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

[grannyminnie]

We were there in April and the lounge never felt cramped, we always found a place to sit without any trouble.

Thanks, Maxie86! Sounds good, considering the fact that April is a very popular time...

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Can anyone comment on being in Sugarloaf and the lounge NOT being "cramped" at certain times of the year? We'll be there the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and my thought is that if a lot of people leave that day, we'll luck up and not encounter those crowded conditions...

We were in SL the first week of Dec. Not crowded at all during the week. We began to feel the crowds on Friday afternoon. Weekends are busy. We're early risers. We are in the lounge at 7:00. Very quiet, very peaceful.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in SL. We were on the first floor, behind the CM desk. Extremely convenient with 3 children! I often took our food and drinks to our room. I didn't want our children disturbing other guests. I have a wild 5 year old son. We love SL.

Lori

 

[triplefigs]

We were in SL the first week of Dec. Not crowded at all during the week. We began to feel the crowds on Friday afternoon. Weekends are busy. We're early risers. We are in the lounge at 7:00. Very quiet, very peaceful.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in SL. We were on the first floor, behind the CM desk. Extremely convenient with 3 children! I often took our food and drinks to our room. I didn't want our children disturbing other guests. I have a wild 5 year old son. We love SL.

Lori

Lori, I totally agree. I thought SL was wonderful that week. We loved it.

RPC is available for our Feb trip at the AAA rate, but I don't think I can switch with the kids. And it's $1700 more than the Tower MK room at the CR! But I can dream...

 

[grannyminnie]

triplefigs, roll Tide!! I'm in Ga. but lived in Ala. for 5 years a long time ago, and developed an avid interest...those were the days, good old "Bear"!
pirateofthecarolinas, thanks for your input as well. Since our stay will be during the first part of the week, I think maybe we've lucked out!! Will report back..

 

[MA pigletfan]

We were in SL the first week of Dec. Not crowded at all during the week. We began to feel the crowds on Friday afternoon. Weekends are busy. We're early risers. We are in the lounge at 7:00. Very quiet, very peaceful.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in SL. We were on the first floor, behind the CM desk. Extremely convenient with 3 children! I often took our food and drinks to our room. I didn't want our children disturbing other guests. I have a wild 5 year old son. We love SL.

Lori

Oh good to know!!! That is the week-rather long weekend that we are going this year and staying at SL....this thread is so informative

Speaking of SL, any new rumblings of when rehab is starting there? I do hope its done by Dec. 6th

 

[grannyminnie]

Bumping, because I'd like to hear if anyone has any rehab updates as well...

ITA with you, MA pigletfan...this thread is soooo helpful!!

 

[GF Girl]

Does anyone have a copy of the menus at either one of the pool bars? I had something called the Pool Side Lemonade and it was so good! Was wondering what exactly was in it, so I can try to make it at home.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Does anyone have a copy of the menus at either one of the pool bars? I had something called the Pool Side Lemonade and it was so good! Was wondering what exactly was in it, so I can try to make it at home.

Nope- but it was a favorite of mine at the cabana!!!!!!!!!

 

[wdhinn89]

Looking forward to having one or two in November

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi!

Just returned yesterday from our 1st visit to Disney and our stay at GF.

We will definately be back, GF is just beautiful in our opinion! Our stay was grand, we did have some speed bumps though but it did not damper our visit.

I would like to send a letter or call giving credit where credit was due and unfortunately express our terrible problems with mousekeeping. (yes, I did contact and speak with a mangaer at MOuse keeping while there and also personally went to the Front desk and had the majority of our problems noted.. it got worse not better!). So can anyone let me know where I should address the Kudos and concerns too? Thanks!

Ok.. so does anyone have any questions I may answer or pictures that they might like to see that I may have?

Here's some of hat we did while at GF...

We first saw a Sago room and although I really liked the room the view was literally just of trees although it was supposed to be of the marina.. we ended up in Conch Key, right across from the Grand 1 with a view of the water and Monorail.. it was perfect. I will say the Sago room decor etc in my opinion was nicer though. And although our room was newly refab, the bathroom was most definately not (the handles on the tub were most in need of being changed and yes sorry.. there was some grenn spotted mold around the top of the ceiling where it meets the wall). Mind you none of this stop us from enjoying our visit.

1st night we ate in GF CAFE for Character dining, absolute fabulous meal in our opinion and interaction with the characters was some of the best we had. We also ate breakfeast in the newly re-opened Park fare yesterday morning, very nice atmosphere, food was good, we would do this again. Had some private dining items arranged by Linda... this was done superbly and she is wonderful to work with!! Had counter service a few times from Gasperalli's (SP) we thought this too was rather good. Unfortunately, we had to canx are much anticipated dinner at Narcossees on the last night (Long story that is about our speed bumps and DS being sick and I having a horrible allergic(We think) reaction to soemthing). But there is next time for Narcossees.

We also did a photo shot, so if anyone has any questions please let me know. As well as the cabana's... another thing I would highly reccommend!


Ok.. I need to get back to laundry... but a great thanks to everyone on this board for all there wonderful help and insights...

Best,

 

[Claud26]

Hi!

We also did a photo shot, so if anyone has any questions please let me know. As well as the cabana's... another thing I would highly reccommend!

Best,

I have a question about the Photo Shot... actually a lot of question... LOL
Did you pre-pay and get the PhotoPass CD, did you have any issues with adding the Photo Shot pictures on the CD?
Did you have to Pay for a Sitting Fee regardless, I heard that they now charge a $25.99 sitting fee?
Where you happy with the pictures that where taken? Did you get a good selection?
How long was the Session?

