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

[k&a&c'smom]

pas130 - Nice they provide the H20 spa line in all the suites. Just not the same without the "GF" on the side, though, huh?!

I'm completely out of the loop, I didn't realize Snow White's SA was closing! Waaah! I hate to lose favorite rides, like Jungle Cruiser, I still mourn Mr. Toad. Glad you get another shot at riding one last time, another reason to wish our January or March trips had panned out. Phooey.

KCmike - that does seem steep for a drive down, sheesh. Reminds me of the exorbitant amount I had to pay to my son's college for his study abroad in China; he stayed 3 weeks longer than the group, and I had to pay extra to get him home, they did not refund any of his initial flight costs.

Regarding the attractions on their list - we've visited all of them (except the medieval dinner), and enjoyed every one. I think your kids will have a great time!

Jungle Cruiser - Fifty days to go, woohoo! Thanks about the photos, I always find I need a few more. I wish I could go into the Basin stores, but my asthma/allergies won't allow it. The overpowering smell makes me start to sneeze and get phlegm-y! (TMI?! lol) DD loves it, though, she stocks up on bath bombs while I wait near the piano.

We will be with Lulu'sMom in spirit!

 

[KCmike]

A shot of the GF from the California Grill!

Awesome shot! Never been up there but wow what a great view!

 

[KCmike]

I hope everything works out with the band trip

Thanks! I hope so to!

KCmike - that does seem steep for a drive down, sheesh. Reminds me of the exorbitant amount I had to pay to my son's college for his study abroad in China; he stayed 3 weeks longer than the group, and I had to pay extra to get him home, they did not refund any of his initial flight costs.

Thanks for the insight. It just seems like so much money for really 3 days of stuff in Florida. For that kind of money we could stay for a week if we all go.

 

[Lulu'sMom]

JungleCruiser, pas, kacsmom~ You know I'm going to spend at least a half day at the Grand shopping and eating! LOL
Those pics!!! LOVE THEM!!! Basin White is one of my favs as well as Summer Lace. I usually buy a Christina Alexander tee there as well as something Dooney. I've got a little DDB obsession going on, I don't know why...

We've got Citrico's booked.....aaaaaah!
And of course, the CG! Love that pic, JC!!!!

KCMike~my fondest memories in high school were band trips! yep, I was a band geek and I'm proud of it! LOL
Kuddos to you, my friend! Best parents in the world take the kids on band trips!

 

[pmaurer74]

We did online check in in for our second reservation... we have two one package and one night. It gave us the option of BPK and BC again. But when we selected BC they said that room requests could not be guaranteed. It did not do that for the first check in. One week from today!

 

[pas130]

pas130 - Nice they provide the H20 spa line in all the suites. Just not the same without the "GF" on the side, though, huh?!

I'm completely out of the loop, I didn't realize Snow White's SA was closing! Waaah! I hate to lose favorite rides, like Jungle Cruiser, I still mourn Mr. Toad. Glad you get another shot at riding one last time, another reason to wish our January or March trips had panned out. Phooey.

We will be with Lulu'sMom in spirit!

My DH wants to know when they closed his submarine ride I miss Mr. Toad too. And I will miss SW.....phooey phooey. I love to hold HRH and smell her hair...it brings us both to our happy place. DH said they sent the YC our GF toiletries since I couldn't stay there (I believe I threw a shampoo at him ) Makes me want to ch-ch-change to GF...darn that construction...but a GV...I wouldn't see the construction, right???

Thanks! I hope so to!

Will gladly buy some stuff from ya if you are fundraising

JungleCruiser, pas, kacsmom~ You know I'm going to spend at least a half day at the Grand shopping and eating! LOL
Those pics!!! LOVE THEM!!! Basin White is one of my favs as well as Summer Lace. I usually buy a Christina Alexander tee there as well as something Dooney. I've got a little DDB obsession going on, I don't know why...

Nice to see you...and I can totally picture you at the Grand shopping the day away

 

[Figment1990]

We got the breakdown for the trip. $1200 per person. They drive by motorcoach all night. First day ocean and check in, 2nd day SeaWorld, 3rd day Universal, 4th day Isle of Adventures, and then drive back home by motorcoach all night. They will also visit medieval times for dinner one night and see blue man group.

