A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[runskimom]

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

Yes, start in January. As in no change at all until January 2013. This was on another popular Disney boards site (not sure if we are allowed to say the name). Normally, I would discount it, but the poster was the one who originally leaked the refurb plans before anybody else knew about it, so it has me wondering...

 

[Phelia325]

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

Yippeee!!! When do you guys leave? My father in law and his family are already in Tampa for a few days and will head over to the GF on Wednesday; the rest of us fly out on Thursday morning!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Yippeee!!! When do you guys leave? My father in law and his family are already in Tampa for a few days and will head over to the GF on Wednesday; the rest of us fly out on Thursday morning!

We drive up on Friday! We are about three and a half hours away.

Almost time... Closures are delayed and hopefully weather will cooperate!!

 

[nonzerosum]

So excited!!! We just booked CL Sugar Loaf. This is our second visit to the GF and first on CL. Because Gasparilla's will likely be closed while we are there, I thought CL might give us some more options when we are snacky throughout the day. I'm really hoping that we will see the value in upgrading to CL. When I say "we", I mean DH.

And now a few questions:

When does IPO typically make contact?
What services does IPO offer over the phone?
Is it a one time contact with IPO, or can I call them anytime prior to check-in?
Can anyone recommend a good location to request within SL? We are a family of 4 with a 9 and 6 year old.

 

[jillmc40]

Is the kid area really set to open in 2 days?

 

[bdklein]

Is the kid area really set to open in 2 days?

Not sure. On Saturday it still appeared that they had some work to do. Need someone to catch a peek from the Monorail (or the Main Building?).

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Is the kid area really set to open in 2 days?

I am curious as well.. but I doubt it since all the delays in construction...

Hopefully I am wrong!

 

[jillmc40]

I am curious as well.. but I doubt it since all the delays in construction...

Hopefully I am wrong!

Well, how about by October 4? That's 36 days, that should be plenty of time, right? I don't know how I am just finding out about this today? I have been obsessively planning this trip for about a year...This is just a really nice surprise

So then it would be the kiddie area and the beach pool open? My dd5 is a little shy and scardy cat-ish so I don't know if she would play in it anyway...But I want to

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Well, how about by October 4? That's 36 days, that should be plenty of time, right? I don't know how I am just finding out about this today? I have been obsessively planning this trip for about a year...This is just a really nice surprise

So then it would be the kiddie area and the beach pool open? My dd5 is a little shy and scardy cat-ish so I don't know if she would play in it anyway...But I want to

By then, I would assume it would be open as courtyard pool will also be closed

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Heard from KOOK who is currently at WDW. She sent me these photos taken from the bus this morning, of a parking lot that is being built next to the wedding chapel. So much construction going on! Hopefully when k&a&c'smom returns she will have updated information and pictures.

 

[baler31]

These are all from our June trip. This is my first attempt to post photos. Sorry they are not the best quality. My children's phones take better pictures but I am still old school. We were in a deluxe queen just off the kids area near the lounge, room overlooked the courtyard pool. Will post more when I see if this works. We are returning on Fri.

 

[meredith1]

We just booked a two bedroom suite in the main house of the GF (first timers to stay here). It will be four adults (my husband, myself and my parents) and our five year old and twin 3.5 year olds.

My question-Should we keep the two bedroom suite or try to get a king and queen deluxe suit that connect? Do these types of rooms exist that connect, would it be more cost efficient than a two bedroom suite (B2) and would we have the opportunity to have a MK with this kind of setup? There are no two bedroom suites with a MK view....

So excited to stay at the GF!!!!!

 

[jackson2422]

We are flying out at 10 am tomorrow for 6 days at the GF. I am so happy they moved the closure of the courtyard pool and Gasparilla. We really lucked out.

Now to try and get some sleep. 5:30 will come quickly.

 

[DetTigsGal]

Jackson 2422- hope you have a magical time at the Grand. It's truly our favorite

 

[jackson2422]

Jackson 2422- hope you have a magical time at the Grand. It's truly our favorite

Thanks DTG. This will be our 4th time at the GF. I haven't stayed anywhere else on property since the 80' s when we stayed at the CR.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

We are flying out at 10 am tomorrow for 6 days at the GF. I am so happy they moved the closure of the courtyard pool and Gasparilla. We really lucked out.

Now to try and get some sleep. 5:30 will come quickly.

Have a great time!! We need patience until Friday which I don't have..

 

[ireneryan]

Well, my eyes are killing me and I'm not sure if my one leg will ever "wake up" again but I just read from the first page to the last tonight. I'm going to WDW for the first time and taking my DD3.5 and my Mom70-something on their first trips also. I've been planning this forever and all along we were staying the whole time at the Poly but since we didn't qualify for FD'ing or any other discount I called yesterday to check to see about a RO discount. None could be had for our Poly stay but I did manage to do a split stay with the Grand and the Poly. So now I'm happy to announce our first trip will include 2 wonderful stays, TPV at both the Poly and the Grand.

My problem is I've been researching the Poly since Feb and I feel like I need a crash course in the Grand!I'm not staying CL but I do have TPV, does that mean that I will def be in Conch Key, and if not, what other building(s) could I possibly be in? I put a request in for Conch Key just b/c I liked the idea of being close to the boat launch but is there anything else I should put in as a request? Sorry for so many questions, I just feel like I need to catch up. Thanks!!!

 

[meredith1]

We are flying out at 10 am tomorrow for 6 days at the GF. I am so happy they moved the closure of the courtyard pool and Gasparilla. We really lucked out.

Now to try and get some sleep. 5:30 will come quickly.

You'll wake with bells on....GL with the morning routine and have so much fun!!!!

 

[MommyGina]

ireneryan-Sago Cay is another building that has TPV. We stayed in that building several times and loved it. We were facing the marina. That is the building that is closest to the bus stop.

 

[ireneryan]

MommyGina Thank you so much!