How is the construction at GF now ?

[Syndrome]

Just considering a stay at GF for our stay in late July, beg. of August. We have visited the GF many many times, but have never stayed as of yet. Is the DVC construction anything that should be considered as a deal breaker if we want to stay at GF ? Anyone have any up to date construction pictures to see how far along they are with it ?
We dont want to deal with all kinds of construction equipt noise while we are on vacation. How is the noise factor ?
The 30% off room only rates are great, and the only downfall for us right now may be the "under construction" factor. Should we be worried about it ? We are even thinking of reserving in the Sugarloaf CL building so we will be guaranteed to be away from any construction............sound like a good plan ?

Thanks for any tips !

Syndrome

 

[rosiegmendez]

We visited GF on our last trip in April to see if it was worth all the expense to stay there and I have to say there is nothing that can take away from the beauty of the resort, inside or out. We were blown away. There were a couple of walls up blocking construction but even those walls were beautifully done in the victorian style and with the Disney touch.

In comparison, we stayed at AoA and it was overcrowded and chaos. GF was tranquil, with or without construction.

We plan to add a couple of days at GF on our next trip.

 

[Syndrome]

We visited GF on our last trip in April to see if it was worth all the expense to stay there and I have to say there is nothing that can take away from the beauty of the resort, inside or out. We were blown away. There were a couple of walls up blocking construction but even those walls were beautifully done in the victorian style and with the Disney touch.

In comparison, we stayed at AoA and it was overcrowded and chaos. GF was tranquil, with or without construction.

We plan to add a couple of days at GF on our next trip.

Thanks so much for your input. I figured a lot more people would have chimed in on this one !
We visit GF all the time, but we have yet to stay there. We have stayed at most of the other WDW deluxe resorts, but really wanted to try GF (seems like we are always there anyway ), but the construction has us a bit nervous. We checked it out last October and it was pretty ugly.......the DVC building was just a shell, and lots of construction going on. I hear its a lot better now, and most of the outside work is done.
We are a family of 5, and its hard to find a resort that will fit us all comfortably. We were almost going to stay in ASM in a family suite, but decided to take advantage of the 30% off summer offer and go deluxe.............
We did reserve GF Outside club level in the Sugarloaf building (so we are sure we will be away from the construction), then we are moving over to BC for the rest of our stay.

Thanks for the help !!!

SYndrome

 

[Wood Nymph]

You might get some answers over on the GF facts thread:

A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

I know that it has been a big concern for people staying there, so hopefully there will be some updates in that thread.

 

[Syndrome]

You might get some answers over on the GF facts thread:

A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

I know that it has been a big concern for people staying there, so hopefully there will be some updates in that thread.

Thanks,
I did try that !!! Posted about the construction and got zip. I would think the construction would be a big concern for anyone deciding to saty at the GF. There is not much info on it lately ???
I would love to see some current pictures of the resort and the construction.

Thanks,
Syndrome

 

[Ofinn]

The website WDW magic has some photos from May 30. GF lovers don't seem to be to bothered by it. I would probably be bothered by it, but that's just me.

 

[dfarner]

The website WDW magic has some photos from May 30. GF lovers don't seem to be to bothered by it. I would probably be bothered by it, but that's just me.

I would be bothered by that too. We've stayed at The Grand, love it, will go back, but that is just UGLY. Can't wait to see the final product. I've read they're shooting for an opening date in October I believe. That seems to me to be a long way from being done, but who knows.

 

[Shaden]

We visited the GF on our trip in May and although I don't really like the GF as a place to stay, if I did, I would not be too happy if I was anywhere near the construction, its a pretty big and messy project.

Someone wrote a review here recently about not having a good experience with it ... don't have time to track it down at the moment.

 

[clapton]

We were there in April and went over to the GF Cafe for dinner. The construction really wasn't that bad, if your staying in sugar loaf it should be fine.Even with construction the GF is beautiful. Can't wait to stay in the DVC villas !

 

[sydneysmom]

We just got back on Saturday and honestly, you really do not notice the construction at all. If you're at the beach pool, you're most affected because you're staring at the new construction and the walls. The noise is really not a major issue. You hear more clanging from the Alice in Wonderland kids splash area than you do on the construction.

We were in Sugar Loaf and did not even notice the construction except when we were on the monorail and saw it. The Grand is as beautiful as ever.

