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

[sjaakie]

OMG,OMG, I love this topic. I feel like a dog waiting for his bone and drauwling

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Okay, I'm a little confused on the private dining. Now, I understand if I want to order things like chocolate strawberries or cookies, then I call the private dining. But I'm reading three different things about where to call for cake orders (to be delivered to a guest room). I've read of people ordering cakes from the general WDW cake hotline, GF private dining, and through the GF cake lady, Linda.

For a generic kids birthday cake, where would I start?

If you eating at a restaurant and want a cake you can order it at the podium when you check in. If you want something larger and more special then you can call cake hotline. GF private dining is for room service items or special things like the slipper. Linda the cake lady works at the GF she only handles huge special cakes and events. If you need something really special and you arent sure they will make it call in advance getting Linda on the phone take forever.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I went back thru some pages and add posts numbers for pool pics and other stuff. If you know something that needs to be at the beginning let me know.
Thanks

 

[praline3001]

I went back thru some pages and add posts numbers for pool pics and other stuff. If you know something that needs to be at the beginning let me know.
Thanks

Thanks kelly! Let me know if there is anything you need to keep the thread as informative as possible. While I am there I can pick it up for you.

 

[praline3001]

Quick question ... while I am packing...

how is the make up mirror in the rooms? Is it well lit or do I have to use the regular room light to apply make up?

I have a light up make up mirror I usually bring but if the room's mirror is lit well enough I am not going to pack it.

 

[WishesQueen]

I haven't been on for awhile, so I am catching up!!

As far as I could remember from July. The mirror was light very well and theres a small one on the wall so you could pull it up to your face.

Have a great time and take lots for pictures. Sorry, to hear about your toe. Sometimes its not broken its just bruised really bad. Hopefully it will heal a bit before you go. When something hurts I don't know what it is, but you just keep hitting it. So, wrap it up and have fun!!!

If all else fails, go to France and have a grey goose slushy, that should do the trick!!!

 

[werfamily]

If you eating at a restaurant and want a cake you can order it at the podium when you check in. If you want something larger and more special then you can call cake hotline. GF private dining is for room service items or special things like the slipper. Linda the cake lady works at the GF she only handles huge special cakes and events. If you need something really special and you arent sure they will make it call in advance getting Linda on the phone take forever.

So, can I call someone other than Linda? I'm trying to order a custom cake to be delivered to the room (per Lives4Disney's suggestion!). I called private dining, and was told that if I wanted something more than their standard cakes (which I do), I should call Linda. They gave me her number and I've called and left a message, but have not heard back.

Is there someone else who could also take my cake order, or are you saying to start calling Linda far in advance of the date you need the cake?

 

[Lives4Disney]

So, can I call someone other than Linda? I'm trying to order a custom cake to be delivered to the room (per Lives4Disney's suggestion!). I called private dining, and was told that if I wanted something more than their standard cakes (which I do), I should call Linda. They gave me her number and I've called and left a message, but have not heard back.

Is there someone else who could also take my cake order, or are you saying to start calling Linda far in advance of the date you need the cake?

Werfamily....I always just call private dining and then tell them I am interested in ordering a birthday cake. They have connected me to the GF bakery and I go from there. Not sue what's up nowadays. I thought Linda was the manager. I don't think I spoke specifically wth Linda. I would try back. It's not like your ordering a wedding cake.

Good luck.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

So, can I call someone other than Linda? I'm trying to order a custom cake to be delivered to the room (per Lives4Disney's suggestion!). I called private dining, and was told that if I wanted something more than their standard cakes (which I do), I should call Linda. They gave me her number and I've called and left a message, but have not heard back.

Is there someone else who could also take my cake order, or are you saying to start calling Linda far in advance of the date you need the cake?

I would call Private dining back and say you left a message for Linda and tell then you need to speak with her. I dont get the deal with her. Her voicemail says if you want a cake hit 0 and it goes back to Private dining and they say you have to talk to her. One day I left my home # and not my office one she called it thinking she would get my voicemail she was shocked when I answered.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hey Chan,

I thought she was manager to but who knows. I can order alot of stuff there and whenever I need her I cant get her. Its really to bad. There is a young man who works at night who is AWESOME.

If anyone has issues they can PM me and I will give you his name.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey Chan,

I thought she was manager to but who knows. I can order alot of stuff there and whenever I need her I cant get her. Its really to bad. There is a young man who works at night who is AWESOME.

If anyone has issues they can PM me and I will give you his name.

Hey Kelly...that's weird. That whole situation is weird. They need good people on the phones so that guests don't get a bad first impression KWIM? I didn't get a run around about ordering the cakes, but I sure didn't get a whole lot of help from them. I had to know what I wanted exactly. Remember that guy's name for me because I will want something special if I wind up there on Easter.

 

[biggroofy]

Hello everyone, we will stay in GF for 5 nights in March. On the departure day, DD4 will be on some Cooking Class (?) at GF that runs until noon. DW hopes to remain in room to nurse the baby.

If I want to request a late check-out (12:00pm), how likely it will be granted? Should I make a note in my reservation, or just ask the Front Desk CM upon check-in?

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi Everyone...

All the talk of those wonderful treats has made me decide we need to order one again for this trip...

SO now I need some suggestions... Last time we had the choc Mickeys, goofy, castle, truffles cookies etc etc... ok granted they were all different nights and I still have alot of the choc here including the castle. Any ideas? I am thinking along the lines of Valentines day...

