2014 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ: Vacationing in Grand Style!

[trishadono]

Lol made my day! It's our very trip with just my husband and myself ... One of my daughters and some of the grand kiddies are so wanting to go and totally giving me the pout look. I've felt bad a few days planning a trip without them but looking forward to being able to roam the shoppes, go on what they would call boring attractions and eat places without chicken nuggets having to be on the menu : ) But planning a granddaughter trip for 2015 to help my guilt ... And it's working feel better already!

Anything I missed experience wise?

Take time to smell the roses, ride a boat, walk the grounds

A little hand holding

 

[mickeynut1]

So we just got off the bus and we were selected for family of day! Got upgrade to main building club level. I was and am still in shock. What a magical start to our family vacation!!! once I figure out how to post pictures I will. Got a really beautiful button too!

Congrats on the awesome upgrade . RPC is amazing, I'm sure you will love it and have a magical time. Looking forward to your pics as I never get tired of looking at pics of the GF .

LOL about your niece, so funny!

A 700 page book about basketball?!? I'd have a hard time wading through 700 pages of anything, much less non-fiction. Good luck!

I definitely will be at the Grand during our trip, I've got a list of photos, etc.

~sigh~ Oh, the hammocks. DD is sooo upset about the loss of the GF beach hammocks. She always loved the Poly hammocks, too, I guess we need to head back there for a visit, (after the construction, yikes!)

Yeah, she is a character...LOL....but it helps that she has a Disney obsessed aunt to make sure she learns about everything Disney at an early age .

I wasn't sure how interesting this book would be, but it's keeping my attention so far. It's written by one of the commentators that I just love watching/listening to during the NBA season, so that helps .

I can't wait to see all of your GF pics .

You definitely need to head back to the Poly after construction . Those hammocks are amazing and it's great to relax in one while listening to the boat whistles and everything else going on around you .

Hello,
Am supposed to check in August 21 and am really confused about early transportation from the Floridian to Magic Kingdom. Spoke to several cast members and somebody at the Floridian and can't seem to get a consistent reply.
I understand the limited monorail schedule. We have an 8:15 Cinderella breakfast on August 22, a day the park opens at 9:00. How are we supposed to get there? Cast member told us to take a taxi - to where? TTC? And then ferry, or bus?
Was also told that everyday the Floridian ferry doesn't start until 10:30 - is that accurate?
We have never stayed on site before, and are splurging on this trip, and I feel like we are wasting our money staying at a monorail resort now. We also have a 10 month old baby and two kids, 6 and 9. How do they ride in a taxi without car seats?
This is all so confusing and all we wanted was to spend extra to be on the monorail for convenience and that doesn't seem to be the case. Thank you for any advice!!!

Your question has already been answered about the transportation, but I wanted to say that I hope you have a great trip and enjoy the GF .

Good Evening my fellow GF lovers I'm back againThanks k&a&cI should say this is when it was called "Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort Yeah they left all kinds of goodies this is the watch

They also left a travel alarm that's still in use as well

What neat keepsakes, thanks for sharing pics of them .

We have things that were left in our room as welcome gifts too when we stayed at GF in 96. We got a GF cookie jar which is in my kitchen now, coasters, and a tie. That was such a surprise.

How nice to have things from years ago , especially since Disney doesn't do that anymore.

MickeyNut Are we posting at the same time again...maybe we are going for the trifecta today!!

I'm a little later tonight as things have been a little busy here this evening.

 

[Nathaniel41]

Thank you for the replies and well wishes! Much better answers here than when calling Disney
One more thing...any suggestions on a building I should try to request? My daughter has her heart set on a balcony. We are booked for a garden view.
Also, does anyone know if each building has laundry facilities?
Thank you!

 

[mickeynut1]

Thank you for the replies and well wishes! Much better answers here than when calling Disney
One more thing...any suggestions on a building I should try to request? My daughter has her heart set on a balcony. We are booked for a garden view.
Also, does anyone know if each building has laundry facilities?
Thank you!

