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

[grannyminnie]

Good morning, GF pals...I could have been posting a TR at 5 this morning, I woke so early!

We had a wonderful stay last week, and it started just driving up to the GF entrance and seeing the look of the new villas blending in seamlessly with the Grand itself. Looks like it's been there since the beginning!
Our room..OMG, a wonderful theme park view (8121) in Boca. How nice to be able to sit on the patio and have an all-encompassing view like we did~ We were not able to see the Poly however, but I could see the construction barriers in front of Tuvalu (or Hawaii, wherever they are). For the first time, we did not go over and visit the Poly or eat there. Just wanted to spend all our free time at our beloved Grand!

We were granted access to the SL lounge, and as usual, enjoyed it very much! There are just the best CMs in SL. One of them took us over to RPC and up to the lounge to meet some CMs up there, and we got a tour of a couple of the suites. That just upped my desire to stay in the Walt suite one day.... Oh, and by the way, there were some higher-uppers in the Disney organization checking in on Tues. and staying in the suites...don't know why they were there, but the suites were being cleaned to perfection for their arrival!

As for the food in the lounge, some of the items I remember, and there were a few new ones. My favorite of all things probably are the scones....love, love, love them! The new (to me) coffee in the lounge meets my approval (I'm a huge coffee snob ) and I also really like that tropical juice. The lounge was usually not that crowded, except maybe about an hour before park opening. Since we didn't go for rope drop, we would just wait til seating was available.

We did go over and visit the villas the first day, and had a tour of the suites. Wow, would I love to just live there!! What beautiful decor..
Have any of you heard whether or not the reno of the GF will follow that theme? I wouldn't mind that, as long as they didn't lose all the Mickey touches.

To be continued.....

 

[trishadono]

Woke up to SNOW this morning!!! Where is my great GF view

Friday we arrived via ME at 3pm. We were met right at the door of our bus quite enthusiastically. "Come on, I am going to escort you right to your room"!!!

We walked past the cm desk and headed for our room. Everyone was great. Our room was above Mouse Mercantile(or so). We had an odd shaped end room (next to the octagon deluxe king). It had a angled hall then to the right , closet followed by sinks followed by bath area. As you went left from hall the wet bar was on the left the door straight ahead. The room was angular and eventually I will end pics. The balcony was a double. The view from the left side was of VGF , beach pool and poly etc. VERY nice.

We went out for scones and champagne

Dh smiles and says"you really outdid your self, this is wonderful!!!"

As the family happiness planner you hope you get it right but you never know

He loved the piano, smell of lobby, the gingerbread house was up, the food, the tropical punch, the views, having our room overlook the lobby!

We asked to stay in that room since it was a king standard( yes they exist!!!).
They said booked up and had to move on Sat

Then sat am I tried to check in but not available so I was given a late check out of 1pm which was helpful. At 1pm we checked in to our new room. 4030. The 5th floor octagon room overlooking entrance and monorail. This room was HUGE!!! Unbelievable walk in closet, large tub, wet bar, 5 very large window areas, seating area, table and chairs. The view was great. I could see Epcot, poly, VGF etc.

We loved RPC

We had tried cr atrium club and poly CL, and I had tried GF SL but this
It was just what we needed. My dh thanked me so many times with words and smiles. We reminisced about past trips with his dad, we walked hand n hand, we had private snacks and meals at the tables for 2 along the windows. Ahhhhh just perfect.

RPC just blows away the other CL's.

Here are things I was checking for others:

1. Yes I remembered your mom sitting in the lobby
2. The GF merchandise hasn't changed since August. Generic DVC and some GF mdse available. The food/store is not as big as CR fantasia.
3. The "nubs" on the walkway at VGF in between tall light posts were SPEAKERS! Yes you can hear music over there too
4. MB's worked good except check in for 2nd room. We waiting 5, 10, 20, 30 no 40 minutes !!! (Beth was it you with same problem?) We had to go down to lobby and hard code it.
5. The disney vera was sold out at Epcot and DTD. It arrived that Friday at GF and was selling fast. My "mousing around" mini hipster was popular. People kept wanting it. The CM's in the store dragged me around to show others what it looked like also the new navy print was available and online disney store almost sold out too.

