Posts Tagged ‘Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa’

#4 Grand I Yacht

She is the queen of the Disney Fleet, the seventh largest marine fleet in the world; the beautiful Grand I – the only vessel at Walt Disney World that boasts a bed and bath.  With salon, cabins, galley, and head complete with shower, it’s a comfy and indulgent “watercraft rental” that’s a world away from the pontoon boats.

Your captain and deck hand welcome you aboard for an unforgettable luxury cruise experience around Bay Lake and The Seven Seas Lagoon.  A truly special occasion calls for special arrangements, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Private Dining is happy to oblige with everything from champagne and strawberries to a multi-course dinner served by a private butler.  Whether it’s cake and ice cream for a birthday party or hors d’oeuvres for a sunset sail, they will help to make your voyage magical.

Cruises are available throughout the day, but the most popular time is during the evening when you can enjoy an amazing view of Wishes Nighttime Spectacular, complete with stereo sound.

Variously listed as accommodating 13 to 18 guests, the space is tight for more than ten or twelve passengers and we suggest fewer if you are planning a sit-down meal.  Prices increase often and are currently more than $500.00 per hour; definitely a significant splurge with your significant other, but more reasonable when shared amongst you and a dozen of your closest friends!

#3  concept^tm Itinerary

Expect White Glove treatment as you experience the Walt Disney World Resort in a unique new way with a customized itinerary from Whimsical World Travel’s concept^tm program.

Each themed vacation includes a comprehensive package of arrangements, events, recreation, and entertainment designed to appeal to guests who are looking for an innovative and immersive experience.

Choose from some of our most popular offerings:

Boo to You! Halloween is a month-long celebration at Walt Disney World® and we’ve arranged a frightfully good time!

Over the River and Through the Woods Share the joys of the holiday season with family and friends at the beautiful Wilderness Lodge; dressed to impress in its Christmas finery.

Honeymoon Dreams Celebrate a marriage or vow renewal in unforgettable Disney style with romantic activities and memorable surprises.

Grand Indulgence Relaxing, rejuvenating, restorative – sybaritic spa treatments and sumptuous accommodations make this vacation special.

Other current themes include golf, birdwatching, theater, engineering, hot-air balloons, horses, architecture, history, animals, and transportation.  Or, let us craft a one-of-a-kind stay especially for you.  From autographs to zebras, we have creative ideas for your next significant splurge!

With the lure and excitement of the theme parks, it’s easy to forget that the Walt Disney World resort hotels are, in and of themselves, vacation destinations.  Guests can step outside their room to view an African savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or lose themselves in the tropics at Disney’s Polynesian Resort; escape to the piney woods at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or frolic on the sandy beaches of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Clubs.  The color and fun of Mardi Gras, the tranquil beauty of the American Southwest, the Caribbean, even Andy’s Room:  with such wide range of styles, settings and décor, there’s something to suit every taste.  Although each has its own ambience, they all include the hallmark of the Disney experience – outstanding service.

Disney resorts fall into four “categories” – Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa.  While each property is unique, those sharing the same category will have many similar characteristics.

The Value resorts typically reflect the lowest prices of the four categories.  We say “typically” because sometimes a special offer can result in a normally higher-priced category costing less.  Your travel concierge will always be on the lookout for the best value during your vacation dates.

The standard room at a Value resort has the smallest square-footage with two double beds and exterior corridors.  The resorts themselves are very large and spread out with attractive, albeit basic, landscaping and a nice pool but one without a slide or extensive theming.  All four have amazing oversized structures around the property which highlight elements of the resort’s specific theme.  So, you’ll find giant memorabilia from the different decades at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, or enormous characters from the movies at Disney’s All Star Movies Resort.

Since there are no table-service restaurants at the Value resorts, the food courts are particularly expansive with many more options than those found elsewhere.  Bus service is available to all destinations within the Walt Disney World complex.

Moderate resorts, a bit more expensive, feature slightly larger rooms although they do retain the exterior corridors.  There are both “theme” and “quiet” pools, and the lovely grounds are an outstanding feature.  Perhaps because, unlike the Deluxe Resorts, they are not built on the limited land closer to the parks, the Moderate resorts boast extravagant landscaping, arguably more beautiful than any other resort category.  With the exception of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, the Moderate resorts are enormous and very spread out over the spectacular landscapes.  Plantings, design elements, and architecture are all chosen to enhance the sense that guests have truly escaped to the bayou, the desert, the Caribbean, or New Orleans.

Some Moderate resorts feature a table-service restaurant, and two have boat service to Downtown Disney, but otherwise, bus transportation is provided.

