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

[superbird]

I am new to this thread and my dd wants to see some pictures of the slide at Grand Floridian. She has pretty much made up her mind as long as the slide is ok, lol. Anyway thanks for the help yes she also picked the smileys too

 

[eeyore45]

oh superbird, I'm hanging out in this thread waiting for Janet2k to post - she posted on youtube ????) she went down the slide with a camera!! IT WAS WAY COOL!!!

Thanks so much Janet!! (I feel like a janet groupie!!)

 

[eeyore45]

My bad, not youtube, but google - pg 157

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3217022653233173752

Janet going down the slide at the GF!!!

 

[glass slipper girl]

Janet! Thanks so much for posting the video of the water slide! LOL My sons have been asking how the slide compares to that of the BWI and they will be thrilled to get a preview. My 6 year old has said he loves "the hotel most at the GF but the waterslide most at the BWI" and told one of the CL CMs at BWI tahat they could make the perfect hotel if they would bring the monorail to the BWI or if they could bring the waterslide to the GF. His big important criteria for a waterslide is "no dark!" So I think after seeing your video he will be ready to officially declare the GF "the bestest" (which is fine by Mom!).

Hope you are getting some relaxation now!

 

[soxnation]

WOW - you are lucky! We are leaving on 8/24, I am hoping to get upgraded from the SL to the RPC. This is only our 2nd time at GF, 1st at concierge! Are the parks crowded???

we will be arriving the same day WeRblam hope you have a wonderful trip it is our first time at the GF!

 

[kaysmommie]

How are the garden view rooms? We are currently booked at Poly but am thinking of switching to GF. But we could only do Garden view no concierge either it's not in the budget. Just wanted any info on if it's worth switching. Also what bldg. would be best for with 2 small children (want to be close to main bldg. and main pool.) Thanks, Nichole

 

[BunnieGene]

It's hard for me to say if the parks are crowded...we are here for a meeting, so aren't in the parks in the morning. When we've ventured out in the afternoon/evening, they seem crowded but that may just be relative to what we're used to seeing. We normally do all of our park touring in the mornings and do the spa/just relax the rest of the day.

 

[Janet2k]

Hi, everyone, I apologize for not keeping on top of the GF FAQ thread, ~gulp.~ I am still here in WDW and finally am beginning to get my voice back. It’s been gone for almost two weeks now (not that my daughter is complaining).

I logged onto the ‘net today in order to send some e-mail & photos to my husband & parents. They were beginning to loudly question whether or not I was having way too much fun in WDW to even think about them (they were dead-on in their assumptions). While I was on the ‘net, I thought I would take a few moments to post a handful of photos from the Grand 1 cruise that my daughter and I attended a few weekends ago. I am feeling very guilty that I haven’t shared any photos with any of you yet (believe me, my camera has been getting plenty of use; it’s just that my daughter won’t let me stay in the room long enough to sleep let alone to post photos).

I must state for the record that I did not photograph the Grand 1. There was no way that my photos would ever do that boat justice - MickeyMac’s photos had done that for all of us (yes, I am officially crying “Uncle!”). However, I thought I would share a couple of fireworks photos that I took during the Wishes portion of the cruise. If you view them, you’ll notice that several of the folks in our party sat on the bow of the ship and enjoyed the fireworks from that vantage point.

I would like to note that this cruise was a treat from a fellow Dis’er (I’ll keep her name private). Since munchies and drinks were served onboard, the guest list for our cruise was capped at ten people (I believe the normal limit is twelve). I must admit that "ten" was the perfect party size for us. We scattered ourselves all over the boat – below deck, above deck, on the stern, on the bridge, and on the bow. We moved around freely throughout our evening cruise, but when it came time for the Wishes fireworks show to begin, most of our party parked themselves on the bow, while the rest of our party parked themselves on the bridge. Everyone enjoyed a good view of the show. It really was fun experiencing Wishes from the water.

Click here for Grand 1 yacht photos. I will try to lighten up a few of the photos soon. I will also try to provide photos of the drinks and munchies that were arranged for us. The Grand Floridian’s Bakery did a superb job with a specialty cake. It was adorable to look at and delicious to eat (I know of what I speak since I devoured a HUGE piece of the cake – yum!).

