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

[k&a&c'smom]

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k&a&c'smom Nothing like popping in here and seeing your lovely GF photos..thanks as always for sharing them... all such lovely views... I'd like to be sitting on a balcony right now...

to all of my fellow GF fans...

Hope that you are having wonderful Wednesday!

You are welcome, glad you liked them. Wouldn't it be great to be sitting on one of those balconies?!

Hey y'all. Will be staying at the GF for the first time ever this June, and am traveling with my grandmother and have requested an accessible room... Does anyone have info about these rooms, are they all on first floor? What buildings have them?

We are in for a garden view though it says they could have views of marina as well, didn't know if anyone had been in one of these rooms and could recommend it. I want to call ahead and try to request a room in one of the building that will have completed the decor Reno. Just wanted a but more information first.

Thanks in advance. I've never stayed in such luxury before and am very excited.

Very excited for you!

I do not believe they are all on the first floor, but not sure about it. Your best bet is to call the number for accessible bookings - there is a special number, I'll see if I can find it. Here's the info from the first page:

A limited number of handicapped accessible rooms are available, and early booking is advised. In Sago Cay, there are 3 rooms, Sugar Loaf has 2, Big Pine Key has 2, there are some in Conch Key and there is at least one accessible room in the main building. Some accessible rooms have roll in showers, others have tubs, so guests must describe their particular needs at booking to be assigned the correct room type.

Hi, everyone!

Thanks for the pics, k&a&c'smom! Dreaming of being there.

You're welcome! I'm dreaming of being there, too, wish we were all sitting poolside with a fruity drink. BTW - love your adorable pic!

 

[mickeynut1]

Sago Cay, from SL:

Boca Chica from Big Pine Key:

Sugar Loaf from Sago Cay:

As always, love the pics .

k&a&c'smom Nothing like popping in here and seeing your lovely GF photos..thanks as always for sharing them... all such lovely views... I'd like to be sitting on a balcony right now...:

Hey y'all. Will be staying at the GF for the first time ever this June,

Thanks in advance. I've never stayed in such luxury before and am very excited.

You are going to love the GF .

Hi, everyone!

Wouldn't it be great to be sitting on one of those balconies?!

I'm dreaming of being there, too, wish we were all sitting poolside with a fruity drink.

I'm right there with ya .

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Yes, all regular rooms on the top floors have the dormer balconies.(excluding suites) a few of the rooms on the 3rd and 4th floors also have dormers, but some do have regular balconies - they would be near the center of the building.

Thanks!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Am I the only unfortunate person who cannot seem to change a booking for spring successfully?? These refurbs have apparently really done a number on the rooms available!

 

[Lisann]

You are welcome, glad you liked them. Wouldn't it be great to be sitting on one of those balconies?!
BTW - love your adorable pic!

Awww! Blush...

Yes, grannyminnie, I agree about the room situations. My sis and I are considering changing to GF from our scheduled BC May trip, but seems like the Spring has really booked up everywhere. We got a great PIN code, but I'm thinking we might stay put. We are thinking about changing because there might end up being three of us, and with BC, we cannot really be guaranteed a day bed as there are a lot less of them over there.

 

[mickeynut1]

Am I the only unfortunate person who cannot seem to change a booking for spring successfully?? These refurbs have apparently really done a number on the rooms available!

I'm sorry you're having a hard time changing your reservation . Refurbs have a way of throwing a wrench in planning. I hope something becomes available for you to change .

My sis and I are considering changing to GF from our scheduled BC May trip, but seems like the Spring has really booked up everywhere. We got a great PIN code, but I'm thinking we might stay put. We are thinking about changing because there might end up being three of us, and with BC, we cannot really be guaranteed a day bed as there are a lot less of them over there.

Good luck with your change if you decide to switch .

 

[jocey4577]

Hi Everyone - We are currently planning our first stay at GF this fall. We have stayed at the Poly our last few trips but with the renovations are thinking we will give GF a try! We have 3 boys ages 3,5 and 7 as well as my grandfather who is 87. Central location and 1st floor are key for us so I'm thinking of requesting Big Pine Key, pool facing (hopefully between 9102 - 9110). Does that sound like a good fit for us? I figured I would ask the GF experts to be sure! Thanks!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Hopefully that helps.

Well, I ended up paying for EB check in for all of us but did the girls first. Even though they are a little older, I would not be comfortable boarding the plane knowing they were way behind us.

Am I the only unfortunate person who cannot seem to change a booking for spring successfully?? These refurbs have apparently really done a number on the rooms available!

Grannyminnie....I know it's a pain, but keep checking even if it's a few times throughout the day, something is bound to open up...good luck!

 

[grannyminnie]

Well, I ended up paying for EB check in for all of us but did the girls first. Even though they are a little older, I would not be comfortable boarding the plane knowing they were way behind us.



Grannyminnie....I know it's a pain, but keep checking even if it's a few times throughout the day, something is bound to open up...good luck!

When I check online for a couple of different possible weeks, there is NOTHING! zero, zip, nada! (in the non-concierge room, and hardly any CL)

 

[trishadono]

Am I the only unfortunate person who cannot seem to change a booking for spring successfully?? These refurbs have apparently really done a number on the rooms available!

I have been checking dates myself for May and June and have had better success with Orbitz and booking code OUTTAHERE for another 15% off too!

When I checked Disney for passholder or spring rates they did not always have the same availability for CR/Poly/GF as Orbitz and the rates were always lower on Orbitz. Also I had no problems booking with them in the past. Their booking confirmation will work at My Experiences just fine.

