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

[Alicnwondrln]

Heathers trip report is fabulous. With your permission Heather we could link it here for people. Let me know. Also if you go back to the main page we have link Tammi webpage and that has several wonderful GF trip reports. The best of all is Janet2ks. Hers are legendary. If I can find them I will ask her permission to link them.

 

[minniesota]

Thanks for the clarification minniesota! I thought all the buildings were 3 floors...don't know where I got that info

I'm going to call and link my reservations like you said...I would think it would be easier for them to leave us in the same room the whole stay, but who knows...it definitely would be less hassle for us!

We also booked the GF photo shoot for Sunday morning before our 1900 Park Fair reservation. Any one have experience with that or have any pictures or tips to share? I'm thinking we will stick with everyone in tan shorts and white polos, but since the Xmas decorations will be out, I'm wondering if I should dress us all more festively?

We did the shoot in October and my one piece of advice is to be assertive with the photographer in terms of what kinds of shots you want. Ours was not real creative and she seemed to have a "schedule" of shots that she always uses. If you want a particular background, for example, make sure you let her/him know. Our pictures came out pretty good, but I wouldn't say they are "professional quality." All that said, I'm glad we did it!

 

[MickeyMaz]

And the lounge:- (me enjoying scones & afternoon tea)

Thanks for these shots. I missed getting any of the lounge. It'll make explaining it that much easier.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Great pics Mickey. I love sugar loaf and the staff there but I am not sure about the new lounge area. Those chairs look so uncomfortable.

 

[Dis Ohana]

Just a personal observation... white shirts don't usually look that good in photos. It tends to wash out the subject. I would stick with a solid color polo but not white. Maybe you could bring some santa hats with you for the kids? They would make cute props in front of the decorations =)
IMO I would stay away from any outfit TOO Christmassy... just in case you want to mount and frame one of the pictures in your home. You want a large family photo that will go well during all seasons. The santa hats could be used in a few of the shots to bring out the festive time but for the big family shot, you want a more year round friendly shot... but then again thats just my opinion hahaha

I called yesterday to book our GF photo shoot, the CM that took my reservation actually suggested everyone wear white shirts. I've seen pictures from the photo shoot and the white to me does seem to blend in with everything else. The picture quality itself doesn't seem very sharp, and the backgrounds are all a little subdued. Do you think blue jeans and black shirts would be too dark? I'm leaning towards this only because we all already have something we could wear .

tarrgem:I totally undestand where you're coming from. I think because we are the planners we tend to obsess over the details. I know that in the end my family will be blown away just by being there. I think they secretly laugh at me behind my back for planning everything down to where we'll be eating and at what time.
Praline3001 had a good suggestion about using Santa hats for the kids as props, that way you can take them with and without.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Is the Sugarloaf lounge located on the first floor and looking at the pictures, can you get to the SL (by steps) from the floor above? Thanks!

 

[tarrgem]

We did the shoot in October and my one piece of advice is to be assertive with the photographer in terms of what kinds of shots you want. Ours was not real creative and she seemed to have a "schedule" of shots that she always uses. If you want a particular background, for example, make sure you let her/him know. Our pictures came out pretty good, but I wouldn't say they are "professional quality." All that said, I'm glad we did it!

Thanks for the advice! I'm doing the photo shoot because we pre-purchased the CD and so for $25 I figured it was worth it. We rarely get the 5 of us together in a picture so even if we get one or two decent shots, I'll be happy. And the 3 kids together would be great too!

About how many pictures did they take? I've seen some people post some samples and they looked o.k. I guess it all depends on what photographer you get. It will be our last day there so I'll have time to scope out the place and see what backgrounds I like.

Now I'm reconsidering my color scheme...we are sort of pale people maybe white isn't such a good idea....we'd hate to blend into the background But of course we have to match...I'm a big matcher Hubby and dd13 think I'm crazy because I'm coordinating all our outfits for the parks but I think it'll make the pics look nice! I got us all new Red Sox shirts which are cute and xmasy! But I think a little too informal for the photo shoot...

I put way too much thought into this stuff....what am I going to do when the trip is over

 

[praline3001]

I wish my family were big matchers
DS 10 and DS 13 would keal over and die if they had to wear matching clothes

 

[tarrgem]

My boys were a wee bit upset when I pulled out all their polos for the trip...they consider these "fancy" clothes

They are pretty much the only clothes they have that aren't stained with something or other because they only wear them for special occasions....I think a Disny trip is a pretty special occasion!

