All about GF please!

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Yeah, they do sound pretty neat. I'm tempted to try one sometime.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

does that have anything to do with Alice in wonderland?
decorating ?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think so- but I'll let the expert answer that one.

CaliforniaDreaming- if I book a room now-
1) if the rate goes cheaper later since it's considered value season- or due to any code discounts- will I get the cheaper rater automatically or need to call to change the reservation or what?
2) If I book concierge- do you think it would be hard to change it to nonconcierge later if I changed my mind?

 

[Cinderella37]

The Alice rooms have topiary Fab 5 wallpaper, a floral bedspread with hidden mickeys, and pillows that feature characters from Alice in Wonderland (Alice, Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Doormouse)

 

[kda]

Disney will not automatically lower your rate if a discount becomes available. You (or your travel agent) have to contact them, and they will adjust the rate IF it's available for your resort, dates, and room category. Often it is, but there's no guarantee. At certain times of the year, discounts disappear quickly --- that's why so many of us read these boards faithfully to find out about them and give ourselves the best chance at success.

You're probably aware that there's also no guarantee that requests for a particular building, floor, or room will be able to be honored.

Good luck and hope you have a great trip!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Yes, I'm aware there are no guarantees on room/bldg etc- unless ofcourse you pay for lodge concierge (that would be Sugar Loaf building) or main bldg concierge (that would be in the main bldg). Right?

As for other "discounts"- you'd have to catch it and ask for it in time- I gather that.... but what about the value season thing? The time I'd be booking for is considered value season (2003 and 2004- the date would be Feb 3-5, 2005 btw) but unless I misunderstood I was told if you book this early you pay 1 day deposit at full rack rate (is that regular season price? peak?) and then later actually pay value season rate if it ends up in value season-right? Or am I totally misunderstanding that?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
I think so- but I'll let the expert answer that one.

CaliforniaDreaming- if I book a room now-
1) if the rate goes cheaper later since it's considered value season- or due to any code discounts- will I get the cheaper rater automatically or need to call to change the reservation or what?
2) If I book concierge- do you think it would be hard to change it to nonconcierge later if I changed my mind?

When the 2005 rates come out, Disney will modify it themselves. If a code comes out, you'll need to call them.

Well, the first thing to book up is usually the main building. In your situation, I'd probably book a garden or lagoon view room, and then if you decide you want concierge, upgrade later. But, then again, if you know you want concierge, go ahead and book it.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

See, this shows I need to read about GF on allearsnet AGAIN... because now I'm wondering if you mean there are rooms available to book in the main bldg that are NOT concierge- is that what you mean? Because if not, and the rooms in the main bldg are concierge and they are usually the first thing to get booked full- then I should book that now, correct?

 

[BCV23]

Just to clear up the rack rate thing. If you book now for value season of 2005, you will need to make a deposit of one night at 2004 rack rate for value season. When rates are set for 2005, your reservation will be modified with the new rack rate.

 

[Cinderella37]

All rooms in the main building are concierge rooms.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

All the accommodations in the main building are concierge, whether it be a room or suite. All the guestroom floors are keycard accessed.

If you have your heart set on the main building, by all means book your room now. And, make sure to request the Magic Kingdom View, fourth floor.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for clearing that up, BCV23

Thanks again everyone!

CaliforniaDreaming- I'm not POSITIVE my heart is set on that- but I'm fairly certain I'm going to want concierge and in the main bldg sounds as convenient as you can get for most of the amenities we'll be taking advantage of (or atleast hope to take advantage of). So I guess that's where I need to start with reservation- and I probably won't change my mind later on. LOL

Is the MK view in main bldg only on fourth floor? Or is there another reason you said to request that? Just curious. Thanks for all your help! I love picking your brain about GF.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ack!
Reading about GF again on allearsnet... absorbing more info everytime I read it. LOL
Anyway, I'm "ack"ing because I just noticed the pirate cruise and wonderland tea party say 3-10!
WHAT?
I knew the clubs were ages 4-12... so we've never been able to take the kids to any because my youngest was too young. Now I find out THOSE things she could have went to on our last trip when she turned 3... and now on our next trip my oldest WON'T be able to. (She'd probably be most interested in the tea party- plus it would be advantageous for her to be there with her younger sister.... our youngest would LOVE the tea party, but I'm sure she'd be more comfortable with us leaving her with "characters" and such if her sister was there).

Our oldest will be turning 11 just 8 days before we're at GF... would it be horrible to let her go and just not "mention" she's just turned 11? Or do you think if we mentioned it they'd let it slide since she JUST turned 11 and could be there with her younger sister? Are they like super strict on the age thing? They'll probably know her age- since they ask for ages when booking rooms (and are already booked with ages for cruise also)

Whatcha think about that? She could just not do the pirate cruise- probably wouldn't interest either of my girls and my son would be 7 at that point and old enough to go by himself without big sister going too.

