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

[mickeynut1]

mickeynut - My girls are all about the cruise! Every time we are on ME going home, and they do the promotional for it, they beg to do it the "next time". They are so excited! I hope we love it!

I'm sure you'll have a great time . I can't wait to go next December. We've been to WDW twice during the holidays and it's just amazing, so I can only imagine what the ships look like all decorated for Christmas and what fun things they do for the holidays in addition to the every day things . My youngest turned 18 this past spring so we'll be able to explore the entire ship.....adult areas and all.....so I'm excited about that. We also ended up with a 4 night instead of a 3 night that we originally booked for this year as that was actually cheaper for the week we're going, so we'll have a sea day to explore .

We're just back from our stay at the GF. We had a 5th floor dormer room in Big Pine Key and it was beautiful.

The resort was quiet, very well-maintained and all the staff we had contact with was friendly and helpful when needed.

A gorgeous place to stay.

Welcome back.....glad you had a nice time . We were in BPK a few years ago and loved it.....great location and pretty views .

 

[BlueSkies]

Hello fellow GF fans! finally have some time to pop back in..tried to catch up..and will post the third and final part of my trip review...I know any more parts and it ight as well be a full fledged TR!!

Hello Everyone!!!

I have not posted much lately ,its hard to get excited since our trip is so far away.
I still check in often and enjoy reading about everyone trip and upcoming trips,but I had to ask this question, with the talk about the smell of the soap smelling like the grand,we love the smell of the lobby we wish we could bottle it up and take it home!!! Can anyone tell me if the new DVC lobby smells like this? We are proud new owners of the new villas and we really hope it does!!

Congrats on your newe VGF owner ship...I am thinking now...and I do thing that the VGF lobby did have the nice GF smell...

Yes it is!!!! We are only doing 4 nights at the Grand and then heading to the Dream for a 3 night! I am so excited. I saw you just booked the cruise. How exciting!!! I can't keep myself away from looking at everything. My DH said I am obsessed! (He is probably right though!)

That sure doesn't sound like and obsession to me!! Your silly DH! What a nice trip..The Dream is a beautiful ship!

Oh. My. Gosh! Those villas look divine. If I weren't such a CL junkie, those villas would have my name written all over them.

Same problem here dd247..but I will tell you that after seeing the villas in person..I amserioously tempted...

Is there a good MK view from anywhere in the RPC lounge? Just wondering because if there is, I wouldn't bother with the MK view from the room. Thanks!!

No TPV from the RPC lounge...its basically a courtyard view...and you do have a limited fireworks viewing from the third floor balcony that is located near the CM desks...

We're just back from our stay at the GF. We had a 5th floor dormer room in Big Pine Key and it was beautiful.

The resort was quiet, very well-maintained and all the staff we had contact with was friendly and helpful when needed.

A gorgeous place to stay.

Glad that you had a GRAND stay!

I did it!!! Upgraded to RPC and got a TPV!!!

I am giddily excited....literally squealing right now!

I am right now MM..why does it not surprise me that you have now changed room categories...I am sure that you will enjoy your stay in the TPV room...

BCV Thanks for sharing your pics via k&a&c'smom HOpe that you are enjoying your cruise!

followthatmouse for being in trip planning mode!! Glad that my MB reviews helped you some!

bethclayton I think that an excellent reason for another trip to the GF will be to get more bath bombs!

k&a&c'smom Whatcha doing?? Are you composing a post about now??? LOL.. Thanks for posting BCV's great VGF pics...I enjoyed seeing them!

Pea n Me Terrific pics! thanks for sharing them!! I think that Boca Chica has really lovely views...

MickeyNut Hey there!!

grannyminnie One more day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review to be continued on my next post....just saying HI! has made this a novel!

 

[BlueSkies]

Blue's 3rd and final ( I promise!) review..

All things GRAND..

Lobby looking as lovely and smelling as wonderful as ever...

Music Several nites that we were there Christian Frederick was the pianist...If you have not ever heard him play..take some time to listen..he is incredible...

