The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[BCV23]

So we made the plunge and are new owners of BLT...

hopefully we will be able to spluge for a night of two cash to visit the GF again.

BCV - I think the GF DCV rumors are happening alot because of the land use plans. There is a large amount of land to be developed directly by the GF and it is slated for resort.


So with the DVC purchase we had to downgrade our room TPV to GV. Now which building should I request again ?

Congratulations and

Welcome Home!!!!



Very interesting about the land use plans. I saw something about that some time ago but it didn't sound definitive to me. Did your guide tell you about it?

When are you planning your first trip home? Congratulations again!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BlueSkies - I know what you mean, even when I'm not on the boards, I think about a trip. When I'm reading about everyone's great vacations, though, it makes it harder to resist!

Figment1990 - that's great that you have two trips on deck, I rarely plan more than one at a time. It's just that, as soon as I get back, I'm ready to go again.

LMO429 - are there DVD players in all the rooms now? I thought they were only in CL rooms. I vaguely remember my DD having to watch her DVDs on our portable player in August, but my memory could be faulty!

 

[leane]

Congratulations and

Welcome Home!!!!



Very interesting about the land use plans. I saw something about that some time ago but it didn't sound definitive to me. Did your guide tell you about it?

When are you planning your first trip home? Congratulations again!

No my guide didnt say anything. I saw a posting on mousowners and read the land use report

we are going home for the first time 2/27. we moved around our gf stay so we could do blt the first night.

Thank you thank you thank you.... so excited

And then we are hoping to get out to FL again for our anniversary in August, then it is AKV/BLT in May and somewhere in Dec. Went from none to 6 in 2 years LOL

 

[leane]

Leanne Congratulations!!! My aunt just stayed at BLT and loved it!!!

My personal GV favorite is Boca Chica...I love that it faces the main building and the courtyard pool...the view is just lovely and especially so at night when everything is all lit up...Also it is pretty close to the dock making it very convenient if you like to use the launches......Many people like Big Pine Key also it is close to the main building and kind of between both pools...

I am sure you will enjoy whatever building that you choose...the GF is such a nice resort!!!

I loved the model. Can't wait to see it. We wont have the best day view but the girls will love the TPV for the one night.

I think I am going to request Big Pine Key. My mom hasn't been feeling well and the shorter the walk the better. Sure wish she would go to the dr.

 

[Figment1990]

Figment1990 - that's great that you have two trips on deck, I rarely plan more than one at a time. It's just that, as soon as I get back, I'm ready to go again.

I usually do the same thing. We actually were planning our next trip for april 2010 (and have been planning that for about 3 years now since its extended family) and then my MIL decided she wanted her whole family to go this christmas. Who am I to argue with that?!

I couldn't get either group to stay at the grand tho... Despite my best efforts!

 

[LMO429]

BlueSkies - I know what you mean, even when I'm not on the boards, I think about a trip. When I'm reading about everyone's great vacations, though, it makes it harder to resist!

Figment1990 - that's great that you have two trips on deck, I rarely plan more than one at a time. It's just that, as soon as I get back, I'm ready to go again.

LMO429 - are there DVD players in all the rooms now? I thought they were only in CL rooms. I vaguely remember my DD having to watch her DVDs on our portable player in August, but my memory could be faulty!

this dec is my first time staying at the grand..we usually stay at beach club they have dvd players in the rooms I just assumed all disney hotels had dvds players

 

[BCV23]

In September, our GF gardenview room did not have a DVD player....at least I sure didn't notice one.

Do you mean your villa had one at BCV or a regular room in the BC? All villas do have them.

leane, that is the danger and joy of DVC....trips get addictive. Have to love the $100 off APs but of course that leads to more trips, more points, more trips..........

I hope your mom feels better soon. Happy DVC planning!

 

[gilsan]

We just booked a week at GF at the end of April

I was wondering how the bus service to AK, DTD, and DHS is. We rented a car last time, but we stayed at POFQ and it was very convenient to have a car. This time since we are at a monorail resort and most restaurants we will be eating at we can get to via the monorail we won't be using a car as much and it may be easier to go without.

I know we have the option of cabs, but we are traveling with DD4 and I don't know what to do about a car seat and the cab.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

 

[suzcruz]

when we were there in june, we had no problems at all with the bus service, it seemed to come very few minutes. the only place i thought it took a long time to get to was DTD but no big deal.

 

[dizneedoll]

We just booked a week at GF at the end of April

I was wondering how the bus service to AK, DTD, and DHS is. We rented a car last time, but we stayed at POFQ and it was very convenient to have a car. This time since we are at a monorail resort and most restaurants we will be eating at we can get to via the monorail we won't be using a car as much and it may be easier to go without.

I know we have the option of cabs, but we are traveling with DD4 and I don't know what to do about a car seat and the cab.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

My DS was 2 and we used a cab a couple of times from POR to other resorts. Both times the cab we got was a van and he sat in the back seat without a car seat. I don't know if that was illegal or because it was a bus it was ok but you can ask at bell services or call yourself and request a cab with a car seat or the van, it may take longer for them to send one but it'll be safer.

