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

[praline3001]

ohh throw in the plane tickets for the wedding party (say 20 in the party)
thats another 5 grand
add in the rooms for the wedding party (say 7 rooms as the maids and groomsmen can bunk up) thats another 8,500 for a 3 night stay at the GF (sorry Channing no RPC for this trip)

The honeymoon suit is another $700 a night (I betcha they could get all of there honeymooning done in one night with Channing beating on the door... you guys DONE yet.... get out of that room its costing me money!!!)

of course thats still not the dress or the cake

 

[praline3001]

Is that IPO address the GFplanning one that you have listed in post #5?

To Praline: As a mom whose only daughter got married last month, that is not really a bad price. Believe me, weddings are expensive Of course, the amount you quoted would be for now and sounds like your dd is not ready to get married quite yet, you'd better budget in the price increases sure to occur before she is ready

We were married a while back but we got married at Oak Alley plantation... one of the most famous plantations in the south. Wonderful "gone with the wind" style wedding and the wedding/ reception flowers and all (cake included) was 18,000. Maybe I should look up how much Oak Alley costs now

 

[poohgirl6]

I bet it was lovely and that certainly sounds like a good price too. Don't know much about Oak Alley but I'm thinking...it's not on WDW property so you're kinda comparing apples to oranges here....see previous 1840 posts

 

[poohgirl6]

oops I meant previous 1480 posts

 

[irisbud]

Another perspective:

Why I love Disney

The first time I went to Disney, I was 3 years old and we stayed offsite. I remember none of it except some flashing lights in a dark room and trying to catch the leaping water in the fountains. The pictures all show me smiling and happy, though, and my Dad always gets a tear in his eye to go with his smile when wwe talk about it.

It was sixteen years before we went back again. At nineteen, my dad and I took a father/daughter trip and stayed onsite for the first time, and at the Grand Floridian. We went for three nights/four days, arriving on July 1st and leaving on July 4th. We didn't plan anything and it was insane. It didn't matter, though. There was something about it that I couldn't put into words, something that was so unique and special and happy that it made an indellible impression on me.

Fast forward 4 and 1/2 years to December of 2006 when I would go for the third time, and this time with my boyfriend. That was the trip that turned WDW from a place that I loved to my "happy place". Our relationship changed from good to great because of that trip. Also, I was finally old enough to appreciate the value in escaping from the world that lay beyond the gates. For the five days that we were there, nothing else mattered. The world was on hold, so to speak.

Since then, I have been two more times, once in OCtober of 2007 with my Dad for a father/daughter trip and again this past week with my BF. Though I am tired and glad to be home (I guess) I am eager to return. I never seem to grow bored of WDW. I can walk for miles that I never could at home. I can run on empty and still find hapiness in it. I can be me in a way that I cannot anywhere else.

The big thing for me is that, for that little moment in time, nothing but family has to matter. Everything is taken care of. We aren't left bored or hungry. We have so many choices and opprotunities. For a week, the rest of the world can be forgotten while we are children again, along with many of those around us. When I get down I think about walking up Main Street in MK and getting that first glimpse of Cinderella Castle. I remember the fireworks and the stage shows and the parades. Most of all, though, I think of all the memories that we have made and all of the moments that have yet to come and I smile because those memories are truly golden and happy ones not marred by reality and some of the very best that I have.

Best,
Amy

 

[praline3001]

I bet it was lovely and that certainly sounds like a good price too. Don't know much about Oak Alley but I'm thinking...it's not on WDW property so you're kinda comparing apples to oranges here....see previous 1840 posts

Oh I know I am comparing apples and oranges and as my DD was telling me she wanted to be married at Disney World I thought I would check it out (granted she is only 6 ) I better start her wedding fund along with her college fund
I told hubby the price and he wants to teach her how to say "Elopment"

Here is a link to where me and DH tied the knot.
As I said a "few years back" it cost us 18 grand.
http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/

 

[werfamily]

Wow, thanks for all of the insight and thoughtful responses to my question about repeated WDW vacations. It’s amazing to me that one place can fulfill so many vacation dreams. With all the special memories so many of you have, the Disney people certainly must be doing something right!

Lives4Disney – I agree with you about international travel (heck, travel in general) being unpredictable. I totally understand wanting a vacation where you know exactly what to expect, those are usually much more relaxing. I think one of the things we enjoy about travel (most of the time) is the adventure of it all. So I can see it both ways.

WishesQueen – You mentioned the one thing that excites me about WDW…that there is so much variety. I like that if we are not enjoying something, there’s many, many more choices!

Tinkaroo - Thanks for the link to that great letter! It’s nice to read something like that in what can often seem like a very cynical world.

Cinderumbrella and irisbud – I love your stories! The part about just leaving the real world behind while you are there is a great insight.

It sounds like most of you enjoy your time there because it is not overscheduled (like poohgirl6 mentioned). This seems to give you more time to appreciate the ‘little things’. Now, since this is our first trip, we had planned on going to the parks everyday. Is this a mistake? I figured that we shouldn’t plan on any pool time, since our trip is in February. We do have lots of character meals scheduled (our kids are 13, 9 and 4).

Now you all really have me looking forward to this trip!

 

[werfamily]

glad I dont have daughters! LOL

We have 3! I hope they don't notice anyone getting married while we're there next month. Don't want them getting any ideas!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Praline - you are too much!!!!!!!! You literally had me laughing out loud, sitting here at my desk all alone!!

And then *sniff* the rest of you guys writing about why you love WDW is soo sweet it had me teary.

CinderellaFan let me see some of those early morning wedding photos of her and her DH in the MK that they just had done the beginning of December - just them and the photographer. BEAUTIFUL!! Praline - watch out. You will WANT your DD married at WDW if you see those pics. I got goosebumps looking at them. OMG. My wedding 20 yrs ago cost about what yours did Praline....I do wonder what something like that would cost now.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We have 3! I hope they don't notice anyone getting married while we're there next month. Don't want them getting any ideas!

My girls saw a bride and groom in the horsedrawn Cinderella Carriage and they both looked at DH and I with big round puppy eyes and said "That's what I want!!!"

Look out! If you see that carriage coming - Grab your girls & RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!

 

[werfamily]

Look out! If you see that carriage coming - Grab your girls & RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!

I can just see us now...always looking over our shoulder for the carriage! Too funny!

 

[distherapy]

Praline - If it makes you feel any better, I priced out the wedding too - and my daughter is only 3!

 

[distherapy]

And then *sniff* the rest of you guys writing about why you love WDW is soo sweet it had me teary.

QUOTE]

Lives4Disney - I was teary, too and I haven't even BEEN yet! The planning for this trip has been such good therapy for me (hence my name!) and it's gotten me through some rough months. I'm more than excited (as are my kids and DH) to head "home" for the first time in just 20 days! Yay!

 

[distherapy]

And as you can tell, I'm still figuring out how to post and quote!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

My girls saw a bride and groom in the horsedrawn Cinderella Carriage and they both looked at DH and I with big round puppy eyes and said "That's what I want!!!"

Look out! If you see that carriage coming - Grab your girls & RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!

We saw it right after we checked in and were on our way to Conch Key to check out the room. The carriage was empty as it was en route to get the bride. I only have DS (who was just 4 at the time) and he was jumping up and down yelling "Look!Look! I told you Cinderella stays here too!!"

 

[praline3001]

My girls saw a bride and groom in the horsedrawn Cinderella Carriage and they both looked at DH and I with big round puppy eyes and said "That's what I want!!!"

Look out! If you see that carriage coming - Grab your girls & RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!

I can see me now, peeking around corners making sure its carriage cleared before we move on
Most people will see a beautiful bride on her way to the wedding and sigh .. I will be like, "OH crap, cover her eyes!!!!" my DD has serious princess issues

 

[kblandino]

I have really enjoyed reading all the advice and stories about WDW and the GF. In 1991 I cut out a Grand Floridian ad in a magazine and stuck it in my wedding book. I told my DH that one day we would stay there. Almost 17 years later - my dream is coming true. Besides eating there a few times at 1900 PF - we no very little about the hotel and this board has been helpful.

Thanks for all the wonderful insight.

 

[praline3001]

Praline - If it makes you feel any better, I priced out the wedding too - and my daughter is only 3!

Oh I am there with you...trust me. I have 2 older yucky boys so when my little angel came along .... I guess she got her princess syndrome honestly
She, luckily, is an angel and has never once been in time out at school and only makes 100's on her behavior... has never gotten a check for talking in class ... she really is perfect now my boys are a different story

She loves to shop and her fav store is Gymboree. When we walk in there, the sales people know her by first name
She will put her arms out and say, "I'm here. What do you have for me today?"
She matches all of her gymboree outfits and knows what shoes/socks and bows go with what outfits and WORRIES if they don't match perfectly
Right now she is trying to conn me into some leopard shoes to match her 2 leopard outfits she got a few months back at Gymboree
Who would have thought girls would be soooo much more expensive than boys?!?! Shoot I am lucky just to get my boys to WEAR shoes let alone what style they are

 

[distherapy]

Too funny! I have boy/girl twins and it's been so funny to watch them - since birth she has wanted sparkles and crowns and he has wanted dirt. Although I have to admit, he's frighteningly picky about his clothes, too - I'm not sure how I'm going to manage that!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Oh I am there with you...trust me. I have 2 older yucky boys so when my little angel came along .... I guess she got her princess syndrome honestly
She, luckily, is an angel and has never once been in time out at school and only makes 100's on her behavior... has never gotten a check for talking in class ... she really is perfect now my boys are a different story

She loves to shop and her fav store is Gymboree. When we walk in there, the sales people know her by first name
She will put her arms out and say, "I'm here. What do you have for me today?"
She matches all of her gymboree outfits and knows what shoes/socks and bows go with what outfits and WORRIES if they don't match perfectly
Right now she is trying to conn me into some leopard shoes to match her 2 leopard outfits she got a few months back at Gymboree
Who would have thought girls would be soooo much more expensive than boys?!?! Shoot I am lucky just to get my boys to WEAR shoes let alone what style they are

My "prince" is also a huge Gymboree fan and also gets the "royal" treatment from the sales people. He going to be 5 soon sad1: ) so I know those days are coming to an end but I am sure going to enjoy it while it lasts!!