The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[leane]

I will be at the GF in six L O N G days! This week can't go fast enough. If anyone has something they'd like me to check out, just let me know. We plan to spend a lot of time at the resort (staying RPC) and will be hitting the spa as well. Might even get over to work out!

Congrats! Enjoy yourself and I am jealous!

I only have 53 days to go. The time for me is still flying by but I think now that the holidays are over it will drag until the trip. WI winters always do. No holidays at work now until Easter, it is rough.


Well I did a FINAL, and I say final because I can't spend 8 hours trying to fix what I screwed up....
(background - I spent too much time researching the EP resorts.) I want to be at the GF for xmas more so than I want to be at GF in March. I want to experience so many of the resorts ... We decided to change our stay to YC CL BWV 1 night (I wanted to be by EP a day longer without paying OOP) and then 4 nights LV BLT.... it is the same split just about as I started with just a differnt resort to start with. ALL OF THIS SCREWING AROUND I DID! I just figured out that it was the same oh my... oh well.

And then now for Dec 2010.... it is a LONG stay and we may hop around AGAIN. Last stay for 2 yrs this trip will be only seeing xmas decorations no touring the parks. At least that is the plan. ALOT of family time relaxing. Thanks to Thanksgiving we can get an extra day at Disney for free. Why not! That is why we are staying in the first resort.

1. DD wants to see AK trying it out before her bday trip 11/26-28.
2. I want to see MK from my room BLT 2 BR 11/28-11/30
3. GF RPC TPV for DM. Doing nothing but resort days while here. I can't wait for that! 11/30 - 12/2
4. I want to go back to EP. Right now it is BC CL. I might go with points because it will be 5 of us in a deluxe CL ... kind of tight after all those 2 BR's and this is the longest stretch. 12/2- 12/6

BCV23... I know you said to be careful with the bouncing.... I like the monorail for MK and the EP for walking/boat. I would prefer to stay near the parks I will tour for that stretch. Kind of working out nice making it help to stay for longer periods I am pretty darn sure Dec will be our last "super" split. We will still likely split but just once a visit. By Dec. we will have seen then all at least the resort and toured all of the models.

 

[BCV23]

I will be at the GF in six L O N G days! This week can't go fast enough. If anyone has something they'd like me to check out, just let me know. We plan to spend a lot of time at the resort (staying RPC) and will be hitting the spa as well. Might even get over to work out!

minniesota, you're almost there. RPC....how wonderful. I hope the days go very quickly for you. Have a fantastic vacation.

We're at BCV right now and aren't moving at all this trip. However, we're dining at the GF at least twice. Can't wait to visit. Does anyone know if the decorations are still up?

leane, I'm glad your plans are set. You have so many wonderful experiences to anticipate. We actually did that YC/BLT split just last month. Loved it! It will be here before you know it.

 

[minniesota]

Minniesota Six days!!!! ...enjoy RPC...and the spa too...I would just forget about the working out part...

Have a grand time!!!

Thanks, Blue! Your trip is not far off!

Have a great time! Wondering if you could check out any construction or plans for construction.

Thanks so much, mky

Will do!

Enjoy your trip! If you do get over to the spa can you give us a full report on it and the fitness center part too. I have worked out in disney before so I don't think its that odd. After all - we all probably eat four times what we normally would!

You'll have to hang out on the thread all week to help the time pass more quickly. Are you packed?!

No packing yet. Still watching the weather so we know what to bring. Lots of layering most likely. My DD and DS are coming with us though DS can only stay 3 days (too hard to miss more than a day of high school)! DD and I have ressies at the spa and I'm sure we will drop into the fitness center to check it out! I'll report on our experiences!

Congrats! Enjoy yourself and I am jealous!

I only have 53 days to go. The time for me is still flying by but I think now that the holidays are over it will drag until the trip. WI winters always do. No holidays at work now until Easter, it is rough.

Thanks! Glad your trip is all finalized. The time will go by quicker than you think. I know what you mean about winters dragging though...

minniesota, you're almost there. RPC....how wonderful. I hope the days go very quickly for you. Have a fantastic vacation.

Thanks, BCV23! We are really looking forward to it. We have 2 rooms so there will be some nice "alone" time for me and DH. I'm sure the kids will be off to the parks as much as possible especially since DS only has 3 days. We plan to eat at Narccoossee's, Citrico's and the GF Cafe. Also have ressies at California Grill, Jiko and Kona Cafe. So working out does sound like a good idea!

How long are you in WDW this trip? Hope you're enjoying "home"!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi! I was wondering the same thing, when do they take down the tree and decorations at the GF? Thanks!

 

[minniesota]

Hi! I was wondering the same thing, when do they take down the tree and decorations at the GF? Thanks!

I think everything comes down around Jan. 2!

 

[marcij]

We've been at the GF over New Years the last few years, and every year it has been different. Three years ago, the tree didn't come down until around the 4th, I think. Last year, we woke up on January 2nd and it was gone! This year, we left the evening of the 2nd and it was still up.

We did see them on Dec. 27th starting to take things down, such as the ornament balls on top of the giant golf tees outside Shades of Green and the trio of golf courses by that property.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Thanks everyone for the quick answers on the decorations! M
Marci - I love the family photo!

 

[marcij]

Thanks everyone for the quick answers on the decorations! M
Marci - I love the family photo!

