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

[ErinsMommy]

WE booked a standard garden view room (actually requested lagoon view top floor) - will we likely have a balcony? Also is there any area outside GF where we can see Wishes? And if so, where is best spot? TIA!!

 

[coopersmom]

Looking to potentially revisit the Grand Main Bldg. in a couple months. Haven't been there since 2011 and wondered what had changed since the addition of the villas. Currently have a reservation but still mulling between the Grand and a suite at the Waldorf, which is what we did last time and was really nice. (Plus it had great fireworks view from ALL parks.)

Will the Grand's main bldg. room renovation be complete by then? And we are looking at deluxe rooms ... If you get a king will it have a daybed for sure? Just wondering as we have our son on the reservation, as well. Would love to get lucky and end up with one of the deluxes with theme park view, but don't want to sleep with our little one all week either. (Specifications on room type is deluxe with "theme park OR garden view")

 

[misskerri]

Talk to me about Disney's Electrical Water Pageant.

With a Lagoon View room in the Outer Building, is that something we'll be able to see from our balcony? Where is the best spot for viewing it?

What are some other fun evening activities for families? We don't tend to stay at the parks past dinner time, since we like to arrive at rope-drop. Our schedule is such this year that we're probably only spending 2 evenings in the parks. We have tickets to MNSSHP one night and have a dinner reservation at Teppan Edo in Epcot another night (and will hopefully stay for Illuminations, since we had a crap view last time). We will be kicked out of HS at 6pm, I believe, due to the Tower of Terror 10miler. Our other 2 park days will likely only extend to the late afternoon/early evening. So yeah...we'll need activities. (Other than sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine, and going to the pool).

 

[MinnieMouse28]

Hi Everyone! Patiently waiting for 2015 booking to open up. We would like to stay RPC during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Will the 2015 dates be released on EST or PST? I'm located in California and I was wondering if I look at the website at 11pm PST tonight will I be able to book, or will it happen after midnight my time? I will be in back to back meetings tomorrow morning and I'm hoping to book as soon as I can.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[trishadono]

Looking to potentially revisit the Grand Main Bldg. in a couple months. Haven't been there since 2011 and wondered what had changed since the addition of the villas. Currently have a reservation but still mulling between the Grand and a suite at the Waldorf, which is what we did last time and was really nice. (Plus it had great fireworks view from ALL parks.)

Will the Grand's main bldg. room renovation be complete by then? And we are looking at deluxe rooms ... If you get a king will it have a daybed for sure? Just wondering as we have our son on the reservation, as well. Would love to get lucky and end up with one of the deluxes with theme park view, but don't want to sleep with our little one all week either. (Specifications on room type is deluxe with "theme park OR garden view")

The RPC will be complete in a few days!

The deluxe kings currently are either the octagon without a daybed, or the 2nd floor overlooking marina and castle view with daybed.

I am staying there in 2 weeks and if I get my request for octagon I will post back if they changed sofa to a daybed.

 

[MaggiesMomNJ]

On Post 4 of this thread there are views from Boca Chica, garden view. I'm looking at the picture that is 4 down.

Just curious for those that have been there - SL is in the middle of the pic on the right. Is it easy to get to Gaspy's from Boca Chica? It looks like SL is blocking an easy path. I'm asking because my husband is blind. We were going to avoid Big Pine bec I didn't want the pool house view. We also prefer the ground floor.

I tried to post the pic but it would let me.

 

[Sue M]

WE booked a standard garden view room (actually requested lagoon view top floor) - will we likely have a balcony? Also is there any area outside GF where we can see Wishes? And if so, where is best spot? TIA!!

I'm a little confused, if you booked a GV room, you can't request a lagoon room
You can see Wishes from the docks, I've heard the seating area in front of Gasperillas is nice for viewing, we were in Boca Chica GV and walked our the back door of lobby to watch

1) How is the wifi at GF?

2) Have GF guests been having success getting to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot before opening, with the monorail not operating so early in the morning?

We had good WFi
I'd like a recent report of transportation too!

The RPC will be complete in a few days!

The deluxe kings currently are either the octagon without a daybed, or the 2nd floor overlooking marina and castle view with daybed.

I am staying there in 2 weeks and if I get my request for octagon I will post back if they changed sofa to a daybed.

Looking forward to pics!!

 

[Sue M]

I just read the afternoon busses from TL are now dropping people off at Epcot to transfer to get back to your resort.
I should know this, but can't remember, do I then have to transfer at TTC to get back to GF? Ugh, I may change plan to BB!

 

[AliceIn]

Our first visit to the Grand Floridian is coming up quickly. It will be a short trip. We arrive around 3:30 pm (hopefully no weather delays!), and then we will check out our room in Sugar Loaf. I'm hoping we can have a nice swim before heading to the lounge for a cocktail before dinner. We have an 8 pm dinner reservation at 1900 Park Fare. We can have a relaxing walk on the beach to watch the MK fireworks.

We leave between 11 and 1 to head over to Port Canaveral to start our cruise on the Fantasy.

