The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[dato63]

leane Two hours on the phone trying to make ADRs!!! I am glad that it was worth the wait...I agree with BCV two fireworks cruises WOW!!! They just went back to the 180 day booking a few days ago and I guess it has been jamming up the phone lines!!!

dato63 If it is in your budget why not splurge for the one night stay to be CL...there are two though Royal Palm Club which has rooms located in the main building and the closest to the monorail..and in the outer lodge building there is Sugar Loaf which is right in the center of the property and an equal distance to the monorail or the launch...

Thank you for your input.

Our budget can do it - it wasn't really a big $ difference, especially in the bigger scheme of things (cost of whole vacation). My thoughts are we would check in post cruise, hit MK and come back when tired. That was why I was thinking the main buildging would be good - just an elevator ride away. But I don't think we would be in the resort much. Having never done CL or GF - is it worth it?

 

[Desnik]

We will be at the Grand in just 10 days for our vow renewal!!!

Any recent updates or photos of the work going on in the lobby?

 

[JessicaW1234]

We are going to GF staying in SF in two weeks. I read that there is construction ongoing on the stairway in GF for "handrail remediation". Can anyone tell me which stairways are affected by this (are they on both sides of the building, near the lobby, rooms etc....)
and whether there the construction on Sago Cay is done?
Any photos?
Thanks

 

[BlueSkies]

dato I have never stayed in the main building at the GF...but am a big fan of staying CL and usually stay in SL...I love the amenities that are available staying CL...most especially have the Itinerary Planning Office make ADRs etc...

Another very nice amenity is having the food and beverages that are available all day in the lounge...and having the extra space of the lounge area as well...

There are nice breakfast foods offered in the moring like bagels breads cereals buns fruit and especially the coffee! there are snacks midday tea and scones and evening appetizers and desserts and cordials too...

Not sure how much you would utilize staying just one night...and planning spending most of that time at the MK...but after a cruise if you want to continue with that pampered feeling staying CL sure would be nice...

The GF is a wonderful resort...I am sure you will enjoy no matter what room category that you choose!

desnik No photos but I wanted to say congratulations!!! A vow renewal at the GF...how wonderful!! Would love to hear some details..are you renewing your vows in the wedding pavilion...planning a party afterwards??? i would love to do that if my DH would just agree!!! Have a great time...

 

[marcij]

I didn't take any photos of the floor last week, as there are other websites with all of those pics, but when we were there they were working on the floor between 1900 Park Faire and the elevators. They don't work on weekends, and the noise seemed minimal to me. A CM told me that the floors weren't supposed to take near this long and they had planned to be finished weeks ago.

Enjoy your upcoming trips everyone! Even though I'm going back in less than 60 days, I'm having major withdrawl.

 

[dato63]

Not sure how much you would utilize staying just one night...and planning spending most of that time at the MK...but after a cruise if you want to continue with that pampered feeling staying CL sure would be nice...

That is a great point. I think I'll go with that - splurge and book CL for our one night. Thank you!!

 

[rie'smom]

I didn't take any photos of the floor last week, as there are other websites with all of those pics, but when we were there they were working on the floor between 1900 Park Faire and the elevators. They don't work on weekends, and the noise seemed minimal to me. A CM told me that the floors weren't supposed to take near this long and they had planned to be finished weeks ago.

Enjoy your upcoming trips everyone! Even though I'm going back in less than 60 days, I'm having major withdrawl.

Would you please list or PM me links to those pictures? I'm planning a surprise stay for my daughter and her friends and I'd really like to see pics in order to decide if I want to change my mind.

 

[BCV23]

When we stayed at the GF in September, they were working on weekends. Of course, a lot of the characters were being put in place during that time frame.

At any rate, it didn't bother us either. The marble tiles are lovely and it was fun to see them go in.

One of these days, I may be able to post my pictures.

 

[Desnik]

desnik No photos but I wanted to say congratulations!!! A vow renewal at the GF...how wonderful!! Would love to hear some details..are you renewing your vows in the wedding pavilion...planning a party afterwards??? i would love to do that if my DH would just agree!!! Have a great time...

