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

[trishadono]

Hi all. My last stay at the GF in January I was told by the ladies at Summer Lace that they were going to get the new Vera Bradley for Disney Spring line. Ohmyvera.com finally has a pic of one of the 3 prints to be released.

 

[Lisann]

I've never been such a fan of Vera Bradley. When I see them in the store, they look like big, bright quilted diaper bags!

 

[trishadono]

I've never been such a fan of Vera Bradley. When I see them in the store, they look like big, bright quilted diaper bags!

thanks for the image.

I don't like the big bags myself but can't live without a small hipster/over shoulder style when dd and I go racing through the parks. Just need room for my phone and money

I did also have fun matching my pink magic band to my pink "Where's Mickey?" hipster. or my red MB with the "Midnight with Mickey" bag.

 

[Disfor3]

I originally posted this question as a separate thread but didn't get much response, so I'm trying here now!! Our family has stayed at the GF the last several years and it has been really hit or miss in terms of quietness... With a little one that is a very light sleeper I'm hoping to get some insight on where to request our rooms (in the hopes my daughter can sneak in a nap amongst all the fun!). I know it's Disney so I'm not expecting silence! But any insider tips as to where the quieter areas are would be great! We always make sure to ask for a top floor so nobody is running or stomping above us but other than that what would you suggest? Buildings and room numbers would be great!! Thanks!

 

[phyllis1966]

I originally posted this question as a separate thread but didn't get much response, so I'm trying here now!! Our family has stayed at the GF the last several years and it has been really hit or miss in terms of quietness... With a little one that is a very light sleeper I'm hoping to get some insight on where to request our rooms (in the hopes my daughter can sneak in a nap amongst all the fun!). I know it's Disney so I'm not expecting silence! But any insider tips as to where the quieter areas are would be great! We always make sure to ask for a top floor so nobody is running or stomping above us but other than that what would you suggest? Buildings and room numbers would be great!! Thanks!

I don't know room numbers, but for peace and quiet, I don't think you can beat Sago Cay. Also, the marina side of Conch Key is pretty quiet, and I have personally stayed in that location, so I can attest to the fact that it was really quiet. Not many people walk past that side of the building. Loved it.

 

[dad2bkcs]

Checked in yesterday. In Conch Key. Very quiet ,beautiful first day. Refurbished room is awesome. Laminate wood floor is a nice touch! Very friendly, quick check in. Very tired after day at MK. I feel all will be relieved once they see things in person.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Oooohhhh - hope you get a chance to take some pics!
And I hope you continue to have a great time!

 

[pixarmom]

Nice to see some of the friendly poly peeps trying out GF, very cool!! Snowing in Jersey today, and luckily I have a moment to hop in and say hi to my friends here

Hi Pas! I'm a Poly peep considering GF for our split stay with BWI next January! Imagine my surprise when our youngest (who will be celebrating his bday during our trip for Marathon Weekend) says, "Let's stay at Grand Floridian instead of the Polynesian." Those new rooms look wonderful and even our teens are now interested in them. I do love Poly, but the new GF rooms may win us over - it's the only deluxe resort we haven't stayed at yet!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey, my GF friends! I've been off the computer for a couple days due to a recurring back strain. Hope everyone headed to or just arrived at the Grand had/have safe travels.

DS had his iodine treatment Thursday and is doing well. No adverse reaction so far. Thanks to all for the well wishes.

dad2bkcs - have a Grand vacation, we love Conch Key, great location.

BlueSkies - sorry, I threw everything off. We'll be back on our old posting schedule soon.

 

[BlueSkies]

Trisha Thanks for the VB info...

I've never been such a fan of Vera Bradley. When I see them in the store, they look like big, bright quilted diaper bags!

Still...the disney VBs are selling like hot cakes...and are hard to find..

Checked in yesterday. In Conch Key. Very quiet ,beautiful first day. Refurbished room is awesome. Laminate wood floor is a nice touch! Very friendly, quick check in. Very tired after day at MK. I feel all will be relieved once they see things in person.

