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

[Lives4Disney]

TO bad I would have bought one!

Me too!! I didn't see them!!

LOL! My anniversary is the day before my birthday so i totally know what you mean! I got married young and did not think about the consequences.....and Christmas is just a few weeks after so i totally get the 3 in 1 gifts

This year is our 10th and we are trying to plan a little get away too! I think we are either looking at the YC or GF GV or even WL. BUt of course the guilt and pressure of Christmas creeps up and I think about using that money for the kids.

I know....I felt that on my 20th. I hope you get to go!! Get over the guilt and DO IT!

Chan
GF Gal

 

[goofygal531]

They were not in Gaspies when we where there the 6-9th........ BUT that is a eternity ago when it comes to product turn over at WDW!

Mandy, Kathy said she saw them at Pop on 2/11. I would think it would take at least a week before every resort changed over to them. She said CBR didn't have them, while POP did.

 

[goofygal531]

I was wondering if someone could tell me what the bus service was like?

The only bus ride that was horrible was the ride back from DTD to GF. It took FOREVER!!!!!! It was after dark in June, we had two sleeping kids, a full standing room only bus, it was just awful! The bus stopped at Ft WL and let me tell you, CL GF guest were not happy! They actually started yelling and complaining how guests staying in tents got to their resort before CL GF guest! It was just crazy!

It actually sparked a whole discussion aboard the bus about GF having their own bus. I have to agree. It's WDW's flagship resort and people pay a premium to stay there, they should have direct bus service to and from and not have to share with surrounding resorts.

Other than this one time, we've never had a problem. Buses always arrived promptly, never a long wait.

We'll cab it to and from DTD from now on.

 

[princessesrule4]

I am getting so excited for my stay at GF now that I can shop in Basin right in my hotel. It is kind of weird we have been coming to Disney since I was a little girl. In the 70's we always stayed at CR so I was always drawn to that hotel. As an adult my favorite so far has been CL at AKL and BWI. Hated WL and BC. YC was OK. Poly I really have no interest in. I didnt really have an interest in GF but, now I am so stoked. My DH gave me a trip for my 40th birthday present and our 17th anniversary. They are just a few days apart so you know i was pissed at my crappy anni gift until he sprung this trip on me. LOL. I love this thread everyone has so much knowledge. I would totally be doing CL but we just came back from a trip 4 months ago and dont have the funds for that kind of trip and DH booked all this on his own. He has always wanted to stay at GF and never told me. I am so happy he chose the hotel because I probably would have picked CR and I am so happy to be staying at GF. OK enough of my gushing. But I am getting so excited now that the trip is getting so close! If all my questions drive you all nuts you have permission to tell me to shut up.

I know what you mean! My birthday, anniversary and Mothers Day are within 3 weeks of each other, but I like it because I always ask that my BIG gift be a June Disney trip! I get cute homemade stuff from the kids for Mothers Day and DH and I go out to dinner for our Anniversary, but my big present is Disney!

Thanks!!! I wasn't sure what they would be like in the regular rooms... not like I really need it... but the company is paying for it this time and I'm wondering if I should try and talk them into letting me go club level or something... I've never done it... but I like the outer buildings so I think I might like Sugar Loaf...(I've only ever stayed in Conch Key) and I have to be there for 2 weeks because I will be spending a week at the classes at the Disney Institute...

Oh... so many decisions...

OMW- 2 weeks on your company's dime?!! FUN!!

 

[Baby Yeti]

I way prefer RPC. SL has no wow factor and the best CMs work in RPC.

Once you get on those golden elevators and head up, it's amazingly calm and quiet and it feels like a small group of people that kind of get to know each other up there as you see the same faces in the lounge each day & say Hi and Good morning.

Lives4Disney

I CAN'T WAIT to step into those "golden elevators" for the first time!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

This is my own personal experience but the Disney bus system STINK BIG TIME!!!
It seems every time I use one something bad happens to me.
This could just be plain bad luck but because every experience I have had has been BAD ... I always take a cab to the parks.

