The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[minniesota]

i'm getting so confused reading some recent posts.

ok, long story short... when we first booked almost a year ago, we booked 2 deluxe queen RPC rooms. then, the buy 4 get 3 free promo came up and our travel agent was unable to get us the deal so we went directly through disney and canceled the TA ressie. disney (WDTC, i guess) did not have any deluxe rooms available, so we went with two standard RPC rooms. i was fine with this because i knew the deluxe rooms did not have any castle views and i figured that with standard we'd have a shot at a castle view. because i wanted to have at least a shot at the castle view, i never tried to get the deluxe rooms back.

now i am seeing that TPV is bookable in RPC? so this means we will have no chance of a castle view at all with our standard view (which i realize was only a chance, but a chance is still a chance, right?)??? if so, i admit i'm a bit upset; if i knew we'd have zero chance, i would have just kept trying to get our deluxe rooms back, even if it meant calling all the time.

please help me understand if this is correct!

if so, what is the window of time to make changes without a penalty? if we won't incur a fee (we are 37 days out), then i guess we will try to see if we can get TPV or the deluxe rooms back. i'm sure we'll be SOL, because RPC for that promo sold out the day it was released, but i guess it would be worth a shot.

Are you working with anyone in IPO? A specific CM? I would explain to them that you made your ressie prior to the change in view categories (they went into effect around Nov. 1) and that you have been trying to change your reservation to TPV but there has been no availability. Tell them you will continue to try and secure TPV but in the event nothing opens up, you would love to request a TPV room if any are available upon check-in. The IPO CMs do have some pull in which rooms are assigned to you so if you can establish a connection with one and make your wishes known, you'd at least have a chance! Good luck!

 

[Native NYer]

I just found out the sink area at AKL does not have a door. Does the sink area of the GF have a door? I know the toilet/tub area does, but what about the sink area?

TIA!

 

[BCV23]

I just found out the sink area at AKL does not have a door. Does the sink area of the GF have a door? I know the toilet/tub area does, but what about the sink area?

TIA!

No, it does not. The sinks are in an alcove off the entrance to the room. The door to the shower/tub and toilet is in the alcove, too.

 

[TarzansKat]

I apologize if this is a repeat question. For anyone who has been there recently, what are the drink offerings with the refillable mug?

I know that the food court will have traditional sodas, but any non-carbonated beverages like iced tea, and flavored lemonades, etc?

Thanks much.

 

[Native NYer]

No, it does not. The sinks are in an alcove off the entrance to the room. The door to the shower/tub and toilet is in the alcove, too.

Thanks

 

[minniesota]

I apologize if this is a repeat question. For anyone who has been there recently, what are the drink offerings with the refillable mug?

I know that the food court will have traditional sodas, but any non-carbonated beverages like iced tea, and flavored lemonades, etc?

Thanks much.

The self-service drinks include Coke products (including Minute Maid lemonade), iced tea, coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate. Enjoy!

 

[Native NYer]

I also asked this on the CL thread, but maybe someone here can help.

Is oatmeal available at breakfast in the RPC lounge? I saw on other threads that it's offered at AKL and Poly lounges.

Also, what are some of the typical evening offerings in the lounge?

We're so excited about our first stay at the GF!

 

[minniesota]

I also asked this on the CL thread, but maybe someone here can help.

Is oatmeal available at breakfast in the RPC lounge? I saw on other threads that it's offered at AKL and Poly lounges.

Also, what are some of the typical evening offerings in the lounge?

We're so excited about our first stay at the GF!

I did not see oatmeal in RPC this past visit. If you ask, sometimes they have had the instant packets in the back. They definitely have hot water out so if you really want it you could bring a few packets from home!

The evening offerings seem to be somewhat theme-based. We had an Asian-inspired night that included potstickers, satay, small plates with Asian salad, etc. We also had a Mediterranean night with Greek phyllo treats, skewered meat (lamb?), salads, etc. One night I remember little Chicken Wellingtons that were delicious. In addition to at least 2 hot items each night, there was always a big cheese tray, olives, crackers, flatbreads and hummus dips, spreads and a large veggie tray with dip. There are also soft drinks, beer, two white wines, two red wines and champagne. On the kids' buffet, I noticed tortilla pinwheels with turkey or ham and cheese and pbj Crustables plus all the sweet treats!

 

[TarzansKat]

The self-service drinks include Coke products (including Minute Maid lemonade), iced tea, coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate. Enjoy!

Thank you very much. I'll definitely be getting a refillable mug, there's plenty of selection for me.

 

[canadianmickey13]

hello,
we've booked at TPV room in RPC. Can anyone tell us if we'll be abe to see the fireworks and the nighttime water parade from our balcony? If not, where are good places at the GF to view these from?
thanks very much.

 

[minniesota]

hello,
we've booked at TPV room in RPC. Can anyone tell us if we'll be abe to see the fireworks and the nighttime water parade from our balcony? If not, where are good places at the GF to view these from?
thanks very much.

Welcome to the GF thread!

You will have a great view of the fireworks! You will be able to see the Electrical Water Parade only as it starts and finishes. The parade barges are stored in the back lagoon just past Sago. They pull out into the lagoon and the music and lights start once all the barges are out of that parked area so you will only see/hear it as it takes off.

Barges parked behind Sago (building on the left):

Castle at night and open water area in which you'll catch the start of the parade:

If you want a better view of the parade, head down to the boat dock where you have a more panoramic view of the lagoon. The fireworks music is also piped in there and in front of Gasparilla Grill (which you might be able to hear in your room since TPV rooms are above Gasparilla's). Enjoy!

