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

[Wood Nymph]

To those who have recently stayed at the GF question.

Has the bus transportation to Epcot, Ak, and Hollywood Studios improved?

I mean the last time we were there at the bus stop waiting that is, it seemed that people would jump, and cut in line to get on the bus they wanted, not paying any attention to people with special needs until the bus driver and attendant told them to PLEASE step back. I do not mind waiting my turn, and wish some would be more kinder when it comes time for general boarding on the bus.

We arrive early, for our bus, and are hesitant in sitting on the benches when late arrivals push to the front.
But we acknowledge the other early birds ahead of us.



Especially concerned if the EPCOT monorail still not in service.

TY

When we were there in April they had a very orderly line for the park buses for the morning park opening crowd. They had separate lines for the separate bus routes and a CM was very good about making sure the lines and crowds stayed orderly. She also called additional buses if needed. But the CM doesn't stay all day and the small bus area can get a little hectic, especially now that Epcot is in the mix. Once the Epcot monorail reopens, I expect the bus stop to be back to normal.

But we did find that the Epcot bus is the worst one. It is as if they have forgotten that it needs to be maintained. We have had extremely long waits at both the resort and the park for the Epcot bus to show up.

 

[gretabull]

I would take the monorail from GF to MK and then a bus to Boardwalk.

You can't miss the walkway to Epcot. It is to the right as you walk out of the restaurant. Everyone is walking that way.

Thank you!!!!

 

[gretabull]

A few options:

1) Bus to DHS and walk to BWI
2) Bus to Epcot, walk through the park and exit out the Intl Gateway, walk to BWI
3) Walk/monorail/boat to MK and take a bus to BWI

All have some serious various combinations of park hours or park admission/reservations (in the case of walking though Epcot) that need to be taken into consideration.

The easiest/most direct option is going to be ride share/taxi, if an option for you.

Thank you!!!!

 

[gretabull]

Another question from the GF newbie....Are there Keurig K-cup coffee makers in the rooms? Just wondering because I am gluten free and will bring my k-cups from home if they have keurigs. Thank you!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Another question from the GF newbie....Are there Keurig K-cup coffee makers in the rooms? Just wondering because I am gluten free and will bring my k-cups from home if they have keurigs. Thank you!

Yes, they have Keurig coffee makers in the rooms with Joffrey coffee.

 

[Nicole786]

Checking in on Tuesday, can’t wait!! Does anyone know since club level is shut down right now is it possible to get a room in the main lobby? If so I’d like to try and request it!

 

[03GirlsMom]

Checking in on Tuesday, can’t wait!! Does anyone know since club level is shut down right now is it possible to get a room in the main lobby? If so I’d like to try and request it!

You’re not able to request a room in the main building, unfortunately. In order to have a room in the main building as of now you would have to book a suite. While they are assigning some of the regular non-suite rooms there, this seems to be hit or miss and not by request.

 

[mrsap]

Checking in on Tuesday, can’t wait!! Does anyone know since club level is shut down right now is it possible to get a room in the main lobby? If so I’d like to try and request it!

We had reports of people being upgraded there, however, requests for Main Bldg. did not seem to be honored. Hope you have a great time!!!!

 

[Nicole786]

You’re not able to request a room in the main building, unfortunately. In order to have a room in the main building as of now you would have to book a suite. While they are assigning some of the regular non-suite rooms there, this seems to be hit or miss and not by request.

Ok thank you so much!

 

[Recca135]

We are staying at the GF for the first time September 19-25. We currently have an outer building garden view room but wondering if it’s worth it for a lagoon or theme park view? This is a bucket list resort for me and it’s my husbands 2nd time ever at Disney. His first time was 20+ years ago.

 

[mrsap]

We are staying at the GF for the first time September 19-25. We currently have an outer building garden view room but wondering if it’s worth it for a lagoon or theme park view? This is a bucket list resort for me and it’s my husbands 2nd time ever at Disney. His first time was 20+ years ago.

So exciting!! With it being a bucket list resort for you, it might be worth the upgrade to see the castle every day!!! I’d definitely spend some extra time on the balcony with a drink in my hand!!! Good luck deciding and have a great time!!!

 

[gretabull]

Yes, they have Keurig coffee makers in the rooms with Joffrey coffee.

thank you!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are staying at the GF for the first time September 19-25. We currently have an outer building garden view room but wondering if it’s worth it for a lagoon or theme park view? This is a bucket list resort for me and it’s my husbands 2nd time ever at Disney. His first time was 20+ years ago.

A lagoon view room is only a few dollars more than a garden view room, something that surprised me until I looked harder at the pricing.

 

[Miffy]

I'm so out of the loop on what's happening at WDW right now and we'll be at the GF on the 17th. Is there no daily housekeeping? Every other day? And if there isn't daily housekeeping, does this mean there are now daily room checks? Thanks to anyone who knows the answers to these burning (hah!) questions!

ETA: Just read the info about housekeeping on the WDW site, so I see that it is every other day. My question about the room checks, though . . . are there still daily room checks? I just don't want to be shocked if we're having a nap or hanging out in the room and someone comes by. Thanks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm so out of the loop on what's happening at WDW right now and we'll be at the GF on the 17th. Is there no daily housekeeping? Every other day? And if there isn't daily housekeeping, does this mean there are now daily room checks? Thanks to anyone who knows the answers to these burning (hah!) questions!

ETA: Just read the info about housekeeping on the WDW site, so I see that it is every other day. My question about the room checks, though . . . are there still daily room checks? I just don't want to be shocked if we're having a nap or hanging out in the room and someone comes by. Thanks.

There are still doing daily room checks.

 

[Dug720]

I'm so out of the loop on what's happening at WDW right now and we'll be at the GF on the 17th. Is there no daily housekeeping? Every other day? And if there isn't daily housekeeping, does this mean there are now daily room checks? Thanks to anyone who knows the answers to these burning (hah!) questions!

ETA: Just read the info about housekeeping on the WDW site, so I see that it is every other day. My question about the room checks, though . . . are there still daily room checks? I just don't want to be shocked if we're having a nap or hanging out in the room and someone comes by. Thanks.

Yes. I don't see daily room checks going away as they are for security and signs of human trafficking.

 

[Miffy]

There are still doing daily room checks.

This could happen when one isn't in the room, right? We've had trips where we got lucky and no one arrived while we were in the room, but we've had the other experience as well.

@Dug720: I see what you're saying.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This could happen when one isn't in the room, right? We've had trips where we got lucky and no one arrived while we were in the room, but we've had the other experience as well.

@Dug720: I see what you're saying.

Right. They came to our room mid-morning one day, when we just happened to be there. Normally, we would have been out of the room by then.

 

[03GirlsMom]

We just put a deposit down with our TA at the GF for a short resort only stay next summer! It's a tentative trip as we're hoping to be able to snag a short cruise on the Wish beforehand (which I'm not overly optimistic about). If the cruise sells out before we can book, we'll likely cancel. Our backup trip is renting an RV for a road trip to visit the Grand Canyon.

We had originally planned on being at the Grand this fall but moved that reservation over to the Poly for the updated rooms. I haven't stayed at the GF since 2015 and I'm dying to go back. Fingers crossed it all works out as planned!

 

[Miffy]

One more housekeeping question: If you check in on a Monday (and we're checking in this coming Monday--yay!), then can I assume that Wednesday will be the first time that there's housekeeping? I'm just trying to figure out when to make the bed myself, for example, and what days to leave a tip for the housekeeper. Thank you!