The cab to AK is around $20
The cab to DHS is around $15

I take the monorail to epcot and MK

This is us. We stayed at WL and had such a bad time of it my DH went and rented a car. That was after an hour and a half ride to Epcot. WL shares with Fort Wilderness not GF. I just stayed there in November and that was the case then at least. I thought GF and Poly shared but I have never stayed at either so I am probably wrong.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

LOL! My anniversary is the day before my birthday so i totally know what you mean! I got married young and did not think about the consequences.....and Christmas is just a few weeks after so i totally get the 3 in 1 gifts

This year is our 10th and we are trying to plan a little get away too! I think we are either looking at the YC or GF GV or even WL. BUt of course the guilt and pressure of Christmas creeps up and I think about using that money for the kids.

You and I must have similar dates:
Anni 12/5
Birthday 12/20 then xmas of course and my son is 12/30.

I guess my DH figured the easiest thing to do was a trip for everything. Hmmmm now that I think about it maybe he was just being lazy. JK of course I am very happy with my gift. Although I feel a little guilty he ordered me a mini castle cake from Narcooses in November for a pre birthday celebration when we were down with his family for their annual reunion.

 

[praline3001]

This is us. We stayed at WL and had such a bad time of it my DH went and rented a car. That was after an hour and a half ride to Epcot. WL shares with Fort Wilderness not GF. I just stayed there in November and that was the case then at least. I thought GF and Poly shared but I have never stayed at either so I am probably wrong.

If I remember right, the GF shares with the poly and the CR

I have had trouble with the bus system staying at YC, AKL and the 2 times I braved the bus at the GF...
It might be just my bad luck but EVERY single time I ride those busses something goes wrong!!!
So if your in line to get on a bus and see me in the same line... WAIT for the next bus to show up

I have had them break down on me... or have to change the route due to another bus breaking down... I actually RUN OUT OF FUEL and we had to wait for the fuel truck to fill it up for us

It can take up to 90 minutes (minus the time waiting in line for the bus) to get from AK to GF as they make several stops. My time and stress level is worth more than $20 for the cab

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I am thinking of doing a massage at the cabanna the day we have it booked. Has anyone else done this? or would you recommend actually going over to the spa to have it done. It is actually for DH not me. I wanted to surprise him since he gave me this trip. He knows our last trip was just a mess and I came home a bit disappointed. I am sure that is why he gave me a trip as my birthday gift.

 

[twinmum]

Sixthscents:

I just popped in and I am still catching up. I am no GF expert like some of the super helpful gals here, but we have had 2 stays with a wheelchair! (Our son has cerebral palsy).

I can also confirm that you won't be able to take the w/c on the launch from the GF to the MK. Our son is very small, and so his chair is quite light and does collapse. Generally, if you can collapse the w/c like a stroller and lift the passenger in (and Mark only weights 45 lbs!), it's generally OK, otherwise it's monorail etc.

When planning for fireworks watching, bear in mind that the music is only piped in to certain locations. Other people can confirm this, but from our experience, the music is piped in outside Narcoossee's down near where the launch docks, and frequently but not always outside Gasparilla's. One trip, our room (lovely castle view 4401) was right about Gaspie's, but we didn't get the music every night.

If your husband (and your budget!) is up to it, we highly recommend dinner at the California Grill, including watching the fireworks from the observation deck. It was the most special night of our first WDW family trip. We were back this fall for Mark's Wish Trip, but with a Christmas party added on, the timing of our ADR and the fireworks didn't work. No worries, this Wish Trip was filled with so many special moments, we just put Cali Grill onto our "maybe next time" list!

We return to Disney parks because all the CMs go out of their way to help us with Mark's challenges, not to mention we all find ways to have great fun. The CMs at the monorail see us coming and get out the ramp, call ahead to wherever we're going so they meet us with a ramp at the other end. Whenever we need an accessible way around, it's there. Makes the trip more enjoyable for all of us!

Alison

 

[praline3001]

OHHH something I learned our June trip
If the monorails are down for repair DO NOT ATTEMPT to take the boat back to the GF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somehow they reworked the boats to take more to the TTC and it was a huge mess!!!
It took us forever to get back to the resort!!!!!!

After our trip I read on the DIS that lightening hit the monorail and it popped a transformer so many of the rides were down along with the monorail so many guest were going back to their resort at the time to get a break while they fixed all the rides in the back of the park...
Not sure if this is accurate as I was in the front of the park at the time... I just know if the monorail is down DO NOT THINK of trying to get back to the GF anytime soon
It might even be quicker to take the boat to the TTC and then jump on a bus to the GF from there

Yup I hate Disney transportation
It never fails that it always breaks down when I need it!

