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

[3for Me]

O.K., are ya'll going to leave it up to me to bump up this thread??? Where did everybody go???

Two weeks from today we'll be checking in to the GF after our first-ever Wonder cruise!

I know that lucky Praline will have already been there for a few days sippin her Community Coffee!

We're going to do all the Thursday night parades and then head out after school next Friday. Already starting packing (pathetic, I know!)

Ya'll have a great day!

 

[heatherlynn444]

ok so teh verdict is in...I wanted to stay GF next January, DH REALLY wants to stay Poly, he has never been there. I agreed to it, only b/c he told me once he got out of school and got a good job he know we would be going GF every year and he wants to visit the Poly b4 I have it my way later on, so I agreed to it. At least i can look at the GF from there, right?

 

[arbonnette]

O.K., are ya'll going to leave it up to me to bump up this thread??? Where did everybody go???

Two weeks from today we'll be checking in to the GF after our first-ever Wonder cruise!

I know that lucky Praline will have already been there for a few days sippin her Community Coffee!

We're going to do all the Thursday night parades and then head out after school next Friday. Already starting packing (pathetic, I know!)

Ya'll have a great day!

I was wondering the same thing ... Where is everyone?!
We are leaving on Monday, 2/4 ... I am trying to pack for all seasons, and I need a bigger suitcase!

Praline and 3forMe, are you packing for warm/cold or both?!

 

[stagemomto3]

I'll jump in with my intro...I’m actually returning to DIS after a long break (no Disney trips to plan), but couldn’t for the life of me remember my log in information. I think my account was listed under an old email address anyway…so I’m starting fresh here!

We're a family of old Disney veterans. From 97-05 we went to WDW at least once a year, and stayed at the GF all but one of those times. Then we hit a snag where we all felt that it was time for something new, so haven’t been back in a few years. But, in the meantime my sister has had a daughter who will be 3 this summer, and wanted us to escort them to WDW for her first trip. They have not been to any Disney park since my sister went as a child with our family, and they are quite skeptical. So it is up to us to show them what a WDW vacation is all about!

We’ll be going the first week of June and of course I picked the GF. I’ve reserved two GV rooms. The first time we were at the GF we stayed RPC, but soon realized that we were wasting a lot of money. We’re the type of family that never misses a rope drop, and if possible we like to book a breakfast in the park before opening (to eliminate waiting at the gate, and to maximize park time). Then we usually take a nap/swim break in the 2-6pm range before heading back to the parks for dinner. We just were not taking advantage of the RPC food offerings, and my kids really don’t like just hanging out around the resort. They would much rather be at the parks! The next time at the GF, we had a Castle view room (as I remember, back then you just requested one, it didn’t cost extra). It was fun to see when we first arrived, but again, our family doesn’t just hang around the room much at all, and we rarely use the balcony.

So, GV is perfect for us. This way we have the convenience of being on the monorail line and the other advantages of a deluxe that we like (queen size beds, rooms fit a family of 5, turndown service, etc.). We’ll be there the first week in June, and I’m really starting to look forward to returning! This will also be our first trip with a teenager, as our oldest DD is now 14, so I’m really hoping that the Disney magic helps extend her childhood a bit. (I’m not really appreciating the grumpy teenage years so far!) We also have a DD11 and a DS8.

Now I’m anxious to grab a cup of tea and go back and read through this thread and see what's new at the GF. It looks like lots of good information!

 

[Lives4Disney]

O.K., are ya'll going to leave it up to me to bump up this thread??? Where did everybody go???

Two weeks from today we'll be checking in to the GF after our first-ever Wonder cruise!

I know that lucky Praline will have already been there for a few days sippin her Community Coffee!

We're going to do all the Thursday night parades and then head out after school next Friday. Already starting packing (pathetic, I know!)

Ya'll have a great day!

What fun!!!! I will be curious how you enjoy the cruise. We just happened to catch some Travel Channel show on the Disney cruises & DD11 thought that might be fun some time. DH and I are kind of on the fence so I will be interested in your experience. Hope you have a great time!

