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

[k&a&c'smom]

mickeynut, you are a rock star! I think I see several new tickers after your tutorial. Great info. My kids have me trained to do "control C" and "control v" for copy & paste, but your way is much easier for newbies to remember.

The flip flops were in use at my house this weekend, too! It was in the 80s here yesterday, soooo nice. I even got a little hot in the car, had to turn on the a/c, woohoo!

BlueSkies - you hush up! Do not speak the word "red" in conjunction with the Tea Room, I'm gonna have to put you in the corner. Seriously, I, too, hope it retains it's light and airy vibe - so pretty and exactly the right tone for the afternoon tea. I'm gonna miss it, I hope it still has some sort of floral effect. I was just looking at photos of us in the GFC, with the floral paper and I figured that will be going as well.

YAY for extra days at the GF. A long weekend will be perfect, and I heartily condone the use of Disney math.

Yes, I have to raise my hand and admit I'm in the "too many smileys" club. Always have to edit, darn those webmasters and their image count.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

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!

I hope your family is OK with that SUPER early departure. My children are not the type to take naps and cannot fall asleep on-the-go. We swore off early departures several years ago and that was a 7am departure. The whole day, everyone had sour stomachs from the lack of sleep, DH had a short temper , and the kids were SO crabby. The youngest had several meltdowns which resulted in some not-so-magical events in MK and at CP for dinner. Lesson learned. We now choose flights at 9am or later. One year we chose a late flight that arrived at MCO around 10pm. We hired a private car service instead of ME to take us to the hotel. It was great. We brought our luggage into the room with us, changed into pjs, and went to sleep right away. We awoke fresh and ready to go to the parks the next morning. Would totally choose that route again over a super early flight

When I saw your post I got worried because our flight leaves around 10:45ish and I knew the earlier nonstop flight was at 6am. I immediately went to the SW website to make sure our flights had not changed. WHEW! Still the same. Crisis averted!


On another note, I keep checking Tripadvisor hoping travelers will upload more current photos from the refurbed rooms and NOONE is doing so. I am still holding out hope for more pics showing that chair we got a tiny glimpse of several weeks ago. Also keeping fingers crossed for some type of bench being added and that nesting table that is MIA. With a huge flurry of spring break travelers, there have to be some shutterbugs in the bunch that are dying to upload their photos....right?


We had such a nice week with temps in the 50s and 60s. Tomorrow's high is supposed to be 38 degrees with light snow possible. REALLY mothernature? This is so cruel.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Grace&Carolinesmom - I agree! After a week of gradually warmer temps (though quite a few without sun), arriving at 80+ degrees yesterday!, we are looking at a high of 41 tomorrow, with possible snow mixed with the rain.

We have spent years taking the first flight out of KC to MCO, but a few years ago they switched and the first non-stop has been later in the morning. I always thought we preferred the 6:00-7:00 a.m. flights, getting to WDW before noon; now, I realize we were killing ourselves for no real reason. Arriving mid-day or even mid-afternoon is just as good and we don't have to get up quite so bleary-eyed in the a.m. (we live 1-1/2 hours from the airport!).

 

[A Pirates Mom]

Just secured Narcoosee's ADR to surprise hubby for 15th anniversary. Super excited! Ressie is on a hang-out-at-the-resort day. Wondering if I should reserve a cabana as part of the celebration...are the cabanas worth the $$? We will be there end of August, so I know it will be hot!

 

[Ferrentinos]

Just secured Narcoosee's ADR to surprise hubby for 15th anniversary. Super excited! Ressie is on a hang-out-at-the-resort day. Wondering if I should reserve a cabana as part of the celebration...are the cabanas worth the $$? We will be there end of August, so I know it will be hot!

I vote for "YES" - we are booked for one in July - we did it at Poly last summer and didn't regret it at all!

 

[A Pirates Mom]

I vote for "YES" - we are booked for one in July - we did it at Poly last summer and didn't regret it at all!

Thanks!! Do you have to call to reserve? I can't seem to find a way to do it online.

 

[grannyminnie]

I vote for "YES" - we are booked for one in July - we did it at Poly last summer and didn't regret it at all!

I vote Yes also! We have done a cabana a couple of times (half day in the morning) and loved it!! I know the price has risen since then , tho I forget how much we paid. I would do it again tho! Well worth the money, especially in the heat of the summer!!

PS...hey Mickeynut, I did it (the vacation ticker), all except for the weird backslashes around "home"...don't know how that happened but I'm happy to see a ticker! Thanks again for your help!

 

[Ferrentinos]

Thanks!! Do you have to call to reserve? I can't seem to find a way to do it online.

Yes you do have to call. I'm not sure of the number but I am pretty sure it was whatever number you can for ADRs. I actually had the IPO take care of it because we are staying CL.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

To reserve the cabanas, call 407-WDW-PLAY.
I/2 day is $110 + tax - which comes to $132.06.
There is a 24 hr cancellation.
Includes:
2 padded chaise lounges
2 padded straight back chairs
Plush towels
22" LCD tv
Ceiling Fan
Mini fridge stocked with water & sodas
Complimentary fruit basket
Private dining & poolside massages available for additional cost.
HTH

 

[tobin04]

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!

Thank you! This is perfect...so it sounds like we will probably not face the beach pool...since we asked to connect with my Mom. We have Main Building deluxe...no King rooms-too many people!

