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

[grannyminnie]

Hi Blue... I talked to my sis this weekend and we are going to try for the third week of May, if our BB discount will work. I already have an Aug. trip in the works, but may cancel it if this May week works out. The Aug. visit (18th to 22nd) would be resort only, as my sister cannot do the heat of August!

I am so peeved that they removed sticky buns from the lounge menu! That is so not right!

DisneyDmbNut, hope your weekend stay was grand!

 

[mickeynut1]

We're going Aug 29 - Sept 1; and we'll have a blast! Can't wait for our "girl's" vacay.
Thanks for your good wishes - and I'll definitely be posting pics.

Girls vacays are the best . You both will have a great time!

Say it ain't so?!

We won't dessert Disney altogether as I love it too much, but we are considering other places we have talked about in the past. I went ahead and cancelled the cruise instead of moving it, so we may head down for a few nights in December for a resort only trip. If we go, we would be there the weekend right before Christmas and I don't think I'll want to visit the parks during that time . Plus we've been twice during that time and have done the parks as well as the Christmas party both times so a resort only trip might be nice this time around .

I am so peeved that they removed sticky buns from the lounge menu! That is so not right!

I am right there with you!!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Some pictures from this weekend.

It was rainy and cold most of Friday and Saturday

Room 6316 - Sugar Loaf

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

My Morning Run

Turndown

6316 is the balcony below the Bay window..it was so nice to have such a great view

Breakfast

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

S'more Tarts

and like Magic...the sun appeared on our last day

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Pumpkin Latte Soup was AWESOME

 

[Lisann]

DisneyDmbNut....thanks so much for the beautiful pics! Sigh...I miss the Grand SO MUCH!!!

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

Hi k&a&c'smom ! Just sent you a PM and wanted to make sure you saw it!

 

[BlueSkies]

So my TA had no clue there were any refurbs going on at GF...

How do I find out if the newly refurbed dormer rooms have daybeds or not?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Just my two cents....lol...As Mickeynut said..it would stand to reason that since the old dormer rooms didn't have a day bed that the new one probably don't either...but...with the desk being moved to the other side of the room against the same wall as the beds..if that's the case in the dormer rooms as well..maybe there is room for a day bed??? I know lots of buts..ifs ..and maybes..lol...wish I did have a definitive answer for you Koh

Thank you, Blue Giraffe for pointing out the option of the monorail from GF to Epcot then walking thru to the BW.
Actually, we won't be doing any parks (Gasp!).
I'm surprising my sister for her 60th birthday with a trip to WDW and we're staying at the GF villas. (She doesn't know a thing about it yet!). She's only been a couple times - once when her kids were toddlers and again when her grandchildren were preschoolers. She's only gone for a day at a time and only sees the MK and stays at a cheap place off-site. Unsurprisingly, she doesn't see what all the fuss is about. She runs around like a chicken with her head cut off and doesn't get a lot done. Didn't know about FP, etc - and was only exposed to overpriced counter service food - which has gotten better over the years.
So I'm going to show her just how wonderful WDW can be... (Would have loved to stay at RPC but couldn't find a 35% discount for our days and am getting a great deal renting points from an owner at the villas - which will be great.) We'll stay for 3 days and 4 nights. Planning on dinner at FF, Jiko, and V & A - and of course, have to include a spa day. Otherwise, just plan on winging it and enjoying all there is to do & see at the monorail resorts. Although, I was thinking about maybe getting a 1-day ticket & touring Epcot - so maybe your route will work after all....
I've learned so much from all you wonderful people on this board & want to thank you all!
BTW k&a&c'smom - thanks for pointing out how to use the transportation link. I couldn't get it to work because I was using it incorrectly. Your suggestions were great.

What a lovely way to celebrate your sisters 60th birthday..and it sounds like you have such terrific plans too...I agree..there really is so much to see and do all around the monorail resorts...I had the opportunity to tour the VGF..and they are just beautiful...Have an extra specially GRAND trip!

We are home..man those 3 days flew by!!

