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

[Tink rules]

Dh is making his backpack up.... sometimes its great being married to an Eagle scout...sometimes not so much. He has packed travel size TP in case we need it. I asked him, "DO YOU REALLY THINK DISNEY WILL BE OUT OF TP?"
he said you just never know.....you should see the stuff he has packed tonight. I guess a screwdriver COULD come in handy if we were building our own house... ow like the other poster said snatching artwork off the wall

Now was it double ply TP??? Tell him the GF has the double ply...

Hope he gets through security with the screwdriver and it was the BEST MAN who "borrowed" the picture...

 

[AuroraBeauty]

He has packed travel size TP in case we need it. I asked him, "DO YOU REALLY THINK DISNEY WILL BE OUT OF TP?"
he said you just never know.....

I took some too last year when we went and y'know there was one time when Disney was out of TP -- in the family bathroom in Fantasyland. Yep, DD (4.75 at the time) got so upset until Mommy saved the day! Mommy also packs post it notes for the auto toilets too. Weird yes, but I was a girl scout and like your DH Praline, I try to be prepared.

Have a great trip, Praline. I'm a newbie too and look forward to hearing about all the great times y'all have. Here's wishing you a trip of a Million Dreams!

 

[poohgirl6]

1. Can we get turn down service if we aren't staying concierge?
2. How do I list "Hammerhead room" request? Should that be first (Hammerhead room, Sago or Conch) or should it be bldg first (Sago or Conch, Hammerhead room)?
3. In order, which bldg do you think has the best view of the MK? We have the TPV booked.

Pardon my ignorance and curiosity but what is a "Hammerhead" room????

 

[praline3001]

30 minutes until we leave
I just wanted to post a quickie bye before I turned off the computer...

DH packed the screwdriver in his luggage

Have fun while I am gone because I know I will

 

[Alicnwondrln]

30 minutes until we leave
I just wanted to post a quickie bye before I turned off the computer...

DH packed the screwdriver in his luggage

Have fun while I am gone because I know I will

get off the computer !!

Go have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinklvr64]

Hi Illini Friends!! NO SCHOOL! Thats why I am up so early calling teachers (I work in a school~so day off) Yeah!!!! I think we have about 10 inches here! This is just about as good as going to Disney...nah just kidding. WOW hope no one is leaving from Chicago today to WDW you will not get out with all the snow.

Lives 4 Disney..love that plaque Did you bid or someone else? How did you find it? We buy lots of pins on ebay that my boys are collecting.

My daughter (25) just got a 40% code in the mail here but bummer we cant use it! Boy I hate to let a discount like that go to waste.
Also has anyone noticed that fares to Orlando are NOT so cheap lately? even on Southwest? I used to be able to get adv fares for about $79 oneway.

Alright, I am going back to bed~I will dig out from the snow later...

 

[marcij]

Praline, Have a great time.

I have a question for those of you who are RPC experts ... I want to bring small gift baskets for the concierge CMs. We are from New Orleans, so I was planning on bringing nice Mardi Gras beads, pralines, and beignet mix. How many would I need to bring? Also, how would I go about sending something to the person who I have been in contact with from IPO? TIA!

I can't believe after 6 months of planning, we are leaving in 3 days!
- Andrea

I think giving the beads to CMs is a great idea! If it were me, I'd probably bring a bunch of beads and hand them out to the CMs when you get great service or need help with something. There are a number of CMs that rotate through the CM desk, though I am partial to the ones Channing mentioned! I'd do the basket for the IPO person. You can put a note on the basket and the CMs will make sure it gets delivered, or can call for the person to come meet you if they are in the office.

1. Can we get turn down service if we aren't staying concierge?
2. How do I list "Hammerhead room" request? Should that be first (Hammerhead room, Sago or Conch) or should it be bldg first (Sago or Conch, Hammerhead room)?
3. In order, which bldg do you think has the best view of the MK? We have the TPV booked.

Denise -- I can't answer all of them, but this is what I've found. We've always gotten turn down service, whether we were in lodge, Sugar Loaf or RPC.

As for the room, it seems from what we've talked about that the monorail is the most important variable, so I would list location, then hammerhead room. It was nice to have the two balconies, but as I remember it, the room wasn't that larger than regular rooms, though it did have a little hallway type thing. We were in Conch and it was perfect! My kids, especially Jake, loved the monorail as much as Rees and that room worked well for us. Jake also like that his friends (ducks, rabbits etc.) would come over to visit him.

 

[arbonnette]

I think giving the beads to CMs is a great idea! If it were me, I'd probably bring a bunch of beads and hand them out to the CMs when you get great service or need help with something. There are a number of CMs that rotate through the CM desk, though I am partial to the ones Channing mentioned! I'd do the basket for the IPO person. You can put a note on the basket and the CMs will make sure it gets delivered, or can call for the person to come meet you if they are in the office.

