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

[TJA]

Very excited!!! Because of all of the issues with the Poly bungalows, we were wanting to cancel ours but nothing was available we wanted until today. We will now be staying in a GF Main Bldg 2-Bedroom Suite for 4 nights and a VGF 2-bedroom villa for 4 nights! I'm actually relieved at the change and SO EXCITED to be back at the Grand.

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to hear all about it! We LOVE staying in the GF main building.
May I ask what issues you are referring to regarding the Poly bungalows?

 

[Regan117]

Sounds awesome! Can't wait to hear all about it! We LOVE staying in the GF main building.
May I ask what issues you are referring to regarding the Poly bungalows?

Apparently none of the A/C units are working, so they are putting window units in all of the master bedrooms. The bungalows are staying VERY warm. Also because of the window units, they have the door in the master bedroom that goes out to the deck boarded up. There's been lots of other stuff - refrigerators not working, plumbing issues - but the A/C was a real concern for me. It's hot in September and our kids are little. I don't want to pay $2500/night to be miserable!

I'm super excited to be in a suite in the main bldg. Never stayed in a suite there before I just lucked out when I called to inquire about the outer bldg suite that was showing online and she asked me if I wanted main bldg instead. Of COURSE I do!

 

[TJA]

Apparently none of the A/C units are working, so they are putting window units in all of the master bedrooms. The bungalows are staying VERY warm. Also because of the window units, they have the door in the master bedroom that goes out to the deck boarded up. There's been lots of other stuff - refrigerators not working, plumbing issues - but the A/C was a real concern for me. It's hot in September and our kids are little. I don't want to pay $2500/night to be miserable!

I'm super excited to be in a suite in the main bldg. Never stayed in a suite there before I just lucked out when I called to inquire about the outer bldg suite that was showing online and she asked me if I wanted main bldg instead. Of COURSE I do!

Well I can't wait to hear about it -- main building at GF is a notch above all others. It's pretty special! I did not know that about the bungalows. I would've opted out too. How disappointing to have to cancel that, but you got a really great trade-off!

 

[BabyFu18]

I agree, i hadn't heard about all the issues with the bungalows and it sucks to have to cancel that, but I think a suite in the main building at the GF will be amazing! Enjoy your trip!

 

[BlueSkies]

@BlueSkies, wow, the favorite of dances -- the single digit fidget!!!!!!! Congratulations and have a wonderful trip - is the suitcase packed yet? I hope you get to Narcossees or Citrico's -- because it is all about the food!

Tom

Thanks Tom ..Of course I am mostly packed! Unlike some last minute packer around here....who will remained unnamed......lol....Narcoosees is the list this trip...love em both tho...and it sure is always about the food...lol...

Can answer one - we took a bus directly to MK yesterday as I wanted to make the Welcome Show. Was easy. My DH was a bit behind us, didn't care about opening show and took monorail right at 8:30. He missed opening show, but made it very quickly. FYI - leave yourself plenty of time for bag check at MK.

Great point ..something I forget some times to take into consideration!

I can't believe it but we are leaving for the GF one week from today, I booked us a poolside cabana today for the day after we arrive so we can relax by the pool after traveling, unpacking, getting settled in, etc. I'm super excited!

We will be at the GF for two weeks so I'm hoping to really settle in and enjoy the resort as much as possible, it sucks to hear the monorail might be down a good bit, so we will probably have to use buses more than we'd planned (I can't use the boat transportation as I understand it, since I'm in a wheelchair and mobility devices aren't allowed on those boats), but it'll be okay since we are prepared and any monorail downtime won't be a surprise. We will also utilize taxis at WDW so that's not a huge issue.

I do have one question though, if the monorail is down what's the best way to get from the GF to the Ft.Wilderness campground for dinner without being able to use the boat from the GF? I thought the best way would be to take the monorail to MK and then take the FT.Wilderness boat from there (if it's an accessible boat) but maybe there is a better way especially if the monorail is down for whatever reason?

All the info I've gotten from this thread is just amazing, I'm so thankful for everyone here for that!

I know that KKTom answered your question...but wanted to say...sounds like you are prepared and ready to have w wonderful trip.... ...One of our fave things to do during a summer pool day at the GF is to rent a cabana...Its an extra special way to enjoy the time...enjoy!