Thanks for checking in.. Glad to hear that you are liking the refurbed room! Would love some details if you get a chance to pop in again... is there by chance a chair in the room..not the desk chair but another...
and... is there a pull out table with the desk..like there was before...another DISser was kind enough to post pics when she stayed right after the rehab...but we inquiring minds here want to know if there is anything new to know.. Thanks!

Hey, my GF friends! I've been off the computer for a couple days due to a recurring back strain. Hope everyone headed to or just arrived at the Grand had/have safe travels.

DS had his iodine treatment Thursday and is doing well. No adverse reaction so far. Thanks to all for the well wishes.

dad2bkcs - have a Grand vacation, we love Conch Key, great location.

BlueSkies - sorry, I threw everything off. We'll be back on our old posting schedule soon.

Hello there my posting pal!! Glad that all went well for your DS! Thats good news! You have a good reason for not being on the computer..back problems are no fun.. Ouch...Hope that you are feeling better...

pixarmom Sounds like a nice SS.... Both sides of the world...

Hey MickeyNut and grannyminnie

bocaj You are very welcome!

swirlygirl Keep us posted! LOL...

disfor3 I agree an upper floor would probably be your best bet...marina side of either Conch or Sago would seem to be quiter that the courtyard pool view...Heading back to the resort mid day for a little R& R is such a nice way to re energize and breakup the day..especialy at the GF!

~ Just some room offer info...I know we all love to get those discounts ...the passholder discount is now inclucing dates thru mid June..Mousesavers says up to a 42% select resorts ..which thrilled me...but alas..thats not correct..LOL... its up to 30%..as per the Disney web site...still a good discount...and into June...I think 4/21 to 6/14...

Its still winter here...and 25 degrees.............

Hope that all of my fellow GF fans are having a super Saturday!!

 

[mickeynut1]

I've never been such a fan of Vera Bradley. When I see them in the store, they look like big, bright quilted diaper bags!

This made me laugh

Checked in yesterday. In Conch Key. Very quiet ,beautiful first day.

Hope you're having a great time .

Hey, my GF friends! I've been off the computer for a couple days due to a recurring back strain. Hope everyone headed to or just arrived at the Grand had/have safe travels.

DS had his iodine treatment Thursday and is doing well. No adverse reaction so far. Thanks to all for the well wishes.

We've missed you....glad to "see" you back . I hope your back is feeling better .

Glad DS's treatment went well . I hope everything continues to go well and he doesn't start to experience any side effects .

Hey MickeyNut and grannyminnie

~ Just some room offer info...I know we all love to get those discounts ...the passholder discount is now inclucing dates thru mid June..Mousesavers says up to a 42% select resorts ..which thrilled me...but alas..thats not correct..LOL... its up to 30%..as per the Disney web site...still a good discount...and into June...I think 4/21 to 6/14...

Its still winter here...and 25 degrees.............

Hi Blue

I'm sorry about the AP discount. It's sad that the discount isn't higher, especially with the price of APs now . Discounts keep going down, but the price for the pass keeps going up .

It's still winter here with a threat of up to 13" by Monday ......I just want this crazy winter to end!!!!

 

[pas130]

Hey, my GF friends! I've been off the computer for a couple days due to a recurring back strain. Hope everyone headed to or just arrived at the Grand had/have safe travels.

DS had his iodine treatment Thursday and is doing well. No adverse reaction so far. Thanks to all for the well wishes.

Awesome to hear about DS, sorry your back pain is back

Hi pas.....good to "see" you .....hope things are going well with you .

I agree about the Poly peeps trying the GF . The Poly will always be my favorite, but the GF is also .

All is good, busy busy. With tomorrow night's forecast looking forward to summer....

Hey there pas :

~GF thought of the day....lol..I am curious as to what the lounges will look like after the refurbs.... I am guessing that the color scheme will change...I thought all blues ( my fave ) and soft greens...but looks like based on the recent refurbed rooms those might not be the primary colors... Guess we will all have to wait until July...

