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

[grannyminnie]

Awwww, how cute!!!

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

I really need to get a Disionary to understand you sharpwitted ladies!

Tom

I'll ask DH if he has a suggestion!

I know he has ulterior motives for shopping though. He wants to find a Mickey tie clip for his V&A suit. He already bought Mickey swim trunks in July and complained they weren't "Disney" enough! I take a back seat to him when it comes to Disneymania!

Liz

 

[BlueSkies]

I love going both times of year, and have been to both parties. I really enjoy the fall decorations, since we are less likely to see alot of that anywhere else!

Fall is my absolute fave too grannyminnie...and the MNSSHP is even better than the MVMCP... IMO...but as it worked out in our schedules its MVMCP for us this year...Enjoy the world in all of its fall finery...its all so very pretty...not to mention the wonderful weather...

Last time we visited BoG for dinner I didn't care for the chicken and tomato sauce dish I had. Since the only other things I had were French Onion Soup (YUMMMM) and The Grey Stuff (which wasn't that great imo) and DH chose the Passion Fruit Cream Puff (renamed Tropical Fruit Cream Puff) which he kindly gave me. It was to DIE for. He also ordered the Triple Chocolate Cupcake that was delicious as well!
So if the most memorable thing of the meal was dessert....why not go for that!

Sounds like we will be there at the same time! I love Halloween since it means the Holidays are just around the corner.



We are considering either a Thanksgiving or Christmas trip next year. All of the Christmas Decorations weren't up during our November trip last year. I just need to wean the mob who show up at our house for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners off this year so I can sneak away!

DH gave me a new word for the week. I said I needed to do a bit of shopping before we left next month and he replied "Why not just wait and go to WaltMart when we get there!" He is such a sweetheart! Liz

Liz That dessert sounds scrumptious!!! Adding it to the list.... I generally enjoy the lemon meringue cupcake at BOG...but am always interested in new foods..cause that's what its always about....

So even your DH is good at turning a disney word..another goodie too...Waltmart ...lol....love it!!!

If we are all going to be at the world at the same time maybe we'll get to say Hi!! Trish and I are going to be Poly princesses though... But we are planning some GF-centric shopping!! and dining....

I really need to get a Disionary to understand you sharpwitted ladies!

Tom

Tom!!! Disionary...Another goodie!!! What a clever bunch of GF groupies around here!!!

Roll call...MickeyNut, k&a&c'smom, Wishes ,ahcupcake, Candy,pas and many of our other GF fans...what are you all up to???? Inquiring mind here as usual....

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday!!! preppy GF gal who has a snack list a mile loooong!!

 

[Mot]

Hello everyone.
I have a simple question i hope you can answer.

Haven't been to the GF in years. How has the AP availability been at this resort the past year or so. I remember getting an AP rate on a Holiday but i have the feeling that is no longer the case.

Have you seen AP rates for all rooms including the RPC or just outer buildings?

thank you.

 

[speedo]

Hello everyone.
I have a simple question i hope you can answer.

Haven't been to the GF in years. How has the AP availability been at this resort the past year or so. I remember getting an AP rate on a Holiday but i have the feeling that is no longer the case.

Have you seen AP rates for all rooms including the RPC or just outer buildings?

thank you.

I got an AP rate for my upcoming stay in RPC end of september for 2 nights (weekdays). It was the best rate I had seen in a long time (booked in July). But haven't seen it since. So yes it is possible but probably rare. So jump on it if you see it

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

If we are all going to be at the world at the same time maybe we'll get to say Hi!! Trish and I are going to be Poly princesses though... But we are planning some GF-centric shopping!! and dining....


Roll call...MickeyNut, k&a&c'smom, Wishes ,ahcupcake, Candy,pas and many of our other GF fans...what are you all up to???? Inquiring mind here as usual....

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday!!! preppy GF gal who has a snack list a mile loooong!!

Send me a PM and we can set up a date! Maybe Tea in the Club!

I've also been wondering where everyone is!

Hello everyone.
I have a simple question i hope you can answer.

Haven't been to the GF in years. How has the AP availability been at this resort the past year or so. I remember getting an AP rate on a Holiday but i have the feeling that is no longer the case.

Have you seen AP rates for all rooms including the RPC or just outer buildings?

thank you.

We are thinking of splitting the drive time and coming in one day earlier which is 34 days out. For that day, I see pass holder discounts of 35% for RPC Deluxe King, Standard View, TPV and SL available when I check online in addition to some of the non club level rooms.

Short answer, yes RPC is included in pass holder discounts. You may need to be flexible with dates though!

Liz

 

[ksks11]

So... 49 days till we leave for the GF... beyond excited! I honestly don't even know what to expect when it comes to the Grand Floridian, let alone Disney World. Everyone keeps talking about Disney Magic. Can't wait to find out what that is all about
Ok - here's my question-- I was hoping to pack as little product as possible when it comes to toiletries.

How are the shampoo and conditioner at the GF? Are they good quality?
Plus, I like to use a lot of conditioner... do they give you enough little bottles daily for our family of 4 or will we be scraping the bottom?

Thanks, all!
Kim

 

[trishadono]

Oops

 

[trishadono]

So... 49 days till we leave for the GF... beyond excited! I honestly don't even know what to expect when it comes to the Grand Floridian, let alone Disney World. Everyone keeps talking about Disney Magic. Can't wait to find out what that is all about
Ok - here's my question-- I was hoping to pack as little product as possible when it comes to toiletries.