We weren't expecting the trip to cost this much. If all of us went that would be a pretty steep investment when we weren't planning on going back or doing a vacation that year. We have until March 23rd to make up our minds.

I'm really not interested in seeing all the above things but I want the kids to be able to go down with their friends and experience the band event.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for remembering.

PS. The news of snow white's scary adventures makes me sad. Why close it and put in more meet and greets?

KCMike - If you do go, or if you send your kids, I'm sure they will have a blast! We had so much fun on our bandtrips. I agree with Lulu's Mom - band parents are the best! On our two florida trips, we did Disney and that Medieval Times dinner. I remember thinking the dinner place was "dusty" - I am a bit "girly" - but we had fun with our friends anyway. We didn't go to Univeral or Sea World but I know we would have had a lot of fun there too. It is a cool experience to go to those places with your friends. Although that is a bunch of money.... I have no idea how much our trips where, but I know I sold a lot of "band hogies" and worked a lot of spaghetti dinners to pay for them!

We drove down on a bus for our trips too. And to this day, you can't get me to even consider driving to Florida (or anyplace further south than Virginia!). But it was worth it back then.

Snow white's adventures is closing but there will be a new "Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride" in new fantasyland addition. I have no idea what it will be like. But thank you for reminding me to ride Snow White on our trip this time.

k&a&c's mom Thank you for all the photos! Love them! I'm so ready for DS to go back and take a nap so I can hit the shops... DH naps too, while I shop, have tea, lounge on the beach... it's my favorite GF time

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Figment1990 - glad you enjoyed the photos, I added many of them to the front page so thanks for reminding me!

We have done many a road trip to Florida, as two of our family members hate to fly! Lots of fun, but it does get old being cooped up in the car for two days.

pas130 - LOL about the submarine ride and throwing of shampoo! Too funny.

Yes, I think you could definitely avoid the construction views with a garden view room.

pmaurer74 - Interesting about the building choice, thanks for letting us know it popped up again. So close!

KCmike - Cali Grill is wonderful, I hope you get a chance to try it out on your next visit! Good luck with the band trip decision.

Lulu'sMom - LOL about your DDB obsession. Good one to have if you ask me.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

k&a&c'smom, once you said that about Basin White and your allergies, I realized the photos were all taken from outside! My daughter loves the bath bombs also! AND, listening to the piano in the GF lobby is not a bad place to wait for your daughter when she is shopping at Basin White

pas, I am getting excited. I feel like you are leaning towards the GF again. AND, I agree with k&a&c'smom, most GV rooms shouldn't be affected by the construction. But, if we at least get you to the Polynesian, it's easy to stroll over to the GF

KCMike, thank you for the kind words about the picture. You should definitely get to the California Grill on you next trip. The views from up there are amazing! AND, I will echo pas, let us know if there is any fundraising for the trip...I am always happy to support a trip to Orlando!!!

lulu'smom, yay for reservations at Citricos and California Grill. I am so excited to think of you visiting the GF in a few weeks. Plus, the BC is my second favorite hotel, you are going to love staying there and strolling into Epcot for the F&G show! So happy you are on your way soon.

pmaurer74, it will be interesting to hear if you get your building preference from online check-in. Figment1990, you are also going to be at the GF soon. Very excited for both of you!

KCMike, this is shot from the same night, same table at the California Grill as the previous one I posted. Not a shot of the GF, but you can see the spectacular views from up there. I love eating there and looking at the MK and the GF!

 

[KerryCM]

We did online check in in for our second reservation... we have two one package and one night. It gave us the option of BPK and BC again. But when we selected BC they said that room requests could not be guaranteed. It did not do that for the first check in. One week from today!

We leave in just 6 days, so maybe we will see you there!! I can't wait after reading everything here.

 

[Toystoryfan32]

You are very welcome! It is too bad about the movie on the beach, and especially the camp fire. Everyone seems to be enjoying the pool movie, though.

I forgot to answer about the Electrical Water Pageant - it is still going, so good news there. We so love this little parade!

BTW - howdy, neighbor. We live in Missouri, too.

