A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[runskimom]

So I saw on another board site that someone posted that the Gasparilla's refurb will be pushed back "until January (at least)". This is not what it says on the Disney website. Anyone have any info about this??? This poster was the one who first tipped off everyone to the closings in the first place.

 

[mariamouse]

Hello, everyone! We are at the Grand, moved yesterday. We are in Boca Chica, lovely view of the pool. We had a nice tea and spent time in the pool, had sushi at Kona and watched the EWP and Wishes last night.

Sounds like a perfect day! I am so glad to hear that you are having a great time so far.

Enjoy the rest of your time in the World with this guy:

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Well, I have quoted messages and typed out responses twice, both times was rejected by the wifi.

Thanks to everyone who has responded and wished us more good times. We've had lunch and b'fast at the Cafe, both excellent. Ate at Raglan Rd. last night, very good and the entertainment fun. Enjoyed MK yesterday a.m., we were going to go back this a.m. but the rain kept us in the room.

We are headed to V&A's tonight, I hope the rain lets up enough we can get there without being drenched.

DetTigsGal - no worries, I certainly understand. Exciting time for the kids, sad/stressful time for Mom.

haleofafamily - Welcome!! Congrats on the GF booking, I think you will love the resort.

runskimom - If we get a chance, we'll ask - bdklein is probably able to get the answer more readily in CL. I'll post if I hear anything.

 

[jillmc40]

This morning I was able to get the 30% GP discount on my room at GF! YAY!!! I am soo very excited to stay there for the first time! I was going to try and upgrade to Theme Park View but there are NONE available! WOW! So much for the possibility of getting upgraded, oh well. I don't care where I am as long as dd5 and I have a Grand time 37 days for us - Woo-Hoo!!!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

You got a 30% discount after paying the entire balance? I'm assuming you, like me, had to pay 45 days in advance, so, how did you get the discount? I'm going in less than 2 months, so any tips would be helpful!

Tia,

Tom

 

[haleofafamily]

The Spa is nothing like the one at the WL, which is called a massage and fitness center. It is a full spa, with a long list of spa services. Saratoga Springs and the GF both have the full spas, called Niki Byran Spas. The Spa at the GF closed mid-September last year and is scheduled to be closed for 18 months. There is a chance they are a bit ahead of schedule and will be open in February. If not, guests at the GF and the Polynesian have a free van service to the Spa at Saratoga Springs. We did this last spring and the car came and picked us up and was waiting for us when we were done.

The link to the spa services at Saratoga Springs is below. The GF had the same menu of services.

http://www.relaxedyet.com/ss_treatments.asp

Thanks for the information. I was hoping it was more like Saratoga Springs. I'm going to look it up now.

It seems that they are projecting an opening date of the Spa on December 5th. That is way ahead of schedule.

Here's what's on the website:

•The Spa: September 19, 2011 to December 5, 2012 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.[/I]


Hopefully it will be open in February for you, haleofafamily!

This would be perfect. I hope they stay ahead of schedule!

haleofafamily - Welcome!! Congrats on the GF booking, I think you will love the resort.

Thanks for the welcome. I am so excited to stay at GF and have loved the info on this thread. We stayed at the POLY last year and loved it. I'm nervous about switching but I love trying new resorts so hopefully it will be worth it.

 

[sydneysmom]

You got a 30% discount after paying the entire balance? I'm assuming you, like me, had to pay 45 days in advance, so, how did you get the discount? I'm going in less than 2 months, so any tips would be helpful!

Tia,

Tom

You should call them and ask that the discount be applied to your reservation. If there are rooms available (associated with the discount), they can then give you the discount. From what others have said, they will credit you if you have paid in full. It's definitely worth calling !! (if I'm wrong, someone please correct me...)

 

[red712371]

Does anyone know where we cna get our refillable mugs refilled while the quick service is closed for refurb?

thanks

 

[jillmc40]

You should call them and ask that the discount be applied to your reservation. If there are rooms available (associated with the discount), they can then give you the discount. From what others have said, they will credit you if you have paid in full. It's definitely worth calling !! (if I'm wrong, someone please correct me...)

I have an AP so I only needed a room only discount. I had only booked a room, not a whole package. BUT, if you want to change it and you had paid in full they will give you a credit, but if you are within 45 days they may charge you a fee. Room only you can cancel within 5 days. The room only discounts came out today. AP rates should be out this week. FYI to anyone who needs one...

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Hi everyone! Here now and having a wonderful time! At check in our online wasn't processed and they had no record of it?? So she said she had a room facing the pool at Boca ready....I said on my request I had put Sago or Conch...so she proceeded to show me room view pictures on her computer and let me decide from what was available...so nice! We picked a water/monorail view in Conch...and when we got out on our balcony and looked right...there she was...the castle!!!! I was soooo excited!! last night we watched the fireworks from our balcony and just now from inside my room I can hear the whistle from the train at MK. We are so grateful and feel very blessed! I will do a more detailed report when I am at home in front of a computer...lots of things I'm impressed with...a few....not so much.

