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

[MickeyMaz]

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.

Posting the pool activities would be great. Will those times carry through-out the year or change with the season?

Maz

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

We were almost down on page 3 so this is a much needed BUMP and a question...

I know there have been several people who booked Limo sevrice from the airport to GF and back...can I get a recommendation (or 2 or 3) about who to use and TOTAL cost involved. (Tips, tolls, late arrival fees...anything else you can think of.)

It would be fun to surprise the kids with this, but DH is tighter than Scrooge McDuck and it is going to take some fast talking to get him onboard. (Pun intended!)

Thanks for the help!
Sheli

Also, Did you then use Disney transport to and from the parks or taxis? I am thinking that RT limo plus a few taxis (AK day maybe) will be more cost effective than a Mini-Van in the summer anyway.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I was wondering about the limos also. It will only be my DH and myself so what would they send for just the 2 of us? Surely not a big limo. I was wondering the cost also. Thanks in advance.

 

[Lives4Disney]

our most recent limo was a lincoln stretch that came to $274....that is tip included. It was Southern Elegance and I always use them in Orlando but they aren't the same owner as when I started with them a couple yrs ago. Still nice and good service but not quite the same. There were 3 or 4 (I think 3) flat screens playing a DVD, soda, water, and a character ride along (Large stuffed character - not the real thing ) They've always been reliable for us & that's who I'd continue to use.

It's fun for the kids and convenient & stress free. For two you could just get a towncar for a fraction of the cost, but it wouldn't have the "fun" factor a stretch does. We'd have too much luggage for a towncar.

Enjoy,

Lives4Disney

 

[mickey2]

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[K&C]

Here is a list of the pool activities from last October. We stayed for 2 weeks and they were the same each week, but I am sure they will changed them ever now and then.

Sunday
1pm Potatoe Head Scramble
3.30pm Water Basketball

Monday
1pm Dive Toys in the Pool
3.30pm Color Your Own Frisbee

Tuesday
1pm Pirate Coin Toss
3.30pm Hula Hoop Games

Wednesday
1pm Potatoe Head Scramble
3.30pm Color Your Own Kite

Thursday
1pm Giant Connect 4 and Giant Dominoes
3.30pm Color Your Own Frisbee

Friday
1pm Duck Races
3.30pm Color your Own Kite

Saturday
1pm Dive Toys in the Pool
3.30pm Water Basketball

All the activites take place at the beach pool.

 

[MagicalEars]

I may have missed this somewhere, but how long of a walk is it to the Poly from GF? We have ADR's at Ohana's twice during our stay and I thought it would be nice to walk there instead of taking the monorail.

Speaking of the monorail, about how long is the trip from GF to Epcot? We have afternoon tea in the Garden Room the same day we are at Epcot, so I would like an idea of how long it takes to get from one to the other.

Also I was looking over the resort map and noticed an arrow that points away from the main building that says self park. How far away is self parking? I'm not a big fan of valet parking, but I also don't want a mile long walk from the van to the resort.

 

[BCV23]

From lobby to lobby, it's probably 8-12 minutes depending on your pace of course. It's a lovely walk. I remember timing it as 7 minutes but I think that was from the Polynesian to the spa.

Getting to Epcot takes longer than the return trip. I'd allow 40 minutes from the GF to the entrance of Epcot. Return trip to GF from the Epcot exit, 25 or 30.

The walk to self parking at the GF isn't pretty. You might find yourself loving valet!

 

[drinktomeonly]

livin4disney, I booked Southern Elegance for day after tomorrow after reading this whole thread. Whoot!

The man who answered was really really nice, and really upbeat. Fun for our first trip to Disney! He said to make sure to tell Minnie to get out of the car and go back to work after she drops us off.

Your photos were really helpful in my decision making for the trip. I'm just so excited I can hardly stand it. Thursday morning we are out of Wisconsin and on to Florida and the GF!

I have packed, re-packed, checked my list a dozen times at least. I am sure that I won't sleep tomorrow night.

 

[drinktomeonly]

whoops, sorry, it's Lives4disney, got your ID wrong.

Mine is just my ebay ID so getting all of these Disney folks straight is going to take me a while.

 

[minnie my my]

I may have missed this somewhere, but how long of a walk is it to the Poly from GF? We have ADR's at Ohana's twice during our stay and I thought it would be nice to walk there instead of taking the monorail.

