The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[BCV23]

Welcome back, BCV23! I hope you had a wonderful trip.

Thanks for the info about the boat dock, and great advice about watching for the overhead signs. I remember one trip, my DD and I walked over to wait for the launch in the usual place. We sat there for quite a while, we were in no hurry and it was a beautiful day, so we chatted and people watched. After about a half-hour or so, a cast member came over to tell us and the few others who had gathered that they were now loading over at the main boat dock! It was one of those times that the lagoon was too low for the launch to get to the regular dock, but we hadn't noticed that they had removed the Resorts list on the sign.

Thanks! We did.

LOL, the exact same thing happened to us a year or two ago although we didn't have as long a wait. Another guest alerted everyone to the change. I think we're all so used to the same spot over the years.

 

[mousefan1972]

It sounds like that to me, too. I do think it may help clear up confusion over lodge tower, outer lodge club level, etc..

Great info, johnsonet. Thanks for sharing!

Goofdad, great photos. So lovely.

I do think you had a gardenview room. Lovely view.

Mousefan1972, I think you asked about the dock for the launches at the MK, right? Well, they moved again. Last week and even Sunday they were using the new dock at the usual location. However, it was very windy on Tuesday and Wed of this week and apparently they had some problems with the new dock. We took the launch on Thursday and it was boarding to the left of the large dock for FW and WL boats.....in between that dock and the one for the TTC ferry. Who knows what it will be like by April. Just look for the overhead signs by the docks.

Yes, I did ask. Thanks for the update! We usually check the signs but since we are WDW "regulars" we know where all the launches dock, so we could very likely go and sit there for 30 minutes before realizing the boat wasn't coming.... I will be sure to check. Thanks again!

 

[johnsonet]

Welcome back, BCV23! I hope you had a wonderful trip.

Thanks for the info about the boat dock, and great advice about watching for the overhead signs. I remember one trip, my DD and I walked over to wait for the launch in the usual place. We sat there for quite a while, we were in no hurry and it was a beautiful day, so we chatted and people watched. After about a half-hour or so, a cast member came over to tell us and the few others who had gathered that they were now loading over at the main boat dock! It was one of those times that the lagoon was too low for the launch to get to the regular dock, but we hadn't noticed that they had removed the Resorts list on the sign.

Add us to the list of Disney veterans who this happened to!!

 

[BCV23]

Yes, I did ask. Thanks for the update! We usually check the signs but since we are WDW "regulars" we know where all the launches dock, so we could very likely go and sit there for 30 minutes before realizing the boat wasn't coming.... I will be sure to check. Thanks again!

Add us to the list of Disney veterans who this happened to!!

Do you think the boat captains get a kick out of seeing all of us sitting in the wrong spot?

BTW, no benches at the other dock.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Do you think the boat captains get a kick out of seeing all of us sitting in the wrong spot?

BTW, no benches at the other dock.

LOL! It probably does give them a chuckle.

I don't feel like such a fool now that I see so many others have done the same.

 

[BCV23]

LOL! It probably does give them a chuckle.

I don't feel like such a fool now that I see so many others have done the same.

I thought of another tidbit from last week. Basin White is giving a 15% discount to DVC members so be sure to bring your card, DVCers. Still 10% to AP holders.

 

[mousefan1972]

I have a question for you guys... have any of you sent a box to yourself ahead of your arrival at the GF? If so, did you have any issues? We do this once in a while and I'm on the fence about it for our GF trip next month. The only resort that I had any kind of issue was at the Beach Club, where we had to walk quite a ways to the convention center to retrieve it, then were charged $10! So between paying UPS to send the box, then paying BC $10 to retrieve it, it really wasn't even worth it. Since the GF is also a convention hotel, if they charge as well I definitely won't bother. We had no issues at all at WL, Poly, or AKL. Thanks!

 

[TYMAN]

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!

I don't know about any other conventions, but our's will be held at GF 10/21 -10/24.....Florida Biomed Society. We've held our convention at CSR for the past 3 years and decided to kick it up a notch.....

