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

[BCV23]

The basic answer to your question is that you don’t know what is safe and what is not safe. When you click on a hypertext link, you do so at your own risk. However, if you have an up-to-date Operating System, a decent firewall, some decent virus protection software, anti-phishing software, a pop-up ad blocker, and a few other items that are presently escaping my memory, you minimize your risk.

I hope that helped. By the way, the Federal Trade Commission has some "Site Seeing On The Internet" info posted on their website: click here -- at your own risk, of course.

Thanks for the link and the explanation. You're always such a great resource for all of us.

 

[tubtruck]

This thread is called "new" but is over 2 years old and hundereds of pages long, isnt it about time the info was condensed into somthing useful like about 5 pagews of the most worthwhile info?

 

[BCV23]

This thread is called "new" but is over 2 years old and hundereds of pages long, isnt it about time the info was condensed into somthing useful like about 5 pagews of the most worthwhile info?

Well, I remember when it was brand new. Cali did a lovely job starting it. The facts are in the first pages. After that everyone just adds questions or answers. What is important to one isn't to another.

I know from time to time new FAQs are started. I think the moderators decide which ones get placed in the stickie. Maybe you should start a new one....or Janet or Tammi. Of course, it would probably be wise to ask a moderator first.

 

[BrianD]

This thread is called "new" but is over 2 years old and hundereds of pages long, isnt it about time the info was condensed into somthing useful like about 5 pagews of the most worthwhile info?

I tend to agree. Also, and please don't take this the wrong way because everyone who posts on this thread is great , but it has kind of been hijacked into a GF Concierge thread.

Maybe with the GF refurbishment going on, this thread could be refurbished. Now, if I could afford it, I would definitely volunteer to go down there for a research trip to get updated info. But, I do know that there are a lot of folks on here that do go down there frequently. So, any volunteers?

 

[BCV23]

I've noticed how it turns to concierge Q&A so often. Not sure why. It happens on the Polynesian thread too but not nearly as often.

Brian, wouldn't it be great if there were pictures of the new rooms! Originally, this FAQ had pictures of all the themes. They were lost somehow...I suppose in one of the DIS upgrades.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I think that anything you need is here. Most of us that are regular posters stay at the gf and alot of us stay concierge. I know that many here helped me alot with planning my trips. I know the thread is long but if oyu need something just post here and people will help you. I would hate to see this thread closed or not used it is an AMAZING resource.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I know that when someone posts with questions about the GF or poly concierge I refer to them the FAQ threads as many that have stayed there have also stayed club level and its an easy way to get your ? answered.

 

[bosstoboss]

I've noticed how it turns to concierge Q&A so often. Not sure why. It happens on the Polynesian thread too but not nearly as often.

Brian, wouldn't it be great if there were pictures of the new rooms! Originally, this FAQ had pictures of all the themes. They were lost somehow...I suppose in one of the DIS upgrades.

This thread probably turns into a concierge Q&A thread because these are the people who are very gracious and curtious to reply on their stays. I appreciate all that post their stays and vacations at the GF, what ever level they have stayed in. All are welcomed.

 

[BCV23]

This thread probably turns into a concierge Q&A thread because these are the people who are very gracious and curtious to reply on their stays. I appreciate all that post their stays and vacations at the GF, what ever level they have stayed in. All are welcomed.

Of course all are welcomed. I hope you didn't think I was imlying otherwise. Personally, we've stayed different levels at GF and I'm interested in everyone's experiences. But over the years since this particular thread started, for some reason it tends toward club level questions and discussion more than the other deluxe threads and more than the old GF FAQ did...at least best I can recall. I certainly wasn't complaining just reaffirming what Brian had noted.

But regardless of how long this thread lives, any new one that takes its place will soon be pages long, too. What I like about Cali's is that it does have pertinent info for a first time visitor. Before the pictures were deleted, it was a visual delight too. Some resort FAQs can be a bit barebone about the actual facts of a resort. Instead they get right into personal experiences which are fun to read but not as helpful for a quick read IMO.

 

[bosstoboss]

Of course all are welcomed. I hope you didn't think I was imlying otherwise. Personally, we've stayed different levels at GF and I'm interested in everyone's experiences. But over the years since this particular thread started, for some reason it tends toward club level questions and discussion more than the other deluxe threads and more than the old GF FAQ did...at least best I can recall. I certainly wasn't complaining just reaffirming what Brian had noted.

But regardless of how long this thread lives, any new one that takes its place will soon be pages long, too. What I like about Cali's is that it does have pertinent info for a first time visitor. Before the pictures were deleted, it was a visual delight too. Some resort FAQs can be a bit barebone about the actual facts of a resort. Instead they get right into personal experiences which are fun to read but not as helpful for a quick read IMO.

I most certainly undertand what you are saying. I am also new here too on this resort thread and I can understand that there is not enough new information on regular stays....I have stayed many times concierge level, but would also love to here about the non-concierge rooms also. I hope the GF is magical in every building that people stay in.....we need to here more of that part....I wish some would post.

But, I must admit, I love to read all the "concierge special attention" that people do receive.

 

[Janet2k]

The Dis website has a section that is devoted to each of the Walt Disney World resorts. For example, to get to the webpage regarding the Grand Floridian Resort, click here. On that webpage you’ll find links to other webpages that highlight the resort’s guest rooms, restaurants, recreation, transportation, and so on. It's a nice resource for the basic information.

I hope this helped.

 

[Janet2k]

…we were lucky enough to get turret room 4021… I have tons and tons of pictures!!!!

Heatherlynn444, I finally had the chance to read your trip report. It was wonderful. Again, congratulations on your recent marriage.

Do you happen to have photos of your turret room posted in an on-line album? I would love to see more of that room and its view.