I don't think there are any bad buildings at the GF, but my two favorites for GV are Big Pine Key and Boca Chica. Both overlook the courtyard pool and are very close to the main building and beach pool (and neither are far from Gasparillas). I will say, though, that there are some "less desirable" views in BPK as some rooms look at the back of the pool house. If that is a building you'd like to request, you could also request "4th floor or above" (I got that good suggestion from k&a&c'smom ). With that said, the GF isn't that spread out and none of the outer buildings are far from the main areas, some are just a little closer than others. I can't answer about the laundry facilities as I've never used them, but I'm sure someone else will be able to answer that for you .

 

[RexyGirl]

Does anyone happen to know the answer to this? I too have the same question. Thanks!

2. I see from the shop posts at the beginning of this thread that it's possible to buy a case of water from the gift shop. Does anyone know how much that costs? We were considering a Garden Grocer order but their prices gave me sticker shock (not to mention the delivery fee). If the case at the GF is less than $10, I'd just as well buy it there.

Thanks!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Can't believe our trip is just a few days away

MB dilemma ..
Im so confused as to which set of MB's we should be bringing. We have the set they sent for the trip then I have a set for our our A/P's. I was told by a CM that it wouldn't matter which set we brought so we planned to bring our A/P ones but then I read somewhere that some folks were having issues with certain bands. Should I just bring both? Thoughts?

So we just got off the bus and we were selected for family of day! Got upgrade to main building club level. I was and am still in shock. What a magical start to our family vacation!!! once I figure out how to post pictures I will. Got a really beautiful button too!

How wonderful...congrats!!!

Just paid the balance of our vacation and 92 days until we arrive at AKL CL and then our beloved GF RPC for a 14 night extravaganza of MVMCP, illuminations & tomorrowland wishes fireworks dessert parties, sunrise safari & breakfast, keys to the kingdom tour and some incredible dining reservations ... Yippee! Feels so good to pay off your trip every time!
Here are our dining reservations:
At AKL - Boma for breakfast & dinner, Saana, Jiko's
At Epcot - Chef de France, Rose & Crown, Via Napoli, Teppan Edo, Le Ceilier, Monsieur Paul
At AK- Yak & Yeti, Tuskers House for breakfast
At DHS - Hollywood Brown Derby, Sci Fi, Mama Melrose
At MK - BOG, Cinderella Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, Crystal Palace for breakfast
At GF - Narcossee's, Citrico's, Garden View tea room and V&A for 35th anniversary
At other resorts - 'Ohana, California Grill and Kona's for breakfast

I'm I missing anything? Jiko's, Monsieur Paul, BOG dinner and V&A are all new for us, also we will be splitting meals at several dinners or 1 of us order a dinner salad and the other an entree and share ... except a few we plan on eating : )
Any park experiences we must try I missed?

I can't wait to try AKL for our first stay and then feel at home at GF .. The best of both worlds in a way

You've got some great ADR's!! DH & I did our first solo trip last year for our anniversary and we had the best time. It really was so nice to be able to eat where we wanted and not having the kids allowed us to go at a much slower pace which enabled us to experience Disney in a whole different way. Hope you have a fabulous trip!!!

 

[cinmell]

I found this short video with some footage from the new RPC lounge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl1g-pIMJYY&list=UU23jxU1oTtz2URY5Es8iPTA&index=1

 

[Candy Orlando]

So we just got off the bus and we were selected for family of day! Got upgrade to main building club level. I was and am still in shock. What a magical start to our family vacation!!! once I figure out how to post pictures I will. Got a really beautiful button too!

Wow! They know how to sprinkle pixie dust at the Grand! Now you will have a really Grand vacation. Enjoy!!!

 

[BlueSkies]

Thank you for the replies and well wishes! Much better answers here than when calling Disney
One more thing...any suggestions on a building I should try to request? My daughter has her heart set on a balcony. We are booked for a garden view.
Also, does anyone know if each building has laundry facilities?
Thank you!

Your very welcome! My recommendation for a GV room would be Boca Chica...with a request of a view of the pool..not only is the whole courtyard pool area so pretty ..this also gives you a view of the main buidling which is particularly lovely all lit up at nite...but there really are no bad views at the GF...so I am sure that whatever you are assigned will be grand!

