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

[tarrgem]

Hi everyone!

We are leaving on Monday for our first stay at the GF!

Need to go buy some more wipes today...I have four packs but somehow I don't think they'll be enough! I'm so worried one of us will come down with something icky

I had a quick question about the Xmas party...is it worth the price of the seperate admission? We haven't been to WDW in 5 years (my two older kids first time) and this will be the 1st time for my DS5...we have planned two whole days at MK when the park is open late so that we can see all the lights and Wishes and the Spectro parade, so I didn't think we'd need to go to the party. Am I just being cheap and we'll really be missing out? I'm also worried about burning the candle at both ends with the kids...I have a pretty packed schedule with lots of early mornings so l was worried about adding another late night. It might get ugly

Since the parks aren't supposed to be that crowded next week, I'm wondering if we can soak up enough Xmas vibes around the parks without doing the party.

What is everyone's opinion? Thanks for any input

 

[grannyminnie]

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.

I'm sorry...I have no digital camera, so no online photos!
My sister took some but I don't know how to transfer hers over here.
I noticed that about the Stacey channel, but also that it was kind of hard to even change the channels in the first place!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi everyone!

We are leaving on Monday for our first stay at the GF!

Need to go buy some more wipes today...I have four packs but somehow I don't think they'll be enough! I'm so worried one of us will come down with something icky

I had a quick question about the Xmas party...is it worth the price of the seperate admission? We haven't been to WDW in 5 years (my two older kids first time) and this will be the 1st time for my DS5...we have planned two whole days at MK when the park is open late so that we can see all the lights and Wishes and the Spectro parade, so I didn't think we'd need to go to the party. Am I just being cheap and we'll really be missing out? I'm also worried about burning the candle at both ends with the kids...I have a pretty packed schedule with lots of early mornings so l was worried about adding another late night. It might get ugly

Since the parks aren't supposed to be that crowded next week, I'm wondering if we can soak up enough Xmas vibes around the parks without doing the party.

What is everyone's opinion? Thanks for any input

Here's the thing....we went 11/16 and 11/25. We did no shows. Even though the party didn't seem crowded, the lines for the shows were HIDEOUS. We tried to get into a couple, but people line up about 45 minutes to an hour prior to the start so we were SOL and I wouldn't want to waste that much time standing in a dumb line for a 15 -20 minute show anyway. The character lines were also long so we only saw a couple.

What we went for was the parade and fireworks and the low ride lines. We have seen teh shows on previous trips. ALSO, the BEST show ....the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" show is playing daily during regular park hours about 5 different times in the Tomorrowland Galaxy Theater. In previous years this was not the case. It is a show usually reserved for the MVMCP - so this is something you can see during park time.

The parade at the party is great if you like parades - and probably even if you don't & the fireworks are fabulous, but you can see those from MK resorts, too. I don't think they'd pump in the music though as it's a ticket event.

I really really enjoyed the parties this year more than before but I knkow that is due to the much lower crowds at these parties and our travel time was a HIGH traffic jammed park week - so we appreciated lower wait times on rides.

The most important thing is that the party gets better after the 9:30 fireworks.....people that have seen the 8:15 parade leave and the late shows are the ones to see with much less lines and wait time. We did this the first time around, but 11/25 we all pooped out after the 10:30 parade. So, if you have little kids you might be stressed out trying to get things in before they are cashed.

You can wait until right up to early afternoon to purchase your tickets, too. We bought our 11/25 tickets about 3 pm. They let us in at 3:55 with just our MVMCP tickets....we have annual passes and didn't need to show anything other than the party tickets. So...you might just want to wait and see how things are going and decide once you're there.

Happy planning!!! Sorry to go on and on....my mind was rolling!!

PS....one more cute thing.....the characters in these shows have mouths and eyes that move!!! DD7 was the first to notice this.

Grannie Minnnie....thanks for the reply. I am surprised they didn't show you to SL and explain the little perks.

