The **NEW** Grand Floridian FAQ!(MAY 2011)

[Nicole786]

Subscribing to this thread!

So excited
I promised my mom years ago I would take her to the GF for Mother's Day one day. Well, after a rocky 2011 (Mostly, my grandfather passing away) I'm taking my mom and my grandmother to Disney! Mom thinks we're staying at POP with a "strong possibility" of staying at Port Orleans. Little does she know, I've been saving and saving, and I can't wait to pull off this surprise!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic and pas130 - I certainly understand the desire to stay elsewhere until all construction has finished. The GF is the most expensive property, and we are debating staying at BC or AKL until everything is completed. On the other hand, most guests are reporting little to no impact, so we may take the chance - we can always move if we find it unacceptable.

This was our thoughts as well. Being we spend a pretty penny to stay at the GF we want our vacations to be peaceful. Don't get me started on that ugly green beach wall. DH is not a happy camper with the wall and I'm not either. Sitting on the beach and looking out at the water is one of my favorite things about the GF. Oh well, I guess there's no use in complaining as we can't change it. I will be happy when the construction is done so I can come back home.

I saw the aerial views of the construction and it doesn't look like they are even close the starting the building. So you should be fine. Like you said, you could always move if not happy.

The noise is no bother. We stayed at SSR when it was still a work in progress. I just love the beach and beach pool, and the wall being up kills me!! I miss it there so much though

Your trip will be great! I also am missing the Grand, but I am eagerly awaitng the construction to finish so I can go back!!!!

When we first saw the pictures of the ugly green wall, DH and I looked at each other and we were like, NOOOOOO!!!

I know we will have a great time at the BC. I am looking forward to it and the extra space of the deluxe room is going to be a hit. Also, I don't have to do laundry while at the BC because we are headed to BLT for the second half of our trip. No laundry for me to do for 4 days is heaven.

 

[pas130]

Subscribing to this thread!

So excited
I promised my mom years ago I would take her to the GF for Mother's Day one day. Well, after a rocky 2011 (Mostly, my grandfather passing away) I'm taking my mom and my grandmother to Disney! Mom thinks we're staying at POP with a "strong possibility" of staying at Port Orleans. Little does she know, I've been saving and saving, and I can't wait to pull off this surprise!

That is wonderful. Sorry about your Grandfather's passing what an amazing surprise for you Mom!!!!

This was our thoughts as well. Being we spend a pretty penny to stay at the GF we want our vacations to be peaceful. Don't get me started on that ugly green beach wall. DH is not a happy camper with the wall and I'm not either. Sitting on the beach and looking out at the water is one of my favorite things about the GF. Oh well, I guess there's no use in complaining as we can't change it. I will be happy when the construction is done so I can come back home.

I saw the aerial views of the construction and it doesn't look like they are even close the starting the building. So you should be fine. Like you said, you could always move if not happy.

It took every ounce of willpower NOT to book Sugarloaf today, we are at Poly...but just a monorail stop away....then we are off to BWI, which my DD7 thinks is "pretty like her Grand Floridian" I do hope she likes it there...she said no clown pool, only quiet pool for her

You'll have a great trip, and we will all get back to the Grand soon, just not soon enough

pas130 - I understand, we love the pools, too, and a wall right off the beach pool doesn't sound very enticing. Part of the charm is being able to look out over the lagoon.

It's all good. The view of the Grand from the Poly will be fantastic IMO...we will make it back there!!!!

jungle cruiser Another lovely picture!!!!

 

[Nicole786]

There's a lot of talk about the construction going on which I didn't consider, but now I'm getting worried. I thought the construction was isolated to the wedding pavilion? Is it obstructing the middle of the resort as well?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Nicole786 - Welcome! What a wonderful surprise for your mother and grandmother, you are going to love the GF. Such a lovely idea for Mother's Day, the resort is so pretty.

The construction is centered around the beach and Wedding Pavilion - nothing going on in the center of the resort. The last few posts we've been discussing the construction barriers that have been erected near the beach pool. It affects the beach pool esthetics, but not the pool itself, I'm sure. If you'd like to see some photos, go back through the last 10 pages or so, several recent guests have posted.

Good luck, I think you'll have a Grand vacation.

Jungle Cruiser - I have been enjoying your photos very much!

pas130 - Yes, the view of the GF from the Poly is lovely.

CoachBagFanatic - thanks for the info on the aerial views, I hadn't thought of that - I'm going to pop over there and take a look.

 

[Cibahwewah]

Only 1 week away! Got an email from GF IPO yesterday---requested a king bed not too close to the lounge at SL (thanks pas130 for that tip) and got a call from V&A's today. They asked about food allergies and confirmed that we knew about the dress code (no Mickey ears or flipflops). Getting excited!

 

[Disney-Kim]

addiedisney - You are most welcome! The codes often confound many, as everyone finds them curious.

