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

[mariamouse]

The MK area is our favorite (along with the WL ranking up there at the top), but the AKL lobby is beautiful and Boma is one of our favorites and Mara ranks right up there with Roaring Forks for us .

So many great choices, right?! That's the great thing about Disney!

Now back to GF talk.

 

[BlueSkies]

Lucky you!

Do I dare ask where you are staying

I owe disney an apology I could not get late night times Friday because MK closing at 7 for mvmcp . I was a good wife. I went back and made sure he had test track at 645 on Sunday too. (I have been on new but he hasn't)

Oh if you see new vera let me know if cute in person

Trisha I will be on the look out for the VB bags..They look so cute in the pics..thinking that my DD might "need" one for Christmas!

As for where are we staying..?? I forget...LOL...

Wow! This thread is hopping lately!

We were hoping to return to the Poly/GF this January (16th-21st), but I pulled a total blank and didn't realize that MLK weekend (17-19) is usually blacked out for the RO discount. Just not sure that we will be able to swing it with a RO discount at either of those resorts for only two nights. We could do S/P/D for the length of our stay, but just don't think we would be able to justify paying those rack room rates even with the discounted DDP. Will have to check out what the AAA rate for January at the GF is since maybe that will make a difference for the non-discounted nights. I think that would require our making three reservations, though. How good is Disney about keeping you in the same room even if you have different reservations at the same resort?

Sort of bummed to not return to a monorail resort-- we'll likely end up at the WL this time, which is certainly no hardship, but will miss the sounds of MK across Seven Seas Lagoon.

Will keep you posted if we decide to bite the bullet and return to GF. If anyone has any thoughts/ideas that I may not be thinking of, please do let me know!

We have had two ressies's linked together...and never had to move rooms..As grannieminnie and MickeyNut both said though..you really will be in the MK area if you choose WL...and from what I am hearing I think we might just do a GF/WL split for a future trip..They are such big fans...Cant go wrong with any of those choices though...Im sure you will have a wonderful trip!

Agreed on all counts! The lovely ladies on here are among my favorites on the DIS. k&a&c'smom knows how often I am posting on here even when I don't have a trip to the Grand planned!

I agree..a really nice bunch of gals!

Hi everyone!!

I am very excited for my first GF stay (a lifelong dream) and my fist solo trip November 10-12. Just two nights since I'd start to miss the hubby after that, but I couldn't be happier and seriously think I might cry tears of joy when I check in. I'll also catch Food & Wine, the Osborne lights, and MVMCP!

I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a room request? I booked the cheapest level--outer building garden view. But since I like to write outside in the mornings, a nice balcony view wouldn't hurt

Also--will the Christmas decorations be up in the lobby by November 10?

Thanks y'all!!

Congratualtions on your trip! I dont think that the decorations go up until right near Thanksgiving..Not positive on that though..?? LOL... I would recommend Boca Chica for a very nice GV...Its most centrally located of all of the GV's IMO.. and has such a pretty view of the main building and the courtyard pool..very conducive to balcony sitting...LOL...Also have done a solo Disney trip a time or two..like you just for a few days..and really enjoyed myself! Even went to a MVMCP solo...and it was fun.. what I really thought was the nicest part of being solo was being able to take things at a much slower pace than when touring the parks with the family! Hope you do too!

We're the same way, mickeynut...make no plans except maybe a meal or two.

I just read your exciting news, Blue!! I wish you were going to be there the first week of November...
How exciting for you!! Two trips in such a short time!

Congrats on booking your first GF stay, DisneyFave! There's hardly a bad view in any of the buildings. The worse we ever had was in Big Pine Key. We had a view of the pool building..but looking all around that, everything else was lovely!

Thanks grannieminnie!!! I am super excited! Going with one of my fave disney pals...and we always have so much fun together! I do wish we were going to be there at the same time! Something to plan for the future!

I'm sure this is posted somewhere, but I was wondering about how long it takes to get to each of the parks. Also, it it faster to take the boat back from the MK?

TIA

I think trishadono hit it right on the head with travel times.. Just wanted to point out that while the water launches are the most direct return to the GF from the MK ( and my personal fave) ...they are small boats..and if you are leaving at park closing.. during a mass exodus it can take a few boats before you can board..which can take quite a while...

MickeyNut Sorry that we didnt get to catch up yesterday! Things have been a little crazy around here!! LOl.. Cant wait to hear about your trip changes..I knew there was still time for some!! Hoping that we can over the weekend though!

Heard from ahcupcake and she is still under the weather..Sending get will wishes to you ah !!

