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

[marlaine8]

Could someone please give me some tips on room requests at Sugar Loaf building? We're staying at GF for the first time this Sept. We've stayed at The Poly CL for the last 8 years, but I just couldn't do it this year with all the construction going on. BTW, our trip is in Sept, and when I made the reservation 2 weeks ago, the CM told me that I got the last Standard Room in Sugar Loaf available. Seems odd for the second week in Sept when crowds are low, but maybe Poly regulars are changing resorts like we are.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

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

Yikes, you poor guy! No blisters is a plus, I guess - not sure it's a fair trade off. My DH stands on concrete all day, so his feet get really tired. He's like you, he buys the same shoes every time. (now that I think about it, those shoes have little break in - but dress shoes, sandals, boots, etc., do) He was quite disgusted when New Balance stopped making his particular favorite and he had to switch.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Could someone please give me some tips on room requests at Sugar Loaf building? We're staying at GF for the first time this Sept. We've stayed at The Poly CL for the last 8 years, but I just couldn't do it this year with all the construction going on. BTW, our trip is in Sept, and when I made the reservation 2 weeks ago, the CM told me that I got the last Standard Room in Sugar Loaf available. Seems odd for the second week in Sept when crowds are low, but maybe Poly regulars are changing resorts like we are.

It's possible that just one day of your trip is booked up. Is there an event on any one of your days? Just a thought.

SL has two garden views - marina or pool side. Both are quite lovely, there are photo links of the views on the first page, post number...3, I think. I'll check and get back. ETA: it was post #4; here's the link to the SL view photos.

Do you prefer being on the ground floor, or an upper floor? At the Grand, the top floors have dormer rooms, which are slightly smaller and have vaulted ceilings and enclosed balconies. Some people love them, some prefer the open balconies.

 

[mmkenn]

Could someone please give me some tips on room requests at Sugar Loaf building? We're staying at GF for the first time this Sept. We've stayed at The Poly CL for the last 8 years, but I just couldn't do it this year with all the construction going on. BTW, our trip is in Sept, and when I made the reservation 2 weeks ago, the CM told me that I got the last Standard Room in Sugar Loaf available. Seems odd for the second week in Sept when crowds are low, but maybe Poly regulars are changing resorts like we are.

We have stayed at SL a few times. Our preference is a higher level room away from the elevators, but this is because DH is a very light sleeper. The noise from the lounge or elevator sometimes wakes him up. However, we don't go up to the dormer level, but as the other poster said, this is completely a personal preference.

The view (I believe) is either the courtyard/pool or the marina. We honestly switch off each time because we like both views!

Was the "one standard room left" possibly the last one left at a discounted price? We have had that happen before and the building was not actually full.

Good luck!

 

[Circusgirl]

Here are some photos from the past week. I realized today that despite the sometimes brisk temperatures I have been so thoroughly immersed in the tropical beauty of the resort that hitting the road for the airport tomorrow is going to come as a shock. I know for many of you life has been most like a tribute to "Frozen" recently, so thought you might appreciate blue skies and palm trees.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Beautiful photos - thanks for the inspiration, even if it is colder than usual down there, it is significantly warmer than up here!

Tom

 

[MouseWatcher]

Hi everyone! I have a suprise trip planned for my husband this October. We are staying Royal Palm Club at GF in a Deluxe King and I find myself torn on whether to request a balcony room (guaranteed MK view) or octagon room (possible MK view). I welcome any input from anyone who has stayed there with their pros/cons. I do tend to lean more towards octagon as I don't want to feel like we are separate from the lounge/club area and I am concerned about noise from Gasparilla Grill below the balcony rooms. It seems the balcony rooms are a little more private but being there just the 2 of us, no kids, will seem private no matter where we are Granted, these are all requests - I know nothing is guaranteed.

Or if there's another thread that addresses this, please direct me to it - I could not find one specifically while searching.

Thanks!!

