The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[k&a&c'smom]

brunette8706 - Spending an extra $500 for 7 days would be worth it to me, unless you have a theme park view booked. If that is the case, you may be disappointed if you do not get a theme park view room - will this upgrade be to RPC, or SL?

MsStinkerbelle - Nice to see you here, and thank you for the photos! Have fun planning your Christmas at the Grand, you'll have a wonderful time, I'm sure.

 

[dancemomnj]

My dd9 wants the island hair braids and I see they do it at the salon. It's $55 for a women's half head. I would think the same for a 9 year old. Anyone have pictures or info on this? How far in advance should I book it? She wants beads half way not just at the bottom. Her friend had them done at CBR but we are staying at the Poly so would rather just go to the GF. I've had the hair wraps done before but not the braiding in Disney. Thank you all for your help!

 

[eva]

I may have to ask this on the DVC Planning board. But I wondered if any DVC members out there have upgraded their room at check-in when using points. I know that we have done this on DCL. This past cruise we booked a cat. 6 with points and then upgraded with cash for a cat. 3 at port. So if we pay for our stay at the GF in points for a GV, can we upgrade to a better view or club level (if available of course) at check-in and pay cash for the difference?

 

[BlueSkies]

Ms Stinkerbell Meant to mention before love your pics!! Thanks for posting them... A Christmas trip to the grand will be wonderful!

dancemom My DD has only had the hair wraps...but I think I remember seeing something about braiding at the Ivy Trellis a while back in a previous GF thread...hopefully someone else here has had the braiding done and can give you a better answer!!!

 

[BCV23]

My dd9 wants the island hair braids and I see they do it at the salon. It's $55 for a women's half head. I would think the same for a 9 year old. Anyone have pictures or info on this? How far in advance should I book it? She wants beads half way not just at the bottom. Her friend had them done at CBR but we are staying at the Poly so would rather just go to the GF. I've had the hair wraps done before but not the braiding in Disney. Thank you all for your help!

No pictures but years ago my daughter had braids done at Ivy Trellis during our Spring breaks. The ladies there do a great job.

If you want it done the first day or two of your trip, it's probably a good idea to call a few days ahead to be sure you get a time that works for you. I have my hair done there every trip and usually just call a day or so before I want to go in. Of course, around Christmas they are busier. They do a lot of weddings, too, so you may have to be flexible with times if you call last minute. You can also just pop in on your way to the monorail and make an appointment.

I may have to ask this on the DVC Planning board. But I wondered if any DVC members out there have upgraded their room at check-in when using points. I know that we have done this on DCL. This past cruise we booked a cat. 6 with points and then upgraded with cash for a cat. 3 at port. So if we pay for our stay at the GF in points for a GV, can we upgrade to a better view or club level (if available of course) at check-in and pay cash for the difference?

Eva, I have no idea as we've only stayed at the GF on cash reservations. However, can you do us a favor and let us know if you get an answer? TIA.

MsStinkerbelle and johnsonet, thanks for more photos.

 

[dancemomnj]

BCV23 thank you! About how long did it take to her the braids?

 

[brunette8706]

mmmears, johnsonet, blueskies and others - Thank YOU all so much for your detailed information about the concierge level. I just wrote a launch post about this before I saw everyone's suggestions. I can't believe how helpful and friendly everyone is on this forum.

Thanks again!
Brunette

 

[BCV23]

BCV23 thank you! About how long did it take to her the braids?

I'm sorry but I just don't remember. Less than an hour, I'm sure.

 

[mmmears]

mmmears, johnsonet, blueskies and others - Thank YOU all so much for your detailed information about the concierge level. I just wrote a launch post about this before I saw everyone's suggestions. I can't believe how helpful and friendly everyone is on this forum.

Thanks again!
Brunette

Glad to help! I forgot to add that for us, less than $100 a day usually makes it worth it for us. Since that's 3 breakfasts, plus the snacks and the convenience of having the lounge. When it's more than that, we really question whether or not too book a CL room, at WDW or anywhere else.

 

[johnsonet]

My dd9 wants the island hair braids and I see they do it at the salon. It's $55 for a women's half head. I would think the same for a 9 year old. Anyone have pictures or info on this? How far in advance should I book it? She wants beads half way not just at the bottom. Her friend had them done at CBR but we are staying at the Poly so would rather just go to the GF. I've had the hair wraps done before but not the braiding in Disney. Thank you all for your help!

My daughter did this 5 or 6 years ago and it was SO cute! Her scalp got very brown in the sun while they were in It took less than an hour for the half-head. VERY CUTE! Do it at the beginning of the trip so that she can enjoy them

 

[johnsonet]

brunette8706 - Spending an extra $500 for 7 days would be worth it to me, unless you have a theme park view booked. If that is the case, you may be disappointed if you do not get a theme park view room - will this upgrade be to RPC, or SL?

Good point.

I may have to ask this on the DVC Planning board. But I wondered if any DVC members out there have upgraded their room at check-in when using points. I know that we have done this on DCL. This past cruise we booked a cat. 6 with points and then upgraded with cash for a cat. 3 at port. So if we pay for our stay at the GF in points for a GV, can we upgrade to a better view or club level (if available of course) at check-in and pay cash for the difference?

Sorry - I have no idea on that. Hopefully someone else here can help.

Thank YOU all so much for your detailed information about the concierge level. I just wrote a launch post about this before I saw everyone's suggestions. I can't believe how helpful and friendly everyone is on this forum.

