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

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey, GF lovers!! I'm trying a quick post to see if I can - I've been having trouble getting onto the DIS.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hey, GF lovers!! I'm trying a quick post to see if I can - I've been having trouble getting onto the DIS.

I had problems logging on yesterday. I would enter my username and password and get the message "thank you for logging in", but then it would just go back to the log on screen.

 

[mommyrosa2]

If you travel between Aug 17th - Sept 2nd there is a travel agency with an exclusive rate for GF. Along with conf. rates these are the lowest rates at GF. I don't think we are allowed to post the agency because of advertising rules but I can PM it to you if you would like. I and many other posters that I know have used the agency. HTH.

We definitely took advantage of this offer and are actually checking in a few days before the 17th...their discount was a H-U-G-E savings

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really want to post to thank you for your advice but also your kindness. Thank you for not making me feel embarrassed about asking about the cheapest option. When my daughter raved about the GF my heart sunk a bit only because of the cost. We have four kids and always seem to be on such a tight budget. Because I want to build memories for these kids before sending them out into the world, Disney is so special to me. So now I know that GF simply isn't out of the question. A little birdie told me the peeps on this thread we some of the nicest around and I agree with her. Thank you Disney friends. You made me smile this morning!

The GF is pricey, but if you go in one of the lower priced seasons and get a discount, it's usually a great deal. No question is a dumb question and nobody will make you feel embarrassed as we all have had (and do have) questions/concerns, so I hope you will feel comfortable to ask any and all questions that come to mind .

Hey, GF lovers!! I'm trying a quick post to see if I can - I've been having trouble getting onto the DIS.

Looks like it worked . Glad to "see" you back.

 

[yce22princess]

If you travel between Aug 17th - Sept 2nd there is a travel agency with an exclusive rate for GF. Along with conf. rates these are the lowest rates at GF. I don't think we are allowed to post the agency because of advertising rules but I can PM it to you if you would like. I and many other posters that I know have used the agency. HTH.

Does this agency offer this every year at that time? Thinking of doing a long weekend around Labor Day next year!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

If you travel between Aug 17th - Sept 2nd there is a travel agency with an exclusive rate for GF. Along with conf. rates these are the lowest rates at GF. I don't think we are allowed to post the agency because of advertising rules but I can PM it to you if you would like. I and many other posters that I know have used the agency. HTH.

The GF is pricey, but if you go in one of the lower priced seasons and get a discount, it's usually a great deal. No question is a dumb question and nobody will make you feel embarrassed as we all have had (and do have) questions/concerns, so I hope you will feel comfortable to ask any and all questions that come to mind .

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

 

[Koh1977]

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

Hot and humid, but not completely unbearable. it's better than being at home in the heat and humidity is what I say!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[mommyrosa2]

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

This will be our 3rd August trip and while it is very hot, it is also very manageable but we go in with a plan and don't tour like we did in the Fall months. We hit the parks early, get out by lunchtime, hang out at the resort pool/room for some R&R, then head back out at night.

 

[mmjones1021]

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

We've gone in August the last few years, and it hasn't been so bad. As long as you are prepared for the humidity with lots of water, it's bearable.

 

[Scott MC]

Gah,
Between the new decor
The lack of turndown cards...

If we hadn't taken advantage of the TA rate this August, we'd be switching hotels. This is sad. The Grand is such a luxurious resort, and Disney is dumbing it down.

*sigh*

 

[Koh1977]

Gah, Between the new decor The lack of turndown cards... If we hadn't taken advantage of the TA rate this August, we'd be switching hotels. This is sad. The Grand is such a luxurious resort, and Disney is dumbing it down. *sigh*

I am actually thinking of switching to a moderate this summer...although the rate for the weekend is unbeatable, the extra night is rack rate (or the slight discount that could come out)...could still save some money being able to add the DP to the package, especially if there is a late summer discount...and possibly add another night to the stay? Hmmm...

I have not stayed at the grand before and I always wanted to, but I also don't want to condone all these changes that are happening...not that my one reservation is going to speak volumes, but still...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Scott MC]

I am actually thinking of switching to a moderate this summer...although the rate for the weekend is unbeatable, the extra night is rack rate (or the slight discount that could come out)...could still save some money being able to add the DP to the package, especially if there is a late summer discount...and possibly add another night to the stay? Hmmm...

I have not stayed at the grand before and I always wanted to, but I also don't want to condone all these changes that are happening...not that my one reservation is going to speak volumes, but still...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I just said to DP, "We're already doing BC, YC....wouldn't it be nice to go to BWI, and complete the Epcot loop in one trip?

 

[baler31]

With fp+ Aug should be bearable. I would not go to parks in the heat of the day. Swim instead and tour at night.

 

[jecon]

Pumpkin Latte Soup was AWESOME

Thanks for sharing the pics! We will be there in less than two weeks!!!

 

[jecon]

We are staying in Sugar Loaf

One question I thought of- how is the transportation with the monorail down? Do they have a bus that takes you to the TTC?

