The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[mkymouse4ever]

You can always ship yourself a box at the gf and have it waiting for you at check in. Then you could add more items if needed too.
Just label the box to yourself with the gf address. I've used ups usually. and plan for its delievery the day before arrival or day of arrival. Have the name on the box the same as your ressie & put down what your check in date is.

 

[bethclayton]

2 questions, please!

1) can someone fill me in on the shopping at GF? specifically, i would like to know about any "high-end" stores that would appeal to women (other than basin white).

this will be my parents' first trip and my mom is really looking forward to shopping at WDW. she likes jewelry and bags the most, as well as clothes. however, she is not as interested in all the disney-themed stuff. she would like more "mainstream" nice stuff (does that make sense?), and might like some GF-themed stuff. what are her options at GF? also... if anyone has any recommendations for anywhere else on property that she might like to shop, i'd be happy to pass them on!

2) has anyone rented the yacht for a fireworks cruise? if so, what was your experience? my mom wants to do this but i want to research it a bit first.

thank you in advance! you guys are awesome! this thread, and its predecessor, have been a lifesaver in planning this trip!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

There are several stores at the GF. And your mother should be happy.
Not sure of the names but: there is one next to the tea room. on 1st floor. It is ladies clothes and items. Kinda along the lines of von mauer or nordstrom? It is kinda small, but all the stores are usually smaller in the resorts. Other resort stores comparable might be: a small area in the yacht club store, but probably the stores in the dolphin [ ladies shop, same type of things], are closest to similarity. Polynesian and Contempary are more wdw focused.

Sometimes over looked: [and under rated] The little shop, towards the pool, near the gf cafe. It is kinda a anything store, small amount of drug store type things, wdw stuff, or snacks. But then you might find a beauitful little tea pot, or gf item you can't leave without.

Park wise: I prefer dhs for stores. Seem to have a nice variety. Worth looking around.

Might enjoy some of the shops of downtown disney. Xmas shop is interesting, as is the casual ladies shop next to the sports shop / and toy building.

For elegant shopping take I 4 [heading past universal] to the mall of millenium. She will definately be impressed.

Have fun! mky

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Last year a few diser friends and I did the the regular fireworks cruise, in the pontoon. Had snacks and a great guide. Lots of fun. That was very nice. I can only image the "big boat". They where setting it up as we waited & it looked great. Very elegant.

I don't think you would not have a great time, memory after that.

mky

 

[Native NYer]

Yes and yes. Since starting to travel with a little one I always include them in my garden grocer delivery order but I have had to buy them from gift shops as well. They are pricy and limited selection there. But much better than packing a suitcase full! I still pack some. Just in case...

Oh good idea! Thanks

You can always ship yourself a box at the gf and have it waiting for you at check in. Then you could add more items if needed too.
Just label the box to yourself with the gf address. I've used ups usually. and plan for its delievery the day before arrival or day of arrival. Have the name on the box the same as your ressie & put down what your check in date is.

That's a great option too. Thanks!

 

[LJD2143]

can someone fill me in on the shopping at GF? specifically, i would like to know about any "high-end" stores that would appeal to women (other than basin white).

At Grand Floridian:

Summer Lace, on the first floor, features women's' designer fashions, Grand Floridian robes and logo items, character apparel, swimwear, accessories, jewelry and fragrances.

Commander Porter's, located on the second floor, offers men's designer clothing such as Tommy Bahama and Ralph Lauren Polo. Men's fragrances, golf apparel, and gift items are also available here.

Sandy Cove Gift and Sundry Shop, first floor, gourmet gifts, fine chocolates and candies, Grand Floridian logo merchandise and sundry items. This shop also sells CDs by musicians who perform at the Grand Floridian, as well as cold beverages and snacks.

HTH!!!

 

[CANDICE]

Just wondering if anyone knows if one of the deluxe (2 queens) rooms RPC have a theme park view. If so, what is the room number. Can I request that room view in a deluxe room , or is it a bookable category?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

At Grand Floridian:

Summer Lace, on the first floor, features women's' designer fashions, Grand Floridian robes and logo items, character apparel, swimwear, accessories, jewelry and fragrances.

Can I just say I LOVE the Summer Lace boutique? They not only sell Lilly Pulitzer clothing, and designer fragrances, but they also (well, at least in Dec 2008) sold a black rhinestone cap that said 'High Maintenance'. And they also had another cap in rhinestones that said 'Blonde' upside-down.

I fear for my bank account when I stay there in December.

 

[Native NYer]

Does anyone have photos of the Grand 1?
Also thinking about booking this for a fireworks cruise.

Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Summer Lace also carries the Dooney & Bourke Disney themed bags. They currently have the white and black designs but a CM in the store told me in Dec that a manager said they would also eventually have some in blue and pink. I picked up a white wristlet for a dear DIS friend just last week.

minniesota, it sounds like your having a Grand time. We celebrated our anniversary last week at Citricos. I missed the circular seat in the lobby of the Cafe but the tile is gorgeous. When we had lunch there in Dec, work was underway and I thought it was going to be like the design at the first and second floor entrances but it's different. No Pluto for one thing. Seriously, it is lovely.

