A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[runskimom]

Every time I have been to the GF Cafe, I have had a great meal. It really is a hidden gem, so I highly recommend it!

Anybody at GF now, or going very soon, I would love to hear an update on the Gasparilla's and courtyard pool progress. The pictures posted a week or so ago were GREAT! Any CM's willing to answer questions as to completion timeline??

We can't wait, we'll be there soon with 6 of us!

 

[jillmc40]

Followthatmouse - I didn't need anything, it just let me on the Internet.

All of this talk of gf cafe is making me miss it so much. My dh loves the burger with lobster on it.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

If this offer is still good, could you pm it to me? I'm a bit ambivalent about getting too caught up in view research tho', I did that before staying at the Poly and at AKL, I poured over possible views and was a bit disappointed w/ what I ended up w/ initially (got over it pretty fast, tho'.)

If you would like, PM me your email address and I will send it that way. I am not allowed to post the site anywhere here on the DIS.

Followthatmouse - I didn't need anything, it just let me on the Internet.

All of this talk of gf cafe is making me miss it so much. My dh loves the burger with lobster on it.

Same with us in June when we stayed at BLT. My DS was able to use his iPad without anything either. So much easier to carry around than a lap top.

I just mentioned the burger with lobster to my DH and he said that he had already eyed that one up.

 

[roryc]

We are booked at the GF next week and I missed a call Sunday that I noticed scrolling through missed calls and it said "Disney-407-824-1000". I looked it up online and it's a number for the Contemporary Resort. I so hope they're not trying to move our two rooms as my parents are going with us just to stay in the GF. I have reservations at Chef Mickey's and California Grill. I'm paranoid. Anybody gotten one of these calls?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello everyone I don't post very often but I just wanted to say that two years ago we booked two rooms adjoining I think it was conch key TPV. When we went up the rooms one room had a perfect view of the castle and the other a big pine tree right in the middle!!!!!!! We could not see the castle from this room!!! We went back to the front desk and asked about it and the manager did give us a credit because they did not have two adjoining rooms TPV to move us to,but that one room definetly wasn't TPV. It was ok though at least one was! We didn't feel like waiting till the next day and then leaving the parks to have to move to the other rooms we just wanted to settle in and enjoy our trip. They must have known if not they would not have given us a credit

Thanks for the info!

The GF Cafe was my favorite for breakfast as well. Really good food and excellent service.

Wish I was there now...

I just booked a last minute trip to POR (leaving Friday!) but only for two nights.. I could not wait until January.. LOL I am a true addict.

Leaving Friday, woohoo! Spontaneous trips are so exciting.

We are huge fans of the GF Cafe, we ate there 4 or 5 times this past trip.

....
Okay, a quick question. I plan to bring an ipad on our upcoming visit. What will I need to do to access the WiFi at the GF?

Followthatmouse - I didn't need anything, it just let me on the Internet.

This was our experience as well - if I recall, we simply opened our browser and the wifi connected. Well, sort of...we had a lot of dropped connections.

We are booked at the GF next week and I missed a call Sunday that I noticed scrolling through missed calls and it said "Disney-407-824-1000". I looked it up online and it's a number for the Contemporary Resort. I so hope they're not trying to move our two rooms as my parents are going with us just to stay in the GF. I have reservations at Chef Mickey's and California Grill. I'm paranoid. Anybody gotten one of these calls?

Are you booked on club level? The GF shares their IPO with the CR, so it could have been a call from them. I doubt they are moving you to the CR, the Grand hasn't been full for a while due to the construction. I just checked the website, and there are still rooms available for next week.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Are you booked on club level? The GF shares their IPO with the CR, so it could have been a call from them. I doubt they are moving you to the CR, the Grand hasn't been full for a while due to the construction. I just checked the website, and there are still rooms available for next week.

I agree. Back in 2008 we were booked at the GF SL and we received a call from Disney. Called back and it was at the Poly. The GF IPO was working from the Poly that time.

