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

[dingoballs]

Well.....not to be a bummer but DS was a major downer on our trip. He is 17 and a good nice polite kid but he is sick of WDW and he let us know. I wish we could have left him at home...we all would have been much much happier. Honestly the arcade at GF leaves a lot to be desired & there is not much to do there for teens - or maybe we're missing something . He used to monorail over to the CR's arcade, but this time he was disappointed because when they moved the arcade up to the 4th floor he said they took out the "good" games. Not sure what he considers "good", but he is a gamer so he would know. But, I do have to say I don't think it would matter where we stayed. (Although his absolute favorite is the CR so that MIGHT have made him happier but I doubt it) It's really the WDW experience he's sick of. (except for the fact that he's a grump no matter where we vacation .....he wants to just be home with his friends) He did go to Disney Quest and wound up buying an AP for that but after 3 days there and at DTD he said "It's lost its luster". He saw some movies, went to the Virgin Megastore, hung out at DQ but I think he's done. I know I am.....no more family trips with DS17 for a long time. I used to miss him if he didn't come with, but forget that. He just brought us down and it was a waste of money.


MickeyMaz, that is cute! I wondered if they used that theater. It looked too nice to sit empty.

Tink - That is so true. The world is changing and WDW is reflecting that. I just remember how it USED to be and how the guests used to be and it's a sad contrast.


Lives4Disney

Hi Channing,

Thanks for posting all those great pics! Made me feel like I was reliving our most recent trip there. LOL

Bummer about your DS's attitude. Did you guys consider doing a split stay at WDW and Universal Orlando? I'm pretty sure DS would have enjoyed all the rides at IOA as well as the studio...

Allen

 

[tarrgem]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the great pics Channing! We are leaving on Monday for our first stay at the GF! I am beyond excited! And looking at the pics just makes me even more so!

Still debating what the 5 of us should wear for our photo shoot I can't make a decision to save my life! It's gotta be the Libra in me! I picked out navy and light blue polos for the boys and maybe pink for me and DD but with all the pink and gold decorations in the pics...I don't know if the boys will clash??? I know you suggested no white, but I'm wondering with all the decorations white might be ok? I don't want all the pics to be too Xmassy after all.

Well I'm back to packing like a crazy person...the 10 day forecast looks like it's going to be chillier than I planned so I had to throw some extra layers in there! I'm panicky about any of us getting sick so I'm definately packing clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and my entire medicine cabinet!!! Figuring if I pack it all we won't need it Wishful thinking...I know

Are there irons in the room? I'm packing so early, I'm sure I'll need one to get the kinks out!

Woo Hoo 4 more days!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi guys....I am so procrastinating unpacking and laundry......

Dingo, we did Universal a few yrs ago and actually DS didn't like it as much as WDW!!!!! He loves the rides, but he - well back then he was probably 14 or 15 - told me he appreciated the nostalgia of WDW. He wasn't feeling it at UO. Said something was missing. I think he's just been toooo mnay times. He's gone since he was 1 and some years 3+ wks/yr. He's just burned out and bored with it. It's all about his friends at this piont. I thought of doing a trip w/him and friends and stayind DVC, but since he was such a drag I have thrown that idea away for now.

Tarrgem - I understand your uncertainty with what to wear. I do that with packing!! Most of the decorations are rose and pink and gold with red poinsettias thrown in. Lots of red and pink outside.

There are irons in the rooms. I always bring a large bottle of Wrinkle Releaser and LOVE LOVE that stuff!! I use it at home too and no more ironing!!!!

Happy packing!!!!! Hope it's a great time....for what it's worth the CMs told me crowds will die down and it's a nice time to go about now.

Lives4Disney

 

[teentoddlermom]

Just wanted to say that this thread has really interested me in staying at the GF again! The pictures everyone has posted are beautiful. The renovated rooms are so pretty. I asked my travel agent about switching our pre- Christmas weekend trip to the GF, but decided to stay with Beach Club, since we'll visit Epcot and Studios more this trip. But GF here we come for a future trip!!

