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

[Lisann]

Hi, Ladies (& Gents).

Here are a few photos for your enjoyment!

Here's me pointing to the light detail on the ceiling.



Here's the ceiling light detail.



The Big Pine Key lobby chandelier. Gorgeous.



The day we left. Weather in the 70's and dry, blue skies. Hated to leave. We did the "Floridian Frown" as we walked down the hall with our suitcases

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

How long of a drive will that be???

It's 1344 miles, or 21 hours if you drove without stopping!
Yup! I'm scared! Lol! We booked the autotrain home. I just couldn't bear the thoughts of driving all the way home, so we only have 8 hours drive from Washington where the autotrain stops, to home.

 

[BC1836]

It's 1344 miles, or 21 hours if you drove without stopping!
Yup! I'm scared! Lol! We booked the autotrain home. I just couldn't bear the thoughts of driving all the way home, so we only have 8 hours drive from Washington where the autotrain stops, to home.

It's time to join the "For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only" thread on the Transportation board. [See page one, post #1 for the all-time driving records.]

You are all invited!

All the best.

 

[Sue M]

Lisa thanks for the pics!! It's making me very excited for our next stay! We did the Frown too when we left!!

 

[jmskinner]

Just read a thread where the biggest con staying at GF was the buses, are they really that bad?

Does anyone just take the monorail to TTC and hop on a bus to get to the other parks?

 

[AliceIn]

What toiletries do you get in the club level rooms? Do they give you enough for your entire party? I have a family of 5, and we typically don't have enough for all of us to shower with when we get the little bottles. I thought I read on another thread that you get the larger bottles with GF club level, but that may have been a while ago.

Do you know if you can request extra shampoo and conditioner for when you arrive? We'll likely want to swim and shower before dinner, then most of us will want to shower again in the morning before heading out.

 

[Maxie86]

What toiletries do you get in the club level rooms? Do they give you enough for your entire party? I have a family of 5, and we typically don't have enough for all of us to shower with when we get the little bottles. I thought I read on another thread that you get the larger bottles with GF club level, but that may have been a while ago.

Do you know if you can request extra shampoo and conditioner for when you arrive? We'll likely want to swim and shower before dinner, then most of us will want to shower again in the morning before heading out.

The bottles are smaller than they used to be, but you can ask housekeeping for more. They will give you whatever you need or want. You can call, ask a housekeeper when you see them in the hall, or leave a note in the room.

 

[Lisann]

What toiletries do you get in the club level rooms? Do they give you enough for your entire party? I have a family of 5, and we typically don't have enough for all of us to shower with when we get the little bottles. I thought I read on another thread that you get the larger bottles with GF club level, but that may have been a while ago.

Do you know if you can request extra shampoo and conditioner for when you arrive? We'll likely want to swim and shower before dinner, then most of us will want to shower again in the morning before heading out.

We also get extra bottles everyday, too, but they seem to magically appear after we tip mousekeeping.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Happy Saturday...

Just wanted to report we are now in the PIF club and in double-digit countdown mode

 

[BlueSkies]

What toiletries do you get in the club level rooms? Do they give you enough for your entire party? I have a family of 5, and we typically don't have enough for all of us to shower with when we get the little bottles. I thought I read on another thread that you get the larger bottles with GF club level, but that may have been a while ago.

Do you know if you can request extra shampoo and conditioner for when you arrive? We'll likely want to swim and shower before dinner, then most of us will want to shower again in the morning before heading out.

As Maxie said bottles are smaller than they used to be..and they have changed things up a bit...still the standards..all H2O.. shampoo.. conditioner..face soap..bath soap..liquid body wash...but they no longer have the super creamy body butter..its now a hand cream.. oh and there is that nice mint foot rub...

Because of turn down service..you have the opportunity to get additional toiletries twice a day..our experience has been that they will always restock at turn down time as well...

The bottles are smaller than they used to be, but you can ask housekeeping for more. They will give you whatever you need or want. You can call, ask a housekeeper when you see them in the hall, or leave a note in the room.

