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

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut Am looking foward to your thougts after your holiday trip..You will have so many CL's to compare..

I'm getting excited....can't wait to try the CR and get back to the Poly . I'd like to try all of the club levels, but I haven't had any luck getting my DSs on board with going back to an Epcot resort.....limited CS options is a deal breaker for them, so unless I can get them to change their minds, we won't be going back to that side any time soon (which, I guess, is ok as the MK resort area is our favorite ).

You too, Mickeynut, greetings!

grannyminnie

 

[Jennygt]

Oh you die hard Poly gals!! A stay at the GF just might turn you into die hard GF fans!??? You never know! I was a CR fan for years...until that very first stay at the GF..that was it!

LOL, I think that I am ok, will be hard sell for the guys, my brother just looked at it and asked me how they got our great aunts furniture and bedding, lol. I think the kids will love splash area.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Hello! We have just booked our first GF reservation. We have outer building club level booked for July 6-13, 2014. Just a couple of questions, if someone has a minute...

Can a rollaway bed be brought into any room? I will have an 11 year old boy and a 7 year old girl next summer, and prefer that they not share a bed. I know that most rooms will have the daybed, but that a few of the dormer rooms do not. I try not to make room requests, as this seems to me to be the secret to getting upgraded (significantly... three of four Disney deluxe hotel stays), but always book the minimum that I will be happy with.

Are there any special candies or treats left in the rooms at night. We loved the taffy that was left on our pillows at night at the Beach Club and Boardwalk. Normally, I wouldn't give a second look to a piece of taffy in a candy store, but a beach themed resort, it seemed a perfect touch. Also loved the little cards with old movie quotes that were left on our beds at the Boardwalk. Anything like that at the Grand Floridian?

Lastly, I know that renovations are still speculative at this point, but does anyone know whether the 2007 renovation was a soft goods renovation only? I am sure that I read somewhere that the hotels get a soft goods renovation every six years and a full renovation every twelve. Either way, it sounds like we might be in a freshly renovated room. Will the other outlying buildings have already been renovated as well? Would love to have the grandparents join us, but doubt they will pay for CL.


Also, hello again to MouseMommy1. We were both hanging out on the Wilderness Lodge thread in 2012. My family had concerns about the construction that summer and the limited availability of bunk beds in CL, so we moved our reservation over to the Boardwalk. It was the right decision for us! Hope you had a great vacation, too.

 

[MommyGina]

adrianna_sarah. I'm going to miss you by a few days in July. We check in July 15 to Sugar Loaf. I also have 2 children who CANNOT share a bed. DS sleeps on the day bed and loves it. Request that you DO NOT have a dormer room. This will guarantee that you have the day bed. I don't think the room size will accommodate a roll away bed.

Chocolate is left on the beds at night when housekeeping comes in for turn down service.

Sorry if I forgot to respond to any of your questions!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hello! We have just booked our first GF reservation. We have outer building club level booked for July 6-13, 2014. Just a couple of questions, if someone has a minute...

Can a rollaway bed be brought into any room? I will have an 11 year old boy and a 7 year old girl next summer, and prefer that they not share a bed. I know that most rooms will have the daybed, but that a few of the dormer rooms do not. I try not to make room requests, as this seems to me to be the secret to getting upgraded (significantly... three of four Disney deluxe hotel stays), but always book the minimum that I will be happy with.

Are there any special candies or treats left in the rooms at night. We loved the taffy that was left on our pillows at night at the Beach Club and Boardwalk. Normally, I wouldn't give a second look to a piece of taffy in a candy store, but a beach themed resort, it seemed a perfect touch. Also loved the little cards with old movie quotes that were left on our beds at the Boardwalk. Anything like that at the Grand Floridian?

Lastly, I know that renovations are still speculative at this point, but does anyone know whether the 2007 renovation was a soft goods renovation only? I am sure that I read somewhere that the hotels get a soft goods renovation every six years and a full renovation every twelve. Either way, it sounds like we might be in a freshly renovated room. Will the other outlying buildings have already been renovated as well? Would love to have the grandparents join us, but doubt they will pay for CL.


Also, hello again to MouseMommy1. We were both hanging out on the Wilderness Lodge thread in 2012. My family had concerns about the construction that summer and the limited availability of bunk beds in CL, so we moved our reservation over to the Boardwalk. It was the right decision for us! Hope you had a great vacation, too.

Glad everything worked out for you at BWI. That resort is definitely on our short list of resorts to try.

