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

[RAnderson0819]

Hey all. Thinking about booking the Grand for three nights in December. Not particular about the view, but what are the odds we would get a king bed room if we requested it? Thanks!

 

[trishadono]

Just finished paying our trip to Disney from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6-GF here we come!!!! I'm so stinking excited about our first stay at The Grand! We'll have DxDP and in two standard rooms with MK view-I've requested Sago Cay.

Whoo Hoo!!!!

:have a great trip!

 

[trishadono]

Hey all. Thinking about booking the Grand for three nights in December. Not particular about the view, but what are the odds we would get a king bed room if we requested it? Thanks!

The earlier your arrival the better your chances will be.

Also for online check in , king bed is not an option. Call and request it. Also ask at check in too.

At the VGF the one bedroom villas have a king bed for a similar price point. King bed and extra space.

 

[Hedobaby]

Wow am I getting excited now for my Oct 25th arrival! I nearly burst when I found out we were getting to test the magic bands! All ordered now too! I have done everything I can think of to be ready and other than packing think I am just about there! What a fabulous trip this is going to be!

 

[MommyGina]

Wow am I getting excited now for my Oct 25th arrival! I nearly burst when I found out we were getting to test the magic bands! All ordered now too! I have done everything I can think of to be ready and other than packing think I am just about there! What a fabulous trip this is going to be!

I'm excited for you! I think we can all agree that we want to hear about your trip when you get back. Wow, Magic Bands too!

 

[mickeynut1]

Just finished paying our trip to Disney from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6-GF here we come!!!! I'm so stinking excited about our first stay at The Grand! We'll have DxDP and in two standard rooms with MK view-I've requested Sago Cay.

Whoo Hoo!!!!

You are going to have a great time. The GF is a great resort and is beautiful during the holidays .

Wow am I getting excited now for my Oct 25th arrival! I nearly burst when I found out we were getting to test the magic bands! All ordered now too! I have done everything I can think of to be ready and other than packing think I am just about there! What a fabulous trip this is going to be!

How exciting .....hope you have a great trip.

 

[BlueSkies]

I think that's why we all love the boards! Because we can totally immerse ourselves in all things Disney!!

I will say tho that I am just now reading about the Fastpass plus and Magic bands. I have not received an invite, but was curious as to all the "hoop-la", so I went to My Disney Experience and did some reading. It looks as tho Disney has certainly made the planning more fun as I see it. When we go, we love to enjoy the resort just as much as the parks, so there's not as much angst over Fastpasses as some might have.

I agree Grannieminnie Love being able to be immersed in all things Disney..with other who "get" it!

He must be related to my husband!!! I love doing all the planning for our trips. I already have a spreadsheet for where we are going to eat at approximately what times. Oh, our trip is only 304 days away!

I have one of those husbands too...I think that its genetic!! LOL...

What beautiful pics. Thanks to BVC23 for sending them to you and thanks to you for posting them .



I agree about the Grand being beautiful regardless of the weather .

We are more resort-oriented with each trip we take. We do love the parks, but in all honesty, we don't hit a park every day and we're lucky if we spend 3-4 hours in a park when we do go. Our boys are older and kind of like the laid back trips as much as we do .

MickeyNut Same here much of our time is spent at the resort..relaxing or swimming...or visiting and shopping and dining at other resorts..There is so much more to the WDW resort itself than just the theme parks...

Thanks so much for posting these pictures from BCV23.
I haven't been to Disney since 2008!
We are visiting in Oct. & how I would love to be staying here again! We're taking the kids, so its our first trip to BWI.
We're coming here for dinner though to Narcoossee's, so i'll get to check out the changes!! Excited!!

Have a great trip...Narcoosees is such a great place to dine!

Just finished paying our trip to Disney from Nov. 29 through Dec. 6-GF here we come!!!! I'm so stinking excited about our first stay at The Grand! We'll have DxDP and in two standard rooms with MK view-I've requested Sago Cay.

