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

[pixiepirate]

How exciting, your first trip to the Grand! I know you will love the resort, and the TPV. Stick with us here in the FAQ, we'll try to help you through the next few months.

Thanks for the welcome. As soon as the holidays are over I will be perusing this thread for all the tips I can find. We have been to the Grand for breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and tea in the Garden View Tea Room. Now we are taking a look at our schedule to see if we can fit another tea in this trip.

 

[KCmike]

Wonderful picture KCMike. Not only is the scenery beautiful you managed to get the picture with essentially not people in it! It looks like it was taken at the end of the afternoon, does that seem right? In less than 2 weeks I will be on that walkway

Glad to hear the weather is balmy in the middle of the country, hopefully it will make it's way east. It is only 23 degrees here now, and isn't going to get much warmer today

Hope you have a great vacation! Glad to hear your doing well.

:
KCmike - thanks for the photo! I am enjoying the warm weather here, too.

How long will it last? I'm lovin' this Southern California weather were getting!

 

[followthatmouse]

We're expecting about 90 degrees on Christmas Day. I have never experienced a White Christmas. Santa doesn't bring the white stuff down to us ...unless we have extreme and freaky weather. So, I'll have to make do with the faux snow in Main Street next December.

Jungle Cruiser, I hope all is well. Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KCmike - I'm keeping my fingers crossed our warm weather lasts through the holidays, at least, so my kids get home and back without having to drive through ice.

pixiepirate - I hope you are able to find room for afternoon tea. DD and I love it so much, we often book it twice in a trip!

Jungle Cruiser - sorry you aren't getting our warmer weather. I hope it does warm up in your area, but without the rain we're getting the next few days!

followthatmouse - Your Christmas Day temp sounds wonderful. DH and I are sure we'd like to spend the rest of our days without a white Christmas! We're sick of the stuff, especially DH, who does most of the shoveling.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Good morning GF lovers! It's Christmas week and I am now in the 10 day forecast for my upcoming trip to the Polynesian/BC. I know I will love the Polynesian, it's greatest attribute may be the view...of the GF !

k&a&c'smom, I know exactly how you feel hoping the weather will cooperate to get your children home for the holidays. Snow and ice are probably more of an issue where you are, ice is the worst.

Pixie dust and good thoughts that everyone gets to their holiday destinations safely and that everyone has a magical time with their families.

Here is a recycled photo, something appropriate for the season.

 

[discorsner]

What (if any) room requests would you make for a GF TPV room for two?

We are heading down in January and doing a split stay between GF and BW (just 2 nights each) with no kids. Yes, we get 4 nights away and we still choose Mickey!

We have never stayed at either resort before so any room recommendations on GF would be so appreciated!

 

[MommyGina]

JungleCruiser - glad that you are feeling better!!!!

Haven't been on for a while. DS was home sick.

I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday. Merry Christmas!!!

 

[pas130]

followthatmouse - Your Christmas Day temp sounds wonderful. DH and I are sure we'd like to spend the rest of our days without a white Christmas! We're sick of the stuff, especially DH, who does most of the shoveling.

My DH feels the same way...we look forward to a retirement in Florida...even if we have 25 yrs to go

Good morning GF lovers! It's Christmas week and I am now in the 10 day forecast for my upcoming trip to the Polynesian/BC. I know I will love the Polynesian, it's greatest attribute may be the view...of the GF !

Yay for single digits today!!! My favorite Poly view was when DH and I had the window table for 2 at Ohanas...and a castle AND Grand view

What (if any) room requests would you make for a GF TPV room for two?

We are heading down in January and doing a split stay between GF and BW (just 2 nights each) with no kids. Yes, we get 4 nights away and we still choose Mickey!

We have never stayed at either resort before so any room recommendations on GF would be so appreciated!

Have a wonderful trip. I think you can request a King bed, unless you are in the main building...so if it's just the two of you...I'd request that

Haven't been on for a while. DS was home sick.

I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy Holiday. Merry Christmas!!!

Various viruses have been floating through our house too...Despite lots of Lysol...Hope everyone is well for Christmas

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - Single digits, woohoo! Love the photo, so festive.

We do get a lot of ice here, especially in the last 10 years or so. My son reminded us he had a terrible drive down from Chicago last winter, but he has a couple pets riding along, so no choice!

pas130 - I think we've been planning a Florida retirement at least that long, and don't seem any closer.

MommyGina - Good to see you, I hope your DS is feeling better.

What (if any) room requests would you make for a GF TPV room for two?