 

[Native NYer]

I did not see oatmeal in RPC this past visit. If you ask, sometimes they have had the instant packets in the back. They definitely have hot water out so if you really want it you could bring a few packets from home!

The evening offerings seem to be somewhat theme-based. We had an Asian-inspired night that included potstickers, satay, small plates with Asian salad, etc. We also had a Mediterranean night with Greek phyllo treats, skewered meat (lamb?), salads, etc. One night I remember little Chicken Wellingtons that were delicious. In addition to at least 2 hot items each night, there was always a big cheese tray, olives, crackers, flatbreads and hummus dips, spreads and a large veggie tray with dip. There are also soft drinks, beer, two white wines, two red wines and champagne. On the kids' buffet, I noticed tortilla pinwheels with turkey or ham and cheese and pbj Crustables plus all the sweet treats!

Thanks!!!

 

[mmmears]

hello,
we've booked at TPV room in RPC. Can anyone tell us if we'll be abe to see the fireworks and the nighttime water parade from our balcony? If not, where are good places at the GF to view these from?
thanks very much.

We stayed in one of those rooms last summer -- you'll have a great view of the fireworks!!! I was disappointed that we couldn't see the EWP from our room, but then I know that it glides right in front of Boca Chica (we had a great view of it when we stayed in that building). But your balcony will give you a great, uncrowded view of the fireworks over the castle!

 

[GladGame]

Do you tip mousekeeping in the morning, or at night for the turndown service, or both?

Thanks!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Do you tip mousekeeping in the morning, or at night for the turndown service, or both?

Thanks!

We tip the last day of the trip.

 

[mmmears]

Do you tip mousekeeping in the morning, or at night for the turndown service, or both?

Thanks!

We tip every morning, and most nights (sometimes it doesn't work with our schedule).

 

[BCV23]

We tip like that, too, mmmears.

The problem with tipping at the end of the trip is that you may miss the housekeeper that took care of your room most days.

 

[mike48]

Hey all,
I finally found some time to download all my pictures from our vacation (I took over 550) and our first stay at the GF. Although my wife and I have been to Disney numerous times over the years it was the first time for our two boys ages 6 and 3. Needless to say we had a great time and enjoyed the Grand Floridian too.

We stayed in Big Pine Key with a theme park view for 8 days and 7 nights (Jan 15 to Jan 22). I had requested a room on the highest floor possible and we ended up on the 3rd floor with a great unobstructed view of the castle (room 9344). Big Pine is sort of shaped like a "T" and the theme park view rooms are at the end of the building in the top part of the "T". I don't think there is any building that is inconvenient at the GF, however, Big Pine is in a great location in my opinion since its between both pools, closest to the beach, has incredible views of the lake and castle (our room at least) and is right next to the main building. I had seen a few questions on this board about how far it is to walk the grounds but let me assure those in doubt that there really is not a long walk anywhere and the grounds are more compact than what you perceive in most pictures. From the front door of Big Pine Key to the entrance of the main building by the GF Cafe I counted 110 steps.

From the minute we arrived the treatment we received from every CM at the GF was fantastic. We arrived at noon and our room wasnt ready yet but we were still able to check in and get our welcome packet. I had used online check-in a few days earlier so check in was fast. The CM at the desk told me he would send a text message with our room # when the room was ready. We used this time to walk around the main building and the outside grounds and grab a quick bite to eat at Gasparillas. About 1:15pm I received a text that the room was ready. The bellhops were quick to deliver our luggage to the room once we got in. The room was fantastic as expected. The only minor discrepancy with the room occurred on the first night when the mini-fridge started vibrating and humming very loud at about 11pm. I had to pull it out of the cabinet and unplug it. The next morning before going to the parks I informed the front desk and when we returned later that night the fridge had been switched out with a new one. The gentleman at the desk was pleasant and didn't seem at all surprised that it had happened. Almost like it might be a common problem.

Our room view was fantastic. We had a clear view of everything including the castle, space mountain, the lake, the Water Parade at night and some of the Polynesian. In my opinion the Water Parade is overrated. It's the same show every night and really isn't interesting beyond the first time you see it. The fireworks are fantastic every night though. Twice while we were there we were treated to a 'bonus' unexpected fireworks show at midnight over the castle. The park was closed and I thought they might have been testing the choreography for a new show but a bellhop later told me that most of the time its for a special event for conventions or VIP's that rent out the Magic Kingdom after it closes for the night. One night the show was unbelievable and was probably one of the best fireworks displays I had ever seen. The number of fireworks used was at least 15-20 times what a regular "Wishes" show has and several times lit the sky like it was daytime.

As I said earlier, the GF was just fantastic and I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else on our next trip to Disney. We'll be going again next year at the same time. Unfortunately Disney won't post the 2011 prices until sometime at the end of the summer so we'll have to wait until then to be able to book it.

I tried to take some pictures that I hadn't yet seen here on the board. There are plenty of lobby pictures everywhere and while you can never get tired of seeing the GF lobby I thought it would be helpful to newcomers to see other areas. In my next post I'll try to give some advice on the restaurants and some places I found to help get the most out of the Dining Plan.

 

[mmmears]

mike48 -- great review!!! I'm looking forward to your next post and your photos! Glad you liked your TPV room in Big Pine. We were in Boca Chica twice and loved it there. Glad to know that BP has great views, too, especially since I love that location between the two pools.

 

[mike48]

Well apparently this board doesn't let you post pictures until you have 10 posts to your name so the pics are going to have to wait a minute.