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

[Mousemommy1]

Thanks for pointing that out to us, Mousemommy! And while we are on the subject, do you see any hidden Mickeys in the wallpaper above the bed? (or is just my wishful thinking? )

I have been trying to see some....maybe in person? There are so many swirly circular patterns, I feel there's got to be something!

So we have, the sheers, the chair, the GF picture, the GF pillows, the Alice in Wonderland picture. That's 5 touches. I'll bet there are more. Can't wait to look in person!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

DisneyDreamingInMI - it was my pleasure to help get them posted. I've thought of a question - does the entry floor look like real wood, or laminate? I'm trying to figure out how long it will take for it to look really worn with all the traffic, ECVs, etc.

That doesn't sound like a good experience, especially that late at night . I'm glad the service is offered and that it works for others, but it just wouldn't work for us as we like to be on our own schedule. One thing I really wouldn't like is being picked up 3-3 1/2 hours before my return flight home.

Yeah, it is nice not to have a lot of extra stuff to carry on the plane .


DisneyDreamingInMI ~ Thanks for taking the pics.....love the views/angles you got .

We were exhausted by the time we got to the resort, and the CL CMs had deserted us, leaving a packet behind with a note saying "where are you?!"

I have only managed no carry on once or twice, and each time realized I needed something out of my bag! HAHAHA!

DisneyDreaming's photos are great, right? The one showing just the bed and wall - I'm still puzzled by the small scale of the headboard and sconces, it leaves a lot of blank wall above it.

Thanks for the new room photos. Still upset at the dumbing down of the Disney theme but it's easier now to see the new decor..

LOL - is that a good thing? (just kidding, of course, I really appreciate DDIM providing them)

Oh see! The sheers have Mickey all over them!!!!

The sheers are very pretty, as is the entry wallpaper. Too bad they didn't stick with that kind of feel for the rest of the room.

Thanks for pointing that out to us, Mousemommy! And while we are on the subject, do you see any hidden Mickeys in the wallpaper above the bed? (or is just my wishful thinking? )

It's like one of those Magic Eye pictures, right? If you stare long enough, your eyes cross and you see Mickeys in the swirls.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Had to compare to my old rooms photos, now I can say for sure the only things that were changed in the dressing area/bath are the wallpaper, shower curtain, art and flooring in dressing area.

The shower itself, commode, sink, mirror, sconces, towel rods, towel holder & floor tile in bath - all the same. They really should have switched out the sink/shower hardware, we've been in quite a few rooms where the faucets did not work properly. This was one of the things I was looking forward to with the renovations - and the removal of the infamous blue chair, which I assumed they would replace.

 

[grannyminnie]

Had to compare to my old rooms photos, now I can say for sure the only things that were changed in the dressing area/bath are the wallpaper, shower curtain, art and flooring in dressing area.

The shower itself, commode, sink, mirror, sconces, towel rods, towel holder & floor tile in bath - all the same. They really should have switched out the sink/shower hardware, we've been in quite a few rooms where the faucets did not work properly. This was one of the things I was looking forward to with the renovations - and the removal of the infamous blue chair, which I assumed they would replace.

You answered the question I meant to ask....how much has the bathroom changed. I was staring at the sink area trying to find any differences!

 

[grannyminnie]

I have been trying to see some....maybe in person? There are so many swirly circular patterns, I feel there's got to be something!

So we have, the sheers, the chair, the GF picture, the GF pillows, the Alice in Wonderland picture. That's 5 touches. I'll bet there are more. Can't wait to look in person!

Yep! Maybe in person...can't wait! Thanks for the "count" on all the Disney touches. Maybe I won't "write 'em off" yet!

 

[mickeynut1]

We were exhausted by the time we got to the resort, and the CL CMs had deserted us, leaving a packet behind with a note saying "where are you?!"

I have only managed no carry on once or twice, and each time realized I needed something out of my bag! HAHAHA!

The sheers are very pretty, as is the entry wallpaper. Too bad they didn't stick with that kind of feel for the rest of the room.

I know exactly how you feel being exhausted checking in so late with those late flights, but it's so nice waking up the next morning ready to go instead of getting up at 4 am to head to the airport and spend the morning traveling . I find myself more exhausted that way then checking in at midnight or after. LOL on the CL CMs and that note .

