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

[Aurora0427]

You lovely posters were so helpful in regards to my building question.... now what should I do about floor? Higher? 1st floor patio? We don't want a ton of noise, but there is something so appealing about walking right out of your room and not dealing with an elevator. We loved being on the first floor in the garden wing at CR a few years ago. The buildings I am considering are Sago Key and Boca Chica. We are garden view. Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

Regarding the refurb...you put into words exactly how I feel about both resorts...

The Poly CL evening punch is reason enough to stay CL there...IMO

Happy Wednesday all!!! We made smores last night, I have never made my kiddos smores..what a bad mom I am They loved them!! So I reminded them of the marshmallow roasts every night at WDW

The refurbs make me very sad .

LOL about the punch being reason enough to stay Poly CL. We are hoping to try Poly CL next summer .

How fun to make smores . I bet the kids loved it and had alot of fun (as I'm sure mom and dad did, too ).

And to both RPC and SL Spoken by someone who has booked a suite or two...then had sticker shock

I forgot about suites having access to both CLs.....thanks for adding that .

 

[mickeynut1]

You lovely posters were so helpful in regards to my building question.... now what should I do about floor? Higher? 1st floor patio? We don't want a ton of noise, but there is something so appealing about walking right out of your room and not dealing with an elevator. We loved being on the first floor in the garden wing at CR a few years ago. The buildings I am considering are Sago Key and Boca Chica. We are garden view. Thanks!

With a first floor patio, I don't think you can exit off of the patio onto the grounds as I think there is a railing as well as alot of landscape around the patio. Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm that or correct me if I'm wrong. With that said, we prefer a higher floor as I love sitting on the balcony looking out over the resort .

 

[lala5176]

With a first floor patio, I don't think you can exit off of the patio onto the grounds as I think there is a railing as well as alot of landscape around the patio. Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm that or correct me if I'm wrong. With that said, we prefer a higher floor as I love sitting on the balcony looking out over the resort .

The 1st floor rooms do have a railing just as you would if you had a balcony.

 

[disney777]

Dormer rooms - opinions?

I like to stay on high floors, and I think I wouldn't mind a Dormer room, but want to hear what others think. It will be just me in the room, so a smaller space isn't a concern.
I'm not sure if these are something people want, or something people avoid (thus making it easier to get.)

Overall, I think I'd be happy with anything but a ground level room. But curious what others think/have experienced.

TIA!

 

[sydneysmom]

Dormer rooms - opinions?

I like to stay on high floors, and I think I wouldn't mind a Dormer room, but want to hear what others think. It will be just me in the room, so a smaller space isn't a concern.
I'm not sure if these are something people want, or something people avoid (thus making it easier to get.)

Overall, I think I'd be happy with anything but a ground level room. But curious what others think/have experienced.

TIA!

Good question ! I've always been curious about these too... the pictures make the rooms look really nice, but I wonder if they're "that" much smaller....

 

[disney777]

Sounds like they are 3-4 sq ft smaller (insignificant for me) and have vaulted ceilings that make the room seem larger. There is no daybed (couch) in these rooms.
The balcony is half the size of regular room, completely enclosed, no slats to look through while you are sitting down/in your room. But I go in August and find I don't spend too much time on the balcony because it's too hot. I think I like the idea of it being "enclosed". Not sure how private the open balconies are. Don't really want to see my neighbors.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Good question ! I've always been curious about these too... the pictures make the rooms look really nice, but I wonder if they're "that" much smaller....

I don't think I would like the dormer rooms...but I have never seen them in person so it's hard to say.

I think we are going to ask for the 1st floor. We are always on the ground floor at WL and like it.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I don't think I asked this yet...when does the tree go up at GF? Anyone know what day it went up last year? We are there 14-20th...I know at WL is went up last year on the 19th.

Thanks!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Another question! My husband and I love room service....but I didn't notice tables in any of the pics of the Garden View rooms...are there tables to eat on?

 

[sharksfinatic17]

I have looked, but I probably missed it..My question is what is the best (most efficient) way to get to each park for RD? How much time do we need to give ourselves? We will be there July 23-27, 2014.

 

[disney meema]

Dormer rooms - opinions? I like to stay on high floors, and I think I wouldn't mind a Dormer room, but want to hear what others think. It will be just me in the room, so a smaller space isn't a concern. I'm not sure if these are something people want, or something people avoid (thus making it easier to get.) Overall, I think I'd be happy with anything but a ground level room. But curious what others think/have experienced. TIA!

