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

[k&a&c'smom]

....

You're welcome! I just wish I got pics of the food in the lounge for everyone. It was so crowded most times so I didn't bother.
....

You're welcome! Using them as book marks is a great idea. I'm going to do that too.

Don't you hate it when guests get in the way of your picture-taking?! I have so few photos of the CL food for the same reason.

I wasn't sure how many people were still reading actual books, besides me.

We took ds17 to bookstore last night and he got The Lord of the Rings Set. For HIS bookmark he used his 8 inch mini replica of a sword we got for him at Disney.

(Looks just like a sword but actually a letter opener/now bookmark.)


Oh ya, I saw people do that AFTER I had already eaten. I will try that this trip.


Makes sense-ish

Hey K&A&C'S mom thanks for letting practice my multi single person quoting.

LOL - sense-ish. Good description! My littlest dog has storm phobia, so I'm often sitting up with her in the middle of the night, and my brain is kinda foggy!

Love the mini-sword as bookmark, especially for LotR! Very apropos. My boys have some of those swords, I think I got theirs at the outdoor kiosk near Mitsukoshi. And my oldest requested a full-size sword from what used to be the Lost Continent at IOA over at Universal. Wonderful. Quite a chore shipping that thing home.

YAY for the multi-quote of a single post, very advanced multi-quoting skills.

 

[BlueSkies]

abk Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful pics!! What a great view..it our fave too...love that wing of the SL building..

So happy to see the turn down cards are back..just a small touch..but things that make a difference IMO...

Glad that you enjoyed your trip!

Today is our "Dalmation Day".... 101 Days left!

Dalmation Day!! Love it! Almost into the double digits!!

Us too!!

More ....

Hi GF folks!

I posted on here a few months back about a work event I was attending at the Grand. Just wanted to report back that it was great! I was in 7428, Conch Key, theme park view. I couldn't believe how big the room was compared to others I've stayed in on property. It also felt much cleaner. My only complaint is the noise from the boat dock. Since they beep when they pull in we could hear it pretty loud in our room. Other than that it was a great first stay there! The convention center ballrooms were nice and they fed the 900 people in our group as if we were small crowd.

Thanks for coming back giving us a review! Conch is a favorite of many... The rooms at the GF are the most spacoius of all of the deluxes I believe...Sorry about the loud boat noises... have to say..we love listening to the boat horn while sitting our on the balcony... that and the train whistle from the MK..."Disney" sounds ...lol...

abk96 I know, we love to make sandwiches from the croissants, ham and cheese. I'm particularly fond of the dilled Havarti and the boursin - DD's favorite is the salmon spread!

The drive down should be great fun, I arrive in DC the day before and we head out after the girls get off work the next day. (did that sentence even make sense?! I'm up in the middle of the night!)

My mouth is watering.... love those cheeses...and the salmon spread..on a nice toasted bagel...really so many nice breakfast offerings! Its always about the food!!!...

A road trip with your DD and her friend will be such fun...lots of time to catch up...and enjoy each others company!!

PS..What were you doing up at 3am!!?? I unfortunately am often up at that hour...lol...playing WWF with our friend..and fellow insomniac Maxie86..So if you are not already playing WWF..let me suggest it as a way to relax at an ungodly hour...lol....plus I know of two friends who are up and playing at that hour....lol...

Trisha Interesting bookmark... lol...Kids...

MickeyNut I know that the planning for your family trip is beginning...A suggestion... how about a GF/Poly split... I wouldnt be a true GF gal if I didn't at least suggest that...Your niece is going to have the absolute best time...getting to have her very first trip planned by her Disney loving (obsessed.. ..lol..) aunt!!!

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a tiggerific Thrusday.. (corny I know...lol...) .. preppy GF gal who still has no BOG ressie for her next trip..but did get one for 2015 !!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

You're not alone with the bookmarks....lol. I prefer the old fashion way of reading with an actual book rather than on a nook or tablet or whatever they use now (you can see how up I am on today's technology ). And yes, your sentence did make sense .

Your trip sounds fun......I know you and the girls will have a great time .



The GF really is a wonderful resort, so beautiful and peaceful .

Hey, you were posting while I was posting! Thanks, after I wrote it I wasn't sure if it would be clear!

LOL about not being up on technology. I have a Kindle, I like it for travel and when I'm reading in bed (lighter, so I don't hurt myself when I fall asleep and drop it! haha). But I have so many books, and I like to re-read them. Not to mention I collect a couple authors. I always read Hercule Poirot's Christmas in December, things like that.

