The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[leane]

I am just spending like crazy Decided to rent our points and booked BWV CL for 4 (might make it 3) and the BLT to start. I have been reading TR's about that view right now and I can't help myself. I must slurge for 2 nights MK view.
I am a planning nut right now but also on

I think it is going to be the PERFECT holiday vacation.

 

[mmmears]

I called and upgraded to RPC for our trip in Dec. I should have done it from the start, I had to change my trip around and completely screwed up the nice point plan I had. Now I have to stay on points over the weekend hopefully it will be worth it. Now we can experience both. SL in March and RPC in December. Then we need to take a long break

Getting way too excited about the upcoming trip. I dont think xmas is helping. I just cant wait!

Well, I think you'll be really happy in RPC during xmas. With the music, the tree, and all the decoration, the GF lobby is really something special. Enjoy!!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Well, I think you'll be really happy in RPC during xmas. With the music, the tree, and all the decoration, the GF lobby is really something special. Enjoy!!!

Completely agreed. Also, there's the huge gingerbread house and the new marble throughout the lobby. It looks absolutely incredible!

Didn't stay at GF during our short weekend trip, but visited. It's stunning, and I wish I was there right now.

 

[leane]

LOL they need to limit the number of changes you can make a reservation.

So I was sitting her tentatively planning my December trip and looking at what parks had EMH when and so forth. I changed it again....
Arriving GF but because I changed the day to earlier - I didnt want to go the 5th any- they didnt have the standard RPC room available so I had to upgrade to the TPV RPC Goodness things could have been worse. For $78 more the entire stay we have the TPV wish it was still by request but this should be good

Our new stay:

11/28 - 12/1 GF RPC TPV
12/1-12/3 BLT MK view
12/3-6 BW CL - requested an Epcot or Eifel tower view from the room.

Holy smokes anyone have a time capsule I can go ahead 350 some days?

But please, if you hear me say I want to change something firmly tell me no. I don't think I should screw this one up.

 

[BCV23]

glad you made it safely! Enjoy your trip. i have 80 days and counting!!!

Thank you so much for letting me know and if your still going to be there this weekend maybe I will see you around, when my family and I visit the Grand Floridian. Yes we are excited and tonight we need to start packing.

Thank you both. I'm sorry I wasn't clear though. I meant I finally made it over to visit the GF. This is a split YC/BLT stay for us. We had dinner at Citricos tonight. It was wonderful as it always is. Jason was our server and was excellent.

leane, your plans sound likes so much fun but I admit to feeling dizzy. Enjoy your planning!

CRFan, sadly we'll be back home by the time you arrive. Have a great trip. Is the gingerbread creation on the 4th floor of the CR new? I think you will love the new wreath on the N side of the CR...it's especially lovely at night.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CRFan, sadly we'll be back home by the time you arrive. Have a great trip. Is the gingerbread creation on the 4th floor of the CR new? I think you will love the new wreath on the N side of the CR...it's especially lovely at night.

Yes the design they created on the 4th floor is brand new because the past few years they were using a Pinocchio and Geppetto display, so I can not wait to see it in person from the pictures I have seen online. I also plan to take pictures of the wereath and at night.

Also since this is the Grand Floridian FAQ thread on Saturday when we go to visit there, obviously we will be taking pictures at their Gingerbread House.

 

[JenniD44]

8 more days!!



Can you tell I am excited??? Anyone back recently with any bounceback info?? We are going crazy with anticiaption over on the code board!!

This may have already been answered, but we were there 11/28-12/6 and there was a bounceback card in our room when we arrived. It said something like save up to 40% on a future stay. I didn't look at it that closely since we weren't planning to book another trip right now, but I think it also included the dates that it covered.