We loved our dormer room for 15 nights with 3 of us ... Daughter, granddaughter and myself so fabulous!! ( conch key building with theme park view ) the ceilings are very high and we never noticed the size difference in the rooms at all, in fact the room felt bigger since the ceilings are so high. The biggest difference is the balcony which is smaller but for the 3 of us it was fabulous and the views of the magic kingdom, fireworks, water pageant, back boat dock to magic kingdom was just a dream view.
For one person It would be beyond an incredible room for you, I totally recommend a dormer room : )

 

[sydneysmom]

Sounds like they are 3-4 sq ft smaller (insignificant for me) and have vaulted ceilings that make the room seem larger. There is no daybed (couch) in these rooms.
The balcony is half the size of regular room, completely enclosed, no slats to look through while you are sitting down/in your room. But I go in August and find I don't spend too much time on the balcony because it's too hot. I think I like the idea of it being "enclosed". Not sure how private the open balconies are. Don't really want to see my neighbors.

The regular balconies aren't too open at all. You have solid "partitions" between you and your neighbor, and while you might see their feet, you won't be sitting next to them in full view or anything. I can tell you, I LOVED our balcony...I lived out on that balcony when everyone was still sleeping or when our DD napped (the first trip). It's just peaceful. Even at night when we put her down, we sat outside and it's just really nice to sit out and unwind. I don't know that I'd like the solid balcony... it would block everything if you were sitting... (I would think).

 

[disney meema]

I don't think I would like the dormer rooms...but I have never seen them in person so it's hard to say. I think we are going to ask for the 1st floor. We are always on the ground floor at WL and like it.

We've had several ground floor rooms and 1 room we absolutely loved ... It was a corner ground floor room in conch key building with 2 outdoor patios/balconies. One balcony was facing the side marina and the other facing the lagoon and magic kingdom fireworks. It also was a larger than normal size room by maybe a few feet I'd say but with 2 balconies it seemed larger. On this particular trip we had my husband, daughter and twin grandsons and just loved this special corner room so much I've requested it and gotten it on 2 other visits : )

Also the ginger bread house is assembled on site in the lobby about 10 days before thanksgiving since it takes days to put together and the tree goes up approx a week before thanksgiving.

Also to answer your question about tables in the rooms ... The rooms always have had a table and chairs so I assume with the new decor there is tables. We've had some beautiful dinner set up with room service with white tablecloths and china ect. I hope the new decor and furniture includes a table and chairs

 

[disney meema]

I have looked, but I probably missed it..My question is what is the best (most efficient) way to get to each park for RD? How much time do we need to give ourselves? We will be there July 23-27, 2014.

I would take the boat to rope drop from the back boat dock ... The boat picks up GF and then poly and onto Magic kingdom so I'd say allow 30 mins??? The boat rode is 10 - 15 min but 30 min to be sure : )

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi! Me again I read somewhere that every room at the GF gets a nightly turndown service and wondered if this was true and what time roughly this happens? I expect concierge have this service but not sure on everyone else.

Thanks

Yes there is turn down service in all room categories...

SOOPAFLY-every room receives turndown service at night. That's another reason why I love the GF. I know that we have had turndown service as early as 6:30 pm and as late as 8 pm. I requested early turndown and early housekeeping. The request was noted and we were accommodated. I find that the GF goes out of its way to make their guests happy!

Hey there MommyGina! . We generally ask for a particular turn down time too...and as you said...the terrific CMs at the GF do go out of their way to accomodate!

Hi all
What lovely people on this thread!
My question: do all suites at GF include access to the club for snacks etc?

Yes they do..and the suites that are located in the outer buildings have access to both SL and RPC...

Hope you love GF, we gave it a try last summer, as a split stay and was surprised at how much we loved it. So happy to be returning this August for a longer stay. You get those lovely choc squares with turn down too. We came home with a bag full, lol. And all rooms have robes.

Oh those turn down belgian chocolates...they are so creamy and and delicious...my mouth is watering...

You lovely posters were so helpful in regards to my building question.... now what should I do about floor? Higher? 1st floor patio? We don't want a ton of noise, but there is something so appealing about walking right out of your room and not dealing with an elevator. We loved being on the first floor in the garden wing at CR a few years ago. The buildings I am considering are Sago Key and Boca Chica. We are garden view. Thanks!

Unlike those nice open ground floor patios at the CR..the GF ground floor rooms have enclosed patios...and they are fronted by flower beds and shrubbery...so no just strolling out of your room that way...

With a first floor patio, I don't think you can exit off of the patio onto the grounds as I think there is a railing as well as alot of landscape around the patio. Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm that or correct me if I'm wrong. With that said, we prefer a higher floor as I love sitting on the balcony looking out over the resort .

Spot on info MickeyNut..as always!! I like sitting on a balcony..but enjoy the ground floor rooms as well...both have their own charm ...

Dormer rooms - opinions?