 

[TinkTatoo]

This is us. We stayed at WL and had such a bad time of it my DH went and rented a car. That was after an hour and a half ride to Epcot. WL shares with Fort Wilderness not GF. I just stayed there in November and that was the case then at least. I thought GF and Poly shared but I have never stayed at either so I am probably wrong.

The buses seemed to be on their own schedule at the WL, sometimes they went via Fort Wilderness, sometimes they didn't stop anywhere else and a couple of times they went via the GF.

I think, when we're not going to MK, we'll just take a taxi

 

[Lives4Disney]

Sixthscents:

I just popped in and I am still catching up. I am no GF expert like some of the super helpful gals here, but we have had 2 stays with a wheelchair! (Our son has cerebral palsy).

I can also confirm that you won't be able to take the w/c on the launch from the GF to the MK. Our son is very small, and so his chair is quite light and does collapse. Generally, if you can collapse the w/c like a stroller and lift the passenger in (and Mark only weights 45 lbs!), it's generally OK, otherwise it's monorail etc.

When planning for fireworks watching, bear in mind that the music is only piped in to certain locations. Other people can confirm this, but from our experience, the music is piped in outside Narcoossee's down near where the launch docks, and frequently but not always outside Gasparilla's. One trip, our room (lovely castle view 4401) was right about Gaspie's, but we didn't get the music every night.

If your husband (and your budget!) is up to it, we highly recommend dinner at the California Grill, including watching the fireworks from the observation deck. It was the most special night of our first WDW family trip. We were back this fall for Mark's Wish Trip, but with a Christmas party added on, the timing of our ADR and the fireworks didn't work. No worries, this Wish Trip was filled with so many special moments, we just put Cali Grill onto our "maybe next time" list!

We return to Disney parks because all the CMs go out of their way to help us with Mark's challenges, not to mention we all find ways to have great fun. The CMs at the monorail see us coming and get out the ramp, call ahead to wherever we're going so they meet us with a ramp at the other end. Whenever we need an accessible way around, it's there. Makes the trip more enjoyable for all of us!

Alison

Hi, Alison....I posted teh room numbers/lodges/views of the roll in shower rooms on the previous page if you are interested.

Do you know what the accessible tubs are?!!? What makes them accessible ...I am trying to find out so I know the diff in the room types....There are 7 with roll in showers and 4 with these tubs....

THANKS for any info.
Channing
GF Gal

 

[k&a&c'smom]

TinkTatoo - Our experience with the bus system has been hit-and-miss. We used to rave about WDW transportation to our friends and family, but in the last few years, it has gotten worse, IMO.

The bus to DTD is particularly problematic, as a PP mentioned. We always take a cab or our car. We have taken a cab to AK, but we don't do that regularly, we had waited for quite some time before we finally threw in the towel!

As far as sharing, we've had our buses share with most of the MK-area resorts. Our last trip, we shared with WL, but it changes regularly, probably according to occupancy. ETA: - I see you said that in your post, my computer took too long!

 

[praline3001]

Also something I learned is if you have someone in a wheelchair in your party be careful of which line you get into if your planning on using the boats.
Not all the boats allow wheelchairs. Luckily everyone in my family has full use of their legs but during the above story I told there was a grandma who was in a wheelchair while we were in the cue line.
It seemed with the change or problem they were having the boat that allows wheelchairs was not running from MK to the resorts or to the TTC (I am still not sure WHERE IT WAS as I was just a 3rd party observer)
ANYWAY the CM explained to this grandma there was no way for her to leave the park at the time
She was livid and extremely upset as she was over hot and tired and was just trying to get back to her resort and was told she couldn't leave!
I am going to guess this is not a regular thing but the monorail does break down a lot so I am going to guess this is the procedure in place when it does break down
So for those that use wheelchairs and are trying to use the boat from MK to GF be careful and ask a CM which cue line you should be in and make sure they have a wheelchair friendly boat running the route

 

[mandymommy4]

You and I must have similar dates:
Anni 12/5
Birthday 12/20 then xmas of course and my son is 12/30.

I guess my DH figured the easiest thing to do was a trip for everything. Hmmmm now that I think about it maybe he was just being lazy. JK of course I am very happy with my gift. Although I feel a little guilty he ordered me a mini castle cake from Narcooses in November for a pre birthday celebration when we were down with his family for their annual reunion.

