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

[goofygal531]

Just repeating this in hopes someone might have an answer.

There are only two cabanas you can reserve and two that are free minus all the goodies the rentals come with.

You can reserve one 90 days in advance. You have 24 hours to cancel. WDW could cancel your reservation anytime due to incliment weather.

To reserve call (407) WDW-PLAY

Mare

 

[DiznEeyore]

There are only two cabanas you can reserve and two that are free minus all the goodies the rentals come with.

You can reserve one 90 days in advance. You have 24 hours to cancel. WDW could cancel your reservation anytime due to incliment weather.

To reserve call (407) WDW-PLAY

Mare

Perfect -- thank you!!

 

[vbarry]

Oh my goodness -- no kidding!! Our ds wanted to spend all his time in the Oceaneer's Lab on the cruise -- we practically had to bribe him to spend time with us, LOL!!

He enjoyed the Neverland Club (he went on every trip we took from the time he was 5 'til he was 12), too, but not nearly as much as the Oceaneer's Lab. He also did the Cub's Den at the WL twice -- one time was great (there were younger CMs working), but the second time he said it was "grumpy old ladies" in there that just sat and talked amongst themselves and only fussed at the kids.

vbarry, can I ask what your kids didn't like about the club on the cruise? That might help us make a recommendation about the clubs at WDW.

I think the one big reason was that they could not be together. I had a 3 and 8 year old (just turned). I think another reason was that we had come from a very crappy winter and the girls wanted to be at the pool swimming in the sun...which I do not blame them. They are both pretty shy when it comes to leaving us. I thought they both would enjoy it more but they did not. It was not the staff...it was my kids. I thought they had an awesome kids club with great staff!

I was just going to try it again at our GF stay since they could be together and it would only be for a few hours.

 

[goofygal531]

the girls wanted to be at the pool swimming in the sun....

Ah, I get it now! My friend has that same problem with her kids. She cruises every summer (not DCL yet) and her kids never want to go into the kids club, they want to stay by the pool. This year she's purposely trying Princess Cruises because her both kids can be in the kids club together (3 year age gap). So now, I understand.

Have you ever considered an in-room sitter? This is the first time for us. I've found it's very popular here. The sitter from Kid's Nite Out comes with toys, crafts, DVD player and DVDs, etc.... Your girls will be together and think they're having a private little party. It's just an idea. I plan to make a huge deal out of it to my DS4. Like it's his special night (not mom's and dad's).

 

[DiznEeyore]

I think the one big reason was that they could not be together. I had a 3 and 8 year old (just turned). I think another reason was that we had come from a very crappy winter and the girls wanted to be at the pool swimming in the sun...which I do not blame them. They are both pretty shy when it comes to leaving us. I thought they both would enjoy it more but they did not. It was not the staff...it was my kids. I thought they had an awesome kids club with great staff!

I was just going to try it again at our GF stay since they could be together and it would only be for a few hours.

Oh, that totally explains it! I think my niece and nephew would be the exact same way. In fact, I was that way as a kid, too. My ds is the complete opposite of me -- everyone he meets is a friend, and he's been that way ever since he was little (he's 15 now). I think he must get that from his dad.

I hope you're able to give the kids' club a try -- ds always thought that was his "special alone time" at WDW, and often asked to go back multiple times on each trip.

 

[vbarry]

Thanks for the ideas! I am going to look into the sitter in our room. It may work a little better. Anyone have photos of the club at the GF??

I got an email back from IPO and they have my request to rent the Grand 1 for Christmas night or the next evening so I am super excited!! Hopefully this will happen. I am really glad that I decided to stay at club level during the holidays. So far IPO has been great getting back with me.

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[PolyAddict]

So, I think I've convinced DH to go back to the GF for our 20th wedding anniversary June 30, 2009!

It will be our 1st time back to the GF since our honeymoon.

I want to do RPC.

Since it is going to be our usual yearly trip and not an extra one, our kids will be coming along. Well, the ones that want to anyway. They will be 8, 16 and 17(she will have just graduated HS).

I guess after our May trip I will call my AAA agent and book a room only until AAA rates come out.

Anyone have any special suggestions for me regarding the trip?

