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

[KonaKaiTom]

Well, our flight home to NY this afternoon was cancelled due to the snow storm already underway. Looks like we will have to spend another night at the Grand! Such a beautiful day to have to stay in FL!

I had a similar experience -- last October we were cancelled due to Sandy -- I was at the Grand in advance for some meetings and my niece was flying in for a 4 day weekend, as she landed on Friday night, I had a text from JetBlue that our flight home was cancelled.

I will never forget how wonderful the Grand was -- they immediately offered us lots of options -- one I thought was very considerate -- the cast member asked "of course we can keep you in your room for the additional time, however, if you would like to try any of our other properties, space is available and we can move your luggage no problem." Discretely noting that if I had saved all year and couldn't afford the Grand for 4 more nights, the values and moderates were also available -- very considerate!

Tom

 

[BlueSkies]

Good afternoon fellow GF fans...

The northeast is getting hit with a really big snow storm...Boy do I hate winter...and cold..and snow..LOL...

Back at work this week after dealing with a bout of shingles ...thought I was "too young" to get it but apparently I'm not, according to my ever so l-o-v-e-l-y doctor ! On another note....

Last night, we started making a list of all the places we want to make our dinner reservations and one of the new places we are going to try this time around is Shula's . We will be renting a car and will have TIW for this trip - no DP. Does anyone know if the Dolphin follows the same valet parking process as the rest of the Disney restaurants or will we have to pay for parking to dine there? This is our first year using TIW and all of our signature dining so far has been at Disney owned resorts.

Havent eaten at Shula's...but wanted to say that I hope that you are feeling better..shingles..ouch! TIW card is great...especially if your dining..and signature at that... is at Disney owned restaurants...

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

Conch is undergoing a rehab now...No other news so far...???

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!

Hi DisneyDreaming I have looked high and low..and cant find the letter..I have been on a shredding kick lately.. Probably where the letter went...

But as I recall...What the letter stated was that the monorail would be down weekdays from 11:30 to 7pm...And that there would be additional bus service to the TTC for transport to the Epcot monorail...and of course besides the monorail there are water launches back and forth to the MK...although on occasion they do substitute the smaller water launches with those larger Friendships (I think thats what they are called...LOL..) like the ones they use in Epcot ..as another poster commented the boat route is GF Poly MK...the nice part is the GF is the first stop on the return trip from the MK ...

No worries on the midday transportation..there are many options ... I agree that those breaks are the best way to get the most out of your day (especially with little ones)! Congrats on your first stay at the GF...have a wonderful trip!

I am in the teen!!!!! 18 days till we check in!

I am disappointed about the monorail being down while we are there, but it will operate on the weekends? I only will be there on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday

you will be in the single digits before you know it!! My letter stated that the monorail would only be down on weekdays...

Man I wish we were in the single digits!!!

How fun for all of you traveling soon!

Well, we are getting close to ADR day though...I'll take that!

Hope that you get all of your ADRs!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/transportat...-peak-times-for-maintenance-in-early-2014.htm

Thanks for that link Tom... How nice that the CM gave you those options when your flight was cancelled...GF CMs truly are a grand group IMO!

I am having a Grand time.

I'm sitting at the beach pool. It's so warm in the sun, I don't want to go anywhere.

The Grand calls you so you just want to explore every possible experience.

My husband feel asleep at the pool. He really enjoys that.

The four palm trees that are on the walkway from the pool to the main building are my favorite trees at the Grand.

Candy

Candy Who needs pictures... Your descriptions are the best...ahhh... I can see those palm trees now...and almost feel the sun...LOL.. Thanks for checking in!

I'm dancin' with you guys... But wish I was in single digits to make that dance even more meaningful!!

I wish that you were too...

Well, our flight home to NY this afternoon was cancelled due to the snow storm already underway. Looks like we will have to spend another night at the Grand! Such a beautiful day to have to stay in FL!

Oh poor you...having to spend another whole day at the GF! Enjoy!

Just wanna say...Single digits!!!!

MickeyNut, k&a&c'smom, Maxie, MommyGina, Pas ...Hey!

Hope that all my fellow GF fans are having a terrific Tuesday!!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Well, our flight home to NY this afternoon was cancelled due to the snow storm already underway. Looks like we will have to spend another night at the Grand! Such a beautiful day to have to stay in FL!

Sorry about your flight but if you're going to get stuck somewhere, what a place to be stuck at

Good afternoon fellow GF fans...

The northeast is getting hit with a really big snow storm...Boy do I hate winter...and cold..and snow..LOL...



Havent eaten at Shula's...but wanted to say that I hope that you are feeling better..shingles..ouch! TIW card is great...especially if your dining..and signature at that... is at Disney owned restaurants...

Thank you! Each day is getting better. Doctor said I caught it early so hopefully my pain will be gone within a week or two. I'm just grateful that I didn't get the rash that so many do.

The snow is starting to come down and starting to stick here. We're expecting 10-14"... it's funny that the older I get, the more I hate this weather

 

[grannyminnie]

Well, our flight home to NY this afternoon was cancelled due to the snow storm already underway. Looks like we will have to spend another night at the Grand! Such a beautiful day to have to stay in FL!

