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

[Lives4Disney]

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!

OMG...and I call my kids "Goobers" all the time. Your username is cute.

I am going with a bunch of crazy Dis Gals!! Looking SO forward to it.

What happened to my ticker?? Kel???

Maybe we'll see you there!

Happy travels,
Channing

 

[mom2princessj]

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

Thanks for the advice. We'll be heading to GF straight from the airport after picking up our car. Hopefully we'll be there BEFORE 3pm. We originally had planned to stay at GF starting on Sunday instead of Saturday. That's when we were driving and I thought how great it would be to get there so early and hopefully be able to request a change if need be.

I'll keep trying for the dining before we get there. Hopefully something will open up!

 

[BlueSkies]

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!

Minniesota I didnt order any yet I want to to know too....

 

[BlueSkies]

Momtoprincessj I would do same as Lives4Disney suggested and just add the 5th person on at check in for your dinner reservation...we have had to do this a time or two with no problem...

Goobergirl have a great trip...

 

[mom2princessj]

Momtoprincessj I would do same as Lives4Disney suggested and just add the 5th person on at check in for your dinner reservation...we have had to do this a time or two with no problem...

Goobergirl have a great trip...

Thanks for the advice! I have a reservation at CP that I can't change so I'll add her there. The rest have been changed or cancelled due to my dh now wanting to see where we are eating and not liking the choices

We have a late reservation for Park fare the first day we arrive but I'm iffy about it. We may try to go to the MK for spectro so I'm unsure whether we'll actually make the PF reservation. Plus we'll be starved since we are leaving Midway at 10am and not arriving until 135 in Florida...southwest snacks aren't going to cut it and by the time we leave the airport I'm sure we'll all be ready for a meal right then. We'll probably just check in at GF and then go grab a late lunch early dinner.

The one place we were really wanting to get into but can't is LeCellier. I am trying for 1/12. Advice from some say during the week we may have luck just walking up so we'll probably try although I'm not counting on it. Either way it'll all work out...there will be SOME place to eat on the days we have nothing planned and we'll have a good time!

 

[BlueSkies]

mom2princessj The GF cafe has a nice lunch menu and you can usually walk up with out a reservation especially midday...We ate at LeCellier last trip any we really liked it....I'd suggest trying for a walk up too...why not..Hope you get to eat here...the cheddar cheese soup was yummy!!!

 

[VBsHustla]

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

I just got the H2O Spa body butter for my mom, aunt, sister, and cousin for Christmas (and a few things for myself ). I loved it at the GF and hope now everyone else will love it too! I found a 20% off code by googling when I placed my order, so hopefully there are some discounts available now.

Does anyone have any other H2O Spa products that you particularly love? Something perhaps that I shouldn't live without?

 

[BlueSkies]

VBsHustla I love the body butter too...what a nice gift! I am a fan of the mint foot rub...it is wonderful...and so soothing on tired feet (especially after a day of walking in the park!! ) I have on occasion seen these products in TJ Maxx also....

 

[VBsHustla]

VBsHustla I love the body butter too...what a nice gift! I am a fan of the mint foot rub...it is wonderful...and so soothing on tired feet (especially after a day of walking in the park!! ) I have on occasion seen these products in TJ Maxx also....

Excellent! I will be scouring my TJ Maxx for some H2O products the next time I'm there! Thanks for the info!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just got the H2O Spa body butter for my mom, aunt, sister, and cousin for Christmas (and a few things for myself ). I loved it at the GF and hope now everyone else will love it too! I found a 20% off code by googling when I placed my order, so hopefully there are some discounts available now.

Does anyone have any other H2O Spa products that you particularly love? Something perhaps that I shouldn't live without?

That's great about the code. I only buy the products with a code...and there usually is one floating around out there.

I love all the H2O products I've ever tried. There is a dry oil spray H2O Spa product that I purchased in Summer Lace and have seen online and at their stores. It makes your skin smell clean and feel super silky. I LOVE the sea salt shower gel too. It all smells so clean and fresh...

BUT...now what I am HOOKED ON is Pink Sugar ANYTHING from Basin White!!! Any Basin White codes out there??!?!

