The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[simplymama]

simplymama,

Thanks for the great RPC photos! They are getting me excited!! We will be there in 5.5 days

Did you take any photos of the desserts?! MY kids love dessert photos

Sadly, I never seemed to get any food photos, even though I certainly ate my share of those yummy desserts. Scrumptious custard tarts with fruit on top, chocolate covered strawberries, cakes, brownies and of course cup cakes. My kids loved them all, but they especially loved the Sugar cookies they had out almost all the time.

 

[praline3001]

Sadly, I never seemed to get any food photos, even though I certainly ate my share of those yummy desserts. Scrumptious custard tarts with fruit on top, chocolate covered strawberries, cakes, brownies and of course cup cakes. My kids loved them all, but they especially loved the Sugar cookies they had out almost all the time.

That was my DD last summer ~ she rather dessert and snacks in the lounge than in the parks

The FUNNIEST thing was one night (nobody was in the lounge except the server) they had a platter of those strawberries. My nephew and my DD's FAVORITE ALL TIME FOOD is strawberries. My nephew is 4 and he asked the server soooo politley if he could have a strawberry. She knelt down and told him he could have allll the strawberries he wanted since he was such a polite little man HIS EYES got as big as saucers and he said "..REALLY?!"
Then he and my daughter looked at each other and took the WHOLE platter to the table with them the server and us laughed sooo hard at those two! They finished off the entire platter of strawberries I made sure it was ok and the server said nobody else had been in to eat them so let the kids have at it!

Its a running joke with the family about those 2 knuckleheads and strawberries!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for sharing your photos, simplymama!

Hi all, was wondering if the closest building to the pool and main building would be Big Pine Key? Also are all the rooms just recently been renovated? Does anyone have any recent pictures of the rooms, and could you state what building the picture was taken in? Thanks in advance

If you are asking about the themed (beach) pool, then yes, Big Pine Key would be closest to that pool and the main building. It is also very close to the courtyard pool, but so are all of the other buildings, except Sago Cay! As simplymama posted, all the rooms were renovated in 2007; you can see what they look like from her photos, all the rooms now have the same decor.

Praline, my DD is in love with the chocolate covered strawberries, too, she would have been in heaven!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hello everyone

Great thread and greetings from England.

We have been to Florida 15 times and next year are planning the first stay at the Grand Floridian, we had a good look around this April and took many photos.

Our son Joshua is autistic and non verbal, we really like the idea of renting a cabana for an afternoon - can someone tell me where they are located please? and if anyone has any additional information/photos that would be great.

Thanks

 

[praline3001]

Praline, my DD is in love with the chocolate covered strawberries, too, she would have been in heaven!

Its always the first thing she brings up whenever we talk about that trip it was her *magical moment*

We have 4.5 days and I need to go iron some clothes so they can get all wrinkled in the suitcase

 

[mmmears]

Its always the first thing she brings up whenever we talk about that trip it was her *magical moment*

We have 4.5 days and I need to go iron some clothes so they can get all wrinkled in the suitcase

Wow! You're almost there! You & the kids must be so excited -- have a wonderful trip.

 

[johnsonet]

Hello everyone

Great thread and greetings from England.

We have been to Florida 15 times and next year are planning the first stay at the Grand Floridian, we had a good look around this April and took many photos.

Our son Joshua is autistic and non verbal, we really like the idea of renting a cabana for an afternoon - can someone tell me where they are located please? and if anyone has any additional information/photos that would be great.

Thanks

Hi there. Your family is going to LOVE the GF. It's gorgeous - and right in the middle of the magic

We have rented a cabana twice at the GF and it is a pleasant way to spend the morning, afternoon - or day! Sounds like a great choice for your son. You will have shade, guaranteed chairs, tv with DVD player and complimentary DVDs, beverages, other amenities - and an attendant to help with whatever you may need.

heatherlynn444 posted a pic of the newly redecorated cabanas on this page http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2158108&page=56

Prices are $100/half day, $185/full day.
half days are 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm.
You can call 407-WDW-PLAY to reserve your cabana

Good luck!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi there. Your family is going to LOVE the GF. It's gorgeous - and right in the middle of the magic

We have rented a cabana twice at the GF and it is a pleasant way to spend the morning, afternoon - or day! Sounds like a great choice for your son. You will have shade, guaranteed chairs, tv with DVD player and complimentary DVDs, beverages, other amenities - and an attendant to help with whatever you may need.

heatherlynn444 posted a pic of the newly redecorated cabanas on this page http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2158108&page=56

Prices are $100/half day, $185/full day.
half days are 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm.
You can call 407-WDW-PLAY to reserve your cabana

Good luck!

Thanks for the response, we cannot book our flights yes as there is an 11 month window however, we are definitely going to spend the first few nights at the GF.
Thanks for the link and they seem good value for the half day.

 

[scanne]

If you book a "Theme Park" view, does this GUARANTEE a view of the castle? Unobstructed? I know that in front of Boca Chica there are trees that may block the castle. If I'm booking a theme park room and want an unobstructed view should I request Sago Cay?

Thanks.

 

[Maxie86]

If you book a "Theme Park" view, does this GUARANTEE a view of the castle? Unobstructed? I know that in front of Boca Chica there are trees that may block the castle. If I'm booking a theme park room and want an unobstructed view should I request Sago Cay?

Thanks.

Theme Park view does not a guaranteed a view of the castle, it could be of space mountain. It also does not guarantee an unobstructed view. You could put unobstructed view of the castle on your request. Good luck and hope you get the view you want.

