A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[DetTigsGal]

Went to the Grand last night to buy Gingerbread and soap . Forgot to get my annual gingerbread house pin when I was at the House and went into Sandy Cove to pick it up. Smaller, less cluttered and brighter than before.

Also had lunch at BOG...what a room!!

 

[Tam1067]

I am very excited. We will be arriving at our favorite resort in just a little over five weeks!

Whole story: this is a split stay with the first five being a 1 bedroom at BLT, from 12/28-1/2. Then we are switching to the GF on 1/3 through 1/6. I had originally booked a SL room, but she the new AP rates came out, four nights in a GV was $955 less than those same in SL. My kids were mad (they love the lounge), but I could not justify that much extra cost.

Anyway, I'm excited if a little worried that the experience will be disappointing after we've grown to love the lounge on our last few trips. I'm excited to see the new and improved Gasparilla's, and I'm so hoping that pool is done by then too.

 

[tamj]

Just opened a letter from the Grand. We're due to arrive Dec 16th...not too long!

It basically just want us to be aware of all of the construction ongoing, and to tel us what they've done to make sure we still have a good vacation. For instance, GG is closed, the pool bar/grill is improved and opened, etc.

As mentioned, the Spa will reopen on Dec 17th. That's great! However, the courtyard pool isn't expected to open until "Spring 2013." Something must have gone really wrong there as they told us it would be open Dec 16th, too.


It gave no date for GG.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Just opened a letter from the Grand. We're due to arrive Dec 16th...not too long!

It basically just want us to be aware of all of the construction ongoing, and to tel us what they've done to make sure we still have a good vacation. For instance, GG is closed, the pool bar/grill is improved and opened, etc.

As mentioned, the Spa will reopen on Dec 17th. That's great! However, the courtyard pool isn't expected to open until "Spring 2013." Something must have gone really wrong there as they told us it would be open Dec 16th, too.


It gave no date for GG.

Spring 2013!!!!

 

[Tam1067]

Just opened a letter from the Grand. We're due to arrive Dec 16th...not too long!

It basically just want us to be aware of all of the construction ongoing, and to tel us what they've done to make sure we still have a good vacation. For instance, GG is closed, the pool bar/grill is improved and opened, etc.

As mentioned, the Spa will reopen on Dec 17th. That's great! However, the courtyard pool isn't expected to open until "Spring 2013." Something must have gone really wrong there as they told us it would be open Dec 16th, too.

It gave no date for GG.

This makes me nervous. I hope GG is on schedule.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Just opened a letter from the Grand. We're due to arrive Dec 16th...not too long!

It basically just want us to be aware of all of the construction ongoing, and to tel us what they've done to make sure we still have a good vacation. For instance, GG is closed, the pool bar/grill is improved and opened, etc.

As mentioned, the Spa will reopen on Dec 17th. That's great! However, the courtyard pool isn't expected to open until "Spring 2013." Something must have gone really wrong there as they told us it would be open Dec 16th, too.


It gave no date for GG.

I'm not surprised to hear that the courtyard pool has been pushed back to Spring 2013. It sounds like they haven't made much progress, the most recent pictures I've seen didn't look much different than what I posted from mid-October. Let's just hope they do a really, really good job to make it worth the wait!

 

[tamj]

Spring 2013!!!!

We called and talked the manager tonight. GG is scheduled at this point for the end of Dec.

We're waiting on a call back tomorrow to see if they can move us from Pine Key facing the pool construction. No pool. No GG. This isn't looking too promising. If they can move us away from seeing the construction, I'll be happy. If not, we're probably going to have to back out of this stay. I hope that doesn't happen. I have the boys' travel packs all set up and ready to go. It's a surprise for them.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

We called and talked the manager tonight. GG is scheduled at this point for the end of Dec.

We're waiting on a call back tomorrow to see if they can move us from Pine Key facing the pool construction. No pool. No GG. This isn't looking too promising. If they can move us away from seeing the construction, I'll be happy. If not, we're probably going to have to back out of this stay. I hope that doesn't happen. I have the boys' travel packs all set up and ready to go. It's a surprise for them.

