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

[BrianD]

Welcome back Channing! I'm sure you're burned-out-ness is because of the crowds. It is amazing how different Disney can be in the massive crowds versus when it is relatively less crowded.

Thanks for all your live updates! We are leaving in 17 days!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Channing Yeah I am so glad you are home.
I cant wait to see the pics!

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Channing - I am so sorry this trip wasn't as great for you as the previous. It is hard to see things moving "downhill" when you are so much in love with the place. I am sure it is hard to imagine things not being as magical in WDW as they once were.

I am looking forward to your pictures. How did you like the GV room? Was it okay for you guys? I hope you didn't shed too many tears looking at the main building, wishing. I know how hard it can be....

Angela

 

[MickeyMaz]

Trust me, you will want to valet. You actually exit the Grand Floridian grounds to get to the Self Parking area. IMHO, this is vacation, and taking the long (including walking across a stree) is not worth saving $10.
Most resorts, we self park, because it is still fairly convenient. But not at the GF.

Is that $10 each time you want to use the car? Or $10 at the begining of your stay?

 

[wdhinn89]

Channing - I am so sorry this trip wasn't as great for you as the previous. It is hard to see things moving "downhill" when you are so much in love with the place. I am sure it is hard to imagine things not being as magical in WDW as they once were.

I am looking forward to your pictures. How did you like the GV room? Was it okay for you guys? I hope you didn't shed too many tears looking at the main building, wishing. I know how hard it can be....

Angela

You must have been away for awhile Hopefully Disney. She was upgraded to RPC.

 

[princess-rn]

Ok..so we were going to just self park at GF..but it sounds like valet is the way to go. We NEVER valet at hotels so I'm not sure how it works. Is it $10 a day even if you don't move your car?

Thanks!!!

 

[Tink rules]

I only got charged for valet when I took the car out... that was in 2005... I didn't take it out each day. It is obnoxious to have the self parking out so far... I often had to walk in with CM's (who were very friendly to visit with) when I came in from self parking.

Also... After Midnight, I believe you have to go inside to get valet parking.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Channing - welcome back. Sorry your trip wasn't as magical as it could have been.

Thanks for looking for the Enchanted dress. I think I've called every Disney store in the country with no luck yet. I'll just keep checking every day and hopefully by Christmas some more will come in. I think Disney is missing a gold mine on this dress - it's gorgeous.

We leave in 44 days. This is the first time I didn't request Sago Cay - I'm leaving it up to the powers that be and hope that we'll get something great (although not as great as yours!). Hope you feel less burned out as time goes on.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Valet is a per day charge, not per use. If you are requesting your car from the valet, typically they will put a Mickey head lanyard on your rearview mirror. This indicates to other valets that you have already been charged for the day. So you can take the car from the GF and valet over at the BW if you like without paying another $10. The only thing you would need to concern yourself with is the tip.

Channing, thanks for the review of your trip. I think it's just the law of averages, that every once in a while, the trip isn't perfect. We loved using Southern Elegance for our Disney and DCL transfers. I thought the drivers were extremely courteous and professional. Hopefully what you experienced was the exception and not the rule.

CRFan, just noticed in your signature that you're going to give the GF a try. You, your mom and your dad should plan on walking over during your Poly stay. Maybe if it's not too busy, a CM can show you a room to give you an idea of what you'll be getting. Sugar Loaf is definitely going to be very different than what you've experienced at the Atrium Club and Poly Club though.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Valet is a per day charge, not per use. If you are requesting your car from the valet, typically they will put a Mickey head lanyard on your rearview mirror. This indicates to other valets that you have already been charged for the day. So you can take the car from the GF and valet over at the BW if you like without paying another $10. The only thing you would need to concern yourself with is the tip.

Channing, thanks for the review of your trip. I think it's just the law of averages, that every once in a while, the trip isn't perfect. We loved using Southern Elegance for our Disney and DCL transfers. I thought the drivers were extremely courteous and professional. Hopefully what you experienced was the exception and not the rule.

CRFan, just noticed in your signature that you're going to give the GF a try. You, your mom and your dad should plan on walking over during your Poly stay. Maybe if it's not too busy, a CM can show you a room to give you an idea of what you'll be getting. Sugar Loaf is definitely going to be very different than what you've experienced at the Atrium Club and Poly Club though.

I agree, Tammi. Sometimes odd things happen. That's life. It seemed we were under a bad star sign, lol. WEIRD stuff. The BEST magic we experienced was the GF.

Southern Elegance....I have used them for a few years now and they were over the top great but I had a feeling a few months ago when I booked this time that something changed. I found out it did....SE had a diff owner. Just subtle things that a new customer wouldn't notice. I would still continue to use them though because as I said, we've had MUCH MUCH worse over the years.


Cinderella Fan, the GF was great. Can't say enough wonderful things about that hotel. It was awesome. The park guests and monorail crowd I could do without! I hope you have better luck & a great time.