That is a great, idea. I decided to bring a selection of our nicest beads for the CMs and I made a small basket for the IPO person. I mean, six months of e-mails back and forth and always responding promptly and always getting what I asked ... I had some problems with IPO initally, but then somehow I got someone new answering my e-mails. Thank goodness!

My goal is to pack all the clothes today. DD is home from school with a low fever and runny nose and I am convincing myself she will be fine by Monday morning. Wish me luck.

Also, does anybody have any suggestions on how I can tell her on Monday we are going to Disney? She doesn't know yet! I am thinking I want to hold out all the way 'til we get in the car on the way to the airport ... but I can't really think of a clever way to tell her. (She is 4.90, will be 5 on Valentine's Day, so she can't quite read a card! )

Finally, should I e-mail IPO with our approximate arrival time? I know my father (and myself too!) would be disappointed if no one is there to meet us to take us to check in and we have to wait a long time ... Like everyone on vacation, I am trying to make sure things go as smoothly as possible!

I have a feeling I am going to love the GF so much, we will never be able to stay anywhere else!

 

[Tinkaroo]

1. Can we get turn down service if we aren't staying concierge?
2. How do I list "Hammerhead room" request? Should that be first (Hammerhead room, Sago or Conch) or should it be bldg first (Sago or Conch, Hammerhead room)?
3. In order, which bldg do you think has the best view of the MK? We have the TPV booked.

I agree with everyone else, Denise - decide what is most important to you, and list that first. Do we know if "hammerhead" is a widely known term for the room assigners, or is that just what we've coined it?

For the person asking, "hammerhead" rooms are on the ends, and tend to have dual balconies, and maybe a teensy bit of extra sq. footage.

That is a great, idea. I decided to bring a selection of our nicest beads for the CMs and I made a small basket for the IPO person. I mean, six months of e-mails back and forth and always responding promptly and always getting what I asked ... I had some problems with IPO initally, but then somehow I got someone new answering my e-mails. Thank goodness!

My goal is to pack all the clothes today. DD is home from school with a low fever and runny nose and I am convincing myself she will be fine by Monday morning. Wish me luck.

Also, does anybody have any suggestions on how I can tell her on Monday we are going to Disney? She doesn't know yet! I am thinking I want to hold out all the way 'til we get in the car on the way to the airport ... but I can't really think of a clever way to tell her. (She is 4.90, will be 5 on Valentine's Day, so she can't quite read a card! )

Finally, should I e-mail IPO with our approximate arrival time? I know my father (and myself too!) would be disappointed if no one is there to meet us to take us to check in and we have to wait a long time ... Like everyone on vacation, I am trying to make sure things go as smoothly as possible!

I have a feeling I am going to love the GF so much, we will never be able to stay anywhere else!

Have a great trip!!! Lots of for you!

How are you arriving at the GF? Are you taking ME, coming via towncar, or driving? DH and I had a rental car in Dec., and when the guard was giving us our parking pass at the gate, she radioed ahead that we were concierge guests, as well as put a "C" and a # on our parking pass. I did hear her tell whomever she radioed the # she put on our pass, so they could pick us out of all the people pulling up to valet. Both the valet and the concierge CM that were right there to greet us knew who we were, and we were unloaded and whisked away instantly. I did indicate on the form for IPO our approximate arrival time, so they would have an idea.

How fun to think up something for your daughter! What about a small treasure hunt, and the prize is something Disney-related, and you can tell her she's going to WDW? Or since it sounds like she's a little princess, maybe make a big "to do" about breakfast that morning, maybe have a little crown for her, call her princess, etc., and then maybe have some sort of card from "Cinderella" asking her to come visit?

I'll keep thinking for you!

 

[WishesQueen]

For the person asking, "hammerhead" rooms are on the ends, and tend to have dual balconies, and maybe a teensy bit of extra sq. footage.

Its me who asked!!! At least one of the people that asked!!!



Thanks for the help! So you could try to request one of these rooms? Why wouldn't you? Is it only for RPC or is it for all rooms?

Sorry about all the questions..just trying to learn!

Thanks again! I really love this thread!

arbonnette Have a great time!!!! I might not have a chance to visit the threads over the weekend!!!

 

[poohgirl6]

Thank you Tinkaroo for clearing that up about the Hammerhead thing

I was beginning to imagine all manner of bizarre things it could mean

 

[stagemomto3]

Thank you Tinkaroo for clearing that up about the Hammerhead thing

I was beginning to imagine all manner of bizarre things it could mean

Hee, hee...me too! I was glad that you asked. What I don't get is why they don't just call them corner rooms?

 

[Tink rules]

We're here to help!!!

Don't worry about the Hammerhead rooms... I think they are few and far between... I've enjoyed each room I've stayed in at the GF... the atmosphere is wonderful there...