 

[Janet2k]

…my dream room would be a one bedroom suite w/ a magic kingdom view. does this exist? are all suites in the main building?

Elaine88, I know that others have mentioned that suites exist in both the Main Building and the Lodge Buildings. Since you asked about a suite with a Magic Kingdom view, I thought I would let you know that I stayed in two different two-bedroom suites with such a view in the Conch Key Lodge Building. One of the suites was located on the 2nd floor and the other suite was located on the 3rd floor. Both suites had views of the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella Castle. I’m not certain, but my ~uneducated~ guess is that those suites might be able to be booked as one-bedroom suites (the second bedroom would be locked-off). It might be worth inquiring about.

I have a few photos posted of one of the suites. I’ll share the links to them here:

Cypress Suite (Parlor Room)
Cypress Suite (Master Bedroom)
Cypress Suite (Second Bedroom)

I recently found some more photos of that suite, and if I can find the time, I’ll add them to my photo albums.

Besides the two suites that I stayed in, there is at least one more suite in Conch Key that has a Magic Kingdom view. That suite is located on the 1st floor. I can’t remember if it’s a one-bedroom or two-bedroom suite, but I have seen photos of it and it’s lovely.

I hope this helped.

 

[Janet2k]

In October of 2000 (I hope I got the year right), my family vacationed at the Grand Floridian Resort. The resort was undergoing major renovations at the time. I just found a few photos that show, I believe, the renovations for the Boca Chica lodge building:

Photo # 1
Photo # 2
Photo # 3

If you look behind the toothless girl in Photo # 1, you’ll see a white construction barrier that is sitting in front of the scaffolding that surrounds the Boca Chica lodge building.

If you look at Photo # 2, the yellow arrows are pointing to the potted plants that were hung on the construction barriers in an attempt to beautify them.

If you look at Photo # 3, you’ll get a better view of the construction barriers and scaffolding that were placed around the Boca Chica lodge building.

During that vacation, my family was staying in the Conch Key lodge building. That building had recently been renovated and it was beautiful. As I walked from Conch Key to the swimming pool, I passed the construction barriers that surrounded Boca Chica. I was surprised to see that Disney had beautified those barriers by hanging baskets of plants from them. If memory serves me correctly, the plants in those baskets were geraniums. The red of the flowers matched the red of the resort’s rooftops. I got a chuckle out of the fact that no detail was too small for Disney. I’ve seen a lot of construction barriers in my time, but I don’t ever recall seeing plants hanging from them.

I have no idea what sort of renovations the Grand Floridian may be undergoing in the future, but judging by the past, a rennovation won't hamper my family’s stay at the resort.

 

[Janet2k]

Does anyone know if there are any pictures of a one or two bedroom suite available?

Sorry, Fish4bills, I didn't realize that you had asked a question about suites, too. Please see my prior post (# 4212).

I know that there are others who have stayed in suites. Hopefully, they'll share links to their photos, too.

 

[TammiMcMan]

In October of 2000 (I hope I got the year right), my family vacationed at the Grand Floridian Resort. The resort was undergoing major renovations at the time.

I'm nearly positive with that year too Janet. We were there in July and had made plans to stay in the main building. Unfortunately, our stay got a bit sidetracked because of the rehab. No one told us about it when we booked our trip. About a month before our vacation, I got a 2nd confirmation in the mail and when I read it, I noticed it said Lodge Concierge instead of Main Building. I called CRO and they had no idea why we were moved. I actually had to call the resort and hunt down somebody in management to find out that the club level of the main building was being closed due to the renovation. At that time, they said we would be in Conch Key because Sugar Loaf wasn't done yet. I was very upset with how it was handled and went right up to, I think it was Al Weiss at the time. I told him it was bad customer service, that guests were not called and told about the situation, nor were they given a choice of where to stay. I was really disappointed with how it was all handled, but when we arrived, Sugar Loaf had just been re-opened, so that was nice. It was all fresh and new.

 

[Janet2k]

I had just booked adjoining rooms with the MK view. Does anyone have any pictures out the window of one of those rooms?

I have stayed in rooms with Magic Kingdom views (in particular, Cinderella Castle). The view was lovely. I can't remember what rooms were adjoining and what rooms were connecting, though. What I'll do is simply share some links to photos from a few rooms just so you can get a quick idea as to what those rooms and their views might look like.

Room 7425
Room 4401
Room 4301 (not many photos in there yet, though)

If I find any other photos of rooms with Magic Kingdom views, I'll post them.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Can anyone tell me what type of spa treatments are available for my DD age 14 and her friend age 15. I was wondering about facials, manicures, pedicures etc. Anyone know of any they can recommend. Also, are they considered adults? Thanks for the help.

 

[Janet2k]

I'm nearly positive with that year too Janet.

Thanks for the confirmation, Tammi.

I had a concierge room booked for another vacation and when we arrived at the resort, they put us in Conch Key -- that building had been turned into a concierge building during the renovation. The food & beverage offerings were set up in the lobby on the first floor and (I think) concierge desks, too. I can't remember what month/year that was, though. And I can't find my photos (they would help me pinpoint the date).

 

[TammiMcMan]

Can anyone tell me what type of spa treatments are available for my DD age 14 and her friend age 15. I was wondering about facials, manicures, pedicures etc. Anyone know of any they can recommend. Also, are they considered adults? Thanks for the help.

Here's a list of treatments, http://relaxedyet.ess.com/grand_floridian/gf_treatments.html . If they're 14 and over, they can get any of the treatments I believe. They aren't considered adults though and must have someone with them during the treatments. I know my daughters love the manicures & pedicures. They'd probably be comfortable with a facial as well, but they're very pricey.