The **NEW** Grand Floridian FAQ!(MAY 2011)

[k&a&c'smom]

phyllis1966 - we were posting at the same time!!: What a wonderful upgrade.

Here are some photos of the beach with the fencing. There were children on the beach, I tried to avoid getting them in the shot so that is why a couple seem cut off. Oh - you can see the corner of the stand swing in one of the photos.

From Summerhouse landing, looking back toward Big Pine Key

Looking out toward Poly

Close up of Crane

From walkway, with my back to GF main building, Summerhouse to left

Walkway to beach pool

 

[k&a&c'smom]

NML11383 - To give some perspective, I'm going to post a few photos of the Summerhouse and the landing in front of it, so you know what I'm talking about. I should mention that they often have private parties at the Summerhouse, in which case it is not available for use. DD whiled away a few minutes here while I was taking photos.
Landing viewed from above, prior to construction

Viewed from the walkway leading to the themed pool - Summerhouse is in the center with tables around it

Standing on the landing with my back to beach and lagoon

Standing at the corner of the Summerhouse, facing Poly (and construction!)

Looking toward walkway to beach pool

 

[k&a&c'smom]

....The room was like any other room at the GF, however it had a king bed, a view of the castle and was in the RPC!!!!

I just had to quote this!

What a gorgeous view.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

I just had to quote this!

What a gorgeous view.

What great pictures. I am surprised that there are very few people in your pictures. Boy do I wish I was sitting at one of those tables with the umbrella.

Only 34 more days for us. I have to say that my DS came to me yesterday and said, mom, when are we going to start packing. I just laughed and said soon.

 

[bluejasmine]

Question... Is self park really that much of a hike?

You pay $12 plus tip each time you park right not each time you leave? So if we parked 1 time in 5 days you only pay one fee?

 

[annej]

I believe it is $12 per day regardless of how many times you move the car each day - be it 100 times or 0 times.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. In this case i would love to be wrong as we valet park all the time.

 

[annej]

Oh and self park really is a hike.

 

[pas130]

For pas130 - have a great trip and for next time -----

Thank you! And my DD would LOVE that room

pas, this was our TPV room in the RPC with a king bed we were upgraded to (from a GV room!). It was on the third floor. It would be perfect for you and HRH!!!!

WOW! It would be perfect....I'm NOT looking at availability until I come home....NOTlooking

Question... Is self park really that much of a hike?

OK so JMHO...but I didn't think it was too bad. You do have to cross a street, so I would go get the car (or DH) and pick the kiddos up from thefront. However, we didn't feel the need to drive much at all when we were there

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - I try very hard not to get people in my photos, as I know I'll want to post most of them and hate to post anyone's photo on the 'net without permission. It happens, but I do try. That being said, the grounds of the GF were quieter than usual, or at least on the day we were there.

pas130 - LOL! good luck not looking.

Question... Is self park really that much of a hike?

You pay $12 plus tip each time you park right not each time you leave? So if we parked 1 time in 5 days you only pay one fee?

I believe it is $12 per day regardless of how many times you move the car each day - be it 100 times or 0 times.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. In this case i would love to be wrong as we valet park all the time.

annej is absolutely correct - $12 per day, not each and every time the car is moved. With that $12, you get valet parking at any WDW deluxe resort - if you have dinner reservations, you can tell the valet at, say, BWI that you are paying at the GF. The charge shows up on your room folio, and if you don't agree with the number of days valet, just mention it to the front desk or CL, they will remove it.

Tip is discretionary. We generally give $2-$3 each time we touch the keys. So, when we drop off we tip and when we pick up we tip. For me, the cost is well worth the service, as we like to drive to other resorts for dinner, shopping, etc. We had to pay $24/day at the US resorts!!

I have some photos I just took of the walk from the front of the GF to the self park area, I'll post them later today.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

CoachBagFanatic - I try very hard not to get people in my photos, as I know I'll want to post most of them and hate to post anyone's photo on the 'net without permission. It happens, but I do try. That being said, the grounds of the GF were quieter than usual, or at least on the day we were there.

