GF recommendations

[Pollyanna3]

Just got off the phone with CM- booked CR 11/22-29 and GF 11/29-12/3. We would like to make the most of our GF stay as we have never stayed there before. Any suggestions on garden view rooms you have enjoyed at the GF? Can you see the fireworks from the GF? Where is the best place to view the water parade? I hope to ask for an upgrade, but with the holiday weekend, I am sure they will not exist. I was very limited on resort choices for the last four days as is.

Also, has anyone used evening childcare at the GF? I am not even sure it exists- just a brainstorming thought as I type. HOnestly, I am not even sure I can let someone I don't know watch my children, but the thought crossed my mind. DH and I spent our first anniversary at Disney and dined at V&A. Now that we have three children, it would be nice to have a sitter and return to V&A.

Thank you!

 

[triplefigs]

Just got off the phone with CM- booked CR 11/22-29 and GF 11/29-12/3. We would like to make the most of our GF stay as we have never stayed there before. Any suggestions on garden view rooms you have enjoyed at the GF? Can you see the fireworks from the GF? Where is the best place to view the water parade? I hope to ask for an upgrade, but with the holiday weekend, I am sure they will not exist. I was very limited on resort choices for the last four days as is.

Also, has anyone used evening childcare at the GF? I am not even sure it exists- just a brainstorming thought as I type. HOnestly, I am not even sure I can let someone I don't know watch my children, but the thought crossed my mind. DH and I spent our first anniversary at Disney and dined at V&A. Now that we have three children, it would be nice to have a sitter and return to V&A.

Thank you!

Welcome to the DIS! Here is the link to the GF FAQ thread. It is a wealth of info. You might want to post over there also. And here's a GF Map.

All of the GV rooms are very nice. Garden View Guestrooms are available in Sago Cay, Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key. In Sago Cay, Garden View Guestrooms either have a monorail/water view, or a view of the resort’s marina. Guests staying in a Garden View Guestroom in Conch Key would have a view of the resort’s marina, or the gardens off of the quiet pool. Boca Chica’s Garden View Guestrooms have either a view of the quiet pool or an obstructed view of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom Park. Big Pine Key’s Garden View Guestrooms feature views of the quiet pool. You could request a corner room and not specify bldg. Then you'd have 2 balconies, and possibly both a GV and LV.


You can see the fireworks from the GF. Best place to watch (if you don't get an upgrade to LV, but even all LV don't have MK views) You can watch from the patio in front of Gasparilla Grill (GF's food court) or on the boat launch dock. Either spot is wonderful! You can view the Water Pageant there too. Or if you have dinner late enough at Narcosees you could see them on the patio afterwards.

There is both in room child care and a kid's club at the GF. Haven't used either, but it sounds good for a dinner out by yourselves. (I have 3 kids too!).

HTH. Post over on the FAQ thread, and you'll get a lot of good advice.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

GF nighttime child care is a little on the small and boring side. Even though we were staying at GF we took the kids over to the Poly's Neverland Club one night so DH and I could have a dinner alone. THe kids loved the NEverland CLub and were disappointed they only got to go there once. GF does have some great daytime children's activities - Wonderland Tea Party, Pirate Cruise and Grand Adventures in Cooking. My kids did all three this year and loved them. Their favorite was Grand Adventures in Cooking.

We always had a gv room until this year. Our favorite was Sago Cay, marina side. THis year we had a beautiful LV Sago Cay room where you could actually lie in bed and watch the castle, fireworks and EWP. What do you think the kids said - "We miss watching the Fireworks at Gasparillas". So that was about $800 down the drain (we stayed for 16 days).

 

[Pollyanna3]

I just cannot wait to arrive at Disney. Thank you Triplefigs and Robyn. I really appreciate the info. I have my list of answers going. My DH thinks I am insane- too much planning. But then he is never dissappointed when we are on vacation I know the who, whats, wheres...and have an itinerary.

 

[Snurk71]

FYI - the kid's clubs only take kids if they're 4+. So if you have any kids under 3 you would have to go the route of in room care instead of the kids clubs.

And by sight, Neverland is a lot better than Mouseketeer at GF. GF's was basically one room with tables on the sides of the room with computers, game systems. One end had a TV with a movie playing. And there was a big table in the middle for art-type projects. I think the child max at is maybe 12 kids.

DD didn't care for Neverland, but that's because she's kind of shy and didn't like being there alone. It looked really cool to mom and dad though.

 

[Pollyanna3]

The ages of my DS are 5, 4, and 1. So, I suppose we could take two to Neverland together and leave the baby in the room with childcare. OR, all three could stay in the room. Does anyone know if in room childcare brings entertainment with them or should I bring lots of extras from home? Out of curiosity, what does in room child care cost...$20-30/hr?

 

[poohangel]

hope you have a great time, we will be checking in when you are checking out. this will be our first time at the GF and I cant wait.

 

[triplefigs]

The ages of my DS are 5, 4, and 1. So, I suppose we could take two to Neverland together and leave the baby in the room with childcare. OR, all three could stay in the room. Does anyone know if in room childcare brings entertainment with them or should I bring lots of extras from home? Out of curiosity, what does in room child care cost...$20-30/hr?

It's called Fairy Godmothers for in room child care. Here are some good links. BTW, we're there the same days as you, Nov 29 - Dec 6.

Child Care at WDW

Fairy Godmothers thread

Fairy Godmother 2nd thread

HTH!