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

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Hi Fellow GF-lovers!

I just got back last night and oh what a trip it was! First of all, the GF continues to amaze me. This was my 9th stay and the magic just keeps getting better for me.

I almost did not make the trip - had a terrible fall Friday night on my way to DD's dance team performance at the football game. Split my lip and broke 2 teeth. Three hours in emergency and the dentist chair and to bed by 1 a.m. with a wake-up call at 5. Got to the GF about 12:30 and looked like hell, but was so happy I didn't have to cancel!

Got a beautiful LV room on the 3rd floor of Sago (right next to the Sanibel Suite) and had a perfect view of the castle. Room was in tip-top shape and those new beds are divine - slept like a baby! Mousekeeping and turndown were excellent and every CM we encountered was just wonderful. I really felt like the staff was going way out of their way to be excellent.

DH sent flowers and tuxedo strawberries the first night and when my sister and I returned to the room Sun. night, we found an incredible surprise! Set up on the table was a huge fruit, cheese and gourmet cracker basket - and a marble square platter adorned with a beautiful box made of chocolate (containing a dozen truffles) and set behind the box was a chocolate princess crown! The platter was decorated with chocolate swirls and sugar-spun roses. A note from the GF staff accompanied the surprise and it said something about "sorry for the inconvenience..." I figured there was some kind of mix-up so I called the front desk to tell them I thought they had the wrong room. The CM at the front desk paused a second and said, "No, they are for you and we just hope it adds some magic to your trip - we understand you had an emergency trip to the dentist before your arrival." I was floored. I had mentioned my fall to the check-in CM because I figured she was wondering what the heck happened to me!

Anyway, they have a lifelong customer in me (but, hey, they had me a long time ago!)

Sorry, StephH, that I didn't get to meet you or Angel. The trip just went too fast - 3 days is not enough!!! And I was slowed down somewhat by the accident. By Sunday, my whole upper body was really feeling the affects of the fall.

We had great meals, lots of other pixie dust I'll get to in another post and fun at F&W. We only ate at the GF Cafe (Lunch) and it was yummy, especially the garlic spinach dip. We also went to the spa. My sister was thrilled with her head, neck and shoulder massage. I had to switch to a tired leg massage because everything else hurt too much, but my therapist wore latex gloves!!! It was not a good experience and I did comment about it when I was paying. The woman at the front desk said the therapist may have had a cut and was trying to protect me but I don't buy that. ANyway, if you ever have the tired leg massage, make sure you ask for a glove-less treatment!

I've got lots to catch up on - DH and the kids missed me terribly! LOL Well, they missed my cooking, laundry services, procurement tasks and chauffering! If you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer.

By the way, I have a few photos but I'm a bit clueless on posting photos. If I can get DH or DD to help, I'll post the pics of my "amenities"!
 
Just booked our next trip! We just returned from GF last week.....we are going back 12/12 for 5 nights for all the holiday stuff and to celebrate my husbands birthday! I have to agree, the GF is absolutely beautiful. This past trip was our best trip ever. The GF has really out done itself....the staff is wonderful :love: We are going back to the Main bldg dlx...can't wait!

We are going on another trip in between to Mexico for 10 days, and returning just before thanksgiving...so it's going to be a bit hectic...but a good hectic!

I am hoping that going to WDW will bring back some holiday spirit. We have had a lot of sadness in the recent past, so the old christmas stuff just doesn't work anymore...so it's time to have some new things. We live very close to NYC and have always done the NYC holiday thing..but just doesn't work anymore.