How are the shampoo and conditioner at the GF? Are they good quality?
Plus, I like to use a lot of conditioner... do they give you enough little bottles daily for our family of 4 or will we be scraping the bottom?

Thanks, all!
Kim

The stuff is good. I am fussy but the have the best! Also you can either call housekeeping and ask for more or leave a tip by the maids name card. I have found when I tip daily I get extra product.

Don't be afraid to call for extra towels, shampoo, blankets. They are great about it.

Hope you have a great stay

 

[ksks11]

The stuff is good. I am fussy but the have the best! Also you can either call housekeeping and ask for more or leave a tip by the maids name card. I have found when I tip daily I get extra product.

Don't be afraid to call for extra towels, shampoo, blankets. They are great about it.

Hope you have a great stay

Ok, great! Thanks for answering... I think I will try it out. When you pack for the plane, you try to take as little as possible.

 

[trishadono]

Ok, great! Thanks for answering... I think I will try it out. When you pack for the plane, you try to take as little as possible.

I have been very fortunate to have many deluxe stays. I remember at poly needing Advil and the checkin desk went to the back and got me me some packets. Much cheaper than buying. So many times if you need something and ask at a deluxe they will help you out.

Also lots of stuff sold at the resorts too if you don't want to bring from home.

One one of things I do is bring back dry towels from the pool to my room. That way I have enough yet don't have to bother housekeeping.

 

[twoolle]

Thanks Tom & BlueSkies! My daughter already has three costumes for Halloween week (Princess Tiana, Pocohantas, and Izzy a Neverland Pirate) so we are ready for some spooktacular fun. I feel like I am more excited to stay at GF than I normally would be since everyone on this board is so lovely. So thanks friends

Where did u find the Izzy costume?! We have 2 boys and a girl and I joked about having them dress as Jake, Cubby, and Izzy...not even knowing they make an Izzy costume!

 

[twoolle]

One week and we will arrive at the GF! I got the kids car surprises packed up today in their new Disney backpacks. I can't wait until they hop in the car next week and find them! DS4 and DS3 went to the zoo today with grandma so DD1 and I did our final pre trip shopping. At one store she saw a 2 pack of Minnie bibs and got so excited and started pointing...I just had to buy them for her. It was so cute...even at 15 months she will enjoy this trip...if we can survive the 1100 mile car ride down there!

I can't believe we are so close...if only the suitcases would pack themselves!

 

[Candy Orlando]

Hi BlueSkies,
I will be at the Grand in three months. I keep looking at a beautiful photo I have of the villas. I love the VGF so much. The fall weather we had today makes me feel like I'm at the Grand in Dec and Jan. I love this weather.

Have a magical day.
Candy

 

[jacknsally19]

Where did u find the Izzy costume?! We have 2 boys and a girl and I joked about having them dress as Jake, Cubby, and Izzy...not even knowing they make an Izzy costume!

So there was an Izzy costume for sale on the disneystore's website but my mom is making the Izzy costume for her. We bought purple leggings and a pink shirt for my daughter. Then, she is making the necklace with string & felt and the kerchief with some material. My mom also wanted to make her some boots but I think it will be too hot for that so we will skip the boots! We are doing the pirates and pals cruise at the Contemporary and she is going to dress up for that. My daughter loves Jake & the Neverland Pirates and thinks Captain Hook is very funny so I am really looking forward to it.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I think my question got lost in the shuffle...which is ok. I know that can happen easily in a thread as active as this. I was wondering if the laundry machines take just quarters or if you can pay for them with your magic band? TIA!

When we were there at the end of July, the washers and dryers were taking quarters. I would assume they are still the same. FWIW, we brought our own colorcatchers and laundry sheets from home and I ordered a small bottle of liquid detergent from gardengrocer instead of buying the products in the laundry room. Much more economical!

 

[jacquelynb]

When we were there at the end of July, the washers and dryers were taking quarters. I would assume they are still the same. FWIW, we brought our own colorcatchers and laundry sheets from home and I ordered a small bottle of liquid detergent from gardengrocer instead of buying the products in the laundry room. Much more economical!

Darn...I was hoping I wouldn't have to deal with change. Oh well...thanks for the advice!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Today I bought 60 points at VGF. I have a lot of catch up reading to do!!!

 

[Candy Orlando]

Today I bought 60 points at VGF. I have a lot of catch up reading to do!!!

Congratulations and Welcome Home!!!

 

[Mr Waggy]

I guess that depends on the type of room you booked. If you booked OUTER BUILDING STANDARD ROOM CLUB LEVEL you will be in SL and it has its own lounge in the building. If you booked OUTER BUILDING SUITE (either a 1 BR suite or a 2 BR suite) you most likely will not be in a building with a club lounge. You would have access to both SL and RPC in that case unless this has changed recently to the closest lounge to your room. I don't follow the CL thread as all my questions have been answered here and I'm GFcentric! Sorry if I added to your confusion! Liz

Thanks all. That is what I assumed but the info on mousesavers got me worried particularly since I got a very cheap rate for a club level room at the GF via Expedia 6 months ago.

One further question - what has anyone's experience been of asking for a paid upgrade on arrival at the hotel. I would like to try an get a 1 bed suite to give us a bit more room for my family of 5. If they just offer me the rack rate upgrade price then no way am I paying that but has anyone ever got a deal doing it this way. We are arriving 7th Oct and leaving 15th oct

Thanks