GF Spa Prices/First Time On Grounds

[Goofy101]

Hi there,

A few days ago I searched and found a topic that had the current GF Spa prices, but I can't seem to find it anymore. The search function says it's been disabled and I've digging through the forums with no luck

Can anybody post the current prices for me? I'd REALLY appreciate it.


Also, this is gonna our first trip to Disney staying on grounds. We'll be at the GF. I hear your room key is also your park ticket? That's not that card I see people using at the park gate with finger scanner thingy is it? (if not just the heck is that anyway?!)

And of course, any 'first timer at GF' tips are welcome.

Thanks!!!

 

[asta]

We love the GF. I can't help with the Spa questions, but can give other recommendations. We just got back and we finally tried the afternoon tea at the GF. It was fantastic. My 11 year old daughter was hesitant to try it but ended up loving it. Spend time in the lobby sometime after 3pm listening to the orchestra or the pianist. We enjoyed Narcooses for dinner and the GF Cafe is a favorite (I just wish they would open back up for dinner.) Also make sure to view the fireworks from the GF (if you can't see them from your room, you can view them from outside Gasparilla's Grill).

 

[PrincessHolly]

Hi Goofy,

Here's a list of GF spa prices:

<a href="http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/gfspa.html">Grand Floridian Spa Prices</a>

I'm not sure about the passes, I think it can double as a room key, charge card, and passes. I think the finger scans are for annual pass holders? Sorry I can't be much help here- My first Disney experience is coming up soon. I'm interested to find out the answer to this to- I'd assume it would be the same at all resorts?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Depending on who's going on vacation with you, a few nice things to do at the GF are the spa and the little speedboats you can rent. As for meals, Gasparilla Grill is open 24 hours and they are counter service. I thought the food was surprisingly good and a value. There is the Cafe which serves breakfast and lunch. Both of which are very good. 1900 Park Fare offers a buffet character breakfast and buffet character dinner. Narcoossee's and Citrico's are both dinner spots. Narcoossee's overlooks the lagoon and if you time dinner right, you can have a lovely view of the fireworks and electric water parade. In fact, my one complaint about the GF is dining options for dinner. You pretty much have a choice of counter service, or upscale and nothing in the middle.

When you check in, you'll receive a resort calendar listing all the events that will go on during your stay. If you have younger children, they have daily activities at the quiet pool. The newer theme pool has a pretty good water slide and if you're lucky you can snag a cabana to relax in.

FYI on the transportation also, if you're going to MK, take the monorail. The GF is the last stop, show you arrive at the TTC pretty quickly. On the way back from the MK, take the boat. The GF is the first stop (someone please correct me if that's changed). We had no problems with the bus transportation either.

Set aside some time in your itinerary to really enjoy the resort. It really is beautiful. The main building is a great spot to stop by in the evening. You can listen to the orchestra and have a drink at the lounge.

Have fun.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I had the Ultimate Relaxation last Wednesday - 25 minute hydrotherapy and 50 minute Swedish massage. My therapist was Kelly. It was magic. I felt so relaxed afterwards that I just wanted to go back to bed. I'm doing it again in January. This was my first time for a massage and Kelly was wonderful. She definitely has magic fingers. If you decide to get a spa treatment, go ahead and make a reservation now. The spa is near the wedding chapel and an easy walk from any of the GF buildings.

We were in Sugar Loaf concierge for seven nights. It was very nice.

We ate dinner with Cinderella at 1900 Park Faire. We did lunch at the Floridian Cafe. We did the refillable mugs at Gasparillas.

The larger pool is also the quiet pool and is great. The newer pool has the slide and waterfall, but it is very small and gets very crowded. We tried that one day and moved quickly over to the larger pool. The larger pool does not have lifeguards and is open very late at night. The newer pool has much shorter hours.

You can take the monorail to the MK or Transportation and Ticket Center (to get to Epcot). You can take a small boat over to the MK as well. Any chance you get, ask to ride up front in the monorail. We did it numerous times on this trip. You can take a bus to AK, Disney Studios or Downtown Disney. We usually drove to the water parks.

There were weddings nearly every day at the GF.

It was extremely convenient to use the valet parking. At $6/day it wasn't that expensive and we didn't have to walk back to the hotel in the rain from the self parking lot which is a good distance from the main entrance. It rained nearly every day we were there, either in the middle of the afternoon about 3 or later in the evening about 8.

If you are getting the Ultimate Park Hopper, your room key will be your ticket. If you purchase other ticket media, they will be a separate ticket. You only need to place your fingers in the scanner if you have an annual pass.

There is an artist in the lobby from noon until 10 who will do chalk drawings of you, your children or your family. Our son's portrait took about 30 minutes and cost about $75. It turned out so nice. Corrin was the artist, but there are others.

As a DVC member, I missed having a washer and dryer in my room, but the GF was a wonderful experience.