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

[Ferrentinos]

I remember seeing you often on the poly thread

For lounge space I like Hawaii best followed by atrium club and RPC and SL last.

However for food gf is #1!!!

For location to pool, food, transportation poly CL and gf SL about the same. Cr and gf RPC a little more inconvenient for pools.

SL space is small but your room is lovely so take a tray up to your room and sit on the balcony. They keep trays in the lounge just ask where they keep them and they will show you.

Tea time is the BOMB and you will love it for sure

Sounds lovely! I can't wait!!!

Having tried both Poly CL and GF SL what is something food/drink wise that we should be looking forward to that we may not know about?? Afternoon tea looks amazing!

 

[trishadono]

I there anyplace for 2 adults to get a midafternoon cocktail at the GF? Maybe something like a mimosa or glass of wine? I see that Mizners doesn't open till around 5PM & we will be on vacay afterall....
TIA

One of my favorite places is the bar area by the future pool /beach area. They have a great drink, snack and lunch choices. My dd now 19 has been bugging us to go there since age 6 for her favorite virgin strawberry Daiquiris.

Sometimes dh and I share a rum drink then take boat to poly and have one beach side there too then take boat either back to gf (if staying there ) or monorail to the hotel we staying at. ( we usually at mono resorts).

It is so relaxing to sit anywhere by the lagoon

 

[trishadono]

Sounds lovely! I can't wait!!!

Having tried both Poly CL and GF SL what is something food/drink wise that we should be looking forward to that we may not know about?? Afternoon tea looks amazing!

Breakfast you will find similar except gf offers MORE I especially liked having ham. I noticed people making their own ham and cheese croissants

In the day the grilled veggies are such a nice option. I recommend a glass of white wine or red mixed with that tropical punch(1/2 and 1/2) in the decanters.

Tea time is our favorite. The offerings are similar to the GF tea room offerings.

Evening again is very similar but they just have more!

Also I felt they put out more desserts at night vs poly too. It is really hard not to find something you will love. Choc covered strawberries often offered at 8 and 9 pm.

They only down side is that gf doesn't have the paper containers to take items to go. You can take stuff to your room or outside it is just not as convenient. I bring those covers that look like shower caps with me. I bring fruit etc back to room, cover and put in frig for later.

Well the lounge doesn't have that romantic flair as RPC or the views of poly and cr but the location of the building is nice and all the rooms have a nice view. Pool or marina is really relaxing either way.

 

[Maxie86]

Thanks so much! I'm so excited for our first stay at GF - I have always wanted to try it out! I figure SL is a pretty good first time!

I agree SL is a pretty good first time choice. Great location, very convenient to the courtyard pool, easy to run in to get snacks and drinks.

I there anyplace for 2 adults to get a midafternoon cocktail at the GF? Maybe something like a mimosa or glass of wine? I see that Mizners doesn't open till around 5PM & we will be on vacay afterall....
TIA

Both pools have a bar. I prefer the beach pool bar because there are more places to sit and enjoy your drink.

 

[Ferrentinos]

Breakfast you will find similar except gf offers MORE I especially liked having ham. I noticed people making their own ham and cheese croissants

In the day the grilled veggies are such a nice option. I recommend a glass of white wine or red mixed with that tropical punch(1/2 and 1/2) in the decanters.

Tea time is our favorite. The offerings are similar to the GF tea room offerings.

Evening again is very similar but they just have more!

Also I felt they put out more desserts at night vs poly too. It is really hard not to find something you will love. Choc covered strawberries often offered at 8 and 9 pm.

They only down side is that gf doesn't have the paper containers to take items to go. You can take stuff to your room or outside it is just not as convenient. I bring those covers that look like shower caps with me. I bring fruit etc back to room, cover and put in frig for later.

Well the lounge doesn't have that romantic flair as RPC or the views of poly and cr but the location of the building is nice and all the rooms have a nice view. Pool or marina is really relaxing either way.

That all sounds delicious! We are planning on breakfast and appetizers almost all of our 8 days. We will visit for afternoon tea a few times as well. All pictures I've seen of the food looks amazing. Can't wait!

I agree SL is a pretty good first time choice. Great location, very convenient to the courtyard pool, easy to run in to get snacks and drinks.

