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

[cinderlexa's mom]

The fabric on the chair and couch had a small pattern, but generally it's not a great idea to put a "solid-type" color fabric on a highly used piece. Both were quite stained already. Maybe they're not getting laundered as intended?

I haven't figured out how to upload my pictures yet, but the new bathroom wallpaper is a seafoam green-gray color with a large white scroll/flower pattern. It ties in nicely with the room.

We also did the photo shoot at GF. The natural backgrounds were beautiful, but our photog left a lot to be desired. She was rushed, only spent about 20 minutes with us--because SHE was running "late". She also seemed to be clueless about small children. She kept asking my 2 yr old DS to strike poses that clearly weren't going to happen. A lot of our pictures turned out all shadowy and dark!

We did Kids Nite Out this trip. I was concerned that a CM didn't walk our sitter to our room or call, as is custom. She just popped up! She was great though.

We loved taking the monorail to MK and Epcot and the boat back from MK was nice--if a bit slow.

Overall, it was a nice trip. I do like GF. Although I don't value all the upgrades in amenities, I understand now why it's slightly more expensive than the Poly.

The GF is the ultimate Christmas Season resort .

 

[DREAMS161]

Hi there! We just got back today from Sugarloaf- we were there from 11/26 to Dec 2. We had booked Garden View but were so surprised with the upgrade to Sugarloaf. To be honest I would not have had a clue about the whole "concierge level" unless I read this thread, so once again I thank you! I knew something was in the air when we were met by a CM as we arrived and escorted to Sugarloaf. We went through the whole check in process and I was dying to find out about our room. I thought it was funny that they never commented on the upgrade...I addressed it and was sure to say thank you. We were in room 6119 a corner room right outside the lounge with a marina view. The location was ideal for us with 4 & 6 year old boys. The offerings in the lounge were nice-very spicy though most of the time. Last evening they did have chicken nuggets for the boys. A CM told my husband that they just recently started serving the alcohol at Sugar Loaf. Don't know if that is the case.
The decorations are so beautiful. I have never seen so many poinsettias!
We did the Christmas Party 11/27 and 11/29. We did enjoy those nights. The Christmas spirit was there (lacking in people other times for sure in the parks). The lighter lines for rides was fantastic and we appreciated even more when the crowds were crazy on other days. They were taping the Christmas Parade for ABC on Friday and Saturday. I saw Regis & Kelly. I heard Jessica Simpson was a the GF. Narcoossee's was Fantastic! I had the steamed lobster and it was out of this world! Well I'd better run. I'll post more of any details that I think might be helpful to anyone going soon!

 

[heatherlynn444]

cinderlexas mom-so sorry you didnt like gaspies or teh GF cafe! the gf cafe is one of my favorite restaurants in all of diney! i hvae eaten breakfast, lunah, and dinner there and love it all.
and we love the pizza, hot dogs, and BACON at gaspies. yum yum.

glad overall you loved the resort though!

 

[terryfromhawaii]

We also did the photo shoot at GF. The natural backgrounds were beautiful, but our photog left a lot to be desired. She was rushed, only spent about 20 minutes with us--because SHE was running "late". She also seemed to be clueless about small children. She kept asking my 2 yr old DS to strike poses that clearly weren't going to happen. A lot of our pictures turned out all shadowy and dark!

I wonder if we had the same photographer as you (don't remember her name, though!) because alot of our pictures turned out shadowy and dark, too! She didn't take us to alot of nice background areas either(not as nice as some of the ones I saw in their other pictures they had on display). She kept having problems with her equipment and had to keep going back so they gave us a free 5x7 of each of our 4 kids besides the 3 that you can pick.

 

[SLDL]

I am leaving this Wed. & had a question...I'm sure this has been discussed before but I am not sure where to find it...DH just recently bought me an Ipod for Christmas (wanted to go ahead & start using it before the trip) and I wondered if I'll be able to access the internet or will I have to have some kind of password to get into the Wifi system. Keep in mind that I have had this for 2 days & don't know much at all about them! I am looking forward to using the Ipod dock thingy (technical term) while we're there!

 

[rie'smom]

DH and I will be celebrating the 27th anniversary of the night we met (February 14th) during our trip. We originally had planned to stay at BWV(DVC members) but I used the points to book the GF instead-its more romantic. I wanted the RPC but it wasn't available,so we're in a garden view room but at least we'll be together !