Hey Maxie...Very true..housekeepers are always great about leaving whatever you need more of..

Happy Saturday...

Just wanted to report we are now in the PIF club and in double-digit countdown mode

Lisann thanks for sharing more of your wonderful pictures! :

I have been reading the room request posts and wanted to ask about noise in the hallways being heard from inside room. Is location near an elevator make a difference? We are going August and have outer building, garden view. I know want upper floor request but was wondering about this. Thanks

We have not found this to be a problem...there is an entrance hallway to each room that is a buffer to the resort the hallways...

It's 1344 miles, or 21 hours if you drove without stopping!
Yup! I'm scared! Lol! We booked the autotrain home. I just couldn't bear the thoughts of driving all the way home, so we only have 8 hours drive from Washington where the autotrain stops, to home.

Wow..thats quite a trip!!

Just read a thread where the biggest con staying at GF was the buses, are they really that bad?

Does anyone just take the monorail to TTC and hop on a bus to get to the other parks?

There is an electronic board at the GF bus stop now that gives you wait times for the various buses..and it updates continually...there is also a CM there to keep guests updated ...

We generally have not had any extra long wait times for the buses..and never considered the bus transportation poor at the GF...

We have on the other hand had long waits at times for the monorail...at a super crowded monorail station...having to wait for one or two more to be able to board..(at different times of the year??..) ...and much prefer using the water launch than the monorail ...

Hope that everyone is having a super Saturday!

 

[Lisann]

AliceIn...We got Spa toiletries on this last visit, with the foot rub (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, hand lotion). I can't remember if it was the Sea Salt scent or the Sea Marine scent. Sorry! I didn't pay attention. But I was not in Club Level.

 

[Sue M]

We had the sea salt last August. I was sure we had the body lotion! Has it changed since last. August . Love the foot cream, so nice after a day on your feet. I kept it in the bedside table so I could put it on before bed.

My daughter had long thick hair, so we always leave a note for housekeeping to leave extra. One day I ran into our housekeeper in the hall, so I asked for extra. She came back with a bag full!!

 

[HairyChest]

What do you guys think i should pick for this christmas? I loved the grand this past trip but my fam wants to save some money so i narrowed it down to 3 places: wilderness lodge, beach club, and contemporary.
Im leaning towards the wilderness lodge but the contemporary rooms and monorail sound good too.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Totally silly questions... does anyone know what brand/type of yogurt is sold at Gasparilla's? How about yogurt that's available in the SL lounge? I'm sure it can vary and isn't guarenteed to always be the same but I'd just like to know if you remember!

Our first GF SL stay is NEXT MONTH! We realized at AKL CL that DD3 doesn't like the light n' fit kind ... and I was just trying to plan ahead. Thanks!!! We are so excited!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Good morning, GF pals... I'm back and definitely doing the "Floridian frown"! We did have a Grand time...it's just never long enough!!

My sister was not feeling totally up to par so we spent much more time at the resort, which is not altogether a bad thing.. It was hot, so staying in meant we got to get in more piano and orchestra time. (Chris is still not back, for those who are interested)

We did get to ride the new mine train, but only once...the day before it's public opening, and we had a FP, which meant we walked right in! And believe me, seeing those standby lines, I was very happy we had that FP!
I loved the ride, and will definitely book it more than once when we go again! It is 90 seconds of fun, and so bright and colorful.

To be continued...(it's early, and I need more coffee!)

 

[davale4]

Just read a thread where the biggest con staying at GF was the buses, are they really that bad?

Does anyone just take the monorail to TTC and hop on a bus to get to the other parks?

I saw that too, but I have yet to experience any problems and we go every year. I always go mid August so I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Good morning all Just thought I would pop in and say hello. Haven't been posting much lately but definitely lurking. I have been busy getting everything set for our upcoming trip. My poor Visa card....bathing suits, shorts, packing cubes, travel toiletries, car service, grocery order, babycakes order....

Happy Saturday...

