My constant checking paid off!!!!
Got annual passholder rate and now finally staying RPC
We are going 11/8-11 but couldn't get all 3 days. Cheaptickets had 20%off std RPC but passholder had deluxe king aka honeymoon suite for awesome rate 9-11th!
This is an anniversary redo from spring due to FIL illness so I wanted it to be grand but this
so happy
We will be there Dec. 5-14. I am reading and trying to learn about possible room requests. We are not DVC owners, and we only booked an outer building, garden view room. However, no matter the room or view, I know this is DD's dream come true! I just wanted to poke my head in and say that our vacation at the GF last week was one of the best. I'm one who never dreamed I'd stay there, because I thought it was too stuffy for my taste. Well, I was wrong. The whole place is like living in a dream.
We stayed in Boca Chica, 4th floor, overlooking the courtyard pool. It was a beautiful view. The pools were amazing, the monorail service was so convenient. I didn't quite like the menu at the Gasparilla Grill-- the menus at the pools were much better. The rooms may have been a little worn, but they were big and suited our needs just fine.
Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially the CMs who helped us when our daughter fell and broke her tooth one evening.
Last week, the resort was only at 30% capacity, so the crowds were perfect for us. I can imagine, though, once the GFV open up, the facilities might get a little crowded. Construction noises were not a problem, and though we were RIGHT by the construction when were at the beach pool, it hardly bothered us.
We are WL people, and we went with Poly people, but we're also now GF people, too.
Just to add some fuel to the fire......I was reading a post on another Disney forum that the GF is going to have some type of construction going on in the spring and summer of 2014. One of the wedding event planners told the poster's friend that she recommended the bride NOT block off rooms for her guests at GF because of the construction. The bride was having a special event at Sago Cay and was told the views to the castle would not be affected. No other information was given.
So.....maybe the rumored room rehab is getting more REAL
Glad that you had such a good stay at the GF...You would think that the end of August would still be pretty busy.. 
Ouch on DDs tooth tough..hope its ok...
Congratualtions!!! What wonderful way to celebrate...and RPC with an AP discount!! 
There are two areas with deluxe king rooms..the second floor..which is right over Gasparilla's...and has a lovely castle view..fireworks too..but is not very convenient to the lounge located on the 4th floor..have stayed in RPC many times..but I dont know about a secret staircase..Hmmm But there is the "pool" or back elevator ...which is located close to Gasparillas...for use of club level guests... There is another type of deluxe king room also..a turret room..I think there are only 4?? not sure though... they are a nice size..a different configuration than the ones on the 2nd floor...and have windows practically all the way around the room (due to the turrett) ..but no balcony... ... Some of these also have a beautiful castle view! Hope that with your ressies linked you dont have to move rooms!
Im sure it will be a memorable trip! 
So nice that you are making your DDs dream to stay there come true! Holiday time at the GF is a little different than any other time of the year...The spacious lobby has a great big Christmas tree right in the center..the gingerbread house is all set us..and making the lobby smell even better than usual... and if you didnt have the holiday spirit before you arrived...you will have it once you are there!
Outer building garden view rooms are beatiful...GV rooms will either give you a view of the garden..LOL..I know the obvious..but also of the courtyard pool...or the marina ...If you look at the map at the beginning of this thread you can see the building locations... Boca Chica has a lovely view of the CY pool and the main buidling..and is closer to the boat dock...which is a super convenient way to travel to and from the MK...Big Pine is closer to the main building..and also has a view of the CY pool.... Conch has more general garden views and marina view too...but super close to the boat dock...and Sago..the least centrally located IMO..with marina or woods views...closer to the bus stop and Gasparillas ..but not to the pools or boat dock...Ok lots of info..!!! 
Hope I didnt confuse you! I think all in all.. it depends on your personal preference...whether you are pool people...yes it can be pool weather in December..sometimes...LOL..or if you prefer a more serene view..My personal recommendation would be Boca Chica...I think its more centrally located..and has a great view... Im sure you will be happy with whatever you choose... (BTW we were CR fans for years..until we stayed at the GF...) I guess we will all have to wait and see...
Just a quick update--
The courtyard pool is still closed. They have drained it and some suits were standing around today, gesturing and looking a bit like they aren't sure what is going on. Haven't heard when it will reopen.