I hope things work out for you

 

[sndral]

Hard to believe that tomorrow at this time I'll be in my GF room.

 

[Chrisrokc]

Hello All!

Last week my girlfriend and I booked a 6 night vacation to Disney World for March 1st - 7th. It has been over 13 years since I have visited and it will be her first time. (her first time to a real theme park if you can believe that!) We are in our mid 20's, no kids.

We decided to stay at the Grand Floridian since I had stayed there so many years ago. I have a few questions regarding our room and figured this thread would be a good place to ask.

Our reservation is for the Outer Building: Garden View. Is it worth it to upgrade to the main building? If so, is it common practice for Disney to allow for reservation upgrades? Also, we will only be needing one bed, not two. Is this something we ask for at the front desk on arrival?

 

[cgulls]

Just opened a letter from the Grand. We're due to arrive Dec 16th...not too long!

It basically just want us to be aware of all of the construction ongoing, and to tel us what they've done to make sure we still have a good vacation. For instance, GG is closed, the pool bar/grill is improved and opened, etc.

As mentioned, the Spa will reopen on Dec 17th. That's great! However, the courtyard pool isn't expected to open until "Spring 2013." Something must have gone really wrong there as they told us it would be open Dec 16th, too.


It gave no date for GG.

Spring 2013 for the pool?! I can't imagine what could take so long unless maybe they ran into an environmental issue or changed the scope of the project? So, that update was in the letter you got? Thanks so much for sharing, but . . . ugh.

 

[chanson2]

I just saw the post where the courtyard pool is opening Spring 2013 now - is this where the hot tub is as well, or is there a hot tub by the beach pool? We are there for marathon weekend and I know we are going to need that hot tub!

 

[cgulls]

I just saw the post where the courtyard pool is opening Spring 2013 now - is this where the hot tub is as well, or is there a hot tub by the beach pool? We are there for marathon weekend and I know we are going to need that hot tub!

Hot tub is by the Courtyard Pool, the one that is still closed.

 

[dansdad]

Our reservation is for the Outer Building: Garden View. Is it worth it to upgrade to the main building?

I'll let someone who has actually stayed at the GF to answer this one. I'm jealous by the way.

If so, is it common practice for Disney to allow for reservation upgrades?

If there are rooms available and you're willing to pay the difference, you sure can upgrade.

Also, we will only be needing one bed, not two. Is this something we ask for at the front desk on arrival?

You should call and add a request for a king bed to your reservation. And remember, it's only a request.

 

[DREAMS161]

We called and talked the manager tonight. GG is scheduled at this point for the end of Dec.

We're waiting on a call back tomorrow to see if they can move us from Pine Key facing the pool construction. No pool. No GG. This isn't looking too promising. If they can move us away from seeing the construction, I'll be happy. If not, we're probably going to have to back out of this stay. I hope that doesn't happen. I have the boys' travel packs all set up and ready to go. It's a surprise for them.

we are scheduled to arrive Dec 10th and now am so worried about all of the construction both noise & looking unsightly. We booked Sugarloaf (especially for breakfasts) since GG is closed. Now with courtyard pool still closed should we move to main building or just request marina side in Sugarloaf? My husband is sensitive to noise I called front desk & itinerary specialist and both said no room assignments can be made now. Should I ask to speak with manager? I just don't want to leave it up to chance and also don't want to move to main building ($$$) if it really isn't necessary and possibly is noise of construction on that side of the resort bad too. I am nervous about this decison (as you can tell lol!) and this was supposed to be a huge trip for our family. any advice is welcome. thank you in advance.

 

[jcondrad]

we are scheduled to arrive Dec 10th and now am so worried about all of the construction both noise & looking unsightly. We booked Sugarloaf (especially for breakfasts) since GG is closed. Now with courtyard pool still closed should we move to main building or just request marina side in Sugarloaf? My husband is sensitive to noise I called front desk & itinerary specialist and both said no room assignments can be made now. Should I ask to speak with manager? I just don't want to leave it up to chance and also don't want to move to main building ($$$) if it really isn't necessary and possibly is noise of construction on that side of the resort bad too. I am nervous about this decison (as you can tell lol!) and this was supposed to be a huge trip for our family. any advice is welcome. thank you in advance.

