2014 Grand Floridian Resort & Villas FAQ: Vacationing in Grand Style!

[ksks11]

Yep, there is the resort beam which runs GF - MK - CR - TTC - Poly - GF
The express beam runs from MK - TTC - MK
Epcot Beam runs from TTC - Epcot - TTC

(GF - Grand Floridian MK - Magic Kingdom CR - Contemporary Resort - TTC - transportation and ticket center - Poly - Polynesian)

To get to Epcot from the GF you have to take the monorail to the TTC and then get off and transfer to the Epcot beam for instance.

Hope this helps!

So they are all running in the same loop... Except for the Epcot monorail. How do I know the difference between the resort monorail and the express monorail that run on the same track?

 

[jcjen519]

So they are all running in the same loop... Except for the Epcot monorail. How do I know the difference between the resort monorail and the express monorail that run on the same track?

The express monorail does not stop at the resorts.

There are 6 places that a monorail monorail stops, 3 monorail paths

1. Transportation and ticket center - Three monorails can be boarded here and they are identified with signs and there are plenty of cms to ask
a. epcot - goes to epcot and back to ttc
b. express monorail to mk (won't stop at resorts- you wouldn't get confused at the resorts as this runs straight through on the opposite side from the boarding platform.
c. resort monorail to mk (stops at contemporary, poly, grand fl and mk)

2. polynesian - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

3. contemporary - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

4. grand floridian - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

5. Epcot - monorail goes from epcot to the transportation and ticket center and back to epcot

6. magic kingdom - two monorails go to the magic kingdom - the resort monorail that stops at the ttc and the three monorail resorts and the express monorail that goes directly from the ttc to the mk. they are separately marked and you go up entirely separate ramps to board. if you read the signs and ask the cms if you get confused you shouldn't get lost

hope that helps!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hey all!

Just got back from our trip 9/15-9/22, had a great time! Didn't get the room I originally hoped for, but did get a turret room with a decent view 4430! Could see part of the water parade and the higher fireworks from world showcase @ Epcot.

Staff was great in RPC, used the texting service a few times for dining/fast passes and it worked out fairly smoothly.

Only thing I didn't like were the pillows.... man were they uncomfortable! Everything else was great though!

Had dinner at V&A's Queen Victoria room, and wow that was amazing! I would say it is up there with best meals I have had, definitely want to try to get the Chef's table next trip. Also ate at Citrico's but wasn't as impressed with their food.

It is apparently impossible to find polo shirts around WDW (outside of 1 or 2 designs), was able to find a GF polo in the mens shop but had no luck finding anything at the other parks (aside from a golfing mickey / dwarf shirt that was everywhere).

One thing I didn't know (that was a bit of a pain) was the monorail doesn't stay open for late night EMH @ MK. We went to MK from about 10pm-1230am on Saturday and when we left the park the monorail was already shut down and the line for the boats was super long! Took almost 45 min to get back

There also are busses that go back to GF from MK. They are pretty quick. No need to wait for the boats.

 

[grannyminnie]

Morning, GF pals..

I've enjoyed reading the reports of those of you just back from WDW, and am looking forward to my own trip in 25 days! (crossing fingers that the Florida heat will be gone by then)

Hello, Blue...more travel for me this week! I'm wondering if 25 days means the suitcase can come out??

Hi, ahcupcake! Always good to "see" you....you too, Wishes! I'm glad you both take time to pop in.

Sue, good wishes for a successful surgery for you!

 

[gwynne]

The express monorail does not stop at the resorts.

