A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[CoachBagFanatic]

Thank you very much baler31, jillmc40 and k&a&c'smom. I knew I could count on you all.

I like the emoticons.

LOL about your DH driving your new car. We've driven down from Missouri many times, and the long drive can be boring. We try to make it more fun by stopping off at the beach on the way, or planning a favorite restaurant during the trip. For instance, there's a great seafood place in Pensacola we all love, so it's a treat to plan a stop there.

oh boy Missouri. And I thought NJ was far to drive.

Oh that sounds really nice stopping off at one of your favorite restaurants. DH is the drive straight through kind of guy and I like to stop. I know our DS is going to have to stretch those Jack Skellington legs of his. I am the one who always drives every where so this is going to be quite a challenge for me with my DH driving. We are planning on leaving at 6:00 PM on Saturday this way we miss the Washington DC traffic around the loop and arrive at the GF around 11:00 or 12:00 on Sunday. We are looking into renting a cabana for the afternoon that we arrive, this way we can relax after the long drive.

KonaKaiTom How exciting, only 5 more days for you.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KonaKaiTom - nearly there, yay!

We like to check in early, so if I am in Orlando I head over to check in around 7-9 a.m. Get the keys, store the luggage and either hang out at the resort or head to a park for a bit. They will call or text you when your room is ready.

CoachBagFanatic - my DH likes to "make good time"! We have to force him to stop, but over the years he has grown to accept it. Your plan for the cabana sounds like a great way to end a day of travel.

Oh, btw - congrats on the new car! I drive most of the time, too, so it can be hard to turn over the reins.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

KonaKaiTom - nearly there, yay!

We like to check in early, so if I am in Orlando I head over to check in around 7-9 a.m. Get the keys, store the luggage and either hang out at the resort or head to a park for a bit. They will call or text you when your room is ready.

Thanks very much!


Tom

 

[jillmc40]

oh boy Missouri. And I thought NJ was far to drive.

HA! I am from Missouri but live in NJ! It is a little bit longer to fly from NJ to MCO than STL to MCO, so I think NJ would probably be a little bit longer drive, but not by much. Although you have to get through the DC area, which is the pits!

 

[HFC1969]

I drive most of the time, too, so it can be hard to turn over the reins.

Wow... you guys are troopers

We thought about driving down once... then we took a trip from STL to OKC... 9 1/2 hours.. We were ready to give up at Springfield, MO after 3 1/2 hours.


7 days til Gflo for us...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks very much!


Tom

HA! I am from Missouri but live in NJ! It is a little bit longer to fly from NJ to MCO than STL to MCO, so I think NJ would probably be a little bit longer drive, but not by much. Although you have to get through the DC area, which is the pits!

Hello, fellow Missourian! We are in the west central part of the state, so even further than STL - it takes us at least 3-1/2 hours to get there. Usually fly out of KC, it is a 2-1/2 hour flight to MCO, 2-3/4 hour flight back.

I think, reading posts from NE'ers, we have a similar drive time. It takes us about 22 hours to drive to Orlando, without stops. We can't drive throughout the night, so we have to stop at least one night, and we prefer to arrive in Orlando early in the day, so we often stop for a second night.

I don't envy the drive through DC, yikes.

To keep this on topic: here are some photos of our breakfasts at the GF Cafe in August. We ate there several times, twice for breakfast.

Citrus pancakes with Tropical Splash drink in background

Smoked Salmon with bagel and accompaniments

Here is how they divided the Smoked Salmon when we decided to split an order the second day

 

[Butterflygirl35]

OMG... Those pictures made me hungry.. My favorite place for breakfast.. So laid back, calm, excellent food and service....



My kids complain about our 3.5 hour drive.... I should have them read this..

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Silly question -- are there any bars at the Grand Floridian? Due to logistics of my girlfriend leaving before my wife gets there, I have one 1 free night. I'm kidding -- I have neither! But, I am going to have 1 night free and don't feel like going to DTD or the BW -- so any suggestions where I could have a cocktail or 4 and watch the New York Yankees? Hopefully they are still playing next week!

TIA,

Tom

 

[sndral]

I'm no expert on bars, but the one next to Ohanas @ the Poly always seems to be filled with pretty happy people.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I'm no expert on bars, but the one next to Ohanas @ the Poly always seems to be filled with pretty happy people.

And that would be a short hop, skip and crawl back to the GF! Thanks very much!

Tom

 

[jillmc40]

Silly question -- are there any bars at the Grand Floridian? Due to logistics of my girlfriend leaving before my wife gets there, I have one 1 free night. I'm kidding -- I have neither! But, I am going to have 1 night free and don't feel like going to DTD or the BW -- so any suggestions where I could have a cocktail or 4 and watch the New York Yankees? Hopefully they are still playing next week!