Also with MB's if you have a continuing reservation your MB's disconnect at 11am for first reservation. Your new room key will work at 2nd resort once you check in. This means you can't access a CL lounge on a transfer day. For example we were staying SL for 1/1-1/2 then transferring to VGF on 1/2. Now I can't access the lounge after 11am and if our new room isn't ready until 4pm we are out of luck. This is new with MB's , previously you could use until midnight on checkout day. So I may just stay in a GV room instead that first night. (We arrive at 9pm)

Last, someone came in our room to check our frig, they are still working on them but both of our rooms they were in working order. I asked and she said they still swapping them out.

Ugh have to get my butt to work. Pictures when I get a chance. Wow what a great trip!!!

 

[trishadono]

Hi grannyminnie

 

[tallen429]

Ok, hearing that our CL access isn't extended through the day does NOT make me happy!!!

After three nights in SL we are switching over to POFQ and I was planning on stopping back at the lounge for a mid-day break from MK before heading over to FQ.

Yet another perk gone...

 

[dansdad]

Ok, hearing that our CL access isn't extended through the day does NOT make me happy!!!

After three nights in SL we are switching over to POFQ and I was planning on stopping back at the lounge for a mid-day break from MK before heading over to FQ.

Yet another perk gone...

We have friends that just returned from the Grand and were told the 11am cutoff for the lounge is a glitch with the MBs. They were told to use their KTTWs on check out day and were able to access the lounge until their ME pickup at 10PM.

 

[trishadono]

We have friends that just returned from the Grand and were told the 11am cutoff for the lounge is a glitch with the MBs. They were told to use their KTTWs on check out day and were able to access the lounge until their ME pickup at 10PM.

When they gave us gold ttw cards they said some of the last ones to be given out. That with MB's rollout they will not have them. This was told to me by our check in escort.

Hey dansdad! Aren't you usually over on CBR?

I asked a cm specifically about my upcoming January trip and was told we would not be able to use lounge after 11. So I guess it depends on when the testing gets finished. Rats!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

grannyminnie - thanks for the review! Sounds like a magical time. I know what you mean about wanting to stay in the Walt Suite - we toured a couple suites last trip and now we want to stay in the Victorian!

trishadono - thanks for the photos, review and update on merch. LOL about your VB!

Good to know regarding the MBs and transfer day for CL. How did that work when you checked out of 4329 and into 4030? BTW, I think johnsonet has been in both those rooms, or the ones right below or above(4429 and 4330/4430), she is the OP of the photos of 4329 I posted during our discussion of deluxe rooms, etc. and she has posted photos of those king deluxe rooms (--30) in the past, too. She loved the king deluxe, but as I recall, did not care for the --29 rooms as she prefers the more symmetrical standard rooms. I kind of like all the odd room configurations - fun!

Thank you everyone for such kind wishes about DD. She is slowly getting better, getting her to drink fluids is a battle but she is a stubborn 7 year old.

On a happier note first thing this morning I booked a week at VGF in a studio for next October. When I asked DH if he wanted to stay somewhere else he laughed at me and said "of course not, the Grand is perfect."

I'm so glad your DD is feeling better, I hope she is completely recovered soon.

YAY for next October!

It's raining here now and the temps are supposed to drop as the afternoon goes on, with the rain changing to snow . My DS can't wait to see those flakes because he wants to get out on his snowmobile .

Our temps dropped drastically late yesterday, and were supposed to be in the low 20s overnight, upper 30s today. Then, back to 50s for the rest of the week - I hope!

Weather here is bad today too..


84 and sunny....

Nice!

Dang! It's Spring here and WE are not getting 84 and sunny today. Actually, it's been like this all season - grey, damp, windy and chilly. What we all need is a little GF pixie dust... and 84 degrees!

We have never been to ESPN Club but I may need to go check out that menu

....

Ugh...had to scrape ice off my car windows when I left work today

....

I can't remember what we had at ESPN, other than my DD had a beer from their large selection, but it was good.

