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

[JoBird]

Good Morning!

Ooooh, threebeesatdisney-- what a wonderful way to start the day! So happy you love the GF! I said the same thing when we got there-- "I love this place!"
All the best for a Grand vacation!!

k&a&c'sMom- Thanks so much!! I couldn't believe I got a pin, but I did go onto the website when we heard about the wedding and saved a vacation offer. Of course I've been checking email every day in the hopes of getting one from them. When the mail came last Saturday, DD9 got it and didn't tell me that there was something from Disney. The Stinker took it to her room, where I found it many hours later. I could have pinched her.
Anyway--- we can't wait to get there, and I can't wait to plan the surprise of telling them the news that we are actually staying at the GF again.

pas-- I thought you'd enjoy my DD9's thoughts. I thought about you and your kids after she said it. Out of the mouths of babes!

JungleCruiser--- your picture is beautiful!!!! It really captures the feeling of the Grand, doesn't it? And you're right--- Disney Magic is at work!


Hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday!

 

[pas130]

KCMike & junglecruiser

k&a&c'sMom- Thanks so much!! I couldn't believe I got a pin, but I did go onto the website when we heard about the wedding and saved a vacation offer. Of course I've been checking email every day in the hopes of getting one from them. When the mail came last Saturday, DD9 got it and didn't tell me that there was something from Disney. The Stinker took it to her room, where I found it many hours later. I could have pinched her.

pas-- I thought you'd enjoy my DD9's thoughts. I thought about you and your kids after she said it. Out of the mouths of babes!

Perhaps your DD9 took the Mickey Mail to book her own vacation

We've missed you here! It's great about our girls loving the Grand! As you may have read...my DD doesn't want to go back until all the construction is done, so even though I did book the GF (multiple times this year and changed ) I have to wait until 2013 I suppose...but I come here to get my Grand fix...and I can't wait to hear about your December trip! Hooray for PIN codes

 

[Figment1990]

junglecruiser - what an awesome picture!!!! That is a dream view and something that will keep me going through this dreary February until.....

our trip in MARCH!!!! Less than ONE MONTH AWAY!!!! (Yes, I know it's not polite to shout in my posts but I'm so darn excited!)

Anyway.
We have a deluxe outerbuilding room booked and I have requested Conch Key, our favorite location, with a view of the courtyard. I really really hope we get our requested location. But if not, that's fine. DH and I and my DS, who's only 4, are so excited to return to the Grand. We had such a fabulous trip there last year. I just finished booking all of our dining reservations (I'm a bit behind where I normally would be in my planning due to some family health issues), but I am super excited that I got all our wishes - Narcoosee's, Cali Grill, Afternoon tea, and a bunch of character meals my son wanted. We haven't been to Narcooses in a few years, so we're excited to return.

So happy to share our anticipation with fellow Grand thread members.

Question: has anyone had a birthday cake for their kid(s) at GF? My son's birthday is the day after we arrive and I would love to do something for him one of the days we are there. I know there's a cake thread, but I was just curious about the GF experiences you might have had.

 

[pas130]

junglecruiser - what an awesome picture!!!! That is a dream view and something that will keep me going through this dreary February until.....

our trip in MARCH!!!! Less than ONE MONTH AWAY!!!! (Yes, I know it's not polite to shout in my posts but I'm so darn excited!)

Anyway.
We have a deluxe outerbuilding room booked and I have requested Conch Key, our favorite location, with a view of the courtyard. I really really hope we get our requested location. But if not, that's fine. DH and I and my DS, who's only 4, are so excited to return to the Grand. We had such a fabulous trip there last year. I just finished booking all of our dining reservations (I'm a bit behind where I normally would be in my planning due to some family health issues), but I am super excited that I got all our wishes - Narcoosee's, Cali Grill, Afternoon tea, and a bunch of character meals my son wanted. We haven't been to Narcooses in a few years, so we're excited to return.

So happy to share our anticipation with fellow Grand thread members.

Question: has anyone had a birthday cake for their kid(s) at GF? My son's birthday is the day after we arrive and I would love to do something for him one of the days we are there. I know there's a cake thread, but I was just curious about the GF experiences you might have had.

First for your upcoming trip. I ordered a cake for my anniversary from the GF bakery. A simple round cake...it was delicious! I went throught the IPO, but there is a "cake hotline" the Cake chatter thread has a lot of great info. I am sure others here will have lots more info, but rest assured if it's coming from the Grand IMO it will be delish

 

[KCmike]

KCMike & junglecruiser

Thanks so much

KCmike - I love that photo, we like taking pictures of the hallways, too. It looks like the lobby of one of the outer buildings?

Boca Chica again. It just seemed like a good idea to take the shot.

