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

[trishadono]

Thanks for the info k&a&csmom!

But...I UPGRADED! Wahoo!
Club level outer bldg.

Another question...can SF club guests use the main club or is it differentiated by room key?
Not trying to "cheat" or anything, just not sure how CL at GF works. We've stayed CL at other resorts (AKL, BC, WL) but never one with more than one club...

SL is awesome but unfortunately key cards don't work at RPC.

 

[mariamouse]

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that room refurbs were supposed to possibly start sometime next year (June/July timeframe). Of course that is only rumor and nothing official has been said, but I don't think anything will start this year (but then again, anything is possible with Disney ).

Hmm interesting. Thank you for the information! Surprising that they would wait so long to update the flagship resort, but you are probably right. Good to adjust our expectations before booking anyway.

Hello, GF lovers! I've been out of town for a week, had to take my DD's dog to her in MD.

mariamouse - I don't have any info for you, but nice to see you. mickeynut's info sounds right to me.

So nice to see you too, k&a&c'smom! I am frequently lurking on this FAQ since you already know that it is one of my favorites, but I don't post as often as I should! Great job (as always) on the new FAQ! A January 2014 GF stay is looking very possible depending on Poly construction (has been almost ten years since we were last there, but perhaps not in the cards this time). The GF would likely be our second choice, so you may end up seeing quite a few more posts from me in the coming months!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

trishadono - sorry about the dryer!! Hope you are able to get it fixed soon.

Thanks for the info k&a&csmom!

But...I UPGRADED! Wahoo!
Club level outer bldg.

Another question...can SF club guests use the main club or is it differentiated by room key?
Not trying to "cheat" or anything, just not sure how CL at GF works. We've stayed CL at other resorts (AKL, BC, WL) but never one with more than one club...

Congrats on the upgrade. mickeynut is exactly right, SL guests cannot access RPC - if they could, who would pay the extremely high upcharge to stay in RPC?!

All the food service and IPO amenities are the same in both CLs, btw.

Welcome back.....hope you had a nice trip to see your DD .

I agree, I don't think there is a bad room at the GF. I also feel the grounds are so compact that it doesn't take long getting around .

Thanks, we did have a good visit.

.... While staying SL, you cannot access RPC. It used to be that if you stayed RPC you could access both RPC and SL, but I think with the new system, that's not even possible anymore. But SL guests were never able to access RPC as far as I know.

Hmm interesting. Thank you for the information! Surprising that they would wait so long to update the flagship resort, but you are probably right. Good to adjust our expectations before booking anyway.



So nice to see you too, k&a&c'smom! I am frequently lurking on this FAQ since you already know that it is one of my favorites, but I don't post as often as I should! Great job (as always) on the new FAQ! A January 2014 GF stay is looking very possible depending on Poly construction (has been almost ten years since we were last there, but perhaps not in the cards this time). The GF would likely be our second choice, so you may end up seeing quite a few more posts from me in the coming months!

Thanks about the FAQ; love to see more of you when you can post.

Too bad about the Poly possibly being nixed due to construction - how well all GF lovers can relate! Seems like so long since we've been construction free at the Grand.

On the soft goods refurb - if I recall, they did the same thing for the last upgrade. CR/Poly first (2006?), then the GF in 2007. Not sure why.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hmm interesting. Thank you for the information! Surprising that they would wait so long to update the flagship resort, but you are probably right. Good to adjust our expectations before booking anyway.

You're welcome . I agree about adjusting our expectations before booking. We are booked at the Poly right before Christmas and while I read the other day that permits have been issued for work on the GCH, I considered changing resorts, but I think we'll stay put. As much as I love walking through the GCH and seeing/hearing the waterfall, it will be ok should work being going on in there. RPC would be my alternate choice, but it's not available under the discount we have, so we're staying put at the Poly .

Thanks, we did have a good visit.

Glad you had a nice visit and glad to see you back here .

 

[tallen429]

SL is awesome but unfortunately key cards don't work at RPC.

I didn't figure they did, which is fine with me.
I love the GF lobby area, but especially with the extra visitor traffic there will be during our visit due to the gingerbread house, I'm actually happy to have a quieter place to relax.

