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

[trishadono]

Butterfly girl--
Sorry!!! Been in Epcot all day!

Tonight there was a card on turndown saying that the Courtyard Pool will be closed "through the early week of September 8".
The other pool is working, however.

It has really bummed me out because it was closed when we were here in December as well. Hopefully you will stay long enough to see it open.

One thing to excite you--- the crowds are non existent!! We were in Epcot today, AK yesterday and never waited to ride a thing. It's been great!

Also- everyone will be happy to know that no Shirtless Wonders were seen in the lounge today. Everyone was properly attired!!

Shirtless Wonders

 

[mickeynut1]

Yet another Poly construction refugee here, switching to the Grand for my November birthday trip. I'm thinking of booking a lagoon view and wonder if anyone has a building or location recommendation for me. I've always wanted to stay at the Grand, especially during the winter holiday time, so am excited to have a new experience.

Thanks to everyone for all the enthusiasm and helpful tips!

You will love the GF . The Poly is our favorite, but I do love the GF as well......add the holidays and it's even more amazing .

Thank you so very much for your helpful information!
I am so excited about our first stay at GF and another wonderful trip to my favorite place on earth!

You're welcome . You won't be disappointed.....the Grand is an awesome resort and I'm sure you're going to love it .

Another resort we have never tried is WL... but I always read great things about their CL...maybe some day???

WL CL is amazing . It's been quite awhile since our stay, but I have read many recent reports that mirror the same great experience we had many years ago. I have only stayed 3 clubs (GF RPC, GF SL, & WL CL) and for me, WL CL ranks a very close second to RPC.....you should definitely give it a try sometime .

Can't wait to hear about your epic Christmas trip..Nope like I replied to Blue I had it booked then switched to the GF where we were majorly

I'm excited......this will be our first DCL cruise and our first stay at the CR, so I'm sure it will be a great trip .

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Lol... Went into panic attack!! Checking in tomorrow !!!

Well actually today - since it is past twelve

 

[jojomickey]

Lol... Went into panic attack!! Checking in tomorrow !!!

Well actually today - since it is past twelve

Hope you have a Grand vacation!!!!

 

[MommyGina]

Lol... Went into panic attack!! Checking in tomorrow !!!

Well actually today - since it is past twelve

Have a grand vacation! Let us know of all the happenings at the GF! Safe travels.

 

[grannyminnie]

Even though my next trip is RPC I do have SL booked for New Years Day

I love the location of SL for families. It is so easy to grab stuff and head to room or pool. Either view is great too. Marina or pool so all good

Don't say " only SL" CL is awesome at any resort so do the happy dance

Not sure what I loved the most last SL trip. Home made potato chips, wine, trifle, ham at breakfast, mini cupcakes, grilled asparagus , choc covered strawberries, more wine....

Ooh now I am getting excited for trip too

Add me to the SL lovers list. We have been in both SL and RPC, and while we love both, I like the cozy feel of SL. I agree that sometimes it can get a little crowded, but we try and work around that. Don't get me wrong, if I was upgraded to RPC, I would NOT be unhappy but SL suits just fine.

 

[grannyminnie]

pas130 Thanks for the info and the comparisons too! Another resort we have never tried is WL... but I always read great things about their CL...maybe some day???

Looks like we will be at the GF at the same time...such a nice time of year to visit....

We really like the WL (the lobby just blows me away!) but have not stayed CL there. I would say "one day, maybe" but we just can't pull ourselves away from the GF!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Hope you have a Grand vacation!!!!

I second that!

 

[mickeynut1]

Lol... Went into panic attack!! Checking in tomorrow !!!

Well actually today - since it is past twelve

Have a great trip .

We really like the WL (the lobby just blows me away!) but have not stayed CL there. I would say "one day, maybe" but we just can't pull ourselves away from the GF!!

Maybe do a split stay and book the first night or two at WL CL before moving to the GF . The WL really is a great resort and CL is amazing. One of the many things I love about it is the lounge seating as it's arranged around the railing overlooking the lobby .

 

[Candy Orlando]

Lol... Went into panic attack!! Checking in tomorrow !!!

Well actually today - since it is past twelve

Enjoy your Grand vacation! I heard its nice and quiet right now. You will love it!

 

[pas130]

Also- everyone will be happy to know that no Shirtless Wonders were seen in the lounge today. Everyone was properly attired!!

Glad you are having a Grand time, and YAY for empty parks!! NO LINES!!!

Well actually today - since it is past twelve

Safe travels! ENJOY!!!

