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

[mystery222184]

All these wonderful updates makes it hard to wait for our trip at the end of October! We will be staying at the Poly starting Sunday and will be sure to stop by the Grand a few times during out stay! I have a feeling we will want to spend more time there than the Poly lobby right now

 

[k&a&c'smom]

All these wonderful updates makes it hard to wait for our trip at the end of October! We will be staying at the Poly starting Sunday and will be sure to stop by the Grand a few times during out stay! I have a feeling we will want to spend more time there than the Poly lobby right now

Oh, another Poly refugee - I wish that last sentence weren't so true. I saw Steve's photos of the removal of the GCH waterfall.

Still, less than a week to go, woohoo!!

 

[jrj]

That is so cool about meeting Scottie Pippin that way, especially when you really didn't know who you were interviewing with!!! I hope you enjoyed your time working there . I know right! my mouth fell open...I tried not to drool too much Oh yes...had a blast...hated to leave Chicago and DA BULLS

That is too funny because I never watched football or basketball (would have rather watched paint dry ),

but I slowly became a football fan (although not for the Bears ) about 10 years ago and now basketball, but now I like basketball a lot more and can't miss a Bulls game, but I couldn't care less if I miss football games . Aww...come on...don't you just love Monday nights during football season?

Oh yes, I remember Scottie Pippin ....he's still around and involved with the Bulls organization. My DS not only got me hooked on watching the Bulls, but he also got me into watching documentaries on all other things basketball, along with games from when Michael and Scottie played together . Those were the good 'ole days I guess deep down I always loved basketball but never gave myself a chance to admit it . LOL

You have a great attitude . You will definitely enjoy RPC. It is amazing and the CMs are great. Be careful, though, as RPC is very addicting and you may end up liking it so much that you won't want to stay anywhere else . Thanks much... we've made lemonade out of the lemons and will have the time of our lives DH is worried I won't want to stay anywhere else, then there goes the bank account

 

[jrj]

That's great, glad you were able to talk it over with CRO and get satisfaction. Now, on with the show!
I hear ya...Reminds me of a song...wanna hear it? here it goes...Ahem...

Let it go...let it go couldn't resist

Most definitely plan to have a Grand vacation. Will do, then will come back and share all about it with lots of pictures

You're welcome for the photo - sometimes, I am able to happen on what I'm looking for, others not so much! I hoped I could find one that was from the opposite direction, but there are not a lot of photos of the new rooms as yet.
we truly appreciate your detective work thank you so much

 

[Sue M]

Hi, GF newbie here. We will be staying at GF Sept 9-19 and have an outer building garden view room. Having never stayed here before I have done a lot of research (especially this thread so far!) and was just wondering - what are the Grand Floridian must-do's? We try to experience everything the resort has to offer when we stay there and not just use it as a place to sleep. We have dinner planned at GF Cafe and Citricos, but what else do we need to do to get the full GF experience?

As others have said, make time to just enjoy the resort. Sometimes it's the little things.
We always take a mid day break back at the resort. Enjoy the pools, stroll around, sit and listen to the music in the lobby in the evening. Watch Electric Water Parade and Wishes from a spot on beach, or docks. Watch the early morning Parasol Parade. Grab a snack at Gaspys, walk along the lake path.

I don't want to wish my summer away, but can't wait to return to GF in August for 2 weeks our first stay at GF was last August for only 2 nights to see if we liked it. We did a split stay with YC. GF! We didn't want to leave!

 

[mickeynut1]

Do NOT worry about looking tacky - I have seen every description of travel items on those luggage racks, lol. I once saw someone bring their clothes all on separate hangers! Whenever we drive down I am a notorious overpacker - usually have one whole suitcase for our shoes. The bell services people handle it all with grace.

I agree, and I have also seen just about everything on those luggage racks so anything you leave with bell services will be fine (with no worry of looking tacky) .

All these wonderful updates makes it hard to wait for our trip at the end of October! We will be staying at the Poly starting Sunday and will be sure to stop by the Grand a few times during out stay! I have a feeling we will want to spend more time there than the Poly lobby right now

Hope you have a great time at the Poly .

I know right! my mouth fell open...I tried not to drool too much Oh yes...had a blast...hated to leave Chicago and DA BULLS

Aww...come on...don't you just love Monday nights during football season?

Thanks much... we've made lemonade out of the lemons and will have the time of our lives DH is worried I won't want to stay anywhere else, then there goes the bank account

Right back atcha

What a great experience!!! Yeah, Chicago is a great city .....and the Bulls are awesome .

I have to admit, Monday night football is a draw . I'm sure I will watch it as my DH and other DS like watching football, but basketball will take precedence during the time both sports overlap .

