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

[mickeynut1]

mickeynut - lol about your DS not budging. Guys. I can't believe he can pass up SAB!!

I do not usually get a message from GF IPO until closer to the check in date, so you will likely have to contact them. I think I've had one trip in the last few years where they sent me an email within a week or so of my reservation, but that's about as good as it gets. And I think that was a last minute trip - well, less than 2 months, if I recall.

Your theory about the weather and using the pool sounds like a good plan. It's often the way we choose, too. I'll keep my fingers crossed you are able to try out that deluxe room!

My youngest is pretty easy going and even if he says not to stay at an Epcot resort, he would go with the flow and be fine with it if that's what we did. My oldest, however.....nothing doing....he's a little more difficult . I do love the MK area and you can't beat the GF, so it's all good. We have stayed at the BC and while we did like SAB, we can take it or leave it. Our favorite is the volcano pool at the Poly, followed by the WL and AKL pools. We are not in the "SAB is the best pool on property" group .

Thanks for the IPO information. I do all of my own ADRs so I don't need IPO for that, but I'll wait until maybe the weekend and email them with my request if I haven't heard anything by then .

Good Evening Watching DWTS as I type....

Thanks mickeynut1 feeling lots better but waiting for the real nasty one to arrive.........Sorryyour guys don't want to stay at the YC, I keep booking it then always cancel and book RPC

Hi ahcupcake ....glad you're feeling better. I hope you're having a relaxing evening of tv watching . I always want to book the YC (or BWI) as we've only tried the BC on that side, but we do love the MK area so I have to admit that even if my DS gave the go ahead, I would second guess myself....LOL. I would probably go with it just to try something new, but I would wish I was on the monorail. LOL on booking the YC and then switching to RPC......the GF is an amazing resort and there really isn't anything like RPC .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Good Evening Watching DWTS as I type....

Thanks mickeynut1 feeling lots better but waiting for the real nasty one to arrive.........
Yes the sinus infection is gone my face no longer hurts.....No trips that have been booked, I plan lots of faux fantasy trips, my latest has us arriving at the GF tomorrow morning for the first of 2 big V&A F&W dinner then checking out Thurs only to check in at the YC for easy access to F&W then check back into the GF on the 28th for the 2nd V&A dinner on the 29th and finally checking out to come home on Nov1..Yep that is a fab fantasy trip


....
I didn't know 4420 was an accessible room, I stayed in that room 2yrs ago and there was nothing to indicate that it was ie no roll in shower BUT maybe that has changed since my stay...I loved that room loved the space

Glad you are feeling better! Your fantasy trip sounds great to me!

Oops, my bad! I looked in my notes, and my friend was in 4419, I think; the bath was on the right hand side. I don't remember for sure, but I think the bathroom area was larger, kind of vague on whether or not there was a rollin shower. I'll have to ask her, I looked in briefly but it was a while back. (2010)

We were in 4319 in 2007, according to those same notes, but it was not accessible. The room assigner stated in 2010 there was an accessible deluxe room on 3 and 4, so that would indicate 4320 is accessible, but I don't have first hand experience with that one.

My youngest is pretty easy going and even if he says not to stay at an Epcot resort, he would go with the flow and be fine with it if that's what we did. My oldest, however.....nothing doing....he's a little more difficult . I do love the MK area and you can't beat the GF, so it's all good. We have stayed at the BC and while we did like SAB, we can take it or leave it. Our favorite is the volcano pool at the Poly, followed by the WL and AKL pools. We are not in the "SAB is the best pool on property" group .

Thanks for the IPO information. I do all of my own ADRs so I don't need IPO for that, but I'll wait until maybe the weekend and email them with my request if I haven't heard anything by then .


....

We love the MK area, I'm with your oldest! Sounds like I'm trying to steer you to the Epcot area, lol, but as everyone knows - my heart is at the Grand.

DD and I LOVE SAB, though, the 8 foot deep lazy river calls to us. Not to mention the ladies who bring us drinks...

 

[trishadono]

Disney store.com just announced Vera Bradley for Disney will be available 10/21/13! These will look great with our upcoming GF trips.

 

[mickeynut1]

We love the MK area, I'm with your oldest! Sounds like I'm trying to steer you to the Epcot area, lol, but as everyone knows - my heart is at the Grand.

DD and I LOVE SAB, though, the 8 foot deep lazy river calls to us. Not to mention the ladies who bring us drinks...

The Epcot area and resorts are very nice and SAB is great, but there's just something about being near MK and seeing the castle every day .