Whoo Hoo!!!!

Have a Grand vacation!!! And such a great time to be at the GF..when its all decorated in its holiday finery!

Wow am I getting excited now for my Oct 25th arrival! I nearly burst when I found out we were getting to test the magic bands! All ordered now too! I have done everything I can think of to be ready and other than packing think I am just about there! What a fabulous trip this is going to be!

Thats great!!! I'm sure it will be fabulous!!

k&a&c'smom Thanks to BCV and you too for sharing those photos ...I noticed how nice the curved walkway looks..and the pretty lamp posts...very charming...Looks like that area has been a part of the GF all along...And I am happy seeing how nicely the new intgrates with the original...but..I am still worried about the impact that so many more guests will have at the pools and on the monorail too... we will know soon enough...

RAnderon I agree with trishadono The earlier the better...I would be sure so have that request noted on the reservation now by calling CRO...

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut Same here much of our time is spent at the resort..relaxing or swimming...or visiting and shopping and dining at other resorts..There is so much more to the WDW resort itself than just the theme parks...

I agree....the parks are fun, but sometimes I prefer to just visit other resorts to shop, dine, etc. and just take it easy rather than walk around a park .

 

[BlueSkies]

MickeyNut What are some of your favorite non park activities..??

One of ours was a tip here recently...Taking the water launch during the fireworks at the MK... Also evening time in the lobby of the GF...the music and atmosphere is just wonderful ...

Any Poly tips... I know watching fireworks from the beach there is supposed to be very nice...??

We used to love sitting in the Grand Canyon councoure at the CR and watch the monorail gliding thru...my boys loved this...but now...with all of the additions the concourse is more chaotic IMO than anything else....too bad..It was so majestic back in the day...

 

[mickeynut1]

MickeyNut What are some of your favorite non park activities..??

One of ours was a tip here recently...Taking the water launch during the fireworks at the MK... Also evening time in the lobby of the GF...the music and atmosphere is just wonderful ...

Any Poly tips... I know watching fireworks from the beach there is supposed to be very nice...??

We used to love sitting in the Grand Canyon councoure at the CR and watch the monorail gliding thru...my boys loved this...but now...with all of the additions the concourse is more chaotic IMO than anything else....too bad..It was so majestic back in the day...

We enjoy just walking the grounds of different resorts (especially the Poly ). We don't really sit in the lobby, but I love walking through listening to the waterfall. Watching the fireworks from the beach is great.....it's very relaxing and the view can't be beat, IMO .

I agree about the CR and the Grand concourse being hectic . We LOVED eating at Concourse Steakhouse watching the monorail go through.....it's been closed for quite some time now, but I'm still sad that it's gone.....we loved it.

 

[Candy Orlando]

I set up My Disney Experience on my iPhone and Mac. I was afraid I couldn't do it but I called DVC and got a very patient tech that helped me. Now my resort and dining reservation are on there. I also linked our annual passes. Eventually I'll be able to order magic bands and fastpass+. This is very exciting. I love Disney because there is always something new to experience. I will be at the Grand in Dec. to enjoy my new adventure with my family.

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

Is the Alice play area closed this week?

 

[trishadono]

MickeyNut What are some of your favorite non park activities..??

One of ours was a tip here recently...Taking the water launch during the fireworks at the MK... Also evening time in the lobby of the GF...the music and atmosphere is just wonderful ...

Any Poly tips... I know watching fireworks from the beach there is supposed to be very nice...??

We used to love sitting in the Grand Canyon councoure at the CR and watch the monorail gliding thru...my boys loved this...but now...with all of the additions the concourse is more chaotic IMO than anything else....too bad..It was so majestic back in the day...

