The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[Tam1067]

I am requesting Conch Key or Sago Cay..... remembering my view from the Tahiti Bldg at Poly and looking at the GF map, those seem to have the most direct view of the castle (from the end of the buildings).

But I understand that TPV rooms could also be in Boca Chica and Big Pine Key. I don't see how rooms in either of these two buildings could have a good view of the castle without leaning one way or the other. If that's the case, I could save $600 and just have a garden view and walk to the beach to look at the castle.

We stayed in Big Pine Key last summer. We'd booked garden view but were upgraded to lagoon view upon arrival. We had a nice view of the Polynesian and the wedding pavillion, but I cannot imagine that building having good theme park views. After a flooded bathroom due to a leaking pipe in the wall, we were moved to a theme park view in Boca Chica. We were in a corner room which was great because it was larger than a regular room and had two balconies. We were at the end closest to Narcoosee's. From one balcony, we could see Narcoosse's, and from the other, we had a view of the castle. Our view of MK was quite nice. We could see the castle and the Contemporary; the castle was pretty much straight ahead, and the Contemporary was off to the side. We could also hear the train whistle from MK and music from the parades. Also, we could see the water parade. So if you're in Boca Chica, you should be okay.

 

[Native NYer]

I stayed in a Deluxe King with Magical Kingdom View in the main building - I have to say, I felt special from the moment I got off the ME bus. A woman met me and escorted me to my room for check-in there, and showed me where all the amenities were. I was greeted by flowers and balloons delivered by the Disney Florist as well as a snack package of some kind that was sent by friends. I had the room with the whirlpool tub, which I REALLY appreciated for soaking after all that walking at the parks!

Basin White has great soaps and bath bombs/powders to try. I got a bunch - some I sent to friends and the others I used myself.

The spa was not crowded at all during the timeframe I was there (Jan 22-29), and I was able to make immediate reservations. It is great to get a pedicure prior to walking around Epcot - it really revitalized my feet!!

I think Joe Walker is the best concierge there. He took me on a tour of the Roy Disney suite and the Walt Disney suite while I was there - those are MIGHTY FABULOUS rooms!

My room had a great view of the castle - you pulled back the curtains and the castle was centered - I could lie in bed and watch the castle all night if I left the curtains open. My room number was 4201.

I rebooked for December - I can't wait to see the Christmas decorations at this hotel! I really do not ever want to stay in any of the other hotels after this. I can't tell you how beautiful it was. Try to stay in the main building if you can at this hotel. The staff knows what rooms are in the main building, so you can work with them to make sure if that is what you want.

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. We're staying in a RPC Deluxe Queen this summer and are so excited!

One question: Does someone meet all of the RPC guests at the ME bus stop?

 

[minniesota]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. We're staying in a RPC Deluxe Queen this summer and are so excited!

One question: Does someone meet all of the RPC guests at the ME bus stop?

Someone should meet you if you are an RPC guest! The CMs have a list of guests arriving by ME and if you are in a car or limo service, the guard at the gate checks your name on a list and I believe the CMs are then notified because we have always been greeted by name upon arrival via towncar. It feels very special!

 

[minniesota]

That TPV category is confusing because of the way the resort is positioned in relation to the castle. I guess they aren't promising you a view of the castle - just the theme park! So there are rooms, especially on the Big Pine Key side that might have a glimpse of Space Mountain but one would have to stretch their heads way around to see the castle or might not see it at all! I always recommend Sago or Conch for TPV room requests if you want to see the castle. There are no obstructions at all in Sago and just a couple of trees in front of Conch. And remember, you can always politely ask to be moved if your room is unsatisfactory in any way.

 

[minniesota]

Hi johnsonet and Tammi! Good to see you on the GF thread. You both have great GF expertise to share!

 

[mike48]

This was my TPV room from Big Pine Key room 9344. As you can see it was a nice, unobstructed view of the Magic Kingdom. No, I couldn't lay on my bed and watch fireworks but you didn't have to lean over any balconies to watch them either. I was pleased with my view. Besides, in the beautiful Florida weather why would you be laying in bed at 8pm instead of being outside and enjoying the show from your balcony?

Big Pine is shaped somewhat like a T. The large majority of the rooms will be either GV or Lagoon view. The rooms at the end of the hallway in the top part of the T face toward the MK unlike the rest of the building. I believe there are 6 of these rooms on both the 2nd and 3rd floors.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

This was my TPV room from Big Pine Key room 9344. As you can see it was a nice, unobstructed view of the Magic Kingdom. No, I couldn't lay on my bed and watch fireworks but you didn't have to lean over any balconies to watch them either. I was pleased with my view. Besides, in the beautiful Florida weather why would you be laying in bed at 8pm instead of being outside and enjoying the show from your balcony?

Big Pine is shaped somewhat like a T. The large majority of the rooms will be either GV or Lagoon view. The rooms at the end of the hallway in the top part of the T face toward the MK unlike the rest of the building. I believe there are 6 of these rooms on both the 2nd and 3rd floors.

