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

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks, your little ones are cuties, too.

We have a place near us that's a doggy day camp. They even have a canoe out in front and a playground for the pets and do pet parties and bbqs haha. We bring Tater there and rent her a "suite". Last few times she has had the Winnie the Pooh suite. It is a decent size room - decorated like a kid bedroom in Pooh Bear theme. I don't feel as guilty & they have day care all day from 9 to 5 so the pets aren't locked up or alone. It is pricey, though.


Hey, Tinklvr - we had school today!! We are the only stupid school district around for miles that did. I thought for sure I'd get that 5 am call, but nope. The buses were all very late to school but they made it. One less day to deal with til summer break.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

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.

Her Minnie things sound cute! I remember those days of adorable dresses, bows,etc. But DD has turned 10 and the cutesy things are looked at with disdain. Although she will still wear bows, mickey pony's etc. at WDW thank goodness!

Let us know her reaction when you tell her !
Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[WishesQueen]

arbonnette

I am dying to know how you decide to tell her, and her reaction!!!


Have a great trip!!

 

[NJPluto]

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

Thanks for the info, Lives4Disney!

 

[triplefigs]

Arbonnette, I hope you have a great time!

 

[triplefigs]

We put in the request as "Hammerhead Room, Conch Key". Our AAA agent was calling the Special Needs dept to see if they could block the room for us. Since DS may still be in a wheelchair (don't need HA room) and has trouble walking, the Conch Key bldg would be the good because of the closeness to Main bldg, bus stop, and boat launch. Also, it would have views of the CR as well. The Hammerhead room would give us more room as well to store the wheelchair. She also put down it is our 13th wedding anniversary. Cant' wait!!!!!!!

Can anyone show me the page (new or old thread) where there are pics of the views from Sago or Conch rooms of the Castle and/or monorail?

 

[tinklvr64]

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

I agree with Lives4Disney...we were there in Sept and were so excited about renting a cabana. I was really disappointed though..kind of shabby worn down even the chairs were not that great. The other thing is my guys played in the pool the whole time~so they could care less! We def would not rent one again. We will try to get a freebie though. My opinion kind of a waste of money.

Lives4Disney...sorry about no snow day for you. I thought everyone around had one??? The problem with not calling off school and buses are really late is some kids waiting on corners soooo long for the buses and by the time they arrive at school the kids are reallllly off the rest of the morning. Thursday night we had kids at school 45 min after dismissal still waiting for the buses to pick them up. We are in a unit district so our buses start with HS, MS, then elem.
FYI...I just heard that another system is right around the corner I am really sick of winter this year.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I agree with Lives4Disney...we were there in Sept and were so excited about renting a cabana. I was really disappointed though..kind of shabby worn down even the chairs were not that great. The other thing is my guys played in the pool the whole time~so they could care less! We def would not rent one again. We will try to get a freebie though. My opinion kind of a waste of money.

Lives4Disney...sorry about no snow day for you. I thought everyone around had one??? The problem with not calling off school and buses are really late is some kids waiting on corners soooo long for the buses and by the time they arrive at school the kids are reallllly off the rest of the morning. Thursday night we had kids at school 45 min after dismissal still waiting for the buses to pick them up. We are in a unit district so our buses start with HS, MS, then elem.
FYI...I just heard that another system is right around the corner I am really sick of winter this year.

That is interesting you guys thought they were kind of shabby too. We haven't rented them since they were on the newish side. They have let them go IMO.

We have buses that run HS, MS, ES, too....then on the way home it's the opposite. Yep, kids were waiting around a LONG time. I think a large majority of students are bussers, too. We are rural but not as rural as what's to the north and west of us so they were all off. Parents were POed that WE had school when around other districts were off. DH took DD to school and what it normally a 5-7 min drive took 20 minutes. The roads were horrible. We have all 4WD vehicles, too. MS started 45 min late due to late buses. I am sooo sick of this winter, too. Looking forward to spring break.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Thanks, your little ones are cuties, too.

We have a place near us that's a doggy day camp. They even have a canoe out in front and a playground for the pets and do pet parties and bbqs haha. We bring Tater there and rent her a "suite". Last few times she has had the Winnie the Pooh suite. It is a decent size room - decorated like a kid bedroom in Pooh Bear theme. I don't feel as guilty & they have day care all day from 9 to 5 so the pets aren't locked up or alone. It is pricey, though.

Lives4Disney

How cool is that. Your babies get their own Disney Suite. Sounds like a nice place to bring them.

I thought I read somewhere on here that the pool will be down for rehab. Is this true and if so can anyone tell me approximately when and how long it will be down. TIA

 

[WishesQueen]

I am in a situation that I have to have a cabana. My DD11 has albinism. The cabanas are getting refurbished before the summer season (at least thats what they tell me). Krause (the man that runs the magazine counter) which I've become friends with, told that the all four cabanas are going to the same this summer too. With Refrigs, TVs and fans, the GF is the only hotel that has cabanas on Disney property. We absolutely love them, but understand it makes my vacation completely stress free. We spend the mornings at the pool almost everyday and just knowing she can find some comfort helps all have a great time.

I hope this helps and I also hope they fix them up!!

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Thank you for this update info. I was waffling (albeit a Mickey waffle!) about renting a cabana. Please let us know how you like them. And, if you don't mind, sharing the new cost. I'm sure someone has to pay for the refurb.

Best Wishes!

 

[WishesQueen]

Sorry I am not going until July. I have asked about the prices, since everything has changed this year. Good news, the price for this has not its $60 for 1/2 day (10-2 or 3-7) and $110 for a whole day!!

