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

[WishesQueen]

Praline - The kids are so cute, especially the pictures with your kids. Isn't great how they don't get to see each or haven't even met yet and they just become so close and playful with each other!!! I am not sorry I asked to see the pictures, their some of my favorites you posted!!!

I am excited to read you trip report, I love trip reports!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

Lives4Disney - I am so sorry to hear about strangers approaching you!!! CRAZY!!!! I can't even imagine having that happening to me or thinking about approaching anyone!!! What makes people do the things they do!!!

I have a child with an obvious disability and you can't imagine what we run across, so I can't honestly understand how upset you must have been!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney - I am so sorry to hear about strangers approaching you!!! CRAZY!!!! I can't even imagine having that happening to me or thinking about approaching anyone!!! What makes people do the things they do!!!

I have a child with an obvious disability and you can't imagine what we run across, so I can't honestly understand how upset you must have been!!!

It was jaw dropping weird. And the lurkers are probably reading this now too. It was wrong and inappropriate. I go on and tell too much here and easily forget that this is PUBLIC and people sneak around and use the things said to their advantage sometimes. That whole situation was eye opening. I behaved a bit better on the thread for a while after. It is just so easy to forget there are all kinds of people out there reading this stuff, not just GF thread friends.

Upgrades are not common - neither are those 40% off codes - and people need to get over it, book what they want, and move on.

To the poster that wanted first day ideas.... My girls and I always enjoy the "monorail shopping" experience! We resort hop by monorail and look around take lobby pics and enjoy all the shops and views.

I agree, we really loved 1900 PF for dinner. It was fun and the characters are really wickedly funny. I think what they've done with it is a nice improvement.

Praline I need to check out your TR. Sounds like you guys just had a ball!

Lives4Disney

 

[WishesQueen]

It was jaw dropping weird. And the lurkers are probably reading this now too. It was wrong and inappropriate. I go on and tell too much here and easily forget that this is PUBLIC and people sneak around and use the things said to their advantage sometimes. That whole situation was eye opening. I behaved a bit better on the thread for a while after. It is just so easy to forget there are all kinds of people out there reading this stuff, not just GF thread friends.

I guess we all need to keep this is mind!!! We could also help protect each other if we think we're giving out too much information. You could always edit a post!!

 

[tinklvr64]

It was jaw dropping weird. And the lurkers are probably reading this now too. It was wrong and inappropriate. I go on and tell too much here and easily forget that this is PUBLIC and people sneak around and use the things said to their advantage sometimes. That whole situation was eye opening. I behaved a bit better on the thread for a while after. It is just so easy to forget there are all kinds of people out there reading this stuff, not just GF thread friends.

Upgrades are not common - neither are those 40% off codes - and people need to get over it, book what they want, and move on.


Lives4Disney

I wasnt criticizing your response, I just didn't think it was an outlandish question considering all of the other posts on DIS and everyone asking who got what, when, how, etc... I DO agree that people's privacy should be respected but when we put ourselves out there with lots of info, pictures, etc...we open ourselves up to the "dark side" and their "less than favorable" intentions and feel that they can encroach on people's privacy because of all of the information given out on this website. We try to be very careful in our house because of a situation that happened to my HS son a year ago...The world is a scary place now a days....I think Disney is such a magical place that we forget about it, but reality is that still there!
TTFN!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I wasnt criticizing your response, I just didn't think it was an outlandish question considering all of the other posts on DIS and everyone asking who got what, when, how, etc... I DO agree that people's privacy should be respected but when we put ourselves out there with lots of info, pictures, etc...we open ourselves up to the "dark side" and their "less than favorable" intentions and feel that they can encroach on people's privacy because of all of the information given out on this website. We try to be very careful in our house because of a situation that happened to my HS son a year ago...The world is a scary place now a days....I think Disney is such a magical place that we forget about it, but reality is that still there!
TTFN!!!

Ya, I just felt like maybe I was harsh so needed to explain my response. Some people are freaks. Fact of life. We all need a reminder of that once in a while.

Lives4Disney

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Not sure why you're asking. What's up?? Kind of a weird question.

I am a repeat GF guest. I got a magical upgrade. It was a lovely suprise. That's it. I think it's kind of rude to ask people what they booked and what rate. Maybe that's just me but I kind of do. I wouldn't ask it of anybody.

Upgrades don't happen often. It's luck of the draw.

Lives4disney and NeverSayNever

I had no idea that you would consider it rude. Many other threads ask for rates etc. I just wanted to see what I might could reserve and then hope for. We all would love to understand upgrades. I have gotten some great ones at times even AKL Conci.

