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

[NJPluto]

Did you get that code in the mail or email?

I actually didn't get either one. I read several posts where people called CRO and asked if they had a code attached to their name. I called last night and they said I had it, too. I was completely shocked because I've called in the past and never had it before.

 

[NJPluto]

Wow! Lucky you!!!!

The best theme park views are from Sago and Conch. Some people have had them in Big Pine, too, but I think in BP those rooms are very limited. If you book a theme park view you should be able to see the fireworks. That 40% off discount is a fabulous deal - enjoy! I want one, too.

Lives4Disney

Thanks Lives4Disney! I'm so excited!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

This was our exact experience as well. It is WDW after all!

We're young-ish adults with no kids at this point, and we love Narcoossee's (kids and all! )!

Thanks to everyone for easing my mind about Narcoosee's and children but what about Citricos? I really want to try it but don't want people to give DS5 "that look". He is a terrific kid in restaurants (lots of practice I guess )

ETA: Duh! Should have kept reading (Thanks BabyBoo!) The surf and turf looks divine (for DH, of course, not me!!). We are doing Deluxe DP- will he be able to order it?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks to everyone for easing my mind about Narcoosee's and children but what about Citricos? I really want to try it but don't want people to give DS5 "that look". He is a terrific kid in restaurants (lots of practice I guess )

ETA: Duh! Should have kept reading (Thanks BabyBoo!) The surf and turf looks divine (for DH, of course, not me!!). We are doing Deluxe DP- will he be able to order it?

Hi, Cinderumbrella, we have brought our kids to both restaurants and didn't feel out of place. A couple times in Citricos it was only our family and a handful of other families all with youngish kids. Everybody was dressed up and well behaved & it was a nice kind of quiet peaceful break from the parks. Those crazy character meals get old.

Babyboo, nice pics! The desserts look delicious. We were too full after salads and main courses so passed on them. Bummer!!

 

[twinmum]

Hello! Our twin boys loved bother Narcoosee's and Citrico's (they were 8 at the time). Citrico's was much quieter, but several other children there as well. I think if your son is used to that kind of environment you should be fine. Besides, they had one of the better children's activity sheets etc., so you know that Disney is planning on having kids there.

I am not sure your son will be able to order the Surf and Turf if he is on the kids DDP. I ordered it and my son and I shared my meal and his meal (I can't eat but a bite or two of lobster). The kids' food was good enough that this was fine with me!

If you are choosing between the 2 restaurants, Narcoosies certainly has more hustle and bustle and ambiant noise. It also has the opportunity to watch the firewoarks from the deck. For comfort and peacefulness, go for Citrico's.

Either way, you should have a good meal!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hello! Our twin boys loved bother Narcoosee's and Citrico's (they were 8 at the time). Citrico's was much quieter, but several other children there as well. I think if your son is used to that kind of environment you should be fine. Besides, they had one of the better children's activity sheets etc., so you know that Disney is planning on having kids there.

I am not sure your son will be able to order the Surf and Turf if he is on the kids DDP. I ordered it and my son and I shared my meal and his meal (I can't eat but a bite or two of lobster). The kids' food was good enough that this was fine with me!

If you are choosing between the 2 restaurants, Narcoosies certainly has more hustle and bustle and ambiant noise. It also has the opportunity to watch the firewoarks from the deck. For comfort and peacefulness, go for Citrico's.

Either way, you should have a good meal!

Thanks everyone!!
DS wouldn't be ordering the surf and turf- but DH sure would!!
At this point I am thinking Citrico's on our first night and doing an early dinner at Narcoosee's the night of MVMCP.

 

[Babyboo]

Babyboo, nice pics! The desserts look delicious. We were too full after salads and main courses so passed on them. Bummer!!

Thanks - These boards and everyone on them have helped me so much over the last year planning our trips I though it would be nice to give something back, we took over 1500 photos in 3 weeks most of things we would never have dreamed of taking before.

I am sort of regretting not booking the GF for our next trip but DH wanted to try something different so we went for the YC. Hope I don't miss it to much.

 

[werfamily]

Werfamily - The first year we stayed at the GF we were celebrating my sons birthday. The GF sends the best surprise for birthdays!!! (no matter what building and what room preference your staying in - We were garden view). If you want to know what it is, I'll tell you, but its better then balloons!!!

Hmmm...now I'm really curious! Well, only 4 more weeks and we'll find out.

I'm loving all the pictures of the food from Narcoosees! We will be eating dinner there one night toward the end of our trip.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hmmm...now I'm really curious! Well, only 4 more weeks and we'll find out.

I'm loving all the pictures of the food from Narcoosees! We will be eating dinner there one night toward the end of our trip.

Yay, 4 weeks - it'll go fast.

Just an FYI.... don't want you to EXPECT a birthday surprise from the Grand. These things happen kind of sporatically and what one guest receives isn't always what another will. It is wrong to say that there is a certain something that happens. We have had birthday surprises a few times - always different, too, not a certain something that the GF gives - and other times nothing but we have always ordered our own bday goodies thru PD etc. anyway just to cover ourselves. Hopefully you will have some magic, but people get their hopes raised and then can feel very let down if that magic that was "promised" doesn't materialize.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[werfamily]

Yay, 4 weeks - it'll go fast.

Just an FYI.... don't want you to EXPECT a birthday surprise from the Grand. These things happen kind of sporatically and what one guest receives isn't always what another will. It is wrong to say that there is a certain something that happens. We have had birthday surprises a few times - always different, too, not a certain something that the GF gives - and other times nothing but we have always ordered our own bday goodies thru PD etc. anyway just to cover ourselves. Hopefully you will have some magic, but people get their hopes raised and then can feel very let down if that magic that was "promised" doesn't materialize.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

Thanks for the advice! So, on that note...where would one call to arrange to have balloons delivered to the room? It doesn't sound like personal dining would be the place. We are going to order a cake (still deciding if we should have it at our 1900 dinner or have it delivered to the room), but since DD is at that 'magical' age, we'd like to make it more of a celebration.

 

[ekball]

Wow! Lucky you!!!!

The best theme park views are from Sago and Conch. Some people have had them in Big Pine, too, but I think in BP those rooms are very limited. If you book a theme park view you should be able to see the fireworks. That 40% off discount is a fabulous deal - enjoy! I want one, too.

Lives4Disney

Lives4Disney, or any other GF regulars....
How about Garden views? What are your favorites? We too just booked with the 40% code and would love a pretty, peaceful view/location (oh! haven't I read somewhere that there are a couple of GV rooms with views of the fireworks? That might be fun!) What are your favorite garden view locations??

THANKS!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks for the advice! So, on that note...where would one call to arrange to have balloons delivered to the room? It doesn't sound like personal dining would be the place. We are going to order a cake (still deciding if we should have it at our 1900 dinner or have it delivered to the room), but since DD is at that 'magical' age, we'd like to make it more of a celebration.

Lives4Disney is exactly right. I can testify to it personally, as I was showered with gifts for one b-day, and then on another, didn't receive anything. It wasn't a huge deal to me either way, but definitely don't expect something, and certainly not something specific!

I wouldn't think Private Dining could help with balloons. My suggestion would be to look at a delivery from Disney Florist (www.disneyflorist.com) or one of the ladies that do gift baskets, etc. as their own private businesses (www.peggyssweetsandmore.com or www.memoriesbybetsy.com .

Have fun!

 

[Tink rules]

May I suggest that you PM Lindsey... Fairy Tale Bride

I do believe that she works at Disney Florist and I know that she's done a cake that I've seen that was done with all Disney candy... I think she can be a big help...

here's her info... (by the way... she writes really good TR's too...)

Tell her Michelle (Tink rules) sent you...

http://www.disboards.com/member.php?u=120590

 

[Tink rules]

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21333710&postcount=202

scroll down to see the cake she did with all Disney Candy bars...

 

[Tink rules]

Here's another one... scroll down please - it will show the theming she did (Halloween because of MNSSHP) and the Disney candy (and all the fun they had that night...)

