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

[Cinderumbrella]

Channing!! You should have told me you were heading up there- I would have met you and walked you through it!!

I don't have the postcard here, Mom still has it. I just made her give me the pin code!! We were originally flying in the 12/6 and staying till 12/14 (Sat-Sun) but the code doesn't start until 12/7 and it wouldn't let him apply it. We changed our arrival date to 12/7 with a 12/15 departure and it worked (except our last night is full price since the code only runs 12/7 to 12/13). I am trying to decide if we should come home on the 15th (and have DS miss 6 days of kindergarten) or come home on the 14th and lose a day off our trip.

Also, I had him check all the categories and it was only good for GV...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing!! You should have told me you were heading up there- I would have met you and walked you through it!!

I don't have the postcard here, Mom still has it. I just made her give me the pin code!! We were originally flying in the 12/6 and staying till 12/14 (Sat-Sun) but the code doesn't start until 12/7 and it wouldn't let him apply it. We changed our arrival date to 12/7 with a 12/15 departure and it worked (except our last night is full price since the code only runs 12/7 to 12/13). I am trying to decide if we should come home on the 15th (and have DS miss 6 days of kindergarten) or come home on the 14th and lose a day off our trip.

Also, I had him check all the categories and it was only good for GV...

Kristen that would be great!! Next time I plan to head out there I will pm you....pm me if you are going!!!

That is so lucky about the code. Bummer that it ends like that and won't let you continue your stay at the discounted rate....last year we booked to check in Nov 16 & that was the last day with the code for a couple weeks but we checked in with the great rate 11/16 and then it lasted our whole stay.

Well, my husband is now planning on joining us in FL. (IF I can get a ressie for my Newfie) The girls and I fly down Tuesday and he is looking to fly down and meet us on Friday afternoon. He'll have a car so we can use it to move to the GF Saturday and then turn it in Sat evening at teh Dolphin. Makes my life a little easier. I guess maybe I should email IPO and request my room and let them know arrival time.

Channing

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Channing,
That is good news about DH! (right? Sometimes I wish DS and I could just go alone for a few days. He is so anti going more than once in a year )

This code thing is so bizarre this year!! I knew that the code couldn't be extended past its expiration date but I just assumed that since it appears they are applying it nightly that we could arrive a day early, pay full price for that day, and then get the code for the rest of the week (We are on a package). CM said the computer wouldn't let him apply it. So now to go 9 days we come home on Monday and DS misses a 6th day of kindergarten instead of 5. I hate the idea of losing a day off our trip (we always feel rushed when we go for 8 days- 10 is more our preference). Any advice from the Mommy's out there?????????

OT: I will let you know when I get to the Commons next (I don't go too often in this FREEZING weather). Not to mention I have no desire to start shopping for shorts and tank tops when it is 11 degrees out

Kristin

 

[praline3001]

Okay, reading this board is just bad bad bad for me

Savannah is home sick and we were talking about our June trip and she said she really liked the GF and has decided that is where she would like to stay for her birthday... faster than lightening I was on the phone with Kelly before she changed her mind

So it looks like now we are going to stay at the GF for our june trip


SOOOOO if Savannah changes her mind again Ya'll HAVE to agree to tell her that the poly is booked solid... no rooms in the inn

Now to break the news to DH

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Okay, reading this board is just bad bad bad for me

Savannah is home sick and we were talking about our June trip and she said she really liked the GF and has decided that is where she would like to stay for her birthday... faster than lightening I was on the phone with Kelly before she changed her mind

So it looks like now we are going to stay at the GF for our june trip


SOOOOO if Savannah changes her mind again Ya'll HAVE to agree to tell her that the poly is booked solid... no rooms in the inn

Now to break the news to DH

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is a SMART, SMART girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Cinderumbrella, lBe thankful that he is only in kindergarden, it gets worst when they are in high school. I hate now to take them out for even 1 day!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

praline3001, Do you request what building you would prefer to stay in? I am having a tough time figuring out what GV building to request for August.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Princess, I requested a Marina View (which means Conch or Sago) We had it last year in Conch and it was wonderful!! The castle was just outside our door to the right

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Cinderumbrella, lBe thankful that he is only in kindergarden, it gets worst when they are in high school. I hate now to take them out for even 1 day!

Ditto!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Thank You!! I will make those my requests and keep my fingers crossed.

 

[praline3001]

Now I am trying to change our ADRs....
Usually I end up with room service breakfast but I like to have a breakfast ressie just in case we change our minds. This is what I HAD before changing to the GF... the ones in red I am not wanting to change as they are highlights for Savannah and its her birthday trip... the ones in blue I am wanting to change but not sure to what...
June 14
MK hours 9-11
1900 parkfare dinner 6:20pm
June 15
AK
Kona café 8am what time does the 1900 parkfare breakfast start?
Yak and Yeti’s 6:30pm
June 16
Epcot
Kona café 8am
Garden grill 8pm cant miss the munks after our last trip ..her new best friends
June 17
MGM
Kona café 8am
Ohana’s dinner 6:55pm ..this is a birthday dinner for my brother and I need a FAMILY dinner as he has preschooler and a toddler... we might still keep this unless you have better ideas. We did 1900 together last time so wanted to do something different with the niece and nephew...

