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

[TammiMcMan]

My agent thought today was the 90 day mark - maybe we're off a day?

I just counted on my calendar and the 90th day from today is October 1st. I'm not sure if that's how Disney does it, or if they don't include today . Either way, I'd have your agent check again tomorrow and then give the GF Marina a call to verify. Maybe if Channing checks in during her trip, she can stop by and find out for you.

Happy 40th Channing, hope you're having a magical time!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Just wanted to say "Thank you" to all of you who helped answer some of my questions in the planning of this trip. We leave in the morning (VERY early ) and will be at the GF SL by 10 am!!

If you are leaving for a trip, have a great time!! Happy traveling!

Again, thank you all for your assistance! Talk to you again soon!!

Happy 4th!!

 

[lynr]

I need some suggestions from my DIS friends. My friends who are traveling with us to Disney in August did some work for my mother today at her house. My girl friend's husband hung a new front door and storm door and he even cleaned up his mess.

Now here is the dilema my mom wanted to give him $300 for doing the work for her and they wouldn't allow her to pay anything. No matter what we said or did they wouldn't take the money. But we really want to do something to repay them for there time and work.

So here is my choices of what I was thinking that what we could do:

A. Give them an AMEX gift card
B. Up grade their room at the GF from GV to Lodge Tower View
C. Upgrade their room to Lagoon View
D. Give them a Disney gift card

I don't know anything about the Lodge Tower View. Does this include concierge? I asked CRO and got two different answers.

I control all the reservations so changing the room view wouldn't be a problem.

So which idea do you think is best?

UPDATE****

Thanks to Channing aka Lives4Disney's advice I decided to try and book a fireworks cruise. I called Disney myself and was told "sorry they're all booked up". So I took a chance and emailed the IPO Office and guess what; they were able to get the Wishes cruise. I guess they do have some pull.

Lyn

 

[Lives4Disney]

UPDATE****

Thanks to Channing aka Lives4Disney's advice I decided to try and book a fireworks cruise. I called Disney myself and was told "sorry they're all booked up". So I took a chance and emailed the IPO Office and guess what; they were able to get the Wishes cruise. I guess they do have some pull.

Lyn

Lyn - That is awesome. I am just checking in from the YC. I hate this place....I am moving as planned to the GF tomorrow. I feel like maybe "Hate" is a strong word, but I am not really liking this resort and am on my DH's laptop and typing is a pain. I am glad you got something extra & fun booked for you and your great friends. Yes, I do think IPO has some pull.

Warning....the following really doesn't belong on this thread. Sorry. I figured I could vent and give you all a laugh, too. AND you will consider yourselves lucky to be planning a GF stay, LOL, instead of the YC. I edited this paragraph in because I don't want anybody to get miffed about what I wrote since it's the GF thread.

OK - I just have to vent about the YC and if I do it on the YC thread - Ooooh look out. Poor service. I edited out the rest. SOrry to be so wordy, LOL!!!

I need to go back and read some of this thread to pick me up. At least we move tomorrow!!!!!

OK - gotta leave on a good note. We did the new Hollywood & Vine character bfast w/jojo and little einsteins and it was a big hit even thoough my girls are older. It was lots of fun,, good food and basically empty. LOTS of character interaction, fun dancing and singing. Even Lucy (my 10 yr old that was cringing at the thought of doning this meal) had fun. We laughed a lot at this one.

Take care & happy planning.

Lives4Disney

 

[scanne]

Lives4Disney,

Wow! I guess my DH's dislike of the YC is justified (and we've never even stayed there!). I'm so sorry that the CM's haven't been magical for you at this resort. I know how it feels to expect a certan level of service and NOT receive it. But look at the bright side - there's a GRANDer stay in your very near future!

Now, on to the R&C issue. OMG!!! I am SO in agreement with you about the ill children and you asking to move. I think the restaurant could get in trouble for leaving the "mess" the way you described it. Totally unsanitary. And even if the little girl "got sick" due to the heat of the day or something not relating to an actual illness, I, too believe that they had no right to stay put! I'm so sorry you had a not-so-great experience there. We had a bad experience there in 2004 and haven't returned since.

Anyway, I hope when you get to the GF it's all pixie dust and magic for you and your family!!!

I am looking forward to reading more.

Also, IF you get a chance - can you find out if they're accepting cabana rental ressies for after Sept. 30th? My DU agent tried to book a cabana for us for October 2nd and was told that she couldn't - that the rentals are on a trial basis until Sept. 30th. Thanks!!! I would really appreciate it!!


Anne

 

[Lives4Disney]

Scanne - I will ask the concierge staff about the cabana issue. Thanks for the GRANDer day thing.

