The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[PSU]

a question for all... If you had only one night to spend at GF where would you book- ? The deal is that we're new DVC members and staying at BLT for 4 nights...waitlisted for the last....which happens to be the F & W festival truffle dinner at V&As Oct 25th - Sunday - So I was thinking of just paying for a rm at GF for one night.....vs BLT... We'd try to check in in the morning....
Should i just stay at BLT or switch to GF....BTW not leaving until 5pm the next day(26th)

 

[MommyGina]

If you had to stay at the GF, I would either try to book at Sugar Loaf, if that fits in with your DVC points, or the Sago building in with marina view. I'm not sure if you can use points or are paying the difference yourself.

 

[minniesota]

Do you know what the "typical" price difference is between SL and RPC? With all of the specials I am trying to determine if we shoudl go RPC since we might not be able to in the future. We have stayed at the Poly on CL in the past.

Thanks.

The typical price difference is about $175 per night according to the Rack Rates for 2010.

Well I can tell you this. We were considering doing RPC for the week after Thanksgiving in 2010. I was all set to book then asked the TA for the price difference to do SL on those dates. The cost is $1200 less!!!

I was still all set to pay the extra in RPC until I found out that those rooms usually never are a part of any discount. Because disney usually bets on those rooms selling out, which they do, they rarely offer discounts at that level.

I was dissappointed by that because I was hoping down the road, snag either a room discount of some sorts, a pin code, or free dining if they decide to offer it to the general public until Dec like they did this year.

So to hear it was that much cheaper and we would be much more likely to snag a discount of some kind down the road, we ended up booking SL.

Am a I little dissappointed. YES, Its hard not to be as the room we had last year a magical upgrade to the Turret room on the 4th floor. But on this trip I am taking along not only the dh but the two darling kiddies, and Mom. So the cost was just too big of a factor, especially right before Xmas.

We will still be at club level, still enjoy such a beautiful hotel at Xmas, and hopefully save a little bit of money. We will just have to plan some time to spend in the grand lobby to enjoy the music, shopping and restaurants.

I have always had a discount on RPC rooms except when we stayed in a 2 bedroom suite. Most often I get a AAA discount but have also had an AP discount. I do plan ahead for most trips though a few years ago I managed to snag a last-minute RPC Deluxe room with an AP rate first week in December! My stay in January will be a AAA discount and I'll be watching for AP or Room Only discounts when they are released.

I am sure you will enjoy your stay in SL. The GF at Christmas is magical!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi Minniesota!!

Lil Mattie Although I am a SL fan...I always check all categories when discounts are offered just so that I can compare...and I have always seen RPC included as long as CL rooms are included...

Maybe your TA meant that the number of rooms at CL level that are included in the discounts makes them hard to get??? Not sure...

As others have posted SL lounge does not have the ambiance of RPC...that main building is just beautiful...and with the pianist and orchestra...but SL is very centrally located and has all of the other amenities of staying CL...we really do enjoy it!!

and I agree with minniesota...Christmas time at the grand is just magical!!!

PSU Staying at the GF to complete the whole GF experience if dining at V&A is a great idea! but if you are enjoying BLT the monorail does make getting back and forth very convenient!!! Enjoy!

shopgirl I remember your TR from last summer...Hope you had another great trip!! Are you going to do another TR??

 

[BCV23]

BCV23 - thanks for the info on the servers at V&A's. We could not tell if any served other tables out of our sight, but as you say, it certainly feels as though you are their only guests, doesn't it?

Citricos was wonderful, we enjoyed it very much, it is such a pretty room. The servers were so nice, and prompt. I think DD and I split the cheese course, then she had the braised short rib with vanilla pasnip puree, it was delicious; I had the Berkshire pork two ways with polenta, it was very good, and reminded us of the pork tenderloin dish at Cali Grill. I had the tropical creme brulee with a lovely dessert wine, and I think DD had the chocolate banana tart. She liked mine better! It was a creme brulee made in the proper way, where the caramelized top had to be struck quite sharply to break it - yum!

You're right...the servers at V&A are so exceptional that you feel that you have their undivided attention.

