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

[arbonnette]

Pics of the view from the balcony of room 4417, 4th floor, just steps away from the lounge.

To the left.

Straight ahead view.

View of Poly to the right.

Lobby pic. No construction to be found for anyone still worried! I actually really like all the carpet.

 

[arbonnette]

ok any sugar loaf experts. is there a certain room etc. i should request for booking?

I am not an expert, but I know you can request a lodge tower room in SL (I believe there are 3.) These are the ones with the extra space sitting area and an additional TV. Not sure you would be interested in this since it is just you and DH. I am sure someone else will come along with more help!

Congrats on heading back to the GF! I am from New Orleans too, and I wouldn't worry too much about the weather ... We can take the heat and humidity any day!

 

[DVC Mary]

Remember this??????

Aren't you glad you hung in there!!! I am so glad everything turned out soooooo well for you!!! I can't wait to hear all about your trip!!!

I stayed up half that night trying to find a car to rent from Tampa. Many people had to do the same thing & must have rented cars faster than me b/c the ones where you can drop them off at WDW were all rented. Finally found Budget for $38 & DH dropped it a hotel near DD while oldest DS, Nana, & I had tea.

The GF tea was to die for! Even if I'm not staying there in the future, I'll have to figure out a way to get scones & trifle to go or something. My Mom makes th world's best scones. GF actually tied w/ her & SHE agreed w/me. The trifle was better than she makes & she agreed. She loved it.

Does anyone know their trifle recipe??

Fireworks, cake, & more surprises to come later. I'll try to get a photo of her b-day cake.

Thanks to you guys I knew to request to speak to Linda & she had the chef surprise us w/ a cake. I told her the we were wanted treat Nana like a queen on the trip & totally spoil her. The cake had a chocolate tiara that read Happy B-day! She was crying tears of joy at it.

She cried a lot of tears of joy this whole trip. THANK YOU GF experts. I couldn't have done this w/ out you.

More later.....

 

[praline3001]

You definitely need ADRs for Park Fare. To be on the safe side, I would make them as soon as your "window" opens"

I thought everyone would enjoy a few GF-related trip pics!

Here is DD when we first entered the room. A CM had given her those Minnie ears!

DD getting her autograph book ready for PF dinner.

Drizella gave DD a hard time about chewing her food before she stood up for this picture. The character interaction is great here! And the food too. Prime Rib and Caesar salad were delicious!

Surprise in the room after dinner our first night. DD devoured that Mickey!!! Even the fondant sign was yummy!

More room view pics to come ...

Hannah is ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did she like Disney this time around? What were her favorites?

 

[arbonnette]

Hannah is ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did she like Disney this time around? What were her favorites?

She loved Park Fare and our CRT lunch. We had not eaten in the castle before, and they decorated the table with carriage confetti for her birthday and brought her a mini cake which was wonderful. I think at this age, they just love being at Disney and love everything we do. We did the P&PP and she took a Jack Sparrow photo. I think, even at 5, she was a bit smitten by him. I was too.

I love the pics of your family. Lovely to hear y'all had a great time as well!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Myra, it is the Everglades Suite. I wil PM you with all the details.

Cape Coral Suite is the same exact one in the Sago building. Everglade suite is in Conch.

Channing

 

[praline3001]

I was just on the phone with Kelly and she made a comment that made me think.... with the Biblical flood at Conch while I was there ... there have been a few more upgrades this week. I guess it wasn't cleaned up as fast as they made it look.

Kelly also told me I should post this funny story on here...