We had some trouble before leaving. We gave our ticket to the valet and got my purse out of the safe.. When we went to get the car.. They said it wouldn't start! After waiting for almost an hour, security came and jumped it. The valet that parked the car left the lights on. They comp'd our valet cost.. But I was hoping it was so,etching really serious that would FORCE us to stay another night...lol

I understand about hoping to be "forced" to stay just one more day...lol.. I bet everyone around here does! Happy to hear that you had such a nice weekend!! And thanks for sharing al lof your beautiful photos! They certainly brightened a cold dreary Monday!

Hi Blue... I talked to my sis this weekend and we are going to try for the third week of May, if our BB discount will work. I already have an Aug. trip in the works, but may cancel it if this May week works out. The Aug. visit (18th to 22nd) would be resort only, as my sister cannot do the heat of August!

I am so peeved that they removed sticky buns from the lounge menu! That is so not right!

Hope that all of your plans work out!! One trip is grand...but two are even grander!!! I agree..what were they thinking getting rid of the yummy sticky buns!!???

k&a&c'smom Are you posting about now!!???

Mickeynut and the rest of my fellow GF fans!

~ Looking at DDN's photos did remind of one more change that I did notice this trip....no more note cards with the chocolates for evening turn down service...we have collected several over the years..always thought it was such a nice touch.... Good thing if they had to cut back that they are still putting out the chocolates...they are so creamy and delicious!! A sweet ending to a Disney day! ...It s always about the food isn't it!!?? LOL...

Hope you are all having a magical Monday!

 

[Scott MC]

I'm looking at a few recent photos of GF turndown service, and I noticed something. Do they no longer use the cute cards that say "Good Night?" I'd really be disappointed and this would totally be another point in the "Gah! Disney is cutting out all the little things I've always loved" column.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I'm looking at a few recent photos of GF turndown service, and I noticed something. Do they no longer use the cute cards that say "Good Night?" I'd really be disappointed and this would totally be another point in the "Gah! Disney is cutting out all the little things I've always loved" column.

I only got 2 pieces of chocolate on my bed.

another thing I just realized, they didn't "make" the couch up..they just pulled the covers up and left it as a bed...do they not make it a couch during the day?

 

[mickeynut1]

Mickeynut

~ Looking at DDN's photos did remind of one more change that I did notice this trip....no more note cards with the chocolates for evening turn down service...we have collected several over the years..always thought it was such a nice touch.... Good thing if they had to cut back that they are still putting out the chocolates...they are so creamy and delicious!! A sweet ending to a Disney day!

Hi Blue

It's sad that all of the nice little touches are being taken away . I do agree with you, though, that the chocolates are delicious and if one or the other had to be taken away, I guess the note cards would be my choice over the chocolates, but I don't see the reason for getting rid of them as they were such a nice touch to turn down.

I'm looking at a few recent photos of GF turndown service, and I noticed something. Do they no longer use the cute cards that say "Good Night?" I'd really be disappointed and this would totally be another point in the "Gah! Disney is cutting out all the little things I've always loved" column.

BlueSkies posted above that the cards are gone . I agree that it's very disappointing as too many changes (and not for the better, IMO) are being made .

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I purposely didn't mention that option because it would be an enormous amount of walking. I made that mistake one time after a long day in the parks, and then had to walk all the way through Future World and halfway around World Showcase and then over to the Boardwalk. It was just too much! Never again!

I hear ya! I can almost feel my dogs barkin' already... It's hard to just walk from the bus stop sometimes after a long day in the park!

 

[Mousemommy1]

DisneyDmbNut awesome photos! Thanks!!!

 

[Circusgirl]

Hi Blue

It's sad that all of the nice little touches are being taken away . I do agree with you, though, that the chocolates are delicious and if one or the other had to be taken away, I guess the note cards would be my choice over the chocolates, but I don't see the reason for getting rid of them as they were such a nice touch to turn down.



BlueSkies posted above that the cards are gone . I agree that it's very disappointing as too many changes (and not for the better, IMO) are being made .

It is super disappointing to see so many magic touches being cut. The cards were still being put out in November, and I was sad they weren't a part of turn down in January. I suppose that the budget powers that be just aren't concerned about one less sweet moment for the guests. New guests won't know the difference, but for the dedicated fan the list just grows and grows.