Ps. nevermind... poor little guy isn't going to get to do it. They only have pirate cruise on Mon/Wed/Thurs early morning- we'd be arriving midday on Thurs and leaving Sat for cruise. Man he would have loved that... he's such a Pirates of the Caribbean nut- loved the ride, had to buy Pirates stuff when we were there- and even got Pirates of Caribbean gameboy game for Christmas per his request. Why can't they have that planned for M/W/F? Because we have bad luck I guess.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

And yet another question that I didn't see the answer on allearsnet for GF- do they have a refillable mug you can buy like at other resorts? I would assume so- but never know... and I don't see it mentioned on the fact sheet for GF on allearsnet. We wouldn't be there very long- but we'd be spending most of our short trip there (before the cruise) AT the resort -so it might be worth it (IF we don't do concierge ofcourse...)

 

[BCV23]

They do have the mugs.

You know you don't have to be staying at the GF to do the cruise or tea party. Don't you have another trip before your cruise trip? Why not book the activities for that trip. Your son can do the pirate cruise and your girls could do the tea at the "right" age. Good luck but don't get yourself too upset if you can't do everything....as we all know there's plenty of magic to go around.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

No, we don't have any trips planned before our cruise. Our next trip to WDW will be the couple days before our cruise- that's it. (and I only talked DH into going again that soon because of the cruise- and WDW trip being so short beforehand.. and only going to MK spending more time at the resort rather than constantly at the parks or DTD. He's not much of a Disney fan- and I think we burned him out from all the trips the last 14mo or so. He didn't want to go again until the kids were old enough for all of them to ride all the rides- which would be quite some time...)

I knew you didn't have to stay at GF to do those things- but I also thought they were starting at age 4 like the clubs... so that is why I didn't let the kids do those things our last recent trip- since my youngest had just turned 3. I thought she was too young. I shouldn't have assumed and looked into it better.

I think I'll just ask and see what they say about it. I think they might make an exception considering she would barely have turned 11 and wouldn't be going alone... she'd be going with her younger sister. We'll see...

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

The "Concierge Room - Main Building" is available on floors 3 & 4 of the Main Building. Views are either of the Marina/Magic Kingdom, the courtyard pool, or the theme pool/wedding pavilion/lagoon/Polynesian. The second floor rooms ("Concierge Honeymoon") are the only rooms on the 2nd floor, and have the Marina/Magic Kingdom view. The fifth floor is suites only (they have the courtyard pool and theme pool view). Everything else on the 3rd & 4th floors are deluxe and honeymoon rooms, and one signature suite on each floor.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks again for all the information!! You really ARE the expert on GF!

 

[amylovesdisney]

Just want to weigh in w/my opinion re: kids' club at GF.

We were there this past July and stayed Concierge. (Definitely not worth the extra $$s for the food choices, however, our Concierge Staff did miraculous things for us!!)

DH & I booked the Kid's Club for DS (8) & DD (5) so we could go to V&A.

I was extremely disappointed in the "club". It was a very small room with a long table in the middle of it. There was a counter along one wall with computer monitors for the kids to play games. The CM offered coloring sheets to our children to keep them occupied until the other children arrived (about 20 minutes later). There were a few puzzles/games which looked really worn.

DS & DD were pretty non-plussed about their evening and they are usually good sports about new situations. They ate dinner and then played on the computer. There was some Disney movie running in the background and they were watching the door for us to pick them up.

I recall it was about $65-75 for 4 hours. In hindsight, I think they would've enjoyed their evening a lot more with a sitter in the room and movies on the TV. They would've been able to go out with the sitter w/our permission around the grounds, I believe.

That said, definitely check out the Kids' Club on the Cruise! We took the cruise in 10/02. THAT is some facility for kids!!! They did not want to leave what with the computers, costumes and the biggest LEGO treasure chest I have ever seen!!

I know this is a long answer to your childcare questions but hope it has given you some insight!

Have a wonderful time when you go!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hmm, that does give me something to think about. I did think the clubs were more fun for the kids than that. Have you tried any of the other clubs at the other resorts?
However, all kids are different. Unless my children change dramatically by Feb 2005- the oldest would be perfectly happy just sitting playing with her gameboy or reading a book, and the younger two would sit for hours and hours coloring. They love playing games too- but I'll have to warn the counselor(s) that if my younger two play games.... there will be some "upset" kids if they lose. The youngest two are SUCH bad sports- hate losing any game. Truth be known- if we could take them to V&C (which I'm not implying they should allow- by no means) they'd sit there for hours at the table just coloring or reading/playing gameboy. So hopefully they won't be disappointed with the club.

Last time we went to WDW recently- we had one evening out with a babysitter from Fairy Godmothers- they had a good time just playing with the toys (that we'd brought- and she brought) and coloring- and we didn't even have a vcr for them to watch Disney movies like they do at home often. The disney movie playing in the background would just be an added benefit for the younger two.

Hopefully they will enjoy themselves- (fingers crossed) because we'd really like to go to V&C's atleast once in our lives. And any future trips our oldest would be too old for the clubs- but for atleast awhile too young in OUR opinion to be left alone in our room/etc. (she'll have to mature quite a bit before we decide she's old enough for that LOL)

I appreciate the information you gave though... something to mull over....