2012 update Since I have given up our planning to my DD
We switched to POR for the beginning part of the Bday trip. She now checks out the Dis daily, 7 years old, can you stand it?? And SHE wants to wait until another trip for GF because of the construction... Too funny, but we still will check out this thread daily...it's our happy place
Enjoy POR! Have you stayed there before? It is a lovely resort, but keep in mind, it is a mod and has fewer amenities. I always try to point that out, just in case. Sorry you won't be at the GF for part of your trip, but I know you'll have a great time.
My mom and I just booked the GF for our first ever mother-daughter trip to WDW during the holiday season!!!
I am SO excited, but feeling guilty that the also-very-well-decorated WL would have been about $400 less. GF fans- convince us that we are making the right choice staying at the GF rather than the WL this December!! Should we be at all worried about loud DVC construction that time of year?
I love the WL at the holidays. It is a theming I love and the working fireplaces just add to the ambience. HOWEVER, I would always choose a stay at the GF if it's an option. The decorations are amazing, and the outside is also beautifully decorated with poinsettias and deer made of wood covered with white lights.
We stayed at the GF for just over a week last year in December. The only thing to be aware of is the crowds in the lobby. The Gingerbread House is a huge attraction for guests at WDW and locals so don't expect leisurely evenings in the lobby listening to music. It is very festive, but crowded!
Thank you for the reassurance, Jungle Cruiser!
Were you at the GF during actual Christmas week or earlier in the month? We will be there Dec 9-13, so were hoping that the lobby would not be TOO hectic... but maybe it is like that the entire month! Would you say that most people cleared out of the lobby by 10pm or so?
Also-- I know that the pianist/orchestra play Christmas music in the lobby, but does the resort also pipe in Christmas music throughout the resort grounds (pool, marina, boat dock, etc)? Is the theme of that Christmas music Victorian-esque? I am a huge Christmas music fanatic.
We were there in the middle of the month, we left on the 19th. It was crowded the whole time we were there, people just want to see the resort and the decorations. Yes, the lobby clears out by 10 PM. Once the post dinner crowd has left and the Gingerbread House closes you pretty much just have the usual crowd in the lobby. Oh, and the lobby smells like gingerbread!
I honestly can't remember music around the grounds, but that doesn't mean they didn't, I just don't remember. Hopefully someone else knows. The grounds are amazing though. Poinsettias everywhere, both red and white!
We have been at the GF in the second week of December a few times, and once the week before Christmas. Ditto to everything
Jungle Cruiser posted!! For the whole month, it seems, the GF is very busy with locals and other WDW guests visiting the gingerbread house and looking at the decorations.
Regarding the extra money vs. the WL - I can understand, and WL is a beautiful resort. What I try to do, to make myself feel better, is remember the extra space in the GF rooms, the easier access to the MK and restaurants around the monorail, etc. And, I try to cut expenses elsewhere to make up.
For instance, if we stay at the WL, I definitely want a car; if at the GF, we can skip the rental and use ME.
I cannot answer the question regarding Christmas music around the resort, either. I hope someone knows for sure! I think my brain tunes out Christmas music, as it is so pervasive.
Did you see k&a&c'smom's reply to you? Post #1615.
I am also trying to figure out which GV room to stay in. Based on the research and pictures I have seen, I think we are probably going to request Boca Chica since I love the idea of seeing the pool and main building lit up at night from our room... or maybe even part of the lagoon if facing Narcoossee's! The view of the courtyard pool from the section of Big Pine Key closest to the main building also looks nice. If you want a marina view, though, I think I would opt for Conch Key over Sago Cay since it extends farther out toward Seven Seas Lagoon. Thankfully, all of the GV room views are pretty nice... very few parking lot/roof views! Good luck with your choice.
I agree, most of the GV rooms have a very pretty view. I, too, would choose Conch over Sago in general - nothing wrong with Sago, and if you like a quieter atmosphere and don't plan on using the pools much, it is a nice location for the buses.
Nope. I missed that. Thanks for pointing it out. My eyes are tired from being on the computer planning two trips. In 10 days will be at the BW for food and wine, and then the Gf 2 months later for christmas. Thanks again
Two upcoming trips, yay!
We love October and December at WDW!
Hi everyone, It has been some time since I have posted on this thread, but I do read it and try to say up with you all. We had a great GF stay last year during October and look forward to going back some day. I do think I will wait until they are done with the construction.
I do have a question for you all. It has been mentioned on here about the monorail having hours cut recently? What is the change regarding hours of transportation? The reason I love staying at a MK resort is the ease of transportation as well as the beauty of the lagoon. We are in planning stage for a trip early next year so answer to this will help us decide which resort we chose.
Angel16
Welcome back!
The quoted change was that the monorail would no longer run during the hours of EMH!
We had hoped that meant the end of the last open park's hours, but it doesn't seem to be that way, according to our posters who have recently returned. So, the MK monorail stops running an hour after MK close to the general public -and, I assume, the Epcot monorail stops 1 hour after the close of Epcot's regular hours (which would be 10:00 pretty much all year). Someone posted a few pages back that MK closed at 7:00 p.m. recently for a private event, and the MK monorail stopped at 8:00 p.m.
Please say it's not so. DVC construction at the GF??? Oh no!! I better re think my plans for the holidays.
Yes, they have begun construction on what is assumed is a DVC addition at the GF. Of course, WDW has not announced GFV yet, but it's pretty clear that is what is underway.
JoBird posted some photos of the construction in her review thread, I'll see if I can find the link.
We checked into SL today and haven't heard a peep from construction at all.
That is great news,
disneydreamin247! Have a Grand vacation!
penlanspice - woohoo!
And great photos!
