The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[BWVNUT]

Hi all, question...I'm taking my DDturning10 for a surprise bday. We're staying at BW, but was trying to come up with something special to do for her...Last year for her surprise trip we were lucky enough to do the castle suite tour - I know I can't top that and I know she will never in a million years think I would take her out of school again and surprise her w/a trip again...so I'm very excited.

I was thinking about the mini spa treatments they have at GF - mini-mani and mini-pedi. Have any of you ever done them? If so what exactly do they do? I would anticipate it being more than the typical 'polish' you get a the walk in nail places we have on every corner here... We also do the polish at these places and she always wants the parafin/hand massage and to put her feet in the spa tub

Any info greatly appreciated.

 

[johnsonet]

BWVNUT - Sounds like a great trip for the birthday girl I have taken my daughter for the My First Manicure and Pedicure - but it has been 4 or 5 years. The nail tech spoiled her and she had a wonderful time. She can't remember whether or not they gave her paraffin but I doubt they did - the treatment is only 25 minutes. I assume they soak them, file them, do a little hand massage and then polish. Your daughter is sure to enjoy herself, though. And you could always add the paraffin for an extra charge if she really wants it! Here's the info on the kids' treatments from the relaxedyet.com site:

For Our Younger Guests
Designed exclusively for our youngest guests (4-12 years) to experience fun and educational primers for a lifetime of healthy living. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult while in the Spa and an adult must be present during all massage, body or water treatments.


My First Facial 25 minutes $70
My First Manicure 25 minutes $35
My First Pedicure 25 minutes $40
My First Massage 25 minutes $70

 

[jkstewart1800]

I can't believe that we leave in one week... I also can't beleive how many of us are going to be there at the same time.... I wish there was a way for all of us to meet some how. Maybe we should all wear big D on our shirts...

I haven't done a stich of packing. We just moved from Texas to Arkansas last week. I am sitting here with no furniture on the floor.... We are living out of our suitcases here.... so I have to wait until the last mintue to pack up our stuff!

Staying at the Grand is/was a dream of mine. Thank you to everyone here who helped make the planning go a lot more smoothly!

Two days after we get back the movers come with all of our stuff... once I get settled I will have to do a trip report with some pictures...

 

[brunette8706]

Hi!

We're going to the Grand Floridian July 30 August 8th. We will celebrating my birthday on August 4th. Can anyone recommend any cool restaurants?

When is everyone going, anytime soon? We never stayed here so I'm hoping this would be a great vacation. We were at the Poly in September and the Contemporary in January. I just hope the GF is nice. All the pictures look so beautiful!!!

I do have a question, the GF is paid off, we received the buy 4 get 3 FREE deal. Now, will they let my parents stay with us? Or do I have to pay extra for them? Just curious.

Thanks all!

 

[BCV23]

I can't believe that we leave in one week... I also can't beleive how many of us are going to be there at the same time.... I wish there was a way for all of us to meet some how. Maybe we should all wear big D on our shirts...

I haven't done a stich of packing. We just moved from Texas to Arkansas last week. I am sitting here with no furniture on the floor.... We are living out of our suitcases here.... so I have to wait until the last mintue to pack up our stuff!

Staying at the Grand is/was a dream of mine. Thank you to everyone here who helped make the planning go a lot more smoothly!

Two days after we get back the movers come with all of our stuff... once I get settled I will have to do a trip report with some pictures...

Wow, that sounds stressful but you certainly have a good attitude about it. You're right...there are so many of you going soon.

Have a wonderful first trip to the GF.

Hi!

We're going to the Grand Floridian July 30 August 8th. We will celebrating my birthday on August 4th. Can anyone recommend any cool restaurants?

When is everyone going, anytime soon? We never stayed here so I'm hoping this would be a great vacation. We were at the Poly in September and the Contemporary in January. I just hope the GF is nice. All the pictures look so beautiful!!!

I do have a question, the GF is paid off, we received the buy 4 get 3 FREE deal. Now, will they let my parents stay with us? Or do I have to pay extra for them? Just curious.

Thanks all!

Another one going so soon! Citricos and Narcoossee's are great for dinner. We love the GF Cafe for breakfast and lunch. Dinner at the California Grill is a short hop away on the monorail as is Kona Cafe which is good for b,l and dinner.

I don't know the rules about having extra people in the room who are not included in your package. I do know that it is an extra $25/night for each additional adult after 2.

Have fun!

Oh, and I meant to mention the ultimate WDW dining experience which is Victoria and Alberts. A thoroughly delightful experience in every way. No children under 12.

