A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[HFC1969]

I had one more thing I wanted to mention... doesn't have squat to do with Gflo... but:

Don't you just love the looks on a CM's face when you completely know more about something or everything at WDW then they do...

Oh and also,,, when we checked in... 3 different Mgrs.. including the resort mgr.. greeted us... They must know how much my wife spends at WDW/Gflo...

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Hi pas130

CoachBagFanatic - doesn't that stink, when you finally book after agonizing but when you arrive realize you would rather have your first choice?! I know you had a great trip, anyway, and I think you are headed to the Grand on your next vacation, right?

Yeah, me and DH were kicking ourselves in the bum. As soon as we walked into the lobby we both looked at each other and said, we should have stayed here. Oh well, the GF will definitely be a part of our next trip.

I had one more thing I wanted to mention... doesn't have squat to do with Gflo... but:

Don't you just love the looks on a CM's face when you completely know more about something or everything at WDW then they do...

Their faces are priceless. This happened to us at the CR when we started talking to one CM about the GF DVC. I wish my DH would have taken a picture.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Good Morning everyone. We (me, DH and DS) have already started talking about our next visit to Disney. It won't be until 2014 as we want to bring 2 of Michael's friends on vacation with us next year and it will be very expensive if we go to Disney with that many people. We would either have to get 2 rooms or a suite. I am not staying in a regular room with 3 teenage boys. Also, I don't feel right asking for money as they are single parents. So it will be Virginia (Busch Gardens/Virginia Beach) for us next summer. Although I will miss Disney greatly, I am happy to be able to bring his friends.

But, we are talking about doing a split stay in 2014 Disney/Universal. OMG it just hit me. Michael graduates HS then.

Ok fighting the tears. We talked about the options of Poly CL/PBH or GF RPC/HRH. I was shocked when Michael blurted out the GF/HRH. I thought for sure it would be the Poly over anything else. So we have 2 years to make our 2014 HS graduation trip special.

 

[pas130]

But, we are talking about doing a split stay in 2014 Disney/Universal. OMG it just hit me. Michael graduates HS then.

Ok fighting the tears. We talked about the options of Poly CL/PBH or GF RPC/HRH. I was shocked when Michael blurted out the GF/HRH. I thought for sure it would be the Poly over anything else. So we have 2 years to make our 2014 HS graduation trip special.

It will be incredible! Glad he picked GF SO neat! And that is a great split IMO!

Your so sweet to bring his friends on vacation...no matter where you travel to Lucky boys!

pas130 -

I changed again this morning....yes again. in 1 month I'll be checking into RPC (deluxe king...hopefully)

Jungle Cruiser and Lulu's Mom - you are both in my thoughts and prayers. Stay positive.

They are both strong, amazing ladies aren't they

 

[bdklein]

Does the GF have tennis courts? I have seen conflciting information. If so, do they have racquets and balls for use? And is there a charge?

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

It will be incredible! Glad he picked GF SO neat! And that is a great split IMO!

Your so sweet to bring his friends on vacation...no matter where you travel to Lucky boys!
I changed again this morning....yes again. in 1 month I'll be checking into RPC (deluxe king...hopefully)

They are both strong, amazing ladies aren't they

You know, any place that the three of us are together is incredible. Just add the GF to the mix and it will be super incredible.

Michael's friends are always at our house. We all sit down and have dinner together, watch TV and just talk. Something they don't get at home. To me it's an important part of a kids life is to have that family time together. They feel that at our house and they feel comfortable as well. Which makes me really happy. They are my other son's.

You are too funny with the changing.

You are correct, they are both amazing ladies.

 

[bdklein]

Does the GF have tennis courts? I have seen conflciting information. If so, do they have racquets and balls for use? And is there a charge?

Looks like the tennis courts have been razed for the DVC at GF.

 

[michashell]

k&a&c'smom and bethclayton
Thanks so much for the birthday tips for my son! Great ideas! I love the personalized shirt from etsy idea and all of the pirate stuff. I do remember seeing this on one of the travel shows before we had kids.

We are excited to introduce our children to The World. It will be such a wonderful and different experience for all of us.

 

[bdklein]

Does the GF publish some sort of daily or weekly itinerary showing any pool activites, movies on the beach, etc.? anywhere to see a copy?

