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

[MickeyMaz]

Perfect. The pontoon boats. I was trying to find info about these guys and was not able too. Do you need a boat license? Are any part of bay lake or seven seas lagoon off limits? Reserve in advance?

Thanks for all of the feedback. I was wondering about the arcade. Sounds fun. Any pictures?

Thanks all

 

[BCV23]

Perfect. The pontoon boats. I was trying to find info about these guys and was not able too. Do you need a boat license? Are any part of bay lake or seven seas lagoon off limits? Reserve in advance?

Thanks for all of the feedback. I was wondering about the arcade. Sounds fun. Any pictures?

Thanks all

No boat license required but you must have a drivers license. No need to reserve in advance in our experience.

You can roam all over Bay Lake and Seven Seas for the most part. You aren't allowed to go close to the MK or TTC but it's marked as I recall.

Cinderumbrella, have a great time!

 

[mlill]

OK, ladies, tomorrow we are outta here!!!!!!!!!!!

Any requests for photos?? (Not staying conceirge(sp?) so can't do the RPC lounge- at least without being thrown out of it! )

Thanks for all the well wishes!! Send all the pixie dust you can that the weather holds out!! We have had some nasty storms up here in Chicago the past few days which is wreaking havoc on our airports...

Have a GREAT time in WDW!

Happy Anniversary!
​

Take care & safe journey!
-Michelle

 

[grannyminnie]

Cinderumbrella, have a blast!! (maybe you'll get a free upgrade) I almost wish it was time for our trip to the GF (first time) except for the heat...may your weather be fabulous, and if there's too much rain where you live, send it our way...we're in a severe drought.

 

[DLo]

FYI the Travel Channel Show that GrannieMInnie is talking about is at noon EST this Sunday. It is Great Hotels.

I set my TIVO!!!

 

[jenins121681]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the best place to view wishes is from the GF. It will be Dh's and my first time to the GF (believe it or not we have never been there not even for dinner) so we are new to this stuff and hoping for any expertise. Thanks in advance

 

[grannyminnie]

FYI the Travel Channel Show that GrannieMInnie is talking about is at noon EST this Sunday. It is Great Hotels.

I set my TIVO!!!

Thanks for looking that up, DLo!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the best place to view wishes is from the GF. It will be Dh's and my first time to the GF (believe it or not we have never been there not even for dinner) so we are new to this stuff and hoping for any expertise. Thanks in advance

I think a really good place is right in front of Gasparilla's by the marina. They play the music in sync with the show. It is a great perfect view. You will have to contend with other viewers, though - including rowdy kids. If it's just you and DH, you might want something more quiet. I read that there are some benches out at the ends of Conch and Sago and from there you'd have a nice private view (unless somebody else gets there first ) - but I don't think you'd hear too much music from the MK. It's a trade off.

Enjoy!

Lives4Disney

 

[jenins121681]

I think a really good place is right in front of Gasparilla's by the marina. They play the music in sync with the show. It is a great perfect view. You will have to contend with other viewers, though - including rowdy kids. If it's just you and DH, you might want something more quiet. I read that there are some benches out at the ends of Conch and Sago and from there you'd have a nice private view (unless somebody else gets there first ) - but I don't think you'd hear too much music from the MK. It's a trade off.

Enjoy!

Lives4Disney

Thanks, we'll give it a try

 

[Lives4Disney]

GINGERBREAD HOUSE HOURS.....I just saw a sign in a pic that says "Open daily 10 am to 10 pm". I know somebody was wondering what time it opens. It is sooo much more empty and much better to get pics of before it opens - or after it closes. Once it opens, give it up. The people poor in and crowd all the space around it. There are also daily demonstrations of how the CM decorates the cute houses for sale. We caught a couple "shows" and they are short and sweet, but neat to watch and she has little samples to try, too.



DLo, thanks for that travel channel GF show info. I hope I remember to watch it.

Happy planning.....

Lives4Disney

 

[wdhinn89]

GINGERBREAD HOUSE HOURS.....I just saw a sign in a pic that says "Open daily 10 am to 10 pm". I know somebody was wondering what time it opens. It is sooo much more empty and much better to get pics of before it opens - or after it closes. Once it opens, give it up. The people poor in and crowd all the space around it. There are also daily demonstrations of how the CM decorates the cute houses for sale. We caught a couple "shows" and they are short and sweet, but neat to watch and she has little samples to try, too.



