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

[werfamily]

Teach me please... Just in case I ever make concierge...

IPO is???

Thanks

Itinerary Planning Office

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, guys. Just popped in to say hello. The parks are jammed. DS was at the MK til 1:30 am ish last night and the lines for space mtn were still 30 minutes long, lol. what a bust.

We are not having park luck. Today we headed to MGM, saw the LONG lines to get in and said forget it. Caught a boat to Epcot - which was also crowded, but still fun. I think it is just about Christmas crowded. Worse than July 4 week IMO.

We got back here about 7 and just hung out listening to the band, talking to CM friends and shopping. It was a really nice night. We picked up some dinner at Gaspies and ate outside while watching Wishes. OK.....I BARELY heard it, but they did have the soundtrack piped in. DD11 said she could hear it perfectly. We were at an end table farthest from Sago and it sounded like the music was coming from somewhere nearer Sago. We're here hanging out watching DVD and the guys went to the CR arcade.

The CMs are wonderful and housekeeping is terrific. I just can't say enough how much I do love this hotel. We are meeting more and more CMs and it really feels nice & this place is very fun and welcoming. NO stuffiness at all.

Tomorrow AK and we must get ourselves out of here EARLY. I think our late night park touring has caught on and become the way most people are doing it now,. We used to walk on rides after 9 pm and stay til closing, but that is a thing of the past I think. BUMMER. I prefer sleeping late and playing late.

Talk to ya later. Happy Disney planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[cinderlexa's mom]

Any word on Sago's close date?

Anyone been able to check in to their room before 3pm?

 

[grannyminnie]

Wow, Channing...sorry you're having such crowded conditions at the parks! I guess you'll be starting to reconsider planning another Thanksgiving week trip...
for me, please shoo those people home by Sunday!!!
Any sight of cream for the scones yet??

 

[praline3001]

Praline3001, I noticed your post since it was below one of mine that I just edited (back on page 9). Hopefully, your questions have been answered by now.

I thought I'd post a few photos of one of the Grand Floridian’s laundry rooms (this one is located in the Main Building). The laundry rooms in the Lodge Buildings are similar. As you’ll see in the photos, there is a soap vending machine located inside the laundry room.

There are a few more laundry room photos in my on-line photo album: click here.

Since you asked about dry cleaning, here are a couple of photos for you (price list was from 2006):

Is it worth it to have your items sent out for cleaning? That is a personal question that I can only answer for myself.

For example, during my vacation, one of my friends had her items sent out for cleaning (including her socks). She was actually leaving WDW within a day or two, so her laundry definitely could have waited until she got home. But she felt her time was more valuable and thus didn’t think twice about sending her clothing out for cleaning.

I, on the other hand, was spending almost 5-1/2 weeks in WDW with my daughter. As you can imagine, a lot of laundry piled up during that time. I decided to spend my dry cleaning money on other things instead, and so I did my own laundry in quite a few of the different resorts, one of which was the Grand Floridian. (I resort-hop during my vacations.)

No matter what you decide to do about laundry during your upcoming vacation, I hope your family has a wonderful time in WDW.

Thanks Janet! Since I posted that, we have decided to fly rather than drive Since we are allowed 2 suitcases each (pulling out the BIG luggage in the attic), I am bringing more than I had planned... BUT being Feb, I am going to have to pack both warm and cold weather items! I am sure I will end up in the laundry mat at some point during the week! I guess the dry cleaning isn't too bad if your only getting 1 or 2 items done but a whole load of laundry would run you over a $100
Now I know I don't have to pack laundry soap!

Kelly, you might want to copy and paste that post to the front of the thread in case others have similar questions about the laundry service.

 

[praline3001]

awesome post about the laundry janet! I am adding that to page one with a link to this page.
Thanks

eta I have added the laundry info to the first page along with some of janets other info. This way when someone is looking for stuff they can go to the first page and find page numbers and information.

OOPS I guess I should read ahead before posting
As always Kelly is on top of things!

 

[praline3001]

Hi, everyone. Reading the trip reports is getting me super-excited for my February 4-10 RPC trip!

