The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - APRIL 2010

[k&a&c'smom]

All of the photos look wonderful!

cjbear - there's a path that runs around the resort, I think you can ask for a map at check in. If you need a longer path, you can continue on the path around the Poly, which even extends to the TTC if you like! Here's a link to an article on jogging at WDW resorts:
http://allears.net/btp/running.htm

Tink rules - I haven't ordered lunch by the pool, but I have ordered Private Dining in the RPC lounge and I assume it would be essentially the same. We had sandwiches and fries, iced tea, I think - pretty much the standard menu. It was great, I especially love the little jars of mustard and ketchup that are provided!

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks k&a&c'smom for the new thread! It makes me even more excited about upcoming June GF stay for DD10 and I!

JUNE?? I thought you were going at Christmas. SWEET!

Re. running outdoors, the trail to the Polynesian is your only option unless you run on the street, which is discouraged. If you're willing to run on a treadmill there are some nice ones over at the fitness center:

 

[TammiMcMan]

has anyone ever ordered lunch by the pool and how was it? What did you order? I understand it's off of the Private Dining menu?

Sometimes we just grab Gasparillas and bring it back to the pool. Also by the theme pool, they had a modified lunch menu that you could order off of with the bartender. I remember getting sandwiches. Otherwise, private dining will deliver anywhere on property and that's always been first class.

 

[johnsonet]

Little Lulu - thanks for the pix!! That room was SO much prettier before the redo than after IMO

My daughter and I just booked my daughter's 29th birthday trip at the GF and we are so excited. This Thread is going to be great for us to gather information to make our trip the best ever. We are so excited to stay at the GF and never imagined we would be able to stay at such a magnificent resort. We booked a Garden View and any tips anyone can give us would be greatly appreciated. We are going September 2 to the 7th, getting the deluxe dining plan...

You're going to have a great time! You can always watch the fireworks from the Marina area, outside of Gasparilla Grill

Re. lunch by the pool, it's just room service, delivered outside. We've had burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches and iced tea delivered to the cabanas before. It was good

 

[BCV23]

johnsonet, I forgot to say how much I enjoyed the photos of the standard rooms. You may think they're "not the best," but I think they are gorgeous!

I agree. I love all the photos on this FAQ. Thanks to all of you for sharing.

Little LuLu, thanks for clearing up a little thing about Sugar Loaf that has intrigued me. We've not stayed in a lodge tower room there but it always looked to me as if the top lodge tower room lacked the balcony. Some people had posted in the past that the second floor room did not have one...it obviously does. Not an important thing but just one that has bothered me.

 

[Tink rules]

Sometimes we just grab Gasparillas and bring it back to the pool. Also by the theme pool, they had a modified lunch menu that you could order off of with the bartender. I remember getting sandwiches. Otherwise, private dining will deliver anywhere on property and that's always been first class.

Thanks! I just thought maybe I'd treat myself one day!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

We've not stayed in a lodge tower room there but it always looked to me as if the top lodge tower room lacked the balcony. Some people had posted in the past that the second floor room did not have one...it obviously does. Not an important thing but just one that has bothered me.

That's strange, only the top floor lacks a balcony because of the roof slope. Guess those folks who posted only "thought" they knew .

 

[BCV23]

That's strange, only the top floor lacks a balcony because of the roof slope. Guess those folks who posted only "thought" they knew .

Exactly!

 

[Little Lulu]

Little LuLu, thanks for clearing up a little thing about Sugar Loaf that has intrigued me. We've not stayed in a lodge tower room there but it always looked to me as if the top lodge tower room lacked the balcony. Some people had posted in the past that the second floor room did not have one...it obviously does. Not an important thing but just one that has bothered me.

Wow! How could anyone look at the SL building and say that?

Well, I guess until you actually stay in one of those rooms you actually know.
I also know the 2nd floor is one of the 2 LTRs (in the SL) that had the pullout sofabeds.
Let me see if I can find my old notes about which one is the other.