THoughts please?

BTW, for what it is worth I was able to get Linda a couple of times on Sept. on the phone, I found that workdays in the morning and mid afternoon worked best. Granted that was several months ago and it sounds like things have changed a bit for the worse

TinkRuLes... WOW those sound like some awesome trips! Do you get to do much sightseeing on your business trip or is it all work? Sounds like you are in for a whirlwind few weeks!

Praline... I thought the makeup mirrors were very good, they are adjustable, good lightling, and if I remember correctly one side is magnified. Hope this helps...

Channing.. Ok.. How was your DD B'Day? Did you cave yet and book the split stay?

Kelly... Thanks again for keeping this thread so updated. Please let me know if there is anything I can ever do to help... although I don't come close to all the GF Guru's around here... but I am trying!


I can't believe that we leave in 6 DAYS..... I really better get going!

Best,

 

[Lives4Disney]

BigGroofy....I don't know how likely it will be that you'll get the late check out especially if you're going during one of the more busy weeks of March. Once we were just really super slow about leaving - we actually were on the computer trying to switch our flight and stay an extra few days, haha (we did it )....anyway housekeeping kept peeking in and we just stalled....you could try that. It's not like they don't have a ton of other rooms to clean. As far as formally checking out late, I was told to ask at check in and then call the front desk the day before you are to check out to confirm (or not) that it will be possible. It really isn't very common at all though, sorry to say.

Michelle, WOW!! What a busy but neat schedule you have. I would LOVE to go to Switzerland. I hope you get some time to sightsee and explore. Your cruise sounds like quite a project but a fabulous one!

Hi, Never!! Gosh, lots of you guys are leaving in the next week. Have a fantastic time. I know what you mean about the white chocolates....we never eat ours. ....we have quite a bit of it in our freezer at this time. I hope they can do some fun Valentine goodies for you. Something kind of different. DD's bday was crazy. 20 girls in our house for 3 hours.....I was totally cashed when it was over. These sweet, polite girls go bonkers in a group and turn totally CRAZY wild. I told DD NEVER AGAIN. We will have to think up something else for next year. I think they all get so squirrely from this winter below zero weather. Let's just say I am glad it's done and it's best forgotten. I haven't decided on anything other than my arrival flight and Swan for as long as I want.

Happy packing,

Lives4Disney

 

[Tink rules]

Hey all...

Not sure if I will get to do too much sightseeing this trip - will only be there 5-7 days, but I plan on going out to wander a bit. Just bought myself a new camera (can't go to Switzerland with my old 2mp one...) so I will post some pictures when I get back.

 

[whogirl'smom]

Hi, everyone! Can you tell me if anyone booked GF garden view with the Disney visa code last August--I was wondering what rate you got or what discount? I tried search (not working), and tried to search the old thread around mid-August, but that's one long thread!

Thanks a bunch!

 

[praline3001]

Hi Everyone...

Praline... I thought the makeup mirrors were very good, they are adjustable, good lightling, and if I remember correctly one side is magnified. Hope this helps...

thanks! One less thing I have to pack!

 

[praline3001]

This is going to be an interesting trip haha
My mom was going through old pics of my brother and I (brother and family are meeting us at Disney) and wanted to get a pic of us together now that we are old (to go next to the pic she has when we were preschoolers at disney...)
Well the only one that isn't too faded is a pic of me holding my little baby brother up
I was 4 and he was 1 at the time.... it would make a cute pic NOW of me holding him EXCEPT for the fact he is 6'3" and is build like a solid ROCK
I am 5'4" and weigh in at a 130 pounds this is going to make ONE FUN PIC TO TRY AND REPRODUCE!!!! Where were those first aid stations again?

 

[tinklvr64]

Hi all...We just booked our days for Nov 23-28 SL and will be there for Thanksgiving
We have never been at this time of the year...I know its far off but can anyone give me some insight??? Do you think we should do the DP at this time of the year?? We never have before so I am curious...
I am sooo excited I think sometimes the planning is better than being there
This is my graduation present from my mom...teaching! 5 1/5 long years of school while working full time with 3 kids whew! I cant believe it is finally over!
Any info is def appreciated!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi all...We just booked our days for Nov 23-28 SL and will be there for Thanksgiving
We have never been at this time of the year...I know its far off but can anyone give me some insight??? Do you think we should do the DP at this time of the year?? We never have before so I am curious...
I am sooo excited I think sometimes the planning is better than being there
This is my graduation present from my mom...teaching! 5 1/5 long years of school while working full time with 3 kids whew! I cant believe it is finally over!
Any info is def appreciated!

.
We've spent many Thanksgivings at WDW. We were at the GF in RPC last year and the years before. I have not done the DP ever and have no desire to. I prefer the DDE that gives much more flexibility IMO and you save 20% at most TS restaurants. All I can say about our Tgiving WDW trip was... ugh. It was PACKED. Jam packed mega crowds and unfortunately the mega crowds didn't have the holiday spirit. The Christmas decorations are great and the holiday extras (Osborne lights, MVMCP, Epcot Xmas stuff) are wonderful to see. I would love to do CP one time - heard it's beautiful. Make sure you have ADRs or you'll be eating at counter services. The GF is great and you'll enjoy having the peace of the resort to come back to after a harrowing day out in the parks.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney