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

[WishesQueen]

Hello Everyone!!!

I think I am all caught up with everything I missed!!! So many lucky people leaving soon for the Grand!!!

This is one of the only places I can tell what I spent my day doing Friday....lol!!

I scheduled everyday for my July trip while I still remembered things from this July. Now with FP+ you really have to time the whole trip. As much as I love planning this is a little too planned. My family thinks I am crazy, but will appreciate it every minute next July.

I am stressing over ADR's..we will be 14 and of course we have BOG on list. I made it the last night in hopes to grab it. Can I make ADR's at 12 midnight like you can the FP+?

I hope everyone is having a great day...football is on...it really feels like fall now!!

 

[BlueSkies]

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!

How exciting!!! Wouldn't it be so wonderful if those suitcases could inded pack themselves..and unpack themselves too!

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

Hey Candy!! Glad you popped in! I enjoy the fall weather too...and much more when I am at the GF!!! lol...

What kind of VGF photo do you have..did you take it yourself...or purchase one of those matted ones..??.... I have the matted one..of the GF.. which I got in Sandy Cove a while back...had it framed...and its now hanging here at home....should I even bother to say that my home screen on my phone...and my computer are of the GF too...lol... GF-centric as Liz would say! ...

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

Congrats!!!!

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

The standard rooms at the GF are a nice size and do accomodate a famliy of five pretty comfortably..but there is no harm in trying to see what else is available at check in....Be aware though... while room discounts are generally 30 to 35% off..suites are only discounted 5% so far as our experience....

Hello Everyone!!!

I think I am all caught up with everything I missed!!! So many lucky people leaving soon for the Grand!!!

This is one of the only places I can tell what I spent my day doing Friday....lol!!

I scheduled everyday for my July trip while I still remembered things from this July. Now with FP+ you really have to time the whole trip. As much as I love planning this is a little too planned. My family thinks I am crazy, but will appreciate it every minute next July.

I am stressing over ADR's..we will be 14 and of course we have BOG on list. I made it the last night in hopes to grab it. Can I make ADR's at 12 midnight like you can the FP+?

I hope everyone is having a great day...football is on...it really feels like fall now!!

Well hello there my friend!! Nothing wrong with getting your pre plannning done..IMO... I always do the same thing....have a calendar..with parks ..dining...activities...so I totally get it!!

As for making your ADRs...I have found that the 180 day booking doesn't become available until around 6am on the morning of your booking day...so be at the ready..set your alarm clock... ...

And I agree about the planning having to be a little too planned these days....we had many wonderful vacations at WDW ..way back when...where things were barely planned at all....

Football is on here....I know your guys are big football fans...Jets right?? Its on here too... lol...my guys are hogging up the TV..eating snacks..and making too much noise...lol...I need a vacation!

Liz After seeing your ticker I see that unfortunately our trips will not be overlapping... ...that would have been so nice!

grannyminnie Forgot to mention ..very cool new ticker in your siggie I see!!! ... You are getting very tech savvy!!

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a super Sunday... preppy GF gal who has now added a CG ADR to the growing list of ressies!! It pays to check things when you are up in the middle of the night...

 

[3diskidsIndy]

Staying at GF in 8 days! This will be are first stay at GF. I have a few questions. Are all the rooms remodeled and it looks like most come with two queen beds and a couch. Does the couch pull out? Also, I asked for a connecting room with my Mom is that something I have a good chance of getting? Any tips? Thanks for reading and responding.

 

[BlueSkies]

Staying at GF in 8 days! This will be are first stay at GF. I have a few questions. Are all the rooms remodeled and it looks like most come with two queen beds and a couch. Does the couch pull out? Also, I asked for a connecting room with my Mom is that something I have a good chance of getting? Any tips? Thanks for reading and responding.

Congrats on your first GF stay!!

All of the rooms have been remodeled... and they do come with 2 queens beds and a day bed...

Two questions about your ressies...are they all under one name...if not... are they linked..as in a "travelling with" ..that will help in assuring that your rooms will be connecting... In our experience over the years...making the specific request and linking rooms that way.... we have been accomodated...

Have a grand vacation!!

 

[ksks11]

Already been thinking about my impending motion sickness. Between having 2 kids and turning 40 this year... Ugh! I used to be able to go on anything.
Can anyone give some suggestions on what to take so I can go on all the rides with my kids? [I already know the teacups are out]
But, there's a catch... I don't want to be tired.
I've been reading about Bonine... and Ginger capsules/ chewables...
I would appreciate any help you can give me...