That's beautiful.

It's funny, because we're going to have a TPV view, too, main building, but we're *never* going to be in our room for Wishes, I don't think, unless we're changing for dinner.

 

[johnsonet]

I agree, there is something magical about getting off the boat or monorail at the end of the evening, and walking back to your room through those lovely grounds.

I am requesting Conch Key or Sago Cay..... remembering my view from the Tahiti Bldg at Poly and looking at the GF map, those seem to have the most direct view of the castle (from the end of the buildings).

But I understand that TPV rooms could also be in Boca Chica and Big Pine Key. I don't see how rooms in either of these two buildings could have a good view of the castle without leaning one way or the other. If that's the case, I could save $600 and just have a garden view and walk to the beach to look at the castle.

I've stayed in several rooms in Boca Chica with great TPV rooms.

Hi johnsonet and Tammi! Good to see you on the GF thread. You both have great GF expertise to share!

Thank you minniesota I'm really looking forward to returning to the Grand in just a few more months. I need to go ahead and book Afternoon Tea and Citrico's Can't wait to get there

 

[Figment1990]

That TPV category is confusing because of the way the resort is positioned in relation to the castle. I guess they aren't promising you a view of the castle - just the theme park! So there are rooms, especially on the Big Pine Key side that might have a glimpse of Space Mountain but one would have to stretch their heads way around to see the castle or might not see it at all! I always recommend Sago or Conch for TPV room requests if you want to see the castle. There are no obstructions at all in Sago and just a couple of trees in front of Conch. And remember, you can always politely ask to be moved if your room is unsatisfactory in any way.

I think this is the key explanation. Theme Park View is not meant to mean "Castle View" at the Grand Floridian. Our surprise upgrade Boca Chica room definitely had a Theme Park view - we could see Space Mountain and the train station, but had to look hard left and peek around a tree to see the castle. We didn't mind though, because it was a surprise upgrade and we were never in our room for Wishes anyways. We did watch Wishes from the dock area by Narcoosees once and it was very nice. We plan to have dinner there on our next trip and hopefully catch the fireworks. But my favorite fireworks place is still standing at the top of mainstreet in the hub..... Just something magical about being surrounded by the magic.

 

[johnsonet]

Theme Park View is not meant to mean "Castle View" at the Grand Floridian.

Exactly
And so, even if you had not been upgraded, and had paid for a TPV, the view description still is fairly described.
If you can see Space Mountain or Astro Orbiter, then you have a view of the Magic Kingdom Theme Park

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Exactly
And so, even if you had not been upgraded, and had paid for a TPV, the view description still is fairly described.
If you can see Space Mountain or Astro Orbiter, then you have a view of the Magic Kingdom Theme Park

Has anyone been told this by a reservations CM because I get a different story....

Different WDW reservations CMs have recently told me that theme park view rooms will have an unobstructed view of the castle...I was recently told this for rooms booked at the Grand Floridian, the same as I was told for the Polynesian... and they said that some rooms with a blocked view (usually a tree) are lagoon view rooms. So, an angled view of the castle maybe... but not NO view of the castle... and I'll assume that if I have to put my self in danger by leaning over the balcony to see the castle... that's not a theme park view room.

I can't imagine anyone paying about $500-700 more a week to look at space mountain.

 

[Figment1990]

Hmmm.. interesting what the cast memeber said about the Castle View. I can understand that rooms with partially blocked views are "lagoon views" - that is how it is over at the Poly too. I guess I just always assumed that "theme park view" meant a view of the theme park, not the castle. If Disney means Castle view, they should call it that!

And personally, I would pay $500-700 more a week to see space mountain again from my Boca Chica room. Our total view was quite gorgeous - we could see all of the hotels in the area (WL, Poly, CR), plus the magic kingdom, and enjoyed it very much.

Room unpredictability is one thing that I have come to accept (finally) with WDW. I do my best to make a request for a particular building or amenity, and hope for the best. If I'm too unhappy about a particular possibility, then I won't take the chance. For example, I really do not like the Tuvalu building at the Poly. Since there are so few TPV rooms at the poly that are not CL (I think just Tuvalu and Tahiti), I don't take the chance of booking TPV. With GF, I think there are enough really nice TPV rooms that you have a good chance of getting a request granted (say, if you place a request for anythign in Conch or Sago). I'm a little nervous about getting a parking lot view in our Poly GV room. I put in room requests, but I'm arriving armed with a Poly map and if I need to ask about a different location, I'll try that - even if I have to pay for an upgrade. If not, I'll do my best to not let it bother me.

Has anyone ever booked GV and then paid to upgrade to LV or TPV when they arrived if there was availability (at any resort)? Do you lose any discount you had if you do that?

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We have paid for a TPV room, and got a room in Boca Chica that had a straight-on view of the Contemporary and to the left, Space Mountain/Astro Orbiter. If you looked left there was a tree, if you leaned over the balcony you could see the castle.

