The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[carrie6466]

I found the walk takes about 10 minutes and I would say to leave around 7:20 AM.

Thanks! That shouldn't be a problem

 

[JoeyAnyc]

Sleeping Becca & pezaddict231 - Thanks so much for your feedback. I just told DH and we are excited to do it this time (well, I'm VERY excited) LOL

XO

 

[Dreamer Kevin]

Sorry if this has been asked. From reading the GF overview elsewhere on this site it seems that only certain rooms have whirlpool jets in the tubs, but on the Disney site they make it seem like each room has jetted tubs (I know it wouldn't be a full jacuzzi).

Do standard rooms come with jetted tubs, I wonder? And turndown service is probably only for concierge level, I guess.

Thanks! We're heading down late Sept/early Oct.

DK

 

[BCV23]

Turndown is for all rooms. The vast majority of rooms do not have jetted tubs.
Have fun at the Grand.

Sleeping Becca, glad you had such a nice trip. Is Mickey Mercantile still pretty much toys and children's clothes?

johnsonet, I've really been enjoying your photos of the GF. Thanks for sharing.

 

[pezaddict231]

Sleeping Becca & pezaddict231 - Thanks so much for your feedback. I just told DH and we are excited to do it this time (well, I'm VERY excited) LOL

XO

You will have so much fun, it was actually really nice and I think DF was surprised that he actually enjoyed it. He liked the sandwiches and scones too.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Turndown is for all rooms. The vast majority of rooms do not have jetted tubs.
Have fun at the Grand.

Sleeping Becca, glad you had such a nice trip. Is Mickey Mercantile still pretty much toys and children's clothes?

johnsonet, I've really been enjoying your photos of the GF. Thanks for sharing.

Mickey Mercantile was mostly toys and children's clothes, with standard WDW offerings (autograph books, picture frames, pins etc) as well.

Our Garden view room in Sago did not have a jetted tub.

 

[Tam1067]

They're saying the floors will be under construction starting in July and going until November.

Ah, well. We're staying at the Grand in August and then returning for Xmas. So one "under construction" trip and one brand new floor trip for us.

 

[Jeanine3kids]

To stay in the main building of the GF do you need to be RPC and if so how much do the rooms start at for the end of NOV?????

 

[teentoddlermom]

Sounds as though you've gotten a well-deserved great rate Hope you have a FABULOUS trip!
I've stayed in every building at the GF and you cannot go wrong.
Have a wonderful time

Don't think you've missed too much since 2003...
The new rooms look very nice but I must admit I miss the character of the old decor. Either way, Housekeeping, Bell Services, Recreation, etc. are still wonderful. Restaurants are better than ever - and you will probably love Basin - that bath products shop.
1900 should be lots of fun with Cinderella and her stepsisters...
Have you considered My Perfectly Princess Tea Party for your DD? She is the perfect age I took my DD when she was 8 (if I remember correctly...) It's a special tea party for little princesses held right there in the Garden View Lounge, Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10:30am-noon

The poolside cabanas at the Waterfall Pool are probably new since your last visit. DISer heatherlyn444 posted some pics of them recently on this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=32183582#post32183582

Also, the Photo Sessions at the resorts are something you might consider:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1703832&highlight=photo+session+GF

Good luck and have fun!!

Thanks for the information! I did not know about the photo sessions.
Also thanks for the other updates. Do the girls dress up like princesses for the tea party? My daughter is not into the dress up, but I think it would be nice to go to that.

 

[thecapells]

Here's some pics from the Pirate Adventure during out Nov 2008 trip...

All decked out

The Lady Useppa was basically a ferry decked out with black sails, pirate slogans, and a Jolly Rodger:

The slogans were pretty funny

Captain Ron with my DS

Captain Ron giving instructions to the gathered buccaneers:

The boat heads out to sea

Captain Ron was giving out last minute instructions to the crew

And then he gathered them all up together for one big ARRGH!!!
Here’s what they sounded like (if you can ignore the Moms talking in the background):


And then the boat approached the horizon…

On their return, each pirate was called up by name, given their share of the loot (in a pirate bag), and was released to their adult.
I grabbed a shot of DS getting his “booty”:

Here’s a final shot of DS’ triumphant return!

For those more interested in the Pirate Adventure,
I just posted my DS' account of the entire trip complete with his own pics on my trip report.
Use the link in my signature to check it out!

 

[johnsonet]

Sorry if this has been asked. From reading the GF overview elsewhere on this site it seems that only certain rooms have whirlpool jets in the tubs, but on the Disney site they make it seem like each room has jetted tubs (I know it wouldn't be a full jacuzzi).

Do standard rooms come with jetted tubs, I wonder? And turndown service is probably only for concierge level, I guess.

Thanks! We're heading down late Sept/early Oct.

DK

Not sure what the website implies but FYI, the resort has a large, outdoor hot tub by the courtyard pool.