I found this short video with some footage from the new RPC lounge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl1g-pIMJYY&list=UU23jxU1oTtz2URY5Es8iPTA&index=1

Thanks for sharing that link! Great video....really enjoyed watching it....the snacks..the music...ahhhh..except for that carpet....Eeeeek! lol...

Hi Candy..Nice to see you!

~ Frozen fans.... I see that the Frozen packages have been extended to weekends in September too... I wondeer how much further it will be extended??? October November...forever...lol...

Hope that everyone is having a super Saturday... preppy GF gal who got an Ohana breakfast ressie but still not a BOG dinner ressies for our next trip

 

[pixarmom]

Can't believe our trip is just a few days away

MB dilemma ..
Im so confused as to which set of MB's we should be bringing. We have the set they sent for the trip then I have a set for our our A/P's. I was told by a CM that it wouldn't matter which set we brought so we planned to bring our A/P ones but then I read somewhere that some folks were having issues with certain bands. Should I just bring both? Thoughts?

Hello! I would (and have and will!) bring both sets along. We currently have four sets of bands - one for APs and three for separate resort stays. We stayed at BWI in February and Poly in March. For our Poly stay, I had the same concerns you do. The CM at the Poly CL desk said that all the bands should work interchangeably. I was still concerned, so even though I'd wear one band, I'd carry the others in my bag just in case! At least in our case, we never had any issues. We're leaving for WDW tomorrow, and I plan to wear an old band - I'll report back if I have any issues.

 

[BlueSkies]

Nathaniel Was just over reading on the CR thread..and Johnsonet who is there now.. posted some info about early morning bus transportation...

~Magic Band info.....Any MB that is linked to your MDE account will have the same info attached to it..We brought our AP and trip MBs last stay..as well as the second set of MBs due to a split stay..having an inquiring mind needed to try them ALL....lol...and they ALL worked..for park as well as room access... A CM at the GF also told me this..but since I had brought all of the bands along...having the same concerns as some of you I thought might as well try them out... Nice to be able to color coordinate with some outfits too!! lol...

 

[jerseygal]

Wow! They know how to sprinkle pixie dust at the Grand! Now you will have a really Grand vacation. Enjoy!!!

We were upgraded from standard view BC, back in Summer, 2009 to Club Level BC...They were in the middle of renovations, so there was some pixie dust sprinkled on us! FABULOUS time!

HOPE that you ENJOY your upgrade!

 

[mickeynut1]

2. I see from the shop posts at the beginning of this thread that it's possible to buy a case of water from the gift shop. Does anyone know how much that costs? We were considering a Garden Grocer order but their prices gave me sticker shock (not to mention the delivery fee). If the case at the GF is less than $10, I'd just as well buy it there.

Does anyone happen to know the answer to this? I too have the same question. Thanks!

Just bumping these 2 posts hoping someone will be able to answer about the water price .

I found this short video with some footage from the new RPC lounge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl1g-pIMJYY&list=UU23jxU1oTtz2URY5Es8iPTA&index=1

Great video, thanks for posting. I love the Grand and watching that video made me wish I was enjoying RPC right now .

~Magic Band info.....Any MB that is linked to your MDE account will have the same info attached to it..We brought our AP and trip MBs last stay..as well as the second set of MBs due to a split stay..having an inquiring mind needed to try them ALL....lol...and they ALL worked..for park as well as room access... A CM at the GF also told me this..but since I had brought all of the bands along...having the same concerns as some of you I thought might as well try them out... Nice to be able to color coordinate with some outfits too!! lol...

Thanks for the (multiple) MB info .

We were upgraded from standard view BC, back in Summer, 2009 to Club Level BC...They were in the middle of renovations, so there was some pixie dust sprinkled on us! FABULOUS time!

HOPE that you ENJOY your upgrade!

Getting pixie dust upon check in is always exciting . Hope you enjoyed your BC CL upgrade.

 

[abk96]

Can't believe our trip is just a few days away

MB dilemma ..
Im so confused as to which set of MB's we should be bringing. We have the set they sent for the trip then I have a set for our our A/P's. I was told by a CM that it wouldn't matter which set we brought so we planned to bring our A/P ones but then I read somewhere that some folks were having issues with certain bands. Should I just bring both? Thoughts?

