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

[k&a&c'smom]

jewels1916 - here is the link to photos of the views from RPC rooms, posted by minniesota. The first one is the RPC TPV.

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.

Sounds like a magical vacation. Thanks for checking in, enjoy your day at DHS.

 

[jewels1916]

Thank you!!

 

[BlueGiraffe]

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.

We'll be at WDW for just under 3 weeks - 5 nights at POFQ, a night at GF and 2 weeks in a private (off-site) villa.

So we would have already been to MK a few times before then. I was just weighing up the option of missing some time at GF and only being a few minutes away from CP, and having to get the kids up really early at the villa and drive to MK, park, take the monorail or boat over the lake, and then to CP.

 

[BlueSkies]

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

TPV from RPC (feel like I am typing the alphabet..lol..) does give you a lovely but distant castle view.. these rooms are also furthest from the lounge...

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.

Enjoy Candy

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

Thanks for this info mommyrosa..my niece loves these bracelets...

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

Seems that you have replaced me as k&a&c's posting pal..LOL...

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!

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time!!! Very GRAND!! Glad that the weather hasnt been a bother either...and your Dad even got to swim! What an ambitious day of dining you had! Its always about the food!

k&a&c'smom I see that I have been replaced as your posting partner..LOL...that MickeyNut!! I like the way your DD thinks..it is always about the food.... I know that when planning Disney trips most people are worried about planning their FPP these days..we are worried about being able to book our fave dining!

Although I will say..with the new policy in place having to guarantee ressies with a CC..it seems that there is definitely more availability...

mommygina congrats on getting all of your ADRs squared away.. IPO at the GF is just terrific! Its so nice to be able to let them know what you would like to book..and then at the 180 mark they take care of it all...


Hi Maxie, grannieminnie,Tom, Beth..and all the rest of my fellow GF fans!

We are almost in the single digits!!!

Hope that you are all having a super Saturday!!

 

[mickeynut1]

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

I was thinking the same thing .

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 answered about the view, but I just wanted to say you're going to love RPC .

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.

Glad you're having a nice time .

Seems that you have replaced me as k&a&c's posting pal..LOL...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thank you!!

You're welcome.

We'll be at WDW for just under 3 weeks - 5 nights at POFQ, a night at GF and 2 weeks in a private (off-site) villa.

So we would have already been to MK a few times before then. I was just weighing up the option of missing some time at GF and only being a few minutes away from CP, and having to get the kids up really early at the villa and drive to MK, park, take the monorail or boat over the lake, and then to CP.

In that case, I would probably be looking at using that morning for CP, too. Using the best location to its full potential is worth something, absolutely.

TPV from RPC (feel like I am typing the alphabet..lol..) does give you a lovely but distant castle view.. these rooms are also furthest from the lounge...



k&a&c'smom I see that I have been replaced as your posting partner..LOL...that MickeyNut!! I like the way your DD thinks..it is always about the food.... I know that when planning Disney trips most people are worried about planning their FPP these days..we are worried about being able to book our fave dining!

Although I will say..with the new policy in place having to guarantee ressies with a CC..it seems that there is definitely more availability...


We are almost in the single digits!!!

Hope that you are all having a super Saturday!!

Awww, nobody could replace you. We've missed your posts lately.

Good point about the RPC TPV rooms being furthest from the lounge (and lol about typing the alphabet!).

We are the same about booking our favorite dining spots. We have so many, we have to choose, rethink, choose again - too many restaurants, too little time!

I've been glad and sad about the new dining/cc policy. On the one hand, glad guests aren't hogging reservations and it is easier to get in last minute. On the other hand, we do sometimes rearrange our dining on the fly. The cc policy makes that very difficult, which in turn means we book far fewer dining plans in advance now.

I was thinking the same thing .

Right?!? It's funny when that happens.

 

[mickeynut1]

Right?!? It's funny when that happens.

 

[Scott MC]

And I'm back!

And by back...I mean, it's been a few years.

My dream had always been to stay at the GF, and in 2009 it happened...and boy did it happen! BTW...I remember you MommyGina from that timeframe! Remember when we were so worried about the construction?

We booked a GV room, but were upgraded to RPC with a lovely view of the wedding chapel and the Poly. We were spoiled rotten, and clearly, Disney knew what they were doing, because since then, we've done CL at BC, YC, BWI and AKL!