As previous posters have mentioned, the designation is "Theme Park View", not "Castle View". The reservations CMs get things wrong all the time, the only way to know anything for sure is to contact the resort directly.

Your best bet is to talk with the cast members at check in, maybe you'll get a perfect castle view.

 

[johnsonet]

Has anyone been told this by a reservations CM because I get a different story....

Different WDW reservations CMs have recently told me that theme park view rooms will have an unobstructed view of the castle...I was recently told this for rooms booked at the Grand Floridian, the same as I was told for the Polynesian... and they said that some rooms with a blocked view (usually a tree) are lagoon view rooms. So, an angled view of the castle maybe... but not NO view of the castle... and I'll assume that if I have to put my self in danger by leaning over the balcony to see the castle... that's not a theme park view room.

I can't imagine anyone paying about $500-700 more a week to look at space mountain.

I've never asked about the views and also most of my "theme park views" were in the days before the category even existed (used to be only Lagoon or Garden, plus concierge levels and suites) - lately we either stay club level or garden view. Anyway, not sure about the unobstructed view of the Castle. If you can see Space Mtn, odds are you'd be able to see Cinderella's Castle as well.

I think a LOT of people complain about the views and that is why Disney keeps tinkering with the names of the categories (most recently in the case of the Polynesian). I'm actually glad that for the Royal Palm Club level they have finally put Theme Park View rooms in their own category - just so that people can be SURE of what they're getting. However, the prices are For example, for $810/nt during regular season, you can have a standard room in the main bldg. without a view of the Castle and for $855 WITH the Castle view. Non-club level, TPV rooms are $615 during this time period (these are rack rate, weekend night prices). It's getting pretty crazy!

My only experience with what constitutes a "TPV" at GF is that about two years ago, I booked a GV room at the GF. A day or two before I arrived, I checked my on-line reservation and saw that my room category had changed to "Theme Park View" or "Magic Kingdom View" or whatever they were calling it at that time . I had been magically upgraded and was really, really thrilled. Our room was in Big Pine Key and was a corner room with two balconies and a good bit of extra space. Views from within the room were of the lagoon on both sides (our room was in the lower right corner of Big Pine Key in the image below, from allears

From one balcony, we could see Wishes every night This was our view by day:

Looking ahead from this same balcony:

Looking to the right of this same balcony (had I been standing up, you would be able to see the lagoon and peeks of the Poly)

Hmmm.. interesting what the cast member said about the Castle View. I can understand that rooms with partially blocked views are "lagoon views" - that is how it is over at the Poly too. I guess I just always assumed that "theme park view" meant a view of the theme park, not the castle. If Disney means Castle view, they should call it that! ...

I totally agree!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Has anyone ever booked GV and then paid to upgrade to LV or TPV when they arrived if there was availability (at any resort)? Do you lose any discount you had if you do that?

We have paid for garden view and upgraded to CL when we arrived a couple of times. Sometimes, they offer the upgrade at a discount, others it is rack, just depends on availability. A few times we've asked and it was rack, so we passed.

 

[Figment1990]

My only experience with what constitutes a "TPV" at GF is that about two years ago, I booked a GV room at the GF. A day or two before I arrived, I checked my on-line reservation and saw that my room category had changed to "Theme Park View" or "Magic Kingdom View" or whatever they were calling it at that time . I had been magically upgraded and was really, really thrilled. Our room was in Big Pine Key and was a corner room with two balconies and a good bit of extra space. Views from within the room were of the lagoon on both sides (our room was in the lower right corner of Big Pine Key in the image below, from allears

I would LOVE that room! I've heard about those corner Big Pine Key rooms....

Dumb question here... how do you check a reservation online? Did you have to book it online?

 

[johnsonet]

I know - those corner rooms are great!
Log onto www.disneyworld.com
Click on "My Disney Vacation" and scroll down to "reservation retrieval"
Are you registered on the WDW site? Hopefully so. If not, I guess you can sign on and then fill in your info (Reservation Number, Last Name of Primary Guest, Resort Name and Arrival Date). Good luck!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for posting those beautiful photos, johnsonet! What a view!

 

[mike48]

Regarding availability on the day you arrive, I spoke at length with a very helpful bellhop on my visit 3 weeks ago and we got on the topic of how busy they get in the winter. He told me the economy has affected occupancy rates at some of the other resorts but at the GF they still consistently run around 90% capacity. Even in the slowest season. I would imagine that at anytime they're over 90% capacity it doesn't leave too much wiggle room for last minute changes. If it were my vacation I would just go ahead and pay now to get what you want. I wouldn't bank on them having the flexibility to change things on short notice.

 

[johnsonet]

I spoke at length with a very helpful bellhop on my visit 3 weeks ago and we got on the topic of how busy they get in the winter. He told me the economy has affected occupancy rates at some of the other resorts but at the GF they still consistently run around 90% capacity. Even in the slowest season.

That's what those valets always say