The *New* Grand Floridian Resort and Spa FAQ thread (NOV 2008)

[hmillerbarilla]

A group of us is going to be there at the same time ....so if you see a bunch of ladies having the time of their lives.....it's US! I have been there before....and I am very excited because I know how wonderful the GF & the GF CMs are!!! You will LOVE it.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

I'll look out for you!

Also, is the Pool refurb done? I read somewhere that it should have been done by now, just wondering if anyone knows the status on that.

 

[MelissaFromRI]

We are headed to the GF in April! Yay!
It will be our first trip to WDW, and we are very excited. We wanted the WL at first, but had to switch when we added a 5th person to our room. I have to admit I was a little bummed, but after reading this thread and the photo thread, I am not nearly as disappointed as I was! I just still worry that it won't be as fun for my kids! I have a 6 and a 3 year old, and I can't find anything that the 3 year old can participate in (other than the pool, which honestly is probably all he'll care about anyway) We plan on an entire day just at the resort, and I loved that the WL had the hidden Mickey list, the ladybugs, and some tours, is there anything like that at the GF? I heard you could get child size robes, is that correct?

If you have children in your party, you can request children's size robes.

 

[MelissaFromRI]

We are headed to the GF in April! Yay!
It will be our first trip to WDW, and we are very excited. We wanted the WL at first, but had to switch when we added a 5th person to our room. I have to admit I was a little bummed, but after reading this thread and the photo thread, I am not nearly as disappointed as I was! I just still worry that it won't be as fun for my kids! I have a 6 and a 3 year old, and I can't find anything that the 3 year old can participate in (other than the pool, which honestly is probably all he'll care about anyway) We plan on an entire day just at the resort, and I loved that the WL had the hidden Mickey list, the ladybugs, and some tours, is there anything like that at the GF? I heard you could get child size robes, is that correct?

Another quick tip on entertaing the kids...take them for a ride on the monorail ! You can do this any day / any time and kids love it!!! Try asking to sit in the front

 

[triplefigs]

Channing, you were correct with 3 years for SL being full concierge. It changed over just before our 1st stay there in Dec 2005

 

[k&a&c'smom]

If you have children in your party, you can request children's size robes.

Thanks for the correction, I thought they had discontinued this!

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks for the correction, I thought they had discontinued this!

They have. I asked for children's robes last June and mousekeeping thought I was crazy!

Maybe they're just available at the spa?

 

[Lives4Disney]

They have. I asked for children's robes last June and mousekeeping thought I was crazy!

Maybe they're just available at the spa?

THey had them YEARS ago...probably like 20 when the GF opened. I don't know why the info that they have children's robes is still even floating around out there..... It's kind of funny.

Like Melissa said a monorail ride is such fun for little boys especially! My son LOVED the CR when he was little (he still does - that's his resort of choice)....I think most little boys love the CR because of the monorail going thru. The CR used to have a playground...but I bet with the new construction it's gone. But I think little ones love the sand and the water and you have those at the GF.

Denise...wow three years!! And people still ask if SL has alcohol....

Happy travels!

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It is sad that they can't update their stuff We just got the new 2009 planning DVD and the GF rooms they show in the resort section are the old Alice themed rooms (which disappeared in late 2007)

We were not able to get child sized robes in 2007 or 2008 so I guess that has been gone a long time too...

 

[BlueSkies]

Channing That playgroud at the CR is gone... Its where BLT is now...not sure if they are planning on adding a new one...Wrong thread I guess

My kids always loved riding the monorail too...especially the front...its a great idea...they give you a little card that says jr pilot after riding in the front too...very cute...

 

[goofygal531]

Channing That playgroud at the CR is gone... Its where BLT is now...not sure if they are planning on adding a new one...Wrong thread I guess ...

Sorry this is , when we took the DVC tour in Nov, they said they were planning a new water complex. I'm not sure if she mentioned a playground (the BWI has their playground part of the pool complex, maybe this is the way their building them now?). What I forgot to ask was if the new pool complex would be for BLT only or for the whole CR? It looked like a really fun pool! Not sure? Then again, we prefer the GF.

 

[BlueSkies]

We prefer the GF too...but CR is runner up...when I was there last they did say their current themed poolwas getting a rehab...adding a water park type play area...also the smaller Bay Lake pool was getting cabanas...yes cabanas...just like the GF... love those cabanas

 

[goofygal531]

We prefer the GF too...but CR is runner up...when I was there last they did say their current themed poolwas getting a rehab...adding a water park type play area...also the smaller Bay Lake pool was getting cabanas...yes cabanas...just like the GF... love those cabanas

I thought CR had only one pool? Didn't know they had two. Hmmm, learn something new everyday. (We didn't have kids when we stayed there. We've only been hitting the pools since last year. We never needed a mid day break before kids )

I really think ALL Deluxe resorts should have the cabanas!

