GF spa appointment questions

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Got some queries and I'm sure someone out there will be able to help .

I want to go to the GF spa for a massage, manicure/pedicure. How long before my appointment time should I arrive? On the info I saw it said 30 minutes before but could I go a little earlier than that?

I will be having breakfast at Kona cafe that morning at 8.30. I plan on getting the monorail to the GF afterwards and heading to the spa. What time do you reckon I should make my appointments for? I was thinking the first one for around 10.30am?

 

[pinkpiglettlover]

I have arrived as early at 30 minutes and also have arrived only 15 minutes ahead. I would definitely suggest 30 minutes, it gives you time to unwind a bit and you wont feel rushed. This is one of my favorite things to do at disney and i love this spa! Each time i have had a service it has been wonderful! 10:30 sounds great, it will give you enough time to get there and relax a bit. I have never had a service that early so I am not sure what time they actually open. Enjoy!

 

[TammiMcMan]

By having a spa appointment, you are entitled to the use of the spa for your entire day. The lounge area's are wonderful and so relaxing. They have one for men and one for women. Each comes with their own sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, lounge with chairs, sofas, cold water, tea, fruit, changing area, showers with all the comforts of home. If you'd like to enjoy this for a while, I'd give yourself enough time between your planned arrival and how long you'd like to lounge before your appointment.

Plus, you don't want to go rushing off afterwards. It's amazing how mushy you are going to feel. I didn't notice anything wrong until I darn near walked into a wall. I put my feet up on the sofa, got some tea and relaxed for another 30 minutes before getting dressed to leave.

Tammi

 

[Pinnie]

Plus, you don't want to go rushing off afterwards. It's amazing how mushy you are going to feel. I didn't notice anything wrong until I darn near walked into a wall. I put my feet up on the sofa, got some tea and relaxed for another 30 minutes before getting dressed to leave.Tammi

AMEN to that! A girlfriend and I had the stone massage at SSR last July and we both felt like puddles when we were done. We lounged in a couple of chairs, had some ice water and just chatted for about an hour afterwards before we got dressed. It was the best "girl time" away from our DH's we ever spent!

pinnie

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

By having a spa appointment, you are entitled to the use of the spa for your entire day. The lounge area's are wonderful and so relaxing. They have one for men and one for women. Each comes with their own sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, lounge with chairs, sofas, cold water, tea, fruit, changing area, showers with all the comforts of home. If you'd like to enjoy this for a while, I'd give yourself enough time between your planned arrival and how long you'd like to lounge before your appointment.

Plus, you don't want to go rushing off afterwards. It's amazing how mushy you are going to feel. I didn't notice anything wrong until I darn near walked into a wall. I put my feet up on the sofa, got some tea and relaxed for another 30 minutes before getting dressed to leave.

Tammi

I agree! Take your time before AND after. Make it a total SPA experience!

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

Oh wow this just sounds better and better! I will definitely not rush away afterwards.

I've never had a massage before so it's good to know that it's dangerous - watch out for walls etc!!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

I did the "pile of goo" thing on Labor Day, 2000. I really need
to go back to the GF spa (or try the SSR spa)! At the time, the GF
spa offered a spa sampler that included the Peaceful Nights Bath,
a massage, and a spa pedicure.

They did warn me to arrive at least 15 minutes early, so I did. The
reception staff passed me off to a cast member after handing me
a robe and slippers. Nice way to begin.

The bath required a bathing suit, so I changed into my suit, put on the robe
and slippers, then waited in the lounge, where a big plate of orange slices
were on a coffee table. I grabbed some ice water and sat in a comfy
chair, listening to the piped in "spa" music. (It's piped into all the rooms,
I've noticed.)

An attendant escorted me to the Peaceful Nights Bath, which was a whirlpool
tub filled with some sort of essential bath salts and oils for relaxation. The
tub has some strategically placed candles, plus a curtain the attendant closes
around the tub, so that you're essentially "cocooned" in the tub.

