Just back from the GF

[cinder1]

We were at the GF from Jan 3 to 9. We had a wonderful time and thought I'd post my review. First, the cast: me (5 months pregnant with 4th baby), DH, DD 8, DD almost 7 and DS turned 4 while at WDW.

We checked in about 3 pm on Jan 3 and there were large crowds checking in. I waited in line for at least 20 to 30 minutes. But once it was my turn, the CM was quite sweet, but my checkin took a LONG time too. I was not bothered by it much (although DH was) because the CM was looking for a good view for us. We had booked a standard view, but we ended up in Conch Key, RM 7310, which when we looked straight out, we saw courtyard, but looked to the right a bit and we saw the pool and to the left, we could see the lagoon. It was lovely. We had the Alice theme which the kids loved. I was worried when I saw the room location because we were very near Narcoossees and the boat dock. I was afraid it would be loud but it was not at all. We had a bit of a walk to the main building, but not bad and if we went out the back of our building, it was a quick walk to Gasprillas. The walk to the boat dock was fabulous!!

A few random items: Fridges are FREE at the GF. Our bellman said the GF is the only resort where they are free (unless you need one for medicine). The bellman ordered a fridge for us from our phone and it was in our room within 20 minutes.
Sago Cay seems like the most isolated of the buildings.
The waitress at Mizners Lounge was slow and surly, but she was the only CM who was not quite nice at the GF.
The pool with the slide was open until 8 pm, but the other pool (with a kiddie pool) was open 24 hours.
I was worried about the minibar with the kids, but at the GF, it looked like a piece of furniture. It was a wood cabinet. The kids asked about it when we first checked in, but I told them that there was only alcohol in it so it was only for the parents and that was enough for them. Never heard another word about it.
DH's brother came to visit and had no problem getting into the resort.
Self parking is VERY far away!!!

We had express checkout so it was a breeze. Our bill was delivered to our room before 8 am. We called bell services the night before we checked out and set up a time for the bellman to be at our room the next day. A couple of minutes before the set time, bell services called to see if we were ready and were there right on time.

That's all I can think of, but if anyone has questions, I'd be glad to answer. In the next couple of days, I'll post my restaurant reviews on that board.

Thanks for all the help everyone!!!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Sounds like you had a great time. Can't wait to read your restaurant reviews.

 

[cinmell]

Glad to hear you had a great time!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

whats the alice theme room like ?

 

[Alice42]

sounds like you had a great time! I think I'm going to have to try that Alice room............

So, how were the crowds at the parks? Was there a long wait for the rides?
I will be there Wednesday evening and I just want to know what to expect! Can't wait!

 

[cinder1]

The Alice room had floral wallpaper and the bedspreads were floral with Alice and her friends throughout. Very subtle but quite pretty.

Sunday and Monday last week, the crowds were a lot larger than Tuesday, Wed and Thurs. The bigger rides had longer waits (30 to 60 minutes) but fastpass was available for most everything that it can be and usually the fastpass return times were just an hour to an hour and a half from the time we got the passes. There were a few rides that did not have fastpass going (Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion one day and the Indiana Jones Stunt Show--which was full but you could definitely get in).

There were a few weird things. One night DH reports that he and our 2 DDs just walked onto Mission Space twice in a row but at the exact time right next door, TT had a wait of 65 minutes. Go figure.

Be sure to bring clothes for warm and cool weather. Sun, Mon and half of Tues were very warm (absolutely shorts and swimming weather). Then Tues afternoon while we were in some attraction, the temp dropped over 20 degrees. DH had to go back to the hotel and get jackets and long pants for everyone at 2 in the afternoon. The next couple of days were light jacket and long pants weather.

I forgot to add one other thing about the GF which won't bother most people. The vanity in the bathroom seems a bit higher than most and is curved. The sinks are set further back than most and are at an angle. No big deal unless you are short (a kid or like me -- only 5 ft.). My blossoming belly was also in the way. If I'd had 4 to 6 more inches on me, it would have been more comfortable. My DH, who is 6 ft, thought I was weird for even mentioning it, but he also thinks it's funny when I can't reach something in the kitchen!!

Anything else I can tell anyone?