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

[trishadono]

Doing the "save from page 2 save" !!!

Getting close now. Staying at poly but dd and I keep talking about shopping at Summer Lace That girl likes to shop, Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines..... Vera Bradley


Can't wait!

 

[followthatmouse]

It's close for us, too. We received the 10 days to go email from the planning office. We are doing the last hair, nails etc. appointments before our long Wednesday flight. We pack tomorrow. We have six fun-filled days in NYC and then on to the Grand!

Yes, this was posted purely to see our ticker!

 

[G719]

Anybody know what is the price of a haircut at the ivy trellis?

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I called a couple weeks ago and for a shampoo & blow dry (a 50 minute service) the price was $75.
Here's the phone number: 407 824 3000. They will connect you to the salon.

 

[G719]

I called a couple weeks ago and for a shampoo & blow dry (a 50 minute service) the price was $75. Here's the phone number: 407 824 3000. They will connect you to the salon.

Thank you!

 

[mmjones1021]

To get from the GF to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios would you recommend a bus directly from the resort to the park, or taking the monorail to the TTC, and then a bus to the park?
Thanks!

 

[yce22princess]

To get from the GF to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios would you recommend a bus directly from the resort to the park, or taking the monorail to the TTC, and then a bus to the park? Thanks!

Personally, I'd go bus direct from the GF to AK or HS. We've done that from the Poly and it's not that bad.

 

[BlueSkies]

I didn't know you were thinking of a January trip.......could it possibly be over MLK weekend???? That would be great if it was and both me and mariamouse were able to go that time as well......could be a GF gals meet .

That sure would be fun!!

I agree with you all. I'd be happy to spend most of my time at the resort. We always plan our vacations around the resort and, of course, food.

A cabana by the beach pool, close my eyes and forget my cares under the warm May sun...back to my beautiful room for a shower with Spa products left by mousekeeping...then out the door to Summer Lace...candles and lotions at Basin White...tea and scones...a monorail over to Poly just for fun...Citricos for dinner....

What's not to like?

That's great that you can count on the military discount . I have to cross my fingers every year for that pin and have been lucky so far. I hope I can get a discount in the future, when i don't get that pin. We've been spoiled. This year we are doing 9 days at RPC and I decided last minute to add 3 days at CR Atrium Club Level TPV as a surprise for the family. The price was just too good to pass up and my DD has talked about trying it, but not as the main resort for our vacation. They believe we are going to visit family after the 9 days. I can't wait,

What a wonderful trip you have planned..and even nicer to have a pin code!! I am doing my first ever split stay..CR then GF ...Our mother daughter weekend..in which DD chose the CR for our stay....lol...actually I am a fan of the CR...but then we decided to add on just a few extra nites at the GF...a monorail bonanza..lol...

Good Morning. All of the talk about the RPC brings back such wonderful memories! I wonder what Chat-n-chew is? It doesn't sound very GF.

Hey PrincessP.. I agree... So nice to think about...As for Chat n Chew... does have a strange sound to it??? LOL.. The word chew makes me want to add on "with your mouth closed" ..LOL..Must be the Mommy in me...lol...

Has there been any confirmation since the remodeling began of the disappearance of the "Good Night" turndown cards? Not all deluxe resorts have them (we've gotten them at GF, BWI and AKL), and I love them. It may be a really minor detail, but I'd be really upset if they were gone for good. I'm hoping that they too are undergoing a refurb better suited to the new decor.
Here's hoping!

When we were there just a few months back Scott there were not any turn down cards...I sure hope this was just temporary...and that they have not done away with them.. I always love all of those extra touches that make the magic even more magical...

Hi everyone! My family and I booked GF for august. We have stayed there a few times. We always get a theme park view in Boca Chica. Last summer I wasn't thrilled with our view. It was slightly obstructed by a tree. Are the only theme park views in boca Chica?

A TPV room...how nice! I would suggest that you make a specific building request on your resort reservation to be sure that you don't have Boca Chica again..which I do think has the most trees on its lagoon side...Conch Key has lovely TPVs...and is more cenrtally located on the property than Sago which also has TPV rooms...The map at the front of this thread will show you where each of these buidlings is located....

To get from the GF to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios would you recommend a bus directly from the resort to the park, or taking the monorail to the TTC, and then a bus to the park?
Thanks!

I would recommend taking the bus from the GF to either of these destinations...it is more direct...and the wait is generally not too long at the bus stop...also the bus stop now has an information screen which keeps you updated as to the wait time for each bus...

grannyminnie, k&a&c'smom ( hope that you had a wondrful mother daughter trip..come back soon tho..we miss you around here!! ),wishes, mommygina, Candy and all the rest of my fellow GF fans...


~ Very Bradley alert....for all of my fellow shoppers...I know there are a lot of you around here.... The Midnight with Mickey bags are back in stock and available online.... Just bought DD a hipster...going to surprise her with it for our trip..and I might have "needed" one for myself too...

Hope that everyone has a magical Monday!!

ETA..over on my smilies..yet again!!!! I need a faint smilie right here....IF I could one...lol....

 

[davale4]

What a wonderful trip you have planned..and even nicer to have a pin code!! I am doing my first ever split stay..CR then GF ...Our mother daughter weekend..in which DD chose the CR for our stay....lol...actually I am a fan of the CR...but then we decided to add on just a few extra nites at the GF...a monorail bonanza..lol...

How funny! This is our first ever split stay too, but just the opposite ...GF and then CR. Mother and DD trip sounds wonderful . I wish I could do that but then DH and DS would be super jealous .

I added CR at the end as a surprise for my DD. She loves the GF and it's her number one choice, but she has always wondered about CR.

