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

[lindsaydavis1982]

Does anyone have reports on the earliest bus departures at GF you've seen for an Epcot 11am opening? I'm trying to decide if bus or uber will get me to the gate first (I don't want to enter through IG so that's not an option). An OKW guest reported that the first Epcot bus didn't arrive at OKW until 10am.

 

[kylenne]

Does anyone have reports on the earliest bus departures at GF you've seen for an Epcot 11am opening? I'm trying to decide if bus or uber will get me to the gate first (I don't want to enter through IG so that's not an option). An OKW guest reported that the first Epcot bus didn't arrive at OKW until 10am.

Sorry, I don’t have any bus reports since I didn’t rope drop Epcot until yesterday, from YC. I can say that rideshare really is not a problem for those early park entries if you go that route. If you’re trying to rope drop Soarin or TT (I assume why you’d want to come in the front) you will be at a massive advantage coming from the front of the park as it is. I also suggest TT first over Soarin because TT stays crazy long all day long whereas Soarin does drop to 20-30 minutes at times during the day.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Just booked my cabanas for two days in August. They are still only doing full day rentals and I was not able to get a DVC discount at this time. Total for each cabana was $318.44.

 

[mrsap]

GREAT NEWS!!


Club Level Reopening Dates at Walt Disney World

Disney has just released a list of Club Level reopening dates for Walt Disney World hotels. Sales will begin June 4th for the following reopening dates:

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Royal Palm Club – Sept. 16, 2021
• Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – Sept. 23, 2021
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Sept. 26, 2021
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Dec. 16, 2021
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Dec. 16, 2021

Each Club Level Lounge will follow physical distancing measures and indoor covering requirements. Lounges will continue to provide a personalized experience for Guests, including exclusive food & beverage options throughout the day and special Disney touches for all ages.

For Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Disney anticipates those three lounges will reopen at a later date.

I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rick1zoo2]

I also saw that Club level room bookings will start June 4.

 

[ahcupcake]

It’s amazing. Especially since I quickly discovered the shortcut through the “back” elevator near Gasparilla and the pool. It lets you out practically right on top of the path.

I’m gutted we lost, but I can’t think of a better way to nurse my wounds than an evening at MK. I’ve been an emotional mess since I’ve been here…even cried on Pirates, my first ride. I never really understood what this place meant to me until I couldn’t be there, and I really underestimated how it would feel to have a slice of normal after the year I’ve had.

Yep that elevator is great when staying in any room on the 3 floors above Gaspies or any of the suites that are close by

Maybe just the angle/view, but not sure what the landscapers have been up to here. Or maybe some recent maintenance. (Pretty view @Dispro1, thanks for sharing!)

View attachment 578590

Looks like it could have be a cherry picker or whatever the technical tern for it is

When I called the recreation line to book it on my 60 day, I told the CM I was celebrating my 40th on this trip when he was asking me about my trip. I had no idea they would put up a banner to be honest! A recreation CM brought balloons too, a little after I took those pictures

View attachment 578780

A super nice dad and his kids wished me happy birthday—the little guy was 6 and practicing his reading, which is why they waded over. We chatted for a bit and they are also from the tri state area. He was really sympathetic when I said my partner was supposed to come but couldn’t because of the border and said he felt bad that I was solo this time but like I always say, at Disney you are never alone, you just haven’t made friends yet! I was a little worried covid would make it harder to chat with folks but I’ve met some really friendly people.

In general, I have no idea why people find this resort stuffy or the people snooty. I have felt so at home here. Just now a couple of very important looking gentlemen in suits came by and asked whose birthday it was, wished me a happy one and thanked me for coming and celebrating here and told me if I had any questions or concerns to please let them know. I can only assume they were resort managers of some sort.

Happy belated Birthday from one Gemini to another

GREAT NEWS!!