GF Society Orchestra was as fun to listen too as always.. LOL..Ok I know that is a rock band smilie..but its as close as I could get!

The beach... Many changes here.. And while it is MUCh smaller than it used to be..most especially due to the Alice splash area...(which is great for young families..) Looks much better with the walls down and there is now a concrete walking path alongside it from the villas toward the Main building walkway...

The Beach Pool Seemed pretty busy to me...Saw several peeps returning to the villas from there on our walk around the property... The waterfall was still a water trickle..LOL...

The afternoon activities are at this pool again...they start at 1 and go on until 4:30..

Courtyard Pool... I am getting used to the fencing ..they certainly did a nice job at choosing something that blends with the rest of the resort... I did spend some pool time there...in some very comfy chairs... a new addition is a chair with a small ottoman and nice change from a traditional counge chair..and lots more small tables next to the chairs..Still..really miss all of the umbrella tables that were around the whole pool area... this too was very crowded..many of the lounge and chairs taken...

The pretty fountains were in full splash..LOL..on day one...streaming high up into the air...and I never saw them on again for the rest of our trip...???? Usually at night the fountains are low with pretty blue lights beneath them..a very nice look...there were no lights on either??? Not sure why..The pool area was just very brightly lit at night...

This is the general feeling I now get of the pool areas...especially with the way the VGF walk ways are positioned...the beach pool seems like it part of the VGF area...and the courtyard pool part of the main GF resort...But that is JMO...

Movies Nightly on the beach...there is a campfire too..in the newly constructed campfire area... also on the beach... and has a fire pit..I am sure there is lots of marshmallow roasting going on around here...

The Villas where do I start..There is a pretty covered walkway from the main building over to the side entrance of the villas...where there is alos a wide water fall type fountain...

The lobby is lovely ...bright..and has a penguin fountain in the center...and..if I remember correctly the lobbby smelled grand!

The chandeliers are spirals that have lights cascading from the top floor down...very cool! (pics to follow from my pal Maxie86 )

There is a general Mary Popppins theme here...from the penguin fountain to a very nice matted cut out print in the villas...

We toured a non dedicated 2 bedroom... one area could be seperated and be used as a studio...

Really only the pictures can do it justice...but I will try and be descriptive and give you a sense of what we saw and felt...

As you saw in many of BCV's pics....The details are lovely...There is a wall plate display..Mickey shaped!! Yup ..gotta love those Disney details (even tho there are only a few..) ... the largest plate in the display has a GF logo in the center...The decor to me was a modern take on victorian decor...and looked very nice...lots of soothing sky blues (gotta love that they chose blue ! ) .. soft mossy green and a sandy tan...The floors that were not carpeted looked like a dark wide plank wood..but I think that they were tile....The carpet was a tan with some white patterned designs ...For those who like to do laundry on vacation (not me ) lol....a good sized stackable washer dryer was in a hallway closet of the one bedroom...

The studio area of the one bedroom was spacious..and had a great two sided bathroom...one side tub..one side shower...a good use of space..with a seperate sink area..love that division for a family all trying to get ready at the same time...

Overall it made me rethink my dedication to being a club dweller...and maybe give the VGF a try...???

As I said pics to follow..

The GF is such a beautiful resort and I am so happy to see that the villas are beautiful too ...

Thanks for reading along!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Welcome to all the Poly refugees! We're happy to have you while your favorite resort is in construction mode.

BlueSkies - thanks for the final chapter, love all the details. Thanks for the update on the movies back at the beach, and the pool activities.

Mousemommy - I know you said you've already booked TPV, but I thought I'd answer your question about the lounge view, anyway. There is a section of tables over the lobby with a castle view. I have some photos, I'll see if I can find one.

This is the area I mean, I have a photo of the view - have to find it!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

This is the best I can find right now, I think this is actually from the 5th floor (lounge is on the 4th) but it is a very similar view.

Here it is zoomed

 

[Mousemommy1]

This is the best I can find right now, I think this is actually from the 5th floor (lounge is on the 4th) but it is a very similar view.