Its always the first thing she brings up whenever we talk about that trip it was her *magical moment*

We have 4.5 days and I need to go iron some clothes so they can get all wrinkled in the suitcase

Only a couple more days. I love the chocolate covered strawberries. Have a great trip and hope you get the castle view. We had a great castle view and didn't even request it. You probably have a much better chance of getting it if you request it. I know you will take lots of pics, can't wait to see them.

simplymama, Thanks for posting your pics. I never get tired of seeing GF pics.

JohnnySharp2, Congrats on staying at the GF. You will love it. It is so nice to come back to the GF and away from the crowds in the parks. I am sure your son will be very comfortable there.

 

[BlueSkies]

simplymama Thanks for posting your terrifcs pics...I can never get enough of those GF pics!!!

Brook Dont worry about ironing...the humidity will steam those wrinkles right out of your clothes!! Seriously though... have a great trip!

scanne I agree with Maxie I would put that specific request on my reservation...I think Conch and Sago are the lodges that do have unobstructed views though...

Johnnysharp The cabanas are on the opposite side of the zero entry side of the pool...they are large comfy and as Johnsonet said a very nice and relaxing way to spend a pool day...the attendants make things even easier...they will bring you drinks other than what is in the stocked refrigerator..ice...freshen your towels and are really helpful...I am sure its something you will all enjoy!

 

[BCV23]

JohnnySharp2, welcome to the FAQ. Hope you join all of us often. Happy planning for your first stay at the GF!

simplymama, thanks for posting your photos. Love seeing pictures of the GF and the one of your daughter skipping is so sweet.

johnsonet, thanks for posting a link for all of us and for acknowledging that it is Heatherlynn's. You're such a class act.

Brook, are you packing yet? If you get too busy to check in, have a wonderfully Grand vacation.

Hi to everyone else! Anyone else have a trip coming up soon?

 

[praline3001]

Brook Dont worry about ironing...the humidity will steam those wrinkles right out of your clothes!! Seriously though... have a great trip!

DH told me the more I drink the less wrinkled the clothes will look

 

[praline3001]

Brook, are you packing yet? If you get too busy to check in, have a wonderfully Grand vacation.

I just finished the last of it ... except for the make up/bathroom stuff!

All suitcases are zipped and ready to go!!!!!

I still need to run to wally world to get some extra batteries and snacks for the kids on the road. Other than that I AM DONE... errr I think

4 days 12 hours to go ... or 109 hours until we leave =)

 

[BCV23]

I just finished the last of it ... except for the make up/bathroom stuff!

All suitcases are zipped and ready to go!!!!!

I still need to run to wally world to get some extra batteries and snacks for the kids on the road. Other than that I AM DONE... errr I think

4 days 12 hours to go ... or 109 hours until we leave =)

Good for you!

You're not counting or anything, are you?

 

[mmmears]

I just finished the last of it ... except for the make up/bathroom stuff!

All suitcases are zipped and ready to go!!!!!

I still need to run to wally world to get some extra batteries and snacks for the kids on the road. Other than that I AM DONE... errr I think

4 days 12 hours to go ... or 109 hours until we leave =)

I'm impressed!!! All packed and ready to go!!! (If it were me, I'd be wanting to leave early...). I hope you all have a wonderful trip. We'll be at RPC after you -- if you have time let us know how it is up there with the floor renovation -- I really hope it doesn't impact your trip.

 

[cosmicrays]

How do so many of you end up with MK view rooms? I am hoping for some when I go in October.

 

[praline3001]

Good for you!

You're not counting or anything, are you?

Ohhh I am in need of a good vacation! things have been so hectic around here!!!! RPC is going to be a nice break from this place!

I dropped off my old lab (china) at the ranch yesterday.. the other 2 (my corgi and Golden) are being boarded by my dog trainer. I take them over there Thursday morning.
My old lab goes on hunger strikes when I leave her so grandma will baby her and feed her hot dogs and steaks

 

[k&a&c'smom]

praline3001 - I'm with mmmears, it's impressive that you are all packed up and ready to go! We are heading to the GF in a few weeks, and I'll still be packing at the last minute, lol. Have a great trip!

johnsonet, thanks for the link to the cabana photos - and thank you, heatherlynn444 for posting them. I have thought about booking one for our upcoming trip, so the reminder was timely. But DD and I rarely spend very long at a time at the pool, so I'm not sure it would be worth it. But they do look inviting!

 

[BCV23]

How do so many of you end up with MK view rooms? I am hoping for some when I go in October.

I've gotten theme park view when I've booked it.

Ohhh I am in need of a good vacation! things have been so hectic around here!!!! RPC is going to be a nice break from this place!

I dropped off my old lab (china) at the ranch yesterday.. the other 2 (my corgi and Golden) are being boarded by my dog trainer. I take them over there Thursday morning.
My old lab goes on hunger strikes when I leave her so grandma will baby her and feed her hot dogs and steaks

That is wonderful that your China is able to stay with grandma.

I'm impressed!!! All packed and ready to go!!! (If it were me, I'd be wanting to leave early...). I hope you all have a wonderful trip. We'll be at RPC after you -- if you have time let us know how it is up there with the floor renovation -- I really hope it doesn't impact your trip.

praline3001 - I'm with mmmears, it's impressive that you are all packed up and ready to go! We are heading to the GF in a few weeks, and I'll still be packing at the last minute, lol. Have a great trip!

johnsonet, thanks for the link to the cabana photos - and thank you, heatherlynn444 for posting them. I have thought about booking one for our upcoming trip, so the reminder was timely. But DD and I rarely spend very long at a time at the pool, so I'm not sure it would be worth it. But they do look inviting!

Two more of you off to the GF soon. Have fun and please let us know all about it.