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

[kaffinito]

I love my DD6 with all my heart. I just switched from RPC to SL. She is ADD/with some OCD traits. She is so excited about GF, BUT had a freakout about having to hear the piano and music from the RPC lounge. LUCKILY we had the option of Sugarloaf. She thinks it will be quieter there, and also wants to see the fireworks from the beach. Mommy is a little bummed about no TPV....BUT if the Princess is happy, we are ALL happy. And Mommy still gets to stay at the Grand I know I shouldn't complain, but I figured all my friends here would understand.... This may warrant an upgrade on my girls' trip.....

That sounds like a plan! With the money you're saving on SL vs RPC, you could easily upgrade your all girls trip.

To all my friends here on the GF thread, I cannot thank you enough for all the well wishes and prayers for my FIL. It is so nice to know that I have friends out there! Again, thank you.

The update for today on Dad, from the doctor, is that "he has turned the corner." He is more like himself, to the extent possible. He is moving his arms and legs. Based on that news this morning, DH said that we are leaving for the GF in 3 more days!!!!!

DH is taking the laptop so I will try and update all of you on what is happening around the GF.

So glad you get to take your much needed trip and that your FIL is doing better

 

[disneydreamin247]

To all my friends here on the GF thread, I cannot thank you enough for all the well wishes and prayers for my FIL. It is so nice to know that I have friends out there! Again, thank you.

The update for today on Dad, from the doctor, is that "he has turned the corner." He is more like himself, to the extent possible. He is moving his arms and legs. Based on that news this morning, DH said that we are leaving for the GF in 3 more days!!!!!

DH is taking the laptop so I will try and update all of you on what is happening around the GF.

I'm so happy for you! This is such wonderful news.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

To all my friends here on the GF thread, I cannot thank you enough for all the well wishes and prayers for my FIL. It is so nice to know that I have friends out there! Again, thank you.

The update for today on Dad, from the doctor, is that "he has turned the corner." He is more like himself, to the extent possible. He is moving his arms and legs. Based on that news this morning, DH said that we are leaving for the GF in 3 more days!!!!!

DH is taking the laptop so I will try and update all of you on what is happening around the GF.

MommyGina,
I'm happy to hear your FIL is doing better. I remember a few years ago when my father was so sick with cancer and I had a trip planned with my niece and nephews. I hated to go and leave him. I had planned the trip for over a year and he made me go. He said he would feel even worse if I cancelled the kids trip because of him. In the end we went (I called him every day) and we had a good time. It's a hard decision, but I bet your FIL would be happy that you are going. My prayers are with you and your family.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

MommyGina - that is such wonderful news! I'm so glad your FIL continues to improve, and that you will likely make it to your vacation, I'm sure you all need a rest.

Sweetly - Welcome to the DIS, and the FAQ!

We did a Sweet Sixteen for my DD at the World as well, she loved it! You might consider booking afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge, or maybe try for lunch at the castle? That's a long shot at this date, but you might get lucky, never know.

It's hard to imagine being disappointed with the GF, and especially a MK view!

6264EVER - I do have concerns about how the expansion project (seems like it's DVC, but we still don't know for sure) will impact the resort. Hopefully, not much, but if they do not build a pool for the extra rooms, the GF pools will be more crowded. One of our favorite aspects of the GF is the pools are rarely full.

Another difference I see between the CR/BLT project and the GF is the lobby. With the music in the afternoon and evening, the GF lobby is sometimes full now, we had a hard time finding a seat this March during the rainy afternoons. Mizner's, too.

Time will tell, hopefully those things will be addressed and turn out to be a non-issue in the end.

janeapplemeadow - enjoyed the photo!

 

[MommyGina]

I thought that I was the only one that found the GF lobby full all the time. Last summer was the same way for us too. In previous years, the 5 of us (my mother too) could sit in the afternoon at various times with no problems finding a seat. Last year, we had to circle around to find one seat. We even had to break up as a group.

Because of no seats to be found, I went and sat with Lynn, The Teddy Bear Lady. We had such a nice conversation. I introduced myself to her and told her that I remembered her for years ago when she was there with her husband. She is the nicest person you could meet.

It was nice to meet other people and learn a bit about them.

 

[KCmike]

Another palm tree pool shot....Oh hum.....

 

[dragonfly57005]

So nice!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

KC Mike - ah, I'd love to be there right now!

MommyGina - Lynn is very sweet, isn't she? We've been seated near her in the past, and talked with her. She initiated our conversations by saying my DD and I giggle like school girls when we talk. We enjoy visiting with her.

The past few trips, we've found the lobby more crowded than usual in the afternoon. In the past, Christmas season was the only time we had any problem grabbing a seat, other than the odd time or two.

 

[Polyluvr]

Hi All !!! I booked the GF SL today for a week in May 2012. We will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary w the kids in tow

Can't wait for the planning !!

 

[smithgrandchild]

Is Lynn the lady with the stuffed animals in the stroller?