 

[Lives4Disney]

I am leaving this Wed. & had a question...I'm sure this has been discussed before but I am not sure where to find it...DH just recently bought me an Ipod for Christmas (wanted to go ahead & start using it before the trip) and I wondered if I'll be able to access the internet or will I have to have some kind of password to get into the Wifi system. Keep in mind that I have had this for 2 days & don't know much at all about them! I am looking forward to using the Ipod dock thingy (technical term) while we're there!

Hi! Have a great time!!!!

I recently joined the ipod crowd, too, hahaha....DH and DS have had them for years ....I had mine on the ipod docking station, too. I was so bummed that as soon as we could use electrical stuff on the flight my ipod locked up!!!!! I could do NOTHING with it. Couldn't even turn it off!!!!!! People around me tried to help, but nope. THEN when I could call home DS told me how to unlock it. FYI make sure you know how!! I had used mine for a couple weeks and it never locked up until I REALLY needed the sucker. I was so psyched to listen to Disney podcasts on the flight. Good thing I had a magazine and book. I love my Ipod though.

Internet is $9.95 for 24 hours of high speed. Sometimes DH brings his router for wireless. Didn't this time.

Happy safe travels.....can't wait to hear about it when you get back.

Lives4Disney

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hi there! We just got back today from Sugarloaf- we were there from 11/26 to Dec 2. We had booked Garden View but were so surprised with the upgrade to Sugarloaf. To be honest I would not have had a clue about the whole "concierge level" unless I read this thread, so once again I thank you! I knew something was in the air when we were met by a CM as we arrived and escorted to Sugarloaf. We went through the whole check in process and I was dying to find out about our room. I thought it was funny that they never commented on the upgrade...I addressed it and was sure to say thank you. We were in room 6119 a corner room right outside the lounge with a marina view. The location was ideal for us with 4 & 6 year old boys. The offerings in the lounge were nice-very spicy though most of the time. Last evening they did have chicken nuggets for the boys. A CM told my husband that they just recently started serving the alcohol at Sugar Loaf. Don't know if that is the case.
The decorations are so beautiful. I have never seen so many poinsettias!
We did the Christmas Party 11/27 and 11/29. We did enjoy those nights. The Christmas spirit was there (lacking in people other times for sure in the parks). The lighter lines for rides was fantastic and we appreciated even more when the crowds were crazy on other days. They were taping the Christmas Parade for ABC on Friday and Saturday. I saw Regis & Kelly. I heard Jessica Simpson was a the GF. Narcoossee's was Fantastic! I had the steamed lobster and it was out of this world! Well I'd better run. I'll post more of any details that I think might be helpful to anyone going soon!

Thanks for you're review and congragulations on the upgrade to Sugar Loaf. It's also great to read that you enjoyed staying there.

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi there! We just got back today from Sugarloaf- we were there from 11/26 to Dec 2. We had booked Garden View but were so surprised with the upgrade to Sugarloaf. To be honest I would not have had a clue about the whole "concierge level" unless I read this thread, so once again I thank you! I knew something was in the air when we were met by a CM as we arrived and escorted to Sugarloaf. We went through the whole check in process and I was dying to find out about our room. I thought it was funny that they never commented on the upgrade...I addressed it and was sure to say thank you. We were in room 6119 a corner room right outside the lounge with a marina view. The location was ideal for us with 4 & 6 year old boys. The offerings in the lounge were nice-very spicy though most of the time. Last evening they did have chicken nuggets for the boys. A CM told my husband that they just recently started serving the alcohol at Sugar Loaf. Don't know if that is the case.
The decorations are so beautiful. I have never seen so many poinsettias!
We did the Christmas Party 11/27 and 11/29. We did enjoy those nights. The Christmas spirit was there (lacking in people other times for sure in the parks). The lighter lines for rides was fantastic and we appreciated even more when the crowds were crazy on other days. They were taping the Christmas Parade for ABC on Friday and Saturday. I saw Regis & Kelly. I heard Jessica Simpson was a the GF. Narcoossee's was Fantastic! I had the steamed lobster and it was out of this world! Well I'd better run. I'll post more of any details that I think might be helpful to anyone going soon!

Congrats on your SL upgrade ! Sounds like you all had a great time!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi Everyone...

Quick question... I will be meeting a CM (a manger) at GF this trip who helped us out with some of our problems last trip once we returned. I would like to bring the CM a small thank you token/holiday thing... but what?

Any and all suggestions welcome...

Oh.. it is ok to give a CM something isn't it?

Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

DH and I will be celebrating the 27th anniversary of the night we met (February 14th) during our trip. We originally had planned to stay at BWV(DVC members) but I used the points to book the GF instead-its more romantic. I wanted the RPC but it wasn't available,so we're in a garden view room but at least we'll be together !

