The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[dinatwin]

unexpected rehab? Oh no what else is going to be done? I hope 1900 park fare is going to be OK since we have dinner scheduled to see Cinderella and prince charming.

 

[iluvepcot]

Can anyone give me an upate on rehab? We will be there Sept 5th check in and I wanted to know what to expect. Will this alter which bldg to request? How disruptive to the gounds or lobby will this be?

 

[BlueSkies]

Kim I am not sure but maybe this is due to the floor replacement??? Citricos is a beautiful restaurant...not as cozy feeling as the Garden View Lounge...but definitely has lots of charm and ambiance...it is bright and airy...great big windows overlooking the courtyard...I wouldnt mind having afternoon tea there...

Welcom Skippy55!

iluvepcot I think from recent reports most of the refurbishments that were going on have been completed...Your trip is right around the bend...have a great time!!

 

[Hmk012]

Somebody PLEASE tell me about the Club Level at the Gf...Sugar Loaf! We are thinking of switching from the Poly to GF. We'll be there the week before Christmas. I've always stayed at the Poly, but my hubby stayed at the GF in May for a Golf Trip and loved it! How is the food selection? This is important to us since we won't have the dining plan. Our family isn't huge eaters and we didn't like doing the DP last time because we were on a schedule! Help me make a decision!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

I've stayed in SL twice and enjoyed it each time. The only drawback is the lounge is small and some days it took a little time to find a table. Each time I stayed there I wasn't on a dining plan and I traveled with 3 teenagers. There was plenty to choose from for a breakfast. 4 cereals, 3 breads for toast, 4 kinds of bagels, cut up fresh fruit, and assorted small pasteries. Also coffees, juices and milks. I never bought a breakfast the whole week we were there. The snacks at noon and 3 were just that, not much to sub for a meal, but we were usually at the parks anyway. From 5-7pm the hot finger foods were out. They usually were a meat or chicken on a stick. Some nights there were quesadilla and puff pastery filled with meat. We would have enough to tide us over until dinner but unless your a light eater you wood still need a supper elsewhere. Around 7 the small desserts and cordials were put out. As I said I traveled with 3 teens, so they required more food, so I bought meals around the park. When I traveled with another adult one trip, there was enough food in the lounge so we didn't need extra meals unless we had specific ADRs. I like the SL over the POLY because the lounge was in the same building and easy to access. The rooms in SL are bright and airy and you have easy access to the main building and the monorail. Hope this helped any more questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Rootskate]

Does anyone have pictures of a lodge tower room interior? Thanks!

 

[BlueSkies]

Holly We are long time SL fans and like Jane said there is plenty of breakfast food available...and if you ar spending any time at the resort there is pleanty to snack on during the day too...including afternoon tea time with scones...and yummy hot finger foods in the evening...later in the evening there were plenty of delish desserts too...and adult beverages!!

SL is so centrally located on the property that we often utilized the launches instead of the monorail...a nice option to have...and the courtyard pool is just steps away (not sure how much you will use it in December though...)

Having the lounge in the lobby of the building makes it really easy to grab a drink or snack on your way in or out too...

And of course it is so nice to have the concierge staff available ( and the GFs wonderful IPO CMs too) if you need to make or change any ADRs...I happen to enjoy the extra space having the lounge available gives us...

Both beautiful resorts so you really have two great places to choose from..but if you do choose SL I dont think you will be disappointed!

 

[Becx N Gav]

Hi there, I hope this is the right place to ask and that a tippng question is ok (I know on some boards it can lead to heated discussions ) ?

My friend and myself are having a few treatments and I was wondering what people tip, is it per treatment or just a standard amount? Is there a guide somewhere?

TIA

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Becx N Gav - I usually tip 20% on the entire amount. If there is more than one therapist, I divide it between them according to the price of their treatment. If I've received extra special service, I might add a few more dollars. But there is no hard and fast rule, it is whatever you feel comfortable with giving.

KimDis - The rehab may be due to the marble floor installation, as BlueSkies mentioned. I'm sure the afternoon tea will still be delicious at Citricos, although the ambiance will be slightly less Victorian and floral! We've had dinner at Citricos several times and it is very good. When we stayed at the GF during the 2007 renovations, at one point they had to close the GF Cafe and serve breakfast and lunch at Citricos instead. Both were still wonderful, we weren't at all sorry to eat there. In fact, that is when some of our favorite dishes showed up, and are still on the GF Cafe menu.

 

[KimDis]

Thanks blueskies and k&a&c'smom! I figured it would be okay - no way I'd cancel anyway. This is one of my favorite treats of a Disney trip and now I'm looking forward to the beautiful change of scenery!

 

[Figment1990]

Kim Dis - Oh definitely don't cancel your tea! I have eaten at Citricos and have had tea and I would not forgo the delicious tea/scones/etc because of the change of venue. Citricos is fab, and you will still enjoy it!


Becx - I typically tip 18-20% regardless of where I'm having spa treatments (GF or someplace at home)


I know this is a FAQ thread but there is no way to get a better GF audience for my question than on this thread....

How often do you GF fans get to stay at the GF? After any WDW trip, I return with a major case of withrawal, but I really can't wait til I return to the Grand.... I would return several times a year if possible.

So how about it? How often do you get to return?

 

[Hmk012]

Holly We are long time SL fans and like Jane said there is plenty of breakfast food available...and if you ar spending any time at the resort there is pleanty to snack on during the day too...including afternoon tea time with scones...and yummy hot finger foods in the evening...later in the evening there were plenty of delish desserts too...and adult beverages!!

SL is so centrally located on the property that we often utilized the launches instead of the monorail...a nice option to have...and the courtyard pool is just steps away (not sure how much you will use it in December though...)

