The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[johnsonet]

We use the bus system quite a bit while in WDW, and find it to be generally reliable and easy to navigate.

I agree

We once sat at the DTD bus stop for nearly an hour, late at night, in the heat and the bugs, lol. Never done that again!

We don't go to DTD anymore. One reason for that is that DD and I once took the bus from GF (years ago) and it took 55 min. to get there! No thanks!

... We are renting a cabana and we have a dinner ADR for GF Cafe.

Loralie

Sounds like a relaxing day at the Grand
I had the Lobster-Tarragon salad last summer and it was delicious!
We always seem to have really sweet servers at the GF Cafe

 

[BlueSkies]

Liz You are probably leaving by now but I still wanted to say have a GREAT time!!! Looking foward to hearing all about your trip!

Safe travels

 

[hill6]

I can't believe that two weeks from now we will be at the wonderful GF resort. We have the MK view. Just booked our massages yesterday. (Yes this is a complete resort experience for us). Lots to do between now and then.

 

[followthatmouse]

All the talk of Basin and bath bombs sent me to my bathroom cupboard. There it is - my beautiful Basin body butter from GF. Don't laugh, it's oatmeal honey. Just open that little tub and you'll be relaxed and hungry at the same time.

Ooh, Johnsonet, that lobster tarragon salad looks a light and perfect lunch. You are quite right about the staff at GF Cafe. They are sweet. Hmm. I do hope lobster eggs benedict is still on the breakfast menu.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Liz, Have a magical trip!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hmm. I do hope lobster eggs benedict is still on the breakfast menu.

We had it a month ago, so I would say your luck is good that it is still there!

johnsonet - yeah, that wait for a GF bus put us right off the DTD bus system, lol.

to everyone headed to the GF, have a Grand time!

 

[loralie]

Those bath bombs are heaven!!!

On our last trip DD and I put one in the tub and sat on the edge and just soaked our tired legs and feet...It was great..of course she chose ours and it was one of the mickey ones...

I have a bunch here at home...no clue what scent they are...they just all smell soo good...

Basin White is one shop we always stop in ...and never come out empty handed!! there is also a Basin at DTD...

I am not really a bath person but I like the idea of soaking our tired legs and feet. Especially after all the walking we will be doing. I may have to try it.

Loralie

We have the same type of day planned also! We will be sleeping in late, going to a late breakfast at 1900, taking in the sites and maybe some shopping until 1:30. Savannah is booked to do that wonderland tea party the guys are doing sea racers and after we are all going to hit the pool.
We haven't decided if we want to do the GF cafe, the RPC lounge of CS for dinner yet. The GF cafe doesn't get as crowded as other places so walk ups are generally pretty easy. We are also going to do the campfire but chances are won't stay for the movie.

Sounds like a great resort day. We did have a dinner planned for 1900 PF when I was originally planning out my ADR's but then they reduced the number of Fantasmic shows so I went with the Fantasmic Dinner Package. We were able to get Mama Melrose. I needed to give something up and since I have 2 boys I thought this would be the dinner to give up. I am sure your guys will love the sea racers.

Hi everyone. I leave in 1 hour for my first stay at the Grand!!

I did the online check in so I will let everyone know how that goes.

We are very excited. I will fill everyone in either there or when I get back. I think we will most likely pay for internet so I can update while I am there.

If anyone has any questions or suggestions let me know

Have a wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear all about it. Take plenty of pics.

Sounds like a relaxing day at the Grand
I had the Lobster-Tarragon salad last summer and it was delicious!
We always seem to have really sweet servers at the GF Cafe

The food looks yummy but I don't eat lobster or any fish for that matter so I don't think I will be ordering that. I do plan on trying the french onion soup even though we are on the basic DP and do not get an appetizer. I will have to splurge and pay OOP for that.

Loralie

 

[BCV23]

DTD is horrible, except after 4 p.m., when they start direct service. Even then, we generally take our car or a cab (if we don't have a car), at least on the way back, when we're tired! We once sat at the DTD bus stop for nearly an hour, late at night, in the heat and the bugs, lol. Never done that again!

Brook My DD loves that pink suger too...Ya I know the DTD store is Basin not Basin White...seems that some of the soaps are a little less expensive... They do have a nice selection there too...

It was posted a while back that if you order from Basin White your order comes right from the GF...I think that itself is a good enough reason to order from there!!!

I like both Basin stores, too. I've been told that the products at Basin White all contain Shea butter. I usually have most of my order shipped home and love getting that package.

Hi everyone. I leave in 1 hour for my first stay at the Grand!!

I did the online check in so I will let everyone know how that goes.

We are very excited. I will fill everyone in either there or when I get back. I think we will most likely pay for internet so I can update while I am there.

If anyone has any questions or suggestions let me know

Have a Grand time!

We don't go to DTD anymore. One reason for that is that DD and I once took the bus from GF (years ago) and it took 55 min. to get there! No thanks!





I had the Lobster-Tarragon salad last summer and it was delicious!
We always seem to have really sweet servers at the GF Cafe

Another DTD bus horror story!

I've had that salad on a recent trip and loved it! We're big GF Cafe fans like so many others here. We try to never miss lunch there.

I can't believe that two weeks from now we will be at the wonderful GF resort. We have the MK view. Just booked our massages yesterday. (Yes this is a complete resort experience for us). Lots to do between now and then.

Enjoy the anticipation. The time will fly!

We had it a month ago, so I would say your luck is good that it is still there!

johnsonet - yeah, that wait for a GF bus put us right off the DTD bus system, lol.

to everyone headed to the GF, have a Grand time!