47 days until we leave for the Grand Floridian!!!

 

[3diskidsIndy]

Congrats on your first GF stay!! All of the rooms have been remodeled... and they do come with 2 queens beds and a day bed... Two questions about your ressies...are they all under one name...if not... are they linked..as in a "travelling with" ..that will help in assuring that your rooms will be connecting... In our experience over the years...making the specific request and linking rooms that way.... we have been accomodated... Have a grand vacation!!

Hi thank you we are so excited to be staying at the Grand!
We did link them except one even guest services couldn't link. So, they noted on all other reservations that room was with us also. She also said she did a special note over to make sure they knew that.
So, glad to hear all rooms have a day bed and been remodeled. That makes it even more special!!

 

[mickeynut1]

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....

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!

How exciting....you will be checking in at the GF before you know it . That is too cute about your DD1......and I agree, you had to buy the bibs .

Today I bought 60 points at VGF.

Congrats on your purchase .

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

As BlueSkies posted, you can always ask at check in if a suite is available and what the cost would be to upgrade. With that said, I have never inquired about an upgrade myself, but from what I understand the cost would be the difference between what you paid and rack rate for the suite. Sometimes guests are given pixie dust and a discount is carried over, but as BlueSkies also mentioned, suites are rarely discounted and if they are, it's a very minimal discount. A suite would provide a little extra space, but the standard rooms are pretty spacious and accommodate a party of 5 comfortably, IMO .

I scheduled everyday for my July trip while I still remembered things from this July. Now with FP+ you really have to time the whole trip. As much as I love planning this is a little too planned. My family thinks I am crazy, but will appreciate it every minute next July.

I am stressing over ADR's..we will be 14 and of course we have BOG on list. I made it the last night in hopes to grab it. Can I make ADR's at 12 midnight like you can the FP+?

I totally agree on FPP and how "too planned" it is for a trip . We haven't experienced it yet, but I am not looking forward to it. We don't even plan our park days ahead of time, let alone what rides we want to do when. Most times we decide which park we're going to as we're heading to breakfast that morning, so it will be interesting to see how FPP works for us .

Try not to stress about your ADRs. We've done 1 trip with a party of 13 and one with a party of 8 and neither time did I have trouble getting ADRs. We weren't on property as we rented a house, but we did to eat at several resorts and I got exactly what we wanted and the times we wanted, so I think you'll be fine .

Staying at GF in 8 days! This will be are first stay at GF. I have a few questions. Are all the rooms remodeled and it looks like most come with two queen beds and a couch. Does the couch pull out? Also, I asked for a connecting room with my Mom is that something I have a good chance of getting? Any tips? Thanks for reading and responding.

Your question has already been answered, but I wanted to say congrats on your first GF stay . The GF is a beautiful resort with a lot to offer, you are going to love it. .

Already been thinking about my impending motion sickness. Between having 2 kids and turning 40 this year... Ugh! I used to be able to go on anything.
Can anyone give some suggestions on what to take so I can go on all the rides with my kids? [I already know the teacups are out]
But, there's a catch... I don't want to be tired.
I've been reading about Bonine... and Ginger capsules/ chewables...
I would appreciate any help you can give me...

47 days until we leave for the Grand Floridian!!!

I can't help with motion sickness, but hopefully someone else will have some suggestions .

Enjoy the GF....47 days will go by fast .

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi thank you we are so excited to be staying at the Grand!
We did link them except one even guest services couldn't link. So, they noted on all other reservations that room was with us also. She also said she did a special note over to make sure they knew that.
So, glad to hear all rooms have a day bed and been remodeled. That makes it even more special!!

Just wanted to mention that if you aren't given connecting rooms, you can always ask if they are available. Sometimes requests get overlooked and while it isn't guaranteed to get them, Disney will do everything they can to accommodate you .

 

[WishesQueen]

Already been thinking about my impending motion sickness. Between having 2 kids and turning 40 this year... Ugh! I used to be able to go on anything.
Can anyone give some suggestions on what to take so I can go on all the rides with my kids? [I already know the teacups are out]
But, there's a catch... I don't want to be tired.
I've been reading about Bonine... and Ginger capsules/ chewables...
I would appreciate any help you can give me...

