A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Mrsdonaldduck]

Color me so surprised!! I was playing around on the WDW resort booking engine, and found this on the GF page (listed on the page where they give you an offer for your dates):


Please note, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

• Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 20, 2012
• Courtyard Pool: August 28 to November 30, 2012
• Gasparilla Grill & Games: August 24 to December 17, 2012
• Mouseketeer Club: August 8 to late 2012
• The Spa: April 19, 2011 to early 2013

These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience. Refurbishment dates are subject to change.

ETA: this list was on the Overview page of the Grand section of the website as well (mostly the same with the beach pool bar added).


Refurbishments*
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our offerings, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

Beach Pool Bar: April 2 to August 24, 2012
Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 20, 2012
Courtyard Pool: August 28 to November 30, 2012
Gasparilla Grill & Games: August 24 to December 17, 2012
Mouseketeer Club: August 8 to late 2012
The Spa: April 19, 2011 to early 2013
These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience.

* Please note, refurbishment dates are subject to change.

This is such great information thank you
K&a&c'mom!!!!!!!!!

 

[scanne]

Hi! Yes, it is - but it is listed as "main building - deluxe room - club level". The king deluxe rooms are separated out, I guess they feel designating non-king as "queen" is redundant, but it is a bit confusing.

Thank you! I guess I should start saving now! LOL!

 

[bdklein]

Hello Everyone... Any news regarding Splash pad?

I asked the GF CL IPO earlier this week if there was a kids splash area being built, and if it was for DVC only. The response was "We have not heard about a kids area being built".

 

[mag73]

I asked the GF CL IPO earlier this week if there was a kids splash area being built, and if it was for DVC only. The response was "We have not heard about a kids area being built".

I think there is a lot of confusion going among the CMs, I have called few times and got some contradicting answers. I guess the only to really find out is to be there. For us its 13 more days.

 

[bdklein]

I think there is a lot of confusion going among the CMs, I have called few times and got some contradicting answers. I guess the only to really find out is to be there. For us its 13 more days.

And you still might not know-it may not be open or only for DVC??

 

[Butterflygirl35]

And you still might not know-it may not be open or only for DVC??

I guess we all just need patience, unfortunately don't have any... 15 more days!!!

 

[pas130]

I guess we all just need patience, unfortunately don't have any... 15 more days!!!

Nice!!! SO CLOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - Is KOOK heading down next week? I didn't realize.

Mrsdonaldduck - you're welcome!

Thank you! I guess I should start saving now! LOL!

YES!

I asked the GF CL IPO earlier this week if there was a kids splash area being built, and if it was for DVC only. The response was "We have not heard about a kids area being built".

I think there is a lot of confusion going among the CMs, I have called few times and got some contradicting answers. I guess the only to really find out is to be there. For us its 13 more days.

And you still might not know-it may not be open or only for DVC??

There is definitely a splash zone being built, you can see photos of it at this link: http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=870&Itemid=65 The last word anyone has heard for opening is August 31.

I do not think it is planned for DVC only - it is located on the beach near the main building, between the beach pool and the Summerhouse. If it was meant for DVC only, I think they would have placed it near the VGF building.

I guess we all just need patience, unfortunately don't have any... 15 more days!!!

So true! Tough to be patient when your trip is getting close.

 

[pas130]

pas130 - Is KOOK heading down next week? I didn't realize.

She is checking in to BLT tomorrow, and WL...the 21st (I think)

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

k&a&c'smom, when do you get to our beloved GF? Are you going to the YC first? So excited for you and your DD!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

She is checking in to BLT tomorrow, and WL...the 21st (I think)

k&a&c'smom, when do you get to our beloved GF? Are you going to the YC first? So excited for you and your DD!

Thanks! We are at the YC first, then I will be at the Grand starting the 25th, yay. Can't wait! Even with the construction, I've been longing to visit our favorite resort.

 

[houstonmama]

Hi everyone!!

We'll be staying at GF SL from Dec 8-15. So excited as this is our 1st trip! I made my own ADR's 180 days out but I'm interested in a BOG ADR that start on Monday. I called the IP so they could help me out with this. The control freak in me is a tiny bit worried Have y'all had success with using them? With two little ones (3yr & 10mos) its going to be a little difficult to be on the phone at 6am (Tx. time)!