In other news---
In the lounge in SL tonight there were two men in wet bathing suits and no shirts eating and no cast member said anything to them. The chairs where they sat were completely wet by the time they left.
Also multiple people barefoot and kids running around w wet bathing suits and no cover ups.
Never seen it like this before. Not sure what is going on or why no one says anything to them...
We were posting at the same time! Thanks for the update! Wonder what is going on with the CY pool?? As for the peeps in the lounge...
Being in the lounge with wet bathing suits and no cover ups and sitting on the chairs is just inconsiderate...But..being shirtless..and shoeless...in an area where there is food being servied is simply disgusting 
..IMO...There really should be signs up..although..people should certainly know better... Unfortunately..I think this happens sometimes in SL due to its proximity to the pool...even so... Hope that you are having a Grand vacation even with the wet half naked peeps in the lounge!!!
LOL.... A freind of mine was visiting WDW just for the weekend and said that she was enjoying the low crowds in the parks! Again..thanks for checking in! Just a quick update--
The courtyard pool is still closed. They have drained it and some suits were standing around today, gesturing and looking a bit like they aren't sure what is going on. Haven't heard when it will reopen.
In other news---
In the lounge in SL tonight there were two men in wet bathing suits and no shirts eating and no cast member said anything to them. The chairs where they sat were completely wet by the time they left.
Also multiple people barefoot and kids running around w wet bathing suits and no cover ups.
Never seen it like this before. Not sure what is going on or why no one says anything to them...
!!! How are the parks? Could I impose on you for a picture from the beach around the waterfall pool/etc? Just wondering how it looks now? What do you think?
Just a quick update--
The courtyard pool is still closed. They have drained it and some suits were standing around today, gesturing and looking a bit like they aren't sure what is going on. Haven't heard when it will reopen.
In other news---
In the lounge in SL tonight there were two men in wet bathing suits and no shirts eating and no cast member said anything to them. The chairs where they sat were completely wet by the time they left.
Also multiple people barefoot and kids running around w wet bathing suits and no cover ups.
Never seen it like this before. Not sure what is going on or why no one says anything to them...
Still in shock.. never thought i would actually get to stay at RPC!!!
I love Jack Spence from allears and his videos pretty good but is there anything else i should know?I have one night std RPC then move to deluxe king. I will email IPO and give them my 2 res # so they know. Maybe they just put us in a DK so they don't have to clean after one day? (keep fingers crossed).
I am hoping we can move stuff early on transfer day or stay in 1st room until ready, if not at least have that wonderful lounge until ready
I think i would prefer rooms on 2nd floor over marina. I don't mind walking stairs or elevators. Then again a walk in closet is nice.
Cant wait to find the "secret staircase" that one of us says her son loves. Something about leading to Gasparillas.(?)
If you love RPC give me a tip to make this a great trip, please and thank you.
even if you hate scones, have a scone at the lounge- they are like no other scone i have ever had. even the tea at the four seasons in philly AND at the plaza in NYC had scones that stunk in comparison.
omg, i was so happy for you earlier when i read your first post about RPC but couldn't reply until now. that is so awesome!
the main building doesn't have a ton of rooms and i would honestly not get too wound up about where my room was. we have stayed at literally both ends of the hotel and they were each great for different reasons. and the grand suite we had was literally the furthest room from the lounge, and not even on the same floor- and getting to the lounge was still 2 seconds. i can almost promise you that you will have a great room no matter what.
anyway, after 3 RPC stays, my tip is, without question, make time to just soak up the lounge and the main building in general. each subsequent stay reinforced for me how important it is to do this. it never gets old. in particular, have yourself there around or anytime after 3-ish when the live music begins.... that is my absolute favorite. it is just so relaxing up there and then when that music starts, it is just paradise. and you are talking to someone who only listens to rap outside of the GF, so it's not even the kind of music i would ever normally like. but the experience is just great. going around 3 has another advantage, too- snacks are still out till 3:30 and scones are out till 4.
ok, this is more than just one tip but one other thing we LOVE to do and have such fond memories of every trip for some reason, is towards the end of our stay, after we have browsed the shops for a few days, setting our sights on what we are interested in, in the evening we have a couple of cocktails or glasses of wine and then we all hit all the shops and buy the things we want to take home. we do this every trip (twice with my parents and once with bff) and have so much fun. and then we go back to the lounge for one more drink.
you will love RPC. i can't wait to read about your reaction to it!
