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

[AlixaLock]

We just finalized the details for our August trip ... 10 nights at the end of August! We are a group of 7 staying in a two-bedroom suite at the Villas! Absolutely cannot wait.



Wondering if anyone has experience with the Dedicated Vs. Lock off floor plans? We are basically, two couples with 3 kids between us. I've studied the layout over and over and I can't decide which to hope for/request! LOL! Not overly important either way, but now that we've booked airfare/tickets/rooms, I need something to occupy my mind until 180-day mark!

 

[trishadono]

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?

We were just in a 2br lake view in January. We thought sound proofing was awesome! When we shut the sliders it really kept noises out compared to the other hotels.

 

[mmkenn]

LOL - sorry. You are probably right, once you make the leap you won't go back. But you could be like me - I rotate between garden view, SL and RPC. However the budget works out.

I can't help regarding the coffee, as I don't drink it.



Yes, there are still 2 layouts for the queen deluxe rooms. There are 4 rectangular rooms, 4319-20 and 4419-20, these overlook the courtyard pool and are the closest rooms to the lounge on that hall. At least one of these rooms is an accessible room.

There are 2 triangular queen deluxe rooms, 4322 and 4422, I think. These two rooms overlook the Beach Pool and now, the VGF.

Thanks for the info!!

Oh, decisions, decisons!! We like the look of the rectangular shape rooms more (4319-20 and 4419-20). We also prefer to be on the same floor as the lounge, so that narrows it down to 2 rooms. However, I did some further investigating and it appears that room 4419 is an accessible room. I hate to only request one specific room because is seems so unlikely to be accomodated! Which view do you think would be better? The Beach pool/VGF or the courtyard? I would normally jump at the Beach view but now I wonder if these will be obstructed by the new VGF building.

I know that any of these will be spectacular and many requests are not honored anyway!

Thanks for your help!

 

[nursemickey]

Hello all! My DH, DD5, DD14 and myself will be staying at the GF in June for our first time staying deluxe. We normally stay at a mod- CSR. We booked a garden view on the military salute discount. It has always been my dream to stay deluxe AND on the monorail. MK is my favorite park and I will love to be able to hop over there for a few hours on non MK days while DH is napping with the kids. Can anyone tell me what the online check-in options are and which building is closest to the main pool? TIA.

Misty

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the info!!

Oh, decisions, decisons!! We like the look of the rectangular shape rooms more (4319-20 and 4419-20). We also prefer to be on the same floor as the lounge, so that narrows it down to 2 rooms. However, I did some further investigating and it appears that room 4419 is an accessible room. I hate to only request one specific room because is seems so unlikely to be accomodated! Which view do you think would be better? The Beach pool/VGF or the courtyard? I would normally jump at the Beach view but now I wonder if these will be obstructed by the new VGF building.

I know that any of these will be spectacular and many requests are not honored anyway!

Thanks for your help!

In RPC they work really hard to put you where you would like to be. No guarantees, of course, but they try. We have stayed in the rectangular queen deluxe room and liked it a lot. I think you are correct, 4419 is the accessible room (we had a big discussion about this a few months ago and I think that is what we narrowed it down to!) With those rooms, there is some chance you will see some of the higher fireworks.

The triangular rooms do have a lovely view of the Beach Pool, the VGF is beyond the pool. You will still see some of the lagoon as well, not sure how much of the Poly is still visible from that angle.

I wouldn't worry too much about being on the same floor as the lounge, the little staircase between floors is right by the food service area. So easy, it's really not an issue at all. Our favorite room is on the 5th floor and we haven't found that to be a burden in any way.

Hello all! My DH, DD5, DD14 and myself will be staying at the GF in June for our first time staying deluxe. We normally stay at a mod- CSR. We booked a garden view on the military salute discount. It has always been my dream to stay deluxe AND on the monorail. MK is my favorite park and I will love to be able to hop over there for a few hours on non MK days while DH is napping with the kids. Can anyone tell me what the online check-in options are and which building is closest to the main pool? TIA.

Misty

Welcome to the DIS and the GF FAQ! You're going to love the Grand. The location is absolutely perfect for short trips to the MK, it's only 2 minutes away on the monorail.

I don't usually do online check in, and I know the details have changed a bit with MDX. From what others have posted, you can request a couple building choices. The closest building to the Beach Pool is Big Pine Key, if this is what you mean by "main pool" - it has the slide. The courtyard pool has recently been refurbed and has pop jets for the little ones, zero entry and the hot tub. Most of the outer buildings are situated around this pool - Big Pine Key, Boca Chica & Conch Key. Only Sago Cay is placed at a bit of distance from either pool.

