Just back from GF

[Snurk71]

Got back Thursday. Stayed in Big Pine 9338 (Garden View). The view wasn't that great (looked out over the main pool building and a sliver to the lagoon between Big Pine and Boca Chica), but we don't stay for the view. Big Pine is our favorite for its location/proximity to the main building for coming and going. We did notice being able to hear our neighbors a lot more than we have in years past. We had a connecting room and could hear regular voice conversations fairly well (not yelling/screaming).

The resort seemed pretty full. It sounded like they overbooked concierge (not sure if main bldg or SL), because we saw a few concierge parties being escorted to Big Pine. Also, on either Tuesday or Wednesday a big group from GE Medical was checking in.

Not much new at the resort. We heard that for next year the gingerbread house is undergoing a new design.

Any questions, just ask.

 

[The Land and Sea Guy]

Sounds like you had fun. We'll be there in a few days. I remember 2 years ago how big the christmas tree was in the lobby. Last year it was much smaller. Don't get me wrong here, its still beautiful but it just seems the GF makes cut backs little by little. The tree was the most noticeable of all. I have been staying there each year for the last 5 years.

 

[Snurk71]

Thought of a few more random items that I didn't initially mention...

This was our 6th visit.

Valet will no longer bring your car around if you call from your room like they used to. Instead, they "bring your keys up for priority" - which is just getting your keys out for when you get to the desk. Valet wasn't as bad as we've seen it in the past being way busy and waiting quite a while for someone to help. But the GF valets aren't in any hurry. They just kind of stroll to get keys and stroll over to the lot. Big difference at the BWI where the valets run, yes litterally run, to get your car.

Ordered DW a birthday cake from the bakery, delivered to the room via in-room dining. The cake was okay (we had better cake in restaurants and bakeries). And the presentation wasn't as nice as it was a couple years ago when I ordered one. We even noticed that the matches were no longer printed with the GF logo like we had a couple years ago.

Gasparilla - stopped in here our last night and liked the new layout. It felt much more open than the old way things were structured.

Housekeeping/turndown - no complaints. We weren't expecting anything and weren't upset about it, but we were thinking one of them would have done something with the 7 or 8 stuffed animals DD brought with her (all but 2 were disney character). DW was stopped by our turndown CM on our walk to the main building one afternoon. The CM commented on her bday, the cake, presents, etc. That was a little interesting.

DW saw Regis walking in one morning. No big entourage, just one escort with him.

The full holiday desk was back in operation (the desk opposite the check-in desk). The past couple of years there was just one station at the check-in desk for the holiday stuff. We never used it. But there was a sign that said "concierge" on it too.

We think the GF shops are a little lacking in WDW merchandise offerings. We actually did quite a bit of shopping over at the Contemporary shops (I bought a bunch or bday presents there one night and the CM offered to wrap them - which I took advantage of).

We checked out the Mouseketeer Club the last night, since we somehow saw the sign for it that we have missed in all of our trips. The club was a single room with a 12 child capacity - a lot different than what we saw over at the Neverland Club.

DD and DW did the main pool 3 or 4 days, never made it over to the theme pool. The pool wasn't very crowded. Another fmaily commented on how cold the theme pool was, maybe because there isn't a wind block there like there is for the main pool. It was okay pool temperature, but definitely not hot.

I'll add more on if I think of more.

 

[Cris]

in regards to the holiday station, it was there last year but I was told sometimes they have to move it over to the front desk when they have a convention check in.

The reason the Grand Floridian does not have a lot of disney merchandise is because of its clientel.

Re: There are suites in every building at the Grand Floridian, after check in the concierge escorts the guest to there room or if they are platinum plan.

 

[greersfolly]

in regards to the holiday station, it was there last year but I was told sometimes they have to move it over to the front desk when they have a convention check in.

The reason the Grand Floridian does not have a lot of disney merchandise is because of its clientel.

Re: There are suites in every building at the Grand Floridian, after check in the concierge escorts the guest to there room or if they are platinum plan.

Chris, I don't quite understand the "..............after check in the concierge escorts the guest to their room or if they are platinum plan". Please explain, "....or if they are platinum plan". What happens? Do you get a better room if you are on the platinum plan?

Thanks,
Bonnie

 

[Cris]

sorry did not word that very well. If you are in an outer suite you will be walked out to the suite from the main building by the concierge. Also if you are a platinum plan guest you get concierge access and get checked in and walked to whatever room catagory you reserved.