There are 6 places that a monorail monorail stops, 3 monorail paths

1. Transportation and ticket center - Three monorails can be boarded here and they are identified with signs and there are plenty of cms to ask
a. epcot - goes to epcot and back to ttc
b. express monorail to mk (won't stop at resorts- you wouldn't get confused at the resorts as this runs straight through on the opposite side from the boarding platform.
c. resort monorail to mk (stops at contemporary, poly, grand fl and mk)

2. polynesian - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

3. contemporary - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

4. grand floridian - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

5. Epcot - monorail goes from epcot to the transportation and ticket center and back to epcot

6. magic kingdom - two monorails go to the magic kingdom - the resort monorail that stops at the ttc and the three monorail resorts and the express monorail that goes directly from the ttc to the mk. they are separately marked and you go up entirely separate ramps to board. if you read the signs and ask the cms if you get confused you shouldn't get lost

hope that helps!

Our upcoming trip is the first time we've stayed at a monorail resort. Thank you for this very helpful information.

 

[WishesQueen]

Morning All!!!

Rain, rain and more rain!! But the kids have no school and me and DD are going fall shopping!!

Hubby is off to Cali visiting his uncle and tomorrow the kids and I are going to shop some more and go to AMC dine in theatre....no cooking here!!!

Love love love all the peeps getting ready to visit our happy place!! Love when we get trip reports before and after!!!

I know people are ranting about items being stolen from their room. Thank goodness this has never happened to me at the GF even when my DH and I both thought we locked something up. But for all my friends here I will tell you that in July a bunch of people had stuff stolen in the parks. I meet them at the pool and everyone was telling their stories. It seemed to be people with strollers and left bags behind (like we all did when we had strollers). I didn't want to get into it on that thread (they were all ranting) but I wanted to give you guys a heads up..... So, just take your valuables with you on rides.

Still waiting for JetBlue to release July flights and then I am ready with my gang to book!!!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

BTW!!!!!



Forgot to send big hello to all my Gals!!!!

I am trying to stick around now that things are calming down around here!!! College applications are done!!!!!

I am stressing about my trip with 14....everyone is definitely depending on me and if it all works out that will be great, but if not

 

[Crazyhorse]

Alright, Alright, Alright! 52 days to go and I just tried something I've never done before.....On Line Check In. We're TPV so I requested Conch building, Lower Floor. If anyone has any thoughts or experiences with this location/view of this type of a room, please advise and certainly pictures tell a 1000 words.

Regarding posts about thefts. We all have to assume that just because we're at the greatest place on earth, doesn't mean everyone respects that. Be mindful of what you leave out in the open in your room, and certainly what you leave in your strollers. It does cost a lot for park admission so likely thieves have paid that premium and will look for simple opportunities to "get" some of their admission money back. While we know Mousekeeping works really hard, they aren't perfect and may accidentally leave a room door not quite latched. It doesn't take much for someone to lightly push on each room door until they find one that opens. It takes less then a minute for someone to jump in, take the small stuff that's laying around and be gone before you know it. When in your room, use the top latch. Be Smart!

 

[DREAMS161]

HI there. Trying to make a fast (yet informed decision. I didn't know the Deluxe Garden View rooms existed so I am very unfamiliar with the layout, views, locations.

From what I gathered so far - they do not have balconies, that space is used for sofa, table on the interior??
Views are of courtyard pool, or marina - any rooms offer best location/view?

Please help if you have any recommendations I would really appreciate it.
Thank you in advance so much!

 

[misskerri]

OK, everyone--Our trip is a week out, and I need to do online check-in. We are booked for a standard outer building Lagoon View room. Are there any requests I should make? I definitely want a balcony! Other than that, I have no clue.

 

[ksks11]

The express monorail does not stop at the resorts.

