The *New* Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Frequently Asked Questions (FEB2004) Part 2

[Lives4Disney]

I just had to bump this thread up.

We got snowed in with 12 inches of snow today & NOW it feels and looks like Christmas!! It has been about 60 degrees since a couple days prior to Thanksgiving. The kids had a snow day, my husband stayed home, (he was actually supposed to fly to FL this afternoon to visit his mom), we baked Xmas cookies and cranberry bread & have Xmas music playing!!

THEN, to make it even better - I got my new Disney planning DVD in the mail! It is cute & I even caught my 16 yr old smiling while he was watching it! I have to watch the DL part, too. We are going for th first time for a few nights over spring break.

I just saw a thread that the Disney Florist is down to only two Xmas tree designs, so I went and ordered. Can't believe they are running out! I have been toying with the idea of ordering or bringing our own and felt under the gun to get that special tree, so I did it. I am feeling a bit sticker shocked, though. At least one of the designs left was one I originally planned on ordering.

Happy planning, everyone,

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Channing -

We are getting so close!! I can't wait!! I feel like I am juts going day to day waiting to get on that plane! I love WDW at Christmas... especially RPC. Things have been a little low here, BG's dad passed away last weekend, and sometimes I feel so for being excited about this. But I know he would have wanted us to move on. He wasn't much for being the center of attention...

I am working on getting our itinerary ready now. I talked to Joe yesterday and we have worked out a special gift to be waiting in the room for B.G. and his Mom. Hopefully it will help add to the Christmas spirit....

I read about your "THanksmas" and it was a wonderful idea. We have a couple of friends who are returning home a few days after us that have 3 boys. I am to set up "Santa" before they get home so they won't think they are forgotten. They each sent Santa an email as to what they want and explaining that they will be out of town, etc.

Angela

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing -

We are getting so close!! I can't wait!! I feel like I am juts going day to day waiting to get on that plane! I love WDW at Christmas... especially RPC. Things have been a little low here, BG's dad passed away last weekend, and sometimes I feel so for being excited about this. But I know he would have wanted us to move on. He wasn't much for being the center of attention...

I am working on getting our itinerary ready now. I talked to Joe yesterday and we have worked out a special gift to be waiting in the room for B.G. and his Mom. Hopefully it will help add to the Christmas spirit....

I read about your "THanksmas" and it was a wonderful idea. We have a couple of friends who are returning home a few days after us that have 3 boys. I am to set up "Santa" before they get home so they won't think they are forgotten. They each sent Santa an email as to what they want and explaining that they will be out of town, etc.

Angela

Angela, I am sorry about BG's father. I totally understand your feelings. You are supposed to be excited at this time and of course his passing is so sad. Is BG your fiance?? That must be really tough. So sorry.

Is Joe the Joe that works at the concierge desk too?? I think he is a good friend of Vonnie's and they work together a lot. She introduced us to a "Joe". I didn't realize the CMs that worked concierge also worked in IPO - then again, maybe they don't, lol. Joe is a common name!

I am really feeling happy about the decision to do Xmas at WDW. It is just such a relief to me. No December burn out this year. We have Lucy's eye appt at UIC next week and I always dread that. Just puts it all in our face. Unfortunately they book 1 yr in advance and December is where we stay. It is nice to have a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth planned.

I wish you the best on your Wedding day. I read you are getting married at the Wedding Pavillion. How absolutely beautiful. I hope it is just totally magical.

Take care & ENJOY!! Have a wonderful wedding and stay at the GF.

Channing

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Yes, B.G. is my fiance... we are all upset about this, but we know that we have to go on...

"Joe" is Joe Hardy - he works at the concierge desk with Vonnie. In fact, I spoke with her tonight.

We are getting married on the 21st at the WP at 4 pm... Maybe we will have to meet in the lounge for a drink. I think after a whole week of parents and family, I will really be up for it...

Angela, I am sorry about BG's father. I totally understand your feelings. You are supposed to be excited at this time and of course his passing is so sad. Is BG your fiance?? That must be really tough. So sorry.

Is Joe the Joe that works at the concierge desk too?? I think he is a good friend of Vonnie's and they work together a lot. She introduced us to a "Joe". I didn't realize the CMs that worked concierge also worked in IPO - then again, maybe they don't, lol. Joe is a common name!

I am really feeling happy about the decision to do Xmas at WDW. It is just such a relief to me. No December burn out this year. We have Lucy's eye appt at UIC next week and I always dread that. Just puts it all in our face. Unfortunately they book 1 yr in advance and December is where we stay. It is nice to have a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth planned.

I wish you the best on your Wedding day. I read you are getting married at the Wedding Pavillion. How absolutely beautiful. I hope it is just totally magical.

Take care & ENJOY!! Have a wonderful wedding and stay at the GF.

Channing

 

[mlill]

We are getting married on the 21st at the WP at 4 pm...

WoW! What a wonderful time of year to have a wedding in WDW! I just want to wish you all the best! Congratulations!

