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

[Jungle Cruiser]

10 weeks from today I'll be checking into GF for the first time!!!

When I eat at Citricos and Narcoossee's and they ask... "Are you staying here with us at the Grand Floridian?" I can say, "Yes, yes we are." Lol, I dunno why I enjoy that so much, but I do!!

Just realized you aren't going to be there "dredging week" you were just passing along welcome information! I see you are having your wedding there, contact Narcossees and let them know, I am sure they will do a special menu for you to take home!!!

 

[penlanspice]

WOW this stay that i've been waiting 5 years for (we stayed at the GF when we got married) isn't looking so great as if the construction wasn't bad enough they are now dredging the lake!!

I sent the GF an email last week to ask why we hadn't been informed of these issues, we are spending thousands of dollars to stay there and they don't even have the decency to inform guests. I'm still waiting for a reply.

My heart goes out to anyone who's having a WP wedding over the coming months to be told at such a late stage I know I would of been devastated.

 

[penlanspice]

I'm more annoyed at the fact disney are not informing us that whats actually happening.

 

[WDWKOOK]

In regards to the monorail now only operating one hour past park closing... I asked about this at the WL last month and a CL/CM whose DH is a monorail pilot said that they were told that this was only temporary so as to repair the monorail at night. She said they were told by Disney that the monorail would resume normal operating hours, which include running after PM EMH, in about three weeks. However, the three weeks would have already come and gone by now since the CM told me this about one month ago.

The conclusion I draw from this is that the repairs have taken longer than anticipated and at some time (unknown) in the near future, the monorail may (or may not) return to providing service during PM EMH. I really cleared things up, didn't I?!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

As a DisneyBride.....I would HOPE that the powers that be would have spoken with the folks at DFTW!!!! This is a BIG deal....I havent ventured over to the Brides to be Boards.. (Do not want to get the bug to have a 10 yr VR) lol....I hope photographers can be creative as to not include construction in photos etc....We were married at Sunset Pointe at the Poly....and GF was in MOST of our photos in the background))

We have a Dec stay booked....I am curious about construction, but it will not affect me enough to change resorts. For others though....I know it will.

Speaking of which....any suggestions of best room location to request for RPC std view??
Thanks!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

While I am NO KCMike...(love your photos)..

here are some ....this is my DS now 18!! in 03 he said he wanted to move into the GF

My favorite restaurant...I wasnt suppose to be in this shot!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I'm so very sorry for everyone who is planning a trip to the GF during the coming upheaval. Hearing all this info on a message board, and not being able to get a straight answer out of the resort, is unacceptable.

As Jungle Cruiser posted, other than possible noise, the construction around the Wedding Pavilion should have little effect on the rest of the resort. For the brides, this is of course a devastating development. My heart goes out to them, for having their wedding plans upset at this late stage.

I can't give any insight into whether the boats will be operating, but I have confidence that Disney will do whatever is necessary to get guests to and from the resort during the construction.

If anyone feels this will significantly impact their visit, I urge you to call DRC and ask to be moved to another resort. Best of luck to all.

 

[BamaTigger]

Heading down for the Labor Day weekend on Saturday, but staying at the POLY this go around....yay and nay. LOL..of course the DH is getting a massage at the GF spa and I will mosey over there to shop...so I will take plenty of pics!

I will gaze at my second home from the POLY!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

In regards to the monorail now only operating one hour past park closing... I asked about this at the WL last month and a CL/CM whose DH is a monorail pilot said that they were told that this was only temporary so as to repair the monorail at night. She said they were told by Disney that the monorail would resume normal operating hours, which include running after PM EMH, in about three weeks. However, the three weeks would have already come and gone by now since the CM told me this about one month ago.

The conclusion I draw from this is that the repairs have taken longer than anticipated and at some time (unknown) in the near future, the monorail may (or may not) return to providing service during PM EMH. I really cleared things up, didn't I?!

