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

[Lyons Family]

Just got home from one fabulous week at the GF!!!!

Some rain everyday............
But, once again had the time of our lives.

We were in room 8233.
nice view.

Update after I start the wash

Later

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi Everyone! My family and I are trying to decide whether to book Poly CL or GF SL for our next trip. We are also trying to decide whether it would be better for us to get three regular rooms or a 2 br suite. Does anyone have pictures (or know where I can find pictures) of the 2br suites in SL? Thanks in advance!

Hi! Welcome!

Have you checked the GF photo thread, on the photos forum? Here is a link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1768829

I do not have photos of the SL 2 BR, but there is a description of that room on the first page of this thread.

Love the shot k&a&c'smom!

Thanks! I'm not a great photographer, but everyone gets lucky sometimes. Oh, and right back atcha, btw, LOVE the fountain shot.

Hi! Hope you had a great trip.

Hi! We did have a nice trip, thanks.

Just got home from one fabulous week at the GF!!!!

Some rain everyday............
But, once again had the time of our lives.

We were in room 8233.
nice view.

Update after I start the wash

Later

Welcome back! Glad you had another great stay, did you have a lagoon or TPV room? I can't remember. Looking forward to your review.

 

[txChick]

Hi everyone! I'm planning our trip to GF in December (3rd - 7th). This will be my first trip to WDW... actually its technically my second... I went in 1972 and all I remember was standing in line, wet shoes from some boat ride, standing in line, getting sick on the tea cup, standing in line, some of the haunted mansion ride, oh and standing in line.

Question about the buses. We have a dinner reservation at Hollywood Studios one evening and I read on some thread that the buses can sometimes take up to an hour to get from GF to HS? How far in advance would we need to leave GF to get to HS? Has anyone ever taken a taxi? If so, how expensive was it? Thanks!


Oh and absolutely loving all the pics! Thanks!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

The link that kaffinito posted looks great. I hope to post pictures this weekend. I have been doing intense chemo for months and it's a week on a week off so I don't get things done in a timely manner! However, the GF is just the medicine I need to help me get through.

Some "pixie dust" came our way yesterday. I had booked the GF for 11 nights the end of Sept/beginning of Oct with the bounceback offer. AP rates came out yesterday, through Oct 1st. The bounceback didn't let us book Sugarloaf, however when I called I found out the AP rate did, for only half our stay...however the CM put me on hold for a bit to talk to her supervisor and when she came back "magically" we were able to get the whole vacation at Sugarloaf at a discount! I can't stop smiling! The magic of the GF!!!

No hurry about the photos, your health and treatments are far more important. I'm so sorry to hear about your chemo, I've helped family members deal with it, and it is very tough. I hope you are nearly finished.

Fantastic news about the pixie dust, I'm so happy for you!

I posted a few questions earlier today to the main board accidentally, when I meant to pose them to the GF thread. So, here goes...

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and am sure that you guys are the right folks to help answer my GF questions! I've enjoyed reading your posts and am a little behind in knowing all I need to about the hotel.

We're going to be staying at GF in two weeks for 9 nights with DH, DD (9) and DD (5, who will turn 6 while there). I will be attending a convention for a few days in the middle of the week for work, but we're really looking forward to the trip. We've been to the Disney parks many times and have eaten in a few of the resorts, but we've never stayed on property, so I have some questions.

Can you bring floats for the pool? Not the long, lay down kind, but we have some cool ones that let you sort of sit upright in the pool and we'd love to bring them.

Can you bring a little cooler to the pool with drinks/food? or is that prohibited?

As I mentioned, it's DD's birthday while there. We planned to have dinner at 1900 Park Fare that night as a special treat. Is there a way to get a cake or some balloons or something delivered to the room? Any other thoughts on how to make a magical birthday for her? (I will be in meetings from 9-5, so it's all on DH to make sure her day goes well!)

Any recommendations on what DH can do with the kids while I'm away? We have park tickets and they like the pool, but I'm looking for some other alternatives. Are there peddle boats to rent? or anything else at the resort or nearby that he should take them to check out?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

I'm pretty sure that BCV23 is correct - no floats in the pools. I'll see if I can find more info and get back to you. (I think KC Mike posted a photo of the pool signage, which may have the info.)

For the cake - you can call GF Private Dining a few days in advance of your trip, and order a cake to be delivered either to 1900 Park Fare, or to your room, whichever you prefer. The number is 407-824-2474. There is a cake thread on the Restaurants board, for ideas and info, here is the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=35722611#post35722611

BCV23 gave some great ideas for activities. You might be interested in the pony barns at Ft. Wilderness, which is fairly easy to access from the GF (especially if you'll have a car, but by boat as well). My daughter is an adult, but we still like to head over there and look at the horses and ponies when we get a chance!

So for the past 3 years my DS14 and I have come to the GF - and it's our happy place. We have always stayed in Sugar Loaf.

After our trip in May I took advantage of the "bounce back" and booked a trip for Nov 27th. Sugar Loaf was not available.

Now, I just called the travel line and can get club level at the Beach Club for about $100 more for our entire stay.

So my question is...do I leave our dear GF and take CL at the BC? Am I gonna get in trouble for even asking that on this thread?

I just feel a little "spoiled" by the Grand and am not sure about switching resorts "just" to get club level. At least with Sugar Loaf we knew where we were gonna be located. Has anyone been to both and can give advice?

And BTW I recognize how blessed I am to be having this "problem"!

