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

[WDWKOOK]

Anyone staying CL do online check in? Just wondering if you got to still check in at the CL and if it was any faster..

I just replied to you on the CL thread. Yes, you still check-in on club level and the only difference with CL/OCI is that your credit card number will have already been submitted online and you won't have to give it to the CM upon check-in.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - LOL about people free photos! Best of luck to your aunt, I'll be thinking of your family.

Thanks so much. My aunt had a stent put in her right carotid artery and now they are trying to get her blood pressure regulated. We are keeping our fingers crossed that she will come home today. My aunt is only 85 lbs and stands 4'9" so she is a tiny little thing and she's had so many procedures over the last year that I am hoping this will be it for a long time. With 9 stents and all that dye I am surprised she doesn't glow in the dark. We tease her all the time.

Ok back on track. I just love the pictures and can't wait until we arrive which is 32 days. We are just waiting for our Mickey Mail and we are all so excited to be going home again.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - I hope your aunt comes home today, too, what a trooper! Hope her blood pressure is steady soon, and this is the last procedure she needs for quite some time.

Only 32 more days, I'll bet you ARE excited!

WDWKOOK - have you used online check in for CL? When it first started, the CL CMs said it wasn't necessary, as you have private check in anyway, and I read somewhere they were actually discouraging it due to the packet being sent to the front desk. Is it better now? I've never had good luck with OCI, but I know a lot of people like to do it, they are so excited 10 days out.

beckysko - WDW provides bedding for all options, whether it be the actual beds, daybeds or cribs/pack n plays. I don't know if most parents bring their own for comfort, but I'm sure everything is in good repair - too risky otherwise.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - I hope your aunt comes home today, too, what a trooper! Hope her blood pressure is steady soon, and this is the last procedure she needs for quite some time.

Only 32 more days, I'll bet you ARE excited!

Oh she is a trooper. Thanks again.

Guess what. DH just came home from the PO and our Mickey Mail was there for the GF. I am so super excited. The luggage tags are 3D one's. They are so awesome. I can't contain myself.

Now we are just waiting for our Mickey Mail for BLT.

 

[beckysko]

Oh she is a trooper. Thanks again.

Guess what. DH just came home from the PO and our Mickey Mail was there for the GF. I am so super excited. The luggage tags are 3D one's. They are so awesome. I can't contain myself.

Now we are just waiting for our Mickey Mail for BLT.

Really?! Can you take a pic of your luggage tags? We are doing a split stay, and I had booked my ME return from AoA and they just sent the plain yellow sticker tags and that's all. I just called now to book my ME arrival to GF (now that DH's work conference finally provided the reservation number), so I should be getting those tags soon (I hope!)

 

[WDWKOOK]

Really?! Can you take a pic of your luggage tags? We are doing a split stay, and I had booked my ME return from AoA and they just sent the plain yellow sticker tags and that's all. I just called now to book my ME arrival to GF (now that DH's work conference finally provided the reservation number), so I should be getting those tags soon (I hope!)

I'm not CBF, but I just wanted you to know that you only get the hard, plastic luggage tags when you book a package. If you have a room-only booking and DME, then you will only receive those paper DME tags like they use at the airport. They usually send out the envelope for packages about 30 days prior to arrival.

 

[bluejasmine]

I just replied to you on the CL thread. Yes, you still check-in on club level and the only difference with CL/OCI is that your credit card number will have already been submitted online and you won't have to give it to the CM upon check-in.

Thanks! I got an email from GF IPO saying that the curb ppl arent out there before 730 so do online check in.. So I think I will do online but try and wait to check in at 730 that way we can get curbside as well.

Hoping that doing online will speed it up so that I can also eat breakfast in the lounge with my family and make it to RD at 9..

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I am so happy I was able to bring my Aunt home from the hospital yesterday. She is such a trooper.

31 very long days for us until we arrive at the GF.

Really?! Can you take a pic of your luggage tags? We are doing a split stay, and I had booked my ME return from AoA and they just sent the plain yellow sticker tags and that's all. I just called now to book my ME arrival to GF (now that DH's work conference finally provided the reservation number), so I should be getting those tags soon (I hope!)