Oh, wow! Lucky you!! I could be happy to be cancelled under those circumstances!

Hi, Blue.. Stay safe and warm and inside, if possible! I'm wishing for a little snow down here, but not what you guys are getting slammed with!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi everyone!!

So, I know that the monorail doesn't run during EMH's and I was wondering if they run buses in its place back to the GF. Or, is the boat the only option after night EMH's?

Thanks!

 

[Circusgirl]

Last night, we started making a list of all the places we want to make our dinner reservations and one of the new places we are going to try this time around is Shula's . We will be renting a car and will have TIW for this trip - no DP. Does anyone know if the Dolphin follows the same valet parking process as the rest of the Disney restaurants or will we have to pay for parking to dine there? This is our first year using TIW and all of our signature dining so far has been at Disney owned resorts.

Shula's directly validates valet parking, as do Kimonos, bluezoo and Il Mulino. Valet parking is $23.00 at the Dolphin without validation.

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!

Today was the first day of the monorail outage and they stepped up the boat service considerably, adding larger open boats and continuing to run the smaller adorable motor launches. As already mentioned, the boat will be your best bet as it is a short ride with the first stop at the Grand, and the boats depart from a dock very close to the exit of the MK. Today there was often one boat waiting to dock while another one was preparing to leave. At the Poly dock there was an enthusiastic high quality interactive CM greeting the boats and talking with the guests who were waiting. The boat ride is also a pretty journey.

DisneyDmbNut, you were debating about whether it made sense to do a Garden View tea when you are staying club level. Especially with a short stay I think it would be a little redundant to do a Garden View visit. Yesterday in the lounge there were scones, jam tarts and banana bread, with strawberry jam, orange marmalade, Devonshire cream and butter as accompaniments. Today there was trifle instead of the jam tarts. Dessert service has included the little chocolate cream filled chocolate eclairs and other pastries similar to what they offer at the Garden View, so the sandwiches, shrimp, lemon curd and tea service would be mostly what you would miss if you don't do a Garden View tea. I love the tea there and it is a must do for me, but I'm not doing it this time to save a little bit towards the expense of club level, and think I will have good tea satisfaction without it.


I have been here since yesterday, but unfortunately got very sick with a particularly nasty achy croupy coughing style cold virus on Sunday, so have not yet felt like my trip has really started. My mom also had to go into the hospital late the night of my arrival so I have been spending lots of time on the phone and worrying. Everything has settled down today so at least I no longer think I might have to fly home. The facility where she resides had an outbreak of Noro Virus and she was so sick she had to be admitted for IV fluid support, but because she has heart failure she got over hydrated and now is on oxygen until they can gently clear the fluid out of her lungs with diuretics. Like most people her age her kidney function isn't great so they have to go slowly and carefully. She has terrific doctors, and is not in any danger, but it is of course really stressful to be this far away. She will be in the hospital for a few more days and then skilled nursing until she regains her strength. I didn't want to go home and expose her to my virus and complicate her situation, and she sweetly wants me to try to enjoy my break as this was my time to rest from taking care of everyone else, but I haven't enjoyed being so far away at this moment.

I am very grateful to be in Sugar Loaf so I only have to go downstairs to get food and beverages, and hope to be having an extra good time soon. I did sit out in the sun for a little bit today while I made phone calls and rode the motor launch to the Poly to check out how it was going with the monorail closure, but I will be back with more and better happy news and pictures as I recover.

 

[grannyminnie]

Circusgirl, I'm sorry you have had a rocky start to your trip, but hopefully, you will feel much better today and your mom's situation will settle down to the extent that you can relax and enjoy your getaway.
Isn't it nice to have food and drink so close by? And that good CL staff to call on if need be!

Those of you who have felt the full force of that snow-dumping, blizzard-producing storm Janus, I hope you are all safe and sound! You're probably all dreaming of Florida about now!

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

Thank you everyone for the information on alternate transportation during the monorail closure! It is much appreciated!

BlueSkies, No worries about the transportation letter, but thanks so much for checking! I do understand about those shredding kicks that happen every so often!

Circusgirl, Hope you are feeling better soon and enjoy the rest of your trip! And I hope that your Mom is doing better today as well!

 

[pas130]

I will never forget how wonderful the Grand was -- they immediately offered us lots of options -- one I thought was very considerate -- the cast member asked "of course we can keep you in your room for the additional time, however, if you would like to try any of our other properties, space is available and we can move your luggage no problem." Discretely noting that if I had saved all year and couldn't afford the Grand for 4 more nights, the values and moderates were also available -- very considerate!

Tom

We stayed at SL during Hurricane Irene, we normally drive. A manager struck up a conversation with DD who was maybe 4-5 years old. He said occupancy was way down, and offered us an extra night at a great rate...that trip we were flying of course

MickeyNut, k&a&c'smom, Maxie, MommyGina, Pas ...Hey!

Hope that all my fellow GF fans are having a terrific Tuesday!!

I am SO over this winter 9 inches here yesterday

Sorry about your flight but if you're going to get stuck somewhere, what a place to be stuck at

I'm glad you're feeling better!!

