The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[k&a&c'smom]

Hello Everyone!

1. I want to get a dormer room, are they difficult to get if requested?

2. Might seem like a wierd question, but does the GF have a food court, I only know of the sit down restaurants like 1900 Park Fare.

3. Can you see the monorail from any of the rooms?

4. What is the likelihood of getting upgraded?


Thank you!

1. I'm not sure how difficult it is, but you can certainly put that on your request, and remind them at check in.

2. The GF does not have a food court, but they do have a counter service restaurant, Gasparilla's.

3. Yes, you can see the monorail from a number of rooms - some in Sago Cay, Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key. Here is a photo from a dormer room in Conch Key:


4. A lot of people ask about upgrades, but it's not very likely. It's best to book the room that you most want, and will be happy with - then you won't be disappointed, if an upgrade doesn't happen.

Good luck and have a grand time!

 

[praline3001]

Everything she said above but I wanted to add we had a dormer room in June and to be honest I wasn't that thrilled with it. They are smaller and you lose the couch. That couch is a great thing to have to lay stuff on if nothing else.

Sure the ceilings are taller but the floor plan is tighter.
In June it was just my DD8 and myself in the room and we did okay but even with just us I found myself wishing for that couch and the extra room

Just keep that in mind when making your request

 

[BlueSkies]

SmellslikeJapan k&a&c really did a great job at answering all of your questions...

I justed wanted to add that Gaparillas the GFs CS dining has alot of good dining choices and there is some nice outside seating that overlooks the marina and castle in the distance (beware of hungy birds though!!) also the nice thing about being at a monorail resport is that you can also visit the Poly and CR and enjoy their CS dining if you dont want regular sit down restaurants...the Contempo Cafe at the CR has some nice choices...a little different than the general CS fare...so many nice options!

 

[Scott MC]

OK, I have a question and I'd appreciate some imput.
We'll be at the Grand in a GV room in a few weeks (Yay!), and I'm trying to figure out how to word my room request without being a pain. Here's what would be ideal....I'd love a 2nd or 3rd floor room, in Sago Cay, facing Sugar Loaf and Conch Key(ie:the marina side). Is it too specific to ask for that?
The only thing I wouldn't be ok with is to be on the opposite side of Sago, facing the monorail, or on the first floor in any of the buildings. Any advice on how to succinctly word that? I would really be fine in most GV rooms in any building, but if I had my choice, I'd pick that view in Sago. I'm actually more firm about my not wanting to be on the monorail side of Sago or on the first floor in any of the buildings.
Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[SmellsLikeJapan]

1. I'm not sure how difficult it is, but you can certainly put that on your request, and remind them at check in.

2. The GF does not have a food court, but they do have a counter service restaurant, Gasparilla's.

3. Yes, you can see the monorail from a number of rooms - some in Sago Cay, Conch Key, Boca Chica, and Big Pine Key. Here is a photo from a dormer room in Conch Key:


4. A lot of people ask about upgrades, but it's not very likely. It's best to book the room that you most want, and will be happy with - then you won't be disappointed, if an upgrade doesn't happen.

Good luck and have a grand time!

Everything she said above but I wanted to add we had a dormer room in June and to be honest I wasn't that thrilled with it. They are smaller and you lose the couch. That couch is a great thing to have to lay stuff on if nothing else.

Sure the ceilings are taller but the floor plan is tighter.
In June it was just my DD8 and myself in the room and we did okay but even with just us I found myself wishing for that couch and the extra room

Just keep that in mind when making your request

SmellslikeJapan k&a&c really did a great job at answering all of your questions...

I justed wanted to add that Gaparillas the GFs CS dining has alot of good dining choices and there is some nice outside seating that overlooks the marina and castle in the distance (beware of hungy birds though!!) also the nice thing about being at a monorail resport is that you can also visit the Poly and CR and enjoy their CS dining if you dont want regular sit down restaurants...the Contempo Cafe at the CR has some nice choices...a little different than the general CS fare...so many nice options!

Thank you everyone for the answers and tips

 

[goofygal531]

Brook: I *think* the beach pool is 3.5 by the slide. My DS5 is just barely 48 inches and he was fine. I know it's NOT 4 ft because he could stand in it. The courtyard pool is much deeper in sections.

I'd take a cab to the BC at 4pm. The walk thru the resort should be 5 mins then 10 mins to Epcot. Personally, this trip I've noticed with the intense heat the days at the pool knocked us all out. We were too tired to shelp out just for dinner. We ordered PD or eat in the lounge then grab something for the kids in Gaspies.

