The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[disneygirl319]

I'm starting to dig out of the laundry and took time to upload my photos. I used a new point and shoot camera that I am not thrilled with. I am used to an SLR but thought I'd pack light this time! So...here are a few samples from our trip this past week.

Courtesy of IPO. We were celebrating our 20th!

Couretsy of the GF:

I will post more later!

I like the anniversary items that you got! My DH and I are going for our anniversary as well and I wanted to see about ordering some special items. Did you order those items ahead of item or once you got there? Either way, how did you find out about what they had and how did you order them.

Thanks!

 

[minniesota]

Was the whirlpool area with the steam room and sauna just for women and just for men only? I.e., were they located in the separate locker room areas??

This was the women's whirlpool at the spa. The men's side is identical but for men only.

I like the anniversary items that you got! My DH and I are going for our anniversary as well and I wanted to see about ordering some special items. Did you order those items ahead of item or once you got there? Either way, how did you find out about what they had and how did you order them.

Thanks!

Both of these items were gifts - one was from the Itinerary Planning Office at the GF and the second one was a gift from the hotel. I did see something on the Disney Florist site that looked similar to our first gift:

http://www.disneyflorist.com/produc...eyworldflorist-toast-champagne-cheese/display

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Never Mind... I see the beach pool on an aerial map -- toward the polynesian.

Can someone tell me where is the beach pool? Any pictures? Thanks!

I've seen the courtyard pool before. There's supposed to be a second pool but I don't see it on the resort map (link below). http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/grandflomap.htm

 

[mmmears]

Never Mind... I see the beach pool on an aerial map -- toward the polynesian.

Can someone tell me where is the beach pool? Any pictures? Thanks!

I've seen the courtyard pool before. There's supposed to be a second pool but I don't see it on the resort map (link below). http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/grandflomap.htm

That's an old map. It's where the "summerhouse" is, basically. Pretty pool with a waterfall, a beach entry, and a fun slide!

 

[mmmears]

So you are looking for more square footage? We've stayed in the Deluxe Queen in RPC and the rooms are very generous in size. Your RPC key does work in the SL lodge. I don't know if technically you're supposed to use the SL lounge but I did pop in there for a couple glasses of water.

I didn't know we could do that -- would have been nice. The RPC lounge is too hard to get to from the pool IMO.

Yes, I'd love a larger room. The deluxe room is not much more $ than the standard room. Are there a lot of rooms in the main building? I'm wondering if I don't upgrade soon, the rooms will be booked up.

There are not all that many deluxe rooms there, so if you really, really want one I would suggest making the change now.

 

[Native NYer]

There are not all that many deluxe rooms there, so if you really, really want one I would suggest making the change now.

Disney may be getting a call from me today. How many deluxe queen rooms are there?

 

[mmmears]

Disney may be getting a call from me today. How many deluxe queen rooms are there?

I really don't know. I remember reading that there are just a handful of them, though. We had one booked, but then a discount came out and we switched to a standard RPC room since they didn't discount the deluxes (since there aren't many of them).

 

[Native NYer]

I really don't know. I remember reading that there are just a handful of them, though. We had one booked, but then a discount came out and we switched to a standard RPC room since they didn't discount the deluxes (since there aren't many of them).

We have a 40% off PIN, so I'll have to see if I can use it for a deluxe room.

I'm still debating whether or not the $900 extra is worth it for RPC/Main Building. I think it'll make getting around that much easier. Plus, I'm sure it'll be a unique and special experience.

 

[mmmears]

We have a 40% off PIN, so I'll have to see if I can use it for a deluxe room.

I'm still debating whether or not the $900 extra is worth it for RPC/Main Building. I think it'll make getting around that much easier. Plus, I'm sure it'll be a unique and special experience.

IMO it's really special to stay in the main building if you have the time to relax in the lounge and enjoy the lobby "feel" and the music from the live band in the evenings. As for convenience, yes it's closer to the monorail, but SL is closer to the boat launch and the pools, so it's kind of a toss up there depending on your needs/preferences.

The CMs in the RPC lounge were very helpful when we were there last summer. And it is nice to be in the main building when it's really hot or pouring rain, although all the outer buildings are pretty close at the GF. With a $900 difference (a lot to me), I guess you have to decide if it's worth it to you.

We had a 40% off this summer, and they didn't load a code in for the deluxe rooms. Just made my decision much easier... We really wanted to stay in the main building for a chance at a castle view (now it's a bookable category, though) and because we'd already stayed in SL and just wanted to try something a little different.