 

[Circusgirl]

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

The hottest weather does change my touring style. As others have said, I do parks early and late, and swim and relax during the afternoon. Hydroflask for cold water, cooling neck wraps and sunscreen are in daily use. I spend less time at Epcot during the days because of the vast expanses of pavement, but enjoy the evenings. It's definitely a slower pace than winter touring!

Pumpkin Latte Soup was AWESOME

Thank you for the pictures! The Pumpkin Latte soup was awesome! In general I was impressed with the food offerings. The smoked salmon spread and bagels at breakfast were terrific. The little citrus muffins were delectable. The afternoon treats were substantial and delightful and I loved tea. Endless scones, jam tarts and Devonshire cream were pretty much my idea of heaven.

 

[bethclayton]

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

we have mostly gone in colder weather but we went this past august. i would do it again... but dh and kids have complained a lot about it. the humidity is the killer. you are soaking wet every second. we live near philly, pa, and it gets extremely hot and humid at times in the summer here. the difference is, we would never spend 10 days- all day- outside, in the sun, in that kind of heat at home. if it were going to be that hot here, we would plan lots of indoor activities. not as realistic at disney.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I have been in every month of the year at some point. July and August is so hot..and I am from Florida. I would plan early morning and late evening park trips and spend the afternoon in the pools.
My DD and I went for a week in June this year and we would go to the parks till about lunch, then spend the afternoons in the pool. I know my friends from California are effected way more by the heat.. They say the air is "thick" and heavy..but I don't notice that.
We did have a good chuckle in line for Little Mermaid.. It was about 7pm and this mother was telling her kids it was damp because of the humidity..DD and I laughed because we actually thought it was cooler..

We went this weekend and it was amazing.. Even with the drizzly rain for 2 days, I would rather be cold in Disney than hot. We always went in February for a week when my DD was little because of the weather. We now can only take long trips in the summer because of her class load.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks so much all! Be honest, how bad is the August heat if we do take advantage? We have only been in the fall so that's all we have to compare too.

You're welcome .

We've never been in August, but have been in June and July and as others said, it will be very hot and humid, but it's doable. As long as you don't try to do too much at once and enjoy some down time at the resort to relax, swim, etc, you will be fine.

This is sad. The Grand is such a luxurious resort, and Disney is dumbing it down.

I agree .

I just said to DP, "We're already doing BC, YC....wouldn't it be nice to go to BWI, and complete the Epcot loop in one trip?

That would be a nice trip .

We will be there in less than two weeks!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey, all my Grand friends! Finally able to get on and stay on, sheesh!

I've been trying to catch up, you all have been busy. Someone asked about daybeds in the new dormer rooms, and I know there have been great answers. My take is this - at least some of the dormer rooms with the current decor had daybeds, as there were posts and photos of those rooms here on the FAQ. With the removal of the chair, I would expect that has opened up space to have a daybed in every room now. I can't imagine they would move that desk over by the beds, then leave only the armoire alone on the wall in the dormers.

Lovemy3babes - welcome! Don't be intimidated, all of us have needed/wanted a good discount, WDW trips are sooo expensive! Especially the deluxe resorts, even more so for the MK area resorts. Ask anything, we're here to help.

BlueSkies - Say it ain't so?!? No more notecards at turndown? I'm glad I have so many of them, I use them for bookmarks. Yet another item (along with my collection of room keys) to put away for posterity. I can pull them out when I have grandchildren so they can see Disney really did have special touches. At this rate, that's the only way they'll know.

DisneyDmbNut - thanks for the lovely photos! I know everyone enjoyed viewing them as much as I did. Sounds like you had a great trip.

I had problems logging on yesterday. I would enter my username and password and get the message "thank you for logging in", but then it would just go back to the log on screen.

Isn't that annoying? For me, I'm always logged in, but the page wouldn't open up - I just got the little building wheel. If I did get a page up and tried to post, it would disappear.

The GF is pricey, but if you go in one of the lower priced seasons and get a discount, it's usually a great deal. No question is a dumb question and nobody will make you feel embarrassed as we all have had (and do have) questions/concerns, so I hope you will feel comfortable to ask any and all questions that come to mind .


Looks like it worked . Glad to "see" you back.

I wasn't sure if it worked or not, glad it did.

As you say, nothing is a dumb question, everyone should feel comfortable asking anything they need to plan their trip.

The hottest weather does change my touring style. As others have said, I do parks early and late, and swim and relax during the afternoon. Hydroflask for cold water, cooling neck wraps and sunscreen are in daily use. I spend less time at Epcot during the days because of the vast expanses of pavement, but enjoy the evenings. It's definitely a slower pace than winter touring!



Thank you for the pictures! The Pumpkin Latte soup was awesome! In general I was impressed with the food offerings. The smoked salmon spread and bagels at breakfast were terrific. The little citrus muffins were delectable. The afternoon treats were substantial and delightful and I loved tea. Endless scones, jam tarts and Devonshire cream were pretty much my idea of heaven.

Great tips, I'm with you on the Epcot in the day during the summer - we have been blinded by all the shiny black pavement. When we forget out sunglasses (I say "when" as it happens so often, lol), we have to feel our way to the closest sunglasses kiosk.

Ah, my DD is a huge fan of that salmon spread.