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

[ekball]

Hi all,

We have booked the GF for our next WDW trip - next Aug. or Sept. (we actually have 2 ressies right now and are trying to decide which to keep). I stayed at the GF about 10 years ago, but I didn't book it, or pay for it, I just showed up to spend a fun long weekend with a friend (Yup, I was a free-loading 20-something - it was AWESOME)! I have lots to learn about the GF, and will be asking many questions over the next year.

A couple to start things off -

1. The cabanas - where can I find more info on these? What do they include - TV, bar service? What else? Price? Sounds pretty wonderful and I KNOW DH would looooove this!!
2. We stayed at the Poly earlier this month and found tikiman's website very helpful in getting to know the resort before our trip. Is there a GF site out there similar to the tikiman site?? Or do I just need to read and read and read through the pages and pages and pages of this thread?? Oh boy.

TIA for the answers - looking forward to planning our GF stay!!

 

[tete01830]

Hi all,

We have booked the GF for our next WDW trip - next Aug. or Sept. (we actually have 2 ressies right now and are trying to decide which to keep). I stayed at the GF about 10 years ago, but I didn't book it, or pay for it, I just showed up to spend a fun long weekend with a friend (Yup, I was a free-loading 20-something - it was AWESOME)! I have lots to learn about the GF, and will be asking many questions over the next year.

A couple to start things off -

1. The cabanas - where can I find more info on these? What do they include - TV, bar service? What else? Price? Sounds pretty wonderful and I KNOW DH would looooove this!!
2. We stayed at the Poly earlier this month and found tikiman's website very helpful in getting to know the resort before our trip. Is there a GF site out there similar to the tikiman site?? Or do I just need to read and read and read through the pages and pages and pages of this thread?? Oh boy.

TIA for the answers - looking forward to planning our GF stay!!

I am curious about a website like tikimans, too. Here is what IPO sent me about the cabanas....

DESCRIPTION: Grand Floridian Guests can enjoy the exclusive use of a poolside cabana at
the resort’s themed beachside pool. There are 2 Cabanas with amenities
that can be reserved. Other Cabanas (without amenities) are walk-up only.

Rental Cabana amenities include:
. Two padded chaise lounge chairs
. Two padded straight-backed chairs
. Plush towels
. 22 inch LCD television with cable access and optional earphones
. Sirius Satellite Radio
. DVD/CD/MP3 player
. Phone for internal resorts calls
. Oscillating Fan
. Mini refrigerator stocked with complementary sodas and water
. Complementary fruit basket
. Private dining and poolside massages are available at an
additional cost. See Special section below for additional
information.

HOURS: Morning Cabana Rental: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Afternoon Cabana Rental: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
All Day Cabana Rental: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

PRICE: Morning or Afternoon Rentals are $60.00+tax per session
All Day rental is $110.00+tax

Hope it helps

 

[matsterrocks]

This is what he said about the rehab....

The Grand Floridian Resort is going thur a rehab. The Sugar Loaf building will be going down on 9/30/07 and will be back up on 10/26/07. So you should have all brand new rooms (and a new lobby - lounge area). IF the schedule has some unforeseen delays, you will be notified by our back office staff.

How often do they run on schedule I will just have to wait and see, I guess!

Dose this mean that the whole main building will be closed???

 

[triplefigs]

Dose this mean that the whole main building will be closed???

No, Sugar Loaf is the Outer Lodge Concierge (Lodge between the quiet pool and the Marina). It is going to be going through refurb these dates. Rumor has it they are enlarging/relocating the lounge inside SL as well.

 

[matsterrocks]

No, Sugar Loaf is the Outer Lodge Concierge (Lodge between the quiet pool and the Marina). It is going to be going through refurb these dates. Rumor has it they are enlarging/relocating the lounge inside SL as well.

So the main buildinf will be up and running for early October right?

 

[triplefigs]

So the main buildinf will be up and running for early October right?

Yes! I thought the main bldg was completely finished except for the suites which are going to be done last?

 

[clownfish1452]

I'm sure some of our resident experts can jump in, but basically, concierge/club level service provides you with access to the IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) that can assist you with ADRs, plans, etc. before your trip. Once you're on property, you will be housed in a certain section of the resort (at the GF, in certain buildings - Main and SL), have access to the club level lounge which has food/drink offerings throughout the day, and there are club level CM's on hand to assist you with further planning/executing your trip.

I'm admittedly not a huge "view" person, so if concierge access was cheaper than a particular view, I'd likely prefer having that, for the free food/drinks alone!