Keep in mind, some Big Pine Key garden views look directly into the back of the courtyard pool. We love the location and views of Boca Chica, as you get a nice view of the pool and the Main Bldg. We also love Conch Key's location - close to the courtyard pool and boat dock, with the marina and Gasparilla's a short walk out the back.

 

[grannyminnie]

Morning GF pals...

JoBird, I also liked the Nespresso in the lounge and was concerned when they switched coffees. However, on my most recent trip, I really could not tell that much difference (by the time I added all the cream and flavors! ). I'm not a fan of the Keurig coffees either.

Hi Blue, yes I did visit my parents this weekend.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Good Morning everyone Another super cold day here in WI and they cancelled school for today and tomorrow so the DDs are sleeping in. Lucky ducks. Of course the school messaging system starting ringing at 4:30am. First the home phone, then my cell, then DH's cell....so of course...no more sleep for us. Oh well. Since I was up anyway, I logged onto SW and purchased our airfare for our late July trip as they opened up airline ressies for our time period this morning. I paid $1032 for 4 of us round trip which is a pretty good price Nonstop flights....yay! Now, if Disney would just release a 30% discount offer for late July, we would be all set

I hope everyone has a magical day and stay warm! Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go (insert whistle).....

 

[Mousemommy1]

Good Morning everyone Another super cold day here in WI and they cancelled school for today and tomorrow so the DDs are sleeping in. Lucky ducks. Of course the school messaging system starting ringing at 4:30am. First the home phone, then my cell, then DH's cell....so of course...no more sleep for us. Oh well. Since I was up anyway, I logged onto SW and purchased our airfare for our late July trip as they opened up airline ressies for our time period this morning. I paid $1032 for 4 of us round trip which is a pretty good price Nonstop flights....yay! Now, if Disney would just release a 30% discount offer for late July, we would be all set

I hope everyone has a magical day and stay warm! Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go (insert whistle).....

Yay for good airfare!!!! Yeah, it just opened up today so I priced out my travel days (not actual dates) and it would be $920 for the 4 of us!!! Right now though, we have $1110 in credits with SW so I would love to book us and figure out what to do with the rest of that credit.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Morning GF pals...

JoBird, I also liked the Nespresso in the lounge and was concerned when they switched coffees. However, on my most recent trip, I really could not tell that much difference (by the time I added all the cream and flavors! ). I'm not a fan of the Keurig coffees either.

Hi Blue, yes I did visit my parents this weekend.

Thanks for the coffee info, good to know.

How was your mom?

Good Morning everyone Another super cold day here in WI and they cancelled school for today and tomorrow so the DDs are sleeping in. Lucky ducks. Of course the school messaging system starting ringing at 4:30am. First the home phone, then my cell, then DH's cell....so of course...no more sleep for us. Oh well. Since I was up anyway, I logged onto SW and purchased our airfare for our late July trip as they opened up airline ressies for our time period this morning. I paid $1032 for 4 of us round trip which is a pretty good price Nonstop flights....yay! Now, if Disney would just release a 30% discount offer for late July, we would be all set

I hope everyone has a magical day and stay warm! Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go (insert whistle).....

YAY for snagging your airfare, and at a decent rate. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the summer resort discount.

Have a great day at work!

Yay for good airfare!!!! Yeah, it just opened up today so I priced out my travel days (not actual dates) and it would be $920 for the 4 of us!!! Right now though, we have $1110 in credits with SW so I would love to book us and figure out what to do with the rest of that credit.

Even better rates! LOL about the extra credit. We have not had decent SWA rates out of KC in years, it jumped from around $160/rt to $250/rt in what seemed like overnight. I've been paying upwards of $300/person for a while now. I have a $52 credit, but I think it expires in March so I doubt I get to use it.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

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

I will try my best to behave while there next week, hopefully I won't cause an incidents requiring closure.

Tom

 

[mommyrosa2]

Good Morning everyone Another super cold day here in WI and they cancelled school for today and tomorrow so the DDs are sleeping in. Lucky ducks. Of course the school messaging system starting ringing at 4:30am. First the home phone, then my cell, then DH's cell....so of course...no more sleep for us. Oh well. Since I was up anyway, I logged onto SW and purchased our airfare for our late July trip as they opened up airline ressies for our time period this morning. I paid $1032 for 4 of us round trip which is a pretty good price Nonstop flights....yay! Now, if Disney would just release a 30% discount offer for late July, we would be all set

I hope everyone has a magical day and stay warm! Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go (insert whistle).....