YEP!
Anniversary 12/4
B-day 12/5 Same as WALT!

I was destined to be a WDW fan!

 

[goofygal531]

If I remember right, the GF shares with the poly and the CR

Last June, we couldn't figure it out. Each bus we boarded had a different route, different stops. We were really surprised to go from DTD to Ft WL to GF. That really threw us off.

As long as you know your destination, that's all that matters

I am thinking of doing a massage at the cabanna the day we have it booked. Has anyone else done this? or would you recommend actually going over to the spa to have it done.

I would prefer to go to the spa. I found the cabana very noisy. The pool music is VERY loud, well it was in June. It was so loud we barely could hear the TV (my boys enjoyed watching DVDs outside, they thought it was cool!) The spa is a very short walk from the cabana.

What time of the year are you going? I found the spa very crowded with bridal parties midday in June. This time I'm planing going first thing in the morning at 8am then again another day around 6pm at night. Just to avoid the crowds.

OHHH something I learned our June trip
If the monorails are down for repair DO NOT ATTEMPT to take the boat back to the GF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Nov the monorail to Epcot broke down midway to the TTC. I was stranded at the TTC with a sleeping DS1 (I had just gotten off the MK monorail). DH and DS5 had gone to Disney Quest. They were offering a bus to Epcot. They had to tow the broken monorail back to the TTC, they predicted it would be about an hour! I went back to the GF to shop then tried the monorail again and it was still broken after 90 mins! I had to take the bus to Epcot from the TTC. Thankfully, DS1 stayed asleep! It was not an easy ordeal. I had the stroller, Basin shopping bags and DS1 to carry on the bus - a FULL bus!

I guess monorails breaking down is more common than I thought! It was really inconvenent with a sleeping child!

 

[Lives4Disney]

YEP!
Anniversary 12/4
B-day 12/5 Same as WALT!

I was destined to be a WDW fan!

That is so cool!

The Friendship boats at Epcot are fine with scooters and wheelchairs...it's the smaller GF/Poly/MK boats that are not easy. I have seen people really struggle and felt bad for them. The boat captains don't help...maybe they aren't allowed ...but it looks awkward with them just standing there watching people have a hard time.

Chan
Walt's Fan GF Gal

 

[goofygal531]

Chan, would you have a copy of the cabana PD menu? I remember it was really limited last June.

Can we order from the regular PD menu? Would the cabana attendents have a copy handy? I really don't mind taking the menu from the room, I just need to know if it's necessary.

I know we discussed this but I forgot what you said.

We're on the DxDDP and from PD you can order a complete meal. I know DH would prefer this than eating in Gaspies. We'll be at the pool most afternoons and I need to break up having lunch at Gaspies everyday

I enjoy the food at Gaspies, DH is just not a CS fan.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Chan, would you have a copy of the cabana PD menu? I remember it was really limited last June.

Can we order from the regular PD menu? Would the cabana attendents have a copy handy? I really don't mind taking the menu from the room, I just need to know if it's necessary.

I know we discussed this but I forgot what you said.

We're on the DxDDP and from PD you can order a complete meal. I know DH would prefer this than eating in Gaspies. We'll be at the pool most afternoons and I need to break up having lunch at Gaspies everyday

I enjoy the food at Gaspies, DH is just not a CS fan.

I might have a photo....have to look! The menu is very limited...but Chris said it's the "guaranteed menu"...you CAN order off the PD...but if they have it great..if not sorry. I remember getting a copy from somewhere down there...I didn't bring it from the room....they can get you a copy...or just take a peek at it before you head out and have an idea what you might want?? But I think they can get it for ya.....this time we just hiked over to Gaspies...we needed a stretch and the walk did us good.

Right....Gaspies is fine..but the only thing I have ever EVER ordered is the chicken tenders. I get sick of those fast ...wouldn't want that every single day.

I have Jojo home sick today...and DH working from home..so my day is off ....i will look when I get a chance! But we didn't see anything that thrilled us so that's part of the reason we chose Gaspies.

I have to add - because Jojo just walked by me...OMG..she took a bath with a Mickey bathbomb....she smells so good I could eat her...my whole master bath and bedroom smell heavenly sweet.....last time she was sick she used Pink Sugar...and omg..it is beautifully yummy....and the scent stays on and lingers....the bathbombs are wonderful.
Chan
GF cabana Gal