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

[abk96]

AWWW! They have been expecting a renovation in the Tea Room for so long, can't believe it is finally happeneing. Don't be too discouraged yet, maybe they are simply not ready to reveal their full plans for the afternoon tea. Here's some pixie dust for everyone going this summer, that it will be available in some form.

Thanks. Haven't done the tea since she was in 1st grade and now she's a freshman in HS. She takes after me and loves tea.

 

[BlueSkies]

Quick questions: do SL CL rooms have nespresso machines,and, is water, soda and coffee available from lounge 24hrs a day?

Also, pls let me know if any of you CL frequenters have trip reports or photos posted of CL lounge and rooms. Almost all pics on concierge photo thread are of Flicker and Photobucket pics that have been removed and are no longer visible.
Thanks for all your help!

The lounge is technically open from 7am ( I think??lol..) to 10pm...at 10 the staff cleans up all food items...water..coffee..milk sugar..etc..what is available after the lounge is closed are the beverages that are stored in the refrigerator...which is basically soda..as the juices are in urns like the milk and coffee and filtered water...They no longer put out large individual bottles of water..but...you can ask for water and they will gladly give you a carafe of the filtered water to take back to your room .. (we always make sure to take a few empty to go cups back to the room for the either water or soda)

Thanks! We decided to just "go for it" this year - we are trying to hit as many big things this year as we can - and so that we wouldn't be sad at the end of our Nov trip we put a deposit down on a cruise for summer 2015 - I figure we can pick our two favorite resorts from this year for before and after the cruise! Now - after July 2015 I may go into serious Disney-withdrawl!!!

We decided to split our stay and do 4 nights BWI followed by 4 nights GF. I booked garden view and requested Boca Chica pool view room upper floor. Do you think this was a wise request or am I fooling myself thinking I'd actually get it? When we were on our honeymoon we stayed in BPK garden view and had no view at all.

Also, I read that the Boca Chica building was due for refurb in the beginning of Feb. Does anyone know if it was completed? The rooms look fabulous and I can't wait to stay in one. Also the BWI is going to be refurbed this summer so maybe we'll get a newer room here also.*fingers crossed*

Boca Chica refurb was recently completed! Lucky you.. two resorts with brand new rooms!

Thanks! Really looking forward to the trip and nice relaxing time at the GF.

Our VR was in November 2012. We had 7 events in total over the course of 3 days. All of the events had a Disney character associated with it. I held an Alice themed Ladies Tea at the Asbury Patio at the YC Convention Center. While we were doing that, the guys had a Grumpy lunch at Raglan Road. That evening we held a Lady & the Tramp welcome dinner over the BW Convention Center. The next morning, bright and early, we had our ceremony in the Rose Garden in the UK in Epcot. Our reception was in the American Adventure Parlor upstairs in Epcot, both of these events featured Donald and Daisy (who were at the reception). We had a dessert party that evening in the UK with a Think theme. Then in the morning we did a Farewell Breakfast back at the Asbury Patio with a Mickey Mouse Club Theme.

It was an absolutely incredible weekend.

Sounds absolutely incredible... magical too l!!! Thanks for sharing the details...

Morning Everyone!!

k&a&c'smom - has the menu on page 1 post 14!! We like it because its different from Gaspie's, so its a nice change.

Hey Wishes I agree about the menu.there is a nice variety of new offerings...

Our Spring Break vacation is here. Driving to Atlanta tonight after work to stay and park at the airport Hilton. Our flight is at 8:30am. Hoping for an early check in and can't wait to experience the GF! I also requested the buildings with the new decor so we shall see if we get one.

Safe tavels!! Have a grand vacation!!

Hi, GF pals... Been MIA (to use ahcupcake's phrase) because my dad took us three "girls" to Richmond, Va. for a "memories" trip. He and my mom have a history there. It was such a special time; I'll never forget it!

I tried to skim thru the last several pages; it's been a week since I've been here.

Blue, I have not yet made any ressies. Just got the chance to ask my sister what color MB she wanted, so at least now I can order those. We also talked about fastpasses, and I will make those as well. (except for the new Snow White mine train, which has yet to appear as a choice). Wonder when it will?

I think we're in the mid-40s in our countdown. Sooo ready!

grannyminnie Sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane for you "girls" and your dad...

No ressies yet???!! Get moving girl...you know ..it is always about the food..lol... I am patiently (well maybe no very patiently.. ) waiting for FPP to open for the mine train too...