47 days until we leave for the Grand Floridian!!!

Have you ever tried the wristbands that they sell for motion sickness? I have them from a cruise we took and I have to say they took the edge off. I don't know how they would work on rides, but maybe amazon or someplace has reviews on them.

Well hello there my friend!! Nothing wrong with getting your pre plannning done..IMO... I always do the same thing....have a calendar..with parks ..dining...activities...so I totally get it!!

As for making your ADRs...I have found that the 180 day booking doesn't become available until around 6am on the morning of your booking day...so be at the ready..set your alarm clock... ...

And I agree about the planning having to be a little too planned these days....we had many wonderful vacations at WDW ..way back when...where things were barely planned at all....

Football is on here....I know your guys are big football fans...Jets right?? Its on here too... lol...my guys are hogging up the TV..eating snacks..and making too much noise...lol...I need a vacation!

Oh yeah!! Jets are on, my house is packed with boys upstairs and downstairs!! Natalie and I cleaned out all her drawers and closet....it took 2 1/2 hours!! She's all upset until I told we need to go shopping!!

I preparing for the ordering of the food in between the 4:00 and 8:00 games even though I cooked Sunday dinner that we ate at 2:00 when I got home from church!!! I need a vacation too!!!

3diskidsIndy - My son (20) sleeps on the day bed when he's not in the mood for sleeping with sister and says its great!!!

MickeyNut1 - Thanks for the help!! I am really only worried about BOG, my DD and DN are celebrating graduation and a Sweet16 and thats the only restaurant they requested. I made it the last night hoping that helps!! The others I hope are easy and less popular!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

Already been thinking about my impending motion sickness. Between having 2 kids and turning 40 this year... Ugh! I used to be able to go on anything.
Can anyone give some suggestions on what to take so I can go on all the rides with my kids? [I already know the teacups are out]
But, there's a catch... I don't want to be tired.
I've been reading about Bonine... and Ginger capsules/ chewables...
I would appreciate any help you can give me...

47 days until we leave for the Grand Floridian!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Band-Adul...0729373&sr=8-1&keywords=motion+sickness+bands

There are lots of reviews on Amazon and lots of different brands!!! Good Luck!!

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut1 - Thanks for the help!! I am really only worried about BOG, my DD and DN are celebrating graduation and a Sweet16 and thats the only restaurant they requested. I made it the last night hoping that helps!! The others I hope are easy and less popular!!!

You're welcome . I'm sure everything will work out with BOG. If by chance you don't get it on the first try, keep checking every day multiple times a day because I have read several reports on here that while people weren't able to get BOG at 180 days out, something did open up as time passed. People cancel/change plans all the time, so I'm confident you will get it .

 

[ksks11]

There are lots of reviews on Amazon and lots of different brands!!! Good Luck!![/QUOTE]

I will definitely look into the wristbands. My sister also mentioned a patch behind your ear. She used that on a cruise... not sure if that would work for rides. Maybe I will go to my doctor and see if she can rec. anything.

And yes... the time is flying by! 47 days will move real fast.

 

[marlaine8]

We just got back late last night from our first stay at The Grand Floridian! We were there 6 nights in the RPC. All I can say is WOW! We stepped off Magical Express and were met by Dan who took us on a quick tour of the building and took us to our room. At first I was a little upset because I had requested 4th floor, closest to lounge, no dormer. We got 5th floor, directly across the lounge and a dormer. I cannot say how much I loved this room! (Room 4026) It was absolutely perfect! Loved the balcony and the view was spectacular! We were directly across from the kid's splash area and the main pool. EVERY cast member at The GF was amazing! The Lounge attendants were wonderful. I spent a few evenings just hanging out talking with them. I absolutely loved the resort! The only problem we had was with the buses in the mornings, but I had some friends staying the same time at a different resort and they had problems too. Seems it was a site-wide problem. We've stayed at The Polynesian for the last 8 years and always loved it there. After this last week, I think we've found a new favorite resort in the GF!
Thank you to all of you that answered my questions prior to our trip. I really appreciate it! If anyone has any questions, please ask away!

 

[Anne5555]

GF Merchandise in resort shops? I've read on a thread on another board that few resorts have items with their logos anymore. I would love to buy a tote/beach bag or something with the resort logo. What might I find in the resort shops and where should I look? I never have much time to shop on vacation, unfortunately.

Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Already been thinking about my impending motion sickness. Between having 2 kids and turning 40 this year... Ugh! I used to be able to go on anything. Can anyone give some suggestions on what to take so I can go on all the rides with my kids? But, there's a catch... I don't want to be tired. I've been reading about Bonine... and Ginger capsules/ chewables... I would appreciate any help you can give me... 47 days until we leave for the Grand Floridian!!!

I'd go Bonine. I too suffer from severe motion sickness (though mostly airplanes and mountain roads, only Star Tours gets me ride wise). I did a lot of research earlier this summer. I tried Bonine flying to/from Hawaii and it worked great! Ginger never worked for me and neither did Dramamine. The only side effect I found online was drowsiness if consuming alcohol but I did not test that. People reported the patches working but the side effects read like horror stories to me, absolutely not worth the risk in my book if they go wrong. I was nervous to take medication for my motion sickness so I tested it a couple weeks before I left to check for side effects (like drowsiness). Hope this helps, keep doing your research so you feel fully informed. Have a wonderful time at the Grand & WDW!

 

[threelilbears]

GF Merchandise in resort shops? I've read on a thread on another board that few resorts have items with their logos anymore. I would love to buy a tote/beach bag or something with the resort logo. What might I find in the resort shops and where should I look? I never have much time to shop on vacation, unfortunately.

Thanks!

On the last trip, DBF & I each got GF windbreakers from the men's and women's resort shops respectively. His is navy with white embroidery and mine is white with turquoise embroidery. I also have a bathrobe from a previous trip with the GF logo but I haven't seen those recently.

 

[trishadono]

We just got back late last night from our first stay at The Grand Floridian! We were there 6 nights in the RPC. All I can say is WOW! We stepped off Magical Express and were met by Dan who took us on a quick tour of the building and took us to our room. At first I was a little upset because I had requested 4th floor, closest to lounge, no dormer. We got 5th floor, directly across the lounge and a dormer. I cannot say how much I loved this room! (Room 4026) It was absolutely perfect! Loved the balcony and the view was spectacular! We were directly across from the kid's splash area and the main pool. EVERY cast member at The GF was amazing! The Lounge attendants were wonderful. I spent a few evenings just hanging out talking with them. I absolutely loved the resort! The only problem we had was with the buses in the mornings, but I had some friends staying the same time at a different resort and they had problems too. Seems it was a site-wide problem. We've stayed at The Polynesian for the last 8 years and always loved it there. After this last week, I think we've found a new favorite resort in the GF!
Thank you to all of you that answered my questions prior to our trip. I really appreciate it! If anyone has any questions, please ask away!

Didn't you love the desserts and tea time?

Glad it was a wonderful trip! Thanks for checking in here.

GF Merchandise in resort shops? I've read on a thread on another board that few resorts have items with their logos anymore. I would love to buy a tote/beach bag or something with the resort logo. What might I find in the resort shops and where should I look? I never have much time to shop on vacation, unfortunately.

Thanks!

Ya like previous poster I have seen gf stuff too. We got 1/4 zip sweatshirts with a GF logo and they do have small things like key chain too.

 

[marlaine8]

I saw some logo merchandise at Sandy Cove on the Main floor.

 

[grannyminnie]

I'd go Bonine. I too suffer from severe motion sickness (though mostly airplanes and mountain roads, only Star Tours gets me ride wise). I did a lot of research earlier this summer. I tried Bonine flying to/from Hawaii and it worked great! Ginger never worked for me and neither did Dramamine. The only side effect I found online was drowsiness if consuming alcohol but I did not test that. People reported the patches working but the side effects read like horror stories to me, absolutely not worth the risk in my book if they go wrong. I was nervous to take medication for my motion sickness so I tested it a couple weeks before I left to check for side effects (like drowsiness). Hope this helps, keep doing your research so you feel fully informed. Have a wonderful time at the Grand & WDW!

Re: the patches, what kind of horror stories?? We have used them several time for cruises and the only problem has been dry mouth! Now, as for attractions, I don't know if they would be as useful.


Welcome back, Marlaine.....sounds like you had a GRAND trip!

 

[marlaine8]

I'm still sitting here thinking about the incredible focus on customer service at The Grand Floridian! I don't think I've ever stayed anywhere with such helpful employees! One of my favorite things? The little basket they put by the doors in the mornings with fresh linens!