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

[Lives4Disney]

When I talked to CRO this morning to add some days, the CM told me that there may be construction going on in the lobby in June!?! I know the floors are being retiled but I would think that they would be done by then! I don't want to pay for RPC if the lobby isn't done and construction is going on!
So, if anyone hears anything from a CM about when it is supposed to be completed, I would definitely appreciate it!
Have fun!

Princesses, I hear they ordered some Italian marble and is should be arriving some time during the summer & that's when it would be put in. That seems kind of dorky to tear apart the lobby floor during the busy summer months, though. Maybe they'd hold back the work until Aug/Sept. Probably when DH and I are there in Sept. Who knows....they were so secretive about the room rehabs.

Gosh guys I am psyched about going to Ulta to try some makeup out! What fun! Thanks for the tips.

PS...I love the GF pic!!

 

[Tink rules]

Ok you guys are going to hate me...

I'm 43 - hardly ever use make up and I have one...yes count it...one wrinkle... Inherited my grandmother's excruciatingly beautiful skin and I only break out once a month - 1 zit (however it does appear in the middle of my forehead...)

I had to have Botox once for my TMJ and they had extra left over and the Dr. asked if I wanted to fill in any wrinkles and I told him I only had one and that I worked damned hard to get it!!! He filled it anyway and I couldn't feel my forehead for months...

 

[princessesrule4]

Princesses, I hear they ordered some Italian marble and is should be arriving some time during the summer & that's when it would be put in. That seems kind of dorky to tear apart the lobby floor during the busy summer months, though. Maybe they'd hold back the work until Aug/Sept. Probably when DH and I are there in Sept. Who knows....they were so secretive about the room rehabs.

Gosh guys I am psyched about going to Ulta to try some makeup out! What fun! Thanks for the tips.

PS...I love the GF pic!!

Darn - I thought I just got a misinformed CM!

So is the lobby floor still torn up now and will it stay that way till the tile comes in during summer?

Do you know if the RPC lounge tile has been redone already? I assumed it was done earlier this month when they moved everybody out of RPC?!

Are you all going in July or waiting til September? We were going to go in July but switched to June when we usually go! Only now I'm waiting for the kids summer camp dates to come out and I'm hoping I won't have to switch dates again!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Darn - I thought I just got a misinformed CM!

So is the lobby floor still torn up now and will it stay that way till the tile comes in during summer?

Do you know if the RPC lounge tile has been redone already? I assumed it was done earlier this month when they moved everybody out of RPC?!

Are you all going in July or waiting til September? We were going to go in July but switched to June when we usually go! Only now I'm waiting for the kids summer camp dates to come out and I'm hoping I won't have to switch dates again!

I actually cancelled July. I don't know what my DS (almost 18 at that point) will be up to - taking classes or a summer job... other things going on, so I just dumped it for now. It could still happen but not sure about dates or anything at all so it's cancelled. NOW I am thinking RPC for part of our spring trip. Swan/rpc split. Thinking about it.

The lobby is done in a TEMPORARY carpet. Weird but true. You'd think they would have just waited and done one thing - the marble. I will ask Vonnie about the lounge when I talk to her next. I forgot about the tile in the lounge. Maybe that will just stay the same?? I'll try and remember to ask. YEP that would stink to be staying RPC and have this lobby work going on....I think rpc guests would be moved out of the main building, too.

Michelle - Lucky you. I don't think I have wrinkles yet (gosh maybe i do! - I do have "smile" lines at the corners of my eyes, but I like them. I just think my skin is getting kind of splotchy. I have freckles and am kind of pale in winter. blah. Just need a pick-me-up.

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Which building Garden view has the views of monorail?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Which building Garden view has the views of monorail?

Hi Denise,

We just returned a few weeks ago. I was thinking of you since our room (Conch Key) had a perfect view of the monorail - I knew your ds would love it. I think Sago Cay (not marina side) also offer a view of the monorail. We were in Conch Key - 2nd floor, rooms right over where the Grand I is parked.

 

[triplefigs]

thanks. Kids and I are all sick, and DD has the flu. We're cancelling our trip (in 3 days). Only availability the week we want is GF GV. I'll request Conch or Sago with Monorail veiw.

 

[princessesrule4]

Which building Garden view has the views of monorail?

The back side of Sago has some monorail garden view rooms or so I've heard!