 

[Circusgirl]

There is an army of people working on Conch Key. A constant stream of boxes of furniture are being brought to the building. No one will admit to even having seen a concept sketch for the new decor, but here are some photos of the boxes as this is all I can glean about the rehab for those of you who are waiting impatiently for the final product. I also happened to see them bringing a load of carpet to the building, and could see there are at least a coral and a blue color involved. In peeking into the Conch Key rooms I can see that the wall sconces above the beds have more simple shades instead of the current fluted design and that the walls seem to be painted rather than wallpapered.

 

[BlueGiraffe]

Do each of the outer buildings have their own reception desk/area to greet/assist guests, or is it all done from the main building? I don't mean checking in and out, or major things like that.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

There is an army of people working on Conch Key. A constant stream of boxes of furniture are being brought to the building. No one will admit to even having seen a concept sketch for the new decor, but here are some photos of the boxes as this is all I can glean about the rehab for those of you who are waiting impatiently for the final product. I also happened to see them bringing a load of carpet to the building, and could see there are at least a coral and a blue color involved. In peeking into the Conch Key rooms I can see that the wall sconces above the beds have more simple shades instead of the current fluted design and that the walls seem to be painted rather than wallpapered.

Wow CircusGirl - those are some great pics.
Maybe you should have been a PI or investigative reporter!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

BTW, from the edges of the carpeting, it looks similar to VGF, eh?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Gorgeous photos, Circusgirl, thank you for posting! I think someone asked this question the last time you posted photos, but I'll ask again - what kind of camera do you use? Lovely, lovely shots.

Hi everyone! I have a suprise trip planned for my husband this October. We are staying Royal Palm Club at GF in a Deluxe King and I find myself torn on whether to request a balcony room (guaranteed MK view) or octagon room (possible MK view). I welcome any input from anyone who has stayed there with their pros/cons. I do tend to lean more towards octagon as I don't want to feel like we are separate from the lounge/club area and I am concerned about noise from Gasparilla Grill below the balcony rooms. It seems the balcony rooms are a little more private but being there just the 2 of us, no kids, will seem private no matter where we are Granted, these are all requests - I know nothing is guaranteed.

Or if there's another thread that addresses this, please direct me to it - I could not find one specifically while searching.

Thanks!!

I love the octagon king deluxe, but we don't use our balcony very much at all when we have one. I don't think you have to worry about noise from Gasparilla's, all the TPV rooms along with the 2nd floor deluxe kings are in that area and no one has mentioned having issues.

The octagon rooms have a deep soaking tub, the rectangular 2nd floor rooms have a jacuzzi, if that's important to you. I happen to love the larger room and wrap around windows in the octagonal rooms - but again, it's all personal preference.

Do each of the outer buildings have their own reception desk/area to greet/assist guests, or is it all done from the main building? I don't mean checking in and out, or major things like that.

No, there is one reception desk in the main building. Each outer building has a seating area on the first floor, as you pass through to the elevators, but no desks or CMs - there are some photos on the first page.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BTW, from the edges of the carpeting, it looks similar to VGF, eh?

Aw, man - I hope not, at least not the hall carpets. Doesn't look Victorian to me at all, very mod. The bedroom carpets are OK, I prefer the GF carpets now to the VGF bedroom carpets - but they aren't wildly outside the theme.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

aw, man - i hope not, at least not the hall carpets. Doesn't look victorian to me at all, very mod. The bedroom carpets are ok, i prefer the gf carpets now to the vgf bedroom carpets - but they aren't wildly outside the theme.

ita!

 

[marlaine8]

It's possible that just one day of your trip is booked up. Is there an event on any one of your days? Just a thought.

SL has two garden views - marina or pool side. Both are quite lovely, there are photo links of the views on the first page, post number...3, I think. I'll check and get back. ETA: it was post #4; here's the link to the SL view photos.

Do you prefer being on the ground floor, or an upper floor? At the Grand, the top floors have dormer rooms, which are slightly smaller and have vaulted ceilings and enclosed balconies. Some people love them, some prefer the open balconies.

