The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[3for Me]

tbandemommy,

We had the EXACT same experience with the washer and dryers that you did in late July. The first two evenings of our trip it POURED. Needless to say, everyone was in the laundry room trying to wash/dry soaking wet clothes.

We reported the slow dryers which took up to 4 cycles to dry. I called to report the problem and was told to try to use the dryers in another building. Well, I and others had already thought of that and finally, I just used every conceivable hanging space to hang my wet clothes which of course took over a day to dry.

We enjoyed our experience at the GF overall and it is still one of my favorites, but overall, our experience at the Yacht Club last year was better. We have been to the GF numerous times, but the family has voted to go back to the YC next time.

Glad you had a good trip.

 

[lala3291]

Hello! We were originally scheduled to stay at the GF in December, then changed to BC, and are now back to the GF, staying in Sugar Loaf club level! We are so excited, and know we made the right decision. We arrive the day after Christmas and stay until January 2nd.
I have a few questions....
1. How long after Christmas does the Gingerbread House stay open? We were hoping to catch it before it closes.
2. Since we are staying in Sugar Loaf, does someone come out to greet the Magical Express bus to welcome you? I remember when we stayed Royal Palm Club they did this, but I'm not sure whether or not they do that for Sugar Loaf.
3. What are some of the views from the Sugar Loaf building? Are there any castle views?

Thank you so much!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Continued attempts to circumvent the DIS filter with sites that are NOT permitted will result in the closure of this thread AGAIN.

Thank you.

Knox

 

[Lilmattie13]

Continued attempts to circumvent the DIS filter with sites that are NOT permitted will result in the closure of this thread AGAIN.

Thank you.

Knox

Ok so I am still learning things here on the Dis boards however can someone explain to me exactly what the above means?

I read it and reread it and have no clue lol TIA

 

[dinatwin]

I have no clue either

 

[Figment1990]

Hey angela - not sure if you will be checking the thread again before you leave but I wanted to say have a great trip! Can wait to hear any updates from you and scott and everyone there now. I can't get that place out of my head and my next two trips we are staying somewhere else (gasp!) so I need to live vicariously through you all!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Earlier this month when my family and I were visiting the Grand Floridian we went to Gasparilla's Grill & Games and for dessert I had their Strawberry Yougurt from that machine they have. Anyway the next two times we went there I noticed they took off the Strawberry Yougurt, so I am wondering was it just sold out and they were waiting for more to arrive or did they take it away for good?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I thought I'd finally give a quick review of our trip a couple weeks ago; we've been very busy since we returned, with two kids heading back to college.

We had booked a garden view room, and requested an upper floor with nice view. When we arrived, we were assigned fourth floor Big Pine Key, on the lagoon side, which was a nice surprise.

We found the resort to be as beautiful as always, a few areas were under construction, but nothing that was an eyesore or affected our stay. The GF ambiance was abundant, we spent a lot of time at the resort and it was very relaxing, no major construction noise to mar our trip.

For the first time in a very long time, we found the themed pool a little crowded, and so spent all our time at the courtyard pool. It is more convenient, anyway, so that wasn't a big deal. Loved floating around the pool with a 360 degree view of the GF!

We had a couple snacks at Gasparilla's, and they were quite good. Citricos and Narcoossee's were delicious as always, and we ate several breakfasts at GF Cafe. Loved it, everything was wonderful, but I was disappointed that they have tweaked the menu a bit, there are several items that have minor changes. Praline had mentioned the change to the onion soup, but there was also a small change to both the Grand sandwich (we noticed this in March) and the lobster eggs benedict - they used a lobster and mushroom "bread pudding" rather than the former brioche to build the eggs benedict. Not a big change, but enough that we noticed.

Victoria & Albert's was awesome, this was our second visit and we were just as impressed as our first time. The service is outstanding and the food exceptional, everything about our evening there was memorable.

ETA - I forgot that we also had tea at the Garden View Lounge on two separate afternoons, and both times the food and service were excellent. DD and I love afternoon tea at the GF, it's a must do whenever we stay there, and often when we don't!

DD and I spent several evenings relaxing in the lobby, listening to the piano player and the band. Can't say enough about how cordial all the staff were this trip, we were greeted everywhere with smiles and a kind word. We talked with numerous CMs over the week, and enjoyed every minute.

