Thinking of giving a gift to the Disney Spa, but need some help

[Stuck_in_Paradise]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, I wasn't sure where to post.


My mom and I are going to Disney on September 11. I would like to try and do something special for her while we are there. I thought of a few things, Halloween Party, something from Disney Florists, etc. But, I've kind of settled on the idea of doing a spa treatment for her. She works long hours, has a lot of pain, etc. so I thought it would be nice for her to get to relax once.

I've never done a spa treatment and neither has she, so i have not no idea how this works. If you could me some help or pointers, that would be great... I'm a little worried being so close I won't be able to get anything... Do they book up really fast?


My first question is which spa to go to. I think Grand Floridian or Saratoga would be best. I would assume that Grand is better, but really don't know for sure. I was looking at pictures online, I was able to see some of the inside of Saratoga, but only the sitting area at Grand. From the looks of it, Grand looks a lot nicer... I was reading the treatments, Saratoga seems to have more options.
My plan is to spend the day in Downtown Disney, have lunch at either Wolf Gang Express or maybe Earl's. Do some shopping, walk around, just relax. This is why I thought Saratoga might be a little better. After shopping and things I would take her over to Saratoga on the boat and then she could get the treatment and we could ride back over to DD to have dinner at Wolfgangs. Then go back to the resort and call it an evening.



Second, I have no idea which treatment to choose. I've been looking at the Disney website and the Niki Bryan website, but theey really don't have that much detail on the treatments. Basically, this is her first treatment, other than some foot reflexology. I was thinking of doing the leg and foot treatment and possibly a facial, but I'm not sure about that... I would like to do more treatments to make her feel good, more so than look good anyway. The only thing is, since this is her first time going I really don't want to do anything where she would have to get undressed, I don't think she would feel comfortable and be able to relax then.



Will she feel comfortable. She's never been to a spa, and neither have I. So I have no clue what the atmosphere is like. Will she feel out of place or anything on the first visit?



Are you supposed to and/or allowed to tip? I'm not sure if this is customary, if they are allowed to accept tips or what the general amount would be to tip.



How to get to Grand Floridian Spa? I see that Grand Floridians Spa is detached, not sure about Saratoga. Is this easy to get to or is it a long walk or anything? Again, the pain could cause some mobility issues.



Cancellation. The way I understand it the treatment can be cancelled 24 hours in advance for no fee. Ideally I would like to surprise her and not tell her until I got her to Saratoga. But, I think to be on the safe side for the first time I should let her know the day before, I was thinking in the morning. That way if she doesn't feel she would like it she can cancel it and do something else.



Do they give a certificate or anything? I didn't know if I could get anything showing what she will be getting or if I should try to make something up before I go.





Sorry for all the questions, I just want to try and make this as special as possible.



Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[Pakey]

I have been to both the Grand Floridian Spa and the Saratoga Spa. I do not think there was enough difference in quality or setting to deserve you making the special trip to the Grand Floridian when you will be right by Saratoga. Also, in case it matters to you, Saratoga is Disney owned but Grand Floridian is owned by an outside company. However, if you do want to go to the Grand Floridian, you can catch the Disney Bus to the Grand Floridian hotel and then walk over to the spa (in a separate building from the hotel) and then take the Downtown Bus back to downtown.

I think there is NOTHING more relaxing than a spa treatment. I have had scrubs, wraps, baths, massages, facials, manicures, etc. It just depends on how comfortable you are.

At both of these spas, you will be taken to a dressing room that is an open area but will have individual lockers. You will be given a robe and you will undress, lock your clothes in a locker, and then sit in the waiting area in your robe until you are called for your treatment. There will be other people in the same waiting area. You cannot wear jewelry so it's best not to even take any to the spa or else you'll have to lock it in the locker. I can't remember if there were private dressing rooms; most spas do not and I can't remember specifically as this is not something that bothers me. If you are that modest, you could dress/undress in the toilet areas.

