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

[k&a&c'smom]

It is I think...except I have changed from SV to SV CL...but still at YC I told my TA to lock my reservation, and it helps going through a TA because she has talked me out of a few changes..I really am trying to take everyone in the family's wants into consideration.

I will always be a Grand girl through and through What are the chances YC CL will overbook and they will walk us to RPC..that would rock It's only fair.....since RPC walked us...

Wouldn't that be something?! We loved YC CL, btw - I know you've tried it, but the suite trip was kind of a let down since you had planned RPC deluxe. Maybe this time you will fall in love, the CMs there certainly treat guests very well.

Good Afternoon everyone

All this talk about Orbitz and their savings made me go and price out our vacation just to see how they compared (I'm all about saving as much as I can ).

Here's how it turned out for us:

9 days, room only, GV:

Our price thru the agency exclusive: $2531
Orbitz deal: $2771.09
Disney's summer discount: $3109

While our current deal is still the best one, I have to admit the Orbitz deal is a pretty good one as well and I never knew you could stack discounts with them.

Just remember...

with Orbitz... if you have a problem with the reservation... even if you are standing at check in... you have to deal with Orbitz directly to take care of it. And if you are going through the UK version of Orbitz for a deal... you will be calling the UK to deal with it...

Good point. The same goes for using a TA, which I sometimes forget.

You're welcome... just remember.. those pics look like a dormer room so I'm not sure what else will show up... hopefully soon we will see...

I hope all the missing parts will show up eventually, though I'm thinking the hamper is a no go.

I may be beating a dead horse here...

I tried again. I even tried recreating other trips to no avail. Oh well. For what it's worth, I'm psyched about the rate I got for our vacation.

My stress about issues at the Poly has been alleviated and now I can focus on what's important - enjoying 10 days at a great resort.

Anyone have a favorite lagoon view building / room location?

Most of the lagoon view rooms seem to be in Big Pine Key now, the views would be out towards the Poly. I have some photos of those room views on the first page - it's a link at the top of the "Rooms" post, I think. ETA: here is the link to BPK photos, the lagoon side are from about mid-way down the page.


Warning: Off Topic Below!

I just went over to Orbitz, to see what problems posters might encounter. I forgot when I posted earlier - there's a space in the search function where you have to physically add the code.

On the search page, I type in "walt disney world", "July 21-31" and "3 stars & up" - then, near the bottom, it says "additional options" and I type in "outtahere" (the current 15% discount) - it takes me to a page with various WDW resorts, at the top there is a yellow bar that says "promo code successfully applied, choose any hotel with 'promo code eligible' and you will see your savings on the next page".

Scroll down to GF, click "see details" and it takes me to the reservation page with several options labeled "promo code applied" - lagoon view is ave. $307/night (this will depend on # of nights for this particular discount, I've found). On the WDW website, it is $361.40. No tickets, 2 guests.

Total, 10 nights, lagoon view, Orbitz = $3559.88
10 nights, lagoon view, WDW website = $4065.80

I'm certainly not pushing Orbitz, just thought I'd walk you through what I see on the websites. Oh, and I think the Orbitz code is 15% off the GP rate, not Visa or other discounted rate.

PS - I vaguely remember hearing you have to leave off any kids from the Orbitz res., and add them by phone later. Orbitz does not give the option of adding ages, so it adds the extra adult fee for each kid, if I recall correctly.

 

[FutureMayor]

That's the trick!!! Leave off kids on the reservation. Price the room with only 2 adults. I just priced my stay 10 nights in July.

Lagoon View. I have the stay currently booked through Disney at a price of $3,716.

Using Orbitz (and leaving my daughter off the reservation) would save me $231 or 6.2%. In this example I used code DISCOVER.

Using code OUTTAHERE resulted in a total cost of $3,671 or a savings of $45 or 1.2%.

It's not an insignificant amount of money using code DISCOVER... maybe not worth changing at this point though.

It might be worth a call to Disney to see if they would adjust the rate to keep the direct business.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

That's the trick!!! Leave off kids on the reservation. Price the room with only 2 adults. I just priced my stay 10 nights in July.

Lagoon View. I have the stay currently booked through Disney at a price of $3,716.

Using Orbitz (and leaving my daughter off the reservation) would save me $231 or 6.2%. In this example I used code DISCOVER.

Using code OUTTAHERE resulted in a total cost of $3,671 or a savings of $45 or 1.2%.

It's not an insignificant amount of money using code DISCOVER... maybe not worth changing at this point though.

It might be worth a call to Disney to see if they would adjust the rate to keep the direct business.

I'm glad you figured it out, I was afraid my incessant editing to add comments would mean you may not see the whole post. (I'm notorious for adding a comment or changing wording AFTER I hit submit, hahaha) Did you see I added the link for the lagoon view photos?

Well, I agree...saving $231 is not insignificant, but if it were me, I'd probably stick with my WDW booking. In fact, I did just that one trip, when I could have booked my BC stay through Orbitz for around $200 less - but I didn't want to pay it all up front and preferred keeping my reservation in my own name.

Good luck, whatever you choose. I think you'll love the Grand, it is a lovely resort. I'm not that jazzed about the new room decor, as I might have mentioned, but the resort as a whole is wonderful.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I recently promised someone I would find and post a photo showing the ground level view of the back of the pool house - then couldn't find it! Today, I found the photo I was thinking of, but it isn't exactly the view from the ground floor rooms - it shows the back of the pool house on the right, Big Pine Key entrance on the left (looking toward Main Bldg.). Enjoy!

 

[Ferrentinos]

SL Question - Do they ever serve sparkling wine or mimosas? I feel like I read it somewhere... but can't remember where or if I really ever did see that somewhere!

 

[bama belle]

I recently promised someone I would find and post a photo showing the ground level view of the back of the pool house - then couldn't find it! Today, I found the photo I was thinking of, but it isn't exactly the view from the ground floor rooms - it shows the back of the pool house on the right, Big Pine Key entrance on the left (looking toward Main Bldg.). Enjoy!

I think that might have been for me-- thank you!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

ahcupcake - I forgot to say "hi" earlier. Sorry, there have been so many posts, I'm doing good just to answer questions.

SL Question - Do they ever serve sparkling wine or mimosas? I feel like I read it somewhere... but can't remember where or if I really ever did see that somewhere!

Yes, they serve champagne in the evening, along with the beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres. Someone asked earlier in the thread if they served mimosas at breakfast - they do not. Most of us agreed they would probably bring some champagne and OJ out in the afternoon, if requested.

I think that might have been for me-- thank you!

Oh, good! I couldn't remember who asked, I was afraid you wouldn't see it. Hope it helps visualize the garden views in those ground floor/lower floor rooms near the pool house.

 

[mmkenn]

Good Afternoon everyone

All this talk about Orbitz and their savings made me go and price out our vacation just to see how they compared (I'm all about saving as much as I can ).

Here's how it turned out for us:

9 days, room only, GV:

Our price thru the agency exclusive: $2531
Orbitz deal: $2771.09
Disney's summer discount: $3109

While our current deal is still the best one, I have to admit the Orbitz deal is a pretty good one as well and I never knew you could stack discounts with them.

Would you mind sending me the info on the TA via PM?

thanks!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Stayed at both, and WL CL is amazing, AKL has the Savannah..both awesome..but CL wise, OFC is a cut above AKL IMHO

I agree....WL CL is amazing . WL CL runs a very close second to RPC for me, so I'm anxious to try AKL CL to see how that fits in .

mickeynut, it happened again! I return this morning to so many posts, I'm having trouble keeping up.

That's too funny because I was able to post a couple of times this morning, and then the day got away from me and now I'm trying to catch up .

It is I think...except I have changed from SV to SV CL...but still at YC I told my TA to lock my reservation, and it helps going through a TA because she has talked me out of a few changes..I really am trying to take everyone in the family's wants into consideration.

I will always be a Grand girl through and through What are the chances YC CL will overbook and they will walk us to RPC..that would rock It's only fair.....since RPC walked us...

I do the same thing with our trips.....it's a vacation for all of us and I always want everyone to be happy .

I agree.....since RPC sent you to YC CL, I think it's time for YC to send you to RPC .

Good Afternoon everyone

All this talk about Orbitz and their savings made me go and price out our vacation just to see how they compared (I'm all about saving as much as I can ).

Here's how it turned out for us:

9 days, room only, GV:

Our price thru the agency exclusive: $2531
Orbitz deal: $2771.09
Disney's summer discount: $3109

While our current deal is still the best one, I have to admit the Orbitz deal is a pretty good one as well and I never knew you could stack discounts with them.

That TA deal can't be beat .

The Orbitz price is not a solid 20% given the fees but I will take the extra discount!

Every little bit helps .

I get a little nervous dealing with other parties when it comes to making reservations, but I figured if it's a big difference in savings I might venture for once. Not the case though, everything was coming out more expensive even with the codes .

I'm the same way. I like dealing directly with Disney and although there aren't too many horror stories from people dealing with third parties like Orbitz, there are enough to make me think twice. The savings would have to be substantial for me to consider it.

I tried again. I even tried recreating other trips to no avail. Oh well. For what it's worth, I'm psyched about the rate I got for our vacation.

My stress about issues at the Poly has been alleviated and now I can focus on what's important - enjoying 10 days at a great resort.

You are going to have a great trip to the GF at a great rate .

I vaguely remember hearing you have to leave off any kids from the Orbitz res., and add them by phone later. Orbitz does not give the option of adding ages, so it adds the extra adult fee for each kid, if I recall correctly.

I have seen this mentioned many times as well .

saving $231 is not insignificant, but if it were me, I'd probably stick with my WDW booking.

I feel the same way .

 

[mandi1505]

one question. with orbitz is it possible to book the GF, room+tickets or only room?
And the dinning plan?

 

[Ferrentinos]

ahcupcake
Yes, they serve champagne in the evening, along with the beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres. Someone asked earlier in the thread if they served mimosas at breakfast - they do not. Most of us agreed they would probably bring some champagne and OJ out in the afternoon, if requested.

Thank you! I thought that I had read it on here somewhere but then as I was looking through the thread again I couldn't find where i had seen it! Super excited for a glass of bubbly at night!

 

[trishadono]

After much debate I couldn't refuse the Orbitz deal for poly CL. It is less than a GV room at gf and only $88 a day more to upgrade from regular GV to CL GV.

Also Tikiman's says they are putting some GV people on lagoon side down by construction so I am going to request that.

The monorail resorts are like our children , we don't have a favorite(can't pick just one)! So I am thrilled to stay at poly and visit gf as much as possible. Dd needs to shop at Summer Lace and eat scones in the Tea Room

Need to change my signature dd turns 19 today

Oh just dd and I going to make up for the guys crashing our mom n me time in January when their flights canceled and rebooked 3 days later

Also I used my disney visa and will earn $$ that way, I booked with ebates and earned $$$$ and another $53 earned on orbitz for my next booking(shows as a credit and is combinable with the other discounts) All of that saving was wayyyy fun

 

[mickeynut1]

one question. with orbitz is it possible to book the GF, room+tickets or only room?
And the dinning plan?

I know the DDP isn't available through third party bookings, but I think you can get park tickets (although I'm not positive on that). Hopefully those who are more familiar with those bookings will be able to answer about the tickets .

 

[trishadono]

one question. with orbitz is it possible to book the GF, room+tickets or only room?
And the dinning plan?

I have annual passes so I don't pay much attention to tickets but I believe you could add them at the end of the booking. However many people prefer to use Undercover Tourist to buy tickets.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Would you mind sending me the info on the TA via PM?

thanks!!

just sent you one

That TA deal can't be beat .

It's definitely a great deal and because I'm such a "nut" when it comes to savings, I'm planning to pay this trip off with discounted Disney Gift Cards that I'll be getting at Target in order to save close to an additional 10% off my already reduced price

 

[trishadono]

just sent you one



It's definitely a great deal and because I'm such a "nut" when it comes to savings, I'm planning to pay this trip off with discounted Disney Gift Cards that I'll be getting at Target in order to save close to an additional 10% off my already reduced price

the hoops we jump through to get our Disney fix!

 

[mommyrosa2]

the hoops we jump through to get our Disney fix!

OMG... I swear it's a game to me & I'm usually not like this with anything else in my life, but when it comes to Disney and getting the best discount I can, I'm like... "Let the Games Begin!"

 

[lhall7]

Is there boat from GF to Fort Wilderness? Or do we have to take boat to MK and then transfer to FW boat from there? We have an ADR for Trail's End and my DH will complain is too difficult to get there. We just booked GF but had previously thought we were staying at CR and I had convinced him that it would only be a short boat ride away. Thanks in advance!

 

[BC1836]

Is there boat from GF to Fort Wilderness? Or do we have to take boat to MK and then transfer to FW boat from there? We have an ADR for Trail's End and my DH will complain is too difficult to get there. We just booked GF but had previously thought we were staying at CR and I had convinced him that it would only be a short boat ride away. Thanks in advance!

Unless you are renting a boat from the GFR dock, you have to travel to the MK dock area via monorail or launch (with one stop at the Poly dock first) to get a cruiser to Fort Winderness. Or you can take the monorail to the CR and take a launch to FW (however, it's a long walk from the CR monorail station to the dock).

Don't forget to stop at Crockett's Tavern and check out the wonderful displays dedicated to the "King of the Wild Frontier."

All the best.

 

[Koh1977]

GF GV or WL CL?? Ack!! I can't decide!!!

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