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

[Lives4Disney]

What great pix! The Fairy Godmothers are quite amusing! Your girls are dolls, they look like they loved it! THe banners they have are adorable too! DId your girls pick the ALice & Ariel dresses there, or did you bring those, were the dresses on the rack hanging the ones they sell for the full princess package? Do you recommend? Thanks again!!! You brightened my night!\PS-Was it easy to get to BBB form GF & how did you do it? THanks!!!

Thanks for the compliments, Poohluvrs (spelled that wrong previously!).

My girls are dolls!! THANKS! The BBB was their absolute FAVORITE thing they did this trip - and we had one absolutely fabulous trip, too!! Yes, that pic is of the dresses they have in the BBB to sell. I bought Alice dress at the GF store when we arrived at the GF. My daughter KNEW she wanted Alice before we left home so we brought her shiny maryjanes, white tights and a black hair ribbon. The Ariel dress was purchased also at the GF in the upstairs store. The girls just had the middle package done (hair style, makeup and nails) The top of the line with the costume is close to $200 I think - I will have to double check (How quickly I forget!) I checked - the top package the "castle makeover" is $175. It includes the hair style, makeup, nails and princess costume w/accessories and princess photo sheet including imaging package. Wow!

We took the DTD bus from the GF to get to BBB. It stopped at Typhoon lagoon first and then DTD. Not too bad.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Tyler, I would be interested to know if you find differently!! My DH was kind of counting on the wireless service, but there was nothing. We had 3 CMs over checking it out and they seemed to "discover" that it didn't work. One told my DH that they do tell people there is wireless service, but nobody ever actually checked. He was OK with his cellular modem, but it is slow.

Lives4Disney

 

[poohluvrs]

Thanks Lives4Disney! I guess BBB will be a must do, glad to hear getting there isnt too bad! Were the dresses you bought at GF reasonable compared to the price of getting the whole treatment at BBB? THanks again, what a magical trip you had w/ your little sweeties!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Poohluvrs - the Alice dress was $45 (a deal!!) at the downstairs GF store, the Ariel wedding dress was about $60 upstairs(I can't remember exactly maybe a bit less or more - most of the princess dresses cost this same amt unless they are the "deluxe" version - more like $80/90). The girls did the hair,nails, makeup package for $45, so I don't know exactly how the difference in price is made up for that mega package to come to $175. I think that does include things like shoes, wands, etc with the costume and then there is that imaging package......We don't usually go all out with the shoes, wands, crowns, etc so the girls were FINE with what they did. I guess it all depends. My older daughter said she is going to save up for that mega castle package for next time, but she will be 10 and I don't think they even have shoes in her size!

If it is a HOT day and you do the BBB, I wouldn't bother with the whole shebang because my girls ALWAYS complain of being hot and itching and scratching with those gowns. I would just take the DTD bus over and back to GF and get your princess dolled up in your room before a special dinner. We did that before Boma - in my signature pic, it shows the girls as kind of punked out princesses after their BBB at Boma. Most of the people in BBB were just doing the middle or lower package. I saw only two little girls with the princess gowns on. That could change though, but I didn't feel like we were skimping at all. What the girls did was great for them. I would have personally choked at paying $350!! It would have killed my fun with BBB!

Have fun!!

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Channing, I love the pics from BBB. Your girls look adorable. And I bet my DD would love that Alice dress too. I think it's the only Disney costume she doesn't own. I'm sure we'll be trying BBB one day soon!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, Denise! Thanks for the compliments. That Alice dress is really cute. Not overly tacky or itchy like the others!!

Did you see the cabana pics I posted on an earlier page?? Those are the ones I really meant to post on this thread - just posted BBB for fun.

Take care - hey WHEN are you going, Sept or Dec? WHERE are you staying??

Happy planning!!

Lives4Disney (who - as of this morning - is going back to GF for her 40th BDAY in July!! ) I know, I am nuts. You only live once, might as well be nuts thru it all!!

 

[triplefigs]

Hi, Denise! Thanks for the compliments. That Alice dress is really cute. Not overly tacky or itchy like the others!!

Did you see the cabana pics I posted on an earlier page?? Those are the ones I really meant to post on this thread - just posted BBB for fun.

Take care - hey WHEN are you going, Sept or Dec? WHERE are you staying??

Happy planning!!

Lives4Disney (who - as of this morning - is going back to GF for her 40th BDAY in July!! ) I know, I am nuts. You only live once, might as well be nuts thru it all!!

What a great way to celebrate your 40th! I just went and looked at the Cabana pics. Very nice. When my kids are older and can swim without supervision, it would be great. And I finally see your DH, but where is a pic or YOU???

We're going in Sept. Talked to the school at DS' IEP testing Friday. They will give him a "free pass" to miss a week of school because of his special needs. So it will all be excused for all 3 kids. Staying at the CR Atrium Club and going to our first MNSSHP. Very excited. I think being able to go in low crowds and free dining will be perfect. And we'll finally be able to swim some!

 

[poohluvrs]

Thaks Lives4Disney! Your girls are adorable! My 3yo yells "Alice"! "Ariel"! everytime she looks at my Dis posting! Too cute!

Thanks for the info, w/ 2 it adds up, $350 isnt worth it, plus we have a few dresses already, maybe Ill just pack them!
Oh, PS- Would you recommend the cabana?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, Poohluvrs - about the cabana.....My girls and husband liked it. The girls liked having the shady area to color, they watched some TV while they colored too. It was nice having our own little "space" during our pool time. I didn't really get to enjoy it so much as I was up/down in/out of the pool - taking them to the sand....just following my two girls around and didn't get to sit and relax, have a drink & read a book - LIKE ME DH did!!! No wonder he liked having the cabana!!