Don't you just love the school messaging system?? Our school starts pretty early as well also bouncing between my home phone and then cell . Sending along some that you get a good discount for your dates!

Yay for good airfare!!!! Yeah, it just opened up today so I priced out my travel days (not actual dates) and it would be $920 for the 4 of us!!! Right now though, we have $1110 in credits with SW so I would love to book us and figure out what to do with the rest of that credit.

Mousemommy...I did the same thing this morning. Looked at my days and flying out of Providence, ours came out to $872 total for the 4 of us!! This year we decided to fly out mid week so I'm hoping the airfare will remain on the cheaper side since we plan to use our points . I really wish Southwest had extended their fare through the end of August though...I"m anxious to book and hate waiting but unfortunately I now have to wait till March before I can actually do anything...ugh!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Don't you just love the school messaging system?? Our school starts pretty early as well also bouncing between my home phone and then cell . Sending along some that you get a good discount for your dates!



Mousemommy...I did the same thing this morning. Looked at my days and flying out of Providence, ours came out to $872 total for the 4 of us!! This year we decided to fly out mid week so I'm hoping the airfare will remain on the cheaper side since we plan to use our points . I really wish Southwest had extended their fare through the end of August though...I"m anxious to book and hate waiting but unfortunately I now have to wait till March before I can actually do anything...ugh!

Fingers crossed!!!

I hate how late they are coming out with the fares. I don't think I've ever had my ADR's booked before my airfare, but I will this time.

 

[grannyminnie]

k&a&c'smom, thanks for asking... She has declined a little more each time I go (every two weeks). This time, I noticed more weight loss..because she just is not eating.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

k&a&c'smom, thanks for asking... She has declined a little more each time I go (every two weeks). This time, I noticed more weight loss..because she just is not eating.

That is heartbreaking, I know. I remember when my dad was first going into the hospital and then a care facility. I hadn't seen him without clothes for years and when I helped him into a gown I was shocked at the loss of weight. I think he simply forgot to eat when he was home by himself. On the flip side, in the months while he was in and out of the hospital or in care, he forgot he HAD eaten and would ask where his meal was minutes after they took away his tray.

Thinking of you and your family, I know how difficult it is. Be good to yourselves, it's a tough time and really takes a toll.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Tom - just 4 days to go, woohoo!!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Tom - just 4 days to go, woohoo!!

Thanks for the encouragement -- now put up an emoticon of me doing laundry, buying shoes, paying bills, packing and whatever else I haven't done. This going to work stuff keeps getting in the way of my vacation.

Tom

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the encouragement -- now put up an emoticon of me doing laundry, buying shoes, paying bills, packing and whatever else I haven't done. This going to work stuff keeps getting in the way of my vacation.

Tom

I hate it when that happens.



(I had to improvise on the shoe buying - I sometimes do mine online - and the bill paying...the genie is for the packing, etc. ...I should have given you the genie for everything! haha ) BTW - are you making the rookie mistake of buying shoes FOR the trip right before you leave?!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I hate it when that happens.



(I had to improvise on the shoe buying - I sometimes do mine online - and the bill paying...the genie is for the packing, etc. ...I should have given you the genie for everything! haha ) BTW - are you making the rookie mistake of buying shoes FOR the trip right before you leave?!

Not a rookie mistake -- guy's feet are inherently different, I can buy a pair of shoes and wear them the same day with no issues -- I'm just getting a pair of loafers to wear to the conference --- parks I generally wear sneakers and I have 2 pairs of them packed already.

Tom

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Not a rookie mistake -- guy's feet are inherently different, I can buy a pair of shoes and wear them the same day with no issues -- I'm just getting a pair of loafers to wear to the conference --- parks I generally wear sneakers and I have 2 pairs of them packed already.

Tom

I'm relieved to hear your park shoes are broken in. Interesting about men's feet. All my guys have to break in their shoes, both walking and dress shoes.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I'm relieved to hear your park shoes are broken in. Interesting about men's feet. All my guys have to break in their shoes, both walking and dress shoes.

I have special feet......with the miles and wear and tear my feet have seen, a new pair of shoes doesn't stand a chance. My feet have been spiked numerous times, I've lost count as to how many baseballs got hit off them, and they are just plain ugly at this point, I honestly haven't gotten a blister in years from wearing a new pair of shoes - but that is more likely than not the fact that generally buy the same make and model, and the callouses from years of sports protect me.

Tom