And to bring it back on topic (kinda, sorta), I almost switched our YC trip to the Grand. It was hard to talk myself out of it, but the girls really want SAB in the heat of the summer. Now that the courtyard pool is only ankle deep, we enjoy the lazy river at SAB even more. Wonder when it will be drained, filled in, whatever?!?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BlueSkies, I missed your post while I was responding to mickeynut's post! All posting at the same time today!

Don't you love all the breakfast options?! Well, all the food, really, we love the variety in GF CL. Much better than any of the other CLs, IMO.

We love hearing all the Disney sounds, too, which makes it hard for me to understand anyone who doesn't. I know people like quiet during nap time, though, or...gasp!...they sleep in.

LOL about being up at an ungodly hour. My dogs hate storms, and we have them ALL the TIME - especially overnight. Thanks for the invite for WWF, my DD plays it but I haven't gotten started. May have to give it a shot.

I'm hesitant to say, I got BOG expedited arrival for lunch yesterday! I know you are trying for dinner, and on a party night, but when it popped up the first time I tried, I thought, "oh, how will I tell BlueSkies?!?" I think the tip of trying within a couple weeks of travel must be the key. Good luck, I hope you snag that elusive reservation.

 

[Raya]

Thanks for all the lovely pictures. Ya'll are getting me excited when I still have 85 days to go!

We have a tour on Monday morning. With the monorail situation being iffy, what's the best way to get to the park by 7:40 (at the absolute latest)? should I take a bus from GF to the park? I'm worried that the bus will just take me to the TTC and I'll need to wait on a Ferry from there. It'd be lovely if we could walk but I suspect a walk around the lake before a full day of touring is a bad idea.

 

[abk96]

ABK...Your pics are BEAUTIFUL! THANKS!!!!

Cannot WAIT till December! Heard that the Gingerbread House is AWESOME!

Thanks! You'll have a great time in December and the Gingerbread House is really awesome. It's fun and smells delicious too!

Don't you hate it when guests get in the way of your picture-taking?! I have so few photos of the CL food for the same reason.

I wasn't sure how many people were still reading actual books, besides me.

I know right! And I'm one of the few still reading actual books too. I don't like technology too much except for researching Disney of course.

abk Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful pics!! What a great view..it our fave too...love that wing of the SL building..

So happy to see the turn down cards are back..just a small touch..but things that make a difference IMO...

Glad that you enjoyed your trip!
.. preppy GF gal who still has no BOG ressie for her next trip..but did get one for 2015 !!!

Hey Blue! You're welcome. I was really happy to see the turn down cards too. I still have them from our honeymoon.

Congrats on getting BOG for 2015. And here's a little in hopes you get one for this year.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for all the lovely pictures. Ya'll are getting me excited when I still have 85 days to go!

We have a tour on Monday morning. With the monorail situation being iffy, what's the best way to get to the park by 7:40 (at the absolute latest)? should I take a bus from GF to the park? I'm worried that the bus will just take me to the TTC and I'll need to wait on a Ferry from there. It'd be lovely if we could walk but I suspect a walk around the lake before a full day of touring is a bad idea.

If they are running buses from the GF to the MK, you will be dropped off at the bus terminal in front of the MK gates. Just as if you were busing from any other resort.

No walking path from the GF to the MK. But there is a ferry boat, I would expect it to start running that early but I can't be positive. It's route is usually GF-Poly-MK-GF and so on, but it is possible they have dedicated GF-MK boats in the a.m. with the monorail shut down.

I hope someone who has been recently can give a little insight.

....

I know right! And I'm one of the few still reading actual books too. I don't like technology too much except for researching Disney of course.


....

We're a techie family, but I still love reading real books.

Love the smell of the gingerbread house, mmm.

 

[BlueSkies]

Good morning again friends!!

We are having a posting at the same time bonanza today!!

abk Hey you! thanks for the BOG I will just keep on trying...

k&a&c So happy that you got a lunch ressie!! We would like to try that too...and thank for the tip about it!

Poor doggies being afraid of the storms...

As for WWF..its fun..and addicting...c'mon...theres no time to start like the present!!

jerseygal Not only is the gingerbread house so lovely..it fills the lobby with the wonderful gingerbread smell too...
Oh and there is a shop as part of it ....selling lots of delicious treats!

Ya'll are getting me excited when I still have 85 days to go!

We have a tour on Monday morning. With the monorail situation being iffy, what's the best way to get to the park by 7:40 (at the absolute latest)? should I take a bus from GF to the park? I'm worried that the bus will just take me to the TTC and I'll need to wait on a Ferry from there. It'd be lovely if we could walk but I suspect a walk around the lake before a full day of touring is a bad idea.

85 days!!! From my understanding the boats have been heading over to the MK extra early... Think that I read about the early transportation over on the Poly thread from someone who is there now...

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Don't you hate it when guests get in the way of your picture-taking?! I have so few photos of the CL food for the same reason.

I wasn't sure how many people were still reading actual books, besides me.



LOL - sense-ish. Good description! My littlest dog has storm phobia, so I'm often sitting up with her in the middle of the night, and my brain is kinda foggy!

Love the mini-sword as bookmark, especially for LotR! Very apropos. My boys have some of those swords, I think I got theirs at the outdoor kiosk near Mitsukoshi. And my oldest requested a full-size sword from what used to be the Lost Continent at IOA over at Universal. Wonderful. Quite a chore shipping that thing home.

YAY for the multi-quote of a single post, very advanced multi-quoting skills.

I thought I was the only one who spoils our dog! Awww. That is nice of you to stay up with him/her.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I think someone already asked this, but we are there from Nov 14-20. Will the gingerbread house be up?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Good morning again friends!!

We are having a posting at the same time bonanza today!!


k&a&c So happy that you got a lunch ressie!! We would like to try that too...and thank for the tip about it!

Poor doggies being afraid of the storms...

As for WWF..its fun..and addicting...c'mon...theres no time to start like the present!!


.... From my understanding the boats have been heading over to the MK extra early... Think that I read about the early transportation over on the Poly thread from someone who is there now...

Oh, I know - the poor thing, she gets really crazed during thunderstorms. She knows far in advance one is coming and starts panting, drooling, scratching at furniture. We've tried everything, finally had to start giving her drugs - I hate it, but it's the best option, she was on the verge of a doggie nervous break down. Of course, she has to live in an area with constant t'storms, poor pup.

Thanks about BOG, I was so surprised when it was available. I was first offered 10:30-11:00 or 1:25-1:55; took the later, as our FPs are for evening. I went back moments later to check on something, and found a 12:00-12:30 slot open! YAY!

I'll have to investigate WWF!

I thought I was the only one who spoils our dog! Awww. That is nice of you to stay up with him/her.

Thanks! Poor thing, she gets so wound up. I wish we could do more for her. What kind of dog do you have? We have a Lab and Cavalier (the storm phobic one), both spoiled rotten.

I think someone already asked this, but we are there from Nov 14-20. Will the gingerbread house be up?

No worries, ask away - it's why we're here!

The last few years they seem to start the gingerbread house in the first week of November - say around the 7th or so. Hopefully, that holds for this year and you'll see it in progress! With the length of your stay, you may even see it finished.

 

[mickeynut1]

Cannot WAIT till December! Heard that the Gingerbread House is AWESOME!

You will love the GF at Christmas time. The resort is beautifully decorated both inside and out and the gingerbread house is amazing .

MickeyNut I know that the planning for your family trip is beginning...A suggestion... how about a GF/Poly split...I wouldnt be a true GF gal if I didn't at least suggest that...Your niece is going to have the absolute best time...getting to have her very first trip planned by her Disney loving (obsessed.. ..lol..) aunt!!!

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a tiggerific Thrusday.. (corny I know...lol...) .. preppy GF gal who still has no BOG ressie for her next trip..but did get one for 2015 !!!

I love the idea of a Poly/GF split, but my DH not so much.....lol. We did a split in December 2010 and my DH told me to never do that again . He likes to check in and get settled and not have to move until it's time to head home, so I would have a hard time selling another split .

I can't wait to go with my niece . I met my brother for lunch today and the first thing he said to me when he sat down was "you're gonna get it" . He then proceeded to say that my niece won't stop talking about how she's going to Disney World to eat in the castle.....looks like I trained her right .

Good luck with your BOG ressie, something is bound to show up .

LOL about not being up on technology. I have a Kindle, I like it for travel and when I'm reading in bed (lighter, so I don't hurt myself when I fall asleep and drop it! haha). But I have so many books, and I like to re-read them. Not to mention I collect a couple authors. I always read Hercule Poirot's Christmas in December, things like that.

And to bring it back on topic (kinda, sorta), I almost switched our YC trip to the Grand. It was hard to talk myself out of it, but the girls really want SAB in the heat of the summer. Now that the courtyard pool is only ankle deep, we enjoy the lazy river at SAB even more. Wonder when it will be drained, filled in, whatever?!?

I've never been much of a reader, but my oldest DS has gotten me into reading books about basketball....lol. I finished reading a 200+ page book that was quite interesting and now have started another one, but this one is over 700 pages long ......it will take me awhile to get through this one, but it is interesting so it shouldn't be too bad .

