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

[Melodious]

HI! I tried asking this on the Transportation board but since I haven't gotten a response, I thought that y'all might have the answers I seek. What transportation options are there to get to other MK resorts at night? I know that currently the monorail's hours are further shortened, but I'm asking about if MK closes at 7PM for a hard party event, that means that the monorail closes at 8PM and let's say that I would like to go from the GF to the CR at 9PM. Is there a bus? I know you can walk from the GF to the Poly, but you can't walk to the CR, right? I'm quite confused

 

[Green23]

I am new to this forum and have a question- I am booking a MK view outer building room in October. Are there any differences in ground or upper floors? I have heard that trees may block some of the view. Any other things to consider here? Looking forward to our 1st trip to the GF!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Figment1990 - Glad you are having a good time, and that you have already managed tea and hammock. Thanks for the update regarding the monorail shut down, very helpful.

I wish I could answer about the Mouseketeer Club, but I have never used it. The reports I've read from others have been positive, most have said their kids hated to leave.

Enjoy the rest of your stay, we'll be looking forward to your report on your return.

Melodious - the transportation for dinner reservations is the exact issue I've been worried about since the cessation of monorail service for later hours. To answer your question - no, there is no path from the GF to the CR, and I would not suggest walking by the roadway. (not only a very long walk, but dangerous with the traffic) My best suggestion is to use a cab. The trip by cab is so short, the cost is around $4; $6 with tip. We used this method when we stayed at WL, and wanted to hop to the other MK resorts for meals. Much quicker and easier than any of the WDW transportation options.

Of course, if you have a car, it is quite easy to drive to any of the MK resorts.

 

[pas130]

pas130 - LOL! I love the scone dance, very cute. Funny about HRH making the distinction between RPC and Poly CL.

Only HRH BUT I got my email from GF IPO, and not from Poly yet...just sayin

Hi Everyone! Were here now and sorry this is the first chance I got to post! Things are beautiful as ever here, even with the construction I still enjoyed my beach hammock time!

I'll be sure to give a full report about the monorail issues when I return but so far it has been down in the afternoon but up again earlier than the estimated 6pm. Like I said, more on all that later when I can type with more than my thumbs!

DS is starting to get a bit cranky at meal times (he's 4, I can't blame him too much because he usually eats with my parents a few nights a week so this is different for all of us). But we have narcoosees ressies tonight. Thinking about using the mouseketeer club for a few hours to give him a break from all that (and from us) (and for us, I suppose). I feel guilty because it's vacation and that's supposed to be our family time but I'm still thinking he might actually like it. Has anyone used the gf kids club? If so, what did you think and what did your kids think?

I havent read all the pages I've missed but there are definitely cute ducks and ducklings at the courtyard pool.

And tea yesterday was Devine as always!!!!

I LOVE the duckies at the CY pool Glad you are enjoying the Grand

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I have a question about my reservation. First, I would like to say that I am so excited about staying at the Grand. This would not have been possible for us but we won one of the OMDD prizes. So, I am extremly thankful and blessed that we got to choose this resort. They told us we could note certain requests on our prize forms. I really didn't know what to request so I just noted a MK view and/or a balcony if possible. I know the MK view rooms are hard to come by so I wasnt really expecting to get one. I got my room reservation and it noted Outer Building Lagoon View. Will this be a view of the construction? I have looked a the map and there are several outer buildings. Does anyone which building this will be or will we have to wait until we check in? If we have to look at construction we might switch to Poly. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us so I want it to be special. We go to Disney often but we rarely stay Deluxe due to the cost.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 -

I have a question about my reservation. First, I would like to say that I am so excited about staying at the Grand. This would not have been possible for us but we won one of the OMDD prizes. So, I am extremly thankful and blessed that we got to choose this resort. They told us we could note certain requests on our prize forms. I really didn't know what to request so I just noted a MK view and/or a balcony if possible. I know the MK view rooms are hard to come by so I wasnt really expecting to get one. I got my room reservation and it noted Outer Building Lagoon View. Will this be a view of the construction? I have looked a the map and there are several outer buildings. Does anyone which building this will be or will we have to wait until we check in? If we have to look at construction we might switch to Poly. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us so I want it to be special. We go to Disney often but we rarely stay Deluxe due to the cost.

Congrats on the trip, how exciting! All of the rooms at the GF have balconies, or patios for the first floor rooms (with the exception of a few suites).

Most of the lagoon view rooms seem to be in Big Pine Key and Boca Chica. Years ago, there was no "theme park view" designation, and lagoon view meant any standard room that was not garden view or club, so there were some lagoon rooms in all outer buildings except SL. After they made the new TPV category, those lagoon rooms which have a MK view are priced up, so I'm not sure if there are many rooms left in Conch or Sago designated as lagoon view.

All that aside, I would request Boca Chica. The lagoon view rooms in BPK will have a view of the construction, as there is no way around it - the balconies face the WP and Poly. Boca Chica, on the other hand, faces the CR. Here is a link to an aerial view of the resort, so you can get an idea of what I mean (Boca is the building with rooms facing to the east, BPK is along the water with rooms facing the south): http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444

HTH!

