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

[k&a&c'smom]

It's decided; we're going to try to do 2 studios at BLT for our kids and get a one bedroom at GFV's for US!! It's been a dream to stay at the GF and now with the villas, we can!!! Less than a year

YAY! Very excited for you!

Good afternoon fellow GF fans!


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Dragonfly This might be a silly question..but I don't know what Dopey weekend is?? No matter..have a great trip!

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k&a&c'smom That is quite a road trip.. the trip from DC will definitely seem like a hop skip and jump! Well..are we back in sync..are you posting about now???

Trisha's post about DVC merchandise reminded me..that I did look around a fe weeks ago to see if ther was anything that was GF DVC specific in the shops..at that time there was not...But Sandy cove is now carrying DVC merchandise..another pic I will have to send to Maxie to post for me...there were mens button down shirts that said DVC...and womens (pink, blue and turquoise) and mens (navy blue) tees..assorted hot cups..water bottles..and hats..they simply say Disney Vacation Club..with a Mickey on them...

As for the CL offerings..Trish your post made me think of this too.. all morning..and afternoon were the same as usual....besides the new coffee..bye bye Nescafe...there are some newer evening appetizers.. had the opportunity to talk with a very nice chef while he was checking on the food..and he asked what I thought... I actually made a list..LOL..casue I know that I wouldn't remember..I'll need to get out my "packet" from this last trip ..I know that others of you have admitted to having these too! LOL.. and post it later...

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday!

Nope, we're still off! I was out having lunch with my middle child, he's back here to pack up his things to move to STL. He got a job! Tough out there right now, it has taken him a while but finally! Whew! He starts in less than two weeks.

Thanks for the merch update. Kind of silly they have generic DVC stuff, I would think GF-specific would mean higher sales.

What kind of coffee is in the lounge now? DD will want to know - I do not drink coffee, so it's nothing to me.

Oh - I think Dopey weekend is something to do with the WDW marathons. Not positive, though.

We can do it in 14 hours if we want to push ourselves to do it in a day. (I have a little bit of a lead foot). I always seem to get sick every time we fly. It doesn't matter what I take beforehand to stop it either. lol And we like to torture the kids with historical things along the way as well!

Ooh, 14 hours - so close! Silly to think that is a short drive, huh?! I'm so used to 22+, ugh.

My DD has an awful time with her ears when she flies, and like you, it doesn't matter what she does. She often has a couple days of clogged ears after a flight, I think it is due to her many ear infections as a baby. ??

LOL about torturing the kids - what are kids for?! We used to take long road trips with our kids, down to the Gulf and all over FL, out to California. They got so sick of us saying, "hey, you kids - look!"

 

[mickeynut1]

Yes, $300 one way is over the top for a flight within the US.

Totally over the top!! I couldn't stomach paying $300 R/T to Orlando so I know I couldn't even begin to entertain the idea of paying that for one way .

Grammaminnie should be there now. Hopefully we get some word from her soon.

I was thinking the same thing......hope she's having a great time .

It's decided; we're going to try to do 2 studios at BLT for our kids and get a one bedroom at GFV's for US!! It's been a dream to stay at the GF and now with the villas, we can!!! Less than a year

That will be a wonderful trip and I'm sure you are going to love the VGF .

MickeyNut If you can change your dates to a non peak time that would be great! I knew something would change..LOL...

I haven't done anything yet, but it's looking like that's what will happen . I just keep thinking about the cost for March WITH a good discount and that rack rate during a lower cost season is not too far off from that .

And we like to torture the kids with historical things along the way as well!

I was out having lunch with my middle child, he's back here to pack up his things to move to STL. He got a job! Tough out there right now, it has taken him a while but finally! Whew! He starts in less than two weeks.

I'm so used to 22+, ugh.

Congrats to your son on getting a job . I hope you had a nice lunch out with him.....good luck to him as he starts his career .

I remember driving down to Florida many times as a kid (16-18 hours) and I vowed not to do that to my kids . The farthest we have driven with our boys is 6 hours and that was more than enough for me . That's not to say that our boys misbehaved as they did very well in the car and were fine....I'm the one who couldn't handle it .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Congrats to your son on getting a job . I hope you had a nice lunch out with him.....good luck to him as he starts his career .