I noticed the Mickey heads on the sheers yesterday as soon as I saw the pic and it's a very nice touch, but will be covered up by some people. We always have the curtains/sheers open during the day to let all of the sunshine in and then they are closed with the sheers covered at night .

Had to compare to my old rooms photos, now I can say for sure the only things that were changed in the dressing area/bath are the wallpaper, shower curtain, art and flooring in dressing area.

The shower itself, commode, sink, mirror, sconces, towel rods, towel holder & floor tile in bath - all the same. They really should have switched out the sink/shower hardware, we've been in quite a few rooms where the faucets did not work properly. This was one of the things I was looking forward to with the renovations - and the removal of the infamous blue chair, which I assumed they would replace.

This was my exact thought when the new room pics were first posted as I found it odd they didn't redo the bathroom . I would have thought the bathroom would have been redone by replacing the wall tile around the bathtub, the floor tile, and towel holders, but all of that stayed with them only changing the vanity area.....which even in that area, wasn't a whole lot of change, like you pointed out . Oh well, it is what it is and nobody can change it and although I do still love the Grand overall, I don't have to like the rooms. I just wish they were done differently.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

You answered the question I meant to ask....how much has the bathroom changed. I was staring at the sink area trying to find any differences!

Like you, I kept staring at the sinks/mirror as I thought they were the same but wasn't sure. I had to get the photos side by side and compare.

I know exactly how you feel being exhausted checking in so late with those late flights, but it's so nice waking up the next morning ready to go instead of getting up at 4 am to head to the airport and spend the morning traveling . I find myself more exhausted that way then checking in at midnight or after. LOL on the CL CMs and that note .

I noticed the Mickey heads on the sheers yesterday as soon as I saw the pic and it's a very nice touch, but will be covered up by some people. We always have the curtains/sheers open during the day to let all of the sunshine in and then they are closed with the sheers covered at night .


....Oh well, it is what it is and nobody can change it and although I do still love the Grand overall, I don't have to like the rooms. I just wish they were done differently.

Good point about arriving late - I hadn't thought of it that way. We love getting to WDW in the a.m. so we can get our Disney started! Your way would be more leisurely. With ticket prices as they are, we're better off saving park time for less days, anyway.

We are the same, open the drapes and sheers as far as they will go so we can see the FL sunshine!!

Amen, sister! No way we're gonna affect the new rooms, but I don't have to like them. If I have to book while these rooms are still around, I'll do as many DISers did with the bedspreads they hated so - throw everything in the corner!

 

[mickeynut1]

Like you, I kept staring at the sinks/mirror as I thought they were the same but wasn't sure. I had to get the photos side by side and compare.

Good point about arriving late - I hadn't thought of it that way. We love getting to WDW in the a.m. so we can get our Disney started! Your way would be more leisurely. With ticket prices as they are, we're better off saving park time for less days, anyway.

We are the same, open the drapes and sheers as far as they will go so we can see the FL sunshine!!

Amen, sister! No way we're gonna affect the new rooms, but I don't have to like them. If I have to book while these rooms are still around, I'll do as many DISers did with the bedspreads they hated so - throw everything in the corner!

I did the same thing when the pics were first posted. I went back to old pics and kept wondering what was changed. I thought I was missing something, but after a few minutes, realized no....there just weren't any changes in the bathroom .

We started taking late flights after our December 2003 trip when we had to leave the house at 4 am . Our limo was late getting to the house as the driver got lost and the owner couldn't get ahold of him for some reason, so the owner had to come get us. He had just washed some of the limos the day before and the door jambs didn't have a chance to thaw out/dry completely, so when he got to our house, he couldn't open the back door . He had to climb through the window that separates the front seat from the back of the limo and kick the door open from the inside . After that experience with the limo and being so dead tired from being up since 3 am, my DH said "Don't ever book an early morning flight again" . So since 2003, we have added an extra night to our trips and have gotten in late the night before .

LOL on throwing everything in the corner . Too bad I can't take the sheers off the windows and put those on the bed to have that Mickey touch visible all the time .

 

[MommyGina]

Good morning friends. Hi Blue and k&a&c'smom I have been busy. I am the chairperson of the Board of Education in my town and we have been dealing with a budget for next year. That's why I haven't really been around.