 

[Toystoryfan32]

pas130 -



Congrats on the trip, how exciting! All of the rooms at the GF have balconies, or patios for the first floor rooms (with the exception of a few suites).

Most of the lagoon view rooms seem to be in Big Pine Key and Boca Chica. Years ago, there was no "theme park view" designation, and lagoon view meant any standard room that was not garden view or club, so there were some lagoon rooms in all outer buildings except SL. After they made the new TPV category, those lagoon rooms which have a MK view are priced up, so I'm not sure if there are many rooms left in Conch or Sago designated as lagoon view.

All that aside, I would request Boca Chica. The lagoon view rooms in BPK will have a view of the construction, as there is no way around it - the balconies face the WP and Poly. Boca Chica, on the other hand, faces the CR. Here is a link to an aerial view of the resort, so you can get an idea of what I mean (Boca is the building with rooms facing to the east, BPK is along the water with rooms facing the south): http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444

HTH!

Thank you so much! Should I request Boca Chica right before we leave for our trip or should I mention it to the Disney prize planner we are working with? Thanks for the aerial view link that was very helpful!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thank you so much! Should I request Boca Chica right before we leave for our trip or should I mention it to the Disney prize planner we are working with? Thanks for the aerial view link that was very helpful!

I would make your requests now, if that is possible, and again if you do online checkin - and then again at check in. During check in, you may not be given your room number (if the room isn't ready), but you can ask the location/building - if it is overlooking the construction, ask to be moved at that time. Much easier than waiting until you get to the room, although it still isn't too late - simply pick up the phone and call the front desk, asking if there is a room facing away from the construction.

Good luck, I'm so excited for you!

 

[Toystoryfan32]

I would make your requests now, if that is possible, and again if you do online checkin - and then again at check in. During check in, you may not be given your room number (if the room isn't ready), but you can ask the location/building - if it is overlooking the construction, ask to be moved at that time. Much easier than waiting until you get to the room, although it still isn't too late - simply pick up the phone and call the front desk, asking if there is a room facing away from the construction.

Good luck, I'm so excited for you!

Thank you so much. We are excited too. I will email my request and then talk to the desk again at check in. Because we are a prize reservation they have asked us not to check in online. Thanks so much for the advice I feel much better about it now.

 

[pmaurer74]

We just left yesterday and had a lagoon view and requested and was granted Boca Chica. We were in the middle and my parents way down on the end and we could both see the castle from our rooms. My parents kind of had a tree in the way. Congrats on getting the GF. We had a good time. It was a once in a lifetime stay for us too as we got upgraded to the GF.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

We just left yesterday and had a lagoon view and requested and was granted Boca Chica. We were in the middle and my parents way down on the end and we could both see the castle from our rooms. My parents kind of had a tree in the way. Congrats on getting the GF. We had a good time. It was a once in a lifetime stay for us too as we got upgraded to the GF.

That's awesome! What an amazing upgrade. Thank you, this will definitely be a once in a lifetime trip for us as well. I just emailed our contact and requested Boca Chica. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Wal...ble-TV-lineup---view-the-rollout-schedule.htm

The cable TV selection is about to be vastly improved across all of the Walt Disney World resorts on a staggered rollout, beginning March 13 2012, and completed by May 8 2012. New channels include Fox News, Bravo, AMC, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, Discovery, HGTV, TLC, History Channel, Food Network, TV Land, SyFy and National Geographic. The rollout schedule is listed below, and you can view the full channel list on channel 17 on the in-room TV.

March 13: Disney's Port Orleans Resorts
March 15: Disney's Old Key West Resort
March 20: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
March 22: Disney's Pop Century Resort
April 3: Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
April 5: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
April 10: Disney's All-Star Resorts
April 12: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
April 17: Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
April 19: Disney's BoardWalk Inn
April 24: Disney's Contemporary Resort
April 26: Disney's Polynesian Resort
May 1: Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
May 3: Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort
May 8: Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

 

[pas130]

pas130 -

My girls are GF lovers for sure My DD4 was looking at Poly pics today, where there was a pic of GF from the Poly beach and said "That's the Grand Floridian Mommy, it's so pretty there"

Hi to you BWI Fan it'll be nice to have some extra TV channels, although I am one of the ones who LOVES to watch to resorts channel

 

[s&k'smom]

I looooove the resort channels, makes my family crazy because I'm always checking them.

 

[Melodious]

Melodious - the transportation for dinner reservations is the exact issue I've been worried about since the cessation of monorail service for later hours. To answer your question - no, there is no path from the GF to the CR, and I would not suggest walking by the roadway. (not only a very long walk, but dangerous with the traffic) My best suggestion is to use a cab. The trip by cab is so short, the cost is around $4; $6 with tip. We used this method when we stayed at WL, and wanted to hop to the other MK resorts for meals. Much quicker and easier than any of the WDW transportation options.

Of course, if you have a car, it is quite easy to drive to any of the MK resorts.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. THis is so surprising to me that WDW wouldn't have any Disney transportation options for all those people who enjoy having dinner at the monorail resorts but need to get back to any WDW resort. I love using Disney transportation as part of being immersed in the fun.