Other than that, the honeymoon King Deluxe club level rooms in the main building (over Gasaparilla Grill) have jacuzzi tubs. We had one last summer. Maybe some of the suites do too, but I've stayed in 3 suites at the GF over the years and I don't remember any of them having jacuzzis.

Just to reiterate what BCV23 has said, turndown is for ALL rooms at the GF and standard rooms do NOT have jacuzzi tubs.

johnsonet, I've really been enjoying your photos of the GF. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks BCV23

To stay in the main building of the GF do you need to be RPC and if so how much do the rooms start at for the end of NOV?????

Yes. All main building rooms are Royal Palm Club level. Depending on exactly when you go, relative to Thanksgiving, a room there at rack rate will run you $700+ per night.

Thanks for the information! I did not know about the photo sessions.
Also thanks for the other updates. Do the girls dress up like princesses for the tea party? My daughter is not into the dress up, but I think it would be nice to go to that.

You're welcome
Yes, I would say that the majority of girls dress up. Certainly MANY do. But your DD doesn't have to. Any cute dress would be fine for the occasion It's a lot of fun. I'd say do it now before she gets any older

TheCapells
Thank you for sharing your AWESOME Pirate Adventure photos. Your DS looks as though he had a great time!

 

[Dreamer Kevin]

Turndown is for all rooms. The vast majority of rooms do not have jetted tubs.
Have fun at the Grand.

Sleeping Becca, glad you had such a nice trip. Is Mickey Mercantile still pretty much toys and children's clothes?

johnsonet, I've really been enjoying your photos of the GF. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the info, BVC23. We're inside 90 days now!

DK

 

[CanadianGuy]

Just a reminder folks - the DIS has a word filter and attempts to circumvent it will result in warnings and infractions.

Unfortunately that's what happened and a post, and a few posts that quoted it had to be deleted.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I wanted to remind those looking for a quicker way to the Poly than the monorail - the launch is another good choice, when it's operating. I know some of you are going to early breakfast, and it may not be running yet, but wanted anyone else reading to know that the boat leaves the GF dock, heads to the Poly, then the MK - making it a good choice for those staying close to the dock. It should start running no later than one hour prior to MK opening.

We do the tea nearly every trip, and always see at least a couple men in the room, so no one should feel out of place. The guys we've taken with us always enjoy themselves.

Thanks for the photos, everyone!

 

[Scott MC]

They're saying the floors will be under construction starting in July and going until November.

Ah, well. We're staying at the Grand in August and then returning for Xmas. So one "under construction" trip and one brand new floor trip for us.

Who is "they?" This was mentioned a few weeks ago on this board, I called the GF directly and was told that this had been pushed back to the fall.

 

[alacazander]

Does anybody know or have a list of the times the RPC serves munchies, etc.

Like night time cordials from 6 pm - 8 pm etc.??

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[johnsonet]

Does anybody know or have a list of the times the RPC serves munchies, etc.

Like night time cordials from 6 pm - 8 pm etc.??

Thanks in advance!!!

CanadianGuy posted the Club Level offerings and times on the very first page of this thread

 

[goofygal531]

Who is "they?" This was mentioned a few weeks ago on this board, I called the GF directly and was told that this had been pushed back to the fall.

"They" are those in the know. There are DIS members who frequent the GF very often and personally know CL CMs who tip us off to things such as refurbs.

 

[simplymama]

I'm hooked on the RPC. I can't even begin to describe what it was like to those who haven't stayed there, but those who have, well you already know. We spent 5 glorious nights on the 4th floor and had rooms that had a direct view of the beach pool, lagoon and Poly.

I'm actually a bit embarrassed to say that at first I was disappointed that we didn't get MK views(just had that image in my mind) and asked if we could switch, but in the end after checking out the view and location from the rooms they had available with the MK view(they were on the 3rd floor)we decided that the view of the POLY/Lagoon and Beach pool was so much more to our liking, so we just stayed put and there is no doubt those rooms will always be what we request. It was just wonderful to step out your door and have a view down to the lobby and to be just a few steps to the lounge.

Sadly no rooms ever became available for the last two nights of our stay in the main building. We were going to switch to the Boardwalk for those nights, but after falling in love with the Grand we decided just to move out to the Sugar Loaf building.
While I know that many like it, it was just not for us at all. The lounge has no view, and with the Concierge desks there it just didn't feel relaxing to us at all. Too many people constantly coming and going in that area as well.

But we will definitely stay RPC again. We had a magical time in the main building and made some wonderful memories. I have pictures to hopefully post in the next few days when I get them all uploaded.

Thanks for all your help and for the info shared on this thread.

 

[Scott MC]

"They" are those in the know. There are DIS members who frequent the GF very often and personally know CL CMs who tip us off to things such as refurbs.

Well, the CM that I spoke to at the GF, who spoke to her manager made it clear that the main building would not be torn up until at least October. I spoke to CMs and CL CMs.