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

[KCmike]

Been awhile.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

k&a&c'smom, what a great picture! You made one of my least favorite places at the GF (the walkway to the dreaded bus stop) looks beautiful!

KCMike, good to see you back! I would love to be in the lobby right now listening to Glenn (yes, that's his name!) play the piano.

Lulu'sMom, hugs right back to you.

pas130 you and HRH will be at the GF soon I hope!!!

Picture of the GF from the Polynesian dock.

 

[sydneysmom]

I just LOVE coming out to this thread and catching up with "All things Grand"!! You all are just the nicest people on this thread (and post the BEST pictures!!) it feeds my addiction until we can finally book our next trip.... and the good news is, we'll actually get to book once they announce the 2013 packages! I can't believe it's this year already!!

In the mean time, I appreciate all of you sharing your experiences so much.... I think we're all together in the fact that we truly love this resort and consider it our Disney home.

 

[psac]

k&a&c'smom, what a great picture! You made one of my least favorite places at the GF (the walkway to the dreaded bus stop) looks beautiful!

I was thinking the same thing. Usually that view means a long wait, not a happy thing at all. But that makes it look allll good!

Great pics Mike and JC!

 

[Cibahwewah]

Hi All! Greetings from the Grand! I decided to bring my iPad to try out the new WiFi, give you updates, and let you live vicariously through me.
We landed at MCO shortly before noon, and went straight to DME. We waited about 30 minutes to get on the bus, and then GF was the last step of 4. I was so antsy to get here! Luckily, even though it was about 1:30, our room was ready, but our keys weren't, but it took only a few minutes to get that straightened out. She walked us straight to the room, skipping the spiel, I assume, since we were repeat guests. I tried to inhale deeply to get that lobby scent to stay in my head forever. I got the king bed request, thanks pas130! So we are on the 2nd floor of Sugarloaf, pool side, closer to the dock end (same floor, but opposite end, than on our previous trip). We didn't stay long in the room, headed straight for MK. Did 7 attractions, 2 character meets, lunch, and shopping, all within 4.5 hrs, thanks to FPs, lines app, and the fact that the crowd level was a "2", the longest wait was only 12 minutes! MK doesn't look so magical in places. Lots of walls, scrims, closed attractions, roped off pavement, and there's a crane on the castle. I didn't even bother taking pictures of Main St. I know they have to maintain....but I'm still bummed I didn't get to see the Main St Electrical Parade.
Now, you'll be shocked...I skipped my plans of enjoying a Dole Whip...I wanted to save room for...Victoria and Albert's! When we got back to the room, we had champagne, a rose, and a signed Happy Anniversary card from Mickey and Minnie, and also happily...our suitcases!
We watched the fireworks from the dock, then proceeded to our 8:30 seating. It was by far the best restaurant, wait staff, and food ever! Each course was delicious, every bite a flavor explosion to savor. We also had the wine pairings, so after 6 courses, I was grateful that our building was only 50 feet away! Slept hard. Now up early for the Wild Africa Trek at AK. It's raining, so we'll see how that goes. Signing off 'til later.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi All! Greetings from the Grand! I decided to bring my iPad to try out the new WiFi, give you updates, and let you live vicariously through me.
We landed at MCO shortly before noon, and went straight to DME. We waited about 30 minutes to get on the bus, and then GF was the last step of 4. I was so antsy to get here! Luckily, even though it was about 1:30, our room was ready, but our keys weren't, but it took only a few minutes to get that straightened out. She walked us straight to the room, skipping the spiel, I assume, since we were repeat guests. I tried to inhale deeply to get that lobby scent to stay in my head forever. I got the king bed request, thanks pas130! So we are on the 2nd floor of Sugarloaf, pool side, closer to the dock end (same floor, but opposite end, than on our previous trip). We didn't stay long in the room, headed straight for MK. Did 7 attractions, 2 character meets, lunch, and shopping, all within 4.5 hrs, thanks to FPs, lines app, and the fact that the crowd level was a "2", the longest wait was only 12 minutes! MK doesn't look so magical in places. Lots of walls, scrims, closed attractions, roped off pavement, and there's a crane on the castle. I didn't even bother taking pictures of Main St. I know they have to maintain....but I'm still bummed I didn't get to see the Main St Electrical Parade.
Now, you'll be shocked...I skipped my plans of enjoying a Dole Whip...I wanted to save room for...Victoria and Albert's! When we got back to the room, we had champagne, a rose, and a signed Happy Anniversary card from Mickey and Minnie, and also happily...our suitcases!
We watched the fireworks from the dock, then proceeded to our 8:30 seating. It was by far the best restaurant, wait staff, and food ever! Each course was delicious, every bite a flavor explosion to savor. We also had the wine pairings, so after 6 courses, I was grateful that our building was only 50 feet away! Slept hard. Now up early for the Wild Africa Trek at AK. It's raining, so we'll see how that goes. Signing off 'til later.