The location does look wonderful! We are planning on doing a few pool mornings and a few pool afternoon/evenings as well so that will be nice to be able to run there quickly for things.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

One of my favorite places is the bar area by the future pool /beach area. They have a great drink, snack and lunch choices. My dd now 19 has been bugging us to go there since age 6 for her favorite virgin strawberry Daiquiris.

Sometimes dh and I share a rum drink then take boat to poly and have one beach side there too then take boat either back to gf (if staying there ) or monorail to the hotel we staying at. ( we usually at mono resorts).

It is so relaxing to sit anywhere by the lagoon

Both pools have a bar. I prefer the beach pool bar because there are more places to sit and enjoy your drink. [/QUOTE]

Sounds perfect - thanks so much!
Can't wait for Sept....

 

[Babyboo]

Somebody tell me to get a grip

We've just booked a 10 night stay in May at the RPC which has always been a dream of mine.

But now I read of the refurb I'm starting to doubt myself. Maybe we should wait to treat ourselves until they are completed and stay in the newer Contemporary rooms.

When booking hotels I always look for the newer rooms (wherever we go) and now in the back of my mind I'm thinking how well used they must be!

 

[BlueSkies]

Good evening to all of my fellow GF fans...

Lots to catch up on ..but I mostly skimmed... lol...

A big hello and WELCOME to all of our new and future GF fans!

Maxie Hey there!! Thanks for popping in and sharing your GF expertise..

Wishes Congrats on getting that wonderful discount!! And to everyone else who was able to put that new offer to good use!!

grannyminnnie Thanks for the page two rescue! LOL... Hope that you had a good day today!

MickeyNut You are undoubtedly the best multiquoter on the boards.. Not to mention your post helped me to catch up ..lol...

Ferrentinos SL is a terrific building to stay in..not only is it CL..its right in the middle of all the GF magic! Not far from anything on the property...As others have said afternoon tea is wonderful...and the trifle particularly delicious!

Babyboo I cant believe that I am saying this..cause I am a GF gal tried and true...but I do think that waiting for the rehab to try RPC would be a good idea...while still lovely in so many ways.. like the lounge..and the grounds...the rooms are sorely in need of a refurbishment....and RPC wont be done until the end of July..

k&a&c'smom Are you up late and posting about now???

Hello ahcupcake...Looking foward to that new season of DWTS...

~ Just and FYI with regards to CL food offerings...they have changed things some very recently..there are not pecan sticky buns in the morning any longer ( I know..these are going to be sorely missed by many of us!! LOL..)..and they do not offer chocolate covered strawberries as an eveing dessert either..but the current chefs have added some very nice new desserts ( like the pistachio cake..yum!) ..and have been adding some new and delicious hot evening appetizers too ... Its always about the food...even in Disney..lol..

Hope that everyone had a nice weekend...

 

[chrismom3]

My parents are staying at the GF last week in May in a Lagoon view room. Does anyone have any favorite locations I could request for them? They definiately would like an upper floor with full balcony. They are celebrating 50 years! Thanks!!

 

[Ferrentinos]

Ferrentinos SL is a terrific building to stay in..not only is it CL..its right in the middle of all the GF magic! Not far from anything on the property...As others have said afternoon tea is wonderful...and the trifle particularly delicious!

~ Just and FYI with regards to CL food offerings...they have changed things some very recently..there are not pecan sticky buns in the morning any longer ( I know..these are going to be sorely missed by many of us!! LOL..)..and they do not offer chocolate covered strawberries as an eveing dessert either..but the current chefs have added some very nice new desserts ( like the pistachio cake..yum!) ..and have been adding some new and delicious hot evening appetizers too ... Its always about the food...even in Disney..lol..

Hope that everyone had a nice weekend...

Those offerings sound wonderful! Is there a "menu" anywhere that I could check out? I'm sure things changes often but I'd love to get an idea of what they seem to have consistently in the lounge. SO EXCITED!!!

 

[lisafab]

Hi all. I'm a long time visitor to WDW but a new member here. We're off for our 14th trip in September and have booked our last night at the Grand Floridian in an outer building theme park view room. We've always wanted to stay there but one night is our limit unfortunately! I just wanted to ask which building we are likely to be in and what our options will be at online check-in?
Thanks.
Lisa

 

[burnetta696]

When would be a good time to call and put in a building request? My stay is the first week of June.

