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

[WishesQueen]

Thank you! Do you know how I can find the phone number for the gift shop?

I would call the Grand Floridian directly and ask to be transferred...Good luck, I am sure they'll be helpful.

Joining this thread for my very first GF stay in March...be gentle with me. I am SO EXCITED! Assuming this trip holds, I'm surprising my sister with a trip for her birthday. She has always wanted to stay at the Grand (as have I) and this will also be her first time staying Deluxe (and my second - first time was Yacht in September, I am forever ruined for other room categories!)

I'm casually browsing the thread info but if there is anything I absolutely MUST try/see/do or any requests that are good to make for a sublime visit I'm all ears!

Congratulations. Your such an awesome sister. I would love to hear how your going to surprise her and her reaction. Have a great trip!!!

You definitely can request a turret room that Disneymommy77 received, its in your room category and the extra space is so nice. The room is just a little darker due to there being no slider. If you request this category you also might not get one with a balcony. Just a risk you have to decide worth taking.

I would definitely plan for more hotel time then usual, spending time at the hotel is worth it. Don't miss a drink at the Enchanted Rose, truffle fries, flat breads etc..all so good and the place is beautiful. There is even an outside patio with heaters. Grand Floridian Cafe is also fantastic for any time of day to grab a bite. Narcoossee's is open too, I prefer to grab a drink there other then eat. I am just not sure their doing that now. The menu just really doesn't jump out for us but we have eaten there and it is delicious and location is amazing.

We also love shopping around the hotel, There are 4 shops including Basin to check out and the cast members are so sweet.

There are two pools one with the waterfall, slide and cabanas and one referred to as the Courtyard pool or quiet pool. I am not sure of the weather in March, but in Florida is seems like anything is possible. Both pools are beautiful, my family tends to gravitate to the Courtyard pool since their all older now. But I love sitting at the other pool while the kids are playing the games...especially the trivia game...lol

Trishadono posted the Electric Water Parade is getting ready to return so make time to get over to the boat launch by Narcoossee's to check it out. The piano player has return for the weekends but I am sure of the schedule, but definitely worth hanging around for.

The walk to the Poly is great (actually you can go all the way over to TTC) and I heard the new walk to MK is even better. We love to monorail hop and shop and have a drink at each resort but the monorail isn't stopping at the Poly so you would need to walk there from TTC or the Grand.

This is all just off the top of head, I am sure others will have more and if I think of anything else I'll definitely come by and post.
So excited for you!!!

 

[butterscotchcollins]

I would call the Grand Floridian directly and ask to be transferred...Good luck, I am sure they'll be helpful.



Congratulations. Your such an awesome sister. I would love to hear how your going to surprise her and her reaction. Have a great trip!!!

You definitely can request a turret room that Disneymommy77 received, its in your room category and the extra space is so nice. The room is just a little darker due to there being no slider. If you request this category you also might not get one with a balcony. Just a risk you have to decide worth taking.

I would definitely plan for more hotel time then usual, spending time at the hotel is worth it. Don't miss a drink at the Enchanted Rose, truffle fries, flat breads etc..all so good and the place is beautiful. There is even an outside patio with heaters. Grand Floridian Cafe is also fantastic for any time of day to grab a bite. Narcoossee's is open too, I prefer to grab a drink there other then eat. I am just not sure their doing that now. The menu just really doesn't jump out for us but we have eaten there and it is delicious and location is amazing.

We also love shopping around the hotel, There are 4 shops including Basin to check out and the cast members are so sweet.

There are two pools one with the waterfall, slide and cabanas and one referred to as the Courtyard pool or quiet pool. I am not sure of the weather in March, but in Florida is seems like anything is possible. Both pools are beautiful, my family tends to gravitate to the Courtyard pool since their all older now. But I love sitting at the other pool while the kids are playing the games...especially the trivia game...lol

Trishadono posted the Electric Water Parade is getting ready to return so make time to get over to the boat launch by Narcoossee's to check it out. The piano player has return for the weekends but I am sure of the schedule, but definitely worth hanging around for.

The walk to the Poly is great (actually you can go all the way over to TTC) and I heard the new walk to MK is even better. We love to monorail hop and shop and have a drink at each resort but the monorail isn't stopping at the Poly so you would need to walk there from TTC or the Grand.