At the Deluxe Resorts, expect extensive theming and extraordinary public spaces with imaginative touches at every turn.  There are generally numerous activities and amenities coupled with at least one exceptional dining venue.

The standard rooms are the largest, although they do vary in size from one property to another, generally have two queen-sized beds and often include a daybed, as well.   Interior hallways give these resorts more of a “hotel” atmosphere and large lobbies and seating areas are invitations to linger.  All except Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge have multiple transportation options which may include bus, boat, monorail, and pedestrian walkways to other locations.  Bell services and room service are more comprehensive.  The grounds are meticulously groomed and the theme pools are especially elaborate.  Most also feature a lovely “quiet” pool.

Deluxe resorts also offer suites and concierge or club-level accommodations making them the most luxurious of the Disney properties.

Deluxe Villa resort accommodations are rooms allocated to retail sales from the Disney Vacation Club properties.   Room configurations include studios, one- and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas.  The studio is somewhat comparable to a standard deluxe-property room with the addition of a small kitchenette.  The other units include a full kitchen, washer and dryer, two- or three-room master bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers, and plentiful storage.  The Grand Villas add a dining room for family dinners and are wonderfully spacious.

Several of the Deluxe Villa properties are connected to existing hotels: Disney’s Boardwalk, Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Guests staying in these villas have full access to all the amenities of their sister hotel including the themed pools.  Disney’s Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa are dedicated villa properties without any standard hotel space connected.

Of course, each Walt Disney World Resort hotel has features that are uniquely theirs!  Your travel concierge will be happy to provide in-depth information about each resort to assist you in making the perfect choice.

After a year of declining sales of travel to virtually all destinations around the world, and strong discount offers on Disney products, changes are expected for 2010.

Disney C.E.O. Bob Iger recently announced the company’s plans to “dial back” specials during the upcoming year.  As we mentioned in the post Family Values the company has viewed promotions not only as a means of keeping attendance high, but as a tool to attract a new demographic of people who might otherwise not have taken a Disney vacation.  As most visitors know, once bitten, there is generally no cure for the Disney bug!  Guests can expect not just the usual rate increases that each new year brings, but fewer deep discounts than they may have seen in the past.

Whether you’ve chosen concierge-level accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, or are traveling on a budget for a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you want the best value for your vacation dollars.  Here are some recommendations to help minimize the impact of increasing prices:

Pay attention to the season. The price for the same room fluctuates hugely over the course of the calendar year.  Room rates are affected by weekend dates, holidays, special events, and the Disney “season.”  If your travel dates are flexible, your Concierge will inform you about the differences in pricing from one season to another.  Often, moving your plans forward or backward just one week can save many hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.

Consider a Disney Dining Plan. There are three major costs associated with a Walt Disney World vacation:  accommodations, park tickets, and food.  While transportation costs will vary from guest to guest, these three will be major components of just about everyone’s trip.  Although most guests find food prices very much in line with their expectations, they still add up quickly. A Disney Dining Plan is a wonderful way to plan ahead for this expense and saves most visitors money.

Review the inclusions for each package. The most commonly requested Disney vacation package is the Magic Your Way package with the standard dining plan, park tickets with the Park Hopper option, and Disney’s Magical Express transportation.  Guests often forget that there are several different types of packages and the Magic Your Way package is almost infinitely customizable.  Try to avoid paying for the elements you don’t need and spend those funds on the things that are important to you.

First-time visitors or those with very young children may not need the Park Hopper option but might really appreciate the convenience of private car service with a stop at a grocery store.  A couple celebrating an anniversary may find the Deluxe Dining Plan suits their wishes for a relaxed and indulgent experience.  The park-commando group may not want to take the time for a table-service meal and choose the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Golfers often discover that the Premium Package offers them the best value.  Your vacation is unique and your travel arrangements should suit your own style.

Some careful planning will help you put that Disney vacation on the calendar for 2010!

VITAL STATISTICS

Name: Mary Poppins

Current Address: Number 17 Cherry Tree Lane, London, England

Previous Address: where the West Wind blows

Interests: tea parties, singing, feeding the birds, an element of fun

Favorite Food: sugar

Prized Possessions: carpetbag, umbrella

Facebook Friends:  Bert; Jane, Michael, John, Barbara, and Annabel Banks; Uncle Albert

CHARACTER COORDINATES

Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed.  Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional.  Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.

