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

[mickeynut1]

It will be such a fun surprise. I back read on this thread ( very helpful!) and then sent an email to the Grand's IPO. They answered my q's, and I made a request. All set.

I agree, this is a very helpful thread . Sounds like you have everything in place for a magical surprise birthday stay for your DH. I hope you will report back after your stay .

 

[pmdeve]

Just booked our first visit to the Grand Floridian. We were able to book outer building Theme Park view room. Any suggestions which building we should request? Do they all have balconies? Are there any rooms with obstructed views? Can't wait

 

[threelilbears]

Just booked our first visit to the Grand Floridian. We were able to book outer building Theme Park view room. Any suggestions which building we should request? Do they all have balconies? Are there any rooms with obstructed views? Can't wait

Conch Key has the most dead on TPV of the castle so that's what I'd request if I were you. All the rooms have traditional balconies except for the dormer rooms which have enclosed balconies (not good for the vertically challenged - I can't see unless I stand up)!

 

[BlueSkies]

Anyone know if GF provides any kind of floaties for kids who need a bit of assistance swimming? The last time we stayed at GF it was December in 2012. The courtyard pool was closed and under construction, and it was a little on the cool side. I think we had one afternoon the kids hopped in the water. We're hoping November is still warm enough to warrant a resort day full of pool fun! Also, with two kids (9 & 6), is there one pool that's decidedly more kid-friendly? I'm curious to try the courtyard pool because we never got to on our previous trip, but is the vibe not as kid friendly?

Thanks!

I know that your questions about floaties has been answered.. Just wanted to add my 2 cents about the CY pool..which happens to be as kid friendly as the beach pool now that it has a zero entry..and the small fountains...but..the childrens's activities are all located at the beach pool...which also has a slide..

Walt Disney was a big fan of trains, and the suite's decor reflects that; Roy Disney loved horses and polo. His suite reflects those interests. The Grand Suite is just, well, grand!

All the best.

Thanks for that bit of trivia..and info! And I agree about the Grans Suite...simply grand!

I have a quick question and thought this would be the best place to ask!!

DD is doing the Pirate Adventure at the GF, so she will be off on a boat and I will have 2 hours to kill.

Suggestions? It is just me and her, so I need to entertain myself! Thanks!!

I would highly recommend spending some time in the lovely shops that the GF has...and after that if you have some more time...just strolling the gounds is so very nice....What a wonderful place to have some time to yourself!

Good Morning Everyone!!

Finally!!!! A minute to post...I've been here lurking around but things have been crazy with the summer ending and I haven't had a chance to post.

Love love all the pictures and all the trip reports as everyone is coming home!! I can't wait until next July!! I wish this could be the year I go for Christmas, but my DD is a Senior in HS and I don't think it would work....Definitely next year while both my kids are in college!!

I'll be around more often now that school started!!

Hello to long time friends Blue, Mickeynut, ahcupcake & Grannieminnie

Hey there Wishes...You kow that I am always happy to "see" you! A Christmas trip at the Grand is especially grand..as it looks so wonderful in all of its holiday finery! One more trip to look forward to my friend!!

Good morning everyone! I thought I'd share a nugget of monorail info I received from IPO this morning... we are arriving Sept 28th and I asked about rumors I read that the monorail will be back up and running on the 27th...

"Also, in regards to the Monorail adjustments, we are hoping to have it gliding back to its original schedule as soon as possible. You are correct that the last date we know of at this time to have a modified schedule is Saturday, September 27, 2014; however as with all adjustments in our operation, scheduling and availability are always subject to change. We will certainly try our best to have it back on schedule for your stay!"

Fingers crossed it's finished on time!

Thanks for that info! I always say this..GF IPO is top notch and very helpful...

ahcupcake Keep up the birthday planning...and dont forget to invite your gal pals!!

Mickeyluv'r Thanks for sharing your lovely pics...what a nice place to able to spread out your belongings!

MickeyNut Lots of planning for you coming up for next year!!

k&a&c'smom Safe travels!

grannyminnie Whatcha been up to???

to ALL of my fellow GF fans... pas hope that you had a fab vacation! MommyGina Are you holding up ok after getting your boy off to college...Candy When is the next VGF trip???

Hope that everyone is going to enjoy this nice long weekend...especially all of you with trip right now....I hear this is a wonderful weekend to be a the world! preppy GF gal who wishes I was at WDW this weekend too!

 

[BlueSkies]

Just booked our first visit to the Grand Floridian. We were able to book outer building Theme Park view room. Any suggestions which building we should request? Do they all have balconies? Are there any rooms with obstructed views? Can't wait

Conch Key has the most dead on TPV of the castle so that's what I'd request if I were you. All the rooms have traditional balconies except for the dormer rooms which have enclosed balconies (not good for the vertically challenged - I can't see unless I stand up)!

what she said!

 

[Aurora0427]

We have used Tiffany Town Car since 2001 and have always had great experiences . The drivers are always on time, are friendly & courteous, and the cars are always clean. A r/t transfer is $126 + gratuity and one way is $68 + gratuity.

To answer your luggage question, according to the DME policy, if you rent a car or use a car service, you would have to get your own luggage and take it with you. Here is a link with that information:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/magical-express/

Click on "Be Magically Whisked Away".

HTH

Very helpful! Thank you!

 

[mickeynut1]

Just booked our first visit to the Grand Floridian. We were able to book outer building Theme Park view room. Any suggestions which building we should request? Do they all have balconies? Are there any rooms with obstructed views? Can't wait

I can't help with the best building for TPV, but wanted to say congrats on booking your first GF stay. The GF is an amazing resort and I'm sure you will have a wonderful time .