We had the lobster Benedict last month too and also tried the stuffed croissant on your recommendation. Loved it. Thanks!

Praline and loralie, love your plans for a resort day.

 

[johnsonet]

I can't believe that two weeks from now we will be at the wonderful GF resort. We have the MK view. Just booked our massages yesterday. (Yes this is a complete resort experience for us). Lots to do between now and then.

Sounds like a fabulous trip! Have fun

Ooh, Johnsonet, that lobster tarragon salad looks a light and perfect lunch. You are quite right about the staff at GF Cafe. They are sweet. Hmm. I do hope lobster eggs benedict is still on the breakfast menu.

Lobster eggs benedict ~ SO yummy

The food looks yummy but I don't eat lobster or any fish for that matter so I don't think I will be ordering that. I do plan on trying the french onion soup even though we are on the basic DP and do not get an appetizer. I will have to splurge and pay OOP for that.

Loralie

Oops! Well, enjoy that soup

I've had that salad on a recent trip and loved it! We're big GF Cafe fans like so many others here. We try to never miss lunch there...

BCV23 - I think lunch is my favorite meal of all at The Cafe I once had a steak sandwich there that was in-credible!

We had the lobster Benedict last month too and also tried the stuffed croissant on your recommendation. Loved it. Thanks!

Praline and loralie, love your plans for a resort day.

OMG I've missed that one! Calorie blast Sounds like the GF's equivalent of the Polynesian's Tonga Toast

 

[BCV23]

OMG I've missed that one! Calorie blast Sounds like the GF's equivalent of the Polynesian's Tonga Toast

Yes, I think the stuffed croissant is the GF equivalent to Tonga Toast. Actually, it might be a bit lighter. Still very decadent. My DIL and I split an order of the lobster eggs Benedict and the croissant.

 

[followthatmouse]

Yes, I think the stuffed croissant is the GF equivalent to Tonga Toast. Actually, it might be a bit lighter. Still very decadent.

Well, that blasts the diet out of the water.

 

[BCV23]

Well, that blasts the diet out of the water.

No kidding!

 

[loralie]

what's in the stuffed croissant? Can you get it at Gasparilla Grill or is it just GF Cafe?

Loralie

 

[mmmears]

Hi everyone -- I think I'm joining the discussion late! I have to add that we ordered a bunch of stuff from Basin White last week and it arrived on Friday! We've been really enjoying the bath bombs and the bath salts this weekend!

 

[michelle1]

I saw the floor plan that Misti posted showing the lodge rooms and it looks like there is quite a bit more space then the standard rooms. Does anyone know what buildings these rooms are in? Is the sofa a day bed also?

 

[praline3001]

I saw the floor plan that Misti posted showing the lodge rooms and it looks like there is quite a bit more space then the standard rooms. Does anyone know what buildings these rooms are in? Is the sofa a day bed also?

From the Disney website it says these rooms only sleep 4. The love seat is a lot smaller than the sofa sleeper in the standard rooms so I am going to *guess* they are not day beds.

I can't help you with exact footage but the lodge tower rooms are the same size EXCEPT for the additional sitting room.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/rates-rooms/

From all ears:
What is a lodge tower room?

The lodge tower rooms are located in the semicircular protrusions you can see on the outside of some buildings. They include all of the features of a standard room. They also have a separate sitting area, with additional furniture, TV and phone. There are views out of five windows, as well as a separate balcony.

 

[BCV23]

what's in the stuffed croissant? Can you get it at Gasparilla Grill or is it just GF Cafe?

Loralie

It's stuffed with mascarpone cheese, walnuts, and chocolate chips and served with whipped cream, raspberry sauce and some berries.

It's not served at Gasparilla Grill just the GF Cafe. You can probably order it through room service.

Hi everyone -- I think I'm joining the discussion late! I have to add that we ordered a bunch of stuff from Basin White last week and it arrived on Friday! We've been really enjoying the bath bombs and the bath salts this weekend!

Don't you love getting those packages after a trip? It always brings back good memories for me.

 

[mmmears]

Don't you love getting those packages after a trip? It always brings back good memories for me.

Oh, yes! It's like our vacation was still continuing! And the salts and bombs are heavenly.... We never could have bought so much if we had to carry our purchases in our suitcases -- they were already stuffed with all the "loot" my DD got for her birthday... Shipping was great and fast, too, and it was so nice to come home and find that box by the door, just waiting there for us!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I saw the floor plan that Misti posted showing the lodge rooms and it looks like there is quite a bit more space then the standard rooms. Does anyone know what buildings these rooms are in? Is the sofa a day bed also?

They are the "turret" rooms. We stayed in one last December. The part of the room where the beds etc. are is just like the other rooms you have seen posted here (minus the daybed) That big empty space is where we kept our luggage. The turret part is a sitting area with a smallish couch (not a pull out) a chair its own TV in armoire and the exit to the balcony. It was AWESOME to have the extra space, but they do only sleep 4 people. It is a separate booking category called Lodge Tower Rooms.

HTH!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

I must apologize, I've been a lurker for a long time, but felt I would share my pleasant suprise I recieved this A.M. My 90 day window for ADRs is fast approaching. I called IPO this morning and found out that instead of the Sugar Loaf reservation I book 3 months ago, I am now in the Main blg, Standard view. I almost fell off my chair. I've been to the Grand Floridan about 10 times before and always said, "some day" I'll splurge and stay in the main blg, and now it's actually happening. The best part is that this is the last time I will bring my niece and 2 nephews all together and it will be a bigger suprise to them. I shared my good news with everyone at work and they just didn't get why I was so happy. Only fellow DISers would understand. August 6th can't come fast enough.