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

[tenbelow]

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_sp/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9994_41197,00.html

Food Network Specials
Episode WDSP02



AIR TIMES:
November 25, 2006 10:00 PM ET/PT
November 26, 2006 1:00 AM ET/PT
December 02, 2006 5:00 PM ET/PT
December 03, 2006 6:00 PM ET/PT


Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort
Come along as superstar Raven enjoys the holidays at Walt Disney World. From Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to the most amazing holiday cake creations, celebrate the season at one of America’s most enchanted destinations.

Enjoy,
Mike

Thanks - I've been able to check and we do get this program on Food Network Canada. I'm sure my twin DS8's will want to see this - we were at the GF throughout the assembly of the gingerbread house and left just before it was really finished. They'll want to see how it turned out! (And if this isn't filmed this year, I don't suppose they'll know the difference!)

 

[tenbelow]

Anyone know if they are serving roasted chestnuts at the GF during the Holidays? Or if they are serving them somewhere else?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[mlill]

Three weeks from tomorrow, we'll be starting our WDW 2006 Christmas vacation at the Grand Floridian! It's hard to believe it's almost here!!! After all these years of going to WDW, my kids have never seen the huge Gingerbread House - I can't wait to see their reaction! I'm also looking forward to our dinner at Victoria & Alberts, and our Grand 1 cruise! I'm currently trying to switch our cruise time from 9pm Wishes to the 6pm Wishes, but I'm having a very hard time getting the GF Marina CM who books the Grand, to call me back! ARGH! I hope I hear from her soon. I know it's a long shot, but I think the 6pm time would be better, especially since it's already so cold at night in Orlando! Brrrrr! To everyone staying at the GF in December, I hope you all have a magical holiday vacation!

-Michelle

P.S. Happy Turkey Day!!!

 

[thmar]

Three weeks from tomorrow, we'll be starting our WDW 2006 Christmas vacation at the Grand Floridian! It's hard to believe it's almost here!!! After all these years of going to WDW, my kids have never seen the huge Gingerbread House - I can't wait to see their reaction! I'm also looking forward to our dinner at Victoria & Alberts, and our Grand 1 cruise! I'm currently trying to switch our cruise time from 9pm Wishes to the 6pm Wishes, but I'm having a very hard time getting the GF Marina CM who books the Grand, to call me back! ARGH! I hope I hear from her soon. I know it's a long shot, but I think the 6pm time would be better, especially since it's already so cold at night in Orlando! Brrrrr! To everyone staying at the GF in December, I hope you all have a magical holiday vacation!

-Michelle

P.S. Happy Turkey Day!!!

Oh how exciting!! Have a great time!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Three weeks from tomorrow, we'll be starting our WDW 2006 Christmas vacation at the Grand Floridian! It's hard to believe it's almost here!!! After all these years of going to WDW, my kids have never seen the huge Gingerbread House - I can't wait to see their reaction! I'm also looking forward to our dinner at Victoria & Alberts, and our Grand 1 cruise! I'm currently trying to switch our cruise time from 9pm Wishes to the 6pm Wishes, but I'm having a very hard time getting the GF Marina CM who books the Grand, to call me back! ARGH! I hope I hear from her soon. I know it's a long shot, but I think the 6pm time would be better, especially since it's already so cold at night in Orlando! Brrrrr! To everyone staying at the GF in December, I hope you all have a magical holiday vacation!

-Michelle

P.S. Happy Turkey Day!!!

Michelle - Have a great time. I also had a big time trouble trying to even book that cruise. The IPO dept. (several CMs) were trying to get it booked for me, too, and the marina didn't return their calls either! I hope you get what you want. I think you're probably right the earlier would be better. I was (kind of still am but it seems to still be out for refurb) trying to book Breathless for Dec 21, but having second thoughts due to the chilly weather. It would be fun, but I don't want to be uncomfortably frozen out on the water.

Tenbelow - Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear all about it when you return. When we went two years ago for Tgiving, they were selling the chestnuts. I don't remember where - at one of the lobby entrances. They were disgusting IMO , so last year we didn't even bother - so I don't know if they are doing them anymore.

Have a nice Thanksgiving,

Lives4Disney

 

[heatherlynn444]

Three weeks from tomorrow, we'll be starting our WDW 2006 Christmas vacation at the Grand Floridian! It's hard to believe it's almost here!!! After all these years of going to WDW, my kids have never seen the huge Gingerbread House - I can't wait to see their reaction! I'm also looking forward to our dinner at Victoria & Alberts, and our Grand 1 cruise! I'm currently trying to switch our cruise time from 9pm Wishes to the 6pm Wishes, but I'm having a very hard time getting the GF Marina CM who books the Grand, to call me back! ARGH! I hope I hear from her soon. I know it's a long shot, but I think the 6pm time would be better, especially since it's already so cold at night in Orlando! Brrrrr! To everyone staying at the GF in December, I hope you all have a magical holiday vacation!

-Michelle

P.S. Happy Turkey Day!!!