My DH is a <gasp> smoker! He is a very polite one and ALWAYS went to the smoking area. Late one night he was on the boat ramp launch smoking area enjoying his evening smoke. There was a couple sitting there and she fussed at him for smoking in the smoking area He nicely explained to her about how this was the smoking area for our building. He suggested a few other places for her to go sit and continued smoking. SHe huffed and puffed and basically went off to get the manager to complain. The manager came out to speak to DH and the lady (who was red in the face at this point....) Of course DH is very laid back and thought the whole thing was funny.
As the manager was taking the complaint... he asked this couple what room they were staying in and get this.......
They were staying at the All Star resort
The manager did a double take at this point... He asked her to repeat herself (remember this was VERY late at night almost midnight) after she gave her room at All star to him. He kindly suggested if she didn't care for the sitting area here that she should go back to her own resort and catch the scenery there
To sum it up... a lady who was staying at All Star but was at our building at midnight just sitting outside enjoying herself in the smoking area ... called in a manager to complain someone was smoking in the smoking area of the building
When the manager didn't force my DH to stop smoking in the area he was told to smoke at... she got even more red in the face ... I mean REALLY ANGRY and stormed off. I guess she had nothing better to do at midnight than to complain about other people's resorts

 

[arbonnette]

That smoking story should surprise me, but it doesn't. We encountered so many rude/disrespectful people on this trip it really left a bad taste in my mouth. (Still going back to the wonderful Grand though!)

 

[praline3001]

That smoking story should surprise me, but it doesn't. We encountered so many rude/disrespectful people on this trip it really left a bad taste in my mouth. (Still going back to the wonderful Grand though!)

What I was telling Kelly on the phone... the only RUDE people we met at the resort were people NOT staying there
all the CM's were way beyond kind to us ... most went out of there way with anything we might need. The people we met who were staying there were very friendly and kind. We had a couple of smaller issues with people at the resort but they weren't staying at the resort... just there visiting

Another rude person I met was when DD and I were in the elevator in the lobby to go to the 2nd floor to do some shopping. This kid about 8 years old stood in the door of the elevator laughing and would not let the doors close!!!!
I asked him very kindly if he could get in or get out but he kept standing there laughing at us. Finally my DD and I got out of the elevator and decided to take the stairs. I encountered his mother and told her about her son playing on the elevator ... she just laughed about it and let him do it. They were there waiting for ADRS for the character breakfast

I think because Disney advertises GF as the flagship resort and the fact there are 2 character meals hosted there and the monorail goes through .... most of the people in the lobby aren't even staying there. We noticed once you got out of the lobby and more in the gardens things were much nicer, the people much nicer.... even though the lobby was beautiful it was NOT my fav place to hang out

 

[princessesrule4]

I was just on the phone with Kelly and she made a comment that made me think.... with the Biblical flood at Conch while I was there ... there have been a few more upgrades this week. I guess it wasn't cleaned up as fast as they made it look.

Kelly also told me I should post this funny story on here...

My DH is a <gasp> smoker! He is a very polite one and ALWAYS went to the smoking area. Late one night he was on the boat ramp launch smoking area enjoying his evening smoke. There was a couple sitting there and she fussed at him for smoking in the smoking area He nicely explained to her about how this was the smoking area for our building. He suggested a few other places for her to go sit and continued smoking. SHe huffed and puffed and basically went off to get the manager to complain. The manager came out to speak to DH and the lady (who was red in the face at this point....) Of course DH is very laid back and thought the whole thing was funny.
As the manager was taking the complaint... he asked this couple what room they were staying in and get this.......
They were staying at the All Star resort
The manager did a double take at this point... He asked her to repeat herself (remember this was VERY late at night almost midnight) after she gave her room at All star to him. He kindly suggested if she didn't care for the sitting area here that she should go back to her own resort and catch the scenery there
To sum it up... a lady who was staying at All Star but was at our building at midnight just sitting outside enjoying herself in the smoking area ... called in a manager to complain someone was smoking in the smoking area of the building
When the manager didn't force my DH to stop smoking in the area he was told to smoke at... she got even more red in the face ... I mean REALLY ANGRY and stormed off. I guess she had nothing better to do at midnight than to complain about other people's resorts

She sounds like a real piece of work!

 

[NeverSayNever]

HI Everyone!

Wow... gone for a short time and all I have missed... Sorry but I was trying to "Hunt" someone down...