Hubby will just be happy he doesn't have to think about what to wear!

My DD13 of course, will be horrified and embarrassed beyond belief, but she's pretty much like that all the time now so we are used to it!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Heathers trip report is fabulous. With your permission Heather we could link it here for people. Let me know. Also if you go back to the main page we have link Tammi webpage and that has several wonderful GF trip reports. The best of all is Janet2ks. Hers are legendary. If I can find them I will ask her permission to link them.

yes! janets are the best!

 

[kramer222]

Staying in Sept/Oct in a honeymoon suite at GF - was wondering if anyone had stayed here and if they could give a quick report. How's the view? What do the honeymoon suites look out on? We are staying in the room with the jacuzzi, not the octagonal room.

Thanks!

 

[heatherlynn444]

Staying in Sept/Oct in a honeymoon suite at GF - was wondering if anyone had stayed here and if they could give a quick report. How's the view? What do the honeymoon suites look out on? We are staying in the room with the jacuzzi, not the octagonal room.

Thanks!

congrats! but just curious, why do you want to stay in the other room as opposed to the octogonal room?

i had an octogonal room, it was amazing!

 

[kramer222]

congrats! but just curious, why do you want to stay in the other room as opposed to the octogonal room?

i had an octogonal room, it was amazing!

We wanted the balcony & jacuzzi... I hope that rooms alright...

 

[DLo]

Ok, now for my brief trip report.

We spent Tues. night at Pop. We drove and didn't arrive there until after 11:00 p.m. So, I can't tell you much about the Pop. I, personally, wouldn't want to stay there my whole trip but it was fine for 1 night (well, about 8 hours total).

Our check in was rather slow. Our CM kept having to ask another CM questions. We found out we would be in Sago. My dad was there for a convention so this was great for him. I didn't mind as long as we didn't have the convention center view. Our room wasn't ready so we went to Gaspy's for b'fast- ok nothing great. I then walked over to Sago to try and figure out which room numbers would be close to the convention center so that when our room was ready I would no wether to go to the room or the front desk!!!

Our rooms weren't ready until after 3:00 but we were at MK so it didn't matter. We were in 5236 and 5238 connecting rooms. They are on the backside, MK end of Sago. We had a view of the monorail and part of the lagoon. I will post pictures later - when I figure out photobucket.

Mousekeeping was great. Our CM was friendly, she greeted us whenever she saw us. She showed us the shortcut to the bus stop. We had turn down service every night. I love that. No towel animals but my boys don't care about that. She did make toothbrush holders out of the towels for us.

The Gingerbread house was up and looked great. There were poinsettas in many of the planters - inside and outside. I was a little dissapointed that the tree was not up. I had planned to take our Christmas card picture in front of the tree. We took some other picture just not the one I wanted.

We didn't eat at any of the nicer rest. Just Gaspy's and the cafe (only once for lunch). The were both good not great.

Ordered 2 items from Disney Florist. They were opened before I got to take pictures. I was a little disappointed in that the picture on their web site shows chips and salsa but we got Lay's chips and pretzels. Of course, there is a disclaimer that says the picture may not be what you get. I ordered the Bravo Bear tub and the Family Fun tub. They are they same except for the drinks. Beer for one and soda and water for the other. I was going to order cookies from PD for my DH's b'day but ended up not doing it. No good reason- just didn't. Maybe next time.

The weather was great except for Fri. when it was cold (40's-50's compared to 80's the other days). It was sunny and no rain. The crowds were light Wed. - Fri. Sat. was still not bad but starting to get busier.

This was our first time at GF. It was very relaxing and not at all stuffy. Our whole family enjoyed it. My DS9 enjoyed the pool slide. My mom and I had a pedicure at the spa. Very relaxing !!! I would definitely stay here again. My DS 9 wants to stay at every Deluxe so we may be somewhere else next year. (his vote is the Poly)

Thanks for everyones advice and information. It really helped.