We are heading down in January and doing a split stay between GF and BW (just 2 nights each) with no kids. Yes, we get 4 nights away and we still choose Mickey!

We have never stayed at either resort before so any room recommendations on GF would be so appreciated!

Welcome! Congrats on your first stay at the GF, and the BWI!

Most DISers post the TPV rooms in Sago Cay and Conch Key have the best views. We've had a decent view in Big Pine Key, and a so-so view in Boca Chica.

If I were booking TPV now, I think I would request Conch Key, as it has a good location; close to the boat dock, courtyard pool and marina, with a short walk to Gasparilla's for quick service and snacks.

We prefer an upper floor, but keep in mind, many upper rooms are dormer, with enclosed balconies. This may not be an issue for you, but we prefer the more open balcony - I'll post a photo illustrating the difference.

In this photo, you can see the enclosed balconies on the end of the fourth floor, and again on the fifth:

 

[BC1836]

Ah...great photos but, alas, we just returned after a week-long stay in the Main Building's RPC. We want to go back!

The view from our room allowed us to see the beach expansion at the DVC site. Very interesting.

We have good friends who are there now; in fact, they are enjoying much sunnier weather than we had.

Ah...the Grand Floridian. We'll be back in March.

All the best.

 

[pas130]

Ah...great photos but, alas, we just returned after a week-long stay in the Main Building's RPC. We want to go back!

The view from our room allowed us to see the beach expansion at the DVC site. Very interesting.

We have good friends who are there now; in fact, they are enjoying much sunnier weather than we had.

Ah...the Grand Floridian. We'll be back in March.

All the best.

That's great you can go back so soon

pas130 - I think we've been planning a Florida retirement at least that long, and don't seem any closer.

We already know....condo on the beach, with extra bedrooms for the kids to visit and a garage for DH to keep his car stuff....not only is DH sick of snow, he doesn't want to mow the lawn either...which I am totally fine with...I'm thinking as long as I am in a 2 hour radius to WDW...I'm good

 

[KCmike]

*k&a&c'smom* Nice shots!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!! Here's to hoping we all get back to the GF soon and very soon!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Happy Holidays, everyone! I'm still trying to prepare for the kids and their pets this weekend.

KCmike - thanks! My oldest DS teases me for using a p&s, but I think this one gets decent shots anyway. I'm not up to the full DSLR thing. I like to throw it in my small cross-body bag and go.

I agree, I hope we all get back to the GF very soon! I'm gonna try to hit May, at least.

pas130 - I hear ya, two hours to WDW would be sweet!

BC1836 - Congrats on your recent RPC stay, how wonderful! Sorry you are missing it already, I certainly understand. Hope your March trip gets here soon!

 

[followthatmouse]

pas130, I am with ya! We are about 20 hours from Orlando; two would be wonderful!

k&a&c'smom, stick with that p & s. It can be so convenient when travelling. I have a DSLR. Last trip, I only packed a nice p & s. Easier through the airports, easier on the shoulder and wrist. If you wish to take a DSLR on subsequent trips, get the DS to carry it for you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our wonderful GFers!

 

[garada3]

Ah...great photos but, alas, we just returned after a week-long stay in the Main Building's RPC. We want to go back!

The view from our room allowed us to see the beach expansion at the DVC site. Very interesting.

Any chance you have pictures from your room of the beach expansion work?

Thanks!

 

[pas130]

pas130 - I hear ya, two hours to WDW would be sweet!

pas130, I am with ya! We are about 20 hours from Orlando; two would be wonderful!

I wouldn't mind an afternoon drive to have tea at GF with you both We are 17 hours away now...my DH is already dreading the drive in April....


Happy holidays to ALL!!!

 

[followthatmouse]

I wouldn't mind an afternoon drive to have tea at GF with you both We are 17 hours away now...my DH is already dreading the drive in April....

Ooh, tea at the GF sounds wonderful! How about a festive pastry or two?!

 

[BC1836]

Ooh, tea at the GF sounds wonderful! How about a festive pastry or two?!

And if you go, request a table that Dottie is serving. She is one of the GF's most loved and respected CMs.

All the best.

 

[followthatmouse]

And if you go, request a table that Dottie is serving. She is one of the GF's most loved and respected CMs.

All the best.

Dottie. Check.

I think you should join us.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Afternoon tea sounds wonderful about now, I'm in Christmas prep overload!

garada3 - what a great question, I'd love to see photos of the beach work, too.

followthatmouse - I'll definitely tell DS!