The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[BlueSkies]

Oh, I love hearing the music from the EWP at night! Wish I was there right now and it was floating by my room!

Hi mmm Me too!!!

LMO What nice pics...glad that you enjoyed your trip! There is something so special about the GF at Christmastime!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Just returned tonight from our stay. We were in Sugar Loaf 6702 or was it 6207..I don't remember lol But oh my...I loved this place! It absolutely lived up to our expectations and Dh said it exceeded his. He really didn't for whatever reason think he would love the GF but he did! We had marina view and when we got to the room and layed on the bed.....we were able to watch the monorail pass in the mirror on the wall! Just one of those little things that really made it feel special! I definately am spoiled now!

I'm so glad to hear this!! We're gearing up for our first stay at GF (in Sugar Loaf too).

 

[scanne]

I'd love to hear details from people's recent stays at Sugar Loaf. We're booked there for our 10 year anniversary this summer. It's our first times staying concierge....I am really looking forward to it!

Thanks in advance!

 

[MommyGina]

It is so nice to hear about Disney, SL and monorail. I am sitting here looking at about 15 inches of snow! I wish I was back at SL like I was in August enjoying the food, music and most of all right now, sun and warm weather!!!! Can't wait until we go back on July 18!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

 

[jkstewart1800]

I just got back from my first stay at the Grand Floridian. We loved the hotel and don't know if we could ever stay anywhere else! We had a room in Boca chica with a lovely view of the castle. My only complaint was after a long day of traveling and early rising the first night we headed to bed early and at 9:15 were woken up by the loud music of the electric light parade on the lagoon. Has anyone else experienced that? We had to listen to it every night...

My husband still complains about this LOL.... we actually heard it twice a night because after the fireworks at the MK they would play it again for the guests leaving...

 

[AimeeMichele]

Hi all!
28 days til we leave for our 8 day GF stay. What are the benefits of the online check-in service and is it really necessary? If it doesn't save very much time I'd probably rather do things face to face.

I used the online check-in. When we arrived at 1pm, everything was ready for us! All I had to do was give them my credit card for incidentals and sign my name. Check-in took less than 5 minutes and we were upgraded for free. It doesn't get any better than that. I hope you have a magical time!!!

 

[BCV23]

Am I the only one that would look forward to this ?

My DW and I are in the process of packing and will be in The World in 22 hours . Expect a trip report when we return

I agree...absolutely love the Electrical Water Pageant.

Hope you are having a magically Grand vacation.

Just returned tonight from our stay. We were in Sugar Loaf 6702 or was it 6207..I don't remember lol But oh my...I loved this place! It absolutely lived up to our expectations and Dh said it exceeded his. He really didn't for whatever reason think he would love the GF but he did! We had marina view and when we got to the room and layed on the bed.....we were able to watch the monorail pass in the mirror on the wall! Just one of those little things that really made it feel special! I definately am spoiled now!

Love the reflection description. It's always fun to find Disney magic in unexpected ways, isn't it?

We love Sugar loaf, too.

 

[LMO429]

I'd love to hear details from people's recent stays at Sugar Loaf. We're booked there for our 10 year anniversary this summer. It's our first times staying concierge....I am really looking forward to it!

Thanks in advance!

a page or so back I posted pics of our room in sugar loaf. we enjoyed our stay there it was a quick walk to the mail building and a quick walk from the boat dock to the magic kingdom. we took the monorail to the magic kingdom and the boat back to the resort. all the buildings are close to one another you can not go wrong in any of them. We loved our stay if I had one thing I could comment negatively about were the elevators they seemed old and worn down, other than that we loved everything else about our stay in the sl building. we went to the afternoon tea at the grand which we loved. they serve the same scones and tarts from the tea in the sl concierge lounge from 2:30 to 4 everyday.

the sugar cookies they have in the lounge are amazing! imo the best thing there so amazingly delicious

 

[LMO429]

I just got back from my first stay at the Grand Floridian. We loved the hotel and don't know if we could ever stay anywhere else! We had a room in Boca chica with a lovely view of the castle. My only complaint was after a long day of traveling and early rising the first night we headed to bed early and at 9:15 were woken up by the loud music of the electric light parade on the lagoon. Has anyone else experienced that? We had to listen to it every night...

Our first night staying at the boardwalk we were exhausted from having to get up at 3am to make our flight out for the day we were in bed around 8:30 and were woken up to loud bomb sounds about a half hour later (it was the fireworks from illuminations) it startled us but I guess these noises are to be expected considering how close you are to the theme parks.

waayyyyy back in the day when the grand floridian opened i remember watching regis and kelly and I do remember that they stayed at the hotel regis did complain about how he was able to hear everything through the walls. who knows maybe the walls are not sound proof

 

[psac]

On our trip in April they ran Wishes every night at 10pm. We were getting up early every morning to hit the EMH park when possible. The ELP was a nice bedtime lullabye, and it was nice to see Wishes outside for the first few nights, but then the rest of the trip it got real old trying to sleep "with the bombs going off" as it was well put.

 

[Tuliplvr]

I enjoy the water parade.. but the music was so loud outside our room

 

[leane]

I am hoping to get some input for our December trip. I would like to decide on my dates and free up whatever I might not use.