Right now I actually have a three resort split for our trip.
Originally four nights at AKL and three at POFQ, but I split the AKL into two and two at GF CL. I considered changing all four to GF, but with the current plans I have, the AKL nights make a lot of sense.
The days we will be at AKL are our arrival day, AK day, and a bit of Epcot. During the GF stay we have more Epcot and lots of MK, including the MVMCP so it works out perfectly!
The last couple days DD is doing a dance convention at the Dolphin so since we won't really be at parks or in the room, I downgraded to POFQ for those nights.

 

[BlueSkies]

Good Afternoon

Hi Trishadono, as far as I know there are no standard king rooms in RPC only deluxe kings. The deluxe rooms are the 6 octagon shaped(2 on each of the 3 floors) & 6 with MK view above Gasparilla Grill (all on the 2nd floor that you have to take the pool elevator to get to), you might get lucky and be upgraded to the dlx king for the first night so you don't have to move..Hope this helps

Yep that's the loop

Hi Blue if I remember correctly the WL rooms are the same size as the AKL rooms, small . Try a triple stay YC-WL-GF , you know I did that but it was over 10 nights. I think it's a good alternative for the MK if the monorail resorts are out of your budget

Good info on the king rooms.. I kinda thought that RPC had only deluxe..?? But I wasnt sure... I didnt realize that there were 6 turret rooms...was only thinking about the 4th and 5th I forgot about the 3rd floor..oops..SL however does have one or two standard king rooms..

As for a triple stay!!! ..LOL..We are only going for a week...moving three times might be a little too adventurous for us!! As it is my DH is complaining about not staying at the GF the whole time...But..the princess..aka DD is excited about it...so Daddy is not grumbling too much..LOL..

So what do you guys think the likelihood is that there will be refurbed rooms at the GF come January? Nothing has been announced or hinted at yet, right?

We were leaning toward staying at the Poly this January, but debating booking either a MK view room at CR or GV room at GF due to the impending construction at the Poly.

We prefer the GF resort grounds to those at the CR, but not crazy about the outdated and somewhat worn GF rooms in comparison to the refurbed CR rooms. Decisions, decisions...

During our summer trip I did inquire about the room refurbs..and a CM told me that they had heard that they were supposed to start this January...?? But that nothing was official yet...I think that is why SL is not available in June and RPC in July...Just speculation tho...

Thanks for the info k&a&csmom!

But...I UPGRADED! Wahoo!
Club level outer bldg.

Another question...can SF club guests use the main club or is it differentiated by room key?
Not trying to "cheat" or anything, just not sure how CL at GF works. We've stayed CL at other resorts (AKL, BC, WL) but never one with more than one club...

Congrats on the upgrade..

k&a&c'smom Glad that you had a nice visit with your DD... And to see you back here too! I was wondering where you were!? LOL..Thought maybe you had taken a quick Disney trip!

MickeyNut I agree with you about the GF grounds..nice and compact..very easy to get from place to place... Its one of the things that we have always enjoyed about staying there...

Not sure what the stages of the renovations and construction at the Poly will be...but we have stayed at the GF several times during the renovations there..and really never felt that it took away from our stay .. As a matters of fact I have some very cool pics during different stages of construction of the CY pool and VGF....so get you camera ready! I know you will enjoy being at your fave resort!

I grew up staying at the CR (altho it was not considered deluxe in those days..LOL...just only one of two options..!)..so staying at deluxe and on the monorail with our own family was a natural transition... and by the time we considered staying at the WL..our family was already too large to stay in a room there..LOL..but now that DH and I sometimes have the opportunity to take those couple only trips I think I will "try" and get him to do a ss WL/GF...It really sounds like we would like their CL...

 

[johnsonet]

Yet another great FAQ, k&a&c'smom
Haven't been on here in weeks but am eager to plan another WDW trip. When are we going?!

