A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[garada3]

DH tried to surprise me with a birthday weekend at the GF, but there are no RPC rooms available!

He tried for October 18 thru 21, just before the huge convention being held at WDW. The GF is listed as sold out on the convention site.

Do you all think pre- convention vacations are causing the lack of availability? Could it be the construction?


It figures that he decides to be romantic and take me to my favorite place and it is all sold out

 

[Mary T in PA]

Headed to GF RPC in late Nov! Looking forward to it! Several years ago, we stayed in SL. We have always wanted to stay in the Main Bldg.

 

[pas130]

I missed my friend k&a&c'smom's sendoff

Have a fabulous YC/GF stay

butterflygirl....you are close!!!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I missed my friend k&a&c'smom's sendoff

Have a fabulous YC/GF stay

butterflygirl....you are close!!!

Thanks!!!

Online check in day... Makes it real...

 

[Butterflygirl35]

DH tried to surprise me with a birthday weekend at the GF, but there are no RPC rooms available!

He tried for October 18 thru 21, just before the huge convention being held at WDW. The GF is listed as sold out on the convention site.

Do you all think pre- convention vacations are causing the lack of availability? Could it be the construction?


It figures that he decides to be romantic and take me to my favorite place and it is all sold out

I would keep checking... Sometimes things come up...

Good luck!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas, you did NOT miss the send off, we were out of town retrieving younger DS's car! It has been a hectic weekend. lol

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone, we leave tomorrow for the YC.

I know there are a few new posters, when I get a chance I'll go back and read, if any questions are still unanswered I'll try to catch them up before I go. I'll have my laptop, so I'll try to post from the World.

 

[pas130]

Thanks!!!

Online check in day... Makes it real...

Which means tomorrow is SINGLE DIGITS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pas, you did NOT miss the send off, we were out of town retrieving younger DS's car! It has been a hectic weekend. lol

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone, we leave tomorrow for the YC.:cool1

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a Magical trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

K&a&c'smom: Yay! Have a great time!!!!

Pas130: Thanks! So excited!!! fifth Disney trip this year and still excited as if it has been years.. Lol

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi everyone!

We've stayed at the Grand Floridian a few times before, but never in the main building. We typically stay Beach Club concierge lagoon view as we love the pool and access to both Epcot and Hollywood studios via walking.

We are looking at a Deluxe King Main Bldg Club Level for our visit 11/29-12/4. We have an 11 year old son and two adults. We would obviously need a room with the daybed for him, and I really like a balcony. I understand the two possible views are the spa and theme park. Obviously knowing there is construction going on, I would prefer a Theme Park view (who wouldn't). My question is twofold: how bad will construction be if we're overlooking the spa/new Grand Floridian and will GF make sure we are in a room with a daybed since there are three guests? Not sure if the room is really big enough for a rollaway and we like being comfortable. Also, do the king deluxe's with balconies have a daybed or are they configured without a daybed if they have a balcony? Lastly, has GF replaced the bedding with duvets yet, or are there will bedspreads? One of the pluses to the Beach Club concierge are the duvets and no more scratchy bedspreads and blankets?

Sorry for all the questions, I just wanted know know what I was getting into before I book. I am rarely lucky with rooms, so I'd most likely end up with king, no daybed, no balcony overlooking construction and I'd really like to avoid a few of those possibilities. Thanks for your help!

Welcome!! Glad you've joined us.

Unless things have recently changed, neither of the deluxe king room configurations have a daybed. There is a sofa, but they do not fold out. I know they have recently changed the guest maximum to 3 in these rooms, so I guess it is possible they have added a daybed. There is room for a rollaway, so maybe they assume you will use one.

There are 9 rectangular king deluxe rooms (Opt. 2) on the 2nd floor with jacuzzi tubs and balconies. Located over Gasparilla's, they have a view of the marina and the castle. These rooms have limited access (you cannot go directly from the main lobby to these rooms, you have to go to the 3rd floor, walk down the hallway and take the pool elevator to the 2nd).

