The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[disney_princess_85]

This is the part that's making me -- that there's so much going on at once it's hard to avoid. I wonder if maybe they're stepping up the renos (i.e., doing more all at once instead of in stages) to get it done before the holidays.

Possibly. It wouldn't look good if they were still renovating come December, what with the large amount of visitors. Hopefully everything will be done by then.

Generally speaking, it's a shame that they decide to do all the renovations at the same time every year, i.e. low season months (although it does make sense from their perspective). There was quite a lot of work going on around MK when I was there, although they do disguise it well. Obviously they have to do the maintenance at some point but it's annoying for people who go at the same time every year!

 

[minniebeth]

I just want to make it clear that when I went down to the front desk I was very calm and polite. I explained that this was my birthday trip and we had planned to spend lots of down time in the room and that is why I was having such issues with the construction surrounding our room. The cm looked up our ressie on the computer and walked away without saying a word. She whispered the situation to a manager and the two of them typed away wordlessly on their computers. I only knew that we were going to be relocated because I could overhear the manager talking on the phone.

The room we were move to was a 2nd floor room in Sago Cay in the back by the monrail (it sounds like the room you were moved from LOL). It was noisy during the day and very early in the morning (just like you experienced), which is why I was put off that there was no follow up from the front desk. Your new room was a seeming magical upgrade while mine was a step up from a crane view, but a lateral move in the noise dept. It actually moved us closer to the fumes near Gaspies but at that point I was not trying to be difficult and was not looking forward to having to pack up and move again.

Woodkins, I'm sure you were polite to the front desk (not everyone is). They should have followed up to see if you were satisfied with your room. I'm sorry you had a negative experience. I would definately follow up with communication to the resort about your dissatisfaction. I was talking with a CM from concierge and asked me how my stay was and explained that we come every year because of the way Disney works with food allergies and he asked me how that experience was and I said actually less than stellar this time around and he said that I should communicate that because they DO want this type of feedback. Meh...sometime I wonder if it makes a difference.
At least you can try...I hope you can find Disney magic another time.

I was there last week as we had an ADR at GFC. I totally understand why you were so disappointed- both DBF and I remarked that we would have been annoyed at all the work going on, had we been staying there. It's great that they're renovating but they seem to be doing so much at once and it does infringe upon the beauty of the resort, unfortunately.

Uh huh.

Exactly. You should have been told.

Unless you read the Disney boards, there is no way of knowing if there is current construction. Most other hotel chains mention it when booking or with a follow up phone call and post it on their website...feels a little misleading to me.

I think you're right. The GF is absolutely gorgeous for the holidays and the hotel is typically at full capacity. I'm sure Disney wants its flagship resort to look its best. September is usually pretty slow at the resort so perhaps that explains the big push i.e. less guests affected. With the economy, it could be the company is trying to get all its expenditures in before the end of the 4th quarter. I feel bad for those who were negatively impacted.

On the other hand, I'll be back in January and look forward to seeing those gorgeous tile floors in the main building and perhaps sleeping on a new plush mattress.

I know they have to rennovate sometime and that September is a slow er
time, but the GF was pretty booked last week. We paid full price for our rooms. It cracked me up to see the signs "we are working for your future enjoyment". Yeah, for someone else's future enjoyment, not mine!

It will not take away from our special memories there but I do wish that they, knowing the rennovations are less than magical could go out of their way to spread a little extra magic.
Ps the mattresses are really comfy and the floor is really beautiful for what its worth.

 

[griffs95]

subscribing......

 

[mamasha]

Is there still a place to get a portrait done at GF? If so, how much and has anyone had any good/bad experiences lately?
Thanks

 

[DisneyDoogie]

I was entering some dates for a possible January trip to the GF (after a few days at the new WAO) and noticed that there seems to be different pricing now for RPC rooms based on view. Standard club level rooms are about $40 cheaper than Theme-park view club level rooms. I wasn't aware that RPC rooms with a view of the MK are more expensive. I guess this is a change. Am I correct on this? My apologies if this has been asked before.

 

[BCV23]

Is there still a place to get a portrait done at GF? If so, how much and has anyone had any good/bad experiences lately?
Thanks

Yes, at least as of last month.

Prices were:

11x14 pastel....from $195/person
11x14 charcoal.....from $145/person
16x20 deluxe pastel....from $235/person.

It's offered from 5-10pm daily by the stairwell to Mizner's.

 

[BCV23]

I was entering some dates for a possible January trip to the GF (after a few days at the new WAO) and noticed that there seems to be different pricing now for RPC rooms based on view. Standard club level rooms are about $40 cheaper than Theme-park view club level rooms. I wasn't aware that RPC rooms with a view of the MK are more expensive. I guess this is a change. Am I correct on this? My apologies if this has been asked before.

That is new and makes sense to me.

 

[minniesota]

I was entering some dates for a possible January trip to the GF (after a few days at the new WAO) and noticed that there seems to be different pricing now for RPC rooms based on view. Standard club level rooms are about $40 cheaper than Theme-park view club level rooms. I wasn't aware that RPC rooms with a view of the MK are more expensive. I guess this is a change. Am I correct on this? My apologies if this has been asked before.

Where did you see this? I just made ressies online at RPC for January and the same categories as always were all that showed up. Options were Standard Room - Club Level; Deluxe Queen - Club Level and Deluxe King - Club Level.