Disney store.com just announced Vera Bradley for Disney will be available 10/21/13! These will look great with our upcoming GF trips.

Thanks for this info .

 

[BlueSkies]

LonandChaCha Thanks for the fridge info! We had a working one during our summer trip too..

I think Rectangular is a better description than "wider"...LOL. CRO did not mention about the daybed, but I was thinking there weren't any in those rooms, but I wasn't sure. That's ok, though, the two queens will do as my youngest DS didn't find the daybed at the GF very comfortable .

Now that you mention it, I do recall you saying some deluxe queens were turned into deluxe kings. I do agree that the GF has some strange shaped rooms. In May 2011, our standard RPC room overlooked the beach pool/lagoon and was one like you are describing that enters from a small hallway with room doors on either side. This room had a mirror/table right as you walked in, with the bathrooom to the right and the beds to the left. I loved that room as it seemed to have a little more space over the other standard rooms with the way it was set up .

Love that room and its unique set up...and that wet bar is a nice extra to have too... Its on my really nice room list!!

I know that you are going to enjoy the extra space of the deluxe though...and requesting the one right near the lounge will be great..cause it is all about the food!!!

Thanks for that, I think someone just asked about the fridge situation a few days ago, so your post is timely.



LOL! Pretty soon, we'll all be posting at the same time.

Has to be the same room, those photos are from the 3rd floor - 4323. Awesome!

You should keep that deluxe room, they are hard to snag, especially with the discount! I think it is baler31 who books hers for the following year the day she checks out. Part of the reason they can be difficult to get is that two of them (4320 and 4420) are accessible, so they tend to save 4319 and 4419, as they are connecting rooms and guests often need the two together. (4319 with 4320, 4419 with 4420) That's what IPO told me, anyway, and I know 4420 is accessible as I was in that one to visit a friend.

Oh, I think you asked about your request. I would put it on the reservation, and alert IPO of your preference. If you don't want to call CRO back, just send a message to IPO to add it to your res for you, that's what I always do.

4323 and 4423 are both on my really nice room list... Should I even admit that I have a list!?? LOL... but it seems that you have one of those lists too... Great minds and all! LOL...

As for those deluxe roomw...not sure what has evolved over the years..but 4320 and 4420 are both regular deluxe rooms now...I do know that 4419 is accessible..but don't think that 4319 is???

ahcupcake Hey girl! Glad you are feeling better. Off topic .Saw DWTS too...What an upset in the ballroom! Ok back on...Very nice fantasy trip..I hope that you can get back to your fave ..the GF soon!

grannyminnie Whatcha up to...I know you got your MB's..Are you packed?? Packing??? its almost time...

Don't know how I forgot to mention this yesterday....doing the single digit dance!!!!!!! woohoo!!!

Hellooooo to all of my fellow GF fans! Have a terrific Tuesday!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Love that room and its unique set up...and that wet bar is a nice extra to have too... Its on my really nice room list!!

I know that you are going to enjoy the extra space of the deluxe though...and requesting the one right near the lounge will be great..cause it is all about the food!!!

....

4323 and 4423 are both on my really nice room list... Should I even admit that I have a list!?? LOL... but it seems that you have one of those lists too... Great minds and all! LOL...

As for those deluxe roomw...not sure what has evolved over the years..but 4320 and 4420 are both regular deluxe rooms now...I do know that 4419 is accessible..but don't think that 4319 is???

....
Hellooooo to all of my fellow GF fans! Have a terrific Tuesday!

LOL about the "really nice room list" - mine is less organized than a list, just notes I keep in various folders and I have most of my old folios. I recently started a list for all the resorts we like to stay in, but it's not complete. I'm kind of lazy that way.

Thanks for the deluxe queen info. Those 4 over the courtyard can get so confusing! I had 4319 (the photos I posted yesterday), which was not accessible in 2007, at least. The only reason I thought 4320 should be accessible is due to the message I got from IPO in 2010, when I asked about those rooms specifically:

...As for the rooms you are asking about, those are deluxe rooms. Our room assigner said they are not able to be guaranteed because they connect to our accessable rooms. Also our systems will not allow us to book 5 into that room category.

So, I assumed there were two accessible rooms, as they mentioned "accessible rooms", but if you have been in both 4320 and 4420, sounds like there is only one. Good to know, in case anyone asks!

BTW - do you know if they allow 5 in those rooms now? I thought they might have changed that this year, when they switched the occupancy of the king deluxe from 2 to 3? Sure would be nice, it has been frustrating that those larger rooms have had a lower occupancy than a std.

