The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[Figment1990]

I should clarify...

Yes I am worried about taking my young son to SAB, so that is why DH and I were considering this trip an opportunity to try BC without having to worry about him wanting to go there (since he is not coming with us this weekend). Staying at BC and going to the quiet pool is our plan if we go BC. (I got DH to agree to get drinks and bring them out to the quiet pool since there's no pool bar there!)

I definitely considered Yacht Club but prefer the room decor at BC..... Which is a shame b/c I actually prefer the YC common areas to BC.... but both have SAB, so I guess that's even anyhow.

I figured I would get one-sided opinions in this thread, but I guess that's my subconcious answering my own questions!

However, I also thought maybe the Grand ladies would have some experiences to share about getting to Epcot from the Grand. I have heard there is no bus and I have heard there IS a bus.... which is it?

 

[johnsonet]

However, I also thought maybe the Grand ladies would have some experiences to share about getting to Epcot from the Grand. I have heard there is no bus and I have heard there IS a bus.... which is it?

No bus. You take the monorail.

 

[Figment1990]

Well, we did it! We booked the Grand for Aug 12-16! I'm SO excited. When it came down to it, we decided that since DH and I have stayed at the Boardwalk alone, and the Wilderness Lodge alone, we have never stayed at a monorail resort alone. Therefore this trip will truly be a new experience for us. And I really really need some R&R and the relaxed and beautiful atmosphere of the Grand just called to me.

I ended up rearranging some of the park days and ADRs we had been thinking of and I think it will work out okay transportation wise. We'll still get to epcot, but just not Epcot and DHS in the same day. That should make things more relaxing.

So thanks for doing such an awesome job with this thread - it was just a wonderful way to learn about GF and I'm looking forward to all of it. Any first timer tips you experts want to share? I requested a Boca Chica or Big Pine Key, hopefully we get one of them!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I should clarify...

Yes I am worried about taking my young son to SAB, so that is why DH and I were considering this trip an opportunity to try BC without having to worry about him wanting to go there (since he is not coming with us this weekend).

Oh, thank you for the explanation, I get it now!

I'm so glad you booked the GF, it is such a lovely resort! My only tip is to make sure you take plenty of resort time, which can be hard with a shorter trip, but so worth it. There are so many wonderful nooks to explore and relax in. And I'd suggest you and your DH make a reservation for the Garden View Lounge tea, I know you said you were hoping to do it, and I think your DH would enjoy it as well. You really get the feel of the resort there, I think.

Praline3001 - You're nearly there, have a great trip!

 

[johnsonet]

Figment1990 - that's great! I think you made the right choice
You're really going to love it!

You will love your room, love hearing the boat horns off of Seven Seas Lagoon and seeing the monorail in the distance... spotting the Castle from various points around the resort (catch Wishes from the Marina!)... just lying on the beach at the GF is festive You and your DH could rent Sea Raycers at the Marina for 30 minutes and zip around the lagoon - you'll feel like little kids


I would just recommend soaking up the atmosphere of the entire MK resorts area. Maybe walk over to the Polynesian with your husband for drinks and appetizers at the Tambu Lounge (it's a lovely walk and the lush landscaping and tiki torches at the Poly are quite romantic ) or hop the monorail to the Contemporary for some shopping or dinner at California Grill , take the boat back to the GF after your time in the Magic Kingdom... I love k&a&c'smom's afternoon tea suggestion. Here's a link to a thread about the tea with pics - one woman posted about going with her husband on their anniversary trip: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2228257

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[debbiemomto4]

Headed down in 10 days. We are staying at the GF Main Building.
Its dh,me and my sister and my 4 kids - 3 teenagers(one is 18) and a 9 year old.
Big group - we choose concierge in the main building. My sister has a deluxe room and I have a regular one. Not sure what the difference is but it was extra money so I figured we didn't need it. I might regret that.
How convenient is the laundry room?
I figured there are blow dryers in the room but are they the small ones?
I need to start packing and directing the packing for the older ones. I give the older ones a packing list and they have to pack for themselves ( I do double check- had to buy socks once. )
So excited!