As WDWKOOK said, these luggage tags are for the package. Couldn't get the 3D affect but they are super cool. I like these better than previous years.

I'm not CBF, but I just wanted you to know that you only get the hard, plastic luggage tags when you book a package. If you have a room-only booking and DME, then you will only receive those paper DME tags like they use at the airport. They usually send out the envelope for packages about 30 days prior to arrival.

That's ok WDWKOOK the second part of your name fits me perfectly.

 

[Kidgoingon40]

My hubby and I are longtime GF fans! I went twice to disney as a kid, and my family stayed at the GF both times. As an adult, I have been with hubby 6 times and we have stayed at the GF 4 of those times, and always had a wonderful time (a couple of minor issues on occasion, but overall great). We are going to wdw for our 10th anniversary in Oct and were originally planning on staying at the Boardwalk to save a little money and try somewhere new.

Well, since I felt really weird about not staying at the MK (we always stay in that area), and we figured out it would be more convenient to stay at a mk hotel. we are only going to be there for 3 nights (split trip w/ universal), and we wanted to spend our actual anniversary at mk, we're going to mnsshp, and we have reservations at 2 gf restaurants...so we figured we should just stay at the gf!!!!

i am so excited! the gf has such a special place in my heart and our relationship.

the only thing i am worried about is the construction. is it going to really put a damper on our stay?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - what great news, I'm so glad your aunt is home and I assume on the mend.

Very exciting about the Mickey Mail and tags - thanks for the photo, how cute! Love it when you get the tags, it makes it seem like the trip is just around the corner.

bluejasmine - If you check in around 7:30 a.m., you shouldn't have any trouble making rope drop at 9 a.m. We never use online check in for CL, and it takes only a few minutes to check in. I would have the family pop up to the lounge while you are doing check in, grab some breakfast and you can join them in very little time - or, they could bring you something while you are at the desk. (I can't remember if you are SL or RPC - if SL, even easier, as the CL desks are within the lounge! )

Only takes about 2 minutes by monorail to the MK!

Kidgoingon40 - Welcome! What a wonderful connection you have to the GF, I'm glad you are able to switch for your anniversary. At which US resort are you booked? We just returned from a HRH/PBH stay.

Which category room do you have reserved at the Grand? I hope you won't find the construction too disruptive, but it's possible you may. The beach pool area is completely closed in with fencing, not very pretty at the moment. I posted some photos a couple pages back of the beach, it is fenced off and is just a narrow strip now, no hammocks. The pool activities and movie on the beach have been relocated to the courtyard pool, so it is more hectic in the afternoon/early evening.

If you are booked garden view, you may wish to request Sago Cay - or at least a room facing the marina. If you have a TPV booked, you will automatically be facing away from the courtyard, so that's OK. Whatever category, I think I would try to stay away from Big Pine Key, as the lagoon view rooms will face the construction and the garden view will face the courtyard.

HTH!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Just did online check in for our GF portion of our upcoming visit! Getting so close now! Woohoo!

 

[dragonfly57005]

Love the luggage tag!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - what great news, I'm so glad your aunt is home and I assume on the mend.

Very exciting about the Mickey Mail and tags - thanks for the photo, how cute! Love it when you get the tags, it makes it seem like the trip is just around the corner.

Thank you and yes she is on the mend.

As soon as the Mickey Mail arrived for the GF, it became a reality. DH gave me the Mickey Mail for BLT yesterday and I screamed, "they're both official".

Just did online check in for our GF portion of our upcoming visit! Getting so close now! Woohoo!

Happy dance for you.

Love the luggage tag!

Don't ya love them. I wish I could get the 3D affect but I am not that good with a camera.