Good morning fellow GF fans! Hope you have a super Saturday!!

 

[mickeynut1]

So many great choices, right?! That's the great thing about Disney!

MickeyNut Sorry that we didnt get to catch up yesterday! Things have been a little crazy around here!! LOl.. Cant wait to hear about your trip changes..I knew there was still time for some!! Hoping that we can over the weekend though!

Heard from ahcupcake and she is still under the weather..Sending get will wishes to you ah !!

That's ok.....I totally understand busy.....LOL. Hope we can catch up this weekend .

If you hear from ahcupcake again, tell her I hope she's feeling better soon.

Hi to everyone else .

 

[MommyGina]

July 18-25 at the GF and then we head over to HRH July 25-30!

When the time draws closer, maybe we can set up a time to meet! I've never met a Dis Board pal before, so this would be great.

Catching up here. I helped DS on his Boy Scout Eagle project this weekend! His project confirmed that I am way too old to be helping move and rake mulch, cut weeds and paint. This body can't do it without suffering for a few days after. But well worth the pain!

BlueSkies - I know my DD "needs" a Vera Bradley Mickey design for Christmas too!

Have a wonderful day my friends.

 

[tallen429]

I need a Pixie Dust Helper!!

If anyone is going to be staying at GF sometime on or in the few days before Nov 19, I'm looking for a Diser who might be willing to help me out.
DD7 and I will be checking in to SL CL on the 19th and I want to surprise her with a couple of treats however nothing I have found though Dis Floral or other companies is really what I want.
Nothing much, just a couple of Christmas plush characters...I need someone to drop them off to Concierge before our check in so they can put them in the room. Obviously because it is just the two of us, I won't be able to sneak off and do it myself.
If any of you can help, please send me a PM and you will have my HUGE thanks!!!

 

[Hisgirl]

I need a Pixie Dust Helper!!

If anyone is going to be staying at GF sometime on or in the few days before Nov 19, I'm looking for a Diser who might be willing to help me out.
DD7 and I will be checking in to SL CL on the 19th and I want to surprise her with a couple of treats however nothing I have found though Dis Floral or other companies is really what I want.
Nothing much, just a couple of Christmas plush characters...I need someone to drop them off to Concierge before our check in so they can put them in the room. Obviously because it is just the two of us, I won't be able to sneak off and do it myself.
If any of you can help, please send me a PM and you will have my HUGE thanks!!!

I'm going on the 20th of Oct. and would love to help, however my packing is going to be tight, so no room for snuggie babies. Have you considered mailing them to the concierge? I have heard you can ship items there so they are used to saving packages. I'm sure they would be happy to help!

 

[BlueSkies]

I need a Pixie Dust Helper!!

If anyone is going to be staying at GF sometime on or in the few days before Nov 19, I'm looking for a Diser who might be willing to help me out.
DD7 and I will be checking in to SL CL on the 19th and I want to surprise her with a couple of treats however nothing I have found though Dis Floral or other companies is really what I want.
Nothing much, just a couple of Christmas plush characters...I need someone to drop them off to Concierge before our check in so they can put them in the room. Obviously because it is just the two of us, I won't be able to sneak off and do it myself.
If any of you can help, please send me a PM and you will have my HUGE thanks!!!

Although I am a fan of the Disney Florist another florist that we sometimes use is Flower Power of Davenport.. they have a nice variety of things and are reasonably priced too... If they don't have anything that appeals to you I was going to suggest what Hisgirl suggested...just mail a package ahead of time...

I'm going on the 20th of Oct. and would love to help, however my packing is going to be tight, so no room for snuggie babies. Have you considered mailing them to the concierge? I have heard you can ship items there so they are used to saving packages. I'm sure they would be happy to help!

Mommygina Cant wait to see those VBs in person... and I am hoping that the GF will have some more resort specific merchandise available...

MickeyNut Will do!

So where are the rest of my fellow GF fans today...its a little quiet around here...are you all off planning trips???

My magic band is ordered ...I'm not sure exactly what to do with it... LOL...But I will let you all know what I think when we get back from our trip...

Hope that everyone is having a Magical Monday!

 

[TX Momof2]

Hi Grand Floridian Disers!

I have a question for you and I need some advice. My family is taking our 2nd trip to DW Feb. 1-8. My MIL is coming with us, so we need a resort that holds 5 in a room. We're celebrating my DS's First Disney trip and his 5th Bday. Also, we're celebrating my DD's 10th Bday. I've decided on the monorail resorts b/c of the convenience factor (and, secretly I've always wanted to stay at them!). My MIL walks really slowly and will probably use a scooter some of the time. She will be spending a lot of time relaxing at the resort. I want it to be great for her and for us!

Okay, onto the question: Which resort is a better fit for a 5 yr old boy? My DH wants either CR Mk view or GF??? Poly was in the mix until the construction started...I don't think I could spend a week there right now. The cost is virtually the same...

Please help me! I want to book it when the Disney Visa discount comes out.

Thank you!

 

[mariamouse]

Hi Grand Floridian Disers!

I have a question for you and I need some advice. My family is taking our 2nd trip to DW Feb. 1-8. My MIL is coming with us, so we need a resort that holds 5 in a room. We're celebrating my DS's First Disney trip and his 5th Bday. Also, we're celebrating my DD's 10th Bday. I've decided on the monorail resorts b/c of the convenience factor (and, secretly I've always wanted to stay at them!). My MIL walks really slowly and will probably use a scooter some of the time. She will be spending a lot of time relaxing at the resort. I want it to be great for her and for us!

Okay, onto the question: Which resort is a better fit for a 5 yr old boy? My DH wants either CR Mk view or GF??? Poly was in the mix until the construction started...I don't think I could spend a week there right now. The cost is virtually the same...

Please help me! I want to book it when the Disney Visa discount comes out.

Thank you!

Hmm I think your son would probably find the CR more exciting because of the awesome view and the monorail going through the resort, plus Chef Mickey's would probably be fun for a little boy with the "big five" characters.

That being said, I prefer the GF in general. Beautiful grounds, great restaurants, better pools, nicer lobby, etc. Your MIL and DD would probably prefer it, but maybe not your son. I'm also not sure which resort would be easier with regard to your MIL's mobility, but would probably give CR the edge since it's more compact.

If the priority is your son's wishes and your MIL's mobility, I would probably go CR. If the resort ambiance and grounds are more important to you, I say GF. Either way, you can't go wrong!

 

[mariamouse]

We have had two ressies's linked together...and never had to move rooms..As grannieminnie and MickeyNut both said though..you really will be in the MK area if you choose WL...and from what I am hearing I think we might just do a GF/WL split for a future trip..They are such big fans...Cant go wrong with any of those choices though...Im sure you will have a wonderful trip!

That's reassuring to hear about never having to move rooms! And thank you again for the well wishes.

I agree..a really nice bunch of gals!

 

[trishadono]

Hi Grand Floridian Disers!

I have a question for you and I need some advice. My family is taking our 2nd trip to DW Feb. 1-8. My MIL is coming with us, so we need a resort that holds 5 in a room. We're celebrating my DS's First Disney trip and his 5th Bday. Also, we're celebrating my DD's 10th Bday. I've decided on the monorail resorts b/c of the convenience factor (and, secretly I've always wanted to stay at them!). My MIL walks really slowly and will probably use a scooter some of the time. She will be spending a lot of time relaxing at the resort. I want it to be great for her and for us!

Okay, onto the question: Which resort is a better fit for a 5 yr old boy? My DH wants either CR Mk view or GF??? Poly was in the mix until the construction started...I don't think I could spend a week there right now. The cost is virtually the same...

Please help me! I want to book it when the Disney Visa discount comes out.

Thank you!

Really CR or GF are great. I have stayed at both. GF has ambiance where as CR has awesome views and convenience of walking to MK.

Rooms are similar sizes. GF is a little more spread out. It is possible with elevators that CR might work better for MIL. I would not rule out Poly just yet. I may go back in January myself. The construction right now is minor.

I love all 3 and rotate between them based on sale rates and construction. Poly CL will probably be close to price of rooms at cr and GF. That may be a nice option for you. Breakfast and snacks with kids is always a good thing. The view of the castle won't be bothered either.

Since we at GF thread I will mention that the new play area (Alice in wonderland) will be fun for a five yr old. Also what 10 yr old girl would not want that gorgeous lobby and set of stairs at GF????

There is not a bad choice here. Check rates and go from there.

Good luck choosing and happy planning

(Added after) my kids were dd10 and ds8 birthday our first stay at GF. They loved beach pool and slide hidden in the rock. The liked the lobby, stairs, elevator. One stop to MK on the monorail was great. A longer ride home was fine cause we were all tired and needed the break! Really though it is hard to choose. The monorail resorts are awesome! Check BLT, the rates may work there too.

 

[TX Momof2]

mariamouse and Trishadono,

Thank you so much for the advice on the resorts! It's SO HARD TO DECIDE! I think I'll just wait and see what is available and go with it!

 

[bethclayton]

BCV23, k&a&c'smom, BlueSkies, trishadono, mickeynut1, grannyminnie, and MommyGina <and anyone else i may have missed> thank you so much for your kind words! you are all so sweet and really keep me going. i will just have to will myself to keep participating in this thread! i really appreciate the time each of you took to reply.

I Dream of Poly, whoa! i am so sorry to hear that. and i feel like a jerk for complaining! i am so glad for you that your trip was all paid off and you were still able to take it. but what a challenging situation. update us when you can!

 

[grannyminnie]

Morning all... Back to the thread after a few days out of town, and I see we're still thriving! Like some have posted, it's a great bunch to chat with here...

Mickeynut, what changes are you making to your trip?? I missed something...

Ummm, Blue, I never saw you mention which resort you'll be at in a few weeks! Tell all...LOL

My sister got a report back from some friends who did MNSSHP the other night, and they said it was just great! So sounds as if even tho there seem to be some cutbacks again this year, it's still great fun.

Ahcupcake, sure hope you shake that sinus infection really soon!

bethclayton,

 

[trishadono]

For those who has stayed RPC in 2013, do you have access to SL too?

We will probably hang out at courtyard pool in the afternoons and that would be nice

 

[grannyminnie]

For those who has stayed RPC in 2013, do you have access to SL too?

We will probably hang out at courtyard pool in the afternoons and that would be nice

Trish, seems like it's been reported that you can no longer have SL access if you're in RPC. Seems wrong to me...

 

[kohler2009]

24 days to go, woohoo! We are staying 5 nights in SL and it will be so nice to be back. Trying to remember back to our last trip in 2009 and I am drawing a blank. Can I find the following in the CL (trying to plan ahead for my picky eater and get my grocery order ready):
Wheat bread (for toast)
Jelly (packets are a-ok!)
Cheese (either cubes or sticks)
Yogurt (flavored)

I think those were my main questionable things. Thanks for all your help! I have loved "lurking" on this board and getting all the updates. This is the first time I have been in control of the planning. My mom usually does it and she is amazed that I am able to get insider info, lol

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jillmc40]

Hi Ladies! I am sad that I am not going for 547 days, so I have decided to plan the trip to keep me busy. This way I can change it a few times, just for fun...Bored much?? SO, my question is...I want to plan a dinner at GF one night (we will be in VGF for 3 nights). I want to try either Narcoossee's or Citrico's. We have been to GFC (love it) and 1900 park fare, but we want to try something different. My kids will be DD8 and DS6 at the time. Which is better do you think? DH and I are not picky eaters, we like all kinds of different food. I do not LOVE seafood, but I will eat it and enjoy it occasionally. If it is a tie we could always do both, but I wanted to make sure one wasn't a must while the other was just ok (yeah, right, I know...). Any help would be appreciated! Especially if one is a little more kid friendly over the other.

 

[grannyminnie]

24 days to go, woohoo! We are staying 5 nights in SL and it will be so nice to be back. Trying to remember back to our last trip in 2009 and I am drawing a blank. Can I find the following in the CL (trying to plan ahead for my picky eater and get my grocery order ready):
Wheat bread (for toast)
Jelly (packets are a-ok!)
Cheese (either cubes or sticks)
Yogurt (flavored)

I think those were my main questionable things. Thanks for all your help! I have loved "lurking" on this board and getting all the updates. This is the first time I have been in control of the planning. My mom usually does it and she is amazed that I am able to get insider info, lol

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

You can usually find all of those things in the SL lounge.

 

[bethclayton]

Hi Ladies! I am sad that I am not going for 547 days, so I have decided to plan the trip to keep me busy. This way I can change it a few times, just for fun...Bored much?? SO, my question is...I want to plan a dinner at GF one night (we will be in VGF for 3 nights). I want to try either Narcoossee's or Citrico's. We have been to GFC (love it) and 1900 park fare, but we want to try something different. My kids will be DD8 and DS6 at the time. Which is better do you think? DH and I are not picky eaters, we like all kinds of different food. I do not LOVE seafood, but I will eat it and enjoy it occasionally. If it is a tie we could always do both, but I wanted to make sure one wasn't a must while the other was just ok (yeah, right, I know...). Any help would be appreciated! Especially if one is a little more kid friendly over the other.

a lot of people love narcoossee's but we weren't wow'ed by it. it was just okay. we do love citricos, though. we have eaten there twice and would go back, for sure. i guess narcoossee's is a LITTLE more kid friendly in that it is a lot louder and more casual but there were kids at nearly every table at citricos.