And I think I may have truly lost my mind... just emailed IPO to try to add a second cabana day to our July trip... and I REALLY hope that one is available!

Hope it is too....Its an absolutely wonderfully relaxing way to spend a pool day...

abk96 Sorry that you are disappointed about the tea room...have you thought about maybe a spa afternoon together...or even a mani/pedi appointment...

MickeyNut Hey!!

k&a&c'smom Thanks for all of the links and keeping the menus as well as everything else updated around here!! I think the tea room is just lovely...didn't realize it was slated for a refurb....

ahcupcake Hope that you are feeling better...This is just for you... lol.....

~ DD and I are both counting down until our trip..we finally are under the 60 day mark..... Have our ADRs..and our FPP... personalized our MBs...we are beginning a collection..lol.. ( I still think that pink is my fave )...lol..Now if June would just get here!!!

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday!!!

Holding my breath...will I be over on my smilie count???? does anyone else have this problem??? MickeyNut How about you...you are a super duper multi quoter..?? LOL...

 

[abk96]

Boca Chica refurb was recently completed! Lucky you.. two resorts with brand new rooms!
abk96 Sorry that you are disappointed about the tea room...have you thought about maybe a spa afternoon together...or even a mani/pedi appointment...

Thanks for the update on the refurb. So excited!

That would be more appealing to my oldest daughter. I have 3 girls and try to do something with them one on one when on vacation.

Enjoy your trip with your DD in June.

 

[happymomof1]

BlueSkies, thanks for the CL beverage info.

 

[tobin04]

Does anyone know when when RpC is slated for new bedding?


Never mind! Found the answer!

 

[tobin04]

Next question-px-posted....


Okay-who has great knowledge of the GF RPC??? We are staying here in a few weeks. We have 3 deluxe rooms reserved. Last time we stayed RPC we stayed on the 4th floor, across the way from the lounge...with a view of the beach pool. We could see the Epcot ball far off in the distance (which also meant seeing their fireworks), and we saw the light parade nightly. I loved this location. I loved hearing the piano or the band from the lobby, and being able to let our oldest walk across to the lounge to grab a cookie while I watched from our doorway.

SO-with that in mind, what can I request for the room assigner to be in the same area? I *think* it might have been a south facing room? Not sure what it means to have a "deluxe" room. Oh-and to complicate matters we want to connect with my Mom and my aunt. I know, too many requests, right?




Also-what's awesome about renting a cabana? We have one rented for 10-2 one morning (the kids will be on that Pirate cruise that morning as well). To me it's just nice to have somewhere to sit out of the sun, especially with a baby. But I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

 

[BC1836]

Next question-px-posted....


Okay-who has great knowledge of the GF RPC??? We are staying here in a few weeks. We have 3 deluxe rooms reserved. Last time we stayed RPC we stayed on the 4th floor, across the way from the lounge...with a view of the beach pool. We could see the Epcot ball far off in the distance (which also meant seeing their fireworks), and we saw the light parade nightly. I loved this location. I loved hearing the piano or the band from the lobby, and being able to let our oldest walk across to the lounge to grab a cookie while I watched from our doorway.

SO-with that in mind, what can I request for the room assigner to be in the same area? I *think* it might have been a south facing room? Not sure what it means to have a "deluxe" room. Oh-and to complicate matters we want to connect with my Mom and my aunt. I know, too many requests, right?




Also-what's awesome about renting a cabana? We have one rented for 10-2 one morning (the kids will be on that Pirate cruise that morning as well). To me it's just nice to have somewhere to sit out of the sun, especially with a baby. But I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.

We are at the GFR's RPC right now. Yes, you can request room locations but it's all based upon hotel occupancy rates and earlier requests from other guests.

Don't fret about being in separate areas, as long as you're on the 3rd, 4th or 5th floor, you'll be fine.

All the best.

 

[grannyminnie]

For anyone wondering about GF dining info and menus, there is a whole post on the first page - post #11! Any info needed, we have a "Table of Contents" with direct links, located near the top of the first post, first page.

mickeynut - YES! Finding a new manicurist or stylist is the worst.

grannyminnie - glad to see you, good luck with your WDW planning. What a sweet thing your Dad did for you.

grwrn - Safe travels, you shouldn't have any trouble getting a new room. Nearly all the outer buildings should be finished by now, except Sago and SL.

happymomof1 - I do not think there are drinks out 24 hours a day any longer at any of the CL lounges. I believe I read they have now switched to a water dispenser, rather than the bottles of Evian (BlueSkies, jump in here - you were just in CL! ), so I'm not sure if you can still get a bottle for the room or not. Ask when you arrive; if not, just run down to Sandy Cove and buy a large bottle - it's pricey for water, but not that much in the scheme of things, I always do it when in a non-CL room.