 

[dansdad]

When would be a good time to call and put in a building request? My stay is the first week of June.

Anytime from the day you book up until 5-6 days out.

 

[grannyminnie]

Good morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yes, Blue, I had a very good day yesterday! Had a nice lunch after church and came home to a relaxing afternoon.

Lisafab, we have had theme park views in both Conch Key and Boca Chica. The first was the best! You could also be placed in Sago.
Not sure what you mean re: options at online check-in. And by the way,

 

[BlueSkies]

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY! fellow GF fans...

My parents are staying at the GF last week in May in a Lagoon view room. Does anyone have any favorite locations I could request for them? They definiately would like an upper floor with full balcony. They are celebrating 50 years! Thanks!!

Congratulations to your parents ..50 years..wow!! I think that Boca Chica has very lovely LV rooms...I would be sure to put on their ressie just that request..upper floor full balcony...

Hi all. I'm a long time visitor to WDW but a new member here. We're off for our 14th trip in September and have booked our last night at the Grand Floridian in an outer building theme park view room. We've always wanted to stay there but one night is our limit unfortunately! I just wanted to ask which building we are likely to be in and what our options will be at online check-in?
Thanks.
Lisa

Welcome Lisa! Glad that you will be able to give the GF a try! I would recommend Conch Key if you want to request a particular building...it has wonderful TPV rooms! I have never done online check in..I think that I read here..others have done it..I just forget who?? lol..that you have request options like upper floor.. things like that...and as MickeyNut always says..if you don't like the room assigned..just ask for another...

When would be a good time to call and put in a building request? My stay is the first week of June.

I would have that request listed on my general reservation. and ...the sooner the better..lol...

Ferrentinos I think I have a list somewhere of what the food offerings are...?? I bet that the keeper of all things Grand around here..yes that's you k&a&c'smom will have one...There are quite a few new offerings as I said yesterday..a nice variety of new hot appetizers...but its early..still working on my first cup of coffee..lol..so my recollection is not too clear at the moment...

Hope that everyone is having a magical Monday!

 

[BlueSkies]

Good morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yes, Blue, I had a very good day yesterday! Had a nice lunch after church and came home to a relaxing afternoon.

Lisafab, we have had theme park views in both Conch Key and Boca Chica. The first was the best! You could also be placed in Sago.
Not sure what you mean re: options at online check-in. And by the way,

Good morning my friend! Glad it was a good day!

 

[grannyminnie]

Good morning my friend! Glad it was a good day!

Thanks! Are you getting another snow as we speak??

 

[lisafab]

Lisafab, we have had theme park views in both Conch Key and Boca Chica. The first was the best! You could also be placed in Sago.
Not sure what you mean re: options at online check-in. And by the way,

Thank you. I was thinking room requests, floor requests etc.

Welcome Lisa! Glad that you will be able to give the GF a try! I would recommend Conch Key if you want to request a particular building...it has wonderful TPV rooms! I have never done online check in..I think that I read here..others have done it..I just forget who?? lol..that you have request options like upper floor.. things like that...and as MickeyNut always says..if you don't like the room assigned..just ask for

Thank you. Conch Key does look like a good location on the resort map!

 

[grannyminnie]

Lisafab, we don't do online check-in so I don't know what is on there. But as BlueSkies mentioned, according to others, you do have a place to list what your preferences are. It has been suggested here more than once that you list them in order of their importance to you and your family.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

HAPPY St. Paddy's DAY!! May the Luck o' the Irish be with you all.

....
Same happened to me...LOL. It's been a busy couple of days and I come back to find myself 3-4 pages behind .

....
I'm with you......not sure it matters much what we think . With that said, I can't believe Disney hasn't updated their site with the new rooms. The GF is kind of understandable as those refurbs are just now going on, but the Poly rooms have been done since October and the old pics still come up on the Disney website .

Yeah, I miss a day and the thread runs away and leaves me behind.

For years I've wondered why they do not update their rooms more frequently - it shouldn't take much to add updated photos. Way back, when the only images were on the VCR tapes or even DVDs, they had such old photos of the resort rooms it was ridiculous.

With the new discounts out, we just switched from BC to the GF ....beyond excited! We will be there 7/26-8/5. Thank you for all this great information!!!

Maybe once Boca Chica is done...