 

[abk96]

We were initially booked at GF for our end of July/Aug trip and changed to BW. My husband didn't want to spend all that money and have construction going on and walls up near the beach pool.

Didn't want to take the chance. Plus we really do love the BW.

 

[Syndrome]

We just got back on Saturday and honestly, you really do not notice the construction at all. If you're at the beach pool, you're most affected because you're staring at the new construction and the walls. The noise is really not a major issue. You hear more clanging from the Alice in Wonderland kids splash area than you do on the construction.

We were in Sugar Loaf and did not even notice the construction except when we were on the monorail and saw it. The Grand is as beautiful as ever.

Thanks for the up to date info. We are in Sugarloaf too, so hopefully we wont be too affected by any construction going on at DVC.

Just wondering if they are completely finished with the courtyard pool construction / fence ? Also, how is the beach pool and water fall ? Working yet?
Also how much of the beach do they have opened up now ?

Thanks again for the info !!!

Syndrome

 

[sydneysmom]

Thanks for the up to date info. We are in Sugarloaf too, so hopefully we wont be too affected by any construction going on at DVC.

Just wondering if they are completely finished with the courtyard pool construction / fence ? Also, how is the beach pool and water fall ? Working yet?
Also how much of the beach do they have opened up now ?

Thanks again for the info !!!

Syndrome

Yes, the courtyard pool is complete and the new fence is up. The waterfall at the beach pool was working fine when we were there, as was the slide. Not much of the beach is open at all.......just a really tiny bit and for me, it wouldn't be worth it, but it's nice for pictures.

 

[rock_doctor]

If interested i will take some pictures tomorrow and post them. Basically they are doing the roof shingles and facade. They are also putting up the steel work for the entrance roof.

Currently, until June 18 for current dvc owners the price is $145 per point. Interestingly enough.... you can pay at 10% premium increase/upcharge that will give you the ability to lock in a certain time each year. Say you go when we do, over Christmas and New Years...you pay the premium and you have a guaranteed reservation. They said they will do this for 35% of the building. After June 18 the price goes up to $150. Just saw the models at SSR yesterday. They are extremely nice.

 

[Syndrome]

Yes, the courtyard pool is complete and the new fence is up. The waterfall at the beach pool was working fine when we were there, as was the slide. Not much of the beach is open at all.......just a really tiny bit and for me, it wouldn't be worth it, but it's nice for pictures.

Thanks for the info on the pools ! Glad to hear the waterfall feature is working in the beach pool........ maybe it will help to tone down the costruction noise .
Disappointed about the beach...........but I already knew to expect the beach mostly closed.
Thanks for the update !

Syndrome

 

[Syndrome]

If interested i will take some pictures tomorrow and post them. Basically they are doing the roof shingles and facade. They are also putting up the steel work for the entrance roof.

Currently, until June 18 for current dvc owners the price is $145 per point. Interestingly enough.... you can pay at 10% premium increase/upcharge that will give you the ability to lock in a certain time each year. Say you go when we do, over Christmas and New Years...you pay the premium and you have a guaranteed reservation. They said they will do this for 35% of the building. After June 18 the price goes up to $150. Just saw the models at SSR yesterday. They are extremely nice.

Oh, that would be great if you could post some up to date pics ! Very interested in seeing some of those.
Thanks for the updates on the construction.

Thats a new spin on DVC ........... guaranteed reservation time is a new one. Its a good option for people who can only vacation during the extreme peak times. 10% seems like a good option.

Thanks for the offer to post up some current pics !

Syndrome

 

[maciemouse]

We just returned from staying at the Polynesian. We went to GF several times during our stay. The beach pool is enclosed entirely by walls. Just wanted to mention that. Very little of the beach is open.

 

[rock_doctor]

At the poly right now, walked up and you can't see anything up close from ground level. As said the beach side is covered with mature trees so no view from there. This is one from the poly. I will jump on the monorail and get a couple more.

 

[Syndrome]

Thanks for the photo updates.
It sure does look better than when we were there in October. Starting to feel a little better now .

Syndrome

 

[rock_doctor]

Best i could do.... i got a picture of the pool area also. The first one is a video from the monorail. I think it will open in photobuckt. If you have issues with i will move it to ytube.