The effect soon put me in a trance-like meditative state. I'm not saying
that I had any visions of Nirvana, (or even a Native American vision quest!),
but I was in quite a state of relaxation I've never known before. Cool.

After the bath, the attendant came back with a towel and instructions about
the massage. (Basically, she told me that underwear is optional, depending on
level of modesty, but not required.) Once I had my robe on again, I was
led back to the comfy chair in the lounge, where I started to zone out
again. (The music helped.)

My massage therapist led me to the massage room, and she convinced me
(didn't need to twist my arm) to upgrade to an aromatherapy massage.
Wow. I thought the bath was relaxing, but the massage from my scalp
to my toes turned me into that pile o' mush everyone else mentioned.

By the time I was done, I felt like I could barely walk back to the lounge.
I managed to change back into my clothes and headed for the spa pedicure.
The massage chair basins are pretty much standard where I go locally,
but at the time, it just continued the already wonderful morning.

Oh, I forgot to mention....my appointment started at 9am (but arriving at
8:45am), and I was done by about 12:15pm.

 

[webray]

No point in getting the monorail, unless you just want the ride. The spa is between the GF and Poly, so a walk is much easier.

 

[poohluvrs]

WEre staying at the GF and would love to book some treatments (DH & I would need to take turns to watch the kids....)
Tammi - what treatment did you get to make you walk into a wall (I want I want)!!!

 

[poohluvrs]

Also wanted to ask, I ve read that 18% gratuity already factored in, so you just pay the rate...is this true, could someone verify, Id hate to not tip if it is not factored in....thanks

 

[TammiMcMan]

Poohluvrs, I've had the aromatherapy massage and the deluxe facial. Both are so relaxing .

As for the tip, I can't find my receipt to see if the tip was added on, but you don't settle your bill until you're ready to leave the spa. You stop back at the reception desk and they'll give you all your paperwork. If you're paying by charge or putting it on your room account, you can add gratuity at that time (if it's not factored in already). Otherwise, they give you a small envelope with the technicians name on it. You can slip a cash gratuity in then. It's not expected that you tip them immediately following your treatment, so don't worry about that.

Tammi

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

No point in getting the monorail, unless you just want the ride. The spa is between the GF and Poly, so a walk is much easier.

I didn't realise that, but I just saw a map of the resorts so I see what you mean. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I did the "pile of goo" thing on Labor Day, 2000. I really need
to go back to the GF spa (or try the SSR spa)! At the time, the GF
spa offered a spa sampler that included the Peaceful Nights Bath,
a massage, and a spa pedicure.

.

Lori - excellent review . I am so looking forward to this! I need to get on to my DU agent and see if he can book for me.

 

[zagafi]

To piggyback on this, does anyone have a spa brochure or list of services they can post or email or PM me?

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

zagafi, try this site......

http://www.relaxedyet.com

 

[Miss Mickey Mania]

OK just adding yet another question.

I want to make my appointment for early/mid July. Is it too soon to call now? How long before the date should I call?

 

[prncess674]

The bath required a bathing suit

This seems a bit odd that they required a suit. Most treatments say a suit is optional. I do spa treatments all the time in Vegas and bathing suits are almost non existent in the spa. The sauna, steam room and jacuzzi tubs are all female and most women go naked, though they do wrap a towel or robe around themselves when moving about the spa area. Do you think it is just that WDW spas are prudish?

 

[BriarRosie]

This seems a bit odd that they required a suit. Most treatments say a suit is optional. I do spa treatments all the time in Vegas and bathing suits are almost non existent in the spa. The sauna, steam room and jacuzzi tubs are all female and most women go naked, though they do wrap a towel or robe around themselves when moving about the spa area. Do you think it is just that WDW spas are prudish?

I really don't know why the reservationist told me that I needed a suit,
but I made sure I had it. I thought it was odd to have it, too, but it
didn't affect my enjoyment of the experience. I didn't need any clothing
for the massage, so your guess is as good as mine.

And to answer the gratuity question someone asked earlier, it was not
included with my bill. I settled it at the reception desk after I was done
and just added the tip then.

I'm glad the original poster liked my review.