Resort Thread Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN Resort & Spa + Construction Updates!! **LOBBY REFURB STARTED 4/14**

[mrsap]

The room didn’t have the microwave so I thought it was it, . Guess I’ll keep looking or post myself in 3 weeks.

Thx , I’ll go edit my post.

They almost had me too!! I posted the same thing two pages back! I went right to the video and while watching, I noticed it was 4 months old, so I went back and read the article and saw the little write up above it!

 

[xdan0920]

YMMV, but I have yet to find the bar full in my travels. It’s a great option in my experience. I like sitting at the bar over the smaller lounge tables if eating as you sort of have to hunch over to eat at those tables. Good for drinks and light apps though.

I’m a little bitter as they wouldn’t let my 12 year old sit at the bar (despite having done so multiple prior times) when I tried over the summer, but perhaps a good thing for the adult crowd.

Fairly certain it's illegal for a minor to sit at a bar.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Fairly certain it's illegal for a minor to sit at a bar.

Well then both Disney and I have been breaking the law at various places across property for many years.

Cheers.

 

[xdan0920]

Well then both Disney and I have been breaking the law at various places across property for many years.

Cheers.

Some quick googling shows it's actually OK in Florida. Assuming the establishment makes over 50% of it's sales from food. Interesting info.

 

[CarolynFH]

The room didn’t have the microwave so I thought it was it, . Guess I’ll keep looking or post myself in 3 weeks.

Thx , I’ll go edit my post.

When BPK first opened, microwaves were not standard equipment but could be requested. They were installed in all Resort Studios some weeks later. Whether it was supply chain issues (didn’t arrive in time) or an afterthought (planners didn’t think they’d be missed) is unknown to me.

 

[PolyRob]

Well then both Disney and I have been breaking the law at various places across property for many years.

Cheers.

 

[iona]

When BPK first opened, microwaves were not standard equipment but could be requested. They were installed in all Resort Studios some weeks later. Whether it was supply chain issues (didn’t arrive in time) or an afterthought (planners didn’t think they’d be missed) is unknown to me.

Given that there’s a little sign by the power outlets that warns you not to run the coffee maker and the microwave simultaneously, I’m going to guess that the microwave was an afterthought…

 

[maggnanimouse]

Hello, Grand Floridian experts! I'm here with a question that has likely already been asked and answered, but please bear with me.

I'm a week and a half out from my first stay at the GF, and so I'm starting to think about the smaller details. Specifically, MK rope drop strategy! I've never stayed at a resort where I could walk to a park, so I've always relied on busses and the Skyliner to rope drop. In those cases I arrive at the bus stop/skyliner 90 minutes before Early Entry.

1. I'm assuming the walking path gives you the best shot at being at the front of the pack. Is that correct?
2. If so, do you recommend getting to the gate (or wherever it is that you're held) 90 minutes before EE?
3. Are there are any tips/tricks when it comes to rope dropping MK from the GF?

Thank you!

 

[trishadono]

Hello, Grand Floridian experts! I'm here with a question that has likely already been asked and answered, but please bear with me.

I'm a week and a half out from my first stay at the GF, and so I'm starting to think about the smaller details. Specifically, MK rope drop strategy! I've never stayed at a resort where I could walk to a park, so I've always relied on busses and the Skyliner to rope drop. In those cases I arrive at the bus stop/skyliner 90 minutes before Early Entry.

1. I'm assuming the walking path gives you the best shot at being at the front of the pack. Is that correct?
2. If so, do you recommend getting to the gate (or wherever it is that you're held) 90 minutes before EE?
3. Are there are any tips/tricks when it comes to rope dropping MK from the GF?

Thank you!

I have another trip to GF in 3 weeks. I have stayed there a few times since the path was opened.

1. Unless it is a busy day like a holiday or special event/new ride etc the mono comes pretty often in the morning. So if you miss one the next will be right there. When the Covid restrictions were heavy walking was the best, Back when the path 1st opened you had to wear masks inside and out. The whole 6 ft thing plus limited seating per mono car made the path a must for rope drop. They also would not let you board mono until a specific time /no early anything.

Now dd and I walk or mono depending on which building we are in, the weather, and our mood. We like to get a lot of steps in and don’t mind the walk. For our next trip we may walk or mono but I’m not concerned about getting to MK on time, either way will work.

