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

[Janet2k]

I tried to pull up the link for Janet2K's photos of the Tinkerbelle treat, but it looks like she's in the process of moving her pictures.

TammiMcMan, yes, my photos are currently in the process of being transferred to another website. That means that all the links that I've given out here in the GF FAQ thread (and other places on the Dis) are now obsolete. Arg!

Once the transfer is complete, I'll post a link to my photos here. My biggest concern is in regards to my photos’ titles and comments. I have shared almost 5,000 photos from my family’s WDW vacations. If I have to recreate thousands of titles & comments from scratch, I’ll be looking for a razor blade to slit my wrists.

 

[Lives4Disney]

OK, after digging thru all the GF goodie pictures, I have absolutely PIGGED OUT on M&Ms tonight!! I was out of control.

Janet, we saw the shuttle launch last July 4th. Very cool. We were actually at the YC boat dock and the captain pointed it out to all of us.

Michelle, thanks - you're so sweet. Try the pontoons - they are fun and they go faster than we thought. Just don't sit on laps, lol - well at least the driver's. I need to check out your cake pic link......OMG! Just went and looked!!! THAT is GORGEOUS!!!!!!! Did you order that???? Holy cow!

Happy planning!!

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

So many great pictures. Thanks Channing, Michelle and Janet.

Unless rules have changed, you can take food on the pontoon boats. Years ago we rented one on most trips and did have a picnic one year although we would have been staying at the Polynesian then. Private dining will even make lunches for you...or I imagine most anything you want.

Years ago in simpler times you could even take the pontoon boats one way. On one trip, we cruised around for a while and then dropped it at FW on our way to the Hoop. The Polynesian marina guys said they'd fetch the boat. We asked about doing that a few years ago though and were told they no longer do that.

Jen66, thanks for the response. I hope Lynn is having a wonderful birthday trip.

 

[Babyboo]

Hi,

How do I order the Chocolate Dipped Strawberrys at the GF. DD would love those and I would like to order for our arrival next week.

Thanks
Melissa

 

[scanne]

You need to call private dining. You can call the GF directly then ask for in-room (private) dining. They will be able to help you from there.

 

[Babyboo]

You need to call private dining. You can call the GF directly then ask for in-room (private) dining. They will be able to help you from there.

Thank you, do you know if they have to be ordered 48 hours in advance - will they take orders before we check in?

Thanks
Melissa

 

[litlpixie]

Hello everyone!! We are back from our honeymoon at SL.....and I must say that compared to our stay last Summer, the staff has improved greatly!!!
We had room # 6122, 1st floor king.....not the greatest view, but we did not mind, as it at least was private and VERY close to the lounge. We rented a cabana on our first day and will definitely do that again!!! Mousekeeping.....no complaints, although 1 night they showed up at 9:00 to do turn-down We said "No thanks", I was already in bed watching Law & Order (LOL). Narcoosees was excellent!!! We cannot wait to return to the Grand next Summer, it really was a beautiful trip to a beautiful place!!

 

[CastleLight]

Hello everyone!! We are back from our honeymoon at SL.....and I must say that compared to our stay last Summer, the staff has improved greatly!!!
... Narcoosees was excellent!!! We cannot wait to return to the Grand next Summer, it really was a beautiful trip to a beautiful place!!

Welcome back and congratulations! Tell us more about the cabana. I have one rented for our upcoming disneymoon. Any special pixie dust come your way for your disneymoon? Did you get the personalized menus at Narcoosees? On another board this was mentioned in a honeymoon trip report (mayby HeatherLynn's, I can't remember). Any other tips??

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hello everyone!! We are back from our honeymoon at SL.....and I must say that compared to our stay last Summer, the staff has improved greatly!!!
We had room # 6122, 1st floor king.....not the greatest view, but we did not mind, as it at least was private and VERY close to the lounge. We rented a cabana on our first day and will definitely do that again!!! Mousekeeping.....no complaints, although 1 night they showed up at 9:00 to do turn-down We said "No thanks", I was already in bed watching Law & Order (LOL). Narcoosees was excellent!!! We cannot wait to return to the Grand next Summer, it really was a beautiful trip to a beautiful place!!

thats so great
how was the check in done?
what was different about the staff?

