A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[k&a&c'smom]

Congrats on going back to the GF! I have to say that I have been
VERY lucky when booking a specific room number for my stays at the GF. I have always got the room I wanted. I don't know if this happened because I booked so far out, 10 moths before our vacation, or not.

I have requested the same room in RPC that we had a few years ago for our upcoming July vacation, so I will see what happens.

You are probably one of the people I remembered posting about room number requests. Thanks for the info.

That's good to know!! Thanks! I'm going to request it! It would be amazing to be in the same room that we were in when we got married and honeymooned. It will bring back wonderful memories!

Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Does anyone know when the rooms will be refurbished? Specifically Sugar Loaf? Thanks!

I don't think anyone knows for sure, but someone (Tink rules?) posted the GF is slated to be refurbed after the Poly - which is in the process of a renovation right now. This would follow the pattern in 2007, when the GF was overhauled after the CR/Poly renovations.

 

[Tink rules]

yup... and then big time changes at the Poly for DVC...

 

[baler31]

You are probably one of the people I remembered posting about room number requests. Thanks for the info.



Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed.



I don't think anyone knows for sure, but someone (Tink rules?) posted the GF is slated to be refurbed after the Poly - which is in the process of a renovation right now. This would follow the pattern in 2007, when the GF was overhauled after the CR/Poly renovations.

I did ask about a refurb on our last visit and one of the kind guest service mgr's in RPC mentioned that they were told a soft goods refurb would begin sometime between Thanksgiving and the New Year. After New Year's seems more likely to me as the holidays are a busy time and I cannot see limiting your occupancy during that time But anyway that is what I was told.

 

[jecon]

I did ask about a refurb on our last visit and one of the kind guest service mgr's in RPC mentioned that they were told a soft goods refurb would begin sometime between Thanksgiving and the New Year. After New Year's seems more likely to me as the holidays are a busy time and I cannot see limiting your occupancy during that time But anyway that is what I was told.

Thanks!!!

 

[jecon]

You are probably one of the people I remembered posting about room number requests. Thanks for the info.

Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

I don't think anyone knows for sure, but someone (Tink rules?) posted the GF is slated to be refurbed after the Poly - which is in the process of a renovation right now. This would follow the pattern in 2007, when the GF was overhauled after the CR/Poly renovations.

Thanks! That makes sense. We are deciding if we should go for the marathon or wait for a number of reasons (snow white ride, possible splash mountain closure) and this may add to it.

 

[Tink rules]

Yeah... Poly should be done by this fall!

 

[JenniD44]

When is a good time to put a room request on your reservation? It seems last time we went, I had been told 2 to 3 weeks out, which is what we did. Looking through this thread, it seems people tend to do it sooner. Any idea on the best time?

 

[dansdad]

When is a good time to put a room request on your reservation? It seems last time we went, I had been told 2 to 3 weeks out, which is what we did. Looking through this thread, it seems people tend to do it sooner. Any idea on the best time?

There is no best time really. As long as it's at least 4-5 days prior to your arrival. That's when the room assignors normally get the reservations. I always put our requests in when I make our reservation. As long as they are noted on your reservation, you're good to go.

 

[sydneysmom]

I want to thank everyone on this thread SO much for the wealth of information you provide as well as super nice comradery!! As I've told everyone before, we went back and forth on resorts, but decided to come back to the Grand mostly because of all of your stories, pictures and good trip reports. Regardless of the construction, I know it will be just magical.

It's been a VERY long 560 (and some odd) days since our last Disney vacation, and you have all been so awesome in sharing your trips and tips and have gotten me through this time quicker! We're down to 16 days until we're in the car to Disney. It's hard to believe it's actually almost here. And we have STILL kept the secret from our DD7!!! She thinks we're going to the beach, but when she wakes up and we're at Disney, we're doing to tell her that "oops, Daddy took a wrong turn!!".

