The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[k&a&c'smom]

Can you believe I finally figured out how to post photos?

Way to go! I'll be looking forward to many more!

 

[minniesota]

Hi, k&a&c'smom! Thank you.

Can you believe I finally figured out how to post photos?

Yeah! BCV23 learned how to post photos!Love the floor pics! Can't wait to see them in person...

 

[Maxie86]

Hi, k&a&c'smom! Thank you.

Can you believe I finally figured out how to post photos?

Glad you figured out how to post pictures. Great job.

We had a very nice trip but it was too short. Thanks for asking. We did a Poly-GF split.

I am not so sure you would still be able to hear the band in Mizners if they don't move the bandstand back. We didn't go in there this trip, so can't say for sure. You can't hear the piano player very well in there.

 

[BCV23]

Way to go! I'll be looking forward to many more!

k&a&c'smom, I want to thank both you and johnsonet for your helpful advice about posting photos. Thanks for pointing me to the tutorial in the tech forum as well.

Yeah! BCV23 learned how to post photos!Love the floor pics! Can't wait to see them in person...

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Glad you figured out how to post pictures. Great job.

We had a very nice trip but it was too short. Thanks for asking. We did a Poly-GF split.

I am not so sure you would still be able to hear the band in Mizners if they don't move the bandstand back. We didn't go in there this trip, so can't say for sure. You can't hear the piano player very well in there.

Thanks.

Glad you had a nice trip. Two of our very favorite resorts...great combination.

We didn't go into Mizner's this trip either. But the band is louder than the piano, Mizner's is relatively open to the lobby, and the band is on the same floor. In addition, the band is now facing Mizner's instead of away. Like you, I just don't know.

 

[BlueSkies]

BCV WTG on figuring out how to post your pics!!! They are lovely...and those floor details!!....cant wait to see it in person...

Hi k&a&c'smom

Maxie!!!

Desnik You are a short timer!!!

 

[leane]

So if there are any DVC members here can you give me a little advice.
I am thinking of purchasing DVC but dont want to switch from the GF.
How can I make that happen? I was looking at points, it is so expensive to stay point wise GF if we want to go back in 2011...

 

[rie'smom]

So if there are any DVC members here can you give me a little advice.
I am thinking of purchasing DVC but dont want to switch from the GF.
How can I make that happen? I was looking at points, it is so expensive to stay point wise GF if we want to go back in 2011...

I used pts a couple of years ago for a GF stay. It's not worth it. The GF is beautiful but those pts are better used staying in a DVC resort. But into DVC after your trip or buy now and don't use the pts.

 

[Desnik]

So if there are any DVC members here can you give me a little advice.
I am thinking of purchasing DVC but dont want to switch from the GF.
How can I make that happen? I was looking at points, it is so expensive to stay point wise GF if we want to go back in 2011...

Trust me once you stay in a one bedroom DVC room you won't miss the GF! Yes the GF is beautiful, but as far as the room size and amenities, it doesn't compare to a one bedroom. If you want to be on the monorail, you can stay at the new BLT. DVC points are best used for DVC resorts. You could rent out your points one year and use that cash to pay for a room at the GF if you really want to stay there once in awhile. But do not buy DVC if you want to stay at the GF on every trip. Have you seen pictures of AKL, BLT and the other DVC resorts and rooms?

 

[girli565]

I just booked my first GF stay because we got a 40% off PIN! I'm getting married at WDW June 14, 2010 and this Pin made it possible for us to stay at the GF during that time.

I ended up booking Outer Lodge club level. Now I know what concierge gets us but what building is outer lodge? I hope it's not a trek to transportation or the monorail.

 

[rie'smom]

I just booked my first GF stay because we got a 40% off PIN! I'm getting married at WDW June 14, 2010 and this Pin made it possible for us to stay at the GF during that time.

I ended up booking Outer Lodge club level. Now I know what concierge gets us but what building is outer lodge? I hope it's not a trek to transportation or the monorail.

The outer lodge is Sugar Loaf. Here's a link to the GF map:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/grandflomap.htm
As you can see SL is not far from the main building. My husband and I stayed in SL before and it was very nice.

 

[BCV23]

So if there are any DVC members here can you give me a little advice.
I am thinking of purchasing DVC but dont want to switch from the GF.
How can I make that happen? I was looking at points, it is so expensive to stay point wise GF if we want to go back in 2011...

We're members. As others said, using points to stay at the GF is not a good use of points. If you are certain that you only want to stay at the GF, DVC is not for you. There are rumors from time to time about a GF DVC but for now....

Since the points for weekends have been twice as expensive as weekdays, we've satisfied our desire to stay at the Polynesian and GF by booking them for weekends. For shorter stays, we have arrived on Wed or Th and stayed at the regular resort for 3 or 4 nights. Then we've moved to a one or 2 BR. I agree with Desnik, a resort room just doesn't compare to a one BR or larger. For longer stays, we've done 5 nights in a villa, two weekend nights at a resort, 5 more nights in a villa.

The points have been adjusted for 2010 making weekdays more expensive than before and weekends cheaper. We are still playing around with things but suspect we'll be using our points more often on weekends in the future so probably won't be staying at the GF and Polynesian as often. I do have our next GF stay booked though.

If you own at BLT, it is so easy to enjoy the restaurants, shops and ambiance of the GF. It's just a monorail ride away.

I would try a 1 BR before buying and see what you think.

