The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[Chironicus]

Chironicus The GF is beautiful at any time but especially so at Christmas...the tree is incredibe...and the ginger bread house makes the lobby smell wonderful...not to mention that there is holiday entertainment in the lobby during this time as well...in the past we have seen carolers...a bell choir...what a way to get into the holiday spirit!!!

Oh, BlueSkies, that sounds heavenly. I'm a December child, so my first memories were of the Christmas season. Always feels so special! I'm counting the days now, literally! Have my calendar marked with a countdown. Already pulled out my suitcase to sort through different things. It's so very thrilling!! :

Thanks for the info! We're doing the Afternoon Tea on our last day just to top off the vacation with one more special memory. Sparkling wine, strawberries and cream, tea sandwiches and more!

Honestly, the more I read about WDW and the GF, the more astonished I am at just how spectacular this world that Walt created truly is.

--Chiron

 

[BCV23]

BlueSkies, our private tea made a very special memory for us. Another DISer, Michelle, reported on her family's experience and posted photos. My DH and I loved the idea and I booked it. This was 3 or 4 years ago. A few days after I booked, I received a call that it was no longer an option. Hey....I already booked! She relented and let us have it but the last I knew it wasn't being offered. Of course, things change so who knows.

Anyway, I could choose from the Garden View menu. As I recall, I ordered 3 Buckingham and 3 Grand Teas as there were six of us but everyone had a bit of everything as it was served on a buffet table. I also ordered a bottle of champagne. We had a wonderful server who works at Garden View. She met us by the piano in the lobby and escorted us to the 3rd floor. Our tea was out on the large patio on that floor.

It was just lovely.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

BlueSkies, our private tea made a very special memory for us. Another DISer, Michelle, reported on her family's experience and posted photos. My DH and I loved the idea and I booked it. This was 3 or 4 years ago. A few days after I booked, I received a call that it was no longer an option. Hey....I already booked! She relented and let us have it but the last I knew it wasn't being offered. Of course, things change so who knows.

Anyway, I could choose from the Garden View menu. As I recall, I ordered 3 Buckingham and 3 Grand Teas as there were six of us but everyone had a bit of everything as it was served on a buffet table. I also ordered a bottle of champagne. We had a wonderful server who works at Garden View. She met us by the piano in the lobby and escorted us to the 3rd floor. Our tea was out on the large patio on that floor.

It was just lovely.

LOL! Funny I should stop by here! Yes, the private tea was amazing! I'll see if I can dig up my pictures. We just had tea again last weekend. It was held in Citricos because they were finishing up the tile in front of the tea room. The inlays are BEAUTIFUL! Mrs. Potts and Chip are incredible. There is a rose as well, right in front of the tea room. I'll see if my daughter (who is living down there on the Disney College Program) can get some pics now that the walls are gone from that area. For now, here are pictures of the rest of the tile...

They are really doing a wonderful job! The construction wasn't too much of a hassle for us. We stayed in Sago Cay and had no problems at all with noise. We will be back to the Grand for Christmas & I can't wait.

Cheers!
Michelle

 

[cosmicrays]

Saw some great pics of the gingerbread house going up today! I cant wait!!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

LOL! Funny I should stop by here! Yes, the private tea was amazing! I'll see if I can dig up my pictures. We just had tea again last weekend. It was held in Citricos because they were finishing up the tile in front of the tea room. The inlays are BEAUTIFUL! Mrs. Potts and Chip are incredible. There is a rose as well, right in front of the tea room. I'll see if my daughter (who is living down there on the Disney College Program) can get some pics now that the walls are gone from that area. For now, here are pictures of the rest of the tile...

Thanks for sharing your pictures! I love seeing the progress of the beautiful new tile work. Did you get a sense of how much more work is left to be done?

 

[Bsmith1230]

Hey everyone! I'm new here...I just booked a trip for 2/9-2/16 at the GF and they only had a garden view room. I really wanted a castle view room because my daughter will only be 1 and DH and I wanted to be able to watch the fireworks from the room. Has anyone ever tried to call and switch rooms when they said there was none left? I used the buy 4 get 3 nights free, but I know if I booked full price they still have theme park view. What are the chances that I could possibly get the theme park view? Is it a long shot?

 

[LMO429]

Saw some great pics of the gingerbread house going up today! I cant wait!!

where did u see the pics? is there a link?

 

[nerdyone]

we check in this Sunday. Any particular building we should request?

How good are they about early check in? Our son is 2.5 and he really needs a nap around 2pm.

Does the GF have laundry facilities? My wife and I hate to travel heavy and would love to be able to do some laundry on our trip. Hopefully it's near the bar or the pool for that late night laundry session.