This is all just off the top of head, I am sure others will have more and if I think of anything else I'll definitely come by and post.
So excited for you!!!

Thank you, this is all incredibly helpful and now I am even more excited!! I will definitely keep you guys posted on her reaction, maybe I'll even do a Trip Report

 

[kylenne]

So our TA emailed us early this morning about the discounts being extended to our dates, and I have to bite the bullet and downgrade our GF reservation from RPC and switch Poly to YC for week 2 so she can apply it. YC we decided Water View but my head is swimming though when it comes to the GF regular room categories. We were booked in a Deluxe King room, are King rooms a bookable category in the outer buildings?

We also extended our GF dates to 5/22 - 5/30...5/30 is my birthday and I would love to have a birthday brunch at GF Cafe and spend the day in MK while they are transferring our stuff to YC and hit Epcot or the Studios that night.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Trishadono posted the Electric Water Parade is getting ready to return so make time to get over to the boat launch by Narcoossee's to check it out.

Just a small note, EWP returned a few weeks ago and it's currently running nightly as usual.

It had been stopping at GF at 9pm when I was at WDW last week but that appears to have been moved up (to 8:30pm?) starting in the last few days based on reports.

 

[trishadono]

Asked this morning. The hot heater broke in BPK so some of those people moved to main building . It is not “open” for booking at this time .

AP rates out for late spring and early summer too.

 

[mrsap]

Asked this morning. The hot heater broke in BPK so some of those people moved to main building . It is not “open” for booking at this time .

AP rates out for late spring and early summer too.

Thanks for inquiring!! Having fun?!

 

[trishadono]

Thanks for inquiring!! Having fun?!

I left at 5:30am. Don’t feel bad I ended up 6 nights at gf in a TPV room! Dh there 2 more days golfing but moved to a “hotel” not Disney.

 

[kylenne]

I left at 5:30am. Don’t feel bad I ended up 6 nights at gf in a TPV room! Dh there 2 more days golfing but moved to a “hotel” not Disney.

Which building were you in? We changed our reservation from RPC to outer TPV today for the discount and am wondering which is best.

 

[johnnyr]

I have a standard room booked with the AP 40% rate in an Outer Building - Garden View. How do I request a King bed? I don't see an option when doing online check-in. It only gives you the option to select a location. Is this something I would need to call about?

 

[WishesQueen]

I have a standard room booked with the AP 40% rate in an Outer Building - Garden View. How do I request a King bed? I don't see an option when doing online check-in. It only gives you the option to select a location. Is this something I would need to call about?

Its there I just checked, its the forth choice down. Check one more time.

 

[johnnyr]

Its there I just checked, its the forth choice down. Check one more time.

For Pete's sake! It sure is there. Time for new glasses!!! Thanks!

 

[MMSM]

Does anyone know the exact timeline for DVC 2021 refurbishment?

 

[trishadono]

Which building were you in? We changed our reservation from RPC to outer TPV today for the discount and am wondering which is best.

I had lv king booked. The only room they had was over the smoking in Conch or a dormer in BPK. I had a dormer in Oct and said we would wait. Finally we said 2 queens is fine and they then gave a TPV. We were in Conch. Right at the end corner next to Narcoossees and boat dock.

Dh was impressed. We have had TPV from main building and this is a closer view. 2nd floor had some trees but still castle was seen. My kids had the end of BPK which also TPV. After both I like Conch building for location to boat dock and building size.

Conch is so small lol. All rooms are near elevator compared to other buildings.

There are stair wells on both ends of buildings. I am surprised I rarely see people use them. If 2nd floor or even 3rd it can be quicker if your room near the ends or prefer fresh air.

I never noticed before but in Conch the laundry was on 1st floor right off lobby entrance. Coming in lobby from pool side you would go left down hall and it’s the 1st door on the right

 

[mrsap]

Does anyone know the exact timeline for DVC 2021 refurbishment?

Last thing announced, from what I saw, was ‘2021’... putting it into Disney terms, I’ll assume that means “soon.”

 

[MMSM]

When there is a soft refurb does it shut down the villas or does it just mean there will be disruption. I currently have a late March ressie (rented points). I may have to move to June.

 

[trishadono]

I would call the Grand Floridian directly and ask to be transferred...Good luck, I am sure they'll be helpful.



Congratulations. Your such an awesome sister. I would love to hear how your going to surprise her and her reaction. Have a great trip!!!