A couple of years ago we often sat in the GF lobby and saw her there every day. DH & I assumed this lady lived in the area and was not a hotel guest.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi All !!! I booked the GF SL today for a week in May 2012. We will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary w the kids in tow

Can't wait for the planning !!

Welcome, and congrats!

Is Lynn the lady with the stuffed animals in the stroller?

A couple of years ago we often sat in the GF lobby and saw her there every day. DH & I assumed this lady lived in the area and was not a hotel guest.

Yes, she brings several stuffed animals with her, though I think they are in a rolling bag rather than stroller. She is a guest of the hotel, but not in the sense that she is staying there - I think she does live nearby.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

k&a&c'smom Love this thread. Great Job.

Good Morning All, When reserving the cabana at the GF are you able to request which one you would like. We are interested in reserving cabana #3 for 2 days and how far in advance can I have IPO do this for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - Thank you, we have some very knowledgeable people here. Glad you've joined us!

I have not rented a cabana, so I hope others will pop in and give more info. The last I knew, you can rent the cabanas 90 days in advance, and I think you can specify the one you want - but I'm not sure about this. If nobody is able to answer definitively, I'd send IPO an email and ask.

Please report back if you do so, I'd love to have current info straight from the resort.

 

[KCmike]

KC Mike - ah, I'd love to be there right now!

Me too!

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - Thank you, we have some very knowledgeable people here. Glad you've joined us!

I have not rented a cabana, so I hope others will pop in and give more info. The last I knew, you can rent the cabanas 90 days in advance, and I think you can specify the one you want - but I'm not sure about this. If nobody is able to answer definitively, I'd send IPO an email and ask.

Please report back if you do so, I'd love to have current info straight from the resort.

Thanks so much. OK I am one that gets antsy so I called the 407-WDW-Play number and spoke with Sienna and she stated that we can reserve the cabana's at 180 days just like dining. She also said that they do not take requests for cabana's over the phone but when we get to the resort we can make our request then. Once we get closer to the 180 day mark I will email IPO and see if they can make the request for us. Fingers crossed they will be able to do it.

These pictures are just killing me as I can picture myself in all of them.

 

[Sweetly]

Sweetly -

Sounds like you're going to have a fantastic trip. There are many things you can do - you could order a chocolate slipper dessert to be delivered at a meal (or even to your room); you could order a custom cake; you could order a surprise to be in your room from Disney Floral. I'm sure that others will chime in with other ideas. Also don't forget to get your daughter a happy birthday button and her friend a first visit button.

Have fun!

Lisa S. ~ thanks for the ideas. Where do I get the buttons?

k&a&c'smom ~ thanks!

Has anyone had any experience with the online check in?

I LOVE this thread. Getting so excited that soon it will be our turn at Grand & the World.

 

[baler31]

k&a&c'smom Love this thread. Great Job.

Good Morning All, When reserving the cabana at the GF are you able to request which one you would like. We are interested in reserving cabana #3 for 2 days and how far in advance can I have IPO do this for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

We have rented the cabanas but never specified which we wanted. None of the others have ever been occupied when we were there and we typically just waited until we saw the position of the sun and requested based on that. We have found we prefer the one on the end closest to the bar, not sure of the corresponding number. I am sure you could request the one you prefer through IPO, I believe 90 days is as far out as you can book but I am not sure. I have never had any trouble booking and as I mentioned none of the others were occupied during our visits.

 

[smithgrandchild]

Welcome, and congrats!



Yes, she brings several stuffed animals with her, though I think they are in a rolling bag rather than stroller. She is a guest of the hotel, but not in the sense that she is staying there - I think she does live nearby.

Thanks "mom". Another question, what is the name of that nice elderly gentleman greeter. He is so nice!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Thanks "mom". Another question, what is the name of that nice elderly gentleman greeter. He is so nice!

I think his name is Richard. I should know because over the last 20 years I have pictures with him and my niece and nephews. It's a joke now with all of them, every time we go they ask if they should wait to have their picture taken before we go inside. Some of my pictures are 20 years old!.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - thanks for giving us the scoop! I'm sure you can put your request in with IPO and they will take care of it for you. Sounds like you shouldn't have any trouble getting the cabana you prefer.

Sweetly - You can request the birthday and first visit buttons at check in.

Many people seem to love online check in, but we've not had good luck the two times we have used it. This past March, they couldn't find our packet and we had to wait for someone to search for it, then the info was wrong!

According to a CM on the Yacht & Beach Club thread, the online check in was designed for guests to walk up, have your packet handed to you, and walk away. If you need to discuss your requests for room location with the CM and possibly ask for a change, it is better to do regular check in.

baler31 - I thought it was 90 days as well, I wonder if they made it 180 when they switched the dining back from 90 days? Thanks for the info that the cabanas are rarely full, good to know.

Smithgrandchild - as janeapplemeadow posted, I'm sure you are asking about Richard. Such a sweet man! The last time we talked, we were discussing how long he'd been at the resort (I think he said 18 years) and he said Olivero (another greeter) had been there even longer!

janeapplemeadow - how wonderful that you have photos with Richard and your niece and nephews over the years! I'm terrible at that kind of thing.