 

[Tink rules]

MAJOR refurbs for the Grand this fall...

http://allears.net/acc/faq_gf.htm?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

 

[Parrotheadgoofy]

Good Morning everyone. We (me, DH and DS) have already started talking about our next visit to Disney. It won't be until 2014 as we want to bring 2 of Michael's friends on vacation with us next year and it will be very expensive if we go to Disney with that many people. We would either have to get 2 rooms or a suite. I am not staying in a regular room with 3 teenage boys. Also, I don't feel right asking for money as they are single parents. So it will be Virginia (Busch Gardens/Virginia Beach) for us next summer. Although I will miss Disney greatly, I am happy to be able to bring his friends.

But, we are talking about doing a split stay in 2014 Disney/Universal. OMG it just hit me. Michael graduates HS then.

Ok fighting the tears. We talked about the options of Poly CL/PBH or GF RPC/HRH. I was shocked when Michael blurted out the GF/HRH. I thought for sure it would be the Poly over anything else. So we have 2 years to make our 2014 HS graduation trip special.

What you are doing for the boys is so nice. They will always remember it! We live within 45 minutes of both BG and VA Beach. Let me know if you need any local info.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

Hmmmm...after hearing some of the recent closures for GF im starting to get worried...Looks like both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard Pool are going to be closed during my stay...I was really looking forward to some relaxing pool time...and now all that will be available is the beach pool with all the ugly construction around it (at least it looked that way in May - not sure if this is still the case?) ...thoughts? Is all this construction/refurbs throwing a wrench in anyone else's plans? Just so hard to justify $400/night to look at construction walls and not use all the resort offerings

 

[micknme]

Hmmmm...after hearing some of the recent closures for GF im starting to get worried...Looks like both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard Pool are going to be closed during my stay...I was really looking forward to some relaxing pool time...and now all that will be available is the beach pool with all the ugly construction around it (at least it looked that way in May - not sure if this is still the case?) ...thoughts? Is all this construction/refurbs throwing a wrench in anyone else's plans? Just so hard to justify $400/night to look at construction walls and not use all the resort offerings

I'm beginning to worry as well. I love the beauty and serenity of the courtyard pool as we walk to the main building so I'm really starting to question our choice of resort. I love the GF but I'm thinking maybe this year I should give another resort a try....

 

[Tink rules]

Hmmmm...after hearing some of the recent closures for GF im starting to get worried...Looks like both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard Pool are going to be closed during my stay...I was really looking forward to some relaxing pool time...and now all that will be available is the beach pool with all the ugly construction around it (at least it looked that way in May - not sure if this is still the case?) ...thoughts? Is all this construction/refurbs throwing a wrench in anyone else's plans? Just so hard to justify $400/night to look at construction walls and not use all the resort offerings

I was going to switch to the Poly but now they are telling people over there that the pool will be open to GF guests also since the pools over at the GF are going to be worked on

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Oh no!! where did you hear this information and is it reliable?? We arebgoing thelast week of August and had I known both pools would be closed I would not have booked it! What is the dates you heard for all these closings?

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Hmmmm...after hearing some of the recent closures for GF im starting to get worried...Looks like both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard Pool are going to be closed during my stay...I was really looking forward to some relaxing pool time...and now all that will be available is the beach pool with all the ugly construction around it (at least it looked that way in May - not sure if this is still the case?) ...thoughts? Is all this construction/refurbs throwing a wrench in anyone else's plans? Just so hard to justify $400/night to look at construction walls and not use all the resort offerings

I haven't been around on this thread for a while since we got back from our April stay, but I immedialy thought of you all on this wonderful thread when I read the rehab announcement yesterday. I can only speak for myself (and I hope this doesn't make me hated), but if I was going to be staying in the midst of several things closed at once I'd probably be thinking about switching. The Courtyard Pool is a big one to me because I feel like that courtyard is the "central beauty" of the resort and it would really detract from my experience to walk by construction walls (I'm just making the assumption the whole thing would be walled off, but that's just my guess). With all that said, take me with a grain of salt because I'm pretty construction-adverse when it comes to my Disney stays. That's actually how we ended up back at the GF this April (we were supposed to be at BC but switched when we found out there was a last minute rehab of SAB). While we go to Disney every year, we tend to mix up our hotel choices, so it might be many trips before I get back to a resort so I like to experience it at it's prime, kwim? There was construction going on at the GF while we were there (feature pool and of course the beach walls) but it wasn't too bad because once we were in the heart of the resort it was easy to avoid but work in the main hub of the resort would be more of a bummer to me. Just my two cents.