LOL on your DH being worried about you not wanting to stay anywhere else once you stay RPC. I wouldn't be surprised if HE won't want to stay anywhere else after your stay .

 

[quakechicago]

What a great experience!!! Yeah, Chicago is a great city .....and the Bulls are awesome .

Yep! Couldn't agree more!

 

[mickeynut1]

Yep! Couldn't agree more!

Just noticed you are from Chicago . We are actually in Northwest Indiana, but are Chicago-ians when it comes to sports . We're also much closer to Chicago than we are Indianapolis .

 

[twoolle]

Since we are driving, I will probably overpack and bring everything but the kitchen sink.

This is exactly why we drive too! So we can bring everything. With a 2,000 mile roundtrip and 3 kids 4 and under our SUV will be full!

 

[quakechicago]

Just noticed you are from Chicago . We are actually in Northwest Indiana, but are Chicago-ians when it comes to sports . We're also much closer to Chicago than we are Indianapolis .

We're on the Northside and if it wasn't for the winters (especially last one!) it'd be the best place to live on earth (that didn't have a Disney park nearby).

 

[tiger4me2]

Going to either stay two or three nights next September 2015. I booked a standard room at the RPL Club at the GF. I have looked through this thread. Rather long so I am asking this. If it is okay

Would it be better to get a theme park view? Or a deluxe room? Can you request in a standard view two queen beds & a pull out?

I have seen picture of a deluxe room but wasn't club level & it looked great.

Where are they located at in the main building Thanks I will try to weave my way through the tread when I am not so tired.

 

[jacquelynb]

there's no need to read all the way through the thread if you don't want to, simply go back to page 1 and read the first post. Lots of helpful info. there. I'm sure the experts will chime in with some advice as well...I'm looking forward to my first stay in oct. so I can't answer your questions myself. Good luck!!

 

[grannyminnie]

No, Blue, no luck yet with changing our date, but I'm holding out hope that it will happen~ And if we have to keep the third week of Oct., then so be it.

I'm with you, k&a&c'smom, on the new rooms. While not totally turned off by them (it is, after all, the Grand! ), I like the decor of the VGF much better!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Tomorrow is the day I am trying to get last minute errands completed around my work schedule and tidy up the house. I am hoping that our bad luck will turn around once we are actually ON vacation..... As if my fractured left foot isn't enough, DH hurt his leg playing softball on Sunday (hopefully just muscular but he is very sore and has bruises and scrapes) and youngest DD just got her first visit from "Aunt Flo" yesterday. Sigh...I am cautiously awaiting for "what will happen today"...LOL Oh well, can't worry about what I can't control but it does make me want to wrap up my family in bubble wrap until we arrive

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday

 

[trishadono]

Tomorrow is the day I am trying to get last minute errands completed around my work schedule and tidy up the house. I am hoping that our bad luck will turn around once we are actually ON vacation..... As if my fractured left foot isn't enough, DH hurt his leg playing softball on Sunday (hopefully just muscular but he is very sore and has bruises and scrapes) and youngest DD just got her first visit from "Aunt Flo" yesterday. Sigh...I am cautiously awaiting for "what will happen today"...LOL Oh well, can't worry about what I can't control but it does make me want to wrap up my family in bubble wrap until we arrive

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday

Sitting on the beach or by the pool at the Grand will be a great way to heal.

Hope you have a great trip !

 

[grannyminnie]

Tomorrow is the day I am trying to get last minute errands completed around my work schedule and tidy up the house. I am hoping that our bad luck will turn around once we are actually ON vacation..... As if my fractured left foot isn't enough, DH hurt his leg playing softball on Sunday (hopefully just muscular but he is very sore and has bruises and scrapes) and youngest DD just got her first visit from "Aunt Flo" yesterday. Sigh...I am cautiously awaiting for "what will happen today"...LOL Oh well, can't worry about what I can't control but it does make me want to wrap up my family in bubble wrap until we arrive

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday

"Aunt Flo"?? That's a new one on me!!! We just referred to it as "the curse"!

Enjoy your trip and if you have time, please check in with us!

 

[MommyGina]

Grace&Carolinesmom - have a wonderful time and a safe trip. Tell us about your trip when you get back.

2 years ago that happened to my DD, only it was our second day there wearing white shorts! We were in the MK and made a mad dash back to the GF. She took it in stride. Didn't bother her. If that's the worst thing that happens in her life, then she's doing great!

 

[disfan07]

We are staying at the grand for the first time 8/16-8/18 (split stay with POR before GF). So excited!!

We already have a reservation at Citricos for the 16th at 7:15PM. The food there was so amazing last year!

We also wanted to try narcoossees but haven't been able to find anything for the 17th except for a 9PM and there is no way we can do that. Way too late for a big meal.

Right now we have a reservation at Trails End Buffet for 7PM but I was wondering if there pare ever any tables held for Guests staying at the GF?

I'm of course going to keep looking for reservations but I was hoping to get that reservation for my parents anniversary and for their birthdays (about 2 months late but this trip is everyone's bday present).

Also, does anyone have any experience with the QS restaurant with multiple food allergies? I have 16 food allergies and Contempo cafe was amazing last year. I've gotten the most recent list of what's available and it looks like they have the 2 main things I want (Namaste waffle mix and Allergy chicken tenders) and we are only eating there for 2 breakfasts and 1 or 2 lunches but I would love to hear some first hand experiences just in case I'm sick of chicken tenders and fries by the 5th day!

 

[mickeynut1]

We're on the Northside and if it wasn't for the winters (especially last one!) it'd be the best place to live on earth (that didn't have a Disney park nearby).

LOL on being the best place on earth without a Disney park ....but I do have to agree, it is a pretty awesome city .

Going to either stay two or three nights next September 2015. I booked a standard room at the RPL Club at the GF. I have looked through this thread. Rather long so I am asking this. If it is okay

Would it be better to get a theme park view? Or a deluxe room? Can you request in a standard view two queen beds & a pull out?

I have seen picture of a deluxe room but wasn't club level & it looked great.

Where are they located at in the main building Thanks I will try to weave my way through the tread when I am not so tired.

I can't give an opinion on TPV as I've only stayed standard RPC, but hopefully others who have stayed RPC TPV will be along to give their opinion/experience and location of those rooms . As far as a deluxe room, we've never stayed in one of those either, but they are quite a bit larger than a standard room (by about 200 sq ft). I have seen the RPC deluxe king online, but you have to call if you are interested in the RPC deluxe queen room. With all of that said, we aren't ones to pay for views so I wouldn't spend the extra on a TPV, but I would consider the deluxe queen if it was available. The room is quite large and has a small sitting area, although the set up for those rooms in RPC is different from the outer building deluxe rooms. The outer building deluxe rooms have the sitting area in the "turret" part of the room, while the sitting area in the deluxe room in RPC is kind of in the center of the room. Here are 2 links to pics of both. The first is RPC deluxe queen and the second is outer building deluxe room. Both are prior to the refurb, but it will let you see the difference in the room set up:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=51108610&postcount=5

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34064389&postcount=2343

All standard rooms come with 2 queens and daybed, but you could always put that as a request; however, if you book the deluxe queen, no request is needed since that is a bookable category, so you would get 2 queens.

I think the deluxe queens in RPC are located pretty close to the lounge, but hopefully someone more familiar with those rooms will verify that or give the correct location .

there's no need to read all the way through the thread if you don't want to, simply go back to page 1 and read the first post. Lots of helpful info. there. I'm sure the experts will chime in with some advice as well...I'm looking forward to my first stay in oct. so I can't answer your questions myself. Good luck!!

Congrats on your first GF stay . I hope you love the GF as much as many of us here do .

We are staying at the grand for the first time 8/16-8/18 (split stay with POR before GF). So excited!!

We already have a reservation at Citricos for the 16th at 7:15PM. The food there was so amazing last year!

We also wanted to try narcoossees but haven't been able to find anything for the 17th except for a 9PM and there is no way we can do that. Way too late for a big meal.

Right now we have a reservation at Trails End Buffet for 7PM but I was wondering if there pare ever any tables held for Guests staying at the GF?

I'm of course going to keep looking for reservations but I was hoping to get that reservation for my parents anniversary and for their birthdays (about 2 months late but this trip is everyone's bday present).

Also, does anyone have any experience with the QS restaurant with multiple food allergies? I have 16 food allergies and Contempo cafe was amazing last year. I've gotten the most recent list of what's available and it looks like they have the 2 main things I want (Namaste waffle mix and Allergy chicken tenders) and we are only eating there for 2 breakfasts and 1 or 2 lunches but I would love to hear some first hand experiences just in case I'm sick of chicken tenders and fries by the 5th day!

Congrats on your first GF stay .

Resort restaurants don't usually hold tables for resort guests, so I would keep trying for an earlier time at Narcoossee's. You still have some time before your trip and people do cancel all the time, so keep trying as you never know when something might become available .

I can't help with food allergies as I don't have experience with that, but I do know that Disney is very accommodating when it comes to special dietary needs (as you know from Contempo Cafe). I'm sure someone here will be able to tell you of their experience with allergies & Gasparillas .

 

[jhaig]

Has there been extra bus service in the mornings to EP and MK since the monorail began being worked on?