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

[grwrn]

I am attending a conference the week before Easter and taking the family. I got a standard room at a substantial discount conference rate. It is an "outdoor building-Garden View". My question is..do all the buildings have Garden view rooms or only certain ones. Or should I call back and request a Lagoon or Park view? I would prefer a building closest to the Conference building.

Any advice appreciated to the rooms and previous conference experiences there.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I am attending a conference the week before Easter and taking the family. I got a standard room at a substantial discount conference rate. It is an "outdoor building-Garden View". My question is..do all the buildings have Garden view rooms or only certain ones. Or should I call back and request a Lagoon or Park view? I would prefer a building closest to the Conference building.

Any advice appreciated to the rooms and previous conference experiences there.

All buildings have garden views and they are lovely, no worries there. The building closest to the Convention Center is Sago Cay, and it has views of the monorail and landscaping out the back, but beautiful views of the marina out the front of the building. Both are considered garden view. Here's a link to photos of the Sago Cay views.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

All buildings have garden views and they are lovely, no worries there. The building closest to the Convention Center is Sago Cay, and it has views of the monorail and landscaping out the back, but beautiful views of the marina out the front of the building. Both are considered garden view. Here's a link to photos of the Sago Cay views.

Just an FYI, I stayed in Sago Cay by choice in October 2012. We were on the 3rd floor and had a beautiful Marina view. The building had easy access to everything.

Tom

 

[KonaKaiTom]

We are here!!! And we got our exact request despite the late check-in time-- Boca Chica, lower (but not bottom) floor, facing Narcoossee's. We have an awesome view of the CR and SSL looking to the right of our balcony and can even see the tippy top of the castle behind Narcoossee's. I can tell the fireworks view from this room will be great.

We are so happy to be here!! It's pretty chilly, but we won't let that damper our fun!

FYI- we took the Magical Express to get here and the stops were WL, CR, Poly and then GF. Took about an hour.

Off to bed so that we can wake up for Crystal Palace tmrw morning! And, speaking of bed, ours seem MUCH softer than they did when we were last here a couple of years ago. It feels like they put a new mattress pad or feather bed on top of the mattress or something. Given that I like to feel like I'm sleeping on a cloud, I'm thrilled!!

We're actually here!

Happy days for you -- I know it is cold there, but you sound like your excitement is going to keep you warm! Last year when we got on the Magical Express it was the same route -- but my resourceful 13 year old niece suggested we get off at the CR and take the monorail to the GF -- 2 minutes later, she was hugging me in the lobby of the GF and saying "you do realize you are the best uncle ever!"

I hope it warms up down there,

Tom

 

[mommyrosa2]

We are here!!! And we got our exact request despite the late check-in time-- Boca Chica, lower (but not bottom) floor, facing Narcoossee's. We have an awesome view of the CR and SSL looking to the right of our balcony and can even see the tippy top of the castle behind Narcoossee's. I can tell the fireworks view from this room will be great.

We are so happy to be here!! It's pretty chilly, but we won't let that damper our fun!

FYI- we took the Magical Express to get here and the stops were WL, CR, Poly and then GF. Took about an hour.

Off to bed so that we can wake up for Crystal Palace tmrw morning! And, speaking of bed, ours seem MUCH softer than they did when we were last here a couple of years ago. It feels like they put a new mattress pad or feather bed on top of the mattress or something. Given that I like to feel like I'm sleeping on a cloud, I'm thrilled!!

We're actually here!

Have a wonderful trip and don't forget to check out the gift shops at HS for the Alex and Ani bracelets!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Glad to know the CL lounge is good for tea. I will miss the potted shrimp (delish) and the cheese tray..but I can deal! LOL

 

[grwrn]

Thanks k&a&c'smom for your tip and link with pics. I am getting excited.

 

[mickeynut1]

Thanks for that! Maybe I'll email them or give them a call.

You're welcome. Hope you have a great trip .