Sorry for all the question...
Thank you !!

 

[DLo]

NeverSayNever :

What did you have arranged through Private Dining ? My DH's b'day will be while we are there in Nov. I have found out they will make choc. chip and sugar cookies (as well as cakes and choc. covered strawberries) and was wondering what else they have to offer.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi!

Claud26, Regarding the photo session, Yes I did pre-pay and there was no problem with having it all included on the CD. If you do this, you MUST bring the print out receipt your recieve for the prepay. We did not have an additional sitting fee and not sure if they are now charging one. We booked this as soon as it was announced. I can tell you they are pretty booked. We tried to change ourt session time and it was completed full for the two days we tried.

Re the actual session, I can't say exactly how long it was, but it was not rushed. We got about 100 pictures (yes 100). I can't say I am completely pleased, hence why there are so many pictures. In my opinion, a lot depends on the photographer you get, unfortunately I don't feel we get one of the better ones. The photographer really did not do anything to keep my children engaged or looking at her, she also did nothing to position us as a group (ie bend your knee, look at each other, hands behind each other etc). I will say though that my 4yr olds were not being the most co-operative, but she did nothing to engage anyone... she really did not say anything! My other gripe I guess, would be that she started outside, so by the time we got to the inside pictures we were all melting, (my make-up was yuck by now...especially since I was doing the "work" with posing) and we all had very wind blown hair.

Ok with all that said though, we did get a couple of really good individual shots of the kids (none of them together not even 1 bad one) as requested. We got maybe 1 or 2 acceptable family ones. Our bottom line, YES, we will do it again, it is worth the $'s, the backrounds are simply gorgeous, but I will be very specific about what I want and will hoep for a more animated experienced photographer.

Let me know if you have other questions.

DLO, LivesFor Disney is probably the expert in this department, but we had combinations of cookies (delicious), truffles and the white chocoalte statues. Everything was very good, presentation was creative a wonderful. As an fyi, the white chocolate is very rich. I can not rave enough about Linda.

(Can anyone give me the specifics on posting a pic?)

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions, I would be more then happy to help...

Best

 

[Rescue Ranger]

Is 1900 Park Fare renovated as far as making it bigger and making a new buffet set-up or did they just fix and update what was already there...in other words, does it look any different in anyway?

 

[NeverSayNever]

Rescue Ranger... Hmmmm... I'd love to be able to answer your question but this was our first visit so I don't know what it looked liked before. Are there any pictures of it before and then I can let you know? Or if I figure out how I will post some pictures from our visit.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

Best.

 

[Rescue Ranger]

Thats ok, thanks! Here are some quick images I came across on a search from before:

Hope they show up.

 

[ekball]

Hi all,

Just popping in as we, too, just did the Photopass photo shoot at the GF last week. I was VERY pleased with the shoot, and quite happy with the pictures too. Our photographer (I don't think I'm allowed to post her name, but can give it by PM if anyone would like it) did a nice job keeping the kiddos interested and getting their attention (my 2 and almost 4 year old - NOT an easy task!!), and, more importantly, was very efficient! She kept things moving at a nice pace, which also really helped to keep the little ones in good shape. We checked in for our shoot at 8:45 as they requested and we were done by 9:30. She took approx. 70 pictures, and quite a few really nice ones (especially of the kids). Unlike NeverSayNever, we started inside then moved out - thank God. It was quite hot & humid during our shoot (even though it was early) and I would have been pretty gross if we started outside first. I guess it all depends on your photographer. Anyway, for the price (free with pre-purchase), we thought it was a GREAT use of our time!!

On a side note, I'm looking forward to reading through this thread and learning more about the GF as we booked a stay there with the bounceback offer for next Sept.! Woo hoo!!

 

[2excited4words]

I'm staying at the GF for the first time in Nov. Actually, it's my first trip to Disney as well. Anyway, could someone give me your opinions of the hairdryers in the rooms. Are they the small, high pitched ones attached to the walls you find in many hotels or are they fairly decent. Mine is pretty bulky and I would rather not take it, but, I also want a decent dryer. Also, is it in a seperate area than the shower, because lots of times I dry my DD's hair while my husband is taking a shower and if it's attached and in the same room........see what I'm saying? Thanks!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Rescue Ranger re 1900 Park the buffet area is different then what the picture you posted shows, sorry but I actually don't have a picture of that. The theme is still the same with carousel horses etc postioned arund the room and the art work shown in your picture is still basically the same.

It is a very pleasant birght dining area, and a really liked the motif, I think the horses etc were probably "spruced" up as they had a nice shine to them etc. I will try to post pcit. soon.

2excited... Re the hair dryers, I did bering mine (exactly for the reasons you fear) but did once yuse theirs and actually ifor me it was fine (I have very thicvk hair). No it is not attached to the wall (a nuisance) and you can plug it whereever you like. I don't recall it being extremely loud or bulky. Actually if we go back again, I would feel comfortable with leaving mine home.

Best,

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I'm staying at the GF for the first time in Nov. Actually, it's my first trip to Disney as well. Anyway, could someone give me your opinions of the hairdryers in the rooms. Are they the small, high pitched ones attached to the walls you find in many hotels or are they fairly decent. Mine is pretty bulky and I would rather not take it, but, I also want a decent dryer. Also, is it in a seperate area than the shower, because lots of times I dry my DD's hair while my husband is taking a shower and if it's attached and in the same room........see what I'm saying? Thanks!

Blow dryer is in the closet when you get there. It is not attached to anything and you can dry your hair wherever you want! It is decent - I never missed my professional one!