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

[mickeynut1]

k&a&c'smom, I've missed you!! I just popped back on the dis in the past week or two...

a few of us GF gals happen to either have already booked or are considering booking at the poly CL at the end of Aug 2015 (because of a good TA deal)... and we were saying on the poly thread that all we need now is to convince YOU to join us!!

 

[Candice30]

So after many weeks of resort hopping, we r finally booked for December. Decided on a split stay and upgrade to GF main bldg. we r staying in tower at CR for 2 nights then switching to GF main bldg for 3 nights. I was planning on checking in really early at GF and heading out to park after breakfast. My question is shd we let CR luggage services take our bags and we just take monorail to GF or shd we just take our bags with us in taxi? Pros and cons? Was also worried logistically about check in coming in on monorail. Where do we go to check in? Reg check in desk if we come in this way? TIA.

 

[pas130]

k&a&c'smom, I've missed you!! I just popped back on the dis in the past week or two... i looked back a few pages on this thread and didn't "see" you and wondered what happened! glad to hear you are just keeping busy with life. a few of us GF gals happen to either have already booked or are considering booking at the poly CL at the end of Aug 2015 (because of a good TA deal)... and we were saying on the poly thread that all we need now is to convince YOU to join us!!

Yep, count me in on one of those girlies

 

[Donald - my hero]

not sure if anyone can answer this but figured i'd give it a shot.

Issue: We're going on the Marceline to MK tour and need to be in MK for 7:45 a.m. The CM who booked the tour told me that i should park at the Contemporary and make our way over from there & leaving the car there for the day would be fine. I KNOW this is not an acceptable solution since it will affect parking for the guests who are actually STAYING there.

My proposed solution: Valet park at GF and have breakfast in Gasparilla Island Grill since it opens early enough and there are items on the menu that appeal to us. Once we've eaten we'll take Disney transportation (whatever form is running then!! we're going on the tour Nov 7) to MK, do the tour and spend the day in the park. Once we're finished, head back & get the car.

Question: Will there actually BE spots in the valet parking lot that early or do i need to rethink this convoluted plan of mine?

Caveat: We will be driving our car so please don't suggest using Disney transportation from our own Resort. Even though i know this is the easiest solution, hubby is a transportation SNOB

 

[twoolle]

Removing double post. Sorry!

 

[ksks11]

I'm a bit confused... hope you all can help me.
My husband went over to AAA to pick up our Disney packet. They gave us our yellow bands to put around our luggage for the Magic Exp.
Now, our stay at GF starts on Sat. Nov. 1, but our plane flies out Halloween night [b/c of much lower rates] and we'll be staying at MCO airport hotel-- >
Does that mean we do NOT need the yellow MExp band on our checked luggage? Or do we still need those yellow bands for the ME back to the airport to go home?

Also, do you think we will have any problems going on ME to GF in the morning carrying our own luggage?

Thanks, Kim

 

[disneynutz]

I'm a bit confused... hope you all can help me.
My husband went over to AAA to pick up our Disney packet. They gave us our yellow bands to put around our luggage for the Magic Exp.
Now, our stay at GF starts on Sat. Nov. 1, but our plane flies out Halloween night [b/c of much lower rates] and we'll be staying at MCO airport hotel-- >
Does that mean we do NOT need the yellow MExp band on our checked luggage? Or do we still need those yellow bands for the ME back to the airport to go home?

Also, do you think we will have any problems going on ME to GF in the morning carrying our own luggage?

Thanks, Kim

Don't use the yellow luggage tags. Pick up your own luggage take to airport hotel. Next day take to DME for ride to WDW. Make sure that your DME reservation is for the day you are checking in at WDW.

You don't yellow tag your luggage for RAC check in back to MCO.

Bill

 

[trishadono]

I'm a bit confused... hope you all can help me.
My husband went over to AAA to pick up our Disney packet. They gave us our yellow bands to put around our luggage for the Magic Exp.
Now, our stay at GF starts on Sat. Nov. 1, but our plane flies out Halloween night [b/c of much lower rates] and we'll be staying at MCO airport hotel-- >
Does that mean we do NOT need the yellow MExp band on our checked luggage? Or do we still need those yellow bands for the ME back to the airport to go home?

Also, do you think we will have any problems going on ME to GF in the morning carrying our own luggage?

Thanks, Kim

If you arrive after 10 pm you need to take off yellow sticker tags AND collect your suitcases yourself.

To get ME in the morning, if you have your hotel reservation number with you and your check in date is same day you will be ok. You can proceed to ME checkin in the morning. Need either coupon mailed to you OR reservation number, OR if you have MB's , they now use those for ME arrival too.(there is a machine at me check in that looks just like a FP+ machine).