This includes a fruit basket and a loaded refrigerator. When you arrive at the pool the refrig. is full of an assortment of drinks. They then ask you if their is anything specific your family drinks and they will change or add as you go. My family drinks mostly water and occasionally a soda, but never juice (so they change it). The other really nice thing that you do, is when your done with the day, they tell you to take all the drinks that are left. They have to clean it out and replenish it for the next family anyway. In fact our lifeguards have insteaded that we take our drinks.

 

[AuroraBeauty]

WishesQueen, greatly appreciate the update. I'm not going until September so I have plenty of time. DH said he'd gladly pay for a full day if that meant he didn't have to do a princess tea. He's hilarious!


Sounds like a great deal, it is definitely on my list. Do you have to wait until you arrive to book or is it like ADRs?

Kindest Regards.

 

[tinklvr64]

The cabanas are getting refurbished before the summer season (at least thats what they tell me). Krause (the man that runs the magazine counter) which I've become friends with, told that the all four cabanas are going to the same this summer too. With Refrigs, TVs and fans, the GF is the only hotel that has cabanas on Disney property.

WOW this is good news..you will have to report back on how the refurb went that may make me change my mind!

 

[Lives4Disney]

WishesQueen, greatly appreciate the update. I'm not going until September so I have plenty of time. DH said he'd gladly pay for a full day if that meant he didn't have to do a princess tea. He's hilarious!


Sounds like a great deal, it is definitely on my list. Do you have to wait until you arrive to book or is it like ADRs?

Kindest Regards.

All the GF "Official" info is posted toward the front of this thread regarding the cabanas. Those prices are the current rates. Who knows what they'll charge once they've been touched up. You should book in advance.....they used to be hard to get but I guess it depends what season you're going in. DH enjoyed when we rented one, but as I said they look shabby lately & for our March trip I am not bothering with them. Good news that they're giving them a lift - I wonder when that will be happening. I am bummed that they are turning all 4 into rentals.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

All the GF "Official" info is posted toward the front of this thread regarding the cabanas. Those prices are the current rates. Who knows what they'll charge once they've been touched up. You should book in advance.....they used to be hard to get but I guess it depends what season you're going in. DH enjoyed when we rented one, but as I said they look shabby lately & for our March trip I am not bothering with them. Good news that they're giving them a lift - I wonder when that will be happening. I am bummed that they are turning all 4 into rentals.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

I'm surprised that they are turning all 4 into rentals. I think we've only seen people in them a few times since they started renting them! And this was June and October. We didn't go to the pool in December. I thought mabye the rental program wasn't successful! But I guess it must have caught on!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I am in a situation that I have to have a cabana. My DD11 has albinism. The cabanas are getting refurbished before the summer season (at least thats what they tell me). Krause (the man that runs the magazine counter) which I've become friends with, told that the all four cabanas are going to the same this summer too. With Refrigs, TVs and fans, the GF is the only hotel that has cabanas on Disney property. We absolutely love them, but understand it makes my vacation completely stress free. We spend the mornings at the pool almost everyday and just knowing she can find some comfort helps all have a great time.

I hope this helps and I also hope they fix them up!!

Maybe I misunderstood??? Sounds like they will all four be rentals, but I agree....they sure didn't seem to be used any time we've been there. It seemd like a popular fad at first but after a while seemed to lose the novelty. We don't usually spend more than 1 or 2 hrs at the pool at a time so I personally didn't really care to have one or not. DH liked it because he brought his laptop out and did his stuff. I liked the freebie cabanas. The shade is nice, but I can get free drinks in the lounge and I like a nice daqueri anyway, haha, at the pool.

I will take pics in March and see if anything's changed then.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Maybe I misunderstood??? Sounds like they will all four be rentals, but I agree....they sure didn't seem to be used any time we've been there. It seemd like a popular fad at first but after a while seemed to lose the novelty. We don't usually spend more than 1 or 2 hrs at the pool at a time so I personally didn't really care to have one or not. DH liked it because he brought his laptop out and did his stuff. I liked the freebie cabanas. The shade is nice, but I can get free drinks in the lounge and I like a nice daqueri anyway, haha, at the pool.

I will take pics in March and see if anything's changed then.

Lives4Disney

Did you decide to do a split stay? The lure of the GF is powerful...
When we stayed at CR last August, although we liked it, I kept staring at the GF and wanted to jump out everytime we were on the monorail!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Did you decide to do a split stay? The lure of the GF is powerful...
When we stayed at CR last August, although we liked it, I kept staring at the GF and wanted to jump out everytime we were on the monorail!

Ya, I think a split stay...Swan/GF. DDs want to be at teh GF for Easter, so we are still working things out. We thought maybe a Swan/CR split so we could walk b/f if the place is super crowded, but I thought I'd be doing exactly what you describe and missing it too much.

I know.....when I see pics of it I just go "Aww....." I love that place.

Lives4Disney

 

[DVC Mary]

Hello Illinois friends!

I am so ready for winter to be over. My kids had off Friday. My school did not & it took me 1.5 hours to get there after shoveling my driveway out twice. Once early in the am, then again after I took my shower & realized I couldn't get out thanks to the snow plow.

I am ready for DISNEY!

Well actually, I'm really behind on my pre-trip prep & packing.


Does anyone know if both GF pools are open?

I heard one was being refurbed, but that guests could use the Poly.


Thanks for all the wonderful info on this thread & for answering my questions. Tomorrow I'm going to call for my Mom's b-day cake. I wish I could have it there when we arrrive. It will be late & I'm sure we could all use a nosh before bed.