Ice. Ugh is right!

I'm sorry.....Northwest Indiana .

We aren't to the ice stage yet, but it is snowing pretty good here right now .

How much snow did you get?

....

guess what? cnn travel rated GF as one of the top ten family friendly resorts: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/11/travel/family-hotels-america/index.html?sr=fb111113familyhotels8p

Sweet! Thanks for the link, I'll go read it when I'm finished here.

.... No offense, but I hate traveling through Indiana in snow and ice because the road conditions, in my experience, were just awful. As soon as we would cross the line into IL the roads were instantly better. What's up with that? Is it my bad luck?

We have noticed a big difference in road conditions state to state whenever we travel by car. Missouri used to have much better roads than Kansas, for example, but now I think we are down near the bottom. Because KC straddles the MO/KS line, we see this phenomenon regularly - cross State Line Road and everything changes! Even snow removal has a straight line where it ends!

Nice pics!! Are you in Big Pine Key? If so, this is the building we are requesting and I am curious what kind of noise, if any, you get from the movies on the beach if you are on the lagoon view side. Thanks, hope you're having a great trip!

trisha was in the Main Bldg., which is a bookable category. There will be a slightly different angle from BPK, but a similar one other than not looking directly over the pool area. Views that direction are lovely!

Just left GFV this morning, after years of wanting to stay at the GF we were not disappointed. We had a 6th floor deluxe studio room 1605 and it was amazing! Had a view of the entrance fountain, monorail and pool to the right.

Sorry your trip has ended, glad you had a magical stay. Thanks for the update on the villas, sounds like a pretty view.

I love the Grand! Can't wait to check in next month. Has anyone ever stayed in a room with a lagoon view? How far a walk is to the monorail and main lobby?

Are you asking about the walk from the outer buildings with standard resort rooms, or the Villas with a lagoon view? From the Villas, posters have said it is about a 5-7 minute walk to lobby/monorail. If you mean from one of the outer buildings like Boca Chica or Big Pine, it is about 3 minutes to walk to the lobby, add an extra minute or two for elevator or take the stairs.

HTH!

 

[dansdad]

When they gave us gold ttw cards they said some of the last ones to be given out. That with MB's rollout they will not have them. This was told to me by our check in escort.

That's what our friends were told too. In fact the only reason they were given the gold KTTWs was because of the issue with the MB cutting off Club access too early. So they know it's a problem.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Ok, hearing that our CL access isn't extended through the day does NOT make me happy!!!

After three nights in SL we are switching over to POFQ and I was planning on stopping back at the lounge for a mid-day break from MK before heading over to FQ.

Yet another perk gone...

We have friends that just returned from the Grand and were told the 11am cutoff for the lounge is a glitch with the MBs. They were told to use their KTTWs on check out day and were able to access the lounge until their ME pickup at 10PM.

When they gave us gold ttw cards they said some of the last ones to be given out. That with MB's rollout they will not have them. This was told to me by our check in escort.

Hey dansdad! Aren't you usually over on CBR?

I asked a cm specifically about my upcoming January trip and was told we would not be able to use lounge after 11. So I guess it depends on when the testing gets finished. Rats!

Interesting. I wonder how this will all play out. I have a feeling they will get the MB glitch fixed by the time they run out of cards and return to the "up until midnight of check out day" policy, as they are likely to get many complaints.

Another surprise is the report they are doing away with the cards. ?? They had been reporting you could choose whether to have bands or key cards if you do not like the bands!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

That's what our friends were told too. In fact the only reason they were given the gold KTTWs was because of the issue with the MB cutting off Club access too early. So they know it's a problem.

You guys are too fast for me today. This makes sense, but I'm still surprised by the elimination of key cards. I have been asking about them, along with others who aren't sure they will like the bands, and the answer has been it will be a choice. Sounds like...not.

 

[BlueSkies]

Good morning fellow GF fans!

Didnt get to exactly catch up..but I did skim...

