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

[indyannamom]

Has anyone had much experience with the salon? I'm wondering if their stylist are experienced with updo's at all.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Has anyone had much experience with the salon? I'm wondering if their stylist are experienced with updo's at all.

I do not have any experience with the salon but they probably do them because the Grand has so many weddings.

 

[mickeynut1]

Popping in to say hello

It's been a very busy couple of weeks, so I haven't had a chance to post much. I'm not even going to try and quote/respond to all of the pages/posts I've missed...lol.

twoolle ~ Thanks for your great review . I'm glad you had a great stay and enjoyed the GF. The Grand is an amazing resort with great CMs .

Hope all of my GF pals are having a great Friday .

 

[grannyminnie]

Popping in to say hello

It's been a very busy couple of weeks, so I haven't had a chance to post much. I'm not even going to try and quote/respond to all of the pages/posts I've missed...lol.

twoolle ~ Thanks for your great review . I'm glad you had a great stay and enjoyed the GF. The Grand is an amazing resort with great CMs .

Hope all of my GF pals are having a great Friday .

Hi, Mickeynut! Nice Friday here...even tho it's cooler and rainy, I don't mind. I have the windows open and am enjoying the breeze.
And crossing my fingers for great weather for us for our upcoming trip to the World!

And no, Blue, I (shockingly, for me) have not begun my packing yet!!!! Going to get the suitcase down today!

 

[mrsp1030]

Getting excited for our first stay at VGF in November. Can't wait!

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Getting excited for our first stay at VGF in November. Can't wait!

Congratulations on your stay! Christmas decorations should be up and GF is beautiful! We toured VGF last year and it is breathtaking.

Luggage is down and packing is underway! I bought new toys for the furry kids and they don't care what I do...at the moment anyway! Hopefully I'll finish all the last minute details next week so DH and I can relax the whole weekend before we leave!

Liz

 

[PixieJenna]

Hi! We just returned home from our lovely 10 day Grand vacation! I have to say, I definitely spoiled our family and now we cannot stay any where else!

Upon arrival, we decided to upgrade ourselves to RPC. We thought, why not?! The concierge level made everything so simple and smooth. Having different spreads out in the lounge was so nice when our DD3 would take her late afternoon nap. Boy, do I miss those homemade chips and spinach + artichoke dip! Everyone was so accommodating to all of our needs! Even when my daughter got sick from swallowing pool water, Mousekeeping kept bringing us fresh towels, water, ginger ale without even asking!

Falling asleep to the piano music every night was such a joy and will be one of my favorite memories!

I loved every moment of our trip and cannot wait to plan the next one. I feel a part of my day is missing when I am not planning our next trip. Rehab anyone?!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi, Mickeynut! Nice Friday here...even tho it's cooler and rainy, I don't mind. I have the windows open and am enjoying the breeze.
And crossing my fingers for great weather for us for our upcoming trip to the World!

And no, Blue, I (shockingly, for me) have not begun my packing yet!!!! Going to get the suitcase down today!

Hi grannyminnie . Same weather we are having here......rainy and cool, but I also enjoyed having the windows open with some fresh air blowing through the house .

Happy packing and I will keep my fingers crossed for some great weather during your stay .

Getting excited for our first stay at VGF in November. Can't wait!

Congrats on your first VGF stay. You will be on your way before you know it .

Luggage is down and packing is underway! I bought new toys for the furry kids and they don't care what I do...at the moment anyway! Hopefully I'll finish all the last minute details next week so DH and I can relax the whole weekend before we leave!

Liz

LOL on the furry kids being preoccupied with the new toys .

It's always fun to get the luggage out, makes the trip seem that much closer . Happy packing!!

Hi! We just returned home from our lovely 10 day Grand vacation! I have to say, I definitely spoiled our family and now we cannot stay any where else!

Upon arrival, we decided to upgrade ourselves to RPC. We thought, why not?! The concierge level made everything so simple and smooth. Having different spreads out in the lounge was so nice when our DD3 would take her late afternoon nap. Boy, do I miss those homemade chips and spinach + artichoke dip! Everyone was so accommodating to all of our needs! Even when my daughter got sick from swallowing pool water, Mousekeeping kept bringing us fresh towels, water, ginger ale without even asking!

