A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[WDWKOOK]

Thanks everyone for the well wishes, we are having a great time at the YC. We are on the club level, and the CMs have been amazing. So sweet and always ready to help. Love it here.

We have been able to swim the last two days - luckily, we made it down this afternoon before the rain hit around 5:00 p.m. The lounge here was jammed with people!

Tomorrow we move to the Grand, can't wait to see how she's doing, though we'll be sad to leave our new friends here at the YC.

I just noticed you posting from WDW! We're at WL/CL right now until the 30th. PM me and maybe we can meet!

 

[jillmc40]

I'm pretty sure this has been asked before...is there a hot tub at either gf or poly that will be in use early October?

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I'm pretty sure this has been asked before...is there a hot tub at either gf or poly that will be in use early October?

I can't speak for the Poly, I would check their thread, but the expectation is the hot tub at the GF will be closed when they start the courtyard pool construction in a couple of weeks.

k&a&c'smom, glad to hear you are enjoying YC CL, but so happy to know you are moving to the GF tomorrow. Tea at the GF I will be there in spirit!

 

[bdklein]

The new splash area looks amazing!! Is that going to be for all the resort guests or will this just be for DVC ?? I hope it's for everyone... my DD is going to LOVE this!! (what I mean is "everyone staying at the GF as resort guests" )

Based on its location, plus what I was told by a CM (some sort of manager who was wearing a suit and seemed official and knowledgable), it wil be open to all GF guests (as well as the fire pit they are building).

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Based on its location, plus what I was told by a CM (some sort of manager who was wearing a suit and seemed official and knowledgable), it wil be open to all GF guests (as well as the fire pit they are building).

That is great news, and to be honest makes sense. The DVC guests will be using the ammenities at the GF, like Gaspirillas, Sandy Cove etc., so it would be really a hard sell to keep GF guests out of the splash and play area or the fire pit!

 

[baler31]

I'm pretty sure this has been asked before...is there a hot tub at either gf or poly that will be in use early October?

Admittedly it has been several years since we stayed at Poly (we have been pretty loyal GF guests for the last 4 or so years) but back then they did not have a hot tub.

 

[Tink rules]

No hot tub as of yet.. due to go in with the next renovations next year at the splash area near the volcano pool

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello, everyone! We are at the Grand, moved yesterday. We are in Boca Chica, lovely view of the pool. We had a nice tea and spent time in the pool, had sushi at Kona and watched the EWP and Wishes last night.

I have some photos of the splash zone and work area, I'll try to get them uploaded and posted today.

Jungle Cruiser - I thought of all of you during our tea, it was a relaxing afternoon. Oh, new china in the tea room, though it may have been there on your last visit - they say they couldn't get the Royal Doulton any longer and had to go with a company that made them especially for Disney. I may have gotten a photo, can't remember, I'll post if I did.

We were told the tea room is slated for a big renovation, probably some time next year.

 

[jillmc40]

Thanks for the info on the hot tub...I was hoping there would be one I could use with dd5 while we are there in October.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Hello, everyone! We are at the Grand, moved yesterday. We are in Boca Chica, lovely view of the pool. We had a nice tea and spent time in the pool, had sushi at Kona and watched the EWP and Wishes last night.

I have some photos of the splash zone and work area, I'll try to get them uploaded and posted today.

Jungle Cruiser - I thought of all of you during our tea, it was a relaxing afternoon. Oh, new china in the tea room, though it may have been there on your last visit - they say they couldn't get the Royal Doulton any longer and had to go with a company that made them especially for Disney. I may have gotten a photo, can't remember, I'll post if I did.

We were told the tea room is slated for a big renovation, probably some time next year.

Sounds like you had a wonderful day, enjoying the GF and the Polynesian. AND, tonight is a Christian Frederik night on the piano. Hopefully you will get to hear him play

Enjoy today with your DD, when is is V&A dinner?

 

[sydneysmom]

Based on its location, plus what I was told by a CM (some sort of manager who was wearing a suit and seemed official and knowledgable), it wil be open to all GF guests (as well as the fire pit they are building).

Sounds great !!!

 

[DetTigsGal]

k&a&c's mom- sorry I missed your send-off, with one just leaving for college and the other one starting tomorrow, my dates have gotten all messed up. Glad to hear you are having a wonderful time. Woud love to have tea at the Grand sometime. One of those things that gets lost in the shuffle when there are all boys

 

[haleofafamily]

My mom and I will hopefully be staying at the GF at the end of Feb. It will be our first time to stay there and I am so excited! We know next to nothing about this resort so I am soaking in all the info I can get.

We will be doing the Princess half-marathon. We want to get massages sometime after the race and have questions about the spa. I understand that it is closed and might not be open by that time. But if it is, what kind of spa is it?
Is it like the one at WL that is just a room off of the fitness center or is it a actual spa like the Mandara Spa at the Dolphin?

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

My mom and I will hopefully be staying at the GF at the end of Feb. It will be our first time to stay there and I am so excited! We know next to nothing about this resort so I am soaking in all the info I can get.

We will be doing the Princess half-marathon. We want to get massages sometime after the race and have questions about the spa. I understand that it is closed and might not be open by that time. But if it is, what kind of spa is it?
Is it like the one at WL that is just a room off of the fitness center or is it a actual spa like the Mandara Spa at the Dolphin?

The Spa is nothing like the one at the WL, which is called a massage and fitness center. It is a full spa, with a long list of spa services. Saratoga Springs and the GF both have the full spas, called Niki Byran Spas. The Spa at the GF closed mid-September last year and is scheduled to be closed for 18 months. There is a chance they are a bit ahead of schedule and will be open in February. If not, guests at the GF and the Polynesian have a free van service to the Spa at Saratoga Springs. We did this last spring and the car came and picked us up and was waiting for us when we were done.

The link to the spa services at Saratoga Springs is below. The GF had the same menu of services.

http://www.relaxedyet.com/ss_treatments.asp

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Page 2!!!! How about an old GF picture to bump us up to page one?

 

[JoBird]

It seems that they are projecting an opening date of the Spa on December 5th. That is way ahead of schedule.

Here's what's on the website:

Refurbishments*
In an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our offerings, the following amenities at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed for refurbishments:

•Beach Pool Bar: April 2 to September 4, 2012
•Sandy Cove Merchandise: August 21 to November 18, 2012
•Ivy Trellis Salon: October 20 to December 3, 2012
•Courtyard Pool: Mid September to Mid December, 2012
•Gasparilla Grill & Games: September 4 to December 17, 2012
•The Spa: September 19, 2011 to December 5, 2012 These locations are being refreshed for your future enjoyment. In the meantime, you will have access to alternate options during your stay, so you can anticipate a truly grand vacation experience.


Hopefully it will be open in February for you, haleofafamily!

 

[JoBird]

Page 2!!!! How about an old GF picture to bump us up to page one?

It may be an old one but it's GRAND!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Since Sandy Cove will be closed while I am there - October 21-30, 2012, where do I go to buy "stuff?"

TIA

Tom

 

[bdklein]

Since Sandy Cove will be closed while I am there - October 21-30, 2012, where do I go to buy "stuff?"

TIA

Tom

M. Mouse Mercantile on the 2nd floor

 

[Butterflygirl35]

It may be an old one but it's GRAND!

LOVE IT!!!

4 more days!!