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

[FREAK DOG]

BlueDeb...that was the renovated cabanas that we were in the other day...arent they fab??? Im renting one for the whole day when we are down there in Mar/Apr!

you better have me with you and take some new pics

try not to leave me this time!!

 

[tinklvr64]

you better have me with you and take some new pics

try not to leave me this time!!

freakdog......i think you went off with kitty and thats why you didnt get into my luggage you naughty boy! I will take new pics at the cabana

 

[FREAK DOG]

freakdog......i think you went off with kitty and thats why you didnt get into my luggage you naughty boy! I will take new pics at the cabana

do you mean Marie.... she is a pain in the butt....

 

[Lives4Disney]

Cabana Question...

I know I am obsessed with those cabanas... They were rehabbed a while back...but someone recently posted that they were undergoing another rehab

When I just saw them all were opened and available but looked the same as they did after recent rehab...

GF gals did you hear any more on this...is there another rehab going on...

They looked very nice...did have over head fans and now a flat screen TV...I kind of liked it better when they had a table with chairs inside though...

Hi, Deb...they are redone now...totally redone the whole thing NEW...but I was told they are building special cabinets for the fridges and they will have Wiis to RENT for the cabanas. Not sure when the cabinets will be done but very soon. As of now the price remains the same but they are talking about what it might change to. There is no more radio available either..and after all those drinks I forgot why....but there are flat screen TVs mounted up high, ceiling fans, more furniture, cushier new lounge chairs....and they are a little smaller then the previous cabanas for more deck space. The service was FABULOUS.

They are now hurricane proof....so Mandy and I figured we might move into one sometime soon. Right, Mandy?

ALSO...regarding the menus in the cabanas...those are the "guaranteed" menus....you can order anything else you might want from PD, but they may not have it/cook it....so the menu out on the tables in the cabanas shows what options are FOR SURE.

TTYL!

Channing

 

[grannyminnie]

I've been waiting for someone to report back on the redone cabanas and what the price might be...I hate to see it if and when they raise the price! As of right now, I would rent one, but if they really jack up the price, NOT! Might as well stay in my air-conditioned room! Too bad we can't just put one on hold at the current prices for our end of Sept. trip!!!

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks Chan!

I knew our Cabana gal Amanda wouldn't give out wrong info!! She mentioned ceiling fans and Wiis. I think they got rid of the radio because you couldn't hear it with the pool music playing!

I have a question about PD by the pool. I remember in the mornings one couple would get breakfast delivered to the courtyard pool bar. They had a table there under the awning. Is this always available? DH would like to order dinner out by the pool one night. Of course he wants it from Narcoossees Is this possible?

 

[BlueSkies]

I've been waiting for someone to report back on the redone cabanas and what the price might be...I hate to see it if and when they raise the price! As of right now, I would rent one, but if they really jack up the price, NOT! Might as well stay in my air-conditioned room! Too bad we can't just put one on hold at the current prices for our end of Sept. trip!!!

Grannyminnie I called a few weeks ago to inquire about this...they told me the prices so far are the same and the booking policy is 90 days in advance...To save on cost ( did I just say that about disney! ) maybe booking for half a day would be a good idea...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks Chan!

I knew our Cabana gal Amanda wouldn't give out wrong info!! She mentioned ceiling fans and Wiis. I think they got rid of the radio because you couldn't hear it with the pool music playing!

I have a question about PD by the pool. I remember in the mornings one couple would get breakfast delivered to the courtyard pool bar. They had a table there under the awning. Is this always available? DH would like to order dinner out by the pool one night. Of course he wants it from Narcoossees Is this possible?

You can order PD anywhere any time. I have NO clue about Narcoossee's for PD. I didn't know they did that. Narcoossee's has a nice atmosphere inside. If I did want Narcoossee's...I would go there to eat.

Grannyminnie I called a few weeks ago to inquire about this...they told me the prices so far are the same and the booking policy is 90 days in advance...To save on cost ( did I just say that about disney! ) maybe booking for half a day would be a good idea...

Maybe if you book it and are quoted a price ....would that rate be honored even if the rates did jump up???

OK...I am back to the housework. Have fun planning your trips.

Channing

 

[goofygal531]

You can order PD anywhere any time. I have NO clue about Narcoossee's for PD. I didn't know they did that. Narcoossee's has a nice atmosphere inside. If I did want Narcoossee's...I would go there to eat.

