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

[Ferrentinos]

Two questions -
We are staying SL in July - do we need to request a renovated room or is the building anticipated to be completed that we don't need to request that?

Also, is there an age restriction for V&A? How long is the dining experience there? DH would LOVE to eat there... but we have DD3 with us... she goes out to eat a lot to sit-down places and does fairly well but I'm not quite sure about V&A... might be a bit above her and we wouldn't want to effect any other diners' experiences with a child. Probably will need to save it for a different trip... but I just thought I'd ask everyone for their thoughts on the matter.

Thanks so much!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Two questions -
We are staying SL in July - do we need to request a renovated room or is the building anticipated to be completed that we don't need to request that?

Also, is there an age restriction for V&A? How long is the dining experience there? DH would LOVE to eat there... but we have DD3 with us... she goes out to eat a lot to sit-down places and does fairly well but I'm not quite sure about V&A... might be a bit above her and we wouldn't want to effect any other diners' experiences with a child. Probably will need to save it for a different trip... but I just thought I'd ask everyone for their thoughts on the matter.

Thanks so much!

I believe Sugarloaf should be done by end of June.

Also, I believe that the age limit at V&A is 12 and over.

 

[Ferrentinos]

I believe Sugarloaf should be done by end of June.

Also, I believe that the age limit at V&A is 12 and over.

Thanks for your quick response! the age limit seems to make perfect sense to me. I was surprised that I didn't see one when I looked at it. I didn't think that it would be a good idea for many reasons to experience it on this trip... but I just wanted to be sure! Thanks!

 

[MommyGina]

Ferrentinos-I can't comment on V&A since we have never been there.

However, the SL refurb is supposed to be done beginning of July. All RPC rooms have been taken out of inventory in July. I can't imagine the resort not having any CL rooms available. It sounds like the refurb is on schedule based on other posts. The worst that can happen is that SL refurb is delayed and we get sent to RPC at the same price. That would be a great upgrade! See you in SL in July!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Two questions -
We are staying SL in July - do we need to request a renovated room or is the building anticipated to be completed that we don't need to request that?

Also, is there an age restriction for V&A? How long is the dining experience there? DH would LOVE to eat there... but we have DD3 with us... she goes out to eat a lot to sit-down places and does fairly well but I'm not quite sure about V&A... might be a bit above her and we wouldn't want to effect any other diners' experiences with a child. Probably will need to save it for a different trip... but I just thought I'd ask everyone for their thoughts on the matter.

Thanks so much!

Your SL question has been answered, but I wanted to clarify that the age requirement for V&A is 10.

 

[davale4]

I hope you have a good time at V&A. I can't comment on it as we've never eaten there, but those that have experienced it seem to really like it .

Thanks, I just feel we'll be throwing away money because of me, but I have heard other picky eaters saying how they tried things and loved it. Every year we go, my DH wants to make a reservation and I talk him out of it. I suggested that he could go "solo" but he said no. Soooo, I am going to try my hardest to be adventurous. I also have allergies, but they address that as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[davale4]

When booking a reservation at V&A state your allergies and preferences; the restaurant will accomodate your requests. I am possibily allergic to two foods and dislike another, and V&A has tailored my menu nine times.

Go ahead and book a V&A dinner. And enjoy!

All the best.

Thank you! I was wondering if I should state my allergies now or wait until they called. I keep debating if I should say my dislike or just go for it. I change my mind every second. My DH will eat anything, but I really don't like fish .

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks, I just feel we'll be throwing away money because of me, but I have heard other picky eaters saying how they tried things and loved it. Every year we go, my DH wants to make a reservation and I talk him out of it. I suggested that he could go "solo" but he said no. Soooo, I am going to try my hardest to be adventurous. I also have allergies, but they address that as well. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I can understand your hesitation as I'm not a very adventurous eater either, but it's good that you are willing to give it a try for your DH . Disney is very accommodating when it comes to allergies and other dietary needs, so I'm sure you will be well taken of .

 

[Mousemommy1]

I can understand your hesitation as I'm not a very adventurous eater either, but it's good that you are willing to give it a try for your DH . Disney is very accommodating when it comes to allergies and other dietary needs, so I'm sure you will be well taken of .

That second Bulls video makes me crack up everytime I see it.

 

[davale4]

I can understand your hesitation as I'm not a very adventurous eater either, but it's good that you are willing to give it a try for your DH . Disney is very accommodating when it comes to allergies and other dietary needs, so I'm sure you will be well taken of .

Since we had our kids, our main vacation every year has been Disney. My DH was never too thrilled. He says he wants to vacation at a place were he can relax (not parks, where you are walking around in the heat). After trying a few Disney Resorts, he fell in love with GF RCP. We are happy and he can relax and the rest is history. No more complaining from DH. So I figured if he was gracious enough to put up with Disney for us, I guess I can do this for him .

