The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[dpndka]

Originally Posted by praline3001

I am not sure about Citricos but I was able to order from Narcooses and had surf and turf in my jammies one night

I guess if you were able order from Narcooses, Citricos could be an option.

I just finished reading your June 2008 TR. Glad that you & ur daughter had a great time. LOL on the comment about giraffe buying milk from walmart. I hope you will do another TR for your next trip.

[jkstewart1800]

Originally Posted by praline3001

This is how much my family loves the cabs at Disney ~

This trip we are driving! We have a new silverado extended cab we bought a few months back. DH wants to take it and since we have one of those fiber glass camper tops on it (very nice and matches the truck ~ ) I will have a TON of room for my overpacking trends

Anyway ~ DH told me he wants to park the truck at the GF and not drive it the rest of the week he wants to take a cab or the monorail! No arguments from me

He says its not worth the pain of driving and parking ~ the cabs drop you right out in front.

So how do you order a cab? through the hotel or just with your cell phone? How far in advance do you need to call? If we are in the park, how long should it take for them to come and pick us up? Do you have a company that you like more than another?

I am seriously thinking this is the way to go!

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by jkstewart1800

So how do you order a cab? through the hotel or just with your cell phone? How far in advance do you need to call? If we are in the park, how long should it take for them to come and pick us up? Do you have a company that you like more than another?

I am seriously thinking this is the way to go!

There are always cabs in front of the GF. You can either use the phone in your room to call Valet (there is a button you push) and ask them to have one ready for you.

There are always cabs at the Parks and other Deluxe resorts. I hear most of the mods have cabs hanging around as well.

The only Cabs that are allowed to run on property are the Mears cabs. Any other cab is not allowed to be there ~ the link I posted above was to mears website. There is a number you can store in your cell phone if you need it but honestly I have NEVER had to call a cab! They has always been a few hanging around just waiting for guest.

Its 50 cents per half mile for on property. Make sure before getting into the cab it is a MEars yellow cab

The cabs are very nice. Compare it to any big city ~ would you rather the free buses or take a cab? Same thing

[jkstewart1800]

Originally Posted by praline3001

There are always cabs in front of the GF. You can either use the phone in your room to call Valet (there is a button you push) and ask them to have one ready for you.

There are always cabs at the Parks and other Deluxe resorts. I hear most of the mods have cabs hanging around as well.

The only Cabs that are allowed to run on property are the Mears cabs. Any other cab is not allowed to be there ~ the link I posted above was to mears website. There is a number you can store in your cell phone if you need it but honestly I have NEVER had to call a cab! They has always been a few hanging around just waiting for guest.

Its 50 cents per half mile for on property. Make sure before getting into the cab it is a MEars yellow cab

The cabs are very nice. Compare it to any big city ~ would you rather the free buses or take a cab? Same thing

Sweet!!!

[praline3001]

The number is 407-422-2222
But I have never had to call that number.

At AK the cabs are pretty easy to spot. The Bus stations are to the right of the exit (left if your entering)
The cabs can be found on the right in the front of the parking lot.

DHS cabs are a bit tricker to find.... you might want a CM to point it out to you. There generally is a CM out there directing people =)
You walk past all of the resort bus stations and they are a little past that.

You can use the monorail for MK, Poly, CR and Epcot.

DHS is a toss up... I have heard the ride isn't bad but I have just gotten spoiled on the cabs LOL
AK ~ that bus trip is horrible

The Cab from GF to AK is $20
The Cab from GF to DHS is $14

For me a nice quiet CLEAN (I always find the buses dirty and yucky) place to relax on the way to and from the resort so much more peaceful
You aren't pushed, squished or forced to stand the entire ride

[jkstewart1800]

Until we had kids we ALWAYS rented a car... Now all of a sudden my DH wants nothing to with rent a cars and rely totally on the bus system....AHHHHHHH - I said... but with kids it matters even more now!!!

I am so pitching him the taxi idea!!!

[BCV23]

Originally Posted by Cinderumbrella

I actually didn't find DHS that bad. They stop at another resort before going to us (WL when we traveled) and then on to DHS. AK, however, stinks no matter what!! You also go to Blizzard Beach on that route. Getting there, not horrible (since right after pick up it goes to Blizzard Beach and then AK) but coming back is bad. After they get you at AK, you go BACK to Blizzard Beach, then to WL, then to the GF. Plus AK is the farthest park from GF anyway.

DTD is another doozy since it goes to Typhoon Lagoon and the West Side. Plus it seems like those buses are fewer and far between.

Again, as I typed on another thread today, the bus issues are a property wide problem, not exclusive to this resort. I still think the EPCOT area resorts really get the shaft since all 5 (YC, BC, BWI, Swan, DOlphin) share the SAME bus at certain parts of the day.

But remember, even a day at WDW with bad buses is better than any day at home!

We always have a rental car (other than two times when we had our own car) so I have rather limited experience on the buses but I agree with you about DHS, Cinderumbrella. I've taken the bus back to both the GF and Polynesian a number of times when my family has split up after lunch. It's not bad at all. One nice thing is that you can hop whichever bus comes first...MK/TTC or GF. One or the other has usually been there when I've walked up. I've never had a long wait.

With regards to Y&BC/BCV, I don't think they ever share with the other resorts for MK buses these days. I've made it back to the YC within 8 minutes from the MK. Those resorts do share for DAK (again limited experience there) but even that has not been bad returning to DAK is we split up after lunch. A quick stop at S/D and then on to YC.

We always drive to DTD. There is no way I would take a bus there....multiple resorts, multiple lights, TL and multiple stops within DTD. Nuts!

I've always found the buses to be clean. WDW takes things like that seriously.

Oh, and I also agree with Cinderumbrella's last point.

[billnang]

Thanks Brooke...

I know ou said there are always Taxi's hanging around.. are the vans hanging around too? Figure the 6 of us and 1 to 2 strollers

THis is good to know

Angela

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by billnang

Thanks Brooke...

I know ou said there are always Taxi's hanging around.. are the vans hanging around too? Figure the 6 of us and 1 to 2 strollers

THis is good to know

Angela

I have never had a problem getting a van but there are fewer of them than cars. Make sure to call from your room and they know you want a van. The valet will get you one. If he has to call ~ the van should be there within 2-3 minutes. At the parks, your best bet is to call the number as you are leaving the park.
I have never had a problem but if in a pinch we could fit in a car so I didn't worry about it.

[praline3001]

This is from All Ears for those who might have missed it.


On select evenings, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa guests can now roast marshmallows around a Mickey-shaped campfire, sing favorite camp tunes on the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon and see the "stars" --both on the silver screen and in the sky --as they watch a family-friendly Disney film on the moonlit beach. S'mores kits and marshmallows are available for purchase during the campfire and movie. For more information about recreational activities at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, visit Disneyworld.com or call 407-824-4321.

[Mary T in PA]

Originally Posted by minniesota

Mary, here is a link from last week about deluxe rooms in RPC - lots of good info! We stayed in a deluxe room (I included pics on the thread) and loved the room! Tons of space and a huge wrap-around balcony. Check it out!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2146279

Glad to see the new GF FAQ!

THank you for the link!!!


I need to quit waffling.. we have a 1 bedroom suite SL booked, and I know it's going to be fabulous. I just keep thinking about trip and wish it would get here soon!

Mary

[billnang]

Brooke... Many Thanks for your response and knowledge!!!

Angela

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by billnang

Brooke... Many Thanks for your response and knowledge!!!

Angela

I am NO expert I can promise you that

I have only stayed there twice this past year, each trip for a week... you get the hang of things really quick once your there It's not rocket science. If you have ANY questions at all, just call the resort and ask. That's what I do now they are a great bunch and will answer your questions quickly and you can get the correct info

[billnang]

LOL, well, I have been there 3 times in the last 2 years...and I am usually the one who has info to share...so, I learned something from you today!!! I now know it will be easy to get to sea world or another park...Just have to rely on Valet to help me with that!!!
Angela

[praline3001]

Originally Posted by billnang

LOL, well, I have been there 3 times in the last 2 years...and I am usually the one who has info to share...so, I learned something from you today!!! I now know it will be easy to get to sea world or another park...Just have to rely on Valet to help me with that!!!
Angela

In that case, you might be better off renting a car for the week. I am sure the cab ride to Sea World is really pricey.

Your other option would be to change your trip around a bit. We almost did that this trip but decided against it.

Go from the Airport to a Sea World or universal resort. Spend a few days there (if you stay Universal resort you get VIP FOTL passes) then once your done with Sea World and Universal, take 1 cab to GF and check in then.
This not only helps with money and cabs, but there is a real convienance factor as well.
We had to buy the VIP passes for DH and DS's Universal/IOA day and they were really high cost. It does give them FOTL all day but if you stayed on their property for those nights you can get the same for free