Just a quick update--
The courtyard pool is still closed. They have drained it and some suits were standing around today, gesturing and looking a bit like they aren't sure what is going on. Haven't heard when it will reopen.
In other news---
In the lounge in SL tonight there were two men in wet bathing suits and no shirts eating and no cast member said anything to them. The chairs where they sat were completely wet by the time they left.
Also multiple people barefoot and kids running around w wet bathing suits and no cover ups.
Never seen it like this before. Not sure what is going on or why no one says anything to them...
I honestly think you need to say something. it is NOT ok. i was just telling dh during our stay that i am a bit leery of SL (vs. RPC) because there have been reports on here of some of the guests being, shall we say, not on their best behavior, and this just reinforces it. let me tell you, even at BC CL this past trip (and BC CL is several notches below GF), they CONSISTENTLY told guests to go put on a cover up or out shoes on. if BC does it, GF most certainly should. I would go to the desk tonight or tomorrow and tell them your concerns and see if it improves. you have nothing to lose. i am really angry for you! you deserve to enjoy your vacation to the fullest!
and I will keep a close eye on things so that I can change my room requests closer to arrival to accommodate hopefully a refurbed room.
Hi mickeynut1
. No girls only trip is in the works yet...I have to get to my family trip in December first . I thought the same as Blue that you had stayed at the YC before. Hope things are well with you . I just wanted to poke my head in and say that our vacation at the GF last week was one of the best. I'm one who never dreamed I'd stay there, because I thought it was too stuffy for my taste. Well, I was wrong. The whole place is like living in a dream.
We stayed in Boca Chica, 4th floor, overlooking the courtyard pool. It was a beautiful view. The pools were amazing, the monorail service was so convenient. I didn't quite like the menu at the Gasparilla Grill-- the menus at the pools were much better. The rooms may have been a little worn, but they were big and suited our needs just fine.
Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially the CMs who helped us when our daughter fell and broke her tooth one evening.
Last week, the resort was only at 30% capacity, so the crowds were perfect for us. I can imagine, though, once the GFV open up, the facilities might get a little crowded. Construction noises were not a problem, and though we were RIGHT by the construction when were at the beach pool, it hardly bothered us.
We are WL people, and we went with Poly people, but we're also now GF people, too.
. We are Poly lovers, but I do love my GF stays . My constant checking paid off!!!!
Got annual passholder rate and now finally staying RPC
We are going 11/8-11 but couldn't get all 3 days. Cheaptickets had 20%off std RPC but passholder had deluxe king aka honeymoon suite for awesome rate 9-11th!
This is an anniversary redo from spring due to FIL illness so I wanted it to be grand but this
.I am joining in because this upcoming trip will be our first stay in GF. We love the Contemporary. So far it has always been our favorite. However, DD's dream is to stay in the GF and this trip was a surprise trip for her. We revealed it to her last weekend, and she yelled with excitement!
Any tips about room locations, preferences, etc. will be helpful so I am following and reading all I can.
. For our GV stay, we were in Big Pine Key and loved it. We had a nice view of the courtyard pool. With that said, there are some less desirable views from BPK as they look directly at the pool house, but nothing absolutely horrible, IMO....and the building is in a great location . If you love RPC give me a tip to make this a great trip, please and thank you.
. In other news---
In the lounge in SL tonight there were two men in wet bathing suits and no shirts eating and no cast member said anything to them. The chairs where they sat were completely wet by the time they left.
Also multiple people barefoot and kids running around w wet bathing suits and no cover ups.
Never seen it like this before. Not sure what is going on or why no one says anything to them...
.
Thanks ladies with suggestions to enjoy the lounge.
I spent a lot of time in the lounge at Poly
I didn't care for the lounge space at SL but loved the scones(Bethclayton) and am looking forward to tea time.
I think I will be happy where ever I get assigned.
Getting a picture entering gold elevator on my "must do" list. Been waiting a long time for that
. It is such a different experience than SL. I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time .
