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

[Pea-n-Me]

Mama36, make SURE they send off a stool sample at the hospital. If it tests positive for a foodborne illness, results are automatically sent off to the DPH and they look at the genetic code for it and can match it to any other cases that are being investigated, even in other states. They take these cases very seriously as they're a threat to the public when they occur. I agree with others that it generally takes a while for an illness to occur after ingesting foodborne germs. In the hours it's in the GI system, inflammation sets in and may be set off by eating something/peristalsis, which is why it could have been the first time he felt ill when he was at GG. There was a very interesting case of foodborne illness several months ago (maybe even a year) from people that did the private safari (sorry, can't remember the exact name of it) at AK and ate lunch out of coolers on the trail. There was a long thread here about it. I hope your DH recovers quickly so he can enjoy some of your vacation. PS Check with the DPH in the city of the airport you traveled from to see if anyone else has reported illness there. You can call the DPH where you/DH live and work, too.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Too funny! We are also celebrating my oldest DD's sweet 16 with our first stay at the GF next summer. We will be there July 23-30. It will actually be her golden bday celebration as well because she will turn 16 on 7/16

It must be a trifecta!! We are celebrating DD's 16th birthday at our first GF stay in February!! This weekend DD found a vintage suitcase at an antique market she can't wait to take to the grand.. I guess I know what we were all doing mid to late 1997,,

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My two celebrated their 16th there last month, too.

They wound up doing all four parks in one day on their birthday. (DH and I made it to three!) We hit the road for an 8am EMH and didn't get back to the resort until after 1:30 am. It was a very memorable day! (And the day after we came home they got their Learner's Permits!)

 

[mommyrosa2]

It must be a trifecta!! We are celebrating DD's 16th birthday at our first GF stay in February!! This weekend DD found a vintage suitcase at an antique market she can't wait to take to the grand.. I guess I know what we were all doing mid to late 1997,,

...congrats to your DD as well!!

 

[mommyrosa2]

My two celebrated their 16th there last month, too.

They wound up doing all four parks in one day on their birthday. (DH and I made it to three!) We hit the road for an 8am EMH and didn't get back to the resort until after 1:30 am. It was a very memorable day! (And the day after we came home they got their Learner's Permits!)

Double congrats

 

[mickeynut1]

My two celebrated their 16th there last month, too.

They wound up doing all four parks in one day on their birthday. (DH and I made it to three!) We hit the road for an 8am EMH and didn't get back to the resort until after 1:30 am. It was a very memorable day! (And the day after we came home they got their Learner's Permits!)

Sounds like a very long day, but was probably worth it as I'm sure it was very magical for your DDs . Congrats to them on their learner's permits .

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you, and best wishes to both of yours, too.

 

[mama36]

I'm sorry your DH is sick . You could find a manager at the GF and explain what happened, although it might be tough to pin point it to Gasparillas unless you didn't eat anything else prior to that meal. But it doesn't hurt to talk to someone. Good luck and I hope your DH is feeling better soon.

Not wanting to pin on anybody....just want to make sure if there was an issue no one else has any trouble. I agree, it seemed like only a couple hours afterwards and it sure could be whatever. We had such a great check in and I even got 45 min by the pool. I know the rest of our trip is bound to be better thanks for the kind words, was just majorly stressed for a little while there!!

 

[nicynot]

When is the tree going up? Disappointed it wasn't up yesterday

 

[mickeynut1]

Not wanting to pin on anybody....just want to make sure if there was an issue no one else has any trouble. I agree, it seemed like only a couple hours afterwards and it sure could be whatever. We had such a great check in and I even got 45 min by the pool. I know the rest of our trip is bound to be better thanks for the kind words, was just majorly stressed for a little while there!!

Oh no.....I didn't mean it that way (to place "blame"), I was just saying it might be hard to determine it happened due to what he ate a Gasparillas, that's all . I hope things are better and everyone, including your DH, can enjoy the rest of the trip .

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I can just see the thought bubbles appearing above the smiling CM's head now....."Great....ANOTHER sweet 16"


mama36 Hope your DH is feeling better soon Being sick at Disney is not fun but at least you are staying in a relaxing resort with beautiful surroundings to cheer you up.

 

[kittyab]

We are thinking of buying into the Disney Vacation club with GF being our home location.

What is the general thought of this resort? Is it clean, etc?

