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

[Lives4Disney]

called today and got all my ADR'S I wanted ( including LeCellier!!!) . But, for some reason the CM couldn't book Rainforest Cafe at AK. Not a big deal since we belong to the safari club and get seated pretty quickly anyway, but I still wanted an ADR. Is there policy different? Not 180 days?
TIA!!
Heather

We had it booked by CMs way in advance for our Thanksgiving trip....Honestly though it was the WORST meal we had during out 10 day stay.....the food was icky, the service was awful, the guy could NOT get our order right. It was slow and miserable. I won't go back to that RC. I don't know if you should try another CM or just skip it....do that one Praline did - that new one Yak and Yeti...she loved it.

*Sniff*....you guys really hurt my feelings about that skirt. I can't come here to play if you all won't be nice.

I even read about that story telling in November in their little GF newspaper I am sure! That's crazy nobody knows anything about it in MM. I kind of considered doing it, too.

On the doll issue.....Both my girls got that Aurora doll...I didn't know the pink dress was only available at the tea party. My DDs were 8 and 4.5 when we did it.....the younger one was bored and played with her Pollys at the table. I thought DD8 would be kinda old for it, but SHE actually (and ME, too) loved it. The doll's hair is a rat's nest. It went bad pretty much right away. I would do the whole thing again if I didn't have to pay for the cheapy but costly giveaways. It was an adorable event but the dolls, bracelet, and other stuff was junky.

Here's a picture of DDs with Rose Petal the story teller that really leads the whole party. She was terrific.

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

I'm still getting caught up on all the posts in this thread.

I'm planning a stay at the GF for Easter next year. Are there any special activities that go on for that? Like easter egg rolls/hunts and whatnot?

TIA!

They have done an egg hunt in the past ( a few years ago) but we have not been to the GF for Easter lately - we've been going to Vero for the past few Easter breaks!
There are quite a few people staying at the GF for Easter so I'm sure someone will report back! Also, Deb Wills' site usually has updated info on holiday activities - I've been looking for Vero egg hunt info so I'll post if I see any GF info!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I alwasy make my rainforest cafe ressies thru WDW at AK and at DTD
I am also a safari member

 

[Lives4Disney]

MsStinkerBelle, I forgot about your Easter questions...

I will be there for Easter. Here is the current info I have for the 2008 plans

The Grand Floridian has the following activities planned for Easter
morning:

8:30AM Muffins and coffee, juice
9AM Easter Egg Hunt - starts IMMEDIATELY at 9AM
9:15AM to 9:30AM Easter arts and crafts begin

The Easter Bunny does make appearances but those have not yet been
released.

Hope this helps! Have a GRAND weekend!


Sounds like it might have to be an EARLY morning for us.....if you're not there right away at 9, I think you miss out.
Channing

 

[Lives4Disney]

Whhooohoooo I did it. I posted a picture not from photobucket!!

I have a GREAT lady that is making DD11 a tiered skirt using this cute Pooh/Eeeyore fabric with a little blue ruffle detail at the hem - it's not the same person that I got this listing pic from.... just the same fabric. I will definitely post next week when this one comes in. I figured with the previous skirt mess I would get it all squared away with her. she is also doing an embroidered/appliqued Eeyore tee to match. I think THIS is more Lucy's style and with a jean jacket - so cute. Are ya with me?? This will be cute I think. No clown costume.

Channing

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yeah Kelly is mean like that
You don't want to meet her in a dark alley with that skirt on

Why?? With that glow in the dark skirt on you would see her a mile away and run far away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, I am glad you got it worked out (I think I am still reading!)

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I like that new fabric.

I wish the GF sold more alice stuff like a fabric I would buy that and make pillows and stuff outta it

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Whhooohoooo I did it. I posted a picture not from photobucket!!

I have a GREAT lady that is making DD11 a tiered skirt using this cute Pooh/Eeeyore fabric with a little blue ruffle detail at the hem - it's not the same person that I got this listing pic from.... just the same fabric. I will definitely post next week when this one comes in. I figured with the previous skirt mess I would get it all squared away with her. she is also doing an embroidered/appliqued Eeyore tee to match. I think THIS is more Lucy's style and with a jean jacket - so cute. Are ya with me?? This will be cute I think. No clown costume.

Channing

Channing, DS has a blanket made from that fabric (but the fleece version) It is really cute!!

 

[praline3001]

I saw that fabric and thought it was darling. They also have a cindy princess fabric similar but instead of blue its lavender. Savannah wanted it but I was worried about all the white and mickey bars

I like that fabric a lot!!! Good luck and sorry if I hurt your feelings over that skirt. I in no way meant to be hurtful to you over it

 

[safetymom]

Just a reminder that the FAQ threads are for the sharing of information about a resort.