June 18
MK
Cindy castle breakfast
LTT dinner 7pm

June 19th
MGM
Kona café -8am
Mama Melrose 4:10

June 20th
Ak or epcot
Lilo and stitch breakfast 7:30am
Le ciellers steak house 6:20pm
June 21
MK
Chef Mickey’s breakfast 9:30am doing this with niece and nephew who have been dying to eat here (well nephew at least)
Tony’s towne square lunch

I liked the GF cafe for dinner but it might be too adult like for Savannah for breakfast? What time does the cafe open?
We are both early risers so our GAME plan for this week is to hit the parks EARLY and hit the pool for afternoon and go back to the park for dinner. I liked 1900 parkfare breakfast BUT not everyday

Maybe we will just do room service most the week....

 

[heatherlynn444]

GF cafe for breakfast is really yummy! try it! its very laid back IMO

 

[praline3001]

praline3001, Do you request what building you would prefer to stay in? I am having a tough time figuring out what GV building to request for August.

Neah...they all look the same to me

We were in Conch the first of Feb and we really liked it. It was a little bit of a walk to the main building but it was such a PRETTY walk. Conch also has a nice view to the marina and if you don't get the MK view room you can step right out onto the porch and catch a wonderful view of the fireworks.
Also the walk through the courtyard/gardens was so pretty! It was not a trek at all to make it to the main building. We enjoyed it was more quiet and just such a pretty walk.

When I say walk... maybe 1/4 mile walk to the main building? I didn't measure it but we aren't talking miles here

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing,
That is good news about DH! (right? Sometimes I wish DS and I could just go alone for a few days. He is so anti going more than once in a year )

This code thing is so bizarre this year!! I knew that the code couldn't be extended past its expiration date but I just assumed that since it appears they are applying it nightly that we could arrive a day early, pay full price for that day, and then get the code for the rest of the week (We are on a package). CM said the computer wouldn't let him apply it. So now to go 9 days we come home on Monday and DS misses a 6th day of kindergarten instead of 5. I hate the idea of losing a day off our trip (we always feel rushed when we go for 8 days- 10 is more our preference). Any advice from the Mommy's out there?????????

OT: I will let you know when I get to the Commons next (I don't go too often in this FREEZING weather). Not to mention I have no desire to start shopping for shorts and tank tops when it is 11 degrees out

Kristin

Kristen, I think that's why the place was empty - this awful weather! Ugh....I honestly don't remember a winter like this.

Well, about DH going. Hmmm......I just hope he's not a downer. He has been known to be. He is sick with a cold now and he wants to get out of this weather....27 days from now. I also know a few people he works with are going down about the same time and I think he's feeling left out. I have yet to buy his air. I am looking at SWA and the disgusting thing is it's going to cost him more to fly to MCO for a 5 nt stay than it cost for a flight to Hawaii - where we at least got our moneys worth in a 2 wk stay. (even though we wished we were at WDW the whole time, haha)

OK, about taking your little guy out of school. (I am bad) I don't blink an eye about it. I have DD11 that is high honor roll, DD8 that most likely is dyslexic but a super smartie, and then DS17 that is very bright but has ADD and struggles. I took them out for 2 wks at a time until 6th grade with minimal guilt . When we found out 5 yrs ago that DD11 was losing her sight we booked a getaway -just as a pick us up- trip to Puerto Rico. (we had a GREAT time ) anyway.....I met these high school kids in the lounge at the hotel and they were telling me they were going on a cruise with their whole extended family and all the cooloh stuff they'd be doing. We started talking about missing school etc. & they said their family motto is FAMILY FIRST. I just always remember those really nice kids and their great close family and think they have it right. I wouldn't sweat it at all- plus Disney is a place best enjoyed in the "off" season.

When I got back from PR and had a meeting with DS's 6th grade team one of the teachers there was SO MEAN about DS missing THREE DAYS of school she made me cry. I felt awful until I discovered SHE is a *itch and EVERYBODY knows it. She treats everybody like garbage. She must not have had family vacations/family bonding.

Channing

 

[arbonnette]

Hello, GF friends.
Praline, that is awesome that you are doing GF for June now. All the princesses stay there, right?

Channing, don't feel mean. While I Know a lot of moms who would pay it in a hearbeat, I wouldn't and I think it would be very silly to pay that much for a dress for hot Disney weather (or anytime really!) These are the same moms who REGISTER for gifts for their child's b-day party.
I must admit, I bought Hannah a cashmere hoodie sweater from J. Crew once and I felt so silly for doing it even though she wore it endlessly, so I am not one to skimp when it comes to her, but there are so many other things I could do with the money. Hannah saw the Mary Poppins dress while looking over my shoulder last night, and she squealed with delight and said she wanted it ... Too bad, so sad. Hannah. That almost pays for a night of GV at the GF!