 

[biofamily2003]

We are planning our first Christmas vacation to WDW We have stayed at a few of the other deluxe resorts, but never the GF and thought this might be a great year to try it out.

 

[KCmike]

It feels like this in KC today!!!!!

 

[Figment1990]

Ok. So I wanted to give a quick update on our monorail experience so far. First, we went to the mk this morning and left around 1, thinking we would get ds back for nap early since we had 6 pm reservations in epcot. Well, they had extraboats going to the poly and gf and the one we got on went to the poly first so it took forever. Two other boats docked at the gf before us (that left after us). we should have asked when we got on but we seem to be getting different answers from everyone about transportation anyhow so I'm not sure it would have mattered. I wasn't too happy about the unexpected detour. We would have added that into our travel time. Ours was the only boat going that direction. So odd. They were using bigger boats.

At night, we had to do the bus to the ttc then monorail to epcot alternate route because we left at 445 and the monorail was down til 6. I timed it and it took us about 35-40 min from gf to epcot. The bus turns right out of the gf, goes behind the magic kingdom, and then stops at the contemporary before going to the ttc. Where we then had to wait to even get off becaus there were extra buses unloading. An everyone was confused and walking slowly. It just felt arduous.

I have a ton of thoughts on the whole monorail being down situation and I will try to share them when we return (in 2 short days - boohoo) but I wanted to get details out to people as soon as possible in case they were planning.

Personally I am irritates with the way the whole thing was handled. The "rumors" were out but they did not tell hotel guests ahead of time and I think they should have. They did offer to move my family to the poly or wilderness lodge after we found out on our first night but I had already unpacked and wanted to give things a shot. My dh and I remarked today that we were glad we stuck it out because we really enjoy the hotel grounds, pool, and restaurants and room. And if we had not stayed we are the type who would have wondered all along if it would have been that bad. However, I had also planned our trip luckily in such a way that we only had a few days of leaving mk or epcot in the middle of the day or returning to epcot at night. We feel the gf is not ultra convenient to epcot anyway so I had planned on other things this trip. We actually prefer to go to epcot a lot for dinner and do so when we stay pretty much anywhere else. But when we planned this trip we picked the grand and planned with it's location in mind. If I had known about the monorail in advance, I would have saved the gf for another trip and saved some money staying at the poly or wilderness lodge (two of our other favorites). I just sit on the ttc bus or on our crazy boat today and think who on that bus might have paid full price for some of the really expensive rooms and feel bad. We are not in club level or tpv, but even so, this trip is still expensive to us and I think Disney dropped the ball on this one by not telling us except by burying a brochure in our welcome packet. I'm not kidding. I foun out on the boat ride from the mk on our first night. After I unpacked four suitcases and toddler paraphenalia.

And no matter what the front desk says, there is no bus to directly from the gf to epcot. You have to take the ttc bus.

Whew! I guess I didn't have it in me to wait until I got home to share my experience with you all. Thanks for listening and hope this helped some of you. Like I said, it's certainly manageable. It's just not what I was expecting when I booked this trip (or left on the airplane!) and I consider the monorail convenience and a fun factor for my family to be part of the gf "price" (and poly and contemp too) so it upset me. But I'm glad we stayed and made the best of it. We had a really great trip anyway. (including narcoosees which btw, we did end up taking my son with us and we had a great time - he loved te location and seeing everything out over the water - thumbs up!)

 

[pas130]

I looooove the resort channels, makes my family crazy because I'm always checking them.

Mine too Like it is gonna change hourly....can't help it. I go between Must-do, resorts, and I even throw in Spanish version for good measure

I have a ton of thoughts on the whole monorail being down situation and I will try to share them when we return (in 2 short days - boohoo) but I wanted to get details out to people as soon as possible in case they were planning.

Sorry the monorail issue made your Grand stay a little less magical...enjoy the last 2 days AND can't wait to hear all the GF stuff you loved when you get back

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Toystoryfan - Glad to help!

pmaurer74 - Welcome back!

CR Fan - thanks for the info, I'm sure many posters will be glad to hear about the expanded channels.

pas130 - I'm with you and s&k'smom, we watch the resort channels almost exclusively. I'm always surprised that anyone watches TV while in the World (no offense to anyone who does!) as there is so much to do, and by the time we get to the room we are ready to wind down - the resort channel is a nice way to do that and still feel like we are on vacation.

KCmike - Thanks for the pool photo, wasn't it beautiful yesterday?! We have rain today, phooey. I know we need it with the mild winter, but I hate rain.

Figment1990 - Thanks for the report on your experiences with the monorail shut down. Sorry it has been frustrating, I can imagine it was an unpleasant surprise. I understand your point about wanting to give it a shot, but would have planned for another resort had you known in advance. Unfortunately, Disney seems reluctant to alert their guests prior to check in, no matter the issue.~sigh~ Pretty easy to send out an email, but they rarely do in my experience.

I'm glad you enjoyed Narcoossee's, it is one of our favorites.