If you would like to have a chatty thread about the resort and the friends you have made on this thread please start another thread on our Countdown and Live reports board here on Resorts.

Many people come to these threads looking for information on a resort. It is tough wading through posts that have nothing to do with the resort.

Also keep in mind that once a thread gets to 250 pages it will be closed and another thread will need to be started.

Thank you everyone for your cooperation.

 

[arbonnette]

Regarding the GF storytelling, I had planned to do this our first night DD after Park Fare dinner. When I got that answer, I didn't ask about the craft that I read was supposed to be on Wednesday (I think.) As I said before, I did not pursue it and say, "It's supposed to be tonight. Right now!" because it was obvious neither CM had a clue and no one else seemed to be there looking for it as well.
Thanks, Kelly, for checking into it. I should have asked a concierge CM just to check, but forgot!

 

[praline3001]

Just a reminder that the FAQ threads are for the sharing of information about a resort.

If you would like to have a chatty thread about the resort and the friends you have made on this thread please start another thread on our Countdown and Live reports board here on Resorts.

Many people come to these threads looking for information on a resort. It is tough wading through posts that have nothing to do with the resort.

Also keep in mind that once a thread gets to 250 pages it will be closed and another thread will need to be started.

Thank you everyone for your cooperation.

I completely understand how hard it is to find the information you are looking for. Kelly has done an amazing job keeping the business end of this thread completely updated ... the first 10 pages are chalk full of info from most of the gals most recent trips. It has a WONDERFUL index and easy to use format. Have you seen the wonderful job Kelly has done on those pages?

I know she has mentioned the 250 page lock thing and she is working so hard at making the next thread even better and easier to use.... all on the first page of the thread so those who are looking for REcent info ...it will all be right there organized. Since this was the end of this thread... almost to the 250 mark, we were doing a little bit of chatting and also coming up with ideas for kelly to add stuff. The dress thing may not sound like GF talk but anyone who stays there with a little girl KNOWS how important those little custom made outfits become. We don't want our little girls looking out of place when all the other little girls at the GF are all dolled up

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Just a reminder that the FAQ threads are for the sharing of information about a resort.

If you would like to have a chatty thread about the resort and the friends you have made on this thread please start another thread on our Countdown and Live reports board here on Resorts.

Many people come to these threads looking for information on a resort. It is tough wading through posts that have nothing to do with the resort.

Also keep in mind that once a thread gets to 250 pages it will be closed and another thread will need to be started.

Thank you everyone for your cooperation.

thanks for the reminder. I posted abuot around page 150 an announcement so that everyone knew that this thread would be closed and I would start a new one and move all the info from the beginning over.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23454607#post23454607


Please come and check this out.

I hope this GF FAQ thread will not suffer because of it. I know its kinda pain to chat there and just answer questions here. Lets try it and see how it goes.

 

[mr.mike]

Well after researching suites for our trip in 2009 we decided to try our first Christmas at Disney with a stay at the RPC this december!



There was only supposed to be one trip this year but I just couldn't stop planning and we will now be there 4 times!!
1 stay at the GF in a garden view, 1 at the Poly and 2 at the RPC including the Christmas one. The price is crazy but we are so excited to finally see the Christmas decorations at the GF. I was actually looking for an outer lodge one bedroom but none were available.


Anyone stayed RPC at Christmas?
Does the lounge get very crowded?
I imagine the lobby will be. I can't wait for the kids to be able to open gifts on Christmas morning at Disney!!! They better be as excited as my wife and I are!!

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

MsStinkerBelle, I forgot about your Easter questions...

I will be there for Easter. Here is the current info I have for the 2008 plans

Thanks Channing!

We skipped going to Disney for Easter this year since it was so early. My DD is eager to stay at the GF (more so than I am) but I really like that resort in the spring. Can't wait to hear your report back from your stay this Easter!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Well after researching suites for our trip in 2009 we decided to try our first Christmas at Disney with a stay at the RPC this december!



There was only supposed to be one trip this year but I just couldn't stop planning and we will now be there 4 times!!
1 stay at the GF in a garden view, 1 at the Poly and 2 at the RPC including the Christmas one. The price is crazy but we are so excited to finally see the Christmas decorations at the GF. I was actually looking for an outer lodge one bedroom but none were available.


Anyone stayed RPC at Christmas?
Does the lounge get very crowded?
I imagine the lobby will be. I can't wait for the kids to be able to open gifts on Christmas morning at Disney!!! They better be as excited as my wife and I are!!

