Ugh- Grand Floridian refurb

[ktlm]

Just got a letter from WDW that both the main pool and gasparilla's grill(cs) will be closed for our December trip! I guess I didn't pay enough attention on the boards because I had no clue. I know that swimming weather in December is just a matter of luck anyway but It sure isn't going to look pretty. The main thing is we eat cs for a quick breakfast before the park every morning and the only cs open will be the beach pool bar and mizner's lounge. Never been to either of those places but they don't sound like places that will be open for breakfast. DH is also known to hit cs for a snack and a drink when we get back from the parks at night which is usually really late so the fact it stays open pretty much all night is a big plus for him. DH isn't happy. DD (6) really doesn't want to switch resorts as she LOVES GF. We are on a bounce back so I don't know if there would even be any rooms still available to switch, especially since free dining just opened. If there is no cs breakfast option DH wants to cancel the trip if we can't change to the Poly. So DD and DH are not happy with each other right now. I'm inclined to just hold onto the fact that the lobby will be pretty, order a bunch of Garden Grocer stuff for breakfast, and deal with it and cross my fingers that DH can find his coffee in the morning somewhere. Anyone have any brilliant suggestions or insight?

 

[akl-fan]

I think i read that one of the lounge will be serving cs breakfast whilst the grill is closed. Some more knowledgeable disers will hopefully confirm this. That said I would move to the Poly, BLT or YC. The GF costs far too much money to be inconvenienced and not have a flawless trip.

 

[mickeynut1]

To add on to what akl-fan posted, I think the beach pool bar is expanding their menu to accommodate Gasparilla's being closed, but I'm not sure how extensive it will be and if that includes breakfast or not. Maybe look at the GF FAQ as I'm sure there's talk about the refurbs on that thread. I would also call and check on what resorts would be be available under your BB to switch. If the Poly isn't available under that promo, I'd ask if there's anything that can be done to get the Poly (while keeping your discount) since it is an inconvenience with so many things going on at the GF right now and that wasn't the case when you booked. Good luck .

 

[padawans]

Just got a letter from WDW that both the main pool and gasparilla's grill(cs) will be closed for our December trip! I guess I didn't pay enough attention on the boards because I had no clue. I know that swimming weather in December is just a matter of luck anyway but It sure isn't going to look pretty. The main thing is we eat cs for a quick breakfast before the park every morning and the only cs open will be the beach pool bar and mizner's lounge. Never been to either of those places but they don't sound like places that will be open for breakfast. DH is also known to hit cs for a snack and a drink when we get back from the parks at night which is usually really late so the fact it stays open pretty much all night is a big plus for him. DH isn't happy. DD (6) really doesn't want to switch resorts as she LOVES GF. We are on a bounce back so I don't know if there would even be any rooms still available to switch, especially since free dining just opened. If there is no cs breakfast option DH wants to cancel the trip if we can't change to the Poly. So DD and DH are not happy with each other right now. I'm inclined to just hold onto the fact that the lobby will be pretty, order a bunch of Garden Grocer stuff for breakfast, and deal with it and cross my fingers that DH can find his coffee in the morning somewhere. Anyone have any brilliant suggestions or insight?

I switched my Dec from GF to Wl because of the same things you are concerned about. I am not sure your dates, but there was a lot of availability the second week of Dec at every resort. I am booked with 40% off so I am sure you will have no difficulty changing your reservation.

 

[goofy4prez]

I think i read that one of the lounge will be serving cs breakfast whilst the grill is closed. Some more knowledgeable disers will hopefully confirm this. That said I would move to the Poly, BLT or YC. The GF costs far too much money to be inconvenienced and not have a flawless trip.

I agree with this statement 100%; there is no way I'm going to pay that kind of money to stay at the GF and be inconvienenced that much with limited usage of the property amenities. I also would move over to another resort. The WL may be a good option for the op. The resort would be incredible decorated, the cost would be less, and perhaps they could even do concierge and solve the breakfast issue, enjoy some snacks during the day, some nice appetizers in the early evening, and DH may be able to enjoy a couple of cold long necks as well and still be paying less.