Club Level Reopening Dates at Walt Disney World

Disney has just released a list of Club Level reopening dates for Walt Disney World hotels. Sales will begin June 4th for the following reopening dates:

• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Royal Palm Club – Sept. 16, 2021
• Disney’s BoardWalk Resort – Sept. 23, 2021
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Sept. 26, 2021
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – Dec. 16, 2021
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Dec. 16, 2021

Each Club Level Lounge will follow physical distancing measures and indoor covering requirements. Lounges will continue to provide a personalized experience for Guests, including exclusive food & beverage options throughout the day and special Disney touches for all ages.

For Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort, Disney anticipates those three lounges will reopen at a later date.

I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY....Wonder when Sugar Loaf will resume CL service or are they gonna do away with it

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

For those that have done cabanas before, can you leave and come back within the 10am-7pm time period? My hubs was asking me and I honestly don't know lol. I mean we did pay for the whole day but can you leave it empty for a bit during the day?

 

[mrsap]

For those that have done cabanas before, can you leave and come back within the 10am-7pm time period? My hubs was asking me and I honestly don't know lol. I mean we did pay for the whole day but can you leave it empty for a bit during the day?

You definitely can!! Enjoy!!

 

[LadyNia]

For those that have done cabanas before, can you leave and come back within the 10am-7pm time period? My hubs was asking me and I honestly don't know lol. I mean we did pay for the whole day but can you leave it empty for a bit during the day?

Now that I see this, is 10am when cabanas open? I've already booked and on the MDE app my confirmation says 8am.
If it's 10am, I may have to reconsider. My 21 month old takes a long nap that begins at 12:30. Not worth it for us if we won't have most of the morning in the cabana.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

Now that I see this, is 10am when cabanas open? I've already booked and on the MDE app my confirmation says 8am.
If it's 10am, I may have to reconsider. My 21 month old takes a long nap that begins at 12:30. Not worth it for us if we won't have most of the morning in the cabana.

That’s what the CM told me the window is. My reservations don’t show up in MDE so I can’t tell you what mine says. I wish I could see my reservations since that always makes me feel better that I booked the right stuff lol.

 

[leannak]

Wow - how do you get cabana rentals to show up in the app?! I didn’t know that was possible and it would make me very happy!!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The pool opens at 10am, which is the start of the cabana rental.

 

[LadyNia]

Wow - how do you get cabana rentals to show up in the app?! I didn’t know that was possible and it would make me very happy!!

The CM that helped me book put it in my plans as a note. I've attached a screen shot of what I see on the app. When I click on it I can see my confirmation number. I'm realizing now that the default time for a note is 8am. So the CM probably left the default time in even though check in begins at 10am.

 

[JFDIS]

What happens if you rent a cabana and it storms the whole day? Do they reimburse you if for example the pool is closed due to lighting?

 

[LadyNia]

What happens if you rent a cabana and it storms the whole day? Do they reimburse you if for example the pool is closed due to lighting?

Yes, you would get a refund.

 

[JFDIS]

Yes, you would get a refund.

Thank you!

 

[fairygagamother]

What happens if you rent a cabana and it storms the whole day? Do they reimburse you if for example the pool is closed due to lighting?

We rented a cabana a few weeks ago &, of course, that was the rainiest day we had all week! We went three times to the cabana & after being there fifteen minutes or less each time, the pool was closed & we were kicked out of the cabana. After the third time; the lightening finally subsided & we were able to enjoy a few hours by the pool. There was no mention of a refund, so I guess if you get any use out of it at all, it’s all yours & too bad if you can’t fully use it!
We did enjoy the amenities & the attentive waitstaff but I’m not sure I’d do it again just because Florida weather is so unpredictable.

 

[mrsap]

Curious... has anyone requested a particular cabana number, and if so, was your request granted?

 

[goofynut41]

Got on line to book a main building room this morning and the prices knocked me for a loop.... guess I wont stay main building... what a bummer...

 

[trishadono]

RPC here I come! 9/29-30 me and dd before the 50th Birthday Bash as CR