Re: the ankle - I gave birth with that cast to the hip! Then, had it for another month before they gave me a half cast...I think. I know I was in a cast for a total of 11 weeks due to the severe break (trimalleolar with a fibula fracture). It wouldn't start to heal until my son was born, and he was 4 weeks late! Seven or eight years later it was a bimalleolar fracture with a longer fracture of the fibula, and I ended up like the Terminator.

Wow, that's a lot to go through while being pregnant . Too funny about ending up like the Terminator .

I am attending a conference the week before Easter and taking the family. I got a standard room at a substantial discount conference rate. It is an "outdoor building-Garden View". My question is..do all the buildings have Garden view rooms or only certain ones. Or should I call back and request a Lagoon or Park view? I would prefer a building closest to the Conference building.

Any advice appreciated to the rooms and previous conference experiences there.

Like k&a&c'smom said, all of the buildings have beautiful views, so I wouldn't worry about that . Hope you have a great time at the Grand.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

Times have changed but you can still request a late check out and get it free until noon or 1 pm (can't remember which)! But I did want to point out that I have not had any luck getting late check out in recent years. Maybe it's the time of year we choose to go or something, but they usually tell me to ask the day before check out, and when I do, they put me on hold and come back and say they have that room reserved for an early check in.

Thank you. I won't get my hopes up then, but I will keep it in mind. We'll only be there for one night, and wanted to make the most of the room and view before checking out.

Still excited though - looks such a lovely place!!

 

[BlueGiraffe]

If I was to make an 8am breakfast reservation at Crystal Palace, what time (roughly) would I need to get the monorail from Grand Floridian?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Glad to know the CL lounge is good for tea. I will miss the potted shrimp (delish) and the cheese tray..but I can deal! LOL

Well, it may not be the exact same cheese, but you'll have as much cheese as you could want in the lounge! They have it out for breakfast, mid-day and evening hors d'oeuvres.

Thanks k&a&c'smom for your tip and link with pics. I am getting excited.

I'm excited for you!

.... Too funny about ending up like the Terminator .

Thank you. I won't get my hopes up then, but I will keep it in mind. We'll only be there for one night, and wanted to make the most of the room and view before checking out.

Still excited though - looks such a lovely place!!

Don't let my experience discourage you, ask at check in and then again later in the day. You may get lucky!

If I was to make an 8am breakfast reservation at Crystal Palace, what time (roughly) would I need to get the monorail from Grand Floridian?

If it were me, I would want to board the monorail around 7:20, but if it is your first time you might want to go earlier, just to soak everything in as you walk down Main Street. Nice to get photos of a nearly empty MK!

It only takes around 2 minutes to get from the GF to the MK monorail station, but you have to go through the security area before entering the park. At that time of the morning, it probably won't be jammed. There is usually a special ticket gate for people with breakfast reservations, but if you don't see one, just ask a CM. CP is a short walk from the entrance. Enjoy!

 

[mickeynut1]

If I was to make an 8am breakfast reservation at Crystal Palace, what time (roughly) would I need to get the monorail from Grand Floridian?

If it were me, I'd get to the monorail by around 7:20-7:30 .

 

[mickeynut1]

If it were me, I would want to board the monorail around 7:20,

Hi k&a&c'smom......we were posting at the same time again .

 

[BlueGiraffe]

7:20 sounds good, thanks.

We are only staying at GF for one night and I thought that would be a good morning to go to CP (the morning we check out).

So my dilemma was go to CP for 8 and then come back and check out, or do CP another day and spend a relaxing morning in the room before checking out.

 

[mariamouse]

Enjoy your trip!!!

mariamouse - Thank you for letting us know where you are staying at the GF! Did you see the fireworks from your room last night?

Mariamouse, you sound sooo excited! Thanks for the update, and we'd love more, if you have the time...

Thanks for checking in. Glad you got your requests met, sounds like you got an awesome room . Have a great trip and enjoy the Grand .