 

[JenniD44]

Like I said in PP, we just got back from the GF and I wanted to thank everyone for all the great info. We have been before, but there were so many new things I learned that made our trip extra special. One big one was requesting the lodge tower room. We were booked in SL and I read that you could request those rooms. I asked IPO to put the request in for one with a balcony and by golly we got it! I was so thrilled. We had 5 people, so I wasn't sure they would give it to us. It was great to have the extra room and the 2nd TV. DH and I sat out on the balcony just about every night while the kids were falling asleep.

Thanks to all. I never would have known to request this if it weren't for the DIS.

BTW, I can't tell you how many people I have told about this sight. Someone on the boat back to the GF was asking me how to get good deals and info and I told her to check the DIS. When we were getting off the boat, another woman who had overheard me, said what was that website? You all are awesome!

 

[JoeyAnyc]

does anyone know if they replaced the carpet on the main staircase? I have seen pictures of the new floors and they are beautiful, so just wondering if anything has been done with the stairs yet or if they were leaving them the same.

Thanks everyone!

No, they didn't replace the carpet. It's still the same. They are still working on the tiles. They started the floor in front of the GF Cafe when I arrived on Sunday. I left yesterday and they were about half way done with the floor. They only do sections at a time trying to advoid blocking foot traffic. There's no problem getting around them.

They were also doing some work here and there around the property. None of it got in our way. They work quick.

 

[dreamfinder222]

We'll be at GF in 1 week! Having a great time just reading this board...should be fun to see the remodeled main lobby, etc. We're a little concerned about the temps during our week (Dec. 19-25), but even 65 is better than 15" of snow and -10 like we have here

We're booked w/ a landscape view, and I haven't done any room requests...what do you think? Should I do the online check-in and make a room or location request? Or just hope for the best?

Last time we were there in 2008, we were upgraded to SL...and I hadn't done any room requests for that ressie.

 

[Tam1067]

We'll be at GF in 1 week! Having a great time just reading this board...should be fun to see the remodeled main lobby, etc. We're a little concerned about the temps during our week (Dec. 19-25), but even 65 is better than 15" of snow and -10 like we have here

We're booked w/ a landscape view, and I haven't done any room requests...what do you think? Should I do the online check-in and make a room or location request? Or just hope for the best?

Last time we were there in 2008, we were upgraded to SL...and I hadn't done any room requests for that ressie.

We are also checking in on the 19th! I can't wait either.

Last time, we made no requests, had a GV room booked, and were upgraded to lagoon view in Big Pine Key and then after a flooded bathroom due to a leaky pipe in the tub, we were further upgraded to theme park view in Boca Chica. So for us, no request was a good thing.

The thing with the weather makes it so hard to pack. But I'm sure all will be good.

 

[dreamfinder222]

We are also checking in on the 19th! I can't wait either.

Last time, we made no requests, had a GV room booked, and were upgraded to lagoon view in Big Pine Key and then after a flooded bathroom due to a leaky pipe in the tub, we were further upgraded to theme park view in Boca Chica. So for us, no request was a good thing.

The thing with the weather makes it so hard to pack. But I'm sure all will be good.

Yeah, I think we'll just let the chips fall...and not make any requests. I don't even think I'm going to check in online. How painful is standing in line to check-in to GF, anyway

Have a great time!

 

[BlueSkies]

Just back from a last minute trip to Florida...got to squeeze in 2 days at the GF!!! The lobby looked absolutely beautiful decked in its full Christams finery ...I will say this though the lobby seemed quite crowded to me in both the day time and the evening...

The new floors are spectacular...the last bit was being finished up over by the entrance area of the GF Cafe...

In years past there has usually been some sort of holiday evening entertainment in the lobby like carolers during the month of December...but I noticed that this year none were scheduled until Christmas week???

Not much constructions going on on the outer lodges either..just one crane on the side of Conch...


We lucked out and had beautiful weather...one day it was even in the mid 80s!!! Not typical for December at all... MVMCP finally has a new parade and it was great... some new floats and all...the castle show was very good as was the new show in Tomorrowland...but I was sorry to see Mickeys Twas the Night Before Christmas be replaced...and the holiday fireworks display was grander than I have ever seen...indredible!!!!

