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

[sdk1231]

Updates... so, I'm hearing the following: Building 8 completely flooded (I'm 90% sure that's Boca Chica), Building 5 leaking from the sprinkler heads (that's Sago). Leaking in the main building lobby. RPC rooms w/some flooding due to water coming in the balcony doors... lots of sopping wet towels. Unconfirmed, but hearing that the roof lifted at Building 2 at at the Poly. Heard of a tree downed at Port Orleans, taking out a laundry building.

 

[mrsap]

Updates... so, I'm hearing the following: Building 8 completely flooded (I'm 90% sure that's Boca Chica), Building 5 leaking from the sprinkler heads (that's Sago). Leaking in the main building lobby. RPC rooms w/some flooding due to water coming in the balcony doors... lots of sopping wet towels. Unconfirmed, but hearing that the roof lifted at Building 2 at at the Poly. Heard of a tree downed at Port Orleans, taking out a laundry building.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope everyone is ok.

 

[Dave006]

Updates... so, I'm hearing the following: Building 8 completely flooded (I'm 90% sure that's Boca Chica)

Yes Bldg #8 is Boca Chica.

Dave

 

[ClaraOswald]

this information is probably in this thread somewhere, but I was surprised that the only way to get to Epcot from the Grand Floridian is by monorail. Or I guess you could bus to Hollywood and then take the boat to the International gateway. But either way is time consuming and not very convenient. We had not stayed there since 2011 when there was still a bus from GF to Epcot and were disappointed by this change.

I came to this thread to search for this info. I just assumed there was a bus to Epcot option. (Sort of like how at Wilderness Lodge you can take a boat to MK or a bus.)

We've never stayed here before. I wonder how long it typically takes to wait for monorail, transfer, and ride 2nd monorail to Epcot.

 

[focusondisney]

Unconfirmed, but hearing that the roof lifted at Building 2 at at the Poly.

We watched Park Pass TV, the woman was walking around Poly around 3:15 this afternoon. She had video of the roof on 1 of the buildings crunched up, kind of accordion style. Plus a palm tree broken in half. I don’t remember much else damage just lots of branches & palm fronds that you’d expect.

 

[kylenne]

We watched Park Pass TV, the woman was walking around Poly around 3:15 this afternoon. She had video 1 of the roof on 1 of the buildings crunched up, kind of accordion style. Plus a palm tree broken in half. I don’t remember much else damage just lots of braces & palm fronds that you’d expect.

It was Aotearoa. Tikiman had a photo on his FB page.

 

[focusondisney]

Here’s a screen shot from their video. Thanks @kylenne. I don’t know any of the buildings at Poly

 

[trishadono]

I came to this thread to search for this info. I just assumed there was a bus to Epcot option. (Sort of like how at Wilderness Lodge you can take a boat to MK or a bus.)

We've never stayed here before. I wonder how long it typically takes to wait for monorail, transfer, and ride 2nd monorail to Epcot.

It’s not too bad. Monorails come every few minutes vs some waits for a bus 20-30 mins.

It’s around 5 minutes per mono stop so MK, CR then TTC should be 10-15. Then the Epcot monos come pretty often. I want to say we usually get from mono station at GF to Epcot 20-35 depending on timing.

We also consider it more of a ride vs transport. I love the arrival and the view of Epcot !

However sometimes we do RS one way if we are on a time crunch. My last trip at GF we took mono both ways both days. Time of year has an impact. Quieter times you will wait less vs like holidays.

*** a mom n me where I took my mom I did it differently. I felt the mono ramps too steep of a walk for her . So we took the boat launch to MK and took a bus to the 1st Boardwalk area resort I saw. Got off and took the boat to Epcot and did same for return. It took longer but Mom really enjoyed getting to see BWI and BC/YC. This was prior to skyliners.

Using RS sometimes we arrive /depart Epcot front but sometimes arrive /depart from either BWI/bc. Contrary to others posts we have never been refused drop off or pick ups from these resorts.

Sorry so long! I have been staying at GF/Poly/CR for many years and have used so many different ways to get from point A to Point B.