I'm hoping that there are more touches going into the rooms that they are adding as it goes along...

I'll keep checking...

Whoa! We're almost relegated to the second page! Can't let that happen....

Somebody tell me to get a grip

We've just booked a 10 night stay in May at the RPC which has always been a dream of mine.

But now I read of the refurb I'm starting to doubt myself. Maybe we should wait to treat ourselves until they are completed and stay in the newer Contemporary rooms.

When booking hotels I always look for the newer rooms (wherever we go) and now in the back of my mind I'm thinking how well used they must be!

It's really up to you whether you would be more happy waiting until the refurb is finished. From what other DISers have posted, the furniture in the rooms is getting pretty worn - my guess is they stopped switching out pieces as soon as the renovations were green lighted. For me, I prefer the old decor to the new, so going before the renovations would be a plus.

Good evening to all of my fellow GF fans...

Babyboo I cant believe that I am saying this..cause I am a GF gal tried and true...but I do think that waiting for the rehab to try RPC would be a good idea...while still lovely in so many ways.. like the lounge..and the grounds...the rooms are sorely in need of a refurbishment....and RPC wont be done until the end of July..

k&a&c'smom Are you up late and posting about now???

....
~ Just and FYI with regards to CL food offerings...they have changed things some very recently..there are not pecan sticky buns in the morning any longer ( I know..these are going to be sorely missed by many of us!! LOL..)..and they do not offer chocolate covered strawberries as an eveing dessert either..but the current chefs have added some very nice new desserts ( like the pistachio cake..yum!) ..and have been adding some new and delicious hot evening appetizers too ... Its always about the food...even in Disney..lol..

Hope that everyone had a nice weekend...

Sorry I wasn't up to post with you.

I agree with you about putting off an expensive first time trip to RPC until after the renovations. Anyone who likes newly refurbed rooms and has always dreamed of staying in RPC may end up with a bad impression of the resort if they stay in a room badly in need of being spruced up.

Ah, no way!! No chocolate strawberries, either?! DD is going to be so upset.

My parents are staying at the GF last week in May in a Lagoon view room. Does anyone have any favorite locations I could request for them? They definiately would like an upper floor with full balcony. They are celebrating 50 years! Thanks!!

Congrats to your parents on 50 years!!

With a request for upper floor, you should be sure to add "non-dormer" to your requests, as there are a number of dormer rooms (enclosed balconies) on the upper floors - all the top floor rooms have them.

Those offerings sound wonderful! Is there a "menu" anywhere that I could check out? I'm sure things changes often but I'd love to get an idea of what they seem to have consistently in the lounge. SO EXCITED!!!

There is a list on the first page of the menu items that frequently appear at the club level offerings.

Hi all. I'm a long time visitor to WDW but a new member here. We're off for our 14th trip in September and have booked our last night at the Grand Floridian in an outer building theme park view room. We've always wanted to stay there but one night is our limit unfortunately! I just wanted to ask which building we are likely to be in and what our options will be at online check-in?
Thanks.
Lisa

Welcome!! You will love the views of the castle and Wishes, so pretty. As others have posted, Sago Cay and Conch Key have the best views - but there are also TPV rooms in Boca Chica and Big Pine Key, these have a more angled view of the MK, more panoramic. (did someone say that? sorry if I repeated!)

When would be a good time to call and put in a building request? My stay is the first week of June.

Anytime from the day you book up until 5-6 days out.

As dansdad posted, any time - but I would suggest doing so as soon as you know what you would like to add, the reservation gets downloaded to the resort about 4 days out. I know I tend to put things off, then realize I'm getting too close to call and make changes.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY! fellow GF fans...

....

Ferrentinos I think I have a list somewhere of what the food offerings are...?? I bet that the keeper of all things Grand around here..yes that's you k&a&c'smom will have one...There are quite a few new offerings as I said yesterday..a nice variety of new hot appetizers...but its early..still working on my first cup of coffee..lol..so my recollection is not too clear at the moment...

Hope that everyone is having a magical Monday!

LOL! Well, I've let everyone down, as I do not have an official list. Just notes over the years. I keep meaning to ask for a copy of the list posted near the lounge (I have a photo but it isn't very legible - through glass, lol) but it slips my mind every time.

I'll see if I can post a photo that gives an idea, anyway.