 

[dbaker375]

Hi!

We're going to the Grand Floridian July 30 August 8th. We will celebrating my birthday on August 4th. Can anyone recommend any cool restaurants?

When is everyone going, anytime soon? We never stayed here so I'm hoping this would be a great vacation. We were at the Poly in September and the Contemporary in January. I just hope the GF is nice. All the pictures look so beautiful!!!

I do have a question, the GF is paid off, we received the buy 4 get 3 FREE deal. Now, will they let my parents stay with us? Or do I have to pay extra for them? Just curious.

Thanks all!

Brunette8706, we check in the same day as you!! I'm celebrating my birthday also! Can't wait to get there!!! 10 days and counting!!

I also agree with one of the previous posters.....it would be fun to connect somehow!! We'll be staying RPC if anyone else staying the same.

 

[BlueSkies]

Julia You are going to have such a wonderful trip! and you will be nice and rested when you return for unpacking!

Brunette I would recommend Citricos for a nice birthday dinner (although I do love Narcoosees too!) We ate there last month (and hadnt eaten there in ages) after BCVs recommendation and we loved it...great food,beautiful dining room, also if you tell them you are celebrating a birthday they will personalize your menu too...a very nice evening...

BCV We have never eaten at V&As but as I posted we really did enjoy Citricos...so glad that we tried it!

 

[brunette8706]

Thanks for the quick replies and recommendations everyone, it really is appreciated!

Whhhoooooo Hoooooo!

So we have the following people staying at the Grand Floridian between July 30 and August 8th:

DBaker375
jkstewart1800
mmmears
debbiemomto4
Brooke

Anyone else going to be there that time? Will anyone wear a DIS Shirt, or anything recognizable ? I would love to meet people from the DIS forum!

Thanks everyone!

Brunette

 

[BCV23]

Julia You are going to have such a wonderful trip! and you will be nice and rested when you return for unpacking!

Brunette I would recommend Citricos for a nice birthday dinner (although I do love Narcoosees too!) We ate there last month (and hadnt eaten there in ages) after BCVs recommendation and we loved it...great food,beautiful dining room, also if you tell them you are celebrating a birthday they will personalize your menu too...a very nice evening...

BCV We have never eaten at V&As but as I posted we really did enjoy Citricos...so glad that we tried it!

Hi BlueSkies! I'm glad you enjoyed Citricos. Isn't it good? We celebrated two birthdays there in March but also had a great meal at Narcoossee's that trip. Two great choices.

I hope you try V&A someday. It is wonderful in every way. We've only gone around 6-8 times over the years though. When our children were young, my DH were reluctant to leave our children during a family vacation so our dinners there were few and far between. But I think we've celebrated 4 out of our last 6 anniversaries there as well as one or two more. Hmm...I think we're up to 8 times anyway.

Did you tell us about your trip? If so, I'm afraid I missed it. How was your stay?

 

[dbaker375]

Thanks for the quick replies and recommendations everyone, it really is appreciated!

Whhhoooooo Hoooooo!

So we have the following people staying at the Grand Floridian between July 30 and August 8th. Anyone else going to be there that time? Will anyone wear a DIS Shirt, or anything recognizable ? I would love to meet people from the DIS forum!

Thanks everyone!

Brunette

Brunette, we plan on watching the fireworks from the hotel on Thursday when we arrive. I was going to ask the CM that checks us in at RPC which spot was best for viewing. I'll PM you with a description of us and hopefully we can catch each other!!

 

[brunette8706]

Brunette, we plan on watching the fireworks from the hotel on Thursday when we arrive. I was going to ask the CM that checks us in at RPC which spot was best for viewing. I'll PM you with a description of us and hopefully we can catch each other!!

*****
Hi !!

Back at cha!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Thanks for the quick replies and recommendations everyone, it really is appreciated!

Whhhoooooo Hoooooo!

So we have the following people staying at the Grand Floridian between July 30 and August 8th:

DBaker375
jkstewart1800


Anyone else going to be there that time? Will anyone wear a DIS Shirt, or anything recognizable ? I would love to meet people from the DIS forum!

Thanks everyone!

Brunette

Don't forget Brooke - she is already there and is there until the end of July!

Still no packing... had workmen in the house all day, painting and hammering away!!!

 

[eva]

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. I know that we are going to love our trip in May. It will be me, DH, and our 4 year old darling granddaughter.

