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

[Circusgirl]

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 agree wholeheartedly. I have to laugh because I thought I wouldn't find the decor of the Grand rooms appealing and now I love it because it IS the Grand. I am glad I have had a chance to love the old, now hope the new will not be lacking in character.

I am glad you are enjoying the pictures. I have a Nikon D700, and use mostly a 50 mm prime lens, a 28-300 zoom, and a 14-24 wide angle. That said, it is always true that the driver and not the equipment is most responsible for the results. It is possible to take terrible pictures with cameras like mine, and even better photos with smaller rigs. One of the best resources I can recommend for learning more about photography is a book called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. He walks you through taking your camera off auto and understanding and taking control of the different aspects of exposure time and amount of light that make the picture.


More reconnaissance:

The new sofabed - very similar color to the current ones, but less pattern:





A view into one of the Conch Key rooms:



I think I can see headboards for the beds in one of the upper floor rooms, but can't be sure. If it is the headboards, they appear to have fabric covered padded faces. Please don't count on that, though!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

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?

Did you notice another poster's suggestion it was the last room with a discount? Another good possibility.

I'll post a photo to show the two types of balconies. Notice the upper floor balconies with the little pointed roofs - these are the dormer balconies.

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...


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!!

Getting close to your trip!

Thanks for the added deluxe king details, your two cents is always appreciated.

I like the VGF rooms in general, but the carpeting is not a favorite.

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.

....

Thanks! It would be nice if they came back down but I'm not holding my breath.~sigh~ I'm not sure what market forces have caused the uptick - everyone used to say we got great deals as KC was a SWA hub. Maybe they aren't any more?

Oddly, I can get a better deal if I fly to Milwaukee to go to Orlando.

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!!

Good to see you posting, and laughing.

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...

And I thought I didn't care for them.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have to laugh because I thought I wouldn't find the decor of the Grand rooms appealing and now I love it because it IS the Grand. I am glad I have had a chance to love the old, now hope the new will not be lacking in character.

I am glad you are enjoying the pictures. I have a Nikon D700, and use mostly a 50 mm prime lens, a 28-300 zoom, and a 14-24 wide angle. That said, it is always true that the driver and not the equipment is most responsible for the results. It is possible to take terrible pictures with cameras like mine, and even better photos with smaller rigs. One of the best resources I can recommend for learning more about photography is a book called "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. He walks you through taking your camera off auto and understanding and taking control of the different aspects of exposure time and amount of light that make the picture.


More reconnaissance:

The new sofabed - very similar color to the current ones, but less pattern:



A view into one of the Conch Key rooms:


I think I can see headboards for the beds in one of the upper floor rooms, but can't be sure. If it is the headboards, they appear to have fabric covered padded faces. Please don't count on that, though!

Thanks for more photos, we appreciate your sleuthing skills. I'm encouraged by the color of the daybed, maybe it won't be as bad as I feared. I, too, love the current Grand decor - I wasn't a huge fan of the bedspreads or that weird blue chair, but the rest was really great, IMO. I'll be very sad if they do away with wallpaper, it made the room look more luxurious.

And thanks about the photography, I'll make a note of the book. I had a feeling you were gonna say your camera was a DSLR. A lifetime ago, I thought I might like to get into photography and bought a decent (not high end by any means) Nikon. Just as I was opening the manual, DH, who had no interest prior, said, "hey, let me see that!" and I never got it in my hands again.

DS1 (who studied photography in college) has tried to get me to turn off auto and start playing around with settings on my pns, but I've kind of lost interest over the many intervening years.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

marlaine8 - here's another photo showing the dormer (enclosed) balconies up close.

And this one, looking from Big Pine to Boca Chica.

 

[marlaine8]

Thank you so much for the pictures! I couldn't imagine in my mind what the different balconies would look like!
I booked our room at full rack rate right now. That's the way I've done it in the past and just had the discount added whenever it comes out. I hope it works out this year too. So I'm wondering just how full the GF will be in Sept.