 

[Lives4Disney]

thanks. Kids and I are all sick, and DD has the flu. We're cancelling our trip (in 3 days). Only availability the week we want is GF GV. I'll request Conch or Sago with Monorail veiw.

Oh, Denise...... Sorry to hear that. Bummer. I hope you all get better soon & your planned reschedule isn't too far off in the future.

Channing

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Hello,

I was scanning the past few days to learn a bit more about GF and I saw the post about Bare Minerals and I thought to myself, they gotta be good people b/c I use Bare Minerals and love it too and I'm a pretty cool gal.

Anyway, just got an email PIN (courtesy of DH finally listening to me and registering with disney online) and have upgraded to the GF from the Beach Club (oh, guess I'll have to change my signature!). We've always wanted to stay at the GF but our first trip last year took us to BC. It was lovely, don't get me wrong, but the GF is my dream of the ultimate disney vacation.

So we're going in September. Any tips for getting a particular location? I've read about the different building but how do I know which one to try for?

Is the pool nice? We were going to get the water park tix but DH said that there is no way we're going to go to a water park 3x in our 8 days. He's right -- he can't swim so maybe once would be enough for him. Besides, unless there are princesses there I'm sure DD will want to go back to MK or Epcot in a hot second.

I can't tell you how excited I am about staying at the GF. I will take any and all suggestions.

Pixie Dust to all (hey, that should be a Bare Minerals product!),

 

[triplefigs]

Oh, Denise...... Sorry to hear that. Bummer. I hope you all get better soon & your planned reschedule isn't too far off in the future.

Channing

we're looking at April 26- May 3. This is the 2nd reschedule of this trip. First was when Rees was in the hospital and now the flu. hopefully, 3rd time will be the charm!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hello,

I was scanning the past few days to learn a bit more about GF and I saw the post about Bare Minerals and I thought to myself, they gotta be good people b/c I use Bare Minerals and love it too and I'm a pretty cool gal.

Anyway, just got an email PIN (courtesy of DH finally listening to me and registering with disney online) and have upgraded to the GF from the Beach Club (oh, guess I'll have to change my signature!). We've always wanted to stay at the GF but our first trip last year took us to BC. It was lovely, don't get me wrong, but the GF is my dream of the ultimate disney vacation.

So we're going in September. Any tips for getting a particular location? I've read about the different building but how do I know which one to try for?

Is the pool nice? We were going to get the water park tix but DH said that there is no way we're going to go to a water park 3x in our 8 days. He's right -- he can't swim so maybe once would be enough for him. Besides, unless there are princesses there I'm sure DD will want to go back to MK or Epcot in a hot second.

I can't tell you how excited I am about staying at the GF. I will take any and all suggestions.

Pixie Dust to all (hey, that should be a Bare Minerals product!),

Hi, welcome to the great and wonderful GF thread!! That's awesome about the pin code. I like BC, too, but GF is much better.

First, I guess building suggestions depends on what view you booked. Did you book Garden, Lagoon, Theme Park or concierge??

The pools are really nice IMO. There is a free form pool that I think is open 24 hours in the courtyard. Then there is a "theme" pool with a rock waterfall and a slide and a zero depth entry on one side. That's the fun pool. We have gone to WDW a bajillion times and never been to a water park. The hotel pools are just good enough. We don't hang around there more than an hour or two a couple times/trip. There are photos toward the front of this thread and you can see the pools and a map of the resort layout.

OK, I know for sure I need to try the Bare Minerals!!! Wow - it's popular.

Happy planning!!!

Denise, ya I know you're not having much Disney luck with your trips. Maybe you were just meant to stay at the Grand. I hope you're right and this one is a go. I bet the weather will be gorgeous. We were there last yr mid May and it was beautiful & fairly low crowds, too. Get better soon.

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks, Channing. We got the Theme Park View at the GF with the AAA rate. It's more than we were spending, but beggars can't be choosers at this point. I've got most of my ADRs done. Talk about making fast changes!

How is the GF Cafe for lunch? Narcoosees good for kids?

 

[praline3001]

AH HA another last minute question....

If I buy too much crap and can't get it home I know the GF will ship stuff for me .... BUT do they carry the shipping boxes and where do I go lugging my lovely treasures to be shipped?

I have done the shipping strait from the gift shop to our home before and am planning on doing this BUT if it comes to packing day and the kids' stuff doesn't fit.....

