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

[KonaKaiTom]

Sooooo excited!! Just changed our reservation from CR over to Grand Floridian. Did I mention I'm excited!! Can not wait to stay at this beautiful resort for the first time

Congratulations -- I admit once you stay GF, it is really hard to stay anywhere else -- although my ticker indicates I do cheat on the Grand - but I feel bad about it.

Tom

 

[Lisann]

First thanks for putting together such a great informative thread.

We are surprising my mom with a stay a GF. I am thinking about doing club level. It's been rough for all of us since my dad passed and my mom has chronic health issues so I want to really make this trip special. Any tips for taking a handicapped person to GF?

She uses a walker but will use a wheelchair in the parks and maybe at the resort. I will be booking handicapped room. Are all areas of the resort wheelchair accessible? Does the pool have a water wheelchair?

And of course is club level worth it?? I know that's a trick question. I'm thinking that since my mom can only handle 1/2 days at the parks that she can hang out in the lounge. Anyone who has traveled with a parent who complains too much will understand why I want to keep her safe and happy. This is our fourth time to wdw. We usually stay at CBR but I want our last trip special and mostly free of my wanting to bang my head against the wall. Thanks

Someone else will come along and address the club level aspect, as I haven't stayed club level....yet.

I remember seeing a water wheelchair.

Your mother will love the lobby and music at the Grand!

 

[kgoodb00]

I have always wanted to stay at the Grand. After looking through this thread and seeing the newer room refurbs, I want to stay even more. They look beautiful. When we head to WDW next June, I was debating on staying our first night at the Grand (the rest of the trip would be at BC). Would it be worth it, or do you think it's a hassle to just stay one night and then move to another resort?? We plan on getting into town between 3 and 4 pm and will just have dinner reservations at Chef Mickey's or O'hana and don't plan on going to a park! Any advice, suggestions would be great!!

 

[Lisann]

Congratulations -- I admit once you stay GF, it is really hard to stay anywhere else -- although my ticker indicates I do cheat on the Grand - but I feel bad about it.

Tom

 

[pas130]

Good Morning fellow GF fans!

Back from another grand stay at our fave resort!! Bet there has been lots of planning going on around here....

Lots going on at the GF...SL is in the midst of its renovation...saw workmen checking things in RPC...for its upcoming rehab I suppose...

Will be back later or tomorrow with food news...lol..its always about the food...and renovation details...after a looooong flight delay I am still catchin up on getting back to reality!

Hope that you are all having a terrific Thursday! preppy GF gal who "needed" to book a bounce back!!!

Awesome!!

Trish...I think the more appropriate smiley for RPC at rack rate is ...or ...or !!

Absolutely Doesn't stop me from considering but then I have to multiply by 2 rooms YOWZA

Hello, Grand friends! Sorry I've been out of touch for so long, it has been a busy spring in my house. I'll try to get back into posting mode!

Mickeynut, pixarmom, SueM, Trish and all my Grand Groupies I am unintentionally leaving out

 

[grannyminnie]

Good Morning fellow GF fans!

Back from another grand stay at our fave resort!! Bet there has been lots of planning going on around here....

Lots going on at the GF...SL is in the midst of its renovation...saw workmen checking things in RPC...for its upcoming rehab I suppose...

Will be back later or tomorrow with food news...lol..its always about the food...and renovation details...after a looooong flight delay I am still catchin up on getting back to reality!

Hope that you are all having a terrific Thursday! preppy GF gal who "needed" to book a bounce back!!!

Hi there! Welcome back...so eager to hear your report! Don't keep us in suspense long ...you said you needed to book a bounceback, but did not say you DID!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

First thanks for putting together such a great informative thread.

We are surprising my mom with a stay a GF. I am thinking about doing club level. It's been rough for all of us since my dad passed and my mom has chronic health issues so I want to really make this trip special. Any tips for taking a handicapped person to GF?

She uses a walker but will use a wheelchair in the parks and maybe at the resort. I will be booking handicapped room. Are all areas of the resort wheelchair accessible? Does the pool have a water wheelchair?

And of course is club level worth it?? I know that's a trick question. I'm thinking that since my mom can only handle 1/2 days at the parks that she can hang out in the lounge. Anyone who has traveled with a parent who complains too much will understand why I want to keep her safe and happy. This is our fourth time to wdw. We usually stay at CBR but I want our last trip special and mostly free of my wanting to bang my head against the wall. Thanks

The pools have, at least the beach pool, had a hoyer lift (big one) for handicap access in and out.

Tom

 

[sydneysmom]

Hello !! We're finally planning our next trip to Disney! (even though it's June 2016, I'm still excited....) At first I was settled on the YC or BC, but it's hard not to come back to the GF. So I'm totally unsure at this point.....

So I think I'll hop back on this thread and peek in on all the pictures and trip reviews. Our last trip to the GF was not the best at all.... our first trip was a dream come true trip then the second one kind of stunk. But we all loved the GF so much.... there's a part of me that keeps hearing "pick me!!". I know it's the ONLY one my DH loves....

So, for the next 1 1/2 years, I'm going to drive myself insane overthinking this.... but in the meantime, it's going to be SO much fun to see everyone's pictures!!

