The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[mmmears]

We're trying that on our next trip - 5 weeks in Florida and only 1 carry on each

Now that's impressive!

I have to say that not having to wait for our luggage at the airport was awesome -- it's been a long time (since DD was born) since we've been able to travel like that and it just felt so liberating. I had a Garden Grocer order for water and any liquids that I couldn't carry with us.

 

[praline3001]

Anyone know if you can use the Disney gift cards at Basin White?
Savannah has a couple of gift cards and she wants to buy some bath bombs as she LOVES the bath bombs. I told her she had to use her own money

I don't think they are a "Disney owned store" so not sure if she can use her gifts cards or not

 

[johnsonet]

Thank you very much, Johnsonet.

You're welcome BTW, small (1 load) boxes of Tide are $1, as are 2-packs of dryer sheets.

We're trying that on our next trip - 5 weeks in Florida and only 1 carry on each

We do have an Owners Locker which means we already have a lot of our "US" stuff over there, like plug adapters, battery chargers etc., and some clothes for DH & I. I'll do some laundry and we'll buy some things if we need them but it will be so much less hassle than bringing suitcases. Especially getting off the plane after a 9 hour flight.

Hi TinkTatoo ~ it's been a while
5 weeks and one carry-on each? That really is impressive
Owner's Locker is an interesting concept...
What an awesome trip you have planned! Can't wait to hear how you like Sugar Loaf

 

[loralie]

Thanks to everyone for the info on the mousekeeping envelopes. Today I am at the 10 day mark! I was thinking of doing the online check in. Anyone try it? I have to get ready for work now but was thinking of trying it when I get home later. Is there any reason why we should NOT do the online check in?

Thanks,

Loralie

 

[BCV23]

Thanks to everyone for the info on the mousekeeping envelopes. Today I am at the 10 day mark! I was thinking of doing the online check in. Anyone try it? I have to get ready for work now but was thinking of trying it when I get home later. Is there any reason why we should NOT do the online check in?

Thanks,

Loralie

I did online checkin for BCV on 3/1. It was great. My packet was ready to go including room keys. They had been able to see the requests I had made with the original reservation.

Unless it has changed, the requests within the online form don't really help. For me, choices were refrigerator and/or pack n play. Neither request makes any sense at BCV. I haven't read what's on the form for the GF. Some resorts it's apparently "near transportation" and/or "near elevator." I think I left both choices unchecked. Anyway, don't worry if the form doesn't seem to offer the request you're interested in. The assignor should be able to see what's on your original reservation.

 

[TinkTatoo]

....I have to say that not having to wait for our luggage at the airport was awesome -- it's been a long time (since DD was born) since we've been able to travel like that and it just felt so liberating. I had a Garden Grocer order for water and any liquids that I couldn't carry with us.

My two will be 11 & 12 this trip so that makes it so much easier and we'll shop in Target for all the liquids etc., that we can't carry on the plane.

Hi TinkTatoo ~ it's been a while
5 weeks and one carry-on each? That really is impressive
Owner's Locker is an interesting concept...
What an awesome trip you have planned! Can't wait to hear how you like Sugar Loaf

Hi there

the impressive thing will be if we manage to come home with only one carry on each

Owners locker works for us as we make at least one trip a year and we would have things that we only ever used in Florida

I'm looking forward to our GF stay and will be sure to post once I get back

 

[heatherlynn444]

really random question, anyone know how far the path is from the GF to the Poly? I ahve walked it but never really thought about it. I plan on running in the morning some and am trying to plan out my "route"

3 weeks from today!

 

[kat_balou]

really random question, anyone know how far the path is from the GF to the Poly? I ahve walked it but never really thought about it. I plan on running in the morning some and am trying to plan out my "route"

3 weeks from today!

Dh and I walked it last week at a leisurely pace going to our Kona ADR. It was about 10 min.

 

[highsmith]

I need to make ressies for October, but have not stayed at GF for years.

Which building is better. I am taking my mom, for her 60th birthday, my three year old daughter and her nanny. I will probably get two rooms to make life easier.

TIA!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Building preference will get many different replies from everyone. If you are not staying in Sugar loaf (concierge) I liked Big Pine Keyes the best. Over the last 10 years I have stayed in all of them. Big Pine Keyes is my favorite because it is close to the main building, the quiet pool and out the back close to the beach. I found it to be one of the more relaxed building and still near all the action. My least favorite was #5 (sorry the name escapes me) but it is the building near the monorail down away from the marina. Early morning all I could hear was deliveries and CMs coming to work. Also, after awhile the noise from the monorail was annoying.

 

[loralie]

I did online checkin for BCV on 3/1. It was great. My packet was ready to go including room keys. They had been able to see the requests I had made with the original reservation.

Unless it has changed, the requests within the online form don't really help. For me, choices were refrigerator and/or pack n play. Neither request makes any sense at BCV. I haven't read what's on the form for the GF. Some resorts it's apparently "near transportation" and/or "near elevator." I think I left both choices unchecked. Anyway, don't worry if the form doesn't seem to offer the request you're interested in. The assignor should be able to see what's on your original reservation.