Falling asleep to the piano music every night was such a joy and will be one of my favorite memories!

I loved every moment of our trip and cannot wait to plan the next one. I feel a part of my day is missing when I am not planning our next trip. Rehab anyone?!

Glad you had a great GF stay and congrats on upgrading to RPC . RPC is amazing as the lounge is very relaxing and the CL CMs are wonderful. Have fun planning the next one .

 

[ksks11]

Hi all-
We paid for a Lagoon View. But, I actually requested a Sago Cay room with a marina/ lagoon view [a room toward the end of Sago Cay closer to where the Lagoon/ Castle View is].
Someone said that the 3rd floor has a nice view in Sago Cay... any idea what room numbers I should be interested in?

Really getting beyond excited- 28 days to go! Time is flying all of a sudden!!!!!

One more thing- when should I expect my magic bands? [My Disney Experience said that I needed the colors of my magic bands picked by October 1]
Thanks all!
Kim

 

[AliceIn]

I'm leaving on Sunday morning for a 5 night trip to the GF and a work conference. I'm planning on bringing my yoga mat, but I'm not sure where I will find a spot to practice. Is there enough space in the room to do a yoga routine? If not, does the fitness center have an open space to exercise in?

I've been taking classes 5 days a week for the last month or so, and this is the first time I've really stuck with any fitness routine for longer than a week. I'd like to keep it going!

 

[bethclayton]

i think there is enough room in the room for yoga. you could also do it on the beach. not sure about the fitness center.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Hi! We just returned home from our lovely 10 day Grand vacation! I have to say, I definitely spoiled our family and now we cannot stay any where else!

Upon arrival, we decided to upgrade ourselves to RPC. We thought, why not?! The concierge level made everything so simple and smooth. Having different spreads out in the lounge was so nice when our DD3 would take her late afternoon nap. Boy, do I miss those homemade chips and spinach + artichoke dip! Everyone was so accommodating to all of our needs! Even when my daughter got sick from swallowing pool water, Mousekeeping kept bringing us fresh towels, water, ginger ale without even asking!

Falling asleep to the piano music every night was such a joy and will be one of my favorite memories!

I loved every moment of our trip and cannot wait to plan the next one. I feel a part of my day is missing when I am not planning our next trip. Rehab anyone?!

Thank you for the review of your trip and I'm glad you had a wonderful stay. It is also good to hear RPC is worth the extra expense. We've stayed SL several times but this is our first RPC! I'm SO looking forward to it after the all the great reviews.

LOL on the furry kids being preoccupied with the new toys .

It's always fun to get the luggage out, makes the trip seem that much closer . Happy packing!!

Thank you! Furry Kids are following DH around today. Another day I can sneak back to the suitcases!

Hi all-

One more thing- when should I expect my magic bands? [My Disney Experience said that I needed the colors of my magic bands picked by October 1]
Thanks all!
Kim

We received an email that our Magic Bands had shipped shortly after the color choice cutoff date. Ironically they arrived that same day in regular mail! It apparently doesn't take long and you should see them soon!

I'm leaving on Sunday morning for a 5 night trip to the GF and a work conference. I'm planning on bringing my yoga mat, but I'm not sure where I will find a spot to practice. Is there enough space in the room to do a yoga routine? If not, does the fitness center have an open space to exercise in?

I've been taking classes 5 days a week for the last month or so, and this is the first time I've really stuck with any fitness routine for longer than a week. I'd like to keep it going!

GF rooms are some of the largest on Disney Property. I am pretty sure you will have space in the room for Yoga. I also do Yoga and I know I would have room as long as I didn't scatter my stuff out too much! I haven't had an experience with the fitness center but I'm guessing there would be room there as well as out on the grounds.

Since we are driving I'm planning on taking 2 free weights for arm exercise and walk as much as possible to make up for all the extra food!

I've also rubbed off on DH and DS! They have begun calling me asking what we'd be doing 2 weeks from today! DS is looking into taking the Africa Trek tour with us too! It seems like the closer the trip gets the slower time goes then when we are there, it FLIES by!

Back to for me today!

Hope everyone has a Grand Weekend!