@babyFU, there are two types of boats that go around the Seven Seas Lagoon (in addition to the large Ferry). From the GF to/from the MK, they use Launches, which sort of look like an open sailboat type of boat -- they cannot take ECVs aboard but if you can get out of your wheelchair and do the two steps down, they can take you and your wheelchair. From the MK to FW and WL they have Launches and Cruisers. Cruisers are much larger -- they are what are used in Epcot for the Friendship boats. Cruisers can take both wheelchairs and ECVs. If the monorail is down, I guess the option would be to take a bus to the MK and then take a cruiser to FW.

Enjoy your vacation and I hope the monorail operates flawlessly for you!

Tom

Great info Tom ..Thanks for all of the details....

Very excited!!! Because of all of the issues with the Poly bungalows, we were wanting to cancel ours but nothing was available we wanted until today. We will now be staying in a GF Main Bldg 2-Bedroom Suite for 4 nights and a VGF 2-bedroom villa for 4 nights! I'm actually relieved at the change and SO EXCITED to be back at the Grand.

What an incredible split stay.......Look forward to hearing about your stay...Staying in any room in RPC is especially nice...and the suites even more so...! Enjoy! (BTW..I sure would not have been happy staying in a bungalow...knowing that they are having AC issues..yikes!!!!!!!!!!)

We checked out yesterday. This was room 5319. We did have a Garden View room booked, not sure if this room was actually that category, but I suppose so. We loved it!

Great view...after seeing your and Sue M's views..BPK might be first on list of outer building recommendations....Looks like a lagoon view room for sure...

Have a terrific Thursday fellow GF fans.... GF gal who still fine tuning arrival day dining for our upcoming trip...lol...

 

[Regan117]

I agree, i hadn't heard about all the issues with the bungalows and it sucks to have to cancel that, but I think a suite in the main building at the GF will be amazing! Enjoy your trip!

Yeah it's a bit of a bummer for my hubby, since he was dying to stay in a bungalow. But we were able to get one for two nights around Valentine's Day, so he's happy. And so am I! I'd rather be at the GF

 

[mommyrosa2]

Checked out today after spending our last 2 nights at the Grand (by default) of our 9 day trip. Loved everything about our stay!!!

We were in room 7302, Conch Key and this was our view to the left:

And:

 

[WDWKOOK]

Checked out today after spending our last 2 nights at the Grand (by default) of our 9 day trip. Loved everything about our stay!!!

We were in room 7302, Conch Key and this was our view to the left:

And:

Wonderful. I love how you can see Poly, CR, and MK from GF. Safe travels home, @mommyrosa2.

 

[GPC0321]

The monorail has been in limited operation for a year at least, maybe more. It's a very long term upgrade and as far as I know, will still be in the same limited operation for a while. If they finish the upgrades then it will resume to the schedule you mention. If not, it will look like the one they have now.

Ah, gotcha. Thanks! Fingers crossed that by mid-December 2017 it's fixed. If not, by bus or by boat, we shall persevere! LOL!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Checked out today after spending our last 2 nights at the Grand (by default) of our 9 day trip. Loved everything about our stay!!!

We were in room 7302, Conch Key and this was our view to the left:

That looks like a very nice location. What a nice way to end your vacation.

 

[grannyminnie]

Hi Blue! Been missing seeing you around here lately! Sometimes I have to read a few posts to catch up but I see you are coming close to your next trip. My DSis and I have 19 days! lol Ready to get packing...literally!!

 

[trishadono]

Very excited!!! Because of all of the issues with the Poly bungalows, we were wanting to cancel ours but nothing was available we wanted until today. We will now be staying in a GF Main Bldg 2-Bedroom Suite for 4 nights and a VGF 2-bedroom villa for 4 nights! I'm actually relieved at the change and SO EXCITED to be back at the Grand.

Funny when I was looking for a room this fall the other day the bungalow came up as an option. I had never seen one available and now I know why!!! Thanks for the update.

RPC is amazingly fun! Enjoy your switch!

 

[MommyGina]

Hi Blue! Have a wonderful vacation. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Blue! Been missing seeing you around here lately! Sometimes I have to read a few posts to catch up but I see you are coming close to your next trip. My DSis and I have 19 days! lol Ready to get packing...literally!!

