini corn dogs on the kid side (among other things) which were popular with my older kids (and me). View attachment 128736
Afternoon snacksView attachment 128745
EveningView attachment 128752
View attachment 128755

I loved the soups! The corn was good but the pea soup i had 3 of them! Who new cold soup could be so yummy!!

Sounds like you had most of the same food we had in SL over the summer.

Thanks for the pix

 

[trishadono]

I'm in the same boat. Counting down the days...

Also - can anyone shed some light on using the Grand's IPO? DGF and I have already been talking about what our dining plans will be for next year, and I'd love to nail down all of my reservations in one fell swoop at the 180 day mark (3/23/16). Should I be in contact with GF IPO prior to this date? I already have my confirmation for next year's trip.

I wait 3 days. If they don't contact me i just email them. I put last name, reservation number and date of trip in the subject line.

 

[Dispro1]

Oh the struggles we face, Pas. We are debating when we walk through the international gateway, should we turn left to United Kingdom or right to France?? I think we will go directly to the UK and hoist a pint or 2 or 5 - well we are planning on drinking our way around the world, and eating, so I guess maybe we start in Canada and work I way across. My lovely young lady coming with me insists we can't start in Mexico as between the tequila flights and the beer flights, we won't make it passed there. No wonder I love her, she has such good judgment....and taste.!!!

Tom

Definitely a smart lady like Pas said! I've heard that if you start in Mexico, you won't make it past Germany- LOL!!

I loved the soups! The corn was good but the pea soup i had 3 of them! Who new cold soup could be so yummy!!

Sounds like you had most of the same food we had in SL over the summer.

Thanks for the pix

Darn...I didn't try the pea soup I'm sure the food was exactly the same as yours in August, although it was different in February. I was pretty pleased I miss the Nespresso machine! Were the cordials self serve in August or did you have a bartender then too? I wasn't expecting the one for cordials

 

[mmmears]

No more Nespresso machine? What's there in it's place? We don't drink much, but DH makes up for it in lattes...