A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[KonaKaiTom]

Happy September 10. Soooooo, is Gasparillas still open?

Happy September 10 to you as well. OP reported on here that Gasparillas is still open as of last week and will be open until early January.

Tom

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Next week at this time I will be in Disney World for almost two weeks! We are staying at the BC this time, but I will certainly be at the GF multiple times. I will take and post pictures while I am there!

 

[cgulls]

Happy September 10 to you as well. OP reported on here that Gasparillas is still open as of last week and will be open until early January.

Tom

Looks like maybe a 9/13 closing for Gasparillas

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/mizn...idian-resort-now-closed-for-refurbishment.htm

 

[cgulls]

Next week at this time I will be in Disney World for almost two weeks! We are staying at the BC this time, but I will certainly be at the GF multiple times. I will take and post pictures while I am there!

New photos are TERRIFIC! Can't wait to see them.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I want to be back at the Grand... Having Post-Disney depression..

Although I am booked in Boardwalk for January trip, I will miss the Grand!

But I am thankful that I get the chance to try out all these amazing Deluxe Disney resorts... But next trip I will be back at the Grand (after all the construction will be complete)

 

[baler31]

We are back from a short trip. Will add a few photos when I can. The only thing I wanted to mention is that with the DVC addition I was told they have actually gone back to thinking about adding the drawbridge to allow a walking path to MK.

I was told this is still in process and may not come about until the resort is completed. Something about ownership and dues that I really did not pay attention to as we are not DVC types. Just food for thought.

Honestly, the closure date for Gasparillas seemed a bit fluid based on beach pool reno's. We did see them testing the splash area. Really nice for families with younger children.

Also, for those that enjoy talking to Lynn. She was there every day with a companion that sat across from her.

With the addition of sundries upstairs the selection of gift and collectibles is diminished.

Just a few thoughts, will follow up with some photos.

 

[mtnmomma3]

We are back from a short trip. Will add a few photos when I can. The only thing I wanted to mention is that with the DVC addition I was told they have actually gone back to thinking about adding the drawbridge to allow a walking path to MK.

I was told this is still in process and may not come about until the resort is completed. Something about ownership and dues that I really did not pay attention to as we are not DVC types. Just food for thought.

Honestly, the closure date for Gasparillas seemed a bit fluid based on beach pool reno's. We did see them testing the splash area. Really nice for families with younger children.

Also, for those that enjoy talking to Lynn. She was there every day with a companion that sat across from her.

With the addition of sundries upstairs the selection of gift and collectibles is diminished.

Just a few thoughts, will follow up with some photos.

Glad you have a great trip! That is AMAZING news to hear the bridge is even being considered... that would be a huge advantage to staying at the GF and lighten the monoral load with the DVC. We have stayed at BLT the past three trips and being able to walk to the MK is the best thing about it!! I have run that way before and it is so frustrating where it stops... you can almost touch the MK LOL

 

[baler31]

Glad you have a great trip! That is AMAZING news to hear the bridge is even being considered... that would be a huge advantage to staying at the GF and lighten the monoral load with the DVC. We have stayed at BLT the past three trips and being able to walk to the MK is the best thing about it!! I have run that way before and it is so frustrating where it stops... you can almost touch the MK LOL

The monorail load was mentioned as a factor with the addition of the DVC units. We also run that way and my husband is constantly frustrated with the end. He would rather walk anywhere than take transportation.

As an aside: Does anyone ever use the fitness center ? Whenever we go it is just us and the lovely gentlemen that work at the Poly Luau. Luckily, for my DH a few times there have also been some of the Poly Luau ladies.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

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.

Hey there. Agree, agree, agree, it did seem like there used to be a long stretch of beach there. I unfortunately don't think there will be any beach between the villas and the Wedding Pavilion, looks like all rock. But, you can still walk down toward the Polynesian to get some sand. Can't wait to get down there to make a better assement of the situation.

We are back from a short trip. Will add a few photos when I can. The only thing I wanted to mention is that with the DVC addition I was told they have actually gone back to thinking about adding the drawbridge to allow a walking path to MK.

I was told this is still in process and may not come about until the resort is completed. Something about ownership and dues that I really did not pay attention to as we are not DVC types. Just food for thought.

That is fantastic news! I hope it happens, I know coming back from the park, it would be great to be able to walk!

 

[tobin04]

Hey guys-
I just got a call from my TA...we are booked RPC in 10 days-with a theme park view. They are moving everyone with a them park view (RPC, I assume) somewhere else, due to extreme noise from the construction. So our options were standard CL in RPC, standard CL in SL, or TPV CL at the Poly. I'm hoping my TA did TPV at the Poly...she left a message-by the time we connected, whoever she called was closed. Anyway-just a tidbit.