If you are pop drinkers you can grab a few cans from the CL coolers early in the day to keep in your fridge for late night drinks.

Yes, k&a&c'smom....it was a wonderful time for my sisters and me: to have my dad sharing memories and actually seeing the place where they spent time together when they were dating.

I forget who asked me about when my next WDW visit was....we will be there the week of May 26. (part of the week) 40-something days....
(I still cannot figure out how to do a vacation ticker! )

 

[trishadono]

Yes, k&a&c'smom....it was a wonderful time for my sisters and me: to have my dad sharing memories and actually seeing the place where they spent time together when they were dating.

I forget who asked me about when my next WDW visit was....we will be there the week of May 26. (part of the week) 40-something days....
(I still cannot figure out how to do a vacation ticker! )

Love hearing about family good times

It was me about dates. I will be there 5/30-6/4 at poly CL. We have a tea room ressie on the 2nd at 2:10. ( me and dd19 only this trip for my 50 th bday present ,which actually is today)

Got my passholder MB's and magical express, picked our FP+ so all that is left is just to pack.

 

[grannyminnie]

Love hearing about family good times

It was me about dates. I will be there 5/30-6/4 at poly CL. We have a tea room ressie on the 2nd at 2:10. ( me and dd19 only this trip for my 50 th bday present ,which actually is today)

Got my passholder MB's and magical express, picked our FP+ so all that is left is just to pack.

We are leaving the day you arrive... Speaking of MBs, I need to order ours right now, now that I know what color my sister wants.

And yes, Blue, I know I need to also make dining ressies!! Kind of undecided still tho..

 

[Ferrentinos]

Haha! That's great! Btw, when are your Citricos and 1900 ADR's?

1900 Park Fare is on July 17 at 5:55pm and Citricos is on July 21 at 6pm. Any match-ups?

We did indeed book a cabana again - morning of July 18! Super excited! It was going to be a pool day anyway - this makes it just that much better! So no we have two cabana days - so excited!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks. Haven't done the tea since she was in 1st grade and now she's a freshman in HS. She takes after me and loves tea.

The Grand afternoon tea is wonderful, DD and I have done it regularly since she was a little girl. I hope it is available in some form during your visit.

....

k&a&c'smom Thanks for all of the links and keeping the menus as well as everything else updated around here!! I think the tea room is just lovely...didn't realize it was slated for a refurb....


~ DD and I are both counting down until our trip..we finally are under the 60 day mark..... Have our ADRs..and our FPP... personalized our MBs...we are beginning a collection..lol.. ( I still think that pink is my fave )...lol..Now if June would just get here!!!

Hope that everyone is having a fabulous Friday!!!

Holding my breath...will I be over on my smilie count???? does anyone else have this problem??? MickeyNut How about you...you are a super duper multi quoter..?? LOL...

LOL about the super duper multi-quoter, she is indeed. I hold my breath, too, when I do a preview of my post - I'm always over if I have even a medium length post.

They've been talking about a Tea Room expansion/renovation for a while now. I think it was nearly 2 years ago, we had a server who said they were being told it was imminent. LOL! Nothing like advace warning.

Next question-px-posted....


Okay-who has great knowledge of the GF RPC??? We are staying here in a few weeks. We have 3 deluxe rooms reserved. Last time we stayed RPC we stayed on the 4th floor, across the way from the lounge...with a view of the beach pool. We could see the Epcot ball far off in the distance (which also meant seeing their fireworks), and we saw the light parade nightly. I loved this location. I loved hearing the piano or the band from the lobby, and being able to let our oldest walk across to the lounge to grab a cookie while I watched from our doorway.

SO-with that in mind, what can I request for the room assigner to be in the same area? I *think* it might have been a south facing room? Not sure what it means to have a "deluxe" room. Oh-and to complicate matters we want to connect with my Mom and my aunt. I know, too many requests, right?