I’ll try to post more photos soon (or as soon as my daughter allows me to). I forgot to mention that not only did I enjoy Private Dining on the third floor balcony, I also enjoyed it in the fourth floor’s concierge lounge. For that meal we opted to go simply (no tablecloth, etc.). I can’t remember if I took photos of that. If I did, I’ll try to post them when I post photos of my third floor balcony meal.

Again, I apologize for not posting frequently. Suffice it to say, I'm having a wonderful time here in WDW and still seem to be visiting the Grand Floridian every couple of days. As a matter of fact, my daughter attended the Cooking Class there yesterday. She has now attended all three of the Grand Floridian’s children’s activities twice during our vacation (once while we were staying there, and again in the following week). She plans on sharing her experiences in words so that I may post them here on the Dis. She hasn’t done that in at least two years so it was about time that she did so. I’ll let you know when & where I post her experiences (it probably won’t be for a few more weeks yet).

By the way, my daughter ran into the Prince’s younger brother yesterday at the Grand Floridian’s beach pool. I’ve got a photo of him to share with you folks. How’s that for keeping the suspense going?!

 

[Janet2k]

I posted several photos of my Private Dining experience in a new on-line photo album: click here. If you view the photos, you’ll see what my daughter and I experienced last week on the 3rd floor balcony of the main building. This balcony is accessible by Royal Palm Club concierge guests (you need card key access to gain entry to the upper floors of the main building). The balcony has a lovely view of the resort’s grounds.

When I made my dining reservation, I was asked for my room number. As soon as I stated it, the Private Dining Cast Member said, ‘Oh, you’re in the room right next to the balcony.” I was surprised they knew where my room was located (the resort does have several hundred rooms). I asked if the balcony was available for dinner that evening. After the balcony’s schedule had been checked, I was told that it was indeed available. I was then asked if I wanted butler service with my meal. I turned it down because I wanted to dine at a leisurely pace. (Note: I have used Private Dining’s butler service before and it was lovely.)

My daughter and I truly had a lovely dinner that evening. The weather was perfect – in the upper-70’s to the lower-80’s. We were fortunate that there were no bugs flying around. Had there been, we would have dined at a much quicker pace, believe me. As to our dinner, it was delicious. The Grand Floridian really knows how to make a meal feel special.

By the way, we had an unexpected visitor at our meal that evening. You’ll see photos of the “Prince” towards the end of my photo album. I don’t have to tell you folks that my daughter fell in love with him instantly (he had the prettiest dark eyes). She wanted to take him home with her, but I told her that she was too young for him.

About thirty minutes after our meal had ended and we had said goodbye to the Prince, we spied him in the lobby below us. Yes, the suave Prince had wasted no time in finding himself another “Princess” to toy with. It broke my daughter’s heart to see him dancing with another woman. At least she has the memories of a dinner spent with him. Those memories will have to do as her broken heart mends.

Only in the most magical place on earth can you have a Prince join you for dinner, and then watch him dance the night away with another Princess. Who said fairy tales always have happy endings?

 

[superbird]

My bad, not youtube, but google - pg 157

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3217022653233173752

Janet going down the slide at the GF!!!

Thanks so much my dd really loved the slide, Thanks Janet for taking it!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Janet, I am glad you are having such a wonderful time. It really looks like such a special evening with your daughter, one she is sure to remember for many years to come... The pictures were just wonderful, I just don't know if I would be so happy to have the "Prince" join me for dinner, as I am terribly afraid of that type of prince... But, I am glad to see that you had a Charming one....

Congratulations on such an amazing vacation!!!

 

[eeyore45]

Those pictures are AWESOME!!

Thanks so much for sharing!! Definately brought a smile to my eye, on a dreary day, much needed!!! *sigh is it time for college to start yet? (TURN THAT DOWN! I cant think!!)

Please tell your dd, that her trip report on the Pirate's cruise inspired my dd - we're heading there last week of Sept!!

Hope you're feeling much, much better!!

 

[cobbler]

Janet-
Thanks for sharing. I am excited as we are going to stay Sugar Loaf next year. I am hoping to get my hubby do the Grand 1. Maybe I just surprise him and do it anyway

 

[Tinks]

Love the pictures! I admit I was in suspense about the "prince" .


Question: I am leaving in a few short days for my girls trip! I have the option of renting a vehicle at a good rate. What do you think? Is it a pain to valet? We would use the car for AK, MGM, Downtown Disney, in hopes of saving a few minutes and enjoying our company more. Do they charge for valet? Do you know the cost? (we are staying RPC, don't know if it's included....)