Lives4Disney

 

[BlueSkies]

Channing I want a Basin White code too.... I bought DD pink sugar after you recommended it...she loved it too

Forgot about the sea salt shower gel...thats a nice one too...I seem to be out of that! One more reason to go back to the GF!!

 

[mom2princessj]

mom2princessj The GF cafe has a nice lunch menu and you can usually walk up with out a reservation especially midday...We ate at LeCellier last trip any we really liked it....I'd suggest trying for a walk up too...why not..Hope you get to eat here...the cheddar cheese soup was yummy!!!

I saw over in the dining review section some decent reviews of the GF cafe so I did think we may try that since both reviewers also did walk up.
I've read way too many yummy reviews about the cheese soup and the food at LeCellier. I wish I would have been able to reserve us a spot there. I will walk up though...its worth a shot.
I can hardly believe we are leaving in 11 days seems like we've been planning forever!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I saw over in the dining review section some decent reviews of the GF cafe so I did think we may try that since both reviewers also did walk up.
I've read way too many yummy reviews about the cheese soup and the food at LeCellier. I wish I would have been able to reserve us a spot there. I will walk up though...its worth a shot.
I can hardly believe we are leaving in 11 days seems like we've been planning forever!

I am so in the minority....but I think Le Cellier is WAY over hyped. There are much better restaurants out there. I think it's just a matter of it being so hard to get into....if it were an easy ADR nobody would even mention it. We've never had anything OUTSTANDING there....it's just OK to good IMO. Yachtsman STeakhouse is way better. ( I know I am probably stirring up trouble. ) *sorry Blue Skies...I just saw you mentioned you had a ymmy lunch there...maybe I just haven't had good le Cell luck* LOL

GF Cafe is fine. Just comfortable, casual and good. Narcoossees is very good- yummy filet & sangria...but something there just does not agree with me. Citricos...i have had both great and so so experiences there. But Le Cellier...eh.

Happy planning - your trip is almost here. I am glad you were able to rearrange some ADRs for the 5th person.

Blue Skies...I am glad your daughter liked the pink sugar. I just love all the Basin White products I've tried. I know a lot of people are crazy about the lemon sugar....that might be my next purchase.

Channing

 

[mmmears]

Will they ship the Basin White products home for me, or is better to just order online? We're flying in and cant take liquids back with us, so I'm wondering how I can get some of this stuff. There's a Basin at DTD in DL that's nice, but then we have a car and I can fit whatever I want in it!

 

[mom2princessj]

I am so in the minority....but I think Le Cellier is WAY over hyped. There are much better restaurants out there. I think it's just a matter of it being so hard to get into....if it were an easy ADR nobody would even mention it. We've never had anything OUTSTANDING there....it's just OK to good IMO. Yachtsman STeakhouse is way better. ( I know I am probably stirring up trouble. ) *sorry Blue Skies...I just saw you mentioned you had a ymmy lunch there...maybe I just haven't had good le Cell luck* LOL

GF Cafe is fine. Just comfortable, casual and good. Narcoossees is very good- yummy filet & sangria...but something there just does not agree with me. Citricos...i have had both great and so so experiences there. But Le Cellier...eh.

Happy planning - your trip is almost here. I am glad you were able to rearrange some ADRs for the 5th person.

Blue Skies...I am glad your daughter liked the pink sugar. I just love all the Basin White products I've tried. I know a lot of people are crazy about the lemon sugar....that might be my next purchase.

Channing

If it were just me and dh we'd be all over yachtsman steakhouse but with two small ones...no thanks I could just have my sister watch the kids I'm sure that would go over well since she'd have to take the two of them out to dinner while dh and I are drooling over our steaks

No stirring at all. I appreciate all opinions. I've just read a few bad reviews on park fare which is making me question the reservation we have there. I mean we are going to CRT and that won't change. I'm not expecting great food there just pictures and the chance for my princess to meet Cindy and dine in the castle. One of those must do's on your first visit with a little girl.

I just can't wait to get there...seems like this week is dragging while next week will fly by I won't have enough time next week since the kids will both be back in school and we'll be leaving to fly out before I know it!
I'm looking forward to nice weather (fingers crossed) and a fabulous trip!
Now...to put a reminder to myself to call private dining and order that white chocolate mickey or maybe another character (dh's favorite is donald...do they have one of donald) and get my chocolate covered strawberries...YUMMO

 

[tinklvr64]

Will they ship the Basin White products home for me, or is better to just order online? We're flying in and cant take liquids back with us, so I'm wondering how I can get some of this stuff. There's a Basin at DTD in DL that's nice, but then we have a car and I can fit whatever I want in it!

