Guided Tours of Grand Floridian

[llij]

My mother read somewhere about guided tours being given at the Grand Floridian resort. You get to see behind the scenes in some of the restaurants and take a peek at the rooms. Has anyone ever done this? How did you like it?

My mom is interested in doing this for our next trip and I would love to arrange it for her. Let me know if you thought it was worth it.

Thanks so much!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I know there is something called VIP for a Day where you can customize a theme park, water park or resort tour for an hourly fee. At one time the GF had tours of their gardens and flower arranging, but I haven't seen anything about that in the past few years. The number to call to inquire about the VIP tour is 407-560-4033.

Tammi

 

[llij]

Thanks for the quick response Tammi! My mom just e-mailed me that she really would like to do this, so I'll give them a call.

 

[Cris]

unfortunally they haven't had the tour of the gf grounds in a long time. VIP tour guide is 95.00 dollars and hour and a 5 hour minimum and not really what I think you are looking for.

 

[llij]

Thanks Cris!

 

[cigar95]

When I did this tour in 1999 I was the only one signed up that day.

The up side is that the guide asked me what I was interested in and that's what I got to see.

The bad news is that since the tour apparently attracted so little attention, it was an easy choice when budget cuts came along.

Too bad - as a big GF fan who has never stayed there, I got to see lots of interesting stuff.

 

[AJA55]

Pooh and oh bother…… I read about this and added it to our first full day as we are just going to kick back at the resort. Sorry to steal this thread but….. does anyone know if they are doing the maid parade on Thursdays? How about the lady bug release? Thanks for the help….

 

[TammiMcMan]

AJA55, I have not seen the ladybug release done in the past 4 years. As for the Courtyard Parasol Parade, that is still done on Mondays & Fridays at 8am.

Tammi

 

[AJA55]

Thanks Tammi….guess we’ll take a look around the resort ourselves, then laze around the pool for the day. First time on site.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

As for the Housekeeping Courtyard Parasol Parade, yes they are still doing that (saw it last Friday)...I found it appalling. So did the CM's I mentioned it to.

How can Disney have their housekeeping staff stroll around the grounds like the days of Plantations? It's appalling - imho! I do not find it quaint.

I heard that many housekeepers are humilitated by the ordeal. If I worked there I'd try to refuse to work on such days, no matter my position.

Very sad.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Christine,

I'm sorry if you thought it was done in poor taste, but it actually goes with the theme of the resort and isn't meant to be demeaning. If you check out victorian history, you'll see that parasol parades were quite common among ladies, I believe specifically it was the Suffragettes.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi, Tammi,

Yes, I know..but these are not Suffragettes and unfortunately it is a reminder of another sad time in our US History. It seems in poor taste...and so many are humiliated by the procession, why continue? This is the one issue I've considered writing about to Disney execs and the GM of the Grand Floridian. It was the only time during our stay that I was saddened. Seems insensitive to me....maybe other guests are not as aware of Southern history.

My grandparents were from Mississippi and their ancestors were "upper class" Southerners...maybe it bothers me due to family history and my having lived in Boston for so many years.

Take care

Christine

 

[wdarling]

with my GF experiences i have always found that CMs will tour u through anything that is availabe....ie. rooms in other buildings, floors, even the the main building just as long as no one is staying in the room.