LOL! Thanks for the info. That's a welcome change from the earlier posts suggesting this is a permanent change.

We have a Dec stay booked....I am curious about construction, but it will not affect me enough to change resorts. For others though....I know it will.

Speaking of which....any suggestions of best room location to request for RPC std view??
Thanks!!

We have not booked a standard view in the main bldg., but have had a deluxe queen room in the area of most of the standard rooms (overlooking the courtyard). If it were me, I would request 4th floor, near the lounge, overlooking the courtyard. This will give you a better shot at seeing the higher fireworks from your balcony, I think. If you prefer the view of the beach pool and Poly, ask for a room on that side, which will also put you near the atrium.

Thanks for the photos! Can't get enough of the GF.

 

[phyllis1966]

I'm so very sorry for everyone who is planning a trip to the GF during the coming upheaval. Hearing all this info on a message board, and not being able to get a straight answer out of the resort, is unacceptable.

As Jungle Cruiser posted, other than possible noise, the construction around the Wedding Pavilion should have little effect on the rest of the resort. For the brides, this is of course a devastating development. My heart goes out to them, for having their wedding plans upset at this late stage.

I can't give any insight into whether the boats will be operating, but I have confidence that Disney will do whatever is necessary to get guests to and from the resort during the construction.

If anyone feels this will significantly impact their visit, I urge you to call DRC and ask to be moved to another resort. Best of luck to all.

I, too, truly feel for the couples whose weddings are impacted by all this!

The only true impact it has on our vacation in November is that we may not be able to enjoy that lovely walk to and from the Poly - so nice in the early morning or after sundown...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

The only true impact it has on our vacation in November is that we may not be able to enjoy that lovely walk to and from the Poly - so nice in the early morning or after sundown...

Thanks for the reminder! I always forget that so many guests like to walk between the two resorts. More walking is not high on my list at WDW.

Sorry that your early morning/evening walks might be curtailed. I hope the rest of your GF visit is magical.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I'm so very sorry for everyone who is planning a trip to the GF during the coming upheaval. Hearing all this info on a message board, and not being able to get a straight answer out of the resort, is unacceptable.

As Jungle Cruiser posted, other than possible noise, the construction around the Wedding Pavilion should have little effect on the rest of the resort. For the brides, this is of course a devastating development. My heart goes out to them, for having their wedding plans upset at this late stage.

I can't give any insight into whether the boats will be operating, but I have confidence that Disney will do whatever is necessary to get guests to and from the resort during the construction.

If anyone feels this will significantly impact their visit, I urge you to call DRC and ask to be moved to another resort. Best of luck to all.

I still have Disney CRO on my speed dial...from the old days...cant get use to DRC..
Hmmm...as we are staying in Dec for the lobby decor etc...and RPC...now I am wondering about this construction I really dont want to stay anywhere else, esp with the AP rate I got!

Funny story abt RPC...my inlaws were upgraded to RPC for our wedding week, we were upgraded to LV....today it would TPV.. SO the day of our wedding at Poly...they were a NO SHOW! We thought they were still stung from picking up the bill for the rehearsal dinner at Narcoosees..
They were having such a good time in RPC eating bruschetta and drinking wine..they SAW our wedding at Sunset Pointe...and said OOPS we are LATE!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I, too, truly feel for the couples whose weddings are impacted by all this!

The only true impact it has on our vacation in November is that we may not be able to enjoy that lovely walk to and from the Poly - so nice in the early morning or after sundown...

I love that walk as well!! Just did it....dropped of DD5 at Neverland Club and walked to Narcoosees....! Its a beautiful walk....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Heading down for the Labor Day weekend on Saturday, but staying at the POLY this go around....yay and nay. LOL..of course the DH is getting a massage at the GF spa and I will mosey over there to shop...so I will take plenty of pics!

I will gaze at my second home from the POLY!

Enjoy your weekend getaway, I'm so envious! Can't wait to see the photos.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

LOL! Thanks for the info. That's a welcome change from the earlier posts suggesting this is a permanent change.