I just thought of a few questions that I have ...
- Has anyone done the "Soothing Tired Legs" treatment at the Spa? If so, what did you think of it? I just had IPO book this today for both my parents while my DD4 attends the Wonderland Tea Party. As much as I enjoy spa treatments, I want to use that time for myself to wander around the resort and the shops ...

- Who do I contact to put in my room requests and when should I do this? Now or closer to my departure? I would like a castle view, although I certainly realize I may not get this!. What other views do standard RPC rooms afford?

Thanks in advance.
- Andrea

Howdy Andrea! We are going to be at the GF at the same time period!
My family will be there Feb 1-8
Of course we aren't staying at the RPC but... well I guess I need to buddy up with you so I can sneak on up there and check it out

Just a FYI... the GF is boooked solid from Feb 7-10 right now. We actually are going to have to move to the poly our last night. Kelly is trying to keep us at the GF but they have a few conventions going on during this time. Hopefully the lobby won't be too crazy!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

These pics are from Heatherlynns trip report. The link to it is the first post.
These are of her room, views from the room, and some of the lounge.

 

[praline3001]

What is the best time to try and get my kiddos in the front on the monorail?
We have always missed out on this little treat as someone was already in the spot! The kids were talking about trying to do it this time... planning a stradegy since we will be using the monorail a lot this trip and being monorail resort guest I was hoping for a little edge in this area. Do I need to get them to the GF station at 1AM to be able to do it?

Also, another transportation question with the GF...

Which is faster/ more reliable to MK, the boat or monorail? On paper I know the monorail looks faster but if its more crowded maybe not?

Also, with Epcot... what is the best way to get there? I know the monorail we have to make a change but is it still faster this way?

The busses run from AK and MGM but are they slow services? Would we be better off calling a cab? How crowded do the busses get in the morning? How many times (average) are you passed up by a full bus?

I am trying to get down pat all of my transportation options from the GF so we can quickly change to PLAN B if we need to.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

There is no bus to Epcot from the GF. You have to take the monorail.

Anytime is a good time to sit up front. Anytime you go to get in line and there arent alot of people ask the CM if you can sit up front. Then they will ask the driver when they pull in. We did the loop last year from the GF and back to the GF and it was nice. The kids got co-pilot licenses and I got some great pics.

 

[arbonnette]

Howdy Andrea! We are going to be at the GF at the same time period!
My family will be there Feb 1-8
Of course we aren't staying at the RPC but... well I guess I need to buddy up with you so I can sneak on up there and check it out

Just a FYI... the GF is boooked solid from Feb 7-10 right now. We actually are going to have to move to the poly our last night. Kelly is trying to keep us at the GF but they have a few conventions going on during this time. Hopefully the lobby won't be too crazy!

Hi! Seeing that you are from New Orleans as well, I am guessing you are getting out of Louisiana for Mardi Gras. I am still hoping that despite the packed resort, the parks will be somewhat less crowded at this time. I wish you luck with staying at the GF for your last night!

 

[princessesrule4]

What is the best time to try and get my kiddos in the front on the monorail?
We have always missed out on this little treat as someone was already in the spot! The kids were talking about trying to do it this time... planning a stradegy since we will be using the monorail a lot this trip and being monorail resort guest I was hoping for a little edge in this area. Do I need to get them to the GF station at 1AM to be able to do it?

Also, another transportation question with the GF...

Which is faster/ more reliable to MK, the boat or monorail? On paper I know the monorail looks faster but if its more crowded maybe not?

Also, with Epcot... what is the best way to get there? I know the monorail we have to make a change but is it still faster this way?

The busses run from AK and MGM but are they slow services? Would we be better off calling a cab? How crowded do the busses get in the morning? How many times (average) are you passed up by a full bus?

I am trying to get down pat all of my transportation options from the GF so we can quickly change to PLAN B if we need to.

Mine have gotten to ride in front on the monorail a few times and its been at different times of the day! All you can do is ask!

We always have a car so we drive to MGM, AK and DTD. I think DTD is the longest. AK you have to stop at BB usually. MGM isn't bad - we just have our car so we use it!

 

[tete01830]

Which is faster/ more reliable to MK, the boat or monorail? On paper I know the monorail looks faster but if its more crowded maybe not?