 

[brandt79]

Hello everyone!! We are back from our honeymoon at SL.....and I must say that compared to our stay last Summer, the staff has improved greatly!!!
We had room # 6122, 1st floor king.....not the greatest view, but we did not mind, as it at least was private and VERY close to the lounge. We rented a cabana on our first day and will definitely do that again!!! Mousekeeping.....no complaints, although 1 night they showed up at 9:00 to do turn-down We said "No thanks", I was already in bed watching Law & Order (LOL). Narcoosees was excellent!!! We cannot wait to return to the Grand next Summer, it really was a beautiful trip to a beautiful place!!

Sounds like you had a great time - and it's interesting that you mention your room number - on our honeymoon, we stayed in 6222, also a king room, but on the second floor. That could be some interesting info for anyone looking for a king bed at SL!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we also have a cabana for the 8th of july
was the pool crazy? Did youorder any food while there?

 

[litlpixie]

Sorry it took me so long to reply, but it's my first day back at work and I am swamped!!! Anyhoo, the check in process was very smooth. We had a CM escort us to the SL building. From there, she sat us down in the lounge and checked us in there since the CMs at the desk were taking care of others.

The resort was not as nuts as it was when we went last July, so the pools were not crowded, although I must say the hot tub WAS. IMHO, I dont think that kids should be allowed in the hot tubs ANYWHERE on earth......I have 4 kids of my own, 3 are little and love hot tubs, but we do not allow them in the hot tubs without supervision. Reason being......adults DESERVE the hot tubs, NOT kids......we are old and have old bones and old muscles and the hot tubs feel good after a a long day in parks.......but try to relax in a hot tub with 6 little kids w/out their parents around........IMPOSSIBLE!! Okay, I feel better now

The cabana!!!! We rented it from 10-2....it was $60. It had a fridge with water bottles, juice boxes, and soda. It had an osalating fan. Satellite radio, flat screen TV, and DVD player. two nicely cushioned lounge chairs w/ towels, a table w/ 2 chairs, a phone, A bowl of fruit. also plates, silver ware, and cloth napkins. We did not order room service but did have that option. They had 4 cabanas right next to eachother and they all face the lagoon with the pool in front of you. There is also a "cabana boy" (lolol) he comes and checks on you every half hour to see what you need. We did tip him at the end of our time, although that was our choice.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

do you pay for the cabana at the pool or do they just charge your room?

 

[heatherlynn444]

Hello everyone!! We are back from our honeymoon at SL.....and I must say that compared to our stay last Summer, the staff has improved greatly!!!
We had room # 6122, 1st floor king.....not the greatest view, but we did not mind, as it at least was private and VERY close to the lounge. We rented a cabana on our first day and will definitely do that again!!! Mousekeeping.....no complaints, although 1 night they showed up at 9:00 to do turn-down We said "No thanks", I was already in bed watching Law & Order (LOL). Narcoosees was excellent!!! We cannot wait to return to the Grand next Summer, it really was a beautiful trip to a beautiful place!!

I'm so glad you had a good time! and SO glad you liked narcoossees! i am actually making my ADR'S today for our december trip and we are once again "saving" narcoossees for our last night of the trip!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hello everyone!! We are back from our honeymoon at SL.....and I must say that compared to our stay last Summer, the staff has improved greatly!!!
We had room # 6122, 1st floor king.....not the greatest view, but we did not mind, as it at least was private and VERY close to the lounge. We rented a cabana on our first day and will definitely do that again!!! Mousekeeping.....no complaints, although 1 night they showed up at 9:00 to do turn-down We said "No thanks", I was already in bed watching Law & Order (LOL). Narcoosees was excellent!!! We cannot wait to return to the Grand next Summer, it really was a beautiful trip to a beautiful place!!

Glad you had a great time! I agree about the hot tubs - and I don't even ever use them. I HATE to get that hot. Ick. I don't think hot tubs are even healthy for kids....germs and TOO HOT. I think it's kind of rude for kids to be playing in them. I never let my kids go in public hot tubs.....there are pools - much larger & deeper with slides....sounds like more fun anyway

PS....Kelly, we never saw a Cabana bill....it was added directly on to our room.