 

[Native NYer]

IMO it's really special to stay in the main building if you have the time to relax in the lounge and enjoy the lobby "feel" and the music from the live band in the evenings. As for convenience, yes it's closer to the monorail, but SL is closer to the boat launch and the pools, so it's kind of a toss up there depending on your needs/preferences.

The CMs in the RPC lounge were very helpful when we were there last summer. And it is nice to be in the main building when it's really hot or pouring rain, although all the outer buildings are pretty close at the GF. With a $900 difference (a lot to me), I guess you have to decide if it's worth it to you.

We had a 40% off this summer, and they didn't load a code in for the deluxe rooms. Just made my decision much easier... We really wanted to stay in the main building for a chance at a castle view (now it's a bookable category, though) and because we'd already stayed in SL and just wanted to try something a little different.

When I called to price RPC, they had a deluxe room with my 40% PIN for this August. I know there aren't any theme park views from the deluxe room ,but the extra space would be lovely. Are the deluxe rooms larger than the lodge tower rooms?

 

[es45]

Need some help, please. We just switched to GF thanks to a pin code for a one-night stay next Thursday! I'm busy reading this board but have a few questions for which I haven't yet found an answer.

About the transportation, it looks as though the monorail is quickest to MK and it is a 5-minute trip. How is it leaving MK at park closing? Is this the same monorail that I would take back to the TTC when I last stayed at POP? I'm asking because I'm traveling with two young children and two elderly women so standing in a long line (like we did our last trips to return to TTC) is not ideal. Would the boat be quicker?

Also, I'm requesting our rooms in the main building to make sure there is the least amount of walking to monorail and to the restaurants. Are these rooms more noisy than others? It looks as though the walk to the main pool isn't bad from this location either, unless I'm not reading the map correctly?

Finally, what might they do special for a birthday or anniversary? We will be celebrating both (in addition to one first visit) and I wondered if I could expect the character card that we've always gotten at POP or if GF is different.

TIA, I really appreciate the last-minute help!

 

[minniesota]

Need some help, please. We just switched to GF thanks to a pin code for a one-night stay next Thursday! I'm busy reading this board but have a few questions for which I haven't yet found an answer.

About the transportation, it looks as though the monorail is quickest to MK and it is a 5-minute trip. How is it leaving MK at park closing? Is this the same monorail that I would take back to the TTC when I last stayed at POP? I'm asking because I'm traveling with two young children and two elderly women so standing in a long line (like we did our last trips to return to TTC) is not ideal. Would the boat be quicker?

Also, I'm requesting our rooms in the main building to make sure there is the least amount of walking to monorail and to the restaurants. Are these rooms more noisy than others? It looks as though the walk to the main pool isn't bad from this location either, unless I'm not reading the map correctly?

Finally, what might they do special for a birthday or anniversary? We will be celebrating both (in addition to one first visit) and I wondered if I could expect the character card that we've always gotten at POP or if GF is different.

TIA, I really appreciate the last-minute help!

Congratulations on staying at the GF! I hope you have a great stay.

The rule of thumb at the GF is take the monorail to MK and the boat back! It's a nice trip via boat launch and GF is the first stop.

As far as the rooms go, I assume you are booked for Club Level Main Building since that is the only way you can stay in the main building. (It is all club level). Assuming you are, then no, the rooms are not noisier. Very quiet in fact! And you are right, the walk to the main pool is very short/easy.

As a club level guest, you should contact IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) and let them know you are arriving Thursday and you are celebrating your various occasions. They usually provide the special buttons with your packet and we have received the character cards in the past. You could always mention it to your planner. Enjoy!

 

[es45]

Congratulations on staying at the GF! I hope you have a great stay.

The rule of thumb at the GF is take the monorail to MK and the boat back! It's a nice trip via boat launch and GF is the first stop.

As far as the rooms go, I assume you are booked for Club Level Main Building since that is the only way you can stay in the main building. (It is all club level). Assuming you are, then no, the rooms are not noisier. Very quiet in fact! And you are right, the walk to the main pool is very short/easy.

As a club level guest, you should contact IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) and let them know you are arriving Thursday and you are celebrating your various occasions. They usually provide the special buttons with your packet and we have received the character cards in the past. You could always mention it to your planner. Enjoy!

No, we are just garden view so I'm mistaken about being able to stay in the main building. Is there a building that I should request to be closest to the main building and monorail? From the map, there looks to be a couple so I'm uncertain as to which is best.