Welcome back Grannyminnie Glad that you had such a magical vacation!! I thought the coffee was good..just a little strong for my taste..nothing that a little extra cream couldnt fix!! I was happy to see some new foods for the evening appetizers..You know its always about the food!!! LOL... Oh that Walt Suite...amazing...Its on my bucket list!! lol...Thanks for the review..looking foward to reading more...

Trisha Welcome back to you too..Glad that your stay in RPC was all that you hoped it would be..it truly is a special place ...We have stayed in that type of deluxe king also...but with the view of the courtyard/MK....such a nice room... I do believe that the other king room that you stayed in is attached to a suite...the suites there have a main living room and then a double on one side and a king on the other..both that lock off...so I dont think they are always available in general..?? ... Thanks for sharing your lovely pics too ...GF pics are the next best thing to being there...

k&a&c'smom I was happily enjoying my morning Dunkin Donuts coffee and one of their yummy pumpkin muffins..until I saw your breakfast pics...lol..Now I am craving lots of things ...and I would like to be eating them at the GFC too! I was hoping that they would not do away with the cards either..I kept mine with me.."just in case" ...kind of like a security blanket (well card..LOL..)!

MickeyNut Whats new and exciting my friend?? Any new trip plans..Inquiring mind here...


club acccess after check out

So confusing... I did also ask this question during our recent trip..after hearing so many differing reports about it.....and I was told by a CL CM..who did check with a phone call to the CL powers that be??? ( after I mentioned that I had heard otherwise ) ...lol...and was told that there will continue to be lounge access until midnight the day of check out...I hope that is the case...

Hope that all you all are having a terrific Tuesday!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Good morning fellow GF fans!

Didnt get to exactly catch up..but I did skim...


....
k&a&c'smom I was happily enjoying my morning Dunkin Donuts coffee and one of their yummy pumpkin muffins..until I saw your breakfast pics...lol..Now I am craving lots of things ...and I would like to be eating them at the GFC too! I was hoping that they would not do away with the cards either..I kept mine with me.."just in case" ...kind of like a security blanket (well card..LOL..)!

....
club acccess after check out

So confusing... I did also ask this question during our recent trip..after hearing so many differing reports about it.....and I was told by a CL CM..who did check with a phone call to the CL powers that be??? ( after I mentioned that I had heard otherwise ) ...lol...and was told that there will continue to be lounge access until midnight the day of check out...I hope that is the case...

Hope that all you all are having a terrific Tuesday!

It's hard to catch up after a few days away. I'm heading out to help DS move, I'll be out of town for a couple days. It's likely I'll have to do some skimming when I return.

This is exactly what I would expect - they will figure out a way to keep the CL access on day of check out the same. Can you imagine the kind of complaints they will get from long-time CL guests if this changes?! And I hope they continue to have the cards available, they have said from the start the MBs and MDE will be a choice, not a requirement.

LOL about the breakfast photos. I had toast with peanut butter this morning, so I would be drooling, too, if I let myself peruse those folders again. Now I'm longing for a GFC or Kona breakfast just thinking about them!

 

[trishadono]

1st thing I had!

 

[trishadono]

Yum! Pumpkin soup! Thanks Blue for telling me about it

 

[princessmocha]

trishadono - Now that is my kind of breakfast!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

That's what our friends were told too. In fact the only reason they were given the gold KTTWs was because of the issue with the MB cutting off Club access too early. So they know it's a problem.

We were told 2 weeks ago that the cards will still be given out because of glitches in the systems. We couldn't use our MB at many of the food places in Epcot or in the Garden Tea Room...I was glad I had tucked my card into my wallet!

We also were told that our access to the CL was until 10pm (we drove, no ME) and when we went up at 1pm, it worked fine.

 

[grannyminnie]

Hi grannyminnie

Hi! Your rooms both sounded fabulous! We just loved ours...it was in the top three we've ever had!

 

[grannyminnie]

1st thing I had!

OH yeah!! Love those things!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

please tell me they have that in Sugarloaf??? I love their scones and jam!

 

[trishadono]

please tell me they have that in Sugarloaf??? I love their scones and jam!

Yes, dd and I stayed there in may'12. That was her favorite thing. Take some back to your room too. They only put out at tea time. She liked them so much she saved some for later