Thanks

 

[Lives4Disney]

vbarry, the kids club at the GF is SMALL. My girls have had their little Adventures in Cooking in the club and I was a bit disappointed when I first saw it. It seems geared mostly toward young kids in the 4-6 age range IMO just from the toys etc I saw and the size.....there are no windows and it feels tight and closed in to me. I wasn't impressed. I have never left my kids there or done the sitting either. They wouldn't like being away from us. Sorry I lost track of things....but if you are going to Narcoosees, it's pretty kid friendly. My kids all found something on the menu that they liked, they get the crayons and coloring pages and the view is great.

PolyAddict, that is great! We are celebrating our 20th this fall and will also most likely be brining our 3 kids. ....if we go. Just got back from RPC and it's wonderful. What type of suggestions are you looking for?? Happy planning!

That rumor is just a silly one about kids being banned from the GF. My kids are treated so nicely there by everybody I can't imagine the place without kids. They are welcomed there big time.


Lives4Disney

 

[goofygal531]

the kids club at the GF is SMALL. It seems geared mostly toward young kids in the 4-6 age range IMO just from the toys etc I saw and the size.....there are no windows and it feels tight and closed in to me. I wasn't impressed.

That's the same description I have of the Beach Club Kids Club!

I have to say for Deluxe resorts, it's a huge disappointment. I know alot depends on the kids and the CMs usually can make or break the experience, but I expected all the Kids Clubs to be as nice as the Polys.

 

[Lives4Disney]

That's the same description I have of the Beach Club Kids Club!

I have to say for Deluxe resorts, it's a huge disappointment. I know alot depends on the kids and the CMs usually can make or break the experience, but I expected all the Kids Clubs to be as nice as the Polys.

Ya, I guess it is kind of lame that they're so small and boring. We like to be all together as a family anyway and have never even thought about leaving the kids so it wasn't any big deal other than them doing the little class in that room - and I was surprised when I saw that GF kids club room. I have seen some of the inroom sitters and they look lke nice grandma ladies but I wouldnt feel comfortable leaving my kids alone with strangers. I'd do the kids club before that.

We just always brought our kids everywhere with us. Newborns and even teens til lately I prefer the newborns.

Lives4Disney

 

[drinktomeonly]

Reading what you all have to say about the Mouseketeer club at GF is making me re-think having the kids stay there while we eat at Narcoossee's.
Perhaps we can get them included in our reservation.

They love doing crafts, but I don't want them to go and be sad or bored.

We've never even had to leave them with a babysitter at home because we've always had my mom to watch them when we occasionally go out alone.

Can anyone tell me if a Magic Kingdom view means "firework view"?
Is there something special I should request at check-in to try to get a view of the fireworks?

Thanks everybody! I feel so prepared for my trip, and this trip would have been woefully underplanned had I not found this thread!

We leave Thursday Morning and it's our first trip to Disney for the whole familyl!

 

[Corryn]

Good Morning! I've come out of lurkdom to say that I've read this ENTIRE thread. whew.

Holy guacamole

I have booked one evening for the kids at the Mouseketeer Club. Can anyone give me any details on what the kids might do there, and how your kids felt about the experience?

I'm another one who has kids who LOVE the Neverland Club. You do not have to stay at WDW Resorts to make a reservation with them. We've stayed on-site and off-site while the kids were at the Neverland Club. When we went out to dinner without them, or when we have taken our trip to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal, that was THEIR choice
It's pretty big, too. If you drop them off at dinner time, they have a "buffet" for the kids with things like chicken nuggets, hot dogs, french fries & other stuff, too. Now they're 14 and 15 and they are still upset (although they're teenagers, it's wearing off a little bit!) that they can't go anymore, but it provided a lot of fun memories for them. The club is set up like Neverland with a huge Dumbotron TV, a huge pirate ship....When you walk in the desk is a "bed" and the kids walk up a set of stairs to go through the nursery room patio door and they come out on the other side, where it looks like they're in the clouds (it's a seating area with white cushions and books all around - a reading area - lots of storybooks!) sooo many games and toys. My kids were the last ones to leave every time we were there and they were upset that they had to go. I would recommend Neverland Club anytime...

We also got a babysitter to come in and sit with the kids when they were really little. They enjoyed that, too.

(Sorry, I know this is the GF thread, just wanted to give her my opinion)

 

[PolyAddict]

PolyAddict, that is great! We are celebrating our 20th this fall and will also most likely be brining our 3 kids. ....if we go. Just got back from RPC and it's wonderful. What type of suggestions are you looking for?? Happy planning!

That rumor is just a silly one about kids being banned from the GF. My kids are treated so nicely there by everybody I can't imagine the place without kids. They are welcomed there big time.


Lives4Disney [/QUOTE]


Hey Channing,

I guess for starters, when I make my ressie should I request anything besides RPC? You were smart getting married in the fall, our Anniversary is June 30 ugh!!!! It's gonna be crazy hot!!!!! I know what you mean about the kids, I just can't bring myself to tell my WDW obsessed 7 year old she can't come!!!! She could possibly NEVER speak to me again!!! I guess if I did this trip in addition to our yearly trip but I just figured it would be easier to focuse on it as our trip for the year, ecspecially when I think of the price tag.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Michelle, the lounge is on the 4th floor so I like being on that floor, however it's super easy to get to the lounge from the 3rd, too.....the concierge cms are on the 3rd so that is a plus to the 3rd. There is a nice carpeted stairway right near the concierge desks up to the lounge and also the corner elevator in that wing....it's all very convenient. We like the castle view from the main building. That is our #1 only request. I have been lucky with it every time.

On our wedding day, it was 85 degrees!! It was gorgeous blue skies though so I can't complain. We were ready for it everbody had short sleeves & strappy gowns. It was a beautiful day.

We've been to WDW during your anniversary time and it's not TOO hot. Coming from northern IL and I was fine. August.....ugh....that is the worst IMO. The humidity seems to jump and the heat... yuck. Late June, early July is great - hot but bearable. You'll have a ball.

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We've been to WDW during your anniversary time and it's not TOO hot. Coming from northern IL and I was fine. August.....ugh....that is the worst IMO. The humidity seems to jump and the heat... yuck. Late June, early July is great - hot but bearable. You'll have a ball.

Happy planning!

Lives4Disney

We were married August 16... it was 97 on our wedding day We spent our 10th at the GF last August and their weather brought back memories of our actual day!!

 

[WishesQueen]

I am only going to be married 17 years in June. We were married June 2nd but man was is hot. I think it 90!! My honeymoon was Disney also. I don't know why but my travel agent booked us in the Dolphin. It was beautiful but I don't know why she didn't recommend the GF.

Now we travel in Mid July every year to WDW and its HOT but its bearable. We like it and don't mind the humidity too much. Lots of ponytails!!!

I am sorry but I too take my kids everywhere with me. From when they were infants, I have never had a problem. But we never using Babysitting or any of the clubs!!! Sorry!!

Channing - Where is Praline???

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I am only going to be married 17 years in June. We were married June 2nd but man was is hot. I think it 90!! My honeymoon was Disney also. I don't know why but my travel agent booked us in the Dolphin. It was beautiful but I don't know why she didn't recommend the GF.

Now we travel in Mid July every year to WDW and its HOT but its bearable. We like it and don't mind the humidity too much. Lots of ponytails!!!

I am sorry but I too take my kids everywhere with me. From when they were infants, I have never had a problem. But we never using Babysitting or any of the clubs!!! Sorry!!

Channing - Where is Praline???

Congrats! We were married June 28! At Disney...hot, humid and it drizzled on our day...everyone kept telling us it was good luck! I could NOT wait to get my dress off....and for other reasons than the obvious!!
Getting ready for your wedding day at the GF was wonderful!

Congrats on 17 years

 

[K&C]

My kids(6&8) really enjoyed the Mouseketeer club last October while we ate at Citricos and kept asking to go back.

I also have a schedule of the activities that the staff did round the pool each day if anyone is interested.

 

[drinktomeonly]

Well, my kids love crafts, and they love being with other kids, very social.
I think that I'll leave my reservations as is and try it out at the mousketeer club. Thanks for all the feedback on that!

 

[lrab1126]

Just booked a cabana for a day so excited.

Question about the mouseketeer club...we are thinking about giving it a try one night for a couple hours. My question is, what docuementation do I need to bring to confirm the kids ages? My 6 year old is obviously AOK but my 3 year old who will have just turned 4, which I believe I read is the starting age. So I want to be prepared if I need to go digging out birth certificates or something. thanks!