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

[k&a&c'smom]

TiggerStac - thanks for the info, good to know. I know what you mean, DD and I were worried the BC pool closure in 2010 would be during our visit, as we spend a lot of time in SAB.

nonzerosum - Yes, I think the monorail to MK, then AKL bus is the way to go with WDW transport - probably around 45 minutes. We usually take a cab for resort to resort travel, much easier. The fare from GF to AKL would be around $18, plus tip, and would take about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.

I hope someone at the resort now can pop in and let us know if the monorail has resumed normal operations!

 

[Lulu'sMom]

TiggerStac - thanks for the info, good to know. I know what you mean, DD and I were worried the BC pool closure in 2010 would be during our visit, as we spend a lot of time in SAB.

nonzerosum - Yes, I think the monorail to MK, then AKL bus is the way to go with WDW transport - probably around 45 minutes. We usually take a cab for resort to resort travel, much easier. The fare from GF to AKL would be around $18, plus tip, and would take about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.

I hope someone at the resort now can pop in and let us know if the monorail has resumed normal operations!

Hey everyone! I'm on my way to WDW! Staying at the BC this time, but will be popping in to check in on the GF!
I've been waiting on someone popping in too, kacsmom!
but we'll be checking out the monorail situation on our MK day as we'll be leaving the MK late morning to have lunch at Kona.

Hopefully, this trip will convince DH that a future stay
(this year, hint! hint!) at the Grand is a much better decision than the BC/YC again. Especially with the pool, (it is under construction now! ) Cape May will be in rehab and so will the steakhouse later this year.

And I wouldn't hesitate to take a cab to another resort, it is worth every single penny. I take the buses only when I have to, and the boat to the GF is so wonderful to take after being in the MK. (I speak for the Poly and WL, too)

Bye-bye to all my buddies!!!
Promise to take it easy!
And to take some pictures.
They will be nothing like all of yours.
I'm serious. Really.

 

[Figment1990]

TiggerStac - thanks for the info, good to know. I know what you mean, DD and I were worried the BC pool closure in 2010 would be during our visit, as we spend a lot of time in SAB.

nonzerosum - Yes, I think the monorail to MK, then AKL bus is the way to go with WDW transport - probably around 45 minutes. We usually take a cab for resort to resort travel, much easier. The fare from GF to AKL would be around $18, plus tip, and would take about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.

I hope someone at the resort now can pop in and let us know if the monorail has resumed normal operations!

I second the Taxi recommendation (as long as you don't need carseats for kids). It's the easiest way to AKL in my opinion. The bus at the MK will take longer, but will not be terrible if you had to do it that way.

k&a&c's Mom I volunteer to take one for the team and go back to WDW and the GF to report in daily on the monorail situation.

 

[psac]

Also a vote for cab. If you're splurging money on staying at the GF, and spending on a good dinner like a signature (or someplace like Boma, whatever), don't ruin it by wasting all your time transferring buses and the like. Take the cabs. It's well worth it! The extra time you save can be spent checking out the public areas of the AK Lodge, including the savannah animal viewing areas. They're really nice!

 

[psac]

Hey everyone! I'm on my way to WDW!

Enjoy your stay!!!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hey everyone! I'm on my way to WDW! Staying at the BC this time, but will be popping in to check in on the GF!
I've been waiting on someone popping in too, kacsmom!
but we'll be checking out the monorail situation on our MK day as we'll be leaving the MK late morning to have lunch at Kona.

Hopefully, this trip will convince DH that a future stay
(this year, hint! hint!) at the Grand is a much better decision than the BC/YC again. Especially with the pool, (it is under construction now! ) Cape May will be in rehab and so will the steakhouse later this year.

And I wouldn't hesitate to take a cab to another resort, it is worth every single penny. I take the buses only when I have to, and the boat to the GF is so wonderful to take after being in the MK. (I speak for the Poly and WL, too)

Bye-bye to all my buddies!!!
Promise to take it easy!
And to take some pictures.
They will be nothing like all of yours.
I'm serious. Really.

Have a WONDERFUL trip!!!