Having the lounge in the lobby of the building makes it really easy to grab a drink or snack on your way in or out too...

And of course it is so nice to have the concierge staff available ( and the GFs wonderful IPO CMs too) if you need to make or change any ADRs...I happen to enjoy the extra space having the lounge available gives us...

Both beautiful resorts so you really have two great places to choose from..but if you do choose SL I dont think you will be disappointed!

Thank you so much for the info! We are really excited about trying out the GF SL! We've done the Contemp. and Poly before and loved both resorts. My older daughter is very excited about the afternoon tea and scones (they are her favorite!)

 

[BlueSkies]

Holly You are very welcome!...I am sure you will all really love staying at the GF...and staying in SL will make your stay even nicer...they have great CMs there too...the tea is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with your DD...enjoy!

KimDis Please ocme back and let us know how you liked having the tea at Citricos...I know it will be great!

Figment I would stay at the GF several times a year if I could...time and budget do not permit that though.. so to help with my post trip blues I always start planning another trip...start trying to figure out dates...where we would like to dine...etc...it does help some! Of course sharing those feelings with other GF fans helps too...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Figment - it just depends on our other vacation plans and our traveling companions. We have stayed 2 or 3 times a year, or not at all for a couple years.

We used to like to try a new resort each visit, and would split our time with GF or AKL or Poly with one or more we hadn't tried. Now that we've tried all the deluxe resorts except the Contemporary, we've settled on our two favorites: GF and AKL.

 

[Figment1990]

Figment - it just depends on our other vacation plans and our traveling companions. We have stayed 2 or 3 times a year, or not at all for a couple years.

We used to like to try a new resort each visit, and would split our time with GF or AKL or Poly with one or more we hadn't tried. Now that we've tried all the deluxe resorts except the Contemporary, we've settled on our two favorites: GF and AKL.

Practically speaking - those traveling companions do play a large role. For example - my parents and sister are die-hard Poly fans, so that is where we are staying next year with them. And we had to go with a DVC property for our upcoming trip with our extended in-law family. We're staying at AKV - Kidani. Our first time ever at AKL.... I should probably go spend some time on the AK FAQ thread.

I like your idea of split stays to try out the others. I'll have to give that some thought next time I'm the one picking the resort(s)....

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Figment, you can see from my siggie that we have stayed at many different places (on many different levels) but we keep coming back to the Grand! It is our very favorite resort, but we don't stay there every trip, just to keep it different. Our other 2 favs are the CR and AKL. Heck, I even like Pop when I need a quickie budget trip!

For June 2010 I am debating between CR and AKL CL for my mother/son trip. But I am sure if we go back on the fall/winter of 2010 with DH, it would be back at the GF

Also, does anyone remember when ScottMC was due back?? I am curious to read what he thought about the resort and/or the construction

 

[BCV23]

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

I hope you are having a Grand vacation.

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

Oh, I love mother/son trips, too. Our eldest son and I enjoyed several wonderful trips together (although not to WDW). DS2 and I have had fun trips to WDW together. Just having one on one time with a child is very special, don't you think.

Of course, the GF is absolutely perfect for a mother/daughter trip.

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!

That was our experience with the gingerbread house this year, too. We were at the Polynesian/BCV from 1/1-1/9 and dined at the GF often including on the first. The house was up but not open. However, the tree came down the night of the first. Another year, the house came down very early but the tree was still up when we checked out of the GF on either the 9th or 11th. I think it's hard to predict.

I agree about gardenview rooms, too.

And about the restaurants!

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?

I'm glad you're keeping your reservation.

Somebody PLEASE tell me about the Club Level at the Gf...Sugar Loaf! We are thinking of switching from the Poly to GF. We'll be there the week before Christmas. I've always stayed at the Poly, but my hubby stayed at the GF in May for a Golf Trip and loved it! How is the food selection? This is important to us since we won't have the dining plan. Our family isn't huge eaters and we didn't like doing the DP last time because we were on a schedule! Help me make a decision!

I think you'll love SL. It doesn't enjoy the incredible view of the Polynesian lounge but it's a lovely experience. The food offerings are quite different from the Polynesian. Both are great just quite different. Of course, there is no Dick at the GF.

Hi there, I hope this is the right place to ask and that a tippng question is ok (I know on some boards it can lead to heated discussions ) ?

My friend and myself are having a few treatments and I was wondering what people tip, is it per treatment or just a standard amount? Is there a guide somewhere?

TIA

I tip like k&a&c'smom.

Figment, we end up staying at the GF probably once a year on average these days. When we first stayed there it was for nice long stays but now that we are also DVC, we tend to have short "regular" resort stays and then move to a villa and spread out. We love the Polynesian, too, and have over 30 stays there. I think our next GF vacation will be our 9th. Actually, I'm sure of that.

We always dine and shop at the GF. Love V&A, Citricos, Narcoosseee's and the Cafe.

 

[Scott MC]

Also, does anyone remember when ScottMC was due back?? I am curious to read what he thought about the resort and/or the construction

He's right here and still composing his thoughts....
Hold on tight!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

He's right here and still composing his thoughts....
Hold on tight!

And speak of the devil
SPILL IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BCV23]

Basin White fans, there's a 20% discount on mail orders for the next five days. I ration my bath bombs to one per week and have enough to last until my next trip but may have to break down and order. It's always fun to get a package from the GF. Thanks to my friend who alerted me.

Scott MC, can't wait to hear about your stay. From your signature, it sounds like it was great.

k&a&c'smom, will you please share more about your dinner at V&A this month. We haven't dined there since January and I don't have it in the plans for our next two trips. I'm in withdrawal and would love to hear details.