I'm so thrilled for you!! Have a wonderful, Grand vacation. (and if you get a chance, we wouldn't mind you doing a little snooping regarding the new decor - no pressure! hahaha)
:

Happy days for you -- I know it is cold there, but you sound like your excitement is going to keep you warm! Last year when we got on the Magical Express it was the same route -- but my resourceful 13 year old niece suggested we get off at the CR and take the monorail to the GF -- 2 minutes later, she was hugging me in the lobby of the GF and saying "you do realize you are the best uncle ever!"

I hope it warms up down there,

Tom

Have a wonderful trip and don't forget to check out the gift shops at HS for the Alex and Ani bracelets!

Thank you all so much! We are having a truly awesome time so far! I will post a thorough review when we get back. We haven't seen the fireworks from our room yet, MommyGina, but might tonight! We watched from the Poly last night and it was amazing as usual. We haven't seen anything with regard to the new decor, k&a&c'smom, except for men in carts sort of milling around the Conch Key building entrance. We are right next door, though, and haven't seen much else or been disrupted by noise. KonaKaiTom- the weather hasn't actually been that bad. The worst night was actually the night I posted, but yesterday was very mild and, as k&a&c'smom predicted, very warm when the sun was shining due to its strength. Today is supposed to be the coldest day, but it should be beautiful starting tomorrow through the rest of our stay! My dad actually went swimming yesterday afternoon and said it was perfect. We are from CT, though.. And mommyrosa2- we are going to check when we are at HS tomorrow-- thank you so much for the suggestion! No luck at Uptown Jewelers or MouseGear yesterday, unfortunately.

BTW, we are still *loving* our room view and location. I literally fall asleep and wake up to a view of Narcoossee's and the lagoon from my pillow! We had a great and productive day at MK and Epcot yesterday with great meals at Crystal Palace, BOG, and Kona- plus a caramel sea salt at Karamel Kuche. Yum! Not sure how it will be today, but the crowds yesterday were minimal IMO. We only waited 30 mins for TT at Epcot EMH around 10:45pm and never waited more than a half hour for anything else at MK. Hoping that continues this weekend, but we'll see!

Now we're off to bfast followed by AK and dinner at Jiko tonight. So excited to start another magical Disney day!

Let me know if you guys have any questions! Going to try to scope out the mugs for you today, MommyGina!

 

[mickeynut1]

7:20 sounds good, thanks.

We are only staying at GF for one night and I thought that would be a good morning to go to CP (the morning we check out).

So my dilemma was go to CP for 8 and then come back and check out, or do CP another day and spend a relaxing morning in the room before checking out.

You're welcome .

Thank you all so much! We are having a truly awesome time so far! I will post a thorough review when we get back. We haven't seen the fireworks from our room yet, MommyGina, but might tonight! We watched from the Poly last night and it was amazing as usual. We haven't seen anything with regard to the new decor, k&a&c'smom, except for men in carts sort of milling around the Conch Key building entrance. We are right next door, though, and haven't seen much else or been disrupted by noise. KonaKaiTom- the weather hasn't actually been that bad. The worst night was actually the night I posted, but yesterday was very mild and, as k&a&c'smom predicted, very warm when the sun was shining due to its strength. Today is supposed to be the coldest day, but it should be beautiful starting tomorrow through the rest of our stay! My dad actually went swimming yesterday afternoon and said it was perfect. We are from CT, though.. And mommyrosa2- we are going to check when we are at HS tomorrow-- thank you so much for the suggestion! No luck at Uptown Jewelers or MouseGear yesterday, unfortunately.

BTW, we are still *loving* our room view and location. I literally fall asleep and wake up to a view of Narcoossee's and the lagoon from my pillow! We had a great and productive day at MK and Epcot yesterday with great meals at Crystal Palace, BOG, and Kona- plus a caramel sea salt at Karamel Kuche. Yum! Not sure how it will be today, but the crowds yesterday were minimal IMO. We only waited 30 mins for TT at Epcot EMH around 10:45pm and never waited more than a half hour for anything else at MK. Hoping that continues this weekend, but we'll see!

Now we're off to bfast followed by AK and dinner at Jiko tonight. So excited to start another magical Disney day!

