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

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi

Our reservation says "Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa-Outer Bldg - Theme Park View". When we do online check in, will we get to choose which building, or will that already be assigned? If we do, is there any building in particular we should request?

And, also, how long would it take to walk from the outer buildings to the monorail station?

Thank you

I never do online check in, but from what I understand you will be able to add a building choice, or maybe 2? It's not likely your room will already be assigned at that time.

It takes about 5 minutes to walk to the monorail station from any outer building, give or take. When you get to the Main Bldg. you have to go to the 2nd floor, which could take a couple extra minutes if you wait for the elevator. Or, you can take the stairs.

ETA: oops, forgot your question about buliding request. The best TPV rooms are in Sago Cay or Conch Key, although there are some good views from Boca and Big Pine as well.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

I never do online check in, but from what I understand you will be able to add a building choice, or maybe 2? It's not likely your room will already be assigned at that time.

It takes about 5 minutes to walk to the monorail station from any outer building, give or take. When you get to the Main Bldg. you have to go to the 2nd floor, which could take a couple extra minutes if you wait for the elevator. Or, you can take the stairs.

ETA: oops, forgot your question about buliding request. The best TPV rooms are in Sago Cay or Conch Key, although there are some good views from Boca and Big Pine as well.

Thanks, I shall keep that in mind!

I've never done online check in before either - never knew it was possible. This will be my first time to GF (never even visited before) - so excited!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I am at 14 days today!! This time week after next...I will be having high tea in Sugarloaf!!!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

My online checkin has been very smooth -- at the GF I was brought to my room as soon as I arrived, portfolio in hand. My recent trip to CBR, there didn't seem to be much speedier in the "On-Line Checked in" versus the standard checkin.

TOm

 

[TJA]

Hello! I think you will love RPC, most people get hooked after their first try.

The TPV rooms are all located over Gasparilla's on the 3rd and 4th floors, so you will either have to go up for the lounge or down for the CMs. These rooms are the furthest down the hallways from the lounge, but it's not a bad walk or anything. There is a small staircase between the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors near the elevator, I'll post a photo.

ETA: I have a better photo of the stairs, but until I find it...you can see the stairs in the background of this photo of the lounge.

Awesome! Thank you so much for the information and pictures -- very helpful. I think we will be fine with either the 3rd or 4th floor, love the option of having stairs. We stayed at Poly CL TPV in a patio room a few months ago and it was no bother at all going up and down the stairs for lounge access. Is there a different view that you like just as much as TPV? They all look very nice, but we really enjoyed sitting on our patio each night at Poly watching Wishes, it was especially nice given it was the 4th of July week and the show was extra special.....it's awfully hard not to book that view once you've experienced it....

 

[followthatmouse]

More photos:

Standing in food area, staircase in center background (elevator door left)

RPC Stairs

Oh, I just got the strongest flashback! Wonderful memories of evening time when we return from long and lovely days in the parks. We grab a mug of tea or coffee and a plate of calorific wickedness and take the stairs back to our room on the third floor. *sigh* Thank you for that, k&a&c'smom!

To those contemplating an RPC stay, you will not regret it. It is fun, convenient and wonderful for rainy days. The CMs are friendly and the rooms are comfortable. Once you have tried the RPC, it is difficult to stay elsewhere. There are renovations scheduled for later in the year. So, plan accordingly.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks, I shall keep that in mind!

I've never done online check in before either - never knew it was possible. This will be my first time to GF (never even visited before) - so excited!!

Oh, my! Never even visited?! You are in for a special treat, walking into the main lobby you will be swept away.

I have used online check in 3 times, and all 3 something has gone wrong. I threw in the towel, lol. (this was several years ago, so don't get nervous - lots of people have used it with no problems)

I am at 14 days today!! This time week after next...I will be having high tea in Sugarloaf!!!

Two more weeks, woohoo!!

My online checkin has been very smooth -- at the GF I was brought to my room as soon as I arrived, portfolio in hand. My recent trip to CBR, there didn't seem to be much speedier in the "On-Line Checked in" versus the standard checkin.

TOm

This has been my experience - online check in no faster, in fact it was slower than the regular check in line. Long story, but suffice to say we won't be doing it again unless something spectacular starts happening in the online check in line!

Awesome! Thank you so much for the information and pictures -- very helpful. I think we will be fine with either the 3rd or 4th floor, love the option of having stairs. We stayed at Poly CL TPV in a patio room a few months ago and it was no bother at all going up and down the stairs for lounge access. Is there a different view that you like just as much as TPV? They all look very nice, but we really enjoyed sitting on our patio each night at Poly watching Wishes, it was especially nice given it was the 4th of July week and the show was extra special.....it's awfully hard not to book that view once you've experienced it....

I would say the Poly lounge stairs is a similar experience, though I think the RPC stairs are more charming.

We always book the standard view in RPC, unless we book a deluxe room. With standard view, you can ask to be on the atrium hallway, which we love.

If you love TPV, I would say, yeah, go ahead and book it in RPC. Keep in mind, the fireworks will not be centered behind the castle like they are at the Poly, as the GF is at an angle from the MK. But the castle looks much closer.

Oh, I just got the strongest flashback! Wonderful memories of evening time when we return from long and lovely days in the parks. We grab a mug of tea or coffee and a plate of calorific wickedness and take the stairs back to our room on the third floor. *sigh* Thank you for that, k&a&c'smom!

~sigh~ What a lovely mental picture! Thank you!

To those contemplating an RPC stay, you will not regret it. It is fun, convenient and wonderful for rainy days. The CMs are friendly and the rooms are comfortable. Once you have tried the RPC, it is difficult to stay elsewhere. There are renovations scheduled for later in the year. So, plan accordingly.