 

[mommyrosa2]

When I check online for a couple of different possible weeks, there is NOTHING! zero, zip, nada! (in the non-concierge room, and hardly any CL)

Have you tried calling at all? In the past, I've had issues where the online system showed nothing but had much better success over the phone...worth a shot.

 

[burnetta696]

Hi Everyone - We are currently planning our first stay at GF this fall. We have stayed at the Poly our last few trips but with the renovations are thinking we will give GF a try! We have 3 boys ages 3,5 and 7 as well as my grandfather who is 87. Central location and 1st floor are key for us so I'm thinking of requesting Big Pine Key, pool facing (hopefully between 9102 - 9110). Does that sound like a good fit for us? I figured I would ask the GF experts to be sure! Thanks!

Not an answer for you, but how are you finding out what rooms are where- i.e. 9102 etc... Is there a magic hotel site I don't know about?

 

[jocey4577]

Not an answer for you, but how are you finding out what rooms are where- i.e. 9102 etc... Is there a magic hotel site I don't know about?

I just used the room finder tool on touringplans to get an idea of room views/locations!

 

[burnetta696]

I just used the room finder tool on touringplans to get an idea of room views/locations!

Thanks so much that is an awesome help!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Have you tried calling at all? In the past, I've had issues where the online system showed nothing but had much better success over the phone...worth a shot.

Yes, I've called more than once. No dice.. I will continue to call.

Trish, when you book using that Orbitz code, do you still have control of your ressie?

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi Everyone - We are currently planning our first stay at GF this fall. We have stayed at the Poly our last few trips but with the renovations are thinking we will give GF a try! We have 3 boys ages 3,5 and 7 as well as my grandfather who is 87. Central location and 1st floor are key for us so I'm thinking of requesting Big Pine Key, pool facing (hopefully between 9102 - 9110). Does that sound like a good fit for us? I figured I would ask the GF experts to be sure! Thanks!

I think Big Pine Key is a great choice. I loved our stay in that building as I found it very convenient to the main building and courtyard pool, as well as to Gasparillas. Boca Chica is another good option, IMO .

 

[trishadono]

Yes, I've called more than once. No dice.. I will continue to call.

Trish, when you book using that Orbitz code, do you still have control of your ressie?

You pay all up front but can cancel up to 5 days prior.

You want to attach your confirmation number to my experiences ASAP then go into your info and change the address because it won't be yours it will be theirs.

You can still get MB's, schedule FP+ etc.

At the resort I did not find any difference in treatment either. At PolyCL my 3rd floor 11am check in request was met at (at CSR no problems either).

Oh, and I book my own magical express here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/

Anything else? Let me know.

Oh I have canceled orbitz and cheaptickets and you can do very quickly/easily right on their site.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

You pay all up front but can cancel up to 5 days prior.

You want to attach your confirmation number to my experiences ASAP then go into your info and change the address because it won't be yours it will be theirs.

You can still get MB's, schedule FP+ etc.

At the resort I did not find any difference in treatment either. At PolyCL my 3rd floor 11am check in request was met at (at CSR no problems either).

Oh, and I book my own magical express here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/

Anything else? Let me know.

Oh I have canceled orbitz and cheaptickets and you can do very quickly/easily right on their site.

This is great info! Thanks for posting it in a steps format which really explains it more clearly for easy reference I am planning to scope out cheaptickets as soon as (if) Disney releases discounts for our vacation dates in late July. Hoping to get a deeper discount using one of these sites as we want a RO discount anyway. We are not interested in the dining plan...especially in the heat of summer when we tend to be less hungry. It would be a total waste of food and time for our family

 

[grannyminnie]

You pay all up front but can cancel up to 5 days prior.

You want to attach your confirmation number to my experiences ASAP then go into your info and change the address because it won't be yours it will be theirs.

You can still get MB's, schedule FP+ etc.

At the resort I did not find any difference in treatment either. At PolyCL my 3rd floor 11am check in request was met at (at CSR no problems either).

Oh, and I book my own magical express here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/

Anything else? Let me know.

Oh I have canceled orbitz and cheaptickets and you can do very quickly/easily right on their site.

Thanks, Trish! I may check it out. I'm not familiar with Cheaptickets.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Sorry to hear so many are having trouble finding rooms in May - we hope to go late April/early May and it does seem oddly booked up. (I say oddly, because it is just after the big Spring Break/Easter crowds!) Good luck, I hope you are all able to get what you need or want.

trishadono - thanks for the info!

Hi Everyone - We are currently planning our first stay at GF this fall. We have stayed at the Poly our last few trips but with the renovations are thinking we will give GF a try! We have 3 boys ages 3,5 and 7 as well as my grandfather who is 87. Central location and 1st floor are key for us so I'm thinking of requesting Big Pine Key, pool facing (hopefully between 9102 - 9110). Does that sound like a good fit for us? I figured I would ask the GF experts to be sure! Thanks!

All the garden view rooms in BPK are pool facing, so you will want to book that category. Ask the CM to add that you are requesting a first floor room due to your grandfather's mobility issues - this should help get that request met, and add you want a room on the Main Bldg. end of the floor. Big Pine Key is the closest outer building to the themed pool and the back entrance to the Main Bldg., though none of the buildings are much of a walk. It's a fairly compact resort.

HTH!

Well, I ended up paying for EB check in for all of us but did the girls first. Even though they are a little older, I would not be comfortable boarding the plane knowing they were way behind us.

Good idea! I know some people purchase EBCI for their older kids, have them board first and each save one parent a seat - but all boarding early is the better way to go, in my opinion. Less stress for everyone.