I should have said in my last post the room assigners used to assign rooms 3-4 days prior to your arrival, when your reservation was downloaded to the resort. Even then, no one could get their assignment prior to check in, as it isn't set in stone. If a current guest needs a re-assignment (for instance, don't like view or floor, or a maintenance issue occurs), the guests not yet checked in can be moved to other rooms as necessary.

A year or more ago, WDW switched to a computer system that assigns rooms, and I'm not clear on how it works - but it certainly seems to be very fluid, and rooms can and do get switched around as guests check in.

HTH!

xrobx - Welcome! Congrats on your first GF stay, and so soon!

As psac posted, the TPV rooms should not be impacted at all in regards to view. All of these rooms face the CR and MK, although a few end rooms in Big Pine Key may have a panoramic view that includes the Wedding Pavilion, and therefore the construction. I would probably request Sago Cay or Conch Key, as those buildings are furthest from the construction area and are not likely to see the mess.

In regards to noise, most recently returned guests have stated they have not heard anything. I hope this is still the case in March, but there is really no way to tell. Keep following here on this thread, I'm sure there will be reports as the construction progresses to help you.

Disbug1 - Welcome! I'm not at all familiar with the NYE party, hopefully someone will pop in who can answer your question.

Disney-Kim - I have quite a few room photos, and will be glad to post some after I run a few errands. Is there an angle or room amenity you particularly want to see?

There is a GF photo thread in the photography board. Here is the link, some of them go way back and have been deleted, but you should be able to find a lot of photos: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1768829

CoachBagFanatic and pas130 - I certainly understand the desire to stay elsewhere until all construction has finished. The GF is the most expensive property, and we are debating staying at BC or AKL until everything is completed. On the other hand, most guests are reporting little to no impact, so we may take the chance - we can always move if we find it unacceptable.

I would love to see garden view rooms..just enjoy researching
I will go check out the picture thread

 

[pas130]

pas130 - Yes, the view of the GF from the Poly is lovely.

I really miss my Grand

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Cibahwewah - I'm excited for you, only a week to go! LOL about the Mickey ears and flip flops. Don't you love the call from V&A's?! Makes it seem more real, somehow.

I really miss my Grand

Me, too.~sigh~

DisneyKim - All of the rooms have the same decor and layout. Do you mean you would like to see the views from garden view rooms? I have a few I can post.
View of the marina from Sago Cay, second floor

Sago Cay, you can see SL and Conch Key across the marina

Big Pine Key, 4th floor

BPK, looking to the right, you can see Boca Chica and the back of the pool house

View of the marina from Conch Key, 5th floor

Conch Key, looking across the marina to the end of Sago Cay

Back side of Sago Cay, looking towards Convention Center

Sago Cay, looking straight, monorail track

Sago, looking right towards MK

 

[Lulu'sMom]

Oh! What beautiful pictures posted by everyone!!!!

I'm just now pulling out from some respiratory problems, thank God I am feeling better~!

DH is about to give in for an extra night on our trip, and it can be at the GF, but not RPC. I told him GV and request marina would be a way not to see the construction. HE really is not into paying the BUCKS for a place with major construction going on.

Well, I am going to WDW~!!!!! Yippee! And this is our first Spring Break trip and our first trip in 10 years WITHOUT CONCIERGE.
This is going to be.....different. Keeping a gratiful and upbeat attitude about all of this.

I foresee lots of room service....

Sending lots of

 

[Lulu'sMom]

For everyone about to go and stay at the GF~have a GRAND and fabulous time! It truely is the most awesome place!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Lulu'sMom - I'm sorry to hear you have been under the weather, but so glad you are feeling better.

How wonderful you are heading down so soon, I'm sure you will have a great time. We alternate between CL and non-CL, and most of the time we have a blast whichever category we choose. If we have a lot of table service restaurants booked, it seems wasteful to stay CL - we never spend any time in the lounge!

With the dining online now, it is just as simple to change our own reservations, so chatting with the CMs is the biggest perk in those instances. I enjoy their company, but not sure I'm willing to pay $100+/night for the privilege.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

It took every ounce of willpower NOT to book Sugarloaf today, we are at Poly...but just a monorail stop away....then we are off to BWI, which my DD7 thinks is "pretty like her Grand Floridian" I do hope she likes it there...she said no clown pool, only quiet pool for her

You'll have a great trip, and we will all get back to the Grand soon, just not soon enough

Nice the Poly and then BWI. I don't blame your DD at all regarding the "Creepy Clown Pool".

CoachBagFanatic - thanks for the info on the aerial views, I hadn't thought of that - I'm going to pop over there and take a look.

The aerial views are so cool. Awesome pictures of th GF. Makes me want to be walking down to the marina to rent a water mouse.

 

[KerryCM]

I just booked our first stay at the Grand!! We usually stay at the BW, but nothing available with my cast discount. It is our 40th anniversary and we had a change of plans, was going on a cruise, due to my husband's health.

We are really looking forward to a nice relaxing vacation so Jim can rest after having his surgery. We will be there March 1-7. Really looking forward to visiting a new resort. This thread has been very helpful, so thanks.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

I just booked our first stay at the Grand!! We usually stay at the BW, but nothing available with my cast discount. It is our 40th anniversary and we had a change of plans, was going on a cruise, due to my husband's health.

