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

[plien69]

Every day I send her a text w/ a 1-word clue. She gets one guess per day. I need a little help with words to send her. I want each word to add up in the end but I dont want them to be so easy that she guesses what it is.

Cute idea!

Some off the top of my head:
sunshine - Florida is the Sunshine State
flagship - but break it up into two words: "flag" and "ship" so it's not too obvious
loop - because it's on the monorail loop
birdcage - maybe this is too obvious if she knows the resort well

 

[k&a&c'smom]

catyanna - What a sweet daughter you are, and how wonderful that you will soon be at the GF for your first stay.

I am the worst person to ask about clues, I hope some of the other posters are move creative. Maybe you could use some Henry Flagler references? For instance, his home (Whitehall) is used as the name of one of the event rooms at the GF. Or maybe you could use a reference to the pirate Gaspar (nicknamed Gasparilla), there is a festival in Tampa every year dedicated to the buccaneer.

Good luck with your game, and enjoy the rest of your planning.

ETA: plien69 - Welcome! Great ideas!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Thanks for the suite info, Cali-D! Very helpful, as always.

ClareH37 - We have stayed in the SL building several times, and rarely see anyone without a cover up. We see families returning from their afternoon in the pool, who stop by and grab a drink and/or snack on their way to the room. Most, if not all, are wearing some type of beach shoes.

Since the lounge in SL is in the lobby, right inside the doors on the way to the elevators, there is no way for guests to get to and from the pool without walking through the area. It has never been an issue for us, the behavior of the majority of guests is quite acceptable. It's pretty hard to go anywhere without a few bad apples, but they are not the norm.

HTH!

There have been some negative threads/posts about inappropriate attire at Sugarloaf. I agree with k&a&c'smom that the close proximity to the pool may mean there are ocassionally people in inappropriate attire but it is certainly not the norm! I have rarely seen anyone who isn't properly dressed. Maybe it's just because I am so happy when I am in Sugarloaf, I just don't notice but I really wouldn't be concerned, it's a wonderful treat to stay there!

AND I must join in and compliment KCMike on his pictures. They are amazing!

I have a few pictures to post from our trip a few weeks ago but and struggling with photobucket. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kaffinito]

Hi everyone1 I am so excited because at this time next month I will be arriving for our first visit to the GF!!!! for MANY years my family & I have been going to Disney & always say "one day we will be a ble to stay there" One day is FINALLY here!

My DH & I are taking my parents & DS (3). I am really excited because I am surprising my mother. She has no idea that we are staying at GF. She thinks we are staying at FW cabins Even better, I booked SL CL. She may faint. I have told her that I have a surprise for her. So we are playing a guessing game everyday to make the wait a little more bareable.

She has NO idea what the surprise is, as she would never have imagined that I would be able to afford such a place (thanks to discounts & lots of small weekly payment I've been able to do it) She is a HS teacher & is due back to work the day after we head home. So this will be much appreciated by her. She deserves this & I cant wait to see her face!!!!

What a wonderfully sweet thing to do!

I can't help with the clues as I'm terrible with them, but do wish you a lot of on your trip!

There have been some negative threads/posts about inappropriate attire at Sugarloaf. I agree with k&a&c'smom that the close proximity to the pool may mean there are ocassionally people in inappropriate attire but it is certainly not the norm! I have rarely seen anyone who isn't properly dressed. Maybe it's just because I am so happy when I am in Sugarloaf, I just don't notice but I really wouldn't be concerned, it's a wonderful treat to stay there!

I have a few pictures to post from our trip a few weeks ago but and struggling with photobucket. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I also agree that it's rare to see inappropriate attire at any CL lounge. It was just luck of the draw that I happened to see some. But I'm willing to make a solid bet that we won't during our next trip!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=4886029#post4886029 Here are the instructions on how to post a picture. Looking forward to seeing them!

 

[KCmike]

KC Mike - I hope everyone in WDW right now is keeping cool and hydrated. Park Touring with that kind of heat index can be rough.

More great photos!

I love your photos KCmike, just beautiful

LittleMissMagic, the fridges do not have separate section for the freezer, I think it does get a bit colder in the top section of the fridge, you can adjust the temperature though.

Very kind. Thanks.

 

[threebeesatdisney]

I absolutely LOVE this picture. Could you tell me where at GF it was taken? I'm a newbie about GF.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - I use photobucket, and while I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means, I might be able to help. What issues are you having? The link that kaffinito posted is very good, but if you are having a specific issue, don't hesitate to ask.

threebeesatdisney - I'm not KC Mike, but I'm pretty sure that shot is of the main building from the beach pool entrance. It is beautiful, isn't it?!

 

[WDWKOOK]

This was in tonight's AllEars newsletter:

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be running a pilot program over the next month to evaluate a new Club Level service called Concierge Club Connection. The service provides guests with access to a Concierge Club Connection cast member via phone, email or text message every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the option to leave a voice message 24 hours a day. Guests can receive personalized assistance with dining, tour and recreation arrangements, and up-to-the-minute information on everything Disney. Pre-selected guests taking part in the pilot program will receive pre-arrival communication that provides an overview of the service. Once the results of the pilot program are evaluated, this service may become a regular offering.




I'm not sure how this is any different from the current ability to call the concierge from your room, etc...