We are so excited about returning. I have never seen WDW for the holidays and I am anticipating another great trip. I also can't wait to do the parks without the heat and humidity :banana: I can't imagine what that's like! I don't think I have ever worn jeans in WDW...what a treat!!! Can anyone tell me what's best to pack clothing wise...espically at night, I would think a sweatshirt would not be warm enough. Also can you use the pools during the day??? I have no idea what it's like...I just know I am looking forward my lipstick not melt and my hair not frizzing :Pinkbounc

Minnisota...I am happy to hear you had a grat trip and so sorry that happened to you. What a trooper you are...I hope you feel better soon. What a nice surprise from the GF.....very sweet...you must have ben really surprised with that. We are lifelong fans of the GF as well. Even when they were not so "grand" a little while back. It seems as though the GF has redemmed itself in a big way, and it's nice to see.We would never stay anywhere else.
 
goofieforgoofy - I'm so jealous! My sister and I were commenting how we wish we were returning in December. We thought it was too hot last week! Actually, DH and I were at GF in a deluxe room last Dec. - around the 6-9th - and it was fantastic! I wore mostly slacks and jeans with layers on top. I took a black velour jacket that was embellished with Christmas ornaments, snowmen, etc. and wore it every day over different t-shirts, both short and long-sleeved. It was perfect and I got lots of compliments. You will love the GF in Dec.! Try to sit near the windows in Mizner's some night (with a hot toddie!) and look out at the courtyard below. It's so pretty!

By the way, we didn't use the pools but others were!
 
Minnesota, sorry to hear about your accident. Ouch! I am so glad to hear all of these great stories about the GF concierge. It seems that the CMs are making a lot of customers very happy. It's great the hear. :cloud9:

Steph H, thanks for the report. I can't wait to see some pictures. I hope you're feeling well with your pregnancy. Take it easy. Your husband sounds like a keeper!

Lori
 

pirateofthecarolinas said:
Minnesota, sorry to hear about your accident. Ouch! I am so glad to hear all of these great stories about the GF concierge. It seems that the CMs are making a lot of customers very happy. It's great the hear. :cloud9:

Steph H, thanks for the report. I can't wait to see some pictures. I hope you're feeling well with your pregnancy. Take it easy. Your husband sounds like a keeper!

Lori

Ditto to everything Lori said. Glad you both had such GRAND times on your trip! I can't wait!
 
goofie4goofy said:
Just booked our next trip! We just returned from GF last week.....we are going back 12/12 for 5 nights for all the holiday stuff and to celebrate my husbands birthday! I have to agree, the GF is absolutely beautiful. This past trip was our best trip ever. The GF has really out done itself....the staff is wonderful :love: We are going back to the Main bldg dlx...can't wait!
If you haven't experienced the GF during the holidays, you are in for a real treat. I had asked about your upgrade on your other thread, but I guess you didn't see it. How did you find out about the upgrade to the Victorian Suite before you arrived? Just curious how they tell you that incredible news :cloud9: .
 
TammiMcMan said:
If you haven't experienced the GF during the holidays, you are in for a real treat. I had asked about your upgrade on your other thread, but I guess you didn't see it. How did you find out about the upgrade to the Victorian Suite before you arrived? Just curious how they tell you that incredible news :cloud9: .


Hi Tammi!

Sorry, I did not see your question on the other post. We were called about a week before our check in date and they appologized about not having the turret honeymoon available and said we were going to a one bedroom suite. She did not tell me the name of the room, she gave me the room number. I went on line and when I saw which room they gave me, I immediately called back and thanked them. I mean WOW...what a nice thing to do and what a surprise. We appreciated it and enjoyed it so much!

The main reason we are going back so soon is because our last stay at the GF was so wonderful, and it was not just the upgrade. We could have waited till next year to go back....but why wait?


Now I have to figure what we are going to see on what day. Since we were just there...and were there 45 times before that ;) there really isn't a rush to go on attractions. It's mostly holiday stuff, which I would think is best at night when all lit up. So I'm kinda thinking MGM Osbourne lights and diner at the Brown Derby, then another night Epcot and dinner at Yachtman's steakhouse...Just still in the planning stage...lots of fun.

Is the MVMCP a must do??? It looks like it, but not sure?
 
We had the pleasure of being in the honeymoon suite on one of our visits, but I thought it was a request only? That was an awesome upgrade, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Just relaxing and listening to the choir, the orchestra and looking at their beautiful decorations will be well worth it. Oh and there's always time for the spa.

