The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[praline3001]

you know these photos of construction are sad sad sad...

(not you Julia!)

People are calling and the CM's are telling them there is no construction going on and everything is just peachy

Clearly they are doing some major construction as can see by the photos Julia posted.

While I was there none of the construction in the main building was even noticeable ... BUT what Julia just posted? Yeah I would have had major issues with that...and her photos were taken after mine so it looks like they are getting more involved rather than finishing up, doesn't it to you? I am not expert on construction so I could TOTALLY be wrong but it looks like they were just getting started when I was there and now they are going at things full force? Does it look like that to anyone else?

 

[BCV23]

I don't think the GF looks bad at all in those photos. The pictures are focusing on the construction but there are plenty of beautiful sights as well. Those are really rather small areas. I guess if you focus on looking at a cart, it could affect your vacation but I'd probably be gazing at all the beautiful gardens instead.

Julia, did you have a nice stay? Which lodge were you in? I hope you have some other photos to remember your stay.

teddygurl28, BU is just a code noting the type room you've reserved. No such thing as a dumb questions here.

 

[praline3001]

I don't think the GF looks bad at all in those photos. The pictures are focusing on the construction but there are plenty of beautiful sights as well. Those are really rather small areas. I guess if you focus on looking at a cart, it could affect your vacation but I'd probably be gazing at all the beautiful gardens instead.

Julia, did you have a nice stay? Which lodge were you in? I hope you have some other photos to remember your stay.

teddygurl28, BU is just a code noting the type room you've reserved. No such thing as a dumb questions here.

I agree about the service carts but if you look, the construction workers are on people's balconies and they are doing work on the inside (the stairways) so there are construction workers in and out stomping around in each lodge... so yeah the photos don't look TERRIBLE until you take into account what is being done on the inside...and I would have issues with a strange man on my balcony...

Also, look closer at Conch ` half a side of the building has boards and they are working on (the half that faces the dock). If I were staying IN conch (which people still are) I would have been upset and asked to be moved if they had room

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Scott MC - the chocolate slipper usually comes with a little boat filled with chocolate mousse, there are photos of it here (scroll down to post #11):
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2118274

It is my understanding that if you want it at the Grand, you need to special order it a couple days in advance, to be delivered to one of the resort restaurants. Cost was $14 when I ordered one years ago, but I think it has gone up a bit.

Praline - thank you for the info!

teddygurl28 - the BU is a room code for the GF, it means that you have a theme park view booked. ETA: I see you beat me to it, BCV23!

 

[BCV23]

I agree about the service carts but if you look, the construction workers are on people's balconies and they are doing work on the inside (the stairways) so there are construction workers in and out stomping around in each lodge... so yeah the photos don't look TERRIBLE until you take into account what is being done on the inside...and I would have issues with a strange man on my balcony...

Also, look closer at Conch ` half a side of the building has boards and they are working on (the half that faces the dock). If I were staying IN conch (which people still are) I would have been upset and asked to be moved if they had room

I keep changing my mind about which building(s) are in the pictures. I totally agree that it would be unacceptable to have a workman on an occupied balcony but I really hope that isn't the case.

For all we know, there aren't people in the sections of buildings that are currently being painted. If the opposite side is being painted, it wouldn't really affect guests on the other side other than making fewer guests waiting for the elevator.

They need to paint sometime and I imagine value season in the summer could be the GF's lowest occupancy time.

I agree that I would ask to be moved if the view was horrible.

I hope Julia lets us know which building(s) were involved. Oh, and laundry carts are always going to be on the grounds if you look hard enough for them.

 

[Figment1990]

I don't think the GF looks bad at all in those photos. The pictures are focusing on the construction but there are plenty of beautiful sights as well. Those are really rather small areas. I guess if you focus on looking at a cart, it could affect your vacation but I'd probably be gazing at all the beautiful gardens instead.

