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

[goofygal531]

NOTE TO ALL...if I kick the bucket...maybe one of you guys could sneak me into an urn in RPC for all eternity .....

A funeral director recently told me you would never imagine how many people's remains are in the moat around the MK Castle. I know this is illegal, but he said SO many people do it on the sneak. Freaks me out every time I look into the water at the castle now.

Remember someone dumped remains into the POTC water and they had to shut the ride down and sanitize it

Now you're making me wonder "who's" inside those GF urns!

 

[jockey]

Lives4Disney, really enjoyed your report and pics. I think we left they day you arrived, we left on the 4th after a fab stay at the GF!

I love the place and can't wait to go back

 

[BlueSkies]

A funeral director recently told me you would never imagine how many people's remains are in the moat around the MK Castle. I know this is illegal, but he said SO many people do it on the sneak. Freaks me out every time I look into the water at the castle now.

Remember someone dumped remains into the POTC water and they had to shut the ride down and sanitize it

Now you're making me wonder "who's" inside those GF urns!

EEEWWWW

 

[mickeyfan85]

A food pet peeve of mine at the RPC is the fact that they start cleaning up and putting everything away 10-15 minutes before the posted end time. For instance , breakfast ends at 10:30am , but I noticed cast members putting food away at 10:15am !!! This annoyed me to no end I'm paying top dollar to stay at the RPC , let me enjoy what I'm paying for. I also don't like when they go 30-40 minutes at the time with no offerings and the food part of the lounge roped off....

The lounge times are clearly posted in the lounge and given to you when you check in. Yes, there are 30-40 minute breaks in between offerings, but the cast members probably have to prepare for the next offering. The food isn't like that in Beauty and the Beast and it doesn't jump on the plates by itself. So, I don't think a 30-40 minute break in food offerings is that big of a deal and not worth getting upset over.

And if there is something that you don't see out at 10:15am, just ask a cast member and I'm sure they'd oblige you. And if not, then talk to a manager. But the lounge people are very, very nice! Treat them well because they do work hard.

 

[MelissaFromRI]

The lounge times are clearly posted in the lounge and given to you when you check in. Yes, there are 30-40 minute breaks in between offerings, but the cast members probably have to prepare for the next offering. The food isn't like that in Beauty and the Beast and it doesn't jump on the plates by itself. So, I don't think a 30-40 minute break in food offerings is that big of a deal and not worth getting upset over.

And if there is something that you don't see out at 10:15am, just ask a cast member and I'm sure they'd oblige you. And if not, then talk to a manager. But the lounge people are very, very nice! Treat them well because they do work hard.

First of all , I always treat people well no matter where I go.

I'm not getting mad at the hard working CMs who run the lounge , I'm upset with whoever is telling them to cut breakfast 15-20 mins short. More than once I've seen families booking it to the lounge to make breakfast only to be greeted by an empty table when the paper they were given at check in told them they had more time

I know first hand how awesome the CMs at the RPC are , in December 2 members of my family got that stomach virus that was going around so I spent most of my vacation in the lounge. The ladies couldn't have been sweeter sending me back to the room with crackers , bottles of water and cans of ginger ale. They really went above and beyond

I love the GF and I love the RPC , that's why I go there 2-3 times per year

 

[loralie]

Hi Guys,

I am so excited for my trip to the GF and today is 90 days!

I just booked all my ADR's and I was able to book the cabana for 2 of the days. GF here we come.

Loralie

 

[grannyminnie]

Hi Guys,

I am so excited for my trip to the GF and today is 90 days!

I just booked all my ADR's and I was able to book the cabana for 2 of the days. GF here we come.

Loralie

Because the cabanas are being renovated (AGAIN!), were you quoted a higher price? (if you have rented before and know what you paid)

 

[loralie]

Because the cabanas are being renovated (AGAIN!), were you quoted a higher price? (if you have rented before and know what you paid)

They quoted me $60.00 for 1/2 day. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm which is the price I read online so I am pretty sure that the price is not raised YET. Since they quoted me $60.00, if they raise the price I should be able to keep the $60.00 price and not have to pay more...right? It was funny because when she was telling me all the info she said 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. I told her I read online that it was 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. she told me I was right and it was to 2:00 pm. The Dis knows more than the CM's LOL.