Thanks! Yes, the ceremony will be in the wedding pavilion and we will have a full reception with cocktail hour first at the White hall room and patio over at the GF convention center! We have 50 guests, a DJ, silhouette artist, we'll watch Wishes from the patio, and Mickey will be there too! We didn't have a wedding so we are doing it now! You can read and see pictures of everything in my planning journal here:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2022716

I didn't take any photos of the floor last week, as there are other websites with all of those pics, but when we were there they were working on the floor between 1900 Park Faire and the elevators. They don't work on weekends, and the noise seemed minimal to me. A CM told me that the floors weren't supposed to take near this long and they had planned to be finished weeks ago.

Can you post a link to the sites that have pictures? I am not worried about noise but the construction itself. We are planning on taking most of our pictures in the lobby. I am really worried about this.

 

[minniesota]

For those interested in seeing the marble floors in the main building, check out this YouTube video. My DS found it (he's always on YouTube!). Very cool....

http://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyHD#p/u/1/Vwt2tXrvTT4

 

[panthergirl]

I suprised my mom with one night at the GF before we moved to the BCV for the rest of our week during Christmas 2008. I splurged for RPC and it was wonderful. Next year I would like to do the entire week at RPC. How quickly does that typically sell out in December? We would most likely do the week before Christmas returning 12/18. Thanks!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

For those interested in seeing the marble floors in the main building, check out this YouTube video. My DS found it (he's always on YouTube!). Very cool....

http://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyHD#p/u/1/Vwt2tXrvTT4

Cool video -- thanks for sharing. Looks like they still have a ways to go (that middle section still looked carpeted to me). I'm getting nervous about what work will be going on when we're there.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I didn't take any photos of the floor last week, as there are other websites with all of those pics, but when we were there they were working on the floor between 1900 Park Faire and the elevators. They don't work on weekends, and the noise seemed minimal to me. A CM told me that the floors weren't supposed to take near this long and they had planned to be finished weeks ago.

Enjoy your upcoming trips everyone! Even though I'm going back in less than 60 days, I'm having major withdrawl.

Thanks for the update! Was there still alot of work going on on the outerbuildings? I saw some pics on the Mouse Steps blog from a couple of weeks ago when they were working on Sugar Loaf and it looked like there was alot going on.

 

[leane]

I plan on doing the online check in for GF. Is there a place there typing whatever you want so i can request a building?
I really shouldn't read some of the posts. I am now fighting the thought of upgrading to CL for a few days.... hhhhmmmm last 2 maybe for DD's bday. Or maybe just upgrade DH and I for one or two nights. But then I would think it will be harder to get us close to the other room again.
Do you think if I call GF and ask these questions they can help? made my res through disney but some CM's just dont know ya know?

 

[rie'smom]

I plan on doing the online check in for GF. Is there a place there typing whatever you want so i can request a building?
I really shouldn't read some of the posts. I am now fighting the thought of upgrading to CL for a few days.... hhhhmmmm last 2 maybe for DD's bday. Or maybe just upgrade DH and I for one or two nights. But then I would think it will be harder to get us close to the other room again.
Do you think if I call GF and ask these questions they can help? made my res through disney but some CM's just dont know ya know?

Unfortunately, there are no direct numbers to the resorts anymore. Even when calling the "front desk" from your on site room, you're connected to a call center.

 

[marcij]

Thanks for the update! Was there still alot of work going on on the outerbuildings? I saw some pics on the Mouse Steps blog from a couple of weeks ago when they were working on Sugar Loaf and it looked like there was alot going on.

They are through with Sugar Loaf and have moved on to Conch. There were those cherry picker type things all the way around it, and on our last day we saw them power blasting the outside of the building getting ready to paint. It seems that they are getting close to finishing everything.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

They are through with Sugar Loaf and have moved on to Conch. There were those cherry picker type things all the way around it, and on our last day we saw them power blasting the outside of the building getting ready to paint. It seems that they are getting close to finishing everything.

Thanks so much! I appreciate the info.

 

[BCV23]

Cool video, minniesota. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mouseturtle]

Staying in Sugar Loaf. So if I want an upper floor, facing pool, with a balcony, do the lodge tower rooms give me all that? And for me and DS12 are they worth asking for? They look charming

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Staying in Sugar Loaf. So if I want an upper floor, facing pool, with a balcony, do the lodge tower rooms give me all that? And for me and DS12 are they worth asking for? They look charming

Top floor lodge tower rooms don't have balconies.