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

[TinkerBellLiz]

Thanks for that info!



Liz Sounds like you are going to be busy in the mornings... Since its always about the food wondering what breakfasts that you have planned??? I had posted recently we really loved our breakfat at the Wave...and highly recommend the key lime eggs benedict! Yum!!

We are going for a RD on 2 of our 12 days there and both are AK days! We are hoping to grab something in RPC before heading out those days. We have 3 CRT breakfasts in MK, 2 Kona, 1 Wave, 1 Captain's Grille, 1 1900 Park Fare and 2 Grand Floridian Café. We will keep the CRTs if the food is what we expect it to be as they are so hard to get! If we find it not to our tastes, we have Olivia's as a possible substitution and would welcome other suggestions. We are told the Apple French Toast at CRT is very good though!


Dinners are Citricos, Cali Grill and Narcoossee with the Jiko and Artist Point thrown in there! We are also doing Queen Victoria's Room one night. Dinner ressies seem much easier to get on shorter notice so we aren't worried much if we dislike the menu at one of our multiples and we tend not to bother with characters Lunch will be snacking around the Wine and Food Festival and ticking off our "must have" snacks list!

Hopefully the extra walking will offset the extra calories I think I gained a few pounds just typing that out!

Hope everyone has an Grand Friday and Weekend!

Liz

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Does anyone know what the earliest time that the boats or buses start running to the MK? If we do change to the GF, it's only for 1 night and then we check in at the CR the next day. And we have an 8:15 am ressie for CRT on an morning EMH day. I want to be at MK at least by 7 so that we can check in real quick at the CR and go to MK for our ADR. Would that be possible?

If I understand what your plans are, spending the night in GF then checking into CR first thing the next day with an 8:15 ADR in MK, then you can walk from CR for your ADR and not worry about the boat! If I misunderstood your plans, ignore me!

Liz

 

[disney meema]

Two days until we can make our fastpass+ Choices ... Yikes our first time using MB's & fastpass+ any advice?
What a busy week it's been with Labor Day weekend, company in town from Calif. for 3 days and to add to the fun because of health issues I went on a major lifestyle change in June. I lost 26 lbs with walking and jogging on trails near our house everyday & changing my diet.'But really the positive thing is blood work looked great so off 2 meds. as of this morning. But of course it's a lifestyle change so can I keep it up for our WDW vacation and after? (( hoping )) It's really heck getting old sometimes!!
I haven't been on here much but been checking my email inbox for the frozen thread updates .... sure hope the rumors are true and the frozen events continue through the end of the year but nothing officially announced yet. So hoping to add the frozen premium package if it happens ( fingers crossed )
I hope everyone's trip planning is coming along grand & Life is good!!

 

[xjay]

If I understand what your plans are, spending the night in GF then checking into CR first thing the next day with an 8:15 ADR in MK, then you can walk from CR for your ADR and not worry about the boat! If I misunderstood your plans, ignore me! Liz

That's exactly our plan! Lol. It's because we are on the dining plan for our CR stay and we would have to check in first to use our dining credits. If we weren't on the plan then I would just head straight to MK and then check in later in the afternoon. But alas that's not our plans.

 

[RexyGirl]

thanks for the info about the bottled water! My trip was last week and I found it! Sorry, I didn't quote the original message.

 

[RexyGirl]

Thanks again for the info about the water. Yes, we endedup up packing some in our luggage (which TSA searched) and then bought the larger Dasani bottles and refilled out smaller ones out of that. Save a little $$. Glad to know the store had something!

Hi all,

We got back yesterday from a split GF/YC stay. Id asked before we left about the price of a case of water at the Sundries shop. Turns out it's $17 for a case of 24 12-oz Dasani bottles. They also sell gallons of water for about $4; though that stuff is much cheaper, it tastes terrible. For the YC leg of our stay, we just held our noses and paid for the case. Still marginally cheaper than buying water in the parks.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Two days until we can make our fastpass+ Choices ... Yikes our first time using MB's & fastpass+ any advice?
What a busy week it's been with Labor Day weekend, company in town from Calif. for 3 days and to add to the fun because of health issues I went on a major lifestyle change in June. I lost 26 lbs with walking and jogging on trails near our house everyday & changing my diet.'But really the positive thing is blood work looked great so off 2 meds. as of this morning. But of course it's a lifestyle change so can I keep it up for our WDW vacation and after? (( hoping )) It's really heck getting old sometimes!!
I haven't been on here much but been checking my email inbox for the frozen thread updates .... sure hope the rumors are true and the frozen events continue through the end of the year but nothing officially announced yet. So hoping to add the frozen premium package if it happens ( fingers crossed )
I hope everyone's trip planning is coming along grand & Life is good!!