I don't think people realize what great fun it is to chat with everyone and learn what's new at the parks and the resorts... I know alot has changed since we were there in 2010, and I cannot wait to jump right into the magic!! It's nice that everyone can be so kind to each other here... it's my favorite thread on the Dis, for sure.

Thank you to everyone.... one thing I will do when we're there is report back to everyone on the mugs!! Just in case they're new....

 

[mariamouse]

I want to thank everyone on this thread SO much for the wealth of information you provide as well as super nice comradery!! As I've told everyone before, we went back and forth on resorts, but decided to come back to the Grand mostly because of all of your stories, pictures and good trip reports. Regardless of the construction, I know it will be just magical.

It's been a VERY long 560 (and some odd) days since our last Disney vacation, and you have all been so awesome in sharing your trips and tips and have gotten me through this time quicker! We're down to 16 days until we're in the car to Disney. It's hard to believe it's actually almost here. And we have STILL kept the secret from our DD7!!! She thinks we're going to the beach, but when she wakes up and we're at Disney, we're doing to tell her that "oops, Daddy took a wrong turn!!".

I don't think people realize what great fun it is to chat with everyone and learn what's new at the parks and the resorts... I know alot has changed since we were there in 2010, and I cannot wait to jump right into the magic!! It's nice that everyone can be so kind to each other here... it's my favorite thread on the Dis, for sure.

Thank you to everyone.... one thing I will do when we're there is report back to everyone on the mugs!! Just in case they're new....

Those final weeks before a vacation are always so exciting-- especially when it's been a long Disney hiatus! And congratulations on keeping the secret this long.. I think your plan sounds great!

And agreed about the awesomeness that is this thread... so many friendly posters always willing to help out in any way!

I hope you have an absolute blast at the Grand, sydneysmom!!

 

[Rhongepooh]

I want to thank everyone on this thread SO much for the wealth of information you provide as well as super nice comradery!! As I've told everyone before, we went back and forth on resorts, but decided to come back to the Grand mostly because of all of your stories, pictures and good trip reports. Regardless of the construction, I know it will be just magical.

It's been a VERY long 560 (and some odd) days since our last Disney vacation, and you have all been so awesome in sharing your trips and tips and have gotten me through this time quicker! We're down to 16 days until we're in the car to Disney. It's hard to believe it's actually almost here. And we have STILL kept the secret from our DD7!!! She thinks we're going to the beach, but when she wakes up and we're at Disney, we're doing to tell her that "oops, Daddy took a wrong turn!!".

I don't think people realize what great fun it is to chat with everyone and learn what's new at the parks and the resorts... I know alot has changed since we were there in 2010, and I cannot wait to jump right into the magic!! It's nice that everyone can be so kind to each other here... it's my favorite thread on the Dis, for sure.

Thank you to everyone.... one thing I will do when we're there is report back to everyone on the mugs!! Just in case they're new....

We are going to be there the same time! We leave in 12 days but are taking 2 days to get down since we won't leave till lunch or after on Tuesday. It will be me, 45, my aunt, 74, my daughters, 18 and 24 , my son in law ,26 and my grandson 2. If you see my broad say hi! I'm Rhonda!

 

[MommyGina]

I'm jealous that I won't be there until two months from today! I hope everyone has a great time. Looking forward to updates, especially on the mugs!!!

 

[sydneysmom]

We are going to be there the same time! We leave in 12 days but are taking 2 days to get down since we won't leave till lunch or after on Tuesday. It will be me, 45, my aunt, 74, my daughters, 18 and 24 , my son in law ,26 and my grandson 2. If you see my broad say hi! I'm Rhonda!

sounds good!! have a great trip (and a safe drive!)

 

[EvanJamesMommy]

Hi everyone! Newbie here...just wanted to post & say we checked into the GF yesterday & were so happy to be the "GF Family of the Day" I booked a garden view for 6 nights & got an upgrade to the RPC so it can happen! That's our third time getting a CL upgrade after booking a garden view, so I must say I'm very lucky! Also, I'm at the pool now (courtyard) and cannot hear the construction at all.