We ended up staying WL CL and had the most amazing, magical Disney stay ever. It was pure

For our trip next year, we have been booked at CR garden wing room, GF Sugarloaf, and currently AKL CL. (I am, and always have been, a chronic resort changer)

I am starting to think I should switch back to GF though....I don't think that DH and our girls are going to like the AKL CL offerings....

But, DH just keeps making fun of the "theme" of GF, calling it a fancy nursing home, etc...and I just don't want to listen to that the whole time.

I feel like we would end up loving it, but I just don't know. I haven't heard an argument persuasive enough yet to push me one way or another....and it's just sooooo easy to make switches....

It's a long time until August...

 

[adrianna_sarah]

adrianna_sarah. I'm going to miss you by a few days in July. We check in July 15 to Sugar Loaf. I also have 2 children who CANNOT share a bed. DS sleeps on the day bed and loves it. Request that you DO NOT have a dormer room. This will guarantee that you have the day bed. I don't think the room size will accommodate a roll away bed.

Chocolate is left on the beds at night when housekeeping comes in for turn down service.

Sorry if I forgot to respond to any of your questions!

Thanks for the info.

I wish that we could have waited for value season to roll around the next week, but we don't get a lot of choices when it comes to the hubby's vacation schedule.

When I made our reservation at the Boardwalk last year, I faced a similar situation. Most of the rooms have the daybed, but a few do not due to the angles of the resort. We had booked a CL room, and I just asked that we be assigned to a room with a daybed, explaining that I had a boy and a girl who were four years apart in age. They were able to honor that.

 

[adrianna_sarah]

Glad everything worked out for you at BWI. That resort is definitely on our short list of resorts to try.

We ended up staying WL CL and had the most amazing, magical Disney stay ever. It was pure

For our trip next year, we have been booked at CR garden wing room, GF Sugarloaf, and currently AKL CL. (I am, and always have been, a chronic resort changer)

I am starting to think I should switch back to GF though....I don't think that DH and our girls are going to like the AKL CL offerings....

But, DH just keeps making fun of the "theme" of GF, calling it a fancy nursing home, etc...and I just don't want to listen to that the whole time.

I feel like we would end up loving it, but I just don't know. I haven't heard an argument persuasive enough yet to push me one way or another....and it's just sooooo easy to make switches....

It's a long time until August...

We loved AKL, though we did not stay CL. I have heard that the CL offerings are fantastic. Our goal is to hit all of the deluxe resorts before we have a repeat. I know that I am a frou-frou resort person, and so far Boardwalk has been my favorite.

Good luck with your vacation plans. (Thankfully, my husband adopts more of a "if momma's happy..." attitude.)

 

[BlueSkies]

Two years ago, we stayed in Big Pine Key in March and Conch Key in December within in the same year. Big Pine Key was in really good condition and Conch Key seemed very worn down. This year we we stayed at Sugar Loaf and the room was in okay condition, so I think it could be the room you are given. Honestly we love GF, but really wished they would update the room, but the atmosphere and surroundings really makes for it. We are DVC members, and we always stay at GF despite out of pocket expense. That's how much we love it.

Well said lin7 ...

JanaDee and Tracylee While in need of a rehab..the rooms are still quite lovely..and as lin7 said the atmosphere and general surroundings are wonderful!

Ahcupcake, how are ya?

You too, Mickeynut, greetings!

Blue, I know I need a ticker!! I'll love you forever, if you make me one! I'll PM the info in a jiffy in case you can....

I'm getting excited....can't wait to try the CR and get back to the Poly . I'd like to try all of the club levels, but I haven't had any luck getting my DSs on board with going back to an Epcot resort.....limited CS options is a deal breaker for them, so unless I can get them to change their minds, we won't be going back to that side any time soon (which, I guess, is ok as the MK resort area is our favorite ).

Well I have an idea... When we go together again we can do a split stay..an Epcot resort..and the GF of course!!

Oh you die hard Poly gals!! A stay at the GF just might turn you into die hard GF fans!??? You never know! I was a CR fan for years...until that very first stay at the GF..that was it!

LOL, I think that I am ok, will be hard sell for the guys, my brother just looked at it and asked me how they got our great aunts furniture and bedding, lol. I think the kids will love splash area.

Your brother sounds like a funny guy! Actually once you are in the room it has a very nice feel to it..bright..sunny..and the victorian(ish) ..lol.. decor is very welcoming...The childrens splash area is very cool...took a look last trip..and the little ones looked like they were having a great time! But..there is that bell on it...