My 2 cents:

At poly you can access the buildings except CL. Tokelau has nice seating areas in the center. Also at the end of the building is a deck at the end of each floor. GREAT for viewing the lagoon

I love to hang out at the monorail resorts. I also like to boat it over to WL for a quick lobby stop to explore and shop. Sometimes I eat at Roaring Forks too.

At CR, Poly and GF just getting a drink or snack and sitting on the beach and listening to the sounds of Disney is

Love Tambu and Mizners lounges.

Love cupcakes from Contempo Cafe and Captain Cooks.

Just riding the monorail at sunset

I heart monorail hotels and everything there.

 

[njprincess601]

Hello all! We're checking into the VGF on October 25 for the weekend!! Was just able to customize our Magic Bands too which was super fun! Looking forward to the stay in the brand new rooms!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Hello all! We're checking into the VGF on October 25 for the weekend!! Was just able to customize our Magic Bands too which was super fun! Looking forward to the stay in the brand new rooms!!

Have a great trip. Would love to see some pics when you return .

 

[trishadono]

Hello all! We're checking into the VGF on October 25 for the weekend!! Was just able to customize our Magic Bands too which was super fun! Looking forward to the stay in the brand new rooms!!

Ooh lucky you! We won't be there until January.

Which room size and view did you choose?

Make sure to get views from your room and post room number.

Pics of closets and bath area would be great too!

AND TO GET MAGIC BANDS! WOW

 

[imobsessedwithdisney]

Is the courtyard pool open? Also are there any other water slides for kids besides the ones in the Alice splash pad?

 

[cgulls]

Is the courtyard pool open? Also are there any other water slides for kids besides the ones in the Alice splash pad?

The theme pool has a water slide.

 

[BlueSkies]

MickeyNut Strolling the grounds is always so nice...We do that too...Oh the Concourse Steakhouse!! that was always on our must do list for a breakfast and a dinner...They had the best sticky buns with breakfast...I was there the last night they were open..had a farewell dinner..and they gave me some menus...I will put one in the mail to you.. its a nice CR piece of memorabilia!

I set up My Disney Experience on my iPhone and Mac. I was afraid I couldn't do it but I called DVC and got a very patient tech that helped me. Now my resort and dining reservation are on there. I also linked our annual passes. Eventually I'll be able to order magic bands and fastpass+. This is very exciting. I love Disney because there is always something new to experience. I will be at the Grand in Dec. to enjoy my new adventure with my family.

WTG setting up MDE..and getting everything all linked! enjoy your December tirp!!

My 2 cents:

At poly you can access the buildings except CL. Tokelau has nice seating areas in the center. Also at the end of the building is a deck at the end of each floor. GREAT for viewing the lagoon

I love to hang out at the monorail resorts. I also like to boat it over to WL for a quick lobby stop to explore and shop. Sometimes I eat at Roaring Forks too.

At CR, Poly and GF just getting a drink or snack and sitting on the beach and listening to the sounds of Disney is

Love Tambu and Mizners lounges.

Love cupcakes from Contempo Cafe and Captain Cooks.

Just riding the monorail at sunset

I heart monorail hotels and everything there.

Thanks for your 2 cents too! All great ideas.. Funny you should mention the Disney "sounds".. Love em... Especially listening to the toots of the horn from the water launch...

Hello all! We're checking into the VGF on October 25 for the weekend!! Was just able to customize our Magic Bands too which was super fun! Looking forward to the stay in the brand new rooms!!

Love to hear all about your VGF stay!

When in October does VGF open officially? Looking forward to hearing those first reports about it!

 

[tallen429]

*sigh*...
I have posted my plans in this thread, but just for a refresher...
I have 2 nights at AKL (probably just about my FAV resort) and two nights SCL followed by three nights at POFQ.
I am soooooooo tempted to change my AKL nights over to SCL, BUT I feel guilty about spending the extra $$ since it is only DD and me, and I do love me some AKL...
There is still availability for SCL for my AKL nights w/my AP discount so I'm really struggling.
Ugh!!