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

[mickeynut1]

WOW! Quite the active thread yesterday. I had a few pages to read this morning

Snakes.....THIS is why I requested an upper floor

So excited!!! Our Magicbands arrived yesterday. Girls already tried them on but we put them right back in the box for packing

Very unhappy that Disney has decided to monkey around with the July park hours this late in the planning. They TOOK AWAY the EMH on Sundays and moved to Saturdays. Hello?? We already made our plans for dining and FP+. I don't mind them adding hours but closing MK earlier really sucks. I was able to change our evening dining ressie to give us an extra 30 minute earlier evening arrival at MK so that we have more time for rides but I can't change it to any earlier or it messes up our daytime plans. We had planned a late night at MK and sleeping in the next morning with a late arrival to EP. Now we don't really NEED to sleep in but I don't dare change our FP+ times because they changed the tiers since I scheduled and it would mess that up too! OK....I vented a little and I am going to take a deep breath, count to 10, and everything will be okay.......

Yay for the arrival of your MBs . How cute that your DDs had to try them on.

I read that yesterday about the EMH hours changing . But I agree with your look on things....take a deep breath....everything will be fine .

Me again! Sorry, I should probably look back at the first page or two before asking this but since the thread is so active, and you are all so quick and informative with responses, this works easier Can anyone tell me what DME resorts the GF shares and if GF is always the last stop? Just wondering if we should take the DME bus which will take longer, but we get to watch the new videos (we haven't been for 3 years), or book a town car and get there quicker.

Thanks

We've never used DME as we prefer using a car service. Sometimes we rent a car if I find a deal that is comparable in price to the car service, but we like getting off the plane, meeting our driver at baggage claim (or going to the car rental counter), and then heading out to a car that's waiting for us rather than getting on a bus and possibly having to wait to leave MCO and/or have other stops prior to getting to our resort. Everyone is different and while I think DME is a great service, it's nice being just us in the car and getting to our resort within 30-40 minutes of leaving the airport with no stops along the way .

 

[Soopafly]

Not sure on the cost, I think the last time we used one it was around $100 - $115 but it was nice to get to the resort quicker. I think we will leave the DME thrn if it's the last stop. After a 9 hour flight, we will want to be at the resort asap and watch wishes on the beach with a drink.

 

[mickeynut1]

What's the approx. cost of a town car? (and if it matters how many people...2 of us)

We always use Tiffany Town Car. The drivers are always on time and waiting for us in baggage claim, they have always been very friendly & courteous, and the cars have always been clean. A R/T transfer from MCO to any Disney resort is $126 + gratuity. Here is a link:

http://tiffanytowncar.com/index.html

HTH

 

[Aurora0427]

DME definitely picks you up 3 hours before your flight, give or take 15 minutes. It is seriously the most depressing bus ride ever. We rented a car in February and the ride back to the airport was much less depressing. Keep pickup time in mind when booking return flights.... We made the mistake once of booking a 9:30 flight home. That was an early morning after closing down MK the night before.....

 

[sydneysmom]

DME definitely picks you up 3 hours before your flight, give or take 15 minutes. It is seriously the most depressing bus ride ever. We rented a car in February and the ride back to the airport was much less depressing. Keep pickup time in mind when booking return flights.... We made the mistake once of booking a 9:30 flight home. That was an early morning after closing down MK the night before.....

I totally agree.... the bus ride back is SO depressing...especially when you look back and the Grand is getting smaller and smaller and smaller.

 

[lala5176]

Thank you! I hope we do get to see the tree. Anyone have recommendations of meals to try from room service?

Also, I asked a while ago..does M. Mouse Mercantile sell the charms for bracelets/necklaces? At WL it was a huge display.

We just returned Monday and they did sell Camilla (like Pandora)charms for the bracelets. They also sold a few of the charms that "pop" on the other type of charm bracelets.

 

[jcjen519]

I think it's 3 hours..

Oh a duck in the room would be hilarious!

Agreed! In our experience its 3 hours give or take 5-10 minutes.

april - 830am flight - 5:40am mde time (ugh!)
june - 1230pm flight - 9:40am mde time

can't recall other times but those are most recent

make sure to give yourself a little bit of time when you get to the counter whether checking bags or not though. we've always been able to just walk right up except this last time. I happened to get behind two people who took FOREVER. i really don't know why. This caused the longest line i've seen so give yourself a little bit of time.

 

[jcjen519]

Dormer rooms - opinions?

I like to stay on high floors, and I think I wouldn't mind a Dormer room, but want to hear what others think. It will be just me in the room, so a smaller space isn't a concern.
I'm not sure if these are something people want, or something people avoid (thus making it easier to get.)