Right now I actually have a three resort split for our trip.
Originally four nights at AKL and three at POFQ, but I split the AKL into two and two at GF CL. I considered changing all four to GF, but with the current plans I have, the AKL nights make a lot of sense.
The days we will be at AKL are our arrival day, AK day, and a bit of Epcot. During the GF stay we have more Epcot and lots of MK, including the MVMCP so it works out perfectly!
The last couple days DD is doing a dance convention at the Dolphin so since we won't really be at parks or in the room, I downgraded to POFQ for those nights.

If you're up for it, I think your split sounds great. I did a 3-way split in June and it worked out great. Have you stayed at AKL before? It's gorgeous. And you're right, it's so convenient for your AK day
GF CL will be fab Have fun.

 

[tallen429]

Yet another great FAQ, k&a&c'smom
Haven't been on here in weeks but am eager to plan another WDW trip. When are we going?!


If you're up for it, I think your split sounds great. I did a 3-way split in June and it worked out great. Have you stayed at AKL before? It's gorgeous. And you're right, it's so convenient for your AK day
GF CL will be fab Have fun.

I never mind split stays. I'm not much of an "unpacker" so it isn't any trouble. I think Disney makes it so easy...drop off your bags, go to a park, go to your new resort and there are your bags. No fuss, no muss!

I have stayed at AKL probably 6 times. It's definitely just about my favorite resort.

I think DD7 (this is her first "Mommy and Me" trip. I've done a lot of those with my two older DSs) is going to flip over staying at GF. I've done the other monorail resorts but specifically saved GF for a time when it was just the two of us. Going during the holiday season is even better!!

I may even splurge on a limo to pick us up at the airport! LOL!

 

[mariamouse]

Thanks about the FAQ; love to see more of you when you can post.

Too bad about the Poly possibly being nixed due to construction - how well all GF lovers can relate! Seems like so long since we've been construction free at the Grand.

On the soft goods refurb - if I recall, they did the same thing for the last upgrade. CR/Poly first (2006?), then the GF in 2007. Not sure why.

Isn't that the truth about GF lovers having been put through the ringer with construction! I will try to post more often-- probably inevitable since our next trip is in just four months!

You're welcome . I agree about adjusting our expectations before booking. We are booked at the Poly right before Christmas and while I read the other day that permits have been issued for work on the GCH, I considered changing resorts, but I think we'll stay put. As much as I love walking through the GCH and seeing/hearing the waterfall, it will be ok should work being going on in there. RPC would be my alternate choice, but it's not available under the discount we have, so we're staying put at the Poly .

I know how much you love the Poly and think you are probably making the right choice staying put for now given how much you love the resort. Disney usually does a good job of concealing construction, but obviously there is only so much that they can do with hiding work on the main pool or GCH. Here's hoping that the bulk of the work doesn't start until post-January so that we can both enjoy a stay at one of our favorite resorts! We had the opportunity to check out the Poly holiday decorations during our stay at the GF in December of 2011 and thought they were really fun! Obviously not as traditional as the decorations at the WL and GF, but unique and well suited to the resort theme! Here's hoping your trip goes off without a hitch.

During our summer trip I did inquire about the room refurbs..and a CM told me that they had heard that they were supposed to start this January...?? But that nothing was official yet...I think that is why SL is not available in June and RPC in July...Just speculation tho...

Sounds like it is a safe bet to assume that the GF rooms will still be the same come January. Good to know- thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut I agree with you about the GF grounds..nice and compact..very easy to get from place to place... Its one of the things that we have always enjoyed about staying there...

Not sure what the stages of the renovations and construction at the Poly will be...but we have stayed at the GF several times during the renovations there..and really never felt that it took away from our stay .. As a matters of fact I have some very cool pics during different stages of construction of the CY pool and VGF....so get you camera ready! I know you will enjoy being at your fave resort!

I grew up staying at the CR (altho it was not considered deluxe in those days..LOL...just only one of two options..!)..so staying at deluxe and on the monorail with our own family was a natural transition... and by the time we considered staying at the WL..our family was already too large to stay in a room there..LOL..but now that DH and I sometimes have the opportunity to take those couple only trips I think I will "try" and get him to do a ss WL/GF...It really sounds like we would like their CL...