Have a great time!! Wow 27 yrs....it made me stop and think. DH and I have been together for 23. It has gone soooo fast.

Never say Never....Yes, you can give a CM a gift. It has to be valued less than $75 or they can't accept it....supposedly. I am terrible with ideas. We have really only done this for CMs that we know more personally so have an idea of their likes. Otherwise we've ordered gift baskets etc.

I know a lot of people bring some special treat from their home state or town. We are boring and have nothing great here.

I am so overwhelmed trying to come up with Christmas gifts

.....Good luck! I hope you come up with something special. Have a GRAND TIME!

Lives4Disney

 

[BrianD]

The no DVD player in the standard rooms is pretty cheap in my opinion. But hey, I could probably buy 2 or 3 DVD players a day for the price difference between GV & the Main Building. So, I'm not going to complain too much about it.

 

[SLDL]

Thanks Channing, I appreciate that info. And like everyone has said, I have learned so much from this thread...I sound so smart to those traveling with me! I have so much to do...I have the kids stuff packed but not mine & DH. It's easy to pack for them b/c they are not picky about the clothes, but me, I am more concerned w/ comfort than anything else!! Thanks again, Stephanie (who is now listening to a DIS podcast! )

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi Everyone...

Quick question... I will be meeting a CM (a manger) at GF this trip who helped us out with some of our problems last trip once we returned. I would like to bring the CM a small thank you token/holiday thing... but what?

Any and all suggestions welcome...

Oh.. it is ok to give a CM something isn't it?

Thanks!

We do an item native to S.C. where we're from. Usually food related!

 

[grannyminnie]

We do an item native to S.C. where we're from. Usually food related!

Curiousity is killing this cat! I'm a native South Carolinian...what food item do you give? Beacon sweet tea? Maurice's bbq sauce??

 

[Tink rules]

Benne Wafers... Oysters... really fresh shrimp...

I'm voting for the praileens.... (sorryfor the spelling, I can't speak fluent candy...)

I have to confess... I went to Charleston for my friends wedding...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey! Wake up GF fans! Where are ya?

I fell on my tail bone on my driveway ice on Monday. It is killing KILLING me. Glad my WDW trip is out of the way. It is awful. I feel so old.

All you South Carolinians....I would love to go there for vacation some time....hear it's beautiful and the people are so nice.

Brian, ya that was just my thought that they cheaped out on the DVD players....it doesn't seem right because there is the SPOT for one right there in the furniture. Nothing else goes there - it's obviously for a DVD player. I thought I had read somebody else in an outer lodge, other than SL, had a DVD player so I was thinking they were maybe on order or in the process of adding them. Guess not.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[heatherlynn444]

channing-oh no! my mom fell on her tailbone last year and it still giver her problems! hope you get better!

i was thinking with all this snow and ice going around how pretty would the GF look covered in snow??

i leave in 10 days! at least i get to VISIT the GF...

 

[princessesrule4]

Grannyminnie and Tinkrules...
I've done pralines or glazed pecans from our fav sweet shop downtown. Also small sweetgrass basket, cheese straws. Alot of people don't like benne wafers so I don't do them unless I know they like them!

I've done this for other concierge, planners etc. at other resorts, not just WDW but don't do it too often! When someone goes above and beyond or its someone we deal with alot. Have only done for Concierge CM's at WDW twice.I had heard they weren't allowed to accept gifts so didn't give any!

I have given Sticky Fingers BBQ sauce a long time ago when they were few and far between and not sold at the Pig and every grocery store!

Fresh seafood - not so much!

Lives,
Hope your tailbone is better. I've done that and had to have the donut thing. I got made fun of in our house for a while because I couldn't go anywhere without my donut! It was so not funny to me!

 

[grannyminnie]

Love, love love benne wafers! And Sticky Fingers bbq sauce...
Channing, guess what happened to me within the first 5 minutes of entering MK? I tripped on the curb near Tony's while gawking at a huge nutcracker and not watching my step. Fell HARD on my right knee. Got plenty of attention, dropped my camera (didn't break it, thank goodness!) and bruised my left hand, too, trying to break my fall. A week later and my leg still hurts...one of the CMs asked me if I wanted to have medical attention, but I said, are you kidding? I've been waiting months to get back here and I'm not wasting time in the ER!! LOL
Seriously, I probably should have let somebody x-ray it, and may still need to. I am limping (my special souvenir from last week!) and by day's end, it hurts!! Sorry you fell, and bet that's a killer...
this thread has been quiet lately, hasn't it??