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

[KonaKaiTom]

GrannyMinnie == I am with you. My mom turned 91 Christmas day -- up until last year she was relatively healthy other than severe arthritis in her spine. Over the past year dimentia became an issue, and the aide I had living with me to take care of mom felt she needed more than she could provide. We tried hiring a "2nd shift" aide so that the full time aide could get a good night sleep and that completely threw mom off her game. She ended up refusing to sleep in bed, and decided sitting upright in her "boost" chair was the way to go.

After a couple of months of this she developed cellulitis in her legs as the fluid never drained out of them as she was never flat on her back. So, the conclusion of the long story -- we didn't have to make the choice of putting her into a nursing home - the hospital where she spent 10 days for wound care related to her cellulitis made the decision for us.

So, I stop by (since it is on the way home from work) 2-3 nights a week - its tough watching someone that used to be so sharp decline -- and honestly, I find the moments of clarity almost harder to deal with. At least she does still have Italian mother guilt and throws that at me and my sister every day. But as my sister reminds me every day "It is what it is."

I hope your mom is comfortable and I'm sending you lots of sympathy and respect.

Tom

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Good afternoon everyone! I posted this question many pages ago on one of those really slow days during the arctic blast but did not get a response. I thought I would repost in hopes that someone has the answer.

I have been crunching numbers for our vacation at the end of July and realized that if we switch our last night at GF to PBH making it 6 nts GF and 7 nts PBH, we can save an easy $350 because it will knock our nightly rate down at PBH with the SMSM rate another tier. We plan on spending our last day at MK and then maybe a little pool time before heading to PBH in the late afternoon/early evening.

....Which brings about the following questions. Will we encounter any problems with our magic bands for entering the park, buying lunch, etc since we will be checking out of GF around 8am? Also, are there showers and decent sized lockers at the pools so that we could get cleaned up before our car service arrives to take us to the dark side? If so, I am hoping that someone has pics of such showers and lockers for reference.....(yes--you know who I am talking to.....)

If no one has pictures, maybe someone on an upcoming trip would be willing to take a few bathroom/locker room/ showers photos for me? I know.....bathrooms aren't the most exciting pictures in the world but NICE bathrooms can make your time spent in such much more relaxing. I understand that there are supposed to be showers located in the GF Spa but I am not sure my family and I would feel comfortable barging into the spa in swim suit attire with duffel bags just to use the showers there. KWIM???

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Good afternoon everyone! I posted this question many pages ago on one of those really slow days during the arctic blast but did not get a response. I thought I would repost in hopes that someone has the answer.

I have been crunching numbers for our vacation at the end of July and realized that if we switch our last night at GF to PBH making it 6 nts GF and 7 nts PBH, we can save an easy $350 because it will knock our nightly rate down at PBH with the SMSM rate another tier. We plan on spending our last day at MK and then maybe a little pool time before heading to PBH in the late afternoon/early evening.

....Which brings about the following questions. Will we encounter any problems with our magic bands for entering the park, buying lunch, etc since we will be checking out of GF around 8am? Also, are there showers and decent sized lockers at the pools so that we could get cleaned up before our car service arrives to take us to the dark side? If so, I am hoping that someone has pics of such showers and lockers for reference.....(yes--you know who I am talking to.....)

If no one has pictures, maybe someone on an upcoming trip would be willing to take a few bathroom/locker room/ showers photos for me? I know.....bathrooms aren't the most exciting pictures in the world but NICE bathrooms can make your time spent in such much more relaxing. I understand that there are supposed to be showers located in the GF Spa but I am not sure my family and I would feel comfortable barging into the spa in swim suit attire with duffel bags just to use the showers there. KWIM???

Hmmm, to whom might you be referring?! I have said photos on the first page, or maybe this go 'round I posted a link to them. BRB.

ETA: TA-DA!! Photos of showers at Beach Pool house.

PS - I hope someone can answer the question about the MBs, I am completely out of the loop on those things.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KonaKaiTom - so very sorry about your mom. Very, very hard.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Grace&Caroline'sMom - I forgot to say, kudos on your plan. I love it when I can save money by such a minor change. Love the Grand, of course, but PBH is wonderful, too, and the new rooms are gorgeous.

BlueSkies - I know, we have to grab our opportunity when the veranda is unoccupied!

You'll be headed back to the Grand before you know it.

 

[Koh1977]

How is Gasparilla's for QS dinner? I went for breakfast but that's it...

 

[trishadono]

How is Gasparilla's for QS dinner? I went for breakfast but that's it...