LOL about almost changing to the GF. I think you will enjoy your YC stay. You could always visit the Grand to eat and shop .

We love hearing all the Disney sounds, too, which makes it hard for me to understand anyone who doesn't. I know people like quiet during nap time, though, or...gasp!...they sleep in.

Add me to the list of those that love to hear the boat sounds. When we stayed at the Poly, I loved lying in a hammock on the beach listening to the boat whistles as the boats went back and forth to MK .

Thanks for all the lovely pictures. Ya'll are getting me excited when I still have 85 days to go!

You will be on your way before you know it .

Oh, I know - the poor thing, she gets really crazed during thunderstorms. She knows far in advance one is coming and starts panting, drooling, scratching at furniture. We've tried everything, finally had to start giving her drugs - I hate it, but it's the best option, she was on the verge of a doggie nervous break down. Of course, she has to live in an area with constant t'storms, poor pup.

Thanks about BOG, I was so surprised when it was available. I was first offered 10:30-11:00 or 1:25-1:55; took the later, as our FPs are for evening. I went back moments later to check on something, and found a 12:00-12:30 slot open! YAY!

I'm sorry about your pup . On of our neighbors had a dog that they had give drugs to every 4th of July because the fireworks freaked her out so much.

Congrats on your BOG ressie .

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Oh, I know - the poor thing, she gets really crazed during thunderstorms. She knows far in advance one is coming and starts panting, drooling, scratching at furniture. We've tried everything, finally had to start giving her drugs - I hate it, but it's the best option, she was on the verge of a doggie nervous break down. Of course, she has to live in an area with constant t'storms, poor pup.

Thanks about BOG, I was so surprised when it was available. I was first offered 10:30-11:00 or 1:25-1:55; took the later, as our FPs are for evening. I went back moments later to check on something, and found a 12:00-12:30 slot open! YAY!

I'll have to investigate WWF!



Thanks! Poor thing, she gets so wound up. I wish we could do more for her. What kind of dog do you have? We have a Lab and Cavalier (the storm phobic one), both spoiled rotten.



No worries, ask away - it's why we're here!

The last few years they seem to start the gingerbread house in the first week of November - say around the 7th or so. Hopefully, that holds for this year and you'll see it in progress! With the length of your stay, you may even see it finished.

Yay for the gingerbread house! That's early! Your poor doggy..I'm sure people have asked you this but did you try the thunder shirt? My dog is fine with thunder. She is a Havanese, 18 months old. I grew up with 2 sheepdogs but they are too big for an apartment so we though the Havie was nice because she looks similar. She is having her beauty treatment tonight - mobile groomer because she gets car sick.

When we were in Disney last year we were sitting there at one point going "I wonder what Maggie is doing"? We called every day to check on her!

 

[Anonomom]

Hi there,

We're headed to the GF next week and I'm trying to figure out a few logistical issues. Can y'all help me?

1. This is our first time at the GF and our first non-CL trip in a while. We have three small kids and I'm trying to figure our which building (if any) to request. If the monorail were running normal hours my preference would be to be as close as possible to the main building for easy food & monorail access, but maybe we should ask to be closer to the boats?. We have a standard (garden?) view room booked. Any suggestions?

2. I see from the shop posts at the beginning of this thread that it's possible to buy a case of water from the gift shop. Does anyone know how much that costs? We were considering a Garden Grocer order but their prices gave me sticker shock (not to mention the delivery fee). If the case at the GF is less than $10, I'd just as well buy it there.

Thanks!

 

[jerseygal]

You will love the GF at Christmas time. The resort is beautifully decorated both inside and out and the gingerbread house is amazing .



I love the idea of a Poly/GF split, but my DH not so much.....lol. We did a split in December 2010 and my DH told me to never do that again . He likes to check in and get settled and not have to move until it's time to head home, so I would have a hard time selling another split .

I can't wait to go with my niece . I met my brother for lunch today and the first thing he said to me when he sat down was "you're gonna get it" . He then proceeded to say that my niece won't stop talking about how she's going to Disney World to eat in the castle.....looks like I trained her right .

Good luck with your BOG ressie, something is bound to show up .



I've never been much of a reader, but my oldest DS has gotten me into reading books about basketball....lol. I finished reading a 200+ page book that was quite interesting and now have started another one, but this one is over 700 pages long ......it will take me awhile to get through this one, but it is interesting so it shouldn't be too bad .

LOL about almost changing to the GF. I think you will enjoy your YC stay. You could always visit the Grand to eat and shop .



