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

[Lives4Disney]

Phyllis, thanks! You will love Royal Palm Club & be spoiled and nothing else will measure up. I hope you get to book that trip! The Grand is wonderful. That is something about your DD getting burned out too. Maybe a little break is called for. I think that's why I wasn't as excited and anticipating this trip as much as I usually do. It felt like I had just put all the Disney trip junk away and was digging it out again. I wasn't into the packing either. Just felt like a chore this time. That should have been my clue that I wasn't as into the trip as I should have been for the cost, haha.

Angela, have a WONDERFUL anniversary trip!!!

Brian, that is great you got in!!! I thought it was a fun one. Hope you enjoy it.

Praline....OMG you crack me up.

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

Glad you are getting the hairbows!!! You have to make the most of the time you have left with hair bows!!!!

I am kind of excited.....I bought a bunch of Xmas stuff at WDW and had it shipped home directly from the WDW shop and it arrived today. That worked out great. I never bought anything breakable before EVER because I didn't know how I'd get it home. It all arrived wrapped in bubble wrap and packed nicely and all in one piece. I would do it this way again.

Lives4Disney

 

[praline3001]

I have always shipped anything that resembles breakable. They insure it soooo I don't have to worry about packing and breaking anything on the way home I have never had anything broken this way... I love their shipping!

 

[grannyminnie]

Back from my first wonderful stay at the GF, and I can now proclaim that it is my favorite (so far) resort! We loved Sugarloaf (no pixie dust for an RPC upgrade, Channing..and by the way, I looked for you and the girls Sunday as we were strolling around the hotel. Sorry I missed you.) Some observations about it.....
*nice cozy feel
*lounge never crowded
*good Mousekeeping, but we never got towel animals
*LOVE the spa products!
*could never figure out how to operate the thermostat
*the remote was hard to work as well
I think our favorite activity was sitting in the lobby of the RPC listening to the music of the orchestra and pianist. And just gaping at the all the beauty of the decorations!
The parks were not crowded in my opinion, and we walked on to most attractions, or only had a 10 min. wait at most.
One negative...the concierge check-in did not include an escort over to the SL to check in. We were just taken into the RPC lobby and checked in at a table...not even taken to a desk. I was a little disappointed in that lack of special attention, but didn't get my "knickers in a knot" over it! The CMs at the SL concierge desk were quite friendly and helpful, as were those who were in charge of the food offerings. No cream for the scones, but I did see the infamous gray meat on a stick! We found the food to be spicy some of the times, but loved so many of the evening offerings.
Had a good view of the quiet pool and the area we were in was never noisy.
Sad to be back but still in a remembering mode!
And sure sorry I missed seeing Samantha Brown....that would have been a treat.

Forgot to mention that I have never seen the castle look so beautiful!!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Back from my first wonderful stay at the GF, and I can now proclaim that it is my favorite (so far) resort! We loved Sugarloaf (no pixie dust for an RPC upgrade, Channing..and by the way, I looked for you and the girls Sunday as we were strolling around the hotel. Sorry I missed you.) Some observations about it.....
*nice cozy feel
*lounge never crowded
*good Mousekeeping, but we never got towel animals
*LOVE the spa products!
*could never figure out how to operate the thermostat
*the remote was hard to work as well
I think our favorite activity was sitting in the lobby of the RPC listening to the music of the orchestra and pianist. And just gaping at the all the beauty of the decorations!
The parks were not crowded in my opinion, and we walked on to most attractions, or only had a 10 min. wait at most.
One negative...the concierge check-in did not include an escort over to the SL to check in. We were just taken into the RPC lobby and checked in at a table...not even taken to a desk. I was a little disappointed in that lack of special attention, but didn't get my "knickers in a knot" over it! The CMs at the SL concierge desk were quite friendly and helpful, as were those who were in charge of the food offerings. No cream for the scones, but I did see the infamous gray meat on a stick! We found the food to be spicy some of the times, but loved so many of the evening offerings.
Had a good view of the quiet pool and the area we were in was never noisy.
Sad to be back but still in a remembering mode!
And sure sorry I missed seeing Samantha Brown....that would have been a treat.

Forgot to mention that I have never seen the castle look so beautiful!!!!