I really...really loved our time at the GF, but it's so expensive, we haven't been able to get back since 2009, but thanks to a great offer we got through a travel agent, we have 2 nights booked in August. We will be coming off 8 nights at BC and YC, and this time will just be for my DP (partner) and me! It's our anniversary and we can't wait! We once again have a GV room booked, and having perused this thread lately, it looks like there will be some room renovations going on. Is there a time frame at the moment? It looks like CL will happen in the summer, but is there any word on the outer buildings? I'm thinking that I'd like to request Big Pine Key or Boca Chica, but that would of course depend on a possible refurb schedule.

Anyway...
I'm glad to be coming back to the Grand! Since our '09 stay, we've really fallen in love with the Epcot Resort loop, and I think that for most of our stays, that's where we'll land, but I'm looking forward to revisiting an old friend this summer!

-Scott

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Scott MC WELCOME BACK If the refurb goes according to the schedule that was posted several pages back by another Disser, everything should be complete by August with the only possible exception being RPC. The schedule shows all of the outer buildings being done first with SL in June and RPC in July being the last two.

I am getting excited as this week is my 180 mark so it is ADR time YAY!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

And I'm back!

And by back...I mean, it's been a few years.

My dream had always been to stay at the GF, and in 2009 it happened...and boy did it happen! BTW...I remember you MommyGina from that timeframe! Remember when we were so worried about the construction?

We booked a GV room, but were upgraded to RPC with a lovely view of the wedding chapel and the Poly. We were spoiled rotten, and clearly, Disney knew what they were doing, because since then, we've done CL at BC, YC, BWI and AKL!

I really...really loved our time at the GF, but it's so expensive, we haven't been able to get back since 2009, but thanks to a great offer we got through a travel agent, we have 2 nights booked in August. We will be coming off 8 nights at BC and YC, and this time will just be for my DP (partner) and me! It's our anniversary and we can't wait! We once again have a GV room booked, and having perused this thread lately, it looks like there will be some room renovations going on. Is there a time frame at the moment? It looks like CL will happen in the summer, but is there any word on the outer buildings? I'm thinking that I'd like to request Big Pine Key or Boca Chica, but that would of course depend on a possible refurb schedule.

Anyway...
I'm glad to be coming back to the Grand! Since our '09 stay, we've really fallen in love with the Epcot Resort loop, and I think that for most of our stays, that's where we'll land, but I'm looking forward to revisiting an old friend this summer!

-Scott

Welcome back the GF thread .

I can't help as far as the schedule of room refurbs, but I think requesting BPK or Boca Chica is a great idea for a GV room (unless one of those will be under refurb at the time). We had a GV in BPK and loved it. One suggestion, though....if you do request BPK, maybe request "high floor" as some of the lower floors will give you a view of the pool building. However, other than some of those rooms in BPK having a "less desirable" view, I don't think there are any bad rooms/views at the GF. Happy planning and congrats on getting back to the Grand this year .

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Hi Maxie, grannieminnie,Tom, Beth..and all the rest of my fellow GF fans!

We are almost in the single digits!!!

Who else can't wait to say "SINGLE DIGITS???????"

(Bumping back up to page 1!)

Tom

 

[MommyGina]

Scott MC - Welcome Back!!! As you can see, we just can't seem to break away from the GF. I do remember when we were wondering about upgrades. We were upgraded to SL and we haven't looked back to GV since then! Our family loves the food. Me too! That's why I am waiting for Nutrisystem to come in the mail.

Hope everyone has a nice day!

 

[JoBird]

Hi Friends! Can I scoot back in here?

I have so much to catch up on-- had to take a leave of absence for a bit to deal with the No GF Trip Booking Blues, but as you can see from my ticker, (and thanks to an awesome 35% off pin!), we are headed back in Sept to SL again!

Hope everyone is well and I'm looking forward to catching up with all the trips and goings ons that have occurred while I've been a sulking brat.

Have a Grand Day!

 

[Maxie86]

Who else can't wait to say "SINGLE DIGITS???????"

(Bumping back up to page 1!)

Tom

Me me me. My ticker is a day off because I recently added on a night at the beginning. Had to book the Poly for that night though because there was no room at the Inn. I keep looking and hoping something will open up. Hope we get a chance to meet. Just follow the coffee to find BlueSkies and me....or pink fluffy drinks at the pool bar. I am so looking forward to getting away from this weather. More cold and snow on the way.