Lives4Disney

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't think they'd pump in the music though as it's a ticket event.

I think they pipe in the music on the beach of the Polynesian, however when it comes to the regular Wishes show and Holiday Wishes, they stopped piping in the music on the TV's a long time ago. The last time I remember them having the music on the TV's was back in August 2006.

 

[Suzanne74]

Hello all. We just got back yesterday and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Grand Floridian. It was wonderful. I will give a more detailed update later.

We did the MVMCP on Tuesday and was not impressed and wouldn't recommend it unless you only plan on using it for low wait times for rides. Otherwise there is nothing Christmasee you are missing beside snow on main street. All the other decorations and the castle you can see every night. You can also see the Twas the Night Before Christmas Show daily at MK too. The osborne lights are FABULOUS and that is what really gets you in the christmas mood. There is snow there and I liked it better there. They also chime in christmas music at all the parks which I really liked.

Also, we ate at Narcossee's on Sunday and YES - they did chime in the music to the Christmas fireworks. DH and I had a tableview of them. and we could clearly hear Mr. Cricket and the christmas music. I was not expecting that at all.

I promise I will be back soon with pictures and more info!!!

 

[BrianD]

OK, so has there been ANY update (in the last few days) on Sago Cay going down for the refurb???

I thought surely by Dec. 15 (when we check in) that it would be down, so I wouldn't have to worry about requesting a refurbished room.

My concern is that due to the full (maybe overly full) occupancy, that they may be deciding to wait until after New Years so that they don't have to take those rooms out of the "pool".

Anyone know anything?

Thanks!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Suzanne, I agree with you about the party. As I said we enjoyed it mostly for the low ride waits since this was a huge contrast to what we experienced as the norm during park hours. Due to the lower crowds, though, we sure enjoyed these MVMCPs more than the parties we attended in the past - because the past parties we went to were PACKED.

That is interesting about the music being piped in to Narcoosees. Hmm......I thought they woudn't do that since it's like $50/ticket and really the fireworks and parade are about all you get for that. We ate at Narcoosees and didn't stick around for the Wishes so that's neat to know they do have the soundtrack playing w/fireworks. Watched Wishes from our room that nt. Sometimes they piped the music in below by Gaspies & other times they did not.

I didn't even notice snow on Main St. this year!!!! It was sparse.

This was the first year we actually had hot cocoa & cookies. All other parties were soooo packed you had to wait in huge snaking lines for these.

Lives4Disney

 

[MickeyMaz]

Hello all. We just got back yesterday and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Grand Floridian. It was wonderful. I will give a more detailed update later.

We did the MVMCP on Tuesday and was not impressed and wouldn't recommend it unless you only plan on using it for low wait times for rides. Otherwise there is nothing Christmasee you are missing beside snow on main street. All the other decorations and the castle you can see every night. You can also see the Twas the Night Before Christmas Show daily at MK too. The osborne lights are FABULOUS and that is what really gets you in the christmas mood. There is snow there and I liked it better there. They also chime in christmas music at all the parks which I really liked.

We had a choice on Nov 12, our last night this year. The first night of Osborne Family Lights or the first MVMCP. We opted to not spend the $100 or so and went to the Studios. We were very impressed and the more I read about the party this year, the happier I am we made the right choice.

Glad you had a nice trip, can't wait to see and hear more.

 

[tarrgem]

Thanks sooooo much for the replies Channing and Suzanne!!! It's kind of exactly what I wanted to hear! Now I don't have to say I'm cheap, I can just stick with the argument that we really won't be missing much

I think I might just take the wait and see approach and if the crowds are low and lines are short on our MK days we might as well skip the party. I'm not big into waiting an hour for a 20 minute show anyway! And if we can catch one show during the day ...even better!

I'm thinking the kids will be so overwhelmed by everything anyway, they really won't need an extra party....and I like the idea that we can catch some of the fireworks from the resort.