Liz

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello all my Grand friends! Popping in to say "hey", sorry I've been away so long. It's been crazy around my house lately. bethclayton, how good it is to see you posting, welcome back, my friend.

I am in the process of building the new FAQ, but it isn't ready for posting yet. I'll add a link when we are ready to move to our new digs.

AliceIn - leaving tomorrow, woohoo!!

PixieJenna - thanks for the review, sounds like you had a magical trip.

Has anyone had much experience with the salon? I'm wondering if their stylist are experienced with updo's at all.

We've used the salon several times for updos, they do an excellent job, but it's gotten quite expensive!! If I recall, our last time there is was nearly $300 for the two of us, with tip. Yikes.

Popping in to say hello

It's been a very busy couple of weeks, so I haven't had a chance to post much. I'm not even going to try and quote/respond to all of the pages/posts I've missed...lol.

....
Hope all of my GF pals are having a great Friday .

I'm in the same boat, lol. I'm going to have to try to catch up, but for today, this is as good as it gets.

....
And crossing my fingers for great weather for us for our upcoming trip to the World!

And no, Blue, I (shockingly, for me) have not begun my packing yet!!!! Going to get the suitcase down today!

I'll cross my fingers, too! YAY for getting down the suitcase.

Getting excited for our first stay at VGF in November. Can't wait!

....
Luggage is down and packing is underway! I bought new toys for the furry kids and they don't care what I do...at the moment anyway! Hopefully I'll finish all the last minute details next week so DH and I can relax the whole weekend before we leave!

Liz

YAY for packing, you'll be on your way before you know it.

Hi all-
We paid for a Lagoon View. But, I actually requested a Sago Cay room with a marina/ lagoon view [a room toward the end of Sago Cay closer to where the Lagoon/ Castle View is].
Someone said that the 3rd floor has a nice view in Sago Cay... any idea what room numbers I should be interested in?

Really getting beyond excited- 28 days to go! Time is flying all of a sudden!!!!!

One more thing- when should I expect my magic bands? [My Disney Experience said that I needed the colors of my magic bands picked by October 1]
Thanks all!
Kim

To be honest, you should be able to get the same room at the garden view rate - all the rooms on the marina side of Sago are rated garden view, as they do not really see the lagoon. The bump out of the end of the building, with the castle view rooms, prevents being able to see out to SSL. Here is a link with a floor plan for Sago, you can click on a room in the upper 30s (closest to lagoon) to see the view, though this is the first floor. (the 2nd & 3rd floor view photos are from near the Gasparilla's end, they often use another room's view as an example)

I think our MBs shipped within 4 or 5 days of our final option for edit - hopefully, yours will be on their way soon.

 

[ksks11]

Hello all my Grand friends!
To be honest, you should be able to get the same room at the garden view rate - all the rooms on the marina side of Sago are rated garden view, as they do not really see the lagoon. The bump out of the end of the building, with the castle view rooms, prevents being able to see out to SSL. Here is a link with a floor plan for Sago, you can click on a room in the upper 30s (closest to lagoon) to see the view, though this is the first floor. (the 2nd & 3rd floor view photos are from near the Gasparilla's end, they often use another room's view as an example)

I think our MBs shipped within 4 or 5 days of our final option for edit - hopefully, yours will be on their way soon.

Hi! Thank you so much for that link... I didn't even know a page like that existed!
The reason we got a Lagoon View is b/c it was all that was left when I got the PIN CODE. But we actually used the Pin Code for Free Dining. I am pretty much clueless when it comes to GF layout... never have been to GF or Disney.
I thought the Marina View looked nice- but I was also hoping to maybe get a slight view of the castle... Is that even possible???
Maybe I should not have requested that building- I just kind of liked the Marina.
We are planning to come back for a break in the afternoon with our 5 and 4 year old... Thought it might be nice to have a drink on the balcony while they're resting and to look out over the marina.

I am definitely open to any advice from anyone.
Thanks so much!
Kim
27 days to go! Hip-Hip-Hooray!

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Only 2 more weeks until our first GF stay. Soooo excited!