The octagonal (or turret) king deluxe rooms (Opt. 1) have no balcony, a garden tub rather than jacuzzi and are larger. Located on either end of the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors around the atrium, these rooms have beautiful wrap around windows and a walk in closet area. Three of these rooms have windows that overlook both the beach pool/Wedding Pavilion and the courtyard, so you can see part of the castle. Three, on the end over the main entrance to the GF, overlook the monorail and beach pool/Wedding pavilion.

All GF rooms have a bedspread rather than duvet - except, possibly, some of the suites. (the bedding in some suites is the same as a regular room)

Here is a photo of the 2 different layouts:

 

[pas130]

K&a&c'smom: Yay! Have a great time!!!!

Pas130: Thanks! So excited!!! fifth Disney trip this year and still excited as if it has been years.. Lol

I completely understand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I just booked my first GF stay for next August! I was talking to "the mouse" regarding our annual WL trip this week, and found out that I could book the trip and modify if I get the Bounce back offer that's usually in my room. So, it's booked and my daughter (a teen) and I are over the moon! We decided to resist the park hopper, because we figured that would assure that we plan more time to enjoy the hotel. So, I'd like to know the special things that go on at the GF throughout the day. I'm sure you GF veterans know all the cool stuff!
Please keep in mind that we're not CL ($$$), but we'd rather be standard for the full 7 nights than shorten our stay.
Thanks in advance!
Did I mention I'm sooo happy?!!!

Welcome! Congrats on your first visit to the Grand, as others have posted, you will love it. Mother/daughter trips are just the best, DD and I have been traveling together for years. The GF is a perfect choice.

Don't worry, garden view rooms are great - we usually stay garden view if we do not choose club level. Wonderful views, we enjoy looking at the resort, so pretty.

Our favorite things at the resort are afternoon tea, sitting in the lobby listening to the band/pianist (or even just sitting in the lobby, even without music it is so relaxing), strolling the grounds, grabbing a snack at Gasparilla's and watching Wishes, lying around the pool with a drink, renting a SeaRaycer and scooting around the Lagoon, browsing the various shops, having breakfast or lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe, having a leisurely dinner at Narcoossee's or Citricos, watching the Electrical Water Pageant, heading over to the Poly for b'fast at Kona/shopping at Boutiki.

These are just some of our favorite things - if I think of more, I'll add to the list. The GF is such a beautiful resort, we enjoy just being there.

You are absolutely going to love it! My daughter and I are planning on going next year in August with her two sons and myself. Son-in-law is not a real Disney person like we are. We just love the Grand!!!!

You are going to have a wonderful time, hopefully the majority if not all the construction will be completed. Those non-Disney people are hard to figure, right?!

You will love it! We have stayed Club Level and in a standard room, and both were wonderful!

I'll be interested to hear what people have to say about the special things that go on. When are you going? We were there the week before Christmas and the lobby was decorated SO nice! The gingerbread was awesome. That was definitely special.

I also love to shop at the bath store upstairs in the main building.

We also enjoy walking over to the Poly and walking around. DH loves sushi so he gets that and we eat in Captain Cook's at the Poly.

Isn't Christmas at the Grand beautiful?! DD's favorite time of year to visit.

We love having sushi at the Poly, so glad they added the sushi bar.

The walk to the Poly is lovely, especially at night when the tiki torches are lit. We usually walk there for breakfast at Kona one morning, and walk back from dinner at Kona one night.

As far as doings and happenings, there are kids' activities every afternoon by the beach pool (DD is 13 now, so that's out!), and every night (I think) they show movies by the courtyard pool. Other than that, I don't know of any special activities during the summer - maybe someone who has visited recently can tell us more.

A mother-daughter spa day would be nice. They have facials, leg and foot massages, reflexology, manicures, pedicures, etc. I'm not a full-body massage person, but the leg and foot massage and reflexology are 2 things I've tried, and they were heavenly...easier on the pocketbook, too!

Have a great time!

More great GF things. We love having easy access to the Poly.

Not sure what they will do with the movies by the pool when the courtyard pool is closed for refurb - hopefully, move it to the beach pool.

Spa days are great, too. The GF spa is currently closed, but they are shuttling guests to the SSR spa.

I had no idea you could walk over to the Poly. That's great.
We'll be there the last week of Aug 2013. This year (in 4 days) we're at WL.