 

[P&B's Mom]

I have read this entire and thread and the one before. I am staying CL in SL and was all set until yesterday. My parents now have booked GV room to join us before we all head over to Kidani for 8 days. Below are my parent's likes:

1. Close to main building (dad on ECV, but mobile)--convenience is "key"
2. Dad likes a chair to watch TV--won't sit in bed
3. Mom likes to people watch--view not really important

What should I request? Certain building or room type? Any help from the experts is more than appreciated.

Also, thanks for the advice from everyone re: the Afternoon Tea. Now that my mom will be joining us, I am going to email IPO this week and book it.

 

[elizflynn]

Thanks for all the great info! Trying to plan a trip for Fall of 2011 with DM for her 55th birthday surprise! Does anyone know what the typical AAA discount is on room only and if it's worth it to book everything seperately like that? This is her dream resort and since I'm paying for it most on my own i want to make sure i take advantage of any discount that applies to me!

 

[minniesota]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi! And thanks k&a&c'smom, for starting a beautiful new thread! Let us know if we can help in any way!

 

[Disney Lifeguard]

My wife and I are locals, so we go to DW often but being locals don't stay at resorts very often. In fact I think I have stayed on property just twice. And once was in 1973

We do go to the resorts often to eat and for certain events and just because. And NO we don't swim in the pools as non guests. If you look at my screen name you might understand that I have had my fair share of Disney pools.

Anyway, next week the grand parents will have the kids and we will be getting away to the GF for a overnight stay. Already have it planned, no parks!

Lunch on arrival at the GF Cafe, Spa treatments in the afternoon, Dinner at V&A's at night and room service breakfast on the balcony and Sunday Tea on the way out.

Maybe hang out at the pool or rent a boat but the plan is to never leave the GF or be rushed!

Really looking forward to it and this thread, even to a local, is very useful. Thanks to all

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

My wife and I are locals, so we go to DW often but being locals don't stay at resorts very often. In fact I think I have stayed on property just twice. And once was in 1973

We do go to the resorts often to eat and for certain events and just because. And NO we don't swim in the pools as non guests. If you look at my screen name you might understand that I have had my fair share of Disney pools.

Anyway, next week the grand parents will have the kids and we will be getting away to the GF for a overnight stay. Already have it planned, no parks!

Lunch on arrival at the GF Cafe, Spa treatments in the afternoon, Dinner at V&A's at night and room service breakfast on the balcony and Sunday Tea on the way out.

Maybe hang out at the pool or rent a boat but the plan is to never leave the GF or be rushed!

Really looking forward to it and this thread, even to a local, is very useful. Thanks to all

Oh, wow, I am super jealous. That sounds heavenly.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

to all the new posters! We're glad to have you aboard.

elizflynn - The AAA discount is between 10%-20%, depending on season and resort category. There are limited rooms at the AAA rate, so they do sell out. Be aware that they usually do not release AAA rates for the following year until late summer, so if you call to book now you won't find a discount for your dates. Rates in general for 2011 won't be released until summer, so you'll be quoted a room at peak rate until they release the new room rates.

We often book our vacation components separately, that works out well for us. Having APs makes that the most cost effective method for us. Many people find that booking a package is the way to go - you get tickets, room and dining, often at a discount. You have to price out the various options to see what works for your family.

P&B's Mom - a good building to request if you'd like to be close to both the main building and the two pools is Big Pine Key, the end closest to the main building. I'm sure your mom would get plenty of people watching on the balcony! Your plans for tea sound wonderful.

minniesota - thanks! Post photos, please!

Disney Lifeguard - Your plans sound fantastic, and so romantic. We love GF Cafe and there's nothing that beats V&A's! So glad you joined us.

 

[BCV23]

Wow! How could anyone look at the SL building and say that?

Well, I guess until you actually stay in one of those rooms you actually know.
I also know the 2nd floor is one of the 2 LTRs (in the SL) that had the pullout sofabeds.
Let me see if I can find my old notes about which one is the other.

