HAVING A GRAND OLD TIME! The 2013 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ

[Steph2527]

Ok..so I've just heard of these refurb's going on next spring/summer. We are getting married May 2014. Does anyone know what these refurbs are going to exactly entail?!! starting to freak out a bit!! TIA

 

[hevenzangl]

Hi all. So glad I stumbled on this site. We are going to Disney for our 3rd time in November. Right now we are booked for our first time at GF. It's always just been my hubby, 7 year old and myself. We've stayed at Polynesian (my fav) and Port Orleans-Riverside. This time we are taking my Mother-In-Law, who hasn't been since hubby was a young boy.

We have a Theme Park View booked, in an Outer Building. Does anyone have a pic of what that might look like? Polynesian has just opened up their Theme Park view rooms to my PIN, and I'm quite tempted to change our Reservation. As I mentioned, Polynesian is my absolute fav. The views of the Castle, fireworks and Lagoon were AMAZING. I would hate to compare the views from GF to that and be disappointed. There was a little show in the Lagoon at nights with lighted boats and such that my daughter so enjoyed, and I'm wondering if that's visible from GF Theme Park view rooms.

I would love to hear what all you folks have to say. Obviously, you're GF fans! Tell me why!

TIA!

~Jen

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Afternoon

ahcupcake, i knew someone else had gotten upgraded to the suite and for some reason i had thought it was ScottMC. but it was you! we were there in december 2010 also, but just in a standard from for 2 nights before moving to PolyCL for a week. and also, i saw that you are from PA- me, too!

That was me,Scott was just upgraded to RPC..We were there right after they taped the 2010 Christmas parade so Ryan Seacrest was previous suite occupant..Hope you don't mind but I borrowed some of your Grand Suite pics for my pinterest board..PM me if you want a link to the board or an invite to join if you're not member, I also posted a video tour......Too funny that you're a PA girl too. I'm in the birth place of Country star Taylor Swift and a few professional athletes.

Well, NOW I have! (thought I had taken care of it before, but not)

Hi Grannyminnie

Ok..so I've just heard of these refurb's going on next spring/summer. We are getting married May 2014. Does anyone know what these refurbs are going to exactly entail?!! starting to freak out a bit!! TIA

Hi all. So glad I stumbled on this site. We are going to Disney for our 3rd time in November. Right now we are booked for our first time at GF. It's always just been my hubby, 7 year old and myself. We've stayed at Polynesian (my fav) and Port Orleans-Riverside. This time we are taking my Mother-In-Law, who hasn't been since hubby was a young boy.

We have a Theme Park View booked, in an Outer Building. Does anyone have a pic of what that might look like? Polynesian has just opened up their Theme Park view rooms to my PIN, and I'm quite tempted to change our Reservation. As I mentioned, Polynesian is my absolute fav. The views of the Castle, fireworks and Lagoon were AMAZING. I would hate to compare the views from GF to that and be disappointed. There was a little show in the Lagoon at nights with lighted boats and such that my daughter so enjoyed, and I'm wondering if that's visible from GF Theme Park view rooms.

I would love to hear what all you folks have to say. Obviously, you're GF fans! Tell me why!

TIA!

~Jen

Welcome Jen!

I found this post by phyllis1966 on page 12 of this thread with pics taken from Conch Key
http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49398348&postcount=172

There is also the Gf Photo Thread...
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1768829

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi again, Blue!
I think I have enabled my PM now!

Well, NOW I have! (thought I had taken care of it before, but not)

PM sent!

Ok..so I've just heard of these refurb's going on next spring/summer. We are getting married May 2014. Does anyone know what these refurbs are going to exactly entail?!! starting to freak out a bit!! TIA

Congratulations your upcoming wedding! There hasn't been any confirmed information on any rehabs at the GF..Just some speculation due to the fact that large blocks of CL rooms are unavailable at various times next year..for example MommyGina was unable to find an available room in RPC for all of July...

JoJoMickey I have a solution to the post trip depression ...book another trip This is called Disney logic.. Works for me everytime..

k&a&c'smom I agree with the PPs..lots of good info and pics! Thanks for keeping it all updated!

Welcome Jen! GF is a lovely resort for sooooo many reasons...its charming...great shops..great dining options...and an overall relaxed feel to it (and its our fave for all of those reasons)...very much like the Poly but in a victorian sort of way!??? I would recommend requesting Conch Key ..that building has lovely TPVs...and you can also see the EWP from there....that show has been on the waters of the Seven Seas Lagoon for a very long time..and a fave of my family too....One difference...Poly does have a better view of the MK due to where the resort is located/postioned...But the GF has a nice if somewhat distant view...