 

[wundermommy76]

Hello! During our last day at Disney this September, there is going to be a MNSSHP at MK. Since we will not be buying tickets to the party, we decided to try to get a 7pm 1900 Park Fare dinner. I have also recently learned about the Electrical Water Paegent - never knew about it before. It passes the GF at 9:15pm according to the schedule and the info site says you can see it from the beach at the GF. So hopefully we could be done w/dinner before 9:15pm and be able to walk out to the beach to see this. My question is, can you also see the Wishes fireworks display from this vantage point? Someone told me they only knew that the view from the Poly or Contemporary is where you can see both the EWP and Wishes fireworks....but isn't GF pretty close to the MK too? Has anyone seen the fireworks from the beach before? Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Hello! During our last day at Disney this September, there is going to be a MNSSHP at MK. Since we will not be buying tickets to the party, we decided to try to get a 7pm 1900 Park Fare dinner. I have also recently learned about the Electrical Water Paegent - never knew about it before. It passes the GF at 9:15pm according to the schedule and the info site says you can see it from the beach at the GF. So hopefully we could be done w/dinner before 9:15pm and be able to walk out to the beach to see this. My question is, can you also see the Wishes fireworks display from this vantage point? Someone told me they only knew that the view from the Poly or Contemporary is where you can see both the EWP and Wishes fireworks....but isn't GF pretty close to the MK too? Has anyone seen the fireworks from the beach before? Thanks!!!!!!!

Yes you can see fireworks from the GF. I like to go to the grassy area right in front of Narcoussie's (spelling). There you can hear the piped in music. You can also walk further down to the boat dock and watch from there. The last time I viewed from the boat dock I didn't hear piped in music. Also a good viewing area is outside of Gasparilla's and walk down toward the water. You might not get piped in music, but a great view of the fireworks. We've watched fireworks many times at the GF and love that you don't have to fight the crowds there.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Lulu'sMom - sorry I missed your send off, I hope your travel was safe and easy. Have a magical time in the World, we'll be looking forward to your monorail info, as well as the photos - which I'm sure will be lovely.

Figment1990 - That is sooo selfless of you.

psac - very good point about the waste of valuable time doing transfers, which is why we've used cabs extensively when we don't have a car.

wundermommy76 - As janeapplemeadow posted, there are numerous places to view the fireworks at the GF. You asked specifically about the beach, and there are two points - one, there is a lot of construction going on near the beach right now, and two, the beach faces the Poly, rather than the MK. Doesn't mean you couldn't sit in a hammock on the beach and see the upper fireworks but I don't think that is the best area for viewing. We have a link for an aerial map, so you can see what I mean: http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444

Here are a few photos of the areas suggested by janeapplemeadow:
Path between Conch Key and Narcoossee's (this was taken during outdoor maintenance)

The boat dock is right next to where the EWP stops at the GF; there are a few seats under the red and white portico

Part of the grassy area between the boat dock and Narcoossee's

Landing in front of Gasparilla's, great place for fireworks, but you can't see the EWP here

 

[pas130]

Hey everyone! I'm on my way to WDW! Staying at the BC this time, but will be popping in to check in on the GF!
I've been waiting on someone popping in too, kacsmom!
but we'll be checking out the monorail situation on our MK day as we'll be leaving the MK late morning to have lunch at Kona.

Hopefully, this trip will convince DH that a future stay
(this year, hint! hint!) at the Grand is a much better decision than the BC/YC again. Especially with the pool, (it is under construction now! ) Cape May will be in rehab and so will the steakhouse later this year.

And I wouldn't hesitate to take a cab to another resort, it is worth every single penny. I take the buses only when I have to, and the boat to the GF is so wonderful to take after being in the MK. (I speak for the Poly and WL, too)

Bye-bye to all my buddies!!!
Promise to take it easy!
And to take some pictures.
They will be nothing like all of yours.
I'm serious. Really.

Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!!

k&a&c's Mom I volunteer to take one for the team and go back to WDW and the GF to report in daily on the monorail situation.

Nice pics k&a&c'smom


junglecruiser

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - thanks! Every time I post a photo, or look at the photos posted by others, I wish our next trip was to the GF.

 

[nonzerosum]

We'll be checking in on a Saturday (peak season) at about 7:30pm. I've been thinking that we may splurge and upgrade to CL if available at check-in. Any thoughts or experiences about whether or not this will be possible, especially given the day and later check-in time? I've always wondered if "the good rooms" (not just CL, but any rooms) are assigned to guests who check-in earlier in the day and the not so great ones are left for those who show up later, beaten down and tired after 14 hours of international travel (sigh).