Osborne Lights are wondeful and Illuminations adds on a special holiday ending that shouldn't be missed. If you've never done MVMCP, then I would suggest setting aside a night for that. Tuesday or Thursday night are going to be the least crowded. The shows are amazing.
 
Hi, all! We're officially back {sob} but we had the MOST wonderful experience at the GF Sugar Loaf. :cloud9: I wasn't sure if my DH liked it, and then, the day before we left, he suddenly said, "You know, the only thing that will make this trip better next time is if we can convince Amy and Jay (our best friends) to come with us and get a 2-room suite!" I almost passed out! Of course, he didn't realize at the time how much a two-room suite would cost ( :earseek: ), but even after I told him, he still liked the idea of coming back with our friends (who have a daughter near my son's age, and are also expecting a baby next year) and he DEFINITELY thinks we have to stay at the GF Sugar Loaf next time. Because I'm having a baby next year, and have to use 5 vacation days before my disability kicks in, I won't have any vacation. But the plans are on for a December 2007 trip! I can't wait!!!!!

As requested, I took LOTS of pictures during the trip (653 to be exact :teeth: ), including the lounge, the food offerings, and our room. We were lucky enough to be given a dormer room on the fourth floor (which I LOVED, but the view was...umm...interesting ;) ). Shy person that I am ( :rotfl: ), I stopped a member of mousekeeping in the hall and asked her if I could see a non-dormer room and possibly take pictures (the balconies are quite different, as is the height of the ceiling). She gladly allowed me in a second floor room to take plenty of pictures, THEN, she caught me in the hall later that morning and pulled me into a tower room so I could get pictures of that room, too. :teeth: I'm currently working on my full-blown trip report, which I'll post on my website with LOTS of pictures, and then link in my siggy and at the trip reports board. But for now, if you're interested, here are a few pictures with captions that you might enjoy, including pictures of the "goodies" my DH surprised me with for my birthday. :cloud9:

http://www.thehawkinsfamily.org/THF/2005_pictures_disney.htm

A great, big THANK YOU to everyone here for helping make this the most wonderful vacation I've ever had! There is SO much I couldn't have done or enjoyed without the knowledge and advice of my fellow DIS'ers. :grouphug:
 
Thanks for the update!

Those are some pictures....you must be one computer smarty....I don't understand web sites at all and you got the "roll the mouse over the picture" thing down and everything!

DM is getting the truffle plate!
 
minniesota said:
Hi Fellow GF-lovers!
I almost did not make the trip - had a terrible fall Friday night on my way to DD's dance team performance at the football game. Split my lip and broke 2 teeth. Three hours in emergency and the dentist chair and to bed by 1 a.m. with a wake-up call at 5. Got to the GF about 12:30 and looked like hell, but was so happy I didn't have to cancel!

Oh boy do I feel your pain!
Last year, 2 days before our trip I had a wisdom tooth abscess, and had to have it removed. I had a lot of complications, and a lot of PAIN, complete with chipmunk cheek and totally purple and blue face. I even had a black eye!

My poor DH got such dirty looks that whole trip!:teeth:

It was for both kids birthdays, so didn't want to cancel. Thank God for painkillers..lol!

Still had lots of fun though. Glad things worked out for you too. :)
 
Brier Rose said:
My poor DH got such dirty looks that whole trip!

That made me chuckle. Poor guy!

Meezers said:
Those are some pictures....you must be one computer smarty....I don't understand web sites at all and you got the "roll the mouse over the picture" thing down and everything!

Thanks! I owe it all to Dreamweaver though. I'm not THAT smart. ;)
 
Steph H said:
Hi, all! We're officially back {sob} but we had the MOST wonderful experience at the GF Sugar Loaf. :cloud9: I wasn't sure if my DH liked it, and then, the day before we left, he suddenly said, "You know, the only thing that will make this trip better next time is if we can convince Amy and Jay (our best friends) to come with us and get a 2-room suite!" I almost passed out! Of course, he didn't realize at the time how much a two-room suite would cost ( :earseek: ), but even after I told him, he still liked the idea of coming back with our friends (who have a daughter near my son's age, and are also expecting a baby next year) and he DEFINITELY thinks we have to stay at the GF Sugar Loaf next time. Because I'm having a baby next year, and have to use 5 vacation days before my disability kicks in, I won't have any vacation. But the plans are on for a December 2007 trip! I can't wait!!!!!