I have noticed SDMT, Anna and Elsa, Festival of Fantasy Parade (3 pm one) and Wishes filling up fast. If those are on your list, do them first! Other than those and Illuminations in EPCOT, we were grabbing fast passes on the day of in July. Others may have different experiences though. We did NOT do DHS in July but everything has been available when I've changed my schedule for October. I had more issues getting DH to commit to a park on a certain day! He has a STRONG dislike for the FastPass+ system!


Bite your tongue about Frozen continuing! That would mean more revisions on my planning! I think I've tried DH's patience to the limit now

That's exactly our plan! Lol. It's because we are on the dining plan for our CR stay and we would have to check in first to use our dining credits. If we weren't on the plan then I would just head straight to MK and then check in later in the afternoon. But alas that's not our plans.

I was told the launches start at 7 am BUT you'll have to go to Poly then MK and walk to CR. GF/Poly launch doesn't go directly to CR and it has been my experience that check in is NEVER quick! If I were in your shoes I think I would take a cab. Or check CR for availability that night. That would be the easiest IMO. Hope you get things worked out!

Liz

 

[RexyGirl]

This was my first time staying in an official Disney resort (unless you count the Dolphin and that was 6 years ago). My husband and I stayed at the Grand last week. It was a HUGE splurge for us, but since we don't have kids we said we would try this place at least once. I loved the hotel, but honestly not sure if I would do it again. It was very expensive and was it worth all the money? The Dolphin was much cheaper (like half of what we just paid) and I thought the hotel was just as nice. Staying at a monorail resort did have it's perks though.
We stayed in a garden view king and had a dormer balcony, which we sort of both liked. The new decor was ok, but I really just liked that it was brand new. Maybe if the hotel wasn't just refurbished, I would have been really upset for the price. Rooms were very clean, but probably due to the refurb and everything being practically new.
We waited over an hour to get our room which was upsetting. I really wished we could have gotten that hour back the day we checked out. That sort of put a little damper on our first day there. The lobby was nice though and sitting around waiting and listening to music made it somewhat tolerable. Not for the hubby though. Listening to him made me more upset.

I thought I remember hearing something about spa robes?? Our room didn't have any. I was sort of looking forward to that. The pools were nice but crowded. Actually the whole resort was very crowded. Our building (Sago) seemed quieter.... except for the screaming kids early in the AM. Guess you can't do anything about that, right?
Transportation was good, but monorails were crowded and it was hard getting a seat. Boats were ok, but crowded too. Very relaxing at night after spending the whole day at the parks though.
Gasparilla's grill is where we ate most of our meals. Food was good, but a bit pricey. Actually it was the bottled drinks that surprised me, but having not stayed anywhere else besides the Dolphin, I don't have much to compare it to.
Hoping to plan a family trip in the next couple of years.... probably won't book the Grand due to everyone's budget. Sorry if I came off sounding like a cheapskate. I always look for value for the money paid. I'm a little afraid to see what it's like at the other resorts.
Overall, good vacation still and certainly worth spending quality time with the hubby.

 

[xjay]

I was told the launches start at 7 am BUT you'll have to go to Poly then MK and walk to CR. GF/Poly launch doesn't go directly to CR and it has been my experience that check in is NEVER quick! If I were in your shoes I think I would take a cab. Or check CR for availability that night. That would be the easiest IMO. Hope you get things worked out!

Liz

I've been checking the CR for availability but the only option that's open on Disney's website is the Garden Wing 1-Bedroom, which is $999/night . We're going to book through Orbitz and they have GF Lagoon View for $403/night with the additional Orbitz discount. We don't really want to stay at the WL or Poly due to their current conditions with construction (some people on the WL thread say that the construction might not be done by late November as scheduled). Which is why I was looking at GF. I guess cab is going to be our best option if we end up staying there then lol. Thanks though!

 

[V a n e s s a]

We will be staying at the GF for 9 nights in early October; and have been reading through this very informative and helpful thread!

This will be our third stay at the GF; but the last time was 5 years ago and I see that many things have changed at the resort since our last stay!

We can't wait to see the newly refurbished rooms, the new water play area for the kids, etc.

I have a few questions which I hope you experts can help me with?

We are staying for the first time in a Lagoon view room; i would love to hear from you which building you feel has the nicest Lagoon view rooms?

What kind of room request would you make: building, floor, etc., in terms of views?