Thanks, we have been to WDW 12 times and have never stopped to enjoy the EWP. I am making it a priority this trip!

Yes it looks like we are neighbors! I am originally from the KC are but have been in southwest Missouri for about 20 years now. Seems like there are several GF fans from Missouri on this thread!

 

[nonzerosum]

Am I correct in assuming that self-parking is free?

 

[nonzerosum]

One more question, are the new coffee makers installed in GF rooms yet?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - LOL - yes, I took all those photos from the hallway, though even that is a little hard for me. Hanging out on our favorite couch in the lobby is one of my favorite pastimes.

Love that photo, another favorite pastime is getting a table near the window at CG, watching the boats go to and fro on the lagoon.

KerryCM - are you down to 4 days now?! woohoo!

Toystoryfan - Indeed, this seems to be the Missouri hangout. My DD went to MSU for a year, but ended up transferring to Truman. She still spends time in S'field, as she has quite a few friends there.

nonzerosum - Self parking is free, but the parking lot is a hike. I suggest one of your party drops off the rest with the luggage, while the driver parks the car. That way, you don't all have to make the trip.

As far as I know, the rooms still have the regular coffee pots. Someone (baler31, was it you?) had spotted a Keurig in one of the RPC rooms, but so far, no one else has had one in their room in any building.

 

[dragonfly57005]

Jungle Cruiser! Love the pic! Just what I needed on a snowy day here.

 

[baler31]

Yes the lone coffee pot was me. I believe it was in one of the deluxe queen rooms but we have not had one in any of our rooms since that one trip quite awhile back.

I did see on one of the other resort threads reports of a cusineart that makes two cups at a time with single serve cups like a keurig. I am sorry I don't remember which resort thread it was or if it was just a thread by itself.

Edited to add: I found the thread not too far down, sorry i don't know how to link, it is entitled "New coffee pots" and is in the resort thread section. FWIW it was POR that the cuisineart was spotted.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Yes the lone coffee pot was me. I believe it was in one of the deluxe queen rooms but we have not had one in any of our rooms since that one trip quite awhile back.

I did see on one of the other resort threads reports of a cusineart that makes two cups at a time with single serve cups like a keurig. I am sorry I don't remember which resort thread it was or if it was just a thread by itself.

Edited to add: I found the thread not too far down, sorry i don't know how to link, it is entitled "New coffee pots" and is in the resort thread section. FWIW it was POR that the cuisineart was spotted.

Thanks for that info, I thought it was you but my memory plays tricks on me.

Is this the thread you referenced? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2883746

BTW - the easiest way to post a link is to copy the address, then paste in your post, add this at the beginning and end: [/url][/url] No back slash in the first one, I had to add it to make it show up in the post. grrr There is a link icon at the top of your message box, but it doesn't always work for me.

Jungle Cruiser! Love the pic! Just what I needed on a snowy day here.

Snow!! Ugh. I'm glad you can visit here and dream....

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I can chime in on the coffee pot discussion. At least in October they still have the old 2 cup coffee makers in SL. It would be ironic though if in the RPC and other CL rooms they have the new coffee makers when you can get good coffee in the CL lounges. It would be nice if they put them in the other rooms!

k&a&c'smom, I agree with you about the lobby. I could (and do) sit there for hours and listen to the music, people watch and relax. Care to join me in one of the empty seats shown below?!!!

 

[KerryCM]

Ok, the weather was not looking good for us on Thursday, so I called and we are now going a day early!! I am so excited that I was able to change our flight, thank you Southwest, and get a room. Now I have to decide where to eat on Wednesday night!!!I am off to change my ticker.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Jungle Cruiser - thanks for the info on the SL coffee makers. Yes, it would seem more imperative to get better coffee makers in the standard rooms, since club guests have so many more options. Better coffee in all rooms would be nice, I think!

I would love to join you in the lobby, I see one of my favorite sofas unoccupied.

Ok, the weather was not looking good for us on Thursday, so I called and we are now going a day early!! I am so excited that I was able to change our flight, thank you Southwest, and get a room. Now I have to decide where to eat on Wednesday night!!!I am off to change my ticker.

YAY! Glad you were able to make the switch, I hope you make it out ahead of the weather.