We really like the WL (the lobby just blows me away!) but have not stayed CL there. I would say "one day, maybe" but we just can't pull ourselves away from the GF!!

I had booked a split stay fro DH and I, (couple trip) WL Honeymoon room and GF RPC King room...DH was so happy with WL we cancelled the GF room. The CMs are SO nice, and I can't say enough great things. We also had a magical stay at Sugarloaf...it's a tough pick between the two.

Maybe do a split stay and book the first night or two at WL CL before moving to the GF . The WL really is a great resort and CL is amazing. One of the many things I love about it is the lounge seating as it's arranged around the railing overlooking the lobby .

And the cobbler

to all of your changes today!!! I hope SL will stick for ya, I'd love to hear a recent review from you.

That's good to know about the lounge being a bit bigger than YC. Though, we found YC to be an ok size...

91 days!!!

I can't believe I'm going to be down there in 23 days!!!! (at POFQ). I haven't even started packing yet!!!

If this was a family trip packing would have been done at 60 days out!

We were a YC during F&W maybe that's why it was crowded?? Or a convention. We watched families struggle for breakfast seating. I felt bad, I grabbed our stuff and brought it to our suite to give our table to a family with 2 little ones. DH was trying to figure out where we would eat with all 7 of us Plus our suite was faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrr from the lounge (but the suite was amazing, just I had that lovely broken chicken foot so walking was no good).

Anyhow, I actually am excited for GF, IPO already sent an email!!! I think I'll request Marina side, so DS can see the boats.

I am SO happy you are going with the girls Candace, LUCKY!!!

pas130 Thanks for the info and the comparisons too! Another resort we have never tried is WL... but I always read great things about their CL...maybe some day???

Looks like we will be at the GF at the same time...such a nice time of year to visit....

Awesome!!! I never visited in December, but I went in Nov. last year when they were building the gingerbread house (and the tree was up). Some WONDERFUL ladies from the DIS are visiting WDW, so it is a blessing to be able to visit. I hope to meet you in the lounge, I am a somewhat short brunette who will be with an adorable newly turned 5 year old (who will be eating up those delish cupcakes). My DS LOVES the Grand!!

 

[mickeynut1]

And the cobbler

Yes....the cobbler is awesome .

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Can someone tell me whether any of the rooms in Sugar Loaf have a view of Cinderella's Castle/Fireworks? All the guide books say either marina, garden, or pool, but it seems that if a room were in that area that sticks out from the rest of the building, a limited view might be possible. Thoughts?

It is by no means a dealbreaker for us, I was just curious.

Adrianna

 

[grannyminnie]

Can someone tell me whether any of the rooms in Sugar Loaf have a view of Cinderella's Castle/Fireworks? All the guide books say either marina, garden, or pool, but it seems that if a room were in that area that sticks out from the rest of the building, a limited view might be possible. Thoughts?

It is by no means a dealbreaker for us, I was just curious.

Adrianna

We had a room in SL once on the marina side, near the end by Conch Key, and if you leaned over rotfl, you had a limited view of the fireworks. Not very satisfying tho!

 

[adrianna_sarah]

We had a room in SL once on the marina side, near the end by Conch Key, and if you leaned over rotfl, you had a limited view of the fireworks. Not very satisfying tho!

Oh, well... it was a thought. We had a view like that at the Boardwalk. Fireworks with the Moroccan minaret partially obstructing our view. Not very satisfying, but magical anyway.

 

[MommyGina]

Oh, well... it was a thought. We had a view like that at the Boardwalk. Fireworks with the Moroccan minaret partially obstructing our view. Not very satisfying, but magical anyway.

I have to say that it is nice to be in RPC, TPV, and watch the fireworks in your pjs from your room, SL is right next to Gasparilla's so that you can view the fireworks. Or, you can watch the fireworks from the boat dock which is not too far way from SL.

 

[trishadono]

Help!

I have a std main building RPC room for one night followed by a deluxe king room for 2 nights. I put in a request for a king for the first night but IPO responded that I had booked a 2queen room. On the disney website it says 2q's or 1 king. I always thought they had a few kings std and the deluxe cost more because they have extra features (MK view, whirlpool or octagon room, etc).

Does anybody know of /or have stayed in a std main building king?

Thanks!
(I posted this first on the CL thread but after a few hours no response so I am trying here.)

 

[Mousemommy1]

I am guessing I am right on this, but does the monorail go like this:

GF --> MK --> CR --> TTC --> Poly --> GF

I think that makes sense, right?

 

[trishadono]

Yeppers!

Dd and I listen to the monorail on youtube. You can actually ride the whole way around and listen to the announcements.