We have not booked a standard view in the main bldg., but have had a deluxe queen room in the area of most of the standard rooms (overlooking the courtyard). If it were me, I would request 4th floor, near the lounge, overlooking the courtyard. This will give you a better shot at seeing the higher fireworks from your balcony, I think. If you prefer the view of the beach pool and Poly, ask for a room on that side, which will also put you near the atrium.

Thanks for the photos! Can't get enough of the GF.

Thanks for the info!!!! Will the beach pool also give me the construction now too? I would love that view sans the upcoming construction!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

DisneyBride03 - HAHAHA! Can't believe your parents nearly missed your wedding.

LOL about CRO - I have a hard time remembering the new anagram, too. DD and I have a tough time saying DHS - it will always be MGM to us, I think.

I have to amend my response regarding the standard RPC room. I would definitely request overlooking the courtyard. The rooms looking out towards the beach pool will be a view of the construction. I forgot already. ETA: I see you've asked about that; the thread is moving so quickly this morning.

If I had a great AP rate for RPC in December, I think I'd have to stick with it. I truly feel the rooms around the central part of the resort will be less affected.

 

[Scarlett81]

Congrats on your GF booking! A main building TPV room will be located over Gasparilla's, overlooking the marina. Very pretty views! Here is a link to page 5 of the previous FAQ thread, minniesota posted some photos of the view (scroll down to post #71): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2427062&page=5

I can't tell you how likely it is that there will be a suite open when you check in. If you think you will need a suite, my best advice is to book it now, as there is often nothing available in the main building when we check in. (never asked about the suites specifically)

hmmm....So IYO-main building standard tpv room? Or outerbuilding suite?

Basically its the convenience of main building amenities and tpv or the largeness of the suite...???

 

[k&a&c'smom]

hmmm....So IYO-main building standard tpv room? Or outerbuilding suite?

Basically its the convenience of main building amenities and tpv or the largeness of the suite...???

Oh, sorry! I misunderstood, I thought you were asking about main bldg. suites. I do remember now that you previously mentioned an outer bldg. suite or RPC.

For us, the convenience of being in the main bldg., along with the service of RPC, trumps the extra space of a suite. We adore being able to hop off the monorail and go straight up to our room, and the proximity of the RPC lounge to the lobby for listening to the pianist while sipping champagne is a huge plus.

If you book a suite in any outer bldg. besides SL, you will have to walk to either lounge - not very convenient with little ones.

It's hard to know what will work best for another family, but we would pick RPC TPV over an outer suite, hands down. HTH!

 

[ldymcbth]

I just spoke with someone in reservations to make a small change, and as part of the conversation asked him about the boats and monorail for that week. He said he was unsure about the boats, but that the monorail would absolutely be running for EMH and the MNSSHPs that week. I know CMs don't always have all the facts but I choose to be at least slightly comforted by this info. ;-)

I do feel TERRIBLE for the brides who are there during this time period. Bless their hearts! I hope Disney makes it up to them somehow.

 

[momatater]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2788676

This is the thread that I saw. When I read it--it was new--before all the updates. From what I'm reading now--no one really knows. I knew I had skimmed something the other day.

LOL, sorry had to laugh! That was my thread and I was so excited when I hung up and posted just to have my Mickey Balloon popped in about an hour!

Anyhoo,

Hi Everyone!! It's been a LONG (about a year since my last trip) that I have posted on this thread! Some may recall I had health issues and unfortunately I'm still going through a lot of that!

BUT.....I will once again at the GF RPC in 8 short days! DH said I needed another trip to help with my health and me and my boys thought who were we to argue!! I will definately try to report while there! (didn't do much of that last time...very busy and then when I came home, health issues consumed my life!)

I haven't read too much of the recent posts, but I just want you all to know if you have any questions you need answered while I'm there, just ask!

Well, I have missed talking to you great people and I hope to stick around again for a while!!