Thanks. That is our Christmas card, and the pic was taken this past summer on the Disney Magic.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, BCV23! We are really looking forward to it. We have 2 rooms so there will be some nice "alone" time for me and DH. I'm sure the kids will be off to the parks as much as possible especially since DS only has 3 days. We plan to eat at Narccoossee's, Citrico's and the GF Cafe. Also have ressies at California Grill, Jiko and Kona Cafe. So working out does sound like a good idea!

How long are you in WDW this trip? Hope you're enjoying "home"!

Two rooms in RPC will be awesome! You're right to bring layers. It is really cold here today since it is windy. My DD is wearing her down jacket and is very glad to have it with her.

Love your dining plans. We had dinner at California Grill last night which was great as always. We'll also be at Citricos, GF Cafe, and YSH. Kona for breakfast as well. We were going to Tutto tonight but couldn't get it early enough for our crew so were going to Cafe d'Antonio instead which we love, too. We're doing the Hoop for the first time in a few years. Some family members who've never been to WDW are arriving at the end of the week and we think they'll love it.

We're only here a week but it won't be too long until we're back. My daughter in particular is missing staying at the GF but she did tell me today that she's enjoying the peace of having her own room....she gets the studio portion of the 2 BR.

Have fun with all your children at the GF. The time with them goes too fast, doesn't it?

Hi! I was wondering the same thing, when do they take down the tree and decorations at the GF? Thanks!

We've been at the GF over New Years the last few years, and every year it has been different. Three years ago, the tree didn't come down until around the 4th, I think. Last year, we woke up on January 2nd and it was gone! This year, we left the evening of the 2nd and it was still up.

We did see them on Dec. 27th starting to take things down, such as the ornament balls on top of the giant golf tees outside Shades of Green and the trio of golf courses by that property.

That's been our experience as well. One year we checked out of the GF on 1/9 and the tree was still up. Last year as you said it was all down at the GF by the 2nd. Decorations are still up at DHS today and were at Epcot yesterday. Still up at the Y&BC today. In our experience, it varies year to year. More magical that way.

What a beautiful photo of your family.

 

[mike48]

Just finished the online check-in. We'll be arriving at the GF on the 15th. Question: Can you buy the multi-day passes for stroller rental from the desk at the resort or can you only buy them in the parks? Thanks.

 

[Dreamer24]

What are the hours for working out at the fitness center for GF resort guests?

We're on the dining plan so I am sure we will be eating way too much dessert! I'd like to work out, but don't want to give up park time to do it!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Hi all -- I am looking for some advice as to what type of room request I should have noted on our reservation. We're staying in Sugar Loaf and want a balcony but I'm not sure if we want a dormer room so I was going to note a preference for a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor.

Am I understanding that the views are marina (can you see the monorail from these?) or of the resort? Which do you recommend/prefer?

Thanks for your help!

 

[minniesota]

What are the hours for working out at the fitness center for GF resort guests?

We're on the dining plan so I am sure we will be eating way too much dessert! I'd like to work out, but don't want to give up park time to do it!

The fitness center is open 24/7 so no excuses!

 

[LMO429]

Hi all -- I am looking for some advice as to what type of room request I should have noted on our reservation. We're staying in Sugar Loaf and want a balcony but I'm not sure if we want a dormer room so I was going to note a preference for a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor.

Am I understanding that the views are marina (can you see the monorail from these?) or of the resort? Which do you recommend/prefer?

Thanks for your help!

We stayed at SL in Dec. Our room did not have a balcony. We had an extra seating area with an extra television. I posted pictures awhile back and a mini review. It was just my mom and I on the trip and we were extremely busy running in and out of the room but I think if I had to do it over again I would like a balcony. the extra space we had was not necessary it came in handy when we were packing but that was about it. It would have been nice to come back to the resort and sit on the balcony and enjoy our concierge snacks

 

[Dreamer24]

That's great! Thank you Minniesota!

 

[LJD2143]

Hi all -- I am looking for some advice as to what type of room request I should have noted on our reservation. We're staying in Sugar Loaf and want a balcony but I'm not sure if we want a dormer room so I was going to note a preference for a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor.

Am I understanding that the views are marina (can you see the monorail from these?) or of the resort? Which do you recommend/prefer?

Thanks for your help!

Last September we stayed on the 3rd floor with a courtyard view. Loved it!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

We stayed at SL in Dec. Our room did not have a balcony. We had an extra seating area with an extra television. I posted pictures awhile back and a mini review. It was just my mom and I on the trip and we were extremely busy running in and out of the room but I think if I had to do it over again I would like a balcony. the extra space we had was not necessary it came in handy when we were packing but that was about it. It would have been nice to come back to the resort and sit on the balcony and enjoy our concierge snacks

Last September we stayed on the 3rd floor with a courtyard view. Loved it!

Thank you both for the help!

 

[bailman]

Can someone tell me about the alarm clocks at the GF? I see they look like they hold iPods. I wasn't going to bring my iPod, but I may if the alarm clocks are speakers... Thanks!
I'm going tomorrow!!!!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

LJD2143 - Hi! Great photo! Can I ask what room you had. It seems like it was a perfect location. Thanks!

 

[minniesota]

Can someone tell me about the alarm clocks at the GF? I see they look like they hold iPods. I wasn't going to bring my iPod, but I may if the alarm clocks are speakers... Thanks!
I'm going tomorrow!!!!

The rooms have the iHome systems so bring your tunes! I'm heading there tomorrow as well. Have you packed your long underwear???