 

[mariamouse]

Hi everyone! Here now and having a wonderful time! At check in our online wasn't processed and they had no record of it?? So she said she had a room facing the pool at Boca ready....I said on my request I had put Sago or Conch...so she proceeded to show me room view pictures on her computer and let me decide from what was available...so nice! We picked a water/monorail view in Conch...and when we got out on our balcony and looked right...there she was...the castle!!!! I was soooo excited!! last night we watched the fireworks from our balcony and just now from inside my room I can hear the whistle from the train at MK. We are so grateful and feel very blessed! I will do a more detailed report when I am at home in front of a computer...lots of things I'm impressed with...a few....not so much.

So glad to hear that you were placed in a room that you like! Enjoy the rest of your trip and I look forward to reading your full report when you return!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Hi everyone! Here now and having a wonderful time! At check in our online wasn't processed and they had no record of it?? So she said she had a room facing the pool at Boca ready....I said on my request I had put Sago or Conch...so she proceeded to show me room view pictures on her computer and let me decide from what was available...so nice! We picked a water/monorail view in Conch...and when we got out on our balcony and looked right...there she was...the castle!!!! I was soooo excited!! last night we watched the fireworks from our balcony and just now from inside my room I can hear the whistle from the train at MK. We are so grateful and feel very blessed! I will do a more detailed report when I am at home in front of a computer...lots of things I'm impressed with...a few....not so much.

AWESOME!! Enjoy!!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Oh...and as far as construction...it has had NO impact whatsoever!! I don't get all the hype about it...I mean...we never even see it!? of course with both Gasparillas and the Courtyard pool open...that helps and both me and DH said we couldn't imagine if they were both closed. And of course the fence at the beach pool...but again....we are at the courtyard pool more and my kids could care less! That's what really matters!

 

[DetTigsGal]

Blessed- So happy that you got a great room. I love sitting in the area in front of Gasparillas looking at the castle and listening to the whistle. As for the courtyard pool and gasparillas, we spend alot of our time at both, we stay Sago and that is why this Thanksgiving we are going WL CL. So glad that that area of construction has not begun yet and you can enjoy the Grand the way it should be . Can't wait to read about your trip, may the rest of your trip be magical !

 

[bdklein]

Does anyone know where we cna get our refillable mugs refilled while the quick service is closed for refurb?

thanks

I think the beach pool bar, once it reopens But not positive.

 

[cgulls]

So I saw on another board site that someone posted that the Gasparilla's refurb will be pushed back "until January (at least)". This is not what it says on the Disney website. Anyone have any info about this??? This poster was the one who first tipped off everyone to the closings in the first place.

"Pushed back" as in the refurb would start in January or would be complete in January?

 

[bdklein]

Oh...and as far as construction...it has had NO impact whatsoever!! I don't get all the hype about it...I mean...we never even see it!? of course with both Gasparillas and the Courtyard pool open...that helps and both me and DH said we couldn't imagine if they were both closed. And of course the fence at the beach pool...but again....we are at the courtyard pool more and my kids could care less! That's what really matters!

No impact, for you. But some people were not thrilled with the impact on the beach pool area-the bar, seating, beach, kids games, bonfire, movie, etc. when we were there last week. And fortunately for you, the Gasparillas and Courtyard pool construction has been slightly delayed. If the Gasparillas/Courtyard construction was going on as originally scheduled, I don't think you and your group would have been so thrilled-as you have stated. I think the hype is that people are concerned that the Gasparillas/Courtyard construction will be underwayduring their vacation, as both you and I would be (and I was concerned prior to our trip0.

Glad you are having a great trip.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

"Pushed back" as in the refurb would start in January or would be complete in January?

This is just speculation, but I would really think "complete" in January. Everything posted has said that the courtyard pool and Gaspirillas would be done at the same time. I have a really hard time believing that they would make that radical a change, just a week or so before it was scheduled to begin.

Blessed_wth_Triplets, so happy to hear you got such a wonderful room and that the construction isn't bothering you. That's what people (myself included) who have stayed there during the DVC construciton have been saying all along, unless you are staying in a RPC room it just isn't that big a deal, the main building shields the rest of the resort. Now if you want to go to the beach pool or walk to the Poly, you will see and hear it, otherwise not so much!

Hopefully the rain from Isaac has passed and everyone is out and about enjoying the Grand in all her glory today!

 

[Phelia325]

I thought the courtyard pool was closing 8/24???? Did that date change? Did I miss something??

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I thought the courtyard pool was closing 8/24???? Did that date change? Did I miss something??

Yes.. It will be open for our visit!! Pushed back to mid September