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

[BlueSkies]

Popping in to say good afternoon after a 2 day break because some yard work caused us to lose tv, internet and phone service since Tuesday am!!
Makes ya realize how tied we are to our electronics and such~ We felt like fish out of water...

Hope everyone's having a terrific Thursday...(is it ok I stole your phrase, Blue??)

Well I was wondering where you were...... should i ask who was doing the yard work that caused you to lose service... Yup..you're right we do have a strong attachments to our electronics! Glad you are back up and running..missed ya! PS you can copy my phrases any time!!

Good morning! Just wanted to thank everyone on this board for all of your help as we prepare for our first GF SL stay in 4 days! I feel like this was one of the friendliest, most helpful and positive group of people! All of you have helped me so much and I just wanted to thank all of you again! I'll post pictures of SL lounge soon!

I agree...this is a happy group, and such helpful info on here too. Hope you have a wonderful trip and find the GF to be as charming as we all do!
Looking forward to your photos!

What she said!!

Good Morning GF group I just scanned to see the latest happenings....

Well....my visit to the podiatrist for what I *thought* was tendonitis turned south....it seems I have a stress fracture in my left foot. Yes indeed. You read that right. I am less than two weeks from visiting my magical place and I am in a boot (like an air cast?) on my left foot. Ugh. Doc told me to stay in this thing until I head to the parks and hopefully it will have healed enough by then so that I can tolerate walking the parks in just tennis shoes. If not....I will make DH push me in a wheelchair No way I can hobble around the parks in this boot thing. I am keeping my fingers crossed and following ALL doctor's advice and praying this thing heals enough by July 23

On a brighter note.....I placed my cake ,cupcakes, and cookies order from babycakesNYC yesterday to be delivered to the GF. Emily is so nice! Their goodies are expensive but so worth it so my youngest DD can have allergy friendly treats on vacation

Hope everyone has a terrific Friday

Ouch! Hope that you heal up real quick! ... Cupcakes, cookies, and cakes! sounds like you are planning on starting your vacation off right!( I would have said on the right foot!!!...but...) lol...

I wish the official Disneyworld website would update their room photos!

I am not sure why..but it always takes them forever to update their photos after any room refurbishments....

abk You are almost in the single digits!!!!!

MickeyNut Love your new avatar! lol...Looks like Melo is going to be staying where he belongs! As for dinner at LTT..I am kind of worried...really didn't love it when we ate there...Hoping this will be a better experience....

~Lots of fellow GF fans going to our happy place soon... Would love to hear about the Frozen happenings at DHS...something tells me this will turn out to be more than a limited time celebration...??

Hope that everyone is having at fabulous Friday!!! preppy GF gal who is still in pursuit of the elusive BOG dinner ressie...

 

[BlueSkies]

We are happy because we know we will be at the Grand for our vacation.
Have a Grand time at the Grand!

Candy

Candy Love all of your Grand observations...!!!

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

I was looking through photos of past Disney trips and found this one. Who says GF is stuffy! DH told the CM if I got a slipper he wanted a lumber jack boot.



It was delicious!

Liz

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut Love your new avatar! lol...Looks like Melo is going to be staying where he belongs! As for dinner at LTT..I am kind of worried...really didn't love it when we ate there...Hoping this will be a better experience....

Thanks on the avatar.....I wanted to keep Mickey but also wanted to add the Bulls somewhere, so once I saw that I had to have it .

Not so fast on Melo.....LOL....still in a holding pattern as no final decision has been made as he's still mulling things over and still strongly considering making the move to join the Bulls . With that said, the Bulls are relentless and won't give up without a fight .

 

[quakechicago]

I was looking through photos of past Disney trips and found this one. Who says GF is stuffy! DH told the CM if I got a slipper he wanted a lumber jack boot.



It was delicious!

Liz

I'm dying laughing!!!

 

[grannyminnie]

That is so cute! And such attention to detail, TinkerBell! I'd say that is very "un-stuffy"!

Actually, Blue, it was not one of us who sliced the cable....but it was a neighbor who has a landscaping business....they just did not pay attention.

MaggiesMom, glad you got things all set for the GF! Happy thoughts now...