There are 6 places that a monorail monorail stops, 3 monorail paths

1. Transportation and ticket center - Three monorails can be boarded here and they are identified with signs and there are plenty of cms to ask
a. epcot - goes to epcot and back to ttc
b. express monorail to mk (won't stop at resorts- you wouldn't get confused at the resorts as this runs straight through on the opposite side from the boarding platform.
c. resort monorail to mk (stops at contemporary, poly, grand fl and mk)

2. polynesian - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

3. contemporary - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

4. grand floridian - you can only board the resort monorail to the magic kingdom (one that stops at the three monorail hotels and the transportation and ticket center)

5. Epcot - monorail goes from epcot to the transportation and ticket center and back to epcot

6. magic kingdom - two monorails go to the magic kingdom - the resort monorail that stops at the ttc and the three monorail resorts and the express monorail that goes directly from the ttc to the mk. they are separately marked and you go up entirely separate ramps to board. if you read the signs and ask the cms if you get confused you shouldn't get lost

hope that helps!

Thanks, jcjen!
It definitely helps- just a lot of info. Not just monorail info... I am talking planning a whole Disney World trip- It is very time consuming [especially for a first timer who is clueless about Disney].
I am really enjoying it though. I am an elementary teacher, so I love making all of the crafts that go along with it [i.e. stroller markers with plenty of colorful ribbon, my kids' autograph books, home-made luggage tags, and 'thank you' tip envelopes for Mousekeeping]. My husband thinks I will be depressed when we return from Disney since it sort of became a hobby for me. I think he might be right.

Do any of you think there will be any new rides going in by the beginning of November since some of you posted that there will be some rides closing? Maelstrom (sp?), Backlot Tour, American Idol Exp...

Thanks,
Kim
hip-hip hooray... can't wait until my Disney stay
36 days- leave Halloween night!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

Thanks, jcjen!
It definitely helps- just a lot of info. Not just monorail info... I am talking planning a whole Disney World trip- It is very time consuming [especially for a first timer who is clueless about Disney].
I am really enjoying it though. I am an elementary teacher, so I love making all of the crafts that go along with it [i.e. stroller markers with plenty of colorful ribbon, my kids' autograph books, home-made luggage tags, and 'thank you' tip envelopes for Mousekeeping]. My husband thinks I will be depressed when we return from Disney since it sort of became a hobby for me. I think he might be right.

Do any of you think there will be any new rides going in by the beginning of November since some of you posted that there will be some rides closing? Maelstrom (sp?), Backlot Tour, American Idol Exp...

Thanks,
Kim
hip-hip hooray... can't wait until my Disney stay
36 days- leave Halloween night!

Enjoy your first stay, that is exciting and painful because while there you be bitten by the magic and begin planning your next trip! I was fortunate to be stranded at the GF due to superstorm sandy so that was a plus to add 4 additional days at the WDW! No new rides will be open due to the closing of the additional rides, they take a long time to be built, as in years! You will see when you get there. The immaginears are the most nitpicky perfectionists on earth. I saw a documentry on the building of the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder -- the shipbuilders referrred to them as the Tragic and Blunder -- I remember one part in particular - an immaginear counted the eyelashes on a painting of Mickey and noted that they had 2 too few on one eye -- the painter was going to add them in, but the contract called for a complete repainting. They are that detailed.

Please ask away all the questions you can have, it's fun to help a new to the world traveler experience all there is and more! We have a new addition to the family (marriage) who has never been and he is going with us in February -- can't wait for him to see all the fun things to do and experiences to have.

Tom

 

[jcjen519]

I couldn't resist the chance to stay at RPC so we've switched our reservation and of course added a day

I don't think we've been to disney in october before, are the crowds similar to september or is it busier?

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

OK, everyone--Our trip is a week out, and I need to do online check-in. We are booked for a standard outer building Lagoon View room. Are there any requests I should make? I definitely want a balcony! Other than that, I have no clue.

Our trip is 3 weeks out and we also have a standard outer building Lagoon View room booked. We'd also like a balcony. This is our first stay at the GF.

I didn't do online check-in yet - I'm still deciding if we should. I don't think I can enter all the requests I have and I'm not sure if online check-in requests override anything you have noted on your reservation?

