A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[bdklein]

What building are you in and what is your view? I'm so anxious to see where we end up!

We are staying in the Sugarloaf building. We are on the second floor, facing the marina. I did request both marina view (since I thought the construction would be starting at the courtyard pool) and not the first floor, so I did get our request.

 

[KB24]

does anyone know which rooms in sugarloaf have king beds?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello, GF lovers!! We're here at the YC, lovely as always. We haven't made it to SAB yet, it was raining when we got here yesterday and cool, hoping to swim today. Maybe head over to Epcot when DD gets back from her run.

JoBird - I enjoyed reading about your decision for Christmas, I can understand your thoughts. We were the same for this trip, and it didn't even have a holiday attached. I laughed at the comment about your DH.

mariamouse - great comparison of the two resorts, and your decision making process was interesting to read. Helpful for many, I'm sure.

BCV23 -

bdklein - glad to hear you arrived and are enjoying the resort.

KB24 - I do not know how many rooms in SL have king beds, or where they are located. My guess would be in various rooms throughout the building.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Splash area looks almost done fromsss what is visible over the fence. It has one of those big buckets that will tip over once the equilibrium is off balance. Plus it has several areas from which water will be squirting. And some little and climbing areas and slides I think as well. But I don't think it will open prior to the beach pool construction being completed IMO.

Thanks for the update!!

 

[cgulls]

It looks like the Splash area has a theme!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...kids-splash-playground-construction/16192.htm

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks for the updates! Today is exactly 2 months till we arrive GF. I'm booked in an Outer Building Garden View. Based on construction -- any suggestions as to which building to request? Any personal experiences regarding getting the best view from a highly discounted room? As I mentioned, I will be at Buena Vista Palace prior to GF, so if there is a "good" time to go check in to try and get a MK view room, I'd appreciate the suggestion.

TIA,

Tom

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

k&a&c'smom, sorry I missed your send off but so glad to hear you are at WDW! Have fun at the YC, and of course the GF! I can't wait to hear your impressions, I have to say the children's splash area looks really cute!

KonaKaiTom, my suggestions for building requests would be Sago Cay and Conch Key. They are away from the courtyard pool and the DVC construction. Other than that room requests at this point are tricky. So many people are trying to avoid the construction that I have to say I would keep it as simple as possible. As for an upgrade to a MK view, it can happen but it requires luck and pixie dust, unless of course you would like to pay for the upgrade.

I thought I would chime in about the GF at Christmas. I am a true GF lover and have stayed many, many times over the years. I can overlook the construction and would stay there in a heartbeat in December. However, unless you feel that way be wary, the construction has been pushed back about 10 days already, they are working up until mid-December. It is very unlikely it will be done earlier, so be aware that there still may be construction well into December.

BVC23 , hope you had a nice vacation!

 

[mtnmomma3]

It looks like the Splash area has a theme!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...kids-splash-playground-construction/16192.htm

Holy Cow!! My kids are going to flip out over that! Even more excited for our trip next September- if that is at all possible!!!

 

[MommyGina]

bdklein-the lady in the lobby is a widow and her name is Lynn. She is a very sweet lady. We have seen her 7 years in a row now. The last three years I have stopped and talked with her, as have my children.

Lynn and her husband used to go to the GF almost every night and listen to the music.

 

[JoBird]

k&a&c'smom-- So glad you made it there safely and are having a nice trip! Hope it's magical for you, with no icky Hurricanes or rain. Just sunshine and Pixie Dust!
Glad to know I'm not the only one who was wavering on where to stay... looking forward to your thoughts on the construction.
And yeah, my DH, bless his heart. He thinks the GF is his.


JC-- Thanks so much for your thoughts about Christmas time!
After much soul searching, I decided that ultimately I know in my heart that construction or no-- if I didn't stay at the Grand I'd be so very unhappy. I realized that it just doesn't matter and won't take away from my love of the resort, so no more wavering at all. It's done and I'm counting the days!! Thanks again!

 

[haleofafamily]

But who is that woman in the lobby every day? A widowed long time guest I hear and prob a widow. But any other insight? Just so curious.

I've wondered this myself.

On our last trip, we were in the GF lobby waiting for our dinner reservation at 1900. The little girls in our group were dancing in their Cinderella dresses to the piano music. It was magical!

Anyway, I was telling my family about reading on the dis about an older woman who would sit in the lobby with her teddy bears. No one had seen her in a while and wondered what happened. A few minutes later my brother said you're not going to believe this but that woman is sitting right over there. My mom decided to go talk to her.

They had a lovely conversation that lasted for quite a while. She said that after her husband passed away it took her a long time to be able to come and sit in the lobby. But she is enjoying it again and the memories it brings of him.

My mom and I are hoping to stay at GF (1st time for both of us) in Feb. I really hope we see her again.

