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

[YAAW]

Hey GF experts! Wondering if anyone has 'boots on the ground' experience walking along the GF path to MK 1 hour prior to MK opening and getting through the walkway to the entrance? Someone in another chat group said she was told by GF CMs you can only get to MK 30 minutes early through the walkway, if you want to arrive earlier you should take the monorail to CR and walk from there. Trying to confirm if this is true or not. 18 days and counting! TY for your help!

 

[MMSM]

Hey GF experts! Wondering if anyone has 'boots on the ground' experience walking along the GF path to MK 1 hour prior to MK opening and getting through the walkway to the entrance? Someone in another chat group said she was told by GF CMs you can only get to MK 30 minutes early through the walkway, if you want to arrive earlier you should take the monorail to CR and walk from there. Trying to confirm if this is true or not. 18 days and counting! TY for your help!

i am heading there in 30 days! I hope they don’t turn walkers away at 60 min. That is a disadvantage to buses and those who drive.

 

[trishadono]

In January dd and ignored the sign at 7:25am that path closed because we saw runners in front of us. I have a picture of us in MK at 7:41. Park opened at 8.

 

[trishadono]

We also walked from CR 2 weeks later. For park opening try to be there 30-45 mins prior. They do not do it consistently so you have to hope they open early. Each day is different but still close enough for planning,

Gf and CR have been great for rope drop and nights. Boats /mono midday have been fine.

For fall and winter the mono was strict, 30 mins prior to load! We preferred walking.

 

[mrsap]

Got it - thanks, @mrsap! I had that page up and was looking at it when I called, but some of CMs info was different (like there only being 1 cabana) so I wasn't sure what was accurate and figured y'all would have the most recent info! Thanks again!

I'll let you know if I see Tina in the cabana next door!

Happy to help! Good luck booking a cabana! They’re definitely a nice little addition to your day at the pool! Hope you both have a wonderful trip!

 

[ahcupcake]

Fun fact (or rumor!), I was once told Tina Fey stays at GF every summer and rents the cabana in the far left position.

I’ve always wondered if that was legit or just questionable info/stories.

I've heard almost exactly the some thing, only I heard Spring Break/Easter instead of summer

 

[boltjames]

We're staying at the GF March 27 - April 3, and I've been reading this thread and have a few questions regarding the pools:

1. If we don't go for a cabana or a patio, can we get four chairs together with an umbrella?

2. Are there enough pool chairs for all guests with the reduced capacity or is there some awful race at daybreak to throw down towels and personal items to do that nasty 'reserve' thing?

3. Is there distancing in the pool? Do people try to keep apart or is it just going to be a free for all as if there is no pandemic?

Thanks!

 

[mrsap]

We're staying at the GF March 27 - April 3, and I've been reading this thread and have a few questions regarding the pools:

1. If we don't go for a cabana or a patio, can we get four chairs together with an umbrella?

2. Are there enough pool chairs for all guests with the reduced capacity or is there some awful race at daybreak to throw down towels and personal items to do that nasty 'reserve' thing?

3. Is there distancing in the pool? Do people try to keep apart or is it just going to be a free for all as if there is no pandemic?

Thanks!

Hi! I’ll answer in order...

1) Definitely!
2) Plenty of chairs, I’ve personally never had to hold a spot at either pool, even during big holidays
3) I’ve never felt uncomfortable at anytime, nor was either pool ever overcrowded.

The Grand is beautiful!! Have fun!!

 

[boltjames]

Hi! I’ll answer in order...

1) Definitely!
2) Plenty of chairs, I’ve personally never had to hold a spot at either pool, even during big holidays
3) I’ve never felt uncomfortable at anytime, nor was either pool ever overcrowded.

The Grand is beautiful!! Have fun!!

Thanks! That’s a relief!

 

[mrsap]

Thanks! That’s a relief!

No problem. Have a great time!

 

[johnnyr]

Will the cabanas be sold out if we don’t reserve ahead of time? We are not sure which day(s) will be our pool days and are worried about what would happen in bad weather. Can they be reserved the same day or do they sell out quickly?

 

[trishadono]

Will the cabanas be sold out if we don’t reserve ahead of time? We are not sure which day(s) will be our pool days and are worried about what would happen in bad weather. Can they be reserved the same day or do they sell out quickly?

Agree with @mrsap about pools.

It is easier to book and not stress with option to cancel vs stressing about it.

When the trip is closer and it’s booked you can cancel if think weather an issue.

 

[boltjames]

Couple of more questions (if you don't mind) for the group. We're staying 3/27 to 4/3:

Do you think renting a car to get to all 4 theme parks from GF is the smart move? Or would you just use the monorail and/or buses? I'm not certain how long the lines are to get on a monorail at park opening (line drop) or closing (as all the parks close around 6pm we're going to stay the whole day).

We have Magic Bands from when they first came out, circa 2013. Anyone know if these will still work? No advanced features, just need them to enter the parks and use as a GF door key.

What are the Outer Building Garden View GF rooms like and are there any hints or obstacles we should be aware of? As we're going to be eating dinner in our room, is there something we can request like a pullout sofa or a table or something?

Thanks!