I try not get people in my photos also. I normally don't post photos but just for me in general. I like my photos as people free as possible.

pas130 my friend. One more day for you guys. I am super duper excited for you. I won't be around for the next couple of days as my aunt is having a procedure done tomorrow so I wanted to wish you safe travels and just have a blast. We will miss you.

 

[pas130]

pas130 - LOL! good luck not looking.

LOL...not available (today anyway)

pas130 my friend. One more day for you guys. I am super duper excited for you. I won't be around for the next couple of days as my aunt is having a procedure done tomorrow so I wanted to wish you safe travels and just have a blast. We will miss you.

Thanks I'll miss you too. Offline fo 2 weeks I will have all my Dis friends in my thoughts .... BTW haven't packet yet Hope all will be well with your Aunt!

 

[Dan Stephens]

GF rookie here who will be visiting this summer. 1-With construction going on, is there still a nice place to hang out on the beach? If so, can you see Wishes from that spot? 2-Does the band in the lobby use a consistent schedule in the evening/nightime hours or is it pretty unpredictable? Thanks.

 

[JoBird]

Just a stranger popping in to say..... Have a great Vacation Pas!!! I know it will be awesome!!! (I never pack till the last minute either....)

Hope all is well with everyone--- I've been trying to keep up here but I've been sorely lacking.

Kids are out of school for the summer now so hopefully I can do a better job of keeping up!

Thanks to everyone feeding the GF need....

 

[k&a&c'smom]

CoachBagFanatic - LOL about people free photos! Best of luck to your aunt, I'll be thinking of your family.

pas130 - you last minute packer, you! Two weeks offline, how will we do without you?!

Dan Stephens - Welcome! The pianist starts around 3:00 p.m., with the band starting at about 4:00 p.m. or so. The band and pianist alternate throughout the evening until around 9:45.

I just posted photos of the beach at the GF - look up the page a few posts! (or the previous page) Sorry to say, there is little beach left at this point. ETA: I missed the part about Wishes; the beach area has never been the best spot to watch the fireworks. Check out the marina landing in front of Gasparilla's, in front of Narcoossee's or the boat dock.

JoBird - Welcome back! Good to see you, I hope you are able to join in this summer. Kids out of school, yay!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

bluejasmine - I have the photos of the path to the self park posted below. I'll add the link to the aerial of the GF, you can see the valet parking (large black topped area in front of resort) and scroll left to see the self park across the street (smaller grey area - employee parking takes up half this area).http://www.bing.com/maps/default.as...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=5219444 The self park is across Floridian Way, not the small grey area at the top of the map - that is the parking for the Convention Center.

As you exit the front of the resort, turn right toward the bus stop

If you turn around, this is where you just came from

Walking under monorail line, you can see the emergency exit stairs from the second floor

Past the stairs, on the edge of the entrance roadway (under porte cochere)

I've walked past the stairway, nearly to the bus stop and looked back so you can see the roadway under porte cochere

Now turned and looking directly down the path out of the GF, toward Floridian way and self park across the street

You have to walk all the way down the path shown in the last photo, across a street with a light and into the self park - then to your car within the self park! HTH!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Wow! Those are some pretty detailed instructions k&a&c'smom!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Wow! Those are some pretty detailed instructions k&a&c'smom!

I do get carried away, but invariably I think, "oh, phooey, I should have taken some shots of the self park lot as we passed in the car!" Never enough photos in my opinion.

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

I do get carried away, but invariably I think, "oh, phooey, I should have taken some shots of the self park lot as we passed in the car!" Never enough photos in my opinion.

I agree, never enough!

 

[dragonfly57005]

Wow! Those are some pretty detailed instructions k&a&c'smom!

Exactly

 

[WDWKOOK]

From the latest AllEars newsletter:

from Kris in Illinois: We just returned from a fabulous trip to Mickey's house in Florida. My husband was terribly heartbroken. Gasparilla Grill at the Grand Floridian no longer serves lobster mac and cheese.