The *NEW* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (Nov 2007)

[marcij]

Illinois people understand this.

Please send some pixie dust that my flight doesn't get cancelled. I'm so that I can't sleep--migraine coming on. I only have 2 nights at the GF then we transfer to the BWV for 2 nights. I hate to be down to only one.

There's a huge snowstorm warning until 6 pm tomorrow evening. We're flying out of Midway. I'm thinking of taking the kids out of school early, taking the CTA through downtown Chicago, in order to prevent driving on the roads.

I have a room booked near Midway that I can cancel by 6pm if it looks like we can't get out.

If I get to the airport early, I'm hoping to get on an earlier flight.

Our flight is the last one of the night to Orlando, so I'm afraid they'll cancel it b/c they'll be backed up w/ the 4 flights before us between noon & 5pm.


I just want to escape all this snow & get to my magical place!

Thanks again for all the great advice on this thread.

Good luck! Sending PD your way.

 

[disprincessatheart]

:

Hey Magical,

We are going in June too! Lives4Disney heard that the marble is supposed to be delivered and installed this summer. I was hoping mabye Arbonette might hear something but I guess she didn't see my post!

Hopefully someone else might hear something about it from a CM and post here!

I don't have any detail on marble, but I'm getting married at the WP on APril 29, and when I spoke to my planner about pics on the GF lobby staircase she said I could do that as long as the stairs weren't under construction then

She said it's scheduled to start May 1, but I didn't ask what specifically they were doing - I was just focused on my pictures!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

DVC Mary- good luck!! We are in the NW burbs and already have at least 4 inches down with the worst yet to come. I think the fact that you have a late flight might help you since it should be gone by then. Also since you are flying out of Midway, which isn't supposed to get hit as hard, that might help as well. PD coming your way!

 

[NeverSayNever]

DVC Mary... Keeping fingers and toes crossed that your flight is not canx...

Lives4.... Yes, we got that magical RPC upgrade , OH MY it was wonderful! We were in room 4302 with a glorious view, sat on the balcony every night for fireworks. I am definately spoiled now .

Will try to post some pictures later... once I sort through things.

Ok... I have maybe a an odd question for everyone... If you are in Disney, well anywhere for that matter and realize that you are standing next to someone from the DisBoards... what would you do? Would you not invade their privacy so to speak or would you say "Hi"...? I am curious?

Will be back later!

Best

 

[PrincessPaczki]

NeverSayNever, can't wait to see your pictures!

 

[NJPluto]

Thanks Cinderumbrella and Lives4! I appreciate your advice!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Never!! OMG that is wonderful. Yep now you're spoiled. That's how it happened to us. We planned a last minute WDW Thanksgiving trip several yrs ago and all that was open was the GF RPC (had never even stayed GF before - had really no desire to - we were devoted CR concierge people) We sucked it up and stayed there and DH thought it was overly priced until we stayed. He LOVED it and thought it was so worth it and now it's his favorite. We have met several Dissers at the GF. Mostly they've approached me and asked if I am Channing. It was all fun & nice to meet. Did you see anybody you think you knew?? Can't wait for more pics and details. When we were there last we stayed 4301.....sat out there staring at the view many nights. I am glad for you - what a nice surprise after having to cancel taht first trip.

DVC Mary....OMG. I was actually thinking of you yesterday and wondering about your flight and possible issues due to this wacky weather. I hope you're safely on your way or there already. It is beautiful out here but I would be so sad if I was supposed to have a flight today.

Hmm....The stairs are carpet now and have lways been. It would seem kind of dangerous to make them marble....maybe marble with a pretty runner? Thanks for the May 1 info.

Cinderumbrella - my kids are home!!!! They are so happy. They had school that last awful snow last week. We were the ONLY district in McHenry Co that did and the kid said everybody - teachers and parents (except me) - were miffed about them going so this time around D47 was like the first to call it off at even the slightest hint of bad weather. It is sooo pretty out though. A total winter wonderland.