BCV We dined in Citricos on the same night as you did!!... I had the braised short ribs...very delicious! Atmosphere and server were terrific too!

There is nothing like being at WDW for the holidays.....

 

[ahcupcake]

Just back from a last minute trip to Florida...got to squeeze in 2 days at the GF!!! The lobby looked absolutely beautiful decked in its full Christams finery ...I will say this though the lobby seemed quite crowded to me in both the day time and the evening...

The new floors are spectacular...the last bit was being finished up over by the entrance area of the GF Cafe...

In years past there has usually been some sort of holiday evening entertainment in the lobby like carolers during the month of December...but I noticed that this year none were scheduled until Christmas week???

Not much constructions going on on the outer lodges either..just one crane on the side of Conch...


We lucked out and had beautiful weather...one day it was even in the mid 80s!!! Not typical for December at all... MVMCP finally has a new parade and it was great... some new floats and all...the castle show was very good as was the new show in Tomorrowland...but I was sorry to see Mickeys Twas the Night Before Christmas be replaced...and the holiday fireworks display was grander than I have ever seen...indredible!!!!

BCV We dined in Citricos on the same night as you did!!... I had the braised short ribs...very delicious! Atmosphere and server were terrific too!

There is nothing like being at WDW for the holidays.....

Hey Blue,they're still working on Conch??? There were cranes there around it in October when I was there........Glad you had a good time

 

[minniesota]

Just back from a last minute trip to Florida...got to squeeze in 2 days at the GF!!! The lobby looked absolutely beautiful decked in its full Christams finery ...I will say this though the lobby seemed quite crowded to me in both the day time and the evening...

The new floors are spectacular...the last bit was being finished up over by the entrance area of the GF Cafe...

In years past there has usually been some sort of holiday evening entertainment in the lobby like carolers during the month of December...but I noticed that this year none were scheduled until Christmas week???

Not much constructions going on on the outer lodges either..just one crane on the side of Conch...


We lucked out and had beautiful weather...one day it was even in the mid 80s!!! Not typical for December at all... MVMCP finally has a new parade and it was great... some new floats and all...the castle show was very good as was the new show in Tomorrowland...but I was sorry to see Mickeys Twas the Night Before Christmas be replaced...and the holiday fireworks display was grander than I have ever seen...indredible!!!!

BCV We dined in Citricos on the same night as you did!!... I had the braised short ribs...very delicious! Atmosphere and server were terrific too!

There is nothing like being at WDW for the holidays.....

Hi Blue,
Thanks for the report - I'm so envious! I love the GF at Christmas time. Did you stay in SL? Were there any other restaurants you enjoyed this trip? How funny that you and bcv were in Citrico's the same night! Glad you had a great trip!

 

[BCV23]

This may have already been answered, but we were there 11/28-12/6 and there was a bounceback card in our room when we arrived. It said something like save up to 40% on a future stay. I didn't look at it that closely since we weren't planning to book another trip right now, but I think it also included the dates that it covered.

Yes, the bounceback was 40% off deluxe and 45% deluxe villas. There were specific dates but the discount goes into Dec. for the deluxe resorts. The villas weren't included past early Fall. I called and applied the discount to a future GF reservation I already had and also snagged a week at THV at 45% off.

Like I said in PP, we just got back from the GF and I wanted to thank everyone for all the great info. We have been before, but there were so many new things I learned that made our trip extra special. One big one was requesting the lodge tower room. We were booked in SL and I read that you could request those rooms. I asked IPO to put the request in for one with a balcony and by golly we got it! I was so thrilled. We had 5 people, so I wasn't sure they would give it to us. It was great to have the extra room and the 2nd TV. DH and I sat out on the balcony just about every night while the kids were falling asleep.

Thanks to all. I never would have known to request this if it weren't for the DIS.

