The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[johnsonet]

...

minniesota or anyone else can you tell a technically challenged gal how to post the photo rather than a link?

Jackie did my hair today at the GF. Great job as always! My DH and DS2 did the free ride along for AP holders at the Speedway while I was at the GF. They had a blast.

Hey BCV23 How nice to have had your hair done by Jackie Big dinner plans?

Re. photos, put "

" at the end!

Thank you! We can't wait. 6 more weeks until 8 nights at the GF in a theme park view room.

Congrats! That will be VERY nice

 

[mousefan1972]

Hey BCV23 How nice to have had your hair done by Jackie Big dinner plans?

Re. photos, put "

" at the end!



Congrats! That will be VERY nice

Thanks! We are really looking forward to it. We have visited the GF many times, but have never stayed there. We're excited.

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks! We are really looking forward to it. We have visited the GF many times, but have never stayed there. We're excited.

That's awesome. A friend of mine did that last summer. She had stayed at Poly, CR and a couple of Mods. She'd always wanted to stay at the GF and last summer they did. She wasn't disappointed

 

[*Belle*]

We've never stayed TPV at the GF before. Could someone please suggest a lodge for the best view. Are there obstructed views? Overgrown trees, etc. we should be concerned about? We'll be there in Dec.


Thanks,
Belle

 

[mousefan1972]

That's awesome. A friend of mine did that last summer. She had stayed at Poly, CR and a couple of Mods. She'd always wanted to stay at the GF and last summer they did. She wasn't disappointed

That's great to hear. I'm sure we won't be disappointed. We stayed at the Poly this past Christmas and ended up spending a lot of time at the GF, admiring the beautiful decorations. That's when we decided to stay there in April.

We've never stayed TPV at the GF before. Could someone please suggest a lodge for the best view. Are there obstructed views? Overgrown trees, etc. we should be concerned about? We'll be there in Dec.


Thanks,
Belle

Well, I'll be in a TPV room in April so I'll be sure to report back to you where we were and how the view was. I am going to politely request at check in that we have an unobstructed view of the castle, so hopefully our request will be granted.

 

[*Belle*]

Thank you mousefan, I'll look forward to your review. Making an unobstructed view request is a great idea.


Belle

 

[BCV23]

I love love love the brown one. Not that the others are not nice but the brown one would just go with everything. Any idea how much that one is running? Can you get this one at GF? I am thinking of actually calling down there and seeing if I can buy one because I dont go until Sept and Nov. By then I think they will be long gone

That was my thought about the tan and brown one, too. I think the larger brown one might have been $165ish?? Do not quote me on that though. There is a very active thread on the Theme Park community forum all about D&B Disney bags. Those ladies will know.

I have called Summer Lace and had something shipped to me in the past...not a D&B bag though.

I love the brown one too. I wonder if that one is at Summer Lace?

It is as of yesterday. Terry, the sweet CM there told me they had just gotten them in. On Sunday they only had the small ones. There was at least one more style in tan. It had three tiered zip pockets.

Hey BCV23 How nice to have had your hair done by Jackie Big dinner plans?

Re. photos, put "

" at the end!

Thanks, johnsonet.

We had dinner at Artist Point last night. I didn't have an updo or anything fancy. It's just that I have very curly hair and like to have it flat ironed when we're in FL.

They are moving those gals around. I liked when I could call a salon and know who would be there.

Thanks for the help.

 

[minniesota]

We've never stayed TPV at the GF before. Could someone please suggest a lodge for the best view. Are there obstructed views? Overgrown trees, etc. we should be concerned about? We'll be there in Dec.


Thanks,
Belle

I usually recommend Conch or Sago for TPV. Conch does have a couple of trees that may be an obstruction for a few rooms but Sago has a straight-on castle view in all of its TPV rooms. Good luck!

And, yes, thanks johnsonet! For helping with the instructions on photo posting. My life is a bit nutso these days so I don't have as much time to "dis"!

BCV23 - Love those bags! Is GF the only resort carrying them I wonder? Enjoy the rest of your stay and thanks for the updates!

 

[*Belle*]

Thank you minniesota. A straight forward view of the castle sounds so magical. What a wonderful way to spend the holiday.


Belle

 

[P&B's Mom]

I have recently added on 4 nights to GF to my July stay. I have been reading lots here and thanks for all of the help.

We are staying CL @ SL. I have read about asking for daybeds. What types of rooms wouldn't have one and what, if anything, would be in its place?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I have recently added on 4 nights to GF to my July stay. I have been reading lots here and thanks for all of the help.

We are staying CL @ SL. I have read about asking for daybeds. What types of rooms wouldn't have one and what, if anything, would be in its place?