ETA: Oops, forgot to say - YAY for single digits!!

 

[meredith1]

I had a real issue when the discount came out. I had a deluxe queen booked for 5 of us and a standard room booked for my parents.

I had called to ask to book the discount when it came out and the CM caught that five of us were in the deluxe queen room. Only four are allowed now.

It took several days of discussions with a manager (her going back to see what happened) but, we ended up getting two TPV rooms in an outer building with a guarantee that they would be connected.

She guaranteed that the two rooms would be connected for the trouble that we had, being able to book that queen deluxe for five people when only four were allowed.

I had questioned it earlier in the thread when it happened because I was so confused with the information I had gotten here-it was incorrect.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

meredith1 - thanks! Good to know the current policy, sorry for your issues.

When I have tried to book queen deluxe, it was a max of 4 people, so this is the same policy they've had for a while, at least. I wondered if they might have changed it, as they recently changed the king deluxe from 2 to 3. Wishful thinking, I guess.

PS - why didn't they just add one of your children to your parents' res, as the std rooms allow 5?

 

[meredith1]

K&A&c's mom-My parents will be arriving the day after us. I'm guessing that is what caused the issue. My oldest will be staying in their room once they arrive. : ) Actually, I'm sure that it will a fight between all three who will be sleeping with Grandma and Pop Pop.

Her name is on their room once they arrive.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

K&A&c's mom-My parents will be arriving the day after us. I'm guessing that is what caused the issue. My oldest will be staying in their room once they arrive. : ) Actually, I'm sure that it will a fight between all three who will be sleeping with Grandma and Pop Pop.

Her name is on their room once they arrive.

Oh, phooey! Ruined a perfectly good plan. LOL about the kids fighting over who will stay with the grandparents - just what I was thinking when I asked. Well, again, sorry for the issues, it's too bad you couldn't do the deluxe. But connecting TPV will be wonderful!

 

[mickeynut1]

I know that you are going to enjoy the extra space of the deluxe though...and requesting the one right near the lounge will be great..cause it is all about the food!!!

As for those deluxe roomw...not sure what has evolved over the years..but 4320 and 4420 are both regular deluxe rooms now...I do know that 4419 is accessible..but don't think that 4319 is???

Don't know how I forgot to mention this yesterday....doing the single digit dance!!!!!!! woohoo!!!

I think you're right.....I'm really getting excited for that big room . There are only 4 of us, but it's always nice to have extra room. I already have "close to lounge" requested on my reservation, but I might email IPO and have them add "room 4420".....I'd really like that room set up and be close to the lounge (not too much to ask for, right??? ).

Yay for single digits.....you will be there before you know it .

I had a real issue when the discount came out. I had a deluxe queen booked for 5 of us and a standard room booked for my parents.

I had called to ask to book the discount when it came out and the CM caught that five of us were in the deluxe queen room. Only four are allowed now.

It took several days of discussions with a manager (her going back to see what happened) but, we ended up getting two TPV rooms in an outer building with a guarantee that they would be connected.

She guaranteed that the two rooms would be connected for the trouble that we had, being able to book that queen deluxe for five people when only four were allowed.

I had questioned it earlier in the thread when it happened because I was so confused with the information I had gotten here-it was incorrect.

I'm sorry you had so much trouble with booking, but I'm glad everything got straightened out. Congrats on the 2 TPV rooms .

But connecting TPV will be wonderful!

 

[molly1206]

I am so confused on this category. I'm finding conflicting descriptions all over the web. Do they have balconies? Are they the old lodge tower rooms? I know they are in outer buildings, but then I see some posts that say main building. Are they the rooms with the "pushed out" sittimg area? Or are they more of a triangular shape? And are these the same as the queen deluxe? I wS told by a CM that the rooms are 574 sq feet, but that's all I know. Anyone have pictures, room numbers of these rooms? Thanks so much!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I am so confused on this category. I'm finding conflicting descriptions all over the web. Do they have balconies? Are they the old lodge tower rooms? I know they are in outer buildings, but then I see some posts that say main building. Are they the rooms with the "pushed out" sittimg area? Or are they more of a triangular shape? And are these the same as the queen deluxe? I wS told by a CM that the rooms are 574 sq feet, but that's all I know. Anyone have pictures, room numbers of these rooms? Thanks so much!

Hello! You just barely missed a discussion about the "deluxe garden rooms" (formerly known as the "lodge tower rooms") we had a couple weeks ago.