On my reservation I have noted:
1-2 Queens+Day Bed*
2-Boca Chica
3-Upper Floor, no Dormer**

*DD's BF is traveling with us so we need to make sure we get a Day Bed.
**I think dormer rooms are or feel smaller and I believe the balconies have a solid wall instead of rails.

 

[tango247]

I've tried to find the answers myself before asking question. however I'm looking for feedback on;

Pirate Adventure -- Little landlubbers... People's experience with it? worth it when it was over?

Staying at the Outer Bldg - Garden View. Again how are these rooms in correlation to the rest of the of resort?

I know that these question are subjective, but I would like to just get a general consensus nonetheless.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

I've tried to find the answers myself before asking question. however I'm looking for feedback on;

Pirate Adventure -- Little landlubbers... People's experience with it? worth it when it was over?

Staying at the Outer Bldg - Garden View. Again how are these rooms in correlation to the rest of the of resort?

I know that these question are subjective, but I would like to just get a general consensus nonetheless.

No comment on the Pirate Adventure

We regard to Outer Building - Garden view -- it is subjective. My experience with them has been that I haven't actually had a garden view yet. Once was of the marina, the other two times have have been of the pool and the lagoon. The rooms, are pretty much the same building from building (unless you get a dormer, or other specialty room). It isn't like the best rooms are in the main building and the rest of them are just okay. Also, the resort is small enough that it is 5 minute walk from anyplace to anywhere.

Tom

 

[smellyia]

Hi everyone! Love this thread! We are 2 weeks out and I know the monorail has been operating on a modified schedule for refurb. Anyone know if it will be operating regular capacity/times soon or currently?

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

Hi everyone! Love this thread! We are 2 weeks out and I know the monorail has been operating on a modified schedule for refurb. Anyone know if it will be operating regular capacity/times soon or currently?

Effective September 27 this is the monorail schedule:

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 7am to 1 hour after park close
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 8:30am to 1 hour following park close
Epcot beam - 8am to 11pm or 1 hour after Magic Kingdom closes (whichever is earliest)

Have a great trip! We are 3 weeks out from our trip.

 

[smellyia]

Effective September 27 this is the monorail schedule: Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 7am to 1 hour after park close Magic Kingdom Express beam - 8:30am to 1 hour following park close Epcot beam - 8am to 11pm or 1 hour after Magic Kingdom closes (whichever is earliest) Have a great trip! We are 3 weeks out from our trip.

Thanks! Do you know if that 1 hour after close at MK includes MNSSHP evenings?

 

[ninafeliz]

Hi everyone. We returned from a week at the GF last Sunday, and I thought I would post a few thoughts. I kept waiting to post anything until I had time to write a good review, and then I realized that will never happen so I figured I would just write few things as they come to me, and if I think of more later I'll write again. So this won't really be in any order, just different things, good and bad, about our stay and the GF.

We were in a deluxe king room in the main building from September 13-21. Overall we had a wonderful trip, we loved our room and view, and really enjoyed staying at the GF. So please don't think my comments mean we didn't like it, there was a lot more good than not so good, but of course, as tends to happen, we remember the things to complain about

