The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[dpndka]

I am not sure about Citricos but I was able to order from Narcooses and had surf and turf in my jammies one night

I guess if you were able order from Narcooses, Citricos could be an option.

I just finished reading your June 2008 TR. Glad that you & ur daughter had a great time. LOL on the comment about giraffe buying milk from walmart. I hope you will do another TR for your next trip.

 

[jkstewart1800]

This is how much my family loves the cabs at Disney ~

This trip we are driving! We have a new silverado extended cab we bought a few months back. DH wants to take it and since we have one of those fiber glass camper tops on it (very nice and matches the truck ~ ) I will have a TON of room for my overpacking trends

Anyway ~ DH told me he wants to park the truck at the GF and not drive it the rest of the week he wants to take a cab or the monorail! No arguments from me

He says its not worth the pain of driving and parking ~ the cabs drop you right out in front.

So how do you order a cab? through the hotel or just with your cell phone? How far in advance do you need to call? If we are in the park, how long should it take for them to come and pick us up? Do you have a company that you like more than another?

I am seriously thinking this is the way to go!

 

[praline3001]

So how do you order a cab? through the hotel or just with your cell phone? How far in advance do you need to call? If we are in the park, how long should it take for them to come and pick us up? Do you have a company that you like more than another?

I am seriously thinking this is the way to go!

There are always cabs in front of the GF. You can either use the phone in your room to call Valet (there is a button you push) and ask them to have one ready for you.

There are always cabs at the Parks and other Deluxe resorts. I hear most of the mods have cabs hanging around as well.

The only Cabs that are allowed to run on property are the Mears cabs. Any other cab is not allowed to be there ~ the link I posted above was to mears website. There is a number you can store in your cell phone if you need it but honestly I have NEVER had to call a cab! They has always been a few hanging around just waiting for guest.

Its 50 cents per half mile for on property. Make sure before getting into the cab it is a MEars yellow cab

The cabs are very nice. Compare it to any big city ~ would you rather the free buses or take a cab? Same thing

 

[jkstewart1800]

There are always cabs in front of the GF. You can either use the phone in your room to call Valet (there is a button you push) and ask them to have one ready for you.

There are always cabs at the Parks and other Deluxe resorts. I hear most of the mods have cabs hanging around as well.

The only Cabs that are allowed to run on property are the Mears cabs. Any other cab is not allowed to be there ~ the link I posted above was to mears website. There is a number you can store in your cell phone if you need it but honestly I have NEVER had to call a cab! They has always been a few hanging around just waiting for guest.

Its 50 cents per half mile for on property. Make sure before getting into the cab it is a MEars yellow cab

The cabs are very nice. Compare it to any big city ~ would you rather the free buses or take a cab? Same thing

Sweet!!!

 

[praline3001]

The number is 407-422-2222
But I have never had to call that number.

At AK the cabs are pretty easy to spot. The Bus stations are to the right of the exit (left if your entering)
The cabs can be found on the right in the front of the parking lot.

DHS cabs are a bit tricker to find.... you might want a CM to point it out to you. There generally is a CM out there directing people =)
You walk past all of the resort bus stations and they are a little past that.

You can use the monorail for MK, Poly, CR and Epcot.

DHS is a toss up... I have heard the ride isn't bad but I have just gotten spoiled on the cabs LOL
AK ~ that bus trip is horrible

The Cab from GF to AK is $20
The Cab from GF to DHS is $14

For me a nice quiet CLEAN (I always find the buses dirty and yucky) place to relax on the way to and from the resort so much more peaceful
You aren't pushed, squished or forced to stand the entire ride

 

[jkstewart1800]

Until we had kids we ALWAYS rented a car... Now all of a sudden my DH wants nothing to with rent a cars and rely totally on the bus system....AHHHHHHH - I said... but with kids it matters even more now!!!

I am so pitching him the taxi idea!!!

 

[BCV23]

I actually didn't find DHS that bad. They stop at another resort before going to us (WL when we traveled) and then on to DHS. AK, however, stinks no matter what!! You also go to Blizzard Beach on that route. Getting there, not horrible (since right after pick up it goes to Blizzard Beach and then AK) but coming back is bad. After they get you at AK, you go BACK to Blizzard Beach, then to WL, then to the GF. Plus AK is the farthest park from GF anyway.

