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

[vbarry]

OK - a rumour i've just read on the rumours board is that the GF is banning children from certain parts of the hotel. Now I know that V+A have an age restriction but is something else happening too?

NOt sure my holiday in Aug will be any good - three weeks at GF with 2 children!!!

I just cannot imagine this would be true but maybe someone who has a little better knowlege of what goes on at WDW and the GF can chime in here.

I think this would really make parents of childre re-think their decision to stay at the GF. I would not want to have to worry about keeping my kids out of certain areas during my stay. I know that the GF does have a lot of older guests and people without children but we are still in WDW!

Anyone know anything about this??

 

[magical4us4]

I can't imagine children being band from areas of the GF. I understand that V&A does, but I believe that's about it. The hotel has many activities for children to draw in families, so I can't see this rumor to be true.

 

[traci]

We have never ordered room service at the GF. Can anyone tell about their experience? Especially breakfast?

Thanks

 

[Cinderumbrella]

How far is the beach and the children's pool or sprinkler/play area from the cabanas?

The beach is actually on the other side of the pool from the cabanas (the zero entry part too) The sprinkler area is about 20 feet to the left.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK - a rumour i've just read on the rumours board is that the GF is banning children from certain parts of the hotel. Now I know that V+A have an age restriction but is something else happening too?

NOt sure my holiday in Aug will be any good - three weeks at GF with 2 children!!!

Don't worry- it is just V&A's! There are TONS of children at the GF and they certainly aren't about to alienate familes at a family destination. I think the rest is just speculation and wishful thinking by those who don't have children (or don't want them around anymore )

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thank you! Everyone is always so helpful on this board. I appreciate all the friendly advice offered, it makes planning a trip so much fun.

Kindest Regards!

Your welcome! All we ask is that you report back so we can hear about your lovely stay!!

 

[drinktomeonly]

Good Morning! I've come out of lurkdom to say that I've read this ENTIRE thread. whew.
As a result, I feel that I'm ready for our trip to the Grand Floridian next week.
I have every ADR that we could possibly need, I've got a cabana and a limo, I've planned planned and planned again until my head nearly spun off.

Thanks for all of the valuable information, I am sure that this is all going to make our trip even better.

I DO have some questions of my own:

I have booked a Magic Kingdom view. I assumed when booking that this would be castle-view. I understand now that Magic Kingdom view does not necessarily mean the castle. I really want to be able to watch the fireworks from our room.

Do all Magic Kingdom view rooms have some sort of view of the fireworks?

Also, I suffer from motion sickness. DH and I have a 7 yr old princess and 5 year old pirate who will want to ride ride ride. What do you experts recommend I try to avoid getting ill? Patches? Bracelets?

I have booked one evening for the kids at the Mouseketeer Club. Can anyone give me any details on what the kids might do there, and how your kids felt about the experience? We are having dinner at Narcoosee's while they play there just one night, but I want them to have some fun and I've read mixed reviews while I've surfed for info.

Thanks everybody!!

 

[allisonswonderland]

I wanted to ask after looking at your awesome Photo Thread, are there any buidling other than RPC (Main) that offer the view of the Wedding Pavilion? We will be there for our anniversary and we have booked garden but how wonderful it would be to be able to look out and see where we were married each day? I do not want to go RPC but did not know if there was another option for that view?

I guess the other thing is: IF we did decide to move up to get a WP view, tha would only be a request and what would we need to move to to get that if there is another building that offers it? Thanks

 

[goofygal531]

I have booked one evening for the kids at the Mouseketeer Club. Can anyone give me any details on what the kids might do there, and how your kids felt about the experience?

Welcome!

I've heard the Poly's kid club is the nicest on the property and it's worth the trip to drop them off over there. When I stayed there, I was able to peek in and check it out and it's really a large-size club with lots of things to do. I haven't seen the GF kids club yet.

Make sure to try the almond crusted cheesecake at Narcoossees, I've been reading it's to die for!

Mare

 

[vbarry]

I would like to know a little more about the kids club at the GF also. Anyone use this? I may go ahead and post something on the main resort thread to see if I can get any response. I think I may feel a little more comfortable about this knowing they are in an open setting compared to having someone come to our room.

 

[goofygal531]

I would like to know a little more about the kids club at the GF also. Anyone use this? I may go ahead and post something on the main resort thread to see if I can get any response. I think I may feel a little more comfortable about this knowing they are in an open setting compared to having someone come to our room.

I think posting this question on the family board would draw you the best response.

Not that this answers your questions at all, but the kids club at the Beach Club was a very small room. Looked like a basic play room, while the kids club at Poly is an entire building with video games, kid buffet, movie area, craft area, etc... It was really spacious! But I have a few more years until both boys can go together

 

[vbarry]

I think posting this question on the family board would draw you the best response.

Not that this answers your questions at all, but the kids club at the Beach Club was a very small room. Looked like a basic play room, while the kids club at Poly is an entire building with video games, kid buffet, movie area, craft area, etc... It was really spacious! But I have a few more years until both boys can go together

I always forget about the family board. I have never been to any of kids clubs before so I am not sure what any of them look like. I do not know if our daughters would do it or not. I think they were the only kids on the Disney Cruise that did not like the kids club.