Grace&Carolinesmom, yikes on the stress fracture so close to a trip!! I hope along with you that it will be healed enough to allow you to be boot-free in the parks!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

That is so cute! And such attention to detail, TinkerBell! I'd say that is very "un-stuffy"!

Actually, Blue, it was not one of us who sliced the cable....but it was a neighbor who has a landscaping business....they just did not pay attention.

MaggiesMom, glad you got things all set for the GF! Happy thoughts now...

Grace&Carolinesmom, yikes on the stress fracture so close to a trip!! I hope along with you that it will be healed enough to allow you to be boot-free in the parks!

I know, thanks!

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

I was looking through photos of past Disney trips and found this one. Who says GF is stuffy! DH told the CM if I got a slipper he wanted a lumber jack boot.



It was delicious!

Liz

That is funny and it looks good! What restaurant is it from?

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

That is funny and it looks good! What restaurant is it from?

We had that one at Citricos. Unless things have changed, you can have them made for any of the GF restaurants. Last we checked, you needed to request them 24 hours in advance.

GF are white chocolate while the Cinderella's Royal Table are dark chocolate.

It really was delicious!

Liz

(running back to WL area because I can't think about this trip just yet!) I'll be back here after the 27th!

 

[Lisann]

ME TOO!!! I don't get it, you're trying to see rooms, Disney spends bazillions (okay, exaggeration) on refurbishing the rooms and you keep the old promo photos??? Be proud, post the new pics Disney! If it weren't for this thread, I wouldn't know what the new rooms looked like! Thank goodness for the good Dis GF people.....

Actually, they do. I agree, Disney can be quite lame when it comes to their website. Very frustrating!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello, my Grand friends! Hope everyone had a great week.

Grace&Caroline'sMom - Oh, my! So sorry about the stress fracture, I hope it heals quickly.

As for the parks - have you looked into a scooter? I had to rent one a few trips back due to a knee problem, and it was a lifesaver. I resisted until I couldn't walk any more, but when I finally caved it was such a relief. I recommend them to everyone now! DD teased me I was accosting anyone limping around the parks, suggesting they get a scooter.

grannyminnie - Sorry to hear about your loss of electronics, I know just what you mean. About once a year, we lose power for an hour or so, and everyone in the house wonders what to do. Can't imagine 2 whole days!

MaggiesMomNJ - congrats on getting your reservation switched. Now you can go full speed ahead on planning!

mickeynut1 - I meant to comment on your new avatar!

BlueSkies - Good luck with the BOG hunt! I didn't go back far enough, did you book LTT while you are looking? We used to love it, but the last time we ate there, it wasn't a great experience. But that was just one meal, I'm sure you will find something you enjoy.

TinkerBellLiz - love the photo, thanks for sharing! We've gotten the slippers at Narcoossee's and the afternoon tea a few times, they are so pretty and taste great!

 

[mommyrosa2]

We were all looking thru the pictures on this thread tonight and with only 4 more weeks...we are really starting to get excited!!

Good morning! Just wanted to thank everyone on this board for all of your help as we prepare for our first GF SL stay in 4 days! I feel like this was one of the friendliest, most helpful and positive group of people! All of you have helped me so much and I just wanted to thank all of you again! I'll post pictures of SL lounge soon!

4 days....so exciting. Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Good Morning GF group I just scanned to see the latest happenings....

Well....my visit to the podiatrist for what I *thought* was tendonitis turned south....it seems I have a stress fracture in my left foot. Yes indeed. You read that right. I am less than two weeks from visiting my magical place and I am in a boot (like an air cast?) on my left foot. Ugh. Doc told me to stay in this thing until I head to the parks and hopefully it will have healed enough by then so that I can tolerate walking the parks in just tennis shoes. If not....I will make DH push me in a wheelchair No way I can hobble around the parks in this boot thing. I am keeping my fingers crossed and following ALL doctor's advice and praying this thing heals enough by July 23

On a brighter note.....I placed my cake ,cupcakes, and cookies order from babycakesNYC yesterday to be delivered to the GF. Emily is so nice! Their goodies are expensive but so worth it so my youngest DD can have allergy friendly treats on vacation

Hope everyone has a terrific Friday

Wishing you a speedy recovery

I am pleased to announce we are officially GF - ers! Called the horrid number given out for the WL pool closure and after over 2 hours on the phone (and me crying because they made some unauthorized changes to the ressie ), we are all set.

