2014 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ: Vacationing in Grand Style!

[Aurora0427]

Yes, it is very hard to pass up RPC , however, seeing the nightly rate and room total in print makes it much easier to change . Congrats on booking your first GF stay . If you think you will spend any amount of time in the lounge, I'd go with RPC. I thought SL was ok as the food offerings are the same as RPC, but the RPC lounge is just so much more relaxing/quaint, IMO. Good luck with your decision. This isn't GF centered, but we love checking out the different resorts (especially at Christmas time). If you've never been during the holidays, you could always hop on the monorail and check out the decorations at the Poly and CR, and then take the boat to the WL . Hi Blue Yeah, August would have been great since it's sooner.....lol....but winter isn't too far away (not sure if that's good or bad ).

Thanks mickeynut!

 

[Aurora0427]

Our favorite resort activities are sitting in the lobby, listening to the music in the afternoon/evening, wandering the shops, having a drink in Mizner's, grabbing a snack at Gasparilla Grill and watching Wishes at the marina, renting Sea Raycers, hopping the boat to the Poly for shopping/dining, taking the monorail to the CR for shopping/dining, hanging at the pool, afternoon tea, a spa treatment, or simply strolling the grounds.:

Thank you! Great ideas! We are really going to try and make time at the resort. We stayed at WL back in February, and we were just on the go 24/7. Shopping at the GF is high on my list! I love ALL of their stores!

 

[Sue M]

Arrived safe and sound and enjoying the pools until our room is ready. This resort is absolutely lovely! Had a late breakfast in the SL lounge. Amazing pastries!!! Going to go to MK after our room is ready and we have a bit of a rest. Any questions? I'm here for 9 days!!!!

Well, since you asked . Pics of SL? Room/view? Pool lounge chair report toiletries pics, any Solar Gel? Monorail/bus situation?
Hope you're having a Grand vacay!

Ninafeliz...I'll jump in and comment on your question re: Wishes as viewed from Narcoosees: we have seen the fireworks from the porch there many times, and can hear the music very well. Assuming you and your party are not blocking the view of a seated guest in the restaurant while you are on the porch, it is, in my opinion, one of the best places to see the fireworks without being in the park! (the only better place to us is on the water in a pontoon boat in front of MK ) As an aside, we have not ever watched them from in front of Gaspy's so I can't comment on whether or not there is always music there.

My view at Narcoossee's has been blocked both times, we were lucky (we thought) to get window table each time. But for Wishes everyone goes outside blocking window view.

Well I finally have a ticker!

DD and I using last few days of our annual passes.

2 nights POP 8/11-8/13 then transfer to....

DELUXE KING RPC

for one night!

New rooms!! Anna and Elsa at HS!!!

They should charge dd by the pound for the amount of scones she will eat

Can ya tell I'm excited

Who's gonna be there then??

Congrats!!

 

[Ferrentinos]

Well, since you asked . Pics of SL? Room/view? Pool lounge chair report toiletries pics, any Solar Gel? Monorail/bus situation? Hope you're having a Grand vacay! My view at Narcoossee's has been blocked both times, we were lucky (we thought) to get window table each time. But for Wishes everyone goes outside blocking window view. Congrats!!

I've been taking pictures of SL but have to wait to upload until we are home. I'll post them next week! We have a dormer room which I wasn't thrilled about because DD3 can't see anything but the high ceilings are lovely! Just wish we were facing the marina instead of the pool. Didn't really get any of our room requests. But not really a big deal. Big news - there is solar gel!!! Woohoo! And foot scrub along with all the normal things. Haven't had trouble with buses and boats at all- did end up with a bit of trouble getting to ak for an EMH via the bus so we grabbed a taxi - which arrived to pick us up in 45 seconds! Having an amazing time and looking forward to a resort afternoon and evening! GF cafe and pool time! Frozen is playing on the beach tonight and we plan to watch the water pageant and wishes! So excited!

 

[happymomof1]

Oops-wrong posting!

 

[garada3]

Haven't had trouble with buses and boats at all- did end up with a bit of trouble getting to ak for an EMH via the bus so we grabbed a taxi - which arrived to pick us up in 45 seconds!

Thank you for checking in!

Will you please share more about the transportation arrangements currently in place? I am particularly interested in boat and bus to the MK for rope drop. Is the boat being used larger than the normal launch? Are there lines to get on the boat? How about the busses? What is the order of resort pick up/ drop off? How crowded are they at 8:00am? Do busses arrive often or were you waiting a long time?

Can you tell the new monorail times have me worried?