Happy day,

Lives4Disney

 

[DVC Mary]

Thanks for all the great pixie dust.

They've suspended flights out of Midway from 10am-12pm.

We're still waiting for them to plow our street so we can get out.

still hoping to get down there early - mid afternoon & try to get on any flight we can.....

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks for all the great pixie dust.

They've suspended flights out of Midway from 10am-12pm.

We're still waiting for them to plow our street so we can get out.

still hoping to get down there early - mid afternoon & try to get on any flight we can.....

GOOD LUCK!!! I will be thinking about you!!

Are you flying SWA??? They'll get you there!!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Oh, Mary, I still have my fingers crossed!!

Channing- DS is home too! We warned him last night about it so we didn't have another outbreak of tears like last week. I think he truly thought I was just being a mean mommy and not letting him go to preschool! We got out all of his beloved Thomas the Train stuff and built a massive track etc. so he is in heaven!!

Back to the GF- I would be a little concerned if they changed those steps to marble too! Can you imagine them when it is raining and the floor is wet??

Neversaynever- can't wait to hear more details of the trip!! If we got upgraded to RPC I just know it would be our downfall!! DH has already gone from "See POR isn't so bad..." in 2005 to "Wow! AKL is great- I really missed the deluxe hotel last year..." in 2006 to "I told you the GF and the monorail are the only way to go!" in 2007... you can see where he had me book for 2008....

 

[irisbud]

I hope they don't change the steps to marble! Part of the reason we are doing our wedding at the WP is so we can get lots of pics at the GF, since it is such a special place for us. I really want those pictures on the stairs, but I am such a clutz I would probably slip and fll if they were marble. I guess that would make for an exciting wedding picture LOL

 

[princessesrule4]

:

I don't have any detail on marble, but I'm getting married at the WP on APril 29, and when I spoke to my planner about pics on the GF lobby staircase she said I could do that as long as the stairs weren't under construction then

She said it's scheduled to start May 1, but I didn't ask what specifically they were doing - I was just focused on my pictures!!

Thanks for this info! A CM told me that there still may be construction on the lobby floors going on while we're there in mid June! We are staying upstairs so I'm not looking forward to that being done while we are there.
Seems crazy to do the steps - mabye she meant that you wouldn't be able to get to the steps because the lobby floor would be torn up.

How exciting that you're getting married at the WP!! I'll cross my fingers that you are able to get all the pictures on the staircase,etc. that you want! Since the construction is not supposed to begin til May 1, hopefully they won't start any earlier and you will be fine!

You'll have to post all about your wedding and we'd love to see photos!

Let us know if you hear anything else about the lobby construction!

 

[WishesQueen]

Never!! OMG that is wonderful. Yep now you're spoiled. That's how it happened to us. We planned a last minute WDW Thanksgiving trip several yrs ago and all that was open was the GF RPC (had never even stayed GF before - had really no desire to - we were devoted CR concierge people) We sucked it up and stayed there and DH thought it was overly priced until we stayed. He LOVED it and thought it was so worth it and now it's his favorite.

Lives4Disney

Lives4Disney - I can't believe it, your story sounds like mine!!! My Dh sounds like yours!!!!

At least we have DHs that think like we do!!! I don't know what I would do if my DH didn't like WDW or the GF!!!


Neversaynever - I am patiently waiting your photos and details. I am sorry your home, but I happy to hear from you!!! What a great surprise!!! I wish I could have seen your expressions!!!

DVC Mary - and fingers crossed

Cinderumbrella - You are going to have a beautiful wedding and beautiful pictures and everything is going to work out!!! Its WDW and GF for goodness sake!!! (Heres some pd for you - have a glass of wine and think of how great everything will be, it ALL works out)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Cinderumbrella -[/B] You are going to have a beautiful wedding and beautiful pictures and everything is going to work out!!! Its WDW and GF for goodness sake!!! (Heres some pd for you - have a glass of wine and think of how great everything will be, it ALL works out)

Boy, I sure wish I could take credit for a WDW wedding, but alas I have been married for 10 years already...