MickeyNut Lots of planning for you coming up for next year!!

Yes, lots of planning .....haven't booked anything yet, but I get very excited just thinking about it .

Very helpful! Thank you!

You're welcome .

 

[Tbone17701]

Does anyone here know if they ever use the larger boats for MK during busier times (I.E. Easter)? I know they have when we've stayed at WL, but never paid attention for GF.

 

[shoppgirl]

Anyone know if GF provides any kind of floaties for kids who need a bit of assistance swimming? The last time we stayed at GF it was December in 2012. The courtyard pool was closed and under construction, and it was a little on the cool side. I think we had one afternoon the kids hopped in the water. We're hoping November is still warm enough to warrant a resort day full of pool fun! Also, with two kids (9 & 6), is there one pool that's decidedly more kid-friendly? I'm curious to try the courtyard pool because we never got to on our previous trip, but is the vibe not as kid friendly?

Thanks!

When my girls were younger, we brought our own blow up floaties from the dollar store (so it's not a big deal if we had to leave them behind!) to use. This was many years ago before any refurbishments, but at the time the girls loved using the courtyard pool with their swim rings etc. the lifeguards said it wasn't an issue to bring our own pool toys as long as they weren't so big that it blocked their view of the bottom of the pool. Our first year there my DH bought a pool noodle from their little pool shop for DD to use! We even packed the long styrofoam pool noodle home!

 

[thatgirl08]

Thanks for the suggestions!!

Sounds like I should be able to entertain myself for a couple hours I'm excited to check out the resort after looking at some of the gorgeous photos.

 

[pas130]

Happy Friday All,

Thank you for the welcome, we are very excited!

It will be such a fun surprise. I back read on this thread ( very helpful!) and then sent an email to the Grand's IPO. They answered my q's, and I made a request. All set.

Very friendly and helpful thread!! Congratulations on your latest change

We didn't visit GF this trip but saw her beauty from MK!!! You will love it! Hubby too!!

 

[pas130]

My bad, big hello and hugs to all the groupies!! In Georgia on I95 North heading home from a fab trip!

 

[Jennygt]

Conch Key has the most dead on TPV of the castle so that's what I'd request if I were you. All the rooms have traditional balconies except for the dormer rooms which have enclosed balconies (not good for the vertically challenged - I can't see unless I stand up)!

I have been wondering about this very same question, thanks!

 

[MommyGina]

Hi Blue and friends! Holding up ok, thanks for asking. It was a gut wrenching day leaving my son at college for the first time on Wednesday. Before he left, I tried to cheer us up by starting to plan our dining arrangements for July. It helped a bit. Disney always can brighten up a sad time.

 

[jerseygal]

Hi Blue and friends! Holding up ok, thanks for asking. It was a gut wrenching day leaving my son at college for the first time on Wednesday. Before he left, I tried to cheer us up by starting to plan our dining arrangements for July. It helped a bit. Disney always can brighten up a sad time.

Hope that your son is doing well!
I remember leaving our first and being PRETTY DOWN! Was "not myself" at all for about 2 weeks!
Leaving our first was complicated by having to leave him quite sick from a herendous summer of sickness and exacerbated asthma problems, as he insisted that he was going and he would be okay! Thank GOODNESS, all worked our very well!

9 years later, we left "the baby" 1 week today! Wow, WHERE DO THE YEARS GO????? THANK GOD, all WONDERFUL things ahead, but there certainly is a strangeness to the whole process!

So happy that we have our 4 night trip to look forward to.. I call it DS and my "getting over the hump" trip! CAN'T WAIT! Looking SO FORWARD to the Grand!

Hope that you are doing okay!!!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Good morning, GF "groupies" (as Pas said... )
Been MIA due to traveling..but glad to be back. More ......

Lots of activity on here and still not caught up with my reading, but I did see the photos you sent of the Walt Suite, Mickeyluv'r. I so want to stay there!! It's my dream...

Hi Wishes ...I'm glad you'll soon be back with us regularly! Your DD will probably be having a very busy year, and I know you'll be right in the thick of it!

Ahcupcake, can you share any of your BIG birthday plans with us yet?

Hi to Blue and Mickeynut this lovely Sat. morning...

 

[ninafeliz]

I sent an email to IPO last night with our room requests and a few questions, and I didn't get the canned reply that I'm used to getting when I emailed the Poly IPO before. The one that says thank you for contacting us, you'll hear back within 24 hrs. Do they typically send that? Should I re-send the email? In my previous experience it came immediately.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[disney meema]

Good Morning : ) I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend planned with your family or friends. We are having a family weekend here in Utah with the grandkiddies ... Which of course is the best way to spend a weekend!
On the Disney planning side I was able to book the after hours Epcot F&W event for Nov. 6th. It's going to be interesting flying in that day at 4:30 getting checked in GF and the heading to Epcot for the event at 9:30 pm. I keep wondering if it was a wise choice on my part but fingers crossed and hoping for the best with our flight ect.

 

[jerseygal]

ENJOY the long Labor Day Weekend!

 

[MommyGina]

I sent an email to IPO last night with our room requests and a few questions, and I didn't get the canned reply that I'm used to getting when I emailed the Poly IPO before. The one that says thank you for contacting us, you'll hear back within 24 hrs. Do they typically send that? Should I re-send the email? In my previous experience it came immediately. Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I would resend your email again. It doesn't hurt and it's piece of mind for you that your requests have been received!

I have always receive the canned confirmation email. Good luck!