When you arrive at gf just ask valet if need help.

For departure : the day before the hotel will leave your voucher on/under your door the day before. Open it and check it. The time should be about 3hours before your flight time. You need that paper for driver so keep it safe.

For departure day: you can use airline check in and get rid of your suitcases 5am to 1pm. Call bell services the day before to schedule if need help with your suitcases as well.


Anything else feel free to pm me

 

[disneynutz]

If you arrive after 10 pm you need to take off yellow sticker tags AND collect your suitcases yourself.

To get ME in the morning, if you have your hotel reservation number with you and your check in date is same day you will be ok. You can proceed to ME checkin in the morning. Need either coupon mailed to you OR reservation number, OR if you have MB's , they now use those for ME arrival too.(there is a machine at me check in that looks just like a FP+ machine).

When you arrive at gf just ask valet if need help.

For departure : the day before the hotel will leave your voucher on/under your door the day before. Open it and check it. The time should be about 3hours before your flight time. You need that paper for driver so keep it safe.

For departure day: you can use airline check in and get rid of your suitcases 5am to 1pm. Call bell services the day before to schedule if need help with your suitcases as well.


Anything else feel free to pm me

I don't understand your "after 10 PM" in the op's case. They are not staying at a Disney hotel the first night so they can't have Disney deliver their luggage no matter what time they arrive.

Bill

 

[ksks11]

If you arrive after 10 pm you need to take off yellow sticker tags AND collect your suitcases yourself.

To get ME in the morning, if you have your hotel reservation number with you and your check in date is same day you will be ok. You can proceed to ME checkin in the morning. Need either coupon mailed to you OR reservation number, OR if you have MB's , they now use those for ME arrival too.(there is a machine at me check in that looks just like a FP+ machine).

When you arrive at gf just ask valet if need help.

For departure : the day before the hotel will leave your voucher on/under your door the day before. Open it and check it. The time should be about 3hours before your flight time. You need that paper for driver so keep it safe.

For departure day: you can use airline check in and get rid of your suitcases 5am to 1pm. Call bell services the day before to schedule if need help with your suitcases as well.


Anything else feel free to pm me

Thanks, Trishanado and Bill!!
So our plane leaves out of JFK at 9:50 pm and will be landing at MCO at 12:20 am or so- and we will sleep a bit at the Hyatt MCO and then get up and take the ME to GF - which will be the day of our check-in.
So are you saying that as long as we are checking into GF that morning we can use our magic bands at the ME counter and take that bus? Do they have room on the bus for all our luggage?

Also, do you all use online check-in? I feel like I might get a better room/ view if I talk to a CM in person. I guess I would like to charm my way to a great room.
Kim

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks, Trishanado and Bill!!
So our plane leaves out of JFK at 9:50 pm and will be landing at MCO at 12:20 am or so- and we will sleep a bit at the Hyatt MCO and then get up and take the ME to GF - which will be the day of our check-in.
So are you saying that as long as we are checking into GF that morning we can use our magic bands at the ME counter and take that bus? Do they have room on the bus for all our luggage?

Also, do you all use online check-in? I feel like I might get a better room/ view if I talk to a CM in person. I guess I would like to charm my way to a great room.
Kim

You can do a walk up at the DME counter but I suggest a reservation and yes you will use your MB's. Yes they have room on the bus for your luggage.

You might check on what time DME opens. The resorts don't open the new day until 6 or 7AM, I don't remember.

I don't know anymore if talking to a CM helps with the room assignment. The resorts start the process up to 10 days prior to check in. We have had some resorts tell us that they don't change the room assignments and others ask where do you want to stay.

Bill

 

[twoolle]

Thank you! I originally got the 9:50 reservation for O'hana and all you helpful Disboard Disneygoers told me to give it up and wait for a better time... you all were so right!!!!

Liberty Tree Tavern? I haven't really heard anything about that place. Is it a bar/ restaurant? Something my 5 and 4 year old should see or something more for adults to enjoy?
Thanks, Kim
26 days and counting...

Liberty Tree Tavern is at Magic Kingdom, so no alcohol served. someone referred it to us and since we were spending our last night at MK we chose it. It is colonial style decorated with food served family style. Great brisket, pork, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes. Started with bread and salad and ended with amazing dessert. It was the first meal all week when our boys ate something other than chicken. (Ages 4 and 3). One thing I really liked they provided crayons and coloring sheets while waiting for table. Also had them at the table. I wish I would have taken coloring sheets to every table service.

 

[twoolle]

You can do a walk up at the DME counter but I suggest a reservation and yes you will use your MB's. Yes they have room on the bus for your luggage.

You might check on what time DME opens. The resorts don't open the new day until 6 or 7AM, I don't remember.