 

[johnsonet]

Headed down in 10 days. We are staying at the GF Main Building.
Its dh,me and my sister and my 4 kids - 3 teenagers(one is 18) and a 9 year old.
Big group - we choose concierge in the main building. My sister has a deluxe room and I have a regular one. Not sure what the difference is but it was extra money so I figured we didn't need it. I might regret that.
How convenient is the laundry room?
I figured there are blow dryers in the room but are they the small ones?
I need to start packing and directing the packing for the older ones. I give the older ones a packing list and they have to pack for themselves ( I do double check- had to buy socks once. )
So excited!

Sounds like a great trip.
The Deluxe rooms with 2 queen beds are more spacious.
There is a laundry room in the main bldg. on the 2d floor, in the area above Gasparilla Grill. Depending on where your room is, it may not be at all convenient. There is also laundry service, discussed earlier in this thread. k&a&c'smom posted the price list: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31973763&highlight=laundry#post31973763
I don't think I have a pic of the hair dryers at GF - but I do find them sufficiently powerful.

 

[debbiemomto4]

Thanks for the quick answer. I wonder if the regular rooms only have double beds or queens. It seems too late to switch anyway. Checked out the the prices on the laundry. With 4 kids I will have to do the wash at least once. shorts x 6 on one day is already too much. Lol.
I think I can leave blow dryer home though. Thats good.
I will be back with more questions!

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks for the quick answer. I wonder if the regular rooms only have double beds or queens. It seems too late to switch anyway. Checked out the the prices on the laundry. With 4 kids I will have to do the wash at least once. shorts x 6 on one day is already too much. Lol.
I think I can leave blow dryer home though. Thats good.
I will be back with more questions!

Oh the beds are definitely queens! And you should have a day bed, too.
Laundry will be fine - but there is only ONE washer and ONE dryer in there The one time I've used it, no one else was in there, though.

You're going to have SUCH a great time

 

[dbaker375]

Anyone there now (of just returned)? I was wondering how the re-flooring was going? We leave in 13 days!!! and will be staying RPC so I was wondering about the main building floors?!?!

thanks!!

 

[johnsonet]

Anyone there now (of just returned)? I was wondering how the re-flooring was going? We leave in 13 days!!! and will be staying RPC so I was wondering about the main building floors?!?!

thanks!!

Praline3001 is leaving any day now, if not already! She is staying RPC with her family and will report back on the floors, I'm sure. Not sure she'll be back in time to help you, though. I think she's spending 11 days in RPC

 

[mmmears]

Anyone there now (of just returned)? I was wondering how the re-flooring was going? We leave in 13 days!!! and will be staying RPC so I was wondering about the main building floors?!?!

thanks!!

I'm wondering the same thing. We're checking in at the beginning of August. Maybe I'll see you there!

Praline3001 is leaving any day now, if not already! She is staying RPC with her family and will report back on the floors, I'm sure. Not sure she'll be back in time to help you, though. I think she's spending 11 days in RPC

Hi Johnsonet! I was thinking the same thing -- I hope she has a great time, but I do hope someone else can send us the info sooner -- I would like to be prepared for any noise/inconvenience ahead of time so I can plan for it and not let it ruin our experience.

 

[dbaker375]

I'm wondering the same thing. We're checking in at the beginning of August. Maybe I'll see you there!

WOW, cool.
We arrive 7/30 and depart 8/3....couldn't get any more time off work

It would be fun to connect with someone from the 'boards!!

 

[Figment1990]

Figment1990 - that's great! I think you made the right choice
You're really going to love it!

You will love your room, love hearing the boat horns off of Seven Seas Lagoon and seeing the monorail in the distance... spotting the Castle from various points around the resort (catch Wishes from the Marina!)... just lying on the beach at the GF is festive You and your DH could rent Sea Raycers at the Marina for 30 minutes and zip around the lagoon - you'll feel like little kids


I would just recommend soaking up the atmosphere of the entire MK resorts area. Maybe walk over to the Polynesian with your husband for drinks and appetizers at the Tambu Lounge (it's a lovely walk and the lush landscaping and tiki torches at the Poly are quite romantic ) or hop the monorail to the Contemporary for some shopping or dinner at California Grill , take the boat back to the GF after your time in the Magic Kingdom... I love k&a&c'smom's afternoon tea suggestion. Here's a link to a thread about the tea with pics - one woman posted about going with her husband on their anniversary trip: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2228257

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

THANK YOU for this link! This perfect. I was looking for a thread with some pics of the tea room and offerings and wasn't able to find one. Thanks for posting.