I see that the rooms have been refurbished; (loved seeing the photos!) has this been completed or are there still rooms / sections that still need to be refurbished?

Thank you in advance for your help and any advice!

 

[disney meema]

I have noticed SDMT, Anna and Elsa, Festival of Fantasy Parade (3 pm one) and Wishes filling up fast. If those are on your list, do them first! Other than those and Illuminations in EPCOT, we were grabbing fast passes on the day of in July. Others may have different experiences though. We did NOT do DHS in July but everything has been available when I've changed my schedule for October. I had more issues getting DH to commit to a park on a certain day! He has a STRONG dislike for the FastPass+ system! Bite your tongue about Frozen continuing! That would mean more revisions on my planning! I think I've tried DH's patience to the limit now

Thanks for some help Liz so appreciated ... I knew SDMT and Anna & Elisa but had no idea I should make a fast pass for a parade so I put festival of fantasy parade on my list of what to book. As far as Epcot we booked the illuminations dessert party so all set for that for at least 1 night of the show and I guess I should book another fast pass for another evening idk? But then we will be eating dinner at a few restaurants right before illuminations so that will probably be okay.
As far as frozen continuing it's on many websites including on here that it looks very possible and the announcement should come in the next week ( but of course rumors until officially announced by disney )
If must be my husbands age or ??? He just goes with it and says surprise him and tell him what to pack ... 35 years of super easy with him : )

 

[threelilbears]

We will be staying at the GF for 9 nights in early October; and have been reading through this very informative and helpful thread!

This will be our third stay at the GF; but the last time was 5 years ago and I see that many things have changed at the resort since our last stay!

We can't wait to see the newly refurbished rooms, the new water play area for the kids, etc.

I have a few questions which I hope you experts can help me with?

We are staying for the first time in a Lagoon view room; i would love to hear from you which building you feel has the nicest Lagoon view rooms?

What kind of room request would you make: building, floor, etc., in terms of views?

I see that the rooms have been refurbished; (loved seeing the photos!) has this been completed or are there still rooms / sections that still need to be refurbished?

Thank you in advance for your help and any advice!

I think the lagoon views from Boca Chica are the best. Boca Chica is the building we always ask for when we're doing lagoon view. It overlooks the most expansive part of the lagoon. As far as floor, I don't think it matters except I would avoid the dormer rooms (top floor) because they have much smaller enclosed balconies (you can't see when you are sitting down)

 

[BlueSkies]

This was my first time staying in an official Disney resort (unless you count the Dolphin and that was 6 years ago). My husband and I stayed at the Grand last week. It was a HUGE splurge for us, but since we don't have kids we said we would try this place at least once. I loved the hotel, but honestly not sure if I would do it again. It was very expensive and was it worth all the money? The Dolphin was much cheaper (like half of what we just paid) and I thought the hotel was just as nice. Staying at a monorail resort did have it's perks though.
We stayed in a garden view king and had a dormer balcony, which we sort of both liked. The new decor was ok, but I really just liked that it was brand new. Maybe if the hotel wasn't just refurbished, I would have been really upset for the price. Rooms were very clean, but probably due to the refurb and everything being practically new.
We waited over an hour to get our room which was upsetting. I really wished we could have gotten that hour back the day we checked out. That sort of put a little damper on our first day there. The lobby was nice though and sitting around waiting and listening to music made it somewhat tolerable. Not for the hubby though. Listening to him made me more upset.

I thought I remember hearing something about spa robes?? Our room didn't have any. I was sort of looking forward to that. The pools were nice but crowded. Actually the whole resort was very crowded. Our building (Sago) seemed quieter.... except for the screaming kids early in the AM. Guess you can't do anything about that, right?
Transportation was good, but monorails were crowded and it was hard getting a seat. Boats were ok, but crowded too. Very relaxing at night after spending the whole day at the parks though.
Gasparilla's grill is where we ate most of our meals. Food was good, but a bit pricey. Actually it was the bottled drinks that surprised me, but having not stayed anywhere else besides the Dolphin, I don't have much to compare it to.
Hoping to plan a family trip in the next couple of years.... probably won't book the Grand due to everyone's budget. Sorry if I came off sounding like a cheapskate. I always look for value for the money paid. I'm a little afraid to see what it's like at the other resorts.
Overall, good vacation still and certainly worth spending quality time with the hubby.

Thanks for taking the time to post your review... You don't sound like a cheapskate...lol...Glad that overall you enjoyed your vacation and stay at the GF...

We will be staying at the GF for 9 nights in early October; and have been reading through this very informative and helpful thread!