Thanks for you're review and it's great to read of someone who had a great stay at Sugar Loaf.

 

[princessesrule4]

Grannyminnie

Thanks for the report and glad you had a great time!
Did you notice if there were still any Gingerbread House pins? Hoping there are still some left! Wonder what the deal is with the lack of cream for the scones? We'll be in RPC in 2 weeks- mabye there will be some by then but it sounds like mabye they've done away with it!

 

[grannyminnie]

There were still gingerbread house pins available. I got one, but didn't ask as to how big of a supply they had.
Good luck! They're adorable...

 

[Minniemomof4]

We're leaving in an hour for our first trip to the GF in 15 years!! Last time we stayed there, our oldest DS was 2. In the meantime we have enjoyed the Poly and AKL. Looking forward to trying it again and hopefully catching site of the Jonas Brothers somewhere in the hotel!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Grannie Minnie!! I am glad you enjoyed your trip.

The nice lounge CM told us the day we were leaving is when the parks empty out. (the day you checked in) I will one day be taking a trip during the weeks betwn Tgiving & Xmas. Sounds great.

That is very crummy about your check in. I know there have been changes lately, but from what I understood SL guests are escorted to the SL building for check in either in their rooms if ready or at the SL desks. I wonder why that wasn't your experience??

So, how did you get to SL?? No escort??? How did they introduce you to SL/concierge CMs/your room??? Just very curious what they're doing now.

I looked for you, too! We left Monday about 3 pm and spent most of MOnday at the hotel dinking around. We went to the MK but it seemed nasty crowded to us so we putzed in the main st shops and then waited for our lunch adr and left to go to the GF and get ready to leave. Sunday we did spend mostly hotel time. Swam, shopped, rested, packed up and lounged because we did the party that night.

The evening offerings were never my favorite. Sorry to say it but I like the Poly's better. We were only at the GF for 1 or 2 eves and I didn't eat a bite. They had a lot and a large variety, but not my taste.

We had issues with our remote, too!! DH said no LG for him. There were some weird tv issues. It was nice at the hotel , but I am glad it's not mine at home.

So, what did you think of the rooms in person?? I really liked it much better than I thought I would.

Details!!!

Channing

 

[Lives4Disney]

We're leaving in an hour for our first trip to the GF in 15 years!! Last time we stayed there, our oldest DS was 2. In the meantime we have enjoyed the Poly and AKL. Looking forward to trying it again and hopefully catching site of the Jonas Brothers somewhere in the hotel!!!

Have a wonderful time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG>....you have a DS17. Good luck, LOL!!! Just got back from a trip with ours. He was unpleasant. Hope yours is more fun.

Lives4Disney

 

[Minniemomof4]

Have a wonderful time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG>....you have a DS17. Good luck, LOL!!! Just got back from a trip with ours. He was unpleasant. Hope yours is more fun.

Lives4Disney

We've been down that "surly" road with our DS who is now 20!! He was an extreme downer for several years during the "teen trials". We finally got smart and left him home with friends each trip until he went off to college!! Luckily our DD is the one who is now 17(I mis-posted) and is a Disney lover with the rest of us so all is good!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We've been down that "surly" road with our DS who is now 20!! He was an extreme downer for several years during the "teen trials". We finally got smart and left him home with friends each trip until he went off to college!! Luckily our DD is the one who is now 17(I mis-posted) and is a Disney lover with the rest of us so all is good!!!

LOL!!! My girls are my pals and my DD11 HOPEFULLY will be like your DD17!! So far so good!!! DD7.....She's a princess but that's about as far as the WDW love goes for her.

Have a FABULOUS time!!!! Enjoy!

Safe travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

On one or two occassions, we've had to check-in at the front desk as well for concierge (both SL and RPC). In our situation, they called over and the two CM's on duty were both assisting other guests. As the front desk check-in was not busy, they brought us there to expedite our check-in. I took it the other way, that the service was excellent because I didn't have to wait needlessly to check into our room. We were escorted over to SL by the bellhop. He showed us around the lounge and brought us up to your room. Making sure we had everything we needed before he left. I was very impressed by that.

 

[MickeyMaz]

The evening offerings were never my favorite. Sorry to say it but I like the Poly's better. We were only at the GF for 1 or 2 eves and I didn't eat a bite. They had a lot and a large variety, but not my taste.