Overall, a very lovely trip and we can't wait to return!

We have a couple photos of the work being done on the second floor at the top of the staircase, but DD forgot to upload them before she headed to school. I'm sure someone there now will have better ones to share on their return!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Earlier this month when my family and I were visiting the Grand Floridian we went to Gasparilla's Grill & Games and for dessert I had their Strawberry Yougurt from that machine they have. Anyway the next two times we went there I noticed they took off the Strawberry Yougurt, so I am wondering was it just sold out and they were waiting for more to arrive or did they take it away for good?

I did not notice when we were there, if someone else does not respond, I will ask DD when she gets out of class if she happened to notice. She was in the area near the fountain more than I was during our few visits to Gasparilla's.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I did not notice when we were there, if someone else does not respond, I will ask DD when she gets out of class if she happened to notice. She was in the area near the fountain more than I was during our few visits to Gasparilla's.

Thank you and if this helps we were at WDW from the 11 - 21 and the only time we saw it available was on the 11th.

 

[BCV23]

I thought I'd finally give a quick review of our trip a couple weeks ago; we've been very busy since we returned, with two kids heading back to college.

We had booked a garden view room, and requested an upper floor with nice view. When we arrived, we were assigned fourth floor Big Pine Key, on the lagoon side, which was a nice surprise.

We found the resort to be as beautiful as always, a few areas were under construction, but nothing that was an eyesore or affected our stay. The GF ambiance was abundant, we spent a lot of time at the resort and it was very relaxing, no major construction noise to mar our trip.

For the first time in a very long time, we found the themed pool a little crowded, and so spent all our time at the courtyard pool. It is more convenient, anyway, so that wasn't a big deal. Loved floating around the pool with a 360 degree view of the GF!

We had a couple snacks at Gasparilla's, and they were quite good. Citricos and Narcoossee's were delicious as always, and we ate several breakfasts at GF Cafe. Loved it, everything was wonderful, but I was disappointed that they have tweaked the menu a bit, there are several items that have minor changes. Praline had mentioned the change to the onion soup, but there was also a small change to both the Grand sandwich (we noticed this in March) and the lobster eggs benedict - they used a lobster and mushroom "bread pudding" rather than the former brioche to build the eggs benedict. Not a big change, but enough that we noticed.

Victoria & Albert's was awesome, this was our second visit and we were just as impressed as our first time. The service is outstanding and the food exceptional, everything about our evening there was memorable.

ETA - I forgot that we also had tea at the Garden View Lounge on two separate afternoons, and both times the food and service were excellent. DD and I love afternoon tea at the GF, it's a must do whenever we stay there, and often when we don't!

DD and I spent several evenings relaxing in the lobby, listening to the piano player and the band. Can't say enough about how cordial all the staff were this trip, we were greeted everywhere with smiles and a kind word. We talked with numerous CMs over the week, and enjoyed every minute.

Overall, a very lovely trip and we can't wait to return!

We have a couple photos of the work being done on the second floor at the top of the staircase, but DD forgot to upload them before she headed to school. I'm sure someone there now will have better ones to share on their return!

It sounds like a lovely trip, k&a&c'smom. A mother daughter trip has to have a special sweetness to it.

Don't you love the restaurants of the GF? That is one of its greatest assets IMO. V&A is a special treat, isn't it?

How do you compare your lagoon view in Big Pine Key to other views you've had?

tbandemommmy, I'm glad you shared your report with us. What a shame that you had so much rain. As for the dryers, I think it is unacceptable of them to pass the blame on to the outside company. If that company can't keep up, a change should be made. Ditto for the call center excuse. If the call center isn't doing its job and passing on the guests concerns to the appropriate people at the resort, the system should be changed. I have always had good luck by calling housekeeping rather than the front desk BTW but the guest shouldn't have to guess which number to call. Hope your next stay wherever it is goes much more smoothly.

 

[billnang]

Hey angela - not sure if you will be checking the thread again before you leave but I wanted to say have a great trip! Can wait to hear any updates from you and scott and everyone there now. I can't get that place out of my head and my next two trips we are staying somewhere else (gasp!) so I need to live vicariously through you all!