 

[bethclayton]

Where did you see this? I just made ressies online at RPC for January and the same categories as always were all that showed up. Options were Standard Room - Club Level; Deluxe Queen - Club Level and Deluxe King - Club Level.

i have the same question as minniesota! where did you see this? i plugged in a few date ranges and nothing like that came up for club level. and, it clearly stated that standard club level rooms have either marina view, lagoon view, or theme park view. we have reservations for march and were told the same thing that i see on the website. i'd love theme park view room and would hate to miss out on booking one if it is, indeed, a bookable category now.

 

[BCV23]

Where did you see this? I just made ressies online at RPC for January and the same categories as always were all that showed up. Options were Standard Room - Club Level; Deluxe Queen - Club Level and Deluxe King - Club Level.

That is what I found, too.

 

[leane]

Hello - I have been trying to read up for the past few days. This is an amazing group - so helpful.

We are staying at the GF with the 4/3 special. Even though we would have stayed without it. We are having the once in a lifetime trip. My mom is coming with DH, and 2 DD's. We haven't had a vacation in 10 years due to my fathers illness and this was his dream. He wanted his girls to go to disney and celebrate his life. We are and can't wait

With the 4/3 deal we decided to splurge on the TPV mainly because i am hoping for an adjoining room if they have them. I was told at the GV level there weren't any. We will be celebrating DD's 8th birthday while there. She is excited, can't get it into her head that she can't ask cinderalla to come up to room to open presents with us I will try my best to get res. at 1900 for dinner on her big day though. I am wondering, if we upgrade to CL do you think we would have a better chance of securing the illuminations cruise on her bday? can't tell if CL is worth the additional $135 we already have the ddp but I really want to make her bday spectacular. However, we are funding this trip on my mom's dime (she got a great inheritance ) and I dont want to break her bank. but come on it is only $135 right

I look forward to finishing up the remaining 100 pages and getting to know you.

Leane

 

[suzcruz]

is the additional 135 per night or total?

 

[marielynn724]

it has been a dream of mine for many years to stay at the grand floridian on my honeymoon. now that i am finally getting married to the most wonderful man (my very own prince charming!) he is just as excited to honeymoon to disney world as i am. his parents have generously offered to give us a bit of financial help with our honeymoon, and it looks like staying at the grand floridian is now a reality! i'm over the moon excited. grand floridian, here i come, april 18th-24th!

 

[leane]

is the additional 135 per night or total?

well my current total is $5732.02 and when i priced the "outer lodge standard view club level" it came back with $5865 for the new total. So unless I am doing something wrong I think that would be less than $200 to upgrade to cl right???

 

[BCV23]

well my current total is $5732.02 and when i priced the "outer lodge standard view club level" it came back with $5865 for the new total. So unless I am doing something wrong I think that would be less than $200 to upgrade to cl right???

Welcome to the DIS!


And to the GF FAQ.....

For that small difference, I would leap on it.

However, the CM is wrong that about connecting rooms. There certainly are connecting rooms in GV.

Although it was many years ago now, I was able to book fireworks cruises on my own. Even with concierge help, you might not get it. But your daughter will have a very special birthday just being at WDW for the first time.

What a wonderful gift from your mother. How sweet that she can make your father's dream come true. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[leane]

Welcome to the DIS!


And to the GF FAQ.....

For that small difference, I would leap on it.

However, the CM is wrong that about connecting rooms. There certainly are connecting rooms in GV.

Although it was many years ago now, I was able to book fireworks cruises on my own. Even with concierge help, you might not get it. But your daughter will have a very special birthday just being at WDW for the first time.

What a wonderful gift from your mother. How sweet that she can make your father's dream come true. I am sorry for your loss.

thank you for the welcome and condolenses. It will make this trip bitter sweet.



I would think it is personal preference giving up seeing the fireworks from your balcony for CL treatment right?

I just had a thought. was thinking of maybe upgrading just one room to CL and keeping the other TPV so we can have the best of both worlds... Can we do that? The 2 ressies we have now are for 2 adults 2kids in one room and one adult in the 2nd. I would upgrade the 2a 2c to CL. Looking at the map I would think if we stayed in SL and then requested the TPV room to be in Conch if possible to be close to eachother we could make it work. My mother really likes the idea of the tpv and i want the CL however I dont know if she will be keen on the idea of being in different buildings. She didn't want to be far away from eachother.


I can't get enough of this planning. I want to decide on the room and stick with it. But I can't with all this information pouring in

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

well my current total is $5732.02 and when i priced the "outer lodge standard view club level" it came back with $5865 for the new total. So unless I am doing something wrong I think that would be less than $200 to upgrade to cl right???

hum, something does not sound quit right. it is always a difference from the WV rooms to CL, approx. 150 night difference, so with that being said, I would have a CM double check that. But good luck!! I am going to be there in Jan myself!! I cannot wait!!

 

[leane]

Ok -- just called and something in fact was wrong with the price on line it went up to $6699 - close to what we were paying without the 4/3 deal.
so... not upgrading.

But it will still be special. I will just go nuts with worry until I get online to make the adr's with everyone else in the world when the window moves to 180.. that would be fun

 

[suzcruz]

for $135 to $150, there is no way i would not do it. we were upgraded to SL and saved dining credits/money by enjoying breakfast and drinks (coffees/sodas/adult bevs.). Breakfast was so easy that i know we got to the parks earlier, you definitely won't regret it!

 

[UK Princess]

Just back from 11 glorious days at the GF!!!

Too tired and jet lagged to think right now but just wanted to check in and say hi!!!