 

[ClareH37]

Thanks Channing, I love the thought of that yummy gingerbread smell in the main building, but not so keen on the thought of the stomach/sickness bug

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks Channing, I love the thought of that yummy gingerbread smell in the main building, but not so keen on the thought of the stomach/sickness bug

It will be gone by the time you arrive. I read it was Thanksgiving week and there really must have been because of what we observed during our stay. It won't last- it will pass. I didn't mean to scare you. Just be prepared with the wipes etc.

No worries. Have fun.

Channing

 

[ClareH37]

Thanks again Channing, I'm definitely taking wipes - nothing is going to ruin my dream trip

 

[diselderm]

Thanks for the photos, Lives4disney! Glad you liked the rooms more in person, hopefully we will too. We're arriving this Sunday too, ClareH37. Maybe we'll see you there.

 

[princessesrule4]

A question for everyone:

The stomach bug does not sound good. We are flying for the first time( we usually drive since its only 5- 6 hours.)
Can I pack a can of lysol in my suitcase or carryon? I usually bring Lysol and Clorox wipes when we drive. Do the airlines allow these? I haven't flown in a while- can you tell!

 

[lisa221]

A question for everyone:

The stomach bug does not sound good. We are flying for the first time( we usually drive since its only 5- 6 hours.)
Can I pack a can of lysol in my suitcase or carryon? I usually bring Lysol and Clorox wipes when we drive. Do the airlines allow these? I haven't flown in a while- can you tell!

You can put it in your carry-on if it's 3oz/and in your plastic bag otherwise you'll need to put it in your checked luggage.

 

[Lives4Disney]

A question for everyone:

The stomach bug does not sound good. We are flying for the first time( we usually drive since its only 5- 6 hours.)
Can I pack a can of lysol in my suitcase or carryon? I usually bring Lysol and Clorox wipes when we drive. Do the airlines allow these? I haven't flown in a while- can you tell!

I always bring several packs of Clorox Wipes & Handiwipes in my luggage and MANY packs of Handiwipes in my carryon tote. I always wipe down the tray tables for the kids, too. I have never had a problem with the airlines questioning it. They're not liquid just moist. I think I had 5 packs in my tote this trip both ways.


Lives4Disney

 

[heatherlynn444]

great pics channing! thanks for sharing! less than 3 weeks for me, but not at the grand
i love the refurbed room you got!

 

[PolyAddict]

Well.....not to be a bummer but DS was a major downer on our trip. He is 17 and a good nice polite kid but he is sick of WDW and he let us know. I wish we could have left him at home...we all would have been much much happier. Honestly the arcade at GF leaves a lot to be desired & there is not much to do there for teens - or maybe we're missing something . He used to monorail over to the CR's arcade, but this time he was disappointed because when they moved the arcade up to the 4th floor he said they took out the "good" games. Not sure what he considers "good", but he is a gamer so he would know. But, I do have to say I don't think it would matter where we stayed. (Although his absolute favorite is the CR so that MIGHT have made him happier but I doubt it) It's really the WDW experience he's sick of. (except for the fact that he's a grump no matter where we vacation .....he wants to just be home with his friends) He did go to Disney Quest and wound up buying an AP for that but after 3 days there and at DTD he said "It's lost its luster". He saw some movies, went to the Virgin Megastore, hung out at DQ but I think he's done. I know I am.....no more family trips with DS17 for a long time. I used to miss him if he didn't come with, but forget that. He just brought us down and it was a waste of money.


MickeyMaz, that is cute! I wondered if they used that theater. It looked too nice to sit empty.

Tink - That is so true. The world is changing and WDW is reflecting that. I just remember how it USED to be and how the guests used to be and it's a sad contrast.


Lives4Disney

Channing- you have described our DD16 1/2 to perfection. Love her to death, great kid, very polite, but definently lets us know when she is unhappy. SHe has respectfully declined our May 08 trip along with DD14 who doesn't want to go unless her sister goes or she can bring a friend and since she brought a friend this year we respectfully declined her request for 08 and told her that if her sister didn't come next time then she COULD bring a friend. They are both all about their social life right now and as DD16 put it "Mom, I have some great memories of WDW and I see myself bringing my kids there someday but right now I'd like to visit other places, love you MOM" Oh well, I am looking forward to a drama free vacation with DD7 only. if that's at all possible with girls!!! I just miss when they were all little and we just packed them up and off we went. Here's to new experiences.

 

[tidblgrrer]

I'm so excited we leave in a week -- but I've still got tons of packing to do. Of course -- I keep getting distracted with all of the great posts and pictures

This has to be the most active thread on the board -- I can't keep up!

Thanks for all of the help!
Vikki

 

[heatherlynn444]

all this talk about teens not wanting to go makes me so sad. when my sister graduated high school, my parent slet her pick a family "graduation trip" and she chose hawaii, so off we went. then when i graduated HS i chose grand floridian. we got a 2 bedroom suite RPC. i was 17 and i chose it. i could never imagine not WANTING to go...esp. staying in teh nicest deluxe there is....i think kids today just dont realize how good they have it and how lucky they really are

 

[dingoballs]

A question for everyone:

The stomach bug does not sound good. We are flying for the first time( we usually drive since its only 5- 6 hours.)
Can I pack a can of lysol in my suitcase or carryon? I usually bring Lysol and Clorox wipes when we drive. Do the airlines allow these? I haven't flown in a while- can you tell!

Here is a link to the TSA website regarding prohibited/permitted items. If you follow their guidelines, you shouldn't have any problems. Have a great time at WDW!

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

 

[princessesrule4]

for the tips about bringing the clorox wipes and lysol on the plane! I'll check Target and Walmart tommorow to see if the have small sample size cans of Lysol. I'll definitely be bringing the packs of Clorox wipes, Wet Ones and Purell
Didn't even think about wiping down the tray tables on the plane - I'll definitely do that ! I started wiping down our table at CS places at WDW after I watched the CM at Cosmic Rays, DROP the rag she was wiping the tables with, on the floor and then pick it up and wipe the next table!

 

[princessesrule4]

Here is a link to the TSA website regarding prohibited/permitted items. If you follow their guidelines, you shouldn't have any problems. Have a great time at WDW!

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Thanks! I need to read over the info that the airline sent me with my tickets but this article pretty much sums it up!

 

[PolyAddict]

all this talk about teens not wanting to go makes me so sad. when my sister graduated high school, my parent slet her pick a family "graduation trip" and she chose hawaii, so off we went. then when i graduated HS i chose grand floridian. we got a 2 bedroom suite RPC. i was 17 and i chose it. i could never imagine not WANTING to go...esp. staying in teh nicest deluxe there is....i think kids today just dont realize how good they have it and how lucky they really are

It's funny about your parents letting your sis pick her graduation year. I have offered the same thing to DD16 when she graduates in 2009. She has not decided yet, although her grandfather is from Hungary and she always says she wants to go there and see some of Europe. SHe will still be 17 when she graduates high school and I really have no desire to go to Hungary and I think she is too young to go with just her grandparents.

 

[BamaTigger]

Channing!!! Welcome home and Im sorry your trip was up and down . But I do hope you had some joy and magical pixie dust!

Your pics are great, especially the one of the VIEW OF THE CASTLE!!!!! I hope, hope, hope my view will be that great! Cuz you know Im all "bejiggity" about my view!! LOL

The rest of them were awesome. Esp the gingerbread house. You are like me,I love to take pics of anything WDW, and to be honest with you...I thought I was the only one to take pics of the number on our room door! But you do too!! How cool is that!!?

One question...what flavor was your thanksgiving cake? Looked DE-LISH!

Once again...glad to have you back!