A Grand Vacation: The 2012 Grand Floridian FAQ!

[Chrisrokc]

We were there last week and on Friday they still had cement trucks backing into the construction area. I couldn't see into the area, because our room faced the other way, but they are definitely still working on it.

That's good! That must mean they are pouring the sidewalks. Woot!

 

[baler31]

If anybody is at GF this week and gets to participate in this test, it would be interesting to get a report on how it goes.

http://allears.net/news/top-news.htm?id=651

We did this when they tested it before. You simply take your slip to the kiosk located outside BOG(to the left of the bridge) at the assigned time. They take your order right there and give you a gold rose instead of the normal red one. You walk directly in and sit down/get your drinks. By the time we did this our food was there. We were in and out within 30 minutes and we lingered.

Would I use a Fastpass choice on this ? I don't know but it was very quick and convenient.

Edited to add: Just spoke with a friend who is there now and said the Fastpass for BOG is just allowing you to bypass the line outside ? Anyway, appears it is different this time than when we did it as I explained above. I would NOT use a Fastpass for this way, the other I would think about as it was VERY fast.

 

[Sue M]

Another question is the walking path to Poly still open?

Anyone?

 

[kohler2009]

How to you handle Mousekeeping tipping at GF? Do you tip both daytime service and turndown service? I read that the rule of thumb is $1/person + $1. Do you do this each time? Interested to hear people's views on this!

 

[Tink rules]

Anyone?

Not sure... I think it depends on the construction going on.

The Spa is open... so you can get over that far...

 

[cgulls]

Anyone?

All reports I've seen are that the path is open.

 

[jd99]

All reports I've seen are that the path is open.

When we were there in late January it was definitely open.

 

[baler31]

Anyone?

It was open over MLK weekend.

 

[Mouseturtle]

How to you handle Mousekeeping tipping at GF? Do you tip both daytime service and turndown service? I read that the rule of thumb is $1/person + $1. Do you do this each time? Interested to hear people's views on this!

I like to tip every day - but usually just leave $5 a day on the bed and since I am gone all day never rurally thought about tipping turndown service! I also bring local chocolates from where I live (can't get them anywhere else) and leave a box or two during my week. It's usually just me and my son and I do the $5 a day. I noticed that we get a little bit "extra" service (more towels etc) - not sure if that's a coincidence? Having started my own hotel career as a housekeeper I know how much the extra cash is appreciated!

 

[Sue M]

Ok, thanks. I was wanting to walk over to Poly for a meal. Tonga Toast is calling my name then I can grab the monorail back.

 

[kohler2009]

I like to tip every day - but usually just leave $5 a day on the bed and since I am gone all day never rurally thought about tipping turndown service! I also bring local chocolates from where I live (can't get them anywhere else) and leave a box or two during my week. It's usually just me and my son and I do the $5 a day. I noticed that we get a little bit "extra" service (more towels etc) - not sure if that's a coincidence? Having started my own hotel career as a housekeeper I know how much the extra cash is appreciated!

Ooh love the idea of local chocolate! We live right next to Hershey so I might swing by and see if they have any unique goodies to take along!

 

[bdklein]

Ooh love the idea of local chocolate! We live right next to Hershey so I might swing by and see if they have any unique goodies to take along!

And hope the mousekeeper is not a diabetic or on a diet!!

 

[Mousekamom]

Hi - We are driving to Disney in June (from WI )...it will be our first time at GF. Can someone explain a little about the valet parking at the resort? We are not planning on leaving the grounds for the 6 days we are there, so how much will it cost total? I read somewhere that it is $15 a day. Does that mean we pay $15 a day to park or just each day they have to park our car for us? Are we better off just parking in a lot by ourselves, or is it super far from the resort buildings? Thanks for any info!

 

[graceesmom]

Hi - We are driving to Disney in June (from WI )...it will be our first time at GF. Can someone explain a little about the valet parking at the resort? We are not planning on leaving the grounds for the 6 days we are there, so how much will it cost total? I read somewhere that it is $15 a day. Does that mean we pay $15 a day to park or just each day they have to park our car for us? Are we better off just parking in a lot by ourselves, or is it super far from the resort buildings? Thanks for any info!

It's per day even if you don't move the car. If I weren't planning to drive anywhere after I got there, then I probably would not valet. Valet was $12/day last year, but perhaps the price went up.

GF self parking is not close to any of the buildings. It's not far, but it is not as convenient as say at the Poly or at CR. It is across the street, but if I just had to move the car after I unloaded and then go back to get it 6 days later, I would think I would just walk across the street.

 

[dreamcruiser]

It's per day even if you don't move the car. If I weren't planning to drive anywhere after I got there, then I probably would not valet. Valet was $12/day last year, but perhaps the price went up.

GF self parking is not close to any of the buildings. It's not far, but it is not as convenient as say at the Poly or at CR. It is across the street, but if I just had to move the car after I unloaded and then go back to get it 6 days later, I would think I would just walk across the street.

I second this. We never valet park, but have just moved the car out to the self park lot after the car is unloaded. And if we do drive, well then we need to the walk out to the car just to work off all those calories!!

 

[Mousekamom]

Thanks for the info! We will plan on self-parking.

