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

[grannyminnie]

Thanks so much for the camera info, Kristin! I need to know stuff like that to make an informed decision when the time comes (meaning, when I decide to come into the 21st century!! )
WishesQueen, I like the pin trading cart location. Very convenient for the kiddies to be looking while I'm sitting nearby...(they take way too long to decide on a choice/choices.)
And I totally understand your comments about the heat and bugs, etc. in the summer. We hate going in that heat, and stay away from WDW during that period of the year!

 

[traci]

I tried using the search and it wouldn't work.

Can anyone tell me (I know for a fact there are some GF Experts here )if the refurb will be done by then? I requested Boca Chica - we are staying in a garden view and I am hoping the new rooms will be completed in that lodge (unless they already are done ??)

Thanks for the insight!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Are you talking about the lobbby work? To my knowledge all the rooms are already done.

 

[traci]

Hi Kelly, Thanks

I was just talking generally. We haven't stayed there since 06 and last I heard the rooms were being re-done. I wan't sure when they were starting/finishing. Sounds like they are all done though! Thanks for the reply.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

no prob Traci
They just pit new carpet in the lobby and it looks nice.
I think there is more work to be done

anyone....

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

OMG all this talk about the renovations being made/done is making us very eager to get to the GF. April can't come soon enough. We are so excited to see it and can't wait.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Anyone else staying at the GF the first week of August???

 

[smwf71]

Hi GF experts - I don't know if you remember me from the fall, but I wrote to ask you some questions for my grandmas March trip - she and her friend - both 83 - are headed to the GF for 11 days 3/1 -3/11

Now I need tips - can they buy a bottle of wine in a gift shop - how's the selection and how much?

They are talking about packing a bottle in a suitcase - I am trying to talk them out of that.

Coffee in the room - if I sent some better coffee with them, would I just get a lb of ground coffee and do I neeed coffee filters- if yes, what size?

They are on the DDP (not dx) - can you suggest some good breakfasts or snacks for them at Gaspies. I want to make this easy for them.

They're basically hanging out and doing AK one day and one table service/ day - Hoop Dee Doo one day - any ideas for other things?

I really want this trip to be flawless - I have been lurking on your thread for months. Thanks for all the pics.

Thanks for the wine and coffee tips and anything else.

They have garden view and hopefully a shower with handrails so they won't fall. Is there any specific room request I should have their TA make?

Thanks to all!

 

[distherapy]

Hi GF experts - I don't know if you remember me from the fall, but I wrote to ask you some questions for my grandmas March trip - she and her friend - both 83 - are headed to the GF for 11 days 3/1 -3/11

Now I need tips - can they buy a bottle of wine in a gift shop - how's the selection and how much?

They are talking about packing a bottle in a suitcase - I am trying to talk them out of that.

Coffee in the room - if I sent some better coffee with them, would I just get a lb of ground coffee and do I neeed coffee filters- if yes, what size?

They are on the DDP (not dx) - can you suggest some good breakfasts or snacks for them at Gaspies. I want to make this easy for them.

They're basically hanging out and doing AK one day and one table service/ day - Hoop Dee Doo one day - any ideas for other things?

I really want this trip to be flawless - I have been lurking on your thread for months. Thanks for all the pics.

Thanks for the wine and coffee tips and anything else.

They have garden view and hopefully a shower with handrails so they won't fall. Is there any specific room request I should have their TA make?

Thanks to all!

Hey there! I just got back so I can answer a few of your questions. It was my first time, though, so I'm sure some of the veterans will know more.

Wine (my favorite topic! Why, I'm having some now!) - I found a great deal at Gasparilla's Grill - $13.95 for a bottle (regular size) of RH Phillips Chardonnay. I was, honestly, stunned. I mean, it would be cheaper in a regular store, but not much. I expected a much bigger mark-up. They had 4 or 5 other selections (some were the airport size for $6). They keep a corkscrew and plastic wine glasses at the cash register.

Coffee - DH loves Starbucks and I knew he'd have trouble without his Sumatra first thing in the morning. I brought a lb of ground coffee and the plain, small coffee filters (accordion pleated with the flat bottom). I'm not a coffee drinker, so I don't know if I'm using the right terminology, sorry!

Snacks, etc - The big fruit cup is a "snack" on the DDP and the CM was impressed when I picked it out - I'm guessing it's a good value. We didn't do much for breakfast there, but I enjoyed what i had - usually a croissant and hash browns.

Here's my trip report if you want more details - it was a trip with 3 year olds, though, so maybe it will show them places to avoid!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1712496

 

[smwf71]

Thank you so much Distherapy. This really helps. I am passing along the info - if anyone has anything to add , please do - and super duper thank you !

 

[shoppgirl]

Anyone else staying at the GF the first week of August???

Me! Me! Me!
I'll be there for 5 nights!! First trip for all of us.

 

[heatherlynn444]

good room to request in sugar loaf? anyone? do the lodge tower rooms have a balcony?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Heather
there are 3 in the sugar loaf building
2 have balconies

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi GF experts - I don't know if you remember me from the fall, but I wrote to ask you some questions for my grandmas March trip - she and her friend - both 83 - are headed to the GF for 11 days 3/1 -3/11

Now I need tips - can they buy a bottle of wine in a gift shop - how's the selection and how much?