How do you tip the valet people? Only when you have them get the car for you? i.e. not when you pull up and they park it for you????

I'm considering it but I need help! Any and all opinions welcome. My family used a rental at the Poly in May/June, and we loved it! But the Polynesian parking lot is user friendly and the GF's is not. We didn't even need to valet at the Poly.


Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Janet, love your pictures. Thanks for sharing. That is so cool that the prince snuck up and joined you and your daughter for dinner!!

Tinks - I have never used valet at the GF (never used a rental car to go park to park) but I know you should tip both ways - a couple bucks when you drop off your car and a bit more when they bring it to you. I have heard the valet service at GF can be pretty slow.

Have a fabulous trip. You will love the main building.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Love the pictures! I admit I was in suspense about the "prince" .


Question: I am leaving in a few short days for my girls trip! I have the option of renting a vehicle at a good rate. What do you think? Is it a pain to valet? We would use the car for AK, MGM, Downtown Disney, in hopes of saving a few minutes and enjoying our company more. Do they charge for valet? Do you know the cost? (we are staying RPC, don't know if it's included....)

How do you tip the valet people? Only when you have them get the car for you? i.e. not when you pull up and they park it for you????

I'm considering it but I need help! Any and all opinions welcome. My family used a rental at the Poly in May/June, and we loved it! But the Polynesian parking lot is user friendly and the GF's is not. We didn't even need to valet at the Poly.


Thanks!

Tinks,

We stay RPC and valet service is not included. It is $7 a day and is automatically added to your room bill. We do tip both when the car is brought down and when we leave the car to be parked again, because it can be a different person each time. They are all very nice. One valet, Brett, we seem to have a lot and he is very nice and always greets us by name. It has always been fast and efficient for us. It justs takes a few minutes for them to run and get the car. If you do want to self park, it is a few minutes walk just across the street.
We do enjoy having our car for AK and especially DTD. We took the bus once to DTD and it was 50 minutes before we got back to the GF! Too many stops! Have a great trip! We'll be there in October for MNSSHP and can't wait to get back to RPC! Have fun!

 

[Tinks]

Thanks for the information! I did confirm that $7.00/day charge. Too bad it's not included at least at the club level.

Now I just have to decide! It would be more to rent our own than do a town car service from the airport and taxis if we want to avoid the bus to AK, MGM or DD.

Any other advice?

 

[lynr]

I can't believe that this time next week I will be starting to pack and be on the home stretch before our vacation.

We have been planning this trip for almost two years and it seems like it took forever to get here. Our plans first started out for the GV at the Polynesian and then switched to GVC and then LVC and now RPC at the GF. I am going to be so sad to leave the GF for our cruise, but I will be back for 10 days in Dec, not Concierge though, it is not available.

If there is anything I can get pictures of for anyone or if anybody needs anything let me know before I go.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I can't believe that this time next week I will be starting to pack and be on the home stretch before our vacation.

We have been planning this trip for almost two years and it seems like it took forever to get here. Our plans first started out for the GV at the Polynesian and then switched to GVC and then LVC and now RPC at the GF. I am going to be so sad to leave the GF for our cruise, but I will be back for 10 days in Dec, not Concierge though, it is not available.

If there is anything I can get pictures of for anyone or if anybody needs anything let me know before I go.

Lyn - How exciting!! You definitely made the right choice to go with the GF. Say "Hi" to Vonnie in RPC for me. She is the BEST concierge CM and our family's bigtime favorite GF person She makes magic happen. Also, if you see Heather from IPO, say "Hi" to her too for me. I met her while we were there and she is super too. I know Vonnie is from NJ, like you are. Hope everything works out awesomely for you - happy packing. Don't stress....enjoy the time leading up to your vacation.


PS - When are you going in Dec?? I booked 12/19 - 12/27.....hopefully we will be there. Kind of wishful planning at this point.

Channing aka Lives4Disney

 

[scanne]

Lynr,

Hi from New Jersey - Mount Laurel!!! I was hoping you could find something out for me only if you get a chance. Please don't go out of your way. I tried to book a pool cabana for Oct. 2, 2006 but was told they are not taking any bookings past Sept. 30th. Could you find out if/when they will open those bookings up for October? I would greatly appreciate it!!!

Thank you so much!

Anne