I don't know anymore if talking to a CM helps with the room assignment. The resorts start the process up to 10 days prior to check in. We have had some resorts tell us that they don't change the room assignments and others ask where do you want to stay.

Bill

I have heard that you need to give flight numbers to make ME reservation. Pick a flight that arrives around the time you want to be picked up the next day and use that one. It will work.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

It's a crazy Monday Morning for me so no multi quoting! Congratulations on everyone who has an upcoming stay! I know you're as excited as I am.

I do have a quick question for anyone who has stayed CL lately. DH asked if the beer choice had changed with the CL remodels. I don't drink beer (I actually am bringing pineapple juice because everything tastes better with pineapple juice!) and DH is super picky about his. I think I see Yuengling in the picture of the CL level food but I can't make out any of the others. I'm not even sure those are post remodel either. Any help is appreciated!

Hope everyone has a calmer day than me!

Liz

 

[BlueSkies]

Fellow GF fans!

Just kinda skimmed....

Wanted to say HI!

MB are scheduled to ship soon!!

Liz No help with the beer...but I agree about the pineapple juice..yum! Bet that you are a fan of the Dole Whip!!

Hope that everyone is having a magical Monday! preppy GF gal who needs to add an August ticker... thanks to my persuasvie friend MickeyNut...

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

We just switched our reservation from CR-TPV to GF Outer Building Lagoon View. I'm very excited about the switch but have never stayed at GF. What is a good location to request? We are a family of 4, two adults and two boys (10 and 5)

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Well... Just when I thought I was out.. They pull me back in!!

I am booked in Sugarloaf for my DD's birthday again this year..we loved it so much last year.. I need to find out the room I had because it was a great one!

Anyway..just wanted to say Hi again. We are booked in 20 days at YC but it will be a long wait till Feburary 6th

 

[ksks11]

Liberty Tree Tavern is at Magic Kingdom, so no alcohol served. someone referred it to us and since we were spending our last night at MK we chose it. It is colonial style decorated with food served family style. Great brisket, pork, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes. Started with bread and salad and ended with amazing dessert. It was the first meal all week when our boys ate something other than chicken. (Ages 4 and 3). One thing I really liked they provided crayons and coloring sheets while waiting for table. Also had them at the table. I wish I would have taken coloring sheets to every table service.

Thanks for the summary of Liberty Tree Tavern, Twoole!
My kids, 5 and 3 1/2, do so much better when they are occupied also... so I already stocked up on small crafts, stickers, stampers, playdoh, etc. for the sit down dining. They love to be creative and these types of activities keep them busy. I like to buy out Michael's clearance sections when there is a change of season. I got a lot of craft items for 10 cents... Can't beat that!
Kim
25- oh yeah... 25 days to go! Loving the countdown with my kids! [However, my students know I am heading to Disney in a couple of weeks and they aren't as thrilled.]

 

[jcjen519]

It's a crazy Monday Morning for me so no multi quoting! Congratulations on everyone who has an upcoming stay! I know you're as excited as I am.

I do have a quick question for anyone who has stayed CL lately. DH asked if the beer choice had changed with the CL remodels. I don't drink beer (I actually am bringing pineapple juice because everything tastes better with pineapple juice!) and DH is super picky about his. I think I see Yuengling in the picture of the CL level food but I can't make out any of the others. I'm not even sure those are post remodel either. Any help is appreciated!

Hope everyone has a calmer day than me!

Liz

my husband usually drinks yuengling in the club levels I believe. I'm pretty much 100% sure that that one is in the lounges. We haven't stayed in RPC since june though so right before the renovation. we'll be back in 12 days (yay!) so I can report back if you're going after that

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Well... Just when I thought I was out.. They pull me back in!!

I am booked in Sugarloaf for my DD's daughter again this year..we loved it so much last year.. I need to find out the room I had because it was a great one!

Anyway..just wanted to say Hi again. We are booked in 20 days at YC but it will be a long wait till Feburary 6th

Congratulations on a return to GF!

my husband usually drinks yuengling in the club levels I believe. I'm pretty much 100% sure that that one is in the lounges. We haven't stayed in RPC since june though so right before the renovation. we'll be back in 12 days (yay!) so I can report back if you're going after that

Thanks so much for the reply! I know DH likes Yuengling and I'm glad they still have it! WL had Yuengling and Moosehead and he was one happy camper when we were there in July I keep telling DH he isn't going to want any more after a day at Wine and Food in Epcot but apparently he thinks he will!

We will be there in 9 days ourselves as DH and DS reminded me! I had a really rough day and every hour either DH or DS would send a text ...8 day 9 hours til Disney!...8 1/4 days til Disney It put the smile right back on my face!

Thanks again for the reply and SO excited to be there soon!

Liz