Thanks Chan, that's what I thought. I just wanted to make sure.

I've heard people mix and match items from Narcoossee's menu and the PD menu for dinner, I like that idea. DH could eat Narcoossee's every night if I'd let him, but I like the idea I can get something off the PD menu should I not be in the mood for Narcoossee's but still get the Almond Cheesecake for dessert

It's easier for us to just order Narcoossees in room or by the pool since DS#2 has hit the dreaded TERRIBLE TWOs! He would never last a meal longer than an hour and Narcoossee's is a dining experience. Their service is wonderful. I would never bring him in there and ruin someone's "nice signature meal". Although, MANY parents don't think of their children disrupting other diners, I do.

 

[grannyminnie]

Grannyminnie I called a few weeks ago to inquire about this...they told me the prices so far are the same and the booking policy is 90 days in advance...To save on cost ( did I just say that about disney! ) maybe booking for half a day would be a good idea...

That is already my plan...and I thought of what you mentioned, too, Channing...that maybe if they quoted you a price, would they maybe hold to it? I'd like to think so, but have my doubts. 90 days out, I'm booking tho!

 

[FREAK DOG]

Man a girl leaves for a couple of months and nobody knows her name
and here I thought this place was like Cheers

I NEVER said Chan wasn't Fab... just coughed a bit about her being a darling

Well like I said I dont know who you are but this place is more like Gossip Girl than Cheers....

 

[BlueSkies]

Channing Thanks for the updated cabana info....

After our visit last summer I can see why they are hurrricane proof....

If you and Mandy move in will they provide a 24 hour cabana guy...

 

[BlueSkies]

King Bed Question....

Besides the king rooms in RPC...are there king beds available in a regular room in the outer lodges?

 

[MelissaFromRI]

King Bed Question....

Besides the king rooms in RPC...are there king beds available in a regular room in the outer lodges?

Yes there are king beds in all the buildings , just make sure to make your request known.

 

[mandymommy4]

Hi, Deb...they are redone now...totally redone the whole thing NEW...but I was told they are building special cabinets for the fridges and they will have Wiis to RENT for the cabanas. Not sure when the cabinets will be done but very soon. As of now the price remains the same but they are talking about what it might change to. There is no more radio available either..and after all those drinks I forgot why....but there are flat screen TVs mounted up high, ceiling fans, more furniture, cushier new lounge chairs....and they are a little smaller then the previous cabanas for more deck space. The service was FABULOUS.

They are now hurricane proof....so Mandy and I figured we might move into one sometime soon. Right, Mandy?

ALSO...regarding the menus in the cabanas...those are the "guaranteed" menus....you can order anything else you might want from PD, but they may not have it/cook it....so the menu out on the tables in the cabanas shows what options are FOR SURE.

TTYL!

Channing

I am ready to move! I could sleep on those red cushioned chairs!

Thanks Chan!

I knew our Cabana gal Amanda wouldn't give out wrong info!! She mentioned ceiling fans and Wiis. I think they got rid of the radio because you couldn't hear it with the pool music playing!

Our insider told us they are not gonna be included but available to rent. For now they still have the Wii Tank.

Channing Thanks for the updated cabana info....

After our visit last summer I can see why they are hurrricane proof....

If you and Mandy move in will they provide a 24 hour cabana guy...

I think our cabana boy loves us enough he would start wearing a pager! LOL!

Seriously they have great cabana attendants! They make you feel so loved!

 

[praline3001]

I asked the other day but do you guys know if they are still planning on doing the floor with marble in the main lobby?
Does anyone know when they will be doing it?

I know a while back they had ordered the flooring and were going to lay it down but then didnt hear anything else about it?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing Thanks for the updated cabana info....

After our visit last summer I can see why they are hurrricane proof....

If you and Mandy move in will they provide a 24 hour cabana guy...

YES!! THey better!! That would be awesome...and you can come visit us any time, Blue!!!

King Bed Question....

Besides the king rooms in RPC...are there king beds available in a regular room in the outer lodges?

There ARE....but they are request only...and not a guarantee...they are very limited.

I am ready to move! I could sleep on those red cushioned chairs!



Our insider told us they are not gonna be included but available to rent. For now they still have the Wii Tank.