Some dormer rooms (rooms on the top floor, under the eaves of the roof) did not have daybeds, as the size of the room was slightly smaller than the non-dormers. People have reported getting a daybed in their dormer room after this latest renovation, though, so I don't know how many dormers are still without daybeds. Still, it's a good idea to request a daybed if your party is less than 5, so the resort knows that is important to you.

 

[Goofdad]

Hey, just wanted to say THANK YOU to Disboards for all the help/info/expertise.
My family and I are just back from 7 Fantastic Days at the Grand Floridian.

I'll post some of my GF pictures below.
We were in Conch Key, 4th floor. No direct view of castle but still pretty fantastic.

Also:
Weather: it was cold but we managed fine with jeans and jackets. We did get one day warm enough for beach/swim at the GF.

Crowds: were very low on most days. We walked on Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, even Big Thunder and Splash Mtn.
IMO, the cold weather was well worth the trade-off for low crowds.

And a couple of non-GF ones:

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Wow what gorgeous photos of the GF! Are you a professional photographer, or have a special camera? Those almost dont look real they are so beautiful!

Does anyone know if there is a list of all the conventions being held at GF for the year or on a yearly basis? Im wondering because I am getting married at the GF. I noticed on some of the other convention hotel threads, such as Conorado Springs they had a list of all the conventions. Thanks!

 

[ancestry]

Hey, just wanted to say THANK YOU to Disboards for all the help/info/expertise.
My family and I are just back from 7 Fantastic Days at the Grand Floridian.

I'll post some of my GF pictures below.
We were in Conch Key, 4th floor. No direct view of castle but still pretty fantastic.

Thanks for posting the pictures! They are beautiful and helped to get me really excited about our upcoming May trip. Now if May would only hurry up and get here.

 

[Goofdad]

Wow what gorgeous photos of the GF! Are you a professional photographer, or have a special camera? Those almost dont look real they are so beautiful!

I am getting married at the GF.

thanks for the compliment.
I am a professional Photoshopper learning to be a better photographer.

I used a Canon S90 Point and Shoot.
Worth it IMO for any amateur who wants the crutch of "auto" mode but is ready to start learning more.
Really, it was Disboard's Photography Board that inspired me to learn more about real photography... you should check out the Photography Board to see some great stuff from others.

A Wedding at the GF... wow. Enjoy.

Thanks for posting the pictures! They are beautiful and helped to get me really excited about our upcoming May trip. Now if May would only hurry up and get here.

Enjoy the planning and the "pre-game" show.
Having just come back, I can tell you it will be here and gone before you know it... I'd love to be still planning/excited/etc.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Goofdad - thanks for the beautiful photos, feels like we are standing right there! I'm glad you had such a Grand vacation.

 

[johnsonet]

Beautiful photos, goofdad

The geraniums sure look good, considering all the cold, cold temps we've been hearing about in FL. Maybe they were just planted

I love your view of the CR from your room in Conch Key. That's gorgeous. Also, your nighttime pool shot is stunning. Looks like fireworks going off at the pool

Any more to share?

 

[minniesota]

I agree, Goofdad! Beautiful photos, photoshop or not! I would love to have a point and shoot that turns out that kind of quality. Though I know the person shooting has to have some talent/skills as well. Glad you had a great time at the Grand.

 

[Goofdad]

Goofdad - thanks for the beautiful photos, feels like we are standing right there! I'm glad you had such a Grand vacation.

now if I could only learn how to attach that Grand Floridian Fresh Flowers smell to my pictures...


One other thing that I really enjoyed about being there; it's a small thing but makes a huge difference.
The Good Morning Factor
- EVERY Cast Member that passes you by at the GF says, "good morning". They were busily driving/walking/working along with the cheeriest dispositions. Every one of them was like Bert the Chimney Sweep.
They ALWAYS appeared cheerful and happy even though I can't imagine they all were at all times.
This makes a difference IMO.

We even had one incident where there was a close call with a cast member whomay have been driving his cart a bit too fast, while we may have been the typical disorganized, tourists not watching where we were going.

Thankfully nothing serious happened and the CM skillfully diffused the situation with a polite smile, wave, and "excuse me... good morning!".
It made all the difference.
For the resort, it turned a possible complaint into a nothing-moment.

 

[Goofdad]

Beautiful photos, goofdad

The geraniums sure look good, considering all the cold, cold temps we've been hearing about in FL. Maybe they were just planted

I love your view of the CR from your room in Conch Key. That's gorgeous. Also, your nighttime pool shot is stunning. Looks like fireworks going off at the pool

Any more to share?

I will have more later.

Question... is our view a Garden View there?
We stayed before in Sago Cay and this view was a vast improvement.
I never did find out if our room was some sort of upgrade from Garden View but I'm assuming it is/was.