But to Irisbud, for who the message was intended, ditto to what she said!!!

 

[princessesrule4]

I hope they don't change the steps to marble! Part of the reason we are doing our wedding at the WP is so we can get lots of pics at the GF, since it is such a special place for us. I really want those pictures on the stairs, but I am such a clutz I would probably slip and fll if they were marble. I guess that would make for an exciting wedding picture LOL

It will be interesting to see what they do with the stairs! All marble seems like it would be kind of noisy and yes, slippery,too!

How exciting that you're having a FT wedding there! Have fun planning!

 

[Lives4Disney]

It will be interesting to see what they do with the stairs! All marble seems like it would be kind of noisy and yes, slippery,too!

How exciting that you're having a FT wedding there! Have fun planning!

Ya!! Slippery for sure! Rainy days and pool people. Who knows WHAT they're thinking. And the noise issue, too. They need the carpet to dampen all that lobby noise. I am sure it will be stunning though, whatever they do.


Irisbud! I didn't know you were planning a Disney wedding. Congratulations and I am sure it will be lovely.

Wishes Queen - Well, my DH doesn't exactly love WDW like my daughters and I do so we are going on our own in March, but at least he does like to stay GF when he goes.

Where is that NeversayNever??!?! I am looking forward to pics and details.

Happy day,

Lives4Disney

 

[WishesQueen]

Boy, I sure wish I could take credit for a WDW wedding, but alas I have been married for 10 years already...

But to Irisbud, for who the message was intended, ditto to what she said!!!

Sorry!!!! I knew I was quoting to many people in one post!!!

I can't do too many things at once, I guess!!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

Well, my DH doesn't exactly love WDW like my daughters and I do so we are going on our own in March, but at least he does like to stay GF when he goes.

Nobody in my family likes it as much as I do, my DS actually like it slightly more the DD. My DH is mostly happy to be away from work!!!

 

[NEWireless]

I have been lurking and learning for a couple weeks now; thank you all for the valuable information!

After 10 years of going to DisneyLand (family in CA) I am finally taking my family to Disney World in June for my DD's 5th birthday!

We want to stay at GF and I was told by CRO that my family of 6 (DD13, DS11, DS8, DD5) would either need 2 standard rooms or a 1BR suite. I booked the suite, but don't have any idea where I'll be or what I should request. My confirmation just says "Room Type - Outer Lodge 1 Bedroom Suite - Sugar Loaf Club".

After going through this entire thread, I couldn't find any details on the locations and views of the 1BR suites.

Any details and/or links would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for all the great information!

-Bryan

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have been lurking and learning for a couple weeks now; thank you all for the valuable information!

After 10 years of going to DisneyLand (family in CA) I am finally taking my family to Disney World in June for my DD's 5th birthday!

We want to stay at GF and I was told by CRO that my family of 6 (DD13, DS11, DS8, DD5) would either need 2 standard rooms or a 1BR suite. I booked the suite, but don't have any idea where I'll be or what I should request. My confirmation just says "Room Type - Outer Lodge 1 Bedroom Suite - Sugar Loaf Club".

After going through this entire thread, I couldn't find any details on the locations and views of the 1BR suites.

Any details and/or links would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for all the great information!

-Bryan

Hi, well you'll love the GF!!! You chose right.

The one bedroom suites are located in all lodges and in the main building, too, but the main building one bedrm only sleeps 4. Since it says Sugar Loaf, that is where you'll be & it's the other concierge building - so you'll have the lounge as a convenience. There is a map at the beginning of this thread that will show you the SL location. It is just behind the main building w/views of the marina or courtyard pool. Very pretty, either way. Not sure exactly WHERE in SL the suite is located, though.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney