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

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi k&a&c'smom ....we were posting at the same time .

I love this thread for that very reason, very friendly and helpful posters .

Your are right, the CR is getting a lot of love lately .....but you do bring up a very good point that the deluxe queen is hard to beat (you just have to make it harder for me, don't you ).

Thanks for verifying about the coffee maker, I knew you would know .

Posting at the same time again!! LOL about making it harder, I try.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here is a photo of what looks to me like the studio kitchens at VGF, looks like the same type of coffee maker on the edge of the frame, right? Not a Keurig, in other words.

 

[mickeynut1]

Posting at the same time again!! LOL about making it harder, I try.

I have a habit of doing that lately .

Yeah, that deluxe room is tempting as I love the GF (and RPC ), but the CR would be new to us, which makes it hard . It would only be a long weekend, so a split isn't an option as I don't want to move with being there for such a short time. Of course, Poly CL is also a thought, so who knows what will happen.....I'm making this harder on myself the more I think about it .

 

[tiger4me2]

A deluxe (turret room) can be requested in SL, but it's only a request and is not guaranteed (it's not a booking category for SL). With that said, CL is always nice if you will take advantage of the lounge and the food offerings/drinks; however, the deluxe rooms are quite a bit larger than standard, so more space is sometimes nice, too. I would try to decide which is more important, a larger room or a lounge/offerings, and go with that (I'm probably not helping much, I know...lol). It really is a personal preference as some people want/need more space, while others prefer CL .

Yes, you can put a room on hold and have 7 days in which to make the deposit. You have to call to do this as booking online (like you said) requires the deposit at time of booking. Keep in mind that if you do book with a hold, if the deposit isn't made by the 7th day, the reservation will automatically cancel.

Thanks, hard choice it is also between a standard room with King size bed club level on the 14th floor at the CR. Any help with this ? I looked at the floor plan the King size bed is MK view but not sure. Everyone I talk to say stay away. Any help anyone?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I have a habit of doing that lately .

Yeah, that deluxe room is tempting as I love the GF (and RPC ), but the CR would be new to us, which makes it hard . It would only be a long weekend, so a split isn't an option as I don't want to move with being there for such a short time. Of course, Poly CL is also a thought, so who knows what will happen.....I'm making this harder on myself the more I think about it .

Choosing your resort is one of the toughest choices for planning vacation. For me, anyway, I debate and waffle, waffle and debate. Finally make a choice and immediately second guess myself.

Thanks, hard choice it is also between a standard room with King size bed club level on the 14th floor at the CR. Any help with this ? I looked at the floor plan the King size bed is MK view but not sure. Everyone I talk to say stay away. Any help anyone?

Are you saying people are telling you to stay away from the 14th floor CR?! This is odd to me, as it is probably the most popular CL in WDW at the moment - everyone is raving about it.

I can't really help with the question whether the CR king rooms have a MK view, sorry. There are some CR fans on this forum who can probably help, but you will likely get better answers over on the CR FAQ, which our dear friend WDWKOOK hosts.

 

[tiger4me2]

Choosing your resort is one of the toughest choices for planning vacation. For me, anyway, I debate and waffle, waffle and debate. Finally make a choice and immediately second guess myself.



Are you saying people are telling you to stay away from the 14th floor CR?! This is odd to me, as it is probably the most popular CL in WDW at the moment - everyone is raving about it.

I can't really help with the question whether the CR king rooms have a MK view, sorry. There are some CR fans on this forum who can probably help, but you will likely get better answers over on the CR FAQ, which our dear friend WDWKOOK hosts.

Yes I was told this by some on CR Forum. I got a better discount for that room and I would have to pay rack rack for the GF room. I have looked at the map of the 14th & the have only 2 rooms with King beds in them (all others are 2 queens) rest of floor is made up of suites etc. The rooms that has the king size bed is facing the MK. I think I will stick with CR for now
Thanks all

 

[quakechicago]

Thanks for the coffeemaker answer! Looks like I'm hauling the aeropress.

 

[Raya]

Potato chip question: I'm aware of how very weird this next question is, I'd like to thank ya'll for humoring me...

Has anyone seen baked potato chips at the GF? I prefer sour cream and cheddar, but any baked chip will do.... I don't eat regular chips at all. Meanwhile DH only likes Pringles. (Can you tell we're a family of picky eaters?)

I'm trying to decide if I should use luggage space on things like chips, homemade cookies, and beef jerky....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the coffeemaker answer! Looks like I'm hauling the aeropress.

Aww, sorry you weren't able to leave it at home, but at least you'll know you have your perfect cup right there in the room.

Potato chip question: I'm aware of how very weird this next question is, I'd like to thank ya'll for humoring me...

Has anyone seen baked potato chips at the GF? I prefer sour cream and cheddar, but any baked chip will do.... I don't eat regular chips at all. Meanwhile DH only likes Pringles. (Can you tell we're a family of picky eaters?)

I'm trying to decide if I should use luggage space on things like chips, homemade cookies, and beef jerky....

LOL! This is a new one for me, but hey, everyone has something. There are photos of the food offerings in Sandy Cove on the first page, in the "Shops" post. There may be some chips somewhere in the Gasparilla's photos, too.

ETA: hmmm...not a huge selection at Sandy Cove, looks like they've kept the same bagged chips before and after renovation. Tostitos, Fritos, Cheetos, Nacho Cheese Doritos, Original Lay's, SC&O Lay's, Ruffles and 2 flavors of Stax (not Pringles). I don't seem to have any photos of chips at Gasparilla's on the first page, but I'm looking through my photo collection, maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[Raya]

LOL! This is a new one for me, but hey, everyone has something.

OMG. If you haven't tried them yet, go get yourself a bag of baked sour cream and cheddar ruffles. You'll never eat another chip. Promise. Thanks for hunting through all your photos.

 

[trishadono]

Potato chip question: I'm aware of how very weird this next question is, I'd like to thank ya'll for humoring me...

Has anyone seen baked potato chips at the GF? I prefer sour cream and cheddar, but any baked chip will do.... I don't eat regular chips at all. Meanwhile DH only likes Pringles. (Can you tell we're a family of picky eaters?)

I'm trying to decide if I should use luggage space on things like chips, homemade cookies, and beef jerky....

I have been bringing pringles for ds for many years!

Sometimes we just need our comfort food

 

[k&a&c'smom]

OMG. If you haven't tried them yet, go get yourself a bag of baked sour cream and cheddar ruffles. You'll never eat another chip. Promise. Thanks for hunting through all your photos.

Thanks for the tip! I don't normally eat baked chips, but I may have to try them.

Here's a photo of the chips at Gasparilla's, but these people have their heads in the way. I will be in the World in a few days and plan a GF afternoon/evening - I'll try to remember to take a photo. BTW - have you looked into wegoshop? Someone earlier said they have used them and had good experiences, and no minimum order. (I think) Just a thought.

 

[marlaine8]

I don't know why the Disney Resorts don't do the pools the way they do at the Universal Resorts. We stayed at Portofino last year, and you had to run your room card through the gate to gain entrance. No inconvenience whatsoever, and it made sure that the Resort guests were the only ones using the pool. Surely it can't be that expensive to add a MagicBand reader to the pools. After the tragedy last year (the little boy drowning in the pool), all Disney Resorts are going to be fenced in anyway. It sure would cut down on a lot of aggravation!

 

[Babsy]

We have stayed at the G F before, but never in a regular GV room. Mom is elderly and I want to minimize the walking for her as well as accomodate her desire to have a nice view overlooking the courtyard with the quiet pool.

I wanted to stay in sugar loaf, but mom can't eat the food, so she didn't want to spend the extra money. Understandable, I guess.

Any suggestions as to what we should rrequest?

Thanks!

 

[Aurora0427]

We have stayed at the G F before, but never in a regular GV room. Mom is elderly and I want to minimize the walking for her as well as accomodate her desire to have a nice view overlooking the courtyard with the quiet pool. I wanted to stay in sugar loaf, but mom can't eat the food, so she didn't want to spend the extra money. Understandable, I guess. Any suggestions as to what we should rrequest? Thanks!

What about a room in Sago Key? It's close to all transportation. One side has views of the monorail & lake, the other side the gardens. It's a quiet building. Check out touringplans.com and click on resorts. They have an interactive map which gives views from the rooms, locations, etc etc

 

[CWdreamer]

On the WDW website it shows the deluxe rooms as a long room with couch and chairs in the turret? Do they have more than one floor plan for the queen deluxe rooms? You have peaked my interest!!

 

[BC1836]

Sorry, this is not cinmell but I thought I'd let you know that both TVs are still on the lounge floor. We also don't care for the vinyl chairs and I have never seen RPC as crowed as the past three days.

It was a pleasure to meet you and your family! We hope that you had an enjoyable dinner at Narcoosee's and a memorable one at V&A's!

Don't forget to join us on the "For 2,000+ Mile Round Trip Drivers Only!" thread on the Transportation board.

Note: We arrived home at 1:45 a.m. this morning. I doubt that we will ever do another straight-drive home. Ugh.

All the best.

 

[BlueSkies]

Yes I was told this by some on CR Forum. I got a better discount for that room and I would have to pay rack rack for the GF room. I have looked at the map of the 14th & the have only 2 rooms with King beds in them (all others are 2 queens) rest of floor is made up of suites etc. The rooms that has the king size bed is facing the MK. I think I will stick with CR for now
Thanks all

OT I know ...lol...but wanted to address your concerns about staying at the CR...

We recently had an absolutely wonderful stay at the CR..we were Atrium club..but have also stayed in rooms in the the tower club aka 14th floor...pre lounge refurb...and really enjoyed the spaciousness and tranquility of that lounge.. and wouldn't hesitate to book a room on that floor again...

