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

[Lives4Disney]

Channing,

Thanks so much for posting your amazing website! I've been pouring over it today and it's just fabulous! I loved the photos of Summer Lace and Basin White, plus you made Citricos look so beautiful!

I have a question about the health club -- do they have elliptical machines in there? I was told that if we are at the Poly we can still use the health club at the GF (please correct me if this is wrong). In all the times that we've been to the GF, I've never wandered in there. (Now we're trying to be healthier, so I may have to supplement all the walking with a workout. ) And do you know if the jacuzzi there is nice?

Thanks in advance!

THANK YOU for the nice comments!!!

YES...they do have ellipticals ....when I've been in there....LATE morning & mid afternoon the place was EMPTY...but they told me there is a line at the door prior to opening in the morning. Just an FYI.

The whole place was beautiful and relaxing. And as a Poly guest - since there is nothing like this at the Poly - you do have access. It is probably a 5-10 min walk along the lagoon.

Enjoy!

Channing
GF Gal!

 

[BCV23]

mmmears - they do have a handful of ellipticals.

The whirlpool is nice. I don't have a pic of it. You'll like the health club and yes, Poly guests have access to it

OK, help me johnsonet and mmmears.....which are the ellipticals?


mmmears, some of the Polynesian longhouses are as close to the Spa as are some rooms at the GF. I think the Imagineers designed its location with both resorts in mind.

You're both getting so close to your trips! Have fun!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Could it be a memo???????

It should be!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

It should be!!

Yeah...in my post, I told Robyn she should write....the whole situation was BAD.....I hope she does!!

And if it's a memo...even better. Maybe it would get their attention..... Let them know she is considering the POLY...(gag) for her next trip vs SL.....maybe they will take some notice of that awful threat.

Chan
GF Gal

 

[mmmears]

mmmears - they do have a handful of ellipticals.


The whirlpool is nice. I don't have a pic of it. You'll like the health club and yes, Poly guests have access to it

Thanks so much for posting the photo! Now I know I'm set if I start putting the pounds on at WDW. We're hoping to not eat too much and get in a lot of walking, but the food choices are not as healthy as what we've been eating at home. I'm a bit worried!

 

[mmmears]

THANK YOU for the nice comments!!!

YES...they do have ellipticals ....when I've been in there....LATE morning & mid afternoon the place was EMPTY...but they told me there is a line at the door prior to opening in the morning. Just an FYI.

The whole place was beautiful and relaxing. And as a Poly guest - since there is nothing like this at the Poly - you do have access. It is probably a 5-10 min walk along the lagoon.

Enjoy!

Channing
GF Gal!

Thanks for the info -- especially on the timing. Since the MK is opening early on our trip and closing late into the night I probably wont be showing up super early in the am! Glad to know about mid-afternoon, since that's our pool/nap/downtime time when we're traveling.

It's good to know it's a nice place to spend some time -- if I have to go there, that will help. And glad to know that we have access -- especially since there's no hot tub at the Poly! I guess the 5-10 min walk will just be part of my workout! (That's the reason we've never visited it before!)

 

[mmmears]

OK, help me johnsonet and mmmears.....which are the ellipticals?


mmmears, some of the Polynesian longhouses are as close to the Spa as are some rooms at the GF. I think the Imagineers designed its location with both resorts in mind.

You're both getting so close to your trips! Have fun!

The elliptical machines are the ones in the middle of the page (right after the treadmill at the bottom of the photo). You kind of swish your legs back and forth and move your arms on the levers -- it's alot less stress on heels and knees than the treadmill, and I burn more calories per hour on one of these things than a treadmill. Not bad, really, if you need to workout.

I'm hoping I'll get a break from going to the gym every day, with all the walking we'll be doing at WDW, but I'm not sure because of all the food there!

 

[BlueSkies]

mmears My rational it that we do so much wallking at disney that no other form of exercise is needed...add a little swimming into the mix and there you go...and exercise regimen....

 

[mmmears]

mmears My rational it that we do so much wallking at disney that no other form of exercise is needed...add a little swimming into the mix and there you go...and exercise regimen....

Yeah -- that's been ours as well. I've lost a lot of weight in the last year and I really dont want to gain some of it back. I've been worrying alot about that with this trip coming up, so knowing that the ellipticals are there helps me feel better. Whether or not I'll actually USE them is another story...

 

[BlueSkies]

Yeah -- that's been ours as well. I've lost a lot of weight in the last year and I really dont want to gain some of it back. I've been worrying alot about that with this trip coming up, so knowing that the ellipticals are there helps me feel better. Whether or not I'll actually USE them is another story...

mmears Congrats on the weigth loss...I know that is not an easy thing to do....

 

[mmmears]

mmears Congrats on the weigth loss...I know that is not an easy thing to do....

Thank you for the kind words & encouragement. No, it hasn't been easy, and I still have a ways to go, but it's been worth it!

 

[BCV23]

mmmears, thanks for the identification and description of ellipticals. THat sounds like something even I could manage....maybe.

Congratulations on your weight loss.

 

[mickeyfan85]

The thing that bothered me the most was that when DH called about the second room not being acceptable (I actually was feeling nauseous and getting a headache just smelling the carpet cleaning smell) the front desk manager said "Well, I see you are on the 7/4 special", as if that made it okay to give us a room that wasn't ready for guest.

While your situation is not a good one, it seems odd that a manager would bring up the 7/4 about a room issue.

From what I gather, your husband called and asked to speak to a manager. They told them the issue, and then the manager said, "Well, I see you are on the 7/4 special?"

Is the statement in context?

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks so much for posting the photo! Now I know I'm set if I start putting the pounds on at WDW. We're hoping to not eat too much and get in a lot of walking, but the food choices are not as healthy as what we've been eating at home. I'm a bit worried!

You're welcome mmmears I'm always happy when one of my millions of pics can come in handy
I wish you good luck with maintaining your progress while on your vacation. I know that for me it's much better to not allow myself to get off track in the first place b/c getting back ON track is the hardest part. Plus, you'll just FEEL better
Having a nice facility right there will make it easier for you and the walk from the Poly to the Spa is very pleasant. Maybe you will indulge in a treatment at the Spa PM me for names of massage therapists and aestheticians if you'd like.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

While your situation is not a good one, it seems odd that a manager would bring up the 7/4 about a room issue.

From what I gather, your husband called and asked to speak to a manager. They told them the issue, and then the manager said, "Well, I see you are on the 7/4 special?"

Is the statement in context?

Yes the statement was in context. We found it very strange also. Of course we found it strange that we were given two rooms that should never have been given to a guest. I was stunned when the first room had carpet so soaked that our luggage got wet.

It seems as if you are a relative newcomer to the boards (by your post count) so you couldn't know that I have always sung the praises of the GF. We are definitely frequent Disney visitors, and always stay deluxe. I really talked up the GF to my in-laws so it was quite embarrassing to be put through the constant changing of rooms the first day.

Of course we did not let it spoil our vacation but it did put (at least for the moment) a sour taste in our mouths about the service at the GF.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yes the statement was in context. We found it very strange also. Of course we found it strange that we were given two rooms that should never have been given to a guest. I was stunned when the first room had carpet so soaked that our luggage got wet.

It seems as if you are a relative newcomer to the boards (by your post count) so you couldn't know that I have always sung the praises of the GF. We are definitely frequent Disney visitors, and always stay deluxe. I really talked up the GF to my in-laws so it was quite embarrassing to be put through the constant changing of rooms the first day.

Of course we did not let it spoil our vacation but it did put (at least for the moment) a sour taste in our mouths about the service at the GF.

Robyn...are you going to write to them?? I'd be really interested in what they have to say in resonse. They can see you're a repeat guest if they looked into it.

I can sure see how this whole situation could ruin your feelings for the GF...and especially with your ILs with!! ugh. Bummer.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do for your summer trip. I was hoping to meet you this time around!

Channing
GF Gal

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Robyn...are you going to write to them?? I'd be really interested in what they have to say in resonse. They can see you're a repeat guest if they looked into it.

I can sure see how this whole situation could ruin your feelings for the GF...and especially with your ILs with!! ugh. Bummer.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do for your summer trip. I was hoping to meet you this time around!

Channing
GF Gal

Yes - I'm definitely going to write them. I think I've calmed down sufficiently enough! We have to meet up this summer - are you still planning on 6/20-27 or are you thinking of switching to later dates now that they've extended the 7/4 deal? I like to be there a little later if possible - my kids don't get out of school until the 17th and I'm afraid the summer will just drag if we do Disney so early. I'm still going back and forth on the GF-Poly thing, one thing I know is that we'll definitely be at BC June 27-July 5!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yes - I'm definitely going to write them. I think I've calmed down sufficiently enough! We have to meet up this summer - are you still planning on 6/20-27 or are you thinking of switching to later dates now that they've extended the 7/4 deal? I like to be there a little later if possible - my kids don't get out of school until the 17th and I'm afraid the summer will just drag if we do Disney so early. I'm still going back and forth on the GF-Poly thing, one thing I know is that we'll definitely be at BC June 27-July 5!!!

My kids don't get finished with their extra curricular things until mid June, ....so the idea of going on vacation the end of June was kind of bleh to me....SAME thing you were thinking. My TA is working on changing the dates....We have three bdays that July 1 week...and we love going over the July 4th holiday...so we always go at that time and have some special fun ....but there is NOTHING available at the GF during that week!!! But...she's a GREAT TA and has connections so I am not worried. It will work out. I was really excited when they extended the deal. Hmm....now maybe we could do the YC that July week....it's a thought.

Good luck with however you handle the GF issue. I hope you get some validation. That was really crummy how you were treated...and probably awkward with the inlaws after you talked up the GF.

Channing
GF Gal

 

[DisneyMomx7]

So maybe (fingers crossed) that we will meet up, somehow someway, over the 4th of July. That's one of my favorite times to go too. We always do the MK fireworks on the 3rd and EPCOT on the 4th.

Ds's birthday is June 23rd so we would miss his actual birthday. I promised him if we go a few days later something special to make up for the "birthday fastpasses". I'm think the AK safari that's open to CL guests or and Illuminations fireworks cruise. I'm sure I'll pay heavily for missing his "real" birthday. Of course we'll still do a special cake and all the trimmings in Disney!

Good luck switching your dates.

I'll let you know as soon as I hear something from the GF management.

 

[mickeyfan85]

I found this news article which just came out about Disney's plan to lay off cast members and try to cut costs to remain viable.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bk-disney-reorg-021909,0,1094627.story

This kind of goes along with the cut backs you are seeing in the concierge lounges. Even thought the promotions are helping boost park attendance, the revenue per guest is down. You'll probably see more cut backs soon, but it hopefully wont take away from the guest experience.

One I have noticed is the park hours seem to be going down. Most night, everything is closed by 9pm now, when in the past you'd have it open a lot later.