 

[mommyrosa2]

So it appears that the rooms are going to be refurbed? Any word on what they plan to change in the rooms? I assume bedspreads will be gone but are they planning to change wallpaper or carpeting?? Just wondering...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Congrats to everyone who has a first visit planned, and for all the Sweet 16 parties.

Pea-n-me - awesome yours were able to do the 4 parks in one day on their 16th! I've read of people doing that, but never have, kudos. I'll bet it was great fun!

We are thinking of buying into the Disney Vacation club with GF being our home location.

What is the general thought of this resort? Is it clean, etc?

The Villas at the Grand Floridian are brand new, so they are definitely clean! They are gorgeous as well.

So it appears that the rooms are going to be refurbed? Any word on what they plan to change in the rooms? I assume bedspreads will be gone but are they planning to change wallpaper or carpeting?? Just wondering...

The bedspreads are already gone, there is now simply triple sheeting with a heavy, patterned white sheet on top and a navy blue bed scarf.

As far as I know, nobody has reported how extensive the renovations will be.

 

[scottmel]

Hello! I just booked GFV 1 bedroom for 2 nights in June. Then we check into our old standby YC for the rest of the week. Can't wait to get in the gorgeous room! have NEVER stayed on monorail so this is new.

Couple of questions:

1. Anyone know if GFV 1 bedroom have patio rooms? I don't want that at all so will request Upper floors but just wondered if first floor existed for one bedroom on standard side...

2. Pool size...not as big as SAB I know but bigger than Poly?

3. Best counter service among the monorail resorts?

4. Is a dedicated pool day at GF feasible in terms of pool being entertaining enough for teens or should I stick with SAB as my dedicated pool day>

thanks!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello! I just booked GFV 1 bedroom for 2 nights in June. Then we check into our old standby YC for the rest of the week. Can't wait to get in the gorgeous room! have NEVER stayed on monorail so this is new.

Couple of questions:

1. Anyone know if GFV 1 bedroom have patio rooms? I don't want that at all so will request Upper floors but just wondered if first floor existed for one bedroom on standard side...

2. Pool size...not as big as SAB I know but bigger than Poly?

3. Best counter service among the monorail resorts?

4. Is a dedicated pool day at GF feasible in terms of pool being entertaining enough for teens or should I stick with SAB as my dedicated pool day>

thanks!

Welcome, and congrats on your upcoming VGF stay! I'll try to help, but I'm not very familiar with the DVC and they just opened the Villas at the GF.

1. I think there are first floor standard view rooms, seems I've seen them in photos - I'll post the link to a lot of photos after this post.

2. There are two decent sized pools at the Grand, the Beach Pool is the themed pool with the slide and activities, courtyard pool is the quieter pool. The courtyard pool used to be the feature pool so it is larger than most resort quiet pools, but it recently underwent a renovation that has made it very shallow nearly halfway across the pool. Much more of a wading pool now, with pop jets at the zero entry end.

3. Gasparilla Grill has always had a large selection, but I think a lot of people have said they really enjoy both Captain Cook's at the Poly and the Contempo Cafe at CR equally - some even more. We don't eat at the CS locations often, so when we do we generally stick with our own resort for convenience.

4. You will definitely want to make SAB your pool day! There is very little to appeal to teens at the GF pools now, and they were never as entertaining as SAB! The courtyard pool used to be a favorite of many due to the depth (6 ft. at the deep end, which was quite large), but that is gone now. Still, they are nice to relax and unwind in the middle of the day! And looking at the beautiful surroundings is so peaceful.

HTH! If you have more questions, someone will be happy to answer.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Well hello!!!

The GF shares just like other resorts. The resorts may change, but I know when I stayed at WL, ME dropped at GF, Poly, WL and CR.

When we took the DME we stopped at WL, CR, and it was supposed to go Poy and then GF -- we hopped off and got on the monorail and were at the GF in no time at all.

Tom

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Here is the link to the VGF homeowner's thread, the photos start at post #194 - in the very first photo, you can see first floor rooms, and it certainly looks like these are standard view.

Lots of photos in this thread.

 

[scottmel]

Here is the link to the VGF homeowner's thread, the photos start at post #194 - in the very first photo, you can see first floor rooms, and it certainly looks like these are standard view.

Lots of photos in this thread.

THanks! Very helpful and thanks for opinion on pool I was trying to rationalize staying at GFV for 3 nights but I think I will stick with 2 so we can have our pool day at SAB..THANKS!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Mama36, how is your husband doing?