I remember driving down to Florida many times as a kid (16-18 hours) and I vowed not to do that to my kids . The farthest we have driven with our boys is 6 hours and that was more than enough for me . That's not to say that our boys misbehaved as they did very well in the car and were fine....I'm the one who couldn't handle it .

Thanks for your kind words, I'll pass along the well wishes.

LOL about not being able to handle it - we got very used to hearing, "Da-a-ad, he keeps touching me!" or "Mo-o-om, she's laying on me on purpose!" It can be a test of adult nerves, but my kids have such great memories of those road trips, stopping in national parks to eat our picnic lunch, seeing stuff along the way; and to be honest, the fighting. When they get together, the first thing they remember is their epic squabbles. Good times. lol

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Yay for new coffee!!! The WL CL had the Nescafé machine this weekend, but had an Urn of Joffrey there... Oh Joffrey, I love you so!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for your kind words, I'll pass along the well wishes.

LOL about not being able to handle it - we got very used to hearing, "Da-a-ad, he keeps touching me!" or "Mo-o-om, she's laying on me on purpose!" It can be a test of adult nerves, but my kids have such great memories of those road trips, stopping in national parks to eat our picnic lunch, seeing stuff along the way; and to be honest, the fighting. When they get together, the first thing they remember is their epic squabbles. Good times. lol

One we've heard a few times over the years is "He's looking out my window" ......gotta love kids . We didn't drive long distances enough to get used to things like that, but I can see how it would probably be tolerable after doing it enough . I do agree that driving long distances can test your patience, but it also makes for some good times to remember later on .

 

[BlueSkies]

As promised...for my fellow foodies..LOL..

Some of the new CL evening offerings...

Pear slices soaked in port wine...with blue cheese and prosciutto wrapped around them..

Greek meatballs..these were small swedish meatball sized..and had feta cheese and spinach mixed in...topped with a tomato sauce..

Bacon wrapped chicken ( I think this is a new one??)

Spanokopia (I'm sure I didnt spell that right!!?? LOL)

Sweet and spicy chicken

Shrimp fra diavolo

Chicken bruschetta

Salmon poke

Chicken BLT salad

Some oldie but goodies..

Pumpkin soup..(soo good!)

Chicken wellington

Fried ravioli

Spring rolls

Brie raspberry croquets

There were more items..but thats all I took the time to jot down (or can remember)...between bites..LOL...

Someone didnt like to miss evening appetizers..LOL...

Oh and the coffee is Joffreys...A little strong for my taste..but it makes a good cup of coffee...

The very best food offering IMO though is the afternoon scones.. (and the trifle is pretty good too! )...

Well now that I have made myself super hungry...and its too late to eat anything..I will get a nice big glass of water and then probably dream of GF foods tonight!

k&a&c'smom Having lunch with your son is a very acceptable excuse for not posting at the same time..LOL...Congratulations to him on getting a job ...thats wonderful!!

MickeyNut Car rides with kids..there could prbably be a very humorous book written about that...He's looking out my window..Oh that is a good one!!! LOL...

 

[MommyGina]

After reading all the goodies that Blue mentioned, I'm hungry!!! I can't remember how often they change the food offering around in CL, but maybe every year or two?

We always get one room for my family. DD in her own queen bed and DS on the day bed. It works for us, but one thing I remember when they were in grade school waiting for the bus was, "Mommy, make him get off! He's standing on my shadow." Those were the days. At Disney, they are actually friends!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

One we've heard a few times over the years is "He's looking out my window" ......gotta love kids . We didn't drive long distances enough to get used to things like that, but I can see how it would probably be tolerable after doing it enough . I do agree that driving long distances can test your patience, but it also makes for some good times to remember later on .

Too funny!

....

There were more items..but thats all I took the time to jot down (or can remember)...between bites..LOL...

Someone didnt like to miss evening appetizers..LOL...

Oh and the coffee is Joffreys...A little strong for my taste..but it makes a good cup of coffee...

The very best food offering IMO though is the afternoon scones.. (and the trifle is pretty good too! )...

Well now that I have made myself super hungry...and its too late to eat anything..I will get a nice big glass of water and then probably dream of GF foods tonight!

k&a&c'smom Having lunch with your son is a very acceptable excuse for not posting at the same time..LOL...Congratulations to him on getting a job ...thats wonderful!!

MickeyNut Car rides with kids..there could prbably be a very humorous book written about that...He's looking out my window..Oh that is a good one!!! LOL...

Thanks for the food list! Ah, the scones... When DD and I got home from our last CL stay, she called me her first morning and said, "hey...what?...no one has put food out for me!" HAHAHA! We were both bummed there wasn't a constant supply of snacks to graze on at home.

Thanks about the coffee, is it in urns or a coffee maker? What about espresso?

Thanks about my boy, we're all so happy for him!

After reading all the goodies that Blue mentioned, I'm hungry!!! I can't remember how often they change the food offering around in CL, but maybe every year or two?

We always get one room for my family. DD in her own queen bed and DS on the day bed. It works for us, but one thing I remember when they were in grade school waiting for the bus was, "Mommy, make him get off! He's standing on my shadow." Those were the days. At Disney, they are actually friends!

Oh, the horror! The things kids use to torment their siblings - priceless!

We've always gotten just one room, too. It never even occurred to us to split the family up, when I joined the DIS and started reading about people getting two rooms, I was surprised! We have 3 kids; in rooms with just two beds, one of the kids took the floor with blankets. It was usually a fight to see who got to sleep on the floor, or trundle, or daybed. My oldest usually set up the rotation.

 

[princessmocha]

One we've heard a few times over the years is "He's looking out my window" ......gotta love kids . We didn't drive long distances enough to get used to things like that, but I can see how it would probably be tolerable after doing it enough . I do agree that driving long distances can test your patience, but it also makes for some good times to remember later on .

That is awesome! I haven't heard that one, be we have gotten "She's staring at me" or "MMMOOOMMMM Rachel is draping" (mean she was leaning over her seat onto his) You would think with the captain's chairs in the mini-van this wouldn't be a problem! LOL

It works for us, but one thing I remember when they were in grade school waiting for the bus was, "Mommy, make him get off! He's standing on my shadow." Those were the days. At Disney, they are actually friends!

That's hilarious! I could see my kids saying something like that!!!

Nope, we're still off! I was out having lunch with my middle child, he's back here to pack up his things to move to STL. He got a job! Tough out there right now, it has taken him a while but finally! Whew! He starts in less than two weeks.

Ooh, 14 hours - so close! Silly to think that is a short drive, huh?! I'm so used to 22+, ugh.

My DD has an awful time with her ears when she flies, and like you, it doesn't matter what she does. She often has a couple days of clogged ears after a flight, I think it is due to her many ear infections as a baby. ??

LOL about torturing the kids - what are kids for?! We used to take long road trips with our kids, down to the Gulf and all over FL, out to California. They got so sick of us saying, "hey, you kids - look!"

Congrats to your DS!!!! The job market can be tough!

Our kiddos are used to the long drives finally, but we still get just a little bit of fighting. Now that they have phones, it keeps them quiet!

 

[yolie912]

Hi,

Just wondering if the Villas are worth it? Are they nice?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

That is awesome! I haven't heard that one, be we have gotten "She's staring at me" or "MMMOOOMMMM Rachel is draping" (mean she was leaning over her seat onto his) You would think with the captain's chairs in the mini-van this wouldn't be a problem! LOL


....
Congrats to your DS!!!! The job market can be tough!

Our kiddos are used to the long drives finally, but we still get just a little bit of fighting. Now that they have phones, it keeps them quiet!

LOL - the "staring at me" thing was pretty common in our car, too. I'll bet all the electronics available now make a big difference, when my kids were little their Gameboys helped. By the time the overhead TVs appeared, our family road trips were winding down.

Thanks about the job.

Hi,

Just wondering if the Villas are worth it? Are they nice?

They are gorgeous! Whether they are worth it or not is subjective, but I'll post some links for you to check out the villas.

Photos sent to us by BCV23, who was in a 2 BR just last week.

VGF Homeowner's Thread, lots of villa photos starting on page 13, post #194!

Enjoy!

 

[trishadono]

Busy doing last minute packing and house cleaning.

Just realized by MB's match my Vera's



Too excited. I keep doing the happy dance

Wish I could take you all with me! But you will be in my thoughts.

 

[Mommy2TwoMickeys]

Busy doing last minute packing and house cleaning.

Just realized by MB's match my Vera's



Too excited. I keep doing the happy dance

Wish I could take you all with me! But you will be in my thoughts.

