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

[trishadono]

I hope you're staying on the pool side... the construction pics are quite messy right now...

Ya we checked it out in January. However I am getting cl for less than the price at Cr/GF gv rooms. I am doing a mom and me and she is keeps me moving so much I need the cl! Rope drop, lakeside afternoon, apps at 5 run to park for a quickie and back for desserts and then sometimes back out again. PHEW! She loves the back and forth constant motion. My only break is wine from the lounge and sitting for a bit while she works on her tan.

FYI red wine mixed with the tropical punch and ice is a nice afternoon treat

 

[trishadono]

Congrats!!! What a great feeling!!! We are all PIF as well, however, I keep toying with the idea of adding CL....and then we wouldn't be anymore.....

Still wondering if you are going to stick here or move again

It really is hard to choose

OMG my husband just walked into my office and asked what I was smiling about? TEEHEE Had to explain why I thought it was cute that you can't decide where to stay. He of course

 

[Mousemommy1]

Still wondering if you are going to stick here or move again

It really is hard to choose

OMG my husband just walked into my office and asked what I was smiling about? TEEHEE Had to explain why I thought it was cute that you can't decide where to stay. He of course

I think it's sticking! The only way I forsee a change is if the school calendar comes out (Yeah - we don't have ours yet.... ) and we end up having to back our dates up enough that we can't use the TA deal we have....then we'd have to go back to the military discount and see what's available with that.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

..

Glad spring has come your way ......you can send that weather my way if you wish .

I've been trying, it just hasn't worked.

Hi Ladies. I have enjoyed reading/catching up on the latest on the G.F. It really makes me want to stay there again soon! I am so hoping for an October pin so I can start my planning.

Hello! I'll keep my fingers crossed for a great October discount!

I originally booked RPC for May, then got a little jittery (OK, a lot jittery ) at the thought of not staying in my favourite resort area which is the Epcot area, so cancelled and switched to the YC CL. But there's something about the GF, particularly RPC, that is so appealing and I've switched back.

I'm staying at the Waldorf for a couple of non park days before moving over to RPC for some park time but also spa and relaxation time Disney style

I keep reading this thread over and over again, I know the resort is even more beautiful in reality and I cannot wait

LOL - it can be hard to choose, can't it? We love the Epcot resorts area, too, so doing a split is often the way we get a little of both.

Hi Blue and k&a&c'smom! Hope all is well.

....
DS heard from top choice. He was accepted to the branch, not main campus.

Have a Grand Saturday my friends!

Congrats to your DS for getting accepted! Is the branch convenient for him? If not, is it possible to get transferred, if he does well at the branch campus? Either way, kudos.

You are my kind of gal...have a drink...watch the sights, have a drink go shopping etc...love it !

Loved all the info on the 1st pages...looks like I will be well fed at the concierge lounge so no worries there. Since I have a late afternoon return flight on my checkout day I have two questions. Any luck getting a late checkout time and if I have to check my bags with the bellman will I still have access to the concierge lounge ?

Much thanks! Only 42 more days!

You are welcome! Won't be long now. (as others have posted, you will have access to the lounge for your final day)

Eeek, put in my building request today for my first ever stay at the GF. Trip is in just about 2 months and I can't believe it's coming up so fast. We have a garden view room, so I requested Conch Key- SE facing. Used touring plans to get an idea of the view. Hoping its a good one. On a side note- has anyone ever shipped bottled water and other groceries to the GF from amazon or walmart? Definitely want to ship at least the water and just trying to find the best way to do so.

Lots of people on the budget boards talk about shipping water to the resorts. I have not done it, so can't give personal experience - but I do know you have to be careful how you ship it, to what address. If it goes to the Business Center (I think), you get charged a fee.

How is the transportation at GF? How long after boarding does it take on ME? We've always stayed at The Polynesian, and I can't remember if we were on the same ME bus or not. I'm assuming the GF is the last stop?

Also, does anyone know how long it takes by bus to get to AK? We have a 8:00 a.m. breakfast reservation at Tusker House.

It takes about 30-40 minutes on the bus to get to AK. There is a great tool on the first page for calculating travel times around WDW - I'll post a link. For ME, we have always been last on the bus when getting off at the GF and it takes anywhere from 1-1/2 hours to 2 hours. (we had one late night ride that took 3 hours, but that was due to having the PO resorts added at the last minute)

Here's the link I promised. HTH!

