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

[jvarne1]

"Sorry, I can't answer your question, but I was just wondering who told you it was a parking lot view? Did they say that when you booked? If so - Yikes!
When are you going?"

I asked the Live Chat on the Disneyworld website. Actually asked two completely different days and they both said the parking lot.

We are going Nov. 2-8th.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Oh no! Why on earth would they say such a thing?!? Surely there must be something else to look at too???
I really hope you are pleasantly surprised when you get there!

 

[jecon]

Just got back from the SL. Went next door to check out the refurb. The lobby in conch key was gorgeous! I got to see a refurbished room and like some others I was not excited when I saw the photos. In person- they are very beautiful and luxurious...just generic. Some of the magic is gone. Frankly, it's a much needed refurb tho. The furniture in our SL room was pretty beaten up.

 

[mandi1505]

Great. Do you have any photo?

 

[jecon]

Great. Do you have any photo?

No sorry but the pics posted on this thread pretty much give you a good idea.

Another note about the lobby- it was really updated nicely- the floors especially. The new tile and marble floors were nice. The SL still has the 80's pink square tiles!!

 

[jecon]

Sorry for asking a question that's probably been answered before, but I can't get the Search Function to work properly: On AVERAGE, how long can I expect the trip from MCO to GF to take? Just trying to decide where to eat lunch... MCO arrival probably around 11 - 11:30 AM. Thanks!

Give yourself 1.5 hours to be safe.

 

[trishadono]

Well i am considering another stay back at GF

I have enough points for 2 round trip flights on jetblue direct to Mco and have annual passes so.... I am scheming again.

My dh loved the pics of the refurb so I am thinking we might sneak a long weekend after dd comes home from college mid May and can watch her brother . I just don't want to leave a 16yr old home alone even though he says he would be fine.

If we go last weekend of May or first weekend in June what will be the refurb status?

He doesn't like darkness of poly and WL so other options would be CR or maybe try BWI( one of few on my "to try" list.

 

[davale4]

Well i am considering another stay back at GF

I have enough points for 2 round trip flights on jetblue direct to Mco and have annual passes so.... I am scheming again.

Oh how I love scheming when it comes to WDW and especially the GF . Scheme away and have fun in the process .

 

[BlueSkies]

Sorry for asking a question that's probably been answered before, but I can't get the Search Function to work properly:
On AVERAGE, how long can I expect the trip from MCO to GF to take? Just trying to decide where to eat lunch...
MCO arrival probably around 11 - 11:30 AM.
Thanks!

All together from deplaning to the GF via DME about an hour and a half...as jecon said...If you are dining at the GF I think a 1:30 ressie would be a good bet...We often like to have lunch in the MK on arrival day..and arrive about the same time as you are planning to and make a 2pm ADR..and it has generally worked out very well!

Just got back from the SL. Went next door to check out the refurb. The lobby in conch key was gorgeous! I got to see a refurbished room and like some others I was not excited when I saw the photos. In person- they are very beautiful and luxurious...just generic. Some of the magic is gone. Frankly, it's a much needed refurb tho. The furniture in our SL room was pretty beaten up.

Thanks for the feed back! Its good to know!

Trisha Rehab info is on the first page of this thread...Since you are an AP holder there is also a current AP discount for those dates.. And there is some availability..very limited CL tho... BWI CL is almost as nice as RPC..lovely rooms..with lots of Mickey touches...and an awesome group of CL CMs... I would highly reccomend it if you are wanting to try something new.. Happy planning...

MickeyNut Moved our dates some due to DDs work schedule... Are you still thinking about mid June...???

grannyminnie Hope all is well...

ahcupcake Hey you!! Glad that you popped in..Sorry that no trip is on the current horizon..I know how much you love visiting the GF... A big hello to your Mom!

k&a&c'smom Well...are you posting about now???? Are we out of sync again..???

We have predictions of snow yet again........... I am ready to move to WDW!

Hope that you are all having a serene Sunday!

 

[andyman8]

Hey all! Heading to the GF in June and had a question about the daybeds. I know they turn into a small bed for one person with covers and a pillow.Does anyone know if I need to request this or if it does automatically when I have five people in a standard room or can I just do it on my own? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BlueSkies - oops, I'm getting our posting schedule completely off course.

Hey all! Heading to the GF in June and had a question about the daybeds. I know they turn into a small bed for one person with covers and a pillow.Does anyone know if I need to request this or if it does automatically when I have five people in a standard room or can I just do it on my own? Any help would be appreciated!

Almost every GF room has a daybed, so it really shouldn't be a problem. There used to be some dormer rooms without them, but after the last refurb there were very few without - and now, there's absolutely no reason for any regular room to be without a daybed, as they removed other furniture and it leaves plenty of room.

Or...were you asking about the daybed being made up each night? If you happen so see your mousekeeper, alert him/her to the need for the daybed. After the first night, they will likely be aware, since someone will have seen the open bed. They are easy to open, btw - I had no idea how to do it and was quickly able to open one to take photos.