I should clarify... Normally I'm not quite so picky about them doing routine maintenance. Really, to keep the exterior of a building white, they're gonna have to paint it sometime! LOL

However, DH and I stayed at Boardwalk last fall while they were doing construction. They were sanding the hardwood floors near the elevators and lounge and they were also doing some exterior work on the building near the bus stop. At one point, we actually ended up walking in circles to try to get where we needed to go because they had the stairway blocked off. I don't want a repeat of all that on this trip. And while I didn't notice the exterior construction too much, I didn't book the Boardwalk because of it's beautiful grounds either. Whereas I did select the GF this time because of how beautiful it always looked to me when I have visited for meals and shopping.
We're still planning to stay at the Grand, but I'm just feeling like the Disney tiki gods have it out for me on my couples-only trip plans!

(I should mention that we also got stuck in one of the last un-refurbished rooms before the new BWI decor. That ALSO did not make me happy. Luckily I loved the location and plan to return.)

For anyone just returning or there right now - where is the construction "visible" from? Is it mostly lagoon side now and visible from the boats? Or is it visible from the pool areas and beach (by the pool) as well?

 

[BCV23]

I should clarify... Normally I'm not quite so picky about them doing routine maintenance. Really, to keep the exterior of a building white, they're gonna have to paint it sometime! LOL

However, DH and I stayed at Boardwalk last fall while they were doing construction. They were sanding the hardwood floors near the elevators and lounge and they were also doing some exterior work on the building near the bus stop. At one point, we actually ended up walking in circles to try to get where we needed to go because they had the stairway blocked off. I don't want a repeat of all that on this trip. And while I didn't notice the exterior construction too much, I didn't book the Boardwalk because of it's beautiful grounds either. Whereas I did select the GF this time because of how beautiful it always looked to me when I have visited for meals and shopping.
We're still planning to stay at the Grand, but I'm just feeling like the Disney tiki gods have it out for me on my couples-only trip plans!

(I should mention that we also got stuck in one of the last un-refurbished rooms before the new BWI decor. That ALSO did not make me happy. Luckily I loved the location and plan to return.)

For anyone just returning or there right now - where is the construction "visible" from? Is it mostly lagoon side now and visible from the boats? Or is it visible from the pool areas and beach (by the pool) as well?

Oh, my....I don't blame you for your concern. I'm also not trying to be critical of anyone for worrying about it. It costs a lot to stay at the GF. It's just as I look at Julia's photos, it looks like it might not be as bad as I was picturing from an earlier report.

Pixie dust to you and others going soon for a lovely view and vacation!

 

[praline3001]

It's just as I look at Julia's photos, it looks like it might not be as bad as I was picturing from an earlier report.

I am also wondering if Julia's lack of comment about her stay is a statement in itself ~

She is usually much more talkative and she gave the big thumb down and posted those photos... me thinks the construction did effect her trip....

Julia ... if that's the case I am so sorry! I know you guys were looking forward to staying there.

 

[wer14631]

We left last Wednesday, and I can confirm that Julia's first pic is of the front of Boca Chica with Big Pine in the back ground and the pool house on the right. We were initially placed in Boca facing the crane, but they were nice enough to move us to a great room in Big Pine (where there was no construction as of last week).

 

[simplymama]

Julia do you have any photos, or can you tell me more about the main building construction? We are there again in a week, and I'm ready to rethink it seriously if it's a huge mess. But I would pretty much have to decide today?

We have 3 rooms in RPC, and I don't mind small areas of the floor being redone, but your comment about the inside being a mess has me..

 

[scanne]

Well, after going back and forth in my head about RPC or Theme Park view with the DXDP, I bit the bullet and BOOKED RPC!!! I have a basic MYW package and will add the basic DDP later, but I have ALWAYS wanted to stay in the Main Building and I have almost a year to pay for it!

I'm just REALLY SUPER excited!!!! Just had to share!!!

