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

[mickeynut1]

The earlier I book the more changes I make....ugh who am I kidding....I change, and change some more...but the 45 day change fee makes you think

Me too . Booking early gives me way too much to think about it and I always start second guessing myself . But you're right.....the change fee within 45 days is a factor....but then that just means it's tempting to move up in resort or room category to avoid the fee .

 

[mickeynut1]

Everything im reading says SL CL is crowded how bad will it be mud June? Will we even be able to get food/ drink especially breakfast and afternoon snacks? Planned on being at breakfast around 730

We stayed SL in January 2010 and it was pretty crowded, especially in the morning around 8-9. I would imagine June to be a little busier than some other times of year, but if you're looking to be down there around 7:30, I'd say your chance of getting ahead of the crowds is good .

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Everything im reading says SL CL is crowded how bad will it be mud June? Will we even be able to get food/ drink especially breakfast and afternoon snacks? Planned on being at breakfast around 730

We have stayed in SL a number of times over the past few years, most recently a couple of weeks ago for 10 nights. During out last trip SL was completely booked most of of our stay. We usually had breakfast between 7:30 and 8 and always found a place to sit. Guests were great about not lingering at the tables, so the turnover was fairly quick. People in the morning are usually moving quickly to get to a park. As for the afternoons, there are always plenty of tables, people are on such different schedules.

Pas, I want on the waiting list for the RPC closet!!!


Reading about speculation on the date the GFVs will be completed is interesting. All I can say, is they better pick up the pace if it is going to be completed in 2013. There is no foundation for the buildings yet, they are only working 5 days a week and there only appears to be about 20 workers at any given time. Hopefully we will get continuous updates on this thread from people visiting!

The picture below was very typical of an afternoon during our stay a couple of weeks ago. Dark clouds that sometimes gave us a passing shower.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Where do I sign up for the RPC closet .... I'm in!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Where do I sign up for the RPC closet .... I'm in!

pas130, you've started a trend! RPC broom closet rooms, going fast!

mickeynut1 - We were the same way, kept original booking for many years. When I started making changes, it became harder for me to stick with my first - or even 4th - choice. So many resorts, so little time.

Jungle Cruiser - your photos of the looming storms have been very pretty! Not what you want to see on your vacation, but it makes for dramatic photographic opportunities.

LOL about the (lack of)speed with which the GFVs are being built. That doesn't sound like a schedule that will be completed by the end of next year, huh?!

Like you, we have usually been able to find a table in SL, even when it was at capacity. Yes, it gets busy at breakfast and evenings, but we have been there in the summer months and haven't felt it was overwhelmed.

bluejasmine - I wanted to add, we have found the GF CL food to be replenished right up until the end of the service period. For instance, if the breakfast is over at 10:30, we've seen fresh items put out at 10:00 or even later if there are still guests in the lounge. They are pretty good at judging the number of items needed for the amount of guests.

 

[mindy20]

I just changed my reservations last night for the last time, I have been crazy this trip about changing things. Anyway Im done we leave in 5 days, and I was wondering should I request a certain room or floor in the main bldg. There will be 5 of us me & my DH + 3 kids (2,3,& 5) Are all the standard rooms the same size ? Do any have Kings ?

 

[reginaastralis]

I'm sorry if this has been answered before, but when do they take down the Christmas decorations?

My parents anniversary is 12/29, and I would like to surprise them with two nights at the GF. I'm trying to plan the trip (and the dates are completely open) with them getting to see the decorations, but not be at Disney during the mayhem that is Christmas. I'd like to present their present at Christmas, but is the cutoff for the decorations around the 1/1?

 

[baler31]

I just changed my reservations last night for the last time, I have been crazy this trip about changing things. Anyway Im done we leave in 5 days, and I was wondering should I request a certain room or floor in the main bldg. There will be 5 of us me & my DH + 3 kids (2,3,& 5) Are all the standard rooms the same size ? Do any have Kings ?

Did you book two standard rooms ? The Kings are only available to parties of 2 and they may have to be booked I am not completely sure. Someone will answer I am sure. But if you did book two and a king is available (I believe there are very few of these in the whole resort) you could request that it connect to your children's room.

It is possible that the only Kings available in the Main Building are the bookable Deluxe Kings but again I don't know for sure as we typically book the Deluxe Queen in the main building for the extra space but I know it has an occupancy of 4.

 

[mindy20]

We booked the Standard Room Main bldg. No Deluxe available. Just one room. I just wondered if there is a specific floor or room I should request ?

 

[baler31]

We booked the Standard Room Main bldg. No Deluxe available. Just one room. I just wondered if there is a specific floor or room I should request ?

If you would like to be on the floor with the lounge you might want to request that. If you want to be away from construction you might want to add "facing away from construction noise" or something like that.

It really depends on your preferences. I would not request a specific room because if it is not available they have no way of knowing what other room to assign as it does not indicate what you like about that room.

Some people like "away from elevator" or "quiet location." We always have requested "no connecting door" because when we do have one we seem to have very noisy neighbors.

I believe the GF is one of the few resorts that does not require an additional fee for a rollaway, so if you have kids that want their own sleeping space you may want to request one.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mindy20 - You're nearly there! I agree with baler31, your best bet is to request "courtyard view" or "away from construction". The lounge is on the 4th floor, but I'm not sure I would add that, to give the assigner more options for putting you away from construction. If you intend to put in a request, I would do it this morning with IPO, so they are aware of your desired location before you arrive.