Today was the first day of the monorail outage and they stepped up the boat service considerably, adding larger open boats and continuing to run the smaller adorable motor launches. As already mentioned, the boat will be your best bet as it is a short ride with the first stop at the Grand, and the boats depart from a dock very close to the exit of the MK. Today there was often one boat waiting to dock while another one was preparing to leave. At the Poly dock there was an enthusiastic high quality interactive CM greeting the boats and talking with the guests who were waiting. The boat ride is also a pretty journey.

Love those boats!!! Hope you are feeling better today, and things improve with your Mom

Well, our flight home to NY this afternoon was cancelled due to the snow storm already underway. Looks like we will have to spend another night at the Grand! Such a beautiful day to have to stay in FL!

Lucky gal!

I'm dancin' with you guys... But wish I was in single digits to make that dance even more meaningful!!

Me too!!

PAS~ My friend!! No one "puts up" with you--- you are well liked everywhere you go, just because you're you!

You're too sweet!!! So happy you are back

I am in the teen!!!!! 18 days till we check in!

Man I wish we were in the single digits!!!

How fun for all of you traveling soon!

Well, we are getting close to ADR day though...I'll take that!

Me too, it can't get here soon enough..I need stuff to change

MickeyNut & k&a&c'smom & everyone I am missing

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages -- I have a very important announcement:

SINGLE DIGITS

That is all, be calm and carry on.

Tom

 

[pas130]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages -- I have a very important announcement:

SINGLE DIGITS

That is all, be calm and carry on.

Tom

Now it's a party!!!

 

[bethclayton]

hello, everyone!

circusgirl, i am sorry to hear that your trip is starting out rough. about half of our trips have had something that could have potentially ruined our stay (illness/ injury/ complications/ etc.) but it's funny that i have all but forgotten that until i just read your post... when i think of those trips i only really remember the great times we did have during them. my hope is the same for you, that you can eventually "forget" about the beginning of the trip! i hope your mom stays stable, and you start to feel better soon and can enjoy the visit a bit more.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Now it's a party!!!

If it's a party -- should I go get some wine?

Tom

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi, Blue.. Stay safe and warm and inside, if possible! I'm wishing for a little snow down here, but not what you guys are getting slammed with!

Good morning my friend! I will gladly send you some of the fluffy white stuff! LOL...

Hi everyone!!

So, I know that the monorail doesn't run during EMH's and I was wondering if they run buses in its place back to the GF. Or, is the boat the only option after night EMH's?

Thanks!

Don't know the answer to this Mousemommy but I will gladly find out for you!

Thank you everyone for the information on alternate transportation during the monorail closure! It is much appreciated!

BlueSkies, No worries about the transportation letter, but thanks so much for checking! I do understand about those shredding kicks that happen every so often!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Children of all ages -- I have a very important announcement:

SINGLE DIGITS

That is all, be calm and carry on.

Tom

Tom Cant let you do the happy dance alone...

Circusgirl so sorry to hear that you got a rough start to your trip ..Wishing your mom a speedy recovery..and hope that you are feeling a whole lot better too.. The good thing is...you can recuperate in a very lovely place..and soon will be enjoying all the fun stuff that you were planning to do!

~Checking the weather ..yet again ...I think we finally have predictions that I like..LOL.. high 60's to mid 70's.... Would be nice if it stays that way...

Hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[pas130]

hello, everyone!

Nice to see you today!

If it's a party -- should I go get some wine?

Tom

ABSOLUTELY

~Checking the weather ..yet again ...I think we finally have predictions that I like..LOL.. high 60's to mid 70's.... Would be nice if it stays that way...

That would be great for all of you if it does!!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hey pas and Beth

Tom I see I am late to the party and pas is already dancing along!!! LOL... How about some cheese and crackers to go along with the wine...

 

[pas130]

Hey pas and Beth

Tom I see I am late to the party and pas is already dancing along!!! LOL... How about some cheese and crackers to go along with the wine...

How rude of me...I'll grab the crudité platter

 

[Pixel Dust]

We bought DVC here but won't stay until August. But we were able to do a tour on our last trip. Check out our trip report for photos of the lobby, studio (1204), one bedroom (1202) and Grand Villa (1201). http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=50524878&posted=1#post50524878

 

[Koh1977]

We bought DVC here but won't stay until August. But we were able to do a tour on our last trip. Check out our trip report for photos of the lobby, studio (1204), one bedroom (1202) and Grand Villa (1201). http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=50524878&posted=1#post50524878

Gorgeous!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Wow, gone a couple days and lost several pages! I kind of skimmed, but I see we have some old friends back. JoBird, glad to see you! Scott MC, welcome back!

YAY for all those in single digits!

mariamouse - sorry for the storm, but YAY! for the extra day at the Grand.

circusgirl - so sorry you are ill and your mother is in the hospital back home. I know how stressful it must be for you, thank goodness you are in CL this trip. I have been sick at WDW, both regular and CL visits, and it is easier in CL, you have access to food, as you mentioned, and the CL CMs are right there in your building if you need something.

Good luck to your mother, I hope everything goes perfectly and she is resting comfortable and in good shape soon.