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

[seabee]

That is a bummer. It is still posted on the website, hmmm. I think my DD10 will be fine with it, but DD7 will be bummed. Maybe we will try the tea party, thanks.We did the Haunted Pirate Cruise this past October, and the girls LOVED it, they have already asked to do it again in 09. Thanks again for the info!

 

[Lives4Disney]

That is a bummer. It is still posted on the website, hmmm. I think my DD10 will be fine with it, but DD7 will be bummed. Maybe we will try the tea party, thanks.We did the Haunted Pirate Cruise this past October, and the girls LOVED it, they have already asked to do it again in 09. Thanks again for the info!

The WDW websites are so lame and behind.

All the kids activities are run by the same group of CMs. My daughters have done them all and LOVED all.....so hopefully you can get your girls into something and I am sure they'll have a great time.

Lives4Disney

 

[Joshua_me]

You have to reserve a Deluxe King Club Room...and then request the turret suites. Those have no balconies, vs the deluxe honeymoon rooms on the 2nd floor that DO & also have direct castle views.

Wow

Thank you.

That's a hard choice to make....

 

[mom2princessj]

There is spa information on page one of this thread. Here is a link for the GF spa.http://www.relaxedyet.com/gf_treatments.asp

Thanks!

Maxie answered your question....but I am flying out from Chicago in six weeks....counting the days ...and this is the first time in a YEARS I have been concerned about flying out in winter. This weather has been freakish. I hope you get out ok! How exciting....two weeks!!

Lives4Disney

Hasn't it been a winter around here...geez! Typical though. We had originally planned to drive however when we got good rates from Southwest we couldn't pass it up (not to mention bil is flying in from Fl the same day and is picking up our car and then dropping the car and flying out the same day we arrive home so no real parking fees )

momtoprncessj Only 2 weeks to go lucky you...It'll be here before you know it!! Enjoy

Thanks! 12 days

Another question to the masses...
I've got ADR's scheduled however I cancelled two of them as now dh is ready to start looking at what we've got planned and didn't like the choices. Anyway...my next problem is that we have 5 people now instead of 4...will the concierge at GF help me get some ADRs if I can't do it myself before we get there (I've been calling with no luck)?

Also does it do me any good to fax a room request in? I wish I had my TA put castle view on my request but instead she just put conch or sago. It's our anniversary (not the reason for our trip but I'm hoping it helps ) and I'd love it if we could have a full castle view not only for us but for our little princess. We'll be arriving just a little while before check in (we get in at 135) so I'm hoping this may help as well.
Thanks again for all of your great input!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Joshua_me - Although none of them have balconies, some of the deluxe king turret rooms have castle views, if that helps any in your decision-making. Here is a photo of one of our views from the 5th floor (not sure why I didn't get any in the daylight, lol):


And here's a photo from the other set of windows, of the beach pool area:


Of course, if a castle view is the most important, the second floor honeymoon rooms are all castle views, as Lives4Disney pointed out.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

mom2Princessj - I'm sorry, you've probably mentioned what room category you have booked, but I missed it. If you have a Theme Park View room booked, then requesting Conch or Sago gives you a pretty good chance of having a wonderful view! I wouldn't worry about faxing the resort, just talk with the CM at check in about your request.

Good luck, and have a wonderful time at the Grand!

 

[BCV23]

minniesota, will you let us know what you think of the pillows. I still suspect that none of them are really the same as the GF. I would trust the housekeepers over the sales site too but didn't think the pillows were made of down. I'm allergic to feathers and have had no trouble with the GF and Polynesian pillows. I hope you love them whatever they are.

k&a&c'smom, great pictures. The extra space and amazing views in those rooms more than make up for the absence of a balcony...or at least would for me.