Praline... Glad you had a great time. The pictures of your kids are great and oh your niece and nephew are beautiful too! Isn't the Grand great! Sorry I didn't say "hi" I really wanted to, but honestly all I could think of was Lives4 lobby stalking story and did not want to come off that way . But glad that I sorta met you anyways... Sorry to hear about the flood gates opening, at least it did not ruin too much of your trip. WOw, that smoking story is something else!


Arbonette... Wonderful pictures... I love your DD's minnie outfit so cute. Looks like she had a great time too. I hear you about "gettin it" at GF... that's what happened to me to. DP can't believe that I am trying to get him to go again in April!! He says but there are other places we shoudl go... Ok so where?


MomNeeds... I agree with everyone... just enjoy some relaxing time at the GF your first afternoon/evening. If you feeling "adventerous" I would suggest getting ont he monorail and doing the full loop... perhaps you can even get in the front... it is a lot a fun!

Heather... Awesome that you booked again... This past Sept for us was great but oh my was it hot hot and can you say humid! But that was offset by the short lines.


DVC Mary... So happy for you all that it worked out... and congrat's on the upgrade! It is such an awesome thing when it does happen.. I have been so wanting to do the tea, we just haven't been able to fit it in yet... glad to hear how wonderful it is though. Any pictures?


PrincessP... I like Conch Marina view but I am by far no expert....


I know this could almost be scandelous(sp?) to ask this here... but in my quest to persuade that we need to go back I was thinking of a couple of days at the Yacht Club because of what I hear is the close proximity to epcot... So would I like it after GF... Is there anything I should know before I make an attempt to book something?

Gotta run... can you believe I still have not unpacked everything...

Looking forward to seeing more pictures from all that have just returned!

Best,

 

[arbonnette]

We didn't encounter any rude people at the GF, only on the monorail and in the parks. There was someone laying down on the couch in the RPC lounge with their shoes off eating food, but that is another story ...

 

[praline3001]

HI Everyone!

Wow... gone for a short time and all I have missed... Sorry but I was trying to "Hunt" someone down...

Praline... Glad you had a great time. The pictures of your kids are great and oh your niece and nephew are beautiful too! Isn't the Grand great! Sorry I didn't say "hi" I really wanted to, but honestly all I could think of was Lives4 lobby stalking story and did not want to come off that way . But glad that I sorta met you anyways... Sorry to hear about the flood gates opening, at least it did not ruin too much of your trip. WOw, that smoking story is something else


Best,

I will only think your a stalker if you show up at the Poly for our June trip
We are going back in June and Savannah wants to try the Poly for her Birthday trip. I tried to con her into staying at the GF again but she has never stayed at the poly and thinks it will be FUN
I love the Poly... but I REALLY REALLY love the GF

You really should have said something! I don't think saying HI would be considered stalker like
Now had you showed up at my room door at 6am for some of my community coffee we would have had problems

 

[Lives4Disney]

I was just on the phone with Kelly and she made a comment that made me think.... with the Biblical flood at Conch while I was there ... there have been a few more upgrades this week. I guess it wasn't cleaned up as fast as they made it look.

Kelly also told me I should post this funny story on here...

My DH is a <gasp> smoker! He is a very polite one and ALWAYS went to the smoking area. Late one night he was on the boat ramp launch smoking area enjoying his evening smoke. There was a couple sitting there and she fussed at him for smoking in the smoking area He nicely explained to her about how this was the smoking area for our building. He suggested a few other places for her to go sit and continued smoking. SHe huffed and puffed and basically went off to get the manager to complain. The manager came out to speak to DH and the lady (who was red in the face at this point....) Of course DH is very laid back and thought the whole thing was funny.
As the manager was taking the complaint... he asked this couple what room they were staying in and get this.......
They were staying at the All Star resort
The manager did a double take at this point... He asked her to repeat herself (remember this was VERY late at night almost midnight) after she gave her room at All star to him. He kindly suggested if she didn't care for the sitting area here that she should go back to her own resort and catch the scenery there
To sum it up... a lady who was staying at All Star but was at our building at midnight just sitting outside enjoying herself in the smoking area ... called in a manager to complain someone was smoking in the smoking area of the building
When the manager didn't force my DH to stop smoking in the area he was told to smoke at... she got even more red in the face ... I mean REALLY ANGRY and stormed off. I guess she had nothing better to do at midnight than to complain about other people's resorts

That is one for the books.