We stayed in RPC the Christmas before this past one. While I really enjoyed it all 3 of my kids didn't want to do it at Christmas again. I enjoyed it mostly because I love the GF and becuase at home I AM CHRISTMAS !!! So that year was a nice break from the usual. Gave me a break and a year to recharge. The lounge was crowded and honestly THAT trip and this past Thanksgiving trip were the odd ones where we ran into the snotty entitled people. The lounge wasn't uncomfortably crowded - I don't remember not finding tables etc, but it was often full mostly at breakfast.....it was also full of the type of people that were different - the WAIT ON ME type. They didn't pick up after themselves and the staff couldn't keep up with them or cleaining the tables. Also, there were people dumping their gifts at the desk concierge CMs telilng them to WRAP THEM. Not nicely, just WRAP THESE I"LL BE BACK IN A BIT. Also wanting their shoes polished. Then there was a family staying in the Walt Suite that had little kids....on Christmas morning they rode their NEW Xmas bicycles up and down the hallways making tons of racket with their horns and bells...we knew it was them later on when we left to go out and saw their new little bikes parked outside the doors to the suite. Just a very different & inconsiderate crowd of people. We had fun, but decided for us it would be Thanksgiving stays during the holidays vs. Xmas stays. Despite all the beautiful decorations and the fun, the pissy people just killed my Christmas spirit. We did 9 nights RPC and it was great - wonderful service as always....they delivered gorgeous platters of Xmas cookies, treats, and truffles with Xmas card on Xmas Eve. We could run down to the gingerbread house and buy cookies whenever. I ordered a gorgeous Xmas tree from Disney florist & ordered a cute gingerbread house from the GF for our room. They had Santa, Mickey and Minnie in the lobby on Xmas Eve and diffrent performers in the lobby nightly. My girls and I were at the concierge desk on Xmas Eve visiting and Mickey and Minnie got off the elevator. The CMs asked if they would stop and take some pics so we got a private photo session. They stayed in character and danced and played around. Very cool. I have a lot of mixed feelings about that trip....some really magical parts and some kind of WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO memories. Hmm.....if you have any specific questions ask away....You know I LOVE GF and RPC, but that was a funky stay. The good thing about the GF is that it is such a nice reprieve from the crowds. It was always peaceful. The evenings in the lobby were crazy, but we were up above all that. We spent A LOT of resort time that trip.

Happy planning!!!!

MsStinkerBelle - I will let ya know how it goes!! We always have spring break the last week of March and I am kind of dreading the crowds because last time we were there this time was a zoo and it wasn't even Easter. We shall see.......

Channing

 

[praline3001]

Quick question, when your staying SL, is there certain room request you can make? Is there a certain view/room I should ask for?

I would prefer not to have hoards of people walking by my balcony but I dont see that being fixed as SL sits right in the center of the courtyard and marina

Maybe I am missing something though... which side is better/less crowded?

Should I request something or just leave it up to pixie dust and be surprised when I get there?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Brook request a marina view room if you dont want to look at the pool

 

[Jeanine3kids]

My girls have also done the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party which they enjoyed several times. It's very secretive, so I don't think I have many pictures to share.....it's a kids only thing and adults drop off and pick up. Here are some pics when I dropped the girls off. This party takes place in 1900 Park Faire. The kids are served lunch and cupcakes, which they decorate, and play fun games. During this party Mary Poppins and Alice ran the party. Other times it was Alice and the Mad Hatter. THey loved this, but actually their favorite kids activity was the Adventures in Cooking!

Alice tea party.........

Here's the cooking class AFTER class when they are in the lobby passing out their goodies to everyone. Parents drop off their kids in the Mouseketeer clubhouse and received a receipt and pager. The kids "cook" for about an hour and then head to the lobby to pass out their treats to unsuspecting guests. Alice and the Mad Hatter joined in once. It was chaotic, but the kids loved it! The class doesn't really cook - and in the clubhouse it is very well run, no chaos there. The girls made strawberry shortcakes twice and cups of dirt and worms another time. The kids also decorate their hats and aprons and these are souveniers of their fun time. They have loved these activities at the Grand.

I just want to start off my saying I am really enjoying your GF thread. I have never stayed there and I am almost wishing that I have. I am a DVC member so we usually just stay at DVC resorts but that might have to change. My question is about the Wonderland Tea party. Is this event mostly girls because I have a daughter and a son and I think he might enjoy this to but if we show up and there are all girls there and no boys he won't go in. So I just wanted your opinion.


Thanks
Jeanine