DLo, thanks for that travel channel GF show info. I hope I remember to watch it.

Happy planning.....

Lives4Disney

We will be atGF from 11/8-11/13. Will the Gingerbread House be up and completed by then?

 

[twinmum]

Hello! We had our first family trip to WDW - and the GF! - last November. We're planning our next adventure, and considering a few options. I have a couple of questions that I'd like some Canadian input on, so if there any Canadian GF experts out there, would you PM me, please?

FYI, we'll be away this weekend at a family weekend, so I won't be back here from later Sat a.m. until Sunday sometime.

Thank you!

Twinmum

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I think a really good place is right in front of Gasparilla's by the marina. They play the music in sync with the show.

Unless I am 100% wrong about this the few times I have seen Wishes from the marina by Gasparilla's, I don't remember hearing the music.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We will be atGF from 11/8-11/13. Will the Gingerbread House be up and completed by then?

Hmmm........I am not sure. Since Thanksgiving seems to be earlyish this year - maybe???? We arrive Nov 16 and that is the weekend right before Tgiving.....I would think it would be up before that because that just seems like it's cutting it close and I know it takes a few days to get it completely done & ready.

Kelly (Alicnwondrln) was there sometime mid Nov last year. Maybe pM her?? She has posts a couple pages up. I thought she either said it was up while she was there or it was on it's way up.

I hope you do get a chance to see and smell it, lol. It is soooo cute.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Unless I am 100% wrong about this the few times I have seen Wishes from the marina by Gasparilla's, I don't remember hearing the music.

Another hmm......we have only viewed it from our RPC room directly ABOVE Gasparilla's and I have heard the music. I sure thought it was piped in near the marina. Maybe I just really heard it from the MK, but I doubt it.

OK, DH just confirmed it for me that it is piped in. He was just today speaking to somebody at work regarding his family's stay at the GF last week. YES, the music is piped in and they spent time at the marina viewing Wishes. So....I'd say you're 100% wrong.

Lives4Disney

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Another hmm......we have only viewed it from our RPC room directly ABOVE Gasparilla's and I have heard the music. I sure thought it was piped in near the marina. Maybe I just really heard it from the MK, but I doubt it.

OK, DH just confirmed it for me that it is piped in. He was just today speaking to somebody at work regarding his family's stay at the GF last week. YES, the music is piped in and they spent time at the marina viewing Wishes. So....I'd say you're 100% wrong.

Lives4Disney

If I am wrong then I can admit it, so my mistake.

 

[twinmum]

Hello! I am having a really hard time choosing our next vacation. I'd love input from others with more Disney experience, and you guys have been so helpful in the past, I thought I'd start here.

I'll give you the facts - but the biggie is that we'll consider WDW or Disneyland or WDW and cruise! Please give me your thoughts.

The family - DH, me and twin sons turning 9 in November. One son has cerebral palsy and uses a walker (or wheelchair at the parks for e.g.). A really bright, verbal guy who really enjoyed the first trip, as did his "I'll try anything!" brother.

Disney trip experience: We went to WDW last Nov for 8 nights. Stayed at the GF in the RPC. Unfortunately, the boys took turns getting sick, but not too bad. Mostly it cut back our nights. Thank goodness for the RPC CM's who kept me supplied with cheese and crackers...and wine!

Timing: We can go in December 2007 (OK, I know there's not much availability!), January 2008, April/May 2008, Oct-Dec 2008.

Budget: Feeling a little flexible on this...we had a little windfall and we're going to spend some of it on us! Probably can't stay more than 8 nights, though

Accommodations: I think we're spoiled by concierge now, but would consider trying other than GF if you guys promise we won't be too disappointed...

Disneyland?: So we're open to trying DL as many of our favourite attractions are there. The compactness has its appeal due to mobility...our son might be able to do some in his walker which would be great!

Cruise: Never done a cruise, and my DH is a VERY active guy. Also need to ensure that DCL is OK with our son's needs in the club, but should be OK from what we know. And me? I'm just really concerned about seasickness all round.

Well, there you go...let me know what you think! And thanks for your input!

Twinmum

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hello! I am having a really hard time choosing our next vacation. I'd love input from others with more Disney experience, and you guys have been so helpful in the past, I thought I'd start here.

I'll give you the facts - but the biggie is that we'll consider WDW or Disneyland or WDW and cruise! Please give me your thoughts.