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

I could be sick! I just called GF and asked to speak to a manager who confirmed that the Courtyard pool is going to be closed starting August 22, and same with Gasparillos. A guess they will set up a bar that will serve small quick service at the beach pool. This is soooo dissapointing and I'm really regretting canceling my free dining package just Yesterday at AoA! We have a standard garden view room booked as well...so I guess we get to look at the work at the Courtyard pool all week. This is CERTAINLY why we got such a great rate...but still....

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I could be sick! I just called GF and asked to speak to a manager who confirmed that the Courtyard pool is going to be closed starting August 22, and same with Gasparillos. A guess they will set up a bar that will serve small quick service at the beach pool. This is soooo dissapointing and I'm really regretting canceling my free dining package just Yesterday at AoA! We have a standard garden view room booked as well...so I guess we get to look at the work at the Courtyard pool all week. This is CERTAINLY why we got such a great rate...but still....

One thing you could do is ask them to note "away from construction" on your reservation. We did this in April.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - what a great thing to have bonus kids, isn't it? My DD's friends and my oldest DS's girlfriend were in our house all the time, and sometimes went on vacation with us. You are doing a very good thing, allowing these kids to be a part of your family.

Two fun trips to start planning - woohoo! Hugs regarding the HS graduation, it's hard.

Does the GF have tennis courts? I have seen conflciting information. If so, do they have racquets and balls for use? And is there a charge?

Looks like the tennis courts have been razed for the DVC at GF.

Sorry you had to answer your own question, bdklein! You are correct, the tennis courts are gone.

k&a&c'smom and bethclayton
Thanks so much for the birthday tips for my son! Great ideas! I love the personalized shirt from etsy idea and all of the pirate stuff. I do remember seeing this on one of the travel shows before we had kids.

We are excited to introduce our children to The World. It will be such a wonderful and different experience for all of us.

I'm excited for you!

Does the GF publish some sort of daily or weekly itinerary showing any pool activites, movies on the beach, etc.? anywhere to see a copy?

They do, and I have some, but they change seasonally and with the discontinuation or addition of various activities. They pass them out at check in.

The pool activities usually run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. - the things you might find are Wii games, dive toys, hula hoop contests, dance parties, Disney trivia, scavenger hunt, etc.

The movie list is usually on a board near the pool.

Oh no!! where did you hear this information and is it reliable?? We arebgoing thelast week of August and had I known both pools would be closed I would not have booked it! What is the dates you heard for all these closings?

Check out the link provided by Tink rules - it is from allears, which is extremely reliable.

I was going to switch to the Poly but now they are telling people over there that the pool will be open to GF guests also since the pools over at the GF are going to be worked on

Thanks for the link, I guess they are finally announcing some of the closures. Sorry it will impact your stay. I can't imagine the crowds at the Poly pool for the late summer-fall!

Hmmmm...after hearing some of the recent closures for GF im starting to get worried...Looks like both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard Pool are going to be closed during my stay...I was really looking forward to some relaxing pool time...and now all that will be available is the beach pool with all the ugly construction around it (at least it looked that way in May - not sure if this is still the case?) ...thoughts? Is all this construction/refurbs throwing a wrench in anyone else's plans? Just so hard to justify $400/night to look at construction walls and not use all the resort offerings

I certainly understand your feelings, it would be hard to pay top dollar for partial resort amenities. The only consolation I can give is the timeline will most likely be tweaked at least once, so it may or may not coincide with your dates.

Hard to know what to do.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I certainly understand your feelings, it would be hard to pay top dollar for partial resort amenities. The only consolation I can give is the timeline will most likely be tweaked at least once, so it may or may not coincide with your dates.

Hard to know what to do.

This is an excellent point! In 2011 we were booked at the Poly when the announced that the quiet pool would be down for rehab starting right before our stay. At check-in we asked to be away from the pool construction and they looked at my mom like she had two heads - they knew nothing of it and promptly gave us a room right overlooking the quiet pool. Turns out the project had been delayed and nothing happened the whole time we were there.