Once we arrived at a non-Disney hotel late in the evening and our room was given away and the hotel was fully booked!!! This was despite the fact that we had prepaid our accommodations and phoned the hotel to confirm that we were checking in late. This experience just got me wondering if we are destined for rooms beside the elevator or at the far reaches of a resort because we always arrive after 7pm. I should probably mention that we usually just book standard garden view rooms.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

nonzerosum - In peak season, it is unlikely any CL rooms will be available at check in. We have had a hard time upgrading at check in at the GF during regular or value season. Never hurts to ask, but my suggestion is to check now, if it is available at a price you are comfortable with, book it.

Regarding a late arrival - you may end up in a building or location that is not your preferred area or view. As guests check in, they often make requests for a different location, or the room they are assigned needs maintenance, etc. A later arrival means there will be fewer rooms to choose from, especially at peak time.

If you end up in an undesirable room, let the front desk know, and if they are not at capacity they will move you the following day. Not as difficult as it sounds, you just unpack what you need for the night and check your bags with bell services the next morning. They will text you with your new room number, hopefully it will be more to your liking.

 

[BC1836]

We'll be checking in on a Saturday (peak season) at about 7:30pm.

We'll be about 15 hours behind you!

All the best.

 

[scottmel]

Hello everyone. Ih ope you can assist me. For the last 4 summers I have stayed YC CL and LOVED it. Decor, pool, etc. Just ME! This summer DD13 asked to spend a few night at the Poly followed by BC CL. I am such an accomodating mom I said SURE! So I was all set.. I thought. TO ME, the poly appears tired an a bit run down. Anyone stay at Poly and GF that could offer up some help? I am feeling the GF is more "me" but based on room pics it too looks a little tired but could just be decor choices of rooms.

Is it a long walk to the pool in any building from GF? Are pools at GF better than poly? Rooms? Any info? Thank you!

 

[bethclayton]

Hello everyone. Ih ope you can assist me. For the last 4 summers I have stayed YC CL and LOVED it. Decor, pool, etc. Just ME! This summer DD13 asked to spend a few night at the Poly followed by BC CL. I am such an accomodating mom I said SURE! So I was all set.. I thought. TO ME, the poly appears tired an a bit run down. Anyone stay at Poly and GF that could offer up some help? I am feeling the GF is more "me" but based on room pics it too looks a little tired but could just be decor choices of rooms.

Is it a long walk to the pool in any building from GF? Are pools at GF better than poly? Rooms? Any info? Thank you!

The courtyard pool at the GF is close to all of the buildings. Having stayed at both the Poly and the GF, I think it is probably closer to more of the buildings than either of the pools at the Poly.

I guess the Poly rooms might look a little worn down to some but to me I felt like part of the reason for that was that the decor of the Poly by nature is very dark and somewhat retro looking, which would make it more easily look worn out. The GF is so bright that you would be less likely to notice the things that needed attention. On our last trip, we stayed at both the Poly and the GF (2 different rooms at the Poly, too). I paid a lot of attention to the condition of the rooms at both resorts because so many do make the comparison. Honestly, I found more things "wrong" in our room at the GF in 2 nights than I did at the Poly in two different rooms over 6 or 7 nights. Things like weird caulking, peeling wallpaper, stains, etc. I probably would not have noticed ANY of these things if I had not been looking for them.

When all is said and done, though, it seems you made this decision to book the Poly for your dd. Does your dd want the GF? If your dd has her heart set on the Poly because of the theming, and you are already going to BC later in your stay, then I would stick with the Poly for that portion of the split stay. The GF and BC are way more similar to one another than Poly to BC. So, you could have your Poly stay for dd and your BC stay for you.

 

[scottmel]

BETHCLAYTON - thank you! I loved your response. It is so helpful and made perfect sense. I am staying put at the Poly. If only for DD and this way I KNOW if it is for me and won't keep debating it for future trips. I appreciate your candor in the Gf. vs poly appearance. That reassured me as well. Looking forward to GF in the future but 2012 is Poly BC...THANK YOU!

 

[bethclayton]

Scottmel, you are most welcome! I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BC1836 - your trip is nearly here!

scottmel - Welcome! It seems you were able to make a decision already, but I wanted to agree with bethclayton, the Poly is a wonderful resort. Very different theme and vibe than the GF, but just as lovely. We preferred the decor prior to the latest renovation, which is why we haven't booked it as often of late - but we still love dining and shopping whenever we are in the World.

Enjoy your stay, have fun planning your trip.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Hi all! I posted a thread about this but realized I'd probably have better luck getting an answer here - is the path between the GF and the Poly still open? I wasn't sure if had to close because of the construction. Thanks!