This will be our third stay at the GF; but the last time was 5 years ago and I see that many things have changed at the resort since our last stay!

We can't wait to see the newly refurbished rooms, the new water play area for the kids, etc.

I have a few questions which I hope you experts can help me with?

We are staying for the first time in a Lagoon view room; i would love to hear from you which building you feel has the nicest Lagoon view rooms?

What kind of room request would you make: building, floor, etc., in terms of views?

I see that the rooms have been refurbished; (loved seeing the photos!) has this been completed or are there still rooms / sections that still need to be refurbished?

Thank you in advance for your help and any advice!

All of the refurbishments are done... So no worries about that.. I agree with threelilbears..Boca Chica has some lovely lagoon views...and I think such a centrally located outer building too.. as for floor request...when our kids were younger we always preferred ground floor for the ease of not having to use an elevator....but its just a matter of personal reference....Enjoy your family vacation!

I think the lagoon views from Boca Chica are the best. Boca Chica is the building we always ask for when we're doing lagoon view. It overlooks the most expansive part of the lagoon. As far as floor, I don't think it matters except I would avoid the dormer rooms (top floor) because they have much smaller enclosed balconies (you can't see when you are sitting down)

Our first stay at GF is in 23 days, when I placed our reservation the only request I included was a king bed, now after months of reading these boards I am reconsidering that request. I know that I would like a balcony and the best view I can get in a garden view room. Is it too late to cha nge the requests? What would the GF vets recommend as the best way to make this request? Is there a specific building etc I should ask for? Thank you for your advice.

Just call CRO and change your preference request...I would probably request Boca Chica..no dormer room (as that has an enclosed balcony)..pool view...this will give you a lovely view of the whole courtyard area...BTW23 days!!!!!

We are going for a RD on 2 of our 12 days there and both are AK days! We are hoping to grab something in RPC before heading out those days. We have 3 CRT breakfasts in MK, 2 Kona, 1 Wave, 1 Captain's Grille, 1 1900 Park Fare and 2 Grand Floridian Café. We will keep the CRTs if the food is what we expect it to be as they are so hard to get! If we find it not to our tastes, we have Olivia's as a possible substitution and would welcome other suggestions. We are told the Apple French Toast at CRT is very good though!


Dinners are Citricos, Cali Grill and Narcoossee with the Jiko and Artist Point thrown in there! We are also doing Queen Victoria's Room one night. Dinner ressies seem much easier to get on shorter notice so we aren't worried much if we dislike the menu at one of our multiples and we tend not to bother with characters Lunch will be snacking around the Wine and Food Festival and ticking off our "must have" snacks list!

Hopefully the extra walking will offset the extra calories I think I gained a few pounds just typing that out!

Hope everyone has an Grand Friday and Weekend!

Liz

Liz I think that I gained a few pounds reading that!!! LOL..What a wonderful dining itinerary! Buon Apetit!!! I amsure that all of the extra walking around the parks will burn up any extra calories..no worries...

Meema I too am curious about the extension of the Frozen package...hope that you will keep us all updated...

Hope that everyone is having a super Saturday... preppy GF gal who is spending the day doing this ...but would prefer to be doing this.. ...lol...

 

[ksks11]

Hi!
My first time staying in the Grand Floridian- just wondering a few things... maybe you all can help me.
We booked a Lagoon view room for the first week of November. I requested the Sago Cay building with the Marina view. I think the marina looks so nice with that marina with the boats. I would love sitting on my balcony looking out at the marina while my kids are napping.

• Is the marina as nice as it looks in the pics?
• Is Sago Cay very far from everything [buses, monorail, boat launch, pools]? What are the odds of getting your building request?
• What is the best floor in Sago Cay? [I don't want the bottom/first floor or the top floor b/c the balconies are different on the top floor]
• What is the weather usually like Nov. 1st to Nov. 9th? Is it humid/ what do you normally wear/ pack? Can the kids go swimming comfortably/ go on water rides [splash mtn, etc]?
• Is there anywhere in the bathroom to put an over the door shoe organizer in order to keep bathroom items off of the counters?

Thank you so much!
These Disboards about the GF have been such a lifesaver planning our first ever trip to Disney. I am used to planning activities/ staying organized, as I am a Special Ed. teacher... but planning a Disney World Trip is A LOT of work!!!! [but it sure is fun ] My family is counting down the days on our Countdown to Disney Chart... can't wait!!!!!
Kim

 

[jvarne1]

I have a few questions...we are almost at our 45 day mark for our trip! I'm so excited! We are staying in a 1-bedroom standard view at the VGF. So, my question is, I would like to request rooms that have a view of the pool/beach area and higher floors - like 4th-6th floors. Is it best to just tell them that on the phone or actually request room #'s?