LOL, I don't know how anyone could think that either much less be insistent that it is the case.

Very interesting about the sofa beds as well. Thanks.

My wife and I are locals, so we go to DW often but being locals don't stay at resorts very often. In fact I think I have stayed on property just twice. And once was in 1973

We do go to the resorts often to eat and for certain events and just because. And NO we don't swim in the pools as non guests. If you look at my screen name you might understand that I have had my fair share of Disney pools.

Anyway, next week the grand parents will have the kids and we will be getting away to the GF for a overnight stay. Already have it planned, no parks!

Lunch on arrival at the GF Cafe, Spa treatments in the afternoon, Dinner at V&A's at night and room service breakfast on the balcony and Sunday Tea on the way out.

Maybe hang out at the pool or rent a boat but the plan is to never leave the GF or be rushed!

Really looking forward to it and this thread, even to a local, is very useful. Thanks to all

Oh, what a delightful plan. Have fun! Will you come back and let us know all about it?

 

[elizflynn]

to all the new posters! We're glad to have you aboard.

elizflynn - The AAA discount is between 10%-20%, depending on season and resort category. There are limited rooms at the AAA rate, so they do sell out. Be aware that they usually do not release AAA rates for the following year until late summer, so if you call to book now you won't find a discount for your dates. Rates in general for 2011 won't be released until summer, so you'll be quoted a room at peak rate until they release the new room rates.

We often book our vacation components separately, that works out well for us. Having APs makes that the most cost effective method for us. Many people find that booking a package is the way to go - you get tickets, room and dining, often at a discount. You have to price out the various options to see what works for your family.


Thanks for the info! I am hoping to get somewhat of a discount, it's moms' dream to stay there and since this is a birthday surprise, i wanted to make that possible for her! The woman hasn't taken a vacay in over 10 years so it's well deserved!!! I love this thread and will constantly be checking out all the info prior to my trip!

 

[Disney Lifeguard]

Oh, what a delightful plan. Have fun! Will you come back and let us know all about it?

Well not ALL of it but some of it will be OK. As a side I took the kids to the Boardwalk today and had lunch at Beaches and Cream...the food was OK but the Ice Cream was great!

 

[Tam1067]

to all the new posters! We're glad to have you aboard.

elizflynn - The AAA discount is between 10%-20%, depending on season and resort category. There are limited rooms at the AAA rate, so they do sell out. Be aware that they usually do not release AAA rates for the following year until late summer, so if you call to book now you won't find a discount for your dates. Rates in general for 2011 won't be released until summer, so you'll be quoted a room at peak rate until they release the new room rates.

We often book our vacation components separately, that works out well for us. Having APs makes that the most cost effective method for us. Many people find that booking a package is the way to go - you get tickets, room and dining, often at a discount. You have to price out the various options to see what works for your family.


Thanks for the info! I am hoping to get somewhat of a discount, it's moms' dream to stay there and since this is a birthday surprise, i wanted to make that possible for her! The woman hasn't taken a vacay in over 10 years so it's well deserved!!! I love this thread and will constantly be checking out all the info prior to my trip!

You can usually get a better discount than the AAA one. Most of the time (not always!) Disney releases cheaper rates eventually. We're getting 40% off our upcoming stays at the GF (July/August and December) which we got by booking bouncebacks. But you can also watch for other rates too. I've used AAA in the past, but lately, their discounts are not the best around.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

TAM1067 - Yes! Thank you for bringing that up. I responded about the AAA rate, as that is what elizflynn asked about - but there may be even better rates by the time her trip rolls around. We are usually able to book with an AP rate, however AP and general public rates don't often get released as soon as the AAA rate.

We've found that it's best to book with whatever rate is available to us at the time, and call back to apply a better discount if and when they are released. You can watch the Codes board here at the DIS, or the WDW website for new deals. Here is the link to the Codes board, they get the info out quicker than most:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93

Even after I've booked with a discount, I continue to watch for even better deals right up to the time we leave for WDW!