 

[Figment1990]

No, we are just garden view so I'm mistaken about being able to stay in the main building. Is there a building that I should request to be closest to the main building and monorail? From the map, there looks to be a couple so I'm uncertain as to which is best.

Big pine key is one that is closer to the main building and the pools. Sago is also fairly close to the main building particularly to the quick counter service restaurant gasparillas. Really the gf is not that spread out phyically so it isn't much of a walk anywhere.

Also to comment on your earlier question about the monorail, taking the boat back is the general advice for gf stays. However, just to put it out there, there is a resort-only monorail from the mk that bypasses the ttc stop. The gf will still be the last stop though which is why people recommend the boat. However that resort only monorail should in theory be less crowded than the ttc monorail. Theoretically. I've never noticed if it is.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[minniesota]

No, we are just garden view so I'm mistaken about being able to stay in the main building. Is there a building that I should request to be closest to the main building and monorail? From the map, there looks to be a couple so I'm uncertain as to which is best.

I just returned from the GF and made a point of looking at all the building views since that question is asked so often. GF is really a pretty compact resort but I would say the closest lodges to the main building are Big Pine and Boca Chica. Garden views would be of the courtyard pool and surrounding landscape/buildings. There are some GV rooms in Big Pine, however, that have views of the backside of the poolhouse (if you are on the first 2 or 3 floors).

So if you request either of those lodges, I would also request a higher floor. My favorite GV rooms are in Sago "marina view". They look out at the marina and across the water to Sugar Loaf and Conch. It's a quiet building, a bit off the beaten path, closest to Gasparilla Grill and about a 4 minute walk to the monorail station.

By the way, I would mention your celebrations to the CM upon checking in. They should have the buttons available at the check-in desk.

 

[es45]

Big pine key is one that is closer to the main building and the pools. Sago is also fairly close to the main building particularly to the quick counter service restaurant gasparillas. Really the gf is not that spread out phyically so it isn't much of a walk anywhere.

Also to comment on your earlier question about the monorail, taking the boat back is the general advice for gf stays. However, just to put it out there, there is a resort-only monorail from the mk that bypasses the ttc stop. The gf will still be the last stop though which is why people recommend the boat. However that resort only monorail should in theory be less crowded than the ttc monorail. Theoretically. I've never noticed if it is.

Enjoy your stay!

I just returned from the GF and made a point of looking at all the building views since that question is asked so often. GF is really a pretty compact resort but I would say the closest lodges to the main building are Big Pine and Boca Chica. Garden views would be of the courtyard pool and surrounding landscape/buildings. There are some GV rooms in Big Pine, however, that have views of the backside of the poolhouse (if you are on the first 2 or 3 floors).

So if you request either of those lodges, I would also request a higher floor. My favorite GV rooms are in Sago "marina view". They look out at the marina and across the water to Sugar Loaf and Conch. It's a quiet building, a bit off the beaten path, closest to Gasparilla Grill and about a 4 minute walk to the monorail station.

By the way, I would mention your celebrations to the CM upon checking in. They should have the buttons available at the check-in desk.

Thanks for the quick replies and suggestions!

 

[minniesota]

Here is the view of the pool house backside from a first floor room in Big Pine.

And another from Big Pine:

Here is the marina. Sago is on your right and the main building is at the end of the marina.

The view from Gasparilla's. Sago is on your left.

Taken from the front doors of Sago.

Taken from the back side of Sago. Also a GV of the back lagoon and monorail.

 

[GladGame]

This probably depends on a lot of factors, but if we arrive at the GF around 1:00pm, what are the chances that our room will be ready? We are arriving on Saturday, Jan. 30 (not too much longer -- so excited!).

All the recent pictures are great, by the way! Thanks for posting!

 

[minniesota]

This probably depends on a lot of factors, but if we arrive at the GF around 1:00pm, what are the chances that our room will be ready? We are arriving on Saturday, Jan. 30 (not too much longer -- so excited!).

All the recent pictures are great, by the way! Thanks for posting!

I think your chances are 50-50! We arrived on a Saturday (a week ago) and one of our rooms was ready and the other was not. Obviously, we put everything in one room and went about our day. We arrived about noon.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I think your chances are 50-50! We arrived on a Saturday (a week ago) and one of our rooms was ready and the other was not. Obviously, we put everything in one room and went about our day. We arrived about noon.

Our plane gets in at 11:30am, so I'm assuming when we get to GF, the room probably won't be ready yet. We're planning on having ME take care of our bags, so I assume we'll just check in and head to AK for the afternoon. Will the concierge have our tickets early?