But.........we've got to keep it hush-hush as the RPC part is going to be a surprise for my DH when we get there. He knows we're staying at the GF, but won't know about the main building until we check in!!!

 

[BCV23]

I agree about the service carts but if you look, the construction workers are on people's balconies and they are doing work on the inside (the stairways) so there are construction workers in and out stomping around in each lodge... so yeah the photos don't look TERRIBLE until you take into account what is being done on the inside...and I would have issues with a strange man on my balcony...

Also, look closer at Conch ` half a side of the building has boards and they are working on (the half that faces the dock). If I were staying IN conch (which people still are) I would have been upset and asked to be moved if they had room

I looked again, Brook. In that picture of Conch Key, the only section that seems to be boarded up to me is the stairwell. Most people don't even use them. The stairwells in the outer lodges are all exterior and so I wouldn't think workers would be in and out of the lodges much at all.

The pictures of the workers in carts can be seen daily at the GF. Not always painters but electricians or repairmen are out and about as necessary.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Oh boy... Here we go again. Now I gotta go rethink this GF thing...again... GF with construction or Poly CL? And I just booked a cabana for our 2nd day too! ahhhh!

Really want to know which buildings those were....

IMHO: Poly- CL

 

[jkstewart1800]

I took those pictures over the course of last week. The main building getting the brunt of it was Conch Key - that is the one with the staircase closed off and all that.
Boca Chica was next to have the most junk sitting on and around it...

Big Pine key had lots of little worker cars around it and even Sugar Loaf was not left alone. Literaly all of the out buildings were getting worked on. It was horribly loud and quite an eye sore.

To come back from the parks and have to listen to power washers cleaning off the buildings all day while you are trying to relax at the pool was horrible.

Inside the main lobby the construction started off well hidden... but as it approched the main stairs it started to get ugly. Big white net looking barricades blocking half of the right side of level two.

But the worst of it was sitting in the lobby in the afternoon trying to listen to the piano while the tile cutting was going on... I don't know if you have ever heard a table saw/tile cutter.... they are LOUD LOUD LOUD....

It was overwhelming. The working and construction was everywhere... at least that is what it felt like to me. Our first day there I kinda ignored it, thinking it was a fluke. But as the week wore on it got worse and then I started taking the pictures....

Our last day there we went to get ice cream at Gasparillas (around 4PM) there was a worker with a ladder right in the middle of the door way... they had CM there directing people to a whole other back door.

After we got our ice cream we sat down for a view of the castle and to visit and listen to the music being piped through the patio.... NO GOOD... the work on Saco Cay was so loud that you could hardly hear the music at all... it sounded like a motor boat just idling right next to your ear... it was some kind of genorator or something.

When I inquired I was told that the work had just started the day I got there....

I will post my trip report later....

 

[guitarob]

I just got off of the phone with the Grand Floridian IPO because, honestly, our upcoming trip to the Grand Floridian in September was based on how beautiful DW found the resort and the grounds to be, so I had to call and see if I could find out exactly what is going on.

Apparently, from what they told me on the phone, there is construction to the outsides of the buildings, mainly the external stairwells scheduled through November. The 2nd floor in the main building is getting new marble floors. The construction only takes place during the day, and there is a chance of noise if outside at the pools and on the grounds during the day.

That was enough to spoil it for us. The money was being laid out for the views and the beauty of the resort, and we feel that this will just spoil it. I understand they have to maintain the resort some time, we just don't want to be there for it. We'll just have to visit when we eat at Narcoosee's.

We've relocated to the Polynesian Garden View Concierge.

 

[mmmears]

I'm at the GF right now. We are in the main building. I haven't heard any construction noise and haven't seen any cranes. The only thing I have noticed is the stairwell area on one outer building is being worked on and part of the 2nd floor tile in the main building.

Really nothing (I can only speak for the days that we are here, though).

I can understand people's concerns, though, since you don't want a mess in the middle of your vacation.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Okay - I seriously have to go un pack some more and do laundry!!!

Almost all of the pictures were taken while I walked from Boca to the main building everyday. I think it was the fact that all of the workers and machines were completely surrounding the whole courtyard area that overwhelmed me.

It didn't totally ruin my trip. I got a really steep discount so I didn't let it bother me too much. It just seemed like a lot all at once. I didn't understand why they had work on each building everyday all at once?

I got sick and tired of looking at those huge orange cranes.

Over by the beach and beach pool was completely construction free...

I will put some photos together and a mini trip report tonight.... it wasn't all bad... lots of pixie dust was sprinkled our way....

I am SO sorry to have missed out on drinks at Mitnzers..... I tried taking a short nap so that I would be rested for the big meet up and didn't wake up until about 2 in the morning .... Oh well....

 

[simplymama]

Inside the main lobby the construction started off well hidden... but as it approched the main stairs it started to get ugly. Big white net looking barricades blocking half of the right side of level two.

But the worst of it was sitting in the lobby in the afternoon trying to listen to the piano while the tile cutting was going on... I don't know if you have ever heard a table saw/tile cutter.... they are LOUD LOUD LOUD....
.

Are they cutting tiles inside the building??? I thought that was all done elsewhere. The dust would be incredible if they are cutting tile!!!

 

[jkstewart1800]

We are planning a trip to the GF at the end of August and were concerned when we read about the construction as our DS suffers from hyperreactivity, a condition that makes loud noises physically painful. (We tour the parks with this considered in our game plan. We've done stuff like watch the fireworks from a boat in the lagoon rather than subject him to the crowds and noises in the park.) Anyway, we were naturally worried about what impact the construction would have on DS' comfort, so my husband--- who frequently works with contractors and understands construction lingo better than I do--- phoned the GF to find out the extent of the renovations and their impact on guests. Here is what he was told:

1. The tile in the main lobby is being replaced. It is being replaced section by section, not ripped up all at once. The new tile has already been cut and sized, so guests will not be hearing the whine of the tile saw. The center area of the GF lobby is still carpeted. Brook's photos give you a very good sense of what is being replaced. Right now, the CM says they are still working on the second floor, but they will probably be up to the first by the time we arrive.

2. The exteriors staircases i.e. emergency exits or fire escapes on Sugarloaf and Conch are being renovated. At this point, much of the project involves lighter work, such as painting. There will be some noises during the day, beginning at about 9 a.m. The CM he spoke to does not project any serious discomfort to Sugarloaf guests nor will it affect access to the pool areas adjacent to Sugarloaf. Concierge food will still be available in the same place.

That's pretty much what we know for now. DH is going to call for an update about two weeks before we leave, so that if something has been changed, we can decide what to do.

Hope this helps.

I was in the lobby a lot in the early afternoon - while my little one took a nap with dad I sat and watched cartoons with my big kid (they no longer have them in the room grrrrrrrrrrrrrr)

I heard the saw on more than one day.

As to the pool next to sugar loaf - that is where ALL the pictures I took came from. Those big huge cranes and the noise from the power washers and the noise from the cranes going up or coming down....

 

[simplymama]

I'm at the GF right now. We are in the main building. I haven't heard any construction noise and haven't seen any cranes. The only thing I have noticed is the stairwell area on one outer building is being worked on and part of the 2nd floor tile in the main building.

Really nothing (I can only speak for the days that we are here, though).

I can understand people's concerns, though, since you don't want a mess in the middle of your vacation.

So at the moment you aren't hearing or seeing cutting of tiles going on. I can handle a little inconvenience of them laying the tiles, but I would not like the sound of saws cutting and dust flying.

What area of the tile are they working on right now? Have they moved the orchestra back to where it was?

Can you get to the monorail still easily from the Gold Elevators?

Thanks for taking time out of your trip to update.