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

[princessesrule4]

We love to order burgers while we sit by the beach pool - they have the best greasy burgers!! They go well with a strawberry daquiri!!

 

[DeborahB]

I think Summerhouse used to be an ice cream parlour... is that right? Janet2K would know

Just jumping in here.
I pulled out an old booklet they gave out at check-in in 1990 (can you believe I still have this stuff??)
Summerhouse was the Pool Bar.........featuring snacks, cocktails, and frozen drinks. There was only one pool then.
This was back in the day when it was called The Grand Floridian Beach Resort and had beautiful room and resort decor. I miss that.

When I stayed there again in 2001, the new pool opened during our stay and Summerhouse was still open. I recall sitting at the bar having a frozen strawberry daquiri.

 

[Lives4Disney]

OMG....I go away for a little while and you guys have been BUSY!!!

Cinderumbrella, ya, you can get a cocktail at the theme pool bar...or usually there is a cocktail waitress walking around and she will take orders. That's what I've done in the past.....pina coladas and margaritas and strawberry daqueris frozen...yummm!!!

Summer House is a mystery!

Princesses....I just noticed that pool bar area etc by the courtyard pool during this stay we just had. Never noticed before, either. We aren't that observant on vacation, lol....just chatting and going where we need to be.

Garada, there is a rental sign and that kind of scares people away, haha. Nobody ever infringed on our space. I think folks get it when they seen the "RENT ME" sign. I didn't feel on display at all. Everybody minded their own beezwax. There are 2 cabanas decked out for rental and two regular....four cabanas so you're not like the ONLY ones and totally looking showy or something. You can just drag a lounge chair etc over for your 5th person. No problem....not sure that they have extra of the teak stuff. As for that little pool store...it's not much, counter only with toys hanging on the wall behind and suntan lotions and misc. beach stuff - noodles, goggles,etc. I would feel comfortable using those washrooms for changing...they have always impressed me with the cleanliness and seem very handy.

Jenins...I am staying Garden View this November. I agree...I don't care to pay extra to look at the brown Seven Seas Lagoon. It's concierge or GV for me. I requested Sago for our Nov garden view stay because it's right near the marina ( absolutely perfect Wishes viewing) and Gaspies....24 hr food/drinks, haha, and also fairly near the main building and transportation. It is probably the farthest from the pools, though, but everything is only a few minutes walk. I think Boca Chica has beautiful pool/main buiding views and I would like that building, too.

BamaTigger...Yes, you can!!! Here's a picture of a Xmas Eve Bday cake we had at Citricos for DD last Xmas Eve. It was BEAUTIFUL with deer, snowmen, pine trees, gingerbread.....so pretty on a silver platter.

ALSO, if you are staying at the GF during Xmas....this gorgeous platter was delivered to all the rooms on Xmas Eve afternoon. DD thought it was just for her for her Bday.

OK, everytime I post I fall in love with that place all over again!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[minniesota]

I'm pretty sure Summerhouse is used for private parties. I have seen white table-clothed banquet tables and chafing dishes, etc. set up. In fact, Janet2K hosted a party there I think. Maybe she'll pop in and let us know! FYI - I tried to book a cabana for our trip in Oct. and IPO said they aren't sure if they will be offering them after Sept. 30. It's being discussed by "the powers that be". It's the one thing I was planning especially for my DH as he is such a good sport about the rest of us dragging him to WDW "again"!
We did get our Wishes and Illuminations cruises reserved though! IPO is so great - I've loved working with them this trip! Hope they keep renting th cabanas...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I'm pretty sure Summerhouse is used for private parties. I have seen white table-clothed banquet tables and chafing dishes, etc. set up. In fact, Janet2K hosted a party there I think. Maybe she'll pop in and let us know! FYI - I tried to book a cabana for our trip in Oct. and IPO said they aren't sure if they will be offering them after Sept. 30. It's being discussed by "the powers that be". It's the one thing I was planning especially for my DH as he is such a good sport about the rest of us dragging him to WDW "again"!
We did get our Wishes and Illuminations cruises reserved though! IPO is so great - I've loved working with them this trip! Hope they keep renting th cabanas...