MommyGina We are balcony sittters too..and also enjoy the third floor! Just across the hall!

adrianna sarah congrats on booking your very first trip to the GF! Cant remember if the furnishings in the room were changed one or two rehabs ago!!?? ...I do think the last one was when they changed the dresser/tv amoire...and added the desk...?? but..Im not quite sure.. As for turndown service..as MommyGina said they do leave chocolates..Yummy melt in your mouth Belgian chocolates!

k&a&c'smom Where ya been...Hopefully enjoying this nice long weekend!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Ohhhhh, please let my family LOVE the Grand!!!

I have switched back to Sugarloaf from AKL CL. Taking a leap of faith! My gut tells me we are going to end up loving it!

 

[trishadono]

Ohhhhh, please let my family LOVE the Grand!!!

I have switched back to Sugarloaf from AKL CL. Taking a leap of faith! My gut tells me we are going to end up loving it!

As I usually say, the lounge is "flat" but the food is amazing

Dd would take scones back to the room for later too!

The building location is so convenient.

The CM's were nice.

They walked us directly to our room for check in from outside(we took cab from CBR ) . So much nicer than going to a desk! They also asked if we wanted to grab something from the lounge before going to the room.

I don't love the lounge space compared to awesome views from cr and poly lounges BUT the view from the balcony is so pretty(pool or marina) that taking stuff back to room is nice .

Dd and I enjoyed it so much I booked it for New Years Day for all 4 of us as a treat before our VGF days.

The food was so good and had something for everyone. Tea time at 2:30 is our favorite!!!!

However feel free to change your mind again. To me it's all good, can't go wrong with Disney

 

[Mousemommy1]

As I usually say, the lounge is "flat" but the food is amazing

Dd would take scones back to the room for later too!

The building location is so convenient.

The CM's were nice.

They walked us directly to our room for check in from outside(we took cab from CBR ) . So much nicer than going to a desk! They also asked if we wanted to grab something from the lounge before going to the room.

I don't love the lounge space compared to awesome views from cr and poly lounges BUT the view from the balcony is so pretty(pool or marina) that taking stuff back to room is nice .

Dd and I enjoyed it so much I booked it for New Years Day for all 4 of us as a treat before our VGF days.

The food was so good and had something for everyone. Tea time at 2:30 is our favorite!!!!

However feel free to change your mind again. To me it's all good, can't go wrong with Disney

When we have stayed CL, we often bring our food back to our room, especially if it's crowded.

There is no denying that GF is the best fit for us for this trip when you look at our lists comparing resorts, soooooo......time to get HAPPY!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Well I have an idea... When we go together again we can do a split stay..an Epcot resort..and the GF of course!!

What a good idea....that just might work .

Dd and I enjoyed it so much I booked it for New Years Day for all 4 of us as a treat before our VGF days.

I can't wait to hear about your VGF stay ....the villas look absolutely beautiful.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Just to add some fuel to the fire...... I was reading a post on another Disney forum that the GF is going to have some type of construction going on in the spring and summer of 2014. One of the wedding event planners told the poster's friend that she recommended the bride NOT block off rooms for her guests at GF because of the construction. The bride was having a special event at Sago Cay and was told the views to the castle would not be affected. No other information was given.

So.....maybe the rumored room rehab is getting more REAL

 

[Mousemommy1]

Just to add some fuel to the fire...... I was reading a post on another Disney forum that the GF is going to have some type of construction going on in the spring and summer of 2014. One of the wedding event planners told the poster's friend that she recommended the bride NOT block off rooms for her guests at GF because of the construction. The bride was having a special event at Sago Cay and was told the views to the castle would not be affected. No other information was given.

So.....maybe the rumored room rehab is getting more REAL

I think the best indicator is the fact that you can't book Sugarloaf for the month of June and RPC for July. The same exact thing happened with Poly CL and WL CL before the rehabs.

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Evening

Ahcupcake, how are ya?

.

I'm great.Not much going on here, hope everything is going well your way

Hello! We have just booked our first GF reservation. We have outer building club level booked for July 6-13, 2014. Just a couple of questions, if someone has a minute...

Can a rollaway bed be brought into any room? I will have an 11 year old boy and a 7 year old girl next summer, and prefer that they not share a bed. I know that most rooms will have the daybed, but that a few of the dormer rooms do not. I try not to make room requests, as this seems to me to be the secret to getting upgraded (significantly... three of four Disney deluxe hotel stays), but always book the minimum that I will be happy with.