 

[cjsm&d]

Just got a letter from WDW that both the main pool and gasparilla's grill(cs) will be closed for our December trip! I guess I didn't pay enough attention on the boards because I had no clue. I know that swimming weather in December is just a matter of luck anyway but It sure isn't going to look pretty. The main thing is we eat cs for a quick breakfast before the park every morning and the only cs open will be the beach pool bar and mizner's lounge. Never been to either of those places but they don't sound like places that will be open for breakfast. DH is also known to hit cs for a snack and a drink when we get back from the parks at night which is usually really late so the fact it stays open pretty much all night is a big plus for him. DH isn't happy. DD (6) really doesn't want to switch resorts as she LOVES GF. We are on a bounce back so I don't know if there would even be any rooms still available to switch, especially since free dining just opened. If there is no cs breakfast option DH wants to cancel the trip if we can't change to the Poly. So DD and DH are not happy with each other right now. I'm inclined to just hold onto the fact that the lobby will be pretty, order a bunch of Garden Grocer stuff for breakfast, and deal with it and cross my fingers that DH can find his coffee in the morning somewhere. Anyone have any brilliant suggestions or insight?

DH's opinion trumps DD IMO. Since you and he pay the bills. DD may be miffed now, but if the weather is nice, a week without a main pool will make her more upset probably.

I'd call and see if I could switch to Poly. WL is also pretty nice at Xmas, or maybe a MK view at CR would be about the same amount of $$.

 

[ktlm]

Thanks everyone. It makes me feel better to know that at least there are rumors of a CS breakfast somewhere. The debate is still ongoing at our house. DH has calmed down since his original reaction. He and DD have been discussing it off and on today. DD still wants to stay at "Cinderella's hotel" (she has dubbed it that and it has been her favorite hotel in the world since 1900 Park Fare made her think that when she was little), but is warming up a bit to the idea of the Poly. DH is still wanting the Poly (which is his favorite anyway), but is warming up to the idea of just making the best of it at GF. Me, other than the fact I will have to hear one or both of them whine, will just be happy to be anywhere at WDW.

goofy4prez, I can't imagine the people who paid full price for it and are going to have to deal with the refurb. I would not be happy. No way I would stay there if we were paying full price...but then again we wouldn't be staying there at full price anyway. We've never done CL. I'm not sure if it would be worth the money for us because we are open to close park people most days. We found out when DD was 2 that she was a total commando like us and did not do well with afternoon breaks. We rarely are back at the resort during the day for any snacks or appetizers. DH would definitely love the idea of a couple of cold longnecks though!

I love WL at Christmas. We were there Christmas 2008 for DD's first trip. I suggested that one today, but both DD and DH shot me down. Funny because everyone loves WL and we have stayed there more than once. DD and DH both said they would prefer the Poly or GF for the bigger rooms and monorail. I think they have been spoiled by staying there the last couple of trips. Plus, they both know that we have a bounceback rate, and we only stay at those if we have a bounceback rate or other similar discount, so I don't think either are ready to give the monorail resorts up. We've never stayed at CR. The style doesn't really appeal to any of us. Is it loud inside with the monorail? Can you hear it in the rooms? I wouldn't be against trying it. I'd love to stay at every single resort at WDW once from value through deluxe.

Looking at another GF thread, now I'm worried that if we switch to the Poly we will wind up in the same boat. We've been seeing the rumors that GCH is going to be gutted or even torn down and rebuilt for awhile. Supposedly that wasn't going to happen until GF was done, but now I guess there are some rumblings that due to some structural issues, it might happen earlier. It would be just my luck to switch to the Poly and get there are find the entire GCH torn down. Of course, it might also be our last chance to stay at the Poly as it is now too.

UGH- what to do? What to do?

 

[MinnieGolf]

OP needs to make a choice between Grand Floridian or Poly or Contemporary or Wilderness Lodge...

I wish I had that problem today!

 

[Masonmj84]

Looking at another GF thread, now I'm worried that if we switch to the Poly we will wind up in the same boat. We've been seeing the rumors that GCH is going to be gutted or even torn down and rebuilt for awhile. Supposedly that wasn't going to happen until GF was done, but now I guess there are some rumblings that due to some structural issues, it might happen earlier. It would be just my luck to switch to the Poly and get there are find the entire GCH torn down. Of course, it might also be our last chance to stay at the Poly as it is now too.

UGH- what to do? What to do?

I sort of doubt anything that drastic will be happening at the Poly that soon.

For example, I doubt Disney would close both the main GF and Poly pools at the same time. Nor do I think the GCH will be closed this December (if it makes you feel any better, we have an ADR at 'Ohana on December 9th).

What are your travel dates?

(FWIW: I follow Tikiman's various on-line postings fairly religiously so I'm aware of all the rumored refurbs at the Poly. While I believe they will happen, I just don't see them doing drastic work on the GCH until they're nearing completion of the GF DVC. In addition, If there are structural problems that cause the GCH to be unsafe, I'd have to think they'd have already closed it off to the public).