What a great picture KCMike. The lobby of the GF is so amazing. Rarely do we get to see a picture from the perspective.

Thanks JC! And great shot! The colors are amazing.

 

[KCmike]

Just found out my twins (son and daughter who go to High School next year, OMG) who play instruments in grade school will be in band next year will have the opportunity to play in Orlando next year. What the what? There were no more vacations planned. Can this signal the return of a WDW vacation add on? Fingers crossed. Not sure if they will play in the Magic Kingdom or at Universal. We find out later this month. Just had to share.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KCmike - How exciting! What a fun trip to plan, with the kids playing at the park!

JoBird - LOL about your daughter hoarding the Mickey Mail. I don't blame you for being excited - a wedding, AND a stay in SL!

Figment1990 - Hey, yell all you want! I'd be yelling, too, if my next trip were a MONTH AWAY!!! Hope you get your room request - be sure to ask at check in, and if they tell you a different location, sweetly ask if what you really want is open.

Love all of your dining plans.

We have ordered birthday cakes several times, but for teens rather than young ones. I have some photos, I'll see if I can find a couple. Beautiful and delicious, I love their cakes. I have to admit, though, the cost has gone up to an exorbitant level for custom cakes - I would hesitate to order now.

This past summer, we were there over DD's 22nd birthday, and I ordered a slipper dessert at the afternoon tea, instead of doing a birthday cake. We are never able to eat all of the cake, and this way she didn't have to feel we were wrecking her diet!

Here's an idea: since you are eating at Narcoossee's, see about getting the small, personal cake with a white chocolate cake topper at the restaurant. They usually do a castle, but they have Mickey, Donald, etc. It would be much cheaper, and not so much cake. You do have to settle for either white or chocolate cake, with only one or two choices for frosting, but hey! Still good, from what I've heard. This is what I had planned for DD, but I chose the slipper instead.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

White cake, bavarian cream and raspberry filling, chocolate buttercream with chocolate ganache poured over, chocolate shavings, Donald figure

sliced

Birthday cookies with white chocolate Mickey

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Just found out my twins (son and daughter who go to High School next year, OMG) who play instruments in grade school will be in band next year will have the opportunity to play in Orlando next year. What the what? There were no more vacations planned. Can this signal the return of a WDW vacation add on? Fingers crossed. Not sure if they will play in the Magic Kingdom or at Universal. We find out later this month. Just had to share.

KCMike, how cool would a trip to WFW to hear your children play in a band be?! Fingers crossed that they play at WDW, however if they play at Universal a detour to WFW is in order! Keep us posted!

 

[pas130]

Just found out my twins (son and daughter who go to High School next year, OMG) who play instruments in grade school will be in band next year will have the opportunity to play in Orlando next year. What the what? There were no more vacations planned. Can this signal the return of a WDW vacation add on? Fingers crossed. Not sure if they will play in the Magic Kingdom or at Universal. We find out later this month. Just had to share.

That would be fantastic..AWESOME a possible Disney trip. And twins in high school.... here's an advance hug Keep us posted!!!!

 

[threebeesatdisney]

threebeesatdisney - Good to hear from you, so glad you love the resort and your room! Are you facing the marina? Those views are so pretty.

We love the lobby smell, too, part of our sense memory of the GF.

Thanks for the info on the wifi, I know others are wondering about it.

Yeah we are facing Sugarloaf. I think I would be disappointed if I had the view on the other side of Sago...however maybe you can see Wishes from there...?
We went to the boat dock to watch Wishes tonight. Beautiful! You Really don't realize how HUGE Some of the fireworks are when you are in the parks but you truly get an appreciation for them when you are watchingnthem from afar.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Yeah we are facing Sugarloaf. I think I would be disappointed if I had the view on the other side of Sago...however maybe you can see Wishes from there...?
We went to the boat dock to watch Wishes tonight. Beautiful! You Really don't realize how HUGE Some of the fireworks are when you are in the parks but you truly get an appreciation for them when you are watchingnthem from afar.

Watching Wishes from the boat dock must have been magical. I think it is so beautiful how the fireworks are reflected in the lagoon. I actually prefer watching the fireworks from the GF or the Poly to being in the MK. It is so peaceful and when they are over you have a lovey, realxing walk back to your room.

Enjoy the rest of your stay!

 

[threebeesatdisney]

Checking out today...
but my day started off with a cup of tea and a Mickey rice krispie treat as I sat on the balcony watching the GRAND wake up. Gonna miss this place......

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Checking out today...
but my day started off with a cup of tea and a Mickey rice krispie treat as I sat on the balcony watching the GRAND wake up. Gonna miss this place......

