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

[praline3001]

Good morning All you GF adddicts!
I just wanted to brag I will be there in 10 days

I am guessing everyone is going to want to see pics of the new lobby (if its done when I get there....) but is there anything else you want a pic of?

Taking orders now

 

[arbonnette]

We leave in 14 days and my computer is fried!!! I am having serious boards withdrawls, and I can only use a computer once a day at my parents' home. The good news is my new laptop may arrive before I leave and then I could use wireless at the GF and post live updates!

By the way, I will NOT be happy if the lobby is still under construction when we arrive ...

 

[Rogar]

In case anyone wants info - we will be there beginning Jan 29. This will be our first stay on property. I can get lobby info for all, and anything else of interest?
We were able to afford GArden view - any recommendations for us as to a quiet, non-smoking, king bed out of the way room? (Just the two of us for our 16th anniversary!! Any suggestions how/when to request that?

This is a fascinating, very information groups of people here! Thanks for all the great comments and pictures!

 

[spacec47]

Good morning All you GF adddicts!
I just wanted to brag I will be there in 10 days

I am guessing everyone is going to want to see pics of the new lobby (if its done when I get there....) but is there anything else you want a pic of?

Taking orders now

Could you take some pictures of Gaspies and the arcade?

Thanks!

 

[Tink rules]

Good morning All you GF adddicts!
I just wanted to brag I will be there in 10 days

I am guessing everyone is going to want to see pics of the new lobby (if its done when I get there....) but is there anything else you want a pic of?

Taking orders now

OH snap away!!!

Can you get some shots by the beach by the pool? & how about Conch Key?

& whatever you can find out about the lobby would be great - take pics please...

 

[Tink rules]

Channing...

I have to thank you oh so very much... I was working late last night and my ipod froze up. I instantly knew what to do!!!

Thanks again...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing...

I have to thank you oh so very much... I was working late last night and my ipod froze up. I instantly knew what to do!!!

Thanks again...

Michelle! Yay! I am glad I could help - especially since I am a clueless technodork. Thank God for my two computer guru guys, DH & DS. I'd be lost without them.

Praline & Arbonnette, hope you guys have wonderful trips. The next few days will fly by I bet. I have been sooo busy with DD's bday party. SO GLAD IT'S OVER!!!!!!!!!!!! A one year reprieve.

I know RPC moved back to the main building, so whatever is going on (hopefully) is either finished or not too disruptive at this point. I can't wait to see pics of the "new" lobby.

Rogar, I don't think there are too many king bed rooms, so I would just stick with that as your main request. Happy Anniversary! Have a wonderful time.

Happy packing,

Lives4Disney

 

[praline3001]

Could you take some pictures of Gaspies and the arcade?

Thanks!

I have 2 boys who love video games ... I am sure I will be spending some time down there ... I will take as many pics as I can without looking like a weirdo

Can you get some shots by the beach by the pool? & how about Conch Key?

I sm sure I can do the beach and pool but it depends where they put us as to if I can get to conch key... I don't want security frisking me for being in the wrong building ... well unless security is Orlando Bloom

 

[GFFAN]

Good morning All you GF adddicts!
I just wanted to brag I will be there in 10 days

I am guessing everyone is going to want to see pics of the new lobby (if its done when I get there....) but is there anything else you want a pic of?

Taking orders now

Just returned from the GF on Saturday. All of the tile in the lobby has been replaced with temporary carpet which will eventually be replaced with marble from Italy. I was told that it is probably going to be about 6 months before the marble floor is complete.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have 2 boys who love video games ... I am sure I will be spending some time down there ... I will take as many pics as I can without looking like a weirdo



I sm sure I can do the beach and pool but it depends where they put us as to if I can get to conch key... I don't want security frisking me for being in the wrong building ... well unless security is Orlando Bloom

DS17 does not like the GF arcade at all. He never did. Lame games. He used to love the CR arcade until they moved it up to the 4th floor & it seems smaller. He said they got rid of the 'good' games...whatever that means. I think they made the arcades more LITTLE KID friendly. My girls liked them, haha, so there ya go . DS17 has been going over to DisneyQuest for the past few yrs instead. Kind of a bummer because he really used to enjoy spending a few hrs over at the CR to end the evening after having to put up with us all day . I took some pics of Gaspies & the arcade, but I did feel like a weirdo taking those pics that included strangers.

 

[Tink rules]

I just hope they don't leave the GF lobby a mess for that long... I'm sure they will schedule the work the best they can - the lobby is a showpiece for the GF especially with so many weddings coming up with the season...