 

[roryc]

CoachBagFanatic and k&a&c'smom :

Thanks for your replies about the phone call from Contemporary (likely IPO)We are staying Concierge, so I hope they were just checking in. That makes sense though this is our 4th time staying GF Concierge in 5 years and I've never gotten a call before. An email, yes, but not a phone call. I just wish they'd left a message. We are looking forward to it. Actually, I cannot wait! My dad is planning on listening to the piano and the band with lots of goodies to eat throughout the day. He is just going to do one day at MK, which I can't imagine but he's not able to get around very well and he wants to enjoy watching his 3 granddaughters one day at the park and the other days he'll spend enjoying the hotel. So the hotel is really ALL he's interested in . Now my mother, is really looking forward to all of it. My DH who hasn't always been a big Disney fan, but loves GF is excited too. Weather forecasts in the high 70s and sunny.

 

[cblack]

Hi all! I am new to the WDW side of the Dis, but we decided to do a pre-cruise stay at GF, and I need help with room location request. We just have one night booked, and we aren't going to the parks. We are staying at GF mostly for convenience for our ADR at 1900 Park Fare. We booked a TPV room, because Wishes is scheduled for the night we will be there. We booked TPV so we could watch Wishes, but in reading the comments, it looks like some of the views are obstructed. Any suggestions on a location to request? Should I note my request to see the theme park in my TPV room when I checkin? TIA!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic and k&a&c'smom :

Thanks for your replies about the phone call from Contemporary (likely IPO)We are staying Concierge, so I hope they were just checking in. That makes sense though this is our 4th time staying GF Concierge in 5 years and I've never gotten a call before. An email, yes, but not a phone call. I just wish they'd left a message. We are looking forward to it. Actually, I cannot wait! My dad is planning on listening to the piano and the band with lots of goodies to eat throughout the day. He is just going to do one day at MK, which I can't imagine but he's not able to get around very well and he wants to enjoy watching his 3 granddaughters one day at the park and the other days he'll spend enjoying the hotel. So the hotel is really ALL he's interested in . Now my mother, is really looking forward to all of it. My DH who hasn't always been a big Disney fan, but loves GF is excited too. Weather forecasts in the high 70s and sunny.

My pleasure. You can always call them back as I did to see if I needed to answer any questions for them. They most likely were calling just to check-in to see if they can do anything else for you.

It sounds like you all are going to have a great time. We love the GF and it holds a very special place in our hearts.

Sending you lots of for your magical trip.

 

[followthatmouse]

Thank you very much jillmc40, CoachBagFanatic and k&a&c'smom! We'll see how we go. As long as we can connect occasionally and make sure our country is still there, all will be well.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic and k&a&c'smom :

Thanks for your replies about the phone call from Contemporary (likely IPO)We are staying Concierge, so I hope they were just checking in. That makes sense though this is our 4th time staying GF Concierge in 5 years and I've never gotten a call before. An email, yes, but not a phone call. I just wish they'd left a message. We are looking forward to it. Actually, I cannot wait! My dad is planning on listening to the piano and the band with lots of goodies to eat throughout the day. He is just going to do one day at MK, which I can't imagine but he's not able to get around very well and he wants to enjoy watching his 3 granddaughters one day at the park and the other days he'll spend enjoying the hotel. So the hotel is really ALL he's interested in . Now my mother, is really looking forward to all of it. My DH who hasn't always been a big Disney fan, but loves GF is excited too. Weather forecasts in the high 70s and sunny.

You are most welcome.

I understand your dad completely - I often spend most of my time at the resort and let my DD and her friends enjoy the parks. The Grand is a great place for it, there are so many areas to while away the time.

Hi all! I am new to the WDW side of the Dis, but we decided to do a pre-cruise stay at GF, and I need help with room location request. We just have one night booked, and we aren't going to the parks. We are staying at GF mostly for convenience for our ADR at 1900 Park Fare. We booked a TPV room, because Wishes is scheduled for the night we will be there. We booked TPV so we could watch Wishes, but in reading the comments, it looks like some of the views are obstructed. Any suggestions on a location to request? Should I note my request to see the theme park in my TPV room when I checkin? TIA!

Welcome! I would suggest requesting either Conch Key or Sago Cay, these buildings usually get top marks for good MK views. If you would like to qualify your request with "good view" or "nice view of the castle" etc., you certainly may, but probably isn't necessary. Most guests love their TPV.

Keep in mind, if you check in early and find your view blocked, call or return to the front desk and see if they have another room. If they do not, don't despair - you can usually still see the fireworks, even with a tree in the way. You just can't see the castle without some stretching.

