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

[heatherlynn444]

It's funny about your parents letting your sis pick her graduation year. I have offered the same thing to DD16 when she graduates in 2009. She has not decided yet, although her grandfather is from Hungary and she always says she wants to go there and see some of Europe. SHe will still be 17 when she graduates high school and I really have no desire to go to Hungary and I think she is too young to go with just her grandparents.

would your whole family go or just her? our graduation trips were both my parents, sister and I. maybe you could tell her she gets to pick but it has to be somewhere in the USA? i thinkt hats pretty fair

 

[Lives4Disney]

PolyAddict.....I am glad it's not just us. I remember how I felt at that age and the LAST place I wanted to be was on vacation with my family. I am sad though. I am feeling like an empty nester even though I am not. I was having sad feelings watching the families with the little ones and here mine are just about over and done with WDW. I really think I have overdosed them on it. My little one wasn't even thrilled to be going. She wants to be home with her toys and friends too. DD11 is still hooked so hopefully that won't change. Our family dynamic was off and funky this trip. It was just a really really weird trip. LOL, my parents take my kids out of state and I worry....I know they are being well cared for, I just worry. I can't imagine them going to Europe!!!! I'd be a basket case.

Heatherlynn Your parents were lucky. I have 3 kids and they are all so different. Just hoping at least one turns out to be my WDW buddy....or just my buddy for that matter. Before this trip I couldn't imagine not wanting to go either, but now I feel burned out. I think with kids' crazy schedules it's nice to just stay home and relax....we will do taht over spring break this year. I promised them home time.

Hi Bama.....well I did scope that MK view out for ya. I think Conch is the way to go. It is a very direct head on castle view. You need Conch. If I remember to do it I take a room number picture. It started in Hawaii when we got upgraded to a penthouse ocean view suite!!!!! It was called something Hawaiian and I wanted to remember the name of it....of course I don't, so I need to go find that picture! Oh! That pretty cake was yellow with I think a white chocolate mousse filling....butter cream frosting with a white chocolate coating and white choco shavings all around. The pumpkin was white chocolate. It was yummy and sweet.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[teentoddlermom]

Does anyone know if I can carry home a GF gingerbread house on the plane?
I'm trying not to check bags because it is such a short trip and our flights to and home from WDW arrive pretty late at night.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Channing I have a question for you about the check-in process. Unless I am wrong I wrong I think that I read when you arrive at the you tell that to the valets you're staying in Royal Palm and a Cast Member from there comes and meets you, then they take you up the lounge to check-in. If that is true does that also happen guests are checking in for Sugar Loaf?

 

[dizneylvr]

I always bring several packs of Clorox Wipes & Handiwipes in my luggage and MANY packs of Handiwipes in my carryon tote. I always wipe down the tray tables for the kids, too. I have never had a problem with the airlines questioning it. They're not liquid just moist. I think I had 5 packs in my tote this trip both ways.


Lives4Disney

Hi everyone,
I love this thread wish I had come here before my GF visit.

Regarding the wipes.....I always bring them and wipe down the tray too. But I also wipe the arms and the headrest (yuk). Don't let the air conditioning above blow directly on your face either; the filters are dirty.

Denise

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing I have a question for you about the check-in process. Unless I am wrong I wrong I think that I read when you arrive at the you tell that to the valets you're staying in Royal Palm and a Cast Member from there comes and meets you, then they take you up the lounge to check-in. If that is true does that also happen guests are checking in for Sugar Loaf?

There is a concierge podium set up in the same area as valet and bell services. There should be concierge CMs nearby with clip boards waiting to meet guests. We have always told the bell svc that we are checking into RPC and they brought over a concierge CM to greet us & walk us up. It will be the same for SL. The concierge curbside greeter will either take you to your assigned SL room (if it's ready) or check you in at the SL concierge desks, take a cell number, and phone you when your room is ready. There have been some changes to check in procedures recently. Now either you check in in the room or concierge desks. No lounge checkins.

About the gingerbread houses on airplanes.....I should have taken a picture of the boxes they come in. I admired them often. They are adorable large boxes with handles at the top so they look fairly convenient to carry. I just am not sure if they'd fit upright in the overhead (never put anything up there ) .....they would not fit under the seat.

Lives4Disney

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

There is a concierge podium set up in the same area as valet and bell services. There should be concierge CMs nearby with clip boards waiting to meet guests. We have always told the bell svc that we are checking into RPC and they brought over a concierge CM to greet us & walk us up. It will be the same for SL. The concierge curbside greeter will either take you to your assigned SL room (if it's ready) or check you in at the SL concierge desks, take a cell number, and phone you when your room is ready. There have been some changes to check in procedures recently. Now either you check in in the room or concierge desks. No lounge checkins.

Thank you for that information.

 

[goofygal531]

Hello GF Lovers!

My DH has declared we're staying at the GF in Sugarloaf on our next vacation. So here I am (after just returning 1 week ago from WDW!) planning our next trip.