 

[GFFAN]

I just hope they don't leave the GF lobby a mess for that long... I'm sure they will schedule the work the best they can - the lobby is a showpiece for the GF especially with so many weddings coming up with the season...

They did a very nice job with the temporary carpet and the lobby looks beautiful! When we first arrived (Jan. 12), sheets of plastic were up blocking the inner part of the lobby while the old tile was being removed. The plastic came down on Tuesday and the carpet was laid on Wednesday. I can't wait to see the new marble!

 

[Tink rules]

I won't be there to stay until May... I do have plans for the beginning of March, though so I can check it out.

 

[HMeyers]

I tried to do a search but with no luck. We have always gone at the end of Oct but I just don't want DS11 missing a week of school. We booked Aug 24-30. Other than being HOT, how are the crowds? TIA!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I tried to do a search but with no luck. We have always gone at the end of Oct but I just don't want DS11 missing a week of school. We booked Aug 24-30. Other than being HOT, how are the crowds? TIA!

We went in late August 3 and 4 yrs ago.....the first August trip (4 yrs ago) we were there Aug 19-29. I was expecting much fewer people from what I had read/heard it would be like. What totally stands out in my mind is the disgusting HUMIDITY. It was awful - like in AK I felt faint & I have never felt that before. I'd leave the resort all clean and neat, walk outside and be suddenly covered with wet and droopy. Ick. Just that fast.

The next year we went August 13-20 (stayed far away from AK ) and it was much better crowdwise and humidity wise but still too humid for me to go back in August again. I think we lucked out w/the crowds that second August trip because "Free Dining" started when we left. I read that people were surprised at how crowded their free dining trips that next week were....seems that if free dining is offered it 's a big draw.

I don't like crowds. Hate the heat and humidity. Now I am rethinking going during our spring break due to the mega expected Easter crowds, too. There's no time for a mom with school age kids to go anymore!!!!!

Good luck,

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I tried to do a search but with no luck. We have always gone at the end of Oct but I just don't want DS11 missing a week of school. We booked Aug 24-30. Other than being HOT, how are the crowds? TIA!

We were at the GF last year during the same time. Crowds were really good (better than when we went at the end of Oct in 2005 or the week after Thanksgiving in 2006). We still used FP's since we hate wating in lines, but return times were only 60-90 minutes away, which was good. It was crazy hot, but we got used to it after a few days. Have fun!

 

[princessesrule4]

I tried to do a search but with no luck. We have always gone at the end of Oct but I just don't want DS11 missing a week of school. We booked Aug 24-30. Other than being HOT, how are the crowds? TIA!

We went the end of Aug./begining of Sept.3 years ago and the crowds were not bad at all!

The heat and humidity can be tough so we'd spend from noon to 5 or 6 in the pool or shopping or doing something in the AC. We like to stay out later at night to do the parks so we avoided the oppressive heat and humidity of the day except for the morning!

 

[HMeyers]

Thank you so much for the replies. We always are back to the resort around 1:00 or 2:00 until dinner anyway. Hopefully we won't melt! Guess we'll be stocking up on water and gatorade at Walmart. Oh, and by the way, when does free dining usually start?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thank you so much for the replies. We always are back to the resort around 1:00 or 2:00 until dinner anyway. Hopefully we won't melt! Guess we'll be stocking up on water and gatorade at Walmart. Oh, and by the way, when does free dining usually start?

Last year it was Sunday 8/26 but it seems to get later and later and with a smaller window...try checking one of the bounceback theads and see when they offered it to them.

 

[praline3001]

DS17 does not like the GF arcade at all. He never did. Lame games. He used to love the CR arcade until they moved it up to the 4th floor & it seems smaller. He said they got rid of the 'good' games...whatever that means. I think they made the arcades more LITTLE KID friendly. My girls liked them, haha, so there ya go . DS17 has been going over to DisneyQuest for the past few yrs instead. Kind of a bummer because he really used to enjoy spending a few hrs over at the CR to end the evening after having to put up with us all day . I took some pics of Gaspies & the arcade, but I did feel like a weirdo taking those pics that included strangers.

My DS13 has a ps3 so I am sure the games will be beneath him
but when your depserate on vacation ... your desperate
DS10 still thinks kiddie games are cool so I will be good to go there

we are planning a trip to Quest this time.. we have never done quest so it should be interesting. Savannah and I will most likely get some shopping in while the guys play. Either that or her and I will do one more morning at MK so she can get her Disney fix in she is still at an age where the magic is alllll real

I am really getting excited about this trip! I have always done all the planning myself without the help of this board. I am hoping for an extra special good time with all of the info I learned here!!!