Showed DS and DD the pictures of the new room. Typical response, "it doesn't matter, it's Disney." How right they are. We will miss the little touches, but we are still going to be enjoying Disney and the Grand Floridian.

No matter what time of day we arrive at MCO, the GF is the last stop on the DME. We land at 9:30 a.m. this July and I'll see how long it takes from airport to resort.

I'm tired of the cold, snow and ice. I just despise winter. Looking forward to warm weather and my Disney vacation in July! Looking forward to hearing also from DS top choice for college. No word yet. Have a Grand day my friends. "See" you soon.

 

[marlaine8]

Is there a clothes line in the bathtub at the GF? We're staying Sugarloaf building in Sept. I always take clothespins and use the line in the bathroom to airdry our bathing suits. When we stayed at the Poly last year after their room refurb, they took the line out for some reason.

 

[dragonfly57005]

Oh see! The sheers have Mickey all over them!!!!

I was looking for hidden mickeys in all of the pics & was happy to spot these as well!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I did the same thing when the pics were first posted. I went back to old pics and kept wondering what was changed. I thought I was missing something, but after a few minutes, realized no....there just weren't any changes in the bathroom .

We started taking late flights after our December 2003 trip when we had to leave the house at 4 am . Our limo was late getting to the house as the driver got lost and the owner couldn't get ahold of him for some reason, so the owner had to come get us. He had just washed some of the limos the day before and the door jambs didn't have a chance to thaw out/dry completely, so when he got to our house, he couldn't open the back door . He had to climb through the window that separates the front seat from the back of the limo and kick the door open from the inside . After that experience with the limo and being so dead tired from being up since 3 am, my DH said "Don't ever book an early morning flight again" . So since 2003, we have added an extra night to our trips and have gotten in late the night before .

LOL on throwing everything in the corner . Too bad I can't take the sheers off the windows and put those on the bed to have that Mickey touch visible all the time .

Like mosquito netting!

I don't blame you for switching to night flights, what a nightmare! Yeah, we hate getting up early and we are 2 hours from the KC airport so we have to be up very early if we get a 6:30 or so flight. Those are hard to come by out of KC lately, we end up getting a 10:00+ a.m. or 2:00 p.m. flight now, seems like. When I have to be up early, I don't sleep well, so it's nice to have the later flight - maybe next time, I'll look into an evening flight, although I hate to get too later, I fear the last flight of the day. We have very bad luck getting from KC to Chicago one year - no flight, but they refused to cancel it.

Good morning friends. Hi Blue and k&a&c'smom I have been busy. I am the chairperson of the Board of Education in my town and we have been dealing with a budget for next year. That's why I haven't really been around.

Showed DS and DD the pictures of the new room. Typical response, "it doesn't matter, it's Disney." How right they are. We will miss the little touches, but we are still going to be enjoying Disney and the Grand Floridian.

No matter what time of day we arrive at MCO, the GF is the last stop on the DME. We land at 9:30 a.m. this July and I'll see how long it takes from airport to resort.

I'm tired of the cold, snow and ice. I just despise winter. Looking forward to warm weather and my Disney vacation in July! Looking forward to hearing also from DS top choice for college. No word yet. Have a Grand day my friends. "See" you soon.

Sounds like a busy time, hope you have everything ironed out.

Your kids sound easy to please, a great quality.

You said it about the cold, snow, ice. My DH and I were just saying the same to each other! I despise winter, too, can't wait for it to be over and see some sun.

Still sending good wishes for your DS and his first choice college. I heard MIT accidentally sent out thousands of erroneous acceptance letters due to a computer glitch, what an awful disappointment that must have been.

Is there a clothes line in the bathtub at the GF? We're staying Sugarloaf building in Sept. I always take clothespins and use the line in the bathroom to airdry our bathing suits. When we stayed at the Poly last year after their room refurb, they took the line out for some reason.

There should be, they didn't change the shower tile at the GF. We've had one or two that didn't work, but most do. We do the same, hang our suits to dry(kinda, lol).