They better!!!

 

[princessesrule4]

Lives4disney,

Love your DD's Christmas birthday cake!! Mine has a Christmas time b-day,too! I may have to order that for her! Wait... didn't I just swear off cakes from the GF a few posts ago...
Well, we may have to give it another chance and get that cake and get the white chocolate Tink platter for our arrival day!

 

[johnsonet]

Lives4Disney your Christmas treats are AWESOME!! How precious!

I looked up Summerhouse and it is definitely a Special Events location

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney your Christmas treats are AWESOME!! How precious!

I looked up Summerhouse and it is definitely a Special Events location

THANKS! That cake was whipped up by a fabulous decorator that does the gingerbread houses at the Grand....another wonderful RPC CM pulled it together with her and had her make it because of the Minnie Mouse cake debacle. So nice....I really love that place.

Good info about the Summer house, too. I swear, I must have walked by it 10X on our July stay and never gave it a thought! Duh.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

THANKS! That cake was whipped up by a fabulous decorator that does the gingerbread houses at the Grand....another wonderful RPC CM pulled it together with her and had her make it because of the Minnie Mouse cake debacle. So nice....I really love that place.

Good info about the Summer house, too. I swear, I must have walked by it 10X on our July stay and never gave it a thought! Duh.

Lives4Disney

Oh, so it is not a cake that they offer regularly at Christmas, then.
I'll have to see what they offer and mabye I can suggest some similar things on it. Thanks for the info and pix!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Oh, so it is not a cake that they offer regularly at Christmas, then.
I'll have to see what they offer and mabye I can suggest some similar things on it. Thanks for the info and pix!!

I am sure they could whip something very similar up for you. A lot of the decorations were ones that they use on the gingerbread houses...cute little sugared Xmas and winter things. The large Xmas tree and snowmen were white chocolate (painted). We were stunned when they brought it out on the gorgeous platter with all the pretty decorations all around the cake. RPC rocks. I wish I had it booked for Tgiving stay.

Can't wait to return to the GF. I have been having Disney dreams every darn night.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[jenins121681]

Lives4Disney: Thank you, I will keep Sago and Boca chica in mind Do you know if it is true that they surprise you with champage if you are celebrating an anniversary?? This trip is in honor of our 1st wedding anniversary, should I mention that to the CMs?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney: Thank you, I will keep Sago and Boca chica in mind Do you know if it is true that they surprise you with champage if you are celebrating an anniversary?? This trip is in honor of our 1st wedding anniversary, should I mention that to the CMs?

Congratulations on your anniversary. That champagne surprise sounds wonderful and I am sure it's happened to people in the past, but things like that are very inconsistent and I would not count on it. If it doesn't happen for you, you could order some champagne from private dining - your dime & just not the same, I know.

Other than our RPC (GF concierge) stays, we've never received anything complimentary from any of the resorts - and that is over 17 yrs and tons and tons of stays. Sometimes from reading the DIS it seems like everybody and their brother are getting upgrades and complimentary goodies etc, but it's just not so. I KNOW it, and I still got a little bummed when I didn't get upgraded at the YC, haha!!

Did you mention your anniversary when you made your reservation?? Sometimes CRO will note it and sometimes if that makes it to the hotel they will follow thru with a surprise. It might just be balloons and a congratulations character signed card.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[milkshake]

Happy 10th Anniversary Cinder and 1st Anniversary Jenins..
We will also be celebrating our 15th Anniversary there next month! It will be our first time there in Florida, so I hope we will miss any big storms that week.. Sometimes I forget it's hurricane weather!!

Wow!! Lives~~ You really live it up with your children there and I love all the pictures of the cakes! What a wonderful memory that all you kids will have in the years to come...

I've been thinking of all the great desserts we'll get to try with the dining plan. And all the calories :-0~~~ We won't be thinking of that though will we?

