A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[psac]

Beautiful new FAQ, k&a&c'smom. Thanks for your work.

BCV23: I go to the GF all the time to walk around, sit and relax in the lobby, purchase items at Basin, etc; I have never eaten at any of the restaurant's. Are they open to the General Public too? Or is it only for guests please? Thank you so much in advance.

All of the restaurants are open to the public, but it STRONGLY helps to have ADRs (advanced dining reservations) from Disney. You can book them through the Disney world website. You could probably walk in to the Grand Floridian Cafe any day for lunch, but for dinner you would probably need ADRs everywhere, or close to it. They're generally good, though!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Beautiful new FAQ, k&a&c'smom. Thanks for your work.

BCV23: I go to the GF all the time to walk around, sit and relax in the lobby, purchase items at Basin, etc; I have never eaten at any of the restaurant's. Are they open to the General Public too? Or is it only for guests please? Thank you so much in advance.

I can help my friend BVC23 by answering this one. You don't need to be staying at the GF on anywhere on property to eat at the restaurants.

 

[BCV23]

All of the restaurants are open to the public, but it STRONGLY helps to have ADRs (advanced dining reservations) from Disney. You can book them through the Disney world website. You could probably walk in to the Grand Floridian Cafe any day for lunch, but for dinner you would probably need ADRs everywhere, or close to it. They're generally good, though!

I can help my friend BVC23 by answering this one. You don't need to be staying at the GF on anywhere on property to eat at the restaurants.

 

[phyllis1966]

Just this week, I was reading someone's observations on a recent WDW vacation...the OP said that while visiting the GF, (s)he felt out of place wearing jeans and a tee. We've been staying at the GF, almost exclusively, since 2002...we wear tees and shorts (capris for me), and have never felt out of place. Most of the guests we notice are dressed the same way . I don't know what it is that makes people feel that "stuffy" vibe - we just feel relaxed!

 

[psac]

Just this week, I was reading someone's observations on a recent WDW vacation...the OP said that while visiting the GF, (s)he felt out of place wearing jeans and a tee. We've been staying at the GF, almost exclusively, since 2002...we wear tees and shorts (capris for me), and have never felt out of place. Most of the guests we notice are dressed the same way . I don't know what it is that makes people feel that "stuffy" vibe - we just feel relaxed!

Totally agree, unless going to dinner at Citricos or Narcoossee's (or V&A of course!). Then I would feel out of place in a tee shirt, even if it is dress-code compliant.

 

[dipastor]

To anyone wondering about the dress at GF... It's like any other Disney hotel.... relaxed.... We are getting ready to go on our 3rd visit to Disney and GF. Can't wait to get there. Even with construction, my husband and I decided it was the best place for us.

I have three "loud" high energy children (5, 7, 9 yo) and we never felt out of place there. They are so accommodating. It's a beautiful place to stay. We have breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe every morning... there are plenty of families with multiple children.

Enjoy this amazing property. We are hooked.

d.

 

[jackson2422]

Now that Gaspirilla's construction has been delayed until January, it may be that Sandy Cove is also. They are in similar areas of the Main Building, so I suspect their construction may be intertwined. I am sure we will know soon. If they are closed Mouse Mercantile on the second floor will, I would imagine, as another poster suggested carry a lot of the Sandy Cove merchandise.

BVC made a great point about the walk to the TTC. It is a pretty walk (well once you get past the construction) and the path has been opened the whole time. You walk along the Bay Lake and through the Polynesian grounds. I agree, it's about a 20 minute, easy walk.

Sandy Cove is already closed. We arrived on August 29, and it was under construction

 

[sydneysmom]

To anyone wondering about the dress at GF... It's like any other Disney hotel.... relaxed.... We are getting ready to go on our 3rd visit to Disney and GF. Can't wait to get there. Even with construction, my husband and I decided it was the best place for us.

I have three "loud" high energy children (5, 7, 9 yo) and we never felt out of place there. They are so accommodating. It's a beautiful place to stay. We have breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe every morning... there are plenty of families with multiple children.