I can't wait to get to the GF and enjoy the cabana's.

Loralie

 

[MelissaFromRI]

Tomorrow is my 90 day mark !!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

First of all , I always treat people well no matter where I go.

Exactly...and they like you there, too!! I knew what you meant. And yES...the lounge ladies are so wonderful. The RPC CMs are the best.

They quoted me $60.00 for 1/2 day. 10:00 am to 2:00 pm which is the price I read online so I am pretty sure that the price is not raised YET. Since they quoted me $60.00, if they raise the price I should be able to keep the $60.00 price and not have to pay more...right? It was funny because when she was telling me all the info she said 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. I told her I read online that it was 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. she told me I was right and it was to 2:00 pm. The Dis knows more than the CM's LOL.

I can't wait to get to the GF and enjoy the cabana's.

Loralie

YAY!! That was going to be my next installment!! The cabanas!!!!

A couple of us got up EARLY and made it to MK at opening....I had NEVER seen that before...It was AMAZING!!!! I am going to have to do some arm twisting and dragging to get my daughters there to see it next time!! It gave me goosebumps. We ran on anything we wanted and I got fabulous pics of an empty MK.

Then we took the boat back.....dropped our purchases off in the room and went down to our reserved cabana. I had talked to Chris the night before...and he said he'd hook us up if I couldn't reserve thru the concierge...but I was able to so that was easy. We chose the cabana nearest the pool. We had more space and a bit of privacy being off to the side like that. Chris is one of the BEST at the GF...and he set up the cabana for the 7 of us....he told me the limit is 7 so that was perfect. He waited on us hand and foot and well enough that Mandy and I are ready to move in. Anytime our drinks got low...Chris was THERE! He checked on us constantly and was a great sport about our fun....He said we could extend our stay...because he KNOWS US. So we made the most of it. At lunch time...we looked at the limited "guaranteed menu"...didn't see anything that thrilled us for the overprice...so we walked over to Gaspies.....which was fine...we needed a stretch. We brought our lunch back and ate in the cabana. THEN....to our huge surprise....another FABU GF Gal Disser and her daughter came up and introduced themselves and the party grew!!!! IT was soooo nice to meet Blue Skies and her adorable daughter!!!! We had a lot of fun and laughs with them until they had to leave to catch their flight. We stayed....finished our cabana time and then some...paid the bar tab...you have to go over to the bar to pay that...the cabana attendants no longer do that...BUT Chris said they are getting a system where they WILL be able to close out the bar tabs. The pool was crowded by then....It was awesome during the 10-2 period...but got crowded about 1. They had a lot more going on on the deck then I remember from the past. They were jamming music...had LOTS of games and crafts and organized activities for the kids...it was a hoppin' fun place. It resembled the Y&BC in that way....which was very different from my past visits where the pool was so quiet and even the kids activities were toned down. This looked FUN!

The cabanas are awesome and the attendants...especially Chris are GREAT!! OH...and how can I forget Rachel - she was fabulous too. Chris was training Rachel and she was great to us, also.

TBC.....

Channing
GF cabana lovin' Gal

 

[BCV23]

Hi Guys,

I am so excited for my trip to the GF and today is 90 days!

I just booked all my ADR's and I was able to book the cabana for 2 of the days. GF here we come.

Loralie

Congratulations! Something fun to look forward to in the middle of winter!

Tomorrow is my 90 day mark !!!

How exciting! Hope you get everything you want.

I like that reservations are now 90 days again. I think it's easier to get excited three months out. 180 days just seems forever!

 

[johnsonet]

Hi Guys,

I am so excited for my trip to the GF and today is 90 days!

I just booked all my ADR's and I was able to book the cabana for 2 of the days. GF here we come.

Loralie

How exciting 2 cabana days will be very nice!