Thank you so much for the link! Very helpful!
I don't know of any events while we are there. (Except the first parties for MNSSHP.) We go the same week every year and never had any trouble reserving a room.
What do you mean by "enclosed" balcony? How is it different from an open balcony?

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi everyone! I have a suprise trip planned for my husband this October. We are staying Royal Palm Club at GF in a Deluxe King and I find myself torn on whether to request a balcony room (guaranteed MK view) or octagon room (possible MK view). I welcome any input from anyone who has stayed there with their pros/cons. I do tend to lean more towards octagon as I don't want to feel like we are separate from the lounge/club area and I am concerned about noise from Gasparilla Grill below the balcony rooms. It seems the balcony rooms are a little more private but being there just the 2 of us, no kids, will seem private no matter where we are Granted, these are all requests - I know nothing is guaranteed.

Or if there's another thread that addresses this, please direct me to it - I could not find one specifically while searching.

Thanks!!

What a nice surprise! k&a&c'smom Gave you plenty of good info about the deluxe king room ...but I wanted to add my two cents worth..lol...

The deluxe king rooms with a balcony are on the second floor..and feel quite removed from the rest of the RPC areas..IMO...you have to take an elevator from the second floor to the third or fourth floors to access the hallway that leads to the lounge or CM desks...quite a bit of a trip..lol..but they do have a very lovely marina /MK view...

The turrett or octagon rooms are located right off the atrium that overlooks the lobby...they do not have a balcony..and have either views of the courtyard and MK in the distance..or the front of the GF building...never had that view.. but I would call it a monorail view... again as k&a&c said..and I share her opinion..a lovely extra large room..which makes up for the lack of a balcony...

Hope that helps!?? Happy planning!

Do each of the outer buildings have their own reception desk/area to greet/assist guests, or is it all done from the main building? I don't mean checking in and out, or major things like that.

None of the outer buildings has a a reception desk with the exception of SL...which is CL...

BTW, from the edges of the carpeting, it looks similar to VGF, eh?

Thats what I was thinking!

Aw, man - I hope not, at least not the hall carpets. Doesn't look Victorian to me at all, very mod. The bedroom carpets are OK, I prefer the GF carpets now to the VGF bedroom carpets - but they aren't wildly outside the theme.

I was thinking that too!!! lol...

circusgirl Thanks for scoping out the renovation area... and posting the pics! Very interesting...

Tom Almost time

to all the rest of my fellow GF fans...hope that you are having a magical Monday! And staying warm too! Seems that there is cold weather EVERYWHERE!!

 

[BlueSkies]

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.

grannyminnie I was just re skimming and saw your post... so sorry my friend...its wonderful that you can visit so often and be there for your parents ..yet at the same time so difficult so watch I am sure...Thinking of you all....

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Mousemommy1 and mommyrosa2 That is awesome if the prices hold for SW when they release the new dates for your trips. Airfare under a grand AND super room discounts are going to make your trips extra thrifty. NICE

k&a&c'smom That is too bad about airfare prices from your area. I feel so lucky that we can get such decent prices on nonstop flights to Florida from little 'ol Milwaukee. I mean, we are so close to Chicago with two much larger airports so it seems so odd that we can fly nonstop...NOT complaining...just find it interesting....Maybe things will change for you once the SW/AirTran merger is complete and they can look to expand more instead of just combining.

circusgirl Thanks so much for all the photos. Your sleuthing ops pictures are making me giddy. I am so excited to see the new rooms.

 

[bethclayton]

circusgirl your photos had me laughing so hard! you are so funny, i am totally imagining your covert operation. i would never even think to take those pics, that was such a great idea!!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Aw, man - I hope not, at least not the hall carpets. Doesn't look Victorian to me at all, very mod. The bedroom carpets are OK, I prefer the GF carpets now to the VGF bedroom carpets - but they aren't wildly outside the theme.

At the risk of sounding "indelicate", the hall carpets bring to my mind the image of someone puking at intervals down the hall...
Sorry if I've made anyone lose their appetite...