Enjoy this amazing property. We are hooked.

d.

We felt the same way as you.....it's so magical and just so lovely. And we found it to be so NOT stuffy. Just wonderful!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

We need to bump this thread back to page one.

An oldie, but a goodie!

 

[KCmike]

We need to bump this thread back to page one.

An oldie, but a goodie!

Your shots never get old JC!

 

[DetTigsGal]

Love that shot! Will miss the old Grand this Thanksgiving

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Thanks KCMike. Going to read the TR later, hope it was a great trip!

Time to bump the thread with another picture!

 

[BCV23]

Lovely photos, Jungle Cruiser. Thanks.

KCMike, good to see you!

 

[dragonfly57005]

Aahhh....
I have a mile on my face after seeing the pics of my fav GF.


Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Haven't checked the thread in a while, looks like everyone is going strong and I loved seeing the recent pictures posted! Has anyone else noticed how much of the beach is gone from the new splash area? Personally, I do think the splash area is a fantastic addition and I'm glad it is being added, but, I can't imagine there being so little sandy area left.

From the recent pictures of the construction, it looks like they're making soime great progress. I'll be down next month for F&W (staying at BWV though) and will be sure to take some pictures to share. Hopefully the DVC Sales Center will have the villa models open (I read over on the DVC boards some people were thinking they would be open soon), if so, I'll do my best to stop over at SSR to see them. Hoping they come out with some unbelievable offers (in a good way) for points...

 

[MiloMouse]

Hello! Can anyone tell me what the evening appetizer menu/rotation is for the RPC or Sugarloaf Club Level? Current or past menus would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Haven't checked the thread in a while, looks like everyone is going strong and I loved seeing the recent pictures posted! Has anyone else noticed how much of the beach is gone from the new splash area? Personally, I do think the splash area is a fantastic addition and I'm glad it is being added, but, I can't imagine there being so little sandy area left.

From the recent pictures of the construction, it looks like they're making soime great progress. I'll be down next month for F&W (staying at BWV though) and will be sure to take some pictures to share. Hopefully the DVC Sales Center will have the villa models open (I read over on the DVC boards some people were thinking they would be open soon), if so, I'll do my best to stop over at SSR to see them. Hoping they come out with some unbelievable offers (in a good way) for points...

Hi Cali-D. So good to see you post. I hope the guesses about the models opening soon are correct. Would love to see them next trip. I agree about the beach. Do you think there will be any left on the other side of the new villas building? It used to seem like such a long stretch between the Polynesian and GF. Of course, the Wedding Chapel took away some of that beach area years ago.

Hello! Can anyone tell me what the evening appetizer menu/rotation is for the RPC or Sugarloaf Club Level? Current or past menus would be helpful. Thanks!

Have you checked the first page of the FAQ? There are photos of the offerings in Sugar Loaf which are the same as RPC. Last I heard, it didn't sound like there was a set evening rotation but hopefully someone who has stayed club level recently can help. Welcome to the FAQ!

 

[jackson2422]

Hello! Can anyone tell me what the evening appetizer menu/rotation is for the RPC or Sugarloaf Club Level? Current or past menus would be helpful. Thanks!

You're testing my memory now. We stayed from August 29 to Sept 3 in SL.

While I can't remember the exact order, our hot choices, starting on Wed were some of the following:

fried ravioli
spanakopita
bacon wrapped chicken
sweet and spicy chicken
breaded shrimp
phyllo with brie and raspberry

I'm missing some as we generally had two hot choices each night. Perhaps someone else can fill in the blanks.

 

[KCmike]

Lovely photos, Jungle Cruiser. Thanks.

KCMike, good to see you!

Hello!

Good to see everyone again. Heard about all the happenings at the GF and the Fantasyland Expansion. Exciting news. Hope everyone is doing well.

Mike

 

[cgulls]

Happy September 10. Soooooo, is Gasparillas still open?