I like that reservations are now 90 days again. I think it's easier to get excited three months out. 180 days just seems forever!

I totally agree. I don't even plan trips 180 days out, so it was always weird to me... I need to go ahead and make a few for Spring Break

I have friends at the GF this weekend, taking their little girls to WDW for the first time. Can't wait to hear how they like the Grand

 

[BCV23]

I totally agree. I don't even plan trips 180 days out, so it was always weird to me... I need to go ahead and make a few for Spring Break

I have friends at the GF this weekend, taking their little girls to WDW for the first time. Can't wait to hear how they like the Grand

Happy planning to you too!

I hope your friends have a wonderful time on their first trip!

 

[Shell54]

I have a cabana question...they sound heavenly and we're looking forward to booking one in June.

Is it posssible to request a particular cabana attendant? Friends of ours that stayed at the GF last JULY and some of you on this thread have raved about 2 in particular and I want one of them!

Lives4Disney great photos.. they make me excited for my trip.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have a cabana question...they sound heavenly and we're looking forward to booking one in June.

Is it posssible to request a particular cabana attendant? Friends of ours that stayed at the GF last JULY and some of you on this thread have raved about 2 in particular and I want one of them!

Lives4Disney great photos.. they make me excited for my trip.

Not really.....it just depends who is scheduled to work. Whoever is on takes care of all four cabanas. They do an awesome job...we have had several different people and they are all great....but we absolutely prefer Chris. Besides being so great...he's cute.

Channing
GF Gal

 

[Lives4Disney]

Tomorrow is my 90 day mark !!!

That's exciting!!

Happy planning!! Now it all starts.

Channing

 

[Maxie86]

Hi Guys,

I am so excited for my trip to the GF and today is 90 days!

I just booked all my ADR's and I was able to book the cabana for 2 of the days. GF here we come.

Loralie

Tomorrow is my 90 day mark !!!

It looks like I will just miss you. We will be leaving when you are arriving.

I like that reservations are now 90 days again. I think it's easier to get excited three months out. 180 days just seems forever!

I like it much better too. Six months is way too far out to know what you want to do. I think it will cut down on a lot of cancellations and changing around ADR's.

Chan, another great installment. The cabana's sound like fun. I love being in the parks at opening. See what you have been missing by sleeping in.

 

[tinklvr64]

I was disappointed the last time we rented a cabana(before they were renovated) BUT since the renovation they are fab! So after our wonderful day at the cabana (with Freak Dog) I decided to rent the whole day for us in Mar...that will be our rest day!

 

[MelissaFromRI]

That's exciting!!

Happy planning!! Now it all starts.

Channing

Thanks to all the awesome info from you guys I've decided to go for the cabana I just hope nobody calls animal control thinking that some poor whale has beached themselves the day I'm there
I'm also finally going to book a spa appointment I've been losing weight for almost a year now but still have a ways to go. I'm "Pooh Sized" will I feel odd at the spa? I know the spa workers see plenty of people everyday and probably won't even notice me but I feel self consecious.....

I'm staying RPC so I guess all I have to do is wait for an e-mail from them I kinda miss the excitement of making the ressies myself , I'm weird

Happy Valentine's Day to all BTW

 

[BlueSkies]

Loralie Congrats on booking your cabana for 2 days!! You will love them... What a nice relaxing way to spend a day especially if you plan on doing this inbetween park days....

Melissa good luck booking...hope that you are able to get all of your ADRs

Grannyminnie Last time I checked on cabana rates (which was recently) it was $60 for a half day and $110 for a full day..not sure if I posted this info to you before...

Channing Thanks for another terrific installment!! I was GREAT meeting with all of you...DD and I really had so much fun that we didnt want to leave...

I guess I am the odd man out with the booking window..I kinda like booking 180 days out...because once I book in my mind everything is pretty much set....if anyone saw my current list it has been revised alot!!!What I really prefer is the days when you could do more spur of the moment dining...

Anyway I do love that you can now book your cabana days all at once and not have to keep calling back....