 

[mrsap]

Couple of more questions (if you don't mind) for the group. We're staying 3/27 to 4/3:

Do you think renting a car to get to all 4 theme parks from GF is the smart move? Or would you just use the monorail and/or buses? I'm not certain how long the lines are to get on a monorail at park opening (line drop) or closing (as all the parks close around 6pm we're going to stay the whole day).

We have Magic Bands from when they first came out, circa 2013. Anyone know if these will still work? No advanced features, just need them to enter the parks and use as a GF door key.

What are the Outer Building Garden View GF rooms like and are there any hints or obstacles we should be aware of? As we're going to be eating dinner in our room, is there something we can request like a pullout sofa or a table or something?

Thanks!

The car is totally up to you. We rent a car to drive down, so we always have one. When staying at The Grand we use either the Monorail or boat to get back and forth, and now that the path is completed, that is an added bonus. You can’t drive to MK anyway (you’d have to drive to TTC to get there). There’s also a ferry from TTC, but all of those seem silly when GF offers a direct route. Monorail to Epcot is still not running yet, but if it’s up in time, you can take the monorail (or walk) to the TTC and switch to the Monorail line to Epcot. Otherwise, you can use resort busses or Uber/Lyft if you choose not to rent a car. As a side note, in December we did not encounter any long lines for the monorail.

As far as older MB, the battery life is supposed to be around 2 years, from what I read. Can always bring them and see if they work. You must link them to your MDE account first, though. As a side note, the MDE App will open your door now.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have Magic Bands from when they first came out, circa 2013. Anyone know if these will still work? No advanced features, just need them to enter the parks and use as a GF door key.

Magic Bands that are as old as your bands won't work as well as new bands, if they even work at all. You can order discounted Magic Bands for as low as $4.95. If you don't want to get new MB's then you can ask for a key card at the resort to open the resort room door. You can also get a plastic ticket at Guest Services at the parks to use to get into the parks. But it is easier to order new MBs.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Will the cabanas be sold out if we don’t reserve ahead of time? We are not sure which day(s) will be our pool days and are worried about what would happen in bad weather. Can they be reserved the same day or do they sell out quickly?

I would definitely book in advance, in my opinion. While same-day/walk-up reservations are possible, that's taking a gamble. While it depends on the time of year, I'd venture to say these are booked more often than they are not. Booking in advance also gives them time to properly set up the cabana that day, play ahead, etc.

It wasn't GF, but I rented a cabana day of at CR recently and it wasn't prepped - so it took around 30 minutes for them to clean, prep, etc. You don't really want to mess around with that kind of situation if you don't have to. It's more 'fun' to walk right up with your name on your ready-to-go cabana.

As PP mentioned, the cancellation options are quite flexible - fully cancellable up to a day in advance. They are also typically very generous with the refunds if your day turns out to be a total wash out.

Hope that helps!

 

[boltjames]

The car is totally up to you. We rent a car to drive down, so we always have one. When staying at The Grand we use either the Monorail or boat to get back and forth, and now that the path is completed, that is an added bonus.

Can you tell me what the path is and where it goes?

Monorail to Epcot is still not running yet, but if it’s up in time, you can take the monorail (or walk) to the TTC and switch to the Monorail line to Epcot.

Is the Epcot monorail down because of protocols or for another reason?

As far as older MB, the battery life is supposed to be around 2 years, from what I read.

I went to MDE and they were offering me 4 MB's at $0, I had filled in the color/name choices months ago and never hit the button. Did last night and they are sending them to me at no charge, so problem solved.

 

[boltjames]

Question on room type.....

We booked a Outer Building Garden View room, and I saw a YouTube video last night of an Outer Building Garden View room that instead of a terrace had a little bump-out of about 5 feet where the sofabed was moved and a second TV added. Anyone know if this is just a lucky draw of a Outer Building Garden View room or something else entirely?

 

[trishadono]

Couple of more questions (if you don't mind) for the group. We're staying 3/27 to 4/3:
What are the Outer Building Garden View GF rooms like and are there any hints or obstacles we should be aware of? As we're going to be eating dinner in our room, is there something we can request like a pullout sofa or a table or something?

Look at pics of desk in room. Underneath is a rolling table perfect for those in room meals.

 

[trishadono]

Question on room type.....

We booked a Outer Building Garden View room, and I saw a YouTube video last night of an Outer Building Garden View room that instead of a terrace had a little bump-out of about 5 feet where the sofabed was moved and a second TV added. Anyone know if this is just a lucky draw of a Outer Building Garden View room or something else entirely?

It was bookable prior to covid. Now people are reporting getting assigned one randomly. It is a garden view so I would request one at hotel arrival. (you will get a room ready text but just go to desk and ask if available.)

Also for GF dd and I walk to MK, we uber to HS and Epcot but bus to AKL. Leaving has not been an issue for any of the parks, even closing just is not as busy anymore without nightshows. So overall only spent about $25 each trip.

Path from GF is near end of Sago where main building is. It goes to mk along the water. It ends where boat loads for WL. There is security there and easy to get through/short lines. Then you just head for MK turn styles to get in.

There is another path to Poly if needed. You walk past the beach pool and follow path IN FRONT of the VGF building waterside. It will take you along the water to poly. If interested you can walk to TTC from poly just follow the signs.