It's been very hard not saying anything to anyone. We go every to Disney, but the kids never know when it's going to happen. They say they like being surprised every time. They will have double surprise this year . They think we are visiting family after the GF and instead we are heading to CR. DH doesn't know about CR either . He also thinks we are visiting family as well .

 

[KonaKaiTom]

If I remember correctly the bus from the GF to the AK stops at BB on the way -- but agree with PP, it is not a very long route.

Tom

 

[happymomof1]

Just found a handful of very detailed photos of the newly decorated rooms at GF. Here is the link to the photos and write up.
http://**************.net/2014/04/28/review-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa-continued-2/
Hope you find it helpful.

 

[baler31]

Just found a handful of very detailed photos of the newly decorated rooms at GF. Here is the link to the photos and write up.
http://**************.net/2014/04/28/review-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa-continued-2/
Hope you find it helpful.

The hamper makes an appearance in these photos

 

[davale4]

The hamper makes an appearance in these photos

Yes! I noticed that right away, but it seems smaller for some reason. But still no nesting table....and the walls look soooo plain . I'm hoping that we like it better in person . We do spend a lot of time at the resort.

 

[baler31]

Yes! I noticed that right away, but it seems smaller for some reason. But still no nesting table....and the walls look soooo plain . I'm hoping that we like it better in person . We do spend a lot of time at the resort.[/QUOTE

It looks like it is either new or painted tan. I wonder if some of these items will look larger in person? Some look so small.

 

[davale4]

Yes! I noticed that right away, but it seems smaller for some reason. But still no nesting table....and the walls look soooo plain . I'm hoping that we like it better in person . We do spend a lot of time at the resort.[/QUOTE

It looks like it is either new or painted tan. I wonder if some of these items will look larger in person? Some look so small.

Yes, I agree. Just hoping that we'll like it better in person.

 

[jecon]

Yes! I noticed that right away, but it seems smaller for some reason. But still no nesting table....and the walls look soooo plain . I'm hoping that we like it better in person . We do spend a lot of time at the resort.

Sadly it's not better in person. One of the very nice mousekeepers let me take a look at a unoccupied room and we both agree it was beautiful but lost its theming! I will say the renovated lobbies are really nice! They needed upgraded from the 80's peach/pink tile!

 

[Lisann]

I agree with a lot of you. Yes, the room is pretty. But I keep looking at these photos trying really hard to find something that feels right, that feels Disney, that feels Victorian. And that is the problem for me...I have to try. I can't seem to find anything to get excited about in the rooms. Oh, well...I guess at least they are clean and refreshed.

But I'll keep an open mind...and I'll still reserve my final judgement for when I see them in person.

 

[mickeynut1]

That sure would be fun!!

I added CR at the end as a surprise for my DD. She loves the GF and it's her number one choice, but she has always wondered about CR.

It's been very hard not saying anything to anyone. We go every to Disney, but the kids never know when it's going to happen. They say they like being surprised every time. They will have double surprise this year . They think we are visiting family after the GF and instead we are heading to CR. DH doesn't know about CR either . He also thinks we are visiting family as well .

I think it's a great surprise .

Just found a handful of very detailed photos of the newly decorated rooms at GF. Here is the link to the photos and write up.
http://**************.net/2014/04/28/review-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa-continued-2/
Hope you find it helpful.

Thanks for the link .

It looks like it is either new or painted tan. I wonder if some of these items will look larger in person? Some look so small.

It looks new to me and I agree with you and the pp that it does look smaller.

Sadly it's not better in person. One of the very nice mousekeepers let me take a look at a unoccupied room and we both agree it was beautiful but lost its theming!

I agree with a lot of you. Yes, the room is pretty. But I keep looking at these photos trying really hard to find something that feels right, that feels Disney, that feels Victorian. And that is the problem for me...I have to try. I can't seem to find anything to get excited about in the rooms.

I agree. The room is pretty, but it doesn't have any Disney feel to me. The last pic in that link looks like a generic hotel room that you can find anywhere. The mickey heads on the shears are cute, but they don't do much for me because our curtains are either always open to let the sun light in or they are totally closed for sleeping (and you wouldn't see them anyway if you're sleeping ). I still love the GF and do plan on staying there again, but sadly I will never see the rooms as very Disney since all of the little touches have been taken away .

 

[davale4]

Sadly it's not better in person. One of the very nice mousekeepers let me take a look at a unoccupied room and we both agree it was beautiful but lost its theming! I will say the renovated lobbies are really nice! They needed upgraded from the 80's peach/pink tile!

I agree with a lot of you. Yes, the room is pretty. But I keep looking at these photos trying really hard to find something that feels right, that feels Disney, that feels Victorian. And that is the problem for me...I have to try. I can't seem to find anything to get excited about in the rooms. Oh, well...I guess at least they are clean and refreshed.

But I'll keep an open mind...and I'll still reserve my final judgement for when I see them in person.

I could not have said it better. That's what I was doing as well. I'm also trying to keep an open mind.

 

[Circusgirl]

Yes! I noticed that right away, but it seems smaller for some reason. But still no nesting table....and the walls look soooo plain . I'm hoping that we like it better in person . We do spend a lot of time at the resort.

And no chair! Is it perhaps only non-connecting rooms that will have a chair? Grrr. The hamper at least is a happy sight. Everything else seems like a downgrade to me - fewer magical touches, no bench, no chair, and less space in the dresser. I agree that the painted walls are not as rich looking as the wallpaper was, and the rooms do look more cramped. How can they seem so small with fewer pieces of furniture? The bathroom decor is totally blah. Sigh. I've got to get over it and move on, but between the changes at the Poly and this very unimaginative refurb at the Grand I am tired of not such great news about my favorite places.