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

[princessesrule4]

Ok, I just changed our reservation and I have to tell someone! I was browsing the boards and found a great air fare on SW, so I booked it. We are now flying down instead of driving! Can you hear the cheers of my family over the Internet? Since we are flying, I added another day to our trip, so now we get to Orlando Airport at 9:55am and will take DME to the GF. We were checking in on Monday, July 16, now it is Sunday, July 15!!! I have to book another ADR now and decide what park we are starting at (ha!)

Has anyone used DME to GF? Any suggestions for my last ADR?

Thanks for listening!!

Isn't great to get an extra day in? And flying in is even better! We are only about 6 hours away so we always drive but my kids always ask to fly!
My parents did ME to the GF last June and they said it was great! No glitches at all and their luggage was in their room about an hour and a half later.

We will be at the GF next week for 8 days so I'm hoping to find out something about the rehab!

Not sure what your other ADR's are but we tried Narcoossees and Whispering Canyon the last 2 trips and enjoyed both!

Have fun planning!

 

[chasgoose]

I am slowly being tempted away by the Poly by the prospect of newly renovated rooms at the GF. Has anyone currently at the GF or that has been there recently managed to get any more info about the renovations that will be happening soon. I am more curious as to what the new rooms will look like than when it is going to start or in what building (although I guess those two things will have to happen before we can see a new room). Are there any mock-ups of what the new rooms are going to be like?

 

[Dis Ohana]

Is there a new email for IPO? I seem to be having trouble getting through to them.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I wanted to add a comment about ME to the GF. We've used ME several times for various resorts, and always had a good experience, until our Christmas trip this past December. We took a late flight, and didn't arrive at MCO until 11:30 p.m. Since it was so late, and there were fewer guests arriving, they added 2 extra resorts to our bus, POR & POFQ.

Our driver delivered guests to 5 resorts, and the GF was the very last stop! My daughter looked at me when they announced that there would be 5 stops, and what those stops were (POR, POFQ, CR, Poly & GF) and we both said at the same time "GF is the furthest away!"

It took us until around 1:30 to get to the front desk of the GF. For our Spring Break trip this year, we also had a late flight, and decided to use a town car service. We are normally very laid back and easy going, but that ME trip wore us down!

We will use ME again if our flight is earlier in the day, we really have no other complaints about the service. I simply wanted to warn anyone flying in late that you may be in for a longer wait than normal!

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

I will be getting 2 of the teacups pillows this year and having them shipped home. I love them I should have bought them last NOV and didnt.

Does anyone have pictures of the pillows that are for sale...They sound great and I would love to see them (so that I can prepare DH for when I say we have to have them and fly home with them). Thanks.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Ok, I just changed our reservation and I have to tell someone! I was browsing the boards and found a great air fare on SW, so I booked it.



Thanks for the SW tip. My brother and his family had planned a late August trip to WDW with free dining, but the airfare was so pricey they were considering cancelling it. I call my DSIL this morning and told her about SW.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi, Cinderumbrella, I actually think the ones BCV did see were the ones I saw. They were about 24 inches and in limited supply. They weren't really WOW factor size, just good and cuddlable size and I believe $30. Today, Lucy and I saw the $50 size Mickeys, which are 3 ft tall at the big tent store in Toontown. I think that's maybe more what you were thinking. Maybe Sarah of Memories by Sarah could purchase it for you and you could work something out that way?? Those are the largest (3 ft size) I have seen so far and not any in the GF store. Vonnie didn't think they carry larger anymore. Sarah is great and if it's out there she'll get it for you. I had a couple special requests that she came thru on.

Channing, thanks again for making a special trip to the gift shop for me!!! I think you are right about just going through Sarah rather than waiting till I get there. I was thinking about having her do an anniversary basket for DH and I anyway, so she might as well do the whole thing! BTW, I would love to see pics of the baskets she made for you.

Hope you continue to have a great trip!!

Kristin

 

[Alicnwondrln]

the tea cup pillows are white
with teacups on them and alice characters inside the tea cups
they are so cute

 

[Tiffer]

I can't read back all of these pages!

We are staying at GF for the first time and have a lagoon view. BF has a bad hip and we don't want to be too far fro mthe main bdlg.

What do you think is the Best Lagoon view Bdlg/room?

 

[BCV23]

No no, Tiffer. You must first read the whole thread!

Big Pine Key might work best to minimize the walk to the main building.

Donald & Daisy Duck, I don't have pictures but wanted to let you know that you can just have the pillows shipped. This is true at any gift shop at WDW. Just tell the CM that you want to ship home. The cost is very reasonable. I always choose that option for large or heavy purchases.

Nor do you have to wait until you're there to order the pillows. Just call the number on the bottom of any WDW retail receipt and they will find the item for you and ship it. It's a great service. If you want the number, let me know.

 

[Lives4Disney]

PILLOWS!! The GF pillows are available at Sandy Cove - Saw them there today. Tea cup pillows are $65 and the When You Wish upon a Star pillows are $80.

LARGE MICKEY REPORT At the GF shop, the largest is about 24 inches and $30. I am 6 ft tall, so reached the top shelf and that's where they are as BCV saw. Went back again today to take a second gander. That's the story. We saw the $50 36 inch size at the Emporium this morning. Those seem to be the largest so far. I remember years ago a HUGE size, but haven't seen them anywhere yet. Probably not avaiilable anymore.

We sat and visited with Vonnie again today, but sorry!! I forgot AGAIN to ask about rehabs. We just talk and laugh and not about that stuff!! I will see her again and I WILL remember!!!!!