Oh snap, I didn't even consider a lounge refurb

Hey, good to see you! Did you book that tea party?!

I did, then unbooked it ..I am thinking 1900PF dinner though...just in case Cinderella isn't at Akershus breakfast. DD wants to see Belle more then Cinderella. See my kids are just as indecisive as me

 

[mickeynut1]

All is good, busy busy. With tomorrow night's forecast looking forward to summer....

I did, then unbooked it ..I am thinking 1900PF dinner though...just in case Cinderella isn't at Akershus breakfast. DD wants to see Belle more then Cinderella. See my kids are just as indecisive as me

Glad everything is going well . I hear you on being busy......sometimes there's just not enough hours in a day. This winter is really dragging out and I am so looking forward to spring/summer. We could see up to 13" of snow by Monday afternoon .......makes me wonder if winter will ever come to an end .

I'm sorry you cancelled the tea, but 1900 PF is good. We didn't really care for the food, but you can't beat the entertainment as the step sisters are hilarious .

 

[ahcupcake]

Good Afternoon Sorry I haven't been posting still reading along........So tired of all that yucky white stuff more commonly known as sn*w.
Now back on topic of our beloved GF......I'm loving the new room decor, I remember the last refurb some people here were saying how ugly it was( well only the bedspread was really UGLY imo). I think the new decor is more in line with that of the villas......Sadly I have no trips planned

Glad everything is going well . I hear you on being busy......sometimes there's just not enough hours in a day. This winter is really dragging out and I am so looking forward to spring/summer. We could see up to 13" of sn@w** by Monday afternoon .......makes me wonder if winter will ever come to an end .

I'm sorry you cancelled the tea, but 1900 PF is good. We didn't really care for the food, but you can't beat the entertainment as the step sisters are hilarious .

** Helpfully edited for language Hope everything is going well in your area

 

[jvarne1]

Hey everyone! I just booked the last room available at the VGF - a 1-bedroom standard view. Do any of you know what that view is? I was told the parking lot, but I'm truly hoping its a little better than that! Also, what is the walking distance to both the pools and the boat launch? How far is it to walk to the Polynesian? Are you able to walk to MK from GF?

Thanks so much!

 

[trishadono]

Hey everyone! I just booked the last room available at the VGF - a 1-bedroom standard view. Do any of you know what that view is? I was told the parking lot, but I'm truly hoping its a little better than that! Also, what is the walking distance to both the pools and the boat launch? How far is it to walk to the Polynesian? Are you able to walk to MK from GF?

Thanks so much!

I have stayed in a lake view one but really most have a nice view.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49955749&postcount=1
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49955758&postcount=2
These should help

 

[jvarne1]

Thank you! Those links were awesome!

 

[baler31]

Thank you! Those links were awesome!

The walk to the Poly from the main building is 5-10 minutes at most. My DH is a lot closer to the 5 and I am at the 10. Should be a little bit closer from the villas though. The walk to the boat dock will be the farthest but maybe another 5-10 depending upon your speed. From the main building it takes us less than 5. The monorail platform is actually closer than the boat dock and faster is you are going to MK as the boat stops at the Poly before going back to MK.

We typically take the monorail to MK and boat back from MK as this is usually faster. The monorail to MK from GF is the first stop but from MK you have several stops before getting back so the boat is usually faster.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Hey everyone! I just booked the last room available at the VGF - a 1-bedroom standard view. Do any of you know what that view is? I was told the parking lot, but I'm truly hoping its a little better than that! Also, what is the walking distance to both the pools and the boat launch? How far is it to walk to the Polynesian? Are you able to walk to MK from GF?

Thanks so much!

Sorry, I can't answer your question, but I was just wondering who told you it was a parking lot view? Did they say that when you booked? If so - Yikes!
When are you going?

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Sorry for asking a question that's probably been answered before, but I can't get the Search Function to work properly:
On AVERAGE, how long can I expect the trip from MCO to GF to take? Just trying to decide where to eat lunch...
MCO arrival probably around 11 - 11:30 AM.
Thanks!