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

[Lives4Disney]

I'm going to be staying in the RPC in May and I've just hit my 180 day booking window. I would like to get reservations for Mother's Day. Should I just call myself or should I send an e-mail to IPO with my request? Some of the previous threads that I've read indicate that many people are not happy with the GF IPO office. That's a little concerning in and of itself considering what it costs to stay concierge. I'm new to the whole concierge scene and I'm hoping some of the concierge experts can give me some advice. Thanks.

I always call myself for ADRs. As much as I LOVE the GF and their onsite concierge, their IPO is lacking. I have used the IPO for special things like Segway Tours, Carriage rides, Grand 1 plans. That's it and only because I thought they'd have better luck arranging things - but that was before all the bad press they've gotten. It was a different staff back then. Not sure I'd put my special plans in their hands at this point.

Princess rn. The buses to AK and MGM pull right up to the front of the GF...you walk out the front doors, go to the right past the carriage & old car and follow the sidewalk to a covered waiting area. No need to go to TTC.

Channing

 

[Claud26]

Great !! thanks Channing !!
we stayed at WL last time and I believe we shared bus service with the GF but I can't remember for what park.
We never had any issues with the bus service.

I think for Epcot we might take the Resort Monorail to the TTC and then take the Monorail to Epcot.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Channing... Awesome that you were able to move your planes up a day for you and DD's. An extra day of vacation is always a good thing and if it allows room choice all the better!!

Denise... so sorry to hear that Rees is not doing better. Still sending prayers and strength to you all.

Best,

 

[Lives4Disney]

Great !! thanks Channing !!
we stayed at WL last time and I believe we shared bus service with the GF but I can't remember for what park.
We never had any issues with the bus service.

I think for Epcot we might take the Resort Monorail to the TTC and then take the Monorail to Epcot.

Yes, exactly. That's the way to get to Epcot. Sorry to mistype...that is the only time we go to the TTC....no TTC for buses.

I think GF shares WL with AK?? I believe it shares with Poly & maybe CR to MGM.

Hey, guys....One thing I was so happy about was that I was able to book 1900 Park Faire for dinner this Thursday - I thought I was DONE wiht that place , but since The nasty step sisters and Lady Tremaine? are there for dinner (we have NEVER seen them before! ), I thought it would be fun. It sounds like it is terrible, though!! Anybody else hear good about it?? I actually did hear good things on the DIS podcast, but other than that I have heard negative. Anybody know what's changed since the rehab other than the characters at dinner???

Hi, Neversay Never...ya, we are going to have fun. Just the girls! I am stressing about packing now because before I had until Friday afternoon, now we leave VERY early Thurs morning. Haha....that's why I am here procrastinating.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[mickeywatch33]

Disney and GF in 4 days!!

 

[Brizite76]

My DD 5 and I bought Christmas Disney Princess window clings because we thought we'd be staying at ASMovies for part of our trip. But as Kelly knows , we changed it around so we will only be doing GF this trip.
Would anyone say anything if we decorated our window at GF? Also, what if we wanted to decorate the door for Xmas too? I know at the values people do it all the time, but would it be looked down upon at GF? We don't want to be called "those" people at GF who put up trashy Xmas decorations! LOL
We also have a small Christmas tree and stocking coming that we ordered from Peggy's site.

Thanks,
Alison

 

[BamaTigger]

My DD 5 and I bought Christmas Disney Princess window clings because we thought we'd be staying at ASMovies for part of our trip. But as Kelly knows , we changed it around so we will only be doing GF this trip.
Would anyone say anything if we decorated our window at GF? Also, what if we wanted to decorate the door for Xmas too? I know at the values people do it all the time, but would it be looked down upon at GF? We don't want to be called "those" people at GF who put up trashy Xmas decorations! LOL
We also have a small Christmas tree and stocking coming that we ordered from Peggy's site.

Thanks,
Alison

I too am decorating our GF room...I got a small tree, clings, small strand of Pooh and Tigger lights, Mickey garland and some christmas stuffed Disney animals to put around my tree! I plan on putting the clings on the mirrors, the sliding glass door, and hang up the lights and garland around the TV area... I think that will be cute. I dont think I will decorate the outside of the door though!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Allison you are gonna have a great time! No worries.
I would not decorate my door at GF I would decorate my room or a window.

 

[Brizite76]

Thanks for the advice! We'll just decorate the room and window/sliding glass doors and leave the outside hallway door bare We don't want to be like the Griswalds Christmas movie! LOL

 

[princessesrule4]

My DD 5 and I bought Christmas Disney Princess window clings because we thought we'd be staying at ASMovies for part of our trip. But as Kelly knows , we changed it around so we will only be doing GF this trip.
Would anyone say anything if we decorated our window at GF? Also, what if we wanted to decorate the door for Xmas too? I know at the values people do it all the time, but would it be looked down upon at GF? We don't want to be called "those" people at GF who put up trashy Xmas decorations! LOL
We also have a small Christmas tree and stocking coming that we ordered from Peggy's site.

Thanks,
Alison

Peggy's trees are adorable! I noticed she was sold out already! Had to get ours from a local shop. We always decorate our room for our pre Christmas GF trip. Have a great time!