I dont know if i would use the food and drinks because always do the premium plan. So much food, but i do like the idea of the help with planning.

Sarah

 

[triplefigs]

I hope you guys have a great trip, too - you definitely have something to look forward to!

(BTW - we'll be pulling for 'Bama this weekend against FSU - just don't tell my in-laws, who are big FSU fans. You guys have my all-time favorite Longhorn football player as your QB coach now, so that gives us an added incentive to pull for you! )

Well, I love you even more now, Lindsay! And I can't wait to see all your pictures from RPC. You are going to have so much fun!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we did a cabana back in July and it was great. Even though we were concierge it was nice to go and relax and have the water and fruit and drinks there. The pool was so close and it was easy to keep an eye on the kids.
Dh watched TV the receptions could have been better but it was nice.
Here are some pics

At one point DH went back to the lounge and got some other snacks for the kids and brought them over to the cabana. I would do this again.

 

[tete01830]

Yeah!!! After calling everyday for the past three weeks I was finally able to add on a day!! So now i will have to stay 1 day in GV and 6 nights at SL-barring the renovations!!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Okay - I am on my way out the door now to head to the airport. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Channing - I will bring back lots of pics and a review of the GV. I hope this lives up to our standards...

Be back Monday!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Have fun
I cant wait to hear about your stay.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Okay - I am on my way out the door now to head to the airport. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Channing - I will bring back lots of pics and a review of the GV. I hope this lives up to our standards...

Be back Monday!!!

i hope so to! I know shes nervous cuz she always stays concierge.

 

[werfamily]

Okay - I am on my way out the door now to head to the airport. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Channing - I will bring back lots of pics and a review of the GV. I hope this lives up to our standards...

Be back Monday!!!

I've been lurking here for a few months, in preparation for our GF stay in February, and I was glad to see that Cinderella Fan will be writing a review of the GF...Why is it that on the Trip Report board, very few people write reviews who have stayed at the GF?

If anyone knows of other website that have good GF information, I'd love to hear about them!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

wer,
I would go to tripadvisor.com
and also www.allearsnet.com and click on accomodations. Then click on the GF. There are tons of reviews of regular and concierge rooms. I know when I go to the GF I post a review and pics here. SO do many of our other long time gfers. I would also say check out Janet2k trip reports. They are really good, also Tammis. I believe tammi has a link if click on her name to her homepage that has trip reports on them. If not PM her. I dont want to give it out without her permisssion.

 

[werfamily]

wer,
I would go to tripadvisor.com
and also www.allearsnet.com and click on accomodations. Then click on the GF. There are tons of reviews of regular and concierge rooms. I know when I go to the GF I post a review and pics here. SO do many of our other long time gfers. I would also say check out Janet2k trip reports. They are really good, also Tammis. I believe tammi has a link if click on her name to her homepage that has trip reports on them. If not PM her. I dont want to give it out without her permisssion.

Wow, thanks for all the great tips! These should keep me busy for a while!

 

[Lives4Disney]

i hope so to! I know shes nervous cuz she always stays concierge.

Yep, SHE's nervous!

I REALLY HOPE Angela & BG have a great time!! I didn't realize they were going this soon. Can't wait to hear how it went.......watch....they'll be upgraded to a RPC deluxe king room.

That "MK shoot" sounds really neat, too. I hope we get to see the pics when they come in. I never knew brides got to do that. Wow.

Kelly, your pics are cool. Now that there are two cabanas I wonder if they are both equipped with the same stuff. I remember that second one looked WRONG. KWIM???


Channing

 

[Katesdad]

I guess it's time to start getting excited for our GF trip in four weeks. AAA just gave us our docs for the trip.

Thanks to all on the board for sharing their wisdom and advice. We are booked into a "Theme Park View" room and I don't plan on asking for any upgrades or special rooms or buildings. Over the last 30 years we've always been happy with the accomodations they have put us in at the various resorts we've stayed at when at WDW so I'm sure the GF folks won't disappoint. We did note that we're celebrating our 30th anniversary on our reservation, but if we don't get anything special from them, we won't be disappointed. Just being at WDW for four days is enough for us.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Can anyone give me recommendations on the food at the Gasparilla grill?

I was over at ALL Ears Net checking out the menu.

Jerk Chicken Sandwich with coleslaw $7.49
Tabbouleh Wrap with coleslaw $5.99

Both seemed interesting. FYI, the Grilled Cheese at Capt. Cooks, over at the Polynesian, is worth the walk.

Maz

 

[triplefigs]

I loved the Jerk chicken sandwich and coleslaw!