Not only did I want to subscript to the thread, but wanted to let you know that we had forgotten our hand sanitizer at home and had a hard time finding it in WDW. I remember reading that the BWI's general store has lots of uncommon items since it's a DVC resort, so that's where we finally found individual packs of gel sanitizer. I've never seen individual packs before, they come 10 to a pack for $2.50. The scent is so nice I wish I could find it here in NY. However, for young kids I'd go with the Wet Ones. This evening my 4 year old licked the hand sanitizer off his hand and I went nuts calling poison control! Walmart also sells the Wet Ones in individual packs usually near the registers. I would pack those in your carry on and pack the large containers in your luggage.

So happy I discovered this thread!
Mare

 

[praline3001]

Welcome back Channing!
Sorry to hear DS had teenager syndrom... going through that myself lately and am worried my DS will be the same

Also sorry to hear about your DD losing her pins

It sounds like you guys got Disnied out this trip ... it happens! We took a 3 year break from Disney this time around for the same reasons...
Have you looked into the Disney cruise lines? We prefer Royal C. but The DCL's would give you Disney and the kids something else to do

I was in bed the past week sick with a really bad flu. Great news to hear the flu is going around there too

I loved your pics!

I read about your experience with SE and decided to try Happy Limo. We shall see if they are any good.
Now I am off to get the kids to school AACKKK

 

[praline3001]

PS channing...

where did you get those Disney hairbows I saw on your girls at 1900 park pics?!?! I have been searching the internet looking for Disney hairbows for our upcoming trip. My DD has long hair and I usually put it up in bows to keep it out of her face (and food hehe). I have tons of bows but no Disney themed ones!

Also, does anyone know if there are safes available at the front desk? Just in case our room isn't ready I don't want to carry valuables into the park. I also don't want to just leave them in our luggage.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Good morning!


HockeyMom, tHe decorations are fun, the people visiting are not. They kill the holiday spirit. Just pigging up the parks, vomiting wherever they want and not telling anybody, slobbing and littering and cutting, pushing shoving, RUDE...it was the most obnoxious group of people I have seen in a long time and we've seen a lot in our Disney trips......I thought summer crowds were tough, but they are kind and gentle compared to the holiday crew. We have decided NOT to go to WDW for any holidays again for a few years if ever.


Channing

Channing - This thread is moving so fast. Great to see, but hard to keep up with! Sorry about the crowds on your trip. We stopped going to WDW at Easter / Spring break due to the large and sometimes unruly crowds. The last time was Easter Break 2005 and the crowds were just too much for us, the past couple of years we have switched to late spring and last year July. The crowds in July were nothing like the Spring Break crowds.

Maybe one year we will try early December just to see the decorations!

Now I will go catch up on this thread!

Rebecca

 

[heatherlynn444]

channing-once again so sorry your trip wasnt all you wanted it to be. thats one reason we dont go to much. wehavent been in a year, and i am DYING to go back! lol. hopefully your kids will snap out of it with a little break. or heck, go without them!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Heatherlynn....I think we may take a break. I didn't have that DYING TO GO BACK feeling this time around.

Praline, sorry your were sick. I bought the hair bows on Ebay! I searched for boutique Disney or boutique bows and found a couple awesome bow makers. I love them & so happy my girls will at least wear them at Disney. I didn't mean to make SE sound like it wasn't good. It was great. I would 100% use them again because they are reliable, new clean cars, kids DVDs on 3 or 4 flat screen DVD players, jumbo stuffed character ride along, soda & bottled water. My kids also love SE. It was just a few small little service things they used to do and that the same man always answered the phone that tipped me off something changed there. We ahve had some awful limo service in Orlando, so I am sticking to what I know....not sure if I have ever used Happy Limo.


Goofygal - HI! You will love the GF!

HockeyMom, oh ya....spring break. Been there done that, too!! I know what you mean. Our spring break is always the end of March and we have been there for that and for Easter. It happens this March and we decided to stay away from WDW during that time. We have had luck going the first week in July the past couple years so maybe we will just stick with that. It just seems WDW is getting more and more crowded no matter when you go.

Happy day,

Lives4Disney

 

[phyllis1966]

Hey Channing, I think I know how you feel about your kids and their WDW burnout - we just returned from the GF on the 17th, and while we were still there having a great time, DD, who is 8 1/2, stated that although she was having fun, maybe we should skip a year because most of the stuff in the MK seemed a little boring to her I was devastated! DH was laughing at me because he knew that although I was keeping my chin up, it was really upsetting to me that a kid her age would feel that way.

We've taken her every year since 2002, but twice in 2004 and twice last year. She was excited when we told her we were going the week before we left and she seemed to have a great time, but she'd still like to try something new next year...we'll see about that. I have already hatched a plan to try to go next December for maybe a 5-night stay...after regaling DH with all of your wonderful tales of RPC, he'd like to try it - yay!!! I figure going somewhere new during the summer should earn me at least 5 nights at Christmastime at the GF, my favorite place to be! This was our 6th stay at the GF and we never get tired of our favorite resort. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my secret plan pans out...

PS: Your photos and your girls are beautiful!

Phyllis

 

[NeverSayNever]

Hi Everyone!

I have a couple of questions today... but am at work and not much time.. so a will start with only one of them first.

After looking at everyone's awesome pictures it got me wondering what types of camera's and if applicable lenses everyone is using and any special tricks/things you have been doing to capture the Castle and things at GF.. like the shots with the Castle in the background. Has anyone tried the fireworks from Gaspies?

Anyone want to share?

Thanks!

 

[Tink rules]

First a question...

Which is easier to get into... RPC or SL???

Hi guys....I am so procrastinating unpacking and laundry......

Dingo, we did Universal a few yrs ago and actually DS didn't like it as much as WDW!!!!! He loves the rides, but he - well back then he was probably 14 or 15 - told me he appreciated the nostalgia of WDW. He wasn't feeling it at UO. Said something was missing. I think he's just been toooo mnay times. He's gone since he was 1 and some years 3+ wks/yr. He's just burned out and bored with it. It's all about his friends at this piont. I thought of doing a trip w/him and friends and stayind DVC, but since he was such a drag I have thrown that idea away for now.

Tarrgem - I understand your uncertainty with what to wear. I do that with packing!! Most of the decorations are rose and pink and gold with red poinsettias thrown in. Lots of red and pink outside.

There are irons in the rooms. I always bring a large bottle of Wrinkle Releaser and LOVE LOVE that stuff!! I use it at home too and no more ironing!!!!

Happy packing!!!!! Hope it's a great time....for what it's worth the CMs told me crowds will die down and it's a nice time to go about now.

Lives4Disney

Lives4... leave your son home next time... without any fun people to visit and only enough money to buy pizza for a week... (I know... this is a teens dream... also leave him home with Aunt Hildegard or someone) and then plaster every fun picture of everything you ever did at WDW all over the house and I guarantee he will want to go back...

But then again... he's a typical teenager...

You can put it in your carry-on if it's 3oz/and in your plastic bag otherwise you'll need to put it in your checked luggage.

About the hand wipes... I used to work for the company that makes them... it's a small size fits in your pocket - 20 to a package - stays wet... it's called Nice N Clean wipes and you can get them at Walmart, CVS etc... in the travel section - costs @ .99 each. Here's a picture of what they look like - you can get them cheaper at the other stores... (although I LOVE Campmor...)

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=103280&memberId=12500226

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey, Tink....ya I am done with him. It is impossible to make him happy. He is a GRUMP. We are not cool enough for him. He did miss the trip where we got upgraded to the Walt suite and I booked the Grand 1. He stayed with friends. He was a bit bummed but he did have fun. another time I left him with Grandma. He was fine and happy to be home so I am done. NO needless suffering on either of our parts lol.

I use Wet Ones. They haven't let me down yet. And the Clorox wipes are good for hte room. I haven't seen that brand. The Wet Ones come in packs of 15 and I buy a bunch before we leave and just put them in my tote, backpack, and hipster....everywhere. I usually bring my own Dixie cups too but forgot this time. I used disposable lounge cups. If you go to the thread about Mousekeeping doing a better cleaning re sickness in the room.....they DO mention not using the hotel glasses. I KNEW it. I heard this before and it's true.

About which is harder to get into....rpc or sl.....I suppose it depends but over all I think rpc is harder. SL gets a lot of people that have been upgraded I know that.

Gotta run,

Never - I am going to the PO NOW!
Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Channing - Great Pictures!!! I haven't been around in a couple of days, so I didn't know all of the great ups and downs that you had. But, your pictures were just great. I was ready to crawl through the computer screen to get there...

I can hardly wait to get there. Not much longer now....

Angela

 

[BrianD]

Hey guys, just wanted to give anyone looking for 1900 Park Fare dinner reservations in mid to late December a heads up that Disney JUST opened up an extra hour of dinner (on the front end - starting at 4:00) for mid to late December. We just snagged the last party of 4 for Dec. 16. As you may know, 1900 Park Fare has been fully booked in mid-late December for a while now. So CALL NOW if you want in!! Good luck!

 

[praline3001]

Thanks Channing! I found a lady today (spoke with her over the phone) who is willing to make me some big Disney bows. I ordered the colors I needed for certain outfits and they sound DARLING...
I wasn't sure about SE and Happy limo was the same price and sounded decent enough. It may be an adventure either way just getting to the GF
It will all be okay as my DD will be adorable in her new minnie mouse hair bow
I completely understand about the teenage thing. God made teenagers impossible to live with so they are easier to kick out when they turn 18 if they were all cute and cuddly infants we wouldn't be able to push them out of the nest with much force just keep reminding yourself when he becomes a father you will no longer be dumb as dirt

Just take a deep breath and realize in a few years you and DH can go to the GF all alone and do all the romantic things you can't do with 3 kids in tow!!!!!