Second that!

 

[grwrn]

What is the earliest you have been able to get in your room? I know official check in 3 or 4:00pm and you can "check-in" earlier but not get into your room.

Our flight arrives at 10:00am at MCO on a Saturday and I figure we will arrive at GF around 12-1pm-ish.

If we can't get into our room before official check-in, I plan to check out the resort (never been before) then DTD after check-in.

 

[pinkxray]

Good morning,

I haven't spent much time on this thread since GF has never really been high on my list of places to stay, but after having tea there last trip it has moved up on my wish list. I love everything about the resort but the bedding looks so outdated. I thought there was talk of redoing the rooms once the villas were done. Is the bedding getting updated any time soon? The gf rooms remind me a little too much of grandmas house while the GF villas are gorgeous.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

What is the earliest you have been able to get in your room? I know official check in 3 or 4:00pm and you can "check-in" earlier but not get into your room.

Our flight arrives at 10:00am at MCO on a Saturday and I figure we will arrive at GF around 12-1pm-ish.

If we can't get into our room before official check-in, I plan to check out the resort (never been before) then DTD after check-in.

It really just depends on what is available when you check in, your requests, etc. and how early other guests check out that day (official check out is 11 a.m.). WDW resorts now do a "ready room" system, where they try to put you in the next available room at the time you check in.

On our trip last April, my DD and her roommate got to the resort at around 9 a.m. (they drove from DC, I flew from MO) and were given a room as soon as they checked in; they deposited their things and headed off to the parks.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Good morning,

I haven't spent much time on this thread since GF has never really been high on my list of places to stay, but after having tea there last trip it has moved up on my wish list. I love everything about the resort but the bedding looks so outdated. I thought there was talk of redoing the rooms once the villas were done. Is the bedding getting updated any time soon? The gf rooms remind me a little too much of grandmas house while the GF villas are gorgeous.

A new soft goods refurb is underway as we speak, but the bedding was changed out months ago. Now, there is white triple sheeting with a navy blue bed scarf.

The refurb schedule is posted at the top of the first page of this thread.

 

[pinkxray]

A new soft goods refurb is underway as we speak, but the bedding was changed out months ago. Now, there is white triple sheeting with a navy blue bed scarf.

The refurb schedule is posted at the top of the first page of this thread.

Thanks so much! I must have skipped right over the top part and went right to the room pictures. Looks much better. We aren't going again until Marathon weekend 2015 but GF is definitely my #1 choice for our trip now. Just need to start saving.

 

[Maxie86]

What is the earliest you have been able to get in your room? I know official check in 3 or 4:00pm and you can "check-in" earlier but not get into your room.

Our flight arrives at 10:00am at MCO on a Saturday and I figure we will arrive at GF around 12-1pm-ish.

If we can't get into our room before official check-in, I plan to check out the resort (never been before) then DTD after check-in.

The earliest I was able to get a room was 7 AM. I have received rooms many times between 10 AM and noon. They will give you a room if there is one available when you check in. It all depends on how full the resort is, you have a better chance on a weekday and a slower season.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks so much! I must have skipped right over the top part and went right to the room pictures. Looks much better. We aren't going again until Marathon weekend 2015 but GF is definitely my #1 choice for our trip now. Just need to start saving.

You are welcome! I think you will love the resort, good luck with your saving and enjoy your planning.

....I have received rooms many times between 10 AM and noon.
....

Me, too! That's probably the most common time for us to check in. Thanks for pointing out the season and day of the week, all of that does play a huge part in how quickly you get into your room.

Only 8 days to go, woohoo!

 

[jecon]

Hi everyone! Quick question - we requested a tower room in the SL building (thank you k&a&c's mom for the advice!!) but does anyone know if it is connected to the room next door? The reason I ask is that we have two families traveling together and connecting rooms is more of a priority than the tower room. Thanks again!!!

 

[trishadono]

Hi everyone! Quick question - we requested a tower room in the SL building (thank you k&a&c's mom for the advice!!) but does anyone know if it is connected to the room next door? The reason I ask is that we have two families traveling together and connecting rooms is more of a priority than the tower room. Thanks again!!!

We were in that room on 1/1/14. I took a panoramic video of the room and I just watched it. Sorry, no connecting door

We were on the 2nd floor if that matters.

 

[jecon]

We were in that room on 1/1/14. I took a panoramic video of the room and I just watched it. Sorry, no connecting door We were on the 2nd floor if that matters.

Thanks for checking for me! Just out of curiosity for future trips- did you request that room in advance? If so, how far in advance? Thanks again!!

 

[trishadono]

Thanks for checking for me! Just out of curiosity for future trips- did you request that room in advance? If so, how far in advance? Thanks again!!

This was my 2nd sl stay. First time I asked only for marina view but did not get it. We did get our room at 730 am so I was happy with that.

This time I said family of four with teen age girl and boy and space a priority. Lodge tower or any non dormer room(balcony would be too small for four).

I booked in July 2013 for a one night stay 1/1/14( we moved to VGF next day).

Had a crazy year, actually stayed in RPC , sl and poly and cr's CL all in one year so ask and if I remember I would be glad you help. There are a lot of things you find out some times too late.

 

[Southernswthrt]

Thinking of staying at VGF in a studio in the fall for MNSSHP, but have read more than one review regarding the lack of soundproofing in the walls. Any recent experiences?

 

[Candy Orlando]

Thinking of staying at VGF in a studio in the fall for MNSSHP, but have read more than one review regarding the lack of soundproofing in the walls. Any recent experiences?

I stayed at the VGF in a one bedroom for a week in Dec and a week in Jan. I never heard anyone in the building or outside the building. I really felt like I was in my own single family house.