Question about the GF

[Tinks]

Is there a reason you would want to stay in the Tower? The room choices are garden, lagoon view, tower, and then concierge main resort and tower.

I understand garden vs. lagoon, but what are the advantages to the main building? Would you automatically have a lagoon type view? Has anyone stayed in the main tower and what did you think was better about it vs. regular garden/lagoon rooms. Thanks!

 

[samnbilly]

There are better room descriptions on allearsnet.com. Click on accomodations-then the Grand Floridian Fact sheet. The Tower rooms have an extra sitting area. It also gives a description of the different buildings. Hope this is some help to you.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Here is a great site with layouts of the different room types http://www.the-grahams.net/gf/rooms.shtml

As for staying in the main building, that is called the Royal Palm Club concierge. I believe that the tower room rates that are quoted are for the other buildings, which wouldn't include concierge service.

The types of rooms that are rated differently in the main building are standard, deluxe, honeymoon and suites. We stayed in the main building in one of the rooms that resemble a tower room. It had 8 palladium windows, but no balcony. It also included a sitting area, but it wasn't separate from the bedroom. In the main building, you can request this room, but it's not guaranteed (I think there are only 6 rooms like this). The room was beautiful and definitely built for romance. It included a king size, four poster bed, a large walk-in closet and a soaking tub for 2. We had a panoramic view from the Polynesian all the way around to the Magic Kingdom. Aside from a suite, the rooms in the main building are going to be your most expensive because of the additional concierge service. I would say that 1/3 of the rooms here have a marina/MK view, 1/3 have a garden/pool view and 1/3 have a lagoon/Poly view. In concierge, there is not an additional charge for an upgraded view. You can put in a request for a specific view, but it's not guaranteed.

Tammi

 

[Cris]

great site!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Tammi, thanks for the link to that site.


Lori

 

[Leota]

Thanks for the link!

 

[Tinks]

Thanks so much for the link! I learned so much about the GF yesterday--and I've stayed there once before so you'd think I'd know this stuff already!

In order to stay in the main building you have to stay concierge and you have to request the main building because they also have concierge in one of the "lodge" buildings.

"lodge" refers to the outlying buildings that are still GF but not the main building. Confused yet??

In the MAIN building concierge they have standard and deluxe. (all concierge, mind you) The deluxe room size in larger. Then they have suites and such beyond that and way beyond my price range!

We have chosen to stay GF concierge deluxe (because it only added $40 to add the square feet of the deluxe for our stay). I am traveling with 2 friends for the 1/2 marathon so we are splitting it 3 ways and our airfare is free because one of them works for the airlines. Lucky me! I'm really excited to stay in the main building and be pampered!

Thanks for the replies. I feel like an expert now, which means I'm probably not!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tinks,

You are going to love being in the main building. It is very different from lodge concierge. Here's the e-mail for the concierge pre-planners at the GF WDWGFPlanning@disney.com.

Once you make your reservations, I'd suggest dropping them an e-mail. They'll assist you with making any priority seating arrangements, reservations, spa appointments and you can also make a room request through them. The main building has rooms on floors 3, 4, & 5. Five is probably the quietest, four has the concierge lounge located on it and 3 is where the concierge staff sits. The floors are connected by the elevator and a nice staircase. You can also ask for a specific view, but I think only the standard rooms have a magic kingdom view.

Awesome deal on the airfare and splitting the GF 3 ways, definitely makes it more affordable.

Tammi

 

[Calcio]

Staying at the GF is a great choice after you've finished the 1/2 marathon, as the finish is in the parking lot in front of the Polynesian. You can walk (that is, if you can still walk) the short distance to the ticket & transportation center and take the monorail back to your room.

You'll also run in front of the GF, at about the 12.5 mile mark. Unfortunately I was so fatigued by that point last year that I didn't even notice.

The monorail will also take you to the staging area for the race, in the EPCOT parking lot. My understanding is the monorail starts and stops running very early on race day for the runners, so be sure to check into that.

Good luck with your training.

 

[Tinks]

Thank you Tammi and Calcio! It's too bad we can't just finish and pick up our medals at the GF and skip the last mile! I never thought about making spa reservations through the concierge. Now I'll have to do some fun planning!!