Just Back from the Grand Floridian *UPDATE* Picture Link Added

[BounceyOne]

Just an FYI, disney frowns upon parking at the BWI to visit epcot. They do stop you at the gate and ask for ID.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by BounceyOne
Just an FYI, disney frowns upon parking at the BWI to visit epcot. They do stop you at the gate and ask for ID.

As of last week, we were waved thru every resort guard station. They saw our GF parking pass, and did not ask for any ID or why we were there. All we got was a wave thru (didn't even have time to roll down the window before we got the wave).

On my New Year's trip, we were stopped, asked for ID, and asked for a reason why we were there. Boy, have things changed!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Thanks for the info Cali. I already have my tipping envelopes all set up for the week. Daily mousekeeping and turn-down service will have their own each day and now I have one for both valet pickup and dropoff service.

As for parking at BWI, we've always been waved through when they saw our resort parking pass. I hope we don't run into any problems this time. We love getting there early and enjoying a light breakfast at the Boardwalk Bakery.

Tammi

 

[JulesMom]

Thanks for the great pics. Jules & I are staying at GF in June 2004 to celebrate her HS graduation. It looks fabulous!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by JulesMom
Thanks for the great pics. Jules & I are staying at GF in June 2004 to celebrate her HS graduation. It looks fabulous!

Hope you two have a great time!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by TammiMcMan
We're going to be at the GF in 10 days and it would be so exciting for the kids to be "met" in the valet area. Speaking of valet, did you use this service? I seem to remember in the past that you could have it charged to your room during your stay. Do you know what the current rate is? And also, if you're paying for concierge at one disney hotel, does it still entitle you to valet parking at the others? We like to park at BW when we visit Epcot. The international gateway always seems a bit quieter and checking out the nightly activities on the boardwalk is alot of fun after Epcot's closing. Before you give me the info on valet, I will be happy to take the RPC oath ~ "I promise not to turn into a pompous windbag and demand that my car be taken before anyone elses"


Tammi

Tammi, I sent you a Private Message (PM).

 

[DisneyLisa]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
Yes, we used valet everywhere we went. It was $6/day. They charged it to our room. We gave $2 everytime they took or brought the car (yes, people say you should only tip when they bring the car, but it's just our preference to reward everyone who does a service). Once you get your parking pass for the day, you can valet everywhere but Downtown Disney free of charge. Concierge guests are still required to pay for valet if they use the service.

Cali-D: I read this on the DIS before leaving, however, we just got back from the GF today & found that they waited for a tip each time we dropped off the car (I had planned to tip for both anyway, but I though it was kind of interesting that they seemed to expect it when most people have said they only tip at pick-up).

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Oh, Lisa! Welcome Home! So, tell me about your trip!!! Which room were you in?

 

[DisneyLisa]

You know I should be unpacking but oh well.

We were in Big Pine Key, Room 9304 (gardenview). We had a lovely view of the pool & main building and only realized on day 4 that we had a great view of the fireworks each night.

Thankfully (after reading your report), our room was lovely. Our only complaint was that we could hear EVERYTHING in the rooms around us. We could even hear someone in a room (somewhere) have a "p" & flush the toilet (multiple times each night)...we were not impressed with that at all...we found the rooms at the BC last year to be much quieter.

The only other comment I'd like to make is that I wasn't impressed with the housekeeping service. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing "wrong" with it...just not what I expect from a "4+ star" hotel. One day we returned to find the face cloths "pocketed" in a fan in the hand towel (you must know what I mean). The rest of the days they were just hanging there, crooked most of the time. Most days the curtains were crooked & the bedspreads were not tidied at the sides...I just expected a little more attention to "detail" at the GF (we had it at the BC & at other more-expensive non-disney hotels). I wasn't expecting anything like those animal things people talk about, just the type of thing you get in any other nice hotel (we had fancier towels at the Hampton Inn on our trip down). Although I found the resort absolutely beautiful, the housekeeping was very plain (but I still tipped both the day & night housekeeping staff).

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome home! Looks like our stays overlapped a little.

Our room in Sago Cay was pretty quiet. And, had an awesome view. Okay, I really miss the place!!!

Did you like the way your room was decorated? I stayed in the Alice theme in January (we had the blue walls, not wallpaper; which did you have?).

Where will you be staying on your next trip?

 

[DisneyLisa]

We had the wallpaper & our next trip will be Poly or GF. We went over to the BC & found it so busy& hectic...I guess it's crowded with the new Villas. It didn't appeal to us anymore. DD really wants to try the POLY so that's probably where we'll stay.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I can't imagine paying all that money to stay at the Grand Floridian and then having so many things wrong with the room!! I had hoped to stay there on our next trip, whenever that may be, but now I'm not so sure! We stayed at the Contemporary on our last trip and everything was wonderful there. I didn't notice any "wear and tear" in the room at all. We had a beautiful view of Cinderella's castle from our balcony too, it was GREAT!!

 

[wdwfan]

Cali, I'm so glad that you had a great time! We just returned from a stay at the Beach Club Villas. They were lovely!! I'll start working on a report. We were in Disney from July 6 - 14. When were you there?
I have always wanted to try the Grand Floridian, and I took a look around there when my daughter was at the Wonderland Tea Party. Although it is beautiful, I think I'll continue to stay at the Epcot resorts. We, my husband and I, just love Boardwalk Inn. We really liked staying at the Beach Club Villas, but still Boardwalk remains our favorite. We've had the Boardwalk view and courtyard view. Boardwalk view is fabulous, although we heard the horns from the water taxis. The courtyard view is also very nice, and very peaceful. I think we'll take the Boardwalk view next summer. You just can't beat it!! Especially if you like sitting out on the balcony.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi wdwfan! Glad you had a good time! I sent you a private message.