juliebee, there is no age limit for the slide...didn't notice an answer to that question but may have missed it. Also, if the decor of the GF appeals to you more, go for it! We've stayed at both the Polynesian and GF many times. The CMs at both are wonderful and we absolutely love both resorts but the decor is so different. Spring break really varies. If yours happens to coincide with Easter, then the Polynesian volcano pool will probably be quite crowded. The slide pool at the GF is usually less crowded than the original GF pool in our experience. If your Spring break is early March, crowding probably won't be an issue. We used to go the last week of March every year and the only trips during which the pool at the Polynesian was overly crowded were the years when Easter fell during that week. BTW, March has always been warm enough for swimming for my family. The weather is just lovely by the end of March. Beginning of March can be cooler or nice and warm.

 

[BCV23]

Forgot! Lcaemom, thanks for posting tour review. I'm glad you had such a grand vacation and very cool on the magical upgrade!

 

[minniesota]

minniesota, will you let us know what you think of the pillows. I still suspect that none of them are really the same as the GF. I would trust the housekeepers over the sales site too but didn't think the pillows were made of down. I'm allergic to feathers and have had no trouble with the GF and Polynesian pillows. I hope you love them whatever they are.

I will let you all know about the pillows - they are due here tomorrow! They are the Ultra-Rest which is a down alternative and happen to be the least expensive of the bunch. I hope they are the same!

 

[mom2princessj]

mom2Princessj - I'm sorry, you've probably mentioned what room category you have booked, but I missed it. If you have a Theme Park View room booked, then requesting Conch or Sago gives you a pretty good chance of having a wonderful view! I wouldn't worry about faxing the resort, just talk with the CM at check in about your request.

Good luck, and have a wonderful time at the Grand!

We do have TPV booked. I just know that not all requests are granted and I THINK the resort is booked for my trip. I've tried before to look up availability for our week and there is none to be had. Now that was before the 45 day window so maybe something has changed. I just know my dh will be upset if we paid for TPV and we don't get a nice view of the castle. His first choice of stays was WL but realistically he knew the monorail would be important with two small kids so then we wanted CR for the view but that has been booked for quite some time and nothing ever became available so we decided GF would work as they have a castle view room. Here's hoping...

 

[k&a&c'smom]

BCV23 - Thanks! Yes, we loved the turret room, we didn't mind not having a balcony.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Wow

Thank you.

That's a hard choice to make....

As KC pointed out....TWO of the six turret rooms have castle views.....not sure how good the 4th floor one is....but the 5th floor one would have a decent view. It's just luck of the draw on getting that room. But you never know. All the views are terrific. We had a one bedroom suite facing the waterfall pool and monorail last summer and I thought we'd miss facing the castle like we always do, but we enjoyed that pool view, too. Very pretty....and we could hear the monorail recording/spiel and it was magical.

What I would miss is a balcony but it depends on the time of the year. We were in a SL Lodge Tower room in early Feb and didn't have a balcony as it was top floor, and we didn't miss it because it was COLD outside......but normally I LOVE sitting out on my balcony watching the World. It's part of the pleasure of being there for me.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks!


Hasn't it been a winter around here...geez! Typical though. We had originally planned to drive however when we got good rates from Southwest we couldn't pass it up (not to mention bil is flying in from Fl the same day and is picking up our car and then dropping the car and flying out the same day we arrive home so no real parking fees )



Thanks! 12 days

Another question to the masses...
I've got ADR's scheduled however I cancelled two of them as now dh is ready to start looking at what we've got planned and didn't like the choices. Anyway...my next problem is that we have 5 people now instead of 4...will the concierge at GF help me get some ADRs if I can't do it myself before we get there (I've been calling with no luck)?

Hi, again. They can try & help you. That's what they're there for. It is kind of last minute for the lobby & concierge - you might be taking your chances.....i would try and get what you can ahead of time...BUT...in our experience we've always managed to walk up to the podiums at restaurants and explain the situation or adding an extra person to our ADR with no problem. So if you're in desperation you COULD try that. We've done it a few times.