The plan is 2 nights BLT MK view 2 BR 3 nights GF RPC TPV view 3 nights BW CL (cast- dh me dm dd and dd- a little concerned how we will feel in 1 room after the 2 BR villa)

I am wondering if we will be able to "get enough" of the GF in 2 days. Since we will be on the monorail at BLT I dont really think we need the 3 nights. It wouldn't be so bad to save $500 and knock it down a day.

Now I know what the answer will be " you will never get enough"
I know that, but put that one aside... we would get there by 11 and spend time looking around hoping to do family pictures while waiting for the room to get ready. Next day is possibly a resort day as well or MVMCP at night at the most. So... can we do it and not be disappointed to leave? I am looking foward to BW for the HS and EP access.

TIA for your help.... AGAIN

Happy Holidays. Send DD is flu. DD #1 should get it tomorrow which means if we stick to our "normal routine" I should have it Christmas day... GREAT....



Edit - LOL I think I am getting sick ... after going in to edit and say the 3 wouldnt be so bad, I decided all on my own. We are keeping the 3 nights!! I started to say we could shorten BW but I got that for only $345 a night... no way I am giving up those nights, that is a good rate IMO though I may be blind so thank you for letting me think this out hehehe and I have decided, sticking with original plan. We wont do xmas again with my mom I know this... I want to do it with enough days to enjoy, make memories and relax.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

During one of my families visits to Gasparilla's Grill & Games we went for their Starwberry Yogurt and while we were sitting down this persons wife asked us if we wanted their large pizza which she and her husband they could not finish. They said not to lose their dining credits for that night they were kind of forced to get it when they were not hungry, so we said sure will take it. In fact the husband was surprised we did because he told his wife that we would not want it. Anyway we thanked them a few times and even offered to get them something but they said we didn't have to.

 

[sabrecmc]

We had a very magical stay at the GF this past weekend. It was our first time there, so I admit my expectations were high, but we were thrilled. From the valet that met us to bell services (which is insanely prompt!) to our waitress at the Cafe, everyone was gracious and helpful. Seriously, every CM we encountered at the resort greeted us and wished us a Merry Christmas. The decorations were beautiful, and my daughter loved the giant gingerbread house.

Mickey and Minnie in their Victorian garb were there for photos in the evenings. We were given hot cider and roasted chestnuts upon our return to the resort. Our room was sparkling clean, quiet and convenient. Our mousekeeper was so kind, bringing my daughter extra chocolates, asking when was a good time for turn down and so on. Really, my expectations were exceeded. I had my daughter's portrait done by the artist there, and though I won't see the finished product for a bit, the bit that she did from life was amazing. She was quite talented. It wasn't cheap, but definitely a unique keepsake to treasure. I get why everyone loves it. We like to stay all over the place and have different experiences, but this was definitely special.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009...tricos-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa/

 

[gottagetmydisneyfix]

I hope this hasn't been asked recently; I'm new to this thread...I've been looking at the GF, and was curious if you can see the fireworks from the GF beach and if they pipe in music like they do at the Poly?

 

[mrskckitty]

Was it worth it, before we had the garden view, but was only 200.00 to upgrade for the whole five days (passholder sale, was even better then the pin code we got) Also are there any king bed rooms that are also theme park view, would prefer a king since its just me and my wife. Thanks. Its our first visit to the GF, we went to Contemporary in October, wife loved it but we could not use the pin there.

We just got back Sunday from our first stay at GF. We had a King bed and a view of the castle from our room. We did have to pay extra to reserve the king bed, but we didn't even ask for the castle view, figuring that everyone asks for that and there would be no chance of getting it. We were beyond thrilled when we opened the curtains and there was the castle! I took over 2000 pictures on this trip, so once I go through them, I will post pictures of the room and view.

 

[scanne]

mrskckitty,

What building/room were you in?

On my honeymoon (back in June 2000) my DH and I had a king bed room with a view of the castle in Sago Cay - room 5441. It was a magical location and view. I know there aren't many rooms with king beds. In fact, I remember booking a lagoon view and requesting:

1. View of castle
2. Dormer room (the room with vaulted ceilings)
3. King bed

I was pixie dusted in a big way and got all three wishes.
Hope you had a magical trip!

 

[Tam1067]

Just a quick report from the Grand at Xmas.

We are staying in Sugar Loaf for the first time. It's very nice and certainly convenient. My kids love having breakfast and other snacks there.

Our room looks out on the pool. Housekeeping has been great. Thy left us a towel Xmas tree! My DD loves it. Tonight turndown service included some special chocolates for Xmas.

The main building has had choirs some evenings--very good high school choirs I must add. We've also had Minnie & Mickey in their Victorian holiday garb by the tree. Santa was here tonight as well.

The gingerbread house is beautiful as is all the holiday decor around the resort. The new floors are stunning as well.

 

[disneydaisyndonald]

Just decided on the GF for our Jan trip.
I really wanted to stay at the CR but didn't have available on the discount for 8 days so GF is it. My DH couldn't be more thrilled.
I have learned a lot for this board already can't wait for an amazing trip in just 3 weeks.

Happy Holidays