Just wanted to report we are now in the PIF club and in double-digit countdown mode

Yay!!! Such a good feeling isn't it? Your trip is coming up soon

What do you guys think i should pick for this christmas? I loved the grand this past trip but my fam wants to save some money so i narrowed it down to 3 places: wilderness lodge, beach club, and contemporary.
Im leaning towards the wilderness lodge but the contemporary rooms and monorail sound good too.

How many are in your party and what ages? Those rooms at WL are quite small which would make me lean toward CR. Also like being on the monorail for EP and walking to MK!!!

Totally silly questions... does anyone know what brand/type of yogurt is sold at Gasparilla's? How about yogurt that's available in the SL lounge? I'm sure it can vary and isn't guarenteed to always be the same but I'd just like to know if you remember!

Our first GF SL stay is NEXT MONTH! We realized at AKL CL that DD3 doesn't like the light n' fit kind ... and I was just trying to plan ahead. Thanks!!! We are so excited!!

Can't help with the yogurt choices. I just finished a grocery order for GG and I included our favorite greek yogurt for delivery. I have never seen mention of our yogurt being available at WDW AND it was not on GG website either but I added it to the comments section for them to "purchase" for me. GG has wonderful customer service and might be an alternative for you to get your specific yogurt if you have some other items you want to have delivered as well.

Good morning, GF pals... I'm back and definitely doing the "Floridian frown"! We did have a Grand time...it's just never long enough!!

My sister was not feeling totally up to par so we spent much more time at the resort, which is not altogether a bad thing.. It was hot, so staying in meant we got to get in more piano and orchestra time. (Chris is still not back, for those who are interested)

We did get to ride the new mine train, but only once...the day before it's public opening, and we had a FP, which meant we walked right in! And believe me, seeing those standby lines, I was very happy we had that FP!
I loved the ride, and will definitely book it more than once when we go again! It is 90 seconds of fun, and so bright and colorful.

To be continued...(it's early, and I need more coffee!)

Glad you are back but sad to hear your sister was not feeling so magical on the trip. Hope all is well now. I look forward to hearing more from your visit We are looking forward to riding the mine train. I have two FP+ planned for the mine train so that we can have double the fun

 

[Sue M]

What do you guys think i should pick for this christmas? I loved the grand this past trip but my fam wants to save some money so i narrowed it down to 3 places: wilderness lodge, beach club, and contemporary.
Im leaning towards the wilderness lodge but the contemporary rooms and monorail sound good too.

WL at Christmas !!! Second choice BC! Sorry, CR just doesn't appeal to me.

Good morning, GF pals... I'm back and definitely doing the "Floridian frown"! We did have a Grand time...it's just never long enough!!

My sister was not feeling totally up to par so we spent much more time at the resort, which is not altogether a bad thing.. It was hot, so staying in meant we got to get in more piano and orchestra time. (Chris is still not back, for those who are interested)

We did get to ride the new mine train, but only once...the day before it's public opening, and we had a FP, which meant we walked right in! And believe me, seeing those standby lines, I was very happy we had that FP!
I loved the ride, and will definitely book it more than once when we go again! It is 90 seconds of fun, and so bright and colorful.

To be continued...(it's early, and I need more coffee!)

Welcome home!

 

[jmskinner]

I saw that too, but I have yet to experience any problems and we go every year. I always go mid August so I don't know if that makes a difference.

There is an electronic board at the GF bus stop now that gives you wait times for the various buses..and it updates continually...there is also a CM there to keep guests updated ...

We generally have not had any extra long wait times for the buses..and never considered the bus transportation poor at the GF...

We have on the other hand had long waits at times for the monorail...at a super crowded monorail station...having to wait for one or two more to be able to board..(at different times of the year??..) ...and much prefer using the water launch than the monorail ...

Hope that everyone is having a super Saturday!

Thank you for the responses. POR is our favorite resort and people always complain about the buses there and we never really thought they were bad. But, we have ridden the Washington Metro system on a July 4th...now that is horrible.

 

[Sparkly]

Running in quickly to say that wow, the new rooms aren't very Disney. They look like they're from some random upscale hotel anywhere. I prefer the old rooms!

Wish I could afford to stay here. So beautiful.