What type of deluxe rooms do you have booked? If you have "deluxe - Main building" booked, I'm afraid you will not be able to have all 3 over the Beach Pool area. There are only 2 of these rooms on that side, which do not connect (4322 & 4422); the 4 others overlook the courtyard pool. If any of your deluxe rooms are "king deluxe - Main bldg.", you could have all 3 rooms in that area, but none will connect.

Deluxe rooms have 2 queen beds and a large sitting area with couch, table and chairs. They sleep 4. There are two layouts, rectangular or triangular - the 4 over the courtyard are rectangular, and connect.

The king deluxe rooms used to sleep 2, but they have recently been re-categorized to sleep 3 with a rollaway.

Here is the description of the king deluxe rooms, from the first page:

There are two room types within the Main Building/Deluxe/King category. These include the 6 turret rooms located in the towers of the main building, and the second floor (Clarendon Level) honeymoon rooms. The second floor honeymoon rooms are approximately the same size as the standard rooms, have a Jacuzzi tub and a balcony with views of the MK, but no wet bar or walk-in closet. Turret rooms are larger than the Jacuzzi rooms, but do not have the Jacuzzi tub or private balcony. Instead, you'll find a spectacular view with windows all the way around the suite, walk in closet and a garden tub.

HTH!

Yes, k&a&c'smom....it was a wonderful time for my sisters and me: to have my dad sharing memories and actually seeing the place where they spent time together when they were dating.

I forget who asked me about when my next WDW visit was....we will be there the week of May 26. (part of the week) 40-something days....
(I still cannot figure out how to do a vacation ticker! )

Sounds like a wonderful trip with your family, a much needed healing.

Won't be long now! For the vacation ticker, you will need to visit a website that creates them, choose one and add it in your signature (or, I think the DIS now has a ticker maker, I'll see if I can find a link if you like).

Love hearing about family good times

It was me about dates. I will be there 5/30-6/4 at poly CL. We have a tea room ressie on the 2nd at 2:10. ( me and dd19 only this trip for my 50 th bday present ,which actually is today)

Got my passholder MB's and magical express, picked our FP+ so all that is left is just to pack.

Happy Belated Birthday!! Hope you had a great day.

....

We did indeed book a cabana again - morning of July 18! Super excited! It was going to be a pool day anyway - this makes it just that much better! So no we have two cabana days - so excited!

 

[grannyminnie]

Trish, I overlooked that yesterday was your birthday....happy
belated birthday!!

 

[yce22princess]

1900 Park Fare is on July 17 at 5:55pm and Citricos is on July 21 at 6pm. Any match-ups? We did indeed book a cabana again - morning of July 18! Super excited! It was going to be a pool day anyway - this makes it just that much better! So no we have two cabana days - so excited!

No matches there! We have Citricos on the 19th and 1900 on the 25th. The airline just changed our departure time on arrival day too. We were supposed to leave at 10:45am and now the flight leaves at 6am!!! We get into MCO at 8:10. I just booked Sanaa for lunch so we can kill some time at AKL/AKV after we drop our bags off at the GF before the room is ready. Thankfully, we'll have a car too. Not going to complain about some extra time at Disney, but wow, that's going to be a VERY early morning for us!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi, GF pals... Been MIA (to use ahcupcake's phrase) because my dad took us three "girls" to Richmond, Va. for a "memories" trip. He and my mom have a history there. It was such a special time; I'll never forget it!

Mickeynut, is it a capris and flip-flop day for you today?? We are getting into those nice spring days here in Ga. when the temps can get into the upper 70s. I guess you'd be ready to don your swimsuit at that!!

I think we're in the mid-40s in our countdown. Sooo ready!

What a nice trip for you and your sisters with your dad . I'm sure it was great to spend some quality family time with your dad .

Yes, the capris and flip flops are in use .....the last 2 days have been gorgeous with temps in the mid 60s, with today possibly hitting 75 . LOL on the swimsuit in 70 degree temps ....but you're right....after the winter we've had, 70s would feel like a heat wave .

Your trip is getting close......40 something days will pass by before you know it .

mickeynut - YES! Finding a new manicurist or stylist is the worst.

I hope it doesn't take long for you to find a new manicurist .

MickeyNut Hey!!

~ DD and I are both counting down until our trip..we finally are under the 60 day mark..... Have our ADRs..and our FPP... personalized our MBs...we are beginning a collection..lol.. ( I still think that pink is my fave )...lol..Now if June would just get here!!!