I'm so jealous! but I will be there soon, I just wish I could see all the Christmas decorations! Have a GREAT time, you are going to have such a blast!

 

[tenbelow]

Lives4Disney, I'm with you on the chestnuts - my DW loves them and they are a Holiday tradition in her family. I tried them once and they were a unique taste to say the least...

I'm really looking forward to the hot chocolate and cookies at MVMCP plus all of the other goodies and treats to be found around the "world".

Doing the 5 day banana dance countdown...

Mike

When we went two years ago for Tgiving, they were selling the chestnuts. I don't remember where - at one of the lobby entrances. They were disgusting IMO , so last year we didn't even bother - so I don't know if they are doing them anymore.

Have a nice Thanksgiving,

Lives4Disney

 

[irisbud]

Hi all! I've been keeping up with this thread but not posting for a while, but now that we are only ten days away, I was wondering if we will be seeing any fellow DISers while at the GF. Our trip is Dec 3rd-7th, and we will be at the GF (RPC) from the 3rd-5th before going to AKL.

Also, I'm sure this has been asked before but after spending all day cooking and cleaning I lack either the inclanation or energy to look it up: Are there any non honeymoon rooms in RPC that have a king bed and a view of the castle?

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Amy

 

[theostwalts]

Well, we will be packing up the car tomorrow and heading down early Saturday morning. I would like to thank all the posters on this thread, and especially the "GF Experts" on this thread. We took our first family vacation to the world last year and stayed at the Contemporary Resort. We had a great time and it was during that trip that we decided we wanted to go back and stay at the GF. I subscribed to this thread when we got back and started planning this upcoming trip. You all have been a great help and I am sure we will have a great vacation, and your help is a part of that. Thanks for all of the advice. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and those of you who will be there next week, I hope to see you there.

Thanks Again

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving! We did - Santa came early for us - last night - and we spent the day building and playing. Santa's early arrival worked out great for us as we will be spending our first Xmas away from home at WDW this year. Thanksgiving is just our family, so we made it a really fun & special one this year. "Thanksmas". My youngest DD6 was really worried about Santa not finding her at the GF & not bringing her what she really wanted while we at the GF because it is larger sized & difficult to get home, so it is all good and taken care of. It was a fun day.

Wow! It seems that there are a lot of Disers going to the GF in the next few days. Have a great time, everyone. Hope the weather and crowds are both perfect.

Enjoy!

Lives4Disney

 

[lynr]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

I can't believe we will be in Disney next Thursday. It seems like yesterday that we began planning this trip. Now I guess it will be time to start planning the next one. We are hoping to take advantage of the new program for return visits when we are there if it fits into our time frame.

I know a lot of people are leaving soon, so everyone have a great vacation and hopefully we will get a chance to meet some of you.

Lyn

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I hope everyone had a happy turkey day
I know many of you are going down to the GF for xmas and the holidays and I hope you all have a good time !!

 

[3for Me]

Hi, hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving! We did - Santa came early for us - last night - and we spent the day building and playing. Santa's early arrival worked out great for us as we will be spending our first Xmas away from home at WDW this year. Thanksgiving is just our family, so we made it a really fun & special one this year. "Thanksmas".


You must tell us more...I am intrigued by this idea, and may have to use it in the future...do tell...need details...sounds like fun!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving! We did - Santa came early for us - last night - and we spent the day building and playing. Santa's early arrival worked out great for us as we will be spending our first Xmas away from home at WDW this year. Thanksgiving is just our family, so we made it a really fun & special one this year. "Thanksmas".


You must tell us more...I am intrigued by this idea, and may have to use it in the future...do tell...need details...sounds like fun!

It was nice....My girls are 6 and 10 and I have a 16 yr old son. I was feeling Christmas burnout big time last year so we decided to do a "Skipping Christmas" type thing this year. Well, needless to say with a 6 yr old we really couldn't pull that off. We kept trying to bribe her (Bippity Boppity apptmt, special ADRs, promises of special things for her to do and buy at WDW....) nothing worked! She wanted her Xmas at home. She would cry at the mention of Christmas at WDW. The kids are just really into our little family traditions, which is nice, but I just really get burned out! I guess I am the one that really needs my Disney fix.

We did our little Xmas Eve traditions on Wed night. The kids were still kind of unsure and a bit nervous that Santa would make a special trip out to our house earlier than normal, but he managed it. I told them I emailed him and told him of our dilemma & just asked nicely if he could help us out in this way. I gave the girls the story that my email acct was down (as it sometimes is) and I didn't receive a response, so the suspense was thick. Would he or wouldn't he???!!!

Santa's early arrival worked out great & we had lots of fun yesterday just our little family, and it is so nice not to have to worry about running around like a nut trying to finish my Xmas shopping now. I can just think about our upcoming trip. We played Xmas music, cooked our traditional Xmas foods and treats and spent the day in our PJs snacking and playing....Santa brought the Disney Scene It game for us, too . Along with Santa's gifts, I gave the kids most of their presents from us. It was funny, but with all we did I found myself forgetting for a bit that it wasn't really Christmas.