Also does it do me any good to fax a room request in? I wish I had my TA put castle view on my request but instead she just put conch or sago. It's our anniversary (not the reason for our trip but I'm hoping it helps ) and I'd love it if we could have a full castle view not only for us but for our little princess. We'll be arriving just a little while before check in (we get in at 135) so I'm hoping this may help as well.
Thanks again for all of your great input!

I don't think they pay attention to requests. If you do want to request, request Sago or Conch. At check in, make sure you are happy with your assigned room...or change it. Check in ASAP - you'll have more options to change.

Lives4Disney

 

[TravelinGal]

Checking in first thing is one reason I'm glad we're staying at an off site hotel the day we arrive. Our flight gets in around 7pm, so we're staying at the hotel at the airport (Hyatt). We'll get our rental car first thing and head straight to the GF to check in. Other than hoping for one of the elusive upgrades our goal is to get one of the few king bed/daybed or sleeper sofa rooms. DH and I are pooh sized and we are not comfortable sleeping in a queen bed together. PLUS, I wouldn't be able to sleep well worrying about DS rolling out of the giant (for him) other queen bed.

I'm not as concerned about location as I am bedding.


Speaking of bedding -- do they use real fitted sheets there or the lame flat sheet tucked in, in place of the fitted sheet? I really hate that and often travel with my own fitted sheet.

 

[triplefigs]

I love the H2O products from the GF. Do they sell them anywhere? Are they expensive?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Checking in first thing is one reason I'm glad we're staying at an off site hotel the day we arrive. Our flight gets in around 7pm, so we're staying at the hotel at the airport (Hyatt). We'll get our rental car first thing and head straight to the GF to check in. Other than hoping for one of the elusive upgrades our goal is to get one of the few king bed/daybed or sleeper sofa rooms. DH and I are pooh sized and we are not comfortable sleeping in a queen bed together. PLUS, I wouldn't be able to sleep well worrying about DS rolling out of the giant (for him) other queen bed.

I'm not as concerned about location as I am bedding.


Speaking of bedding -- do they use real fitted sheets there or the lame flat sheet tucked in, in place of the fitted sheet? I really hate that and often travel with my own fitted sheet.

THey use the lame flat sheet.... I hate that too.

We always do that...stay at Swan/dolphin the night before so we can check in early the next day...anytime we've checked in late ANYWHERE, there has been issues......It is DEFINITELY better to check in early IMO from our experience at WDW and elsewhere. More options open.

hmm......do the King rooms sleep three? I thought two...but I AM curious. I have the info for the standard club king rooms and it says max 2.....do the other king rooms have the daybed?? Thanks for the info! We used to always back a chair or two up to the bed when our kids were little.....or you can request bed rails. Just an FYI in case you end up with the queen beds.

Lives4Disney

 

[irisbud]

I love the H2O products from the GF. Do they sell them anywhere? Are they expensive?

They sell them online. They are the H2O spa line. Google H2O and you should find it! They are kind of $$$, but on par with other salon brands, if that helps!

ETA: here is a link http://www.h2oplus.com/retail2002/Catalog.aspx

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I love the H2O products from the GF. Do they sell them anywhere? Are they expensive?

you can get them at h20s website

 

[Lives4Disney]

I love the H2O products from the GF. Do they sell them anywhere? Are they expensive?

LOL..I can't get off this computer!!!

Denise, they are sold at H2OPlus.com

They are pretty expensive. But often you can use a discount code. We love that stuff too. Maybe they are having after Xmas sales......have to go see!!!

CHanning

OMG..I just posted and saw Amy and Kel beat me to it haha....have to run BYe all.

 

[Goobergirl]

I thought I'd just pop in and say that I have LOVED reading everything the past couple of months about GF. We have little more than a month left until we head to Disney...actually we will be down at the same time as Channing it looks like...
Thanks again to all of you for all the great info!