 

[BlueSkies]

I agree about the cabanas...I really enjoyed them when we rented them...I hear that Lives4Disney is hoping they'll get them at the Poly so that she can stay there again!!! JK....

I think that for any trip during the hotter months its such a nice way to spend some pool time...the refurbished ones look even nicer than the old ones (which I thought were pretty nice too...)...

 

[goofygal531]

I agree about the cabanas...I really enjoyed them when we rented them...I hear that Lives4Disney is hoping they'll get them at the Poly so that she can stay there again!!! JK.......)...

Well, if they serve the pineapple bread and jungle juice with a splash of liquor she'll be over there!

I think that for any trip during the hotter months its such a nice way to spend some pool time...the refurbished ones look even nicer than the old ones (which I thought were pretty nice too...)...

They do look really nice since the refurbishment. I'm looking forwarding to seeing them in person. I think the red cushions look so much better than the khaki ones.

Did you hear the rumor that during the rehab they were going to put Wiis in each cabana? Wonder if that ever happened. I know my boys would love that!

How does ordering fruity drinks from the cabana work? I heard this is a new service. Do they leave a menu in the cabana and you just phone the pool bar or is there now a wait staff for the pool bar?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I agree about the cabanas...I really enjoyed them when we rented them...I hear that Lives4Disney is hoping they'll get them at the Poly so that she can stay there again!!! JK....

I think that for any trip during the hotter months its such a nice way to spend some pool time...the refurbished ones look even nicer than the old ones (which I thought were pretty nice too...)...

UM NO!!!! The Poly would have to get a lot more than cabanas for me to try that resort again!!

Well, if they serve the pineapple bread and jungle juice with a splash of liquor she'll be over there!

Mare...you are on to something.....getting closer!! But still NO!!



They do look really nice since the refurbishment. I'm looking forwarding to seeing them in person. I think the red cushions look so much better than the khaki ones.

Did you hear the rumor that during the rehab they were going to put Wiis in each cabana? Wonder if that ever happened. I know my boys would love that!

How does ordering fruity drinks from the cabana work? I heard this is a new service. Do they leave a menu in the cabana and you just phone the pool bar or is there now a wait staff for the pool bar?

"]There is a laminated fluffy drink menu in the cabana with photos ...I posted a pic a while back after our October trip. HEY! I will be able to tell you about the Wiis next week!!!!!

Chan
GF GAL!!!

 

[goofygal531]

There is a laminated fluffy drink menu in the cabana with photos ...I posted a pic a while back after our October trip. HEY! I will be able to tell you about the Wiis next week!!!!!

This is new right? I didn't get a fluffy drink menu last June and Amanda (my cabana attendent) never mentioned bar service.

Yes, check out the actual details of the cabana rehab. I thought they were adding more things to them. See if they added A/C units and ditched those standing fans. That would be WONDERFUL!

It's cold here and about to snow. Can't stop dreaming about the cabanas!

 

[Lives4Disney]

This is new right? I didn't get a fluffy drink menu last June and Amanda (my cabana attendent) never mentioned bar service.

Yes, check out the actual details of the cabana rehab. I thought they were adding more things to them. See if they added A/C units and ditched those standing fans. That would be WONDERFUL!

It's cold here and about to snow. Can't stop dreaming about the cabanas!

It is new! It's new with the refurb....the menu was sitting on the little table...I took a pic of it....i will see if i can find it and repost...I know how important that is! NO!! LOL...no A/C units....i never heard about that....did you hear about that somewhere??

It's snowing HUGE fluffy flakes here....And there are a couple of cardinals sitting in a tree right outside my kitchen window. But...I am COLD!!!!!


I found it...here ya go, Mare!! It's hard to read...I was using LUcy's camera after mine broke....

Channing
GF GAL next week!!!!

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks Chan!

If you wouldn't mind finding out how the drink service goes, I'd appreciate that. It would be nice to have a wait staff to bring them over to the cabana.

Yes, Amanda mentioned the a/c units, the Wiis and some other stuff that I don't remember. She was very excited about the upgrades and indicated that there would be lot of additions. It's possible lots of these items may have fallen off their list, due to the economy and likelyhood of people not wanting to pay the increased charge for the cabanas - which she mentioned at the time the prices would go up once they were refurbished.

The prices have remained the same as last year. So I'm guessing they just changed the furniture and cushions.

I'm also now thinking they might want you to get up and walk on over to the pool bar for that fruity drink!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I thought the cabana fans already were AC units? I know when I had mine in August (pre refurb) that was some mighty cold air blowing out of there... it was heavenly in that heat!!

 

[loralie]

You guys are getting me so excited to try the cabanas. Someone mentioned a cabana attendant. Do you tip the attendant? If you do than how much do you normally tip? We were thinking of renting the cabana for 1/2 a day.

TIA,

Loralie