 

[DREAMS161]

Hi everyone! Newbie here...just wanted to post & say we checked into the GF yesterday & were so happy to be the "GF Family of the Day" I booked a garden view for 6 nights & got an upgrade to the RPC so it can happen! That's our third time getting a CL upgrade after booking a garden view, so I must say I'm very lucky! Also, I'm at the pool now (courtyard) and cannot hear the construction at all.

That is AWESOME! Happy for you!! love good news, have a fantastic time!

 

[EvanJamesMommy]

That is AWESOME! Happy for you!! love good news, have a fantastic time!

Thank you!!

For anyone who wants to know...Re-fillable mugs are the same Mickey and friends beach scene as before with the pink/blue/black lids. (Annnnd...they're $1 cheaper at the beach pool bar than they are at Gasparilla's)

 

[electricsoup]

Omg - my husband just told me that for my 40th birthday (it's in July, but we're going to Orlando for a family thing over Thanksgiving!) that after the family thing, we are staying CL TPV in the main building!!!! It's just another Disney dream
come true!!

Now I have to search this thread for CL info - I've never done it before!! Tips welcome.

So excited!!!

 

[bethclayton]

Omg - my husband just told me that for my 40th birthday (it's in July, but we're going to Orlando for a family thing over Thanksgiving!) that after the family thing, we are staying CL TPV in the main building!!!! It's just another Disney dream
come true!!

Now I have to search this thread for CL info - I've never done it before!! Tips welcome.

So excited!!!

awesome... we are doing the exact same thing for my 40th this august! enjoy!

 

[Sue M]

Hi everyone! Newbie here...just wanted to post & say we checked into the GF yesterday & were so happy to be the "GF Family of the Day" I booked a garden view for 6 nights & got an upgrade to the RPC so it can happen! That's our third time getting a CL upgrade after booking a garden view, so I must say I'm very lucky! Also, I'm at the pool now (courtyard) and cannot hear the construction at all.

what a magical upgrade!!! Enjoy.

 

[Sue M]

We're here at the GF! Got in last night. We were upgraded from a Garden View to a "Lagoon View" with a clear view of the MK. I had requested Sago but we're in Boca Chica with the upgrade, I did get the first floor as requested. Its a corner room and has 2 balconies - one has the usual sliding doors and overlooks Narcoosie's and another closer to the bathroom/table with a single door that looks right on to the lagoon. Both have a view of the castle and we were able to watch the electric water pageant and fireworks last night.

The room is nice, very happy. I'm on a conference rate and asked once again at the front desk if I could add concierge for a fee or upgrade to a suite (I tried on the phone before and they said no.) The CM was very nice and spent a while on the phone "trying to work some magic". They did offer me concierge but the total would be about 3x what I'm paying so not worth it. But the great view and 2 balconies and possibly a bit more space?? is perfect! Do all the rooms have a little table with 2 chairs? I suspect this one is slightly bigger because its in the corner and the entry way is longer/turns. Perfect for us with strollers and 3 adults.

The GF is as nice as I imagined and the lobby smelled as good as you all said! Haven't even made it to the beach pool yet. The new jets on the courtyard pool have colored lights at night, I thought that was a cool look.

Oh, and I WAS able to pick up my conference-rate park tickets from the concierge instead of having to go to a park guest services. The CM wasn't sure either, but she made it happen.

Wow! Congrats on the room upgrade and being able to pick up tickets from hotel!

yup... and then big time changes at the Poly for DVC...

I just can't get excited about the Poly DVC, it just looks cramped, ruined beach by Tahiti, and turning it into dvc, and sticking another DVC building in the middle. Bleck! They should have just stuck with the one DVC at the end. They are getting greedy, and ruining one of the nicest resorts.