 

[marlaine8]

Thank you! And I certainly know what you mean when you say the suits kinda dry. But it's better than nothing!
I do have another questions about the balconies. The pictures you posted of the regular balconies and the balconies on the dormer rooms were really helpful. Am I seeing it right that if you have a regular balcony (not dormer) that it isn't private and shared with another room?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I really wish the designers had left this picture in the rooms, the size is more appropriate and it features the Grand, the beach and SSL (blurry, sorry):

Thank you! And I certainly know what you mean when you say the suits kinda dry. But it's better than nothing!
I do have another questions about the balconies. The pictures you posted of the regular balconies and the balconies on the dormer rooms were really helpful. Am I seeing it right that if you have a regular balcony (not dormer) that it isn't private and shared with another room?

Sort of. There is a divider wall, but yes - it is connected to the room next door. It has never been an issue for us, but it bothers some people. We've rarely encountered others across the balcony at the same time.

Agreed, kinda dry is better than sopping wet! I hate trying to pull on a wet suit, blech.

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

Is there a clothes line in the bathtub at the GF? We're staying Sugarloaf building in Sept. I always take clothespins and use the line in the bathroom to airdry our bathing suits. When we stayed at the Poly last year after their room refurb, they took the line out for some reason.

I think the clothes line is still in the bathtub in the refurbished room that we stayed in at Conch Key. I did not know what it was at the time though, because I remember looking at the hardware each time I took a shower and wondering what it was! Is it the type of line that you pull out and retract as needed? Too funny, now I know!

DisneyDreamingInMI ~ Thanks for taking the pics.....love the views/angles you got .

Thanks for the new room photos. Still upset at the dumbing down of the Disney theme but it's easier now to see the new decor..

You are very welcome!

And while we are on the subject, do you see any hidden Mickeys in the wallpaper above the bed? (or is just my wishful thinking? )

I thought I might be seeing some too, especially in the row of swirls toward the bottom of the wallpaper pic. I may be looking too hard, but three of the swirls seem to join together to form Mickey! Two smaller swirls on top and slightly offset from a larger swirl below!

DisneyDreamingInMI - it was my pleasure to help get them posted. I've thought of a question - does the entry floor look like real wood, or laminate? I'm trying to figure out how long it will take for it to look really worn with all the traffic, ECVs, etc.

Both my DH and I thought it looked and felt like real hardwood. Of course it is always a little hard to tell once it is installed. I also wondered about the durability issue, especially in the dressing area. I can't tell you how many times I scooped up wet towels from the floor (where your pictures show the hamper used to be!) and tossed them in the bathtub. I didn't want to be responsible for warping the new wood floor, especially since we were the first guests to stay in the room. But not all guests will be mindful or gentle with the wood floor so I'm wondering what it will look like down the road. But I hope that the designers considered this when choosing the wood that they used! I can see now how useful that hamper must have been!

Thanks for sharing those photos, DisneyDreamingInMI!! Between the two of us, we finally got them posted.

You are very welcome! And thanks again for your help! Yeah for teamwork!!!

Such a nice group of friendly and helpful people on this thread!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Like mosquito netting!

I don't blame you for switching to night flights, what a nightmare! Yeah, we hate getting up early and we are 2 hours from the KC airport so we have to be up very early if we get a 6:30 or so flight. Those are hard to come by out of KC lately, we end up getting a 10:00+ a.m. or 2:00 p.m. flight now, seems like. When I have to be up early, I don't sleep well, so it's nice to have the later flight - maybe next time, I'll look into an evening flight, although I hate to get too later, I fear the last flight of the day. We have very bad luck getting from KC to Chicago one year - no flight, but they refused to cancel it.

on the mosquito netting.

We are only about an hour from the airport, so it's not too bad.....but those early morning flights make it brutal . I don't sleep at all the night before an early flight as I'm always worried I'll snooze the alarm one too many times or it won't go off at all .

I really wish the designers had left this picture in the rooms, the size is more appropriate and it features the Grand, the beach and SSL

That was one of my favorite pictures.....so sad that it's gone .

Both my DH and I thought it looked and felt like real hardwood. Of course it is always a little hard to tell once it is installed. I also wondered about the durability issue, especially in the dressing area. I can't tell you how many times I scooped up wet towels from the floor (where your pictures show the hamper used to be!) and tossed them in the bathtub. I didn't want to be responsible for warping the new wood floor, especially since we were the first guests to stay in the room. But not all guests will be mindful or gentle with the wood floor so I'm wondering what it will look like down the road. But I hope that the designers considered this when choosing the wood that they used! I can see now how useful that hamper must have been!