 

[goofygal531]

I think they were the only kids on the Disney Cruise that did not like the kids club.

The kids club on the Disney Cruise Line is second to none. If your children did not like them, they will not like any kids club.

 

[DiznEeyore]

The kids club on the Disney Cruise Line is second to none. If your children did not like them, they will not like any kids club.

Oh my goodness -- no kidding!! Our ds wanted to spend all his time in the Oceaneer's Lab on the cruise -- we practically had to bribe him to spend time with us, LOL!!

He enjoyed the Neverland Club (he went on every trip we took from the time he was 5 'til he was 12), too, but not nearly as much as the Oceaneer's Lab. He also did the Cub's Den at the WL twice -- one time was great (there were younger CMs working), but the second time he said it was "grumpy old ladies" in there that just sat and talked amongst themselves and only fussed at the kids.

vbarry, can I ask what your kids didn't like about the club on the cruise? That might help us make a recommendation about the clubs at WDW.

 

[tholczer]

Are the fireworks really loud each night in all the GF rooms? We stayed near Disneyland once and the fireworks woke us all up. I'll definitely need to plan around that if that's the case. Thanks!

Tracy

 

[smiky]

Are the fireworks really loud each night in all the GF rooms? We stayed near Disneyland once and the fireworks woke us all up. I'll definitely need to plan around that if that's the case. Thanks!

Tracy

Yeah, they are a real pain in the ***

 

[mr.mike]

I wanted to ask after looking at your awesome Photo Thread, are there any buidling other than RPC (Main) that offer the view of the Wedding Pavilion? We will be there for our anniversary and we have booked garden but how wonderful it would be to be able to look out and see where we were married each day? I do not want to go RPC but did not know if there was another option for that view?

the first time i stayed at the GF i booked laggon view but did not ask for any particular building. Sometimes I let fate decide our view.
We were put in Big Pine Key on the first floor and had a great view of the wedding pavllion.
It was perfect actually as we there for me to meet my wedding planner for my surprise vow renewal.

I don't thay any other buildins besides Big Pine Key and the main building have that view.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Good Morning! I've come out of lurkdom to say that I've read this ENTIRE thread. whew.
As a result, I feel that I'm ready for our trip to the Grand Floridian next week.
I have every ADR that we could possibly need, I've got a cabana and a limo, I've planned planned and planned again until my head nearly spun off.

Thanks for all of the valuable information, I am sure that this is all going to make our trip even better.

I DO have some questions of my own:

I have booked a Magic Kingdom view. I assumed when booking that this would be castle-view. I understand now that Magic Kingdom view does not necessarily mean the castle. I really want to be able to watch the fireworks from our room.

Do all Magic Kingdom view rooms have some sort of view of the fireworks?

Also, I suffer from motion sickness. DH and I have a 7 yr old princess and 5 year old pirate who will want to ride ride ride. What do you experts recommend I try to avoid getting ill? Patches? Bracelets?

I have booked one evening for the kids at the Mouseketeer Club. Can anyone give me any details on what the kids might do there, and how your kids felt about the experience? We are having dinner at Narcoosee's while they play there just one night, but I want them to have some fun and I've read mixed reviews while I've surfed for info.

Thanks everybody!!

I would imagine that most MK view rooms would have a view of the fireworks. I should caution - none of the views that I've had at the GF have been "spot on" as far as the fireworks go - from the way the GF is situated on the lagoon, the fireworks basically look like they're being shot off well to the left of Cinderella Castle. If you want a truly "centered" experience, you'd need to venture to the Polynesian beach.

As for motion sickness - I have heard that ginger pills are very good for this. I also took Bonine on my first DCL cruise (like Dramamine, but it doesn't cause drowsiness), and that worked well. (I don't normally get queasy on rides though.) If you post this on the Theme Parks board (or do a search), there might be other options.

Have a great trip!

Are the fireworks really loud each night in all the GF rooms? We stayed near Disneyland once and the fireworks woke us all up. I'll definitely need to plan around that if that's the case. Thanks!

Tracy

I have not found the fireworks to be very loud. You can generally hear a low boom from inside the rooms, but I think you'd have to be a very light sleeper to be disturbed by it.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I wanted to ask after looking at your awesome Photo Thread, are there any buidling other than RPC (Main) that offer the view of the Wedding Pavilion? We will be there for our anniversary and we have booked garden but how wonderful it would be to be able to look out and see where we were married each day? I do not want to go RPC but did not know if there was another option for that view?

I guess the other thing is: IF we did decide to move up to get a WP view, tha would only be a request and what would we need to move to to get that if there is another building that offers it? Thanks

I'm just guessing here, but I imagine it's some rooms in the Main building, as well as lagoon view rooms in Big Pine Key, that would afford a view of the Wedding Pavilion. I don't know if any GV rooms would provide this.

You could always list it as a request on your reservation, and maybe you'll get a lucky upgrade.

 

[DiznEeyore]

The cabanas sound wonderful and I know my dh and ds would love one as much as I would. But ... we're going in December and the weather is unpredictable. I'd hate to reserve one in advance and have it just be too chilly to enjoy a pool day.

So my question is ... are they always booked up in advance, or would we have a chance of getting one on the day we actually want to use it?

Just repeating this in hopes someone might have an answer.