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

[goofygal531]

Praline: Pack one beach towel. It rains sparatically in June. At any time you might have to run out of the pool due to lightning. The pool towels usually cannot leave the area. So for back up, we always have one beach towel with us. We had to run out of Typhoon Lagoon one year. They closed mid day due to a lightning storm. I can't tell you how many people were at the bus stop dripping wet cause you can't take the towels with you. Thankfully, we had one beach towel with us! From then on, I always have a beach towel!

The tea room has been busy lately! I love going to the tea room! Make an ADR and you can always change it. They're more likely to accommodate you if you already have an ADR. To make the event even more special, purchase the "Grand Floridian" special tea blend. You can have tea with DD at home and remember your special day. It's delish! You can only purchase it at the tea room, I thought the tea shop in Epcot UK would carry it, but they don't.

Don't they have free dvds available if they provide dvd players in SL? I thought I read that they had a dvd library for you to select from?

Mr.Mike: I'm thinking of taking ME, we always use it. I can't see wasting $250 on a limo ride when WDW provides a free ride. I can easily spend that $$$ elsewhere. Wishes cruise, spa treatment, etc...

 

[goofygal531]

I noticed that Disney is offering free dining again this year. My question is, can you reserve at the GF and take advantage of the free dining, or is this promotion good only at the value and moderate resorts? Thanks, I was just wondering...if it is good, then maybe another trip in 2009 will be possible!

Yes, you can upgrade the package to deluxe resorts, the price varies. I think upgrading it to the GF, defeats the point of it being a savings though. You'd have to call and check the rates. I know a friend of mine is staying at PO-FQ and priced the upgrade to WL and it was $1,000 more so I can only imagine how much more it would be to upgrade to the GF.

The free dining package is only available from 8/24 to 9/20 of this year. The biggest value is when staying at a value/moderate resort. I priced it out for my family for Sept and with air it came to $1,500 for 5 days but DH wanted to upgrade the entire vacation He said sure we can go, I want to stay at a deluxe resort, I want the deluxe dining plan and I want to stay longer ..... we'll forget it that's no longer a cheap last minute vacation! It's not for us. When you work the numbers, you're only saving $500.

 

[BCV23]

I agree on making a reservation for tea. I didn't know you could buy the GF blend there. I love that blend.

We never pack beach towels. It sounds like a great idea if you're hitting a water park but we very rarely do that. At the deluxe resorts, you can take the towels back to your room. My family always wraps up in them on the way back to the room. We then return them next time we're headed out of the room.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We never pack beach towels. It sounds like a great idea if you're hitting a water park but we very rarely do that. At the deluxe resorts, you can take the towels back to your room. My family always wraps up in them on the way back to the room. We then return them next time we're headed out of the room.

Us, too. Never a problem, no questions asked.

Mare, they do have DVD's available in concierge. I forget all about that and never take advantage of that little perk. My girls always load up on their favorites for the flight anyway.

I don't think a limo is a waste of money but it's your money ....it's so nice and easy and convenient. Stress free & that's what I love on vacation.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[mr.mike]

Thanks for your response, Mr Mike on ME. I am assuming from your sig that you are a Disney Groom? I am a disney bride...great picture of what I am assuming is you and your wife at Illuminations!

.

I am a disney Vow renewal(er) Not to toot my own horn but i had a surprise vow renewal for my wife for our 10th wedding anniversary. Got family down there without anyone knowing why and had a great time. The reveal was great. Everyone was surprised!
That pic is from the UK in Epcot. Actually our honeymoon night was our first time in RPC and it got me hooked.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I am a disney Vow renewal(er) Not to toot my own horn but i had a surprise vow renewal for my wife for our 10th wedding anniversary. Got family down there without anyone knowing why and had a great time. The reveal was great. Everyone was surprised!
That pic is from the UK in Epcot. Actually our honeymoon night was our first time in RPC and it got me hooked.

Well blow up that picture up so we can get a look at our one and only regular male poster!!!!

 

[tinklvr64]

I am a disney Vow renewal(er) Not to toot my own horn but i had a surprise vow renewal for my wife for our 10th wedding anniversary. Got family down there without anyone knowing why and had a great time. The reveal was great. Everyone was surprised!
That pic is from the UK in Epcot. Actually our honeymoon night was our first time in RPC and it got me hooked.

Whata Man!!! Your wife is lucky so toot away!

 

[WishesQueen]

Well blow up that picture up so we can get a look at our one and only regular male poster!!!!

I was thinking the same thing. That picture looks too beautiful to be so small, I would love to see it larger!!

 

[goofygal531]

I don't think a limo is a waste of money but it's your money ....it's so nice and easy and convenient. Stress free & that's what I love on vacation.

I just thought I would be buying more time in the parks by not taking ME. Years ago before ME, I remember leaving to go to the airport within an hour of our flight. But then again, security has changed so much - so it's not just ME.

A limo is nice, easy and convenient.

I guess I'm starting to pinch pennies since I really got carried away and booked a ton of stuff this past week: I have a VERY expensive spa treatment at the GF spa, DH's Richard Petty thingy wasn't cheap, the Wishes cruise, Father's Day tuxedo strawberries + chocolate mickey, cabana rental, Segway tour, our night out (babysitter + expensive restaurant) and the limo ride. That comes to a little over $1,800!