Here it is zoomed

That is awesome!! Thank you! I'm super excited about this trip!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

That is awesome!! Thank you! I'm super excited about this trip!!

I'm so excited for you - you're gonna love RPC!

Those small tables for 2 are our favorite spot.

 

[bethclayton]

k&a&c'smom, you are making my heart skip a beat with those photos!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

k&a&c'smom, you are making my heart skip a beat with those photos!!

Agh, I know - don't you just want to be sitting right there?!?

 

[bethclayton]

Agh, I know - don't you just want to be sitting right there?!?

STOP. IT.!!!!!!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut Hey there!!

Hi Blue .

Blue's 3rd and final ( I promise!) review..

The GF is such a beautiful resort and I am so happy to see that the villas are beautiful too ...

Thanks for reading along!!

Thanks for your review....loved reading along .

I think this is actually from the 5th floor (lounge is on the 4th) but it is a very similar view.

Great pic. This is my favorite view from the lounge.....can't wait to get back there in March .

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I need to be on the monorail. Single mom, 2 kids of which one is a toddler...monorail just works for me and I just love the MK area. CR doesn't wow me. We are back at the Grand! lol Such first world problems, seriously. We don't have a reservation yet since I can't nail down dates yet. I have gone back and forth with Easter, then August, then July, then October. By January I should have a better idea of what I'm doing, but I do know we will be at the Grand. /QUOTE]

I remember reading when you were pregnant with your little girl. My oh my the time flies. How old is she now...around 2yrs old? For sure monorail is key with little ones. Can't beat pushing the stroller onto the monorail to ensure a sleeping child STAYS a sleeping child. The monorail also seems to help soothe the magical meltdowns...although a temporary solution until said child can get some rest and downtime in the room WAY better than the alternative of a crying/crabby child crammed on a bus with other vacationers giving you the "eye"...(or is my child the only one who acted out on a bus ....) I too am not wowed by the CR but it is my back-up to the GF...just in case. And then the WL is the back-up to my back-up...just in case (read discount disaster here....must have a discount. refuse to pay rack rate. against my religion to pay rack rate...)

I did it!!! Upgraded to RPC and got a TPV!!! I am giddily excited....literally squealing right now!

Congrats! If the WL CL does not pull you away with its mystique....this plan may actually stick. That is if the cruise ALSO sticks...right? You silly resort changers It really does sound like you may now have the perfect trip for you and your family. Enjoy!!!

Blue's 3rd and final ( I promise!) review..

All things GRAND..The Beach Pool Seemed pretty busy to me...Saw several peeps returning to the villas from there on our walk around the property... The waterfall was still a water trickle..LOL...

The afternoon activities are at this pool again...they start at 1 and go on until 4:30..

Courtyard Pool... I am getting used to the fencing ..they certainly did a nice job at choosing something that blends with the rest of the resort... I did spend some pool time there...in some very comfy chairs... a new addition is a chair with a small ottoman and nice change from a traditional counge chair..and lots more small tables next to the chairs..Still..really miss all of the umbrella tables that were around the whole pool area... this too was very crowded..many of the lounge and chairs taken...

Thank you so much for your thoughts and observations regarding the pool areas. The new chair/ottoman combos sound nice but I too prefer an umbrella table. Are there any left around the courtyard and beach pools? If so, about how many would you guesstimate? Also curious if you noticed whether or not the cabanas were all rented while you were there or were some of them empty? We are thinking of renting a cabana on one or two days during our July trip. If there are not many umbrella tables, this may be a must do for some guaranteed shade during our longer pool days!

 

[disneydreamin247]

I remember reading when you were pregnant with your little girl. My oh my the time flies. How old is she now...around 2yrs old? For sure monorail is key with little ones. Can't beat pushing the stroller onto the monorail to ensure a sleeping child STAYS a sleeping child. The monorail also seems to help soothe the magical meltdowns...although a temporary solution until said child can get some rest and downtime in the room WAY better than the alternative of a crying/crabby child crammed on a bus with other vacationers giving you the "eye"...(or is my child the only one who acted out on a bus ....) I too am not wowed by the CR but it is my back-up to the GF...just in case. And then the WL is the back-up to my back-up...just in case (read discount disaster here....must have a discount. refuse to pay rack rate. against my religion to pay rack rate...)



