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

[sydneysmom]

I loved to look at the floor plans of the suites and dream of the day I got to see one in person

too funny!!!! wouldn't that be something to stay in one of those!

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Afternoon The rain left then a mini heatwave came and the rain is back for the next few days UGH I guess rain is better than snow......Still no actual trips to the GF planned lot's of hoping wishing & dreaming

Sorry about your aunt & uncle's car, but glad everything got settled and they were able to get a new one .

Yes, we were posting at the same time . Things here are good, thanks. We had some rain at the beginning of the week, but the last few days have been sunny and cool with temps in the mid 70s .

Thanks. She's working on getting the boxes cleaned out of her living room..Glad everything is well where you are

Me, too, I prefer a more boring life. I did get a nice visit with 2 of my kids during that time, so that's a plus.

Thanks about DD. Sorry to hear about your aunt & uncle's car, it must have been hard to deal with all that when moving. Glad they finally have a new car. Sorry, too, about your uncle - so hard when a loved one struggles with memory loss.

You certainly have been pixie dusted! I'll try to get those photos posted soon.

You're Welcome & Thank You! Glad you had a nice visit with the kids.. Yes it is, especially when that person was/is a brainiac........Um yeah I have been

Hello fellow GF fans! Things have been kind of hectic around here...and have interfered with my DIS time...

I am still doing the floridian frown....and seriously having lounge withdrawl...lol...

~ Just some quick additions to my mini..drawn out TR..lol...I did notice that the GF Society Orchestra is looking very good in their new uniforms...medium blue vests..and a rusty brown color slacks...kind of like those Gaspies colors... Hope that we will be seeing more of these colors!! Especially the blue..lol.. and Basin seems to have added quite a few new soaps...Gotta love new soaps!

Hey Blue
I'm still suffering from that Floridian Frown ....Oooo I forgot that the GF Orchestra had new uniforms, I saw them a few months ago on FB and wanted to mention it here and I completely forgot

I could swear a few years back I saw an online fan site dedicated to the Grand Floridian....I can't find it now for the life of me. Does anyone know which site I am talking about by chance?

Yes there was one, as previous posters have mentioned. She closed both of her sites late last year/early this year.

Ya I can't find it either. Something like " where the magic lives"

It was a travel agent I believe.

Anybody else

Yes there was one, as previous posters have mentioned. I'm still in contact with her and I will tell her you miss the fan page. There are a few GF pages/groups on FB. Yes they did have a falling out just over a year ago and she left the agency and she closed both of her sites late last year/early this year.

I am glad it's not just me that remembers it....lol
The site must not exist anymore because if I remember correctly it would come up pretty quick in a search.

I'm still in contact with her and I will tell her you miss the fan page.

I ran across a GF fan site a few months ago but never returned. All of the info was quite out of date so I assumed it was sort of "abandoned" by the originator.

The site was closed because the owner is no longer a TA, I will tell her that you were looking for it. It was a great site and had TONS of info

That's exactly what it was..... the woman that ran the site is no longer a travel agent and took down the site. I think she had a falling out w/ the travel agency that she worked for. But it's a shame because the site was really terrific and a great place for GF information.

Yep this is correct info. The TA owner also has a great site, FB & Pinterest pages with lots of info

 

[MommyGina]

Hi friends. Catching up here. MagicBands just arrived in the mail. Getting excited about upcoming trip. DS graduates from high school Tuesday night. DD leaves for Ireland on the 30th for 11 days. Have to think about all this first!

Wow, the GF orchestra have new uniforms. Can't wait to see and hear them soon!

Have a Grand rest of the day my friends.

 

[yce22princess]

Hi friends. Catching up here. MagicBands just arrived in the mail. Getting excited about upcoming trip. DS graduates from high school Tuesday night. DD leaves for Ireland on the 30th for 11 days. Have to think about all this first! Wow, the GF orchestra have new uniforms. Can't wait to see and hear them soon! Have a Grand rest of the day my friends.

Exciting!!! We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of ours!

Ireland!!! How fun. It's on my "places I'd love to go" list!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Good Afternoon The rain left then a mini heatwave came and the rain is back for the next few days UGH I guess rain is better than snow......Still no actual trips to the GF planned lot's of hoping wishing & dreaming



Thanks. She's working on getting the boxes cleaned out of her living room..Glad everything is well where you are


You're Welcome & Thank You! Glad you had a nice visit with the kids.. Yes it is, especially when that person was/is a brainiac........Um yeah I have been


Hey Blue
I'm still suffering from that Floridian Frown ....Oooo I forgot that the GF Orchestra had new uniforms, I saw them a few months ago on FB and wanted to mention it here and I completely forgot


Yes there was one, as previous posters have mentioned. She closed both of her sites late last year/early this year.