Again I am sorry that it offeneded you. I have stayed at almost all the others resorts and I am just trying to education myself on GF and you seem to be one of the experts on the GF.

I have met other Disers at DW, but only when we planned before hand. I would never approach anyone unless they had the lime green dis ribbons on letting everyone know they are with the Disboards.

Also I have shared much of my knowledge on this website with others for many years. If you feel that I intruded on your thread again I am sorry.

I have really enjoyed reading your thread full of information on your favorite resort.

 

[arbonnette]

PRALINE, glad y'all had a great time! I looked for you and your family, but didn't see you! I would have said Hello!!!

Can someone direct me on how to upload pictures?! I want to share mine with everyone.

We are booked for Nov. 30 -Dec. 9 RPC, but are considering changing it to early Feb. Either way, we are going back to the Grand!!!

Channing, OMG, regarding the people approaching you in the lounge when you got your magical upgrade ... That is awful. I think ing general people just can't figure out why/how upgrades are given and are seeking "answers" to an unanswerable question so they can figure out how to get one ntoo. No one knows the hows or whys because there are not any! It's the "Why not me?" issue, I think. Still, terrible.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Why not 1900 park fare for the cinderella dinner? The food was really good!
The characters really were fun and we watched prince charming and cindy dance. They even took a group of little princesses and taught them to dance... it was adorable! Not only was it a great character meal, its right there at the resort so you don't have to go far to eat!

On the second floor they have an adorable princess shop. They have all the costumes and stuff for each princess (yes, they have other stuff but its mainly kid junk) We enjoyed looking around this store at all the little things they had.

Make sure to go down to the dock for the fireworks show. Check the times or ask a CM when the fireworks start. One night we made a little picnic on the grass and watched the fireworks. It is a very different experience than in the park. In the park, your so close you miss a lot of the fireworks... from a distance you get to see how big they actually are!

Great suggestions from everyone! I'm so EXCITED!

 

[CPer'sMom]

I had no idea that you would consider it rude. If you feel that I intruded on your thread again I am sorry.

It's really a shame that you were made to feel that you were intruding when you were simply asking a question And you're correct ~ similar questions are asked on other resort threads and people comment and answer quite differently.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Lives4disney and NeverSayNever

I had no idea that you would consider it rude. Many other threads ask for rates etc. I just wanted to see what I might could reserve and then hope for. We all would love to understand upgrades. I have gotten some great ones at times even AKL Conci.

Again I am sorry that it offeneded you. I have stayed at almost all the others resorts and I am just trying to education myself on GF and you seem to be one of the experts on the GF.

I have met other Disers at DW, but only when we planned before hand. I would never approach anyone unless they had the lime green dis ribbons on letting everyone know they are with the Disboards.

Also I have shared much of my knowledge on this website with others for many years. If you feel that I intruded on your thread again I am sorry.I have really enjoyed reading your thread full of information on your favorite resort.

I think the question just caught her off guard. I dont think it was her intention to make you feel that you arent welcome on the thread and I didnt see where she said that.

Everyone is welcome and we are always glad to help people with GF questions.

Lets get back on track on here with GF chat and info to help each other.

 

[heatherlynn444]

channing-thanks we are so excited! thats great you will be there, too! I hear its a great time to go, I ahve never been in September.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I am so glad you are all booked Heather!! You guys are gonna have a great time and I cant for thr trip report!

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

I think the question just caught her off guard. I dont think it was her intention to make you feel that you arent welcome on the thread and I didnt see where she said that.

Everyone is welcome and we are always glad to help people with GF questions.

Lets get back on track on here with GF chat and info to help each other.

Thanks for your support Aicnwondrln. I am not a stranger to the disboards and definitely not a lurker. I have been around a long time and have posted over 1,000 times. I have always loved how friendly everyone is here and how they share information with those new and old.

 

[tinklvr64]

channing-thanks we are so excited! thats great you will be there, too! I hear its a great time to go, I ahve never been in September.

Heatherlynn444~we went at the end of last Sept and we were not prepared for it to still be soooo hot and humid!!! The only time I couldn't stand it was at MNSSHP..lots of peeps, small area. We did enjoy it being warm enough for swimming in the evening!
One good thing was not very many Love Bugs! I'll take the heat over those bugs!