I'll be coming back to the Grand Floridian in October for the Gartner Conference, but that's work and not relaxing

 

[ErinsMommy]

I'm a little confused, if you booked a GV room, you can't request a lagoon room !!

My apologies I meant a marina view

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Will be staying at BGF next August for 12 days - very excited!

We will be using Magical Express - will we be dropped at the Villas and booked in there, or at the Grand Floridian Hotel and then have to walk over to the Villas?

Also, if you do get booked in at the hotel (as I will have a very tired 4 year old with me and luggage on my own) do they provide golf carts or similar to get there or it is close to the hotel?

Many thanks

I see your question hasn't been answered yet, so I'll chime in here & hope someone with far more knowledge will come along & set us both straight.
We haven't stayed yet (booked in Aug), but I asked a similar question on another thread. I was told that we would be dropped off at the main bldg by ME where we would check in, then we could walk to the Villas. (However, we are having our luggage delivered, and won't have any children with us. I think that might make a difference.)

When I asked, there was mention made as to time of day for check-in with regards to where it would be - but I honestly can't remember what was said...

Sorry to be of no help at all - but maybe this will keep your question from getting inadvertently lost/buried.

I've found that the people on this board are the most helpful in all of Disdom!

 

[trishadono]

I just read the afternoon busses from TL are now dropping people off at Epcot to transfer to get back to your resort.
I should know this, but can't remember, do I then have to transfer at TTC to get back to GF? Ugh, I may change plan to BB!

A bus then a mono then a mono? With wet stringy hair too???

I would do BB.

Teamboat Springs is my fav too!

 

[trishadono]

Will be staying at BGF next August for 12 days - very excited!

We will be using Magical Express - will we be dropped at the Villas and booked in there, or at the Grand Floridian Hotel and then have to walk over to the Villas?

Also, if you do get booked in at the hotel (as I will have a very tired 4 year old with me and luggage on my own) do they provide golf carts or similar to get there or it is close to the hotel?

Many thanks

I did stay at VGF but we transferred from a night in SL. We walked to the VGF lobby and checked in.

I just checked my map and there is not a stop for busses at the VGF.

My guess is you will get off ME and check in at the VGF lobby unless you arrive early, or late. Just ask the valets to be safe.

Also it is quicker from the bus to VGF if you take the walkway along the front(don't enter the lobby).

Not sure about carts, I have teens. However they will take your luggage for you for sure on a luggage rack.

Also the villas are about the same distance as the ends of the other buildings/not too far.

Thanks Gretchen for your part

 

[Sue M]

My apologies I meant a marina view

Yes you can request a marina view! We have a GV booked in Sugarloaf and requested marina view.

A bus then a mono then a mono? With wet stringy hair too???

I would do BB.

Teamboat Springs is my fav too!

I know, right? Bad transportation. But my daughters love Crush & Gusher, and the wave pool. I agree teamboat springs is great. The family raft ride at TL is not worth the wait!!!

We'll have to evaluate when we arrive! I get so frustrated at BB bobbing pool, so hard to get a tube, don't know how many times I'm almost at one, and some kid runs up and grabs it, when clearly they see I'm trying to get it. It would be nice if they had a tube return like the slides. Or parents taught their kids manners ;-)

 

[AliceIn]

I realize I forgot to say when I was going! We'll be at the GF on Friday.

 

[grannyminnie]

I realize I forgot to say when I was going! We'll be at the GF on Friday.

Lucky you! And a cruise too....enjoy!!

Trish, you don't have long for your trip either! You and DD packing?

Hi, Blue. what's been keeping you busy these days?

 

[MommyGina]

Hi friends! Prices are out for 2015. I nearly fainted. Price of 1 week in RPC, TPV, park hoppers and deluxe dining for 3 adults and 1 child is college tuition for a year!

Tuition will win out over Disney.

 

[Sue M]

On Post 4 of this thread there are views from Boca Chica, garden view. I'm looking at the picture that is 4 down.

Just curious for those that have been there - SL is in the middle of the pic on the right. Is it easy to get to Gaspy's from Boca Chica? It looks like SL is blocking an easy path. I'm asking because my husband is blind. We were going to avoid Big Pine bec I didn't want the pool house view. We also prefer the ground floor.

I tried to post the pic but it would let me.

We stayed in Boca last year, I didn't find it a difficult walk to Gaspys. If you look at the resort map you can see the paths. We either cut across the courtyard pool or took path to the right out of Boca.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Hi friends! Prices are out for 2015. I nearly fainted. Price of 1 week in RPC, TPV, park hoppers and deluxe dining for 3 adults and 1 child is college tuition for a year!

Tuition will win out over Disney.

State school or Ivy League? Just kidding, I know what you mean -- I priced out non club level and said, hmm if I buy a DVC I only have to stay twice and it is less....

Tom

 

[grannyminnie]

State school or Ivy League? Just kidding, I know what you mean -- I priced out non club level and said, hmm if I buy a DVC I only have to stay twice and it is less....

Tom

Ouch! That puts it in perspective! This is why we book room only. (never the dining plan, or park-hoppers)