Holding my breath...will I be over on my smilie count???? does anyone else have this problem??? MickeyNut How about you...you are a super duper multi quoter..?? LOL...

Hey Blue .

Your trip will be here before you know it .

LOL on holding your breath about the smilies. I run into that a lot as I always seem to be behind and have to do a lot of multi-quoting and have to delete quite a few smilies as I'm always usually over the limit too .

I still cannot figure out how to do a vacation ticker!

There are a few sites for tickers, but I use myvacationcountdown.com.

1. Click on "vacation countdown"
2. Select your background
3. Scroll down to the bottom and click on "step 2: choose your slider"
4. Choose your slider
5. Scroll down to the bottom and click on "step 3: input text"
6. Put your information in and click on "create ticker"
7. Copy and paste into your signature

HTH

We did indeed book a cabana again - morning of July 18! Super excited! It was going to be a pool day anyway - this makes it just that much better! So no we have two cabana days - so excited!

Sounds like a great way to spend a couple of afternoons .

 

[grannyminnie]

Mickeynut, thanks for the info....it's just that I don't get the "copy and paste" thingy... I've been told how to do that, but forget every time!! The rest of it, I can follow...

 

[mickeynut1]

Mickeynut, thanks for the info....it's just that I don't get the "copy and paste" thingy... I've been told how to do that, but forget every time!! The rest of it, I can follow...

After you've created the ticker, highlight the PseudoHTML code. Just put the curser at the beginning and click once....it should then highlight in blue. Once highlighted, put the curser over the highlighted area and right click once. This will bring up some options....click on "copy". Then go into your signature. Once in your signature, put the curser where you want the ticker, right click, then choose "paste". Click on "preview signature" to see if it took.

 

[BlueSkies]

We did indeed book a cabana again - morning of July 18! Super excited! It was going to be a pool day anyway - this makes it just that much better! So no we have two cabana days - so excited!

Double the enjoyment! Glad that you were able to book another day!

The airline just changed our departure time on arrival day too. We were supposed to leave at 10:45am and now the flight leaves at 6am!!! We get into MCO at 8:10. I just booked Sanaa for lunch so we can kill some time at AKL/AKV after we drop our bags off at the GF before the room is ready. Thankfully, we'll have a car too. Not going to complain about some extra time at Disney, but wow, that's going to be a VERY early morning for us!

That sure is an early start to the day...but what could be better than more Disney time! A suggestion...let CRO note on your ressie that you are arriving early... even let them know the time that you think you will be at the resort.. by maybe 9:30...there is a decent possibility that you will be able to have a room ready for you...

Mickeynut, thanks for the info....it's just that I don't get the "copy and paste" thingy... I've been told how to do that, but forget every time!! The rest of it, I can follow...

You can do it!!!!!

MickeyNut Good to know that I am not in the over on the smilies club by myself...seems k&a&c'smom is a member too....lol... what a distinction huh??? LOL... BTW its flip flop weather here today too....

k&a&c'smom Well I guess it just took them a while to get the tea room refurb on the schedule..lol...another thing to be curious about...I wonder what general décor and color scheme it will have...??? Fingers crossed for no reds...and continuing the airy Victorian look that it currently has...

Thanks for the detailed info on the deluxe queens rooms...I always forget that there are a few over on the other side of the atrium with a beach pool view....

~ Well...I was feeling a little worried that I was going to miss staying at the GF this trip....soooo..we decided to add on a few extra days....and now have an extra looong weekend..lol.. GF here we come...lol...I did apply some Disney math and some Disney logic to accomplish this... ..I know that you all understand...

Hope that everyone is having a super Saturday!

 

[bhyer]

Thanks so much for posting how to do the ticker. I have wondered for ages and was too chicken to ask. I think I got it right!! Feel like I've accomplished something major today

 

[Ferrentinos]

No matches there! We have Citricos on the 19th and 1900 on the 25th. The airline just changed our departure time on arrival day too. We were supposed to leave at 10:45am and now the flight leaves at 6am!!! We get into MCO at 8:10. I just booked Sanaa for lunch so we can kill some time at AKL/AKV after we drop our bags off at the GF before the room is ready. Thankfully, we'll have a car too. Not going to complain about some extra time at Disney, but wow, that's going to be a VERY early morning for us!

That will be an early morning - we've done that flight many-a-times! DD always falls asleep on the DME from the airport which helps recharge her batteries! At least it is leaving earlier and not later! That would really make me mad!