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

[BlueSkies]

I believe the new SL rooms open July 1. 19 days for us too until GF SL!

The time will fly!!!!

A comment on the creatures coming into the first floor rooms....we usually have upper floors but last year had a first floor room. I NEVER left the patio door open after having read that post from someone who had a snake take up residence in a shoe in their room!!!!!!!!!

That was WishesQueen who had the snake in her room!! So it definitely can happen..In more stays than I can count in ground floor rooms at the GF..we have never seen any slithery friends!! So I don't think it that common...

Me again! Sorry, I should probably look back at the first page or two before asking this but since the thread is so active, and you are all so quick and informative with responses, this works easier Can anyone tell me what DME resorts the GF shares and if GF is always the last stop? Just wondering if we should take the DME bus which will take longer, but we get to watch the new videos (we haven't been for 3 years), or book a town car and get there quicker.

Thanks

Generally GF is the last stop from the airport to the resorts..an approximately 45 min ride.. drop off route is typically WL CR Poly GF..but..on our recent trip drop off was Poly GF WL then CR..????So I guess it can vary once in a while...Return pick up GF is always the last stop in our experience...

GF is the last stop. Going to airport, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, it is WL, CR? and Poly. GF is last

In our case adding days is very addictive. We added 2 days since we made our reservation. It must have been exciting to open up the Magicbands. Ours are supposed to arrive on July 2nd. Can't wait.

And I just saw that Disney changed the park hours a little for July too. I wonder why they did this?

Blue...I've heard about that punch from the Poly too. I'm very interested in hearing what's in it.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!!!

HI there abk Doing the happy dance for you!!! Great that you have been able to add days to your trip!!! I will be sure to try that Poly punch for all of my curious GF pals... and report back...

on those changed park hours so close to your trip..things have to be so planned these days that that can change things quite a bit..hope it wont interfere with your plans much...

It's yummy!!! It's a tropical punch mixed with spirits that goes down very smoothly. I know on Tikiman's site he has the recipe. Stick some in a to go cup and head to MK It's out with the 5pm offerings

Thanks pas !!! Sounds delicious!

I have been like a chicken without a head these past couple of weeks trying to get things ready for my youngest DD's sweet 16 party which is this Saturday already ! Oh and did I mention that we have like 60 people coming??? What was I thinking ...And with so much to do, I'm a "Disney Dreaming" today..

48 more days to go and I will be at my happy place...cannot wait for this trip - we all need it!!!

Happy Birthday to your DD!! Being busy with the party will surely have the time fly by until trip time!

Is it always this difficult to get a dinner ADR for 1900 Park Fare In November?!?

While 1900 PF is popular..its usually not in the super difficult better book as soon as your booking window opens meal...Don't despair tho...times open up for things all the time...you just hav to be committed to checking availability daily...I was recently able to get BOG at under a month out..Ohana too...so you never know..Best of luck!

Staying at the GF in late August, can't wait. Maybe a dumb question but I read the other day that the monorail times will be changing to a later start (perhaps they already have). With that change what is our best bet to get to Epcot at rope drop? Will there be buses from GF to Epcot? Thanks!

Know that your question was already answered..just wanted to say WELCOME!! to the boards and the GF thread!

Thanks for the feedback! I still haven't made up my mind, but I have a feeling we'll enjoy ourselves either way

You are very welcome... I am sure you will enjoy!!

MickeyNut It was great catching up ith you today!! We sure can talk for hours!!!

k&a&c'smom Are you getting super busy again!!?? Doesn't the family know that you need your DIS time... Hope all is well...

grannyminnie We usually take ME..I think that its part of the whole Disney experience...and really usually have enjoyed the ride...

Mousemommy Congrats to you!

Trisha Thanks for the additional "special drink" info..Looks like you have enjoyed a few of those here and there!

~I too am looking foward to hearing..and hopefully seeing what the refurbed SL lounge looks like...hoping its spectacular! Or at least..really nice!

Hope that everyone had a terrific Thursday!! preppy GF gal..who is looking foward to trying some special Poly punch...lol..

This was a super duper multi quoted post..wonder how many smilies I will be over...??? ETA Over by 14...lol....

 

[Sue M]

Well last year was mad crazy

I did BLT, CR, Poly, GF ,then GF, VGF ,CR ,Poly in a 15 month time frame. (a little CSR and CBR too)

SO forgive me if I am a little confused

Poly has POG juice that is out in the afternoon and evenings in the dispensers like they use for ice tea, milk etc. I thought they also had it at GF ( I have a picture of my dh drinking some) however I don't know if GF calls it POG juice.

Trishie's Tip: mix half POG with either red or white wine and a little ice for a great afternoon poolside beverage

Then at POLY they have the "special" wine that is in a pitcher at evening appies and again with desserts. It has 11 different beverages mixed, I only remember some: Chardonnay, White Zinfandel , sprite, POG juice, Grand Marinier etc. Very Yummy



Here is me enjoying the view of construction while I enjoy some "special"!