 

[ClaraOswald]

It’s not too bad. Monorails come every few minutes vs some waits for a bus 20-30 mins.

It’s around 5 minutes per mono stop so MK, CR then TTC should be 10-15. Then the Epcot monos come pretty often. I want to say we usually get from mono station at GF to Epcot 20-35 depending on timing.

We also consider it more of a ride vs transport. I love the arrival and the view of Epcot !

However sometimes we do RS one way if we are on a time crunch. My last trip at GF we took mono both ways both days. Time of year has an impact. Quieter times you will wait less vs like holidays.

*** a mom n me where I took my mom I did it differently. I felt the mono ramps too steep of a walk for her . So we took the boat launch to MK and took a bus to the 1st Boardwalk area resort I saw. Got off and took the boat to Epcot and did same for return. It took longer but Mom really enjoyed getting to see BWI and BC/YC. This was prior to skyliners.

Using RS sometimes we arrive /depart Epcot front but sometimes arrive /depart from either BWI/bc. Contrary to others posts we have never been refused drop off or pick ups from these resorts.

Sorry so long! I have been staying at GF/Poly/CR for many years and have used so many different ways to get from point A to Point B.

Thanks! This is super helpful. 20-35 minutes doesn't sound too bad. Pretty similar to bus rides since they often stop at different resorts along the way.

For getting to MK, you can do monorail or boat, correct?

 

[mrsap]

Thanks! This is super helpful. 20-35 minutes doesn't sound too bad. Pretty similar to bus rides since they often stop at different resorts along the way.

For getting to MK, you can do monorail or boat, correct?

Monorail, boat AND you can walk there!! (If you really wanted to!) lol

 

[OlliePop27]

Monorail, boat AND you can walk there!! (If you really wanted to!) lol

If you monorail from GF to front entrance of Epcot, is it enough time to make it before EE and walk all the way over to FEA?

 

[monorailmom]

If you monorail from GF to front entrance of Epcot, is it enough time to make it before EE and walk all the way over to FEA?

You can definitely do it, but you need to get up early! Be at GF Monorail station by 7:15. It takes longer to get there than you think.

 

[FSU Girl]

Does anyone know if there was any damage to the villas building?

 

[mrsap]

Does anyone know if there was any damage to the villas building?

I have not seen anything reported.

 

[2vets]

If you monorail from GF to front entrance of Epcot, is it enough time to make it before EE and walk all the way over to FEA?

Yes, as @monorailmom has posted, and her advice is solid. But if possible, I highly recommend Lyft/Minnie Van (the latter if you need car seats/special accomodations) to BC with dropoff at BC. Walk left, towards Canada, and rope drop in that direction.

 

[OlliePop27]

Yes, as @monorailmom has posted, and her advice is solid. But if possible, I highly recommend Lyft/Minnie Van (the latter if you need car seats/special accomodations) to BC with dropoff at BC. Walk left, towards Canada, and rope drop in that direction.

Thank you! If we do that, we might be able to do Remy at EE RD and then FEA. We have one day at Epcot, and it would be nice to do at least one of those rides twice if we purchase LLMP. If I book Remy, I could try getting FEA day of with refreshing.

We don't make it to WDW often, so this will be our one chance for these two high priority rides.

What time should I book Minnie Van and plan to arrive at BC?

 

[brockash]

If you monorail from GF to front entrance of Epcot, is it enough time to make it before EE and walk all the way over to FEA?

You'll be fine, but very. doubtful you'll be in the first pack to arrive. We have taken the 1st Epcot monorail of the day many many times and every single time; ppl. are already at the tapstyles (you can see them from up above when you arrive on the monorail). It's not a huge deal, but can be a lil surprising if you're used to coming in on the buses and being one of the first few dozen ppl. to arrive.

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone know if there was any damage to the villas building?

I was on the monorail today and looked at the building. It all looks untouched.

 

[OKW Lover]

For those wondering, the walk way from the GF to the MK is open. I walked it this morning.

 

[sheri18]

For those wondering, the walk way from the GF to the MK is open. I walked it this morning.
View attachment 902819

How was the walk. Is it long