2. Ok often it’s 8:30 EE so I’ll use that as an example. We often leave GF at 8am. That gives us time to get there by mono or walk. You will be through the tapstyles and into the hub where they hold you. You can arrive earlier say 15-30more minutes if SDMT is a must or getting Starbucks. Both of those get long lines. Dd waits so long for her iced whatever! We head for SM and on pretty quick.

3. We are huge fans of Genie+. So we have EE rides and the start time for the g+ could be 9am or later. We will ride as many rides a we can until the crowds show up. Some mornings that is fast and some slower. Then as soon as you tap into the ride choose your next. We will do that until 11-11:45 ish . Then we head back to gf. Here we choose based on weather. If it’s hot usually mono. If nice we may walk. If I see the boat coming we take that. It’s A lovely ride and a must do for me.

Going back to parks the rest of the day we again, mono, boat or walk based on weather. In the summer you get get hot walking midday. Also those storms can soak you! So a lot depends on the whats happening at that time of day.

They don’t sell alcohol in MK except for TS. So we will grab a drink from pool bar or a ‘to go‘ from ER etc and sip that on our walk to MK in the evening.

We have been staying at CR and GF for the convenience of walking to MK. We almost always walk from CR because it’s close but gf walk or mono.

Midday transport usually weather based decision . Park close walk to CR. Gf a mix where we may mono if crowds not bad . We have been too tired to walk to GF but mono will be packed on occasion. We have walked to CR and gotten on mono from there to gf. It can be the quickest way without exhausting yourself sometimes .

Just keep an eye on the monorail. You can see them moving from most places. If you don’t see any that usually means an issue. Sometimes they hold for a while when they add or take a train off. If lines are long at mono is also a clue. Then walking is the best.

 

[disneyfan150]

The room didn’t have the microwave so I thought it was it, . Guess I’ll keep looking or post myself in 3 weeks.

Thx , I’ll go edit my post.

Thank you for the info! I know the rooms similar to BPK. I am just excited to see the changes anyway.

 

[kylenne]

Hello, Grand Floridian experts! I'm here with a question that has likely already been asked and answered, but please bear with me.

I'm a week and a half out from my first stay at the GF, and so I'm starting to think about the smaller details. Specifically, MK rope drop strategy! I've never stayed at a resort where I could walk to a park, so I've always relied on busses and the Skyliner to rope drop. In those cases I arrive at the bus stop/skyliner 90 minutes before Early Entry.

1. I'm assuming the walking path gives you the best shot at being at the front of the pack. Is that correct?
2. If so, do you recommend getting to the gate (or wherever it is that you're held) 90 minutes before EE?
3. Are there are any tips/tricks when it comes to rope dropping MK from the GF?

Thank you!

I have to say, staying there last Memorial Day I barely used the monorail. Only once in the afternoon when there was light rain. In fairness I was staying in the deluxe king section above Gaspy's in the main building though so it was actually way easier to get to the walking path than the monorail station from my room. But the walk is so beautiful in the early morning and it's really not far at all. (I much prefer it to the walk from CR, much more scenic and peaceful). I can't speak to EE as it wasn't a thing yet when I stayed at GF but I think 90 minutes sounds excessive to me. The reason it's advised to arrive that early to transportation stops is because you want to be on the first bus etc. That's not an issue with walking, you can leave pretty much whenever and still make it there before the first buses start showing up. NYC power walking by myself I did it in about 10-15 minutes, but for normal people it's probably closer to 20.

Foot power is always going to be the best way to be at the front of the pack imo, you can arrive well before Disney transportation starts dropping people off. I always advocate walking to parks for rope drop if that's an option and you can manage it.

 

[sdk1231]

Hello, Grand Floridian experts! I'm here with a question that has likely already been asked and answered, but please bear with me.

I'm a week and a half out from my first stay at the GF, and so I'm starting to think about the smaller details. Specifically, MK rope drop strategy! I've never stayed at a resort where I could walk to a park, so I've always relied on busses and the Skyliner to rope drop. In those cases I arrive at the bus stop/skyliner 90 minutes before Early Entry.

