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

[poohgirl6]

Praline I clicked on your link to the plantation where you got married...OMG it was sooo beautiful

I think perhaps even your dd could be swayed to consider marrying her Prince Charming there It is certainly fit for a princess

 

[WishesQueen]

Werfamily

We never do a whole day in the parks. After so many years of going, its something we don't enjoy. Downtown is great, my son loves the magic shop and earl of sandwich. Shopping is great and remember NEVER carry your packages have them sent to the hotel.

We map out our time spreading it over 3 of the 4 parks. Animal Kingdom is not a huge fav, but we go one morning for a few attractions. Then I divide the nights (we travel in July) between the 3 parks seeing each at least three times. We also try to stay away from the parks with extra hours in the evening. They tend to be very crowded, but the morning extra hours are great.

If you need any other help. I am subscribed to this thread or send me a pm. I am so glad your getting into it.

 

[praline3001]

I am soooo bad! I swear you guys are a bad influence on me

I am looking at making another trip to WDW for june. The boys and DH go to boy scout summer camp, leaving the women behind... well the women are taking off

I am looking at that 40% discount and if I can't get that maybe doing a bounce back. DD wants to stay at the poly and is firm on this

I want to do cheap as its just her and I... cheap while staying at the poly hehe
I am thinking the regular meal plan and the standard room. Going to Disney 3 months after the big family trip so I want to keep the cost down on this second trip... any suggestions on how I can get the most bang for my buck on our trip in june? Should i wait til I am there and try and swing a bounce back? What kinds of discounts do they give you?

 

[werfamily]

Werfamily

We never do a whole day in the parks. After so many years of going, its something we don't enjoy. Downtown is great, my son loves the magic shop and earl of sandwich. Shopping is great and remember NEVER carry your packages have them sent to the hotel.

We map out our time spreading it over 3 of the 4 parks. Animal Kingdom is not a huge fav, but we go one morning for a few attractions. Then I divide the nights (we travel in July) between the 3 parks seeing each at least three times. We also try to stay away from the parks with extra hours in the evening. They tend to be very crowded, but the morning extra hours are great.

If you need any other help. I am subscribed to this thread or send me a pm. I am so glad your getting into it.

Thanks for the advice! Since our only experience is with Disneyland, I was kind of modeling our itinerary off of what we do there. That is, we're at a park a rope drop, then go back to the hotel for a long afternoon break (usually from around 1-5 or 6pm), then back to the park until the kids are tired. Of course, we only stay for three days at the longest, so it's not that hard to keep up this schedule. I'm guessing that given a longer trip this time (8 days), we might be tired of early mornings and late nights after a while. I've heard to avoid the part with extra evening hours, and that sounds like a good idea. The good thing about February is that the parks don't open all that early, and also they don't stay open too late, so that might help.

Generally, I think I'm going to go in with a generic plan, but try to remain open to the whims of the girls. Personally, there is nothing that I feel I HAVE to see, so it's easier to be flexible. The big girls are more into the rides than anything else. My four year old (she will be turning 5 during the trip) is looking forward to her appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Then, since we’re staying at the GF, I really want to be able to spend some time at the resort. We also have tickets for the PPP on our last night, so that will definitely be a sleep-in morning.

 

[terryfromhawaii]

Hi all,

I don't post much but I do read this thread every day! We just got back from our 8 night stay at the GF-SL in November and have already booked our stay for November 2008. We will be doing Universal Studios (2 nights @ PBH) this time and was wondering if we should do a split stay at WDW with 2 nights @ AKL-Concierge and 4 nights at GF-SL. I thought we might try and do the Sunrise Safari but after talking with DH, he says that we probably would not be able to get up early enough for it and he's right. We usually end our nights at MK and stay just about til closing. So basically if we do a split stay, it would be just to check out AKL and see what it's like. We've been to Wilderness, Boardwalk, Beach Club and Contemporary besides GF (which DH and I like best). I'm just worried about what I keep reading from others about the looooooong walk from some of the rooms to the lobby, bus stop, etc. Should we go ahead and try it?? Or do you all think that would be too much moving around? Help me decide!!

 

[grannyminnie]

Holy cow, Channing!! I'm gone from this thread for several days, and when I return, I see you have a vacation clock AGAIN!!! LOL
Guess I'll have to backtrack and read to see what I missed...
We (my daughter and two grands) just returned 3 days ago from our trip, and stay at the WL. I just might like it better than the GF...can I still stay here and chat??