 

[johnsonet]

I have a question for you guys... have any of you sent a box to yourself ahead of your arrival at the GF? If so, did you have any issues? We do this once in a while and I'm on the fence about it for our GF trip next month. The only resort that I had any kind of issue was at the Beach Club, where we had to walk quite a ways to the convention center to retrieve it, then were charged $10! So between paying UPS to send the box, then paying BC $10 to retrieve it, it really wasn't even worth it. Since the GF is also a convention hotel, if they charge as well I definitely won't bother. We had no issues at all at WL, Poly, or AKL. Thanks!

Funny you should ask this - I just read about the process on the BC/YC thread. A BC CM posted the following:

"This is the information I was given the other day when a guest had the exact same thing happen to them. Disney's shipping department is owned and operated by ICON. All mail/packages except mail delivered via the postal service goes to ICON, not the Beach Club. If it's addressed to you at the Beach Club with the Beach Club address on it and even if it has your room number on it and it comes via UPS or another carrier besides the US Postal Service, it goes to ICON. ICON is located in our convention center. Even if you go over and pick up the package yourself, then charge you a "handling fee" and it is calculated by the weight of the package or envelope. A guest recently went over and picked up his package and he was still charged the "handling or delivery fee". This is ICON's policy and there isn't much you can do about it unless you have your package sent to you via the U.S. Postal Service and addressed to you c/o Beach Club Front Desk with a notation on it to hold for 'Jane Doe, Arrival Date 3/20/10'."

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Just got back from our AMAZING GF vacation -- this is the view from our room, RPC 4309.

 

[MagicPrincess]

Does anyone have a current menu of the night time food offerings for CL?
Thanks!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Please tell me more. Thank you!

Hot Tubs: Where are the hot tubs -- at both pools, or only in the spa and health club? Do the pools have a hot water area in the pool or is the hot tub separate?

Spa and Health Club: What's here beside fitness equipment? Is there a sauna or anything else like that that's no additional charge? What spa treatments did you enjoy (for both men and women)?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

There's a hot tub right next to the 24-hour pool.

 

[johnsonet]

Please tell me more. Thank you!

Hot Tubs: Where are the hot tubs -- at both pools, or only in the spa and health club? Do the pools have a hot water area in the pool or is the hot tub separate?

Spa and Health Club: What's here beside fitness equipment? Is there a sauna or anything else like that that's no additional charge? What spa treatments did you enjoy (for both men and women)?

There's a large hot tub by the Courtyard Pool. There is not one by the Waterfall pool.

Over at the spa and fitness center, there are whirlpools in the locker room/lounges. One in Men's and one in Women's.Yes, there is a small sauna and a tiny steam room. Again, one in each locker room.

Re. treatments, I like to get the 80-minute massage I've also had a very nice facial there. LOVE to get mani/pedi combo at the GF Spa as well.

 

[BCV23]

Just got back from our AMAZING GF vacation -- this is the view from our room, RPC 4309.

What a pretty shot. Love the mist coming off the water.

Does anyone have a current menu of the night time food offerings for CL?
Thanks!

I don't think any of the club levels list a menu. I can just imagine some people complaining if the "menu" said turkey skewers and instead it was chicken skewers one night.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Actually, there was a menu hanging up this week. Wish I would have taken a picture.

 

[BCV23]

minniesota, I forgot to answer your question about D&B bags. In our earlier trips this winter, the GF was the only resort that had the bags. This time I also saw them at the YC. Not as great a selection though. I didn't visit every resort shop by any means but do know that the Polynesian, AKL, SSR and BC did not have them. I suppose they fit the more "formal" theme of GF and YC best??

 

[BCV23]

Actually, there was a menu hanging up this week. Wish I would have taken a picture.

Really! Not just the times and general types of food served?

What did you sample that you enjoyed?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Really! Not just the times and general types of food served?

What did you sample that you enjoyed?

It was a pretty specific menu.

I was there mostly breakfast time... the croissants were outrageous. I know my SO had an awesome time with the cinnamon rolls.

The beers at night were good, too We had pot stickers one afternoon, that were great.

 

[BCV23]

Did they serve the little chocolate croissants? Or am I confusing the GF with AKL...know they have them there. Yum!

I'm used to seeing a schedule like this one from the beginning of the FAQ rather than a specific menu:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31498762&postcount=6