Hey you! Thank you for the kind words... I missed hanging around here too...No fun when life get in the way of doing stuff we really enjoy! 19 days!!!! The time will fly..Can't believe that we are missing each other again...some day..! Happy packing...Looking forward to hearing about your trip...

Funny when I was looking for a room this fall the other day the bungalow came up as an option. I had never seen one available and now I know why!!! Thanks for the update.

RPC is amazingly fun! Enjoy your switch!

Trish is there a final ressie now..??? lol...The fall/winter offers sure do have slim pickings...Hope that you get exactly what you are looking for!

Hi Blue! Have a wonderful vacation. Can't wait to hear all about it.

Thanks MommyG ..We are so excited!! Promise to come back and share trip details!

mommyrosa What a nice way to end your vacay..in grand style ..sorry for the series of events that led up to it though ...read about it on the BWI thread..hope that your DD doing is ok...your experience is giving me a bit of buyers remorse...!!!!!!!!! We truly have fallen in love with the BWI over the last year or so...and changed our split from GF to BWI....fingers crossed that its another fun stay.....

~ Just read that the new search is on for the 2017 Moms Panel....anyone ever think of applying??? I have..but never done it...Lots of knowledgeable peeps around here that would make great candidates.....

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans have a fabulous Friday...

 

[TinkerPug]

This is such a fantastic thread! Thanks for all the great info!

We are staying the end of September at the RPC in a Theme Park View room. Just started doing online check in and was wondering what, if any, requests we should make. I wasn't sure if any of those apply or if all the rooms in the category are equal... We are so excited to get to the GF.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[AngiTN]

Apparently none of the A/C units are working, so they are putting window units in all of the master bedrooms. The bungalows are staying VERY warm. Also because of the window units, they have the door in the master bedroom that goes out to the deck boarded up. There's been lots of other stuff - refrigerators not working, plumbing issues - but the A/C was a real concern for me. It's hot in September and our kids are little. I don't want to pay $2500/night to be miserable!

I'm super excited to be in a suite in the main bldg. Never stayed in a suite there before I just lucked out when I called to inquire about the outer bldg suite that was showing online and she asked me if I wanted main bldg instead. Of COURSE I do!

That's awful. We toured one last August and they were working then. Must have been too much for them and they are started to crap out

 

[BlueSkies]

This is such a fantastic thread! Thanks for all the great info!

We are staying the end of September at the RPC in a Theme Park View room. Just started doing online check in and was wondering what, if any, requests we should make. I wasn't sure if any of those apply or if all the rooms in the category are equal... We are so excited to get to the GF.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

I am not familiar with on line check in options..but the theme park view rooms ( which are on floor 3& 4) are those that a farthest down the hall from the lounge (which is on the 4th floor) I also know that there is a big old tree in the vicinity of room 43/44/ 02 ( trishadono will be able to provide more info on that! ... ) ..so my suggestion would be to request a room closer..to the lounge...which would be 43/4407,08 or 09..9 being the closest towards the lounge....The view from the TPV rooms are a bit distant but lovely...definitely a wonderful way to end the day..especially during the fireworks! ...if you have a specific preference...calling IPO to note it is a good idea...

 

[Wood Nymph]

~ Just read that the new search is on for the 2017 Moms Panel....anyone ever think of applying??? I have..but never done it...Lots of knowledgeable peeps around here that would make great candidates.....

My daughter said that I should apply for it. But I don't know anything about it. In fact, I've hardly ever looked at it.

 

[dansdad]

~ Just read that the new search is on for the 2017 Moms Panel....anyone ever think of applying??? I have..but never done it...Lots of knowledgeable peeps around here that would make great candidates.....

Completely agree!

My daughter said that I should apply for it. But I don't know anything about it. In fact, I've hardly ever looked at it.

If you had looked at it, you would probably be as shocked as I am as to the amount of bad/incorrect information that's usually given out. So much so that I stopped, it's too aggravating.

 

[trishadono]

Completely agree!



If you had looked at it, you would probably be as shocked as I am as to the amount of bad/incorrect information that's usually given out. So much so that I stopped, it's too aggravating.

Also they have to give disney approved advice. I of course prefer the real deal lol!