 

[mickeynut1]

Good Afternoon Sorry I haven't been posting still reading along........So tired of all that yucky white stuff more commonly known as sn*w.
Now back on topic of our beloved GF......I'm loving the new room decor, I remember the last refurb some people here were saying how ugly it was( well only the bedspread was really UGLY imo). I think the new decor is more in line with that of the villas......Sadly I have no trips planned

** Helpfully edited for language Hope everything is going well in your area

Hi ahcupcake ....nice to "see" you again. Things here are good, just cold and snowy. Hope everything is well with you .

Just got back from the SL.

Hope you had a good trip .

MickeyNut Moved our dates some due to DDs work schedule... Are you still thinking about mid June...???

No summer trip for us, but we are still thinking about a December trip right before Christmas. We are just too busy this summer that there's not enough time to work a trip in.

Hey all! Heading to the GF in June and had a question about the daybeds. I know they turn into a small bed for one person with covers and a pillow.Does anyone know if I need to request this or if it does automatically when I have five people in a standard room or can I just do it on my own? Any help would be appreciated!

Not sure exactly what you're asking, but if you are wondering if you have to request a daybed, most rooms come with one, although there are a few that don't (or didn't before the refurb, not sure if those rooms will now have one). With that said, I would think a party of 5 would be given a room with a daybed, but it wouldn't hurt to put that as a request on your reservation just to be safe .

 

[mickeynut1]

BlueSkies - oops, I'm getting our posting schedule completely off course.

You and BlueSkies are off schedule, but it looks like you and I are posting at the same time again .

 

[trishadono]

Hey all! Heading to the GF in June and had a question about the daybeds. I know they turn into a small bed for one person with covers and a pillow.Does anyone know if I need to request this or if it does automatically when I have five people in a standard room or can I just do it on my own? Any help would be appreciated!

The daybeds are in the std rooms and quite comfy too. They just fold over like a sideways Murphy bed. My ds16 and I have both tried them.

The bed is quick and easy to do and I mention that because at YC it was a pain. There was a cover over the day bed you had to wrestle with to get on and off with the bedding below.

The bed is long enough for 6' people and a little narrower than a twin. Pillows and blankets in the closet but feel free to request more from housekeeping. I have never had a problem with this at gf/cr/poly.

 

[buckeyecinderella]

Hi. Been awhile since staying at GF. Last time was in 2009 before all of the pool renovations. Those of you that have been recently, what are your thoughts on the changes? We mainly use the courtyard pool and I've heard they made it very shallow because of the zero entry. Can you still swim there? Or mostly wading? I really want to stay here, but want to know what to expect with the new pool. Also is there much shade at the pool since the changes? Thanks!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

You and BlueSkies are off schedule, but it looks like you and I are posting at the same time again .

I was just going to say that - and once again, we said pretty much the same thing.

Hi. Been awhile since staying at GF. Last time was in 2009 before all of the pool renovations. Those of you that have been recently, what are your thoughts on the changes? We mainly use the courtyard pool and I've heard they made it very shallow because of the zero entry. Can you still swim there? Or mostly wading? I really want to stay here, but want to know what to expect with the new pool. Also is there much shade at the pool since the changes? Thanks!

I think the shade is about the same, it seemed so to us, anyway. However, I will admit, we are not fans of the changes to the courtyard pool. The deep end is only about 4 foot now, pretty much a wading pool, and more crowded now with the pop jets and zero entry. We mostly waded in, ducked down and paddled around the "deep" end, then got out and hit the hot tub for a few minutes; alternated doing this for a while and headed back to the room. We were disappointed with the fencing as well, it makes it difficult to cut across from the outer buildings.

On the plus side, it is very pretty at night.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

..but we inquiring minds here want to know if there is anything new to know.. Thanks!



Hello there my posting pal!! Glad that all went well for your DS! Thats good news! You have a good reason for not being on the computer..back problems are no fun.. Ouch...Hope that you are feeling better...

Thanks, both for the back and DS.

I laughed out loud at the bolded part! Always.

We've missed you....glad to "see" you back . I hope your back is feeling better .

Glad DS's treatment went well . I hope everything continues to go well and he doesn't start to experience any side effects .

Thanks for both. So far, so good for DS.*big sigh of relief*

Awesome to hear about DS, sorry your back pain is back

All is good, busy busy. With tomorrow night's forecast looking forward to summer....

Good to "see" you. Thanks about DS. The back thing recurs whenever I do not respect it. (pssst...I'm gettin' old...tell no one!)

You said it, let's get this springtime party started, I'm sick to death of winter. It's 7 degrees here right now, supposed to drop below zero overnight - I am so OVER this!

 

[mickeynut1]

I was just going to say that - and once again, we said pretty much the same thing.

Great minds think alike .

Thanks for both. So far, so good for DS.*big sigh of relief*

You said it, let's get this springtime party started, I'm sick to death of winter. It's 7 degrees here right now, supposed to drop below zero overnight - I am so OVER this!

Good to hear things are going well with your DS .

I am with you on that springtime party . I have had about enough of the cold and snow.....it's time for warm temps and sunshine .

 

[grannyminnie]

Good morning, GF pals....I want to let you all know that my dear mother died last Saturday. She lived a good, long life, but saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing I have ever done.

 

[jojomickey]

Grannyminnie
So sorry to hear about your mom, I lost my mom almost 5 years ago I know what you must feel ,the love your mom gives you can never be replaced. I hope you find peace in your heart soon to you and your family.