We are really looking forward to a nice relaxing vacation so Jim can rest after having his surgery. We will be there March 1-7. Really looking forward to visiting a new resort. This thread has been very helpful, so thanks.

Dear sweet, Kerry!!!
I tell you......ONE of these days we're going to be at the same place at the same time!

I did not know about Jim having surgery! Poor man! I hope is going well for him and you!
You and Jim have a wonderful time at the Grand, you're going to LOVE it!

 

[Lulu'sMom]

I just booked our first stay at the Grand!! We usually stay at the BW, but nothing available with my cast discount. It is our 40th anniversary and we had a change of plans, was going on a cruise, due to my husband's health.

We are really looking forward to a nice relaxing vacation so Jim can rest after having his surgery. We will be there March 1-7. Really looking forward to visiting a new resort. This thread has been very helpful, so thanks.

Dear sweet, Kerry!!! So, so excited for you!!!!
I tell you......ONE of these days we're going to be at the same place at the same time!

I did not know about Jim having surgery! Poor man! I hope is going well for him and you!
You and Jim have a wonderful time at the Grand, you're going to LOVE it!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - I have the Bing maps link on the first page, but found this one on another site: http://dizfanatic.com/Documents/sKeating028_DVC_Grand_Floridian_2012-01-12.jpg
Do you have links to any others? I love the aerial views of the World!

KerryCM - Hello, friend! So glad to hear from you, it has been a long time.

Sorry to hear your DH has had health issues/surgery, I hope he is feeling better. I think you will love the Grand! Great place to relax and recoup.

Congrats on your 40th anniversary.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Cibahwewah - I'm excited for you, only a week to go! LOL about the Mickey ears and flip flops. Don't you love the call from V&A's?! Makes it seem more real, somehow.



Me, too.~sigh~

DisneyKim - All of the rooms have the same decor and layout. Do you mean you would like to see the views from garden view rooms? I have a few I can post.
View of the marina from Sago Cay, second floor]

Thank you so much! I think I'm going to request being by the marina...the views look very nice and QUIET!

 

[ethanwa]

We're at the Grand right now for two weeks. Here are my first-time stay impressions:

- We're in room 7131 Conch Key Theme Park View (2 queen beds). The room in a corner room right next to Narcoossee's right in front of the boat launch. Two trees are split on the left and right side, and the Magic Kingdom is dead center. The view is AMAZING, even from the first floor.... in fact, I prefer the first floor after staying here now! We're right on the lake pretty much. Plus my 6 and 4 year old running around won't bother anywhere next to us or below us. If I had a choice of Club level without Theme Park view or this room, I'd choose this room for sure. It's magical, private, and comfortable.

- The pictures online of the hotel and the rooms don't do the hotel justice AT ALL. Our room has a VERY high ceiling and a large bathroom area. The hotel is HUGE and the resort it much bigger than I expected. The downside of our room is that it is a walk to the main building, and a LONG walk (for the kids at least) to self parking or the beach area. The pictures online make the resort look old, but there are marble floors and carved wood everywhere. The Disney shops are really nice. The one on the 2nd floor is big with more kid friendly stuff. I like that they have a men's store as well.

- The hotel is definitely built for the luxury no-kids type of person, but obviously kids are welcomed. I like the hotel and the atmosphere, but we won't stay here again (mainly because we want to try other Disney resorts). I am all about the fancy stuff, and I often go to the Wynn/Encore in Vegas with my wife and get high-end hotels when I travel, but with kids there are too many no-kid older people here. It almost kinda drains the atmosphere a little bit. The theme is kinda boring for the kids as well. Many people are over-dressed for Disney World (even the people not going to a wedding) and some act like they deserve the world to the Cast Members... I feel bad for them sometimes. It's like I see a lot of grandparents without their grandkids here. I felt like Disney tried to hide the Disney here.... hidden Mickey's everywhere and things like that, but no in-your-face Disney, which little kids love.

- My kids did the Alice Tea Party here. They LOVED it and it was them and just 3 other girls. Totally worth it, treated them like royalty, one-on-one time with Alice and Mad Hater, and tons of PhotoPass people there taking pictures the whole time. Parents were not allowed for the hour though, which was kinda disappointed to my wife.

- Tip of the day: Look inside of your green Grand Floridian welcomes book. When you first open it, look to the left. There are free envelopes, paper, and a postcards with amazing letterhead on it all from Grand Floridian. I plan to take it all home.

- There is no noticeable construction at all in the areas that I have been to. If I wouldn't have read on this forum, I wouldn't even notice anything.

- There was a 35% bounceback offer in our room already when we checked in for Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts. MANY days available.

- Overall, the resort beats my expectations, by a lot. Even with some small things that bug me, it's great!

I will be uploading large map scans and pictures, as well as video and pictures, when I get home.

I will add more as the trip progresses.

 

[psac]

Great review! Please keep posting.