Disney's GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Information & Questions + Construction Updates

[Wood Nymph]

We saw the gingerbread house and had a picture taken in front of the tree yesterday. It wasn't very crowded around 3pm.

 

[followthatmouse]

To those who have December stays booked and have seen the crowds and panicked …

We are, generally May stay people. But we have stayed at the GF during Christmas a couple of times, too. The crowds can be a shock to the system. If you are only staying for a few days, they could be frustrating. But we found that after a little while, you get used to the extra traffic in the Lobby and the shops and the monorail, and end up going with flow. If you allow some patience to enter the equation. I think the only thing that ever really annoyed my DM was the gold RPC elevators being taken over by visiting hordes. Apart from that, we just took each day as it came … after planning the heck out everything before we left home! Each stay is different. A stay during the festive season can be so much fun if you just inhale, exhale and dive in. When I say inhale, I mean it. There is something special about the GF Lobby anyway. But at this time of the year, the aroma is priceless! It’s that wonderful combination of Basin White, the Gingerbread House and all that extra sugar, I think.

Oh, and take the advice of those GFers on here who have racked up many more stays than I. Hopefully, I can add to my tally in just 365 days, when I check in to our home away from home - the GF in all her glory!

 

[ahcupcake]

I thought it was RPC only?! all these years... it goes to 2nd floor?

Nope. We've always used the gold ones
It's the birdcage elevator that only goes to the second floor

Years ago no one used that elevator. They saw the sign RPC guests only and used the glass elevators on the other some of the resort.,

We teased DD when dh and I first stated in RPC in 2013. Told her we got to use the golden elevators. She was jealous,

Now ? Everyone uses the elevator. They should just take the sign down, it’s not enforced and when you see people lining up,for it, most people just follow on without even knowing anything.

Yep it goes to 2nd without tapping the MB reader on it. To get up to 3-5 you have to tap to go up.

In my experience going back to when the resort opened everyone used the golden elevator and to get above the second floor you had to type in your room number then it was stick your kttw card in the slot and now like you said tap your mb (does tapping your phone w/mde open work)

 

[mrsap]

Morning! Quick observation as we headed out to the parking lot this morning. There is a walled off section to the left of the spa fence, by the DVC parking lot. My family said it was there since we arrived at The Grand on Sunday, but I guess I never noticed it!! Need to lift my head from my phone, I guess lol The ground was all marked out around it for utilities. Not sure what they’re doing exactly. (Sorry for the crappy quality, I was walking and taking pictures.)




Construction workers were up and working in front of Poly Island Tower. Walkway sign still up. I hate leaving, definitely the worst part of the trip, but we’ll be back in two weeks, so not too sad.

 

[mrsap]

Quick lobby/monorail notes:

As you saw from my earlier in the week posts, the lobby started out rough. We love sitting in the lobby, especially with a beverage, just to enjoy the piano and the atmosphere. I’ve been staying at The Grand for Thanksgiving every year for the past seven years, and this felt the most crowded. Normally we arrive on or right before Thanksgiving, but I was able to get CL at AKL, so we did not check in here until Sunday. Kind of happy we did miss those few days, though. It did gradually get better, as it always does as the week goes on, but I kind of wrote it off by then. Definitely the first time I took more pictures of people than I did of the Christmas decorations! The monorail lines were extra long, and cars were packed in the evenings, but the parking lot and entrance to the lot definitely seemed better, which we appreciated. We always had a spot, and plenty of them, when we’d get back to the resort. Went to Citricos one evening and had a conversation with a gentleman who worked there. He mentioned how the parking restrictions were affecting their business. Did not get to enjoy the pool because it was so darn cold! No other construction to mention other than that area in front of Gaspy’s. It’s been sitting that way for quite a bit of time. Not sure what the delay is in completing. All in all, we still enjoyed ourselves. Still my favorite place to stay.

Some pics…

These were taken Wednesday (since I posted earlier in the week pics above). The other congested area of the lobby is the 2nd floor by the Photographer. Families were lined up daily for the Cinderella’s Glass Slipper photo shoot lol




Thursday looking better. Quick pictures as we passed though.





Did not take any last night, but the lobby similar to Thursday. Monorail less crowded. No issues any of the mornings getting a ride to MK. I’m sure the next couple of weeks will look more like Thursday, if not better, and will start up all over again closer to Christmas. For those who will be there for Christmas, please keep us updated!

 

[trishadono]

Do they still have these? I got mine in the lobby from a cm near check in.

 

[trishadono]

Nope. We've always used the gold ones
It's the birdcage elevator that only goes to the second floor





In my experience going back to when the resort opened everyone used the golden elevator and to get above the second floor you had to type in your room number then it was stick your kttw card in the slot and now like you said tap your mb (does tapping your phone w/mde open work)

No dd uses her Apple Watch or phone for parks and room but elevators don’t work. I usually bring an extra band of mine and she keeps it in her backpack.

 

[focusondisney]

Do they still have these? I got mine in the lobby from a cm near check in.

How cute! Are those buttons?

 

[trishadono]

How cute! Are those buttons?

Stickers!

 

[focusondisney]

Stickers!

Thanks!

 

[followthatmouse]

Do they still have these? I got mine in the lobby from a cm near check in.

Oh, I am homesick for the Grand! Love the stickers, Trish!

 

[dizneedoll]

Just arrived tonight. The flight was terrible, my Instacart order was cancelled for no reason and none of my room requests were met. But then I went out on the balcony and this happened:

Had booked a resort view room so this was unexpected magic!

 

[dizneedoll]

Good Morning! There were workers out in front of Gaspy's this morning.

 

[dizneedoll]

A couple other pics on this lovely morning

 

[mrsap]

Good Morning! There were workers out in front of Gaspy's this morning.View attachment 919010

Thank you for sharing! Enjoy!

 

[mrsap]

GASPY’S ORDERING IN PERSON UPDATE:

Hey guys! Also wanted to mention that Gaspy’s now has a new way of ordering your food, so you are prepared the next time you go.

Instead of ordering at the register, paying right there, and waiting for your food to be ready, you now go up to the designated food counter you want to order from and order it right there. Then you go and pay for your food at the register. It’s a bit more chaotic, but that is the new procedure at this time.

 

[dizneedoll]

GASPY’S ORDERING IN PERSON UPDATE:

Hey guys! Also wanted to mention that Gaspy’s now has a new way of ordering your food, so you are prepared the next time you go.

Instead of ordering at the register, paying right there, and waiting for your food to be ready, you now go up to the designated food counter you want to order from and order it right there. Then you go and pay for your food at the register. It’s a bit more chaotic, but that is the new procedure at this time.

I just wanted to add that you still order coffee drinks at the register. That's how they were doing it this morning so it was a little confusing and chaotic.

 

[mrsap]

I just wanted to add that you still order coffee drinks at the register. That's how they were doing it this morning so it was a little confusing and chaotic.

Thank you!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Just arrived tonight. The flight was terrible, my Instacart order was cancelled for no reason and none of my room requests were met. But then I went out on the balcony and this happened:
View attachment 918967
Had booked a resort view room so this was unexpected magic!

Looks like a great resort view room! We are also booked in a resort view for July. When you trip is over would you mind sharing the room number? Thanks!

 

[dizneedoll]

Looks like a great resort view room! We are also booked in a resort view for July. When you trip is over would you mind sharing the room number? Thanks!

Yes, I will. Im going to look it up on Touring Plans to see what room category it is. I will report back.