I don't know why the Disney Resorts don't do the pools the way they do at the Universal Resorts. We stayed at Portofino last year, and you had to run your room card through the gate to gain entrance. No inconvenience whatsoever, and it made sure that the Resort guests were the only ones using the pool. Surely it can't be that expensive to add a MagicBand reader to the pools. After the tragedy last year (the little boy drowning in the pool), all Disney Resorts are going to be fenced in anyway. It sure would cut down on a lot of aggravation!

I agree...especially with the pools so much busier these days at the GF... But really this should be the standard at all the resort pools...

We have stayed at the G F before, but never in a regular GV room. Mom is elderly and I want to minimize the walking for her as well as accomodate her desire to have a nice view overlooking the courtyard with the quiet pool.

I wanted to stay in sugar loaf, but mom can't eat the food, so she didn't want to spend the extra money. Understandable, I guess.

Any suggestions as to what we should rrequest?

Thanks!

Boca Chica has the most dead on views of the courtyard pool/courtyard area and also has a view of the main building as the back drop...which looks particularly lovely at night all lit up...it is close to the boat dock...and Narcoosees...but a bit of a walk to the main building...although everything on the property really is in pretty close proximity....I know that many also like BPK...which is closer to the main building...but the views are not as nice as the ones in BC IMO.... SL is the most centrally located of all of the outer buildings..so you might want to reconsider that for the sheer convenience of being close to everything...and there are the beverage offerings available all day...

k&a&c'smom I am convinced that you have pictures of just about EVERYTHING!!! lol....

MickeyNut Take the plunge girl....book that queen deluxe..you know that you will all enjoy being in RPC.... And..you need a vacation...lol..

Davale Truly enjoyed the videos...thanks so much for sharing them here with us all!

BC1836 Was going to wish you safe travels home...but I see you made it back already! Thanks to you too for sharing info during your GF stay!

CWDreamer There are rooms configurations and a lot of other info with reguards to the queen deluxe rooms on the first page of this thread....there has been ongoing discussion recently too...and that info is probably just a few pages back...there are two different types of room configurations in this room category...one has a view of the courtyard area...and one has a Poly/VGF view...both offer a nice bit of extra space...and as there are so few seem to be a little bit allusive...

A big to all of my fellow GF fans...hope that everyone has a magical Monday... preppy GF gal who had added a Tony's Town Square ressie to a growing list...lol...

 

[tiger4me2]

OT I know ...lol...but wanted to address your concerns about staying at the CR...

We recently had an absolutely wonderful stay at the CR..we were Atrium club..but have also stayed in rooms in the the tower club aka 14th floor...pre lounge refurb...and really enjoyed the spaciousness and tranquility of that lounge.. and wouldn't hesitate to book a room on that floor again...


Thanks, so you wouldn't switch to the GF? I am just concern about the room at the CR but then I got a great rate for it where if I stayed at the GF I would have to pay rack rate unless there is something for pass holders. The other option is the Poly but..with construction I am not sure as well as my husband. Thanks for your answer, it does eases the stress off of booking this as DH wasn't very happy about it lol.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I don't know why the Disney Resorts don't do the pools the way they do at the Universal Resorts. We stayed at Portofino last year, and you had to run your room card through the gate to gain entrance. No inconvenience whatsoever, and it made sure that the Resort guests were the only ones using the pool. Surely it can't be that expensive to add a MagicBand reader to the pools. After the tragedy last year (the little boy drowning in the pool), all Disney Resorts are going to be fenced in anyway. It sure would cut down on a lot of aggravation!

We were all sure they were going to institute a card reader for the courtyard pool when they put up the fence, but so far, it hasn't happened. I remember using our room cards for HRH, but whenever we've been to PBH they have had the gates wide open - a lot slower than the other pools, at least when we've been there.

One thing that confuses a lot of WDW guests is being allowed to pool hop at the UO resort pools - it's not just allowed, it is encouraged! Makes it hard for some guests to understand, I think.

....
Note: We arrived home at 1:45 a.m. this morning. I doubt that we will ever do another straight-drive home. Ugh.

All the best.

Can't say I blame you, that must have been a very long travel day. Glad you arrived home safe and sound.

....

k&a&c'smom I am convinced that you have pictures of just about EVERYTHING!!! lol....

....
A big to all of my fellow GF fans...hope that everyone has a magical Monday... preppy GF gal who had added a Tony's Town Square ressie to a growing list...lol...

You would think so, wouldn't you?! But even with all the 100s of photos I have, someone asks for something and I kick myself.

I hear ya on the growing list. I'm resisting adding dining reservations, but my snack list is far too long for us to get to even 1/4 of them. We are standing pat with BOG lunch and Jiko dinner, so far anyway. mickeynut and KOOK may sway us into trying YSH again, but I'll leave that until we are there to decide.