LOL! No worries, we don't kick anyone out for trying another resort. While we adore the GF, and it is our favorite resort, DD and I love the BC, too, and will be heading there for our next trip.

I'm not sure I would switch only for the club level. I have not tried BC CL, but from everything I've read, the food offerings are not quite as extensive as those at the GF. The CMs are very good, I think, so it depends on what you are looking for in a resort. For us, we love the GF for the beauty and proximity to the MK; at BC, we love SAB, access to Epcot/DHS, Beaches & Cream, and SAB. Plus, the resort is lovely - bonus!

Good luck, I don't think you can make a bad choice.

Question for my GF folks. I had booked a room in SL under the 35% discount that was offered earlier in the year but had to buy a 1 day ticket for DS and I to add dining. I just called to change the package to the AP discount that is out now and the CM said that I'm upgrading from a GV to a standard view and saving $50. Huh? Isn't that the same thing? If it is the same thing then I should be saving more than $50 because I removed two 1 day tickets. I'm thoroughly confused. This is why I like booking online. Then I can see everything in front of me.

I think you need to call back and get the offer clarified. If you already had SL booked, and are still booking SL, you are not upgrading - just changing your discount code. Definitely call back.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hi everyone! I'm planning our trip to GF in December (3rd - 7th). This will be my first trip to WDW... actually its technically my second... I went in 1972 and all I remember was standing in line, wet shoes from some boat ride, standing in line, getting sick on the tea cup, standing in line, some of the haunted mansion ride, oh and standing in line.

Question about the buses. We have a dinner reservation at Hollywood Studios one evening and I read on some thread that the buses can sometimes take up to an hour to get from GF to HS? How far in advance would we need to leave GF to get to HS? Has anyone ever taken a taxi? If so, how expensive was it? Thanks!


Oh and absolutely loving all the pics! Thanks!

Welcome!

For a dinner reservation at DHS, I would definitely be at the bus stop an hour in advance. By the time you wait on a bus (which could be 20+ minutes, if you've just missed one), ride to DHS, walk to the park entrance and then get to your restaurant, it could take an hour. If it's slightly less, you will be a bit early - no need to race to the restaurant!

If you would prefer to take a cab, it will probably be $18 or so, plus tip. We often take a cab when heading to another resort for dinner, as it is much faster than WDW transportation (you have to head to a park, then to the resort).

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Funny thing is we don't spend much time at MK except to do the 3 Mountains - so basically the GF feels like "home" and DS14 doesn't want to switch to Beach Club, even though most of our trip will be at Epcot & HS.... So now I have the dilemma of asking which building to be in to be in a similar location as Sugar Loaf - we LOVE the pool view - any suggestions?

Oops, I missed this! As Tink rules posted, Conch Key is a good location, very similar to Sugar Loaf. It is our favorite non-CL building. Or Boca Chica; a lot of posters like it, as it not only has views of the pool, but of the main building!

If you have decided to stick with the GF, I'd simply keep trying for the SL room, if that is what you prefer. Rooms open up clear to your departure date, you may snag it if you watch carefully.

 

[Mouseturtle]

Yeah, CL is available if I go to the website and try to book them online w/o the PIN code, so I will hold out hope that one opens up and keep trying! Thanks everyone for the comments, I tend to confuse myself. I just have to breathe and realize how blessed I am to be coming twice in one year!!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

<a href="http://s776.photobucket.com/albums/yy49/janeapplemeadow/?action=view&current=078.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i776.photobucket.com/albums/yy49/janeapplemeadow/078.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Don't want to step on KCMike's toes, but here's a picture for today

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Sorry about previous post, I messed up downloading photo. Here's a cold day photo at the GF

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Another view of the GF Notice the hot air baloon flying above the GF

 

[janeapplemeadow]

A night time shot.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Another view of the GF from the entrance.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Here's nother view of the hot air baloons. Five or so of them flew over the GF in the early a.m.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

A night shot of the pool. It was so cold that night that no one was swimming.

 

[Scarlett81]

anyone have an outer building suite photo?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

janeapplemeadow - Love your photos! How cool is it that you got those shots of the hot air balloons?!

Mouseturtle - Good luck with your search. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you are able to snag your SL room. Keep checking - especially in the early morning each day, but I've seen the inventory on an AP discount update in the afternoon, too.

 

[MommyGina]

janeapplemeadow - Another wow! Those shots are great. Still having GF withdrawals. We are 15 days away.

Last year, I was so worried that we wouldn't make the trip because of my Mom being ill. Well, we made it. Sadly, my Mom passed away in December. When we booked this trip, I said to DH that we wouldn't have to worry this year about not being able to go because of my Mom. DH said that he still had his parents (thankfully) and should get the travel insurance. Don't you think we got a call last night that DH's dad is ill and going to be admitted to the hospital.

Once again, our trip is up in the air. Please say some prayers for my father-in-law. Thanks!

Gina

 

[janeapplemeadow]

A night shot by the boat marina. You can just barely see the fuul moon.

 

[KCmike]

Nice shots janeapplemeadow!

Zero Entry

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Cali-D, what happened to your colored tags from the Tag Fairy? Didn't it use to say #1 GF Fan as well as All around Good Guy. Something like that and all true.

A wrong click in the User CP wipes it all out! The color, and I think extra character limit, can only be done by our tag fairy. I wish I knew the trick from my moderator days here, but unfortunately I don't.