Ooooooo, so I guess I could make my own Adult Pog at SL . Mix in wine, sprite & GM? Yummy!! I like it!!

 

[MagPixDust]

Thank you Blue skies

 

[pas130]

In my best effort for a split 2 nights VGF and 4 OKW... DH shot it down without even knowing it was rack rate

Good morning my Grand Groupies

 

[Candy Orlando]

Just wanted to say Hi to all my Grand friends.
It's a beautiful day here today in Ma but I still miss the Grand.
Six months until my next Grand vacation.
Love reading about everyone's Grand trips.
Do I say Grand to much? lol

Candy

 

[abk96]

Good morning everyone!

Sorry to hear your husband won't go for a split pas. Maybe he'll go for an even split..3 and 3? When I first brought up the idea of a split this time my husband wouldn't even talk about it unless it was at least 3 nights at one resort. So now we are doing 4 and 5 nights.

On the subject of ME...we've taken it every year since it started in 2005 and loved it. We have always been at our resort in less than an hour...and a few times it was a little more than an hour. So definitely not 2 hrs....although if you are going during a very busy travel time like near Christmas, I guess it could be longer.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We stayed at WL last time and I know we were not first...I hope that's not true that GF is last, only bec of how long it took

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut It was great catching up ith you today!! We sure can talk for hours!!!

I enjoyed catching up yesterday, too . Yes, we sure can talk .

In my best effort for a split 2 nights VGF and 4 OKW... DH shot it down without even knowing it was rack rate

Good morning my Grand Groupies

You're not the only one pas, my DH doesn't like split stays, either. But with or without a split stay, you are going to have a fabulous trip .

Good morning everyone!

 

[BlueSkies]

Blue so how many chocolates, shampoos etc did you end up packing home

Dormer didn't I read somewhere that new rooms do have sofas? Still don't like the solid balcony though

Hi Sue..Not sure how I missed this before... I do have quite a nice stash...and occasionally I share a chocoalte or two with a deserving family memmber!!! or some toiletries...so nice to have a bit of the GF at home... I know that you understand!!

FWIW, we've always taken ME & the longest it ever took us was just over an hour to get to our resort. Maybe we've been lucky but now hoping I didn't just jinx myself .

Same here...

Thank you Blue skies

You are very welcome!

In my best effort for a split 2 nights VGF and 4 OKW... DH shot it down without even knowing it was rack rate

Good morning my Grand Groupies

Morning Girlfriend! As for that split...keep trying...maybe you can wear down his resistance!!

Just wanted to say Hi to all my Grand friends.
It's a beautiful day here today in Ma but I still miss the Grand.
Six months until my next Grand vacation.
Love reading about everyone's Grand trips.
Do I say Grand to much? lol

Candy

Good morning GRAND friend!! I dont think you said grand too much at all... 6 onths..hoping the time will fly..are you busy doing your planning..Book any ADR's??? Inquiring mind here....as usual...

~ On another note...for all of you summer travelers...Sounds like there will some new fun at DHS in a Frozen Fun Live series of events..which will begin on 7/5 and run through 9/1..Lots of different things..among them A&E processional down Hollywood Blvd in a horse drawn sleigh to the hat stage for a general greeting..(not individual)...lots more stuff too..read about it on the Theme Park boards...

Hope that everyone ins having a fantastic Friday!

ETA Hi abk and MickeyNut...We were all posting at the same time...

 

[pas130]

Good morning everyone!

Sorry to hear your husband won't go for a split pas. Maybe he'll go for an even split..3 and 3? When I first brought up the idea of a split this time my husband wouldn't even talk about it unless it was at least 3 nights at one resort. So now we are doing 4 and 5 nights.

On the subject of ME...we've taken it every year since it started in 2005 and loved it. We have always been at our resort in less than an hour...and a few times it was a little more than an hour. So definitely not 2 hrs....although if you are going during a very busy travel time like near Christmas, I guess it could be longer.

Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!!

We had two experiences when it just didn't go smoothly. One was at a Universal resort. So he would just rather relax and stay put..and there's NO way I am paying more than double to stay at VGF for all 6 nights LOL. I love the Grand but YIKES I may just do it and keep my fingers crossed he doesn't freak

We stayed at WL last time and I know we were not first...I hope that's not true that GF is last, only bec of how long it took

We were first when we stayed at WL, it isn't a set schedule

You're not the only one pas, my DH doesn't like split stays, either. But with or without a split stay, you are going to have a fabulous trip .

We are...it would just be nice to have a night or two at the castle...I don't really want any longer either with all the construction I'd like to be far, far away...

 

[pas130]

Hi Sue..Not sure how I missed this before... I do have quite a nice stash...and occasionally I share a chocoalte or two with a deserving family memmber!!! or some toiletries...so nice to have a bit of the GF at home... I know that you understand!!




Morning Girlfriend! As for that split...keep trying...maybe you can wear down his resistance!!

