Hi Eileen,
As to the pm's, if you look right underneath the post, there are a number of small boxes that say 'profile' 'pm' 'email'....etc. just click on the box that say's 'pm' and you can type out a private message to that poster.
The countdown calendar is on the Technical Forum. Just return to the main forums page and it's almost all the way down the bottom. It's the thread entitled "Get your countdowns here".
Depending on availability and how busy it is when you arrive at the GF, you may be met by a concierge greeter right at the front of the building. The guards will let them know that you've arrived when you pass through the gate. If no one is there for you, let the bellman take your bags and just go to the main reservation area inside the hotel. Once you check in, they will call upstairs to concierge and have someone come down to greet you and escort you back up. Did you have a specific view request? You can send a fax to the room assignor 4 days from your arrival date and ask for something specific if you wish. If you're interested I can show you what I sent them for our trip and give you more info. As it's getting close to your check in, please feel free to click on the e-mail button below and you can e-mail me directly.
Refrigerators are available, just give housekeeping a call when you check in and I highly recommend buying your own water if possible. It's $2.50 per bottle at the parks. You can buy a whole six-pack for that price! We didn't buy anything else, as wine was served each evening in the concierge lounge and cordials from 8pm-10pm. Lemonade, water and ice tea were available throughout the day.
I tipped the same amount as with any other stay. $5 per day for housekeeping and $3 per night for turn down. I know this is a very personal issue for people, but before the trip, I set aside all the tips into daily envelopes and put them in the safe in the room. Each day, I'd just take out the right envelope and leave it on the bed. Made for worrying about once less thing.
You are going to have a wonderful time. If you get a chance, stop by and have lunch at the Cafe. They're only open until 3pm, but it was a great place to have breakfast or lunch. Ask for Izzy if he's working, he is a treasure. Please tell him we said HI! Also, the food at Gasparilla's, even though it was counter service, was actually very good. Kind of noisy though because of the arcade inside, but if you exit Gasparilla's, go right and take the first doorway into the main building (looks kind of hidden, but you'll see it) there is a back elevator that you can take right up to concierge. We would grab some food there and take it right up to our rooms and eat on the balcony.
Oh, what about the spa? Did you book yourself a massage or manicure treatment? If you have time and can work it into your schedule, I highly recommend. Just ask one of the concierge staff at check-in to hook you up. You won't be disappointed. You can also sign up and use the spa for your length of stay, it was $30. They have a workout area and seperate lounges with a woman's sauna, steam room and hot tub. Very relaxing.
You will love it,
Tammi