Happy Holidays!
-Michelle

P.S. I hope you'll be writing a trip report when you return!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yes, B.G. is my fiance... we are all upset about this, but we know that we have to go on...

"Joe" is Joe Hardy - he works at the concierge desk with Vonnie. In fact, I spoke with her tonight.

We are getting married on the 21st at the WP at 4 pm... Maybe we will have to meet in the lounge for a drink. I think after a whole week of parents and family, I will really be up for it...

Wow!! That is great he is helping you. I have such a hard time getting any replies from IPO. Aren't they (Vonnie and Joe) Great? I don't really know Joe, but he seems very nice & I know Vonnie is tops, so if she likes him he must be, too.

Gosh, that is awful your fiance's father passed away. I wasn't sure exactly who BG is. I am very sorry.

I am glad you mentioned you are getting married 12/21, because I had it in my mind it was 12/23. I want to keep an eye out for you all and your pictures around the GF. I hope it is all you dreamed it would be. Of course we will meet for drinks - I am sure we will run into you in the lounge, too. I won't be wearing any tacky Bday shirts this time! Is your family staying as long as you are?

Happy planning - but I bet you're done! I just today booked Candlelight processional for 12/21 at 5 pm. I am happy we got in! I didn't think at this late date it would be possible. I was holding out to hear about the Breathless, but no word and I think it will be toooooo chilly for it anyway.

Channing

 

[Sammie]

Janet, thanks for sharing another lovely event with us. It was like being there, well not really, but it was great anyway. The cakes were definitely a work of art and looked so yummy.

I would definitely take up that offer for RPC, you can never get to much of the Grand and especially during the holidays.

 

[irisbud]

Thank you all so much for your help. I am so excited about our trip. We leave tomorrow morning at 6:30! It is my BF's first time, and will be my first time with a planned out trip.

While we're down there, I'm going to go ahead and book for early September of next year using the pilot program. No GF next time though...my dad is taking me for my B-Day, and he wants to stay, as he says "Where the monorail lives". With a MK view of course. Hoping I can talk him into concierge...

Promise to post lots of pictures of the decorations (my sis kindly loaned me her camera, as I don't have one) and a trip report when I return!

Have a Great Day!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

WoW! What a wonderful time of year to have a wedding in WDW! I just want to wish you all the best! Congratulations!

Happy Holidays!
-Michelle

P.S. I hope you'll be writing a trip report when you return!

Thanks Michelle! I hope to work on a TR when we return... DF and I will both be out of school for a couple of weeks after the wedding (we are both ) so I will *should* have time to make it ultra-detailed....

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Wow!! That is great he is helping you. I have such a hard time getting any replies from IPO. Aren't they (Vonnie and Joe) Great? I don't really know Joe, but he seems very nice & I know Vonnie is tops, so if she likes him he must be, too.

Gosh, that is awful your fiance's father passed away. I wasn't sure exactly who BG is. I am very sorry.

I am glad you mentioned you are getting married 12/21, because I had it in my mind it was 12/23. I want to keep an eye out for you all and your pictures around the GF. I hope it is all you dreamed it would be. Of course we will meet for drinks - I am sure we will run into you in the lounge, too. I won't be wearing any tacky Bday shirts this time! Is your family staying as long as you are?

Happy planning - but I bet you're done! I just today booked Candlelight processional for 12/21 at 5 pm. I am happy we got in! I didn't think at this late date it would be possible. I was holding out to hear about the Breathless, but no word and I think it will be toooooo chilly for it anyway.

Channing

Thanks so much for your thoughts. Like I said, it has been rough and we are having to change some things around to help accomodate his Mom, but that's what you do when you are family...

Your right, Joe and Vonnie are great! They amaze me sometimes with how great they can be....

We should be starting our pictures around 3:30 - I am not too keen on picture-taking..... Butyou have to when you are wearing such a HUGE dress, just for proof, right?

It's great that you were able to get the Candlelight Processional. The CP is one of my all-time favorite shows at WDW. It is just so beautiful! I can't wait to get there. We leave 2 weeks from today!!!

 

[macrosswife]

Okay...keep your fingers crossed that this works!!!!
This should be the slideshow of the pictures from our GF photo shoot!

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/macrosswife/?action=view&current=1165106366.pbw

 

[princessesrule4]

Okay...keep your fingers crossed that this works!!!!
This should be the slideshow of the pictures from our GF photo shoot!

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/macrosswife/?action=view&current=1165106366.pbw

Your pictures are beautiful! You all look so happy!

 

[minnie my my]

macrosswife,

Thank you for posting those pictures. We will be arriving at SL in a few weeks. We were there last year around Christmas too. I remember the decorations being beautiful but seeing those pictures were more beautiful than I rembered. I can not wait to get there. You both look wonderful. I bet that was a lot of fun.

