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

[BlueSkies]

Happy 4th everyone!!

So I survived DD's sweet 16 party along with my other DD's b-day...been an exhausting week for sure.

Today was a complete wash out for us with the lousy weather but we did manage to do a little outlet shopping . Picked up a few more moisture wicking tops and shorts for me & the girls (a definite must for August weather) and now my oldest has proclaimed she is bringing out her suitcase tomorrow .

Regarding the pool chairs...I was so hoping this wouldn't be an issue at the Grand. As much as I do love the BC and SAB, the whole chair "hogging" there is ridiculous but I do admit that I am another who will not hesitate to move towels if I see no activity for a while.

Hope everyone enjoyed their day today!!

Glad the parties went well... Now you can concentrate on your trip!! There was plenty of pool chair hogging going on during our ast trip...This always baffles me...if a family is planning on spending lots of time IN the pool why not just put your belongings on one chair... General lack of commmon courteys... But as I said they do seem to be monitoring that now..thank goodness...since there is a lot more going on at the pools...

10 days to go!!

Anyone have some last minute tips about the GF? We are planning a lot of resort time so is there anything that I may not know to do there?? SO EXCITED!!!

The time will fly!! Hmmm...last minute tips... I would say just really take the time to enjoy the resort..stroll the grounds and be sure to spend some time in the incredible lobby.. Which is especially lovely in the evening when the GF Society Orchestra or the pianist are playing their wonderful music...

Sue I have not seen solar gel amongst the toiletries offered at the GF??? During our most recent stay there were the usuals shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, face soap, bath soap, glycerin soap (lots of soap..lol..) body wash and mint foot rub..just checked my stash to be sure I didn't miss anything??? There was however solar gel at the CR??? Maybe as k&a&c'smom said you can request it from housekeeping..?? I am now curious about this and would love if yo can fill us in after your trip!

k&a&c'smom As they say a picture is worth a thousand word..besides..always love it when you post your lovely pics..That looks like SL to me??

Hey ahcupcake!! Nice to see you! and hello to all the rest of my fellow GF fans...


~ I dont recall who asked?? Sorry..About the RPC lounge refurb...from what I understand it will be same as all of the outer buildings... new carpet, wallpaper, furnishings...I am curious too..and hoping it will look great!!

Hope that everyone is having s super Saturday... preppy GF gal who still cant find dining during the MVMCP...

 

[mickeynut1]

So I survived DD's sweet 16 party along with my other DD's b-day...been an exhausting week for sure.

Today was a complete wash out for us with the lousy weather but we did manage to do a little outlet shopping . Picked up a few more moisture wicking tops and shorts for me & the girls (a definite must for August weather) and now my oldest has proclaimed she is bringing out her suitcase tomorrow .

Glad you survived the party.....hope everything went well . Yay for shopping and your DD getting her suitcase out .

mckeynut1 thank you!! I'm starting to get excited. We actually leave for Florida 8/7 will be traveling around before wdw. So really it's a shorter countdown. 33 days till we leave!!

You're welcome . Sounds like you have a great trip planned .

Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome .

10 days to go!!

Anyone have some last minute tips about the GF? We are planning a lot of resort time so is there anything that I may not know to do there?? SO EXCITED!!!

I was going to say the same thing as BlueSkies.....take time to enjoy the resort .

About the RPC lounge refurb...from what I understand it will be same as all of the outer buildings... new carpet, wallpaper, furnishings...I am curious too..and hoping it will look great!!

I also hope it looks great, but I'm so afraid it will follow how everything else has been done .

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

k&a&c'smom Thanks for the info on the lifejackets. I figured they were at the marina but I am hoping for some at one of the pool "houses" as well. Less of a walk...lol

Happy 4th everyone!!

So I survived DD's sweet 16 party along with my other DD's b-day...been an exhausting week for sure.

Today was a complete wash out for us with the lousy weather but we did manage to do a little outlet shopping . Picked up a few more moisture wicking tops and shorts for me & the girls (a definite must for August weather) and now my oldest has proclaimed she is bringing out her suitcase tomorrow .

Regarding the pool chairs...I was so hoping this wouldn't be an issue at the Grand. As much as I do love the BC and SAB, the whole chair "hogging" there is ridiculous but I do admit that I am another who will not hesitate to move towels if I see no activity for a while.

Hope everyone enjoyed their day today!!

Glad to hear eveything went well for the sweet 16 party We are not throwing a party for DD's golden sweet 16. We are going out to a restaurant of her choice (if she could make up her mind...lol) and giving her a card with a special message. She thinks she is getting her Dad's old car when she passes her driver's test but we have decided to get her a new car(lease) as her special surprise in the card. Also--this WDW/Uni vacay is part of her birthday celebration

Sorry about the rain but YAY for shopping!!! What brand of moisture wicking tops do you prefer? Does it really make a difference? This is our first summer trip to WDW and would love to hear your experience with that.

10 days to go!!

Anyone have some last minute tips about the GF? We are planning a lot of resort time so is there anything that I may not know to do there?? SO EXCITED!!!

So excited for you!!! Pretty soon you will be in SINGLE DIGITS

I have not seen solar gel amongst the toiletries offered at the GF??? During our most recent stay there were the usuals shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, face soap, bath soap, glycerin soap (lots of soap..lol..) body wash and mint foot rub..just checked my stash to be sure I didn't miss anything??? There was however solar gel at the CR??? Maybe as k&a&c'smom said you can request it from housekeeping..?? I am now curious about this and would love if yo can fill us in after your trip!

WOW....I love mint foot cream/scrub/etc. So happy to hear that is an option! I would love to use that on my tired puppies after a long day in the park

 

[jhaig]

So I have an outer building garden view room booked. What is the best way to make a specific room request at GF? Do I fax a request the week before check-in? I know not to request a specific room number, but if my main request is to get a top floor non-connecting room would that be asking too much?

 

[Sue M]

So I have an outer building garden view room booked. What is the best way to make a specific room request at GF? Do I fax a request the week before check-in? I know not to request a specific room number, but if my main request is to get a top floor non-connecting room would that be asking too much?

Phone reservations and have your request noted on your reservation. If you are requesting upper room it may be a dormer.
Some like it, some don't.

Blueskies I will report back on my haul!!

 

[mickeynut1]

So I have an outer building garden view room booked. What is the best way to make a specific room request at GF? Do I fax a request the week before check-in? I know not to request a specific room number, but if my main request is to get a top floor non-connecting room would that be asking too much?

As Sue M posted, call and have your requests noted on your reservation. I don't think "top floor, non-connecting" is too much. With that said, sometimes requests get overlooked so if you don't get a room that meets your requests, you can always ask if one is available. It's not guaranteed that your requests will be met, but it never hurts to ask as the CMs are usually very accommodating (provided what you want is available). As far as faxing in requests, a lot of resorts have stopped accepting faxes. The only ones I know of that still accept them are POR and POFQ. Hopefully someone will be able to verify that or correct me if I'm wrong. HTH .

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Some of the threads/posters on these boards scare the heck out of me!

Yup, agreed...it's making me not want to stay at WL. We were just commanded not to speak about the pool closure.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

As k&a&c'smom posted, the patio is enclosed with a railing and landscaping (and you can't leave the patio and enter the grounds). I also think the patio looks to be the same size as the balcony. I would choose an upper floor over a patio, but that's just because I don't like first floor rooms .

Hope you have a great trip and enjoy the GF .



Sounds like you are ready to go .



You will be checking into the GF before you know it .







Glad you are enjoying this thread. I also think everyone here is very friendly .



I agree with k&a&c'smom that multi-quoting is an easy way to respond to several posters at once without having multiple posts. With that said, I hope you are able to gather any information you are looking for; if not, feel free to ask any questions you may have as there are a lot of very informative (as well as friendly) posters here .







Hi ahcupcake .....nice to "see" you here again .

Thanks for the flower

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

10 days to go!!

Anyone have some last minute tips about the GF? We are planning a lot of resort time so is there anything that I may not know to do there?? SO EXCITED!!!

Jealous!

 

[cattywampus]

I also think Solar Gel and Mint Foot Rub are CL amenities. They are club level at Grand Californian in DLR and the two hotels seem to run similarly.

I also think Housekeeping would bring you some upon request. I have both in my house right now.

Without looking back, I can't remember who said the liked the body butter better than the new lotion, but YES!

I also miss the old screw top containers. They were perfect re-use containers. I still have several and use them as I travel a lot on business. They work great in the TSA "Put your life in a sandwich sized zip lock bag" program. I was not blessed with good genes, am of a certain age, and need a lot of help -- I don't easily fit into a Baggie!

 

[mystery222184]

Wanted to check in and say hi! Due to the pool closure we thought it was best to take this yr off from the WL and go for the GF Royal Palm Club during the 2nd half of our split stay from Oct. 28-Nov. 2nd. We've only tried Sugarloaf before so we can't wait!

 

[Eliserose]

Does anyone know when the boat to MK starts running in the morning? We have a 7:30 reservation at Chef Mickey, and now due to the monorail hours, not sure how to get there. Thanks!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Does anyone know when the boat to MK starts running in the morning? We have a 7:30 reservation at Chef Mickey, and now due to the monorail hours, not sure how to get there. Thanks!

The bus?

 

[disney meema]

Wanted to check in and say hi! Due to the pool closure we thought it was best to take this yr off from the WL and go for the GF Royal Palm Club during the 2nd half of our split stay from Oct. 28-Nov. 2nd. We've only tried Sugarloaf before so we can't wait!

Welcome your plans sound amazing!! We are going a split stay also due to the WL pool closure as well, the construction zone part was a deal breaker for us. We are staying 10 nights at animal kingdom lodge CL to get our lodge theme fix and then 3 nights at GF Royal palms club. I've also done SL but never RPC just like you. Our trip is Nov 9 - 22 so hoping to see the gingerbread house being build and a bit of Christmas decorations since it's been reported the decorations start going up the week before Thanksgiving so hoping. Where did you decide to stay for the first half of your trip?
I'll be looking forward to your trip report and any pictures you have from RPC as you return. It's under refurb right now so I'm sure it will be fabulous when you arrive : )

 

[Lisann]

I also miss the old screw top containers. They were perfect re-use containers. I still have several and use them as I travel a lot on business. They work great in the TSA "Put your life in a sandwich sized zip lock bag" program. I was not blessed with good genes, am of a certain age, and need a lot of help -- I don't easily fit into a Baggie!

I needed this laugh today!!!

 

[Lisann]

Does anyone know when the boat to MK starts running in the morning? We have a 7:30 reservation at Chef Mickey, and now due to the monorail hours, not sure how to get there. Thanks!

Almost always without fail, there are one or two times on our vacations at WDW where we will need to take a cab/taxi to get somewhere. That's an option. Works for us.

 

[mystery222184]

Welcome your plans sound amazing!! We are going a split stay also due to the WL pool closure as well, the construction zone part was a deal breaker for us. We are staying 10 nights at animal kingdom lodge CL to get our lodge theme fix and then 3 nights at GF Royal palms club. I've also done SL but never RPC just like you. Our trip is Nov 9 - 22 so hoping to see the gingerbread house being build and a bit of Christmas decorations since it's been reported the decorations start going up the week before Thanksgiving so hoping. Where did you decide to stay for the first half of your trip? I'll be looking forward to your trip report and any pictures you have from RPC as you return. It's under refurb right now so I'm sure it will be fabulous when you arrive : )

Sounds great! We want to try AKL soon as well! We will be staying @ the Yacht Club at first for easy access to F&W-- Will def post some pics!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Glad to hear eveything went well for the sweet 16 party We are not throwing a party for DD's golden sweet 16. We are going out to a restaurant of her choice (if she could make up her mind...lol) and giving her a card with a special message. She thinks she is getting her Dad's old car when she passes her driver's test but we have decided to get her a new car(lease) as her special surprise in the card. Also--this WDW/Uni vacay is part of her birthday celebration

Sorry about the rain but YAY for shopping!!! What brand of moisture wicking tops do you prefer? Does it really make a difference? This is our first summer trip to WDW and would love to hear your experience with that.

A new car....she is going to be ecstatic, yeah for her!!! Luckily for us, we don't have to figure that part out until Feb. next year (can't get a license before your 16 1/2 here in MA).

As for moisture wicking clothes, I think it's a personal preference but we do like Adidas, Nike and Tek Gear which is a Kohl's brand (we've gotten some great deals at Kohl's on all the above ). I find because we are more on the go during the day and it is so hot, we like the lighter moisture wicking fabric. At night, we tend to slow it down so regular shorts and a lighter top or a sundress with flip flops works just fine.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

A new car....she is going to be ecstatic, yeah for her!!! Luckily for us, we don't have to figure that part out until Feb. next year (can't get a license before your 16 1/2 here in MA).

As for moisture wicking clothes, I think it's a personal preference but we do like Adidas, Nike and Tek Gear which is a Kohl's brand (we've gotten some great deals at Kohl's on all the above ). I find because we are more on the go during the day and it is so hot, we like the lighter moisture wicking fabric. At night, we tend to slow it down so regular shorts and a lighter top or a sundress with flip flops works just fine.

I agree about Kohl's....my Nike bathing suits (bikini, tankini, and swim skirt - I like to be covered), cover up, and flip flops were all from there and I got great deals on them. A lot of the things for our trip come from there.

 

[A Pirates Mom]

Hello Grand friends
Final payment has been made!! 42 days and counting! So excited for our first GF stay!
I do have a question about the pirate adventure that leaves from GF... Has anyone sent their child by themselves? I think DS (5 1/2) would love it , but as he is an only child he doesn't have a companion to take along. He's not a clinger by any means- but I would hate for him to freak and ruin the other kids fun. Thoughts??