The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[mickeyforpresident]

Can someone tell me the best way of getting to the Hoop de doo Review from the GF if I don't want to drive.

I'm thinking of getting their by boat, but believe you have to get boat from GF to CR and then to WL..... sounds complicated?!

 

[BlueSkies]

Mickeyforpresident You can take the monorail over to the MK and then get the boat launch at the MK that will take you to Ft Wilderness... I have tried both and the one I just mentioned is a quicker trip... Traveling by boat is such a nice way to get around!

 

[BCV23]

Can someone tell me the best way of getting to the Hoop de doo Review from the GF if I don't want to drive.

I'm thinking of getting their by boat, but believe you have to get boat from GF to CR and then to WL..... sounds complicated?!

There is no boat from the GF to the CR. You could take the monorail to the CR and then take a boat to FW but I've never tried that route.

I agree with BlueSkies that traveling by boat is a fun way to travel. We've used the route she mentions.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

What's good for children? We want to spend much more time relaxing at the resort than we did on past trips.... Here's what we thought of so far... Does the GF have special activities for children? Can anyone share a calendar of events for the resort? Thanks!

• Swim at both pools.
• Listen to lobby music - orchestra and piano, kids tv area in lobby.
• Use kids club at grand floridian or polynesian resort so DS5 has some time with other children, and we get a quiet evening to go to the spa/pool/dinner together.
• Rent a boat...although I find it just as enjoyable to just ride the manned boat that goes from GF to Poly to MK.
• Go to Polynesian for their kids events?

 

[mike48]

There's also a pirate cruise for kids that leaves from the GF. Kids dress as pirates and board a boat where the captain takes them to the different islands in the lake looking for treasure. Not sure what its called but anyone at the GF will know what your talking about and fill you in on how to sign up.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

There's also a pirate cruise for kids that leaves from the GF. Kids dress as pirates and board a boat where the captain takes them to the different islands in the lake looking for treasure. Not sure what its called but anyone at the GF will know what your talking about and fill you in on how to sign up.

I'm pretty sure the Pirates and Pals cruise leaves from the CR.

 

[mommyoftwinz]

There's also an afternoon tea, Wonderland tea with Alice and Mad Hatter, for the kids they serve apple juice and little sandwiches. http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=227

They also have a small arcade in Gasparilla Grill. There are ping pong tables over by the courtyard pool area. My kids loved just hanging out at the beach you can bring a shovel and bucket.

 

[marcij]

When I was there this past summer and after Christmas, they had organized games at the themed pool as well as movies at night on the beach.

Have fun!

 

[MagicPrincess]

Here is a picture of the Grand Floridian taken from a Tower Magic Kingdom View at the Contemporary.

Also here is another picture of the Grand Floridian taken from the beach at the Polynesian.

Do you have to rent those cabanas- or are the ones on the beach first come first serve?


Thanks!

 

[heatherlynn444]

cabanas on the beach have chairs under them, they are first come first serve

pool games are SO FUN! if you are one of the first at the pool you can be king of the mountaina nd fight the pirate at the top of the slide and push him down. yes, my 26 year old husband did this!!

 

[minniesota]

I'm pretty sure the Pirates and Pals cruise leaves from the CR.

I think Mike48 was talking about Disney's Pirate Adventure which does leave from the GF. The kids dress in pirate bandanas and sail the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. The "ship" visits "ports of call" and the kids eat lunch at their final destination & divide buried treasure. Lunch is provided and includes peanut butter and jelly uncrustables, gold fish crackers, rice krispie treat, and juice box.

The Lady Useppa leaves from the Grand Floridian's marina on Monday-Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

Call 407 WDW-PLAY to reserve up to 90 days in advance. The cost is $31.95 per child and there is a 24-hour cancellation policy.

 

[BlueSkies]

DisneyFamily123 I have the Activites Calendar for January..and I imagine that the activities are probably similar all year..

11:30to 1:30 Crafts at the Mousketeer Club

at the beach pool:

1:30-2:30 Disney Trivia, Pool Party Bash or Treasure Hunt varies day to day Sun thru Sat

3-3:30 foot Loose Dance Party

3:30-4pm poolside games

4:15-5 Wii mania


On the Beach:

7pm Campfire and Dance Party (you can pruchase kits for a marshmallow roast also) Wed thru Sat only (maybe different at busier times?)

8pm Grand Evening at the Movies Wed thru Sun (again probably different during busier months)

also available:

Pirates Adventure Mon thru Sat GF Marina 9:30 to 11:30$34 per child

Wonderland Tea Party Mon-Fri $40 per child Times wre not listed...

So many nice things to do if you are just planning on spending time at the resort! Have fun...

 

[MagicPrincess]

This may be a silly question, but what kind of music do they play at the pool?

 

[MagicPrincess]

Another question...
How do you get to Epcot from the GF, and about how long does it take? I'm guessing you have to switch monorails? Or is it easier to walk over to the TTC? I have no clue how far the TTC is from the GF.

Thanks!

 

[mommyoftwinz]

Another question...
How do you get to Epcot from the GF, and about how long does it take? I'm guessing you have to switch monorails? Or is it easier to walk over to the TTC? I have no clue how far the TTC is from the GF.

Thanks!

you cannot walk to TTC from GF, you can walk to TTC from the Poly. You have to switch monorails.

To get to Ecot from the GF you can hop on the monorail and then the third stop is TTC, from there you walk around to the other monorail that takes you right to EPCOT. I think that's the most direct way. It's probably about 20 minutes.

You can hop the monorail to MK and take a monorail directly to TTC or even a boat, and then take the EPCOT monorail to the park.

 

[minniesota]

you cannot walk to TTC from GF, you can walk to TTC from the Poly. You have to switch monorails.

To get to Ecot from the GF you can hop on the monorail and then the third stop is TTC, from there you walk around to the other monorail that takes you right to EPCOT. I think that's the most direct way. It's probably about 20 minutes.

You can hop the monorail to MK and take a monorail directly to TTC or even a boat, and then take the EPCOT monorail to the park.

Technically, you can walk from the GF to the TTC but it would be a bit of a hike. If you follow the pathway past the GF Spa and wedding pavilion, you will reach the Poly and the main building. It's about a 10-15 minute stroll. From there, you'd walk over to the TTC and catch the Epcot monorail. I'm not sure how many would choose this option but if you wanted a nice, quiet stroll before you head into the park frenzy, it is a possibility!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We arrive at the Grand Floridian in 5 days!!!

 

[minniesota]

We arrive at the Grand Floridian in 5 days!!!

How wonderful! Have a "grand" trip and make sure to report back to us!

 

[elizflynn]

I would love some advice for all the GF fans.....here is my dilemma...

I am planning a SURPRISE mother/daughter trip for October 2011 for my mom's 55th birthday and my graduating college...(online classes have taken over my life!)


Orginally I was planning on going with a Moderate just because, well the price is decent....well after talking with family members, my grandparents have decided to pay for our dining plan, and my brother and girlfriend have decided to contribute as well...I also am receiving a tax return that was way more than I expected this year....

So my thought was.....go Deluxe! This will be the last time I go to Disney for atleast 5 years (DBF wants to travel other places too!) and Mom hasn't been on a real vacation in over 8 years!....I think I can pull it off without any discounts and Disney always offers something so do you think I should go for it? Of course I have time to plan but i wanted some convincing from GF fans on what GF has to offer us and what your favorite things are about the resort!

 

[ancestry]

We arrive at the Grand Floridian in 5 days!!!

Woo Hoo!

I'm so jealous! Have a fabulous trip.