Thanks so very much!

 

[Lisann]

After two great weeks, we finally returned home late yesterday night. I need to catch up on the thread as I have been MIA for the last week. I will post my thoughts between the Grand RPC and CR Atrium CL. They were both definitely different experiences!

Also, after much, much, much thought (actually only on my part)...we finally decided to take the plunge and we are now VGF DVC owners!!! I have always been on the fence but not DH. Soooo, we were not back yet, when we were planning our next stay.

MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

 

[threelilbears]

Hi!
My first time staying in the Grand Floridian- just wondering a few things... maybe you all can help me.
We booked a Lagoon view room for the first week of November. I requested the Sago Cay building with the Marina view. I think the marina looks so nice with that marina with the boats. I would love sitting on my balcony looking out at the marina while my kids are napping.

• Is the marina as nice as it looks in the pics?
• Is Sago Cay very far from everything [buses, monorail, boat launch, pools]? What are the odds of getting your building request?
• What is the best floor in Sago Cay? [I don't want the bottom/first floor or the top floor b/c the balconies are different on the top floor]
• What is the weather usually like Nov. 1st to Nov. 9th? Is it humid/ what do you normally wear/ pack? Can the kids go swimming comfortably/ go on water rides [splash mtn, etc]?
• Is there anywhere in the bathroom to put an over the door shoe organizer in order to keep bathroom items off of the counters?

Thank you so much!
These Disboards about the GF have been such a lifesaver planning our first ever trip to Disney. I am used to planning activities/ staying organized, as I am a Special Ed. teacher... but planning a Disney World Trip is A LOT of work!!!! [but it sure is fun ] My family is counting down the days on our Countdown to Disney Chart... can't wait!!!!!
Kim

The marina view in Sago is very nice but can be noisy because of the boat launches. I would request the 3rd floor to distance myself a little from the boats but avoid the upper floor balcony problems. When you put in your room request tell them you do not want a dormer room. We've always gotten our requested buildings and we go every year, sometimes twice a year.

We go around this time every year. Yes, you can swim and do water rides comfortably. Shorts and tees are fine for the day - you might want to pack some jeans and sweatshirts for the evenings (there are bound to be a few cool ones).

 

[ksks11]

Sounds great- I will request the 3rd floor.
Is there anywhere to hang a shoe organizer in the bathroom to organize our bath needs? Unless you have a better suggestion... I just don't like when all of our vanity needs are cluttered all over the sink area.
Kim

 

[Maxie86]

Hi!
My first time staying in the Grand Floridian- just wondering a few things... maybe you all can help me.
We booked a Lagoon view room for the first week of November. I requested the Sago Cay building with the Marina view. I think the marina looks so nice with that marina with the boats. I would love sitting on my balcony looking out at the marina while my kids are napping.

• Is the marina as nice as it looks in the pics?
• Is Sago Cay very far from everything [buses, monorail, boat launch, pools]? What are the odds of getting your building request?
• What is the best floor in Sago Cay? [I don't want the bottom/first floor or the top floor b/c the balconies are different on the top floor]
• What is the weather usually like Nov. 1st to Nov. 9th? Is it humid/ what do you normally wear/ pack? Can the kids go swimming comfortably/ go on water rides [splash mtn, etc]?
• Is there anywhere in the bathroom to put an over the door shoe organizer in order to keep bathroom items off of the counters?

Thank you so much!
These Disboards about the GF have been such a lifesaver planning our first ever trip to Disney. I am used to planning activities/ staying organized, as I am a Special Ed. teacher... but planning a Disney World Trip is A LOT of work!!!! [but it sure is fun ] My family is counting down the days on our Countdown to Disney Chart... can't wait!!!!!
Kim

Congrats on your first stay at the Grand.

You could hang the shoe organizer on the outside of the bathroom door. In most rooms it will face the vanity area. The toilet and tub are in a separate room.

Sago is close to the bus stop and Gaspies, but farthest from the main lobby, monorail, and pools. l love the marina view and with the door closed never noticed any noise from the boats. I've never stayed in Sago, but have had marina views in Conch and Sugar Loaf which are closer to the boats. I would stay anywhere other than Sago if planning a lot of pool time.

The weather is unpredictable...you have to be prepared for cold, hot and everything in between..., but you should have at least some days warm enough to swim.

 

[cattywampus]

69 days until we check in to GF for our very first visit to WDW! You guys were so right when you say he pace really picks up!