I'm really enjoying the live updates. Thanks for posting. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[uktog]

Does anyone have an email address for the hotel - not the concierge. We just want to check that our request for a king bed is on our booking its a bit expensive to call from UK to check
Alternatively as I have access to a fax what is the hotels fax number
Thanks

 

[MommyGina]

This is what I found on another post. Hope it helps.
The contact info is as follows:
Grand.Floridian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com
Phone: 407-824-1775
Fax: 407-824-3461

 

[cosmicrays]

This is what I found on another post. Hope it helps.
The contact info is as follows:
Grand.Floridian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.com
Phone: 407-824-1775
Fax: 407-824-3461

There is not a general public email for the resort.
10 days before you check in the resort gets your reservation. Then you can call but there isnt an email. The email above is the IPO for concierge guests.

 

[gottagetmydisneyfix]

Well, I decided to take the plunge and switch from the CR to the GF! And now I have a ton of questions, but I'll start slow and read as much of this thread as I can before I leave in five weeks!

I noticed a picture of a cute little girl in bed holding the chocolate cinderella dessert slipper that you can usually get at CRT or Park Fare...Can you order the slipper at the GF to be delivered to your room? If so, who do you call to do this and how far in advance? I bought this for my DD last year for her birthday and it was so delicious, and now that we're staying at the GF, I thought it might be a fun dessert to share some night when we're hanging out in our room!

 

[dfarner]

Does anyone have photos of the Grand 1?
Also thinking about booking this for a fireworks cruise.

Thanks!

I'm not sure, but take a look at this photo, about 3/4 way down the page.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1768829&page=15

Here's a better shot:
http://allears.net/btp/spcruise.htm

 

[uktog]

Thanks we will be on a cruise ship then so will just need to hope our request has been passed over to the hotel

 

[minniesota]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like you are having a great trip. I have never tried the GF Cafe. Is it more casual than Narcoosee's and Citrico's? My mom and sister are pretty basic eaters so I need to find some places to take them when we are at the GF in December.

Have fun and stay warm!

The GF Cafe is more casual but still very nice. I would say the food is a little less complex than the dishes at Narccoossee's and Citrico's. Items on the menu include Caesar Salad, Rustic Chicken Sandwich, Roast Beef Sandwich, Cobb Salad, Reuben, Burger, New York Strip, Fish of the Day, Pasta...to name a few.

Are there supposed to be a lot of renovations going on at the GF? How long is it supposed to last? We'll be visiting the end of February and have never walked the grounds before.

None that I know of. The outer lodges had some work done last summer/fall but that is complete. The area behind the hot tub is currently walled off but not that noticeable. You will love the grounds - they are beautiful!

Just wondering if anyone knows if one of the deluxe (2 queens) rooms RPC have a theme park view. If so, what is the room number. Can I request that room view in a deluxe room , or is it a bookable category?

I don't think so. The deluxe queens have views of the courtyard and Seven Seas Lagoon facing the wedding pavilion and Poly. I think the only way to get TPV rooms in RPC is to book that category (which are standard rooms) or to book the king "honeymoon" rooms which are all on the second floor.

 

[minniesota]

A quick update...

*It's warming up - yeah!!!

*Dinner last night at Citrico's was amazing. I had the Veal Shank and it's true - the meat falls right off the bone. I even tried the marrow with a little fork they provided but it was too salty. DD had the Squid Ink Fettuccine which was delicious and DH had the Roasted Chicken Breast. Tropical Fruit Creme Brulee for dessert! Yum...

*DD and I had spa appointments yesterday and it was the best massage I have ever had. She used hot stones and cool crystals with some kind of essential oils - heaven! We enjoyed the whirlpool, steam room and the lounge area. I did take pics so I'll post them when I return. We checked out the Fitness Center as well and plan to go over there today to start working off the many extra calories!

*When we left for our spa appointments, half of the lobby was cleared of all the furniture. Upon our return, there was a wedding party dancing to the orchestra and a ton of cameras filming. We learned later it was an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" family from Texas who are here while their home is being built. It's supposed to air in March. The family was also at Citrico's last night.

*Went to MK yesterday - low crowds. Saw the street party and it was a lot of fun. The crane was working on the lights, the moat was mostly drained and there are construction walls up at the back of the castle. The crane is gone this morning, however.

If you have any other GF questions, please ask and I'll try to help out. We have to leave tomorrow...

 

[candy1]

Hi when we booked it said we had a standard room in outer lodge with club access to the sugarloaf,does anyone know what kind of room we are likely to get?
Thanks

 

[BCV23]

That sounds like a room in Sugar Loaf to me, candy1.

minniesota, isn't that veal shank wonderful? I had the same thing a week ago. Wish I was enjoying that tonight. Enjoy your last full day. Has it warmed up for you?