BTW, you guys are so helpful on this thread. I really appreciate all the help!

 

[Liberator]

Thank you so much for the pictures! I couldn't imagine in my mind what the different balconies would look like!
I booked our room at full rack rate right now. That's the way I've done it in the past and just had the discount added whenever it comes out. I hope it works out this year too. So I'm wondering just how full the GF will be in Sept.

BTW, you guys are so helpful on this thread. I really appreciate all the help!

I haven't stayed at GF yet, but I visitted twice in September, just to walk around and take some photos.

Must have been Sep. 10 and Sep. 23, both times in the afternoon.
I was the only one who left the boat from MK at the GF twice. There were few people walking around and not many people in the lobby. No line at check-in. It felt very empty! The pool area was not crowded at all. Most of the people I saw were also taking photos. I thought they were also just visitors.

I took the monorail back to the MK and only a handful of people were at the station with me. I was about 15 minutes in the soap-shop and both CMs were helping me because there was nothing else to do for them.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Circusgirl!. Thank you for getting those awesome refurb photos!!!

 

[grannyminnie]

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....

You're so sweet, Blue...
I'm watching your ticker, and it's very close for you! I'm not watching the weather down there going forward, but are you still looking at 60s now during the day?

Circusgirl, thanks for the photo info of the refurb! It's great to have on the spot reporting....tho like others have stated, not sure I'll be a fan of the new decor.

Tom and Maxie, time to get packing for you two as well... Are ya ready?

 

[mommyrosa2]

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

I can't even begin to express just how excited we are for our first stay at the Grand and in this trip in general. Our trip last August was pretty much a bust as we ended up at Celebration Hospital on our first full day because my oldest DD caught some stomach bug on our first night and was pretty sick the entire week . Any $$ saved on this trip is going to go towards a surprise for my family...thinking about a fireworks cruise .


Circusgirl: Great pics and a huge thanks...can't wait to see what the new rooms are going to look like when they are all finished.

Tom: Almost time...how exciting!

 

[trishadono]

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!!

Here are some pics I posted last November,

Like you I did not have a preference before we went. However, after staying in the octagon room I know I would be disappointed to be in the other rooms. Here is why.

1. When staying CL I do like to take food back to my room and sit on a balcony but the 2nd floor rooms would not be easy to access so I would most likely just stay in lounge.

2. Coming out of room and having that cute private hall and peeking over balcony to see the lobby below was so fun!

3. Being close to the lounge was very, very convenient.

4. Walk in closet was huge!!!

5. Nice sized tub/bath area compared to regular room.

6. Windows!!!!!!

7. Great panoramic views !

My husband was just so impressed. We loved the extra space for during the day.
I moved the desk chair near a window and opened it up and listened to the sounds of 7seas lagoon

However the view from the 2nd floor would be beautiful of the castle and fireworks. We have just been down so many times seeing the fireworks was not a priority.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=50058845&postcount=1522

 

[KonaKaiTom]

You're so sweet, Blue...

Tom and Maxie, time to get packing for you two as well... Are ya ready?

Not time to get packing---the packing is done!!!!! A couple more sleeps and I'm in Grand heaven!

Tom

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

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...

OMG! This is hilarious! I can totally picture this. Kinda like when we were in grade school and someone kept puking the whole way down the hall and the janitor comes and sprinkles the "bubble gum" neutralizer stuff on it. Wonder which is worse....that carpet or the fried egg carpet at CR?