The Swan sucks. I retract my good comments of yesterday. I would stay here again ONLY because the rate can't be beat - FREE, lol. Also, if I was in a bind for a budget WDW fix I would stay here. They did not do turndown last night despite them calling me to make sure they did it the night before and asking me if 7 pm was OK for it...toilet broke......remote doesn't work....minibar had missing items when we checked in and it has not been refilled since....nowhere convenient for bottled water or soda. Sorry to get off track with Swan comments. I know one of you guys wanted to knkow how it is. It's not so great. Location is great, area is beautiful and BW is fun, price is decent, rooms are smaller, AC has that lovely auto shut off if nobody is moving so we melt as we sleep. Heavenly beds arent heavenly if they are coming apart because the linens are sticking to our hot bods, lol. I don't get the deal with two sinks separated by the bathroom door, but they only give you one bar of soap & one soap dish. Hmmm......

Despite the Swan issues & high crowds, we are having the time of our lives. Weather is gorgeous, CMs are awesome, guests are behaving, parks are beautiful and blooming, great restaurants and just lots of laughs. Gotta run to MGM and Brown Derby later for dinner - LOVE that place!

Happy planning!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Jen66]

Channing~
It sounds like heaven despite the Swan! Cannot wait to hear all about your trip!

 

[TammiMcMan]

BCV, the comforter theme you had was Cameo. I love that one.

Pillow pics, you guys keep forgetting about Janet2k, she has pictures of everything . Here's the tea cup pillow design and although it's not a closeup, here's the wish pillow (goldenrod color).

 

[Alicnwondrln]

hey everyone
anyone have a pics of the day beds in the sugar loaf
they look lilttle couches they arent like the day beds at the other resorts
i tried the hawkins website earlier but it isnt working
I also went thru the thread and found some links but when I clicked on them they went to pages and pages of pics and not just the day beds.

Thanks

 

[Alicnwondrln]

PILLOWS!! The GF pillows are available at Sandy Cove - Saw them there today. Tea cup pillows are $65 and the When You Wish upon a Star pillows are $80.

LARGE MICKEY REPORT At the GF shop, the largest is about 24 inches and $30. I am 6 ft tall, so reached the top shelf and that's where they are as BCV saw. Went back again today to take a second gander. That's the story. We saw the $50 36 inch size at the Emporium this morning. Those seem to be the largest so far. I remember years ago a HUGE size, but haven't seen them anywhere yet. Probably not avaiilable anymore.

We sat and visited with Vonnie again today, but sorry!! I forgot AGAIN to ask about rehabs. We just talk and laugh and not about that stuff!! I will see her again and I WILL remember!!!!!

The Swan sucks. I retract my good comments of yesterday. I would stay here again ONLY because the rate can't be beat - FREE, lol. Also, if I was in a bind for a budget WDW fix I would stay here. They did not do turndown last night despite them calling me to make sure they did it the night before and asking me if 7 pm was OK for it...toilet broke......remote doesn't work....minibar had missing items when we checked in and it has not been refilled since....nowhere convenient for bottled water or soda. Sorry to get off track with Swan comments. I know one of you guys wanted to knkow how it is. It's not so great. Location is great, area is beautiful and BW is fun, price is decent, rooms are smaller, AC has that lovely auto shut off if nobody is moving so we melt as we sleep. Heavenly beds arent heavenly if they are coming apart because the linens are sticking to our hot bods, lol. I don't get the deal with two sinks separated by the bathroom door, but they only give you one bar of soap & one soap dish. Hmmm......

Despite the Swan issues & high crowds, we are having the time of our lives. Weather is gorgeous, CMs are awesome, guests are behaving, parks are beautiful and blooming, great restaurants and just lots of laughs. Gotta run to MGM and Brown Derby later for dinner - LOVE that place!

Happy planning!!!

Lives4Disney

I am so sorry that the swan isnt that great
I am glad everything else is going good for you guys

we won a 3 night stay there last year but never used it as we couldnt get the DDP or use DME there.

 

[BCV23]

BCV, the comforter theme you had was Cameo. I love that one.

Pillow pics, you guys keep forgetting about Janet2k, she has pictures of everything . Here's the tea cup pillow design and although it's not a closeup, here's the wish pillow (goldenrod color).

Thanks, Tammi. Then my daughter was right. She does agree with me that the bedskirts and pillows were different then the other two trips that we had that same room. The pillows were those pink ribbon ones and pink and green plaid. The other two trips we had the teacups and Wish pillows. But I really have to look at our old pics.

Kelly, our room had a love seat but it wasn't a daybed at all. The room only sleeps four. On our other two SL stays we had that room and the one next to iit which did have a daybed. It seemed to me to be the same as the other GF daybeds although no one slept on it in either trip.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Channing- so sorry about your poor stay at the Swan. It is tough to stay anywhere else after the GF!!! The GF was my first WDW experience (my Disneymoon) and my next trip was the BC and I was REALLY disappointed in it. I just assumed that all deluxes did the same things
I just know after we head back this year, I will never want to stay anywhere else again!!

Thanks again for checking on my Mickey! I emailed Sarah today about a basket, so it is in her hands now!!

Hope you enjoy the Brown Derby!
Kristin

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Another quick question- do the rooms at the GF have fridges now or do they still need to requested at check in?

 

[BCV23]

Another quick question- do the rooms at the GF have fridges now or do they still need to requested at check in?

Our room did not have a refrig in it but we expected that.

My DH asked the lady who checked us in at SL if refrig was noted on our reservation. She said no but that she would do so. I said that I never even mention it any longer when I make a reservation as it does no good. We find we always need to call housekeeping once we're physically in the room.

I imagine there will be fridges in the rooms after the rehab.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

same thing for us we requested a fridge last Nov and when we got there we had to ask for it again