The confusion comes in due to having club level rooms with a similar name. The deluxe rooms we've been discussing in the last couple pages are in the main building - which is all club level. Those rooms are categorized as "main building - deluxe". The outer buildings have rooms with an extra sitting area, located in the octagonal towers, and they are a bookable category, except for those located in the club level building Sugar Loaf - in which case, you book a garden view room and request a deluxe or lodge tower room. Not guaranteed. The non-SL tower rooms are bookable as "outer building - garden - deluxe" if memory serves.

If you book a non-club level deluxe room, you can make a request for the building you prefer, they are located in all outer buildings. Most do not have a balcony.

Here is a link to a post on the first page, with links to photos of deluxe garden view room in SL (lodge tower), click the links that say "25, 26 and 27"; they were taken prior to the 2007 renovations, so old decor, keep in mind there is no longer a fold out sofabed. Here are some photos posted by toodycat, with the current decor. They look to be of a dormer room, hence the sloping ceiling.

HTH!

 

[molly1206]

Thank you, but I'm still confused those pics say main building. The cat I am looking to book is "outer garden deluxe". I'm trying to see pics of those rooms.

 

[molly1206]

Ok so it looks like the second set of pictures are the rooms? With the bumped out sitting area?

 

[vbarry]

Hi everyone- currently booked in the honeymoon suite at the Poly for marathon weekend....but with pool and pool bar closure...I think I am changing to the GF. The RPC Deluxe king is available with the discount.

What type of view do those have and what floor are they on??

Thanks!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thank you, but I'm still confused those pics say main building. The cat I am looking to book is "outer garden deluxe". I'm trying to see pics of those rooms.

Ok so it looks like the second set of pictures are the rooms? With the bumped out sitting area?

Sorry, I meant for you to click the links at the top of the first page I linked to - the ones in blue, that say "25, 26 and 27". Since this is a post about "deluxe rooms", it also has photos of those in the main bldg.

I'll put the link with photos of the outer building rooms here instead: 25. This is a deluxe - garden room in SL, but the layout is the same.

The second link, from toodycat, is still of the rooms in SL, but again, layout is the same.

Hi everyone- currently booked in the honeymoon suite at the Poly for marathon weekend....but with pool and pool bar closure...I think I am changing to the GF. The RPC Deluxe king is available with the discount.

What type of view do those have and what floor are they on??

Thanks!

Hello! Here is a link to the post on the first page that describes the guest rooms. The section that describes the main building - deluxe king rooms:

There are two room types within the Main Building/Deluxe/King category. These include the 6 turret rooms located in the towers of the main building, and the second floor (Clarendon Level) honeymoon rooms. The second floor honeymoon rooms are approximately the same size as the standard rooms, have a Jacuzzi tub and a balcony, but no wet bar or walk-in closet. Turret rooms are larger than the Jacuzzi rooms, but do not have the Jacuzzi tub or private balcony. Instead, you'll find a spectacular view with windows all the way around the suite, walk in closet and a garden tub.

HTH!

 

[vbarry]

Ok! Thanks for the info! So if I want a balcony...I should book the King Deluxe RPC and then request the balcony from IPO... and get the honeymoon suite??

Those are on floor 2? Lounge floor 4??

What views do those have??

I like a balcony for some air...sounds wierd I know but makes it feel special to open the door and hear all the sounds!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Ok! Thanks for the info! So if I want a balcony...I should book the King Deluxe RPC and then request the balcony from IPO... and get the honeymoon suite??

Those are on floor 2? Lounge floor 4??

What views do those have??

I like a balcony for some air...sounds wierd I know but makes it feel special to open the door and hear all the sounds!

Sorry, I posted too soon! I meant to add - the king deluxe rooms on the second floor are over Gasparilla's and all have a MK/castle view. Yes, if you want a balcony, you need to ask for a room on the second floor. No need to add the words "honeymoon room" as all the king deluxe can be described this way, though it isn't necessary to be on your honeymoon to book one. DD and I book a king deluxe quite often.

The drawback to the rooms on the 2nd floor is that they are closed off from the rest of the main building. From the lobby, you have to access RPC, then go back to the pool elevator and go down to the 2nd floor. The lounge with food service is on the 4th floor.

 

[trishadono]

Ok so it looks like the second set of pictures are the rooms? With the bumped out sitting area?

Disneyparks.com actually has correct pics too.

Start with "places to stay", then "deluxe", then GF. Scroll down to "Outer Building- Deluxe Room - Garden view". It shows a balcony. Dormer rooms don't have balcony but middle floors do.