Thanks for the description of your dinner at Citricos. I love the braised short ribs. We plan on dinner there twice next trip and I can't wait. Would you mind sharing about dinner at Narcoossee's?

a question for all... If you had only one night to spend at GF where would you book- ? The deal is that we're new DVC members and staying at BLT for 4 nights...waitlisted for the last....which happens to be the F & W festival truffle dinner at V&As Oct 25th - Sunday - So I was thinking of just paying for a rm at GF for one night.....vs BLT... We'd try to check in in the morning....
Should i just stay at BLT or switch to GF....BTW not leaving until 5pm the next day(26th)

I would book gardenview. With dinner at V&A, you won't want the appetizers or desserts offered in the lounge. Lagoon view is nice but I'd save the pennies and book gardenview. It sounds like a wonderful event BTW.

GF Fans, have any of you used online checkin at the GF?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We are staying for the 1st time at the GF in December. I am so excited I can't stand myself.

It will be DH, DS (11) , DD (6) and myself. Would you request a dormer room? We have a gardenview booked. Other then the room being smaller was is the difference between a GV and a dormer room and what would the dormer room overlook?

Thx!

 

[ahcupcake]

a question for all... If you had only one night to spend at GF where would you book- ? The deal is that we're new DVC members and staying at BLT for 4 nights...waitlisted for the last....which happens to be the F & W festival truffle dinner at V&As Oct 25th - Sunday - So I was thinking of just paying for a rm at GF for one night.....vs BLT... We'd try to check in in the morning....
Should i just stay at BLT or switch to GF....BTW not leaving until 5pm the next day(26th)

[/LEFT]I would get a garden view at GF for one night.....My mom and I will also be at V&A that night,the 25th is also our arrival day so look for 2 sleep deprived women.

Hope you have a good stay.​

 

[MommyGina]

We arrived on 8/19 was were given a dormer room. We have never had a dormer room. We always stayed in Sago with a GV standard room. This year we were upgraded to SL. There were 4 of us. Me, DH, DS - 13 and DD -10. The dormer room is smaller than a standard room. I refused it. It was too small for the 4 of us. DS and DD would have had to share a bed. I was on vacation so I didn't want to hear any arguments of the bed that she kicked him or he kicked her during the night.

Anyway, we were moved into a standard room at SL that slept 5. DD had her own queen bed. DS had the sofa bed, which he has had for the last 4 years that we stayed at the GF and loves. I still had to deal with DH tossing and turning!

Hope that helps.

 

[PaulaSB12]

We arrived on 8/19 was were given a dormer room. We have never had a dormer room. We always stayed in Sago with a GV standard room. This year we were upgraded to SL. There were 4 of us. Me, DH, DS - 13 and DD -10. The dormer room is smaller than a standard room. I refused it. It was too small for the 4 of us. DS and DD would have had to share a bed. I was on vacation so I didn't want to hear any arguments of the bed that she kicked him or he kicked her during the night.

Anyway, we were moved into a standard room at SL that slept 5. DD had her own queen bed. DS had the sofa bed, which he has had for the last 4 years that we stayed at the GF and loves. I still had to deal with DH tossing and turning!

Hope that helps.

I am going on a solo trip in 19 days do you think they would give a dormer room to a solo guest as they don't really need the same amount of room as a family?

 

[BCV23]

It will be DH, DS (11) , DD (6) and myself. Would you request a dormer room? We have a gardenview booked. Other then the room being smaller was is the difference between a GV and a dormer room and what would the dormer room overlook?

Thx!

The dormer rooms have enclosed balconies. Some or perhaps most do not have a daybed. Dormer rooms are located in all buildings so have a variety of views.

