The **NEW** Grand Floridian FAQ!(MAY 2011)

[k&a&c'smom]

Lulu'sMom - thanks for the link!

Lisa S. - You will fall in love with the resort, I'm sure. The only downside will the be desire to stay there for every visit in the future. Tough, when you like other resorts as well.

followthatmouse - you and my DD have a lot in common. She loves to get the bath bombs and soak while at the resort. I, on the other hand, am sensitive to smells - I can't even go in the store!

 

[Lisa S.]

k&a&c'smom - I've been wanting to stay there for years but couldn't swing it. This time, it's a girls-only weekend with my Mom to celebrate the anniversary of my first trip to the world in 1972 - and my birthday. Only 78 days to go!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

k&a&c'smom - Thanks! Good to know - it's going to be our very first stay at the GF and I'm beyond excited!

Lisa, The first visit to the GF is always sooo special. It's been over 20 years since my first visit, but everyone since then has been equally special. I love to take my niece and nephews there, they are always so blown away. There is lots to do at the resort, so leave a little xtra time away from the parks to enjoy it. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the lobby in the early afternoon while the piano player is there. If you have a chance, try the afternoon tea in the lobby. I thought it was a great treat and very relaxing. If you are a morning person, a walk around the grounds before everyone wakes up is very relaxing. Nothing better than watching the sun come over the buildings. I could go on and on about my love for this resort, but I would probably bore you. Keep asking questions, everyone here is happy to answer them.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Lisa, The first visit to the GF is always sooo special. It's been over 20 years since my first visit, but everyone since then has been equally special. I love to take my niece and nephews there, they are always so blown away. There is lots to do at the resort, so leave a little xtra time away from the parks to enjoy it. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the lobby in the early afternoon while the piano player is there. If you have a chance, try the afternoon tea in the lobby. I thought it was a great treat and very relaxing. If you are a morning person, a walk around the grounds before everyone wakes up is very relaxing. Nothing better than watching the sun come over the buildings. I could go on and on about my love for this resort, but I would probably bore you. Keep asking questions, everyone here is happy to answer them.[/QUOTE]

I couldn't have said it better! There is something so magical about the resort, and so many simple things that make it special. Like you said, relaxing in the lobby listening to the piano player in the afternoon, watching the sun come up over Bay Lake to name a few. I always experience a magical moment when I first walk out of the building in the morning, to shining sun, beautiful grounds and Disney magic.

Tomorrow starts a week and a half long stay at the GF. We should be there my lunch time, I am so excited!

I will posted during the trip. AND, unlike my last trip I will remember to bring the camera!

 

[pas130]

Jungle Cruiser Definitely remember your camera! Have a wonderful vacation

 

[KCmike]

Thanks once again for all the nice comments. It's sad that my vacation for this year is all over.

Zero Entry Beach Pool

Looking towards the Seven Seas Lagoon

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Lisa S. - Awww, gotta love those mother/daughter trips!

Jungle Cruiser - You're nearly there! Safe travels, and have a Grand vacation.

KC Mike - I know what you mean, there's always a bit of melancholy, knowing the long-awaited vacation is over. Gotta start planning the next one.

 

[followthatmouse]

Lisa S., our upcoming trip is a mother/daughter extravaganza, too. I love travelling with my DM. We have similar tastes and a similar (very silly) sense of humour. I hope you have a wonderful time for your anniversary/birthday trip.

 

[Lisa S.]

Janeapplemeadow - what a wonderful way to describe everything - thanks so much!

Jungle Cruiser - Have a magical trip - I can't wait to hear about it!

k&a&c'smom - Yeah, mom/daughter trips are the best! I keep telling her how much I'm looking forward to a testosterone-free weekend (between DH and DS and 2 male dogs I'm surrounded!)

followthatmouse - Thanks! You and your mom sound exactly like me and mine. I'm so lucky that we get to share this trip together. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip as well.

 

[MommyGina]

KCmike - the picture of the pool looks great. I bet after we all come home from work today we wish that we could jump right in. It's going to be hot, hot, hot today in Connecticut - only 97 degrees!

Keep those pictures coming. I really enjoy them.

 

[jdd]

k&a&c'smom - Yeah, mom/daughter trips are the best! I keep telling her how much I'm looking forward to a testosterone-free weekend (between DH and DS and 2 male dogs I'm surrounded!)

Hey, come live in my house for a while

 

[k&a&c'smom]

jdd - I'll bet you CAN relate, lol. With three boys, it's gotta be a circus - I had two, so was very glad when DD arrived to even things out a bit.

followthatmouse and Lisa S., I'm so happy for you both that you have such a good relationship with your mothers. I don't, but do have a great relationship with my DD, and we travel together frequently, so I feel blessed.