Hi ahcupcake Great video tour!

 

[bethclayton]

ahcupcake ryan seacrest right before you? too funny! they told us that billy joel played that piano when he stayed there, that michael jackson, princess diana, and johnny depp all stayed there. and jerry and dick van dyke but one stayed in a different suite, i can't remember which. the whole time, the kids kept being like, "omg, i am sitting on a toilet princess diana sat on! omg, i am sitting on johnny depp's bed!" lol.

flattered that you used my pics on your pinterest, i will pm you to follow you.

 

[Jennygt]

Hi all. So glad I stumbled on this site. We are going to Disney for our 3rd time in November. Right now we are booked for our first time at GF. It's always just been my hubby, 7 year old and myself. We've stayed at Polynesian (my fav) and Port Orleans-Riverside. This time we are taking my Mother-In-Law, who hasn't been since hubby was a young boy.

We have a Theme Park View booked, in an Outer Building. Does anyone have a pic of what that might look like? Polynesian has just opened up their Theme Park view rooms to my PIN, and I'm quite tempted to change our Reservation. As I mentioned, Polynesian is my absolute fav. The views of the Castle, fireworks and Lagoon were AMAZING. I would hate to compare the views from GF to that and be disappointed. There was a little show in the Lagoon at nights with lighted boats and such that my daughter so enjoyed, and I'm wondering if that's visible from GF Theme Park view rooms.

I would love to hear what all you folks have to say. Obviously, you're GF fans! Tell me why!

TIA!

~Jen

I am a die hard Poly girl too, however with the construction going on this fall over the seven seas lagoon over at the poly, I think you will be better off at the GF this year! As for tpv I am still picking everyones mind here on this thread to decide, lol. Yes you will be able to see the Water pagent as far as I know. Love to hear your thoughts when you get back.

 

[jojomickey]

Its hard because our next trip is so far away

I would be there all the time if I could wouldn't that be nice!!!!!

 

[Jennygt]

I am getting ready to book for next Aug, shhh, I am just too afraid of the poly situation, and I have grown fond of the" old girl " as I read up, if they could just get ride of the décor that looks like my great aunts house in pa, lol......... I kid, I have to say we do like GFV décor

 

[sjs314]

I am getting ready to book for next Aug, shhh, I am just too afraid of the poly situation, and I have grown fond of the" old girl " as I read up, if they could just get ride of the décor that looks like my great aunts house in pa, lol......... I kid, I have to say we do like GFV décor

I have my eye on GF for 2014 too, seems to be the perfect choice DVC construction is complete and now I am hearing of a softgoods refurb for Gf

I love the Decor one of the things I love about BWI as the decor is similar.

Like you I am waiting on the Poly.

 

[mickeynut1]

I am getting ready to book for next Aug, shhh, I am just too afraid of the poly situation, and I have grown fond of the" old girl " as I read up, if they could just get ride of the décor that looks like my great aunts house in pa, lol......... I kid, I have to say we do like GFV décor

The villas look absolutely beautiful and I too love the decor. I wanted to book a 1 BDRM villa for a few nights in December, but my DH really wants to try the CR and since the VGF are brand new, they weren't offered in the new room discounts. But I am excited to try the CR .

I love the Decor one of the things I love about BWI as the decor is similar.

Those are my thoughts as well. After the BWI was redone, my first thought was that it closely resembles the GF as far as decor . We've never stayed at BWI, but I'm hoping to give it a try some day.

 

[BlueSkies]

Oh you die hard Poly gals!! A stay at the GF just might turn you into die hard GF fans!??? You never know! I was a CR fan for years...until that very first stay at the GF..that was it!

Sheila I agree about the BWI....similar..yet very different in its ambience..Stayed there this past winter and thought this is what the GF rooms should look like...and hopefully they will very soon..

Jennygt I dont think there is a bad view at the GF...the garden views are of the pool..marina..and of course gardens..lol...I think it just depends on if seeing the MK..or general TP view is important to you...I am sure you will be happy with whatever you choose...the GF is really such a beautiful resort...

MickeyNut My Poly loving pal...One of these days..on one of your trips you are gonna change your mind... Maybe!!??? and the GF is gonna be your fave..I do think you will love the CR too..again a different feel..but a WDW classic IMO...and very cool...

I am so curious to see what the beach area is going to look like once all of the construction walls are down..I always loved the look of that expanse of sand with the hammocks....palm trees...and the covered lounges..Dont think there is much room left for that tho...??? Hopefully it will still have a nice look to it...

Grannyminnie You need a ticker! :

 

[bethclayton]

I am so curious to see what the beach area is going to look like once all of the construction walls are down..I always loved the look of that expanse of sand with the hammocks....palm trees...and the covered lounges..Dont think there is much room left for that tho...??? Hopefully it will still have a nice look to it...