Yes there was one, as previous posters have mentioned. I'm still in contact with her and I will tell her you miss the fan page. There are a few GF pages/groups on FB. Yes they did have a falling out just over a year ago and she left the agency and she closed both of her sites late last year/early this year.
Don't know how long you have been posting/reading here but she & the TA were frequent posters and if my memory is correct the TA ran this thread before k&c&a's mom took over

I'm still in contact with her and I will tell her you miss the fan page. There are a few GF pages/groups on FB, if you want to know their names please PM and I will send you the links to join

The site was closed because the owner is no longer a TA, I will tell her that you were looking for it. It was a great site and had TONS of info

Yep this is correct info. The TA owner also has a great site, FB & Pinterest pages with lots of info

Please tell her that I miss both of her sites too - and wish her well.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Anyone have any SL progress or news?? Can't wait to hear about the renovation when it's complete!!!

 

[Sue M]

Yes, sounds like you are "forced" to return to the Grand. Congratulations on the 35th anniversary, how nice to celebrate it in RPC, no matter whether it's a std. or deluxe room!



Welcome! What type of tips are you looking for? The resort is easy to navigate, it's fairly compact. Take a look at the map in the first post on page 1, you can see where the boat dock is, Gasparilla's, etc.

We love to sit in the lobby in the afternoon and listen to the music. Hang out at the pool, usually with a drink. Take the boat back from the MK. Rent Sea Raycers and zip around SSL. Do afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge. Have breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Grab a snack at Gasparilla's (or from the CL lounge, since you'll be in Sugar Loaf!) and watch Wishes at the marina. View the EWP from the boat dock. So many things to see and do!

If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask, we're here to help.



HAHAHA! This was my thought, too. Good tip regarding the ziplocks and daughters.



Interesting about Poly guests at the pools, it has been reported they are not allowing the Poly guests to hop, but are giving out 1-day BB tix instead. Hmmm. Maybe they got some complaints.

Thanks for the update on the tipping situation. Do you mean cabana users, or just pool guests who ordered food? If the second, that seems odd. We've always been able to tip the wait staff at SAB over at Y&BC.

We were orig. booked at Poly, but kept eye on construction updates. At first they said we'd be allowed to use GF pool, then I guess they got complaints from GF, so now there is no pool hoping and replaced with a 1 day BB visit!!!
Since our trip is 14 days, a 1 day water park ticket just isn't going to be sufficient so we are another "forced" to change to GF looking forward to our return. we really fell in love with GF last August!

 

[happymomof1]

Anyone have any SL progress or news?? Can't wait to hear about the renovation when it's complete!!!

I am anxiously awaiting this as well!!!!!!!!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Does anyone know if the Summer Lace shop carries Dooney & Bourke? I'm seriously leaning towards getting myself one of the weekender bags but prefer to wait till I get to Disney to actually buy one. I know I saw them in various spots throughout the parks but could have also sworn I saw them there too (although I could be wrong).

 

[disney meema]

Does anyone know if the Summer Lace shop carries Dooney & Bourke? I'm seriously leaning towards getting myself one of the weekender bags but prefer to wait till I get to Disney to actually buy one. I know I saw them in various spots throughout the parks but could have also sworn I saw them there too (although I could be wrong).

Not sure if they do or not? I would suggest calling the store directly to make sure. I would think they sell well if they do have them so you may want to consider buying before your trip. I just bought myself a D&B weekender bag a few weeks ago and looking forward to using for the first time next month for a 10 day California Disneyland trip and then our nov WDW vacation : )

 

[MamaBear58]

Need to move from WL due to pool closure in Nov. If booking outer building lagoon view, any suggestions as to what to request? I realize there are no guarantees. I know I want an open balcony but anything else to consider? Any building better for water parade? Thanks!!!

 

[disney meema]

Need to move from WL due to pool closure in Nov. If booking outer building lagoon view, any suggestions as to what to request? I realize there are no guarantees. I know I want an open balcony but anything else to consider? Any building better for water parade? Thanks!!!