I did buy some smaller items and some cute monogrammed Disney stockings to fill and fun Disney items to surprise the girls (and some cool stuff for my son) to open on Xmas morning. I will ship those a few days before we leave on our trip. So, the kids had a nice 'Christmas" at home and I hope our Disney World Christmas will be lots of fun, too. I am so psyched!

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[lynr]

Channing:

It sounds like you really did it up right. Now you can sit back and enjoy you Christmas trip. I really liked your idea of doing Christmas early and will try that one year. Eventhough I don't have any little ones my big ones are still kids at heart.

On a side note I wanted to let you know that we made settlement on the malpractice suit and eventhough we settled for less than originally planned and we won't be paid until January, we are still so glad that it is finally over!!!!! Thank you for your kind words during that trying time, I really appreciated it.

Lyn

 

[twinmum]

Lives4Disney: I am so glad that you and your family have been enjoying your "Thanksmas" together. It does sound wonderful and is starting to get me into the spirit of the holidays. In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October (gives us a longer break between turkey days!) and with our recent WDW trip, I'm really not in the Christmas spirit yet!!!

I hope you and your family have a magical Christmas at WDW. I hope we'll hear about it! It sounds marvellous - although I don't think I would ever manage to convince our clan to give it a try!

Happy "Thanksmas"! (and what a wonderful mum to plan it all!)

Twinmum

 

[mlill]

Santa's early arrival worked out great & we had lots of fun yesterday just our little family, and it is so nice not to have to worry about running around like a nut trying to finish my Xmas shopping now. I can just think about our upcoming trip. We played Xmas music, cooked our traditional Xmas foods and treats and spent the day in our PJs snacking and playing....Santa brought the Disney Scene It game for us, too . Along with Santa's gifts, I gave the kids most of their presents from us. It was funny, but with all we did I found myself forgetting for a bit that it wasn't really Christmas.

WoW! What a great idea! It sounds like you all had a wonderful day! Even though my kids are older, it's still weird knowing we'll be away from home for Christmas. I am, however, thrilled not to have to deal with all of the shopping and decorating! I totally get the 'burned out' thing. We are waiting to get all of our presents at WDW. (I just don't know how we're going to get it all home! LOL!) Anyway, thanks for sharing your story! I hope your family has a wonderful time at the Grand Floridian for Christmas! Maybe we'll run into you at WDW!

-Michelle

P.S. I'm giving the GF Marina a few more days to call me back about the Grand 1, and then I'm calling a manger! You'd think that a $400/hour cruise reservation would go a little smoother?!?

 

[3for Me]

Thanks for letting us in on your little secret "Thanksmas". I just LOVE that idea. Now if only my family would play along...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks, guys. I was really worried, too, about how we would get the Xmas gifts back & forth between home/WDW/home and how we would fit it all in our hotel room for that matter! I am still worried - I say 'I am DONE shopping"....but buying for little girls is so fun and it is easy to overdo it. I keep adding to my WDW Xmas Day pile of stuff! I know concierge will help me box it and ship it, though.

Michelle! I cannot believe you still have not heard from the marina. (Well, actually I can - because that was kind of my experience, too ) I know - with that expensive cruise you'd think they would be more than happy to book it and follow up with messages etc. I don't get it. When do you head down?? We leave home the afternoon of Dec 19 to check in that evening. I am just getting so excited! I always do until it's time to actually pack - that gets overwhelming for me and I start to feel some odd kind of pretrip stress, let down, blah thing. I have read others feel that too. Strange, but true!

Take care & happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[mlill]

Michelle! I cannot believe you still have not heard from the marina. (Well, actually I can - because that was kind of my experience, too ) I know - with that expensive cruise you'd think they would be more than happy to book it and follow up with messages etc. I don't get it. When do you head down?? We leave home the afternoon of Dec 19 to check in that evening. I am just getting so excited! I always do until it's time to actually pack - that gets overwhelming for me and I start to feel some odd kind of pretrip stress, let down, blah thing. I have read others feel that too. Strange, but true!

Take care & happy planning!

Lives4Disney

I GOT it! Finally! I was sitting at my computer this afternoon, looking over my WDW spreadsheet, and got ticked off about the cruise, so I decided to call the marina again. I actually got to talk with the girl who does the Grand 1 booking and was able to switch our 9pm Wishes cruise for a 6pm cruise! The cruise takes off at 5:30, which is sunset! WooHoo! I was even able to switch our dinner ressies around and got Narcoossee's for 7:20 pm after the cruise. So, we will see regular Wishes on the Grand 1 and the MVMCP Wishes from Narcoossee's at 9:30! Doesn't get any better than that! (I know the Grand 1 is very expensive, but it's my Christmas present this year! You only live once, and I live to make memories!)

-Michelle

FYI: As of today, Nov. 25th, The Grand 1 has openings for a 6pm Wishes Cruise on Dec. 21st and 22nd!