When I looked at those decorations I did a little jump inside with excitement. I just can not get enough of that place. We were booked for the RPC but had to change our dates because of school. SL was the only thing availablefor our new dates. I have only stayed RPC so I hope I don't miss it the whole time I am there. I do know that I am very fortunate to be staying SL (or even GF for that matter) so we will have a fabulous time.

I hope everyone leaving in the next few days has a great trip.

 

[traci]

I thought I read the GF was going to be getting a refurb. Does anyone know when the updates are going to be done?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I thought I read the GF was going to be getting a refurb. Does anyone know when the updates are going to be done?

Traci - I think I read Sept '07 will be the start of the rehabs. I know that is a really slow month, so I believe I am remembering correctly.

Macrosswife - Love the pics...thanks for sharing! You both look wonderful.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Parasailing, anyone????

My 10 yr old DD wants to give it a try, lol, and there is NO WAY either my DH or I will do it with her. I am trying to bribe my 16 yr old to go, but no luck there yet. I am not sure if there is a minimum age requirement???

Has anybody done it?? How'd it go??


Lives4Disney

 

[mlill]

Okay...keep your fingers crossed that this works!!!!
This should be the slideshow of the pictures from our GF photo shoot!

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/macrosswife/?action=view&current=1165106366.pbw

You guys looked great!!! Thank you very much for posting your Disney photo shoot pictures! I love your hair, too! My girls have an appointment for and 'up-do' at the Ivy Trellis salon before our Victoria & Albert's dinner. I decided not to get mine done so I can video tape them as they are getting done. We're going to have a girl's afternoon. I'm still trying to get ADRs for tea, but so far, have not had any luck. Maybe they will take us as a walk-in? Anyway, I told DH about the photo shoot, and his eyes glazed over. I think it put him over the edge, as he had a severe case of sticker shock when I told him how much it would cost. I think I'll let him win this battle. We're still doing V&A's with 5 people (it adds up!), and a catered Grand 1 cruise, so I can't complain! Although, I just showed him your pictures as he walked by the computer and he commented on nice you both looked and what great pictures they were. Maybe he'll have a change of heart. Thanks again!

Happy Holidays!
-Michelle

 

[theostwalts]

Got back last night from our week at Disney World. It was great. It was our second visit and our first stay at the Grand Floridian. We had room 4308 in the RPC. It was beautiful. Great view of the castle, marina, and the pool was off to the right from the balcony. The staff was so nice and the resort was fantastic. We went for our first family vacation to the World last year and said that we would try the Grand Floridian this year and the Poly next year. But I have to tell you that I am not so sure that I want to stay at the Poly now. Maybe I will after this trip wears off a little

 

[Lives4Disney]

Got back last night from our week at Disney World. It was great. It was our second visit and our first stay at the Grand Floridian. We had room 4308 in the RPC. It was beautiful. Great view of the castle, marina, and the pool was off to the right from the balcony. The staff was so nice and the resort was fantastic. We went for our first family vacation to the World last year and said that we would try the Grand Floridian this year and the Poly next year. But I have to tell you that I am not so sure that I want to stay at the Poly now. Maybe I will after this trip wears off a little

I am glad to hear you enjoyed the GF and RPC! I know what you mean.....we were supposed to do a GF/Poly LVC split last March, but after 6 nts RPC we asked if we could just stay put. We were in heaven already. The Poly has always been a disappointment - we keep trying, but it just bombs. There is no comparison.

We love details if you have any to share! Welcome back home & glad it was a good time.

Lives4Disney

 

[theostwalts]

I am glad to hear you enjoyed the GF and RPC! I know what you mean.....we were supposed to do a GF/Poly LVC split last March, but after 6 nts RPC we asked if we could just stay put. We were in heaven already. The Poly has always been a disappointment - we keep trying, but it just bombs. There is no comparison.

We love details if you have any to share! Welcome back home & glad it was a good time.

Lives4Disney

Well, we got there late last Saturday afternoon and actually spent our first night in POR Riverside. Our package started on Sunday, so we spent Friday after Thanksgiving packing the car. We live in North Carolina and I have a nephew who lives in Jacksonville, FL. He flew in for Thanksgiving and we gave him a ride home. We hit the road around 2:00 am Saturday morning. Got to POR late Saturday and had dinner at 1900 Park Fare that night. My dw says we will just check in at the GF first next time. Dinner was great and we actually had breakfast there on the day we departed. We really loved the GF. It was so nice. The orchestra was playing Christmas music all week, the decorations were beautiful, it was all great. One night they had a group of about 10 girls singing in the lobby with a pianist, that was beautiful as well.

The best part of the trip was on Sunday. After checking in and having some snacks, we went to the Magic Kindom. We had just walked down Main Street and we were asked to be in the Family Parade. We were the first family in line, behind the characters. Our job was to waive flags (8 times to the front, 8 times to the left, 8 times to the front, 8 times to the right ) and waive to the crowd. So if anyone was there last Sunday, we were the family with the Lime Green Disney Shirts in the Parade!!!!

We had a great week!!!! We have tons of photos to go through, ours and photo pass. I will post some later.