Anyone have any suggestions for must try desserts while there on our short trip? MMMMMM creme brule? Cheese cake? Chocolate Mousse?? ~~ Yummmmm!!
Also any great cocktails you especially enjoyed while at the GF?
I's drooling as I type~~~

 

[jenins121681]

Thank you, happy anniversary to you as well

 

[jenins121681]

Congratulations on your anniversary. That champagne surprise sounds wonderful and I am sure it's happened to people in the past, but things like that are very inconsistent and I would not count on it. If it doesn't happen for you, you could order some champagne from private dining - your dime & just not the same, I know.

Other than our RPC (GF concierge) stays, we've never received anything complimentary from any of the resorts - and that is over 17 yrs and tons and tons of stays. Sometimes from reading the DIS it seems like everybody and their brother are getting upgrades and complimentary goodies etc, but it's just not so. I KNOW it, and I still got a little bummed when I didn't get upgraded at the YC, haha!!

Did you mention your anniversary when you made your reservation?? Sometimes CRO will note it and sometimes if that makes it to the hotel they will follow thru with a surprise. It might just be balloons and a congratulations character signed card.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Our travel agent made a note of it in the request/comment section of our reservation when we booked our trip. I totally won't be bummed if it doesn't happen...after all there will be nothing to be bummed about....we will be in the happiest place on earth Good to know we can order champagne on our own...might just have to do that.

 

[jenins121681]

Happy 10th Anniversary Cinder and 1st Anniversary Jenins..
We will also be celebrating our 15th Anniversary there next month! It will be our first time there in Florida, so I hope we will miss any big storms that week.. Sometimes I forget it's hurricane weather!!

Wow!! Lives~~ You really live it up with your children there and I love all the pictures of the cakes! What a wonderful memory that all you kids will have in the years to come...

I've been thinking of all the great desserts we'll get to try with the dining plan. And all the calories :-0~~~ We won't be thinking of that though will we?

Anyone have any suggestions for must try desserts while there on our short trip? MMMMMM creme brule? Cheese cake? Chocolate Mousse?? ~~ Yummmmm!!
Also any great cocktails you especially enjoyed while at the GF?
I's drooling as I type~~~

Last time we were there we had the famous grapefruit cake at the Brown Derby, it was really good and unlike anything we had ever had....a definate must try!

 

[garada3]

Thanks for the great information on the facilties near the pool areas. Being able to go from plane to pool, and changing into appropriate attire , will be a wonderful way to start a trip.

Now that it has been mentioned, I do believe I remember reading about a Janet2K event being held at the Summerhouse.

I am so excited today and I know you all will understand...

two years from today and we will be at Disney!

A long way away but it will be so worth it

In the meantime, I leave for a a Cub Scout resident camp today with my middle son - tents, sleeping bags, common showers, mess hall food, over 200 5th grade boys - the whole nine yards! How far from the Grand Floridian can I get

I look forward to catching up on the GF thread when I return.

 

[BunnieGene]

Last time we were there we had the famous grapefruit cake at the Brown Derby, it was really good and unlike anything we had ever had....a definate must try!

That cake is incredible

 

[johnsonet]

I leave for a a Cub Scout resident camp today with my middle son - tents, sleeping bags, common showers, mess hall food, over 200 5th grade boys - the whole nine yards! How far from the Grand Floridian can I get

Have a great time!!

 

[hmp2z]

Do you know if it is true that they surprise you with champage if you are celebrating an anniversary??

We've gotten complimentary sparkling wine (not actual champagne) and a rose on all of our wedding & anniversary stays (5 total, including our WDW wedding) except for the last one. Four times in a row made it a tradition for us, and then on our last trip, they didn't do it, and we thought, "Well, maybe they forgot about us!" I guess it is easy to get spoiled! Not that the sparkling wine was great, but it was just a nice gesture that they remembered our WDW wedding, too. I would have been just as happy with a card - I do think that if they lose those special touches, then something important will go out of staying at RPC.

I did order a cake for one of our anniversaries - it was a small replica of our wedding cake. But they didn't deliver it until the day after, though I'd spoken to them several times about it. It was chocolate cake with raspberry cream filling, and was okay, though the cake itself was kind of dry. Here is a photo of it, before I put our cake topper on it. We liked how they made a hidden Mickey with the plates.

Cheers!
Heather W