Awww, sorry you are checking out. Are you heading home? If so, safe travels. It's always tough to leave, I guess that's how you know you had a great vacation.

 

[pas130]

Checking out today...
but my day started off with a cup of tea and a Mickey rice krispie treat as I sat on the balcony watching the GRAND wake up. Gonna miss this place......

Safe travels home

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

First off - thanks to many in here for all the info posted about the GF. I attended a seminar there last Weds-Sat and had a great time. In an effort to "give back" I thought I'd post my impressions and experiences at the GF:

1. We really enjoyed the elegant feel and vibe of the place. It definitely felt like the premier WDW resort...very classy. For reference, we've also been to WL, BC, POFQ and Swolphin.

2. Lobby smell is truly addicting and I miss it!

3. The beach pool slide is great! It's fast...much faster than the WL or POFQ slides. The slide at BC is faster...but it's also across a walkway and not as easy to access.

4. Construction over by the beach pool kills the atmosphere there. You also wouldn't want views of it from your room.

5. We were in Sago Cay...and were near the end closest to Gasparilla's. The view from our room was fine straight out...but to the right was the maintanence area and there was lots of traffic in and out of there (carts with blinking yellow lights). not the best spot. If you get Sago...request a room further out over the marina (but then you are furthest from the lobby). We didn't mind because our room was company paid and we just happy to be there.

6. Fireworks - these look great from the dock/marina or Narcoossees...but just to nitpick...they are off center from the castle...they are far to the left of it. From what I recall, from the Poly beach the fireworks are more over the castle...this is better. But again, don't let this sway you..they look great and the soundtrack is clear out at Narcoosees (but not so much on the dock where you can't really hear it. We moved due to this back towards Narccoosees). The night I watched from the marina they had a private party for us with the music on speakers on stands...I don't know if they do this every night with the speakers but it sounded perfect...better than from within MK in fact. Please don't misunderstand...fireworks look GREAT. This is a subtle point for firework afficiandos who, like me, try to see Wishes from many different vantage points!

7. Victoria and Albert's is everything they say it is and more. A night to remember. It's also $470 with the wine pairing, tax and 20%, tip so plan accordingly.

8. SeaRaycers are fun. you only need a half hour to circle the whole Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake...including stopping at all the resorts for a few to admire the views. what's nice is they only bill you half hour minimum upfront and just add to it after that if you go over, so you don't have to decide if you want 45 mins or 60 mins upfront.

9. The whole place is gorgeous - IF you like Victorian era stylings. Dense mouldings, sweeping staircases, ornate rugs, lots of fancy wallpapers, faux gaslights atop metal lamposts....plus all the artwork echoing that era. It's very classy and elegant. Whimsical it is not. We loved it.

 

[Figment1990]

Just found out my twins (son and daughter who go to High School next year, OMG) who play instruments in grade school will be in band next year will have the opportunity to play in Orlando next year. What the what? There were no more vacations planned. Can this signal the return of a WDW vacation add on? Fingers crossed. Not sure if they will play in the Magic Kingdom or at Universal. We find out later this month. Just had to share.

From someone who has performed at the MK and Epcot (that was a LONG march around the lagoon) - I hope they get to play at Disney! It is so amazing to have that opportunity. I was a majorette in the 90s and our school went. It was a really fantastic trip for the kids and the chaperones. Enjoy!

k&a&c's mom - thanks for the info on the cake and dessert. I will look into those ideas... I think DS would be happy with a cupcake and a few birthday presents from us (have to sneak some in the packing I suppose). His main wish is to have Mickey waffles in the room so we can go right to the parks and not have to eat breakfast somewhere first. LOL. the menu I found shows that the GF room service still has Mickey waffles.... I really hope that's true in a month!

 

[bowbat]

MikeandReneePlus5 -- Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We'll be checking in for our first stay on SATURDAY . It's nice to hear the impressions of other first-timers.

 

[WDWKOOK]

First off - thanks to many in here for all the info posted about the GF. I attended a seminar there last Weds-Sat and had a great time. In an effort to "give back" I thought I'd post my impressions and experiences at the GF:

1. We really enjoyed the elegant feel and vibe of the place. It definitely felt like the premier WDW resort...very classy. For reference, we've also been to WL, BC, POFQ and Swolphin.

2. Lobby smell is truly addicting and I miss it!

3. The beach pool slide is great! It's fast...much faster than the WL or POFQ slides. The slide at BC is faster...but it's also across a walkway and not as easy to access.

4. Construction over by the beach pool kills the atmosphere there. You also wouldn't want views of it from your room.

5. We were in Sago Cay...and were near the end closest to Gasparilla's. The view from our room was fine straight out...but to the right was the maintanence area and there was lots of traffic in and out of there (carts with blinking yellow lights). not the best spot. If you get Sago...request a room further out over the marina (but then you are furthest from the lobby). We didn't mind because our room was company paid and we just happy to be there.