I will keep trying!!!! Or just stop talking about it.... He wouldn't be shocked if I changed, I don't want him mad is all And chocolate never makes it home but the toiletries do..my DD9 has her own H20 supply. I buy it for her now, but my DH was when we had the YC suite and I confiscated all the shampoo/lotion/conditioner for her every morning. They were the bigger bottles too!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hope that everyone ins having a fantastic Friday!

Hi Blue . We were posting around the same time .

We are...it would just be nice to have a night or two at the castle...I don't really want any longer either with all the construction I'd like to be far, far away...

I totally understand on both points .

 

[pas130]

Hi Blue . We were posting around the same time .



I totally understand on both points .

We are all posting together

 

[grannyminnie]

Just wanted to say Hi to all my Grand friends.
It's a beautiful day here today in Ma but I still miss the Grand.
Six months until my next Grand vacation.
Love reading about everyone's Grand trips.
Do I say Grand to much? lol

Candy

No, what you said was just Grand!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Yikes! How did I get so far behind?!? I may or may not be able to catch up, lol, if there are questions that have gotten lost in the shuffle, please post them again.

My stupid internet does not always love the DIS. We've done a firmware update, hopefully that will help with the loading time.

Hope everyone had a great week! Muggy here, wish I were at the courtyard pool with a fruity drink.

 

[DisneyLover0610]

In the spirit of split stays...

This will be our first split stay - 2 nights GF followed by 5 nights BWI. The 2 nights will be to enjoy the resort and relax! We have never done GF before and are sooo excited
I can see this going badly, however. What does everyone consider the "smoothest" way to get front resort 1 to resort 2? Our park tickets will begin on day one at BWI, so I know we'll need to head over and check in. Should we just take a cab? We're staying CL, so if we were to bring our bags over in a cab, would we bring them to CL with us and they will take them if the room isn't ready? Or do we need to lug them back downstairs? Sorry for the questions, but I want this to be thoughtless once we're there! We need a vacation!

 

[BlueSkies]

Good morning grannyminnie do tell any plans for your next trip??? Dining plans in particular....you know the saying...lol...what everything is about...that food!!!

~ Just wanted to add...was able to add a dinner at Ohana for our next trip... ...popped up last nite..late....maybe around 3:30 am ..lol..... ...MagPixDust keep on trying!!

 

[MagPixDust]

Lol, luckiest Blueskies ever! What are your travel dates?

 

[BlueSkies]

Yikes! How did I get so far behind?!? I may or may not be able to catch up, lol, if there are questions that have gotten lost in the shuffle, please post them again.

My stupid internet does not always love the DIS. We've done a firmware update, hopefully that will help with the loading time.

Hope everyone had a great week! Muggy here, wish I were at the courtyard pool with a fruity drink.

Morning k&a&c'smom... sorry about the internet problems... Was wondering what you were up to.... Muggy here too..super bad hair days....lol..

DisneyLover I would say that taking a taxi from one resort to the next would be the smoothest transition.... If you are staying CL then you are generally greeted and checking in by a CL CM..who would be able to tell you before you head up to the check in area if your room is ready or if your bags need to be checked....sounds like a terrific split...Enjoy!!

 

[mickeynut1]

We are all posting together

Yikes! How did I get so far behind?!? I may or may not be able to catch up, lol, if there are questions that have gotten lost in the shuffle, please post them again.

My stupid internet does not always love the DIS. We've done a firmware update, hopefully that will help with the loading time.

Hope everyone had a great week! Muggy here, wish I were at the courtyard pool with a fruity drink.

Sorry for the internet troubles....hope everything works better now after your DH did some updates .

We are having nice weather this morning.....sunny and not too hot/humid, but I think temps are supposed to climb .

I'll join you in wishing I was at the courtyard pool with a drink .

In the spirit of split stays...

This will be our first split stay - 2 nights GF followed by 5 nights BWI. The 2 nights will be to enjoy the resort and relax! We have never done GF before and are sooo excited
I can see this going badly, however. What does everyone consider the "smoothest" way to get front resort 1 to resort 2? Our park tickets will begin on day one at BWI, so I know we'll need to head over and check in. Should we just take a cab? We're staying CL, so if we were to bring our bags over in a cab, would we bring them to CL with us and they will take them if the room isn't ready? Or do we need to lug them back downstairs? Sorry for the questions, but I want this to be thoughtless once we're there! We need a vacation!

Congrats on your first upcoming GF stay. The GF is such a beautiful resort and is a great place for 2 days of resort only .

As far as getting from the GF to BWI, I think a cab is the best way to go. Bell services usually holds luggage when your room isn't ready, so to avoid having to lug them upstairs and back down again (if that's what you would need to do), I would maybe ask the CM if your room is ready before going up to CL to check in .

Have a great trip .

~ Just wanted to add...was able to add a dinner at Ohana for our next trip... ...popped up last nite..late....maybe around 3:30 am ..lol..... ...

Congrats on getting Ohana for your next trip . What were you doing up at 3:30 am?????