Looking forward to staying at GF!
TIA!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Hi, I'm brand new to the board -- yesterday -- I'm a many time visitor to Disney World and am thrilled to be returning October 21-30. I'll be staying at the Buena Vista Palace and Spa for a conference for the first 4 nights and moving over to the Grand Floridian for the next 5 nights. My 14 year old niece will be staying with me at the GF.

So, newbi question -- is there a place where I can see what all the acronyms are? I can figure out some -- but, not the majority.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi everyone!!

We'll be staying at GF SL from Dec 8-15. So excited as this is our 1st trip! I made my own ADR's 180 days out but I'm interested in a BOG ADR that start on Monday. I called the IP so they could help me out with this. The control freak in me is a tiny bit worried Have y'all had success with using them? With two little ones (3yr & 10mos) its going to be a little difficult to be on the phone at 6am (Tx. time)!

Looking forward to staying at GF!
TIA!

How wonderful you have booked your first trip to the World, and at the Grand, very exciting!

We have had very good success with IPO, but we almost never need a hard-to-get booking. Hopefully, those on the thread who have had to nab a special reservation can post their experiences. I understand your worry, but the Itinerary Planners are usually very good about it. You may want to email or call them the day before the window opens, just to be sure.

Hi, I'm brand new to the board -- yesterday -- I'm a many time visitor to Disney World and am thrilled to be returning October 21-30. I'll be staying at the Buena Vista Palace and Spa for a conference for the first 4 nights and moving over to the Grand Floridian for the next 5 nights. My 14 year old niece will be staying with me at the GF.

So, newbi question -- is there a place where I can see what all the acronyms are? I can figure out some -- but, not the majority.

Thanks,

Tom

Glad you've joined us! You are an old hand at WDW, have you stayed at the GF before? If not, I think you and your niece will fall in love with the resort.

There is a thread on the first page with the acronyms, I'll see if I can find the link for you. If there are specific ones you are reading here, we don't mind explaining them. For instance - RPC stands for Royal Palm Club (main building club level at the Grand); IPO stands for Itinerary Planning Office; ETA means edited to add; TIA stands for Thanks in Advance; BLT is Bay Lake Tower; WL is Wilderness Lodge.

I'll go look for the link, brb (be right back!).

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KonaKaiTom - here is the link for the common abbreviations thread, it is in the Welcome board: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

HTH!(hope that helps)

 

[houstonmama]

How wonderful you have booked your first trip to the World, and at the Grand, very exciting!

We have had very good success with IPO, but we almost never need a hard-to-get booking. Hopefully, those on the thread who have had to nab a special reservation can post their experiences. I understand your worry, but the Itinerary Planners are usually very good about it. You may want to email or call them the day before the window opens, just to be sure.


Thanks! I just realized maybe I should have posted on the club level thread? Rookie move

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Thanks! We are at the YC first, then I will be at the Grand starting the 25th, yay. Can't wait! Even with the construction, I've been longing to visit our favorite resort.

Awesome! So close ! Have a great time and lots of pixie dust!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks! I just realized maybe I should have posted on the club level thread? Rookie move

Naww, you're more than welcome to post any GF-related questions here! (or general WDW questions) You might get more answers regarding IPO on the CL thread, but posting in both places is a good idea. Might not have anyone who has used the GF IPO recently over there, and someone here happens to see the question...

I have had a few occasions where IPO at various resorts has been a little lax, but for the most part they are great. I hope someone who has recently used GF IPO (which is shared with the CR, btw) can give some input regarding those 180 day reservations. We tend to be last minute reservations kind of guests.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Awesome! So close ! Have a great time and lots of pixie dust!

Thanks! We are getting close, I would probably be more excited but Sunday/Monday DD and I have to drive to St. Louis to pick up DS's car - he and his fiance are moving to our town next week. With that little chore before our trip, it's hard to concentrate on vacation. Not to mention my excitement over having another chick back in the nest (or nearly so).

I'll have to set aside my normal last minute packing habit and try to get some things done over the weekend. CoachBagFanatic, are you reading this?!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks so much for the link to the acronyms - Much appreciated. Yes, it is our first time at GF (I'm learning!). Previously we have stayed at CSR, FW, Poly, YC, Dolphin, and POR. Can't wait, even with the construction, to be in the elegant GF!