A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[ktlm]

Those that got free upgrades, I wonder what time of day they checked in.

We were probably around 4:00 p.m. I think it has more to do with how full the resort is, and how many rooms in certain categories aren't booked and a good deal of luck than time of day. I think we were making a spectacle out of ourselves between my outgoing DD bouncing all over the place with excitement and turning on her charm, and me acting as excited as a 3 year old on her first trip, and I think the CM just kind of got a kick out of us...or maybe just felt sorry for DH having to deal with the 2 crazies. They told us that when they saw what garden view room we were going to be assigned that it was basically a total construction view, and so they wanted to put us somewhere better. I was almost in tears I was so happy.


Tink Rules, I'm sure you are right! I'm sure if a celebrity had suddenly decided to show up last week, they would have been kicking themselves for filling the suite with my friends!

 

[buzz1fan]

Hi everyone- I have a question is there a main pool that is zero entry near the garden view rooms? We are going in June.
Thanks

 

[cgulls]

Hi everyone- I have a question is there a main pool that is zero entry near the garden view rooms? We are going in June.
Thanks

There is a main pool in sight of many of the garden view rooms that when it's done with its current renovations will have zero entry. The renovation, per the Disney website, is scheduled to run through this month so it sounds safe to assume it will be up and running by your June trip.

The other pool, the Beach/Theme Pool, is open and is zero entry. You can see at this link there are a couple short periods during which it is scheduled to be closed.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/refurbishments.htm

 

[dfielder]

We are leaving for the GF on Saturday, March 16th, and was wondering if anyone is there right now and can post updated pics of the courtyard pool?

I'm hoping it'll be open in the next week, but I'm not holding my breath.


Thanks,
Doug

 

[cgulls]

We are leaving for the GF on Saturday, March 16th, and was wondering if anyone is there right now and can post updated pics of the courtyard pool?

I'm hoping it'll be open in the next week, but I'm not holding my breath.


Thanks,
Doug

Hi Doug, we're going in April. Any chance you could post some photos of the pool while you're down there? Sorry, I know that's not why you posted but while you're here . . .

 

[dfielder]

Hi Doug, we're going in April. Any chance you could post some photos of the pool while you're down there? Sorry, I know that's not why you posted but while you're here . . .

Absolutely! Hopefully it'll be of a pool and not a bunch of walls!

 

[pas130]

and pas, my precious friend. <3

I always enjoy your suite adventures!

 

[sydneysmom]

Absolutely! Hopefully it'll be of a pool and not a bunch of walls!

You're awesome for doing that! I can't wait to see what it looks like.... I hope it's open for you to enjoy! Have a great trip!!

 

[TinkyCheeks]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to jump in and say thank you so much for such a great, informative thread! We're having our first stay at GF this December, and it's been a windy road to get there. First, we were going to stay at the Poly. Then DH decided that since we might be spending more time in the room with the little one (will be 18 months when we go), we should get a CR TPV room. THEN this weekend he called and changed it to GF SL!

I am SO excited! I love Christmas, and getting to see Disney during the holiday season makes me so happy. But add to it getting to see the GF all dressed up for the holidays...heaven!!

 

[cgulls]

For our 8-day, 7-night stay, I'd prefer to not have groceries delivered to the room (though I'm open to a change-of-mind on that idea).

Where, if anywhere, could I grab:

-- apples
-- bananas
-- individual water bottles
-- bagels
-- small containers of peanut butter

Can we buy all or some of those things at Gasparillas? I can find a Gasparillas menu but that shows the prepared items, mostly. Thanks for any help with this.

 

[outahere]

For our 8-day, 7-night stay, I'd prefer to not have groceries delivered to the room (though I'm open a change-of-mind on that idea).

Where, if anywhere, could I grab:

-- apples
-- bananas
-- individual water bottles
-- bagels
-- small containers of peanut butter

Can we buy all or some of those things at Gasparillas? I can find a Gasparillas menu but that shows the prepared items, mostly. Thanks for any help with this.

