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

[Lives4Disney]

Never say Never, sure just PM me what you want. If you have a place where I can view a pic of what you want that's good too. Just let me know.

disprincessat heart - thanks for the answer about the cake. I know the decorator that does/created that cake. Just wasn't sure what THAT pictured cake was. It's adorable.

The cabanas are $60 for 4 hrs - from either 10 to 2 pm or 3 to 7 pm...or I believe $110 for the whole day. We've rented them and enjoyed it. This info was sent to me by IPO a long time ago - when they first started renting them so hopefully it's still correct.....

Rental Cabana amenities include:
. Two padded chaise lounge chairs
. Two padded straight-backed chairs
. Plush towels
. 22 inch LCD television with cable access and optional earphones
. Sirius Satellite Radio
. DVD/CD/MP3 player
. Phone for internal resorts calls
. Oscillating Fan
. Mini refrigerator stocked with complementary sodas and water
. Complementary fruit basket
. Private dining and poolside massages are available at an
additional cost. See Special section below for additional information.

SLDL- You won't have any trouble finding GF specific merchandise in the lobby shops. They have all kinds of GF souveniers. They sell frames, charms, ornaments, snowglobes, fake Cat's Meow GFs, tees, polos, hats & visors, pins, toss pillows, glasses, probably magnets, too.....each of the shops will have different items so take some time and check out all the stores.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[DLo]

Do you know if there are any GF refillable mugs still available ? I am really bummed about the new generic ones. We have the different ones from our recent stays and I wanted to add that to my collection. I guess I will have to settle for another kind of cup/mug. I also but a magnet each year from where we stayed and a WDW one with the year on it. Maybe one day my fridge will look like a Disney store

 

[Lives4Disney]

Do you know if there are any GF refillable mugs still available ? I am really bummed about the new generic ones. We have the different ones from our recent stays and I wanted to add that to my collection. I guess I will have to settle for another kind of cup/mug. I also but a magnet each year from where we stayed and a WDW one with the year on it. Maybe one day my fridge will look like a Disney store

I am 99% sure they are just the generic ones at this point. Kelly got really lucky in July and scraped up an Alice one, though. There's always a possiblity.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

There were the old mugs in the minibars but I dont see them in any of the pics. I would think they might have them at Gaspies.
Good Luck

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Great job you guys!! The new thread looks great and is very informative, thanks for all your hard work!

 

[grannyminnie]

Can someone comment a little bit more about the gingerbread house pins? I don't recall seeing them. Are they specific to the GF gift shops?

 

[tete01830]

Ivy Trellis - they only do hair at Ivy Trellis, not spa services. For nails and such, go to the GF spa. The Ivy Trellis is really small, so there's just no room.

First, best wishes for your upcoming wedding! I am sure it will be just beautiful!
Second, I just returned from the GF and pasted Ivy Trellis everyday and did see a portable manicuring table and a lot of OPI polish. You see, I am a nail technichian so I pay attention to that stuff...I dont know if it is a new service but I saw the table and polish right when you walked in the door....I am sure they dont do pedicures though! I would still go to the spa-you would be tucked in a corner and not very relaxing!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Terrific idea ladies!! Here is my contribution from our August 2007 trip:

Conch Key room pics

(Can you see Tink?)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Tuxedo strawberries from Private Dining ($65 for 10 sent to the room including tax and gratuity)

Turndown service

The safe and the robes

From the ME bus stop looking back

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Lobby from above

Lobby from below

Piano player in the lobby

Grand Floridian Cafe Entrance

 

[NeverSayNever]

Evening All -

Tete.. Thank you for the info on IVY Trellis. I may look into the spa but I think it will be too extragavent (sp?) for my 4yr DD, although I am sure should would love the pampering.

CInderumbrella... I am really intrigued by your COnch room pictures... NO wallpaper on the walls... Hmmm... I thought our room in COnch in Sept. was the odd one.. but now yours too. Was yours a ground floor room? Ours was and on the end closest to SL. Curious now is it just Conch with no wallpaper or are all the GC rooms like this.