Good flatbreads and the "steak topped create your salads" were yummy and good for you!

Menus are on allears.net if needed.

 

[BlueSkies]

How is Gasparilla's for QS dinner? I went for breakfast but that's it...

Gasparilla's has a pretty nice selection of dinner foods... as the PP said.. create your own salads..ther are also good burgers...BBQ pork flat breads... grilled chicken sandwiches...and along with them some very nice side dishes...the cucumber salad..or tomato and mozzarella salad..and even house made potato chips!Yum! That soft serve ice cream machine is not so bad either!

With the expansion recently..there is a lot more seating than there used to be..and they have moved the games to a separate room..which makes dining there a lot easier on the ears!

There are menus available right here on the DIS...at WDWInfo too....

 

[grannyminnie]

GrannyMinnie == I am with you. My mom turned 91 Christmas day -- up until last year she was relatively healthy other than severe arthritis in her spine. Over the past year dimentia became an issue, and the aide I had living with me to take care of mom felt she needed more than she could provide. We tried hiring a "2nd shift" aide so that the full time aide could get a good night sleep and that completely threw mom off her game. She ended up refusing to sleep in bed, and decided sitting upright in her "boost" chair was the way to go.

After a couple of months of this she developed cellulitis in her legs as the fluid never drained out of them as she was never flat on her back. So, the conclusion of the long story -- we didn't have to make the choice of putting her into a nursing home - the hospital where she spent 10 days for wound care related to her cellulitis made the decision for us.

So, I stop by (since it is on the way home from work) 2-3 nights a week - its tough watching someone that used to be so sharp decline -- and honestly, I find the moments of clarity almost harder to deal with. At least she does still have Italian mother guilt and throws that at me and my sister every day. But as my sister reminds me every day "It is what it is."

I hope your mom is comfortable and I'm sending you lots of sympathy and respect.



Tom

Tom,
I understand your comment re: watching that decline from what once was...the few moments of clarity my mom now has are almost a bright spot in an otherwise awful situation. She's is to the place where she is almost always more comfortable in bed now, and so we let her stay there. The dementia takes it toll, and at this stage, it is moving quickly. My dad can only stand by and watch helplessly..
I wish for you some comfort and peace where your mother's situation is concerned.

By the way, I had to smile at your mention of "Italian mother guilt". Tho I'm not Italian, I've seen enough on tv to know how they sound!!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Gasparilla's has a pretty nice selection of dinner foods... as the PP said.. create your own salads..ther are also good burgers...BBQ pork flat breads... grilled chicken sandwiches...and along with them some very nice side dishes...the cucumber salad..or tomato and mozzarella salad..and even house made potato chips!Yum! That soft serve ice cream machine is not so bad either!

With the expansion recently..there is a lot more seating than there used to be..and they have moved the games to a separate room..which makes dining there a lot easier on the ears!

There are menus available right here on the DIS...at WDWInfo too....

I like several of their menu items but my favorite was that lobster cobb salad. Is it still there? We didn't eat there last trip.

 

[Maxie86]

Grace&Carolinesmom,

Your Magic Bands will continue to work for park admission for as long as your tickets are good for. In any case you are considered a resort guest until midnight of your checkout day. You can still charge to your room even after checkout. If you are staying CL you have lounge access until midnight as well.

Hi BlueSkies

 

[Mousemommy1]

Tom,
I understand your comment re: watching that decline from what once was...the few moments of clarity my mom now has are almost a bright spot in an otherwise awful situation. She's is to the place where she is almost always more comfortable in bed now, and so we let her stay there. The dementia takes it toll, and at this stage, it is moving quickly. My dad can only stand by and watch helplessly..
I wish for you some comfort and peace where your mother's situation is concerned.

By the way, I had to smile at your mention of "Italian mother guilt". Tho I'm not Italian, I've seen enough on tv to know how they sound!!!

So sad. hugs to you

You are obviously a very strong woman.

 

[mariamouse]

mariamouse Are you on your way yet??

2 days tomorrow!!

Just checked the forecast, though, and it is literally going to be high of mid-50's/60's every day. It was almost a high of 50 in CT yesterday! Any chance the forecast can change in three days?!

But oh well.. Mickey will give us a warm hug and make it all better!

 

[mickeynut1]

CandyOrlando and mickeynut, forgot to say thanks about the photo. It is very peaceful, I think.

You post such great pics . And I agree...that one is very peaceful.

mickeynut Hey there!

