*The Official VILLAS AT DISNEY'S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA Owners & Lovers Group* - LOBBY REFURB BEGAN 4/14!

[Mexacajun]

If you are checking in for the dvc villas (not big pine key) and you are driving and have bags to check before your room is ready, do you go to the dvc building or the main building? I guess I’m asking if DVC has its own bell services.

 

[WDWfantasy]

If you are checking in for the dvc villas (not big pine key) and you are driving and have bags to check before your room is ready, do you go to the dvc building or the main building? I guess I’m asking if DVC has its own bell services.

DVC building

 

[Cfabar1]

the guards are sometimes clueless.... the one time we stayed in BPK they made it sound like we had to park and check in at the DVC building... we got there and the were very puzzled why we weren't checking in in the main building....

 

[Dis507]

the guards are sometimes clueless.... the one time we stayed in BPK they made it sound like we had to park and check in at the DVC building... we got there and the were very puzzled why we weren't checking in in the main building....

Completely agree. If you are staying at BPK (Resort Studio Room) go to the main building. If you are staying in a Deluxe, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom of Grand Villa, go to the DVC building. It’s more of a convenience for you to go direct to the DVC building if you are staying there. I have gone to the main building when staying in the DVC building and checked my luggage with bell services there since I knew my room was not ready yet and it was more convenient for them to store it as I believe the DVC building has limited space and over flow ends up over at the main hotel.


Welcome home and enjoy your stay!

 

[mrsap]

FYI…



Receive candy at Movies Under the Stars at select Walt Disney World Resorts or popcorn while watching films aboard Disney Cruise Line sailings—all complimentary!


Walt Disney World Resort

Receive complimentary candy at Movies Under the Stars.

• Locations:
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney's Beach Club Resort
  • Disney's BoardWalk Resort
  • Disney's Old Key West Resort
  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney's Riviera Resort
  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resorts
  • Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

• Dates: Varies by Resort. Please check with the Recreation team at each respective location.
• Times: During normal operating hours of Movies Under the Stars
• Eligibility: Members eligible for Membership Extras (one selection of candy per week, per Member)

 

[Cfabar1]

I will be the person to complain bout the free food... Why not just say one selection of candy per evening... Seems silly...

 

[tx911]

View from the Enchanted Rose last Sunday

 

[Skicks35]

For those of you with small kiddos:

I know you can request cribs, but what is the best way to go about doing this ahead of time (as they are apparently limited)? Chat with MS to have them add it to your reservation as a note? Anything else to try? Just don't want to get there and have them not have any available (when renting from a 3rd party would be an option, but too late by that point).

Also, does the hotel happen to have high chairs available as well (probably wishful thinking here)?

Thank you!

 

[Matty B13]

For those of you with small kiddos:

I know you can request cribs, but what is the best way to go about doing this ahead of time (as they are apparently limited)? Chat with MS to have them add it to your reservation as a note? Anything else to try? Just don't want to get there and have them not have any available (when renting from a 3rd party would be an option, but too late by that point).

Also, does the hotel happen to have high chairs available as well (probably wishful thinking here)?

Thank you!

All we ever did was make a request with MS on the reservation, and it was never a problem. I think you will be fine as long as you put it in ahead of time.

Also, if you are staying in a 1 Bedroom or 2 Bedroom unit, a pack-n-play will easily fit in the closet of the master bedroom. We did this every time we stayed at VGF, and our girls slept great in there, we just cracked the door open a little bit.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

For those of you with small kiddos:

I know you can request cribs, but what is the best way to go about doing this ahead of time (as they are apparently limited)? Chat with MS to have them add it to your reservation as a note? Anything else to try? Just don't want to get there and have them not have any available (when renting from a 3rd party would be an option, but too late by that point).

Also, does the hotel happen to have high chairs available as well (probably wishful thinking here)?

Thank you!

If they don't have a high chair already in the closet when you arrive, you can call and have them deliver one to the room. They will be the same type available in the restaurants on property (with the mickey cut out.) Never had an issue getting a high chair at the Grand when my kids were little!

Just so you're aware, the "crib" is actually the same size as a pack and play - it's just metal and has a real mattress. We always just used the pack and play in the room with our own travel mattress inserted. I don't think there is really anything else you could do in advance other than asking to have the request added to your reservation.

 

[Skicks35]

Thank you both!