DTD is another doozy since it goes to Typhoon Lagoon and the West Side. Plus it seems like those buses are fewer and far between.

Again, as I typed on another thread today, the bus issues are a property wide problem, not exclusive to this resort. I still think the EPCOT area resorts really get the shaft since all 5 (YC, BC, BWI, Swan, DOlphin) share the SAME bus at certain parts of the day.

But remember, even a day at WDW with bad buses is better than any day at home!

We always have a rental car (other than two times when we had our own car) so I have rather limited experience on the buses but I agree with you about DHS, Cinderumbrella. I've taken the bus back to both the GF and Polynesian a number of times when my family has split up after lunch. It's not bad at all. One nice thing is that you can hop whichever bus comes first...MK/TTC or GF. One or the other has usually been there when I've walked up. I've never had a long wait.

With regards to Y&BC/BCV, I don't think they ever share with the other resorts for MK buses these days. I've made it back to the YC within 8 minutes from the MK. Those resorts do share for DAK (again limited experience there) but even that has not been bad returning to DAK is we split up after lunch. A quick stop at S/D and then on to YC.

We always drive to DTD. There is no way I would take a bus there....multiple resorts, multiple lights, TL and multiple stops within DTD. Nuts!

I've always found the buses to be clean. WDW takes things like that seriously.

Oh, and I also agree with Cinderumbrella's last point.

 

[billnang]

Thanks Brooke...

I know ou said there are always Taxi's hanging around.. are the vans hanging around too? Figure the 6 of us and 1 to 2 strollers

THis is good to know

Angela

 

[praline3001]

Thanks Brooke...

I know ou said there are always Taxi's hanging around.. are the vans hanging around too? Figure the 6 of us and 1 to 2 strollers

THis is good to know

Angela

I have never had a problem getting a van but there are fewer of them than cars. Make sure to call from your room and they know you want a van. The valet will get you one. If he has to call ~ the van should be there within 2-3 minutes. At the parks, your best bet is to call the number as you are leaving the park.
I have never had a problem but if in a pinch we could fit in a car so I didn't worry about it.

 

[praline3001]

This is from All Ears for those who might have missed it.


On select evenings, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa guests can now roast marshmallows around a Mickey-shaped campfire, sing favorite camp tunes on the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon and see the "stars" --both on the silver screen and in the sky --as they watch a family-friendly Disney film on the moonlit beach. S'mores kits and marshmallows are available for purchase during the campfire and movie. For more information about recreational activities at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, visit Disneyworld.com or call 407-824-4321.

 

[Mary T in PA]

Mary, here is a link from last week about deluxe rooms in RPC - lots of good info! We stayed in a deluxe room (I included pics on the thread) and loved the room! Tons of space and a huge wrap-around balcony. Check it out!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2146279

Glad to see the new GF FAQ!

THank you for the link!!!


I need to quit waffling.. we have a 1 bedroom suite SL booked, and I know it's going to be fabulous. I just keep thinking about trip and wish it would get here soon!

Mary

 

[billnang]

Brooke... Many Thanks for your response and knowledge!!!

Angela

 

[praline3001]

Brooke... Many Thanks for your response and knowledge!!!

Angela

I am NO expert I can promise you that

I have only stayed there twice this past year, each trip for a week... you get the hang of things really quick once your there It's not rocket science. If you have ANY questions at all, just call the resort and ask. That's what I do now they are a great bunch and will answer your questions quickly and you can get the correct info

 

[billnang]

LOL, well, I have been there 3 times in the last 2 years...and I am usually the one who has info to share...so, I learned something from you today!!! I now know it will be easy to get to sea world or another park...Just have to rely on Valet to help me with that!!!
Angela

 

[praline3001]

LOL, well, I have been there 3 times in the last 2 years...and I am usually the one who has info to share...so, I learned something from you today!!! I now know it will be easy to get to sea world or another park...Just have to rely on Valet to help me with that!!!
Angela

In that case, you might be better off renting a car for the week. I am sure the cab ride to Sea World is really pricey.

Your other option would be to change your trip around a bit. We almost did that this trip but decided against it.

