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

[k&a&c'smom]

garada3 - I did not see anything in the cases at either Sandy Cove OR Gasparilla's that looked like sparkling grape juice.

If it were me, I would call PD now and see if this is possible. Or, you know what - I would probably order both apple juice (or another fruit juice) and ginger ale and mix the two for the kids. Maybe see if you can get some maraschino cherries from PD, at least. In fact, they would probably be willing to do a similar thing in the kitchen.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here's the article I read about the Direct to Room program. Not sure if they have made it past the initial testing phase to a full roll out.

Anyone?

 

[trishadono]

Here's the article I read about the Direct to Room program. Not sure if they have made it past the initial testing phase to a full roll out.

Anyone?

I have read some about that but this says POP was one of the test resorts. We just booked POP for 8/11 so I will see and post if we get an invite for it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I have read some about that but this says POP was one of the test resorts. We just booked POP for 8/11 so I will see and post if we get an invite for it.

OK, cool! Looking forward to your report!

 

[AlixaLock]

Headed to the Villas at the Grand Floridian in about a month for a 10 day stay with 7 family members and I absolutely cannot wait!

I'm actually a little embarrassed to ask this question ... I am sure it has been answered, but I couldn't go back far enough to find it! Would someone be willing to discuss the current morning transportation situation now that the monorail is not opening until 9am. We typically take cabs in the morning, so I'm not overly concerned ... however, we have two early morning (8am) reservations in the Magic Kingdom and I'm strategizing the best way to get there. What are my best options? Is the boat running that early?? Thanks in advance!

 

[huskylabkarp]

Does anyone know where the laundry mat is located?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Headed to the Villas at the Grand Floridian in about a month for a 10 day stay with 7 family members and I absolutely cannot wait!

I'm actually a little embarrassed to ask this question ... I am sure it has been answered, but I couldn't go back far enough to find it! Would someone be willing to discuss the current morning transportation situation now that the monorail is not opening until 9am. We typically take cabs in the morning, so I'm not overly concerned ... however, we have two early morning (8am) reservations in the Magic Kingdom and I'm strategizing the best way to get there. What are my best options? Is the boat running that early?? Thanks in advance!

There will be early boats and/or buses, not sure if both are available each day. Hopefully, someone will pop on to give first hand experience.

Does anyone know where the laundry mat is located?

Each building has its own laundry, with 2 washers and 2 dryers, located off the lobby on the 1st floor. (except SL, which has none and the Main Bldg. which has 1 each)

ETA: For anyone wondering, the VGF laundry area is reportedly on the 4th floor, near the elevators.

 

[mickeynut1]

I don't like this new procedure, to me it's just another way to cut down staffing, and impersonalize your experience. No more monorail conductors either

It seems a lot of personal attention is being taken away .

Planning is down to the small details, just two weeks to go!

Does private dining offer a sparkling apple juice or grape juice? We would like to have it delivered to the room along with some other specialty items.

DH and I thought our nieces might enjoy their own special beverage while we have ours.

I did not see it listed on the private dining menu linked in the opening pages of the thread.

Thank you!

I can't help with private dining, but I wanted to say I hope you have a great trip .

I like having a certain level of convenience, but I still like the personal touch. One of DD's friends said that was part of what made her first trip to WDW so magical, the personal interaction with the CMs.

I agree. Technology will keep advancing and it is great to a point, but I also like the personal touch and getting personalized attention from CMs at check in.....makes it more welcoming .

Here's the article I read about the Direct to Room program. Not sure if they have made it past the initial testing phase to a full roll out.

Anyone?

I'm not sure if this is still going on not. I haven't read any posts about it lately, but it will be interesting to see if it's something that keeps going .

Headed to the Villas at the Grand Floridian in about a month for a 10 day stay with 7 family members and I absolutely cannot wait!

I'm actually a little embarrassed to ask this question ... I am sure it has been answered, but I couldn't go back far enough to find it! Would someone be willing to discuss the current morning transportation situation now that the monorail is not opening until 9am. We typically take cabs in the morning, so I'm not overly concerned ... however, we have two early morning (8am) reservations in the Magic Kingdom and I'm strategizing the best way to get there. What are my best options? Is the boat running that early?? Thanks in advance!