 

[mickeynut1]

That second Bulls video makes me crack up everytime I see it.

LOL.....my oldest picked that one . I always laugh when I see it, too, as I remember that game and loved watching him taunt the Miami players .

Since we had our kids, our main vacation every year has been Disney. My DH was never too thrilled. He says he wants to vacation at a place were he can relax (not parks, where you are walking around in the heat). After trying a few Disney Resorts, he fell in love with GF RCP. We are happy and he can relax and the rest is history. No more complaining from DH. So I figured if he was gracious enough to put up with Disney for us, I guess I can do this for him .

I can see how RPC changed your DH's mind . My DH and both DSs like Disney and although they don't love it the way I do, they do have a great time when we go and they put up with my Disney obsession, but staying at a resort they really like also helps .

 

[davale4]

I can see how RPC changed your DH's mind . My DH and both DSs like Disney and although they don't love it the way I do, they do have a great time when we go and they put up with my Disney obsession, but staying at a resort they really like also helps .

Haha! Yes, staying at a resort he likes has helped a lot .

 

[Mousemommy1]

Haha! Yes, staying at a resort he likes has helped a lot .

Someday, I would love to get a few nights in at RPC. It's just so darn expensive. This summer we are trying Sugarloaf. I think it will suit our needs though!

 

[davale4]

Someday, I would love to get a few nights in at RPC. It's just so darn expensive. This summer we are trying Sugarloaf. I think it will suit our needs though!

Our first stay, we had a split reservation with SL and RPC but we were upgraded to RPC. We actually had to check in and check out again to a different room at RPC. We never got to try SL. I hear it's wonderful too! My DH fell in love with the atmosphere and the music at RPC. We have been very fortunate in getting pin codes every year. I don't think I could pay rack rate no matter how great.

 

[mickeynut1]

My DH fell in love with the atmosphere and the music at RPC.

It's hard to beat the atmosphere of RPC .

 

[davale4]

It's hard to beat the atmosphere of RPC .

That is what we love about the GF, the atmosphere . We actually spend a lot of time at the resort. My kids love it there. Going to Disney is not just about the parks even for the kids. Sometimes we would get up and DD would say she didn't want to go anywhere that she wanted to stay and enjoy the GF. Her favorite place is Basin White. She can spend large amounts of time there!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our first stay, we had a split reservation with SL and RPC but we were upgraded to RPC. We actually had to check in and check out again to a different room at RPC. We never got to try SL. I hear it's wonderful too! My DH fell in love with the atmosphere and the music at RPC. We have been very fortunate in getting pin codes every year. I don't think I could pay rack rate no matter how great.

No, no, no.....no rack rate here! We've been lucky enough to use the military discount over the years.

But....we also stay 10 nights at a time, and 10 nights at RPC (even at 40% off) makes me

 

[mickeynut1]

That is what we love about the GF, the atmosphere . We actually spend a lot of time at the resort. My kids love it there. Going to Disney is not just about the parks even for the kids. Sometimes we would get up and DD would say she didn't want to go anywhere that she wanted to stay and enjoy the GF. Her favorite place is Basin White. She can spend large amounts of time there!

We are the same way. We spend a lot more time at the resort than we do the parks. We're lucky if we spend 8-10 hours total at the parks during a 7-8 night stay. We enjoy the parks, but tend to hit one in the morning (but not every day) for an hour or two (if that), then head back to the resort to swim, relax, etc. and sometimes head to another park for an hour or so after dinner (although sometimes we just visit other resorts, head to DTD, or just head back to our resort and enjoy the evening there). The parks are fun, but there are so many other things to do at Disney and we've gone so many times that not going to the parks at all wouldn't be a big deal for us. With that said, we are thinking of doing a resort only trip in January, which is rather appealing to me .

 

[Lisann]

I agree with you all. I'd be happy to spend most of my time at the resort. We always plan our vacations around the resort and, of course, food.

A cabana by the beach pool, close my eyes and forget my cares under the warm May sun...back to my beautiful room for a shower with Spa products left by mousekeeping...then out the door to Summer Lace...candles and lotions at Basin White...tea and scones...a monorail over to Poly just for fun...Citricos for dinner....

What's not to like?

 

[baler31]

Just wanted to pass on that although we are at the Waldorf for this trip we visited some good friends at the GF and got to visit with some of our favorite CM's. Seems as though the plan for the refurb in SL involves enlarging the lounge.

We will be back in July although our RPC reservation was changed to SL because of the refurb. Hopefully, they follow thru on the plan as I was worried about the lounge after reading everyone's comments on the size. Will be our first trip to SL.