We Aren't Far Behind You

 

[trishadono]

We Aren't Far Behind You

I remember! I am eagerly awaiting your thoughts on the 2br villa. That is our family's next stop.

 

[jillmc40]

I am laughing at what all of your kids would fight about. We are just entering that phase in our house. Some mornings we have to put up a box of cereal between dd an ds because one is looking at the other. I love the shadow one, that was really funny! We are driving to TN for Easter break. 11 hours. It should be interesting!! I agree though, it will make for wonderful memories

K&a&c. Congrats on the ds job! Where in stl? I love that dd would call after and ask where are the scones . I have to try these at some point. Can you get them anywhere but cl? Now that dd is outside of Dc driving from there won't be so terrible. Us going through the Dc area is always what makes us think twice :/

Has anyone been to the new spa? I was wondering how it was.

 

[trishadono]

I am laughing at what all of your kids would fight about. We are just entering that phase in our house. Some mornings we have to put up a box of cereal between dd an ds because one is looking at the other. I love the shadow one, that was really funny! We are driving to TN for Easter break. 11 hours. It should be interesting!! I agree though, it will make for wonderful memories


.

We tried driving, once! After ds bugged dd so many times my dh booked the kids and I on a flight home and he drove home alone
Ladies have to say I miss those days enjoy it while you can.

 

[mickeynut1]

As promised...for my fellow foodies..LOL..

Some of the new CL evening offerings...

There were more items..but thats all I took the time to jot down (or can remember)...between bites..LOL...

MickeyNut Car rides with kids..there could prbably be a very humorous book written about that...He's looking out my window..Oh that is a good one!!! LOL...

Thanks for the list......they have added quite a few new things . Do they still have the sticky buns in the morning?? Those are my favorite .

Ya I'll never forget that one . And I agree......that would make for a very humorous book as kids say the funniest things .

but one thing I remember when they were in grade school waiting for the bus was, "Mommy, make him get off! He's standing on my shadow." Those were the days. At Disney, they are actually friends!

That is hilarious.....I love it .

When DD and I got home from our last CL stay, she called me her first morning and said, "hey...what?...no one has put food out for me!" HAHAHA! We were both bummed there wasn't a constant supply of snacks to graze on at home.

LOL.....but it's so true.....it's hard coming home and not having a lounge to go to for a quick snack .

we have gotten "She's staring at me" or "MMMOOOMMMM Rachel is draping" (mean she was leaning over her seat onto his) You would think with the captain's chairs in the mini-van this wouldn't be a problem! LOL

That is too funny!!! I agree about the captains chairs....they are nice for separation, but my two would have found a hundred ways to annoy each other when they were younger even being apart .

Hi,

Just wondering if the Villas are worth it? Are they nice?

As k&a&c'smom posted, the villas are beautiful and while worth is subjective as it's different for everyone, I think they would be worth it .

Busy doing last minute packing and house cleaning.

Happy packing and house cleaning. Have a great time .

We Aren't Far Behind You

Have a great trip

I am laughing at what all of your kids would fight about. We are just entering that phase in our house. Some mornings we have to put up a box of cereal between dd an ds because one is looking at the other. I love the shadow one, that was really funny! We are driving to TN for Easter break. 11 hours. It should be interesting!! I agree though, it will make for wonderful memories

Has anyone been to the new spa? I was wondering how it was.

How funny about having the cereal boxes between the two . The 11 hour drive will make for some great memories .

I can't help with the spa, but hopefully someone will be able to give you some input on that .

We tried driving, once! After ds bugged dd so many times my dh booked the kids and I on a flight home and he drove home alone

I won't even attempt to drive to Florida as I am so NOT a driver ........I barely make it to Indianapolis......and that's just under 2 hours for us .

 

[DaeHyFoog]

It looks like we're going to be staying at the GF with extended family in June 2014, and I was wondering what "extra" type of activities GF offers that are fun or worthwhile that are exclusive to GF?

Clear as mud, right? Here's what I mean. We recently stayed at the DLH at DL, and there were all sorts of really cool things to do there. For instance, you could sign up for an early morning walk of DL a couple of hours before the park opened. Also you could sign up for a special resort tour of the DLH or GCH, where a CM would give history and architectural insights. There was even a special time set aside at Build-A-Bear for resort guests. All of this sounded really cool, and I wish we had built time in our itinerary for some of these. I don't want to make the same mistake twice, and I'm wondering if GF has unique opportunities that I should try to make happen for us?