GrannyMinnie == I am with you. My mom turned 91 Christmas day -- up until last year she was relatively healthy other than severe arthritis in her spine. Over the past year dimentia became an issue, and the aide I had living with me to take care of mom felt she needed more than she could provide. We tried hiring a "2nd shift" aide so that the full time aide could get a good night sleep and that completely threw mom off her game. She ended up refusing to sleep in bed, and decided sitting upright in her "boost" chair was the way to go.

After a couple of months of this she developed cellulitis in her legs as the fluid never drained out of them as she was never flat on her back. So, the conclusion of the long story -- we didn't have to make the choice of putting her into a nursing home - the hospital where she spent 10 days for wound care related to her cellulitis made the decision for us.

So, I stop by (since it is on the way home from work) 2-3 nights a week - its tough watching someone that used to be so sharp decline -- and honestly, I find the moments of clarity almost harder to deal with. At least she does still have Italian mother guilt and throws that at me and my sister every day. But as my sister reminds me every day "It is what it is."

I hope your mom is comfortable and I'm sending you lots of sympathy and respect.

Tom

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom .

2 days tomorrow!!

 

[trishadono]

Found this on dh phone:

Are you missing your recently removed tree too? The house is so bare

 

[trishadono]

A VGF kitchen shot. Truly lovely and functional.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

KonaKaiTom - so very sorry about your mom. Very, very hard.

Thanks -- it is a tough time, but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I appreciate the support.

Tom

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Tom,
I understand your comment re: watching that decline from what once was...the few moments of clarity my mom now has are almost a bright spot in an otherwise awful situation. She's is to the place where she is almost always more comfortable in bed now, and so we let her stay there. The dementia takes it toll, and at this stage, it is moving quickly. My dad can only stand by and watch helplessly..
I wish for you some comfort and peace where your mother's situation is concerned.

By the way, I had to smile at your mention of "Italian mother guilt". Tho I'm not Italian, I've seen enough on tv to know how they sound!!!

Thanks -- the ironic thing -- she never liked dogs "I don't have a dog, I don't need a dog, I don't want a dog." Yet when I visit, she wants me to bring my 2 year old black lab -- and she lets him lick her hand and climb up (gently with almost no weight) with his paws on her lap so she can kiss his forehead. He has quite a fanclub -- 6 other patients have him on their list as a "therapy dog" visit. He isn't a therapy dog, but they all love him.

Tom

 

[KonaKaiTom]

You post such great pics . And I agree...that one is very peaceful.







I'm so sorry to hear about your mom .

Thank you very much -- it is much appreciated.


Tom

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Hmmm, to whom might you be referring?! I have said photos on the first page, or maybe this go 'round I posted a link to them. BRB.

ETA: TA-DA!! Photos of showers at Beach Pool house.

PS - I hope someone can answer the question about the MBs, I am completely out of the loop on those things.

See......I knew you would have photos You rock! I am pleasantly surprised how large the lockers are. I could not tell from the photo for sure....do you need to bring your own lock or is it one of those put in a quarter to release the key types or ??? Also--is it only one shower stall? And is the soap dispenser on the wall filled with soap and a shampoo/conditioner or should I pack a few from the room in my day bag? Very nice that there are also hair dryers there as well! I am sure our car service driver will appreciate the extra time we spend cleaning up in the showers before getting in his car.....

Grace&Caroline'sMom - I forgot to say, kudos on your plan. I love it when I can save money by such a minor change. Love the Grand, of course, but PBH is wonderful, too, and the new rooms are gorgeous.

At first I was disappointed in the SMSM rate I received when booking for 6nts at PBH. Thought it was quite low. I just happened to be lurking on a dark side thread when someone mentioned that the percentage off for the SMSM is much better once you hit the 7nt mark. I ran the numbers and Wallah! An easy savings! It will work out well to get established at PBH and be ready to hit the new Harry Potter rides early the next morning. I am very excited to see the new room décor. The pics you sent me a few months ago are just gorgeous We have decided to just stick with the regular garden view room instead of the deluxe room. There isn't that much more space for the money difference. *IF* we have extra monies, I would rather just upgrade to the Portofino suite to truly gain space!

Grace&Carolinesmom,

Your Magic Bands will continue to work for park admission for as long as your tickets are good for. In any case you are considered a resort guest until midnight of your checkout day. You can still charge to your room even after checkout. If you are staying CL you have lounge access until midnight as well.

Hi BlueSkies

Thank you so much! I thought this might be the case but I was unsure giving the many hiccups they have been ironing out with the magic bands. Is your credit card now tied to your account thru MDE or is it tied to your resort ressie on MDE?