Grannyminnie You need a ticker! :

BlueSkies I can speak to this somewhat. I can't believe I didn't take a pic of the beach area. At least, I don't think I did... I will check. Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised at the beach area. While it is certainly not what it was, it was pretty and bigger than i expected. The children's play area is right behind it but it was nowhere near as obnoxious or loud as I had expected. They built a lovely fire pit with permanent seating around it. So, left to right, starting near the summerhouse, you have a nice stretch of beach with chaises, then to the right of it is the fire pit, and then the pool bar with a nice, ample area with tables and chairs. Past that to the right is more beach next to the beach pool. We spent a few hours out there with friends one night and it had great ambience and was very uncrowded every time we looked out there. I am pretty sure that all the "beach" walls were already down.

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

Hi, I thought I read somewhere that if staying RPC you also had access to the lounge in SL. Is that correct? Also is the Alice water play area close to the main building? Thanks!

 

[bethclayton]

I have never tried it but I have always read that, as well. As for the Alice water play area, yes, it is right off of the main building. That is the building it is closest to.

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut My Poly loving pal...One of these days..on one of your trips you are gonna change your mind... Maybe!!??? and the GF is gonna be your fave..I do think you will love the CR too..again a different feel..but a WDW classic IMO...and very cool...

The GF is amazing, but anytime I have stayed there, I did miss the Poly. I do love RPC though and I can't wait to try Poly CL in December and compare the two. I am also looking forward to our CR stay. We have never stayed there as the theme/decor has never appealed to any of us, but my DH wants to try it, so I booked it .

Hi, I thought I read somewhere that if staying RPC you also had access to the lounge in SL. Is that correct?

That has been my understanding .

 

[MommyGina]

We stayed in RPC in July and wanted to show my niece SL. We could not get in with our cards. Always was able to get in to SL in the past when staying in RPC. I wonder if this had something to do with the new card keys.

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

What kind of hot offering hAve you seen at RPC?

 

[bethclayton]

The GF is amazing, but anytime I have stayed there, I did miss the Poly. I do love RPC though and I can't wait to try Poly CL in December and compare the two. I am also looking forward to our CR stay. We have never stayed there as the theme/decor has never appealed to any of us, but my DH wants to try it, so I booked it .

mickeynut, i LOVE the poly. as a resort overall, it is my favorite, even a little more than GF. if i had to pick between a standard room at GF or at poly, i would choose poly (although i would pick GF RPC over anything, anywhere!). with that said.... do not get your hopes up about their CL. the CL staff were awful, i mean truly miserable, eye-rolling, annoyed people who seemed to detest all of us. A simple question (I don't even remember what it was, but it was super simple, like, which way to the monorail?) elicited a sigh, an eye roll, and a sneer. the food offerings were several steps below GF in quality and ALSO quantity. i felt like we were all vultures pouncing on every bite. there was so little to be had and not a lot of replenishing, and a LOT of guests there even in "off" season. and there were constantly kids running wild in the lounge, with their parents not even attempting to get them to them to settle down. we recently also stayed CL at BC and while their offerings were comparable to Poly CL, their staff at least were delightful and for the most part, other guests were not disruptive. So I am comparing it to not only GF but also BC.

with all that said, did i hate poly CL? no. i liked the building location, i LOVED the castle view from the lounge, and despite the fact that the food situation basically sucked, i do enjoy the convenience of having the mediocre-at-best food available, particularly during breakfast. it is not completely out of the question that if we got a good rate, we would possibly stay CL there again for those reasons alone. but to compare it to GF, it is in a whole different league. i would say it is like comparing a value resort to a deluxe.

 

[bethclayton]

What kind of hot offering hAve you seen at RPC?

funny you should ask, i couldn't remember very many but dh is gluten intolerant and could not eat any of them, so he (painfully) remembers every single one! lol!

last week they had egg rolls, bacon wrapped chicken sausage, spanakopita, two kinds of chicken- one was like a sweet and sour and the other was more of a buffalo something, brie and cranberry in phyllo (my fave), and turkey wellington. actually, that is only seven so i am missing one. oh, and in addition to the two hot offerings one night, they also had mini corndogs. they were incredible. true story- i tried one and loved it so much, that i later went back and got three more, and loudly announced to my friend in front of the CL staff that i was taking them back to the room for ds. but i was completely lying. they were all mine.

 

[Hisgirl]

......and loudly announced to my friend in front of the CL staff that i was taking them back to the room for ds. but i was completely lying. they were all mine.

I loved this! Haha...totally wonderful!