 

[dpndka]

I got a PIN for 40% off during first half of 2010. I think I will book GF for March or May. Any advice on which month would be better based on any special events that may take place at the resort?

 

[leane]

I have no clue how to quote more than 1 post

SO anyway. After looking at the cost and then the cost when i want to go back in 2011 ... it was $3000 or so more to do the DVC...
Then I looked at my ADR's I have 4 at Cont. and none at the GF... hhhmmm

The only thing we had planned at the GF was a photo session and massage from no meals...

So we did it.

Sad to say we will not be staying at the beautiful GF tpv for 8 days instead we are staying at BLT 2br lagoon view... i have an email into the rep to see if we can upgrade to the MK view Fingers crossed ixiedust:

 

[dizneedoll]

I have no clue how to quote more than 1 post

QUOTE]

Leane,
Down at the bottom of the posts to the right of the "quote" button is the multi-quote button. Click that for each post you want to quote and on the last post you want to quote just click the regular quote button on the left. I hope that makes sense

 

[leane]

I have no clue how to quote more than 1 post

QUOTE]

Leane,
Down at the bottom of the posts to the right of the "quote" button is the multi-quote button. Click that for each post you want to quote and on the last post you want to quote just click the regular quote button on the left. I hope that makes sense

Thanks!

 

[Mouseturtle]

The outer lodge is Sugar Loaf. Here's a link to the GF map:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/grandflomap.htm
As you can see SL is not far from the main building. My husband and I stayed in SL before and it was very nice.

I looove Sugar Loaf. You need your key to access the building which makes you feel like a VIP. And there is a special conierge desk in the lobby as well as the snacks. It's very convenient to the pool and the main building. We're going back in May. You're gonna love it!

 

[leane]

We're members. As others said, using points to stay at the GF is not a good use of points. If you are certain that you only want to stay at the GF, DVC is not for you. There are rumors from time to time about a GF DVC but for now....


If you own at BLT, it is so easy to enjoy the restaurants, shops and ambiance of the GF. It's just a monorail ride away.

I would try a 1 BR before buying and see what you think.

Thanks for the info. I have put on a breaks a little. I think we might try and downgrade to GV in March (TPV for 2 rooms is $2284) and take the tours. But at the same time saving $$$ from this trip would be nice if we fork out $20000 for BLT or 13000 for BCV. If I can ask.. i see you have been to both BLT and BCV. Family of 4 here 2 dds 7 & 6 I am thinking BCV would be the better choice. your opinion ?
I am so indecisive if it would be ok to trust and book without the tour. I also need to get this UY under my belt. He said we could get a loaded contract now with a DEC 09 UY use 09 10 for this trip which would save us $8000 on the GF stay ... decisions decisions.....

 

[nerdyone]

We arrive at the GF on 11/15. I haven't stayed there since the Hotel opened when I was a kid and it had just opened. We have a garden view room. Any building that I should request with a two year old?

 

[cosmicrays]

Hey everyone I have some news.
Just got an alert from my TAs facebook page that the GF RPC is now charging for MK views and that it is a room category available now. I guess I should not be surprised as they are doing this at the CR and the Poly and also charge for the bunk bed rooms at the WL and AKL.

Here is the link to her facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/*********************/100802887433?ref=ts

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the info. I have put on a breaks a little. I think we might try and downgrade to GV in March (TPV for 2 rooms is $2284) and take the tours. But at the same time saving $$$ from this trip would be nice if we fork out $20000 for BLT or 13000 for BCV. If I can ask.. i see you have been to both BLT and BCV. Family of 4 here 2 dds 7 & 6 I am thinking BCV would be the better choice. your opinion ?
I am so indecisive if it would be ok to trust and book without the tour. I also need to get this UY under my belt. He said we could get a loaded contract now with a DEC 09 UY use 09 10 for this trip which would save us $8000 on the GF stay ... decisions decisions.....

Leane, have you spent much time on the DVC forums? There are some real experts over there in terms of the ins and outs of the financial side of DVC.

Those resorts in my signature are those at which we have points. My DH and I absolutely love BCV. So far we've only stayed at BLT once. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and love forward to using our points there as well. We have vacations booked there for Dec. and May.

The contracts are for so long that I would buy where you think you would be happiest without considering the ages of your girls. Their preferences might change several times over. Both resorts do have much to offer them at their current ages though. SAB is fantastic and we really enjoy Dune Coves pool as well. The pool at BLT is nice and the slide is fun according to my DH. Both resorts offer activities for children. Both have many restaurants in their respective areas that are easy to access. That is an important part of Disney trips for us. Most people would consider the views at BLT far superior to BCV. Our villa in September had a drop dead view of Bay Lake....fantastic. However, we also enjoy the quiet views at BCV.

When you say book without the tour, do you mean buy or just book a single trip through Disney Reservation Center? I personally wouldn't buy without doing some research. We did the DVC tour in 94 or 95ish but didn't buy until BCV went on sale in 02. We bought there before it opened but had done quite a bit of DIS research. Since the two resorts you wish to buy are both open, I would consider trying them both or at least visiting them since you have a trip coming up soon.

One big advantage of BLT IMO is the second bathroom in a one bedroom. Very convenient.

Don't forget to include the cost of yearly dues in your calculations.

Just to get on topic , if there were to be a GF DVC, would you buy there?

Good luck with your decisions.