 

[BayGirl22]

Love this thread, you GF fans have so much great info. I've read through the first 30 and last 10 pages but probably won't make it through the rest in time so I'm posting my questions.

I'm going to the GF in May to speak at a conference. Since my travel is covered and we have a great rate we decided to bring the family and add on a few days, which turned into a week and extended family...you know how it goes. So trying to figure out what room to request, whether I should do online checkin, and whether I have any chance to upgrade. I'm booked in a standard garden view with 2 adults 1 child 1 infant and a 3rd adult joining us for the last 3 nights. We'll have a double stroller and want to avoid multiple slow elevators and being far away from transportation and the conference center. So my specific questions:

1. What are the 1st floor patio's like? Are there high railings that will contain adventurous little ones? I only saw balcony pictures. Any downsides to requesting 1st floor if I don't care about the view?

2. Is requesting Sago Cay a good bet to be close to the monorail, buses, and conference center and away from the construction? (Close to the pool is less important to me)

3. Has anyone had success upgrading a conf. rate room to a suite or club when its not part of the negotiated deal? I'd consider paying in advance instead of relying on a CM-fairy godmother.

4. Will checking in online give me the option to pay the 3rd adult fee for only certain nights? Or can I specify this with the GF in advance? (Conf. Svcs said to work with the hotel) Seems like reversing the fee is harder than preventing it so I don't want to get charged automatically for the entire week.

Thanks in advance for any tips on all this! Can't wait to see the GF in person!

 

[butternut]

Love this thread, you GF fans have so much great info. I've read through the first 30 and last 10 pages but probably won't make it through the rest in time so I'm posting my questions.

I'm going to the GF in May to speak at a conference. Since my travel is covered and we have a great rate we decided to bring the family and add on a few days, which turned into a week and extended family...you know how it goes. So trying to figure out what room to request, whether I should do online checkin, and whether I have any chance to upgrade. I'm booked in a standard garden view with 2 adults 1 child 1 infant and a 3rd adult joining us for the last 3 nights. We'll have a double stroller and want to avoid multiple slow elevators and being far away from transportation and the conference center. So my specific questions:

1. What are the 1st floor patio's like? Are there high railings that will contain adventurous little ones? I only saw balcony pictures. Any downsides to requesting 1st floor if I don't care about the view?

2. Is requesting Sago Cay a good bet to be close to the monorail, buses, and conference center and away from the construction? (Close to the pool is less important to me)

3. Has anyone had success upgrading a conf. rate room to a suite or club when its not part of the negotiated deal? I'd consider paying in advance instead of relying on a CM-fairy godmother.

4. Will checking in online give me the option to pay the 3rd adult fee for only certain nights? Or can I specify this with the GF in advance? (Conf. Svcs said to work with the hotel) Seems like reversing the fee is harder than preventing it so I don't want to get charged automatically for the entire week.

Thanks in advance for any tips on all this! Can't wait to see the GF in person!

Hi ! we are also attending a conference the 14th of this month and are also extending our stay for the week. I also was interested in trying for an upgrade but not sure about handling that as well. I do know they try to keep all convention reservations in Sago Cay which ls next to the convention center but i was hoping to at least get a lagoon view. Im not asking for anything free but right now they only gave us a garden view and was told to ask upon check in for a switch.As far as the extra person fee, we have that situation as well. We were told to make the reservation for the entire week with the 2 extra people in the room and when they check out have the desk take the extra fees off. Hope they follow through.

 

[dreamcatcherkwe]

We're staying here for the first time in November! So excited!

 

[baler31]

Love this thread, you GF fans have so much great info. I've read through the first 30 and last 10 pages but probably won't make it through the rest in time so I'm posting my questions.

I'm going to the GF in May to speak at a conference. Since my travel is covered and we have a great rate we decided to bring the family and add on a few days, which turned into a week and extended family...you know how it goes. So trying to figure out what room to request, whether I should do online checkin, and whether I have any chance to upgrade. I'm booked in a standard garden view with 2 adults 1 child 1 infant and a 3rd adult joining us for the last 3 nights. We'll have a double stroller and want to avoid multiple slow elevators and being far away from transportation and the conference center. So my specific questions:

1. What are the 1st floor patio's like? Are there high railings that will contain adventurous little ones? I only saw balcony pictures. Any downsides to requesting 1st floor if I don't care about the view?

2. Is requesting Sago Cay a good bet to be close to the monorail, buses, and conference center and away from the construction? (Close to the pool is less important to me)

3. Has anyone had success upgrading a conf. rate room to a suite or club when its not part of the negotiated deal? I'd consider paying in advance instead of relying on a CM-fairy godmother.

4. Will checking in online give me the option to pay the 3rd adult fee for only certain nights? Or can I specify this with the GF in advance? (Conf. Svcs said to work with the hotel) Seems like reversing the fee is harder than preventing it so I don't want to get charged automatically for the entire week.

Thanks in advance for any tips on all this! Can't wait to see the GF in person!

We have never had any luck with any paid upgrade when staying for a conf. We also were told they did not take building requests as they place the entire group in one area/building block of rooms.

Usually the rates for these are so low it does not matter to most people but frankly on the two stays we had I would have preferred to just book our room normally to get what we wanted. Hope you have better luck.