 

[bigdave10000]

We are back from a short trip. Will add a few photos when I can. The only thing I wanted to mention is that with the DVC addition I was told they have actually gone back to thinking about adding the drawbridge to allow a walking path to MK.

I was told this is still in process and may not come about until the resort is completed. Something about ownership and dues that I really did not pay attention to as we are not DVC types. Just food for thought.

That would be awesome. I was at BLT and ran to the end of the path a couple of mornings. I would love to be able to run from CR to the TTC!!! What a great view for an early morning run.

 

[BCV23]

Hey there. Agree, agree, agree, it did seem like there used to be a long stretch of beach there. I unfortunately don't think there will be any beach between the villas and the Wedding Pavilion, looks like all rock. But, you can still walk down toward the Polynesian to get some sand. Can't wait to get down there to make a better assement of the situation.

Can't wait for your report, Cali-D.

Hey guys-
I just got a call from my TA...we are booked RPC in 10 days-with a theme park view. They are moving everyone with a them park view (RPC, I assume) somewhere else, due to extreme noise from the construction. So our options were standard CL in RPC, standard CL in SL, or TPV CL at the Poly. I'm hoping my TA did TPV at the Poly...she left a message-by the time we connected, whoever she called was closed. Anyway-just a tidbit.

So they must be anticipating nose from the work at Gasparilla's??? That surprises me as I guessed that it would all be interior work. Maybe it will still be loud enough to carry to the rooms above?

baler31, can't wait to see your photos. Interesting tidbit about a walkway to MK. It would certainly be more scenic than the parking lot walk from CR/BLT!

Jungle Cruiser....two weeks at WDW. Have a great trip.

 

[Tink rules]

probably because TPV are directly above Gaspies... so you would hear the construction.

 

[Ted C]

Hi all,

Gasparillas is for sure closing at the end of this week. They weren't sure if they would be able to get it completed by the holidays but have determined they can now so they will close. It's official, you can hang your hat on it...

 

[runskimom]

Hi all,

Gasparillas is for sure closing at the end of this week. They weren't sure if they would be able to get it completed by the holidays but have determined they can now so they will close. It's official, you can hang your hat on it...

Thank you for this latest update. It seems like these plans change daily. I'd love it if anyone going to the GF in the near future could report on the offerings at Mizner's (including breakfast) and the beach pool bar when that opens.

 

[jillmc40]

Dd5 and I are leaving in 23 days for our girls trip...today we are coming home from the hospital...she just had her appendix removed! I have booked a standard room, garden view. Where should I request our room to be? I don't think we will take the bus at all, mostly the monorail and boat, and I was planning on walking. We will go to the pool a little bit, but not a ton. I will now bring a stroller since that is easier to push than a wheelchair. I don't think she will need it all the time but by the end of the day, probably. I haven't asked the doctor yet, and I have to do it in private because the trip is a surprise...any advice is appreciated (on the gf or the appendix )!

 

[BCV23]

Dd5 and I are leaving in 23 days for our girls trip...today we are coming home from the hospital...she just had her appendix removed! I have booked a standard room, garden view. Where should I request our room to be? I don't think we will take the bus at all, mostly the monorail and boat, and I was planning on walking. We will go to the pool a little bit, but not a ton. I will now bring a stroller since that is easier to push than a wheelchair. I don't think she will need it all the time but by the end of the day, probably. I haven't asked the doctor yet, and I have to do it in private because the trip is a surprise...any advice is appreciated (on the gf or the appendix )!

Our oldest had his appendix out in kindergarten. This was many years ago but it seems to me the doctor restricted his activities for only a week or so? I know you will get appropriate advice from her doctor. At any rate, I am sure he was back to normal in three weeks. Still a stroller as a back up can be good for many 5yos especially for Epcot and DAK. What a wonderful surprise! Have a Grand trip.

Ted C, thanks for the update.

 

[jillmc40]

Oh, that makes me feel better, thank you

 

[KonaKaiTom]

My niece had her appendix out at 7 and her surgeon restricted her from ski club for 2 weeks, other than that no restrictions after week 1. Smart to bring the stroller though, by end of day, the kids aren't the only ones tired. I used a pedometer on a MK day back in mid January. Granted it was EMH, however, I was shocked to see from 8am to 11pm we walked 15.41 miles!

Tom

 

[Ted C]

My pleasure. It's been literally going back and forth for weeks and was finally decided over the weekend I guess. I received confirmation from upper management yesterday.