The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[allisonswonderland]

Ok I have just been reading about all the construction....I check in Aug 27 and leave the 31st for my Birthday Celebration Trip. Now I had just decided NOT to request anything this trip , as I never get it at the Grand LOL, but I always end up with a great room. So I thought I would leave it to chance this time. I have been in Big Pine and Sago and loved both, we have booked a GV, what should I do?

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks Cinderumbrella & johnsonet

In room filters sounds good - not too keen on my future husband realising other resorts have better coffee when I've been spending the last year convincing him that the GF is the best of everything!

That's why I have to be prepared

You're welcome. And - it's not the GF. It's WDW. They sell Nescafe and it just isn't good. The coffee in the nice restaurants is good, though. Just not counter service...

Re. the construction, I just returned from AKL and my daughter and I had tea over at the Grand, as is our custom. I walked around to check out the shops and new flooring and here are some pics. I've only looked back a few pages but I haven't seen any, which is surprising considering how many DISers have been there lately Anyway, here's what I saw while walking around:

Tile example on display in the GF Lobby

Detail of pattern outside of Garden View Lounge, including Mrs. Potts and Chip

allisonswonderland - I would request Big Pine - no work going on and SUCH a great location

 

[MommyGina]

Is the band still in front of the monorail or did they move back to in front of Mizners?

 

[johnsonet]

Is the band still in front of the monorail or did they move back to in front of Mizners?

Still on the monorail side when I was there - but that was a week ago, so not sure.

This is their usual spot with the new tile

 

[TinkTatoo]

You're welcome. And - it's not the GF. It's WDW. They sell Nescafe and it just isn't good. The coffee in the nice restaurants is good, though. Just not counter service...

I agree - I love a cup of coffee in the morning and most of the stuff at WDW is dire

I am NOT a coffee expert by any means, but WDW stuff is the pits (Nescafe). There is a Joffrey's stand in the CR (Contempo Grounds, if memory serves) and the Kona stand at the Poly. There is a nice walking path that connects the GF to the Poly and is much quicker than running the monorail.

I visited the Contempo Grounds stand quite a bit when we stayed at BLT and it was good, hopefully the coffee at Kona will be just as nice for when we stay at the GF.

Just out of interest, what are the coffee machines like in SL lounge?

 

[dpndka]

Thanks Angela!

 

[LMO429]

when is all this construction suppose to be done at the grand floridian. we are going in dec and we are spending the xtra $ to stay the gf. I was unaware of any construction going on

 

[Cinderumbrella]

when is all this construction suppose to be done at the grand floridian. we are going in dec and we are spending the xtra $ to stay the gf. I was unaware of any construction going on

it is supposed to be done in October

 

[LMO429]

it is supposed to be done in October

that is good news .....what are they fixing?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

that is good news .....what are they fixing?

new marble floors in the main building lobby areas and some exterior work on the outer lodges.

 

[LMO429]

new marble floors in the main building lobby areas and some exterior work on the outer lodges.

awesome! sounds like they are getting ready for my arrival

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

You're welcome. And - it's not the GF. It's WDW. They sell Nescafe and it just isn't good. The coffee in the nice restaurants is good, though. Just not counter service...

Re. the construction, I just returned from AKL and my daughter and I had tea over at the Grand, as is our custom. I walked around to check out the shops and new flooring and here are some pics. I've only looked back a few pages but I haven't seen any, which is surprising considering how many DISers have been there lately Anyway, here's what I saw while walking around:

Tile example on display in the GF Lobby

Funny - I just took that exact picture tonight, planning on posting it because I hadn't seen it yet!

I'm very excited about this marble project. I had no idea that it included Disney characters until we returned from a Jiko dinner tonight, and all of a sudden I noticed the marble Mickey at the entrance. It looks fabulous, and I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[Scott MC]

Hey all,
In the Unofficial Guide, GF guests are warned to avoid the GV rooms mostly in Big Pine Key (with a few in Boca Chica) that are behind the pool house. On another posting board, I read a report where someone said that from their dormer room in Big Pine Key, their view was obstructed by the pool house. From all pictures I've seen, I can't see how this little poolhouse blocks all those rooms. I've requested (and I know it's only a request), an upper floor room in Big Pine Key or Boca Chica. I did this assuming that only rooms on the first floor would be blocked. Was I wrong?

 

[allisonswonderland]

We stayed in big pine in March and I can see that the pool house would impact much of the garden VewI maybe eve in someplace to the 4th floor. I will say that they were doing some construction then on big pine and nova chiva too.

 

[allisonswonderland]

Sorry for the typos in the above post I'm on my cell

 

[minniesota]

Hey all,
In the Unofficial Guide, GF guests are warned to avoid the GV rooms mostly in Big Pine Key (with a few in Boca Chica) that are behind the pool house. On another posting board, I read a report where someone said that from their dormer room in Big Pine Key, their view was obstructed by the pool house. From all pictures I've seen, I can't see how this little poolhouse blocks all those rooms. I've requested (and I know it's only a request), an upper floor room in Big Pine Key or Boca Chica. I did this assuming that only rooms on the first floor would be blocked. Was I wrong?

I personally agree with the UG and would avoid Big Pine Key GV. The problem with BPK is its proximity to the pool house - it's basically just on the other side of the pathway so it's very close. Boca Chica is set back and only a few GV rooms on the end closest to BPK would be impacted by the pool house. Change your request to upper floor Boca Chica and keep your fingers crossed for an upgrade to LV!

 

[Figment1990]

I personally agree with the UG and would avoid Big Pine Key GV. The problem with BPK is its proximity to the pool house - it's basically just on the other side of the pathway so it's very close. Boca Chica is set back and only a few GV rooms on the end closest to BPK would be impacted by the pool house. Change your request to upper floor Boca Chica and keep your fingers crossed for an upgrade to LV!

Sigh.... We are 24 hours from arriving in Orlando (I would be if I wasn't so sleepy ). Now i'm wondering if I should have just changed my reservation to Lagoon view in the first place.... (we have GV booked) I don't even know what my room request reads anymore. I know it says "away from any construction!" The view I really really really would love would be of the beach pool/poly/lagoon. Any suggestions of what to do/book/request to get that view? Is it too late? (other than cross my fingers and hope for a magical upgrade)

I hearby declare that after our December trip, I am handing the dis-planning baton over to the CL CMs. I have such a from this trip and I'm sure Dec will not be a picnic because I'll be coordinating 3 families. I'm thinking of paying the upgrade difference for my parents and sis to stay at Poly CL in April just to take a break from it...

 

[BuckeyeDad]

Did you guys fax your requests in, me and the girls are going to be at GF August 16th and I too would prefer as all of us not to be to negatively impacted by all the construction. Any advice..should I fax or call the reservation number? THANKS!

 

[MommyGina]

I called in my request yesterday. I would just ask to be away from all construction. I was told that while I am there that Sago Cay would have renovations being done to it. I am arriving on 8/19.

 

[BuckeyeDad]

I called in my request yesterday. I would just ask to be away from all construction. I was told that while I am there that Sago Cay would have renovations being done to it. I am arriving on 8/19.

Ok sorry, not trying to ask dumb questions, but I just want to make sure i do this correctly. Did you call the GF number directly or the central Reservations? I know we all paid a lot to be at the GF and ideally noone would have to see the construction from their balcony..Im just thankful I found all you cool people that know the ins and outs. Thanks