BWVNUT - Sounds like a great trip for the birthday girl I have taken my daughter for the My First Manicure and Pedicure - but it has been 4 or 5 years. The nail tech spoiled her and she had a wonderful time. She can't remember whether or not they gave her paraffin but I doubt they did - the treatment is only 25 minutes. I assume they soak them, file them, do a little hand massage and then polish. Your daughter is sure to enjoy herself, though. And you could always add the paraffin for an extra charge if she really wants it! Here's the info on the kids' treatments from the relaxedyet.com site:

For Our Younger Guests
Designed exclusively for our youngest guests (4-12 years) to experience fun and educational primers for a lifetime of healthy living. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult while in the Spa and an adult must be present during all massage, body or water treatments.


My First Facial 25 minutes $70
My First Manicure 25 minutes $35
My First Pedicure 25 minutes $40
My First Massage 25 minutes $70

Thanks so much for all this information. I hadn't thought of doing something like this with DGD. I think that she would love to have a mani and pedi before afternoon tea. What a great idea!

A couple of questions:

1. I saw that someone mentioned that you can get roll away beds. We are considering getting a king room and a roll away for DGD. If we can do this, we can put the roll away right against our bed and DGD may not have to sleep in bed with us. If we get two queens, one of us is probably going to have to sleep in the queen with her. So my question is, what do you do with the roll away during the day? I would absolutely hate having it hang out in the room. DH and I are both neat freaks and love things in our hotel room to be just so. Maybe we will need to stick with two queens and I'll have to sleep with DGD.

2. If you request a frig, where do you put it? Does it fit in the vanity area of the bathroom? See how much of a neat freak I am, I will forgo a frig if it can't be hidden away.

I better not mention that I wipe everything down in the room with Clorox wipes when we first arrive!

 

[brunette8706]

Don't forget Brooke - she is already there and is there until the end of July!
Still no packing... had workmen in the house all day, painting and hammering away!!!

******

Hi Julia!

When will you be arriving? ARe you going to have anything recognizable on? Dis button, shirt etc? I already know what DBAKER375 looks like. It would be cool to all get together! Let me know, or feel free to PM me. How bout Brooke, do you know if she will be wearing anything that would "flag" us that she is indeed a DIS member? Thanks!! Brunette

 

[BlueSkies]

Julia Dont worry you still have a few more days to get packed!!! My kids pack the night before our trips!!!

I think it is so great that you all are planning to meet! When I was at the GF in February I got to meet up with several other DISsers and we had a terrific visit!!

BCV I havent really posted about our trip ...but we did have a great time! We always enjoy our stays at the GF!!! I hadnt been in June in a long time and I will say we did like it better than our last summer trip which was in August...it was hot...but not as humid...my favorite time is still October though...While we did miss Narcoosees we loved Citricos and have added it to the favorite restaurant list! Maybe when we do a grown up only trip (eventually!) V&A will be on the list....

 

[johnsonet]

I can't believe that we leave in one week... I also can't beleive how many of us are going to be there at the same time.... I wish there was a way for all of us to meet some how. Maybe we should all wear big D on our shirts...

I haven't done a stich of packing. We just moved from Texas to Arkansas last week. I am sitting here with no furniture on the floor.... We are living out of our suitcases here.... so I have to wait until the last mintue to pack up our stuff!

Staying at the Grand is/was a dream of mine. Thank you to everyone here who helped make the planning go a lot more smoothly!

Two days after we get back the movers come with all of our stuff... once I get settled I will have to do a trip report with some pictures...

Hope you have a magical time Looking forward to your pics.

Hi!

We're going to the Grand Floridian July 30 August 8th. We will celebrating my birthday on August 4th. Can anyone recommend any cool restaurants?

When is everyone going, anytime soon? We never stayed here so I'm hoping this would be a great vacation. We were at the Poly in September and the Contemporary in January. I just hope the GF is nice. All the pictures look so beautiful!!!

I do have a question, the GF is paid off, we received the buy 4 get 3 FREE deal. Now, will they let my parents stay with us? Or do I have to pay extra for them? Just curious.

Thanks all!

Have a GREAT time BCV23 gave you some great restaurant recommendations. I love, love, love CA Grill and Citrico's. I also highly recommend Jiko but it is not convenient to the GF You can drive or take a cab and be there in 15 minutes. You would have a blast sitting at "The Cooking Place" and their food and wine is divine. Plus, it would give you a chance to check out the fabulous Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort.

...Oh, and I meant to mention the ultimate WDW dining experience which is Victoria and Alberts. A thoroughly delightful experience in every way. No children under 12.

BCV23 - I've GOT to get to V&A!!

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. I know that we are going to love our trip in May. It will be me, DH, and our 4 year old darling granddaughter.