I like to stay on high floors, and I think I wouldn't mind a Dormer room, but want to hear what others think. It will be just me in the room, so a smaller space isn't a concern.
I'm not sure if these are something people want, or something people avoid (thus making it easier to get.)

Overall, I think I'd be happy with anything but a ground level room. But curious what others think/have experienced.

TIA!

Dormer rooms are very charming.. and have a great bit of visual space IMO...I have stayed in them and wouldnt hesitate to again...the enclosed balcony does not feel cramped at all..and accomodates two chairs and a small table... and gives a nice private feeling..

If you really want a dormer room I would suggest that you add that as a requests on your room reservation.... I am sure you will enjoy your stay!

I have looked, but I probably missed it..My question is what is the best (most efficient) way to get to each park for RD? How much time do we need to give ourselves? We will be there July 23-27, 2014.

Heading to the MK..the monorail has the most direct route..one stop.. and shouldnt take more than 5 minutes...10 if you have to wait a few minutes...but there have been some changes to the operating hours recently..so I would just be sure to check the "resort" monorail operating hours...

Epcot I would say taking the monorail to the TTC and transferring to the Epcot monorail....travel time is about 30 minutes for this...

As for DHS there is a bus fromthe GF that goes right there...I believe it sometimes makes a stop or two first (CR and Poly)...depending on the time of day... I would leave about 45 minutes for travel time...

Not sure about AK...??? We only head to this park occasionally.. I am sure someone will come along who can help on this...Lots of helpful peeps around here!

disfan07 I know that MickeyNut pretty much answered all of your questions..just wanted to add...if you are celebrating I would be sure to have that noted on your reservation...so that the wait staff can acknowledge it...and there is usually a complimentary dessert for those special occasions too.. .not sure about the personalized menus any longer....

Have a wonderful time in all you do....

pas Hmmm...what this about the Poly punch I keep hearing about???

k&a&c'smom, grannyminnie and all the rest of my fellow GF fans...hope that you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We've had several ground floor rooms and 1 room we absolutely loved ... It was a corner ground floor room in conch key building with 2 outdoor patios/balconies. One balcony was facing the side marina and the other facing the lagoon and magic kingdom fireworks. It also was a larger than normal size room by maybe a few feet I'd say but with 2 balconies it seemed larger. On this particular trip we had my husband, daughter and twin grandsons and just loved this special corner room so much I've requested it and gotten it on 2 other visits : )

Also the ginger bread house is assembled on site in the lobby about 10 days before thanksgiving since it takes days to put together and the tree goes up approx a week before thanksgiving.

Also to answer your question about tables in the rooms ... The rooms always have had a table and chairs so I assume with the new decor there is tables. We've had some beautiful dinner set up with room service with white tablecloths and china ect. I hope the new decor and furniture includes a table and chairs

Thank you! I hope we do get to see the tree. Anyone have recommendations of meals to try from room service?

Also, I asked a while ago..does M. Mouse Mercantile sell the charms for bracelets/necklaces? At WL it was a huge display.

 

[mickeynut1]

Spot on info MickeyNut..as always!! I like sitting on a balcony..but enjoy the ground floor rooms as well...both have their own charm ...

pas Hmmm...what this about the Poly punch I keep hearing about???

We had a first floor room on our second WL stay and then at the Poly (both requested), but that was before I started reading posts on these boards about slithering creatures getting into people's rooms . From that point on I have always requested an upper floor .

I would like to know about this punch as well . I LOVE the juice at Ohana (breakfast), so I'm betting any juice/punch in the lounge has to be just as good .

Anyone have recommendations of meals to try from room service?

Also, I asked a while ago..does M. Mouse Mercantile sell the charms for bracelets/necklaces? At WL it was a huge display.

We've never gotten room service, but I'm sure others will be able to help with that . I can't help about the charms, either, but hopefully someone who has been recently can give some insight or someone who is going soon can check on that .

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We had a first floor room on our second WL stay and then at the Poly (both requested), but that was before I started reading posts on these boards about slithering creatures getting into people's rooms . From that point on I have always requested an upper floor .

I would like to know about this punch as well . I LOVE the juice at Ohana (breakfast), so I'm betting any juice/punch in the lounge has to be just as good .



We've never gotten room service, but I'm sure others will be able to help with that . I can't help about the charms, either, but hopefully someone who has been recently can give some insight or someone who is going soon can check on that .

OMG that made me laugh! My mother is afraid of snakes! She just got back from GF but was in a CL room and didn't mention any creatures.

Yes, would love to know about the charms...I'm sure I'm the only adult who has one!

 

[Aurora0427]

Well. The slithering creatures has made my decision very easy. I will be requesting a room on 4. Hahahaha