Heather - isn't it fun to be able to make ADRs?? I made mine for Nov a couple weeks ago. You reminded me...we do need to try Narcoosees. Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[Lewanc]

we also have a cabana for the 8th of july
was the pool crazy? Did youorder any food while there?

Hi Alice -- Local Disney - Just at the Grand Floridian 6/15/07 mainly for a Saturday Father's Day dinner at Victoria & Albert's . After check-in, split time between Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge . In my opinion, neither pool at the GF was unusually crowded. This trip we didn't use the pool or order food, just wanted to enjoy the resort, view the scenery/fireworks display, eat at GF, eat at ALK, rest/sleep and make the 25 minute trip home scolding ourselves for eating much too much. We had a wonderful time, it was sooo much fun !!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Glad you had a great time! I agree about the hot tubs - and I don't even ever use them. I HATE to get that hot. Ick. I don't think hot tubs are even healthy for kids....germs and TOO HOT. I think it's kind of rude for kids to be playing in them. I never let my kids go in public hot tubs.....there are pools - much larger & deeper with slides....sounds like more fun anyway

PS....Kelly, we never saw a Cabana bill....it was added directly on to our room.

Heather - isn't it fun to be able to make ADRs?? I made mine for Nov a couple weeks ago. You reminded me...we do need to try Narcoosees. Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

Thanks Channing
now I know

I cant wait to get there!!

 

[Lewanc]

I was skimming thru my pics and had to post this one.....we almost always rent pontoon boats during our stay & we have the best time!!!

LOL, we got "yelled" at for having DD on DH's lap....oh well, it was funny and we still laugh over getting pulled over by the Disney boat cops.

Hi Channing -- Lewanc here. Great post of the kids on the pontoon boat. Looks like you have great kids, no wonder you spend so much time at the "World" . I'm not an avid picture taker, will take the camera, and leave it in the room. Oh, well, I can't be good at everything, after all, I do plan the majority of our vacations . Had to laugh when you spoke of the Disney boat cops pulling you over for DD being on DH's lap. My DH topped yours, once he allowed a niece about 14 at the time to steer the boat, with DH at her side, (I must say she was doing a competent job) , they didn't pull us over, but stopped us as the boat traffic was light, and very nicely, I must say, asked us not to allow unlicensed drivers to steer the boat. That tid bit from your experience, brought back memories I had forgotten .

Are you still trying for an August visit??? Still checking, if you are, won't forget to drop you a note if get any info. on AP discounts. Made an unexpected GF trip Father's Day weekend to surprise DH. Was relaxing, had fun, and was surprised I was able to get the reservation, not to mention TS dining at Victoria's & Alberts, and Jinko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, just about three days in advance. Sometimes, I get lucky

Think I'm becoming addicted to the Disboards. I always take my lap top if even away for a few days, and found myself at the GF corresponding with people about WDW. I guess one Disney addiction just leads to another.

Have a great day.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hi Alice -- Local Disney - Just at the Grand Floridian 6/15/07 mainly for a Saturday Father's Day dinner at Victoria & Albert's . After check-in, split time between Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge . In my opinion, neither pool at the GF was unusually crowded. This trip we didn't use the pool or order food, just wanted to enjoy the resort, view the scenery/fireworks display, eat at GF, eat at ALK, rest/sleep and make the 25 minute trip home scolding ourselves for eating much too much. We had a wonderful time, it was sooo much fun !!!

I cant wait to use the pool. When I was there in NOV 2006 I didnt use them at all. 14 days to go ladies
woo hoo

 

[mirlow]

I was hoping someone could help me with some info. We are going in Sept. We are staying a week at the PR. We were going to end at the YC, but the reviews of their CL haven't been very good so I don't really want to end our trip there. We usually like to end our stay at the AKL CL, but that is no longer an option for our family of five. Well then I figured we might as well spend a couple of days at the GF. I tried to see if there were any AAA rates for concierge and the "outer lodge" was available. I asked if this was SL and she said yes. I thought that bldg was going to be shut down in Sept for remodeling? Our dates are for the 9th & 10th.
I put a hold on the reservation, but I'm not sure what I'll do. Are there AAA discounts for RPC? I thought I read that they are out there, but very hard to come by? I liked SL on our last visit, but I'm not sure if I will just be better off staying all nine days at the Polynesian? We always like to do a split.
Thanks!