Let me know if you guys have any questions! Going to try to scope out the mugs for you today, MommyGina!

Thanks for checking in.....sounds like you're having a great time . I can't wait to read your overall review when you get back. Have a great day at AK and I hope you have a great dinner at Jiko tonight .

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi k&a&c'smom......we were posting at the same time again .

YES - and nearly the same words, spooky. I guess all us old timers follow the same game plan.

7:20 sounds good, thanks.

We are only staying at GF for one night and I thought that would be a good morning to go to CP (the morning we check out).

So my dilemma was go to CP for 8 and then come back and check out, or do CP another day and spend a relaxing morning in the room before checking out.

Hmmm. I'm not sure I would give up my one morning at the Grand, but that's just me. With just one night, I would do breakfast at the GF Cafe and spend the morning at the resort.

It is the most convenient way to get a quick MK visit done, though. I guess it would depend on how many days I had in the World total and how difficult it would be to do CP from elsewhere.

Thank you all so much! We are having a truly awesome time so far! I will post a thorough review when we get back. We haven't seen the fireworks from our room yet, MommyGina, but might tonight! We watched from the Poly last night and it was amazing as usual. We haven't seen anything with regard to the new decor, k&a&c'smom, except for men in carts sort of milling around the Conch Key building entrance. We are right next door, though, and haven't seen much else or been disrupted by noise. KonaKaiTom- the weather hasn't actually been that bad. The worst night was actually the night I posted, but yesterday was very mild and, as k&a&c'smom predicted, very warm when the sun was shining due to its strength. Today is supposed to be the coldest day, but it should be beautiful starting tomorrow through the rest of our stay! My dad actually went swimming yesterday afternoon and said it was perfect. We are from CT, though.. And mommyrosa2- we are going to check when we are at HS tomorrow-- thank you so much for the suggestion! No luck at Uptown Jewelers or MouseGear yesterday, unfortunately.

BTW, we are still *loving* our room view and location. I literally fall asleep and wake up to a view of Narcoossee's and the lagoon from my pillow! We had a great and productive day at MK and Epcot yesterday with great meals at Crystal Palace, BOG, and Kona- plus a caramel sea salt at Karamel Kuche. Yum! Not sure how it will be today, but the crowds yesterday were minimal IMO. We only waited 30 mins for TT at Epcot EMH around 10:45pm and never waited more than a half hour for anything else at MK. Hoping that continues this weekend, but we'll see!

Now we're off to bfast followed by AK and dinner at Jiko tonight. So excited to start another magical Disney day!

Let me know if you guys have any questions! Going to try to scope out the mugs for you today, MommyGina!

Thanks for the update, mariamouse!! Sounds like a Grand trip so far, can't wait to hear all about it on your return. Your room location is very magical, isn't it?!

Thanks, too, for the info on the Conch Key refurb, good to know it isn't disruptive to other buildings.

Enjoy your day at AK and Jiko tonight - one of our favorite restaurants.

 

[jewels1916]

Hi GF folks!! Quick question about views from the main building! Are TPVs more of the Castle, or more of Space Mountain? Sis and I are booked at GF RPC right now, and I'm debating upping to a theme park view, because I'd love to wake up and see the Castle first thing! What do y'all think?

Thanks in advance!
Courtney

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi GF folks!! Quick question about views from the main building! Are TPVs more of the Castle, or more of Space Mountain? Sis and I are booked at GF RPC right now, and I'm debating upping to a theme park view, because I'd love to wake up and see the Castle first thing! What do y'all think?

Thanks in advance!
Courtney

The RPC TPV rooms are over Gasparilla's, so the angle gives more of a castle view than anything else. I have a link to a view from one of those rooms on page 1, I'll post it in a sec.

 

[Candy Orlando]

I'm sitting in the Grand foyer waiting for my family.

We had a nice day at the Magic Kingdom yesterday. It was fun with our three fast passes. The weather was perfect because I don't like it hot and it was around 68 degrees.

Today we will go to Hollywood Studios. We don't rush because we come so often.

It's nice just relaxing at the Grand.