The family - DH, me and twin sons turning 9 in November. One son has cerebral palsy and uses a walker (or wheelchair at the parks for e.g.). A really bright, verbal guy who really enjoyed the first trip, as did his "I'll try anything!" brother.

Disney trip experience: We went to WDW last Nov for 8 nights. Stayed at the GF in the RPC. Unfortunately, the boys took turns getting sick, but not too bad. Mostly it cut back our nights. Thank goodness for the RPC CM's who kept me supplied with cheese and crackers...and wine!

Timing: We can go in December 2007 (OK, I know there's not much availability!), January 2008, April/May 2008, Oct-Dec 2008.

Budget: Feeling a little flexible on this...we had a little windfall and we're going to spend some of it on us! Probably can't stay more than 8 nights, though

Accommodations: I think we're spoiled by concierge now, but would consider trying other than GF if you guys promise we won't be too disappointed...

Disneyland?: So we're open to trying DL as many of our favourite attractions are there. The compactness has its appeal due to mobility...our son might be able to do some in his walker which would be great!

Cruise: Never done a cruise, and my DH is a VERY active guy. Also need to ensure that DCL is OK with our son's needs in the club, but should be OK from what we know. And me? I'm just really concerned about seasickness all round.

Well, there you go...let me know what you think! And thanks for your input!

Twinmum

We went to DLR last March and I unexpectedly LOVED it. Yes, it is compact and it is beautiful and so charming. We hope to go back. It was VERY crowded in March due to spring break and a CM told us the time to go is in Januarly so we are crossing our fingers that we make it back there in January. I can highly recommend DLR. Honestly, my only regret was that I wasn't excited prior to the trip. I should have been. It is wonderful!! Wishes was SPECTACULAR - I mean, I love WDW's Wishes, but the DLR Wishes BLOWS it away, the parades were phenomenal, the details in MK were just so much more than at WDW. It oozes Disney charm. AND I thought the park CMs were sooooo much more "Disney" than WDW's. I have heard opposite, but that was our experience & it impressed us.

WDW is awesome in January, too. We used to always take our kids out of school and go for at least a week in mid to late Jan. or first week in Feb - sometimes both. Soooo much more pleasant than any other time of the year as far as crowds. (We have been almost every month of the year) If I had my choice I would always go to WDW in January. My problem with that is my son is a Jr. in HS and older daughter is starting middle school and I just cannot pull them out for that time period any more. It is the end/start of new semester. I am hoping for a long weekend in DLR over MLK bday. We shall see......

Never ever cared to take a cruise. I also worry about seasickness and I just don't care to feel "stuck" on a boat. My sister worked for YEARS as a recreational director on various cruise lines like Holland AM, Norwegian, and then Celebrity and I could have taken our whole family on a cruise for about $55/day!!! And we didn't do it!! I didn't want to - no interest there. I have heard WDW cruises are great, but I know they focus on the activities for diff age levels etc and I enjoy us all being together as a family and not necessarliy spending our days apart. That's just me & my crazy thoughts & mabye that isn't even how it is in reality, but I only hear about the kids clubs and the parents going for massages etc.....that turns me off.

Happy planning. You have a lot to consider.

Lives4Disney

 

[marcij]

Channing and Twinmum -- Disney cruises are fabulous, and there is a lot of flexibility. I would ask questions about children with disabilites directly to the cruise line to confirm, but we've seen lots of children with disabilities on the ships having a blast.

Since my husband and I both work, we take our Disney vacations as family vacations to spend more time with the kids. That being said, our kids really like the kids clubs and go each night after dinner, and occasionally during the day. For the most part, we do spend almost all of our time together. We choose not to do brunch at Palo, the adult only restaurant, just because we enjoy being with the kids during the day. We do dinner there one night, but the kids could care less if we're gone, as the clubs really are a lot of fun. We've just done our fourth cruise this past summer and have the next one planned.

Channing -- as much as you love Disney, I think you and your kids would have a fabulous time on the Magic and Wonder.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing -- as much as you love Disney, I think you and your kids would have a fabulous time on the Magic and Wonder.

Marci - your sig pic is cute, BTW. It sounds great & I know so many people love them, but I just can't get over the ideas I have in my mind, lol....I bet once I tried it, what I think it's like is very far from what I'd find it's REALLY like. If that makes any sense??

Ya, maybe it's just the way they promote there being activites for everybody and it sounds like we'd be torn in different directions. PLUS there's that seasickness question. That would be just my luck. Sick and lying flat on the bathroom tile the whole cruise.

Channing