Congrats! If the WL CL does not pull you away with its mystique....this plan may actually stick. That is if the cruise ALSO sticks...right? You silly resort changers It really does sound like you may now have the perfect trip for you and your family. Enjoy!!!



Thank you so much for your thoughts and observations regarding the pool areas. The new chair/ottoman combos sound nice but I too prefer an umbrella table. Are there any left around the courtyard and beach pools? If so, about how many would you guesstimate? Also curious if you noticed whether or not the cabanas were all rented while you were there or were some of them empty? We are thinking of renting a cabana on one or two days during our July trip. If there are not many umbrella tables, this may be a must do for some guaranteed shade during our longer pool days!

Yup! My little wenchling is now 2. She will be 3 when we go back. Time sure does seem to fly by, except when you're counting down to a trip. The monorail is definitely key, but even if I went solo I have an aversion to the EPCOT area. I don't know why. I really would like to try the Beach Club, but I just love the MK area so much. And your child is definitely NOT the only one who has acted up on a bus. Oh my goodness my son was so embarrassing in May I wanted to pretend I didn't know him lol. "Oh my goodness! Whose child is that? He's so misbehaved." He would totally blow my cover though. I also refuse to pay rack rate. Maybe for a value, but never anything more! I am trying to see what's available with my TA discount. Slim pickin's!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

STOP. IT.!!!!!!!!

Sorry! We can be buddies, waiting to plan our next stay. I'm not sure when DD will be able to get time off work, so I have to wait. How is your job going?

PS - I forgot to say good tip about the soap. I'll tell DD it is for smelling only, she has sensitive skin. Funny thing, when I looked it up on the Basin White website, the only reviewer said exactly the same!

Great pic. This is my favorite view from the lounge.....can't wait to get back there in March .

Us, too. We spend time in that spot together, and if DD has a friend along and they leave me to go touring, I spend time there by myself. So relaxing.

I remember reading when you were pregnant with your little girl. My oh my the time flies. How old is she now...around 2yrs old? For sure monorail is key with little ones. Can't beat pushing the stroller onto the monorail to ensure a sleeping child STAYS a sleeping child. The monorail also seems to help soothe the magical meltdowns...although a temporary solution until said child can get some rest and downtime in the room WAY better than the alternative of a crying/crabby child crammed on a bus with other vacationers giving you the "eye"...(or is my child the only one who acted out on a bus ....) I too am not wowed by the CR but it is my back-up to the GF...just in case. And then the WL is the back-up to my back-up...just in case (read discount disaster here....must have a discount. refuse to pay rack rate. against my religion to pay rack rate...)

Thanks for reminding me - I, too, remember when disneydreamin was pregnant.

I assure you, your child is not the only one. My kids were a little older when they started going to the World, but I've seen many little tikes having a meltdown from Disney overload. Poor little things, they get so tired. I feel for them and their parents, after a long day of fun, having to ride the noisy, crowded bus.

Yup! My little wenchling is now 2. She will be 3 when we go back. Time sure does seem to fly by, except when you're counting down to a trip. The monorail is definitely key, but even if I went solo I have an aversion to the EPCOT area. I don't know why. I really would like to try the Beach Club, but I just love the MK area so much. And your child is definitely NOT the only one who has acted up on a bus. Oh my goodness my son was so embarrassing in May I wanted to pretend I didn't know him lol. "Oh my goodness! Whose child is that? He's so misbehaved." He would totally blow my cover though. I also refuse to pay rack rate. Maybe for a value, but never anything more! I am trying to see what's available with my TA discount. Slim pickin's!

Time flies! I can't believe your baby is now 2! LOL about disowning your child, I think all parents can relate.