1. Check in. It was a disjointed disappointment. We took the ME, and only got off with one other family. There was no one waiting there with tablets, as we had expected. So we made our way in to the main building, and I asked the first CM that I saw who looked like he belonged in that area where we checked in for CL. He did say that they should take us there to check in, and that he would find someone. So he led us over to the bell services area and told someone that we needed to check in to CL. They all seemed a little confused, like they knew we should be taken upstairs but none of them were the ones to do it. A woman there who was at the front desk said she would find someone, and for us to wait. So we stood in the lobby kind of between the bell services area and the regular check in for over 5 minutes just waiting awkwardly. Someone had asked our name at some point, so after a while another CM came with a check in packet, pulled out 2 buttons, and said "I see we have some kids here celebrating birthdays!" Well, it wasn't us. When we told her that she got a confused look on her face, put the buttons back, and said I'll be back. After another few minutes standing there someone else came, who was very nice, and took us upstairs to the third floor CL desks. One desk was free, so the first CM took us there and said we needed to check in. Then the 2 of them proceeded to try to figure out who should check us in. The CL CM said we should be taken directly to our room, and the original CM said she didn't know how to do that and didn't have access or anything. It was just odd, it felt like no one wanted to do it. Finally the CL CM got us a packet (we had not done Online check in), activated my band, and made sure we were set up for charging. Then the original CM took us to our room on the second floor. We didn't get any info about the building, club level, our room, the lounge, or anything. If I hadn't known a lot from here and prior CL stays at the Poly I would have been clueless. We also had a room on the second floor, which I knew from asking here had to be accessed from a different elevator that didn't connect to the lobby. I think they should have gone over things like that when walking us to our room. Again, if I hadn't known it, I would not have realized we needed to take 2 elevators to get to the monorail. It all just felt super disjointed, and was kind of a let down start to what we had expected to be a super luxurious stay. I mean, we used the ME, so they should be able to know what bus we are on as soon as we scan in the airport. How hard would it be to somehow connect that, so they have someone waiting for CL check ins? I don't know what happened, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way it is supposed to go. We did see other people throughout the week being taken up the elevator by a CM with a tablet, and I assume they were getting the normal check in. We've stayed CL 3x at the Poly and now once at the GF, and have only been met by someone and taken to CL without having to find someone ourselves once, and it was when we rented a car and drove. It's just a nice touch that seems like it should be easily doable. The check in sets the stage for the stay, and when it isn't smooth it takes some recovery time for the vacation. At least I've found it to feel that way. It doesn't ruin it, obviously, but it's disappointing.

2. Our room. We had a deluxe king in the main building, and were in 4207. It was great, we loved it! I had requested MK view, not room 4201, and got our request. The view to the castle was great, and we could see wishes and hallowishes from our balcony every night. we never had any noise on our floor (except from our kids, which I hope wasn't too bad ) and only saw other guests on the floor a couple of times. Yes, it was kind of a pain to have to take the extra elevator from the monorail to our room and vice versa, and it made running back for something more time consuming than if we could have taken the stairs from the lounge, but we felt it was worth it for the view. If only there were stairs to run up to the third floor, or a door with band reader to access the main second floor. It was also easy to get to Gasparillas or the pools, and nice to not go through the lobby all wet after swimming. I also really liked the room decor (I never stayed in the old rooms). I thought there were at least some disney touches. The mickey's all over the sheer curtains, the mickey's all over the chair, the mickey on the back of the desk chair, the alice print in the bathroom, the GF pillows on the couch (which I loved). The room was spacious (being a king probably helped), we had plenty of room for a pack n play and a double stroller and still had tons of floor space. I loved the hamper, which I thought afterwards was probably meant for used towels but we used for our own dirty laundry Both my husband and I agreed that the bed was super comfy, we slept great. I thought the room was light and airy, the curtains were pretty, the black our curtains worked great, and the bathroom was set up well. I loved the balcony looking at the castle.

3. The bus stop. Oh. My . Goodness. What a freakin' disaster. How could they do it that way, it's the worst bus stop we've seen from all categories of resorts! There's one little ramp down to it, so as soon as people with strollers or wheelchairs were waiting no one else could even get down to the bus stop. Then, there were closely spaced benches on the entire platform. That sounds great, right? Well, no, because then no strollers or wheelchairs could fit unfolded to even wait there. We took the bus to HS one morning, and by the time we got on it pretty much the entire platform and ramp were people waiting for DHS. No kidding, 5 AK buses came while we all waited. I thought people might mutiny when the 5th empty AK bus went by. Finally an HS bus came, and it was almost full. People rushed the platform, and I at least saw that some people made an effort to let the people that had been waiting longest get on. But unless you had been there the entire time you had no way of knowing who had been there the longest, all you knew was who had gotten there after you. Since we knew a lot of people had been waiting before we got there we didn't even try to get on. The poor CM who was announcing buses and had to keep yelling "AK, I have an AK, does anyone need the AK" radioed and said another one that was nearly empty would some soon. At least he was right, and one came. We got on fairly early, but then they just kept putting people on. Finally a lady in the back yelled up, "there is no more floor space back here, we cannot move back any more" and they stopped the line. That was one miserable bus ride, and to make matters worse it started to pour while we were en-route It just reminded us, particularly my DH, why we stay on the monorail. which brings me to the next point...