 

[Jennygt]

Have any of the buildings had the soft goods rehab yet? Thx!

 

[pas130]

Hi Friends! Can I scoot back in here?

I have so much to catch up on-- had to take a leave of absence for a bit to deal with the No GF Trip Booking Blues, but as you can see from my ticker, (and thanks to an awesome 35% off pin!), we are headed back in Sept to SL again!

Hope everyone is well and I'm looking forward to catching up with all the trips and goings ons that have occurred while I've been a sulking brat.

Have a Grand Day!

OF COURSE you are always welcome my Sugarloaf loving friend They all put up with me I can't help but lurk and love...I won't be at the GF anytime soon...but I love her

YAY for all the single digit dancers

 

[KonaKaiTom]

OF COURSE you are always welcome my Sugarloaf loving friend They all put up with me I can't help but lurk and love...I won't be at the GF anytime soon...but I love her

YAY for all the single digit dancers

Thanks PAS, but we aren't there yet -- soon, very soon.

Tom

 

[BlueSkies]

Good afternoon fellow GF fans!

k&a&c'smom Awww.thanks! So sweet of you to say! Things have been kind of hectic around here..and interfering with my computer time!

Candy and maria thinking of you ..and the grand time you must be having!!

mickeynut Whats new and exciting?? Are you getting ready for the text pics!!.....

Scott Welcome back to the GF thread! What a trip you have palnned! Wow! As others have said all of the outer lodge refurbs will be done before August...so lucky you... you get to be at the GF and in a newly refurbished room! My recommendation for GV would be Boca Chica..I think it has such lovely viess of the pool and the main building!

JoBird Wecome back to your too! And congrats on getting a pin code too! I have heard that September is such a great time to tour the world crowd wise! Happy Planning!

MommyGina HI!!

pas Love your siggie pic..and its always nice when you pop in to visit!!

Who else can't wait to say "SINGLE DIGITS???????"

(Bumping back up to page 1!)

Tom

me..me..me!!!! Cant wait...can you tell.... What were we doing on page 2... ???? LOL..Thanks for the bump!

Me me me. My ticker is a day off because I recently added on a night at the beginning. Had to book the Poly for that night though because there was no room at the Inn. I keep looking and hoping something will open up. Hope we get a chance to meet. Just follow the coffee to find BlueSkies and me....or pink fluffy drinks at the pool bar. I am so looking forward to getting away from this weather. More cold and snow on the way.

My ticker is off a bit too..and I have no idea why?????? LOL.. Must be the "computers" fault...LOL... Hope that a GF room finally opens up! You and Mr Maxie could consider bunking with us!! LOL... your post gave me this vision of us realxing pool side ( if it doesn'tw arm up with our winter coats on!! LOL..)......Blue and Maxie LOL.... I am packing..and repacking now.....need to stop checking the weather reports for a few days... Cant seem to help myself!

~Beside the letter we got a while back with regards to the monorail operating hours...and what other transportation would be available in its place... Got a Your trip is Almost Here email the other day..with lots of good info in it...which is also an opportunity to advertise...lol.. but made me think about sending some fun stuff to the room..and also had a link to the recreation schedule..which also included info about the spa..the boat rentals and cruises...cabana rentals ( think its a little cold for that..LOL..) and where and what time to view the EWP...Really lots of good info..and good communication too.!

Hope that you are all having a magical Monday!

ETA....Anyone know what superbowl Sunday events if any are going on around WDW....my DH will be glued to a television somewhere...LOL...DD and I will be enjoying a lovely evening in a park..where there will hopefully be low crowds..because of all of the other folks watching the game...

 

[pas130]

Thanks PAS, but we aren't there yet -- soon, very soon.

Tom

The single digit dance until single digits

pas Love your siggie pic..and its always nice when you pop in to visit!! .

Thanks My kiddos are pretty darn cute, not that I am biased

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

~Beside the letter we got a while back with regards to the monorail operating hours...and what other transportation would be available in its place...

Hi BlueSkies

We will be at the Grand Floridian for our first stay around the same time as you and a few others! I didn't receive the letter that you mention above and was wondering if you could share some of the details, particularly about what other transportation would be available in place of the monorail? We have two young boys and may come back to the room during the middle of the day for naps, etc. and I want to make sure I know the best way to do that when the monorail is down. Thanks so much, I really appreciate the help!