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Lives4Disney, thank you for the lovely welcome.

I greatly appreciate the info about the pools. I will definitely check out the pictures -- I need to scroll down more slowly b/c I didn't catch them the first time.

We're still waiting for our final confirmation on where we will end up. It will probably be a standard Garden View room. Should I put in a request for a specific area? I'm sure it will be lovely regardless.

As for the Bare Minerals, I am so in love with the product. I was a die hard Clinique user (and I even worked for them for quite some time) then I turned 30 and I started having sensitivity. On a whim I saw a Bare Minerals infomercial and called in and ordered. I'm on the light side so I actually mix the two lightest ones in the summer and use the lightest one only in the winter. The best part -- I get so many compliments about how wonderful my 'natural' skin is. Definitely give a try! If you order on the website you get a 30-day guarantee. I had some problems the first time and they really stood by their product.

 

[princessesrule4]

we're looking at April 26- May 3. This is the 2nd reschedule of this trip. First was when Rees was in the hospital and now the flu. hopefully, 3rd time will be the charm!

Sorry to hear about you having to cancel and I hope you all get well soon!
End of April is a great time to go - lower crowds, great weather and the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot. There's a great butterfly garden, a maze and other fun activities besides all the beautiful topiaries! You'll have a great trip!

 

[Tink rules]

The lobby is done in a TEMPORARY carpet. Weird but true. You'd think they would have just waited and done one thing - the marble. I will ask Vonnie about the lounge when I talk to her next. I forgot about the tile in the lounge. Maybe that will just stay the same?? I'll try and remember to ask. YEP that would stink to be staying RPC and have this lobby work going on....I think rpc guests would be moved out of the main building, too.

Michelle - Lucky you. I don't think I have wrinkles yet (gosh maybe i do! - I do have "smile" lines at the corners of my eyes, but I like them. I just think my skin is getting kind of splotchy. I have freckles and am kind of pale in winter. blah. Just need a pick-me-up.

Lives4Disney

Channing... are they replacing the main part of the carpet or just the tiled part around? I can't see the whole lobby being in tile, but then again...that's just me...

Oh, and I only have one dimple too... we all do...it's sort of a family thing... the kids get a kick out of checking all the aunts and uncles to see if we all match...

AH HA another last minute question....

If I buy too much crap and can't get it home I know the GF will ship stuff for me .... BUT do they carry the shipping boxes and where do I go lugging my lovely treasures to be shipped?

I have done the shipping strait from the gift shop to our home before and am planning on doing this BUT if it comes to packing day and the kids' stuff doesn't fit.....

I've actually inquired at Guest Services (concierge) and they have sent me up boxes and tape - then when I check out I have the box taken downstairs and they ship it for me... Give them a call - I'm sure they will help.

 

[praline3001]

I've actually inquired at Guest Services (concierge) and they have sent me up boxes and tape - then when I check out I have the box taken downstairs and they ship it for me... Give them a call - I'm sure they will help.

Thanks Michelle!
I am not planning on needing them but better to be safe than sorry!

 

[grannyminnie]

triplefigs, this is the first time I've seen you online in ages! Sorry you had to cancel this time...it's painful to do so for me; so I have to immediately rebook to ease the hurt!
How's Rees?

 

[marcij]

Thanks, Channing. We got the Theme Park View at the GF with the AAA rate. It's more than we were spending, but beggars can't be choosers at this point. I've got most of my ADRs done. Talk about making fast changes!

How is the GF Cafe for lunch? Narcoosees good for kids?

Denise -- we love the cafe for lunch, and my boys love Narcoossees. It's fun to eat and look out at the castle, boats, water parade, fireworks -- whatever is going on. I'm so sorry you are all sick and hope you feel better soon!

AH HA another last minute question....

If I buy too much crap and can't get it home I know the GF will ship stuff for me .... BUT do they carry the shipping boxes and where do I go lugging my lovely treasures to be shipped?

I have done the shipping strait from the gift shop to our home before and am planning on doing this BUT if it comes to packing day and the kids' stuff doesn't fit.....

Are you staying RPC or SL (sorry, I'm terrible at details)? If so, you take them to the CMs on the third floor/first floor and they give you a form to fill out, then box it and ship it for you. If you're not CL, take them to the concierge desk at the front and they'll also box and ship them for you. Of course, we just usually end up buying another piece of luggage to take them back, especially if we have to ship a lot.