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

[Sweetly]

Ok I am getting so . 23 days and counting till the GF!! The days aren't going fast enough for us.
I want to thank you to all for the advice/pictures for our upcoming trip.

 

[pas130]

Ok I am getting so . 23 days and counting till the GF!! The days aren't going fast enough for us.
I want to thank you to all for the advice/pictures for our upcoming trip.

I'll dance to that And I'll be there 12 days after ya!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Ok I am getting so . 23 days and counting till the GF!! The days aren't going fast enough for us.
I want to thank you to all for the advice/pictures for our upcoming trip.

I'll dance to that And I'll be there 12 days after ya!

You are both getting close - you'll be in the GF lobby before you know it!

 

[DisneyFairy19]

Pas130 and Sweetly

How exciting! Have a wonderful time..

 

[pas130]

Thank you k&a&c's mom and DisneyFairy19 So excited...stressing a little about the plane..This is my first airplane ride with my 5 little ones. Just bought a new sit n stand stroller, to avoid luggin my Duoglider around. All the kids have their backpacks...off to make lists

 

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - Five little ones? No wonder you are stressing, I worried about flying with just two of mine, and they were 10+ when we first flew! I'm sure everything will be fine, and the flight will be a new experience for the family.

..."off to make lists." I was just making lists for our upcoming trip a few days ago - have to have my lists, even after so many trips.

 

[pas130]

pas130 - Five little ones? No wonder you are stressing, I worried about flying with just two of mine, and they were 10+ when we first flew! I'm sure everything will be fine, and the flight will be a new experience for the family.

..."off to make lists." I was just making lists for our upcoming trip a few days ago - have to have my lists, even after so many trips.

Thanks My DH said I have to stress about something now that I'm done changing our trip around My oldest DS is 10 (my oldest DS 19 was gonna come but he'll be in Boot camp), so he's not little but he is sitting in the row in front of us so I feel like he's sitting alone I just hope they behave...we're flying at naptime in hopes they will sleep. The rest are 6,5,4, and 2 1/2. Only DS 10 and DD 6 have flown before and they were 3 1/2 and 9 months old at the time..I'm packing lots of sugar-free snacks. Sorry Off topic

 

[catyanna]

I can't imagine anyone at Disney approving - it's supposed to be "all about show!"

Funny you would say that. I made the same exact comment on one of the threads after my October trip last year & I got "SLAMMED" by most for feeling this way. We took my MIL for her first visit & right away upon walking into Main Street we were re-routed backstage & she encounters garbage bins & CM smoking by the dumpsters. It most definitely took away from the magic. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels negative about it. They really need to change this practice.

 

[pennyplanner]

My sisters, niece, and I will be staying at the GF next week for a 50th and 60th birthday celebration.

We have a linked reservation for two rooms. I'm hoping for adjoining rooms or ones in close proximity at the very least. Our choice was for TPV rather than club level. We found that we enjoy signature dining in the evening the most.

It will be a first at the GF for us. Favorite WDW stays include the WL and the BC.

Any suggestions to maximize our enjoyment of the GF? We like to get up early and go to the parks, eat lunch, and return to our rooms for some R&R and a trip to the pool.

What time does the orchestra and/or pianist play in the lobby? Can you hear the music from the bar if we choose to have a cocktail before heading out for dinner?

Thanks for all the info and great pictures!

--pennyplanner

 

[blackdogg]

the pianist i want to say started at about 4- 5 for the orchestra... we just got back last week and that was one of the highlights of our stay you can definitely hear them from the bar... it is located directly behind where the gf orchestra is set up have an awesome time!!!

 

[s&k'smom]

We finally hit the double digits 99 days and counting. sorry I've been MIA from this thread, very busy earning extra mickey spending money. Requested Big Pine Key for this visit but frankly as long as it's the GF I'm happy!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

catyanna - I'm surprised anyone would slam you for that comment, as I'm sure many people feel the same way. With Disney so strict about the age requirement for even attending behind the scenes tours, it's hard to understand why they would allow the general public to see the very un-magical back stage area in those photos.

pennyplanner - Congrats on booking your first trip to the GF, I think you will love it!

The pianist starts at 3:00 p.m., and alternates with the orchestra throughout the evening until around 9:45 p.m. As the PP mentioned, the orchestra is right in front of Mizner's, so it's quite easy to hear the music. Great to have a drink and enjoy the atmosphere!

If you go to the first page of this thread, scroll down to post #7, there are some photos of the orchestra, then you see their instruments - the openings behind the instruments is the back side of the bar. Then there are a couple photos of Mizner's in the same post.

The best advice I can give is to be sure to leave plenty of resort time. Strolling the grounds, lounging by the pools with a drink, sitting in the lobby, watching Wishes from Gasparilla's, shopping and enjoying the restaurants - all wonderful things to do!

blackdogg - Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

s&k'smom - glad to see you! Sounds like you are very busy indeed, I know the GF will be a well-earned reward.

 

[katieandrob]

I would love to see the mousekeepers parade on our upcoming trip in September. Does anyone know about what time this happens?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks My DH said I have to stress about something now that I'm done changing our trip around My oldest DS is 10 (my oldest DS 19 was gonna come but he'll be in Boot camp), so he's not little but he is sitting in the row in front of us so I feel like he's sitting alone I just hope they behave...we're flying at naptime in hopes they will sleep. The rest are 6,5,4, and 2 1/2. Only DS 10 and DD 6 have flown before and they were 3 1/2 and 9 months old at the time..I'm packing lots of sugar-free snacks. Sorry Off topic

LOL about changing your trip. I hope everyone is entertained enough to enjoy the flight, and it is a good experience for you all.

I would love to see the mousekeepers parade on our upcoming trip in September. Does anyone know about what time this happens?

It's been a while since we've seen it, so I don't recall the exact time, but it is at the beginning of the day. I think it is around 7:00 a.m., I hope some of the other posters can be more helpful.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I would love to see the mousekeepers parade on our upcoming trip in September. Does anyone know about what time this happens?

The picture we posted of the Mousekeepers Parade was taken at 8 AM. I don't know if it happens everyday, but that was the time we saw it in June!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

 

[dragonfly57005]

lovely jungle cruiser!

 

[BCV23]

pas130, way to go. I flew alone with my children when they were very young, too. You'll be fine.

One time many years ago, we were in the MK in the evening when Main Street became all but impassable. It was very scary to me as we tried to keep all three children with us. I was so grateful when we were offered the option of leaving via backstage. With Disney, safety always trumps show as I understand it.

I don't think the age limits on some of the tours are to prevent children from seeing backstage. In fact, our eldest participated in several tours back in the late 80s and early 90s that did expose him to backstage areas including the utiladors. The tours were designed for children from maybe 9-12 or 13?? He loved them.

Loving the pictures, everyone. Thanks.

Oh, I thought the magickeepers parade was later?? 8 or 8:30 maybe??

 

[k&a&c'smom]

The picture we posted of the Mousekeepers Parade was taken at 8 AM. I don't know if it happens everyday, but that was the time we saw it in June!

Thanks, I'll bet I had the time wrong and that is the correct time every day. Which would explain why we haven't seen it in a while, as we are usually out of the room by 7:30.

 

[BCV23]

Good morning, k&a&c'smom.

Isn't the parade once a week?