 

[ksks11]

oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah!
My stalking of the dining reservations actually paid off.
I finally got O'Hana's! Now I think I reserved every restaurant that I wanted to try...
My kids were sent a surprise package of a few gifts from "the Princesses and the Star Wars crew' [aka Mommy] and a card to tell them that the Disney gang couldn't wait for them come to the World!
27 days until the FUN begins!
Kim

 

[twoolle]

oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah!
My stalking of the dining reservations actually paid off.
I finally got O'Hana's! Now I think I reserved every restaurant that I wanted to try...
My kids were sent a surprise package of a few gifts from "the Princesses and the Star Wars crew' [aka Mommy] and a card to tell them that the Disney gang couldn't wait for them come to the World!
27 days until the FUN begins!
Kim

Yay for getting ohana! Lots of ressies open up last minute. We were able to book liberty tree tavern the night before. Enjoying a drink on the balcony is a good plan! All views are great!

 

[ksks11]

Yay for getting ohana! Lots of repairs open up last minute. We were able to book liberty tree tavern the night before. Enjoying a drink on the balcony is a good plan! All views are great!

Thank you! I originally got the 9:50 reservation for O'hana and all you helpful Disboard Disneygoers told me to give it up and wait for a better time... you all were so right!!!!

Liberty Tree Tavern? I haven't really heard anything about that place. Is it a bar/ restaurant? Something my 5 and 4 year old should see or something more for adults to enjoy?
Thanks, Kim
26 days and counting...

 

[mickeynut1]

Really getting beyond excited- 28 days to go! Time is flying all of a sudden!!!!!

The time will go fast, have a great trip .

I'm leaving on Sunday morning for a 5 night trip to the GF and a work conference.

Have a great time .

It is also good to hear RPC is worth the extra expense. We've stayed SL several times but this is our first RPC! I'm SO looking forward to it after the all the great reviews.

Thank you! Furry Kids are following DH around today. Another day I can sneak back to the suitcases!

Liz

You are going to love RPC . The lounge is large and spacious, the food offerings are great, the views are beautiful, and the CL CMs are amazing .

LOL on the furry kids following your DH around . Hope you were able to get more packing done .

Hello all my Grand friends! Popping in to say "hey", sorry I've been away so long. It's been crazy around my house lately. bethclayton, how good it is to see you posting, welcome back, my friend.

I am in the process of building the new FAQ, but it isn't ready for posting yet. I'll add a link when we are ready to move to our new digs.

I'm in the same boat, lol. I'm going to have to try to catch up, but for today, this is as good as it gets.

Hi there .....glad you were able to pop in. Hope things are going well with you .

No apology needed for being away, we all get busy with every day life, plus you are probably very busy with getting the new FAQ going. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask .

I thought the Marina View looked nice- but I was also hoping to maybe get a slight view of the castle... Is that even possible???
Maybe I should not have requested that building- I just kind of liked the Marina.
We are planning to come back for a break in the afternoon with our 5 and 4 year old... Thought it might be nice to have a drink on the balcony while they're resting and to look out over the marina.

I am definitely open to any advice from anyone.
Thanks so much!
Kim
27 days to go! Hip-Hip-Hooray!

I can't help with a possible view of the castle, but I have had a marina view and I loved it. It was very peaceful looking out at the marina early in the morning as well as late at night .

The next 27 days will fly by and you'll be on your way before you know it .

Only 2 more weeks until our first GF stay. Soooo excited!

oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah!
My stalking of the dining reservations actually paid off.
I finally got O'Hana's! Now I think I reserved every restaurant that I wanted to try...
My kids were sent a surprise package of a few gifts from "the Princesses and the Star Wars crew' [aka Mommy] and a card to tell them that the Disney gang couldn't wait for them come to the World!
27 days until the FUN begins!
Kim

Congrats on getting everything you wanted, including Ohana . I agree that it does pay to keep trying as things do open up and you never know if/when exactly what you want will become available .

 

[bethclayton]

k&a&c'smom, I've missed you!! I just popped back on the dis in the past week or two... i looked back a few pages on this thread and didn't "see" you and wondered what happened! glad to hear you are just keeping busy with life. a few of us GF gals happen to either have already booked or are considering booking at the poly CL at the end of Aug 2015 (because of a good TA deal)... and we were saying on the poly thread that all we need now is to convince YOU to join us!!