I do not care for these balconies. I do not want to be standing at the railing and look over and see my neighbors doing the same. It gives me an awkward feeling that is just creepy. Have you ever gone into an older elementary school, as an adult, and needed to use the bathroom? You go in and realize you are taller than the stall dividers. So....when you are standing in the stall you can see other people in the bathroom when they are standing.....creepy

I can't even begin to express just how excited we are for our first stay at the Grand and in this trip in general. Our trip last August was pretty much a bust as we ended up at Celebration Hospital on our first full day because my oldest DD caught some stomach bug on our first night and was pretty sick the entire week . Any $$ saved on this trip is going to go towards a surprise for my family...thinking about a fireworks cruise

What a depressing trip! I will cross my fingers that everyone stays well this trip A fireworks cruise sounds fun. I am surprising my family with an all day cabana rental for our pool day at PBH. I was going to do a cabana rental at GF but since I changed around our ressies to be 6nts at GF and 7 nts PBH, it did not fit in as well. I also think the cabanas at PBH are nicer/more secluded feeling than at GF and we tend to spend more pool time there than at WDW hotels because it is a more laid back vacation on the dark side. The FOTL really makes touring easier and you can ride so much more in less time.

Not time to get packing---the packing is done!!!!! A couple more sleeps and I'm in Grand heaven!

Tom

Do you have your camera ready? We are all counting on you to continue the covert pics that circusgirl started. She has almost completed her mission and we are in dire need of another special ops agent to continue the mission. Are you up to the challenge?......


circusgirl LOVE the pics. I am really digging the new daybed color. I really hope they replace that blue chair with something more Victorian. Seen any chair boxes?

 

[KonaKaiTom]

OMG!



Do you have your camera ready? We are all counting on you to continue the covert pics that circusgirl started. She has almost completed her mission and we are in dire need of another special ops agent to continue the mission. Are you up to the challenge?......

Telephoto zoom lens and 32gb chip are locked and loaded.

Tom

 

[k&a&c'smom]

marlaine8 - you are welcome! If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

mommyrosa2 - aww, sorry about your DD. I hope you have a perfect, magical stay this time around.

Tom, we're countin' on ya!

Grace&Caroline'smom - I don't care for the dormer balconies, but it's because I don't like having to stand to see out and it makes the room feel more closed in. To be honest, I've rarely seen any neighboring guests on the balcony next to me, at any of the resorts, so that point hadn't occurred to me.

LOL - was it you and me who discussed the weird blue chair? So out of place, I'm curious to see what they replace it with.

FOTL at the dark side is AWESOME!!! Vacations there are so much more relaxed and easy, no dining plans to make, plenty of time to spend at the pools or having a nice meal. The first time we planned a trip for more than a day or so, I couldn't wrap my head around not needing to book restaurants 6 months in advance - or at all!

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

The weather is looking wonderful for those of us with trips coming up in the next few days! I am seeing high 70s and low 80s! Can you imagine what that will feel like coming from the subzero temperatures back home?!?!

On a side note, we have requested a room in Conch Key which I know is the first building to be remodeled. I am going to try my chances at asking for one of the completed rooms, but from the pictures Circugirl has shared, I'm not sure if they will be finished with that building by this weekend.

I hope everyone has a magical vacation!!! I can't wait to read about everyone's trips and see some more wonderful pictures!

 

[mommyrosa2]

What a depressing trip! I will cross my fingers that everyone stays well this trip A fireworks cruise sounds fun. I am surprising my family with an all day cabana rental for our pool day at PBH. I was going to do a cabana rental at GF but since I changed around our ressies to be 6nts at GF and 7 nts PBH, it did not fit in as well. I also think the cabanas at PBH are nicer/more secluded feeling than at GF and we tend to spend more pool time there than at WDW hotels because it is a more laid back vacation on the dark side. The FOTL really makes touring easier and you can ride so much more in less time.

Oh yes, it most cerainly will go down as one of the worst trips for sure. My oldest LOVES WDW and it really broke my heart to see her so sick all week and miss out on so much but we kept telling her "there's always next year" and here we are! I actually thought about the cabanas but think the girls would enjoy the cruise so much more. Now, if it were just DH & I...I would definitely get the cabana

mommyrosa2 - aww, sorry about your DD. I hope you have a perfect, magical stay this time around.

Thank you. It's hard because she works part-time as a daycare teacher while she's in college full time so she's constantly catching what her kids get. This time around though we have a plan that we will implement about 2 weeks before we leave: We told her she will have to "bathe" daily in Lysol, take vitamins, airborne, wear masks, and possibly wear a bubble suit...you know, whatever it takes to keep her healthy

 

[k&a&c'smom]

The weather is looking wonderful for those of us with trips coming up in the next few days! I am seeing high 70s and low 80s! Can you imagine what that will feel like coming from the subzero temperatures back home?!?!

On a side note, we have requested a room in Conch Key which I know is the first building to be remodeled. I am going to try my chances at asking for one of the completed rooms, but from the pictures Circugirl has shared, I'm not sure if they will be finished with that building by this weekend.
....

Oh, I don't know - if they are moving in new furniture, they must be getting close. I doubt they will place any guests in the building until all rooms are finished, though, so that might hinder your chances.

Four more sleeps, woohoo!!

Oh yes, it most cerainly will go down as one of the worst trips for sure. My oldest LOVES WDW and it really broke my heart to see her so sick all week and miss out on so much but we kept telling her "there's always next year" and here we are! I actually thought about the cabanas but think the girls would enjoy the cruise so much more. Now, if it were just DH & I...I would definitely get the cabana




Thank you. It's hard because she works part-time as a daycare teacher while she's in college full time so she's constantly catching what her kids get. This time around though we have a plan that we will implement about 2 weeks before we leave: We told her she will have to "bathe" daily in Lysol, take vitamins, airborne, wear masks, and possibly wear a bubble suit...you know, whatever it takes to keep her healthy

Sounds like a plan to me! Good luck, you gotta have a better trip this time around, right?!

We have not rented a cabana, but we have done the fireworks cruise and it is amazing.

 

[Koh1977]

Hmm...how come I can't see the latest set of pics from circus girl?

 

[marlaine8]

You guys are really getting me excited for our first stay at the GF! I think I'll request a full balcony. I've read that the lounge in SL is on the bottom floor. Are there any guest rooms on the first floor?
We stayed TPV CL at The Poly 8 years straight. The last 3 years I requested a specific room and got lucky and got it each time. I always asked to be right next to the lounge. A lot of people didn't want that particular room because of the noise of the lounge, but we loved it because it was so handy!
After this stay at the GF, I might be a complete convert! I just love the pictures you all have posted!

 

[mmkenn]

You guys are really getting me excited for our first stay at the GF! I think I'll request a full balcony. I've read that the lounge in SL is on the bottom floor. Are there any guest rooms on the first floor? We stayed TPV CL at The Poly 8 years straight. The last 3 years I requested a specific room and got lucky and got it each time. I always asked to be right next to the lounge. A lot of people didn't want that particular room because of the noise of the lounge, but we loved it because it was so handy! After this stay at the GF, I might be a complete convert! I just love the pictures you all have posted!

Yes, there are rooms on the first floor of SL.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hmm...how come I can't see the latest set of pics from circus girl?

I just checked and I can still see them. Maybe a browser issue? I'm running Chrome.

You guys are really getting me excited for our first stay at the GF! I think I'll request a full balcony. I've read that the lounge in SL is on the bottom floor. Are there any guest rooms on the first floor?
We stayed TPV CL at The Poly 8 years straight. The last 3 years I requested a specific room and got lucky and got it each time. I always asked to be right next to the lounge. A lot of people didn't want that particular room because of the noise of the lounge, but we loved it because it was so handy!
After this stay at the GF, I might be a complete convert! I just love the pictures you all have posted!

We've requested and gotten the room next to the Poly lounge, too. Noise was not a problem for us, either. As mmkenn posted, there are first floor rooms in SL, so go for it!

If you love the photos, you will love the Grand in person even more. Photos, no matter how beautiful, just don't do it full justice, IMO.