Channing... I will PM you.

Grannie.. From what I understand the GB house pin is only available at GF and it becomes available next week in a limited quantity. This site has more info about all the pins. www.DisneyPins.com


Ok, time to get the little ones off to bed.

Best.

 

[grannyminnie]

Thanks for the info, NeverSayNever...I'll be there in a couple of weeks and would like to think they'll still be there!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Didnt know about these pins!!
Cant wait to spend an afternoon in the GF taking in all the sights and sounds Oh, and shopping!

 

[BCV23]

Although Ivy & Trellis sells OPI polish, manicures and pedicures aren't done there. I have my hair done there almost every trip and have asked.

Great job, Kelly. Everyone is contributing so many great pictures of the GF.

I actually love the look of the new decor although suspect something is missing re pictures so far. The old rooms were a bit over the top for me except for cameo. I will miss the table though.

CaliforniaDreaming, it is the end of an era but I'm thrilled to see you post. I noticed in discussion about another recently retired thread, safetymom offered to add final words from the creator of the thread. Perhaps you could do that. And your thread will live on as a sticky in the Resort FAQ! I think you were still in high school when you started that thread, weren't you?

 

[HockeyMomR]

NeverSayNever and all who are wondering - Our room in Conch Key in July did have wallpaper, room #7429. Interesting, maybe they have not completed some rooms?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Gosh, as much as I thought I didn't care for the new decor color scheme seeing it with wallpaper makes it look so much nicer IMO than without. I almost like ithe new rooms now after seeing Hockeymom's pic. Now that's going to be a weird request.... Forget the view, the building, the floor... I need a room with wallpaper!

Happy Saturday!!! I am going to get off the DIS and pack!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[HockeyMomR]

Gosh, as much as I thought I didn't care for the new decor color scheme seeing it with wallpaper makes it look so much nicer IMO than without. I almost like ithe new rooms now after seeing Hockeymom's pic. Now that's going to be a weird request.... Forget the view, the building, the floor... I need a room with wallpaper!

Happy Saturday!!! I am going to get off the DIS and pack!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lives4Disney

Now that would be a request! "Wallpaper please!"

Have a great trip!

 

[princess&princemommy]

I love this thread. I don't post much but I love to come here to get ideas. We are leaving on Monday, staying at the Sugar Loaf outer lodge, we have a one bedroom suite. I didn't realize that we would have concierge service, pretty excting! I haven't stayed at the GF since 92' when I was 15 years old. This is my kids and Dh's first time to Disney, we are also going with my parents. To say I'm excited is an understatment. If there is anything you pros would like to share with me, I would love hear from you all. I am definelty a rookie at Disney as an adult.

 

[praline3001]

I had a few questions about DME and checking in at the GF.

1. What resorts do you share a DME with? How long does it take you to get from the airport to the resort?

2. Is it worth doing or better just to rent a town car or something? We have always driven to WDW but this will be our first time flying and I am not very familiar with the process. What has been your experience using DME and checking in to the GF?

 

[BCV23]

praline, we always get a rental car (other than the two times we drove). I can't imagine not having a car at our disposal for dining at other hotels, geting to MGM and AK, DTD and errands to the pharmacy, etc..

But three times part of our family has used ME....twice to the Polynesian and once to the GF. Each time the other resorts have varied a bit but each time we have at least shared with the CR and another hotel or two. It is convenient and of course the price is right. I don't think it is as fast at the monorail hotels since we've never been close to the hour travel time I see others experience on the Transportation forum. I think lots of people do rent cars so there's not the demand.

We have never done a towncar at WDW although I know others on this thread do. For us, it's not a novelty since we use a limo or towncar to get to the airport these days at home as selfparking at ORD is so expensive. And if I'm paying, I'd much rather pay a bit more and have a car at my disposal.