 

[grannyminnie]

It is super disappointing to see so many magic touches being cut. The cards were still being put out in November, and I was sad they weren't a part of turn down in January. I suppose that the budget powers that be just aren't concerned about one less sweet moment for the guests. New guests won't know the difference, but for the dedicated fan the list just grows and grows.

I agree....all the things that make a Disney resort stay special are being taken away. From the room changes on down, it's a great disappointment.
I, like so many of you, still love the GF and her surroundings, but it's hard to understand still raising the rates while "dumbing down" the perks!

 

[mickeynut1]

It is super disappointing to see so many magic touches being cut. The cards were still being put out in November, and I was sad they weren't a part of turn down in January. I suppose that the budget powers that be just aren't concerned about one less sweet moment for the guests. New guests won't know the difference, but for the dedicated fan the list just grows and grows.

I agree...the list of things being taken away is getting longer and longer and it really saddens me . Like you said, those who have never stayed there won't notice a difference, but those who have stayed definitely notice the changes.

all the things that make a Disney resort stay special are being taken away. From the room changes on down, it's a great disappointment.
I, like so many of you, still love the GF and her surroundings, but it's hard to understand still raising the rates while "dumbing down" the perks!

A very big disappointment . I, too, still love the GF overall as the atmosphere/surroundings are absolutely beautiful, but you are 100% right......so many things are getting taken away, but rates continue to rise .

 

[Koh1977]

Random question...does the monorail run during evening EMH? I thought it always did, but it didn't last year when we were trying to get to Epcot for EMH...Wasn't sure if it was a regular thing now or not.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Lovemy3babes - it would be an outer building garden view room!

Lovemy3babes - look for "garden view, outer building" - during "Value Season" and with a "Room Only discount" for the general public

2years ago my dd wanted to try CL at gf. We stayed at CBR first then transferred for the last day to gf in sugarloaf. Then last year we did CSR 2 days then poly CL for 3 days.

It worked out good for us. We didn't have the guys with us so moving was easy.

We got to stay where she wanted without breaking the bank.

We always stay at the grand but never ever pay rack rate. I won't go unless I get at least 30% off. That said, you may have to do research and the disboards is the place to do it! Garden view rooms are the least expensive and if you are willing to go at non peak times, you have a real shot at a discount. We've been very lucky with pin codes but that's random - make sure you register with disney world.com so their marketing people have your info. I also once called disney reservations and negotiated a discount. I also know that some TA's get special rates but I've never done that yet but I bet you can get more info here about that as well. Good luck!!! Don't settle for rack rates! We've been going every year since 2008 and have always received a discount!!

As others have said, outer building garden view is the cheapest room category. All of the outer buildings (except sugar loaf, which is outer building CL) have garden views, so your room could be in any one of them. As johnonet said, look for dates during value season with a room discount as that would be the cheapest option .

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really want to post to thank you for your advice but also your kindness. Thank you for not making me feel embarrassed about asking about the cheapest option. When my daughter raved about the GF my heart sunk a bit only because of the cost. We have four kids and always seem to be on such a tight budget. Because I want to build memories for these kids before sending them out into the world, Disney is so special to me. So now I know that GF simply isn't out of the question. A little birdie told me the peeps on this thread we some of the nicest around and I agree with her. Thank you Disney friends. You made me smile this morning!

 

[baler31]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really want to post to thank you for your advice but also your kindness. Thank you for not making me feel embarrassed about asking about the cheapest option. When my daughter raved about the GF my heart sunk a bit only because of the cost. We have four kids and always seem to be on such a tight budget. Because I want to build memories for these kids before sending them out into the world, Disney is so special to me. So now I know that GF simply isn't out of the question. A little birdie told me the peeps on this thread we some of the nicest around and I agree with her. Thank you Disney friends. You made me smile this morning!

If you travel between Aug 17th - Sept 2nd there is a travel agency with an exclusive rate for GF. Along with conf. rates these are the lowest rates at GF. I don't think we are allowed to post the agency because of advertising rules but I can PM it to you if you would like. I and many other posters that I know have used the agency. HTH.