I'm concerned about Sago Cay too...seeing as it is the only building not done...I'm almost positive that's the one we'll get....just our luck ...just like our first snow storm is landing right when this nervous flyer is taking off Trying not to think about that too much! Weatherman here in MA are notorious for blowing things out of proportion!

We have a GV room the first night and switching into a lagoon view for the remaining 6 nights...kinda hoping they'll give us a break and just put us in the one room we get to stay in for the week....I know, wishful thinking I can dream can't I? And while they're at it...I'd like a MK view too

We are doing 1900 Park Faire for Bfast after our photo shoot...since I've got 2 boys who are so NOT into princesses ...we'll have to stick with the Mad Hatter and Alice...hopefully Pooh and Tigger will be there too. DD13 should get a kick out of that...if she allows herself to get in the spirit and out of her teenage funk for a change This should be interesting hanging out for a whole week together! I'm really hoping some of the magic rubs off on her attitude...she's too young to be so pissy about Disney!

It amazes me that people can be pissy in the most magical place on earth!

 

[phyllis1966]

Ya know, I definitely noticed less snow at this year's MVMCP than last year (our first time at the party). Last year, I clearly remember the snow falling the whole time we sat waiting for the 10:30 parade, which was about 45 minutes. This year, on 11/15, the snow didn't start until about 1 minute before the parade arrived on Main Street. It's a little thing, but DD and I really enjoy the "snow."

 

[Tink rules]

I'm not sure if they aren't using as much snow or what but when I went in '05 it was a muggier night than usual and they couldn't get the machine to work right because of it.

If you get the chance to SEE the fireworks during the MVMCP from the GF definately DO!!! You can still hear the music from the park pretty well - not as loud of course, and I do believe they play the music outside of Narcoosees - but it's not too loud there either... BUT... you will be able to see the perimeter fireworks that they don't do for the regular wishes and it is pretty incredible to see - a totally different perspective than in the park. A good place to view it also is from the boat dock. But be prepared because lots of people go there also...

Since you will have Lagoon view, if you can see the MK and the castle, you may be able to see it from there. But I think near Narcoosees and the boat dock and even Gaspies is a good place to see it.

 

[praline3001]

Thanks sooooo much for the replies Channing and Suzanne!!! It's kind of exactly what I wanted to hear! Now I don't have to say I'm cheap, I can just stick with the argument that we really won't be missing much

I think I might just take the wait and see approach and if the crowds are low and lines are short on our MK days we might as well skip the party. I'm not big into waiting an hour for a 20 minute show anyway! And if we can catch one show during the day ...even better!

I'm thinking the kids will be so overwhelmed by everything anyway, they really won't need an extra party....and I like the idea that we can catch some of the fireworks from the resort.

I'm concerned about Sago Cay too...seeing as it is the only building not done...I'm almost positive that's the one we'll get....just our luck ...just like our first snow storm is landing right when this nervous flyer is taking off Trying not to think about that too much! Weatherman here in MA are notorious for blowing things out of proportion!

We have a GV room the first night and switching into a lagoon view for the remaining 6 nights...kinda hoping they'll give us a break and just put us in the one room we get to stay in for the week....I know, wishful thinking I can dream can't I? And while they're at it...I'd like a MK view too

We are doing 1900 Park Faire for Bfast after our photo shoot...since I've got 2 boys who are so NOT into princesses ...we'll have to stick with the Mad Hatter and Alice...hopefully Pooh and Tigger will be there too. DD13 should get a kick out of that...if she allows herself to get in the spirit and out of her teenage funk for a change This should be interesting hanging out for a whole week together! I'm really hoping some of the magic rubs off on her attitude...she's too young to be so pissy about Disney!

It amazes me that people can be pissy in the most magical place on earth!