 

[Maxie86]

Hi all,

I don't post much but I do read this thread every day! We just got back from our 8 night stay at the GF-SL in November and have already booked our stay for November 2008. We will be doing Universal Studios (2 nights @ PBH) this time and was wondering if we should do a split stay at WDW with 2 nights @ AKL-Concierge and 4 nights at GF-SL. I thought we might try and do the Sunrise Safari but after talking with DH, he says that we probably would not be able to get up early enough for it and he's right. We usually end our nights at MK and stay just about til closing. So basically if we do a split stay, it would be just to check out AKL and see what it's like. We've been to Wilderness, Boardwalk, Beach Club and Contemporary besides GF (which DH and I like best). I'm just worried about what I keep reading from others about the looooooong walk from some of the rooms to the lobby, bus stop, etc. Should we go ahead and try it?? Or do you all think that would be too much moving around? Help me decide!!

You don't need to stay at the AKL to go on a special safari. The Wildlife Discovery Excursion can be booked from any resort club level. It is at a more resonable time, 10:00 and 1:00 Tuesday through Saturday. It is only available to club level guests and must be booked with the concereirge staff. It is $45.00 a person. It is an awesome tour, we took it in December and will probably do it again this spring. I've never been on the Sunrise Safari, so can't say if one is better than the other.

 

[grannyminnie]

Ok, I've read back thru the 20 plus pages I missed while gone, and I loved reading everyone's comments about what makes WDW so special...especially yours, Irisbud!
For that moment in time, nothing matters but family. How very wonderful to have a place where we can go and put the cares of the world behind us for a little bit. I'm a Disney gran but still a "child at heart" when it comes to this wonderful place that is Disney. Even tho my hubby rolls his eyes and doesn't "get it", he doesn't care if I go. Thank goodness for that!!!
May I never lose the feeling...

 

[Dis Ohana]

Okay, help me here...as a newbie I'm looking forward to discovering this for myself, but left to my own devices, I’m afraid I won’t know where to look!

What is it about WDW? Is it the theme parks, or is it the GF? Since reading these boards I've been mentioning things I read here to my partner, and I will admit that we just don't get it. My kids are looking forward to the trip next month, but they are also looking beyond it to our summer vacation to France. The thought is not even in their heads (or ours for that matter) that we need to go to WDW again anytime soon.

So, again, what is it about WDW that keeps everyone so enamored? What keeps people coming back multiple times a year? If we just go as the generic tourists who spend a week doing the usual things, are we going to miss something? We do enjoy visiting Disneyland every 2 years or so, as we live in California and it makes a good weekend getaway. While we appreciate the Disney “magic”, I would think it might get old if experienced too frequently. How do you keep it fresh and new…or is it the familiarity that is comforting?

I’m also wondering if it is a regional thing. Most of the families around here do plan one WDW vacation during their kids’ childhood, but I don’t know a single family who has been more than once (and with three kids and all their schoolmates, sports mates and other acquaintances, we talk to lots of families!). Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe seem to be the favored vacations destinations for non-weekend trips.

I’d love to hear any thoughts on this!

Disney for us is all about the magic. My kids are older, 12 and 15 but I've found that when we are on a Disney vacation they can still find the wonder and joy of being little kids again. We appreciate each other when we are on a Disney trip, we think about past trips when they were younger and we all realize how little time we have left together for our family vacations. Our first trip to DL was when DD was 8 and DS as 11. It was their first trip anywhere and it was so special. We've gone back every year since then and we are still able to find the magic.
We just returned from our "once in a lifetime" dream vacation to WDW. We loved it. We decided that we had to return before DS graduates from HS. When we go to Disneyland it's all about the parks, we stay for a much shorter time and pretty much just hang out in the park. For us WDW was about the total experience; the parks, the hotel, DTD and the water park. We took it easy so we could enjoy all that WDW had to offer. We were paying A LOT to stay at the GF, so I wanted to make sure I got my money's worth! We always spent half a day doing a park, then we'd come back to the GF to do something else. We took advantage of the spa there. We LOVED listening to the orchestra play at night. We just sat out on the boat dock one night and talked. The GF was a wonderful place to make memories.

Hi all,

I don't post much but I do read this thread every day! We just got back from our 8 night stay at the GF-SL in November and have already booked our stay for November 2008. We will be doing Universal Studios (2 nights @ PBH) this time and was wondering if we should do a split stay at WDW with 2 nights @ AKL-Concierge and 4 nights at GF-SL. I thought we might try and do the Sunrise Safari but after talking with DH, he says that we probably would not be able to get up early enough for it and he's right. We usually end our nights at MK and stay just about til closing. So basically if we do a split stay, it would be just to check out AKL and see what it's like. We've been to Wilderness, Boardwalk, Beach Club and Contemporary besides GF (which DH and I like best). I'm just worried about what I keep reading from others about the looooooong walk from some of the rooms to the lobby, bus stop, etc. Should we go ahead and try it?? Or do you all think that would be too much moving around? Help me decide!!

We just got back from doing a split stay between the BWI, AKL and GF. The AKL is an awesome hotel, but if I wasn't planning on doing the Sunrise Safari then I probably wouldn't stay there again. The concierge service was really lacking compared to the GF and the rooms are very small. The lobby area and the hotel grounds are fabulous, but you can see that without being a guest there. The hotel is laid out like a horse shoe, the lobby is in the middle and the rooms go out from there. We had a room close to the lobby, from there I could see it was quite a haul to the rooms at the ends. If you do decide to stay at the AKL, go there before the GF and definitely request a room close to the lobby. We made the mistake of going from the GF to the AKL and I couldn't help comparing the two.

 

[Laysee]

.

 

[tinklvr64]

I knew I shouldn't be doing this but here I am back on the disboards surfn my time away...Ever since our last trip in Sept when we were upgraded to SL and had a great time I have sort of laid low since we are probably not going back this year due to my student teaching in the fall. Well now I have been catching up on this thread and I think I may have to go around Thanksgiving or Xmas during school break! I knew I shouldn't be reading this thread 'cause now I am all whipped up to go! Shhh dont tell the boys or husband!
We always thought the best thing to do is try all of the resorts but when you are not at GF you wish you were! I wish I was there right now...too cold here in the burbs of Chicago!

 

[Tink rules]

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!!!!

Channing... you don't need to retire or anything do you???

Tell them they get to get married on the balcony of your RPC room and that they get to have all the gray icky looking chicken they want for their wedding dinner!!!

 

[dingoballs]

I knew I shouldn't be doing this but here I am back on the disboards surfn my time away...Ever since our last trip in Sept when we were upgraded to SL and had a great time I have sort of laid low since we are probably not going back this year due to my student teaching in the fall. Well now I have been catching up on this thread and I think I may have to go around Thanksgiving or Xmas during school break! I knew I shouldn't be reading this thread 'cause now I am all whipped up to go! Shhh dont tell the boys or husband!
We always thought the best thing to do is try all of the resorts but when you are not at GF you wish you were! I wish I was there right now...too cold here in the burbs of Chicago!

That's a great time to visit WDW, when it's decorated for the holidays. We love being at the GF during that time of year, with the Gingerbread House and all the Christmas decorations...

 

[tinklvr64]

That's a great time to visit WDW, when it's decorated for the holidays. We love being at the GF during that time of year, with the Gingerbread House and all the Christmas decorations...

I would love to go then...I have never been to Disney during Xmas time..start the planning!

 

[dingoballs]

I would love to go then...I have never been to Disney during Xmas time..start the planning!

Just try to avoid the peak days if you can... the crowds are generally lighter the week after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas. Happy planning!

 

[WishesQueen]

Thanks for the advice! Since our only experience is with Disneyland, I was kind of modeling our itinerary off of what we do there. That is, we're at a park a rope drop, then go back to the hotel for a long afternoon break (usually from around 1-5 or 6pm), then back to the park until the kids are tired. Of course, we only stay for three days at the longest, so it's not that hard to keep up this schedule. I'm guessing that given a longer trip this time (8 days), we might be tired of early mornings and late nights after a while. I've heard to avoid the part with extra evening hours, and that sounds like a good idea. The good thing about February is that the parks don't open all that early, and also they don't stay open too late, so that might help.

Generally, I think I'm going to go in with a generic plan, but try to remain open to the whims of the girls. Personally, there is nothing that I feel I HAVE to see, so it's easier to be flexible. The big girls are more into the rides than anything else. My four year old (she will be turning 5 during the trip) is looking forward to her appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Then, since we’re staying at the GF, I really want to be able to spend some time at the resort. We also have tickets for the PPP on our last night, so that will definitely be a sleep-in morning.

Sorry it took me so long to respond!!

I ve never been to DL, but I think one major difference is size. WDW is so huge is size that it opens up enormous choices for your day. You already made an awesome choice of hotels. That alone will make your vacation easy, the monorail is PRICELESS!

In WDW dining is a sport, you can eat in tons of hotels 4 parks and DTD. Your family will really enjoy DTD especially your little one at BBB. My daughter is too old now. But the little girls look adorable when they walk around after. There is so much for your other girls too! Remember don't carry your packages!!!! (one of my favorite things)

DH's favorite thing is Magical Express. He absolutely loves checking his luggage at the airport at home and never touching it again until we pack to leave.

I am so envious you guys are going in February our trip isn't until July!! Hope you made all your ADR's already!!! If you did, where are they?

 

[DiznEeyore]

I really need advice/opinions from any of you GF veterans willing to give it.

We are planning a family trip for the week after Thanksgiving this year. Our son will be a sophomore in h.s. and has class trips his junior and senior years, so my dh and I feel like this will be our last "big" family trip for the 3 of us. We want to make it extra special.

We've stayed at the Grand once before, in '05, in a Conch Key room w/a view of the marina and Sago Cay. For this year, we decided to splurge and booked 6 nights in RPC w/a AAA rate.

Trouble is, the practical side of me keeps saying, "You could save $200/night by just getting a theme park view -- you don't *need* concierge."

Ds wants to stay in RPC (he just LOVES the idea of concierge for whatever reason, LOL!) and dh says it's totally up to me, but he likes the idea of being in the main building for convenience sake.

So, I guess my question is, does RPC have some extra "magic" that we'll feel, or should we just go with a theme park view so I can get that castle view?

TIA!!

 

[WishesQueen]

I have no experience with RPC or conceirge.

My DH gives me the choice of 8 to 10 nights at the GF (no conceirge) or 6 with conceirge. I love being away for a long time and it helps with rainout days or nights. You have to leave the main building for so many things that I really can't see the main building being a huge deal. Besides I love walking around the property going from building to building its so beautiful.

The conceirge is helpful, but I am a control freak and I have to plan everything myself. I heard the breakfast and snacks are great in conceirge but honestly the DDP has so much already the last thing we need is more. But time being away together PRICELESS for this visitor, so always opt for the 10 day trip!!

If I am missing something thats worth 4 extra days, I am open to suggestions too!

Hope it helps!!!

 

[HARASW]

I really need advice/opinions from any of you GF veterans willing to give it

We stayed at the RPC the first year we took our kids to WDW. It was a nice experience. The kids were small so the convenience of being in the main building was wonderful. There was no breakfast or food service throughout the day, as there is now. We had to buy everything downstairs and that was quite a chore.
The next year, we stayed at the Sugar Loaf concierge, since there were no rooms available at the RPC. That was a blessing in disguise. The rooms were nice, we still had concierge and we had breakfast, snacks and drinks right outside of our door all day long. We were quite happy to stay there and did for the next 7 years.
If I were planning to stay at the GF again, I would not spend the extra money on the RPC. There's just not enough "magic" to justify the cost.
Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to know.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I have no experience with RPC or conceirge.

My DH gives me the choice of 8 to 10 nights at the GF (no conceirge) or 6 with conceirge. I love being away for a long time and it helps with rainout days or nights. You have to leave the main building for so many things that I really can't see the main building being a huge deal. Besides I love walking around the property going from building to building its so beautiful.

The conceirge is helpful, but I am a control freak and I have to plan everything myself. I heard the breakfast and snacks are great in conceirge but honestly the DDP has so much already the last thing we need is more. But time being away together PRICELESS for this visitor, so always opt for the 10 day trip!!

If I am missing something thats worth 4 extra days, I am open to suggestions too!

Hope it helps!!!

Thanks for your thoughts!

I'm a control freak, too ... don't trust anyone else with my ADRs (not that we do many) and I know we won't be eating a lot in the lounge (probably breakfast each day except for one character meal).

We only have the 6 days, but I definitely agree that if I had the choice of a longer trip, I'd go that route!

The resort has beautiful grounds, but it's funny ... one thing that bugged us on our other stay was we felt like we were dodging golf carts all the time, LOL! In the main building, I was thinking we'd pretty much avoid that.

*sigh* I'm still confused, LOL!!