Could someone give me some suggestions for room requests for RPC? From previous responses, I've narrowed it down to asking for the 4th floor (although I won't complain about the 5th floor, as someone suggested).
And from what you guys have already told me, I'm interested in a full balcony-no dormer.
Our reservation is for a Standard Queen room.

I guess I'm asking about views.

The fifth floor standard rooms will be dormers. As others have posted, the 3rd or 4th floors are great, but if you would like 4th, I'm sure that won't be too hard to get. There are std. rooms over the courtyard, with a pretty view of the pool and outer buildings, or over the Beach Pool, with views of VGF and the lagoon. We enjoy both.

One nice thing about the Beach Pool rooms is they are located around the Main Lobby atrium - so you get a beautiful view as you exit your room to go to the elevator or lounge, and you can often hear the music in the evening as you open your door (we sometimes keep our door open to hear it while in the room!).

We love room 4403. No palm tree in the way of the castle or fireworks. Stayed in this room last year. It is away from the noise of people up and down the hall, but away from the lounge. It is a full room with regular balcony and two queen beds.

I think 4403 is a TPV room, though, right? I think the OP said she has a standard RPC room booked.

I've just paid the final balance. Wahoo!!! It's official - we're coming to the GF!

 

[BlueSkies]

Could someone give me some suggestions for room requests for RPC? From previous responses, I've narrowed it down to asking for the 4th floor (although I won't complain about the 5th floor, as someone suggested).
And from what you guys have already told me, I'm interested in a full balcony-no dormer.
Our reservation is for a Standard Queen room.

I guess I'm asking about views.

There are so many nice views for standard queens rooms in RPC..

.The 4th floor rooms just down the hallway from the lounge are 4413 being the farthest down the hall..and a bit quieter..to 4418 being the closest...these all have a full balcony and have a courtyard/courtyard pool view...

On the opposite side of the atrium..facing the beach pool..are larger rooms.. they are still considered standard queen rooms..which is surprising...but hey I'm a fan of them and not have a bit of an entrance hall..and a wet bar too... and a different configuration than other standard queen rooms ...and are very very nice...I think those standard queens start with room number 4423...and end with 4428..but I am not positive on that...

I suggest just asking for which ever view you prefer...and close or further from lounge...

As k&a&c'smom said 5th floor rooms do not have full balconies...they are all dormer rooms...and most are suites..but there are a few suites that have a dividing door..so sometimes they assign those as individual rooms...

We love room 4403. No palm tree in the way of the castle or fireworks. Stayed in this room last year. It is away from the noise of people up and down the hall, but away from the lounge. It is a full room with regular balcony and two queen beds.

Great room! And view...but those are TPV rooms... BTW..congrats to your DS on getting in to his top choice school... I bet youa re just so glad that the wait is over...Now is decisions..decisions!

I've just paid the final balance. Wahoo!!! It's official - we're coming to the GF!

Thats great!

MickeyNutWell..spring was here..but not for long... Hopefully it will be back soon....Its cold again..............this sure is the longest winter ever! sure wish I had a Disney trip coming up soon!

k&a&c'smom Hi!! I just saw that you posted! We are back on schedule!! Any lovely GF pics to share on this cold..is it ever gonna be spring again day???

Trish My DD has that extra energy too..I think it called youth!!!! ...lol...

PrincessP Good to "see" you!!! Hope all is well...We are thinking about taking a fall trip too...A pin..or good old fall discount would be fine with me too!

Whatcha up to grannyminnie...

gocubsgo The refurbishment of Boca Chica has been completed..and they are currently working on Big Pine Key..Seems like the rehabs are right on schedule!

Hope that everyone is having a magical Monday!

 

[marlaine8]

Thank you to all the great tips! I appreciate every one of them! I just paid in full for our trip this morning and I am getting really, really excited!

All of you do a great thing by helping all of us newbies!

 

[mickeynut1]

I've just paid the final balance. Wahoo!!! It's official - we're coming to the GF!

I've been trying, it just hasn't worked.

One nice thing about the Beach Pool rooms is they are located around the Main Lobby atrium - so you get a beautiful view as you exit your room to go to the elevator or lounge, and you can often hear the music in the evening as you open your door (we sometimes keep our door open to hear it while in the room!).

That's ok, even though it's still cold, the sun is shining so that's a plus .

The beach pool rooms are my favorite. I love walking out of the room and seeing down into the lobby .

There are so many nice views for standard queens rooms in RPC.

MickeyNutWell..spring was here..but not for long... Hopefully it will be back soon....Its cold again..............this sure is the longest winter ever! sure wish I had a Disney trip coming up soon!