Are there any special candies or treats left in the rooms at night. We loved the taffy that was left on our pillows at night at the Beach Club and Boardwalk. Normally, I wouldn't give a second look to a piece of taffy in a candy store, but a beach themed resort, it seemed a perfect touch. Also loved the little cards with old movie quotes that were left on our beds at the Boardwalk. Anything like that at the Grand Floridian?

Lastly, I know that renovations are still speculative at this point, but does anyone know whether the 2007 renovation was a soft goods renovation only? I am sure that I read somewhere that the hotels get a soft goods renovation every six years and a full renovation every twelve. Either way, it sounds like we might be in a freshly renovated room. Will the other outlying buildings have already been renovated as well? Would love to have the grandparents join us, but doubt they will pay for CL.

adrianna_sarah You should be able to request a roll away if you don't have the day bed in your room, I was going to request one for the king room I booked for mom & I for our Christmas trip a few years back but we were majorly pixie dusted by being upgraded to the Grand Suite.

As others have said there are chocolates left at turn down. No need to request turn down at the GF you receive it no matter what view/CL or not that you book.

From everything that I have heard the GF is scheduled for a rehab after the holidays.Not sure which building they would start with,*I* think they will start with the Main Building CL first then Sugar Loaf, but like I said not sure what order they will do the buildings in.

What a good idea....that just might work .

I can't wait to hear about your VGF stay ....the villas look absolutely beautiful.

Hi mickeynut1 Mind if I join you & Blue on this split stay trip? I haven't stayed at the YC yet

 

[adrianna_sarah]

ahcupcake-I struggle to understand why they would take CL rooms out of inventory during a peak season, but saw it done at WL CL in the summer of 2012. They did half during June 2012 and the other half during July of 2012 and if memory serves, these were not the first rooms to be renovated. Maybe there is simply more need for regular rooms during these months?

MouseMommy1-Welcome back to the sunny side!

Everyone else-Thanks for the info. I still have ten months and a cruise on DCL before the GF trip and am already very excited!

 

[Ginny Favers]

I just wanted to poke my head in and say that our vacation at the GF last week was one of the best. I'm one who never dreamed I'd stay there, because I thought it was too stuffy for my taste. Well, I was wrong. The whole place is like living in a dream.

We stayed in Boca Chica, 4th floor, overlooking the courtyard pool. It was a beautiful view. The pools were amazing, the monorail service was so convenient. I didn't quite like the menu at the Gasparilla Grill-- the menus at the pools were much better. The rooms may have been a little worn, but they were big and suited our needs just fine.

Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially the CMs who helped us when our daughter fell and broke her tooth one evening.

Last week, the resort was only at 30% capacity, so the crowds were perfect for us. I can imagine, though, once the GFV open up, the facilities might get a little crowded. Construction noises were not a problem, and though we were RIGHT by the construction when were at the beach pool, it hardly bothered us.

We are WL people, and we went with Poly people, but we're also now GF people, too.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I just wanted to poke my head in and say that our vacation at the GF last week was one of the best. I'm one who never dreamed I'd stay there, because I thought it was too stuffy for my taste. Well, I was wrong. The whole place is like living in a dream.

We stayed in Boca Chica, 4th floor, overlooking the courtyard pool. It was a beautiful view. The pools were amazing, the monorail service was so convenient. I didn't quite like the menu at the Gasparilla Grill-- the menus at the pools were much better. The rooms may have been a little worn, but they were big and suited our needs just fine.

Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially the CMs who helped us when our daughter fell and broke her tooth one evening.

Last week, the resort was only at 30% capacity, so the crowds were perfect for us. I can imagine, though, once the GFV open up, the facilities might get a little crowded. Construction noises were not a problem, and though we were RIGHT by the construction when were at the beach pool, it hardly bothered us.

We are WL people, and we went with Poly people, but we're also now GF people, too.

Great to hear!

We too are WL people who will be trying GF for the first time.

Hope your daughter's tooth is ok!

 

[trishadono]

My constant checking paid off!!!!


Got annual passholder rate and now finally staying RPC

We are going 11/8-11 but couldn't get all 3 days. Cheaptickets had 20%off std RPC but passholder had deluxe king aka honeymoon suite for awesome rate 9-11th!

This is an anniversary redo from spring due to FIL illness so I wanted it to be grand but this

so happy

 

[Mousemommy1]

My constant checking paid off!!!!


Got annual passholder rate and now finally staying RPC

We are going 11/8-11 but couldn't get all 3 days. Cheaptickets had 20%off std RPC but passholder had deluxe king aka honeymoon suite for awesome rate 9-11th!

This is an anniversary redo from spring due to FIL illness so I wanted it to be grand but this

so happy