Thanks so much for all this information. I hadn't thought of doing something like this with DGD. I think that she would love to have a mani and pedi before afternoon tea. What a great idea!

A couple of questions:

1. I saw that someone mentioned that you can get roll away beds. We are considering getting a king room and a roll away for DGD. If we can do this, we can put the roll away right against our bed and DGD may not have to sleep in bed with us. If we get two queens, one of us is probably going to have to sleep in the queen with her. So my question is, what do you do with the roll away during the day? I would absolutely hate having it hang out in the room. DH and I are both neat freaks and love things in our hotel room to be just so. Maybe we will need to stick with two queens and I'll have to sleep with DGD.

2. If you request a frig, where do you put it? Does it fit in the vanity area of the bathroom? See how much of a neat freak I am, I will forgo a frig if it can't be hidden away.

I better not mention that I wipe everything down in the room with Clorox wipes when we first arrive!

Hi there.
You won't need to request a refrigerator. The rooms all have one. In this photo, it is behind the door on the bottom right. Very neat freak-friendly

I've never had a rollaway but most rooms have daybeds that pull out basically into twin size beds. Your granddaughter would probably be very happy on it Not sure about King rooms... Good luck!

******

Hi Julia!

When will you be arriving? ARe you going to have anything recognizable on? Dis button, shirt etc? I already know what DBAKER375 looks like. It would be cool to all get together! Let me know, or feel free to PM me. How bout Brooke, do you know if she will be wearing anything that would "flag" us that she is indeed a DIS member? Thanks!! Brunette

Brook has posted many pics of herself and her family on the DIS. You might want to search her posts... She will probably be hard to miss

 

[mmmears]

Hi!

We're going to the Grand Floridian July 30 August 8th. We will celebrating my birthday on August 4th. Can anyone recommend any cool restaurants?

When is everyone going, anytime soon? We never stayed here so I'm hoping this would be a great vacation. We were at the Poly in September and the Contemporary in January. I just hope the GF is nice. All the pictures look so beautiful!!!

Thanks all!

The GF is really, really nice. I hope you like it there.

Brunette8706, we check in the same day as you!! I'm celebrating my birthday also! Can't wait to get there!!! 10 days and counting!!

I also agree with one of the previous posters.....it would be fun to connect somehow!! We'll be staying RPC if anyone else staying the same.

We're staying in RPC, too.

Thanks for the quick replies and recommendations everyone, it really is appreciated!

Whhhoooooo Hoooooo!

So we have the following people staying at the Grand Floridian between July 30 and August 8th:

DBaker375
jkstewart1800


Anyone else going to be there that time? Will anyone wear a DIS Shirt, or anything recognizable ? I would love to meet people from the DIS forum!

Thanks everyone!

Brunette

I'll be there on the 2nd, but just for a few days...

Julia Dont worry you still have a few more days to get packed!!! My kids pack the night before our trips!!!

And I'm already packed and ready to go!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

eva - If you get a king room that does not have a daybed (I know the deluxe king rooms in the main building do not have them, not sure about standard king rooms) and end up requesting a rollaway, it pretty much sits in the middle of the room! Well, wherever you find a place to put it, anyway. There is really no place to hide it, so keep that in mind, if having it out in plain sight will be a nuisance for you.

Maybe someone here can answer the king bed/daybed question? That would be the best solution, as johnsonet pointed out.

 

[BlueSkies]

mmmears I am with you on the packing...I like to start early and be ready days in advance...the kids on the other hand are way more relaxed about getting ready!! Is your DD all packed too...You know you are my packing idol taking carry ons only...

eva Sorry no help from me... We always get a room with the 2 queen beds and a day bed....perfect for our family size...the day bed does open up into a nice sized twin....I cannot settle into our room without a few wipes with the clorox either!!! Oh and the lysol spray too....(it comes in a nice travle size...)

 

[BWVNUT]

BWVNUT - Sounds like a great trip for the birthday girl I have taken my daughter for the My First Manicure and Pedicure - but it has been 4 or 5 years. The nail tech spoiled her and she had a wonderful time. She can't remember whether or not they gave her paraffin but I doubt they did - the treatment is only 25 minutes. I assume they soak them, file them, do a little hand massage and then polish. Your daughter is sure to enjoy herself, though.

Thanks so much, Johnsonet!!!

Thanks so much for all this information. I hadn't thought of doing something like this with DGD. I think that she would love to have a mani and pedi before afternoon tea. What a great idea!

The tea is a GREAT idea as well - thanks!!