IF I do GF GV for August, does Conch have bad views? I think I would like that location close to the boat dock ...

Kelly, listened to the Podcast for the first time and heard you. How fun.

Have a great day, everyone.
- Andrea

 

[irisbud]

Praline, I love the GF cafe for breakfast. I think it is pretty laid back, and I don't see it as being too grown up for a little girl at all. I think it's a nice spot for breakfast.

We visited the GF on our last trip (no avalibility for rooms ) and I wish we would have eaten ther instead of Gaspies for breakfast. At least the seagulls can't get in to steal your sausages!

Cinderumbrella, I used to miss weeks of school at a time to go to horse shows, and it was never a big deal. I've also missed a couple weeks of college to visit disney in the off season .

Okay ladies, I need some help making a decision. BF and I are getting married on January 22, 2009. We are going to be at WDW Jan 20, 2009 - Jan 25, 2009, and then do a 4 night Disney cruise . Our wedding is at 12:00 PM at Sea Breeze Point. We are going to stay at BWI for at least the first 2 nights before the wedding just for the convenience factor, but then we really want to move to the GF. We always do split stays and I love them, but I am wondering if you all think we should stay our wedding night at BWI so we have no preperation issues, or if we should move to the GF. I THINK my parents would stay at BWI or the S/D (mom is a teacher) so I could use their room, but I am not sure about the hassle. We love the GF so much I hate to not be there on our wedding night, but I will also have enough stress! Any suggestions!

TIA

Amy

 

[princessesrule4]

Praline,
We all loved Kona for breakfast! I think 1900 PF starts at 7:30 but I might be mixing it up with Chef Mickey's. DD liked GFC for breakfast - she had mickey waffles,etc. She also likes the kids plate at Gasparillas - don't know if you all went there on your last trip for breakfast. It is fast but still good!

I know youre psyched about going back to the GF! We'll be there that week too! Can't wait!!

Lives4Disney,

So your DH is crashing your girls trip! Just Kidding! My DH did that to us the October before last when it was supposed to be a girls trip. We were glad he came- I think he likes Disney more than he's willing to admit, especially the GF and most especially staying RPC! You've got less than a month- I see! It will go by fast and you'll be down there before you know it!

Kelly,

I enjoyed listening to your voicemail on the podcast! We actually have never met that particular CM but have heard so much about her from Lives4, you and others. The other 3 who always help us up there are fabulous and hopefully we will meet her in June!

 

[princessesrule4]

Cinderumbrella,
I would not sweat DS missing kindergarten at all! DS is middle school and switches classes so he really can't miss! Too much work to make up. DD9 can miss a couple days, but we go in early June as soon as school gets out now so its not a factor, but I have pulled her out for December and Halloween trips a few times!

Irisbud,

Could your DFiance check you in at the GF early that morning? I see what you mean about it being a little hectic to be roomless on your wedding day. But it would be fabulous for your honeymoon night. If you could use your parents room and have your stuff moved later on in the day, that might work!?
It will be a beautiful wedding at Seabreeze Pointe- sounds amazing!

 

[marcij]

Okay, reading this board is just bad bad bad for me

Savannah is home sick and we were talking about our June trip and she said she really liked the GF and has decided that is where she would like to stay for her birthday... faster than lightening I was on the phone with Kelly before she changed her mind

So it looks like now we are going to stay at the GF for our june trip


SOOOOO if Savannah changes her mind again Ya'll HAVE to agree to tell her that the poly is booked solid... no rooms in the inn

Now to break the news to DH

Congrats! That is fabulous news. Savannah is so very smart! We do need to train them young!

All of this talk about ordering clothes etc. has had me thinking. Well, for one thing, it's a good thing I have all boys -- saves me lots of money on clothes! But really, several of us who frequent this thread have a good friend on the DISigns board who makes the cutest pillowcases.

Her daughter has the most beautiful voice, and the mom is taking on extra sewing to take her to a voice competition. Please don't feel obligated, but if anyone is interested in personalized pillowcases, she does great work. If anyone wants her info, PM me.

 

[praline3001]

Well I fixed the breakfast problem

I am going to upgrade to SL.

It was more but in the long run I think its going to save us a little money....
I dont eat very much at all (no more than 5oz at a time) and DD is a kid.
With the dining I have set up ... we would be paying a lot for dining.
I am still keeping a few of our favs to eat at ...mostly dinner... and we can eat at the lounge for breakfast and lunch. We were also planning on more resort time due to the hot weather and crowds so savannah can snack all day long if she wants to and it wont cost me extra

Also i wont have to worry about being at a certain TS at a certain time. We can just go back to the resort at lunch and grab a light lunch when we feel like it. As we were planning on being in the pool all afternoon, this will work out much better.

I guess if her or I ate full meals it wouldn't make a lot of sense but really a character meal... or any TS meal at Disney will run us $40 for the 2 of us... due to my surgery, I am way leary of counter service meals so I always go TS.

I know it still comes out paying more but it balances out BETTER than if we both ate our fill while dining

At least that is what I am telling DH