I think our cabana boy loves us enough he would start wearing a pager! LOL!

Seriously they have great cabana attendants! They make you feel so loved!

THEY DO!!!! I love that place!!!!

I asked the other day but do you guys know if they are still planning on doing the floor with marble in the main lobby?
Does anyone know when they will be doing it?

I know a while back they had ordered the flooring and were going to lay it down but then didnt hear anything else about it?

They are planning it....still no word on WHEN.

Happy day,
Channing

 

[denisekayt]

Just thought I would check back in after our stay last week We had a GREAT time and loved the Grand Floridian. We stayed in Sugar Loaf and enjoyed their concierge service. We had requested a top floor dormer room, pool view and received it

General thoughts:

Room - Clean and exactly what we requested. We had good mousekeeping throughout our stay, on all but one day of our vacation our room was cleaned before noon. We enjoyed turndown service a few nights, but often we're back resting in the room before leaving for the evening during the times they come around to do that so we usually miss it.

Sugar Loaf Concierge Food - We ate there almost every morning for breakfast (one of the main reasons we do concierge, easy breakfasts!!). LOVED the pecan rolls! We also grabbed snacks such as cookies, sodas, etc. often when we passed through on our way "home" from a park. We didn't catch the evening appetizers much, but when we did we always found something we liked.

Sugar Loaf Concierge Service - Wonderful, helpful cast members working the concierge desk. We made a few on the fly ADRs during our stay, checked out a couple of movies from them, and also had a question regarding how to exchange a sweatshirt that ended up being too big. They were always willing to help and were able to fulfill all our requests.

Gaspirilla's - Good counter service location. Love the fact that they are open 24 hours. We ate here a few times during our stay and were quite satisfied.

Grand Floridian Cafe - We ate here twice for breakfast when we wanted something a bit more substantial than the concierge food. I had the stuffed croissant both times...it is WONDERFUL!! I'm going to have to come back to the Cafe on future trips just for the croissant, YUMMY! Both of these breakfasts were on the fly reservations I made the morning of within half an hour of when we decided we wanted to go there. Concierge staff had no trouble getting us in.

Citricos - This was our unplanned "gourmet" meal of the trip, and it was perfect. We decided late afternoon we wanted to stay onsite for dinner so I asked concierge whether there were any openings at either Narcosses or Citricos and they were able to get us in at the time we wanted at Citricos. We were seated at a window table, and without even realizing it we had timed things perfectly for the fireworks. We had front row seats My husband and I both had the Pork Two Ways and it was probably the best meal of our trip. Excellent service and excellent food. We will definitely be coming back to Citricos someday.

Transportation - We had a rental car, but used the monorail/boats for MK and Epcot. The monorail could sometimes be slow, I think I should have opted to drive to Epcot a little more often due to how long it took to get to the TTC and then switch and get to Epcot, but overall no real problems. We had great boat service coming back from the MK to GF.

Basin White - I had to check out Basin White while there, and I'm now officially a Pink Sugar girl...goodness that scent is smells good! I bought shower gel as well as body butter in the Pink Sugar and also brought home some Pink Sugar stuff for my Mom who was house/dog sitting for us while we were gone. I can see that I may be ordering online when I run out.

Pool/Beach - My DS loves to build sand castles on the beach and he wasn't disappointed with GF's beach area. They do have a set of sand toys in the little gift shop on the main floor which we purchased and then passed along to another family before we left so we wouldn't have to cart them home on the plane. Unfortunately, he only hit the pool once since we were there during the cold spell, but the one afternoon he went he enjoyed the slide and waterfall area.

Ok, I'll stop chattering now We had a wonderful vacation and I have nothing but good things to say about the GF. I'm happy to answer any questions if I missed anything (probably not!) in the above!

 

[praline3001]

)


They are planning it....still no word on WHEN.

Happy day,
Channing

Thanks Chan. i hope they don't want to do it over the summer

 

[BlueSkies]

Denise Thanks so much for the review....

I am a long time fan of SL...think it is especially convenient being able to grab a quick bite in the morning and if you like to spend time at the court yard pool too...

We always enjoy the GF Cafe also...and I am so happy to read that good review of Citricos...it is on my list for next trip

Sorry to hear that you didnt get to really enjoy the pools though...maybe next time...

Glad that you enjoyed your trip...