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

We are at the GF now and it is just so wonderful!!! However, I must say it seems much quieter than the past few years we have visited. The pools are very quiet and we have had no problem getting a beach chair. This is unusual compared to our past several August visits. We visited poly and it was PACKED! The monorail has been working fine for us and we only notice the construction when at the beach pool. They have done a great job accomodating folks during it.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

We are at the GF now and it is just so wonderful!!! However, I must say it seems much quieter than the past few years we have visited. The pools are very quiet and we have had no problem getting a beach chair. This is unusual compared to our past several August visits. We visited poly and it was PACKED! The monorail has been working fine for us and we only notice the construction when at the beach pool. They have done a great job accomodating folks during it.

Glad you ate having a great trip!!! Enjoy!

 

[bdklein]

bdklein-the lady in the lobby is a widow and her name is Lynn. She is a very sweet lady. We have seen her 7 years in a row now. The last three years I have stopped and talked with her, as have my children.

Lynn and her husband used to go to the GF almost every night and listen to the music.

Thanks. We have said hello as well.

 

[bdklein]

Just a bit more info/stuff. The beach pool constructn has had a minimal impact on us. We have spent a lot of time in both pools. Perhaps if we were previous guests here we might have noticed an impact. I do feel that the VC building is too close to the pool and takes away from the ambiance. Need to see once its done in terms of its outside decor and any extra foliage/vegetation to see the final impact. They are also building a fire pit somehwere near the DVC/beach pool. I can also say that since we are staying concierge we have been getting most of our adult and kids beverages from there. So beach pool food and bar impact has been minimal. I can also say that with one of pools closed or Gasparila it would definitely impact the trip and I might not stay here. For Gasparilas they are expanding it and adding more inside seating. The video arcade will be moved into the new expanded area.

Great trip. Leaving Saturday-week long visit. Any thing else, ask away.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Just a bit more info/stuff. The beach pool constructn has had a minimal impact on us. We have spent a lot of time in both pools. Perhaps if we were previous guests here we might have noticed an impact. I do feel that the VC building is too close to the pool and takes away from the ambiance. Need to see once its done in terms of its outside decor and any extra foliage/vegetation to see the final impact. They are also building a fire pit somehwere near the DVC/beach pool. I can also say that since we are staying concierge we have been getting most of our adult and kids beverages from there. So beach pool food and bar impact has been minimal. I can also say that with one of pools closed or Gasparila it would definitely impact the trip and I might not stay here. For Gasparilas they are expanding it and adding more inside seating. The video arcade will be moved into the new expanded area.

Great trip. Leaving Saturday-week long visit. Any thing else, ask away.

Glad you are having a nice trip. It appears, based on comments that Gaspirillas being closed is going to be a bigger challenge for most than the courtyard pool. Unless you stay CL Gaspirillas is important. Maybe not for dinner, but for grab and go breakfast, snacks, quick lunch. It will be interesting to see how well the pool bar and Mitzner's Lounge serve guests needs. We'll know soon enough.

k&a&c'smom Hope you are having fun!

 

[pas130]

pas130, did you have a fun anniversary trip? Can't wait to read about it.

We did...I have a TR, which eventually I'll finish

Given that and seeing the pics of the WL that Pas posted on Kook's thread....I'm thinking of jumping.
I just can't fathom being there and it not being it's spectacular self.

What to do, What to do....

Your heart..and DHs in at the Grand....plus you'll be inside...it is December!!!

Hello, GF lovers!! We're here at the YC, lovely as always. We haven't made it to SAB yet, it was raining when we got here yesterday and cool, hoping to swim today. Maybe head over to Epcot when DD gets back from her run.

So glad you arrived safely!!!!! Hope you'll get the swim in today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks like the Splash area has a theme!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...kids-splash-playground-construction/16192.htm

That is AWESOME!!!!!

junglecruiser

 

[sydneysmom]

The new splash area looks amazing!! Is that going to be for all the resort guests or will this just be for DVC ?? I hope it's for everyone... my DD is going to LOVE this!! (what I mean is "everyone staying at the GF as resort guests" )

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I agree the splash area looks awesome!

Unfortunately this visit (we leave in one more week!! ) it wont be ready.. so next time...

Thanks everyone for all the great information and to all those at Disney now... HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, we are having a great time at the YC. We are on the club level, and the CMs have been amazing. So sweet and always ready to help. Love it here.

We have been able to swim the last two days - luckily, we made it down this afternoon before the rain hit around 5:00 p.m. The lounge here was jammed with people!

Tomorrow we move to the Grand, can't wait to see how she's doing, though we'll be sad to leave our new friends here at the YC.

sydneysmom - I can't imagine the splash area would be DVC-only. It's very close to the main building.

bdklein - glad you are having a great trip.

Mrsdonaldduck - A CM here told us the GF has 200 rooms closed to inventory right now, not sure if that's true but it may be why it feels so uncrowded. Good news for us!

Jungle Cruiser - We are having a blast! The Y&BC have become our second favorite resort(s), absolutely love it here. I'll be sure to take some photos and post them when we get to the Grand. Tea tomorrow afternoon.

pas130 - Good to see you!

Hope I didn't forget anyone. We are hoping for little rain over the next few days. Everyone here is talking about Isaac, I sort of doubt it hits Orlando but the bands of rain may be unpleasant for a day or so. Good thing we are at Disney, best place to ride out the possible storm.