My girls had a real little pistol at the pool once. She mentioned she was staying at Pop. OH well.

I have really only met super nice people at the GF - with the exception of a few cases during our Thanksgiving trip. You know I posted about how RUDE the people in the parks were during that trip. It was so nice to have the GF to go back to.

Never the YC is my second favorite WDW resort!!! You will enjoy it, too. My DH is the same way.....but like he pointed out last night when we were talking about somewhere different for summer, we have tried other places and we don't like them, haha. Happy planning for your return trip!

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

oops

 

[samples78]

I just found this thread the other day and I have loved reading it. I am now trying to figure out a way to stay at the GF. I am thinking it would make a great place for a girls trip with my mom, grandmother and 3 daughters (8, 3 and 1). I used to take a yearly trip growing up with my mom and grandmother to a really nice resort, in fact the first time I visited the GF (for breakfast at Park Fare) it reminded me of those vacations. Now that resort isn't really an option and I thought the GF might make a good replacement.

I am thinking we will just get a standard room for 3 or 4 nights unless a discount happens to come along . Does anyone know if you do happen to get a discount, if it can ever be applied to concierge rooms? That would really make the trip neat if we could do the concierge level, I just don't know if we will want to splurge for it at full price seeing as I am already planning a big trip for May '09.

Anyway, loving this thread and hoping I get to come for my grandmother's 86th b-day in September.

 

[princessesrule4]

Neversaynever, We are doing GF in June and decided to do 2 nights at YC because DH has been asking to stay there so we can walk to Epcot, Boardwalk,etc. We are doing YC first because we love GF so much that I think I'd rather do it 2nd so I won't be possibly disappointed when we get to YC. I'm sure we'll love YC ( we've stayed BC before) but GF is hard to measure up to, IMHO! Also we are staying RPC so we'll be able to check in early, eat some good food and hang out in the lounge a bit after we check out of YC!

 

[praline3001]

Neversaynever, We are doing GF in June and decided to do 2 nights at YC because DH has been asking to stay there so we can walk to Epcot, Boardwalk,etc. We are doing YC first because we love GF so much that I think I'd rather do it 2nd so I won't be possibly disappointed when we get to YC. I'm sure we'll love YC ( we've stayed BC before) but GF is hard to measure up to, IMHO! Also we are staying RPC so we'll be able to check in early, eat some good food and hang out in the lounge a bit after we check out of YC!

When in June are you planning on going?
We will be at the poly june 14-21... that way if I hate the poly I can stalk you and sneak into your room for your shampoo and soaps

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

That is one for the books.

My girls had a real little pistol at the pool once. She mentioned she was staying at Pop. OH well.

I have really only met super nice people at the GF - with the exception of a few cases during our Thanksgiving trip. You know I posted about how RUDE the people in the parks were during that trip. It was so nice to have the GF to go back to.

Never the YC is my second favorite WDW resort!!! You will enjoy it, too. My DH is the same way.....but like he pointed out last night when we were talking about somewhere different for summer, we have tried other places and we don't like them, haha. Happy planning for your return trip!

Lives4Disney

Are people from Pop (or other resorts for that matter) allowed to use the GF pool??? That really shouldn't be allowed- shouldn't they go swim at their own pool? I'm not trying to be mean, but we'll be paying a lot for our August suite and I would hate for the pool to be overcrowded everyday with outside guests.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I agree Mom. With the exception of dvcers who are allowed to pool hop.

I thought that story was crazy from Brook that lady wasnt even staying there.