Have your boys watch Mary Poppins before they go! My boys got the biggest kick out of asking her how they measured up and also to have her say the super... backwards

 

[goofygal531]

Someone had told me years ago that the GF was the only resort that supplied real wood cribs rather than pack n plays. Is this true?

We'll be staying in Sugar Loaf in a standard room. I have to go back and look at all your photos, but off hand can anyone tell me what the view might be? I'm honestly not picky (happy as can be to be staying in Sugar Loaf!) just curious.

Thanks!
Mare

 

[Lives4Disney]

Someone had told me years ago that the GF was the only resort that supplied real wood cribs rather than pack n plays. Is this true?

We'll be staying in Sugar Loaf in a standard room. I have to go back and look at all your photos, but off hand can anyone tell me what the view might be? I'm honestly not picky (happy as can be to be staying in Sugar Loaf!) just curious.

Thanks!
Mare

Mare, I saw several real wood cribs in the hallways being removed from rooms when I was there last week. Not sure if the GF is the only hotel w/cribs or not. When my kids were babies we brought our pack n play so I never needed the hotel's help on this one.....but I have seen pack n plays in several hotel closets....CR, Poly, BWI so I guess maybe your info is correct.

Sugar Loaf has views of either the marina - facing the Sago lodge or of the courtyard pool/garden area. Both are nice views.

Lives4Disney

 

[Tink rules]

Have your boys watch Mary Poppins before they go! My boys got the biggest kick out of asking her how they measured up and also to have her say the super... backwards

Dociousaliexpiisticfragilcalirupus....

But that's going a bit too far... Don't you think????




rotfl: )

 

[Floridian1989]

Mare -

The cribs are white metal - remember to bring clorox wipes with you to wipe it down. The one we had over Thanksgiving had crusty stuff on it - thank goodness for the clorox wipes!

It is amazing to see the christmas decorations go up over night - it's even more amazing to see the CMs scurry around at 4am putting the tree, wreaths and garland up. We have been at the floridian many times over thanksgiving and I always wanted to stay up the night they put up the decorations - this year I finally did! If anyone would like to see a few pictures let me know.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sugar Loaf has views of either the marina - facing the Sago lodge or of the courtyard pool/garden area. Both are nice views.

Out of those views in Sugar Loaf is one better then the other, or are they both equal that we will be happy no matter which one we get?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Mare -

The cribs are white metal - remember to bring clorox wipes with you to wipe it down. The one we had over Thanksgiving had crusty stuff on it - thank goodness for the clorox wipes!

It is amazing to see the christmas decorations go up over night - it's even more amazing to see the CMs scurry around at 4am putting the tree, wreaths and garland up. We have been at the floridian many times over thanksgiving and I always wanted to stay up the night they put up the decorations - this year I finally did! If anyone would like to see a few pictures let me know.

We definitely saw WOOD cribs in the hallways last week. NOt sure about the metal you had. These that we saw were light wood with bumper pads etc. Saw them on different occasions and they were wood. Just checked with DH, too, and he said WOOD. Weird. Maybe it's just main building??? Good idea about the wipes....crusty stuff is nasty.

CR Fan, I had a pool/courtyard view and it was lovely. I know some prefer marina, but if I had the choice I'd go for the courtyard view again. People watching during the day & beautiful with the lanterns shining on the pool in the eve. JMO.

Lives4Disney

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

CR Fan, I had a pool/courtyard view and it was lovely. I know some prefer marina, but if I had the choice I'd go for the courtyard view again. People watching during the day & beautiful with the lanterns shining on the pool in the eve. JMO.

Thanks for that info.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks for that info.

Here's another idea for you. In Sugar Loaf you can request a lodge tower style room thru IPO. This is the turret room with the 2 queen beds and extra seating area with a second TV & sofa etc. We had this type of room when we stayed SL. We had the top floor which doesn't have a balcony, though. Didn't miss it because it was a cold February.....it was nice with the high ceiling.

Lives4Disney