Finally, do all rooms have balconies?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

nerdyone - Yes, all of the rooms have balconies. As for early check in, it's luck of the draw, sometimes you can get in early, others you have to wait until later. You will probably have a better chance if your requests are not too specific.

There is no central laundry facilities at the GF like there are at the other resorts. Each building has 2 washers/2 dryers in the lobby area of that building (except SL, I think), so you can certainly throw your clothes in and head out to the pool if you like.

Which building you request depends on what you prefer - do you want to be close to the main building and beach pool? Big Pine Key is a good choice. Sago Cay puts you close to the bus stop and Gasparilla's; Conch Key is near the boat dock and courtyard pool, as is Boca Chica.

Good luck, and have a Grand vacation!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

TheDISneyFamily - thanks for posting the lovely photos!

Hey to BlueSkies and BCV23, and anyone else out there who said "hi" - I didn't read through all the posts, sorry. I've been trying to stay off the boards for a while, so I don't feel compelled to book another trip.

 

[mmmears]

What a gorgeous lobby floor! Thanks for posting the photos! I was there this summer when they were just starting the process -- it's nice to see how lovely it turned out!

 

[panthergirl]

I just wanted to share - I booked GF RPC for December 2010 as a surprise for my mom. We had such a tough trip last Christmas when all of us came down with a terrible virus. This is a make up trip so I am splurging! I'm going to be on this thread a bunch to keep updated on the latest news. YAY!

 

[minniesota]

I just wanted to share - I booked GF RPC for December 2010 as a surprise for my mom. We had such a tough trip last Christmas when all of us came down with a terrible virus. This is a make up trip so I am splurging! I'm going to be on this thread a bunch to keep updated on the latest news. YAY!

Congratulations! I love the GF at Christmas! Hope this year is absolutely wonderful!

 

[BlueSkies]

Nerdyone Did you request an early check in on your reservation?? Maybe you can call and have them add that...k&a&c'smom covered all of the buildings and their locations for you..our personal fave GV (is that the category room that you have booked??) is Boca Chica...has a great view of the courtyard pool/ area and the main building...

LMO I have seen those pics too! But we are not able to post the link here

mmmears HI!!!

Panthergirl What a wonderful surprise for your mom!!! There is nothing like the GF at holiday time... Hope that your make up trip is absolutely grand!!!

k&a&c'mom HI!!! I am always thinking of booking another trip no matter what!!!

Bsmith You can always ask if a MK view room is available at check in...but if that is the view that you would really like I would keep checking with central reservations to see if one opens up with the 4/3 package...wishing you Good luck!!!

BCV Much thanks for the info on the tea..it sounds absolutely wonderful...sorry to hear that it is not offered any longer....

Hey minniesota

 

[bethclayton]

IIRC, the best views of wishes are from outside of narcoossee's and gasparilla's, and at the boat dock. is that correct? also- can you see wishes from the beach? my dd9 is intent on seeing it from there, lol!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/11/1900-park-fares-cream-of-mushroom-soup/

 

[BCV23]

IIRC, the best views of wishes are from outside of narcoossee's and gasparilla's, and at the boat dock. is that correct? also- can you see wishes from the beach? my dd9 is intent on seeing it from there, lol!

Yep, those are the best areas but I would include the entire marina area.

You can't see the fireworks very well from the beach close to the GF as the buildings would block most of the view. I imagine if you walk way down the beach toward the Polynesian at some point, the view would improve. Not sure how far you would have to go though. The views from the Polynesian beaches are amazing.

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/11/1900-park-fares-cream-of-mushroom-soup/

Thanks for sharing that, CR Fan.

Michelle, good to see you. I posted some pictures like that a few pages back but not of Cinderella and Prince Charming....that one wasn't installed yet. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to see the rose. Have fun in December. We'll be back then, too, but not at the GF. I tried for a reservation but couldn't get the nights I needed. But we will be dining there as always. Thanks again for the tea idea. We made a special memory thanks to you.

k&a&c'smom, hi! Good to see you around.

 

[haleofafamily]

Does the Electrical Water Parade (or whatever it is called) cross directly in front of the GF beaches? My DH and I stopped by the GF beach after a Wishes cruise to watch the Parade, but it stopped at the Poly and never came to the GF. We wondered if this was normal or if there was a problem.

 

[BCV23]

It normally begins at the Polynesian and then backtracks to the GF before going on to WL & FW. It usually is in front of the GF at about 9:20 pm.

It seems to me that it sort of arcs across the lagoon in front of Narcoosee's. We've been able to see it well from our room in Conch Key and from Narcoossee's. It could be that Big Pine Key blocked your view depending on where you were standing.

 

[Scott MC]

We were easily able to see the parade from our lagoon view room in the main building which was pretty much right over Commander Mickey's.