OK, I feel kind of bad being so super negative about the YC. I was having trouble typing - although you'd never know it, LOL, but I got used to his keypad.....There are some good things...The AC in our room is super awesome, the beds and pillows are wonderful, the decor and view are great, the pool is lots of fun. I don't actually hate it, just isn't my place and I don't have any feeling of magic here. Just incompetence and it isn't relaxing having to deal iwth their mistakes and their issues while on vacation. There are lots of little issues they need to work on.

That R & C was disgusting. I am sorry, but they really should have hosed it down mega. They kept carrying food right over that girls head (she sat on her mom's lap in the walkway area) and kept walking right over that junk with food like it was nothing. Maybe it happens often, but the poor people that didn't know their food was so close to this sick kid and vomit. Ugh.

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

Channing, so sorry that your trip has started off this way, but things can only get better, right??? Put me in the "I don't like YC" fan club. We even stayed concierge and it wasn't much better. I'll take the GF any day.

Okay, R & C story is yucky, but I had a similar experience next door in the beer garden. Family came in with DD and younger DS in a park stroller. Poor little girl, gets sick. Mom cleans her up, but do they pack up and take this little one home, nope. Dad is not happy about giving up the prime viewing location, so they stuff her into the stroller, cover her up and stay. She looked so miserable and if I could have slapped this guy upside the head, I would have. Bad parenting in that situation and bad parenting in the story you related. That's nice that the staff reacted quickly and laid down the sawdust, but I can understand how the chemical and vomit smell could make many people feel sick themselves.

Hope things start looking up for you.

 

[elaine88]

i have been reading this thread for a while now as i am planning our first family vacation for december 2007. i am planning a split stay between the GF and the BWI. just wanted to say i am learning a lot.

by the way, i don't understand the beach/yacht club allure either.

"lives4disney", what kind of dog is that? irish wolf hound? very cute.

 

[Clare D]

Hi Lives4Disney (Channing)
Besides the YC and the incident at the R&C I hope you are all having a great holiday. The least the family could do with a sick little girl is take her for a walk in her buggy so that she is away from other people and also food. I know when I have been sick in the past the last thing I want to do is be around food and in a restaurant - how inconsiderate of her parents!
Anyway you must let us all know how the rest of your holiday was when you get back.
Enjoy the rest of your trip, I am sure you will as you are on your way to the GF
Clare

 

[Janet2k]

Warning....the following really doesn't belong on this thread...

Lives4Disney, yes, you are absolutely correct. Your post belongs in a trip report, not in the GF FAQ thread, so get crackin’ and write that report.

Don’t forget that the Dis has two boards devoted to trip reports -- the standard Trip Reports Board (click here) and the Countdowns And Live Reports board (click here). Since you’re currently "live" in WDW, post on the live board first. After you’ve returned home and have more time to devote to your trip report, post it on the standard board. I'm sure lots of folks would enjoy reading about your trip (and viewing your photos). Definitely consider writing an official trip report.

I hope your GF stay is an enjoyable one. Make sure to take lots of photographs of your Grand 1 cruise. Give MickeyMac a run for her money. Yes, MickeyMac has the best Grand 1 photos that most of us have ever seen, but try to top her. I dare you. No, strike that. I double-dog dare you!

(PS I’m not even going to attempt to top MickeyMac’s Grand 1 photos. Yep, I’m a chicken. *Cluck! Cluck!* Click here for sound effects.)

 

[Janet2k]

...does the Grand Floridian have refrigerators in every room? What size are they?

PammyPoppins, Michelle2 answered your question about requesting a standalone fridge. I thought I'd mention that the resort rooms have in-room minibars and these minibars have a refrigerator.

Minibar Photo # 1
Minibar Photo # 2
Minibar Photo # 3

As you can see, there are lots of goodies for purchase inside the minibar and they take up lots of space. I don't know what your refrigeration needs are, but my guess is that requesting a standalone unit is probably the best way to go.

I hope this helped.

 

[Janet2k]

I was wondering about the sinks...and I cannot remember how the set up was.

Michelle2, I know that TammiMcMan has already answered your question, I thought I’d add some visualizations to it.

For example, in the room that I stayed in last summer, the bathroom area was located at the front of the room, right next to my resort room’s main entrance: Photo # 1. On the left-hand side of that photo was the entrance to the bathroom area.

The following photo was taken from the entrance to the bathroom area: Photo # 2. The double-basined sink was on the left, and on the right (not shown in the photo) was a door that led to the tub/shower/toilet area.