Thank you so much for thinking of me!!! I am extremely nervous today... not thrilled with flying although it is little less then a 3 hr flight.. I am bringing my computer and will post some updates too...

Excited and nervous!!!
Angela

 

[KimDis]

We're excited for you too - have a great trip!

 

[BlueSkies]

Angela I see from your ticker that you only have one day to go!!!!! I always worry right before we travel too...but just think you will be at the GF TOMORROW!!! Have a wonderful trip...

k&a&c Our most recent trip was a mother daughter trip too...and the afternoon tea was one of our favorite things that we did...the Garden View lounge is just beautiful...and such yummy treats too...those scones and devonshire cream...

BCV I agree those mother daughter trips do have a special sweetness to them...(so long as my sons dont know that!!!)

lala sorry but I dont know when the gingerbread house is up until...but I would be happy to answer the SL questions that you have..

Yes a CL CM will be at the ME to greet you when you arrive..and help get you checked in over at the SL building...

There are two views in SL...they are marina view and garden/pool view as most of the rooms on the GV side overlook the courtyard pool...both are very pretty just depends on your prefenence...there are no castle view rooms there though...

The GF is such a beautiful resort to stay at any time but especially so when it is decorated for the holidays!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

k&a&c'smom ..glad you had a nice trip. Thanks for the report and with each good report, it gets me even more excited for our first trip to the GF!

billnang have a fun safe trip! Looking forward to your live updates. Try to go to sleep once you take off and before you know it, you will be landing.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CR ResortFan - I asked DD, and she says she does not know, she didn't notice either. You were there after us, though, so it wouldn't have helped anyway, sorry!

lala3291 - We were at WDW from January 4th to the 11th this year, and it was closed during our trip, but we can't remember if it was open any while we were there. It was still up the whole time, we think, but can't remember for sure if it was open for sales at all. I hope someone can give better info!

BCV23 - thanks, we did have a lovely trip. We loved our view, it was a nice one through some big trees to the Poly, with the wedding chapel, so picturesque. DD enjoyed watching the brides and their party walk over the bridge to the chapel. I'd have to say, though, that I'd book garden view over lagoon view, as we enjoy our views of the marina or courtyard just as much, so the extra isn't worth it to us.

V&A's is incredible, we can't wait to go back. The GF restaurants are a big reason we love staying at the GF. We could eat there and never leave the resort, there are so many options - especially when you add in the other monorail resorts. This trip, we ate at every restaurant at the GF except 1900 Park Fair!

BlueSkies - that's wonderful that you and your daughter get some alone time, I think that's so important! I agree, that Devonshire cream makes the scones, we mentioned to one of our servers that we couldn't do without it and she said that it was her favorite, too!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR ResortFan - I asked DD, and she says she does not know, she didn't notice either. You were there after us, though, so it wouldn't have helped anyway, sorry!

That's ok, but thank you for at least asking her.

 

[Figment1990]

BCV23 - thanks, we did have a lovely trip. We loved our view, it was a nice one through some big trees to the Poly, with the wedding chapel, so picturesque. DD enjoyed watching the brides and their party walk over the bridge to the chapel. I'd have to say, though, that I'd book garden view over lagoon view, as we enjoy our views of the marina or courtyard just as much, so the extra isn't worth it to us.


BlueSkies - that's wonderful that you and your daughter get some alone time, I think that's so important! I agree, that Devonshire cream makes the scones, we mentioned to one of our servers that we couldn't do without it and she said that it was her favorite, too!

I couldn't agree more on both of these things. Although I loved our theme park view and I really want your big pine view someday, the grounds at gf are so beautiful that I would stay garden view with no problem and use my savings to eat at all those wonderful restaurants! And rent a cabana - wow was that the best money I spent on a hot summer disney trip!

Love love love the scones and devonshire cream! And the jam tarts.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Figment1990 - the Devonshire cream is pretty darn good on those jam tarts as well!

 

[KimDis]

Since so many people on this thread enjoy tea at the Garden View Lounge I wanted to give you a quick update and to ask a question. Got a call yesterday from the GV Lounge and afternoon tea is being moved to Citricos from 10-21 to 11-3 due to "some unexpected rehab".

I've never eaten at Citricos - can anyone share how the view and atmoshpere compares to that of the lounge?