1. I'm assuming the walking path gives you the best shot at being at the front of the pack. Is that correct?
2. If so, do you recommend getting to the gate (or wherever it is that you're held) 90 minutes before EE?
3. Are there are any tips/tricks when it comes to rope dropping MK from the GF?

Thank you!

I stayed at the GF 3 times in 2022 and same in 2021. I'm a walker. I agree with @kylenne - the morning walk is beautiful. I enjoy my morning walk to the MK. My daughters do not enjoy the morning walk and always take the monorail in the morning. They beat me to the MK by a minute or two almost every time.

When doing early entry, we usually head over about 30 min early. Once through the outside tapstiles, you're held at the hub entry points to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, the only 2 sections of the park operating during early entry. One daughter runs to Space Mtn, then meets us at Fantasyland. Once full park opening hits, we usually run to Splash Mtn / BTMRR. We ride around Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square until the Spring Roll cart opens at 11, grab egg rolls and then go sit behind the Christmas Shoppe to eat and wait for the early parade. After that, we usually head back to the GF for an afternoon pool break. I take the walking path and they take the boat or monorail. Returning to the GF, I usually beat them by few minutes. At park closing, at the end of the night, I always beat them by at least 15 minutes, sometimes more.

 

[mrsap]

Some additional construction pics…

Grand Floridian Room Refurbishment Moves to Conch Key Building​

Following the debut of new Mary Poppins-themed rooms at the expanded Disney Vacation Club presence at Big Pine Key, Disney expanded the room refurbishment project to the Boca Chica building. Boca Chica reopened earlier this month with new-look rooms, and now the refurbishment project has expanded to the Conch Key building.


(Looks like the Grand 1 yacht is back!)

 

[Disturbia]

I stayed at the GF 3 times in 2022 and same in 2021. I'm a walker. I agree with @kylenne - the morning walk is beautiful. I enjoy my morning walk to the MK. My daughters do not enjoy the morning walk and always take the monorail in the morning. They beat me to the MK by a minute or two almost every time.

When doing early entry, we usually head over about 30 min early. Once through the outside tapstiles, you're held at the hub entry points to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, the only 2 sections of the park operating during early entry. One daughter runs to Space Mtn, then meets us at Fantasyland. Once full park opening hits, we usually run to Splash Mtn / BTMRR. We ride around Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square until the Spring Roll cart opens at 11, grab egg rolls and then go sit behind the Christmas Shoppe to eat and wait for the early parade. After that, we usually head back to the GF for an afternoon pool break. I take the walking path and they take the boat or monorail. Returning to the GF, I usually beat them by few minutes. At park closing, at the end of the night, I always beat them by at least 15 minutes, sometimes more.

I was looking for some info on the senses spa, recent experiences and/or coupon codes.

Allears did a comparison and the walk took longer than either boat or monorail (to the TTC):

 

[mrsap]

Refurbished Mary Poppins-Inspired Guest Rooms Debut at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort





As we assumed, the rooms look identical to the DVC rooms, with the exception of no microwave or toaster. Also to note, these have soap wall dispensers in the shower, the DVC rooms have the small bottles.

*click link for additional pics

 

[mrsap]

Check Out the Late-Night Prep Work from Last Night for the Iconic Grand Floridian Gingerbread House​

 

[followthatmouse]

Check Out the Late-Night Prep Work from Last Night for the Iconic Grand Floridian Gingerbread House​

View attachment 715458

I’ve not been at the GF for the building of the house. But I have been there for the dismantling. It was one of the saddest moments I’ve experienced at WDW. So, the thought of a fresh house and a new festive season gives me great glee! Oh, to be at the GF now that gingerbread is here! I do wish that I could.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Curious, how have people liked or disliked the closet placement in these rooms?

 

[focusondisney]

Curious, how have people liked or disliked the closet placement in these rooms?

I would have liked to see the doors open. Wondering if it has just bars, any shelves like YC. Looks very inconvenient to access.

 

[mrsap]

Curious, how have people liked or disliked the closet placement in these rooms?

I did not find any issue with the placement of the closet. They actually held a good amount of items, so that’s pretty much where all of my suitcases and bags went. There’s a nice full length mirror on one of the interior closet doors as well, which was really nice to have. Starting to warm up to the new rooms?