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21370011&postcount=220

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney, or any other GF regulars....
How about Garden views? What are your favorites? We too just booked with the 40% code and would love a pretty, peaceful view/location (oh! haven't I read somewhere that there are a couple of GV rooms with views of the fireworks? That might be fun!) What are your favorite garden view locations??

THANKS!

Hi, Ekball!!! OMG - you guys with that 40% off have me envious!!! That's great.

Well for garden view I would choose Sago with a MARINA view. That is considered Garden....same with Conch. I honestly don't know which GV rooms would have a fireworks view. Anybody know?? I would choose Sago for the convenience factor - close to Gaspies and also that is is close to the marina for that Wishes viewing and near the path to the bus stop and the main building...there is a map at the front of this thread & you can see the locations of the buildings. Boca Chica has pretty courtyard pool garden views - same with Big Pine. I think most GV at the GF are nice - there are always a handful of icky ones, though here and there. Enjoy!

Tinkaroo - thanks for backing me up...I felt like a jerk saying it, but it's the truth and nobody should go into it thinking they're assured of getting something and then be set up for disappointment. That doesn't feel so good.

Werfamily - Tinkaroo gave you some great suggestions. We have used all three of those services and they've been awesome. We have also had the cakes delivered to 1900 PF...(our worst cake experience but most likely unusual...they couldn't find the cake...bad server....just awful )...the main problem I've had with cakes at restaurants is that there is just too much food. Our PF cake didn't really get touched so we always do the room delivery option from now on. If you have it delivered to your room, it could be there when you get back and they set it up all pretty and leave the plates and server & silverware etc...otherwise you'll wind up having 1900 PF box it and have to deal with finding plates etc. A good thing about 1900 PF is that if you tell the hostess it's your princess's bday, they will give her a bday crown, placemat, and big cupcake with a candle. They make a little to doo about it.


Tink rules - That's great!!

 

[werfamily]

May I suggest that you PM Lindsey... Fairy Tale Bride

I do believe that she works at Disney Florist and I know that she's done a cake that I've seen that was done with all Disney candy... I think she can be a big help...

here's her info... (by the way... she writes really good TR's too...)

Tell her Michelle (Tink rules) sent you...

http://www.disboards.com/member.php?u=120590

Thanks so much Michelle! I just PM'd her. Doesn't Disney Florist also have a web site?

 

[werfamily]

Werfamily - Tinkaroo gave you some great suggestions. We have used all three of those services and they've been awesome. We have also had the cakes delivered to 1900 PF...(our worst cake experience but most likely unusual...they couldn't find the cake...bad server....just awful )...the main problem I've had with cakes at restaurants is that there is just too much food. Our PF cake didn't really get touched so we always do the room delivery option from now on. If you have it delivered to your room, it could be there when you get back and they set it up all pretty and leave the plates and server & silverware etc...otherwise you'll wind up having 1900 PF box it and have to deal with finding plates etc. A good thing about 1900 PF is that if you tell the hostess it's your princess's bday, they will give her a bday crown, placemat, and big cupcake with a candle. They make a little to doo about it.

Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your cake experience, I think you just made up my mind! Honestly, the thought of a cake on top of all of the Disney food seems totally excessive...but my girls pretty much think that birthday = cake.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your cake experience, I think you just made up my mind! Honestly, the thought of a cake on top of all of the Disney food seems totally excessive...but my girls pretty much think that birthday = cake.

Well, doesn't it?? Just tell the hostess - actually any restaurant you go in that it's your DD's bday and she will get a special bday treat. 1900 does it nice though with the souvie placemat and the Happy Bday crown. Once they even gave DD special autographed character pics, too.

If you do order the cake, you can choose any time for delivery to your room....you could be at a park and come "home" to a sweet surprise. That's always fun, too!

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Tink rules]

I'm warnin ya... that site's addictive!!! I've already picked out flowers I want for MYSELF!!!!

Can you say Pixie Dust???

http://www.disneyflorist.com/category/occasions/birthday/display