So close! Safe travels and enjoy the Lodge - so beautiful!

DH tried to surprise me with a birthday weekend at the GF, but there are no RPC rooms available!

He tried for October 18 thru 21, just before the huge convention being held at WDW. The GF is listed as sold out on the convention site.

Do you all think pre- convention vacations are causing the lack of availability? Could it be the construction?


It figures that he decides to be romantic and take me to my favorite place and it is all sold out

I would keep checking... Sometimes things come up...

Good luck!

Of course, it would figure, wouldn't it?!

I was just going to post the same as Butterflygirl, keep checking. I've had good success at snagging a room, even after weeks of being sold out. Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Headed to GF RPC in late Nov! Looking forward to it! Several years ago, we stayed in SL. We have always wanted to stay in the Main Bldg.

You will love RPC, congrats on the booking. Very exciting!

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a Magical trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! Can't wait.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

K&a&c'smom: Yay! Have a great time!!!!

Pas130: Thanks! So excited!!! fifth Disney trip this year and still excited as if it has been years.. Lol

I know what you mean - we've never done 5 trips in a year, but have been 3 times a couple years. Just as exciting.

Thanks for the well wishes, I know we will have a wonderful trip. We are not park commandos, we get in a lot of resort time.

 

[baler31]

pas, you did NOT miss the send off, we were out of town retrieving younger DS's car! It has been a hectic weekend. lol

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone, we leave tomorrow for the YC.

I know there are a few new posters, when I get a chance I'll go back and read, if any questions are still unanswered I'll try to catch them up before I go. I'll have my laptop, so I'll try to post from the World.

Enjoy your trip. Are you doing a split with YC/GF ? Hope the weather is decent for all of us with upcoming trips. We will arrive on 8/31, curious to see how the construction has changed since our June trip.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Enjoy your trip. Are you doing a split with YC/GF ? Hope the weather is decent for all of us with upcoming trips. We will arrive on 8/31, curious to see how the construction has changed since our June trip.

Darn, we miss you by 2 days! Yes, we are doing a YC/GF split - 3 nights YC, 4 nights GF. Woohoo! SAB, here we come.

I, too, hope the weather is good. I've been watching it as we approach and it has looked like a lot of rain. I hope it is less than it sounds, per usual.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I am going to have 1 full day of just me - I have conference first, then my niece is flying down to join me so she won't miss school. Which means I have Friday October 26th all to myself. Any suggestions as to what to do for the day that doesn't make me look like a creepy, stalker predator? LOL -- I'm a single 50 year male -- I would normally play golf to kill the time but a major car accident 18 months ago left me with a broken neck (in 4 places) and that is no longer an option. I'm thinking exploring EPCOT and shooting photos might be a good way to kill the day, enjoy the sites and not look like Chris Hansen should be interviewing me on "To Catch a Predator" Also, any suggestions for lunch and dinner given the circumstances would be appreciated. Doesn't Germany have a huge buffet where they put you with strangers?

Many thanks in advance.

Tom

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I am going to have 1 full day of just me - I have conference first, then my niece is flying down to join me so she won't miss school. Which means I have Friday October 26th all to myself. Any suggestions as to what to do for the day that doesn't make me look like a creepy, stalker predator? LOL -- I'm a single 50 year male -- I would normally play golf to kill the time but a major car accident 18 months ago left me with a broken neck (in 4 places) and that is no longer an option. I'm thinking exploring EPCOT and shooting photos might be a good way to kill the day, enjoy the sites and not look like Chris Hansen should be interviewing me on "To Catch a Predator" Also, any suggestions for lunch and dinner given the circumstances would be appreciated. Doesn't Germany have a huge buffet where they put you with strangers?

Many thanks in advance.

Tom

Epcot is one of my favorite solo days. I love to spend the time wandering around WS watching all the performers, a bit of shopping and of course eating. There are so many wonderful photo spots. You might find that one solo day isn't really enough!

 

[mariamouse]

Darn, we miss you by 2 days! Yes, we are doing a YC/GF split - 3 nights YC, 4 nights GF. Woohoo! SAB, here we come.

I, too, hope the weather is good. I've been watching it as we approach and it has looked like a lot of rain. I hope it is less than it sounds, per usual.