You definitely can request a turret room that Disneymommy77 received, its in your room category and the extra space is so nice. The room is just a little darker due to there being no slider. If you request this category you also might not get one with a balcony. Just a risk you have to decide worth taking.

I would definitely plan for more hotel time then usual, spending time at the hotel is worth it. Don't miss a drink at the Enchanted Rose, truffle fries, flat breads etc..all so good and the place is beautiful. There is even an outside patio with heaters. Grand Floridian Cafe is also fantastic for any time of day to grab a bite. Narcoossee's is open too, I prefer to grab a drink there other then eat. I am just not sure their doing that now. The menu just really doesn't jump out for us but we have eaten there and it is delicious and location is amazing.

We also love shopping around the hotel, There are 4 shops including Basin to check out and the cast members are so sweet.

There are two pools one with the waterfall, slide and cabanas and one referred to as the Courtyard pool or quiet pool. I am not sure of the weather in March, but in Florida is seems like anything is possible. Both pools are beautiful, my family tends to gravitate to the Courtyard pool since their all older now. But I love sitting at the other pool while the kids are playing the games...especially the trivia game...lol

Trishadono posted the Electric Water Parade is getting ready to return so make time to get over to the boat launch by Narcoossee's to check it out. The piano player has return for the weekends but I am sure of the schedule, but definitely worth hanging around for.

The walk to the Poly is great (actually you can go all the way over to TTC) and I heard the new walk to MK is even better. We love to monorail hop and shop and have a drink at each resort but the monorail isn't stopping at the Poly so you would need to walk there from TTC or the Grand.

This is all just off the top of head, I am sure others will have more and if I think of anything else I'll definitely come by and post.
So excited for you!!!

When we ate at N’s in October I saw a few seats with people sitting at the bar and asked. It is still 1st come 1st served but less available now with the distancing,

 

[trishadono]

Hands down my biggest recommendation is to get familiar with the app.
For food it’s a must!
Mobile ordering is for quick service. You can order from any restaurant that is QS and you have a park pass for and all hotels. I often order at least one meal from Cr and poly when staying at the grand to mix it up.

You can check for TS dining on the app. It will change often so keep looking! I scored CG the morning of NYE! For that night,

The also have “to go” from Kona @poly and The Wave @CR. They have better meals perhaps vs QS.

They also offer stand by now for some too. We tried Gf cafe one morning, we got texted in about 15 mins, The downside is that they are using 1900 Park Fare and DH didn’t like lack of windows.

Both pools have their own menu plus room service.

ENchanted Rose and Tambu lounge at Poly have a few appetizers.
CG bar has limited seating and appies too.

I mention this because each place still has very limited menus. You will get bored quick if you dont mix it up. I even boated from MK to WL for my fav wilderness salad with apples and walnuts!

‘Also it’s been a while since I have posted this. Sometimes leaving a park it is easier to hop on bus to CR or Poly vs waiting for GF. So pay attention to where those stops are.
The DS buses don’t come often you may prefer to mono from Cr or walk back from poly.
Sometimes it’s cold or rainy and being dry better than standing at a bus stop.
if you bus to poly can walk to GF or walk to TTC and catch the mono there.

when this happens we build in a meal at that resort often. Grab the app and book even just a cupcake . When you arrive at resort hit I’m here button, grab the cupcake and then head to gf. It really is fun to OWN the mono loop of hotels!

 

[followthatmouse]

Hi Trish, during your recent adventure, did you manage to collect any news re possible RPC reopening dates? We are planning to move our current May booking to May 2022 in the almost forlorn hope that international travel could be back by then. My fingers and toes are crossed!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The also have “to go” from Kona @poly and The Wave @CR. They have better meals perhaps vs QS.

Ha! We were at Poly and CR last week and pretty much used Kona and Wave To Go as our quick service! Never ordered from Capt Cook or Contempo.

Painful on the wallet though.

 

[trishadono]

Hi Trish, during your recent adventure, did you manage to collect any news re possible RPC reopening dates? We are planning to move our current May booking to May 2022 in the almost forlorn hope that international travel could be back by then. My fingers and toes are crossed!

Actually I recognized Dan a RPC cm . So I had to ask! He said he thought cl back in a few months.
Who knows but I know he has worked up there long enough to want it back!