Go from the Airport to a Sea World or universal resort. Spend a few days there (if you stay Universal resort you get VIP FOTL passes) then once your done with Sea World and Universal, take 1 cab to GF and check in then.
This not only helps with money and cabs, but there is a real convienance factor as well.
We had to buy the VIP passes for DH and DS's Universal/IOA day and they were really high cost. It does give them FOTL all day but if you stayed on their property for those nights you can get the same for free

 

[loralie]

Thanks for all the great info on this thread guys! I feel so much better about the transportation now. I know my DH is a little nervous about getting around since he hurt his back and I want this trip to have as little stress as possible so we will definitely be using the cabs a few times. Our trip is 20 days away. I can't believe we are really going back to WDW and I can't believe we are actually staying at the GF. Its been 4 years since we were at WDW and we had a trip planned in 2007 but had to cancel it and I guess I am a little worried that something will go wrong. I know, I know...I have to think positive. I know it is going to be an awesome vacation.

Loralie

 

[billnang]

I thought about a stay there, but with 6 of s, we are kind of against split stays...
But I just looked up the taxi cost.. from EPCOT to sea World it is 23.00
and from MK to Sea World it is 32.00 hmmm
looks like I can monorail it to Epcot and go to and from Sea World from there!!!!

We'll see i think I will give them a call. I know I looked into going to the Transportation center and they have a bus that you can take, but not so sure about that..

Anyone know another way to get there from the GF?
Angela

 

[praline3001]

Thanks for all the great info on this thread guys! I feel so much better about the transportation now. I know my DH is a little nervous about getting around since he hurt his back and I want this trip to have as little stress as possible so we will definitely be using the cabs a few times. Our trip is 20 days away. I can't believe we are really going back to WDW and I can't believe we are actually staying at the GF. Its been 4 years since we were at WDW and we had a trip planned in 2007 but had to cancel it and I guess I am a little worried that something will go wrong. I know, I know...I have to think positive. I know it is going to be an awesome vacation.

Loralie

You will have a blast! Let your DH know that there is a nice hot tub at the courtyard pool it might make his back feel better after being in the parks all day!
Also, make sure to try the GF cafe! I seriously LOVE this place and we eat twice there in a week on our trips
Its GREAT food and service without having to dress up.. very casual. Its also QUIET and soothing!

Make sure to store the Mears cab number in your cell phone just in case. I haven't had problems getting a cab but you never know

I have the GF soooo relaxing after a hectic day in the parks! It helps recharge my batteries! I love the parks ~ but having a nice quiet down time is great

 

[praline3001]

I thought about a stay there, but with 6 of s, we are kind of against split stays...
But I just looked up the taxi cost.. from EPCOT to sea World it is 23.00
and from MK to Sea World it is 32.00 hmmm
looks like I can monorail it to Epcot and go to and from Sea World from there!!!!

We'll see i think I will give them a call. I know I looked into going to the Transportation center and they have a bus that you can take, but not so sure about that..

Anyone know another way to get there from the GF?
Angela

I would call mears and get a price quote. I am not sure how they work off property but I know on property from GF to AK is $20 so that sounds a bit low to sea world, kwim? Unless they have a difference rate for off property

I understand not wanting to do a split stay with 6 people~ but really that would be the best reason to do it! Instead of getting everyone moved each morning to the right park, much easier if you were already there. Plus the FOTL access at Universal would be GREAT! All of the universal resorts work with Sea World so you would only stay off property at one resort and then change over to GF ~ think of all the cab fair you could save .. plus all the hectic mornings trying to get to the other parks. We were sooo going to do it this way for our July trip but decided it wouldn't be worth it as my DD can't ride the coasters at Universal =( she would be sad. SO instead the guys are taking off for the day but we are driving so they will take our truck

 

[snowwhitenyc]

I also take a cab to and from AK. Its $20 one way but well worth it to me. The GF/AK bus route takes FOREVER and has several stops along the way. Its just not worth it for me to sit there for 90 minutes

Hi Praline,

Thanks for all of your great info! We're getting ready for our first GF trip in just a few weeks and we're super excited!

In your experience, how long does it take to get from GF to AK early in the morning (aiming to make 9am rope drop)? Has it still been around 90 minutes? If so, that's crazy! AK is my least favorite park, and the thought of waiting for/being on a bus for the same amount of time as it takes for me to get from NYC to Philadelphia is not appealing.

And, if I'm not being too pushy -- how long generally from GF to DHS?

Again, many thanks!