We will have a pack and play for our little guy (will be one year when we go), but was interested in the crib rental for our older son (will be 2.5). I'll call MS tomorrow and request - thanks!

 

[Matty B13]

Thank you both!

We will have a pack and play for our little guy (will be one year when we go), but was interested in the crib rental for our older son (will be 2.5). I'll call MS tomorrow and request - thanks!

No need to bring your pack-n-play Disney has tons of them, and clean them every use along with a new sheet cover if I remember correctly.

 

[mrsap]

Wanted to share…

Our friends are at The Grand. I asked about the pool and here’s what she said:

“Both times we went to pool we had to scan our magic band and they gave us a yellow band, the girl said they have stuff in the works for this.”

 

[cbailey1616]

Thank you both!

We will have a pack and play for our little guy (will be one year when we go), but was interested in the crib rental for our older son (will be 2.5). I'll call MS tomorrow and request - thanks!

I'd just do bed rails for the 2.5 YO. They will provide them upon request.

 

[mrsap]

Cross-cross posting lol


Wanted to share this post regarding the pool/MB situation:

My family and I are the Grand Floridian now. They are scanning magic bands and/or cards to make sure the people using the pools are registered guests. After validation they are issuing wristbands.

Post found in thread 'Using pools if not a guest'
https://www.disboards.com/threads/using-pools-if-not-a-guest.3968556/post-66195716

Thank you for sharing sbbobe!

 

[mrsap]

Grand Floridian Lobby Update: Walk-Up Bar Progress, Plenty of Construction (and Demolition)

We’ll start with the star of the show, a new walk-up lobby bar. Walt Disney World previously released concept art of the lobby refresh, and the new bar was an unmistakable centerpiece. The bar is inspired by the former birdcage that sat in the same spot for decades. Minus the new bar, the look and feel of the lobby appears to retain the same charm that guests love. Let’s take a look at the current state of the work.

Since we last checked in on the project, the planter-style foundation that the birdcage previously sat on has been demolished. It looks like there is a bit of a hole here now, as crews prepare for the installation of the bar. Without knowing what was under the planter that was demolished, it also looks like some new infrastructure is in place, perhaps to support some of the features needed for a bar (like a sink). Here’s a look around the area from an elevated vantage point from the second floor of the Grand.

Check-In Counter Demolished​

Heading downstairs, we can see that the check-in counter is now completely behind construction walls, and a fair bit of construction has taken place. Disney did not release any details or renderings of what the new check-in area will look like once complete, but we do know that all of the counters have been removed, and there is work taking place on both the walls and ceiling. Here’s a tour of the work.



A peek beyond the construction walls shows the removal of the check-in counters, and some materials staged as work continues around the window frames.




Elsewhere, there is ongoing work to refresh the window frames around the lobby, including in this little alcove near the front door. Speaking of the front door, both the front door and doors leading to the monorail platform were blocked from view as crews performed repairs.

Tea Room Progress​

On the other side of the lobby, the Tea Room remains behind walls. From what we can tell, the flooring has been ripped out, and the Tea Room is being used as either a break room or staging area for some of the other work. Pop-up tables are present, and we even spotted a TV box (not sure what for).

 

[Bucketfoot]

I've got no problem with people drinking, but putting a bar in already overcrowded lobby is just downright stupidity!

 

[ghtx]

Completely agree. If you are staying at BPK (Resort Studio Room) go to the main building. If you are staying in a Deluxe, 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom of Grand Villa, go to the DVC building. It’s more of a convenience for you to go direct to the DVC building if you are staying there. I have gone to the main building when staying in the DVC building and checked my luggage with bell services there since I knew my room was not ready yet and it was more convenient for them to store it as I believe the DVC building has limited space and over flow ends up over at the main hotel.


Welcome home and enjoy your stay!

Thanks for this info.

I have booked through DVC points and I am staying at a "Resort Studio - Theme Park View". Does that mean I will be in the BPK building and should go to the front desk of the main building rather than the DVC building? Does it matter where I park?

 

[MamaKate]

Thanks for this info.

I have booked through DVC points and I am staying at a "Resort Studio - Theme Park View". Does that mean I will be in the BPK building and should go to the front desk of the main building rather than the DVC building? Does it matter where I park?

Yes, Resort Studios are the villas in BPK so it's easiest to check in at the main building.

I never drive, but I'd definitely park at the main parking lot since it's closer, but I did see people parking across the street during our last stay, but I'm pretty sure that was for people with dining reservations???