We definitely plan to try to soak up the resort. Especially the pool and beach since I really dislike going to the parks in the peak afternoon August heat! DH is thinking of golfing one morning - I'm sure he'd prefer that to shopping at the Grand with me! It will be nice to finally take my time at this resort instead of just dashing through the shops on my way to dinner. i made ressies at Citricos last night. I really wanted to do Narcoosee's this trip but can't find as much on that menu to tempt me as at Citricos...

Sea Racyers sound like a great idea - we haven't rented them since 10 years ago when we went with my family and stayed at the Poly. (pre-marriage) How nostalgic!

Does the band still play on the second(?) floor each evening? DH's grandfather was in such a band years and years and years ago (in the early 1900s) and that would be so great to experience one night.

Lisa

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Figment - yes, the band still plays, and also a piano player. Really nice!

debbiemomto4 - We always use the room blow dryer, and been satisfied. Not as powerful as ours at home, but it does the job.

I thought I'd add to johnsonet's great info with a comment on the standard vs. deluxe rooms. Even though there is quite a bit more room in the deluxe, there is not a daybed - and so the deluxe rooms sleep 4, while the standard rooms sleep 5. Weird, huh?! The deluxe room does have a nice sitting area, with coffee table, couch and chair, and usually a wet bar. You'll get a chance to compare the two, since you will have access to both, and you'll know for the future which you prefer!

 

[mmmears]

I'm wondering the same thing. We're checking in at the beginning of August. Maybe I'll see you there!

WOW, cool.
We arrive 7/30 and depart 8/3....couldn't get any more time off work

It would be fun to connect with someone from the 'boards!!

We'll have some overlap! I hope it won't be too crowded or too noisy (from the construction) up there...

 

[johnsonet]

Hi Johnsonet! I was thinking the same thing -- I hope she has a great time, but I do hope someone else can send us the info sooner -- I would like to be prepared for any noise/inconvenience ahead of time so I can plan for it and not let it ruin our experience.

Hey mmmears I do hope we will get a live or up-to-date update.

THANK YOU for this link! This perfect. I was looking for a thread with some pics of the tea room and offerings and wasn't able to find one. Thanks for posting.

We definitely plan to try to soak up the resort. Especially the pool and beach since I really dislike going to the parks in the peak afternoon August heat! DH is thinking of golfing one morning - I'm sure he'd prefer that to shopping at the Grand with me! It will be nice to finally take my time at this resort instead of just dashing through the shops on my way to dinner. i made ressies at Citricos last night. I really wanted to do Narcoosee's this trip but can't find as much on that menu to tempt me as at Citricos...

Sea Racyers sound like a great idea - we haven't rented them since 10 years ago when we went with my family and stayed at the Poly. (pre-marriage) How nostalgic!

Does the band still play on the second(?) floor each evening? DH's grandfather was in such a band years and years and years ago (in the early 1900s) and that would be so great to experience one night.

Lisa

Citrico's is great! You'll love it!
Hope you rent those Sea Raycers
Have you ever been to the GF Spa? It's very nice!
I know k&a&c'smom answered already re. the orchestra but had to add that I LOVE hearing them play! And the pianist is wonderful too. You're going to have a great trip!

 

[mmmears]

Hey mmmears I do hope we will get a live or up-to-date update.



Citrico's is great! You'll love it!
Hope you rent those Sea Raycers
Have you ever been to the GF Spa? It's very nice!
I know k&a&c'smom answered already re. the orchestra but had to add that I LOVE hearing them play! And the pianist is wonderful too. You're going to have a great trip!

I will try to post and let people know what's going on there, but I think Brook will be back before I get to the GF, so you probably won't have to wait that long.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Wow, so many people are heading to the Grand in the next few weeks! I hope everyone has a fantastic trip!

johnsonet - I agree, the GF Spa is wonderful. I've only had massages there, but they were great and the facilities were very nice. The walk there is very pretty as well.

 

[thecapells]

Here's some Spa pics if anyone is interested...