 

[gilsan]

My DS was 2 and we used a cab a couple of times from POR to other resorts. Both times the cab we got was a van and he sat in the back seat without a car seat. I don't know if that was illegal or because it was a bus it was ok but you can ask at bell services or call yourself and request a cab with a car seat or the van, it may take longer for them to send one but it'll be safer.

Thanks for the information. I don't want to go in a cab without a carseat. We could bring ours but what do you you do with it at the park

 

[LMO429]

I am curious as well How are the buses at the Grand Floridian to go to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and downtown disney..do they share buses with the poly or contemporary or do they have their own buses.

 

[BCV23]

I am curious as well How are the buses at the Grand Floridian to go to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and downtown disney..do they share buses with the poly or contemporary or do they have their own buses.

The buses are shared...sometimes with the Polynesian and CR but I think more often with WL. The GF is the last stop before the parks.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

The buses are shared...sometimes with the Polynesian and CR but I think more often with WL. The GF is the last stop before the parks.

That's correct. Sometimes the GF will share a bus with the WL and sometimes with the Poly. From what I've gathered from riding them, the GF shares with the WL when returning from the parks and shares with the Poly when going to the parks.

 

[kazzy3]

The lovely GF. Just back from a stay at the Poly spent a little time at GF. Floors are gorgeous. They seem to be doing trim work mostly. There are borders of carpet that are taped so you can tell. I was walking and I kept almost tripping, almost like stubbing a toe. I have mobility issues so it was just me. Rest of family no prob. So if you have any mobility issues just be aware. Also on Thursday the Gingerbread house was up, just needed the extras. Slated to open today. Smells heavenly. Those of you on your way enjoy. In the GF and Poly and parks it seemed Christmas decorations increased daily. Should be a good amount this week.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

Can someone tell me how long of a cab ride it is from GF to DTD? Also, what was the approximate cost? thanks!

 

[BCV23]

That's correct. Sometimes the GF will share a bus with the WL and sometimes with the Poly. From what I've gathered from riding them, the GF shares with the WL when returning from the parks and shares with the Poly when going to the parks.

I don't think it's that simple although I sure haven't figured it out! I've never taken a bus to a park from the GF as we always drive. However, sometimes after lunch I've ridden back to the resort if my DH and DS2 are staying at the park. I've been on both routes going back. Perhaps it is by time of day or by season? I suppose I could ask a driver one of these trips.

The lovely GF. Just back from a stay at the Poly spent a little time at GF. Floors are gorgeous. They seem to be doing trim work mostly. There are borders of carpet that are taped so you can tell. I was walking and I kept almost tripping, almost like stubbing a toe. I have mobility issues so it was just me. Rest of family no prob. So if you have any mobility issues just be aware. Also on Thursday the Gingerbread house was up, just needed the extras. Slated to open today. Smells heavenly. Those of you on your way enjoy. In the GF and Poly and parks it seemed Christmas decorations increased daily. Should be a good amount this week.

Don't feel badly. I've done that "almost trip" in the GF since they first started prep work many months ago. It's like there is a rim where the carpet meets the hard floor.

Good to hear they are nearly finished. Thanks for the report.

 

[phyllis1966]

Hey everyone!

We just got back late Saturday night from what may have been our best-ever trip to WDW and GF stay! It started out magically - for the first time ever in 7 stays at the GF since 2002, we were upgraded! We were checking in at the front desk at about 11 am with Barb, a very nice lady. We asked what building we'd be in, and she said Conch Key (yay!), 4th floor (yay again!). Then she looks at the computer screen again and says, "Oh, I see you've received an upgrade." Huh? So DH asks what she means, and she tells us that all 3 rooms (my parents and DH's parents came along this time) have been upgraded to the Theme Park view and are all together in a row, with us in the middle.

The rooms were 7426, 7427, and 7428 and it looked as if we could just reach out and touch that castle. The view was especially lovely at night, and even moreso once those crystal lights were on the castle as of the 10th. What a way to start a vacation! I'll post some pics when I get them into the computer. I told DH that I'm totally spoiled now, and we'll have to book that view from now on!

They were painting the outside of Conch Key, but it didn't bother us. The floors, as others have reported, are almost done, and the Gingerbread House (we got some yummy samples!) was done by the time we checked out, but wasn't opening until yesterday.

None of the grumpy CM's people have been talking about were evident to us, in fact, 9 out of 10 CM's were happy as can be, some even singing and dancing around as they went about their work!

Any questions, ask away! It helps with the end-of-vacation blues...

 

[BCV23]

phyllis1966, welcome back and thanks for updating us. Congrats on the upgrade. We've had that view from Conch Key three times....it's amazing, isn't it? It must have been especially magical once the castle was in its holiday finery.

Did you dine at any Gf restaurants this trip?

Can't wait to see your photos.

 

[mgeez]

Is there any schedule of the entertainment (band, piano player, etc) ever published in advance. I am planning to take my parents to DW GF in Dec and want them to expierience the sounds of the GF band and piano players.