Meet and Greet

• EPCOT, World Showcase, United Kingdom
• Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame
• Magic Kingdom, Main Street Exposition Hall
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat

Character Dining

• EPCOT, World Showcase, Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Storybook Dining
• Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare

Attractions

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Great Movie Ride

Parades

• Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
• Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic

Miscellaneous

• Downtown Disney, featured on the Characters in Flight balloon

There are rows of bins brimming with pastel-colored balls which promise an effervescent bathing experience, not unlike sitting in a glass of champagne.  Shelves hold bottles that glow like jewels – ruby, citrine, peridot.   Salts and scrubs, shampoos and freshly-sliced soaps in dozens of designs and fragrances tempt the passerby to step into Basin White.

While there is a busy and somewhat disorganized Basin store in Downtown Disney, Basin White, a more relaxed and upscale version of the retailer, is found on the second floor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  Products are packaged in a sophisticated black and white.  The staff is happy to put together custom gift packages, but even the simplest items look festive in Basin White’s elegant shopping bags and ribbons.

The décor, featuring black cabinetry, white furnishings, classic tilework, even a miniature clawfoot tub, invites customers to linger.  The cast members’ carefully coordinated costumes with crisp white aprons lend a touch of pleasant formality to the shopping experience.  Basin White is located directly on the left upon entering the resort from the second-floor monorail station and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Photographs, videos, postcards, souvenirs; there are many ways to commemorate a wonderful vacation.  Few are as special as a portrait; a keepsake which not only speaks of happy memories, but can be enjoyed for years by generations of family and friends.

Tucked into a pleasant alcove in the lobby of the main building at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, the Portrait Artist is available daily from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.  Guests are invited to walk up for a sitting; no appointment is necessary.

Capture a little girl dressed like a princess; a father and son in Mickey ears; a mother and daughter on their way to afternoon tea.  It’s the perfect way to take home the magic!

We believe that photographs are the best way to share the magic of Disney Destinations and we are fortunate to have access to the work of some of the world’s best “Disney” photographers.  We hope they serve as inspiration for your own efforts during your next Disney vacation.

Whether you’re hoping to return home with a few pictures of your family in front of Cinderella Castle, or plan to try your hand at some creative compositions, we’re sharing our fav 5 tips for fabulous photographs:

• Take a photo at the same location each time you visit.  Choose something you love. Yes, it can be the Castle, but consider a feature that’s a bit more personal – a sculpture onboard Disney Wonder; one of the many wonderful seats found all around the parks and resorts; the sign in front of your family’s favorite attraction; the restaurant where you always have dinner on the night of your arrival; a pose with a special character.  If you have children, selecting a smaller element rather than a landscape or building will showcase their growth over the years.

• Although pictures of happy people waving at the camera put a smile on everyone’s face, candid shots are often the most memorable.  The profile of a little child gazing up at a parade; the delighted laugh of an adult being hugged by Mickey Mouse; these can be the most special moments of all.  Keep an eye out for such opportunities.

• Choosing a theme can make any vacation album unique.  The decision to focus on the doorways of Dublin, the streets of Singapore, the mailboxes of Massachusetts, allows us to tell a travel story in a cohesive and unique way.  The most thematic places on earth, Disney Destinations give new meaning to the concept of themed photography.  Characters, clocks, colors; flowers, fences, fish; hats or hidden Mickeys; vehicles and villains; the possibilities are endless.  Weave your own tale by choosing an element that will play a role in a number of your photos.

• While most people are aware of the difficulties with night photography, few realize that full daylight carries its own challenges.  Great photographers understand that the very best photo opportunities are found at the beginning and end of each day – sunrise and sunset.  The light is unsurpassed, lending a gentle glow or soft shadow, making the everyday subject exceptional.

• Whatever your focus may be, take the time to consider your subject.  Look for an unusual perspective; a new way of capturing a familiar sight.  Get down low or step up on something higher; shoot from a different side, try a shallow depth of field, pay attention to reflections and shadows.  Move in close – remember that a nose, eyelashes, and polka dots are more than enough for a recognizable image of Minnie Mouse!

Staying at a Walt Disney World resort has its rewards, not the least of which are the many fanciful touches in the guest rooms.  In keeping with the slightly more formal tone of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, the desk lamp features Mickey in his top hat.

On Christmas Eve, he and Minnie are often on hand to greet guests in the beautiful lobby where they arrive elegantly attired in dove grey; Mickey sporting the same handsome hat.

It’s the place for princess paraphernalia and a great source for toys and trinkets.  Choose a soft stuffed Disney character to delight a baby, or a Tinker Bell charm for your favorite fairy.

Just inside the second-floor entrance from the monorail station at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, M. Mouse Mercantile is a convenient stop for some of the best souvenir shopping outside the parks.

On Monday evenings at 8:00 p.m. guests are invited to attend Story Time, or stop in for Mousecraft arts and crafts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.  M. Mouse Mercantile is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.