On a personal note, I don't consider a blocked view a "theme park view" room, so some gentle persuasion may be in order if you get a tree blocking your view of the MK.

Good luck.

Thank you very much jillmc40, CoachBagFanatic and k&a&c'smom! We'll see how we go. As long as we can connect occasionally and make sure our country is still there, all will be well.

You're welcome!

I'm sure you'll be able to connect enough to check in. We had a hard time staying connected, but I noticed several guests using their laptops near the pool - maybe the pool and lobby have better wifi access.

 

[tamj]

Every time I have been to the GF Cafe, I have had a great meal. It really is a hidden gem, so I highly recommend it!

Anybody at GF now, or going very soon, I would love to hear an update on the Gasparilla's and courtyard pool progress. The pictures posted a week or so ago were GREAT! Any CM's willing to answer questions as to completion timeline??

We can't wait, we'll be there soon with 6 of us!

I'm not there but did just get off the phone w/a CM. His report is that the G.Grill will be opening by or near the 15th and the pool area the 'end of the month.' However, the online cm I chatted w/today stated that the pool area is scheduled to open on Dec 17th. Unfortunately, I can't book w/o knowing for sure. We <3 the Grand but we love it for that nice hot tub at the end of the day or in Dec while the boys are swimming. Looking less and less like a Grand Christmas this year.

 

[cblack]

Welcome! I would suggest requesting either Conch Key or Sago Cay, these buildings usually get top marks for good MK views. If you would like to qualify your request with "good view" or "nice view of the castle" etc., you certainly may, but probably isn't necessary. Most guests love their TPV.

Keep in mind, if you check in early and find your view blocked, call or return to the front desk and see if they have another room. If they do not, don't despair - you can usually still see the fireworks, even with a tree in the way. You just can't see the castle without some stretching.

On a personal note, I don't consider a blocked view a "theme park view" room, so some gentle persuasion may be in order if you get a tree blocking your view of the MK.

Thanks for the welcome, recommendation, and words of comfort in case we are parked in front of a tree!

 

[dipastor]

Every time I have been to the GF Cafe, I have had a great meal. It really is a hidden gem, so I highly recommend it!

Anybody at GF now, or going very soon, I would love to hear an update on the Gasparilla's and courtyard pool progress. The pictures posted a week or so ago were GREAT! Any CM's willing to answer questions as to completion timeline??

We can't wait, we'll be there soon with 6 of us!

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

 

[jojomickey]

Looking forward to the update!

Hope you have a magical time!!!!!!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

Have a magical trip and can't wait for the update.

 

[runskimom]

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

This would be fantastic!!! Thanks! I hope you have a great vacation at the Grand!!

I'm not there but did just get off the phone w/a CM. His report is that the G.Grill will be opening by or near the 15th and the pool area the 'end of the month.' However, the online cm I chatted w/today stated that the pool area is scheduled to open on Dec 17th. Unfortunately, I can't book w/o knowing for sure. We <3 the Grand but we love it for that nice hot tub at the end of the day or in Dec while the boys are swimming. Looking less and less like a Grand Christmas this year.

15th of November or December?? Maybe we'll get some on-site updates soon to help you plan your Christmas trip. Sounds like fun to me!

 

[tamj]

This would be fantastic!!! Thanks! I hope you have a great vacation at the Grand!!



15th of November or December?? Maybe we'll get some on-site updates soon to help you plan your Christmas trip. Sounds like fun to me!

Sorry, 15th of Dec. I'm not sure if I can link or post another site, but AE is reporting both Gasparilla Grill and the Courtyard pool to be opened by the 17th (Dec).

 

[tamj]

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

I can't wait to see your update, too. So excited for you!

 

[roryc]

We will be at WDW staying at the GF tomorrow. Wish us luck... we need two adjoining rooms and I'm hoping we are not near construction. We have Lagoon View. I will try to take some pics while there and post an update on Gasparilla's and pool. My DH will have computer with him.

Can't Wait!
d

I am looking forward to any updates you have too. I hope you get the 2 adjoining rooms. We have that request in for next week so I am hoping with decreased reservations due to construction we will both get our requests! I am looking forward to our girls being able to wander back and forth to their grandparents' room and adjoining rooms will be so much easier. Good luck and .