Good morning! Your mini TR is a great way to start the day

Yesterday sounds like a fantastic day! What a way to start your trip at V&A and with a special in-room surprise. Now you're making me feel extra guilty about canceling the Deluxe room for our anniversary due to the construction

Can't wait to hear about the WAT! We want to try that this summer - it looks like a lot of fun.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Lulu'sMom -

pas130 - Love that group hug, right back atcha!

WDWKOOK - the deluxe room is pretty special, the king deluxe is our favorite room in the main bldg. On the other hand, the view from the turret king will be less spectacular for a while.

Jungle Cruiser and psac - the wait for buses didn't even occur to me when I chose that photo, lol. So true.

KC Mike - thanks for the lobby photo, I'd love to be relaxing there right now!

sydneysmom - I agree, the posters here are some of the nicest people on the DIS! I love coming here to see all the photos and trip details, too.

Cibahwewah - Glad you arrived safely, what a great start to your Grand stay! Love, love, love V&A's, and your MK day sounds fun, we will be eagerly awaiting your next installment. Enjoy your day at AK.

 

[bowbat]

Cibahwewah - What a great start to your trip! We prefer to visit in slow times and, yeah, having rides closed and scrims up is a bummer but those short wait times sure help make up for it. And lucky you going to V&A's!! We'll be celebrating our anniversary at the Grand next month, and I was so tempted to book V&A's, but alas we've decided to save that for another time. Hope the rest of your stay is just as wonderful. Thanks for posting!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Cibahwewah, I will chime in also. Thank you for the update from the GF! Sounds like yesterday was a perfect day, hope today is just a great. I know I can speak for eveyone on this thread we love to hear live updates, we can almost picture ourselves there. It's raining hard in NJ, somehow I think the rain at WDW and AK is less bothersome!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks everyone. Good to be back in the mix.

One of my favorite things was the balcony at the Grand.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Wow, what a great picture KCMike! The balconies are nice but that picture makes it look huge. Oh, how I would love to be sitting on that balcony with a cup of coffee looking at that view right now!

 

[MommyGina]

Wow, what a great picture KCMike! The balconies are nice but that picture makes it look huge. Oh, how I would love to be sitting on that balcony with a cup of coffee looking at that view right now!

I can do that in just 171 more days, but who is counting!!!

 

[ethanwa]

Our current room is exactly to the left of this shot, on the first floor. Perfect view of the castle. Sometimes guests watch the fireworks from the lawn in front of the room by the lake, but they are so far up that it's not in the way or annoying.

 

[Cibahwewah]

Okay, still here at GF and here's the day 2 installment of the saga of the Sugarloaf duo. Had coffee at 7am, right when the lounge breakfast was being put out. We narrowly escaped missing the Wild Africa Trek, because we thought we were so smart taking a cab instead of a bus, and alas, the parking lot was closed. Doh! The cabbie dropped us off at the cast member parking lot, totally winging it (tipped him nicely for his ingenuity), and we walked right up to the park entrance at 7:30, right when we were supposed to meet our tour guide. [BTW, there were 6-7 cabs waiting by the port-cochere, at 7am, in case you were wondering.]
The trek was great, 7 guests, and 3 guides. For the cost of the tour, you get a guided 3 hr expedition--about 30 minutes getting geared up and oriented, about an hour of walking, observing from a ledge, and crossing rope foot bridges, then an hour safari, and a light meal at "the boma overlook." You get 2 pins and a stainless steel water bottle to keep, a meal of fruit, cheese, meat, dessert, juice (it was filling--no lunch needed after that), a photo CD, and a donation to DWCF. I would highly recommend it.
Did Everest and Dinosaur after that and hopped over to HS. It started heavy drizzling with strong wind, so we put on our ponchos and got only a little wet. 15 minutes later, it quit, and that was our only rain of the day. We did TSM at 1:30pm stand by and only waited 30 minutes! Everything else has been less than 20 minutes (with use of fastpass). We took the friendship boat to Epcot, getting our first peek at Boardwalk, and YC/BC. Dinner was at Rose and Crown, and we watched illuminations from their reserved patio. Got back to GF by 10pm, even though the monorail did stay open until 1am for EMH at Epcot. The lounge staff were putting away the desserts right as we walked in, but they let us snag a cookie and a cupcake.

Day 3 mini-report ( if you are still reading this)......
Slept in until 7 (late for me), and enjoyed breakfast in the lounge. They had fruit, cereal, oatmeal, pastries, breads, meats, and cheeses. Took the monorail to Epcot and arrived right at opening. Between last night and this morning we did all the Epcot attractions, so after lunch at LeCellier, we headed back to MK. It was so crowded compared to Epcot! A 7 versus a 3. After Pirates, Philharmagic, and Tea Cups, I'd had enough of the crowds. We came back to the GF for a swim and to rest up and do some resort shopping. We missed afternoon tea, but the twilight refreshments and then desserts were nice. My favorites were the tuna choke wonton and the Swedish meatballs. We enjoyed the orchestra and the pianist in the lobby while waiting for our dinner time at Narcoossee's. We saw the fireworks from Gasparilla's outdoor seating, which i thought was a better view and music than the boat dock. Saw EWP from the deck at Narcoossee's. We thought about hopping back to MK tonight since it's open until midnight, but we are pooped! We check out tomorrow AM, and will spend 3-4 hrs at HS before getting on the non-express Disney's Magical Express to head home.

 

[bowbat]

I'm loving your live report! Enjoy the rest of your stay and safe travels home.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks everyone. Good to be back in the mix.

One of my favorite things was the balcony at the Grand.

KCmike, that is JUST the view I would LOVE to have - PERFECT! And NO construction. Please tell me that's an RPC view! I assume that it's a TPV, but what room type and building?

Our current room is exactly to the left of this shot, on the first floor. Perfect view of the castle. Sometimes guests watch the fireworks from the lawn in front of the room by the lake, but they are so far up that it's not in the way or annoying.

Just curious, did you request a first floor room and/or a particular view?

Okay, still here at GF and here's the day 2 installment of the saga of the Sugarloaf duo. Had coffee at 7am, right when the lounge breakfast was being put out. We narrowly escaped missing the Wild Africa Trek, because we thought we were so smart taking a cab instead of a bus, and alas, the parking lot was closed. Doh! The cabbie dropped us off at the cast member parking lot, totally winging it (tipped him nicely for his ingenuity), and we walked right up to the park entrance at 7:30, right when we were supposed to meet our tour guide. [BTW, there were 6-7 cabs waiting by the port-cochere, at 7am, in case you were wondering.]
The trek was great, 7 guests, and 3 guides. For the cost of the tour, you get a guided 3 hr expedition--about 30 minutes getting geared up and oriented, about an hour of walking, observing from a ledge, and crossing rope foot bridges, then an hour safari, and a light meal at "the boma overlook." You get 2 pins and a stainless steel water bottle to keep, a meal of fruit, cheese, meat, dessert, juice (it was filling--no lunch needed after that), a photo CD, and a donation to DWCF. I would highly recommend it.
Did Everest and Dinosaur after that and hopped over to HS. It started heavy drizzling with strong wind, so we put on our ponchos and got only a little wet. 15 minutes later, it quit, and that was our only rain of the day. We did TSM at 1:30pm stand by and only waited 30 minutes! Everything else has been less than 20 minutes (with use of fastpass). We took the friendship boat to Epcot, getting our first peek at Boardwalk, and YC/BC. Dinner was at Rose and Crown, and we watched illuminations from their reserved patio. Got back to GF by 10pm, even though the monorail did stay open until 1am for EMH at Epcot. The lounge staff were putting away the desserts right as we walked in, but they let us snag a cookie and a cupcake.

Day 3 mini-report ( if you are still reading this)......
Slept in until 7 (late for me), and enjoyed breakfast in the lounge. They had fruit, cereal, oatmeal, pastries, breads, meats, and cheeses. Took the monorail to Epcot and arrived right at opening. Between last night and this morning we did all the Epcot attractions, so after lunch at LeCellier, we headed back to MK. It was so crowded compared to Epcot! A 7 versus a 3. After Pirates, Philharmagic, and Tea Cups, I'd had enough of the crowds. We came back to the GF for a swim and to rest up and do some resort shopping. We missed afternoon tea, but the twilight refreshments and then desserts were nice. My favorites were the tuna choke wonton and the Swedish meatballs. We enjoyed the orchestra and the pianist in the lobby while waiting for our dinner time at Narcoossee's. We saw the fireworks from Gasparilla's outdoor seating, which i thought was a better view and music than the boat dock. Saw EWP from the deck at Narcoossee's. We thought about hopping back to MK tonight since it's open until midnight, but we are pooped! We check out tomorrow AM, and will spend 3-4 hrs at HS before getting on the non-express Disney's Magical Express to head home.

Thanks so much for following up on the WAT. We were thinking of doing it for our upcoming anniversary trip and now there's no question about it - you've convinced us.

How has the SL lounge been? I assume since this is a slow time of the year, the lounge hasn't been crowded?

Your trip sounds just wonderful - and YES! Of course I read all of it!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Oh WDWKOOK, I don't think KCMike's picture is from the RPC,, I am guessing from Boca Chica, the third floor maybe? Darn the pesky GF construction. Hopefully someone will be able to give an update from the RPC soon. If anyone is going to or at the GF and can go out on one of the balconies on the second floor of the main building and look out towards the Polynesian, we could get an idea of what the view currently looks like from the RPC on the floors above...

Loving the trip reports Cibahwewah! There is something so wonderful about reading reports that are sent while person is at WDW. It sounds like you are enjoying SL. I love it there!

 

[Cibahwewah]

Thanks so much for following up on the WAT. We were thinking of doing it for our upcoming anniversary trip and now there's no question about it - you've convinced us.

How has the SL lounge been? I assume since this is a slow time of the year, the lounge hasn't been crowded?

Your trip sounds just wonderful - and YES! Of course I read all of it!

The lounge has been nice, and yes, quiet. The busiest I ever saw was early evening, 3 tables were taken. We requested a room not too close to the lounge, for noise reasons. The only noise I heard from the lounge was one night at 10 pm, some kids were yodeling. I am not kidding. We were over the kitchen, but never heard it.

I hardly noticed the construction. The resort was clean and smelled wonderful. Housekeeping was fine. Concierge was cheerfully helpful. We never waited long for a bus, boat, or monorail, and there were no breakdowns. And magic express actually was express for the return trip. Straight to the airport with no other stops. Of course, they pick up 3 hrs before the flight, so we got to our gate with 2 hrs to kill.

So, I will take advantage of the free wifi at MCO for the last installment. Oh. My only complaint: the wifi at the GF is spotty and slow. I had trouble with it staying connected and having a strong enough signal. I used an iPad and an iPhone and both were having trouble.

We were up at about 6:30 this morning, finished packing and had breakfast in the lounge at 7. We were the only ones there at first, and then one other family shortly after. Not a lot of early birds! They had the same offerings as yesterday.

We took our own bags to RAC (all both of them), and were the only guests out there, then had bell services hold the camera bag, and took the 8am Hollywood Studios bus. At the bus station, we spoke with an excited college program student. The bus stop benches are hand polished every night, he said, so that they stay glossy. It was his third day on the job, and he was just wowed with the level of attention to every detail.

We were wanting to see if Hollywood Studios was still opening early. We were the 7th or 8th person at our turnstile, and were let in at 8:40 with a published opening time of 9am. We walked fast to Toy Story and got right in line instead of getting fast passes, and walked right on. We then headed for Star Tours, but saw that Mater and McQueen had no line, so got some goofy shots with them. Got fast passes for star tours and then walked on as well, so ended up riding it twice this morning, with no repeats in storylines, which I thought was cool. Met Ferb, saw the muppets, and did One Man's dream. About 11:15 had lunch at 50's Prime Time, and requested Mark, the waiter we had last time. He is still a lot of fun. Then sadly it was time to head back to the GF to get the magical express to the airport. So sad. So sad.

So thus ends the saga. Bye Mickey, see ya real soon.

If you have any questions, about the GF or otherwise, feel free to ask.

 

[bdd012]

Hello everyone, I posted this somewhere else, but think I can get the info I'm looking for here. My fiance and I will be heading down to the GF the end of Sept for our honeymoon. I have called Disney's Honeymoon planners twice, and I still feel like I am not getting what I want. Not their fault by any means, they have been nothing but nice and helpful. I was hoping to get some advice from you guys (and girls.) People that have actually been there. So here is what we are looking for...our #1 concern is the view. We want to be RIGHT on the water. With nothing but a view of the water. I dont want to have to look at buildings and see the water 200 yards away. We also want club level. We actually would like a suite, but cant find any that have a good view, according to Disney people. I have read somethings referring to the the "honeymoon suites" at the GF but they have not been on the official websites and the cast members dont seem to know anything about them. My sister is currently down there on the internship program, and said she was going to go there and ask about some stuff and try to get better info in person (I really have a great sister!) Not to sound snobby, but money isnt really much of an issue. Right now we are staying in a king deluxe room in the main building, club level, and they tell me this has the view that i want, but somehow I am doubtful, because everything I read and the maps I see, there isn't the view I want from the main building. Anyway, I hope I can get some good feedback and info from you, the experts, that way we can make this honeymoon everything we hope for! Thank you in advance!

 

[KCmike]

KCmike, that is JUST the view I would LOVE to have - PERFECT! And NO construction. Please tell me that's an RPC view! I assume that it's a TPV, but what room type and building?

Jungle Cruiser is right it was the Boca Chica.