I saw everything on your list, but the peanut butter, at Gasparillas. I didn't really look for peanut butter, so they may have it as well. They also had some other baked goods that looked pretty good.

 

[cgulls]

I saw everything on your list, but the peanut butter, at Gasparillas. I didn't really look for peanut butter, so they may have it as well. They also had some other baked goods that looked pretty good.

Thank you! I just poked around and found some photos I'd seen before but forgotten about.

http://wdwnt.com/sweeping-renovatio...-on-villas-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort/

This shows peanut butter at Sandy Cove!

For others in a similar situation (one week stay, would like to have some snacks on-hand in the room either to start the day or for afternoon, etc.), do you prefer to buy them as needed or have groceries delivered?

 

[Rhongepooh]

I had to change my reservations from may 28th arrival date to may 30th arrival. We were originally booked for the Contemporary which we've stayed at several times. Well they had only concierge level rooms available at that time and it would cost about $2000 for the two rooms we booked. SO I ended up reserving outer building garden view instead. While I've always wanted to stay here I'm a little nervous. I've got a few questions if anyone could help me please...

1) how far of a walk to the monorail and how far from the quick service are? We love the conscience of getting off the monorail to the elevator and your room is right there as is the beverage station.

2) are the buildings set up like the mods where your room opens to the outside or do they have indoor hallways?

3) do they offer turndown service for the regular (non club level) upon request? I know at the contemporary they do if you request it

 

[sydneysmom]

I had to change my reservations from may 28th arrival date to may 30th arrival. We were originally booked for the Contemporary which we've stayed at several times. Well they had only concierge level rooms available at that time and it would cost about $2000 for the two rooms we booked. SO I ended up reserving outer building garden view instead. While I've always wanted to stay here I'm a little nervous. I've got a few questions if anyone could help me please...

1) how far of a walk to the monorail and how far from the quick service are? We love the conscience of getting off the monorail to the elevator and your room is right there as is the beverage station.

2) are the buildings set up like the mods where your room opens to the outside or do they have indoor hallways?

3) do they offer turndown service for the regular (non club level) upon request? I know at the contemporary they do if you request it

1. We stayed in Big Pine Key and it was literally a 2 minute walk to the main building then take the elevator to the second floor to get the monorail. totally a minor walk (and quite lovely!!) Now, it was a bit out of the way for us to go to Gasparillas to get soda refills, but we did go once a day. It was easier for us to keep soda in our room refrigerator and just go get ice in the building. If we were in a different building, it might not have been that big a deal to go more often.

2. Interior hallways because all the rooms have their own balcony or patio. Again...really lovely, especially when you want some down time. We were fortunate enough to stay on the water, so it was so peaceful. (especially when our DD was napping)

3. We had turndown service each night in the outer building and a newspaper each morning. They put the most wonderful little chocolates on your pillow, which we wound up using to get our DD to wake up! (they were our "smelling salts" each morning!
You don't have to request turndown, they just will come each night. If you're in the room, you can tell them you don't want it, or just let them in. We found that it was done by the time we got back each night. It was really a nice touch, that's for sure.

it's truly a beautiful resort...have a really great time!!!

 

[Rhongepooh]

Thanks Sydney's mom! One of my daughter's oldest friends is named Sydney!

 

[sydneysmom]

Thanks Sydney's mom! One of my daughter's oldest friends is named Sydney!

 

[MommyGina]

This is for anyone who has recently come back from the GF or knows the answer to my question.

What do the refillable mugs look like that are now for sale at Gasparilla's? I'm wondering if they are still the old ones with the beach/pool pictures of Mickey and friends or if they have a new design.

Thanks!

 

[lin7]

I'm at GF right now, they still have the old mugs with Mickey and friends.

 

[Sue M]

I'm at GF right now, they still have the old mugs with Mickey and friends.

Can you ask about when beach walls will be coming down

Not surprised about the mugs, but prob by May we should be seeing the new mugs start appearing?

 

[lin7]

Can you ask about when beach walls will be coming down

Not surprised about the mugs, but prob by May we should be seeing the new mugs start appearing?

They never made mention of this, I can ask tomorrow for you.