 

[beckysko]

I'm not CBF, but I just wanted you to know that you only get the hard, plastic luggage tags when you book a package. If you have a room-only booking and DME, then you will only receive those paper DME tags like they use at the airport. They usually send out the envelope for packages about 30 days prior to arrival.

awww thanks. We didn't get a MYW package, our tickets were purchased discounted through the conference rate and our flights are booked separately - so no fancy plastic tags for us. Ah well....we will have to be happy with the old castle ones we have from our last trip!

 

[MommyGina]

Love the luggage tags too! Mine will be coming in a few weeks.

 

[Kidgoingon40]

CoachBagFanatic

Kidgoingon40 - Welcome! What a wonderful connection you have to the GF, I'm glad you are able to switch for your anniversary. At which US resort are you booked? We just returned from a HRH/PBH stay.

Which category room do you have reserved at the Grand? I hope you won't find the construction too disruptive, but it's possible you may. The beach pool area is completely closed in with fencing, not very pretty at the moment. I posted some photos a couple pages back of the beach, it is fenced off and is just a narrow strip now, no hammocks. The pool activities and movie on the beach have been relocated to the courtyard pool, so it is more hectic in the afternoon/early evening.

If you are booked garden view, you may wish to request Sago Cay - or at least a room facing the marina. If you have a TPV booked, you will automatically be facing away from the courtyard, so that's OK. Whatever category, I think I would try to stay away from Big Pine Key, as the lagoon view rooms will face the construction and the garden view will face the courtyard.

HTH!

Thank you for the welcome!

We are staying at RPR this trip. We did a split trip last summer and stayed at Portofino - loved it!! We had paid for the most basic room but actually got upgraded - which was amazing! I couldn't believe how big the room and the bathroom were! Did you have a good time there?

We just got the basic garden view room.Thank you for the tips! It is good to know what to expect! I will definitely try to request that building. I would hate to have to stare at the construction!

 

[sydneysmom]

I absolutely love coming on this thread!! everyone has such great stories and it makes me feel a little closer to the Grand. We stayed at the Grand in 2010 for our first family vacation and to say it spoiled us is putting it mildly. We fell in love !!! It was truly the most magical resort in the most magical place.

We're planning to come "home" in 2013. We debated staying at the YC to save little money, but I keep coming back to the pics at the Grand and this thread.... and this little voice keeps telling me, "are you going to like it as much as the Grand or are you going to spend the week disappointed that it's NOT the Grand?". what a dillema. Now, my DH only wants to stay at the Grand. He kind of relented on staying at the YC, but deep down he'd rather go back. He's completely spoiled by our last trip.

So today, we decided that we're staying w/ the Grand for next year's trip!!! I feel SO excited and so happy!!!! I've had to endure "I told you that you would come around eventually"..... but it was worth it. Now I can't wait for the packages to come out for 2013!!!! YIPPPEEE!!! I just had to share w/ you guys, because I KNOW that you know how good this feeling is !!!!!

And BTW....it's partially because of this thread that my GF addiction keeps getting fed!!! (and THANK YOU for that!!!)

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

k&a&c'smom Oh I see you are busy starting a new GF thread. YEAH.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

k&a&c'smom Oh I see you are busy starting a new GF thread. YEAH.

You are very observant!! Yes, I'm trying to get the new one ready, we are nearing 250 pages. I hope everyone continues to post their questions here until I get the new one finished - should be ready in a day or two.

Kidgoingon40 - We loved Portofino, such a beautiful resort. Did you get a deluxe room? We did, too, the bathroom is huge, isn't it?! We couldn't believe the upgrade from garden view, in all our stays at WDW we've only gotten one upgrade at check in - from garden view to lagoon at the GF.

With a GF garden view, you could still ask for Conch Key and request a marina view; you might end up with a pool view, but less likely, as they usually are the first requested. If the pool activity noise doesn't bother you, Boca Chica would be a good location. Food for thought!

sydneysmom - Welcome back! I'm so excited for you, I'll bet you are dying for the 2013 rates to be announced. Here's a little pixiedust that it happens early this year.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Just stopping by to say . It was a chemo week, so I am a bit behind in my DIS reading

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day!

k&a&c'smom, thank you for all you do on this thread and thank you in advance for the new one!