I can't help with the transportation situation, but wanted to say I hope you have a great time at VGF. We've never stayed there, but they look beautiful. Have a great time and enjoy .

 

[disney meema]

Hi everyone! On the way to Vegas and then California to Disneyland for 2 weeks. So happy my husband has hot spot on his phone so I can use my iPad while in the car on the way.
I hope every is having a fabulous day : )

 

[cattywampus]

I had just convinced myself to skip the rental car, when the posts about monorail delays and issues started. Does anyone know what the approximate cab fares are from GF to each of the parks, as a backup plan?

 

[lynredles]

I am heading the the GF on 8/16 We are traveling with my 3 year old grandson. I am reading a lot about bus delays and problems with the monorail. Anyone that has just come back do you have any thoughts on this? I have a rental car on hold but was going to cancel it. If there is problems with transportation maybe I should get it. Any thoughts?

On another note, does anyone know if we can use different credit cards with our magic bands? I have already paid for the whole trip I would rather my son and his girl friend pay their own expenses.

Lyn

 

[100acreHiker]

chiming in to ask if anyone knows when the monorail will resume normal service times. We're going to GF on 11/11--it would be a relief to have the work completed by then. any word?

 

[pas130]

Here's the article I read about the Direct to Room program. Not sure if they have made it past the initial testing phase to a full roll out.

Anyone?

I am undecided about all this, I like the personal "welcome home"

Hey there lurking groupie!!

Hi Blue and friends! I'm still here despite my non Disney vacation this year. Have been getting DS ready for college.

Hi there pas .

Good to see you!

And not to forget grannyminnie

 

[illinidp]

I am heading the the GF on 8/16 We are traveling with my 3 year old grandson. I am reading a lot about bus delays and problems with the monorail. Anyone that has just come back do you have any thoughts on this? I have a rental car on hold but was going to cancel it. If there is problems with transportation maybe I should get it. Any thoughts?

On another note, does anyone know if we can use different credit cards with our magic bands? I have already paid for the whole trip I would rather my son and his girl friend pay their own expenses.

Lyn

We like having a rental car, but it's not a necessity. You can always use the boat to get to MK in the morning.

Yes, you can assign different cards to different bands at check-in.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Theoretically, the moment they scan you magic band at he airport to board the bus, the big computer in the sky knows you have arrived....
Plus, from what I have been reading, a CS Rep with a tablet meets you when you get off the bus and scans you magic band....then that is all you need to do...come back when your room is ready....at least that is what I had gathered from reading all the different posts in preparations for our trip.

We're from Canada, so they don't ship our magic bands to us, we pick them up at the resort. So maybe this will change? Maybe they will start shipping the magic bands once this is no longer in testing? We are also renting a car, so we won't be taking the magical express. Hmmmm

 

[B52]

Does anyone know, at the quick food places where you can get juices, beer and wine, etc...
Do they sell flavored Protein Drinks?
At home I make my own, but I can purchase them off the shelf at most fast food convenience stores....
Wondering if they are available at the resorts..in this case the GF where we will be staying.......

When we cruise, I have to bring my own protein powder......

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Hello everyone Beautiful day here in the midwest. Hope everyone is having a grand Sunday!

Grannyminnie Sorry to hear your Dad is having a rough time. My mom was the same way.....probably for about 2 years unfortunately. Time will heal especially with loving caring family members to help them through

Looks like I am in the minority here. I love online check-in and I look forward to the same....ON WEDNESDAY . yay I do so much research on these boards that I have no questions other than my room number. I like to get my packet and go. I am a very patient person on the "outside" but inside, I have no patience for people asking crazy questions(like Can I buy park tickets here? or Does the pool have a slide? or How do I make reservations for a princess dinner?...ugh) and holding up the line. I realize everyone isn't a crazy preplanner like myself but my brain is saying "hurry up people. I want to get to my room" thus making OCI perfect for me Calms my inside voices...hahaha

For those wondering about transportation, I will try to post my experience starting Thursday morning. We are rope drop folks so those buses and boats better be ready

I already have both DDs suitcases packed and will pack mine this evening while supervising DH as he packs his

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I had just convinced myself to skip the rental car, when the posts about monorail delays and issues started. Does anyone know what the approximate cab fares are from GF to each of the parks, as a backup plan?