Second that on the non-rack rule. It has gone up so much in the last few years, I can't bring myself to pay rack...ever. Good luck with your discount hunt. Oh, and I giggle every time someone says, "first world problems" - my middle child tells me that every time I dither over two choices anyone would love to have.

 

[mickeynut1]

I'm not sure when DD will be able to get time off work, so I have to wait.

Us, too. We spend time in that spot together, and if DD has a friend along and they leave me to go touring, I spend time there by myself. So relaxing.

Second that on the non-rack rule. It has gone up so much in the last few years, I can't bring myself to pay rack...ever.

I hope you are able to start planning another trip soon .

That spot is my favorite for sitting while having my morning coffee waiting for everyone else to get moving. It's a great place to sit and watch the resort "wake up" .

I agree about rack rate. I think WL and AKL are ok as far as rack rate if no discounts were available, but the other deluxe resorts are getting too high, especially for CL . Our March trip is pretty up there even with the 35% discount (peak season ) and although I have considered going cheaper, I just can't let go of that deluxe RPC room .

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm glad people liked my pictures. Thank you again, and wishing you all lovely trips! Looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading your stories, too!

PS for those of you who may not know, trips from the GF to the MK are really quick taking the monorail there, and the boat home. I think both were 5 minutes or under. It is a REALLY nice feature of staying there. Someone mentioned this at check in, and we were glad they did, because we'd stayed at the Poly before and weren't too wild about the boat ride home, for some reason. We weren't planning to try it again, but we did, and it worked out great. If a short walk back to your room at the end of a night is important to you (and it is to us, when we're hot and tired, with sore feet), requesting one of the buildings near the boat ramp would likely make you very happy.

Also, before our trip there were reports here of the monorail being down during the day, but we never encountered that issue at all.

I still can't believe it's over.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

A few more

 

[mickeynut1]

I'm glad people liked my pictures. Thank you again, and wishing you all lovely trips! Looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading your stories, too!

PS for those of you who may not know, trips from the GF to the MK are really quick taking the monorail there, and the boat home. I think both were 5 minutes or under. It is a REALLY nice feature of staying there. Someone mentioned this at check in, and we were glad they did, because we'd stayed at the Poly before and weren't too wild about the boat ride home, for some reason. We weren't planning to try it again, but we did, and it worked out great. If a short walk back to your room at the end of a night is important to you (and it is to us, when we're hot and tired, with sore feet), requesting one of the buildings near the boat ramp would likely make you very happy.

Also, before our trip there were reports here of the monorail being down during the day, but we never encountered that issue at all.

I still can't believe it's over.

Thanks for taking the time to post all of your great photos . I also love that the MK is the first monorail stop from the GF....makes for a very quick ride .

A few more

Awesome pics....the GF is so beautiful .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I hope you are able to start planning another trip soon .

That spot is my favorite for sitting while having my morning coffee waiting for everyone else to get moving. It's a great place to sit and watch the resort "wake up" .

I agree about rack rate. I think WL and AKL are ok as far as rack rate if no discounts were available, but the other deluxe resorts are getting too high, especially for CL . Our March trip is pretty up there even with the 35% discount (peak season ) and although I have considered going cheaper, I just can't let go of that deluxe RPC room .

Thanks! I hope we can plan a trip soon, too. If nothing else, I think we'll be able to go in April or May.

Man, do I hear you about peak season, we try hard to go during value but at least in regular. Peak - yikes!!

I don't even like to pay rack for the "cheaper" deluxe resorts. It's hard for me to pay twice per night what I paid just a couple years ago.

A few more

....

Sorry your trip is over, you'll have to start planning the next. Thanks for all the photos, we never get enough of them.

We always do exactly as you suggest, take the monorail to MK, boat back! Love the quick ride when we are excited to get to the park and the lovely, relaxing boat ride at the end of the day. (or end of our park day, anyway!)

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks! I hope we can plan a trip soon, too. If nothing else, I think we'll be able to go in April or May.

April/May is a great time to go .