I am worried about the same thing! We are the 9-17, originally was sugarloaf from 9-14, then rpc the rest. I couldn't get AP rates for any main building room for the beginning of the trip and with construction we just switched to BWI with hopes that a main bldg reservation will open up before we arrive! CRO rep told me to keep checking and usually within 1 week of arrival things might open up.

 

[pas130]

I am worried about the same thing! We are the 9-17, originally was sugarloaf from 9-14, then rpc the rest. I couldn't get AP rates for any main building room for the beginning of the trip and with construction we just switched to BWI with hopes that a main bldg reservation will open up before we arrive! CRO rep told me to keep checking and usually within 1 week of arrival things might open up.

I've changed the day before to a deluxe king rpc with ap discount..don't lose faith

 

[tamj]

Spring 2013 for the pool?! I can't imagine what could take so long unless maybe they ran into an environmental issue or changed the scope of the project? So, that update was in the letter you got? Thanks so much for sharing, but . . . ugh.

I don't know what in "The World" happened because we were told several times that it would be opening the weekend of the 16th prior to our decision to book. Yes, the letter said it was due to open "Spring 2013."

we are scheduled to arrive Dec 10th and now am so worried about all of the construction both noise & looking unsightly. We booked Sugarloaf (especially for breakfasts) since GG is closed. Now with courtyard pool still closed should we move to main building or just request marina side in Sugarloaf? My husband is sensitive to noise I called front desk & itinerary specialist and both said no room assignments can be made now. Should I ask to speak with manager? I just don't want to leave it up to chance and also don't want to move to main building ($$$) if it really isn't necessary and possibly is noise of construction on that side of the resort bad too. I am nervous about this decison (as you can tell lol!) and this was supposed to be a huge trip for our family. any advice is welcome. thank you in advance.

I am worried about the same thing! We are the 9-17, originally was sugarloaf from 9-14, then rpc the rest. I couldn't get AP rates for any main building room for the beginning of the trip and with construction we just switched to BWI with hopes that a main bldg reservation will open up before we arrive! CRO rep told me to keep checking and usually within 1 week of arrival things might open up.

I wonder why you guys didn't also get a letter? I have no idea abot what to do about heading. From other posts, noise hasn't seemed to be an issue, but I'd hate to lay out all this money to stare at the construction. Hope it goes well for you both. We're going to head out on the 15th. I'm really excited and going to make this "GRAND" in the grandest ways I can.

Three big things come together for us this trip: My oldest will be graduating high school and turning 18 this spring-this trip is per his request; I don't think I'll be hearing this from him in the upcoming future, my youngest (and only other) celebrates his 9th b'day and we've been promising him to try to get him to Disney for it, and our 25th anniversary is the 18th, too. So, To the Grand it is! I'll be sure to take a lot of photos and post them when we get there. 20 Days!

 

[DREAMS161]

I know someone mentioned they spoke to a manager. I called and was told I could not speak to a manger until I was onsite (doesn't seem right) Anyway I was hoping to resolve my room/building issue asap. I never received any letters about the construction and now have concerns like I mentioned about the noise level for my husband. The front desk suggested I wait until I checked in to resolve the issue- I would much rather do so now. Any guidance - I don't want to be a pain - it's just this is a ton of money and I'd like a bit more resolution.

 

[jcondrad]

Pas...I keep checking every day, multiple times online and I call at least once a day too! So I'm hoping for some luck! They had it available all but 1 day and that day was right in the middle of our stay, I'm all for a split stay but having to move rooms two more times just wasn't sounding fun to us

Tamj...never got any letter and I don't want to chance staring at construction for the price I'd be paying

I'm not going to let it ruin our trip tho!

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