 

[mickeynut1]

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....

~ 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...

LOL on the over smilie limit club.....looks like it gets a lot of us .

I'm loving this flip flop and capri weather .....although this week temps are supposed to dip into the 40s, so it looks like winter is going to stick around a little longer .

Congrats on booking a few extra days at the Grand.....gotta love that Disney math .

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

You're welcome.....glad I could help . I had to ask my DSs how to do it because I could never figure it out myself . BTW love your ticker .

mickeynut, you are a rock star! I think I see several new tickers after your tutorial. Great info. My kids have me trained to do "control C" and "control v" for copy & paste, but your way is much easier for newbies to remember.

The flip flops were in use at my house this weekend, too! It was in the 80s here yesterday, soooo nice. I even got a little hot in the car, had to turn on the a/c, woohoo!

Awww thanks . I'm glad I was able to help because I have gotten a lot of help on these boards and love helping others when I can . The "control C" and "control v" are ones I've never heard of and sound too complicated for me, so I'll have to stick with my easy way .

We hit 80 yesterday too and it was sooo nice, just wish it would stick around, but doesn't look like it's going to . Hopefully the cold won't last too long this week and the warm temps will be back for all of us soon .

One year we chose a late flight that arrived at MCO around 10pm. We hired a private car service instead of ME to take us to the hotel. It was great. We brought our luggage into the room with us, changed into pjs, and went to sleep right away. We awoke fresh and ready to go to the parks the next morning. Would totally choose that route again over a super early flight

We started doing the late flights about 10 years ago. We took our boys out of school a few times and found cheaper flights the night before we were originally going to arrive, so we booked those with departing times around 7-8 pm, getting into MCO around 10:30-11:30 pm. After that first time doing it that way, we have done that ever since. We have never used DME as we use a car service or rent a car, but I love getting in late and getting settled and waking up the next morning ready to go, rather than spending half of the day traveling .

Just secured Narcoosee's ADR to surprise hubby for 15th anniversary. Super excited! Ressie is on a hang-out-at-the-resort day. Wondering if I should reserve a cabana as part of the celebration...are the cabanas worth the $$? We will be there end of August, so I know it will be hot!

Congrats on getting an ADR for Narcoossees .

We've never rented a cabana, but I agree with the others that I think it would be a great way to spend the afternoon .

PS...hey Mickeynut, I did it (the vacation ticker), all except for the weird backslashes around "home"...don't know how that happened but I'm happy to see a ticker! Thanks again for your help!

You are welcome......I knew you would get it . The ticker looks great .

 

[A Pirates Mom]

To reserve the cabanas, call 407-WDW-PLAY. I/2 day is $110 + tax - which comes to $132.06. There is a 24 hr cancellation. Includes: 2 padded chaise lounges 2 padded straight back chairs Plush towels 22" LCD tv Ceiling Fan Mini fridge stocked with water & sodas Complimentary fruit basket Private dining & poolside massages available for additional cost. HTH

Thank you for the info! Do you happen to know how they break up the 1/2 day? Ex: 8a-12noon, etc...

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Glad to be of assistance!
1/2 day is 10AM - 2 PM OR 3 PM - 7 PM
Whole day is $185 + tax for 10 AM - 7 PM

 

[A Pirates Mom]

Glad to be of assistance! 1/2 day is 10AM - 2 PM OR 3 PM - 7 PM Whole day is $185 + tax for 10 AM - 7 PM

Awesome, thank you! I appreciate your assistance! Sending an email to the TA now to book

 

[yce22princess]

Thank you for the info! Do you happen to know how they break up the 1/2 day? Ex: 8a-12noon, etc...

We have a cabana booked in July and the total cost was actually around $158 for a half day. The times I was given were 10-2 and 3-7. I was wanting a 12-4, but no such luck so we went with the earlier time.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

We have a cabana booked in July and the total cost was actually around $158 for a half day. The times I was given were 10-2 and 3-7. I was wanting a 12-4, but no such luck so we went with the earlier time.

That's interesting, because I booked one in Sept and was told the total w/ tax would be $132.06. Not that it will change things now, but that's a $26 difference in the prices we were quoted.... I wonder if it involves seasonal pricing? (We're reserved on Sept 1)

 

[yce22princess]

That's interesting, because I booked one in Sept and was told the total w/ tax would be $132.06. Not that it will change things now, but that's a $26 difference in the prices we were quoted.... I wonder if it involves seasonal pricing? (We're reserved on Sept 1)

Oh, maybe! My other thought was that maybe the number of people may effect it. We have 4 adults, 2 kids. Hmmm....

 

[A Pirates Mom]

Oh, maybe! My other thought was that maybe the number of people may effect it. We have 4 adults, 2 kids. Hmmm....

I just emailed my TA to book. We will be there in Aug- I'll let you know what price I get quoted.

 

[Ferrentinos]

We have a cabana booked in July and the total cost was actually around $158 for a half day. The times I was given were 10-2 and 3-7. I was wanting a 12-4, but no such luck so we went with the earlier time.

This was the price we were quoted as well for our half day cabana price for July.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Oh, maybe! My other thought was that maybe the number of people may effect it. We have 4 adults, 2 kids. Hmmm....

We have only 3 people and were quoted the same price! Maybe it is more expensive in the summer months?