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

[MA pigletfan]

Hi Everyone..i am getting so excited..we leave next THURSDAY for our first stay at the GF!! This thread has been amazingly helpful..i will be sure to share pics when we return...I can't believe our luck that SL has just been refurbed too..

 

[safetymom]

Katesdad, the problem with publishing names is that it gets out of hand quickly. You may write and praise them but I can guarantee that others will run to the CM with every little problem. What a CM tells to one person is probably not what would be said if they knew it would be published on a message board.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Is it true that all the new rooms have a mini bar, or is that only for the guests who stay in Royal Palm? If it's in every room is that seperate from the fridge, because my family and I would like to keep some drinks in there and would not want to start messing around with anything in the mini bar, so we don't get charged with purchasing something from there.

We were in Sugar Loaf and no Mini-bar. So I would figure if there were any they would be in RP.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Resort Fan 4 Life;

That is hilarious. A bunch of CPA's from PwC causing problems and bothering others? Man, that firm has really changed since I worked there a long time ago. The only issue is that there are a lot of them and they take up a lot of the rooms so the GF will be full at that time which means that those going who are hoping for free upgrades will be disappointed.

Thanks for that info. I had a feeling the info I was told sounded wrong, so thanks for confirming it.

We were in Sugar Loaf and no Mini-bar. So I would figure if there were any they would be in RP.

That's weird because I was looking at some pics of the old rooms in Sugar Loaf before the renovation and they had a mini bar.

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Good morning everyone!! Just 10 more days and I will be at the GF!!! I am so excited, I can't stand it!!!

 

[MickeyMaz]

That's weird because I was looking at some pics of the old rooms in Sugar Loaf before the renovation and they had a mini bar.

Look halfway down the page on the link below. My pictures are not the best, but with the renovations, no mini-bar.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1629507&page=29

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Look halfway down the page on the link below. My pictures are not the best, but with the renovations, no mini-bar.
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1629507&page=29

Thanks for the link and sorry for thinking you were wrong. I only posted what I did because of the pics I saw on Allearsnet saying the old Sugar Loaf rooms had a mini bar, so I assumed they kept it.

 

[MickeyMaz]

Thanks for the link and sorry for thinking you were wrong. I only posted what I did because of the pics I saw on Allearsnet saying the old Sugar Loaf rooms had a mini bar, so I assumed they kept it.

I did not take your comment badly, just wanted to show my pictures again. I was glad they did not have it for the same reasons stated above. Late night snacking and all.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I did not take your comment badly, just wanted to show my pictures again. I was glad they did not have it for the same reasons stated above. Late night snacking and all.

I agree that since these rooms have the mini fridge, it's better without the mini bar being in the room.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I was just wondering is the self parking lot as bad as some make it out to be? From what I have seen while on a Disney bus which had left from the Grand Floridian, the self parking lot is across the street from the lobby/Royal Palm building and is a far walk. So I was wondering is it better to always valet park, or try the self parking lot a few times and see how it is?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I was just wondering is the self parking lot as bad as some make it out to be? From what I have seen while on a Disney bus which had left from the Grand Floridian, the self parking lot is across the street from the lobby/Royal Palm building and is a far walk. So I was wondering is it better to always valet park, or try the self parking lot a few times and see how it is?

Yes! Its awful. It is far and a pain if you ask me. We parked in it one when we were there in July and even my DH was like we arent doing this again.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Yes! Its awful. It is far and a pain if you ask me. We parked in it one when we were there in July and even my DH was like we arent doing this again.

Thanks for you're feedback. Does anyone else have an opinion, weather it's positive or negative?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi,. guys....we're home. It feels good. This wasn't the best most magical trip so I am happy to be home. Strange but true. Never thought I'd feel that way.

About the pins....You are the NICEST people. DD will be shocked and so thrilled to have more pins but it is so not necessary. She was devastated for a few days and the thought that somebody wouldn't even turn them in left us all soured, but she started over and had a bit of luck replacing a couple favorites. We learned our lesson. It's not the place it used to be.

MINIBAR....I MISSED IT!!! DD7 was looking around for that good old "Snack drawer".....we needed some late night munchies a few times.

We did the party on Nov 25 and it was fun again. The parties were nowhere near as crowded as the previous years we've gone. Maybe others have been scared away like we almost were. We didn't see any shows, though. We did at other parties - and they were packed - but we tried to see the Belle Xmas storytime (the girls still like that stuff) but the LINE WAS HIDEOUS 1/2 hour before it even was scheduled to start. There was NO WAY all those people lined up were going to get in. We didn't see a whole lot of characters either except at the dance parties which were crowded but fun for DD7. She really got into it. The characters were out dancing among the crowd and this seemed like a hit with all the kids. There were no lines for cookies and cocoa like previous parties. Before this year we never even wasted time standing in the LONG lines to have them because they were just sooooo long and time consuming for dumb old cocoa and cookies. Rides were walk ons or short lines. The parade is great and the fireworks GORGEOUS. It was fun and if I could have this luck again, I'd love to go to the parties.

I took lots of GF pics & will pst them tonight or tomorrow. Gaspies, grounds, Grand 1 and more. That hotel is soooo pretty and the Xmas decorations had people gasping when they got off the monorail. I loved seeing that. It was so cool how it happened over night. All of a sudden poinsettias everywhere and wreaths and that huge 3 story tree. Basin had some nice new stuff. The Mercantile was just getting in some cute new sparkly tees and girly things when we were leaving.

Robyn, I checked again yesterday and no Enchanted dresses....just a couple books and dolls and pins here and there.