I just had DD's 8th bday party over the weekend so that took up my time and haven't been hanging out posting so much because I am trying TRYING to force myself to get over the GF for our March trip. I have it and teh Swan booked (thinking of split stay ) ...Somehow I just cannot picture a WDW trip w/out a GF stay (but I am trying) but the RPC "peak season" rate makes me sick. It really just does - I know people are paying it & obvioulsy don't mind, but I have kind of been there done that at a much lower rate haha so what they are asking is not sitting well with me.......This thread is SO BAD for me!!! I am thinking along the lines that since it's just the girls and myself moving to do a split stay would be a pain in my butt. Also, we can get up early and easily catch the Swan bus to the MK, leave after lunch (on a not crowded bus) and then do Epcot or MGM in the eves and WALK back/forth easily to the Swan vs. having to deal w/transportation etc. (OK, just keep telling myself, right? )

You guys have a great time packing & have wonderful trips!!


Heatherlynn....there's still time to change his mind. It's funny because DH always wanted to stay at the Poly, too. This is during our CR days....anyway, we did LVC and it was such a let down for him he doesn't ever care to stay there again.


Stagemomto3 - Welcome back to the DIS and the GF thread.

Lives4Disney

 

[3for Me]

I was wondering the same thing ... Where is everyone?!
We are leaving on Monday, 2/4 ... I am trying to pack for all seasons, and I need a bigger suitcase!

Praline and 3forMe, are you packing for warm/cold or both?!

I am unfortunately packing a little of everything. We are going on the Wonder for four nights, which really complicates things with bathing suits/coverups, cute cruise clothes, pirate night stuff, etc...

This is why we decided to drive. If I made my DH go through an airport with all this junk he would flip. He's used to going by himself with one carry on!

weather.com has been pretty reliable for me in years past, so I guess I'll check right before I leave, but I'll probably still bring a little of everything.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

I'm looking for some good photos of the GF pool. The ones on all ears are OK, but I don't think they do it justice.

 

[werfamily]

I'm looking for some good photos of the GF pool. The ones on all ears are OK, but I don't think they do it justice.

...and as a tangent...any news on the GF pool refurb.? We're hoping it will be finished on schedule.

 

[Babyboo]

I'm looking for some good photos of the GF pool. The ones on all ears are OK, but I don't think they do it justice.

Here's a couple not great but OK

Some views from the pool area

 

[Tink rules]

Hey Channing...

Forgot to ask...

How did Josie do with the pin collecting???

Think of doing GF with just a garden view this trip???

 

[praline3001]

I was wondering the same thing ... Where is everyone?!
We are leaving on Monday, 2/4 ... I am trying to pack for all seasons, and I need a bigger suitcase!

Praline and 3forMe, are you packing for warm/cold or both?!

Boys - zip off cargo style pants. This way if its hot they can make them into shorts ...plenty of pockets for their phones and goodies. Long sleeve t shirts (solid colors) and short sleeve graphic t shirts .. I am planning on layering the long sleeve with SS if need be. Also packed them 2 sweatshirts to wear over the t shirts if need be... all weather jackets and gloves. this way we can go from shorts and ss t shirts to pants and long sleeve with sweatshirts with little packing issues I added 2 ss polos for dinners.

Me: jeans and slacks. I love love victoria secret long sleeve t shirts. They fit snuggly (i think they are supposed to be sexy but they make great fitted undershirts to keep warm nothing bulky sticking out and they were 12 bucks ) I packed those (solid colors) with ss graphic t shirts for the parks. I threw in a couple of sweatshirts for cold nights in the park. I also have 2 nice "dinner" sweaters. I get cold easy so I didn't pack any shorts. DH is making fun of me as I want to pack my electric blanket

Savannah: She likes wearing the princess dresses sooo for the times she will be wearing those, I added some gymboree leggings and long sleeve fitted t shirts to go under the dresses. I have that one mickey mouse outfit I posted A few pages back, long sleeve t and jeans. I bought a lot of the gymboree line "cute as a cupcake" this year. I usually pick one gymboree line and stick with it so her clothes all intermatch for vacations
She has the skorts with matching leggings. She can wear just the skort if its warm or add the matching leggings if its cold. I have ls shirts for her and a couple of her Disney ss t shirts for warmer weather.

Everyone in our family has 1 suitcase. That is all DH will allow he says 5 suitcases are plenty for our trip..... silly silly man

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey Channing...

Forgot to ask...

How did Josie do with the pin collecting???