We were there last week and my husband and I used both of our MB. We had a split stay so we were sent two sets. As long as they are linked to your reservation you will be fine. I always carried the other band in my bag just in case though. Like Blue said it was nice to coordinate them with my outfits. I had a pink and yellow one.

Have a great trip and I can't wait to hear all about it.

I found this short video with some footage from the new RPC lounge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl1g-pIMJYY&list=UU23jxU1oTtz2URY5Es8iPTA&index=1

Thank you for the video.

Blue...Congrats on Ohana and don't give up on BOG.

 

[jerseygal]

Just bumping these 2 posts hoping someone will be able to answer about the water price .
I am interested in this answer too....Might just buy ours there too!



Great video, thanks for posting. I love the Grand and watching that video made me wish I was enjoying RPC right now .



Thanks for the (multiple) MB info .



Getting pixie dust upon check in is always exciting . Hope you enjoyed your BC CL upgrade.

We LOVED our BC CL vaca! Worked SO WELL with 2 HUNGRY teenage sons!

 

[mickeynut1]

We LOVED our BC CL vaca! Worked SO WELL with 2 HUNGRY teenage sons!

Glad you enjoyed it!! I totally get CL working well with 2 teenage boys .

 

[Candy Orlando]

Hi Blue,

I'm always here. I read this thread a few times a day on my iPhone. I love learning about the Grand from you and all of my Grand friends on here.

Sending pixie dust your way! Have a magical day my Grand friends!

Candy

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Wow! You guys have been busy, I had to skim through.

....
This is the first time we do a split vacation. Hope it all goes well. I'm still trying to figure out if I should have them move my luggage or if I should just take a taxi and bring everything with me.

If we don't have a car, I always transfer by cab with my luggage. I just prefer getting there with everything in one go, getting checked in and then, if necessary, storing the luggage at the new resort. That's me, though - I know lots of DISers don't mind sending their luggage off and going about their day.

Hello,
Am supposed to check in August 21 and am really confused about early transportation from the Floridian to Magic Kingdom. Spoke to several cast members and somebody at the Floridian and can't seem to get a consistent reply.
I understand the limited monorail schedule. We have an 8:15 Cinderella breakfast on August 22, a day the park opens at 9:00. How are we supposed to get there? Cast member told us to take a taxi - to where? TTC? And then ferry, or bus?
Was also told that everyday the Floridian ferry doesn't start until 10:30 - is that accurate?
We have never stayed on site before, and are splurging on this trip, and I feel like we are wasting our money staying at a monorail resort now. We also have a 10 month old baby and two kids, 6 and 9. How do they ride in a taxi without car seats?
This is all so confusing and all we wanted was to spend extra to be on the monorail for convenience and that doesn't seem to be the case. Thank you for any advice!!!

Sorry for the confusion. Keep in mind, when you call any WDW resort you are getting an off-site call center, not the actual front desk.

I'm not very good at MK transportation options from the TTC, as we always go by monorail or bus from our resort. If memory serves, you can't take a taxi to the gates at MK like you can at the other parks, so yes, you would have to go to the TTC and then take the ferry. I seriously doubt they delay start until 10:30! That would be very odd, with the monorail getting a late start. If I get time today, I'll do some research on the Transportation boards, as we seem to be getting this question a lot lately.

As others have posted, you should be able to take the boat launch, or at the very least, a bus to the MK for your b'fast reservation.

Regarding small children and the taxis - I'm pretty sure I've read the cabs have car seats available. You might have to speak with valet, get them to call for a taxi that has car seats.

HTH!

Just paid the balance of our vacation and 92 days until we arrive at AKL CL and then our beloved GF RPC for a 14 night extravaganza of MVMCP, illuminations & tomorrowland wishes fireworks dessert parties, sunrise safari & breakfast, keys to the kingdom tour and some incredible dining reservations ... Yippee! Feels so good to pay off your trip every time!
....
I'm I missing anything? Jiko's, Monsieur Paul, BOG dinner and V&A are all new for us, also we will be splitting meals at several dinners or 1 of us order a dinner salad and the other an entree and share ... except a few we plan on eating : )
Any park experiences we must try I missed?

I can't wait to try AKL for our first stay and then feel at home at GF .. The best of both worlds in a way

PIF! Woohoo!! Your dining list sounds fantastic, some great meals there. DD and I often split apps and entrees, too. Enjoy!

We adore AKL.

....
I have to ask, are we the only people not staying CL? LOL...I think we are out-priced to be honest but I haven't even looked since we were moved from WL to GF...it's been enough just learning about the new resort.

Cute about the doggie and her sweater!

Don't worry, most guests do not book CL and are perfectly happy. We alternate between CL and non-CL stays and always have a wonderful, magical time. CL rates have gotten out of hand, IMO, don't know when we'll book it again.

Keep in mind, all the rooms have the same basic layout and decor, get the same access to the resort amenities, etc.

V&A is one of the dinners we are looking forward in having. It will also be our 1st too. The good thing about staying at GF RPC is that we don't have to worry about the wine pairing and feeling a little "happy" at the end of the meal .

We love heading back upstairs after our V&A's dinner, for the reason you mention. But simply being at the Grand and heading out to your room, rather than trying to get a cab, monorail, bus, car ride back to another resort is pretty darn good, too. Enjoy V&A's!

Good Evening my fellow GF lovers I'm back againThanks k&a&cI should say this is when it was called "Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort Yeah they left all kinds of goodies this is the watch

....

Very cool!

ahcupcake...We have things that were left in our room as welcome gifts too when we stayed at GF in 96. We got a GF cookie jar which is in my kitchen now, coasters, and a tie. That was such a surprise.

Awesome! Sounds like we missed out on the early years at the GF. We do have some very special souvenirs, like the original room keys.

Thank you for the replies and well wishes! Much better answers here than when calling Disney
One more thing...any suggestions on a building I should try to request? My daughter has her heart set on a balcony. We are booked for a garden view.
Also, does anyone know if each building has laundry facilities?
Thank you!

By the time I get to this question, it may already have been answered, lol. I'm in the middle of a multi-quote, bear with me.

All buildings except Sugar Loaf (all club level) have laundry facilities - usually 2 washers and 2 dryers, though some have only one each. First floor, right off the lobby.

Nearly all rooms have a balcony, so no worries there. It's hard to get a bad view at the Grand, but you may prefer a particular location. Big Pine Key is closest to the Beach Pool and back entrance to the Main Bldg.; Boca Chica is close to the courtyard pool and boat dock, with lovely views of the other buildings; Conch Key has a marina view as a garden view option, proximity to the courtyard pool and boat dock, short walk to Gasparilla's and the marina; Sago Cay is the furthest from the pools, but close to Gasparilla's and the back path to the bus stop, with views of either the marina or monorail line and greenscape.

HTH!

Does anyone happen to know the answer to this? I too have the same question. Thanks!

I have never priced the cases of water, so sorry. Thanks for bumping that question up, maybe someone else will see it and answer.

I found this short video with some footage from the new RPC lounge.

Thanks!

....

~ Frozen fans.... I see that the Frozen packages have been extended to weekends in September too... I wondeer how much further it will be extended??? October November...forever...lol...

Hope that everyone is having a super Saturday... preppy GF gal who got an Ohana breakfast ressie but still not a BOG dinner ressies for our next trip

Thanks for the Frozen info! I have to confess, I don't even know what the pkg. entails, I've not done any research on it. I know this will come as a shock to many, but it is not my fave Disney movie. I hate snow!

Sorry about the BOG res., but yay for the Ohana b'fast.

Hi Blue,

I'm always here. I read this thread a few times a day on my iPhone. I love learning about the Grand from you and all of my Grand friends on here.

Sending pixie dust your way! Have a magical day my Grand friends!

Candy

 

[coopersmom]

Anyone stay in a deluxe room, king or queen, since the renovation? Any photos? Are there daybeds in either, now?

Just wondering ...

 

[disney meema]

Good afternoon everyone, I hope your having a Grand day : ) Quick question ... How long does the work on the monorail continue? So sorry if it's in here somewhere and I missed. Thanks in advance : )