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

[pas130]

KOOK, thank you so much for all the construction photos. it is a shame to see so much of the beach is now barracked off. the crane is an eyesore, but it's not unexpected. I presume you are happy with your decision not to stay at the RPC with that view It is also clear that there will be rooms at the Poly with a view of the construction/crane.

The pictures of the Easter Egg display are wonderful. I am sorry they will be gone a few days before I arrive. However there will be many other things at the GF to make me smile

Yes thank you Kook!!! The crane really throws the whole thing off...but the rest of the resort is beautiful how lucky to see the Easter Eggs, thanks for th pictures!!!

Jungle Cruiser there will be plenty to make you smile NEXT WEEK

 

[k&a&c'smom]

sfmarine - I see, thanks for the explanation, I can understand your dilemma! LOL about the chunk out of your wallet!

WDWKOOK - thanks for the photos! Wow, I didn't realize the beach would be blocked off nearly to the Summerhouse landing. The beach pool is surrounded, but it looks like it is still open, at least. Looks like the beach pool bar is within the fencing, so I assume it is not available to patrons?

 

[bethclayton]

KOOK, thank you so much for those pictures. they will really help me mentally prepare. i have to say, i am so sad seeing them- last time we stayed there my kids kept wanting to go on the beach, but we only ever had enough time for a few minutes here and there. they particularly loved the hammock. this trip is supposed to be much more low key and we promised the kids we'd spend lots of time in the hammock and on the beach. and now there is no hammock and the tiny patch of beach that is left has zero ambience. it's not like it's going to ruin our trip, but this is very likely our last time staying there and i feel badly that i inadvertently misled my kids.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

sfmarine - I see, thanks for the explanation, I can understand your dilemma! LOL about the chunk out of your wallet!

WDWKOOK - thanks for the photos! Wow, I didn't realize the beach would be blocked off nearly to the Summerhouse landing. The beach pool is surrounded, but it looks like it is still open, at least. Looks like the beach pool bar is within the fencing, so I assume it is not available to patrons?

I didn't expect so much of the beach to be blocked off and no hammock for me. However, unless someone else chimes in, I will be able to give you the answer to the pool bar question in a week!

 

[mindy20]

This is going to be our 1st stay at Grand Floridian, Ive wanted to stay here for years. But now I am rethinking it, it looks like the construction has went from really not being a big deal to A VERY BIG DEAL ! Should I switch to Poly ? There are 5 of us me, dh, and 3 kids 2,3,&5 ?? Please help me make the right decision.

 

[pas130]

This is going to be our 1st stay at Grand Floridian, Ive wanted to stay here for years. But now I am rethinking it, it looks like the construction has went from really not being a big deal to A VERY BIG DEAL ! Should I switch to Poly ? There are 5 of us me, dh, and 3 kids 2,3,&5 ?? Please help me make the right decision.

Is the beach affected. Yes! The pool itself is open, so honestly your kids most likely will not mind the view. They might like the crane... The courtyard pool is bigger than the Poly quiet pool, and is unaffected by construction. . If you have a lagoon view room, IMO I would switch to GV or TPV.

That said we are staing at the Poly next month. Me, I'd take the GF over the Poly anyday. Guaranteed balcony. Unsurpassed CMs. I like te theming at GF better...my DH loves the Poly. We have been ping ponging between Poly and GF since last year

If the construction is a big deal, I'd switch. But you will probaly still have a fantastic trip if you stay at the Grand...and it is your dream right???? Maybe stay there now before the DVC building is done....my suggestion...look through Poly and GF pics...which hs more pull? Either resort is quite amazing, just different

 

[mindy20]

THank you Pas130, you have put me at ease, I know many people love the Poly but I have always felt like it needed a major referb. How is the slide at the Grand pool vs the slide at the poly pool ? Also I have a cabana rented for the day we arrive, is that something we should cancel because of the construction ?

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

WDWKook - thank you for the pictures! Helps me be prepared for what it'll look like when we're there. What is that building by the pool that looks like it has white material in front of it? Believe it or not, last time we stayed at GF we never ventured to the feature pool. We spent the whole trip thinking the courtyard pool was the main pool.

My new DME docs came today - now we are ready to roll! Just have to get through Easter and a birthday party for my little one.

JungleCruiser - I'll pm you my cell if you want to text. Would love to meet some Dis'ers while there!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - no hammock! I was surprised to see so much of the beach blocked, too, as I've seen photos from just a couple weeks ago and it wasn't yet included in the construction.~sigh~

Thanks, I'll be looking forward to your updates next week!

bethclayton - aww! So sorry your visit will have so much construction going on. I hope you have a good visit anyway.

mindy20 - It's tough to say whether you should switch or not. For reference, we have stayed at the GF during major renovations the last 3 out of 4 years, if I recall correctly. It had little impact on our overall stay.

If it were me, I would cancel the cabana. You won't have much of a view, and I wouldn't want to pay the extra fee for limited pool access. For instance, you may decide you'd rather hang out at the courtyard pool.

LittleStinkerbelle - ME docs, YAY! Glad they arrived in plenty of time, I know it is a relief.

The building with the red roof and white canvas in front is the pool bar.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

LittleStinkerbelle - ME docs, YAY! Glad they arrived in plenty of time, I know it is a relief.

The building with the red roof and white canvas in front is the pool bar.

Ah, the bar, thank you!

Yes, big relief to have our docs in time!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Taken in the lobby:

Am I the only one who thinks WDWKOOK caught this bunny in the act of something sinister? Looks like he may be hiding the loot under those oh so innocent flowers in his backpack........

