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

[WishesQueen]

My family and I stayed 1/2 GF - 1/2 WL last time and the GF was the first half. First of all, I will NEVER split my trip again. I am very organized and I didn't waste much time at all repacking and unpacking. But, it made my trip feel shorter and we were unhappy not at the GF after we left.

Even on a rainy night (not in the mood to poncho it in the rain) we rode the monorail and shopped, eat and visited the monorail hotels. It was more fun then we thought and I think we all looking forward to ONE good rainy night to do it again!!!

The only reason we did it was because we ALWAYS stayed at the WL for years. I still love the WL but we used to travel in May when the kids were younger and I could take them out of school. Now that they are older and the work load is way too much at school we travel in July. Traveling on the boat is great, but HOT. My whole family was SOOOO spoiled with the monorail at our fingertips I don't think we could go back.

Oh well, I am so excited one of us is going leaving!!! (even if its not me)!!!

Praline - not to rush your trip, I hope its slow, great and magically. But I am looking forward to hearing about your trip and everything going on at the GF and WDW!!!

 

[irisbud]

Thanks for the info. Is Conch the only bldg with Hammerhead?

If I didn't request a hammerhead, which bldg is best for TPV overall?

Ooops, ours was in Big Pine Key. I must have forgotten to put that in! Sorry!

 

[Lives4Disney]

My family and I stayed 1/2 GF - 1/2 WL last time and the GF was the first half. First of all, I will NEVER split my trip again. I am very organized and I didn't waste much time at all repacking and unpacking. But, it made my trip feel shorter and we were unhappy not at the GF after we left.



Oh well, I am so excited one of us is going leaving!!! (even if its not me)!!!

Praline - not to rush your trip, I hope its slow, great and magically. But I am looking forward to hearing about your trip and everything going on at the GF and WDW!!!

I don't love splitting stays, either, but the beauty of it is that we'll be at the GF in RPC AFTER the Swan, so it's all good! Plus, I think we will get a late check out at the Swan and then we'll have the RPC lounge until the room is ready. So it's great. I particularly don't like a split if we have nowhere to go or hang until the room is ready. That can be a bummer.

Ya, Praline, I feel the same. It's neat just knowing one of us is going to be there and reporting back after. Enjoy!!

Triplefigs, I think Conch and Sago are the best TPV. They probably have the hammerheads, too.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Triples I am so sorry about your trip. I am glad we know though I had mentioned to Chan that I was thinking of sending something to you on your stay. I hope you guys will have a great trip!

Chan love the new pic in your siggy LOL

 

[triplefigs]

That's really sweet of you and Channing, Kelly! Totally unnecessary, but the thought is very much appreciated.

Maybe we will get lucky and get an upgrade in April. If not, it'll be nice to have the TPV for the kids. And I bet the GF is beautiful in the spring! It's our 13th wedding anniversary in April (and a month after my 39th birthday), so I may order something from the GF to have sent to the room.

 

[praline3001]

channing I love your newphie!!!!!!! I wanted one sooooo bad but we live in the yucky heat and humidity ...
We have 3 pups a Pembroke welsh corgi, a yellow lab and a hurricane katrina pup. After the hurricane there were many New litters of pups (fences all came down... you get the idea hehe)
I love my babies and the house is so strange without them here under foot!
We are huge doggie lovers

I am glad I sparked the interest of bare minerals to so many
It really is the easiest line of make up to use. I can have a complete make up job done in under 5 minutes. I used to hate working with make up but I really like the ease of BM and how natural it looks. I have converted my neighbors, friends, my mom, my SIL.... you get the idea. I have worn BM for 5 years now and over time my face has gotten so much clearer. Not that I ever had acne or anything but after years of no pore clogging make up it has made my complexion as smooth as a baby's butt hehe

I am about as done packing as I can get until morning. There are a few things I will need in the morning (flat iron, make up...) but other than that the suitcases are zipped up and by the front door.