I love how beautiful and relaxing the GF grounds are and that it's not as sprawling as other resorts. I haven't really kept up on the progress of the Poly construction, but I did catch the other day that permits were given for work on the GCH....not sure, however, when it's supposed to take place. I think a WL/GF split stay for you and DH would make for a great trip . I think you would like WL CL......it really is great, IMO. You could experience WL CL and for a couple of days and then move to the Grand for the rest of your trip......try something new, but end with your fav resort .

I think DD7 (this is her first "Mommy and Me" trip. I've done a lot of those with my two older DSs) is going to flip over staying at GF. I've done the other monorail resorts but specifically saved GF for a time when it was just the two of us. Going during the holiday season is even better!!

I may even splurge on a limo to pick us up at the airport! LOL!

It sounds like you have an amazing mommy/daughter trip planned......I think your DD is going to love the GF .

I know how much you love the Poly and think you are probably making the right choice staying put for now given how much you love the resort. Disney usually does a good job of concealing construction, but obviously there is only so much that they can do with hiding work on the main pool or GCH. Here's hoping that the bulk of the work doesn't start until post-January so that we can both enjoy a stay at one of our favorite resorts! We had the opportunity to check out the Poly holiday decorations during our stay at the GF in December of 2011 and thought they were really fun! Obviously not as traditional as the decorations at the WL and GF, but unique and well suited to the resort theme! Here's hoping your trip goes off without a hitch.

You're right.....it's no secret that the Poly is my fav ......but the GF runs a very close second . I agree about the Poly decorations.....there aren't a lot of them and they aren't as traditional as some others, but I too think they fit the resort theme . Thanks for good wishes for our trip......I hope you have a fabulous trip as well without intrusive construction .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

johnsonet - hey, you!! Good to see you. YES - when ARE we going?!

tallen429 - Mom/DD trips are great! And if you are not into unpacking, your split stay should be easy. We used to always do splits, but we do like to unpack so we tend to stay put more often these days.

BlueSkies - lol, I WISH I had been on a quick trip to WDW, though visiting DD in DC/MD is always fun.

ahcupcake - Are you sure there are no king standard rooms in RPC? I know our beloved JungleCruiser posted photos of a std. king on the...I think third floor over the courtyard. And I'm pretty sure Lulu'sMom has had a king std. over the beach pool. It's possible there have been changes since, but there used to be a couple std. kings available.

mickeynut - I don't blame you for trying to stick it out with your fave Poly. We used to be huge Poly lovers, but have not been back much after the refurb prior to this one. Never loved the orange/brown/blue bedspreads, lol - and now, I'm not a fan of the change to the bathroom. Love the resort overall, though, and we always spend some time there eating and shopping. So pretty.

 

[grannyminnie]

All this talk of refurb at the GF (someone said maybe to begin in January?)...can anyone guess what are they going to do? This will be after the "soft goods" refurb, I assume, because I was told by a CM that changing out the soft goods will begin this fall.
I wonder if, given the recent photos of the color palette over at the GFV, are they maybe going to re-work the rooms into that type of theming?

 

[johnsonet]

I never mind split stays. I'm not much of an "unpacker" so it isn't any trouble. I think Disney makes it so easy...drop off your bags, go to a park, go to your new resort and there are your bags. No fuss, no muss!

I have stayed at AKL probably 6 times. It's definitely just about my favorite resort.

I think DD7 (this is her first "Mommy and Me" trip. I've done a lot of those with my two older DSs) is going to flip over staying at GF. I've done the other monorail resorts but specifically saved GF for a time when it was just the two of us. Going during the holiday season is even better!!

I may even splurge on a limo to pick us up at the airport! LOL!

Oh, ok, good. So you have lots of experience with splitting
(AKL is just about my favorite too )
I agree with you - split stays are no problem. And in our case, we drive to WDW so have our own car and can move our bags easily

How great that you have saved GF to visit with your little girl. She will be in heaven! Are you planning on having afternoon tea and the Garden View Lounge? It's very nice.

johnsonet - hey, you!! Good to see you. YES - when ARE we going?!

Hmmm... mid-October?

 

[Tink rules]

All this talk of refurb at the GF (someone said maybe to begin in January?)...can anyone guess what are they going to do? This will be after the "soft goods" refurb, I assume, because I was told by a CM that changing out the soft goods will begin this fall.
I wonder if, given the recent photos of the color palette over at the GFV, are they maybe going to re-work the rooms into that type of theming?

Rumors have it... a whole refurb... but we'll see won't we? I imagine if we start seeing permits filed... we'll know better

 

[grannyminnie]

Rumors have it... a whole refurb... but we'll see won't we? I imagine if we start seeing permits filed... we'll know better

Well, that sounds guaranteed to have some folks with trips planned next year pretty rattled! When the plans start being revealed, hopefully we'll be happy with the upcoming results and willing to endure the dust, dirt and noise (not to mention the lack of availability of rooms at certain times of the year).

 

[mickeynut1]

ahcupcake - Are you sure there are no king standard rooms in RPC? I know our beloved JungleCruiser posted photos of a std. king on the...I think third floor over the courtyard. And I'm pretty sure Lulu'sMom has had a king std. over the beach pool. It's possible there have been changes since, but there used to be a couple std. kings available.

mickeynut - I don't blame you for trying to stick it out with your fave Poly. We used to be huge Poly lovers, but have not been back much after the refurb prior to this one. Never loved the orange/brown/blue bedspreads, lol - and now, I'm not a fan of the change to the bathroom. Love the resort overall, though, and we always spend some time there eating and shopping. So pretty.

I also thought there were a few standard king rooms, but started second guessing that after reading ahcupcake's response here .

I'm glad the bedspreads are gone from the Poly, but I don't care for the bathroom set up either . Also, the new colors make the rooms look brighter, but I think they took away the "Hawaiian" feel by doing away with the dark oranges and browns and changing to softer colors. I know I'll love being there again in December, but I did like the old decor (aside from the bedspreads ).

I wonder if, given the recent photos of the color palette over at the GFV, are they maybe going to re-work the rooms into that type of theming?

I would love it if the GF rooms were changed to look like the villas as I think the villas are beautiful .

 

[Tink rules]

It'll be noticed... but it won't be anything like the construction that just went on. They'll close off a building at a time.

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Evening

Good info on the king rooms.. I kinda thought that RPC had only deluxe..?? But I wasnt sure... I didnt realize that there were 6 turret rooms...was only thinking about the 4th and 5th I forgot about the 3rd floor..oops..SL however does have one or two standard king rooms..

As for a triple stay!!! ..LOL..We are only going for a week...moving three times might be a little too adventurous for us!! As it is my DH is complaining about not staying at the GF the whole time...But..the princess..aka DD is excited about it...so Daddy is not grumbling too much..LOL..

Yep 6, whoops. I thought SL had a few std kings.......Was just kidding I remember you saying that your DH wasn't too crazy about a split stay..Love being down there while the Christmas decorations are, the smell of the gingerbread

ahcupcake - Are you sure there are no king standard rooms in RPC? I know our beloved JungleCruiser posted photos of a std. king on the...I think third floor over the courtyard. And I'm pretty sure Lulu'sMom has had a king std. over the beach pool. It's possible there have been changes since, but there used to be a couple std. kings available.

Hmm now ya got me thinking, maybe there are.Could swear a CM friend said the only kings were deluxe or suites..Are the HA rooms king or do they queen as well? I completely forgot about the HA rooms until I read your post and they just popped into my head...If I'm I apologize for giving wrong info

 

[grannyminnie]

Mickeynut, if the color palette changes to that of the villas, don't you think it would get too far away from the Victorian theme the GF has always had? (not that I, for one, would mind that!)

 

[tanjiers]

Our first return trip to Florida in a few years and we take off at 11:25 from Providence. Even if we aren't staying at the Grand Floridian, our favorite , we are just as excited to be going. We'll do a day at Magic Kingdom and a day at Epcot and a nice dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe and hopefully get a peek at the Villas. I'll absorb it all because our next return trip won't be till 2016 with our Granddaughter and it will be her 1st trip and that will have to be something special!!!!! My only worry is once you set the bar that high how do you come down