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

[johnsonet]

Thanks for the reassurance... We'll miss the YC, too, but we wont be looking at it across a lagoon everyday. And, yes, we're staying there because my DD wants to stay there. We will probably love it, just hoping so and having some worries over it. When you spend a year planning a trip, you want it to be perfect (and what is ever perfect?).

You're exactly right. I've never spent a whole year planning a trip - so I can see that you have a lot riding on this. I really do think you'll love AKL CL and Poly LV CL. We do But trying a new resort is definitely a gamble Good luck!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I guess I'm the odd one, because even when we do not stay at the GF, I visit the resort! It doesn't make me sad to visit it for tea or shopping, we love to eat in the restaurants and hang out in the lobby. One of our favorite mid-day breaks when we're in the MK area.

mmmears - I'm sure you'll love both the AKL and the Poly! As johnsonet mentioned, though, you could always ask to move if it turns out otherwise. I did not think of that option when DD and I stayed at the BC years ago - it was nice, but not our style.

 

[johnsonet]

I guess I'm the odd one, because even when we do not stay at the GF, I visit the resort! It doesn't make me sad to visit it for tea or shopping, we love to eat in the restaurants and hang out in the lobby. One of our favorite mid-day breaks when we're in the MK area.

Oh - so do we k&a&c'smom! It's never made me sad but it did upset my daughter once, when she was 7 and I had booked us at AKL for the first time and we stopped by the GF via monorail to show it to my parents.
But Tea at the Garden View Lounge is one of my long-time faves - whether traveling w/ DD or with girlfriends... and regardless of where we might be staying. Not to mention Citrico's being a BIG favorite. We'll definitely walk/monorail from Poly next month for dinner there.
And of course we LOVE California Grill over at The Contemporary. It doesn't look as though we'll be staying at the CR anytime soon but that's never kept us from enjoying dinner there. The shops there are pretty great too
On the other hand, I must admit I'll probably shed a few tears at my beloved AKL this trip when we drive over for dinner at Jiko

 

[dpndka]

I booked 5 nights @ GF 1st week of December 09!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I booked 5 nights @ GF 1st week of December 09!

Congrats! We will be there that week as well. It is so beautiful decorated for Christmas!

 

[dpndka]

Congrats! We will be there that week as well. It is so beautiful decorated for Christmas!

Yes! I'm looking forward to the decorations at GF, especially the Gingerbread house that everyone keeps talking about! I hope it will be up by then.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yes! I'm looking forward to the decorations at GF, especially the Gingerbread house that everyone keeps talking about! I hope it will be up by then.

It usually goes up around Veteran's Day weekend.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hello all!

I noticed that the cabana info on the first page still reflects the same prices that we paid in 2008. Are the prices still the same? Any rumbling about price increases?

We had a blast last year and I want to do it again when we go in September. We're heading back to the GF for 10 Magical nights. Sure it's hot and humid but we love it and look forward to another great vacation.

Any help on the cabana rates would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Aurora Beauty Wow 10 nights at the GF!!! I am jealous...I just called recently and asked about the cabana prices and was quoted the same prices as 2008 $60 for half day and $110 for full day...the cabanas are just wonderful...did you see the pics of the refurbished ones...very nice...Have a great trip...

 

[MelissaFromRI]

OK -- this is my biggest fear for our upcoming trip. It's so much worse when you can see a hotel you love and aren't staying there. I'm really hoping that I'll love the Poly, too, since we're staying there for a week.

MelissaFromRI, say it isn't so...

I was probably just being a big baby mmmears
I'm a typical only child / spoiled brat

My stay at the Poly was in 2004 , they've redone the rooms since then and from the pics the new rooms look great

I'm sure you'll be fine , you'll be at Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

It usually goes up around Veteran's Day weekend.

Yes you are right! I love smell of the gingerbread in the main building. I know back at the beginning of the thread we have pics of the house and menu of the treats you can buy there.

 

[PolynesianAlex]

Pictures of the Old Sugar Loaf Rooms?? I really liked the old look i dont see why they had to change it all they had to do is add a Flat Panel

 

[Wendy5055]

I totally this thread!!!! Anytime a question is asked, you all go above and beyond to answer it. You all RULE!!!!!

My mother and I are so excited and we know that we will not want to leave. My dd7 is looking forward to the turn down service and chocolates...she is such a Princess

It is soooooo addicting to come and read everyones reports. Thank you for the report and pic about the movie on the beach...my daughter will love it!!! I just know we will never want to stay anywhere else at WDW after our stay at the Grand!!!!!

 

[tete01830]

Wendy I hope you have a fabulous time at the Grand! My 7 year old likes no other place....Although she does wish they had a pool like SAB....

 

[Wendy5055]

Thank you!!! I look forward to getting my planning fix at night by checking out the GF thread.

I think we will be after my dad about performing turndown services for us!!!!

 

[Tink rules]

I just made ressies for April 25th - to May 10th...

(I have to be there for classes at the Disney Institute... so I added on some extra time to go and play...) (I just hope the boss comes through with the funds so I can keep the ressie!!!!)

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Aurora Beauty Wow 10 nights at the GF!!! I am jealous...I just called recently and asked about the cabana prices and was quoted the same prices as 2008 $60 for half day and $110 for full day...the cabanas are just wonderful...did you see the pics of the refurbished ones...very nice...Have a great trip...

I am so looking forward to our time at the GF this year. Last year we did rent a cabana for the full day and it was awesome! DH was in heaven b/c he didn't have to be in the sun and DD thought it was her own personal princess hut! The CM at the time had said they were going to re-do the cabanas and make them super upscale (a la the ones in Vegas that go for $500+). I was hoping they wouldn't do that b/c I wasn't sure I could justify that much money for a 'princess hut'. I'm all for upscale and posh, but I like a touch of reality thrown in for good measure as well.

I'll look forward to pictures as more people spend time by the pool.

Thank you all for your help.

 

[PolynesianAlex]

I am so looking forward to our time at the GF this year. Last year we did rent a cabana for the full day and it was awesome! DH was in heaven b/c he didn't have to be in the sun and DD thought it was her own personal princess hut! The CM at the time had said they were going to re-do the cabanas and make them super upscale (a la the ones in Vegas that go for $500+). I was hoping they wouldn't do that b/c I wasn't sure I could justify that much money for a 'princess hut'. I'm all for upscale and posh, but I like a touch of reality thrown in for good measure as well.

I'll look forward to pictures as more people spend time by the pool.

Thank you all for your help.

Are you staying in RPC??

 

[AuroraBeauty]

Are you staying in RPC??

No. DD's only request to to be able to see the nightly water pageant from our room, so we try to do what we can with that.

 

[irisbud]

I don't understand. everytime I open this thread it seems like things have been erased? where did all of those post go?

also, do you have to be staying at the gf to rent a cabana? we are dvc so we can use the pool and the cabanas sound great!

I tried to pm lives4disney to ask because she knows all about the cabanas, but I can't...:

 

[PolynesianAlex]

If we book RPC what are the odds of getting a Magic Kingdom View??