I am excited about our trip to the GF BUT something I haven't mentioned before (though I have to Kelly on the phone) what I am extra extra excited about is getting to meet my brand new adopted niece
My brother and SIL adopted a baby from Guatamala and she was able to come home over Christmas. She is 18 months old and everyone in my family has gotten to meet her except me
My nephew is adopted from Mexico and is 3 and adorable. I love being an aunt (DH is an only child and I only have 1 brother)! I love spoiling them and being the "fun one" I can't wait to love on both of them

I will take as many pics as possible of the GF. I have a new camera and 5 two gig memory cards for a total of 2,750 pics before I run out of space
I may kill you with pics

 

[werfamily]

I am excited about our trip to the GF BUT something I haven't mentioned before (though I have to Kelly on the phone) what I am extra extra excited about is getting to meet my brand new adopted niece
My brother and SIL adopted a baby from Guatamala and she was able to come home over Christmas. She is 18 months old and everyone in my family has gotten to meet her except me
My nephew is adopted from Mexico and is 3 and adorable. I love being an aunt (DH is an only child and I only have 1 brother)! I love spoiling them and being the "fun one" I can't wait to love on both of them

I will take as many pics as possible of the GF. I have a new camera and 5 two gig memory cards for a total of 2,750 pics before I run out of space
I may kill you with pics

How exciting! I have two nieces from Guatamala (my brother and his wife adopted almost 3 years ago, and my sister and her husband just got their little girl home this past May), and I visited there during the adoption process of one of them. My partner, who is a pediatrician went down to see both of them as babies...and is going back again soon to see the little brother of my sister's daughter who they are trying to adopt also. I agree...it's great to be an aunt!

Have a great trip, and report back to us on the status of the pool rehab.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lindsay, I would love to meet you. Marci just goes on and on about how wonderful you are!

What building is best for TPV? Can I request a Hammerhead room with this category? Wouldn't that give us extra room if we were lucky enough to get one? Maybe the PD fairies will bestow some luck on us. We sure could use it!

Aw, that's so sweet! I'm only aspiring to be as great as Marci!

I'm so jealous!

Two of my favs get to meet and I won't be there. I can't wait to see pics!

Surely there's some sort of meeting you could attend at the GF?!

I don't love splitting stays, either, but the beauty of it is that we'll be at the GF in RPC AFTER the Swan, so it's all good! Plus, I think we will get a late check out at the Swan and then we'll have the RPC lounge until the room is ready. So it's great. I particularly don't like a split if we have nowhere to go or hang until the room is ready. That can be a bummer.

Lives4Disney

Ahh, so I see the decision has been made, Channing. Some how, I always knew you'd end up with that split stay!

I am about as done packing as I can get until morning. There are a few things I will need in the morning (flat iron, make up...) but other than that the suitcases are zipped up and by the front door.

I am excited about our trip to the GF BUT something I haven't mentioned before (though I have to Kelly on the phone) what I am extra extra excited about is getting to meet my brand new adopted niece
My brother and SIL adopted a baby from Guatamala and she was able to come home over Christmas. She is 18 months old and everyone in my family has gotten to meet her except me
My nephew is adopted from Mexico and is 3 and adorable. I love being an aunt (DH is an only child and I only have 1 brother)! I love spoiling them and being the "fun one" I can't wait to love on both of them

I will take as many pics as possible of the GF. I have a new camera and 5 two gig memory cards for a total of 2,750 pics before I run out of space
I may kill you with pics

Have fun enjoying the last few hours of anticipation, and I hope you enjoy your time with your new niece. What a wonderful place to make first memories together!

 

[3for Me]

What building is best for TPV? Can I request a Hammerhead room with this category? Wouldn't that give us extra room if we were lucky enough to get one? Maybe the PD fairies will bestow some luck on us. We sure could use it!

I am not by any means saying this is the best, but we had a hammerhead room in Boca Chica which I loved, loved, loved. We requested one again in our TPV room this coming Thursday. I'll let you know if we get one, and if so, where.

 

[praline3001]

How exciting! I have two nieces from Guatamala (my brother and his wife adopted almost 3 years ago, and my sister and her husband just got their little girl home this past May), and I visited there during the adoption process of one of them. My partner, who is a pediatrician went down to see both of them as babies...and is going back again soon to see the little brother of my sister's daughter who they are trying to adopt also. I agree...it's great to be an aunt!

Have a great trip, and report back to us on the status of the pool rehab.

The adoption process in Guatamala is tough. They did attempt 5 years ago to adopt a child in the states but it turned into a made for tv movie of the week situation. Right before the adoption was final the birth father got out of prison (for abusing his other child) and demanded custody of his baby. Since he never abused the baby (babe was born while dad was in prison) the courts took the baby (who lived with our family for 2 years as adopted and part of the family) and gave the babe to the birth father. After that my family decided international adoption was sadly the only way to go. She is having issues with learning the language but my SIL works with her all the time and she should catch up really soon. I wanted to go to Guatamala to help bring her home but my kids were in school. I have done video chat with her via yahoo several times and she is a doll baby. She has cheeks you just want to reach out and squeeze

Having her still in diapers is one of the good things about staying at the GF. If she needs to be cleaned up or take a quick time out from the parks we are only a monorail ride away. I will be able to pry her away from my SIL (steal more like it) and take her back to the resort, letting the others ride rides I am sure there will be lots I can spoil her with

My nephew is excited as he thinks of my boys as his big brothers. He follows them EVERYWHERE! He has called us every night telling us something else he wants to do while we are there.
We are dressing them all up (except my DS13 cause well... he's a teenager 'nuff said) for the PPP... I am going to try and find one of those photopass people to get a really nice photo of the whole pirate crew

 

[werfamily]

The adoption process in Guatamala is tough. They did attempt 5 years ago to adopt a child in the states but it turned into a made for tv movie of the week situation. Right before the adoption was final the birth father got out of prison (for abusing his other child) and demanded custody of his baby. Since he never abused the baby (babe was born while dad was in prison) the courts took the baby (who lived with our family for 2 years as adopted and part of the family) and gave the babe to the birth father. After that my family decided international adoption was sadly the only way to go. She is having issues with learning the language but my SIL works with her all the time and she should catch up really soon. I wanted to go to Guatamala to help bring her home but my kids were in school. I have done video chat with her via yahoo several times and she is a doll baby. She has cheeks you just want to reach out and squeeze

Oh my, what a nightmare with the first adoption! I can't even imagine how hard that would be for everyone involved. It certainly makes your new niece all the more special...how great for her to come into a family where she is so wanted and so loved!

You must be SO excited! Enjoy your family!

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Thank you all for such a kind welcome. I read the posts and begin to realize we're all so connected in some way.

1. Confirmation for GF GV received! Yeah!!! I will definitely take a look at the maps and the pool pictures (I did find them!) and learn more about how the property is laid out. I'll keep checking in and learning more and if I have new questions I'll ask.

2. Bare Minerals -- definitely give a try. I don't spend much time putting on makeup but this stuff helps me look fabulous. I have a few different brushes so when I do get all dolled up I am even more flawless. I don't have a lot of their products but what I do have I really like. My grandma has never worn anything other than a little lipstick and maybe (like 4 or 5x a year) wears eye shadow and at 87 she looks terrific. I got her the Rare Minerals and even she says she looks younger. And now she gets lots of compliments. That totally sold me!

3. My Brother and SIL completed their adoption of their son from Guatemala in December. It was a long haul and they were so close in August and got caught up in the delay b/c of the new laws going into effect to help curb the abuses that were going on. Their son is 18 months -- looks like he's 3 though. They have a natural born daughter but couldn't get pregnant again and were turned down for a US adoption and China adoption b/c my Brother is overweight and they consider him to be morbidly obese and said it was a major risk factor. Whatever! So they went to an agency in Guatemala. Took them almost 2 years but their son came home in December and is adjusting quite well. My warm congratulations to all of you who have more people to love due to a recent adoption in your family! More people to introduce to the love of Disney!!!

As the month ends and a new one begins, I wish you peace, joy and pixie dust!

 

[praline3001]

Thank you all for such a kind welcome. I read the posts and begin to realize we're all so connected in some way.


3. My Brother and SIL completed their adoption of their son from Guatemala in December. It was a long haul and they were so close in August and got caught up in the delay b/c of the new laws going into effect to help curb the abuses that were going on. Their son is 18 months -- looks like he's 3 though. They have a natural born daughter but couldn't get pregnant again and were turned down for a US adoption and China adoption b/c my Brother is overweight and they consider him to be morbidly obese and said it was a major risk factor. Whatever! So they went to an agency in Guatemala. Took them almost 2 years but their son came home in December and is adjusting quite well. My warm congratulations to all of you who have more people to love due to a recent adoption in your family! More people to introduce to the love of Disney!!!

Our family had the same issue with the new law changes and we were supposed to get her this summer but we didn't get her until Dec.
They have a new lawyer in the embassy pushing through all of the adoptions that were sitting on people's desk so I am sure there was a big group of finalized adoptions in Dec.
All of that is in the past and she is here and she is ours and thats all that matters... well that and I get to spoil her rotten this week

now another GF question (trying to stay on topic but its hard and I am excited hehe)
Our plane lands at 1:55. We are taking the limo (SE) from the airport to the GF. How long "should" check in take? Do you think its possible to be in epcot for 4pm? We are dropping our luggage off at the desk and not planning on going to our room (might not even be ready then...)

I use rare minerals too... when I remember hahah its a bedtime treatment and sometimes I forget to put it on. I don't use the sponge that comes with it, I use my all over face brush as it seems to work better for me.

 

[typhoonlagooner]

Hi Typhoonlagooner. Yes, they are. Not too many people around here know what type of breed they are... They are such a great breed. Would not trade them for the world. How is your dog walking on a leash...

We get the same thing! People think Bear (4 years) is a husky/german sheppard mix, especially with his colors. Once I give the breed name (Shiba Inu for those who don't know) I usually get the awkward "did u just sneeze" look lol. Here's a shameless plug for my little furball! This was taken while his facial markings were changing:

We never had an issue with Bear, his leash, and walking. In fact, we've used the same leash for 4 years now (your typical retractable cable leash) with a collar similar to a choker. Bear never pulls, but since his fur (especially around his neck) is so thick, there have been times when his collar has slipped off as we were walking when using a standard collar. I will say that for their size they are freakishly strong lol! He's so smart and clever too! No regrets on this end either!

Praline:
Have a blast on your trip! I've loved watching your signature count down to the big day. I had to laugh this morning when I saw it say 19hrs You know your hard core when you give the hour by hour countdown... too funny! I think it's great that you adopted a Katrina pup. Every now and then I catch those Pedigree commercials that break my heart and it's nice knowing that there are good people like yourself out there who give these dogs a home! I hope you and your extended family have a blast in Disney... seems like it'll be a great time and is well deserved by everyone!

 

[distherapy]

Ah - reading all of this is getting me even more excited! I just had to de-lurk and chime in.

We leave in 5 hours! I have one kid napping (yay!) and one running around like crazy (boo!). It will be a long day as we don't land in Fla until 10:30.

Also had to chime in about the dogs! We have a 6 year old lab/beagle mix we got from a shelter when we lived in DC. We did have 2 dogs, but we had to say a sad goodbye to our sweet Sally this fall. Suddenly a few weeks ago, I felt like I was ready to add four more feet to our crazy house and I started researching some rescue groups. The day after we return from Disney we'll go pick up our new addition - a 4 year old yellow lab. I figured it would be a great thing to look forward to so I wouldn't be TOO sad about coming back from our trip. It was SO hard to meet her and fall in love with her and then have to leave her with her foster family for another week, though.

 

[praline3001]

We are big on rescues. Our BIGGEST rescue is my Daughter's pony, blackjack. My parents own a large ranch and they raise show horses. The SPCA (my mom works with them when they need to foster a horse) had a sweet pony that was abused and needed a foster family. Afer 1 day with my family this pony was OURS so my daughter is one of the few little girls that has her own pony of course its not a show horse but she doesn't care! She loves the daylights out of this tiny little pony. It stays at the ranch but we visit it on the weekends. When our car pulls up, Blackjack is at the gate waiting for her! He follows her EVERYWHERE.... of course she usually has treats in her pockets
Here are a few pics of Blackjack

 

[distherapy]

Ahh! Cutest thing ever!!!

 

[BamaTigger]

Any word on the lobby? Is it all messed up with construction, or just temporary floor down and biz as usual?? Thanks!

 

[WishesQueen]

Ok, I need help whats a hammerhead room? Is that a dormer room?

 

[arbonnette]

Praline, Have a great time.
I will be looking for you in the lobby and I will say "Hi" if I see you. Those pics of Savannah and the pony are adorable!!! How exciting to see your niece and newphew. That makes the trip even more special!

We are leaving Monday morning and I am just staring at my packing lists and piles of clothes. I am checking one large suitcase and bringing my DD's small Pottery Barn Kids one and my large purse on the plane. I am avoiding packing as I know I am going to run into space issues ...

I have a question for those of you who are RPC experts ... I want to bring small gift baskets for the concierge CMs. We are from New Orleans, so I was planning on bringing nice Mardi Gras beads, pralines, and beignet mix. How many would I need to bring? Also, how would I go about sending something to the person who I have been in contact with from IPO? TIA!

I can't believe after 6 months of planning, we are leaving in 3 days!
- Andrea