I wouldn't request a dormer room if I were you since you might get a room without a daybed. I imagine you want separate beds for your children.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

PSU - I agree with other posters, if you are spending one night at the GF, having dinner at V&A's, a garden view room would be the best choice. You get the wonderful GF ambiance, the convenience of being right there before and after dinner, but don't pay the higher prices. Since you'll be occupied most of the evening, I think the other categories would be wasted.

roliepolieoliefan - We've stayed in a dormer room, and liked it, but there were only 3 of us that trip. Even though the room is a bit smaller than the other standard rooms, the ceiling is vaulted, making it seem roomier than it is. I'm not sure I'd want a dormer if there were more than 3 sharing the room, though, as it may not have a daybed (I've seen photos of a renovated dormer room with a daybed, but have not read of anyone else who got one - ours was prior to the renovation, and did not have a daybed).

BCV23 - I'm not sure I can remember a lot about our dinner at Narcoossee's, since it was the first night of our trip, but I'll try! I keep promising myself I'll keep a journal, but never remember. But I do know, it was a very good meal, we enjoyed it, as usual.

In January this year, I was disappointed with my filet and lobster tail, they were both overcooked. So I avoided them this visit, and had the chef's special - can't remember the type of fish, but it was on top of cheese grits and drizzled with a chili oil emulsion, I think. It was heavenly, I had to guard my plate from DD! I started with the tomato/mozzarella salad, delicious; DD had two appetizers, rather than an entree - the shrimp and crab chowder and, I think, the tuna tartare. Both were very good, we cleaned our plates! Too full for dessert, sadly, as the almond-crusted cheesecake is DD's favorite dessert anywhere.

Narcoossee's is one of our favorite WDW restaurants, with its position on the lake, view of the fireworks, and casual ambiance. It used to remind me of a lot of Old Florida fish houses, although in recent years they've made it a bit more upscale. Still, many families choose this restaurant, so it's not as quiet and elegant as Citricos. That's neither good nor bad, it just is - we love this restaurant.

 

[SWDisney]

We are arriving at MCO around 4:30 Pm and taking the ME to the GF. I am traveling with DH, DD9 and DS8. I considered trying to go straight to MNSSHP that evening but think I may be cutting it too close and really losing out on some of the fun of that evening by trying to rush over there.

So now I am trying to figure out what to to for dinner that evening. I have a ADR for Citrico's at 7:40 PM. Would that be a good choice or do you think I should keep trying for Narcoossee's or PF? Might CS be a better choice? Let the kids swim and check out the GF. (We are planning AK for the next morning.) What about the GF Cafe?

We have never stayed at the GF (usually have stayed at the Poly) so I appreciate the input.

Also, I am looking for some general guidance on a few itinerary planning questions but seem to not be able to locate the best place to post these questions. If anyone could direct me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks! One month from today we will be at the GF!!!!

 

[Scott MC]

I've not eaten at Narcoossee's, but the dinner I had a few weeks ago at Citrico's was by a mile the best I've had at Disney. Ask for Keira, she was fabulous!

 

[Scott MC]

Also, I started a thread that includes a lot of pictures from my trip. At the moment, it's mostly "around the resort" pictures, but I plan on adding great pics of our room and most importantly, the fabulous view we had. The link is in my signature.

 

[LJD2143]

For those of you who just got back.....
Is KeyLime Creme Brulee still on the menu at Narcoossees?

We are having my birthday dinner there on the 19th. I'm debating whether I should order a custom birthday cake, or not? If KeyLime Creme Brulee is still on the menu, I think we'd rather have that!

TIA

 

[k&a&c'smom]

LJD2143 - We didn't even look at the dessert menu when we ate there in early August, and I didn't see dessert listed on the WDW website menu. But key lime creme brulee is still listed on the menu on allearsnet, so I'd guess it is still available.

Good luck, and

 

[barrysprot36]

Brilliant photos Jakki, I'm glad you enjoyed GF as much as we did. I'm planning on us having a few nights for our 25th Anniversary next year there

Caron

 

[suzcruz]

when i was there in late june, they still had the key lime creme brulee, it my favorite dessert of the trip!

 

[jwb713]

Does anyone know the status of the GF lobby construction and scheduled completion times? (And any exterior or other building work that's going on) We're staying at the GF in Dec.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Brilliant photos Jakki, I'm glad you enjoyed GF as much as we did. I'm planning on us having a few nights for our 25th Anniversary next year there

Caron

Sounds like a great way to celebrate your anniversary