 

[kaffinito]

This was in tonight's AllEars newsletter:

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be running a pilot program over the next month to evaluate a new Club Level service called Concierge Club Connection. The service provides guests with access to a Concierge Club Connection cast member via phone, email or text message every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the option to leave a voice message 24 hours a day. Guests can receive personalized assistance with dining, tour and recreation arrangements, and up-to-the-minute information on everything Disney. Pre-selected guests taking part in the pilot program will receive pre-arrival communication that provides an overview of the service. Once the results of the pilot program are evaluated, this service may become a regular offering.




I'm not sure how this is any different from the current ability to call the concierge from your room, etc...

It does sounds about the same, doesn't it? I wonder if they just slapped a new fancy name on it and will now charge for it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

This was in tonight's AllEars newsletter:

The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be running a pilot program over the next month to evaluate a new Club Level service called Concierge Club Connection. The service provides guests with access to a Concierge Club Connection cast member via phone, email or text message every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the option to leave a voice message 24 hours a day. Guests can receive personalized assistance with dining, tour and recreation arrangements, and up-to-the-minute information on everything Disney. Pre-selected guests taking part in the pilot program will receive pre-arrival communication that provides an overview of the service. Once the results of the pilot program are evaluated, this service may become a regular offering.




I'm not sure how this is any different from the current ability to call the concierge from your room, etc...

Personally I don't see how that's any different then the Club Level service we get prior to arriving from the IPO and the service from the Club Level Cast Members working in the lounges.

 

[WDWKOOK]

It does sounds about the same, doesn't it? I wonder if they just slapped a new fancy name on it and will now charge for it.

Personally I don't see how that's any different then the Club Level service we get prior to arriving from the IPO and the service from the Club Level Cast Members working in the lounges.

Exactly - I'm confused

Maybe with this pilot program, you instead call a concierge call center (like when you call a resort), instead of the concierge desk? You could always leave a VM (most of the time I would get their VM anyway), so maybe the texting part is new? Maybe this service will be a separate service from actually staying in SL or RPC?

So many questions, so few answers... A "pre-selected guest" will have to report back to us

 

[BCV23]

Perhaps the new service is designed to help guests who are already at WDW more than those of us who use IPO before arrival. A number where you can reach a CM real time if you're at the MK and decide you'd like to have lunch at San Angel. In my experience, a call to IPO invariably goes to voice mail. This sounds as if the intent is for an actual person to answer the phone, doesn't it?

In Sugar Loaf, there is a way to get to the elevators without tramping through the food service area. There's a lovely barrier that surrounds the perimeter of the lounge. Guests can just walk in that area rather than through the lounge. I would hope that most do that.

 

[skibum25]

A "pre-selected guest" will have to report back to us

Leaving in a little over a week and staying CL. Hopefully we get selected and will definitely report back if we do!

I also have a question. The busses from GF to AK, DHS, DTD, BB & TL. How often do the busses run and what time to they start? I assume it's X minutes before park open but don't know and don't know the frequency. Thanks!

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Thank you kaffinito for the link explaining how to upload pictures. I am sure it will help and hopefully I will get some pictures posted. Not the quality of KCmike, who takes amazing pictures, but they are of the GF which will always put a smile on the face of a GF lover! (And as always, thanks for your support k&a&c'smom, I may need your advice if I get stuck!)

Did I mention we booked our next trip there in the fall?! I have been dealing with a serious health issue and my trips to the GF help get me through my treatments! There is no place more restorative, beautiful or relaxing in my book.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Leaving in a little over a week and staying CL. Hopefully we get selected and will definitely report back if we do!

I also have a question. The busses from GF to AK, DHS, DTD, BB & TL. How often do the busses run and what time to they start? I assume it's X minutes before park open but don't know and don't know the frequency. Thanks!

Great! You might be our first PSG (Pre-Selected Guest). I suppose you could even ask about this new plan even if you aren't awarded the coveted distinction.

Resort buses should run one hour prior to park opening at about 20 minute intervals.

Have a great trip!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

skibum25 - Just over a week to go, woohoo! You'll be on your way before you know it!

The buses start about an hour before park opening, and should run every 20 minutes or so. This isn't always the case, but I think that's the goal. We sometimes see two buses to the same area within a few minutes, if there are a lot of guests waiting.

WDWKOOK - that is a mystery, I don't see much difference between the new pilot program and the old system. BCV23 could be right, and it's intended for guests onsite - it would be nice if they clarified a bit, wouldn't it?

I hope skibum25 is able to get the scoop!

 

[followthatmouse]

Watch out for your toes, I'm starting the happy dance!

One day to go!!! Following a wonderful week in NYC, we are finally flying off to the Mouse House and our beloved GF.

 

[MommyGina]

followthatmouse - Have a great trip. We'll be thinking about you. Let us know how your trip was when you get back home. Safe travels.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Exactly - I'm confused

Maybe with this pilot program, you instead call a concierge call center (like when you call a resort), instead of the concierge desk? You could always leave a VM (most of the time I would get their VM anyway), so maybe the texting part is new? Maybe this service will be a separate service from actually staying in SL or RPC?

So many questions, so few answers... A "pre-selected guest" will have to report back to us

I don't think that makes sense because it's a lot easier calling the Club Level lounge when you have a question while you are at your resort. Although personally whenever we had a question we would just go into the lounge ourselves and speak to the Cast Member in person. I think speaking to a Cast Member in a call center sounds like a step back in what they have now.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

followthatmouse - Nearly, there - YAY! I'm glad your week in NYC was great, and I hope you have a magical time at the GF.

CR Fan - I have to agree, reaching a call center for CL questions seems like a big step backwards. I guess we'll have to hope someone gets some info, and posts here soon.