TIA,

Tom

I saw some people sitting at the bar at the pool watching some sort of sports. Something involving a ball...I don't know how long the game is or how late the pool bar is opened (UPDATE: 11:00 pm) but at least you would have a short walk home after they lose!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I saw some people sitting at the bar at the pool watching some sort of sports. Something involving a ball...I don't know how long the game is or how late the pool bar is opened (It was just reported earlier I think) but at least you would have a short walk home after they lose!

Even your Nets moved out of New Jersey to New York! BTW- you can have them back, they stink!

Tom

 

[jillmc40]

Even your Nets moved out of New Jersey to New York! BTW- you can have them back, they stink!

Tom

I didn't understand that move...But I am a Cardinals fan (if I watch at all).

Was the spot behind the band a bar before Gasparillas closed? Did it have TV's or just drinks?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Butterflygirl - I know! They made me hungry, too, we love the GF Cafe.:

I didn't understand that move...But I am a Cardinals fan (if I watch at all).

Was the spot behind the band a bar before Gasparillas closed? Did it have TV's or just drinks?

It is, and it's called Mizner's. They have a TV over the bar, we've seen guests watching when we've been having a drink (or 3). At the moment, it is serving as a grab and go food service area, so no help for those heading down before Gasparilla's reopens mid-December.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

I saw some people sitting at the bar at the pool watching some sort of sports. Something involving a ball...I don't know how long the game is or how late the pool bar is opened (UPDATE: 11:00 pm) but at least you would have a short walk home after they lose!

LOL... That is my view of sports as well.. Something involving a ball....

Tom... If you dont mind hopping to MK and then taking a bus - Boardwalk is awesome for bars! The have Jellyrolls (dualing piano bar) and ESPN sports bar..

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Just finished reading pages of this thread, finally caught up! I don't remember who asked, but here is a photo of the courtyard pool from 4th floor SL.

k&a&c'smom reposted another photo of mine, but this one really shows the pool. Obviously it's not the view you want to see now with the pool under construction!

 

[DetTigsGal]

Silly question -- are there any bars at the Grand Floridian? Due to logistics of my girlfriend leaving before my wife gets there, I have one 1 free night. I'm kidding -- I have neither! But, I am going to have 1 night free and don't feel like going to DTD or the BW -- so any suggestions where I could have a cocktail or 4 and watch the New York Yankees? Hopefully they are still playing next week!

TIA,

Tom

Cute Tom. I'm hoping the Yankees aren't playing next week

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - my DH likes to "make good time"! We have to force him to stop, but over the years he has grown to accept it. Your plan for the cabana sounds like a great way to end a day of travel.

We do plan on renting the cabanas at least 3 times this trip. It's been a while since we were at the GF and we want to enjoy every minute we can there.

Oh, btw - congrats on the new car! I drive most of the time, too, so it can be hard to turn over the reins.

Thank you so much. After driving a Ford F350 super duty pick up truck for 10 years, my car is like my second child. Yes, turning over the reins for me is going to be very difficult.

We love the GF cafe as well and I showed my DH those pictures and he said what time do we eat. Those pancakes look so yummy.

HA! I am from Missouri but live in NJ! It is a little bit longer to fly from NJ to MCO than STL to MCO, so I think NJ would probably be a little bit longer drive, but not by much. Although you have to get through the DC area, which is the pits!

Yeah not crazy about the DC area but if we hit it at an off time we should be good.

What do you dining experts think about Citrico's? I showed the menu to our DS and he keeps say lets go to Narcoosee's which we have eaten at many times but have never tried Citrico's.

Also, we are not first floor people but we were thinking of giving it a try. I am not one for bugs and I am deathly afraid of spiders and yes I know it's Florida but are there bushes and such close to the patios or the sliding glass doors?

 

[dreamcruiser]

I wouldn't care for the first floor rooms because of snakes!! (yes, it HAS happened!)

As for Citricos, we have never tried that either (Narcoosee's is great, and we tend to gravitate there due to the menu and the view) but want to one day.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I wouldn't care for the first floor rooms because of snakes!! (yes, it HAS happened!)

As for Citricos, we have never tried that either (Narcoosee's is great, and we tend to gravitate there due to the menu and the view) but want to one day.

Yes, I have seen some threads of snakes in the rooms. I am not afraid of snakes but if one were to be in my room, that may freak me out a bit. Yeah, I think we will stay away from the first floor.

This is us with Narcoosee's as well. It just keeps pulling us in. We are not sure about the food at Citrico's. Maybe when DH and I go to WDW by ourselves, we may give it a try.