Thanks for any and all responses!!!

 

[bethclayton]

We tried driving, once! After ds bugged dd so many times my dh booked the kids and I on a flight home and he drove home alone
Ladies have to say I miss those days enjoy it while you can.

you are making me . my kids are "only" 11 & 13 but time flies and i feel SO sad every time i think about life without them living here. i know it's normal and it's part of life and i am raising them to be very independent and self-sufficient, but i really wish i could stop time. dh works till 11 every night so it is just always me and them. sigh, enough of my debbie downer-ism!

trisha, have a WONDERFUL trip!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Busy doing last minute packing and house cleaning.

Just realized by MB's match my Vera's


Too excited. I keep doing the happy dance

Wish I could take you all with me! But you will be in my thoughts.

One more sleep! Safe travels, and have a magical vacation.

I am laughing at what all of your kids would fight about. We are just entering that phase in our house. Some mornings we have to put up a box of cereal between dd an ds because one is looking at the other. I love the shadow one, that was really funny! We are driving to TN for Easter break. 11 hours. It should be interesting!! I agree though, it will make for wonderful memories

K&a&c. Congrats on the ds job! Where in stl? I love that dd would call after and ask where are the scones . I have to try these at some point. Can you get them anywhere but cl? Now that dd is outside of Dc driving from there won't be so terrible. Us going through the Dc area is always what makes us think twice :/

Has anyone been to the new spa? I was wondering how it was.

LOL about the drive, good luck to Mom & Dad. I don't blame you about the DC traffic, DD takes the Metro into the city - crazy busy. It is pretty easy to go around, though, we do when we take her car - for instance, when we went from Bethesda to Arlington & Alexandria.

You can get the scones at the afternoon tea in the Garden View Tea Room. Mmm, scones and Devonshire cream.~sigh~

My DS will be working right downtown, I'm pretty sure. They just rented an apt. in Kirkwood, a bit farther away than they wanted but they will be driving in the opposite direction from rush hour.

That is too funny!!! I agree about the captains chairs....they are nice for separation, but my two would have found a hundred ways to annoy each other when they were younger even being apart .


I won't even attempt to drive to Florida as I am so NOT a driver ........I barely make it to Indianapolis......and that's just under 2 hours for us .

We had a minivan with captain's chairs, it helped but you are right - they still found ways to annoy one another.

LOL about Indy.

It looks like we're going to be staying at the GF with extended family in June 2014, and I was wondering what "extra" type of activities GF offers that are fun or worthwhile that are exclusive to GF?

Clear as mud, right? Here's what I mean. We recently stayed at the DLH at DL, and there were all sorts of really cool things to do there. For instance, you could sign up for an early morning walk of DL a couple of hours before the park opened. Also you could sign up for a special resort tour of the DLH or GCH, where a CM would give history and architectural insights. There was even a special time set aside at Build-A-Bear for resort guests. All of this sounded really cool, and I wish we had built time in our itinerary for some of these. I don't want to make the same mistake twice, and I'm wondering if GF has unique opportunities that I should try to make happen for us?

Thanks for any and all responses!!!

YAY for the GF stay. I know the kind of experiences you are talking about, they do some of those types of things at AKL, a few at WL. As far as I know, there are no tours at the Grand. They used to have some things for kids, like Adventures in Cooking and a lady bug release, but those are long gone, sad to say.

We love sitting in the lobby in the late afternoon/evening, listening to the pianist and orchestra. Very relaxing, one of our favorite activities. They start around 3 p.m. and run until about 9:45 p.m.

The one thing you may want to look into is the afternoon tea. We love it so much, we book it every trip regardless which resort we are in. You can book it through the dining line - not sure if it is available online at the moment, they seem to take spells where you have to call.

There is a program especially for kids called My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea Party. Check it out, here is the link.

HTH!

you are making me . my kids are "only" 11 & 13 but time flies and i feel SO sad every time i think about life without them living here. i know it's normal and it's part of life and i am raising them to be very independent and self-sufficient, but i really wish i could stop time. dh works till 11 every night so it is just always me and them. sigh, enough of my debbie downer-ism!

trisha, have a WONDERFUL trip!

Cherish this time, it goes so quickly. Like you, I know it is what we raise them to do - make their own life - but I miss my kids sooo much.