I really shouldn't watch tomorrow's travel channel special on "Disney Splurges" I seriously don't need anymore ideas!

 

[mr.mike]

Mr.Mike: I'm thinking of taking ME, we always use it. I can't see wasting $250 on a limo ride when WDW provides a free ride. I can easily spend that $$$ elsewhere. Wishes cruise, spa treatment, etc...

As much as I love the limo ride (Before ME we used to take them) I'd rather spend the money elsewhere also... and A wishes cruise is a great idea!! Actually so is the Spa. Have only done it once and can't wait to do it again.

 

[mr.mike]

I was thinking the same thing. That picture looks too beautiful to be so small, I would love to see it larger!!

You don't have to ask me twice ...im not that shy.

These pics were uploaded so long ago I'm not sure how large or small they will look.

The Illuminations pic is one of our favorites. You won't see our faces if the pic is any larger cause that is the back of our heads. lol

Here is the pic from the GF's second floor... i think this pic will be small.

Here were are in the Coach. I felt so bad for the Horsemen (whatever those people are called that walk next to you) It was SOOOOO hot that day.

Someone mentioned the Segway tour. I loved it and have actually considered buying one.

Ok how about a picture of a picture to see what we look like?

Here is a better one... from a fireworks cruise

 

[praline3001]

We really enjoyed the SE limo service this past time.
I am on the wall about doing it again... with just Savannah and I.... we are trying to keep a budget this trip

The limo is very much worth it if you use it properly

Instead of hanging out at the resort waiting for the ME bus, the limo can pick you up right from the park. That way the kids can play right up until the last second. This actually saves the time vs money thing.

 

[IUHoosiers]

I will be staying at GF in September with DD4, my best friend and her DD3. We chose GF for its monorail access to Epcot and MK, but know we will have to take a bus to AK and DHS.

My question is, how IS the bus transportation to AK and DHS...how many stops there and back? With two preschoolers in tow, we don't want to underestimate the time this will take.

Over on the Poly thread, a poster mentioned that she went to the TTC to take a direct bus to AK and DHS. Has anyone staying at GF gone this route? Is there a signifcant difference in time?

Thanks for your input!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

My DH and I was talking last night about the same thing. We were wondering how long the ride was to DHS and AK. ? Thanks!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

mr mike - Thanks for the photos!

 

[princessesrule4]

We really enjoyed the SE limo service this past time.
I am on the wall about doing it again... with just Savannah and I.... we are trying to keep a budget this trip

The limo is very much worth it if you use it properly

Instead of hanging out at the resort waiting for the ME bus, the limo can pick you up right from the park. That way the kids can play right up until the last second. This actually saves the time vs money thing.

We got a town car for the 2 of us from SE in December for our girls trip. I think it was $180 including the tip. It's not quite the impact of a limo to a little girl, but it was a very nice car, had cold water bottles and we were at the GF in 20 minutes! Both of our drivers were super nice!

 

[praline3001]

My DH and I was talking last night about the same thing. We were wondering how long the ride was to DHS and AK. ? Thanks!

We took a cab for both parks. The cab was $15 for DHS and $20 for AK. kind of pricey for a cab ride BUT no extra stops and no crowded bus and all that good stuff.

We left DHS right after Fantasmic and let me tell you the line for the bus was UNREAL!!!!! I would have died having to stand in line for an hour for our bus with our 2 tired kids whining the entire time

ALWAYS keep using a cab in the back of your mind. If the bus line is short then save the money and jump on the bus. If the line is unreal REMEMBER you could actually be saving money to take the cab... you spent 6 grand for your trip... what is your time worth for that hour your waiting for a bus and then all the stops between? Your family will be in nice air condition cab... not smashed together and the energy zapped from standing in line ... well its hard for little ones to recover. Cabs are our families best WDW secret

 

[PrincessPaczki]

praline3001 - Thanks for the tip on the cab ride. I will definitely keep that in mind.

 

[IUHoosiers]

We took a cab for both parks. The cab was $15 for DHS and $20 for AK. kind of pricey for a cab ride BUT no extra stops and no crowded bus and all that good stuff.

We left DHS right after Fantasmic and let me tell you the line for the bus was UNREAL!!!!! I would have died having to stand in line for an hour for our bus with our 2 tired kids whining the entire time

ALWAYS keep using a cab in the back of your mind. If the bus line is short then save the money and jump on the bus. If the line is unreal REMEMBER you could actually be saving money to take the cab... you spent 6 grand for your trip... what is your time worth for that hour your waiting for a bus and then all the stops between? Your family will be in nice air condition cab... not smashed together and the energy zapped from standing in line ... well its hard for little ones to recover. Cabs are our families best WDW secret

How old are your children? Ours are 3 and 4, so car seats would be needed - I think that rules out a cab for us.

We had a car on our last trip...and saw those long lines. We won't be staying at AK until close, so hopefully the line won't be too bad. But we will be staying for Fantasmic at DHS - so I am preparing for the worst.

Back to my original question though, does anyone know how many stops there are from GF to DHS and AK? Is the bus from TTC direct - has anyone done this?

Thanks!

 

[Marc A.]

3 questions
1. Please describe the garden view rooms (possible views)
2. Can you see the MK fireworks/castle from the beach
3. Is there a walkway to the MK like the one from CR to Mk
Thanks for your help