I really did not request anything on my original reservation. We booked GV so I read on this thread that you can request marina view if you booked GV so that is what I asked when I called back to add park hoppers to my package. Would the request be listed on the paperwork I got in the mail? I don't remember seeing a request for marina view. Of course I want to be in RPC or SL but could not swing the extra $$$. Anyway we can request a free upgrade? Now that would be some awesome pixi dust to get.

Loralie

 

[BlueSkies]

Brook Love the home made envelope idea...I bet the mousekeepers must think they are cute too...

Loralie 10 days... you are a short timer!!!

highsmith I have not stayed in the main building (also known as Royal Palm Club) but I have stayed in SL several times...and initially chose it because of its location on the GF property(this was great with little ones in tow!) ...easy access to the court yard pool and the fact that it had easy access to the concierge lounge as well...made our trip that much more relaxing...

But I have read so many wonderful things about RPC...how lovely it is to stay in the main building...hearing the piano or band in the evenings etc...the beautiful lounges (the one in SL is small with many bistro tables-nice for a quick bite) also the terrific CMs (although SL has great CMs too)...

Ok no help here!!! just some opinions...to sum it up I think you'll enjoy either one...

 

[BlueSkies]

I really did not request anything on my original reservation. We booked GV so I read on this thread that you can request marina view if you booked GV so that is what I asked when I called back to add park hoppers to my package. Would the request be listed on the paperwork I got in the mail? I don't remember seeing a request for marina view. Of course I want to be in RPC or SL but could not swing the extra $$$. Anyway we can request a free upgrade? Now that would be some awesome pixi dust to get.

Loralie

Loralie I have read that the less you request on your reservation the greater the chances of getting any pixie dust... If you really want marina view I would just call and check that your request is listed on your reservation...

I am wishing pixie dust for you too!!

 

[praline3001]

Brook Love the home made envelope idea...I bet the mousekeepers must think they are cute too...

I don't know about cute as she is only in the second grade but it DOES keep her busy and gives her something to do for our trip

 

[Misti]

My least favorite was #5 (sorry the name escapes me) but it is the building near the monorail down away from the marina. Early morning all I could hear was deliveries and CMs coming to work. Also, after awhile the noise from the monorail was annoying.

Building 5 is Sago Cay. And I have to agree with you, Big Pine Key is my favorite. Second favorite Boca Chica.

 

[johnsonet]

really random question, anyone know how far the path is from the GF to the Poly? I ahve walked it but never really thought about it. I plan on running in the morning some and am trying to plan out my "route"

3 weeks from today!

There is a one-mile path between the two resorts (it will take you deep into the Poly grounds )

I need to make ressies for October, but have not stayed at GF for years.

Which building is better. I am taking my mom, for her 60th birthday, my three year old daughter and her nanny. I will probably get two rooms to make life easier.

TIA!

We've stayed in SL once (10+ years ago) and in the main bldg. on 2 different vacations. If price is no object I would absolutely stay in RPC. Request a room close to the lobby! RPC is great. VERY nice atmosphere and being in the main bldg. is incredibly festive. I love hearing the orchestra from the bedroom! We've stayed in every category at the GF over the years and nothing beats RPC, except maybe the 2-bedroom outer lodge hospitality suites w/ RPC lounge access
Have fun What a great place to take your mom for her 60th

 

[Misti]

If price is no object I would absolutely stay in RPC. Request a room close to the lobby! RPC is great. VERY nice atmosphere and being in the main bldg. is incredibly festive. I love hearing the orchestra from the bedroom! We've stayed in every category at the GF over the years and nothing beats RPC, except maybe the 2-bedroom outer lodge hospitality suites w/ RPC lounge access
Have fun What a great place to take your mom for her 60th

Second that! We could only afford it for two of our trips but it was well worth it in hindsight. We stayed RPC in Honeymooon Rooms (the now Deluxe King category) during the Xmas season and WOW. Nothing like being in the lobby and hearing the band while admiring the xmas decorations. We even opened our door at night and we could hear the music from inside our room. I'll never regret the decision to go "all out" those trips and spring for RPC. Nice splurge for sure.

 

[loralie]

Well I just did online check-in. The only think noted on my reservation was that we are celebrating our anniversary. I remember mentioning on the phone that we are also celebrating my son's graduation from middle school but I did not see that online. The only option for a request was for a pak and play which we do not need. I hope I did the right thing checking in online. I have read on this thread that they are pretty good about changing rooms if you are not happy so if that is the case we will ask to move.

I am still so excited the trip is 10 days away.

Loralie

 

[praline3001]

WOW! You guys are getting me so excited about our RPC stay!!!!

I have been kind of down in the dumps about the trip but your perking me back up

Not too bad of dumps ~ just thinking about the heat and the crowds and wondering if we should have just waited on this trip

 

[johnsonet]

We even opened our door at night and we could hear the music from inside our room...

That's what we did! (Or tried to - the doors are so heavy, I think I put a shoe there to keep the door ajar) It's the best... Just talking/reading about it is making me crazy. But I'm gonna have to wait until July at the very least.

...I'll never regret the decision to go "all out" those trips and spring for RPC. Nice splurge for sure.

You make a good point - I don't think anyone would regret RPC. It's really special!