4. The monorail. It's great, and it's why we have been staying at the Poly and the GF since we had 2 kids. But it's only great when it's running. last time we came it was shut down during the daytime, this time it started running late in the mornings. I'm sorry, I know a lot of people on the dis disagree, but I think it's crappy when you pay to stay at a monorail resort and it's not running fully. Yes, they only guarantee you some way to get to the parks but it doesn't have to be the monorail, it's not a right but a benefit, blah, blah. blah. I know things happen, maintenance needs done, yada yada yada. But it's a huge reason we choose these resorts. Yup, we could have changed resorts since they did announce the late starts prior to our stay, but we had already decided and I wanted to try the GF. So we just dealt with it, and it wasn't the end of the world and didn't end up to be bad (b/c the monorail wouldn't help the bus stop issue for HS or AK). The AM we had an early CP reservation we got lucky and just walked onto an empty boat that was a large one and we didn't have to fold the stroller But it still irritates us, it seems like every time we come there is something going on with the monorail. I also wanted to add that it seems like they were running less trains than I remembered. Almost every time we were on it it was jammed full, and there were times the entire line didn't get on at a resort. With the GF being the last stop before the MK it was always touch and go if we would fit on, but at every stop there were long lines and full trains. A few times we saw 3 express monorails go by in the time that we waited for a resort one. I'm wondering if they have overloaded the resort line with all of the DVC rooms increasing resort capacity, but not monorail capacity.

5. The pools - we only went to the beach pool and the Alice play area. Our 2 kids loved the alice play area, and my older son loved the slide. We rented a cabana one full day, and thought it was great. Definitely worth it. we found the life guards at the alice play area to be hit or miss. The height requirement is 48 inches, and they really enforced it. Which I guess is good, but a lot of parents wanted to go down with their kids and they had to be told they couldn't. Also, we saw quite a few families with 2 younger kids, but the older one was just over 48 inches and they couldn't slide with their siblings. Our only guess was to the reason was to avoid having teenagers take over, which I do like. It was never terribly crowded, and it was hot pretty much the entire week.

6. Gasparillas - we got take out from there and ate in our room (which happened to be just above it) 3 or 4 times, and really liked it. My husband and sons both have gluten allergies, and they made that easy and relatively fast. I liked the make your own salad, and I had to get the Disney Chicken breast nuggets once that are so salty I wake up at night and drink a bottle of water But I still love them. The CMs at Gasparillas were very nice, one English women in particular was great and super helpful.

