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

[KerriL]

Thanks Tammi!
I think we will do the valet. Worth the extra $$. We are renewing our vows at Leu Gardens and not getting a limo, so it will be nice having the car brought around instead of a 7 minute hike in a wedding gown!!
Kerri

 

[Janet2k]

...Janet has experienced many other resorts at WDW..

Yes, I have experienced quite a few of the WDW resorts (18 and counting):

Value Resorts: All-Star Sports, Pop Century
Moderate Resorts: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans - French Quarter, Port Orleans - Riverside
Deluxe Resorts: Animal Kingdom Lodge, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, Swan
Vacation Club Resorts: Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Villas at Wilderness Lodge

I have had wonderful stays in all of them and one day soon hope to complete the list with the handful of resorts that I have yet to experience.

With that said, I do have a few favorites, the Grand Floridian being at the top of my list. I just find such a serene feeling whenever I am there. My favorite thing to do is simply to hang out at the pool with a couple of modern day fairy tales (People, US, the National Enquirer, the Star, Fortune, Forbes, Royalty, etc.). I can truly unwind and escape from reality, ~sigh.~

 

[goofyandmore]

My sister has a friend who is trying to pick a disney resort that her kids would like too. She doesn't like the tropical themeing of the Polynesian. We recommended the GF, but others have recommended the Boardwalk and Beach/yacht club. I know I saw a link to some great pictures of the GF on this thread. If anyone has any link at all as well as any imput, that would be great. Thanks, Carolyn

 

[lmhall2000]

Goofyandmore...I really like the pictures on www.allearsnet.com...they seem to have alot and www.wdwig.com has a bunch, too...

I would simplify my decision by one criteria in choosing GF or YC/BC...how old are the children? If they are young and will be spending the majority of their time at MK...then GF hands down...if they are old enough to enjoy a HUGE waterpark slide setting where the parents won't feel like they have to keep an eye on their child at all times then go with YC/BC...the Stormalong Bay is a dream for kids who love the water...and you can walk to Epcot and MGM...older children love the thrill rides there and the younger kids seem to love Goofy's barnstormer...the castle...and all the fun rides for them at MK...my kids are right at that breaking point...ages 9, 6, & 5...we had settled on GF because the slide at YC/BC was under refurbishment...but our dates to travel have had to change and now I can't decide....I know they would LOVE the slide and beach fun...but we still do spend alot of time at MK...oh the decisions!!!
Tara

 

[TammiMcMan]

Carolyn, it kind of depends on the kids ages and what they like to do as a family. I would definitely not rule out the GF because of kids though. They have some good programs for 3-10 year olds at an additional cost and some story time and crafts for 4-7 year olds at no additional cost. The convenience to the MK is wonderful, especially if that is your primary park and you need to come back for afternoon naps or down time.

We recently stayed at the YC though and I can say the same thing for convenience to Epcot and MGM. It's a much larger area, so if they are older kids or a family that likes to get out and explore, than that area might just be better. You have the whole boardwalk area with nightime activities, games, surrey bikes to rent and great food selection. StormAlongBay at the YC/BC is probably every childs dream pool. BW is fun with the roller coaster theme slide and the GF has a theme pool also.

Another site for good pics is www.ourlaughingplace.com. They show lots of details on the rooms.

Tammi

 

[mirlow]

I know they have mini bars at the GF. Can I get an empty fridge? We are going to be @ WDW for a long time and eating out breakfast every day gets old

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Yes, the bellman asked us if we wanted a refigerator and a coffee maker. He was back with both items a minute later.

Lori

 

[Steph H]

I would definitely not rule out the GF because of kids though. They have some good programs for 3-10 year olds at an additional cost . . .

Tammi, is there something besides the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party that can be done by a 3 year old at GF? I was so excited when I saw the Mouseketeer Club, the Pirate Adventure, Grand Adventures in Cooking. . .then bummed because they all start at age 4, and DS will only be 3 1/2 when we go later this year.

Guess that's just a reason to go back to the GF next year, right?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tammi, is there something besides the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party that can be done by a 3 year old at GF? I was so excited when I saw the Mouseketeer Club, the Pirate Adventure, Grand Adventures in Cooking. . .then bummed because they all start at age 4, and DS will only be 3 1/2 when we go later this year.

Guess that's just a reason to go back to the GF next year, right?

Perhaps they've made a recent change, but my literature from the GF shows the Grand Adventures in cooking to also be for 3-10 year olds? Might be worth calling the resort directly and find out what their most recent policy is.

Tammi

 

[Janet2k]

Steph H, you're correct -- the official Walt Disney World website states the following in regards to the Grand Floridian's children's programs:

- - - - - - -
Mouseketeer Club:
Enjoy a parents' night out and treat children ages 4-12 to an evening of supervised activities, computer games, Disney movies, dinner and snacks in an environment created just for them.

Grand Adventures in Cooking:
Have a delicious time painting an apron, decorating your very own chef's hat and whipping up tasty treats. (For children ages 4-10) Space is limited.

Wonderland Tea Party:
Join Alice and her curious friends for lunch, cupcakes and, of course, a spot of tea. (For children ages 3-10) Space is limited.

Disney's Pirate Adventure:
Don yer garb and set sail to exotic ports-of-call in search of buried treasure. (For children ages 4-10) Space is limited.
- - - - - - -

To find out what Disney's most recent policy is, a simple call to (407)-WDW-DINE should answer that question for you.

 

[Janet2k]

Steph H, if you're interested in some time away from your child while on vacation (for example, if you have a romantic dinner for two planned at Victoria & Albert's), then please look into the private in-room sitters. My family has used that service while staying at the Grand Floridian and it worked out well. We had three children with us (my son, my niece & my infant nephew), and on one occasion, all three stayed with the in-room sitter. The sitter brought movies to watch (there was a VCR in our suite), toys to play with, books to read, and coloring books to color. The kids had a ball. We wound up using the in-room sitter service quite a few times during that vacation and were always pleased.

In addition, the Grand Floridian has some wonderful children's activities that are offered on various days of the week. These activities are free of charge to Grand Floridian Resort guests. The activities that are offered vary. My daughter has literally drawn in chalk on the deck of the pool with the Cast Members. This was reminiscent of “Mary Poppins” and she loved it. For another activity, there was a piñata filled with trinkets that needed to be broken open (click here for photos). That one was fun to watch. As hard as the kids struck that piñata, it just wouldn’t open. The Cast Member eventually had to help break it open. The kids had a ball gathering up all the trinkets.

 

[armyfam]

Hi, All!
My family and I will have only one glorious night in this elegant resort in April. We are booked for a garden view room and we are all looking forward to this!

My question is this: Would any of you happen to know what time fireworks can be seen from this resort? What time and from where would be the best place to view them?

Thank you so much for your help in advance!

 

[minniesota]

armyfam - You will love the GF! I've provided a link to the April hours. Just check what time Wishes is showing on your date. You can watch from the patio in front of Gasparilla Grill (GF's food court) or on the boat launch dock. Either spot is wonderful! Have a grand time..

Here is the link:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/april05.cfm

 

[Steph H]

Steph H, if you're interested in some time away from your child while on vacation (for example, if you have a romantic dinner for two planned at Victoria & Albert's), then please look into the private in-room sitters.

Thanks for the suggestion, Janet! I am doing some research on it now. Not quite planning on Victoria and Alberts, but was hoping to do my birthday dinner at Narcoose's. Hopefully with a fireworks view if I'm lucky.

 

[armyfam]

Thank you, Minniesota!
That will be great.
Also, is there anything else we should look out for/do while we are there for that short a period of time?

I appreciate your advice.

 

[minniesota]

armyfam - Are you planning to spend the day at the resort or are you going to a park? Here are some of the things our family enjoys:

Sitting in the lobby in the late afternoon/evening and listening to the orchestra and/or the grand piano.

Riding the monorail - even if it's just the resort loop (meaning you never get off!) Ask the monorail attendant if you can ride in the front car with the conductor (it can accommodate 4) - the kids get honorary co-captain cards.

We love the quiet pool - so relaxing to just sit by the pool and have a cool drink.

Ride the "cage" elevator in the lobby!

Get soft serve ice cream sundaes at Gasparilla Grill.

Take the boat launch over to the Poly, get off and roam around. Or just take a round trip on the boat - a lovely way to get out on the water.

Sit on the beach.

Watch the nightly Electrical Water Parade that goes right past the resort.

Hope this helps. It's making me homesick but I'll be there in May!!!

 

[armyfam]

Thank you, Minniesota!

Yes, we are planning to spend our time at the resort. When grandma and grandpa arrive the next day, we'll start "running" around! That's when we'll go to their timeshare.

This visit, we also plan on enjoying Victoria and Albert's, as it was our introduction to the resort back in 2002.

Thank you again for letting me "pick your brain". Your ideas sound terrific. This visit (although, way too brief!) is something I've hoped for for 3 years so I'm ready!!

We probably won't get to the park this time around, but we're hoping to return someday in a "less crowded" time of year....!

Thank you!

 

[mirlow]

In addition, the Grand Floridian has some wonderful children's activities that are offered on various days of the week. These activities are free of charge to Grand Floridian Resort guests. The activities that are offered vary. My daughter has literally drawn in chalk on the deck of the pool with the Cast Members.

How do you find out about these activities? My dh has a conference in Orlando and we have a few resort days planned. My kids are signed up for the Adventures in Cooking. My youngest is doing the Wonderland Tea Party while my dh takes the other two golfing We even have them signed up for the Mouseketeer Club for a night. A first for us at WDW. I hope they like it.
I'm getting so excited about our trip. There is so much to do at the GF. We have a PS for every restaurant for at least one meal. Do they offer food at the pool where slide is? Is that considered the main pool?

 

[Tabetha]

If this has been asked before, I apologize, but I'm wondering...

For the Sugar Loaf Concierge offerings, the "Afternoon tea", is that served in the lounge, or is that the tea served in the Garden View Lounge?

If it's in the Sugar Loaf lounge, how does it compare to the GVL tea?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tabetha, the concierge afternoon tea is served in the SugarLoaf lounge. It really doesn't compare to that done in the GVL. In concierge, you make your own tea using tea bags. There are warm scones available and on certain days, they do offer a trifle. Other than that, it was just an assortment of cookies I believe. If you want a true English afternoon tea experience, I would book the GVL.

Tammi