I thought the same thing when I saw the hardwood. I wondered how it would hold up with wet towels, water splashing from the sinks, etc . It will be interesting to see how it looks months down the road.

 

[baler31]

I know this will sound odd but I am so glad that the bath/shower area did not get a big change as I was so afraid of losing the heat lamp ! I love those and they really are not found anywhere anymore.

As for the sink area, I really wanted functional storage or at least a shelf below ? It seems that functional items other than outlets were not high on the list for the refurb.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I think the clothes line is still in the bathtub in the refurbished room that we stayed in at Conch Key. I did not know what it was at the time though, because I remember looking at the hardware each time I took a shower and wondering what it was! Is it the type of line that you pull out and retract as needed? Too funny, now I know!

....

Both my DH and I thought it looked and felt like real hardwood. Of course it is always a little hard to tell once it is installed. I also wondered about the durability issue, especially in the dressing area. I can't tell you how many times I scooped up wet towels from the floor (where your pictures show the hamper used to be!) and tossed them in the bathtub. I didn't want to be responsible for warping the new wood floor, especially since we were the first guests to stay in the room. But not all guests will be mindful or gentle with the wood floor so I'm wondering what it will look like down the road. But I hope that the designers considered this when choosing the wood that they used! I can see now how useful that hamper must have been!



You are very welcome! And thanks again for your help! Yeah for teamwork!!!

Such a nice group of friendly and helpful people on this thread!!!

Yes, the clothes line pulls out from one side and hooks into the other side.

Oh, the hamper! We loved the hamper, so nice to throw towels in and keep them off the floor. A small detail, but one that made the Grand rooms more luxurious.

Good to know about the floors, thanks. You are right, it is hard to tell with some floors. It will be interesting to see how it wears, it would be a good advertisement for that brand of flooring if it holds up! Not sure which would have been better; laminate would be better for water, but wouldn't look pretty very long; wood will look pretty, but won't work very well with water and will probably get marked up quickly. Hmmm.

It is a nice group here.

We are only about an hour from the airport, so it's not too bad.....but those early morning flights make it brutal . I don't sleep at all the night before an early flight as I'm always worried I'll snooze the alarm one too many times or it won't go off at all .


I thought the same thing when I saw the hardwood. I wondered how it would hold up with wet towels, water splashing from the sinks, etc . It will be interesting to see how it looks months down the road.

I always have weird dreams the night before a trip - I'm nearly to the airport and have forgotten our luggage/tix/one of the members of our party! The rest of the dream involves me struggling to regain that lost element and never reaching WDW! lol

It will be interesting to see how they wear, I can't imagine it will hold up but maybe it will be just the thing.

I know this will sound odd but I am so glad that the bath/shower area did not get a big change as I was so afraid of losing the heat lamp ! I love those and they really are not found anywhere anymore.

As for the sink area, I really wanted functional storage or at least a shelf below ? It seems that functional items other than outlets were not high on the list for the refurb.

That doesn't sound odd to me at all, those little touches are as important to me as the big ones. I worried they would get rid of the phone in the bath - why? I don't know! We rarely use it, but it's just nice to have it there.

A shelf beneath the sinks would have been perfect, I really thought they would add that this time. Did they add outlets? I hadn't even noticed.

 

[Circusgirl]

I really wish the designers had left this picture in the rooms, the size is more appropriate and it features the Grand, the beach and SSL (blurry, sorry):

Exactly what I've been thinking. The old picture was beautiful and fanciful and properly sized for the wall. The new picture makes me sad. I was really hoping to love the art, but not so much. I know from seeing both older and more recent pictures that the art with the books and toys was quite faded, so perhaps they were all felt to be in need of replacement?

The bathroom needs some color now - the wallpaper used to give some nice gentle color. Now it is an onslaught of beige!

Sending best thoughts to all of you who are having too much winter!

 

[Mousemommy1]

HUGE shout out to the GF IPO!!!!! As you know, I was worried about handing over my reservations to them as I am too much of a control freak. ADR day is today and woke up to find I got all of my reservations, including 'Ohana and Be Our guest and opening at crystal Palace...all for the exact times I asked for!!!!

GF IPO rocks!!!!