 

[praline3001]

Yes, exactly. That's the way to get to Epcot. Sorry to mistype...that is the only time we go to the TTC....no TTC for buses.

I think GF shares WL with AK?? I believe it shares with Poly & maybe CR to MGM.

Hey, guys....One thing I was so happy about was that I was able to book 1900 Park Faire for dinner this Thursday - I thought I was DONE wiht that place , but since The nasty step sisters and Lady Tremaine? are there for dinner (we have NEVER seen them before! ), I thought it would be fun. It sounds like it is terrible, though!! Anybody else hear good about it?? I actually did hear good things on the DIS podcast, but other than that I have heard negative. Anybody know what's changed since the rehab other than the characters at dinner???

Hi, Neversay Never...ya, we are going to have fun. Just the girls! I am stressing about packing now because before I had until Friday afternoon, now we leave VERY early Thurs morning. Haha....that's why I am here procrastinating.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

Let us know how 1900 turns out for you. I too have not had the best of luck there. We also made ressies so we could see the "steps". I am hoping the show they put on is worth the decline in food/service.
I have been worried as all I have seen has been bad things about it. You play the lab rat and let us know how you enjoyed it

 

[Lives4Disney]

Let us know how 1900 turns out for you. I too have not had the best of luck there. We also made ressies so we could see the "steps". I am hoping the show they put on is worth the decline in food/service.
I have been worried as all I have seen has been bad things about it. You play the lab rat and let us know how you enjoyed it

THANKS A LOT!

Now I am scared! Oh well....I hated the food before - except for the bread pudding w/vanilla sauce , so this won't be much different! I think it will be fun to see some new characters. The girls are excited.

The Dis Podcasters said it was better than before, but they are the ONLY ones I have heard this from. My friend just got back and she said it was horrible. HORRIBLE. How can Disney do this to us???

Hey Mickeywatch33 - See ya there!

 

[mickeywatch33]

Does anyone have picture of marina views at GF. We are staying at Sago Cay with "marina view" Nov. 16-21.

 

[islandtimect]

Does anyone have picture of marina views at GF. We are staying at Sago Cay with "marina view"

We stayed there in Sept with a marina and monorail view. Don't have a photo, but the view is nice. Nothing special though.

 

[Maxie86]

Quick question..I see posts about GF bus transportation above..but it really didn't answer my question...so I was wondering if you GF alum could help me out.

What is the best way to get to the other parks (non monorail of course) from GF? Do the buses stop at GF and if so where are the bus stops? OR do we take the monorail to the TTTC and get a bus from there?

Thanks!

The buses stop at the GF. They usually share buses with the Poly and CR and can get pretty crowded. I can't stand on the buses any more, so we rent a car for the non monorail parks and DTD. If you don't mind if you have to stand on the bus then they are a good option. They let you off at the park entrance and run frequently. My only issue with them is having to stand. I get dizzy and lose my balance easily.

 

[DREAMS161]

I just want to say thank you for this thread! It is so much fun to log on and "dream" for a little while each day. Plus the information has been sooooo helpful in planning our trip. We leave Nov. 26-December 2 and I am getting so excited. My husband and I are surprising our boys who are 4 & 6 the morning we leave. I can't wait to see their faces!! I just giggle thinking about it. This is our first trip to the GF, we have stayed at the Polynesian and loved it there. I thought the GF would be lovely with the Christmas decorations. Thank you again for so much help!

 

[chef_mickey]

too many pages to read in one day AHHHHHH!

 

[DLo]

I just finished (well, almost finished) packing. We leave tomorrow after the boys get out of school. Long drive - but worth it!!! We are staying tomorrow night at Pop Century . I hope to arrive at the GF early, early on Wed. morning. Livs4Disney has me scared about the rooms but I hope to be ok at 8:00 ish in the morning. As long as I don't have the convention center view - I will be happy!! (staying GV)

I will try to take lots of pictures. I will just have to learn how to post them when I get back.

 

[princessesrule4]

I just finished (well, almost finished) packing. We leave tomorrow after the boys get out of school. Long drive - but worth it!!! We are staying tomorrow night at Pop Century . I hope to arrive at the GF early, early on Wed. morning. Livs4Disney has me scared about the rooms but I hope to be ok at 8:00 ish in the morning. As long as I don't have the convention center view - I will be happy!! (staying GV)

I will try to take lots of pictures. I will just have to learn how to post them when I get back.

Have a great trip and report back! I have to live vicariously through you all til I leave in 30 days!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just finished (well, almost finished) packing. We leave tomorrow after the boys get out of school. Long drive - but worth it!!! We are staying tomorrow night at Pop Century . I hope to arrive at the GF early, early on Wed. morning. Livs4Disney has me scared about the rooms but I hope to be ok at 8:00 ish in the morning. As long as I don't have the convention center view - I will be happy!! (staying GV)

I will try to take lots of pictures. I will just have to learn how to post them when I get back.

DLo, have a safe trip. We leave Thursday morning. FYI the resort is booked solid big time during my dates so the sooner you check in the better.

Take care & have a great time!

Lives4Disney