6. Fireworks - these look great from the dock/marina or Narcoossees...but just to nitpick...they are off center from the castle...they are far to the left of it. From what I recall, from the Poly beach the fireworks are more over the castle...this is better. But again, don't let this sway you..they look great and the soundtrack is clear out at Narcoosees (but not so much on the dock where you can't really hear it. We moved due to this back towards Narccoosees). The night I watched from the marina they had a private party for us with the music on speakers on stands...I don't know if they do this every night with the speakers but it sounded perfect...better than from within MK in fact. Please don't misunderstand...fireworks look GREAT. This is a subtle point for firework afficiandos who, like me, try to see Wishes from many different vantage points!

7. Victoria and Albert's is everything they say it is and more. A night to remember. It's also $470 with the wine pairing, tax and 20%, tip so plan accordingly.

8. SeaRaycers are fun. you only need a half hour to circle the whole Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake...including stopping at all the resorts for a few to admire the views. what's nice is they only bill you half hour minimum upfront and just add to it after that if you go over, so you don't have to decide if you want 45 mins or 60 mins upfront.

9. The whole place is gorgeous - IF you like Victorian era stylings. Dense mouldings, sweeping staircases, ornate rugs, lots of fancy wallpapers, faux gaslights atop metal lamposts....plus all the artwork echoing that era. It's very classy and elegant. Whimsical it is not. We loved it.

Thank you for posting your review! I had a Deluxe RPC room booked, but had only wanted a LV, but then the construction started. I'd really like to re-book RPC, but this comment really worries me:

4. Construction over by the beach pool kills the atmosphere there. You also wouldn't want views of it from your room.

I tried to convince myself that, of course we wouldn't be in the room all day just staring at the construction, but I think you're recommending avoiding that Poly/LV/main pool view at all costs, correct?

You mentioned a "maintenance area," is this for the GF or for the DVC construction?

I second the Sea Raycers - love 'em, (even though they are slow).

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

MikeandReneePlus5 -- Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We'll be checking in for our first stay on SATURDAY . It's nice to hear the impressions of other first-timers.

your very welcome. I read my post again and maybe I didn't make it clear enough that we really LOVED the GF! I miss it....I hope you have a wonderful time!

Thank you for posting your review! I had a Deluxe RPC room booked, but had only wanted a LV, but then the construction started. I'd really like to re-book RPC, but this comment really worries me:

4. Construction over by the beach pool kills the atmosphere there. You also wouldn't want views of it from your room.

I tried to convince myself that, of course we wouldn't be in the room all day just staring at the construction, but I think you're recommending avoiding that Poly/LV/main pool view at all costs, correct?

You mentioned a "maintenance area," is this for the GF or for the DVC construction?

I second the Sea Raycers - love 'em, (even though they are slow).

to clarify - I meant that while you are in the beach pool or sitting in a chair by the beach pool the atmosphere is killed. Because of the giant wall that hems you in and obscures the lagoon.

I have not stayed in the RPC but it seems to have many charms that you don't get in the outer buildings...and the view from there is expansive enough that it's not like you would be staring at the construction stuff...you'd be looking out over the lagoon and horizon and palms etc. So that's a trade off (charms vs some construction in your view). Also....we didn't see much heavy machinery or actual buildings going up....the beach is a mess with large piles of sand and reatiner floats out in the lagoon...and the wall...but this going to be evolving I guess as they construct the actual units so it may get worse. When who knows.

The maintenance area is for general stuff...mousekeeping and restuarant or private event supply...not the DVC construction...there are many golf carts driven by CMs humming around GF that keep the place running smoothly... but all them originate from that one spot (it seems, I didn't look everywhere!) so if you are right next to it, you see a lot of traffic. at least we did in that one end of Sago Cay.

Here is another strike against Sago Cay - if you are over there your quickest route to the resort bus stop would be to walk between it and the main building. If you look at the first map in the first post on this thread I'm talking about the path right above the number 21 where you walk to get to number 1, the bus stop.

But that area around that traffic circle (see the map) is the maintenance area...truck deliveries...huge steel racks...laundry...very industrial and loud with humming machinery. that road that goes in from the traffic circle to the main building appears to be the supply for the whole resort....

And finally...I have to believe that's where convention guests stay - our whole group was there - because of the proximity to the convention center so you may not want to look at people in professional dress with tags on and brief cases or pulling rolling carryons frequently.....

It sounds worse than it is I suppose and it really didn't bother us, but then again I didn't pay for my room and I amy have felt differently if I was on a full family vacation (rack is $460 for that room ).....