If you do a scrub, wrap, bath or massage, you will be left in the treatment room alone and you will take off your robe and and lay on the treatment table under a towel. The therapist will come in and do the treatment. During a massage, you will be asked to roll over while the therapist holds the towel in front of him/her and then places it back down on you. For the scrubs and wraps and baths, you will be uncovered. Your body will be treated except for those areas that would be covered by a one piece bathing suit if you were wearing one.

For a facial, you will still undress from the waist up but you will not disrobe during the treatment. The therapist will push the robe back off your shoulders a bit and massage your neck and shoulders. The aromatherapy facials are quite relaxing--you will pick your aroma and it's very soothing.

A scrub means just that--you will get exfoliated. Each spa has their own signature scrubs--I think Grand Floridian has grapefruit if I recall--but these treatments remove the dead skin. It feels wonderful.

A wrap is going to be warm. Your body will be spread with some sort of mud or seawood or whatever choice is available and then you will be tightly wrapped in plastic and then warm towels are put over you to keep the heat in. It's like being in a coccoon. I love this if the weather is cold out--not much fun in the summer heat. This treatment is to detoxify your body.

On massages, I prefer the classic massage. The therapist will generally tell you that you can tell him/her if you want it softer or harder. This treatment is to work out the tightness so it is sometimes harder than you would imagine--it's not this little romantic rub. I LOVE to get massages--I always get one on my next to last day at WDW because I then feel so relaxed to go home.

Whatever the treatment, the therapist will leave the room and stand outside while you re-robe and then you'll be escorted back to the waiting room/dressing area where you'll either sit and wait for your next treatment or get dressed if you are only having one treatment.

Tipping is expected, just as at a restuarant. I tip 20% of the treatment cost. When I went to Grand Floridian, we were given envelopes when checking out and there was a slot in the counter in which to drop the envelope with the tip included. If you get more than one treatment, you will be given an envelope for each therapist you saw. I do not know how they did it at Saratoga. I have paid via credit card upon arrival each time and just included the tip for each of my 3 treatments I had that day. I do think that the therapist left note cards for us and that was what you used in order to tip with cash. I've never been to a spa where you tipped the therapist directly; normally this is something that is handled at the front desk before you exit.

I have been to a spa alone, with friends, with my sons, with my daughters-in-law. I was nervous the first time I went, not knowing what to expect, but after that, I've been fine. If your mom is very modest, you may not want to book anything more than a facial (if you book a facial, you are expected to show up without makeup). If you think she will be comfortable laying on a table with a towel covering her, then a massage is wonderful.

I did have a male therapist for my massage at Saratoga the first time.

I think you should be able to get an appointment even at this late date. I wouldn't wait until the day you are there though. I think the last time we were at Saratoga, I called on Monday for a Thursday appt and was able to get in. It may depend on if you are really locked into a certain time and treatment. But if you are not, you should be able to get appts at the same time for you and your mom.

I do not like having my feet done because I'm horribly ticklish but I know a lot of women that just like to go have a pedicure/foot massage done. This would also be good for someone who may be more modest.

I do not know about gift certificates.

Hope this helps.

 

[Stuck_in_Paradise]

Wow, sounds liek you are an expert


I really appreciate all your answers and how detailed you were. It definitely made things much easier for me.


I think at this point I may change my plans a little for what I'm going to do. I may give her a card on our first night and let her pick what she would like, then she can choose a spa treatment (based on the information you have provided), shopping, etc. If she wants to do the spa, then we can call and get something scheduled, hopefully. Downtown Disney won't be till our last night, so that gives a few days.


She is pretty modest, so I just want to make sure that she will be as comfortable as possible. If she doesn't think she will be able to relax, then I don't think it would be worth the money.



Again, I really appreciate your help, made my decision much easier



Thanks a million!!!!

 

[Pakey]

Glad I was able to help. The first time I went to a spa, it was on a gift certificate (not at WDW) and I had no idea what to expect. I was overwhelmed and had not thought about tipping (assumed it would be in my gift certificate but found out it wasn't). I felt like a Beverly Hillbilly!!! You definitely have to be comfortable in your own skin. I could tell you wanted to do something special and I didn't want you to scare your mom!!! Hope you have a wonderful trip.