 

[Fishy&2guppies]

We just got back a couple of weeks ago, the beach was not blocked off then, so sad to see that it is now. After the past few visits at the GF and some instances that were not pleasant, we decided to stay offsite. It did not feel the same and no one was happy. We stopped by the GF to go to Basin and I had two crying girls in the lobby because they didn't want to leave. They love it there. It was like we were not even on vacation. Just booked another trip this morning and we will be back in the fall at the GF-RPC. We tried it offsite and away from what we know, we wanted a change. Now that we have experienced it, it isn't for us. Can't wait to get back to the GF, even if under construction.

Does anyone know how long the beach will be blocked off, is it for the entire time of construction?

 

[nonzerosum]

We just returned yesterday from 12 days at the GF. Once I've dug myself out from under the pile of post vacation to-dos, I will post all of my thoughts and experiences on our stay. In the meantime, however, I just wanted to give a heads up to people about the construction. For the first part of the trip, it was not so bad. The walk from the GF to the Poly was okay, and Disney certainly does it's best with trying to minimize the ugliness of construction, however we did miss seeing the beach. The first time we walked past the construction walls toward the Poly, my DS5 light up with excitement and went on and on about how lucky the people at the Poly were to have a beach. He asked that we make it a part of our daily routine to walk along the beach by the Poly. It was obvious that there really isn't much of a beach left at the GF. This became glaringly evident when more walls went up a few days ago around the beach pool rendering it beachless. Essentially the walls are placed where the beach used to begin, right as you enter the zero entry side of the pool. Also alot of the surrounding beach was swallowed up in this erection of walls. Like most things at Disney that just seem to magically appear out of nowhere, the latest beach swallowing construction walls seemed to arrive with the wave of Tinkerbell's wand. To answer a PP's question about cancelling the cabana, there would be no question for me...I would definitely cancel as your view is a construction wall. We only went to the Beach Pool once and this was because of the lack of view. At least at the other pool you have a view of the pretty building all around you.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Thanks for the info about the construction nonzerosum. I'm sad that the beautiful beach is blocked off but encouraged that the path to the poly is still open as we love that walk and sometimes even walk to the ttc. Looking forward to hearing the rest of your thoughts.

I wonder if this is it for construction walls for right now - hoping there's not more before we arrive ; )

 

[bethclayton]

We just returned yesterday from 12 days at the GF. Once I've dug myself out from under the pile of post vacation to-dos, I will post all of my thoughts and experiences on our stay. In the meantime, however, I just wanted to give a heads up to people about the construction. For the first part of the trip, it was not so bad. The walk from the GF to the Poly was okay, and Disney certainly does it's best with trying to minimize the ugliness of construction, however we did miss seeing the beach. The first time we walked past the construction walls toward the Poly, my DS5 light up with excitement and went on and on about how lucky the people at the Poly were to have a beach. He asked that we make it a part of our daily routine to walk along the beach by the Poly. It was obvious that there really isn't much of a beach left at the GF. This became glaringly evident when more walls went up a few days ago around the beach pool rendering it beachless. Essentially the walls are placed where the beach used to begin, right as you enter the zero entry side of the pool. Also alot of the surrounding beach was swallowed up in this erection of walls. Like most things at Disney that just seem to magically appear out of nowhere, the latest beach swallowing construction walls seemed to arrive with the wave of Tinkerbell's wand. To answer a PP's question about cancelling the cabana, there would be no question for me...I would definitely cancel as your view is a construction wall. We only went to the Beach Pool once and this was because of the lack of view. At least at the other pool you have a view of the pretty building all around you.

Thank you so much for this information. It helps me to be mentally prepared for this sort of thing.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Grace&Caroline'smom -

Fishy&2guppies - I can understand your desire to get back to the GF, we miss it when we've visited other resorts/locations, too.

As far as I know, there has been no indication of the timeline for the construction. I would be very surprised to hear of one, as Disney is notoriously secretive about their projects. Probably feel they will be inundated with complaints if the schedule doesn't go as planned - though I assume they are getting those complaints now, with the blockage of the pool!

nonzerosum - thanks for the review, and the update on construction. Sorry to hear it negatively affected a good portion of your trip, it is sad to see the beach blocked completely from view and use!

I will be looking forward to your full review, when you have time to share more of your thoughts.

Ah, the bar, thank you!

Here are a few photos to give you a better idea of what is behind those canvas walls!
Path to the pool from main building, bar on left, pool house w/restrooms, etc. on right

Looking from the path leading to the pool

Back of the pool house from the path

Front of the pool house, path leading to beach

Close up of the action!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I know it's disappointing to be visiting during this construction, however the beauty of the layout of the GF is most of the guests can't see the construction from their rooms. There will be so many places to be at the resort, outside included, with beautiful views where you can be oblivious to the construction. I am sad that I won't be able to relax on my favorite hammock , but there are plenty of chaises with my name on them ! As for the pools, at least they are both open and the courtyard pool isn't affected.

Heck, in 6 days I will be at the GF, construction or not and I am sooo excited!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Heck, in 6 days I will be at the GF, construction or not and I am sooo excited!

I don't blame you!

You are right about the layout, it makes it easier to avoid the construction than you might think by looking at the photos.

 

[TiggerStac]

well we've changed again. So much for staying someplace new. Deluxe club level opened up at BWI and thats my fav resort/fav room!! Esp w/3 kids that extra space is great. Anyways... we will prob book GF for just hubby and I for 2 or 3 nights in August, his sister is getting married in Ft lauderdale and we are thinking hitting WDW for a few days and driving to FLL for the wedding for 2-3 nights.

 

[DisneyDoogie]

When we were at the GF last May, there were two hammocks on the beach. From the photos of the newly-blocked-off beach, it looks like one of the hammocks may still be there - only one was in the boarded-up area. Can anyone confirm? Still looking forward to our May trip, but a little disappointed about so much of the beach being off limits. Are there chairs and lounges in the beach area that is still open?