Mommy Gina - It has been in the 90s here, too! I've been looking longingly at those pool photos.

 

[KCmike]

KCmike - the picture of the pool looks great. I bet after we all come home from work today we wish that we could jump right in. It's going to be hot, hot, hot today in Connecticut - only 97 degrees!

Keep those pictures coming. I really enjoy them.

This week it has actually been cooler in Orlando. What the what? Yesterday when I got into my car to come home from work the temp read 102.

 

[MattMatts-Momma]

MattMatts-Momma - Welcome! I'm glad you are enjoying the thread. Try not to let the GF info overwhelm you, if you have any questions, just ask.

Yes, all the balconies on the top floor of SL are enclosed (dormer) balconies - other than maybe the suites. If you look at the photos in post #214 above, you can see in the first photo the pool side of SL (it is the building in the center of the photo). You can also see the marina side in the 4th & 6th photos, through the trees, across the marina - the dormer rooms have little pointed roofs on them.

Some of the balconies on the 3rd floor are also enclosed, and they are on the ends, so if you want a regular balcony and an end room, I would request 2nd floor. Unfortunately, that could mean you will end up on the pool side, as the number of end rooms on any floor are limited (to 4, of course, lol). I think pool side is the most-requested, though, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

You might like the dormer rooms, some guests do. Here is a link to page 45 of the previous FAQ - gilsan posted some lovely photos of a dormer room in Big Pine Key (scroll down to post #669): http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2427062&highlight=sl+room+numbers&page=45

Definitely call IPO and add your request through them!

I called the IPO today and she told me the turet rooms, on the top floor do not have balconies. I requested a dormer room on an end. We are on the marina side of Sugar Loaf.

I have never been soooo nervous to try a new hotel as I am this time. Only 105 more days to go....

 

[Adlergray]

We just switched to the GF for our Aug trip YAY!!!! DH prefers more themed resorts so we were at the YC but it was to far away from everything we were doing we needed to be a the Grand!!! Whoo Hooo

So excited now only 2 and 1/2 months to go

 

[k&a&c'smom]

MattMatts-Momma - I'm glad you were able to speak with IPO and get your requests in! I had forgotten about the turret rooms, as there are so few, and are request only. There are 3, on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors, courtyard side only; the one on the top floor is without a balcony, the 2nd and 3rd floor turrets DO have balconies. They are located roughly mid-building, rather than on the ends.

Here is a link to last year's FAQ, page #2 - scroll down to post #25, Little Lulu posted photos of the turret rooms and their location, if you are curious. These were taken before the 2007 renovations, so the decor is old - and the couch no longer folds out. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2427062&page=2 And, here is a link to page 10 of the previous FAQ, where minniesota has posted photos of the SL building in post #142: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2427062&page=10

Have fun with your planning! Try not to stress too much, you're gonna love the resort and SL.

Adlergray - Welcome! How exciting, your trip will be here before you know it!

 

[Adlergray]

thanks we can't wait. One question for the parents out there dose the gf have real cribs on request or just pack and plays?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

The GF does have cribs you can request, but I've never used one. Friends and I just had this discussion, and the consensus was that the cribs are sturdier than a pack 'n play, but not a lot larger.

If anyone has personal knowledge about the cribs, please speak up!:

 

[zad's mom]

I need your expert advice, please.

I've read through this entire thread and it sounds like it might not be worth the money to book a lagoon view room because the likelihood of us being assigned a room with trees blocking the view is pretty high. Am I wrong in thinking that quite a few room have trees blocking the veiw?

If this is the case, I was thinking of booking SL club level instead.

What do you think?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I need your expert advice, please.

I've read through this entire thread and it sounds like it might not be worth the money to book a lagoon view room because the likelihood of us being assigned a room with trees blocking the view is pretty high. Am I wrong in thinking that quite a few room have trees blocking the veiw?

If this is the case, I was thinking of booking SL club level instead.

What do you think?

Yes, in my experience, many lagoon view rooms have trees blocking at least part of the view. I would not book lagoon view for myself regardless of trees, as I don't find it worth the price increase over garden view. I would either book GV or a higher category, like TPV or CL.

However, even with trees, the lagoon views can be very pretty, so you might like them. I have a few photos of lagoon view rooms in Big Pine Key, to give you a reference (3 photos for each room):

Rm 9415:

Rm 9225:

Rm 9321 (day was a little more overcast):