We had issues with our remote, too!! DH said no LG for him. There were some weird tv issues. It was nice at the hotel , but I am glad it's not mine at home.

Sounds like a good time Grannie Minnie. I hope you have some pictures also?

IMHO the evening offerings were just a bit too overspiced. I like spicy food, but with the meat on a stick you had to almost scrape off a lot of the seasoning to get to the meat. However, the price was right and I enjoyed most of the food though.
Our issue with the remote was the whole problem of when you turn on the TV it went right to the Stacey channel and at high volume. I got in the habit of turing it on and then start mashing on the down volume.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Sounds like a good time Grannie Minnie. I hope you have some pictures also?

IMHO the evening offerings were just a bit too overspiced. I like spicy food, but with the meat on a stick you had to almost scrape off a lot of the seasoning to get to the meat. However, the price was right and I enjoyed most of the food though.
Our issue with the remote was the whole problem of when you turn on the TV it went right to the Stacey channel and at high volume. I got in the habit of turing it on and then start mashing on the down volume.

Ya, she got annoying!!!!!!!!!!! It was cute the first day then after that forget it. Our remote didn't work well at all. Channel changing & volume control was tough. We wound up doing a lot just manually. I changed the batteries for new fresh ones and it didn't make a bit of difference.

I agree about that meat...although I shamefully admit the first time I tried the gray meat with the yogurt dip I liked it Kind of like gyros. But they have had that stuff sooooo much it turns my stomach just to see it at this point. And the way Heather calls it gray meat on a stick cracks me up because it IS! GRAY. I am more of a picky eater so the exotic-ish stuff didn't appeal to me. But that's my problem.

Grannie MInnie....pictures would be fun to see.

Lives4Disney

 

[Dis Ohana]

This thread moves so quickly! I'll have to go back over to read everything I've missed .

Lives4Disney: Thanks for sharing your pictures, your girls are adorable! It's a bummer that the crowds were so heavy towards the end of your trip, at least you had that fun night at MVMCP.

GrannieMinnie: Glad that you had a good time on your trip. Can't wait to see your pics.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Geez... I am going to have to become a speed reader here!

Glad to hear those returning have been have a great trip and Wishing Grannie Minnie a wonderful on too!

Hmmm... I don't recall having remote problems, but we don't watch too much TV as long as I get something on that DS likes we are set! Definately will be running it through a few clorax wipes though first... like the baggie idea too.


Channing... So do tell what kinds of XMAS stuff did you get? Was it at GF or somewhere else. I mainly shopped in the GF shops last time... which were nice... but is there somplace else I should be going? I know DTD, but we had no time last trip and sadly won't have time this trip. But anyplace in MK that is a must? Did GF got new items for XMAS?


Ohh... That grey meat on a stick thing scares me and I have never even been to RPC or SL!

Ok.. question guys at what time to they kick you out of MK on nights of the XMAS party. Want to see the lights on the castle but 2 of the nights we are there are the XMAS party. And how exactly do they make you leave? Ok, yes I am truly just a newbie here, so bear with me.

Still interested in knowing what cameras/lenses everyone is using... I think my post get buried a few pages back from yesterday.

Thanks everyone and HAPPY WEEKEND!

Best

 

[phyllis1966]

We definitely had those same remote problems, as did FIL in the next room, and screaming Stacey drove us crazy every time we turned the TV on, which was whenever we walked into the room thanks to DD!

I also thought the rooms looked nicer in person than in the photos we saw before we went down, but I still felt a little too surrounded by beige, especially since we had a room with wallpaper in the foyer only, and beige paint in the main area - I miss those Alice rooms...

On MVMCP nights they made people leave after Wishes, at 7 pm...the castle is lit with those beautiful new lights as soon as it get dark, so you'll have plenty of time to see them - I really loved it!

I'm not really a pin person, but DH and DD are, so when I found the gingerbread house pin, I surprised them with it - it's really cute! And all DH had to see are the words "limited edition" and he's hooked!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi,....one last little post and I need to run away from my computer.