Overall, I think I'd be happy with anything but a ground level room. But curious what others think/have experienced.

TIA!

we didn't request a dormer room in september (sl) but we ended up with one. It was my husband, myself and our 4 year old. We didn't need the day bed but at first I was a little disappointed but my husband liked it so we kept it.

well we just got back from a couple rpc stays and several of the people in our party had theme park view std rooms. when I visited my sister's I realized why a lot of people prefer the dormer rooms. It did look bigger to me and my sister's room seemed a little cramped. it was only her and her boyfriend. if you don't need the daybed the extra floor space makes the room seem larger and if the ceilings are higher (i think?) that helps too. the one thing I don't like is the smaller balcony and the solid balcony...you can't really sit down and enjoy the view.

If you can request a king room or a non-dormer without the daybed (not sure these exist) you'd probably get the best of both. otherwise...i would consider a dormer room.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We just returned Monday and they did sell Camilla (like Pandora)charms for the bracelets. They also sold a few of the charms that "pop" on the other type of charm bracelets.

Thanks! I have no idea if mine are camilla...they have a lobster clasp, so not pandora-like...they hang off the end like more traditional bracelets from when I was a kid - (80s/90s)...

I know someone else mentioned the charms as well - hope it's the same ones! Thanks you for answering...I don't know how to multi quote.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

We always use Tiffany Town Car. The drivers are always on time and waiting for us in baggage claim, they have always been very friendly & courteous, and the cars have always been clean. A R/T transfer from MCO to any Disney resort is $126 + gratuity. Here is a link:

http://tiffanytowncar.com/index.html

HTH

Round trip as in from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport, for only $126?? Just asking bec that is much less than I thought. I felt like it took at least an hour after we got off the plane to get to the hotel...more like 2. I was starving by the time we got there.

 

[grannyminnie]

That sounds doable to me ($126 RT). If we do end up flying, I am going to check out that site....thanks Mickeynut!

 

[abk96]

Good morning GF fans!

We will be there July 23-27, 2014.

We'll be there the following day. Have a great time!

My parents live out in "the country" near PA in NJ, and have had snakes crawl up the side of the house to try and get in the windows!

NOOO...they climb up buildings!!!!!

STOP WITH THE SNAKES! AHHHH. I AM GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT THIS CONVO IN DECEMBER WHILE TRYING TO GO TO SLEEP IN MY $350 per night room at the GF. LOL

I'm right there with you on this one.

It looks like we're becoming GF-addicted before we even arrive. We just added another night to our stay, so now we'll be there from Aug 28-Sept 2. Our 60-day window opens this weekend. Woo hoo!!!

In our case adding days is very addictive. We added 2 days since we made our reservation.

Does anyone know when the first reservations for SL open up post-renovations? I'd anxiously awaiting reviews on it!!! 19 days until check-in!

I'm anxious too!! WooHoo for 19 days!!!

So excited!!! Our Magicbands arrived yesterday. Girls already tried them on but we put them right back in the box for packing

Very unhappy that Disney has decided to monkey around with the July park hours this late in the planning. They TOOK AWAY the EMH on Sundays and moved to Saturdays. Hello??

It must have been exciting to open up the Magicbands. Ours are supposed to arrive on July 2nd. Can't wait.

And I just saw that Disney changed the park hours a little for July too. I wonder why they did this?

Blue...I've heard about that punch from the Poly too. I'm very interested in hearing what's in it.

Hope everyone has a great Thursday!!!

 

[pas130]

So excited!!! Our Magicbands arrived yesterday. Girls already tried them on but we put them right back in the box for packing

Very unhappy that Disney has decided to monkey around with the July park hours this late in the planning. They TOOK AWAY the EMH on Sundays and moved to Saturdays. Hello?? We already made our plans for dining and FP+. I don't mind them adding hours but closing MK earlier really sucks. I was able to change our evening dining ressie to give us an extra 30 minute earlier evening arrival at MK so that we have more time for rides but I can't change it to any earlier or it messes up our daytime plans. We had planned a late night at MK and sleeping in the next morning with a late arrival to EP. Now we don't really NEED to sleep in but I don't dare change our FP+ times because they changed the tiers since I scheduled and it would mess that up too! OK....I vented a little and I am going to take a deep breath, count to 10, and everything will be okay.......

YAY for Magicbands, and I agree changing the EMH after the 60 day window has affected us too....GRRR

pas Hmmm...what this about the Poly punch I keep hearing about???

It's yummy!!! It's a tropical punch mixed with spirits that goes down very smoothly. I know on Tikiman's site he has the recipe. Stick some in a to go cup and head to MK It's out with the 5pm offerings

We had a first floor room on our second WL stay and then at the Poly (both requested), but that was before I started reading posts on these boards about slithering creatures getting into people's rooms . From that point on I have always requested an upper floor .

I would like to know about this punch as well . I LOVE the juice at Ohana (breakfast), so I'm betting any juice/punch in the lounge has to be just as good .

It IS as good as the AM punch, except with a more adult version! SNAKES! ACK! At WL (7th floor) there were bats by the roof that freaked me out..we have them here too and ARGH

Things can come in your room on the bottom floor ... We left the patio door open and in came a duck! If it had been a snake I would of had a heart attack!!!

Me too

 

[lala5176]

Thanks! I have no idea if mine are camilla...they have a lobster clasp, so not pandora-like...they hang off the end like more traditional bracelets from when I was a kid - (80s/90s)...

I know someone else mentioned the charms as well - hope it's the same ones! Thanks you for answering...I don't know how to multi quote.

Ha. I remember those bracelets!! They did have a few like that. One had Mickey mouse on it and I think another with Cinderella's glass slipper. There may have been more but that's what sticks in my mind.

 

[tinydancer312]

Round trip as in from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport, for only $126?? Just asking bec that is much less than I thought. I felt like it took at least an hour after we got off the plane to get to the hotel...more like 2. I was starving by the time we got there.

I used Happy Limo this past trip and they were great. They are $126 as we'll but I'm pretty sure the mouse savers newsletter has a discount for them! It's so nice getting that extra time to enjoy the lobby and one more SL cookie

 

[trishadono]

Hmmm...what this about the Poly punch I keep hearing

Well last year was mad crazy

I did BLT, CR, Poly, GF ,then GF, VGF ,CR ,Poly in a 15 month time frame. (a little CSR and CBR too)

SO forgive me if I am a little confused

Poly has POG juice that is out in the afternoon and evenings in the dispensers like they use for ice tea, milk etc. I thought they also had it at GF ( I have a picture of my dh drinking some) however I don't know if GF calls it POG juice.

Trishie's Tip: mix half POG with either red or white wine and a little ice for a great afternoon poolside beverage

Then at POLY they have the "special" wine that is in a pitcher at evening appies and again with desserts. It has 11 different beverages mixed, I only remember some: Chardonnay, White Zinfandel , sprite, POG juice, Grand Marinier etc. Very Yummy



Here is me enjoying the view of construction while I enjoy some "special"!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Good Afternoon everyone

All this talk about snakes is freaking me out ...it's the one reason I never want a ground floor room!

I have been like a chicken without a head these past couple of weeks trying to get things ready for my youngest DD's sweet 16 party which is this Saturday already (thank GOD )! Oh and did I mention that we have like 60 people coming??? What was I thinking ...And with so much to do, I'm a "Disney Dreaming" today .

48 more days to go and I will be at my happy place...cannot wait for this trip - we all need it!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

april - 830am flight - 5:40am mde time (ugh!)

Round trip as in from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport, for only $126?? Just asking bec that is much less than I thought. I felt like it took at least an hour after we got off the plane to get to the hotel...more like 2. I was starving by the time we got there.

Yes, transfer from MCO to the resort and back again for $126 (+ gratuity) . We love using a car service as it's nice getting on our way to the resort without any waiting .

That sounds doable to me ($126 RT). If we do end up flying, I am going to check out that site....thanks Mickeynut!

You're welcome .

Good morning GF fans!

In our case adding days is very addictive. We added 2 days since we made our reservation.

I have been known to do that a time or two .

It's yummy!!! It's a tropical punch mixed with spirits that goes down very smoothly. I know on Tikiman's site he has the recipe. Stick some in a to go cup and head to MK It's out with the 5pm offerings

It IS as good as the AM punch, except with a more adult version!

Sounds very yummy . Good idea about putting it into a to-go cup .

Good Afternoon everyone

All this talk about snakes is freaking me out ...it's the one reason I never want a ground floor room!

I have been like a chicken without a head these past couple of weeks trying to get things ready for my youngest DD's sweet 16 party which is this Saturday already (thank GOD )! Oh and did I mention that we have like 60 people coming??? What was I thinking ...And with so much to do, I'm a "Disney Dreaming" today .

48 more days to go and I will be at my happy place...cannot wait for this trip - we all need it!!!

Happy Birthday to your DD .

It won't be long before you're checking into the GF .

 

[Ferrentinos]

I believe the new SL rooms open July 1. 19 days for us too until GF SL!

Are you as excited as I am?????

 

[MommyGina]

Ferrentinos-we are excited as you are!! Already have a pile of things to pack. MagicBands are included in that pile. Hard to believe it's almost here. I'll meet you in SL soon.