Yes they will ship it home for you.....just an FYI we bought lots of stuff from basin and put it in our checked baggage and all of our baggage was searched by TSA. From now on I will only carry it on with me.



PS....if you sign up on the Basin and Basin White website they will send you special offers and codes

 

[heatherlynn444]

they sell that stuff at TJ maxx soemtimes? my mom works their part time, I will have to have her be on the lookout for me!

less than 5 months until my GF trip and a week and a 1/2 till my weekend cornado trip. we are eating breakfast at 1900 PF so I will at least get to GO to the GF!

 

[BlueSkies]

mom2princessj We ate at 1900 PF for breakfast on our last trip and it was fine...the usual buffet breakfast...an omlet station...I hear that the dinner is alot of fun it has the step sisters included...they are not there in the am....

We had a very nice server...we asked if they had grits and she told us they no longer included them in the buffet (what kind of southern buffet doent include grits...we love them) any way she surprised us and brought us an order...very nice!! Good service is good service...bad sevice and a good meal still makes for a bad experience IMO...we'd deifinitely eat there again...

Your trip is almost here!!!

Healtherlynn TWO trip in the next 5 months!!! lucky you....we want more trip reports...

Channing We really did enjoy LeCellier but I know experiences can be different all the time...we always loved the Plaza and last trip it was awful...going to try it again though...

Dawn I'm heading over to that Basin White web site...I want the discounts...maybe try a little lemon sugar next purchase...I think I'm turning into a fanatic too...

 

[irisbud]

I will agree with Channing about LeCellier. We ate there on DF's first trip and were not impressed. It was okay, but that was all. We did like the soup and pretzel bread, though. We have had as good or better steaks at chain steakhouses even, and for far less cost. I don't mind paying for Disney food but I felt ripped off for what I got there, if that makes sense. I think it is the difficulty of making an ADR there that makes people so excited about it. Or maybe we just hit an off day...

GF Cafe is good for lunch and breakfast. We have never tried dinner there. We've eaten there many times and have never needed and ADR.

 

[BCV23]

We have a late reservation for Park fare the first day we arrive but I'm iffy about it. We may try to go to the MK for spectro so I'm unsure whether we'll actually make the PF reservation. Plus we'll be starved since we are leaving Midway at 10am and not arriving until 135 in Florida...southwest snacks aren't going to cut it and by the time we leave the airport I'm sure we'll all be ready for a meal right then. We'll probably just check in at GF and then go grab a late lunch early dinner.

Wanted to let you know that the resort restaurants close in the afternoon although the counter service spots will be open. GF Cafe closes at 2 and Kona Cafe at 2:30. Not sure about The Wave at CR but would guess 2 also.

When we have flights that time of day, we pick up a sandwich at the airport to take on the flight. There's a Potbelly at midway as well as a Gold Coast Dogs. Some little bar tucked in a corner that has good burgers that they will pack to go. It helps to pass the time on the flight too.

Good luck with Le Cellier. We think it's good but there are many spots with as good or far better steaks. Kona Cafe has a good one and my DD loves the prime rib at GF Cafe (if it's still on the menu). Captain's Grill at the Y&BC is another nice restaurant that you can usually get into last minute. Anyway, have fun...your trip is so close.

Does anyone have any other H2O Spa products that you particularly love? Something perhaps that I shouldn't live without?

Santa brought lots of H2O products to the gals in my family this year. I love the almond line. Smells sooo good.

Will they ship the Basin White products home for me, or is better to just order online? We're flying in and cant take liquids back with us, so I'm wondering how I can get some of this stuff. There's a Basin at DTD in DL that's nice, but then we have a car and I can fit whatever I want in it!

They will ship for you. No tax on the purchase can almost offset the cost of shipping. But if you are checking bags, you can pack liquids in those.

minniesota, can't wait to hear about the pillows for your DD. I had the types mixed up...thought you had ordered the most expensive ones.