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

[k&a&c'smom]

Does anyone know the hours for the GF's marina?

I've searched the FAQ pages and all over the net, but there is no photo of a posted sign with opening and closing hours, only the offerings and their pricing.

Welcome! If you go to the first page of this thread, and scroll down to post #12, you will find photos of the marina, the board with the various boats and their prices, the hours for that particular day (they can change), etc.

ETA: I had to go look up my folder - those photos were taken in March of this year; I think the hours remain the same for the various seasons, not changing day-to-day. The hours for March were 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - I understand, I like to get the little things out of the way, too.

pas130 - Good luck choosing, it is very hard, so many great resorts. Glad you've got the GF for your upcoming family trip!

skibum25 - Welcome back, glad you had a great trip! Sorry to hear it rained every day, but it sounds like the normal Florida summer rain - usually doesn't ruin the whole day, at least.

Thanks for the info about the Concierge pilot program, good to finally get some details. I noticed some corporate-speak in there, I'm not sure I know what "maximizing concierge availability and impact" really means.

I'm glad your son was better so quickly, and thanks for the info about the on-call doctor service. I tried to use it a couple years ago, but they do not come out after hours - my call was around 7:00 p.m., so we were advised to go to the ER.

DisneyFairy19 - congrats on your upcoming anniversary. Isn't it hard to pick just one resort?! Makes it difficult to stay at the GF every time, when there are other great resorts to visit.

BamaTigger - I'm not on FB, phooey! Love to see more photos, if you ever get the time and energy to add more to your album. It's a lot of work, I know.

 

[Mrs K]

We just got back from six wonderful days in Sugat Loaf. I was so nervous about switching from the Poly, but the GF was even better if that's possible. Our room was 6211, with a view of the marina. DH and I enjoyed our coffee on the balcony every morning. The weather was great, it rained briefly twice, but we were in the Universe of Energy the first time and Narcoossee's the second time. Our room was beautiful, the CMs were so friendly and the trip was perfect. Our 20 plus hour drive home was exhausting, so I will post more later. These boards were so helpful, we are so glad we tried the GF. Nite,nite. Eileen

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Welcome back, Eileen! Glad you enjoyed your GF stay, and SL, isn't the marina view so relaxing? I hope you are getting plenty of rest, we have a similar drive from our house, but we never drive straight through!

Your rain experience is just what I meant about Florida's summer storms. We so often get lucky, and are at lunch or viewing an attraction while the short burst occurs - then you go about your day!

 

[skibum25]

Condorman - Last week the marina hours were 10am to 6pm. As k&a&c'smom said it appears the hours change. Perhaps that is why you cannot find them listed anywhere on the web.

k&a&c'smom - Thanks. Rain didn't bother us a bit.

There was some fluff included in the Conceirge Connect explanation, as you detected. Ultimately, it sounds like a service I wouldn't pay extra for but might use some.

DOCS appear to have changed their service. I was advised I could have a Doctor visit outside of their normal hours but it would be extra. I believe their normal hours were 9 - 5 and I could have had someone there by 8am. I took the normal working hours and only had to wait until 10:15am. I can't imagine what the bill would have been with the "extra" lumped in.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

skibum25 - thanks for that, it's good to know you CAN get an in-room doctor in the off hours - whether you want to or not is another question. I don't blame you for waiting for the regular hours, I'm sure the bill is scary enough as is. I hope your insurance will reimburse.

I agree about the Concierge Connect program, I doubt I'd want to pay extra for services I feel should already be included in the CL cost. LOL about the fluff.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

A nice morning picture from the GF last June. We just happened to be outside having our coffee and saw the parade of maids!

Beginning to get excited about our next trip to the GF, 67 days!

 

[pas130]

We just got back from six wonderful days in Sugat Loaf. I was so nervous about switching from the Poly, but the GF was even better if that's possible. Our room was 6211, with a view of the marina. DH and I enjoyed our coffee on the balcony every morning. The weather was great, it rained briefly twice, but we were in the Universe of Energy the first time and Narcoossee's the second time. Our room was beautiful, the CMs were so friendly and the trip was perfect. Our 20 plus hour drive home was exhausting, so I will post more later. These boards were so helpful, we are so glad we tried the GF. Nite,nite. Eileen

Glad you had a great trip! Extra glad because we changed from the Poly (which took DH awhile to adjust to....I'm making him read this thread)
We usually drive too, but last year's drive inspired me to fly not to mention a great deal on airfare This will be my first GF stay...so jazzed!

 

[pas130]

Back from my trip to GF Sugar Loaf. Had a wonderful trip. rained every day but only got rained on once.

As promised I spoke to the Concierge at SL about the Conceirge Connect pilot program they ran. It's basically trying to make the Concierge contact more technically advanced by allowing email / text. It is geared toward maximizing Concierge availability and impact during your stay. The CM I spoke with was going to start her Conceirge Connect training in one week. She was not sure if there would be an additional charge once the service became available or if it would be an inclusive service.

Also, my Son got an ear ache near the end of our visit and we used a service (at concierge's reccomendation) called DOCS, Doctors on Call Service. We paid an arm and a leg but the Doctor was great, came right to the room, and provided the first dose of medicine during the visit. I called at 7:30am and the Doctor was in my room by 10:15am. I would reccomend this service to anyone that needed a Doctor at WDW. Very professional and very thourough.

Glad your son is feeling better. Sounds like a great stay!!!! I am also expecting rain during our trip (gotta love traveling during Hurricane season). We've gotten lucky the past few trips in the summer though.

 

[disneydreamin247]

Glad you had a great trip! Extra glad because we changed from the Poly (which took DH awhile to adjust to....I'm making him read this thread)
We usually drive too, but last year's drive inspired me to fly not to mention a great deal on airfare This will be my first GF stay...so jazzed!

What airport do you fly out of? I will do Newark if theres a super good deal, but I prefer JFK. Are you flying JB?

 

[pas130]

What airport do you fly out of? I will do Newark if theres a super good deal, but I prefer JFK. Are you flying JB?

We use Newark, its the closest. And we park in the long term parking there. I wanted to do JetBlue, but Continental was much cheaper...

 

[BamaTigger]

BamaTigger - I'm not on FB, phooey! Love to see more photos, if you ever get the time and energy to add more to your album. It's a lot of work, I know.

Awe shoot! I love FB! Alot of good WDW things to read!

ANyhoo...here are some more pics.

FLOWER AND GARDEN MARCH 2011 (STAYED AT THE BEACH CLUB...)
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1619625337222.2079915.1434077539&l=78b35770a4&type=1

4th of JULY FIREWORKS
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1858422346998.2094524.1434077539&l=e14f5cba38&type=1RKS

MISC FOOD PICS. (a couple of the RPC offerings)
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1858493548778.2094529.1434077539&l=8e88db6147&type=1

BACKSTAGE PICS OF THE 4TH OF JULY CROWD CHAOS!!!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1858401186469.2094521.1434077539&l=f82e9facaf&type=1


enjoy!!!!

 

[P.I.G.mommy]

So excited, we just booked our week at the Grand Floridian for the beginning of April! One quick question... I chose the cheapest room option (outer garden view) since we will not be in our room much...will we still have the whole experience, or will we feel like outcasts for the room choice?!

 

[BamaTigger]

So excited, we just booked our week at the Grand Floridian for the beginning of April! One quick question... I chose the cheapest room option (outer garden view) since we will not be in our room much...will we still have the whole experience, or will we feel like outcasts for the room choice?!

Yay!!!! Look here, you WILL NOT FEEL LIKE OUTCASTS!!! You are at one if not THE MOST beautiful resorts on property, and no matter what room/view/building you get its a GREAT experience staying there!! I would sleep in the maintenance building if I had to cause I love it so much!

You will have a beautiful room and a very beautiful resort! No worries!

 

[DisneyFairy19]

So excited, we just booked our week at the Grand Floridian for the beginning of April! One quick question... I chose the cheapest room option (outer garden view) since we will not be in our room much...will we still have the whole experience, or will we feel like outcasts for the room choice?!

You definitely wont feel like an outcast. My dh and I stayed there last year for our anniversary and requested Garden View room, we had the view of the WP. It was so beautiful. You truly are going to enjoy every moment

 

[KCmike]

 

[k&a&c'smom]

So excited, we just booked our week at the Grand Floridian for the beginning of April! One quick question... I chose the cheapest room option (outer garden view) since we will not be in our room much...will we still have the whole experience, or will we feel like outcasts for the room choice?!

As others have posted, do not worry that you will be missing out in a garden view room! Every room in the resort has the same access to the grounds, pools, shops, restaurants, LOBBY!, etc. The TPV rooms are nice, and club level is a wonderful splurge, but we have stayed garden view many times and had a magical stay. You will love the GF, I have no doubt.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - thanks for the photo of the mousekeepers parade, we love seeing it!

You are heading back so soon?! No wonder you are excited.

BamaTigger - thanks for the links! Loved the photos, the food porn made me hungry.

I was shocked they allowed guests in the back stage area, though - even children?! What is the World coming to?

 

[BamaTigger]

Jungle Cruiser - thanks for the photo of the mousekeepers parade, we love seeing it!

You are heading back so soon?! No wonder you are excited.

BamaTigger - thanks for the links! Loved the photos, the food porn made me hungry.

I was shocked they allowed guests in the back stage area, though - even children?! What is the World coming to?

Thats the third or 4th time we have been routed that way on a super busy holiday! I mean, the guests were camped out back there to watch the 4th fireworks. It's just really odd to me that they open that up for crowd control. It really does kinda "ruin" the magic. And yes, kids were just wandering back there like it was nothing. I dont think Walt would approve of that at all!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thats the third or 4th time we have been routed that way on a super busy holiday! I mean, the guests were camped out back there to watch the 4th fireworks. It's just really odd to me that they open that up for crowd control. It really does kinda "ruin" the magic. And yes, kids were just wandering back there like it was nothing. I dont think Walt would approve of that at all!

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