They are talking about packing a bottle in a suitcase - I am trying to talk them out of that.

Coffee in the room - if I sent some better coffee with them, would I just get a lb of ground coffee and do I neeed coffee filters- if yes, what size?

They are on the DDP (not dx) - can you suggest some good breakfasts or snacks for them at Gaspies. I want to make this easy for them.

They're basically hanging out and doing AK one day and one table service/ day - Hoop Dee Doo one day - any ideas for other things?

I really want this trip to be flawless - I have been lurking on your thread for months. Thanks for all the pics.

Thanks for the wine and coffee tips and anything else.

They have garden view and hopefully a shower with handrails so they won't fall. Is there any specific room request I should have their TA make?

Thanks to all!

We don't do the DDP so can't help there but I did want to say that Kona at the Poly has great coffee and great breakfast too! Would they be interested in Afternoon Tea in the Gardenview Lounge? My 70 year old parents loved it! Praline just got back and she has a link to her trip report in her siggy. She took a lot of great pix of Gasparillas. I love their breakfast croissant - yes ,fattening, as it should be! I hope they have a great time - it sounds like you're doing a great job of helping them plan!

 

[praline3001]

Here is another good tidbit I learned about the GF I haven't seen posted.

Before our trip Savannah made really cute envelopes to put the mousekeeping tips in. It kept her busy and gave her something to do for our trip...
Anyway, we put the tip envelopes on the bed each morning and for 3 days in a row the did not take the tips.... I couldn't figure out WHY. I left them in different places in the room and smack right on the bed. They would make the bed and put the envelope back on the made bed

I called housekeeping and they put a note on our room about the tip but the CM on the phone explained most of the maids at the Gf are not American and do not read English. So if you leave tips in an envelope and they are not taken most likely your made doesn't read English and doesn't realize those are tips meant for her. Give housekeeping a call and let them know to make a notation to your maid.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Me! Me! Me!
I'll be there for 5 nights!! First trip for all of us.

do you have kids??? I'll be 35 weeks pregnent, therefore, spending a lot of time at the pool!

 

[DeborahB]

I would call Pricate dining and set some thing up with them.
Or you can contact peggy at peggys sweets she will come in and decorate your room and make it all nice.

A fireworks cruise would also be nice.

Kelly, thank you! Would I call Private Dining myself or would IPO set this up?

Wow I didn't even consider a fireworks cruise but it sounds like it could be romantic

 

[grannyminnie]

Here is another good tidbit I learned about the GF I haven't seen posted.

Before our trip Savannah made really cute envelopes to put the mousekeeping tips in. It kept her busy and gave her something to do for our trip...
Anyway, we put the tip envelopes on the bed each morning and for 3 days in a row the did not take the tips.... I couldn't figure out WHY. I left them in different places in the room and smack right on the bed. They would make the bed and put the envelope back on the made bed

I called housekeeping and they put a note on our room about the tip but the CM on the phone explained most of the maids at the Gf are not American and do not read English. So if you leave tips in an envelope and they are not taken most likely your made doesn't read English and doesn't realize those are tips meant for her. Give housekeeping a call and let them know to make a notation to your maid.

I have read more than once to put the tip/envelope on the sink. This is what we did, and it never got left behind.
My DGD also wrote cute little notes to Mousekeeping to see if it would get her more towel animals!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Deb
I would call the IPO or email them and tell them you want to set up soemthing special in the room. They should take your CC number and make those arrangements with private dining for you.

As for the fireworks cruises those can also be booked by the IPO for you.
THey are wonderful. We did one this past xmas at Epcot and we loved it.
FOr something more reomatic you could do the breathless fireworks cruise.

Good Luck

 

[DeborahB]

We had that champagne for my 40th bday. Yummy....well everybody seems to like the strawberry tuxedos. They'd be good with champagne. They also have the strawberries that come with warm chocolate dipping sauce - WE LOVED THOSE. The GF sells wedding items in Sandy Cove - I believe I've seen GF or WDW champagne flutes there.....maybe something like that, too.

I know the RPC staff have done the rose petal scattering thing all thru the guest's room - made a rose petal heart on the bed..etc. You could order flowers etc from Disney florist. Do the IPO staff know it's your anniversary?? They can work magic.

Happy planning & Happy anniversary. We're going for our 20th in Sept.

Enjoy,

Lives4Disney

Channing I'm glad to hear the champagne is good, I love it and love to celebrate with it! It would be great to have WDW (or GF) flutes to drink it, too. The strawberries w/ the warm chocolate dipping sauce sound divine! I think that could be the one.

Yes I did mention to IPO that we were celebrating our anniversary so we'll see what happens. Whatever magic they provide will be much appreciated.
They told me to let my husband know the Disney florist provides beautiful arrangements

Thanks for the good wishes. And to you, too in September
We spent our 20th in Las Vegas and California and our 25th was 2 glorious weeks in Hawaii. Milestones are wonderful aren't they? and should be celebrated BIG. But now we celebrate every year no matter what. This will be 28 years for us. And I am thrilled we're going to be at my favorite place!