Congrats!!!!

I was looking through photos of past Disney trips and found this one. Who says GF is stuffy! DH told the CM if I got a slipper he wanted a lumber jack boot.



It was delicious!

Liz

Too funny!

Mickeynut....love the new avatar!

 

[Sue M]

Good morning! Just wanted to thank everyone on this board for all of your help as we prepare for our first GF SL stay in 4 days! I feel like this was one of the friendliest, most helpful and positive group of people! All of you have helped me so much and I just wanted to thank all of you again! I'll post pictures of SL lounge soon!

I'm counting on those pics!

Good Morning GF group I just scanned to see the latest happenings....

Ferrentinos YAY!!! 4 days is super exciting. No real work will be done now as everything will be second fiddle to vacation dreaming.

grannyminnie So glad your cables to the outside world have been restored. It really does make you feel alone and isolated when there is no TV or internet connections. We are such an electronic society

Well....my visit to the podiatrist for what I *thought* was tendonitis turned south....it seems I have a stress fracture in my left foot. Yes indeed. You read that right. I am less than two weeks from visiting my magical place and I am in a boot (like an air cast?) on my left foot. Ugh. Doc told me to stay in this thing until I head to the parks and hopefully it will have healed enough by then so that I can tolerate walking the parks in just tennis shoes. If not....I will make DH push me in a wheelchair No way I can hobble around the parks in this boot thing. I am keeping my fingers crossed and following ALL doctor's advice and praying this thing heals enough by July 23

On a brighter note.....I placed my cake ,cupcakes, and cookies order from babycakesNYC yesterday to be delivered to the GF. Emily is so nice! Their goodies are expensive but so worth it so my youngest DD can have allergy friendly treats on vacation

Hope everyone has a terrific Friday

that your foot heals fast!! Maybe take a phone # for one of those off site scooter rentals that deliver to your resort just in case.

I wish the official Disneyworld website would update their room photos!

Me too!!!

Last night I found some of the GF foot cream in my loot bag from last August

 

[Nanabug02]

Hi Everyone!

I am also a WL refugee due to the pool rehab and am excited to be booked for a week at the GF starting September 28th! First time at the GF!

We are booked for a Garden View/Outer Building room. I am trying to figure out what room request to make. DH and I usually request a King bed room, but from what I'm reading, that may be a long shot.

Does GF have any King bed rooms for Garden/Outer Building? Just not sure if I should waste my request if there isn't even a chance to get one.

Thanks for your help!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi Everyone!

I am also a WL refugee due to the pool rehab and am excited to be booked for a week at the GF starting September 28th! First time at the GF!

We are booked for a Garden View/Outer Building room. I am trying to figure out what room request to make. DH and I usually request a King bed room, but from what I'm reading, that may be a long shot.

Does GF have any King bed rooms for Garden/Outer Building? Just not sure if I should waste my request if there isn't even a chance to get one.

Thanks for your help!

Welcome! Congrats on your first stay at the Grand, I'm sure it will be the first of many.

I responded to your thread with this same question. I don't have any firm numbers on how many outer building king rooms are at the Grand, but there seem to be very few of them. It is possible to get one, but you'll likely have to give up any other requests (building, view, etc.), as there may only be one or two available at the time you check in. If that is acceptable, by all means, add it to your request!

Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed you are able to snag a king room.

 

[Nanabug02]

Welcome! Congrats on your first stay at the Grand, I'm sure it will be the first of many.

I responded to your thread with this same question. I don't have any firm numbers on how many outer building king rooms are at the Grand, but there seem to be very few of them. It is possible to get one, but you'll likely have to give up any other requests (building, view, etc.), as there may only be one or two available at the time you check in. If that is acceptable, by all means, add it to your request!

Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed you are able to snag a king room.

Thanks for both of your responses! I started the other thread because I wasn't sure how often this thread is checked. Any-who, we'll bring the convo to the experts here!

I think I'm going to ditch the King Bed Room request. Sounds like a pipe dream. I would definitely rather have a good room/view. On that note, can y'all help on a request for that? I would like to be close to the "action" - so close to the main building and pool. I like upper floors, but DO NOT like the balconies on the dormer rooms. I don't want to have to stand up to look over the balcony (I'm barely 5 foot, on a good day)

I'm thinking of putting in a request for Big Pine Key, No Dormer Room, Upper Floor. Or I could do Big Pine Key or Boca Chica, No Dormer Room, Upper Floor. What do you think? Wonder what my chances are going the last week of September?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello, my Grand friends! Hope everyone had a great week.

mickeynut1 - I meant to comment on your new avatar!

Glad to "see" you back. I hope things are going well and aren't as hectic for you .

Thanks on the avatar .

Mickeynut....love the new avatar!

Thanks .

Hi Everyone!

I am also a WL refugee due to the pool rehab and am excited to be booked for a week at the GF starting September 28th! First time at the GF!

We are booked for a Garden View/Outer Building room. I am trying to figure out what room request to make. DH and I usually request a King bed room, but from what I'm reading, that may be a long shot.

Does GF have any King bed rooms for Garden/Outer Building? Just not sure if I should waste my request if there isn't even a chance to get one.

Thanks for your help!

k&a&c'smom answered your question about the king bed rooms, but I wanted to say welcome to the GF thread and congrats on your first GF stay . The GF is a beautiful resort and I'm sure you will have a great stay.

I think I'm going to ditch the King Bed Room request. Sounds like a pipe dream. I would definitely rather have a good room/view. On that note, can y'all help on a request for that? I would like to be close to the "action" - so close to the main building and pool. I like upper floors, but DO NOT like the balconies on the dormer rooms. I don't want to have to stand up to look over the balcony (I'm barely 5 foot, on a good day)

I'm thinking of putting in a request for Big Pine Key, No Dormer Room, Upper Floor. Or I could do Big Pine Key or Boca Chica, No Dormer Room, Upper Floor. What do you think? Wonder what my chances are going the last week of September?

Thanks in advance!

I think you picked two great buildings to request as Big Pine Key and Boca Chica are my two favorite buildings for GV . Both overlook the courtyard pool and are very close to the main building and beach pool, and aren't too far from Gasparillas. The GF isn't that spread out so none of the outer buildings are far, but BPK and Boca Chica are just a little closer to the main areas than Sago Cay and Conch Key. I think the way you have your request worded is fine. Just make sure you put them in order of preference just in case only 1 or 2 can be met .

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

Is Mizner's Lounge smoke-free? I ask because they sell cigars...

 

[mystery222184]

Is Mizner's Lounge smoke-free? I ask because they sell cigars...

My understanding is you have to smoke outside on the balcony, as I was originally concerned as well.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for both of your responses! ....

I think I'm going to ditch the King Bed Room request. Sounds like a pipe dream. I would definitely rather have a good room/view. On that note, can y'all help on a request for that? I would like to be close to the "action" - so close to the main building and pool. I like upper floors, but DO NOT like the balconies on the dormer rooms. I don't want to have to stand up to look over the balcony (I'm barely 5 foot, on a good day)

I'm thinking of putting in a request for Big Pine Key, No Dormer Room, Upper Floor. Or I could do Big Pine Key or Boca Chica, No Dormer Room, Upper Floor. What do you think? Wonder what my chances are going the last week of September?

Thanks in advance!

None of the GF buildings is very far from anything else, the resort is compact and laid out well. Sago Cay is the furthest from the action, and Conch does not have many rooms with a good view of the courtyard pool - though both have many other good qualities and Conch is particularly well situated for easy access to boat dock and Gasparilla's.

As mickeynut posted, BPK and Boca are about the best options for garden view if you want to be near the pools and in the action! I'll post a couple photos so you can see the difference in view from each. I'm with you, I don't care much for the dormer balconies.

Your chances of getting your desired room are pretty high throughout Sept., I should imagine.

Glad to "see" you back. I hope things are going well and aren't as hectic for you .

Thanks on the avatar .

Thanks, I hope everything returns to normal soon, too.

Is Mizner's Lounge smoke-free? I ask because they sell cigars...

My understanding is you have to smoke outside on the balcony, as I was originally concerned as well.

Yes, this is my understanding as well. I can attest to a smoke free atmosphere whenever we stop in for a drink. We've sat in Mizner's for a couple or three hours at a time and I've never smelled any smoke - and I'm particularly sensitive, with asthma and a smoke allergy.