Boca chica or big pines have great lagoon views and most likely that would be your lagoon view category as well ... I personally would pick boca chica : ) We switch from WL as well to GF mainly because of the construction site itself.

 

[MamaBear58]

Boca chica or big pines have great lagoon views and most likely that would be your lagoon view category as well ... I personally would pick boca chica : ) We switch from WL as well to GF mainly because of the construction site itself.

Wow that was quick! Thank you!!!

 

[disney meema]

Wow that was quick! Thank you!!!

You needed a quick answer and a quick answer you got lol I also wanted to add that both building would have a beautiful view of the electrical water pageant so either would be fab. I just prefer boca chica since you have a chance at a slight to the left view of MK

 

[MamaBear58]

You needed a quick answer and a quick answer you got lol I also wanted to add that both building would have a beautiful view of the electrical water pageant so either would be fab. I just prefer boca chica since you have a chance at a slight to the left view of MK

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Hi HI!!

I am anxiously awaiting this as well!!!!!!!!

Me three....

Does anyone know if the Summer Lace shop carries Dooney & Bourke? I'm seriously leaning towards getting myself one of the weekender bags but prefer to wait till I get to Disney to actually buy one. I know I saw them in various spots throughout the parks but could have also sworn I saw them there too (although I could be wrong).

Yes indeed..Summer Lace does carry the D&B bags....they used to carry all of the different sizes...dont recall if I saw the weekender when we were there recently...A suggestion tho...that new Co-Op store carries all of the different D&B's and seem to have every shape and size too...so you can always make a little side trip.....and the Disney Store has free shipping on theme park merchandise right now...so you might want to order it before hand???

I am always to share lots of shopping advice..lol...

disney meema I see that you are putting your weekender to good use!!!

~Just adding a bit to more to my super mini TR....We had yet another trip with easy use of our MBs...worked on the room at check ..for all of our FPP's and I did change FP times around even day of...some even within an hour or so of FPP times... using MDE on my phone..and that too was seamless...

SDMT....great ride!! a bit shorter than I expected...but as others have said..great details during the ride...when you are in the "mine" dont miss the seven dwarfs profiles on the wall as they head off from work.... Very cool...

The food...I know that there is so much so say...lol...I need to jar my memory ...There are still no chocolate covered strawberries during evening desserts...but..there were many other yummy things... like key lime tarts...yum.... and mini cheesecakes..in a graham cracker cup..topped with a raspberry...another yum...

So much more food to talk about but so little time today...lol...

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday... preppy GF gal who is still having disney withdrawl....

 

[BlueSkies]

Need to move from WL due to pool closure in Nov. If booking outer building lagoon view, any suggestions as to what to request? I realize there are no guarantees. I know I want an open balcony but anything else to consider? Any building better for water parade? Thanks!!!

I second that vote for Boca Chica...nice LV..EWP too...centrally located..and larger outer building so many rooms with an open balcony...

You needed a quick answer and a quick answer you got lol I also wanted to add that both building would have a beautiful view of the electrical water pageant so either would be fab. I just prefer boca chica since you have a chance at a slight to the left view of MK

I agree....

 

[MommyGina]

Darn, still no chocolate covered strawberries! I have to say, I do love Key Lime tarts. Looking forward to them in SL in a few weeks.

 

[Three cats]

Speaking of chocolate covered strawberries....does anyone happen to know if this is something that can be ordered from room service? Or is there somewhere else I'd need to order them from?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Sue M - I don't blame you for switching, one water park day would not be sufficient for us as compensation, either. We love to sit by the pool every day of our trip!

MamaBear58 - Welcome! Sorry about the pool closure at WL forcing you to change plans, I think you will love the Grand!

BlueSkies - I knew you would be able to answer the shopping question.

Thanks for the FP+ info, I'm so glad it is easy to change on the fly. I've been worried about that, sounds like there is no need.

Still no chocolate covered strawberries?! Why?!? I need an emoticon where I roll around crying and kicking my feet, instead of laughing.

Speaking of chocolate covered strawberries....does anyone happen to know if this is something that can be ordered from room service? Or is there somewhere else I'd need to order them from?

Yes, you can. There is a list of Private Dining amenities on the first page, or at least a link - I'll figure out which post and give a link.

ETA: scroll down to the bottom of this Dining post, you'll find the in room amenities list with prices! (may have changed slightly, this was a couple years ago)