As requested, I took LOTS of pictures during the trip (653 to be exact :teeth: ), including the lounge, the food offerings, and our room. We were lucky enough to be given a dormer room on the fourth floor (which I LOVED, but the view was...umm...interesting ;) ). Shy person that I am ( :rotfl: ), I stopped a member of mousekeeping in the hall and asked her if I could see a non-dormer room and possibly take pictures (the balconies are quite different, as is the height of the ceiling). She gladly allowed me in a second floor room to take plenty of pictures, THEN, she caught me in the hall later that morning and pulled me into a tower room so I could get pictures of that room, too. :teeth: I'm currently working on my full-blown trip report, which I'll post on my website with LOTS of pictures, and then link in my siggy and at the trip reports board. But for now, if you're interested, here are a few pictures with captions that you might enjoy, including pictures of the "goodies" my DH surprised me with for my birthday. :cloud9:

http://www.thehawkinsfamily.org/THF/2005_pictures_disney.htm

A great, big THANK YOU to everyone here for helping make this the most wonderful vacation I've ever had! There is SO much I couldn't have done or enjoyed without the knowledge and advice of my fellow DIS'ers. :grouphug:

I'm so glad you had a terrific trip! I can't wait to see all the pictures. We're under 50 days today!
 
Does the daybed fold down flat, or does it stay in the traditional "couch" position? How big is it for sleeping? Do they provide linens for the daybed?


Thanks!
 
triplefigs said:
Does the daybed fold down flat, or does it stay in the traditional "couch" position? How big is it for sleeping? Do they provide linens for the daybed?
To leave it in the traditional couch position is simply having the back pillows on it. If you take them off, you have a bed. There is no folding down of anything. Linens are provided and both my 6' son and 5'4 daughter had no complaints with the size of the bed.
 
TammiMcMan said:
To leave it in the traditional couch position is simply having the back pillows on it. If you take them off, you have a bed. There is no folding down of anything. Linens are provided and both my 6' son and 5'4 daughter had no complaints with the size of the bed.

Thanks. I can see the kids pushing him out of bed and him getting the couch! Down to 49 days!!!!!!
 
I have been gathering together various aerial images of the Grand Floridian Resort. A few of the images should give you a feel for the resort’s layout. The rest of the images should give you a feel as to the resort’s proximity to the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, and its proximity to other resorts in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. (Note: Some images are Disney’s and some are Google Earth’s.)

Aerial Image # 1
Aerial Image # 2
Aerial Image # 3
Aerial Image # 4
Aerial Image # 5
Aerial Image # 6
Aerial Image # 7
Aerial Image # 8
Aerial Image # 9
 
Janet2k said:
I have been gathering together various aerial images of the Grand Floridian Resort. A few of the images should give you a feel for the resort’s layout. The rest of the images should give you a feel as to the resort’s proximity to the Magic Kingdom Theme Park, and its proximity to other resorts in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. (Note: Some images are Disney’s and some are Google Earth’s.)

Aerial Image # 1
Aerial Image # 2
Aerial Image # 3
Aerial Image # 4
Aerial Image # 5
Aerial Image # 6
Aerial Image # 7
Aerial Image # 8
Aerial Image # 9

Those are really great, Janet! Now I feel like I know where I'm headed! :rotfl:
 
Wow...thought we had almost lost the GF Goddess....where u been Janet2K?

Want to hear what a doof I am?

Several years ago...trip to San Diego....out to Coronado Island....fell in love with a building there...didn't know what it was.

Duh...found out it is the Hotel Del Coronado....the one the GF is based on!

Karma or what?!
 
triplefigs said:
Now I feel like I know where I'm headed!

It's the geek in me, I tell ya, that keeps me gathering some of the most obscure photos & images that I can lay my hands on. But I know that there are others just like me who really live for the nitty-gritty details. You know who you are... ;)
 
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