Speaking of the monorail, about how long is the trip from GF to Epcot? We have afternoon tea in the Garden Room the same day we are at Epcot, so I would like an idea of how long it takes to get from one to the other.

Also I was looking over the resort map and noticed an arrow that points away from the main building that says self park. How far away is self parking? I'm not a big fan of valet parking, but I also don't want a mile long walk from the van to the resort.

I second the fact that the walk from the GF to the Polynesian is a pretty and nice walk. The landscaping along the way is lovely. Because of the parking lot being so far away, we usually valet our first day when getting all of our luggage out and when we know we will be using the car a lot. Then one of us self parks the car to stay put for the rest of trip. Just a little thought. I don't like spending that extra money on valet if I don't have to at all. It is not a horrible walk but I would definitely not want to do it everyday or with a lot of luggage. The valet lot is in front of the building, then there is a road to cross before you get to the self parking lot.

 

[Lives4Disney]

livin4disney, I booked Southern Elegance for day after tomorrow after reading this whole thread. Whoot!

The man who answered was really really nice, and really upbeat. Fun for our first trip to Disney! He said to make sure to tell Minnie to get out of the car and go back to work after she drops us off.

Your photos were really helpful in my decision making for the trip. I'm just so excited I can hardly stand it. Thursday morning we are out of Wisconsin and on to Florida and the GF!

I have packed, re-packed, checked my list a dozen times at least. I am sure that I won't sleep tomorrow night.

Yay! Have fun!! I am so sick of this northern IL weather. We left and it was nasty and now back and it's still wicked. I bet you have nearly the same or worse in WI. Have a great stay at the GF & enjoy your FL trip!

RE WALKING BTWN Poly and GF....We wound up walking from the TTC to the GF when the monorails broke down. It was fine. Probably took us 20 minutes. I posted pics of the walk from Poly to GF on the GF chat thread. It was a nice day to walk and got some pretty scenic pics out of it.

Lives4Disney

 

[PrincessPaczki]

The walk between the GF and POLY (in the pictures) looks so relaxing and beautiful. Definitely a must for us in Aug.

 

[Lives4Disney]

The walk between the GF and POLY (in the pictures) looks so relaxing and beautiful. Definitely a must for us in Aug.

Well it might be torture in August!! Maybe save it for after sunset!!

It was nice and we only saw one other person even though we dawdled along the way....

enjoy!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Then I quess holding hands and snuggling on the walk will be out of the question.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Then I quess holding hands and snuggling on the walk will be out of the question.

Hey, that sounds perfect for an evening walk. Kind of sticky and sweaty for snuggling during the day in August...

We have done that walk in the evening after Ohana dinner a couple times - even in July - and it's nice. Go for it! It's lit and quiet and pretty....if DH and I ever get to go alone, this sounds like a good thing.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Oh, did I forget to mention, this is DH and my first trip without the boys...

 

[BCV23]

The walk between the GF and POLY (in the pictures) looks so relaxing and beautiful. Definitely a must for us in Aug.

It is at any time of day. It's actually busiest in the early am when joggers and walkers are on it but even then it's quite peaceful. You might run into two or three other walker/runners on a busy day.

When we're at the Polynesian, we walk back after lunch at the GF Cafe. If we're at the GF, we walk over to the Polynesian for breakfast at Kona.

And it's beautiful at night with all the lights glittering around Seven Seas Lagoon.

The only segment that gets busy is the final bit between the Luau and the GCH right before and immediately after a show.

I just picked up DS2 and it was snowing ever so lightly....in April! Wish we were at WDW right now!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I meant it would be HOT in August. It might be a case of lets hurry and get this over with during a steamy day in August.... It IS a pretty walk any time of day on a nice day.

Princess P - Have a wonderful time!! That is great! I was hoping to go in Sept - Just DH & myself for our 20th anniv, but it's not looking promising getting my parents to babysit...they have something big going on and can't fly in during that time.

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

I meant it would be HOT in August. It might be a case of lets hurry and get this over with during a steamy day in August.... It IS a pretty walk any time of day on a nice day.

Princess P - Have a wonderful time!! That is great! I was hoping to go in Sept - Just DH & myself for our 20th anniv, but it's not looking promising getting my parents to babysit...they have something big going on and can't fly in during that time.

Lives4Disney

Lives, if that was directed at me, I knew you were talking about it being hot in August.

I was talking about how the walk varied.