 

[heatherlynn444]

We wanted the balcony & jacuzzi... I hope that rooms alright...

i am sure it is fine, i just heard that teh jacuzzi isnt very big and all those roms are on teh second floor on a wing far away off by themselves and they are right over gasparillas and could be noisy. now i have never stayed in one so i cant vouch, but the turret room was amazing, panoramic windows, HUGE room, right over the lobby dead on view of teh castle. 5th floor.i will link my trip report with pics if youy wnat

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Ok, now for my brief trip report.

We spent Tues. night at Pop. We drove and didn't arrive there until after 11:00 p.m. So, I can't tell you much about the Pop. I, personally, wouldn't want to stay there my whole trip but it was fine for 1 night (well, about 8 hours total).

Our check in was rather slow. Our CM kept having to ask another CM questions. We found out we would be in Sago. My dad was there for a convention so this was great for him. I didn't mind as long as we didn't have the convention center view. Our room wasn't ready so we went to Gaspy's for b'fast- ok nothing great. I then walked over to Sago to try and figure out which room numbers would be close to the convention center so that when our room was ready I would no wether to go to the room or the front desk!!!

Our rooms weren't ready until after 3:00 but we were at MK so it didn't matter. We were in 5236 and 5238 connecting rooms. They are on the backside, MK end of Sago. We had a view of the monorail and part of the lagoon. I will post pictures later - when I figure out photobucket.

Mousekeeping was great. Our CM was friendly, she greeted us whenever she saw us. She showed us the shortcut to the bus stop. We had turn down service every night. I love that. No towel animals but my boys don't care about that. She did make toothbrush holders out of the towels for us.

The Gingerbread house was up and looked great. There were poinsettas in many of the planters - inside and outside. I was a little dissapointed that the tree was not up. I had planned to take our Christmas card picture in front of the tree. We took some other picture just not the one I wanted.

We didn't eat at any of the nicer rest. Just Gaspy's and the cafe (only once for lunch). The were both good not great.

Ordered 2 items from Disney Florist. They were opened before I got to take pictures. I was a little disappointed in that the picture on their web site shows chips and salsa but we got Lay's chips and pretzels. Of course, there is a disclaimer that says the picture may not be what you get. I ordered the Bravo Bear tub and the Family Fun tub. They are they same except for the drinks. Beer for one and soda and water for the other. I was going to order cookies from PD for my DH's b'day but ended up not doing it. No good reason- just didn't. Maybe next time.

The weather was great except for Fri. when it was cold (40's-50's compared to 80's the other days). It was sunny and no rain. The crowds were light Wed. - Fri. Sat. was still not bad but starting to get busier.

This was our first time at GF. It was very relaxing and not at all stuffy. Our whole family enjoyed it. My DS9 enjoyed the pool slide. My mom and I had a pedicure at the spa. Very relaxing !!! I would definitely stay here again. My DS 9 wants to stay at every Deluxe so we may be somewhere else next year. (his vote is the Poly)

Thanks for everyones advice and information. It really helped.

I am so glad you had a good stay at the GF and cant wait to see your pics

 

[heatherlynn444]

link to my TR:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1328127&referrerid=&highlight=GF+pics

let me know if it doesnt work

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Thanks Heather.
Heather's trip report is wonderful and there are some great pics in there. Check it out everyone!

 

[wdhinn89]

Are all the even number rooms located in the back of Sago and the odd number rooms located at the front of the building? Just would like to know for future reference.

 

[DLo]

wdhinn89 - I am pretty sure you are correct about odd front/ even back at Sago.

This was our first trip and I didn't mind not having a refurbished room. I knew from this thread that Sago wasn't refurb. yet but I was fine as long as my room wasn't at the other end.

I am just now catching up w/ the thread after my trip. I posted without reading.

Congrats Channing. Now I know why I didn't see you over at Sago.

CMbar - sorry about your view. I remember walking past the rooms near the elevator and being thankful that it wasn't my room.

This was our 5th year in a row. We go once a year. We have only been upgraded once - to savannah view from water view at AKL.

My dad was not part of the Disney Mgmnt convention - it was another convention.

Denise - I am so glad Rees is home. I have been following on your other thread.

If you are going soon, keep checking the weather and throw some extra clothes in just in case. I checked the day we left and it was supposed to be low 80's day and 50's night. Luckily, I threw in a jacket and pants as it was colder than that Thurs. night and Fri. Sat. was back in the 70's though.

We went to MVMCP on the 15th and it was great. Not crowded and I was glad it was cooler since it was the Christmas party.