I am in the minority....we self parked just a couple times and it wasn't a hassle at all - although we barely used the car. I thought our YC spot was farther!! Also, we have been irregularly charged for the valet parking. Sometimes per day sometimes not.

I can't wait to see my pics and post for you guys. I hope they are good!!! I need to get moving on my unpacking. I'll be back!

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I want pics


Please....

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I can't wait to see your pictures.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just thought of something else.....Samantha Brown was staying at the Grand on 11/25 and she is filming a new show. YAY!!! I don't know when it will air, but it will be nice to see a more updated version. Of course I didn't see her. She was there, though, I swear!!!

I WILL post pics later. Some are on DH's laptop and others are still on my camera. I promise I will post them. I have some funny 1900 pfaire and lots of GF in general. Hope they turned out.

Need DH!!!! Hope he won't be home late tonight.

Still unpacking.....I hate that! I need to learn to bring 1/2 the junk I do and then do laundry at the GF.

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderella Fan]

You must have been away for awhile Hopefully Disney. She was upgraded to RPC.

I have been away... but sadly not to Disney...

 

[princess-rn]

Valet is a per day charge, not per use. If you are requesting your car from the valet, typically they will put a Mickey head lanyard on your rearview mirror. This indicates to other valets that you have already been charged for the day. So you can take the car from the GF and valet over at the BW if you like without paying another $10. The only thing you would need to concern yourself with is the tip.

Ok..so If we are there 5 days it will be $50. I think I can work that into the budget!!

 

[dingoballs]

I just thought of something else.....Samantha Brown was staying at the Grand on 11/25 and she is filming a new show. YAY!!! I don't know when it will air, but it will be nice to see a more updated version. Of course I didn't see her. She was there, though, I swear!!!

I WILL post pics later. Some are on DH's laptop and others are still on my camera. I promise I will post them. I have some funny 1900 pfaire and lots of GF in general. Hope they turned out.

Need DH!!!! Hope he won't be home late tonight.

Still unpacking.....I hate that! I need to learn to bring 1/2 the junk I do and then do laundry at the GF.

Lives4Disney

Welcome home Channing! I really enjoyed reading your daily reports from WDW. Now I'm anxiously awaiting your pics!

Allen

 

[dingoballs]

Ok..so If we are there 5 days it will be $50. I think I can work that into the budget!!

Just a note of caution: be prepared to wait for the valet to retrieve your car. Depending on the time of day, you could wait up to 30 minutes or more because the valets are extremely busy. On the other hand, you may have good timing and a valet is there to assist you immediately. Even calling ahead doesn't necessarily guarantee your car will be there. It just depends...

 

[werfamily]

Just a note of caution: be prepared to wait for the valet to retrieve your car. Depending on the time of day, you could wait up to 30 minutes or more because the valets are extremely busy. On the other hand, you may have good timing and a valet is there to assist you immediately. Even calling ahead doesn't necessarily guarantee your car will be there. It just depends...

How long would you all say it takes to walk to the self-park? I read the complaint about long waits for the valet over and over again on the old GF thread, so we thought we'd just avoid the frustration and self-park...but if the walk is 20 minutes or more then we may need to rethink.

I wish they had "concierge" parking...I'd gladly pay more to get my car quickly! (Heck, we're from SF, and all the hotels here charge around $40 per night for valet parking, so $10 seems like a bargain!)

 

[NeverSayNever]

Just stopping in to say Hello to everyone... I am always amazed at how many pages I miss when I don't check in regularly!

Lives(d?)forDisney.. Welcome home. Can't wait to see your pictures and sorry that somethings were just not magical for all of you this trip and so so sorry to hear about Jojo's pins. It is so sad to think that someone would not turn them in. Glad to hear that GF was still a highlight. I'm thinking in a week or so you will be back to planning another visit!

Sorry.. not much help here on the valet parking, we did not have a car on our visit but if we did I know I would have used the valet... the parking lot looked a distance away.

Well.. hope everyone is well... and thanks to those that have been psoting reports and pictures. I can never get enough of them.

Oh... Alicn.. I recall you asked for those of us going down to take lots of pictures for the board. Is there anything of particuliar interest you are hoping for or anyone else may want to see? I woudl be happy to try to oblige when we go.

Best,

 

[dingoballs]

How long would you all say it takes to walk to the self-park? I read the complaint about long waits for the valet over and over again on the old GF thread, so we thought we'd just avoid the frustration and self-park...but if the walk is 20 minutes or more then we may need to rethink.

I wish they had "concierge" parking...I'd gladly pay more to get my car quickly! (Heck, we're from SF, and all the hotels here charge around $40 per night for valet parking, so $10 seems like a bargain!)

If you walk briskly, I think you could get there in under 10 minutes... maybe 9 minutes if you catch the green walk signal at the intersection.

And I know what you're saying about the valet parking charge at SF hotels. We stayed at the Westin St. Francis and I thought I had misread the amount!