7. The lounge - I thought the food was noticeably better than at the Poly. Or at least there was more of it. I like the set up, where you could access the table from all side instead of having to form a line like at the Poly. There was way more food during the day than at the Poly, and I loved loved loved the scones and trifle (even though I only got them 3 times our of 7)I liked the house made chips during the day. There were way more dessert choices. Also, not to sound like a lush, but having champagne instead of just wine and liquors was a huge plus for me. I don't drink much wine, and hardly any of the liquor choices they have, but I love champagne. My husband loved the meat and cheese with breakfast, and I loved the tomato and olive salad. Things I wish - take out cups with regular lids for straws instead of the coffee type, other take out options (plates, silverware), milk and juice in cartons instead of just large carafes, wine and champagne left out from 5:00 on instead of just 5-7 and then requiring you to ask. But some of those are just differences between the GF and Poly, and I guess what you're used to is what you expect Also I loved the RPC lounge. So large and spacious. My sons loved the kids chairs, and my husband and I loved that even though they were kids chairs we could easily sit on them. Everyone's initially thoughts about them getting dirty were correct, though, they were pretty stained up. The lounge was just a place I wanted to hang out, and I particularly loved it during the middle of the day when it was nearly empty. I've never styed at SL, but I think there I would have always gone back to the room wheras at RPC even though our room was great we frequently ate in the lounge. Even at the Poly, with the wall of windows and great view, we usually took stuff to our room. Oh - one more thing. Why is the kids are essentially in a walkway to the rooms? There were frequently kids playing or sitting watching TV when luggage carts, strollers, large groups, etc came through. It isn't anyone's fault, it's both a walkway and kids area. It worked out fine, but just doesn't seem like good use of space. Also, they do have bottled water which I had thought they wouldn't. Just FYI.

8. CL staff. There were a few that were awesome. But overall I had expected them to be, well, better. We ran into a few that kind of gave us attitude, and I didn't think we were asking for anything out of the ordinary. One in particular in the morning was what we decided to call crusty. I avoided asking her for anything, because it seemed like she would try to think of a reason to say no or to act like I shouldn't be asking. Once I just didn't see the nonfat milk, and it seemed to pain her to point it out to me when I asked it they had any. I'm sorry that all I had seen was the whole milk they keep out all day! We also had a few things that we asked at the 3rd floor CMs, and really didn't get as much help as I had expected. It would be long and involved to go into detail, but we weren't asking anything outrageous. Don't get me wrong, they didn't just say no, too bad, but they didn't really seem to want to go out of their way to do anything. It was kind of like do the bare minimum. I did have one personally go to the front desk to get a camera I had left in the lounge and they (thankfully) found, and another was a big help when we had an issue with payment, so it isn't like it was terrible. At the Poly we seemed to have more people go above and beyond, and do little things to help that were unnecessary but really made the stay special.

9. Why, why, why don't they pipe the music for wishes and hallowishes to the area around Gasparillas at night? Tons of people sit there and watch nightly, it would be great and so easy. They do it at the Poly on the beach, and I'm told the music is on the TV at the CR. The fireworks are great, we had a perfect view from our balcony, but without the music it just isn't as impressive to me. we did buy the wishes soundtrack and play it on the TV, but it wasn't the same and we couldn't time it just right. You can't even buy Hallowishes, and the wi-fi didn't work well enough to use you tube. Plus, it would be so much better with good sound.

10. Texting service - awesome, awesome, awesome. I loved it, and we didn't even use it every day. They got us fast passes, answered quick questions, and cancelled dining reservations. They answered quickly,and it was so much faster than using my phone to google a question that had an easy answer or finding a kiosk for our extra FPs or calling the desk or even going to the 3rd floor. I really hope they continue this, and extend it to all CLs. They should make more of a point to tell you during check in about it and how it works, unless they usually do and it was just our lackluster check in. I had forgotten, and when I remembered I went to the 3rd floor to ask and the CM then explained it, and showed me the card and flier they had on it. I hadn't really looked at the card, I just assumed it was the CMs business card or the manager's, or something like that.

well. that got long! Ill be amazed if anyone actually read the entire thing. Sorry!! I hope it was helpful and didn't sound like just complaining, because we did love our stay. We loved the room, the location, the RPC, the food, the pool, the play area, the cabanas, the grounds, the shops, and I'm sure plenty of other things I'm forgetting right now. My husband and I have had many discussions over which hotel we prefer, the Poly of GF, and I just can't make up my mind. I'm leaning a little toward the GF, DH leaning toward the Poly at this point. They both have plusses, and both are awesome. We would return to either (particularly with a great rate!). We had a spectacular week, and coming home was hard!!