We had lots of weird and obnoxious things happen this trip so it wasn't our best but the GF was wonderful all around.....same friendly familiar CMs and same great level of service. I was a loser and did not get the manager's name, but if you check on the Coronado thread he came from there and was that manager. Also, as for Sago there is nothing new going on in that building. People coming in and out and nothing looking like construction at all.

Southern Elegance does have a new owner. Bummer. It was still nice & fine & good, but I just knew something had changed. I'd use them again because I have had MUCH worse. They were good and they were early and there waiting to take us to MCO.

Talk to ya later,
Lives4Disney Or Lived4Disney haha for now. I am burned out.

 

[ClareH37]

Welcome home Channing, I've enjoyed reading about your trip and so sorry about the loss of your DD's pins.

Can I ask a question about the shops at the GF?

We're going to be using Trac mobile phones but need to purchase pre-paid cards/credits. Is there anywhere at the GF that sell these, or is there anywhere en route from MCO we can stop to buy them?

Thanks

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi,. guys....we're home. It feels good. This wasn't the best most magical trip so I am happy to be home. Strange but true. Never thought I'd feel that way.

About the pins....You are the NICEST people. DD will be shocked and so thrilled to have more pins but it is so not necessary. She was devastated for a few days and the thought that somebody wouldn't even turn them in left us all soured, but she started over and had a bit of luck replacing a couple favorites. We learned our lesson. It's not the place it used to be.

MINIBAR....I MISSED IT!!! DD7 was looking around for that good old "Snack drawer".....we needed some late night munchies a few times.

We did the party on Nov 25 and it was fun again. The parties were nowhere near as crowded as the previous years we've gone. Maybe others have been scared away like we almost were. We didn't see any shows, though. We did at other parties - and they were packed - but we tried to see the Belle Xmas storytime (the girls still like that stuff) but the LINE WAS HIDEOUS 1/2 hour before it even was scheduled to start. There was NO WAY all those people lined up were going to get in. We didn't see a whole lot of characters either except at the dance parties which were crowded but fun for DD7. She really got into it. The characters were out dancing among the crowd and this seemed like a hit with all the kids. There were no lines for cookies and cocoa like previous parties. Before this year we never even wasted time standing in the LONG lines to have them because they were just sooooo long and time consuming for dumb old cocoa and cookies. Rides were walk ons or short lines. The parade is great and the fireworks GORGEOUS. It was fun and if I could have this luck again, I'd love to go to the parties.

I took lots of GF pics & will pst them tonight or tomorrow. Gaspies, grounds, Grand 1 and more. That hotel is soooo pretty and the Xmas decorations had people gasping when they got off the monorail. I loved seeing that. It was so cool how it happened over night. All of a sudden poinsettias everywhere and wreaths and that huge 3 story tree. Basin had some nice new stuff. The Mercantile was just getting in some cute new sparkly tees and girly things when we were leaving.

Robyn, I checked again yesterday and no Enchanted dresses....just a couple books and dolls and pins here and there.

We had lots of weird and obnoxious things happen this trip so it wasn't our best but the GF was wonderful all around.....same friendly familiar CMs and same great level of service. I was a loser and did not get the manager's name, but if you check on the Coronado thread he came from there and was that manager. Also, as for Sago there is nothing new going on in that building. People coming in and out and nothing looking like construction at all.

Southern Elegance does have a new owner. Bummer. It was still nice & fine & good, but I just knew something had changed. I'd use them again because I have had MUCH worse. They were good and they were early and there waiting to take us to MCO.

Talk to ya later,
Lives4Disney Or Lived4Disney haha for now. I am burned out.

Welcome back!
Thanks for the SE info - your intuition was right about possibly having a new owner. It sounds like they're still better than most others!

Glad the GF was still wonderful for you! That is why we stay there, especially RPC, it is so nice to come back to! Our visit is really about vacationing at the GF and not really the parks as much anymore!

After coming back from a visit during a really crowded time, I always leave and I'm actually ready to leave due to the crowds. So I know what you mean! I'm hoping by going in mid December that it won't be as crowded as the week before Christmas when we usually go!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks for you're review and I can't wait to see the pictures you took.

 

[marcij]

CR Resort Fan 4 Life;

That is hilarious. A bunch of CPA's from PwC causing problems and bothering others? Man, that firm has really changed since I worked there a long time ago. The only issue is that there are a lot of them and they take up a lot of the rooms so the GF will be full at that time which means that those going who are hoping for free upgrades will be disappointed.

Actually, we have been there when they are there and we didn't have any problems... but the resort did have problems in the past. PWC brings summer interns as well, and had problems with them getting drunk, being loud out by the pool late at night etc. The next year they took their mini-bars out of their rooms....

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Actually, we have been there when they are there and we didn't have any problems... but the resort did have problems in the past. PWC brings summer interns as well, and had problems with them getting drunk, being loud out by the pool late at night etc. The next year they took their mini-bars out of their rooms....

Thanks for posting that info and I must say it was a smart idea of the Grand Floridian to take the mini bars out of their rooms, so there would be no problems like they had in the past.

 

[BrianD]

Thanks for you're feedback. Does anyone else have an opinion, weather it's positive or negative?

Trust me, you will want to valet. You actually exit the Grand Floridian grounds to get to the Self Parking area. IMHO, this is vacation, and taking the long (including walking across a stree) is not worth saving $10.

Most resorts, we self park, because it is still fairly convenient. But not at the GF.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Trust me, you will want to valet. You actually exit the Grand Floridian grounds to get to the Self Parking area. IMHO, this is vacation, and taking the long (including walking across a stree) is not worth saving $10.

Most resorts, we self park, because it is still fairly convenient. But not at the GF.

Thank you for giving you're opinion.