Yes, all standard rooms are pretty much the same size (there are some dormer rooms in the outer bldgs. that seem a few sq. ft. smaller). I believe there are a couple standard rooms with kings in RPC, Lulu'sMom posted there are two overlooking the themed pool. Not sure if there are any overlooking the courtyard. If there are 5 of you, they won't place you in a king room, no worries there.

I'm sorry if this has been answered before, but when do they take down the Christmas decorations?

My parents anniversary is 12/29, and I would like to surprise them with two nights at the GF. I'm trying to plan the trip (and the dates are completely open) with them getting to see the decorations, but not be at Disney during the mayhem that is Christmas. I'd like to present their present at Christmas, but is the cutoff for the decorations around the 1/1?

Welcome! What a lovely gift for your parents. They start taking down the decorations a day or two after New Year's. We've been there from Jan. 2-8, and by about the 4th they were all gone.

HTH!

 

[reginaastralis]

Welcome! What a lovely gift for your parents. They start taking down the decorations a day or two after New Year's. We've been there from Jan. 2-8, and by about the 4th they were all gone.

HTH!

Thanks so much, that's exactly the info I was hoping to find! Now I just have to pick the right weekend, and hope I can find a way to get my dad to take off work without giving it away. Her 50th is next month, and I was hoping to do a Keys to the Kingdom tour as a surprise, which I can't keep my mouth shut and have told her about it, haha ... so hopefully I can actually keep my mouth shut until Christmas with this!

I'm always impressed when people are able to plan whole surprise trips and tell their kids the day before they leave. We live 45 minutes away from Disney, and I can't even make it there without telling my daughter where we are going.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

That is cute!!!!! TPV RPC may still open up......


There are closets there with our name on it As long as I have CL access.....

You know even if TPV RPC doesn't open up, we are thankful to still be there and we are going to enjoy every moment. I am already getting teary eyed just thinking about the car pulling into the GF. 55 More days until Me, DH and DS16 (AKA Jack Skellington 6ft, 128lbs) arrive. I am not too excited am I.

That's funny about the closets. Like k&a&c'smom said you started a new trend.

 

[pas130]

You know even if TPV RPC doesn't open up, we are thankful to still be there and we are going to enjoy every moment. I am already getting teary eyed just thinking about the car pulling into the GF. 55 More days until Me, DH and DS16 (AKA Jack Skellington 6ft, 128lbs) arrive. I am not too excited am I.

That's funny about the closets. Like k&a&c'smom said you started a new trend.

What can I say, i'm trendy like that.....speaking of teary eyed....see my announcement

Where do I sign up for the RPC closet .... I'm in!

I am keeping a running list...I will forward to CRO...I think you can use your DVC points

Pas, I want on the waiting list for the RPC closet!!!

Done my friend

Me too . Booking early gives me way too much to think about it and I always start second guessing myself . But you're right.....the change fee within 45 days is a factor....but then that just means it's tempting to move up in resort or room category to avoid the fee .

That's why I'm glad I'm room only....I have up to 5 days...

pas130, you've started a trend! RPC broom closet rooms, going fast!

They are going fast. I called to see if I could book one for HRHs surprise trip in Sept...there's a 20% off code(30% at Epcot resorts ) but the closet was booked until 2014.....JK......would it surprise you t know I switched from AoA to RPC

I have to announce on the RC thread, but a discount is a discount...and it'd HRHs birthday wish

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - Awww, I'm glad you are returning to your favorite resort.

Thanks so much, that's exactly the info I was hoping to find! Now I just have to pick the right weekend, and hope I can find a way to get my dad to take off work without giving it away. Her 50th is next month, and I was hoping to do a Keys to the Kingdom tour as a surprise, which I can't keep my mouth shut and have told her about it, haha ... so hopefully I can actually keep my mouth shut until Christmas with this!

I'm always impressed when people are able to plan whole surprise trips and tell their kids the day before they leave. We live 45 minutes away from Disney, and I can't even make it there without telling my daughter where we are going.

You are not alone, lol. I am well known for blowing the surprise, almost before I get it set up.

Good luck with your plans. After reading my response, I should clarify - during our January trip, they started taking down the decorations on the 2nd, finished by the 4th.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

They are going fast. I called to see if I could book one for HRHs surprise trip in Sept...there's a 20% off code(30% at Epcot resorts ) but the closet was booked until 2014.....JK......would it surprise you t know I switched from AoA to RPC

I have to announce on the RC thread, but a discount is a discount...and it'd HRHs birthday wish

Congrats on your RPC booking!

 

[bluejasmine]

Surprising my step son night before he lives in Nashville so I won't have any issues keeping it on the DL until he gets here the week before!

Last yr we surprised him on the way his face was priceless! It was his first and only time!

 

[pas130]

Congrats on your RPC booking!

Thank you!!!

Surprising my step son night before he lives in Nashville so I won't have any issues keeping it on the DL until he gets here the week before!

Last yr we surprised him on the way his face was priceless! It was his first and only time!

That's awesome...I really want to surprise my daughter..I plan on packing up the car the night before, then I will have hr sleep with me (so we don't wake the others) and drive to the airport

 

[bluejasmine]

Just called and I had a pin so my reservation just dropped $200! Using that towards sept trip with 30% at BC hoping I'll get my annual 40% for sept too!

 

[pas130]

Just called and I had a pin so my reservation just dropped $200! Using that towards sept trip with 30% at BC hoping I'll get my annual 40% for sept too!