Congratulations! It sounds perfect. How did you sleep 5 in a tower room? Most reports are that the loveseat is not a sleeper but I remember someone reporting that they did have one? Or did you have one in a crib?

No, they didn't replace the carpet. It's still the same. They are still working on the tiles. They started the floor in front of the GF Cafe when I arrived on Sunday. I left yesterday and they were about half way done with the floor. They only do sections at a time trying to advoid blocking foot traffic. There's no problem getting around them.

They were also doing some work here and there around the property. None of it got in our way. They work quick.

I watched the progress of that area by the Cafe through the week, too. It appears that it will be the same design as the entrance on the first floor and that by the monorail....or very close to it, don't you think?

We'll be at GF in 1 week! Having a great time just reading this board...should be fun to see the remodeled main lobby, etc. We're a little concerned about the temps during our week (Dec. 19-25), but even 65 is better than 15" of snow and -10 like we have here

We're booked w/ a landscape view, and I haven't done any room requests...what do you think? Should I do the online check-in and make a room or location request? Or just hope for the best?

Last time we were there in 2008, we were upgraded to SL...and I hadn't done any room requests for that ressie.

We left Florida on Friday and arrived home to very cold air and snow on the ground but not the 15 " you received. Brrr!

Have a great trip!

We are also checking in on the 19th! I can't wait either.

Last time, we made no requests, had a GV room booked, and were upgraded to lagoon view in Big Pine Key and then after a flooded bathroom due to a leaky pipe in the tub, we were further upgraded to theme park view in Boca Chica. So for us, no request was a good thing.

The thing with the weather makes it so hard to pack. But I'm sure all will be good.

I hope your trip is magical, too. Please come back and tell us all about it, you two!

Just back from a last minute trip to Florida...got to squeeze in 2 days at the GF!!! The lobby looked absolutely beautiful decked in its full Christams finery ...I will say this though the lobby seemed quite crowded to me in both the day time and the evening...


BCV We dined in Citricos on the same night as you did!!... I had the braised short ribs...very delicious! Atmosphere and server were terrific too!

There is nothing like being at WDW for the holidays.....

Blue, it would have been so much fun to meet you! My DH ordered the same thing and enjoyed it, too. It is great to see Citricos so busy. In the first few years after it opened, that was not always the case, was it? The secret is certainly out!

Wasn't the lobby crazy? I heard from a GF CM that it was wall to wall people when Celine was taped.

 

[leane]

Welcome back everyone!

I have a feeling my ticker is broken... it is moving is SLOW motion.

For those of you who have used pins and bouncebacks have you ever experienced being able to snag a 1 BR with the discount? I have one room for next xmas it is RPC and we will just deal with the 5 in one room if we have to but I would like to spurge with the 1 BR. I have had some CM's say yes they have and others say they dont offer the 1 BR on the discounts.
Any insight? I will stop bugging those poor CM's

I think I am finally satisfied with our visit. 3 night GF RPC / still cant decide if I want to switch to BLT for one night to experience the castle at night/ 3 night BWV CL. I can either make it 4 night BWV or 3 with the BLT in there. I think I am going to wait until after we get back to decide.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I was just looking at some pictures of the gingerbread house and tree at GF and noticed that the middle of the lobby is still carpeted. Is it going to stay like that or are they eventually tiling that area too? Anyone know?

We're going in January and I'm trying to figure out if they may be working on that center part then.

 

[minniesota]

I was just looking at some pictures of the gingerbread house and tree at GF and noticed that the middle of the lobby is still carpeted. Is it going to stay like that or are they eventually tiling that area too? Anyone know?

We're going in January and I'm trying to figure out if they may be working on that center part then.

I'm almost certain the carpeted atrium will remain. We'll be there in January - I can't wait to see the floors!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I'm almost certain the carpeted atrium will remain. We'll be there in January - I can't wait to see the floors!

Thanks! We're getting close--can't wait!

ETA: I don't know why there's a thumbs down in my title --didn't mean for there to be!