I will cross the fingers for you! A helpful DISer like you certainly deserves to have more of this than this . Either way, I hope you have an absolutely magical time!

I am going to have 1 full day of just me - I have conference first, then my niece is flying down to join me so she won't miss school. Which means I have Friday October 26th all to myself. Any suggestions as to what to do for the day that doesn't make me look like a creepy, stalker predator? LOL -- I'm a single 50 year male -- I would normally play golf to kill the time but a major car accident 18 months ago left me with a broken neck (in 4 places) and that is no longer an option. I'm thinking exploring EPCOT and shooting photos might be a good way to kill the day, enjoy the sites and not look like Chris Hansen should be interviewing me on "To Catch a Predator" Also, any suggestions for lunch and dinner given the circumstances would be appreciated. Doesn't Germany have a huge buffet where they put you with strangers?

Many thanks in advance.

Tom

Ha-- what a creeper! I think you would be fine going to any of the parks by yourself! Or just exploring the various deluxe resorts could be nice too... the monorail resorts will obviously be easy to access, but the Epcot resorts and AKL have so much to offer too!

As for lunch/dinner suggestions, you are correct that Biergarten seats you at a long table with strangers. I would also look into restaurants with bar areas where you can eat if that might make you feel more comfortable than sitting alone at a table-- I know that Flying Fish (at the BWI right outside of the World Showcase) has a large bar area and the food there is fantastic! Definitely a good option for dinner. ESPN Club right next door also could be fun due to its "manly" feel, although the food is nothing to write home about. Both Citricos and Narcoossee's at the GF also have bar areas where you can eat, although I believe the bar area at Narcoossee's is quite small. Hopefully others can chime in with additional recommendations!

Wherever you end up, I do not think you have much to worry about! Everyone will be so wrapped up in their own trip that they will likely not even notice that you are alone! Plus, you are certainly not the first WDW guest to ever travel there alone. Have fun and just ignore all the haters-- do whatever it is you want to do!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I am going to have 1 full day of just me - I have conference first, then my niece is flying down to join me so she won't miss school. Which means I have Friday October 26th all to myself. Any suggestions as to what to do for the day that doesn't make me look like a creepy, stalker predator? LOL -- I'm a single 50 year male -- I would normally play golf to kill the time but a major car accident 18 months ago left me with a broken neck (in 4 places) and that is no longer an option. I'm thinking exploring EPCOT and shooting photos might be a good way to kill the day, enjoy the sites and not look like Chris Hansen should be interviewing me on "To Catch a Predator" Also, any suggestions for lunch and dinner given the circumstances would be appreciated. Doesn't Germany have a huge buffet where they put you with strangers?

Many thanks in advance.

Tom

I agree with my friend Grumpy Grandma EPCOT is a great choice if you are solo for a day. I have spent a weekend solo, after my DH left and waiting for my college age DD to join me. I had a fun weekend. I spent time in EPCOT and did a lot of resort hopping. It was fun to walk about the Boardwalk and go into the EPCOT resorts. As for dining alone, not a big deal at all at WDW. Just decide where you would like to eat, no one looks twice at someone eating alone.

k&a&c'smom, your trip is almost here! A YC/GF split sounds great. Do I remember correctly that you were able to get V&A's for you and your DD? We are lucky to have you as our "on the spot GF construction" reporter!!! Safe travels

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I agree with my friend Grumpy Grandma EPCOT is a great choice if you are solo for a day. I have spent a weekend solo, after my DH left and waiting for my college age DD to join me. I had a fun weekend. I spent time in EPCOT and did a lot of resort hopping. It was fun to walk about the Boardwalk and go into the EPCOT resorts. As for dining alone, not a big deal at all at WDW. Just decide where you would like to eat, no one looks twice at someone eating alone.

k&a&c'smom, your trip is almost here! A YC/GF split sounds great. Do I remember correctly that you were able to get V&A's for you and your DD? We are lucky to have you as our "on the spot GF construction" reporter!!! Safe travels

Hi back at you!!!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

New closure dates! Construction pushed back for Courtyard Pool to mid Sept!!

Gasparillas was pushed to Sept 4

Great news for those of us leaving soon