Here is a photo of the tub/shower/toilet area: Photo # 3. That room was separate from the sink/vanity area.

I know those photos aren’t the greatest, but hopefully they’ll give you a sense of how the bathroom area is laid out in a Grand Floridian resort room.

 

[Janet2k]

Can someone please tell me if at the pool bar they serve any kind of food or do you have to go over to Gasparilla's to get lunch?

Maciec, when I was at the Grand Floridian last summer, they had a very limited menu at the pool bar (at least at the themed pool's bar). I remember that peanut butter & jelly sandwiches were available for purchase for the kids (but I ordered them too) and maybe another couple of standard items (hot dogs??). When I inquired about other food items, the bar staff basically handed me a telephone and told me to call Private Dining.

When I didn't feel like walking over to Gasparilla Grill for my family's food needs, I called Private Dining and placed my order from the pool deck. Private Dining delivered our meals right to our table within about 40 minutes. It was very convenient.

I'll be at the Grand Floridian during my upcoming vacation. I'll try to take a photo of the menu that is posted at the pool bar so that you can get an idea of what is available for purchase.

 

[Lives4Disney]

i have been reading this thread for a while now as i am planning our first family vacation for december 2007. i am planning a split stay between the GF and the BWI. just wanted to say i am learning a lot.

by the way, i don't understand the beach/yacht club allure either.

"lives4disney", what kind of dog is that? irish wolf hound? very cute.

Hi, all!!! Well - I put my Tater Tot's pics up so I could see them when I missed her. She is a Newfoundland. I never owned one until I bought her. I actually bought her after seeing a Lewis & Clark documentary. M. Lewis owned one and this dog was the most loyal, smart, helpful animal as is my Tatum. I can't even describe her awesome qualities. She is the kind of dog Nana from Peter Pan was. I bought her on a whim because I was grieving when I found out my daughter was losing her sight. Tatum just brought me out of my funk and is just a joy in my life.

OK.....I checked into the Grand Floridian about an hour ago. YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE what surprise awaited me. I will share pics when I return. Lets just say I cried with joy and surprise. THIS is the hotel for me. LOTS of pics when I return. Tomorrow is the Grand 1 cruise. Pics will be taken!!

Happy planning, everybody. I am in heaven here despite the pooring heavy rain. Just cross your fingers it doesn't rain on my cruise!!!!

Channing aka Lives4Disney

 

[jimenyfan]

My family will be checking into the GF(sugarloaf) tomorrow afternoon, maybe we will see you around.

 

[Janet2k]

OK.....I checked into the Grand Floridian about an hour ago... LOTS of pics when I return. Tomorrow is the Grand 1 cruise. Pics will be taken!! Just cross your fingers it doesn't rain on my cruise!!!!

Lives4Disney, get crackin’ on that trip report and let us know where you post it – be it the Countdowns And Live Reports board (click here) or the Trip Reports Board (click here).

My fingers are crossed that rain doesn’t fall during your cruise (or if it does, your cruise still can go on as planned). I look forward to your posting a link to your Grand 1 photos here in the FAQ thread. Again, give MickeyMac a run for her money with those photos.

 

[Janet2k]

Warning....the following really doesn't belong on this thread. Sorry. I figured I could vent and give you all a laugh, too. AND you will consider yourselves lucky to be planning a GF stay, LOL, instead of the YC. I edited this paragraph in because I don't want anybody to get miffed about what I wrote since it's the GF thread.

Lives4Disney, thank you for helping keep the GF FAQ thread on track. I didn't want the Moderators to have to step in. Again, please let us know where you will be posting your trip report. I want to hear all about your surprise (I hope you took good pictures of it).

 

[Janet2k]

My family will be checking into the GF(sugarloaf) tomorrow afternoon...

Jimenyfan, if it's not too much trouble, can you check out the menus at the pool bars and report it back here in the GF FAQ thread? That info would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

(PS If you don't see this post until after you return home, don't worry about it. I will try to remember to check out the menus during my upcoming vacation.)

 

[jimenyfan]

Jimenyfan, if it's not too much trouble, can you check out the menus at the pool bars and report it back here in the GF FAQ thread? That info would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.

(PS If you don't see this post until after you return home, don't worry about it. I will try to remember to check out the menus during my upcoming vacation.)

I'll do my best to get that info for you.

 

[Janet2k]

I'll do my best to get that info...

Thanks, Jimenyfan. If you've got a digital camera, the easiest thing to do would be to take a photo of the menu. That is what I have done, for example, with the minibar price list: click here. I may not always have a pen & paper handy, but I usually have my camera with me. It comes in very handy.

Have a wonderful vacation!