Enjoy!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hee, hee...me too! I was glad that you asked. What I don't get is why they don't just call them corner rooms?

I've never had one, but I don't believe all corner rooms have this feature, so that's likely how this term was coined (at least by us!).

I think they're only in the outer lodge buildings - I don't believe any RPC rooms would have this layout, but I could be wrong.

 

[NJPluto]

Hi GF experts!

We've never stayed there before and I have a couple of questions:

1) Do all of the rooms have a mini-bar? If so, what's in them?

2) Please tell me about the pool cabanas!

Thanks!

PS- Sorry if these are addressed elsewhere in the thread!

 

[arbonnette]

How are you arriving at the GF? Are you taking ME, coming via towncar, or driving? DH and I had a rental car in Dec., and when the guard was giving us our parking pass at the gate, she radioed ahead that we were concierge guests, as well as put a "C" and a # on our parking pass. I did hear her tell whomever she radioed the # she put on our pass, so they could pick us out of all the people pulling up to valet. Both the valet and the concierge CM that were right there to greet us knew who we were, and we were unloaded and whisked away instantly. I did indicate on the form for IPO our approximate arrival time, so they would have an idea.

How fun to think up something for your daughter! What about a small treasure hunt, and the prize is something Disney-related, and you can tell her she's going to WDW? Or since it sounds like she's a little princess, maybe make a big "to do" about breakfast that morning, maybe have a little crown for her, call her princess, etc., and then maybe have some sort of card from "Cinderella" asking her to come visit?

I'll keep thinking for you!

We are arriving via ME ...

DD and I are travelling with my mom and dad. (My husband passed away in 2004, but my DD and I are lucky we get to travel all over the world with my parents!) I am thinking I will fix her Mickey pancakes for breakfast at our house. Then, I will drive over to my parents in the morning before we go to the airport and have the custom Minnie dress I ordered on ebay waiting for her along with a red and white dot blanket and a pillowcase I painted with her name and Minnie ears ... and I may just ask her casually, "Do you want to go to Disney World today?" She knows we are going on a trip, but she thinks we are going in the car to the beach ...

I am going to fine tune my plans over the weekend. I still haven't started packing yet.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi GF experts!

We've never stayed there before and I have a couple of questions:

1) Do all of the rooms have a mini-bar? If so, what's in them?

2) Please tell me about the pool cabanas!

Thanks!

PS- Sorry if these are addressed elsewhere in the thread!

Hi, they took the minibars out of the rooms when they did the refurb last year. I miss them!!!

There are two cabanas that you can reserve to rent and two that are freebies - first come first serve. The rentals are nice if you want the TV and padded chairs....they have a fridge stocked w/sodas and juice and water. You get a fruit bowl. I was there over Thanksgiving and IMO they were looking kind of shabby. They were empty the whole time we were there - well whenever we were at the pool. We lucked out on the freebies. I rented a cabana quite a while ago when they were new. There is more specific info and pics we all took at the front of this thread.

enjoy,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Arbonnette, HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know how you managed to keep the trip secret for so darn long! You deserve big time credit. I hope your daughter freaks out!


ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

We get the same thing! People think Bear (4 years) is a husky/german sheppard mix, especially with his colors. Once I give the breed name (Shiba Inu for those who don't know) I usually get the awkward "did u just sneeze" look lol. Here's a shameless plug for my little furball! This was taken while his facial markings were changing:

We never had an issue with Bear, his leash, and walking. In fact, we've used the same leash for 4 years now (your typical retractable cable leash) with a collar similar to a choker. Bear never pulls, but since his fur (especially around his neck) is so thick, there have been times when his collar has slipped off as we were walking when using a standard collar. I will say that for their size they are freakishly strong lol! He's so smart and clever too! No regrets on this end either!QUOTE]

OMG Bear is adorable and he has such beautiful markings. I can just eat him up. Our DS wanted a black and tan one but all the ones that we had seen were mostly black. Oh do I know that "what did you call them" look. People are funny. My Temari girl is very independent and my Cody Bear is such a lovey. Freakishly strong is not the word. I am so amazed at the power these little ones have. They are just brilliant animals. Here are my two babies. Temari is on the left and Cody the right. Cody is 6 months younger than Temari. He's a moose.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

You guys with your pet pictures!!! They are ADORABLE! I have to post mine, too, haha. I am CRAZY about my Newfie. She is just AWESOME in every way. 130 lbs of fluff & sugar.

QUOTE]

Wow, now that's a dog. She is beautiful.

My puppies:

The one in the front is my "son", Petey. He is a three year old Feist.

In the back is Buster. He belongs to my mom and dad. He is a nine year old bassett that they rescued.

Your babies are too cute.

Where do you all leave your pets when you go on vacation?