Add me to the list of those that love to hear the boat sounds. When we stayed at the Poly, I loved lying in a hammock on the beach listening to the boat whistles as the boats went back and forth to MK .



You will be on your way before you know it .



I'm sorry about your pup . On of our neighbors had a dog that they had give drugs to every 4th of July because the fireworks freaked her out so much.

Congrats on your BOG ressie .

The Gingerbread House and Little Shop is "CALLING ME"! YUM!
Thanks for the tip about the awesome scent of the Gingerbread House!

 

[twoolle]

Less than 45 days out...woo hoo! My sister just rented a cabana for one of our pool days...these are at the beach pool, correct? And is the Alice in wonderland water play area near the beach pool? Thanks all!

 

[followthatmouse]

Less than 45 days out...woo hoo! My sister just rented a cabana for one of our pool days...these are at the beach pool, correct? And is the Alice in wonderland water play area near the beach pool? Thanks all!

Congrats on the pool day! Yes, the cabanas are nestled at the deeper end of the Beach Pool. The Alice water play area is nearby. Have fun! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi there,

We're headed to the GF next week and I'm trying to figure out a few logistical issues. Can y'all help me?

1. This is our first time at the GF and our first non-CL trip in a while. We have three small kids and I'm trying to figure our which building (if any) to request. If the monorail were running normal hours my preference would be to be as close as possible to the main building for easy food & monorail access, but maybe we should ask to be closer to the boats?. We have a standard (garden?) view room booked. Any suggestions?

2. I see from the shop posts at the beginning of this thread that it's possible to buy a case of water from the gift shop. Does anyone know how much that costs? We were considering a Garden Grocer order but their prices gave me sticker shock (not to mention the delivery fee). If the case at the GF is less than $10, I'd just as well buy it there.

Thanks!

The GF isn't all that spread out, so none of the outer buildings are far from the main areas, but if you want to be close to the main building (monorail, TS dining, etc), Big Pine Key and Boca Chica are great choices (IMO). Both overlook the courtyard pool and are very convenient to the main building and beach pool (and neither are too far from Gasparillas). If you want to be closer to the boats, Sago Cay and Conch Key are both good choices for that as those 2 buildings are located over by the marina .

I can't answer about the water as we've never purchased it by the case, but hopefully someone else will be able to help with that .

The Gingerbread House and Little Shop is "CALLING ME"! YUM!
Thanks for the tip about the awesome scent of the Gingerbread House!

It has a habit of doing that . The smell gets you close, and then seeing how yummy everything looks gets you to buy .

Less than 45 days out...woo hoo! My sister just rented a cabana for one of our pool days...these are at the beach pool, correct? And is the Alice in wonderland water play area near the beach pool? Thanks all!

Congrats on the cabana . As followthatmouse posted, the cabanas are at the beach pool, as is the Alice in Wonderland splash play area .

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi there,

We're headed to the GF next week and I'm trying to figure out a few logistical issues. Can y'all help me?

1. This is our first time at the GF and our first non-CL trip in a while. We have three small kids and I'm trying to figure our which building (if any) to request. If the monorail were running normal hours my preference would be to be as close as possible to the main building for easy food & monorail access, but maybe we should ask to be closer to the boats?. We have a standard (garden?) view room booked. Any suggestions?

2. I see from the shop posts at the beginning of this thread that it's possible to buy a case of water from the gift shop. Does anyone know how much that costs? We were considering a Garden Grocer order but their prices gave me sticker shock (not to mention the delivery fee). If the case at the GF is less than $10, I'd just as well buy it there.

Thanks!

Congrats on your first GF stay!! I am not sure about purchasing water from the sundries shop ..but lots of knowledgeable folks on here..hopefully someone else who has gotten some will be able to give you info on that...

As MickeyNut said Big Pine Key is closest to the main building and both poosl...its also closer to the Alice splash area..so that might be just right with a young family..Boca Chica is also so nice..steps away from the courtyard pool and very close to the boat dock too...There is a map at the beginning of this great thread that will give you a good idea of where each outer building is...Also..just some food for thought...you might use the water launches more than you are anticipating...its the quickest way to get back to the GF from the MK...and also a nice way to travel over to the Poly...

No matter what..they are all good choices.. every thing really is in such close proximity to each other... Happy planning!

Less than 45 days out...woo hoo! My sister just rented a cabana for one of our pool days...these are at the beach pool, correct? And is the Alice in wonderland water play area near the beach pool? Thanks all!

45 days!! Oh and a cabana day... ...such a nice way to spend time at the pool...Enjoy!!

Hey MickeyNut

 

[cattywampus]

Double digits!!!!