 

[krbq]

I read the first part of your trip...can't wait to hear more! We are staying at the GF for the first time in August with our 2 and 4 y.o. and I'll be about 35 weeks preggers by then...yikes!!!
I have a question..... we'll be arriving in the early afternoon, what would you suggest us doing for the remainder of the day if we don't go to the parks? I was thinking of making some ADR's at one of the other hotels at least for dinner our first night... any suggestions? Can't wait to see day two!

Momneeds -- Wow! At 35 weeks, with 2 little ones, arriving on an August afternoon . . . you'll probably be hot, tired and, if you're flying, hungry and dehydrated as well. You'll be surprised how fast time will fly once you get to the GF. If I were you, I'd plan on a leisurely afternoon getting settled into the resort and familiar with the surroundings. Check out the shops. Check out Gasparilla's and while you're there, purchase the mugs and have something to drink to start re-hydrating (the lemonade is really good). Let DH take the little ones to the theme pool while you nap. Sit and enjoy the lobby. Look over the folder of pamphlets you'll be given at check-in (they will have all the resort information & schedules, park brochures, etc.). As Praline suggested, a nice meal at Park Faire is a great idea -- the Stepmother and Stepsisters are hilarious, as is the Mad Hatter, and the kids will get to see characters without leaving the resort. After dark, the fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant can be viewed from the grounds. It may not sound like much, but you'll be surprised how much fun you can have doing "nothing" at the GF. Before you know it, you'll be ready for bed, get a good night's sleep, and refreshed for a full day the next morning.

Trying to do too much the first day is often a downfall for many people. By nighttime they're feeling dizzy or nauseous, especially those who have flown. I can't emphasize enough the power of hydration. Air travel, the Florida sun and heat, the excitement -- it all dehydrates even the healthiest of people. Drink plenty of fluids and make sure the kids do, too! Have fun!

 

[minnie my my]

MomNeedsVacay

I think krbq had a great suggestion for your first afternoon and night there. Since it will be your first time at the GF you can get to know the place. It is so beautiful and relaxing you will probably find it hard to leave once you get there especially since it will be so hot. If you do want to leave, though, I would suggest like a previous poster going to downtown Disney and having dinner and looking around. It is really pleasant there in the evenings. We avoid that place during the day in the middle of the summer. It just seems hotter to me there for some reason. I like to take my children there and let them see what toys etc. are available so they can get an idea of what they may want to buy. We then wait until the end of the trip to actually make our purchases. If they still want them by the time we leave then we know it may actually be used and not discarded as soon as we get home. Those are just two of the things that we like to do on our first day there if we don't arrive early.

 

[arbonnette]

MomNeedsVacay

We just returned from the Grand, and we had a wonderful, fun dinner at 1900 Park Fare our first night there. We walked around, looked in the shops, and watched Wishes from the dock. We were tempted to go to MK for a bit, but we were so glad we didn't, just relaxed and got our bearings at the resort. I think it really pays to relax the first night and I would recommended eating at the hotel the first night. The character interaction at Park Fare was excellent for us. The stepsisters and Lady Tremaine are a riot, and my DD5 really enjoyed seeing Cinderella and Prince Charming interact with one another.
HTH!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Heatherlynn444~we went at the end of last Sept and we were not prepared for it to still be soooo hot and humid!!! The only time I couldn't stand it was at MNSSHP..lots of peeps, small area. We did enjoy it being warm enough for swimming in the evening!
One good thing was not very many Love Bugs! I'll take the heat over those bugs!

haha yeah we know it will be hot, but i grew up in south Louisiana and my DH in Missisisppi, so we know all about hot and humid, so it wont be too bad for us. i went in june one year and it was hot but "ok" if that makes sense. we are excited t go swimming and to a water park b/c the last two times we went were january and december and we didnt get to do much of that stuff!
and we aso get swarmed with love bugs, yuck!

 

[minnie my my]

Okay, I have a question that has been covered many times but I don't know if anyone has ever found out the exact answer to. We may book a suite for an upcoming trip. I have seen all of the suite categories and even talked to RPC and SL concierge cm's and have the list of room categories directly from the GF but all of those sources all seem to give me different answers. Is there anyone on here that has actually stayed in a 2 bedroom suite that know if each of them has access to the RPC. I believe I remember correctly that there are not any 2 bdr. suites in the main building (if I'm wrong please correct me because our preference is to be in the main building). We will need the suite due to the number of people with us. I can't remember the building but I know one of them has a huge patio enclosed by shrubbery that would be awsome for us all to hang out on. It is the building to the left of Narcooses if your coming from the main building. I want to go ahead and book but I usually know more about room categories than CRO does so I wanted to try and find someone that has had personal experience with this. Thanks for any help you can give.