I agree about the nice views......I don't think there is a bad room/view in RPC .

We hit 60 on Friday and I was able to get the flip flops out ......but it didn't last long and now we're back to the 30s and 40s . But hopefully spring will be here for good very soon .

Thank you to all the great tips! I appreciate every one of them! I just paid in full for our trip this morning and I am getting really, really excited!

All of you do a great thing by helping all of us newbies!

Congrats on being PIF.....that's always a great feeling .

 

[Gryhndmom]

Love the pics of the refurb rooms! Guessing I am in sugarloaf since my res says outer building club level. My two guesses are I will have some obstructed view since I got a mil discount rate and that the sugarloaf rooms are not ahead of schedule on refurb....anyone stayed recently to update the refurb sched in sugarloaf ?

 

[syp4dis]

Hi everyone, thank you for all the great information posted here. My family and I are staying RPC TPV in August and after reading some recent posts here I have a question.

One of the reasons I like GF is for the daybed. My two boys cannot share a bed. My youngest is quite the bedhog, seriously tossing and turning all night, so DH and I don't want to share with him either! Do all TPV rooms have daybeds or are some the smaller dormer rooms without? If so, I may need to request a room with a daybed. We've never stayed RPC before so I have no idea where these rooms are located in the building.

Thanks in advance!

 

[mickeynut1]

Love the pics of the refurb rooms! Guessing I am in sugarloaf since my res says outer building club level. My two guesses are I will have some obstructed view since I got a mil discount rate and that the sugarloaf rooms are not ahead of schedule on refurb....anyone stayed recently to update the refurb sched in sugarloaf ?

If you booked outer building CL, you will be in the sugarloaf building. You don't say when you're going, but as far as the refurb, it seems to be going as planned, with SL scheduled to start June 1st. SL room views are either of the courtyard pool or the marina, both of which are very pretty views.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hi everyone, thank you for all the great information posted here. My family and I are staying RPC TPV in August and after reading some recent posts here I have a question.

One of the reasons I like GF is for the daybed. My two boys cannot share a bed. My youngest is quite the bedhog, seriously tossing and turning all night, so DH and I don't want to share with him either! Do all TPV rooms have daybeds or are some the smaller dormer rooms without? If so, I may need to request a room with a daybed. We've never stayed RPC before so I have no idea where these rooms are located in the building.

Thanks in advance!

RPC is amazing and you are going to love it . I can't help with the TPV question as I've only stayed standard RPC, but I know others here on the thread will be able to answer your question .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

There are so many nice views for standard queens rooms in RPC..

.The 4th floor rooms just down the hallway from the lounge are 4413 being the farthest down the hall..and a bit quieter..to 4418 being the closest...these all have a full balcony and have a courtyard/courtyard pool view...

On the opposite side of the atrium..facing the beach pool..are larger rooms.. they are still considered standard queen rooms..which is surprising...but hey I'm a fan of them and not have a bit of an entrance hall..and a wet bar too... and a different configuration than other standard queen rooms ...and are very very nice...I think those standard queens start with room number 4423...and end with 4428..but I am not positive on that...

I suggest just asking for which ever view you prefer...and close or further from lounge...

....
k&a&c'smom Hi!! I just saw that you posted! We are back on schedule!! Any lovely GF pics to share on this cold..is it ever gonna be spring again day???

Hope that everyone is having a magical Monday!

I didn't realize you were in the middle of your novel when I hit submit!

Pretty sure you are dead on about the atrium room numbers - 4423-4428. (or, on the 3rd, 4323-4328)

We love those atrium std. rooms, too - but then, I like the oddly configured rooms, lol. Some people might not like them as much, I think the bedroom itself might be a little smaller, the hallways may take up some of the sq. footage. ??? I'll have to go look at photos.

I'll see if I can find a great, sunny photo for your non-spring-y day.

Thank you to all the great tips! I appreciate every one of them! I just paid in full for our trip this morning and I am getting really, really excited!

All of you do a great thing by helping all of us newbies!

That's ok, even though it's still cold, the sun is shining so that's a plus .

The beach pool rooms are my favorite. I love walking out of the room and seeing down into the lobby .

I agree about the nice views......I don't think there is a bad room/view in RPC .

I love those rooms, too. Haven't been in one since the opening of VGF, so I'm not sure what to expect in the way of a view.

Agreed. All the views from the Main Bldg. are lovely, it's hard to choose a favorite.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi everyone, thank you for all the great information posted here. My family and I are staying RPC TPV in August and after reading some recent posts here I have a question.

One of the reasons I like GF is for the daybed. My two boys cannot share a bed. My youngest is quite the bedhog, seriously tossing and turning all night, so DH and I don't want to share with him either! Do all TPV rooms have daybeds or are some the smaller dormer rooms without? If so, I may need to request a room with a daybed. We've never stayed RPC before so I have no idea where these rooms are located in the building.

Thanks in advance!

No dormer rooms in the RPC TPV rooms. Just 3rd and 4th floor, regular balconies. These rooms are all located over the quick service restaurant, Gasparilla's - near the marina. All have daybeds.

ETA: here is a photo, taken from Conch Key. It shows the TPV rooms in the Main Bldg., over Gasparilla's...you can see the first floor with it's restaurant umbrellas...2nd floor is the so-called "honeymoon floor" (king deluxe rooms) and the 3rd and 4th floor rooms are all RPC TPV. No dormers.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BlueSkies, here are a few I may not have posted before. Sorry, newbies, these are of the grounds prior to the splash zone and beach changes. In one of the beach photos, you can see the aforementioned std. rooms overlooking the Beach pool, in the upper floors of the Main Building; to the left of the turret and just past the wrap around blaconies.

...and some oldies but goodies! (taken from said atrium std. room inRPC)

 

[syp4dis]

No dormer rooms in the RPC TPV rooms. Just 3rd and 4th floor, regular balconies. These rooms are all located over the quick service restaurant, Gasparilla's - near the marina. All have daybeds. ETA: here is a photo, taken from Conch Key. It shows the TPV rooms in the Main Bldg., over Gasparilla's...you can see the first floor with it's restaurant umbrellas...2nd floor is the so-called "honeymoon floor" (king deluxe rooms) and the 3rd and 4th floor rooms are all RPC TPV. No dormers.

Thank you for the info and the photo! I think we'll do great. Super excited. If only August would hurry.

 

[DisneyMomChristine]

I wanted to chime in about shipping water - we have used Garden Grocer in the past, and will again for our May trip. They ship to Disney Resorts, and resort staff delivers it to your room. I also have them ship some fresh fruit as well to have on hand.

 

[mickeynut1]

I love those rooms, too. Haven't been in one since the opening of VGF, so I'm not sure what to expect in the way of a view.

Looking out past the beach pool over the lagoon at the Poly is a great view, but like you said, not sure what it's like now with the villas there .

...and some oldies but goodies! (taken from said atrium std. room inRPC)

The second pic of the one looking out at the Poly is my favorite....I couldn't get enough of that view from our balcony . I love the one of the monorail too (I have one just like it) as I loved watching the monorail pass by .

Super excited. If only August would hurry.

Your trip will be here before you know it .

 

[ChiDisneyFan]

Hi folks, great thread with tons of info. So excited as I just booked my first stay at GF this summer with the amazing summer discount. I was wondering if anyone knows or has and pics of the outer buildings with garden view, this is the type of room I have booked and was just curious.

 

[WishesQueen]

Good Morning Everyone!!!!

Very busy with junior-prom here...finally done!!! Then had to catch up on everything that went to way side!!!

Now....ready for my July trip!!! Did I miss pictures of the new rooms???

Quick question...friends of mine are going to WDW in May and I want to send Chocolate covered strawberries to her for her birthday. I've been searching and can't seem find any restaurants other then room service that has them. Does anyone have any info for me???

I am sending a mini cake to her daughter and a chocolate slipper to her sister and a chocolate mold to her son. I am trying to come up for something else for her (all these May celebrations!!!!)

 

[trishadono]

Good Morning Everyone!!!!

Very busy with junior-prom here...finally done!!! Then had to catch up on everything that went to way side!!!

Now....ready for my July trip!!! Did I miss pictures of the new rooms???

Quick question...friends of mine are going to WDW in May and I want to send Chocolate covered strawberries to her for her birthday. I've been searching and can't seem find any restaurants other then room service that has them. Does anyone have any info for me???

I am sending a mini cake to her daughter and a chocolate slipper to her sister and a chocolate mold to her son. I am trying to come up for something else for her (all these May celebrations!!!!)

Pictures of the new rooms are on page one.

I get my choc strawberries at the confectionery in MK or villian shop in HS . I have not seen in my usual restaurants.

I think room service is best bet and hopefully they could customize something for you?

It is amazing how quickly we get behind when focusing on our families

My dd away at school this year and I have cleaned out very closet and drawer in the house. I never had this much free time. Enjoy the chaotic- ness , soon it will be over.