Thanks again!
Brunette

You're welcome. I'm so glad you feel that way

 

[dbaker375]

Have a great time. Just wanted to warn you that the evening appetizers ("Twilight Refreshers") are served from 5-7pm. Cordials and desserts from 8-10pm. Based on your flight arrival time, you will only make it to the GF in time for the dessert offerings, so you might need to grab something at Gasparilla Grill, which is open 27/7. Have a wonderful time and I hope you get to meet up with some other DISers

JOHNSONET, Thanks for this info!! It'll definitely help us plan for the evening better!

 

[teddygurl28]

hello-
i have a question, im going to start reading through but this thread is very very long, im waiting for 2010 rates to come out ( it seems like they never will im so impatient!) and im going to be booking 3 nights at the end of september at the GF it will be my first time and im going to stay here for the second half on a split stay for my honeymoon...im going to request a theme park view...i know people go back and forth about whether or not its worth it...and frankly im not sure if it is or not, but right now im looking at it as a once in a lifetime..its been my dream to stay here since i was a little girl i was wondering though, the lights that shine on the castle and that light up the main st station..how long are they on for? say the park closes at 9pm...when does the castle go dark? does anyone know? i know its a very odd question...just something i was wondering...

 

[BCV23]

hello-
i have a question, im going to start reading through but this thread is very very long, im waiting for 2010 rates to come out ( it seems like they never will im so impatient!) and im going to be booking 3 nights at the end of september at the GF it will be my first time and im going to stay here for the second half on a split stay for my honeymoon...im going to request a theme park view...i know people go back and forth about whether or not its worth it...and frankly im not sure if it is or not, but right now im looking at it as a once in a lifetime..its been my dream to stay here since i was a little girl i was wondering though, the lights that shine on the castle and that light up the main st station..how long are they on for? say the park closes at 9pm...when does the castle go dark? does anyone know? i know its a very odd question...just something i was wondering...

The castle is lit all night long...very magical indeed. I don't remember being able to see the train station at all from our rooms at the GF so no help there. You can see the monorail station but I've never noticed when/if the lights go out there.

I hope you have a perfect theme park view.

 

[jkstewart1800]

with all the moving and unpacking it is hard to beleive we will be in disney in 3 days! Also, I can't believe that I don't know the answer to this question yet!

I know the boat stops at GF first then heads to the Poly before going to the MK.

If I want to get to the front gate by 8:30 (for a 9am) rope drop... what time should I be down at the boat dock in the morning?

 

[BCV23]

Julia, I don't think the boat even begins operating before 8:30. I know for sure one Sunday a few years back it didn't start until about 9am. We were waiting at the Polynesian dock and finally went to the monorail. We could see it chugging it's way toward the Polynesian right around 9am.

To the MK, the monorail will be faster anyway. Back to the GF, the launch will be if the timing is right.

Edited to add, I'm glad your things arrived. Good luck unpacking and have a Grand vacation!

 

[johnsonet]

JOHNSONET, Thanks for this info!! It'll definitely help us plan for the evening better!

You're welcome. Have a great time

hello-
i have a question, im going to start reading through but this thread is very very long, im waiting for 2010 rates to come out ( it seems like they never will im so impatient!) and im going to be booking 3 nights at the end of september at the GF it will be my first time and im going to stay here for the second half on a split stay for my honeymoon...im going to request a theme park view...i know people go back and forth about whether or not its worth it...and frankly im not sure if it is or not, but right now im looking at it as a once in a lifetime..its been my dream to stay here since i was a little girl i was wondering though, the lights that shine on the castle and that light up the main st station..how long are they on for? say the park closes at 9pm...when does the castle go dark? does anyone know? i know its a very odd question...just something i was wondering...

Congratulations. I think for your honeymoon, splurging on a Theme Park View room is worth it
You'll enjoy watching the Castle change colors at night from your balcony
Of course, any room at the GF is nice.

Julia - I agree with BCV23. Definitely take the monorail. Once it leaves the GF, you'll be at the MK in just 2 minutes Have a great trip.

 

[mmmears]

hello-
i have a question, im going to start reading through but this thread is very very long, im waiting for 2010 rates to come out ( it seems like they never will im so impatient!) and im going to be booking 3 nights at the end of september at the GF it will be my first time and im going to stay here for the second half on a split stay for my honeymoon...im going to request a theme park view...i know people go back and forth about whether or not its worth it...and frankly im not sure if it is or not, but right now im looking at it as a once in a lifetime..its been my dream to stay here since i was a little girl i was wondering though, the lights that shine on the castle and that light up the main st station..how long are they on for? say the park closes at 9pm...when does the castle go dark? does anyone know? i know its a very odd question...just something i was wondering...

IMO it's your honeymoon, so you should book whichever room you really want. The castle view is really magical. We had one from the Poly last April and the castle was lit up and changing colors all night long. So pretty, and so worth it to us.

To the MK, the monorail will be faster anyway. Back to the GF, the launch will be if the timing is right.

That's the way we do it, too! You just can't beat the monorail on the way to the MK, and the boat on the way back is so relaxing and fun!

Congratulations. I think for your honeymoon, splurging on a Theme Park View room is worth it
You'll enjoy watching the Castle change colors at night from your balcony
Of course, any room at the GF is nice.

I totally agree -- any room is nice, but the views of the castle and the lagoon from our rooms in Boca Chica were so very, very nice!

 

[MommyGina]

Information about the boat to MK was mentioned. I was wondering if the boat launch from the MK to the GF was now running. Last year, the boat that went to the GF was taken out of the water because the water level was too low and we had to go on another boat.

The waiting area for the boat to the GF was covered and out of the sun. The one last year was not covered.

Anyone know about this?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

MommyGina - this sometimes happens during periods of drought, but it doesn't happen often. In fact, I've never had it happen at the GF or Poly - we've had to dock at the larger main dock at the MK, but never been directed to another boat launch at either of the resorts. Hopefully, it won't be an issue for your next visit!