If your girls are little - I don't know what to say! I could definitely recommend it to somebody with kids that are old enough that you can just say "bye" to and they go off and have their own fun while you sit and relax on the comfy lounge chair.

My DH thought it was great and a good deal, too. I am up in the air on this one! Think about how your pool days play out. Are your kids constantly in the pool? Do you have to follow them everywhere?? Do they like to color and take breaks or are they total water babies???

Happy planning!!! My DH doesn't know I chose to go back to WDW and the GF in July! Here I come, though!!!! With or without him! I will be 40 and don't want it to pass unnoticed at home!

Lives4Disney

 

[poohluvrs]

Sorry, I just saw your response the other night about the Cabanas! Actually, it doesnt seem like that bad of a deal! THe only issue is I doubt Id enjoy it, as my toddlers need constant supervision! Thanks for the reply!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

I have a question regarding the cabanas. My DF and I are going to the GF for our DFTW planning session, and I would love to rent one for a couple of hours.

Who do I go about contacting to rent one?

TIA!!

BTW - Lives4Disney, you have such cute little girls. It looks like you all had a wonderful trip! Congratulations on your return birthday trip! We will be there July 5 - 15....

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

You have to be a GF guest at time of rental. You can call the regular dining line (407-WDW-DINE) and they can book it for you.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi! I am pulling together my 40th bday trip quickly as it is during a busy time at WDW. I booked Citricos for dinner. I have never dined there & am looking forward to it. Any reviews??? I have a 7:30 pm ressie and now......I am thinking it would be just so neat to do the Grand One Wishes cruise after. My DH would probably have a fit, but I am THINKING about it. I need to find out what time Wishes is that night.

Any Grand One reviews out there?? I feel like going a little over the top because my family takes me for granted - I am sure most moms feel like that! MOM deserves a Wishes cruise! Right??!! Just kidding.

It is funny, too, because we are going on my bday because my daughter would rather have her July 1 bday at home than at WDW. Crazy but true. ...so I get to go for my bday. I am a second class citizen around here.

Happy planning, everyone! Looking for reviews of Citricos and Grand One.

Lives4Disney

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Lives4Disney,

What a great way to spend your 40th birthday!

A few weeks ago, I read your daily reports from the RPC. We're heading to the RPC in a couple of weeks. We can't wait!

Question for you - do the TVs in the rooms have VCRs with them? DVD players?

Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

DisneyDoogie - Hi! Oh you are in for a treat!! I just had the BEST time of my life at the GF in RPC. Say "Hi" to Vonnie and Dora for us!

The TV we had in our room had a VHS player in it. We brought our portable DVD players anyway, so it was a nonissue. At one point when I was hanging around in the lounge, I did see a CM carrying a handful of VHS tapes, coming from one of the rooms. I assumed they could be borrowed from somewhere, but we didn't need to.

Have a GREAT vacation,

Lives4Disney (It's a done deal - I will be there for my 40th and maybe the Grand 1....just waiting for a message )

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

DVD players are available (on a limited basis) as well as a very large library of DVDs to borrow. Rental of the player is free, and so are the DVDs... (So long as you don't keep them as a souvenir)

 

[marcij]

Hi! I am pulling together my 40th bday trip quickly as it is during a busy time at WDW. I booked Citricos for dinner. I have never dined there & am looking forward to it. Any reviews??? I have a 7:30 pm ressie and now......I am thinking it would be just so neat to do the Grand One Wishes cruise after. My DH would probably have a fit, but I am THINKING about it. I need to find out what time Wishes is that night.

Any Grand One reviews out there?? I feel like going a little over the top because my family takes me for granted - I am sure most moms feel like that! MOM deserves a Wishes cruise! Right??!! Just kidding.

It is funny, too, because we are going on my bday because my daughter would rather have her July 1 bday at home than at WDW. Crazy but true. ...so I get to go for my bday. I am a second class citizen around here.

Happy planning, everyone! Looking for reviews of Citricos and Grand One.

Lives4Disney

I'm also doing Disney on my 40th -- I think it will be much less painful if I'm at my favorite place!

We've eaten at Citrico's several times, and I've loved it every time. Haven't done the Grand 1, just regular Wishes cruises, but I think it would be an awesome way to top off your birthday!

 

[maciec]

Hi! Dh just suprised me the other day and told me that he wanted to stay at the GF on our kidless trip in August. Unfortunately, we have to go August 7-11 which according to touringplans.com is a 9 on the richter scale .

We booked a lagoon view room with the only request that we be in a non-smoking room. I am going to take my chances that we will get a room with an excellent view.

I have one simple question ...... is there a store inside of the GF where I can either buy a 2 liter bottle of Diet Coke, a 6 pack of bottles, or something of the like? I would buy a refillable mug, but it's a pain to keep going to the drink station to refill it.

 

[magical4us4]

I was hoping that someone can give me a heads up on arriving at the GF from a late flight. We are arriving at the hotel by 12:00am and wondering if anyone has ever had a late night check in like this. We were there last year and arrived around 9:00pm and our room in the Sugar Loaf was given away. I called the morning of before we left and they said "no problem we have your room waiting" and it was not available when we got there. We were happily moved to RPC, which we wanted in the beginning, but no availability. Now we have reserved RPC and I am hoping that our room is not given away again because of this late arrival. Anyone with experience knows what to expect?

Thanks!

 

[Fishy&2guppies]

We arrived at 11:30 p.m. No one was in the lobby and just one person to do check-in. Our reservation was for a RPC room, it was ready and had a great view, no problems.