The highest cab fare we've paid at the World is around $20+ tip - which was from the GF to DTD, if I recall. For shorter distances, it will be a lot less. Pretty sure you can google "orlando cab fare calculator" and pull up an engine to figure out costs.

I am heading the the GF on 8/16 We are traveling with my 3 year old grandson. I am reading a lot about bus delays and problems with the monorail. Anyone that has just come back do you have any thoughts on this? I have a rental car on hold but was going to cancel it. If there is problems with transportation maybe I should get it. Any thoughts?

....
Lyn

We have used WDW transportation exclusively for many trips and been just fine. I know it seems more likely to have delays lately, with all the construction going on around the World, but if I had to guess, it is not as bad as it seems by reading the boards. For each guest, it is more likely one or two delays per trip - but in the aggregate, it sounds like it's happening each time a guest boards the bus, boat or monorail.

If you booked your rental car with a great discount, I say keep it. Having a car to fall back on is often a good idea, so you can quickly get to another resort, etc. But it is not necessary, if you need to save the money.

chiming in to ask if anyone knows when the monorail will resume normal service times. We're going to GF on 11/11--it would be a relief to have the work completed by then. any word?

There is a post somewhere with more info on the monorail schedule, I'll see if I can find it.

Does anyone know, at the quick food places where you can get juices, beer and wine, etc...
Do they sell flavored Protein Drinks?
At home I make my own, but I can purchase them off the shelf at most fast food convenience stores....
Wondering if they are available at the resorts..in this case the GF where we will be staying.......

When we cruise, I have to bring my own protein powder......

I'm not sure if I know what you mean - are you talking about something like Ensure? I have some photos of the Sandy Cove and Gasparilla coolers, both on the first page, I think. I'll try to post the link in a bit.

Hello everyone Beautiful day here in the midwest. Hope everyone is having a grand Sunday!

....
Looks like I am in the minority here. I love online check-in and I look forward to the same....ON WEDNESDAY . yay I do so much research on these boards that I have no questions other than my room number. I like to get my packet and go. I am a very patient person on the "outside" but inside, I have no patience for people asking crazy questions(like Can I buy park tickets here? or Does the pool have a slide? or How do I make reservations for a princess dinner?...ugh) and holding up the line. I realize everyone isn't a crazy preplanner like myself but my brain is saying "hurry up people. I want to get to my room" thus making OCI perfect for me Calms my inside voices...hahaha

For those wondering about transportation, I will try to post my experience starting Thursday morning. We are rope drop folks so those buses and boats better be ready

I already have both DDs suitcases packed and will pack mine this evening while supervising DH as he packs his

Wednesday, woohoo!! LOL about having your DDs all packed, and needing to supervise your DH.

Wow, sounds like you've had a lot more time in the regular check in lines than we have. Back when we stayed at the mods, we often had to wait in line for 15-20 minutes, but most of our deluxe stays, we have walked right up to the check in desk without waiting at all, and even if we had to wait for one guest it was rarely more than a few minutes. (especially at the Grand)

In fact, the longest line we have had at the deluxe resorts was the online check in line at AKL (30 minutes) - which is why we are averse to it now. (the other 2 times we tried it, they had to rebuild our packet due to mistakes in our info - we've given up! lol)

 

[k&a&c'smom]

B52 - I looked at the photos; here is the link to post #9, scroll down about halfway to see the Sandy Cove coolers; and the link for post #12, scroll down about 1/3 of the way to see the Gasparilla coolers.

Didn't see anything familiar in the Sandy Cover photo, but maybe in the Gasparilla cooler? Perhaps in the first from the left, lower cooler, next to the Nesquick? I'm not sure, but maybe you can tell from the color of the bottle, etc.

HTH!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

100acreHiker - Here is the info posted on the WDW website about the resort monorail changes. No guarantees, of course, but it sounds like you should be fine in November:

Important Announcement Regarding Monorail Service in 2014

As part of our continuing efforts to exceed the expectations of our Guests, select monorail services will not be available in the early morning and late evening from June 22 through the end of Summer 2014.

Please note the following monorail schedule changes:

• Resort Monorail – 8:30 AM to midnight
• Epcot Monorail – 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM
• Express Monorail – 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM

During this time, watercraft and motor coach options will still be available to help transport you to your destination. In addition, all monorail services will offer standard operating hours on the weekend of July 4, 2014.