Think of doing GF with just a garden view this trip???

Hi, Michelle. I really REALLY want to thank all you guys that sent pins & I hope I did get a PM out to each of you to tell you how cool it was that you did that. It was sweet that you all sent the pins and it also lifted their spirits that there are some NICE people out there.

Vonnie had printed out a mega list of all the pin sets etc and the girls had combined their pins into the sets and that is what got lifted...it was tons and tons of pins in Jojo's case. Lucy had the case with the newer ones they were starting to gather and get set up. ANyway, we have some to replace that we bought on mousepinsonline and then have some neato ones you all sent and some to trade to try and get back some that were lost. I still had hopes that we'd receive a surprise package from the Disney lost and found & that somebody would have turned in the case. I guess I can let that go at this point. It's not gonna happen.

You know...I have been toying with GV this time around. It's available. I just honestly don't know if the move/split stay would be worth it no matter what hotel or room we'd move to...sometimes it's just nice to stay put. I HATE packing up and it would be kind of nice to just be able to plant ourselves and make ourselves at home. Still have some time to decide. Thanks for the suggestion.

Happy packing all!! Praline sounds like you've got it covered good. We always do one suitcase/person. We still look like the dorks in the airport schlepping the most crap of anybody else. I see these people with their little compact bags and wonder HOW DO THEY DO THAT?? Maybe just an overnighter???!?!?!

Enjoy!

Lives4Disney

 

[praline3001]

.

Happy packing all!! Praline sounds like you've got it covered good. We always do one suitcase/person. We still look like the dorks in the airport schlepping the most crap of anybody else. I see these people with their little compact bags and wonder HOW DO THEY DO THAT?? Maybe just an overnighter???!?!?!

Oh I know! Do you know there are websites dedicated to how to pack light?
DH always looks at those sites with great longing
when we went on our cruise this past spring, I had 3 suitcases just for me of course you need nice cruise clothes, 5 pairs of shoes ... you get the idea

DH is happy with 1 pair of undies, 1 pair of jeans and 2 shirts for the entire week and would pack like that if I would let him

 

[stagemomto3]

I've been reading through this thread today (it's GREAT, btw!), and I'm excited because I think I totally know who werfamily is! I don't want to give you away, but for those of us who are travel magazine junkies, the description of your family is pretty unique. Anyway, I'm very excited to read your GF article. I know you will love the GF as much as our family does!

 

[praline3001]

I was just talking to my mom on the phone about our trip.
I thought you guys might find this funny
She was a bit shocked at the Disney vacation sticker price. She pulled out our old scrapbook when we used to live there (pre epcot) and she has reciepts for E tickets for $13 a day
She said our AP was a grand total of $45 for the entire family
I told her next time I was up at her place I was going to steal those reciepts and tickets to post them on here ....

I explained to her for our family of 5 the tickets (for a week) alone were over a grand and she couldn't believe they went up THAT much

 

[Tink rules]

I've been reading through this thread today (it's GREAT, btw!), and I'm excited because I think I totally know who werfamily is! I don't want to give you away, but for those of us who are travel magazine junkies, the description of your family is pretty unique. Anyway, I'm very excited to read your GF article. I know you will love the GF as much as our family does!

& when you find the article...you'll have to send us a link so we can see what it says!!! Hope lots of our tips helped!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I cant wait to see the pics from Pralines trip and her DD in that Minnie outfit!!
I hope you have a great time.

 

[praline3001]

I cant wait to see the pics from Pralines trip and her DD in that Minnie outfit!!
I hope you have a great time.

She tried it on and looks adorable in it!

We just bought a new camera for our trip so I am sure I will take tons of pics if I can figure out how to work it
::ff to read my 1,000 page owners manual:::

 

[kblandino]

Just curious Is the pool heated at the GF? We will be there in March and was wondering if the kiddos will be able to swim. Thanks.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Just curious Is the pool heated at the GF? We will be there in March and was wondering if the kiddos will be able to swim. Thanks.

I read a long time ago that Disney heats it's pools to 82 degrees. I think that is cool though when the weather isn't in the 80s. We've been in March several times and the weather is usually in the low to mid 70s so it's too cool for us to swim most days. We keep our pool closer to 86/88 so we're spoiled maybe.

Lives4Disney