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[mickeynut1]

We are booked for an Outer Building with a Lagoon View for our November trip. Does anyone have any recommendations as to which building to request? I think we'd prefer something other than a ground floor. It will be myself, my wife and our almost 3 yr old daughter. Any other requests we should make when our online check-in opens up ? Thanks

We've never stayed in a lagoon view, but I think all of the outer buildings (except SL) have those views. Since the resort isn't really that big, none of the buildings are far from the main areas. With that said, Big Pine Key and Boca Chica overlook the courtyard pool and are very close to the main building, beach pool, and neither are far from Gasparillas. Sago Cay and Conch Key are by the marina and are close to the boat dock, but both are still only a 2-3 minute walk from the main building. Hopefully others who have stayed in lagoon view rooms will be able to give better suggestions .

Hi everyone. This will be our first time to WDW in over 20 years. We have a group of 13 (my parents, my 2 sisters and our families). Like many others, due to the poly pool closure we are staying at the beautiful GF in late September. We have 4 rooms booked...garden view outer building. We have requested 2 sets of connecting rooms so when the littles are napping we can visit in the other room. Anyone know what buildings the connecting rooms are located in? I just spoke with a CM and she said when we do online check in to put the connecting rooms as top priority. Just curious as to what building we might get. Thanks and have a magical day!

I think all buildings have connecting rooms, but I'm not positive as we've never had a need to request them. Hopefully someone more familiar with them will be able to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong .

Thanks mickeynut!

You're welcome .

I've been taking pictures of SL but have to wait to upload until we are home. I'll post them next week! We have a dormer room which I wasn't thrilled about because DD3 can't see anything but the high ceilings are lovely! Just wish we were facing the marina instead of the pool. Didn't really get any of our room requests. But not really a big deal. Big news - there is solar gel!!! Woohoo! And foot scrub along with all the normal things. Haven't had trouble with buses and boats at all- did end up with a bit of trouble getting to ak for an EMH via the bus so we grabbed a taxi - which arrived to pick us up in 45 seconds! Having an amazing time and looking forward to a resort afternoon and evening! GF cafe and pool time! Frozen is playing on the beach tonight and we plan to watch the water pageant and wishes! So excited!

Thanks for checking in. Glad you're having a great time .

 

[trishadono]

I've been taking pictures of SL but have to wait to upload until we are home. I'll post them next week! We have a dormer room which I wasn't thrilled about because DD3 can't see anything but the high ceilings are lovely! Just wish we were facing the marina instead of the pool. Didn't really get any of our room requests. But not really a big deal. Big news - there is solar gel!!! Woohoo! And foot scrub along with all the normal things. Haven't had trouble with buses and boats at all- did end up with a bit of trouble getting to ak for an EMH via the bus so we grabbed a taxi - which arrived to pick us up in 45 seconds! Having an amazing time and looking forward to a resort afternoon and evening! GF cafe and pool time! Frozen is playing on the beach tonight and we plan to watch the water pageant and wishes! So excited!

I totally forgot about the monorail thing!!! Glad to hear it's not too inconvenient.

Frozen on the beach with EWP and wishes WOW

 

[B52]

How would I make a specific room request, if using the online check-in?

It is just my wife and I, and we want a single bed king or queen, not 2 twins.
With the online check in, which we have already completed, they give you a chance to choose the building you would prefer, but not the sleeping arrangements in the room...

 

[Crazyhorse]

This place rocks! You guys are all so helpful, what with pictures and menus.
I've cruised through a lot of pages and haven't been able to find the answer to my question.

We booked an Outer Building, Theme Park View. I love the post that included the Bing Map of the GF and it seems like several buildings could be considered Outer/Theme Park View. Does anyone have a favorite building and why? Some pictures would be a great help. I don't think we want a ground floor but I'm also concerned about an upper floor with a view that's obstructed by trees. Any of the experts out there have any words of wisdom?

As usual, thank you!

 

[dansdad]

How would I make a specific room request, if using the online check-in?

It is just my wife and I, and we want a single bed king or queen, not 2 twins.
With the online check in, which we have already completed, they give you a chance to choose the building you would prefer, but not the sleeping arrangements in the room...

When making room requests, it's best to call the main reservations line and have any requests added to your reservation. As you found out, the options during online check in are predetermined and if what you want isn't listed you're out of luck.

Not that it matters with what you want, but the non-king rooms have 2 queens not doubles.

 

[Sue M]

I've been taking pictures of SL but have to wait to upload until we are home. I'll post them next week! We have a dormer room which I wasn't thrilled about because DD3 can't see anything but the high ceilings are lovely! Just wish we were facing the marina instead of the pool. Didn't really get any of our room requests. But not really a big deal. Big news - there is solar gel!!! Woohoo! And foot scrub along with all the normal things. Haven't had trouble with buses and boats at all- did end up with a bit of trouble getting to ak for an EMH via the bus so we grabbed a taxi - which arrived to pick us up in 45 seconds! Having an amazing time and looking forward to a resort afternoon and evening! GF cafe and pool time! Frozen is playing on the beach tonight and we plan to watch the water pageant and wishes! So excited!

yay for Solar Gel!! I still have a few Foot Mint creams from last year in my hoard that I'm enjoying now!! .
Sounds like you're having a grand time!! Thanks for checking in!
I'm looking forward to trying that shrimp & grits at GF cafe!
We requested a marina view, non dormer, so will see what we end up with

How are the Epcot/MK busses or boats running for morning EMH?
Don't forget about the Parasol Parade!! Very cute.

 

[mickeynut1]

How would I make a specific room request, if using the online check-in?

It is just my wife and I, and we want a single bed king or queen, not 2 twins.
With the online check in, which we have already completed, they give you a chance to choose the building you would prefer, but not the sleeping arrangements in the room...

As dansdad pointed out, most rooms come with 2 queens and a daybed and while I'm not sure if 1 queen or 1 king is available by request (not sure what room type you have booked), I'm sure someone else will be able to help with that and give some suggestions .

This place rocks! You guys are all so helpful, what with pictures and menus.
I've cruised through a lot of pages and haven't been able to find the answer to my question.

We booked an Outer Building, Theme Park View. I love the post that included the Bing Map of the GF and it seems like several buildings could be considered Outer/Theme Park View. Does anyone have a favorite building and why? Some pictures would be a great help. I don't think we want a ground floor but I'm also concerned about an upper floor with a view that's obstructed by trees. Any of the experts out there have any words of wisdom?

As usual, thank you!

All of the outer buildings have TPVs, so you have a few options for a request . We've never stayed in a TPV, but from what I've read from others, it seems like Boca Chica is a good choice and has some nice rooms for that view. Hopefully others who have stayed TPV will be able to give their opinion/experience on what they think is a good building choice for that view .

 

[abk96]

I've been taking pictures of SL but have to wait to upload until we are home. I'll post them next week! We have a dormer room which I wasn't thrilled about because DD3 can't see anything but the high ceilings are lovely! Just wish we were facing the marina instead of the pool. Didn't really get any of our room requests. But not really a big deal. Big news - there is solar gel!!! Woohoo! And foot scrub along with all the normal things. Haven't had trouble with buses and boats at all- did end up with a bit of trouble getting to ak for an EMH via the bus so we grabbed a taxi - which arrived to pick us up in 45 seconds! Having an amazing time and looking forward to a resort afternoon and evening! GF cafe and pool time! Frozen is playing on the beach tonight and we plan to watch the water pageant and wishes! So excited!

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear you are having a great time. I think we made the same requests as you did so I'm wondering if we will get any of ours.

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[yolie912]

I have a question. I am staying SL CL. We have a late flight. Can we still use CL?

Thanks

 

[mickeynut1]

I have a question. I am staying SL CL. We have a late flight. Can we still use CL?

Thanks

Yes, CL guests have access to the lounge until 11:59 pm of their check out day (that is, assuming you are referring to your check out day ).

 

[quakechicago]

Random question? How comfortable is the day bed? My DH keeps asking and I'm thinking we might need to ask for a cot.

Mind you, he can sleep ANYWHERE. Even on an airplane, stuck on the tarmac in the middle of summer, sitting up with our DD screaming her head off, so....not sure why he's concerned about an actual bed.

 

[disney meema]

Random question? How comfortable is the day bed? My DH keeps asking and I'm thinking we might need to ask for a cot.

Mind you, he can sleep ANYWHERE. Even on an airplane, stuck on the tarmac in the middle of summer, sitting up with our DD screaming her head off, so....not sure why he's concerned about an actual bed.

My teenage son never complained and also slept great. I tried it out and it was fine .. So tell him it's all good : )

 

[Sue M]

How would I make a specific room request, if using the online check-in?

It is just my wife and I, and we want a single bed king or queen, not 2 twins.
With the online check in, which we have already completed, they give you a chance to choose the building you would prefer, but not the sleeping arrangements in the room...

I just looked on wdw web site, and I don't think any resorts have twin beds.
Your choice at GF depending on room type is 2 queens, 2 Queens + day bed! or 1 King + daybed/sofa.
You would have to phone wdw reservations and have it noted on your reservation. Then again when you check in mention you'd prefer a King.

 

[twoolle]

I think all buildings have connecting rooms, but I'm not positive as we've never had a need to request them. Hopefully someone more familiar with them will be able to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong .

Thank You! I think we will just put Connecting Rooms, Upper Floor as our main requests, and then wait and see what we end up with. My family will be arriving first so we can definitely check things out before the others arrive and see if it will work for us! Almost to our 60 day mark!