I found that taking the monorail TO MK is best but taking the boat BACK to GF was fastest (if there isnt a long line at the boat, of coarse)! Mk is the first stop on the monorail from GF and the last stop leaving MK. If you take the boat from MK,you are the first stop!

 

[praline3001]

Hi! Seeing that you are from New Orleans as well, I am guessing you are getting out of Louisiana for Mardi Gras. I am still hoping that despite the packed resort, the parks will be somewhat less crowded at this time. I wish you luck with staying at the GF for your last night!

Yup, this is our first time getting out of town for Mardi Gras. We usually stay and do some of the family parades but lately even the family parades have gotten out of hand. I don't actually live in New Orleans ... I am in St Charles Parish but its just easier for the internet to say New Orleans
Your only a hop, skip and a jump from where I am.

The family that lives across the street from us went last year during Mardi Gras. They said the crowds were nadda! This is what got me planning our trip to go during this time. I usually take a year to plan Disney but this time we booked a little late... back in the middle of Oct. so rooms are a bit scarce. I know the Poly is a great hotel and its not like we have to stay at POP or All star but I just don't want to take all that time moving resorts for only 1 night.

Are you bringing any Mardi Gras beads with you? I have read where several LA people will bring beads to share with CM's and other guest. I was thinking of MAYBE going to the Anex and picking up a few for the kids to hand out on Mardi Gras day. I am not sure if it would end up being more work than fun though!

 

[wdhinn89]

What is the best time to try and get my kiddos in the front on the monorail?
We have always missed out on this little treat as someone was already in the spot! The kids were talking about trying to do it this time... planning a stradegy since we will be using the monorail a lot this trip and being monorail resort guest I was hoping for a little edge in this area. Do I need to get them to the GF station at 1AM to be able to do it?

Also, another transportation question with the GF...

Which is faster/ more reliable to MK, the boat or monorail? On paper I know the monorail looks faster but if its more crowded maybe not?

Also, with Epcot... what is the best way to get there? I know the monorail we have to make a change but is it still faster this way?

The busses run from AK and MGM but are they slow services? Would we be better off calling a cab? How crowded do the busses get in the morning? How many times (average) are you passed up by a full bus?

I am trying to get down pat all of my transportation options from the GF so we can quickly change to PLAN B if we need to.

We found that the afternoon was the best time to ride in the front of the monorail. There are a lot less people traveling at that time of day on them. The buses were actually great when we were there. We kind of dreaded them (we grew up in NYC and took buses everywhere) but they were very reliable. They ran every 20 minutes and we always got on a bus with no problem. We actually had more monorail problems. It got stuck at the contemporary once and they told us to go down there will be buses for us, but of course there wasn't. People were crazy. Then I noticed a monorail go by and went in and asked the coat check if it was back up and he said no. I said please call and check and of course it was running. But they never told anyone. My husband told some people, especially the wheel chair people. It also had several other delays and it also took us over 30 minutes to get to Epcot. The boatride is beautiful if it is not too cold and you don't mind having your hair windblown.

 

[heatherlynn444]

Yup, this is our first time getting out of town for Mardi Gras. We usually stay and do some of the family parades but lately even the family parades have gotten out of hand. I don't actually live in New Orleans ... I am in St Charles Parish but its just easier for the internet to say New Orleans
Your only a hop, skip and a jump from where I am.

The family that lives across the street from us went last year during Mardi Gras. They said the crowds were nadda! This is what got me planning our trip to go during this time. I usually take a year to plan Disney but this time we booked a little late... back in the middle of Oct. so rooms are a bit scarce. I know the Poly is a great hotel and its not like we have to stay at POP or All star but I just don't want to take all that time moving resorts for only 1 night.

Are you bringing any Mardi Gras beads with you? I have read where several LA people will bring beads to share with CM's and other guest. I was thinking of MAYBE going to the Anex and picking up a few for the kids to hand out on Mardi Gras day. I am not sure if it would end up being more work than fun though!

aw i wish i would have known you were gonna do that. we just gave away BAGS and BAGS of mardi gras beads from last year. i could ahve given them to you

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Here are some pics of the GF from one of my recent trips down.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The view from Gaspies

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Have a Very Merry Unbirthday to you, yes you!!