 

[disney meema]

Good Morning fellow GF fans! Back from another grand stay at our fave resort!! Bet there has been lots of planning going on around here.... Lots going on at the GF...SL is in the midst of its renovation...saw workmen checking things in RPC...for its upcoming rehab I suppose... Will be back later or tomorrow with food news...lol..its always about the food...and renovation details...after a looooong flight delay I am still catchin up on getting back to reality! Hope that you are all having a terrific Thursday! preppy GF gal who "needed" to book a bounce back!!!

Welcome back and sooo looking forward to reading how fabulous your trip was ... And yes it is about the food too : )

 

[disney meema]

Sooooo excited!! Just changed our reservation from CR over to Grand Floridian. Did I mention I'm excited!! Can not wait to stay at this beautiful resort for the first time

Oh your going to love love love your stay it's so beautiful : )

 

[grannyminnie]

Hmmm, Blue...I see a fall ticker has "magically" appeared!
I love MK when it's decorated for that time of year! If we don't change dates, we will definitely see them; if we do, we may be in between fall and Christmas. Either way, I'll be at my happy place!!

 

[andyman8]

Can't believe I forgot to check in here with you guys after my early June GF stay!

We had an awesome time; I've decided GF is undoubtedly the best hotel at WDW by far. When we checked in, we had booked a Garden View room, but I asked if our room could face the castle. The young man at check-in spent some time looking and upgraded us to a room that I guess you could call a really awesome lagoon view. While you couldn't really see the castle from inside the room, you stepped out on the balcony, turned your head to the left just a tad and had an outstanding, unobstructed view of MK. I got a picture and will try to upload it. It was room 8103 in Boca Chica. I loved that it was on ground floor and you could hear the Main Street entrance loop, stream train, and even MK welcome show from the room. I also faintly saw Celebrate the Magic and got an outstanding view of Wishes from the room. Love that hotel!

In fact, we're trying to get back to the GF for a special birthday in the family in August but of course the night before is all booked up due to some intern convention. I'm holding out hope though and am checking constantly. Hopefully something will open up.

 

[jpalasky]

This is our first time staying at GF. YEAH!!!! Always stay at Poly but with all the changes don't want to be in the middle of that. We are arriving in Sat. January 3rd and there till the 10th. Will the Christmas decorations still be up at GF? How about MK and HS. Hoping to catch some before they start to come down.

 

[Candy Orlando]

Welcome back Blue. Sounds like you had a magical time!

I booked VGF and Jet Blue for Dec and Jan so we are all set for those two trips this year. I also booked VGF for March but Jet Blue hasn't put those flights up yet.

Love to hear all about your Grand vacation!!

 

[trishadono]

I booked VGF and Jet Blue for Dec and Jan so we are all set for those two trips this year. I also booked VGF for March but Jet Blue hasn't put those flights up yet.

!

Sounds perfect! If you need an extra family member I am always available

 

[disney meema]

This is our first time staying at GF. YEAH!!!! Always stay at Poly but with all the changes don't want to be in the middle of that. We are arriving in Sat. January 3rd and there till the 10th. Will the Christmas decorations still be up at GF? How about MK and HS. Hoping to catch some before they start to come down.

I've ask the same questions about when they go up in Nov. so I did read also info. on when they start coming down as well. From what I've read around the 5th of January the take down starts ... I've been at Disneyland during this time and anytime around that first Monday depending on when it falls I'd say your good to see Christmas decorations during your first several days : )
( someone please correct me if I'm mistaken )

Your first stay at GF ... That will be so special and you'll fall on love with the resort for certain

 

[famy27]

Count us in as more displaced Poly guests. We were going to do Poly for DH's 40th in August, but after seeing the most recent posts about the pool closure and not being able to get from one side of the resort to the other, we decided to switch to GF for the first time.

Looking at the pictures in this thread is convincing me we made the right choice, especially the updated room décor. I was always afraid it would seem too old-fashioned, but the new bedding looks great.

We'll be there Aug 29-Sept 2. Can't wait!

 

[jcjen519]

Count us in as more displaced Poly guests. We were going to do Poly for DH's 40th in August, but after seeing the most recent posts about the pool closure and not being able to get from one side of the resort to the other, we decided to switch to GF for the first time.

Looking at the pictures in this thread is convincing me we made the right choice, especially the updated room décor. I was always afraid it would seem too old-fashioned, but the new bedding looks great.

We'll be there Aug 29-Sept 2. Can't wait!

I have a hard time saying the polynesian is not my favorite resort because we grew up staying there. I think this is why it just feels like "disney" to me and always will. We've done 3 stays at the grand floridian since sept. 2013....2 rpc and 1 sl.

I can't honestly say I prefer the polynesian to the grand floridian now. We love everything about the resort and after this last stay...got back sunday...I think it may be officially our new favorite. I'm actually messing around with the AP discounts right now trying to sneak in another short trip before our son starts kindergarten early aug. gotta make the most of those APs right?

 

[MommyGina]

Hi Blue and welcome back. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip and, of course, the food. I think I plan more around our dining than our actual vacation.

 

[Three cats]

Hi Blue and welcome back. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip and, of course, the food. I think I plan more around our dining than our actual vacation.

I am the same way....lol.....I plan around our dining it seems.