Never....Phyllis told you about the 7 pm thing during the parties and the castle lights are a must see. I also heard that the 5:45 Cinderella's Wish show or someting like that at 5:45 is a must see - a VERY cute show where Cinderella asks the FG to have her castle decorated and that's when the lights go on. So they'll be on at 6 pm most nights. There must have been a problem on the night they went on late while we were there.

There is a cute and pretty big Christmas shop over in Liberty Square in the MK. I bought several ornaments and candle lanterns and Xmas cards over there. I also bought some things at the little Xmas store in MGM. That's where I bought most of my things and had these shipped. The GF shop Sandy Cove had a few pretty GF Xmas things, but just the glass GF ball ornament was $35. Sorry....too much IMO. With my luck it would be the first one to fall off the tree and shatter.

I also bought some adorable gingerbread Mickey kitchen towels and gingerbread Mickey cookie cutter sets at the candy shop in MK. I didn't see these ANYWHERE else at all. They are super super cute with the same cookie cutter shape they make the gingerbread Mickey's out of that they sell in Germany and the goodie shops. I love gingerbread cookies and the gingerbread mickey/minnie ornaments they have are adorable. Make sure you see the decorated windows of the candy shop in MK esp the ones near the Chapeau shop right in the square. SO CUTE at night!!!

Phyllis, I would have been squirmy in a beige room. Ick. What were they thinking?!?!?! BEIGE!: Especially after how cute and detailed the rooms used to be.

My husband started us on a WDW riddle game last night at dinner so I am feeilng Disneyish again, haha. DS17 even got into it.

Lives4Disney

 

[grannyminnie]

Grannie Minnie!! I am glad you enjoyed your trip.

The nice lounge CM told us the day we were leaving is when the parks empty out. (the day you checked in) I will one day be taking a trip during the weeks betwn Tgiving & Xmas. Sounds great.

That is very crummy about your check in. I know there have been changes lately, but from what I understood SL guests are escorted to the SL building for check in either in their rooms if ready or at the SL desks. I wonder why that wasn't your experience??

So, how did you get to SL?? No escort??? How did they introduce you to SL/concierge CMs/your room??? Just very curious what they're doing now.

I looked for you, too! We left Monday about 3 pm and spent most of MOnday at the hotel dinking around. We went to the MK but it seemed nasty crowded to us so we putzed in the main st shops and then waited for our lunch adr and left to go to the GF and get ready to leave. Sunday we did spend mostly hotel time. Swam, shopped, rested, packed up and lounged because we did the party that night.

The evening offerings were never my favorite. Sorry to say it but I like the Poly's better. We were only at the GF for 1 or 2 eves and I didn't eat a bite. They had a lot and a large variety, but not my taste.

We had issues with our remote, too!! DH said no LG for him. There were some weird tv issues. It was nice at the hotel , but I am glad it's not mine at home.

So, what did you think of the rooms in person?? I really liked it much better than I thought I would.

Details!!!

Channing

Sorry for quoting your whole email but I don't know how to highlight and answer!
No, we were not escorted to the room! If a CM had taken us over after the check-in process in the main building, it would have been nicer, and more appropriate to the club level experience. So of course, we had no one to explain the benefits of the lounge,etc...a disappointment, KWIM?? But not shattering...
We hung around the hotel all of Sunday, except for a brief visit over to WL to see the decorations. That only took an hour. We went to MK Monday morning, came back to the hotel around noon, and stayed a couple of hours before going back. I'm so sorry we didn't bump into each other (and Samantha Brown!).
I liked the room alot. Of course, not having the benefit of seeing them before the refurb, I don't know if I've missed something, but I think the old look might have charmed me. I agree with your earlier comment about those stiff comforters! It was difficult to handle after turndown, which by the way, we did have each night. I called first off and made sure of that..
The evening offerings were too spicy most of the time, even the chicken on a stick...LOL I did really enjoy a couple the dips, and of course, there was always veggies, but I don't survive on them! I like the Poly offerings better too. Re: the Poly, my sister says the Poly is still her favorite, but I like the light and airy feeling of the GF a little better.
I will tell ya a funny, tho...we felt guilty going into the parks and missing food during the day. I never saw trifle because we only had tea one day.

Kathy

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does anyone happen have the menu of the items that Royal Palm and Sugar Loaf serve everyday for the 5:00 PM Hors D'Ouvres and the 8:00 PM Deserts?