ETA: Brook, there's no guarantee you'll see Remy. Kristin went for lunch and NEVER saw him. She was not happy. She went in June during the time he was expected to be there and he never showed up. I feel better now for missing our lunch there. I was really mad DH changed our plans, I really wanted to see Remy. But when I heard about Kristin's experience it made me feel better for missing our ADR. Just keep that in mind should the kids not want to leave the pool!

Smellslikejapan: I had a dormer room in Big Pine Key last June. We liked the location and the private balcony we did feel the loss of a few feet. I think you lose 50 ft in the dormer rooms. If you want one, just request "top floor". That's what we did and didn't even realize all the top floor rooms are dormers.

ScottMC: If you have too many requests, they won't acknowledge any of them. Keep it as brief as possible in the reservation notes then state all your requests at check in. You can decline the room they assign you and ask for something else, should there be availability.

 

[mmmears]

That's the plan! I need to entice his lazy butt out of his swim suit and the free beer in RPC and travel in the heat of the day clear to France
Yeah it will be a struggle conning him into following through with this plan
The cab will help a great deal =)

I want to see Remy DANG IT!!! I might end up going alone

Hi! I like to buffer, so I'd leave at 4pm, too.

I think it would be worth it. We did the opposite and took a taxi from BC back to the Poly in April after our lunch in France. (Remy really is cute!). It saved us lots of time and was really very quick since France is right by the International Gateway. It only took 5 mins to walk to the BC lobby from the IG.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[BlueSkies]

Scott I have heard from CMs that you should list the most important request first and as PPs have said too many requests may not be a good idea...I would list the building I want most first and marina view second...good luck...I am sure it will work out well...

 

[praline3001]

Hi! I like to buffer, so I'd leave at 4pm, too.

I think it would be worth it. We did the opposite and took a taxi from BC back to the Poly in April after our lunch in France. (Remy really is cute!). It saved us lots of time and was really very quick since France is right by the International Gateway. It only took 5 mins to walk to the BC lobby from the IG.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks! We shall see how everyone is feeling on that date and time but I know they will have HECK to pay if mama has to miss Remy ...and you know that saying about when mama's not happy...

Of course now that I read goofygal531 advice about Remy not being out all the time
I would never hear the end of it if I drug them from the GF to France just for a Remy dinner!


My room request went in for a castle view and preferably away from the construction if at all possible. I don't see a problem at night BUT we are going back to the room for a rest most days in the middle of the afternoon. I am concerned our nap time will be interupted. MK is opened until 3am one night and we have our resort day the very next day so the DH and kids want to attempt the 3am MK night! The only way I would is if we go back to the room for a long nap. Now I am wondering if they are doing the floors in the afternoon if it will be loud during naptime.

i know with the sliding door shut its pretty quiet in the room BUT you can still hear the fireworks .... I wonder HOW loud laying tile is

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks! i know with the sliding door shut its pretty quiet in the room BUT you can still hear the fireworks .... I wonder HOW loud laying tile is

Well, you can hear the lobby music from your room in RPC. So I'm guessing you might hear them should them bang anything - with the echoing in the lobby. Although, laying tile shouldn't be a noisy job. I'm guessing you'll be fine.

 

[mmmears]

Thanks! We shall see how everyone is feeling on that date and time but I know they will have HECK to pay if mama has to miss Remy ...and you know that saying about when mama's not happy...

Of course now that I read goofygal531 advice about Remy not being out all the time
I would never hear the end of it if I drug them from the GF to France just for a Remy dinner!


My room request went in for a castle view and preferably away from the construction if at all possible. I don't see a problem at night BUT we are going back to the room for a rest most days in the middle of the afternoon. I am concerned our nap time will be interupted. MK is opened until 3am one night and we have our resort day the very next day so the DH and kids want to attempt the 3am MK night! The only way I would is if we go back to the room for a long nap. Now I am wondering if they are doing the floors in the afternoon if it will be loud during naptime.

i know with the sliding door shut its pretty quiet in the room BUT you can still hear the fireworks .... I wonder HOW loud laying tile is

I was really hoping to miss any construction...

 

[praline3001]

Well, you can hear the lobby music from your room in RPC. So I'm guessing you might hear them should them bang anything - with the echoing in the lobby. Although, laying tile shouldn't be a noisy job. I'm guessing you'll be fine.

:::busily scratching notes on my shopping list:::

BUY EAR PLUGS


I have had tiled laid before and they use a water saw to make the very precise cuts and that water saw (I forget the exact name of it) IS EXTREMELY LOUD. My only hope is that the saw work will be done outside.
If its inside it will sound like a 747

 

[praline3001]

I was really hoping to miss any construction...

ME too, me too! DH has promised to blindfold me whenever we walk past the construction

I don't think its going to be noticable and I wouldn't be worried about the evenings BUT I am hoping afternoon nap time won't be a problem.... I could always go to the balcony and yell at them from RPC REALLY loud

"Hey can you keep it down please! I am trying to get my beauty sleep"
I might even pack some curlers and a holey bath robe for the adventure

 

[mmmears]

ME too, me too! DH has promised to blindfold me whenever we walk past the construction

I don't think its going to be noticable and I wouldn't be worried about the evenings BUT I am hoping afternoon nap time won't be a problem.... I could always go to the balcony and yell at them from RPC REALLY loud

"Hey can you keep it down please! I am trying to get my beauty sleep"
I might even pack some curlers and a holey bath robe for the adventure

We like our nap time... where are they making all the noise? I thought it was the lobby, but is it outside, too?

And who took your room request? The GF's IPO office told me they didn't want to take requests (so weird), but the IPO offices at BC and AKL had no problem with noting down our requests...

 

[praline3001]

We like our nap time... where are they making all the noise? I thought it was the lobby, but is it outside, too?

And who took your room request? The GF's IPO office told me they didn't want to take requests (so weird), but the IPO offices at BC and AKL had no problem with noting down our requests...

IPO took my request and sent me back an email letting me know they added the request. You have to do it 9 days before the trip from what I understand. At least that is what I was told last month and when I added the request at the 9 day mark it went through... now if I actually get said room ...who knows but its on my paperwork


The Lobby is where the floor is being layed. They are starting by the orchastra area and moving on from there. I am staying in RPC so am concerned about noise.

I don't have a clue if the saw work will be done outside... I was just taking a guess as those water saws are sooooooo loud ~ I would hate to think they would have one of those echoing in the lobby! The water saws are used for small adjustments to fit the stones better and smoother. They have to be using one or they can't lay the stones down correctly for a nice fit .... I just dont have a clue where they will be using it

 

[praline3001]

OK google was my friend ...

Summary: A ceramic-tile saw is necessary to make certain cuts in tile, granite, marble and other stone products. Most ceramic tile saws have diamond blades. These saws cut ceramic-tile very easily because the saw blade is cooled by water. The cuts are dust-free, and very smooth.


I do KNOW these table saws are a lot louder than your average saw ~ I am hoping they do it outside away from guest

 

[mmmears]

I've heard those water saws on granite before and they are really loud. We're staying RPC, too, and I wanted to request a castle view. I was hoping that that would be far enough away that we wouldn't hear much. I sure do hope so, anyway...

It's kind of making me rethink the whole RPC thing, to be honest...

We'll be there after your trip, but I'm sure this will be going on for some time to come...

IPO took my request and sent me back an email letting me know they added the request. You have to do it 9 days before the trip from what I understand. At least that is what I was told last month and when I added the request at the 9 day mark it went through... now if I actually get said room ...who knows but its on my paperwork


The Lobby is where the floor is being layed. They are starting by the orchastra area and moving on from there. I am staying in RPC so am concerned about noise.

I don't have a clue if the saw work will be done outside... I was just taking a guess as those water saws are sooooooo loud ~ I would hate to think they would have one of those echoing in the lobby! The water saws are used for small adjustments to fit the stones better and smoother. They have to be using one or they can't lay the stones down correctly for a nice fit .... I just dont have a clue where they will be using it

 

[praline3001]

I'll make sure to leave my curlers and holey bathrobe for you so you can wear them when you go to the balcony to holler down for them to shut it up

I've heard those water saws on granite before and they are really loud. We're staying RPC, too, and I wanted to request a castle view. I was hoping that that would be far enough away that we wouldn't hear much. I sure do hope so, anyway...

It's kind of making me rethink the whole RPC thing, to be honest...

We'll be there after your trip, but I'm sure this will be going on for some time to come...

 

[Scott MC]

Thank you for the input on room requests. In then end, I'll be very happy wherever I land as long as I'm not on the first floor and as long as I'm not on the monorail side of Sago. How about if I phrase the request like this: "Not on ground floor and please no monorail view." Is that to the point enough without being pushy?

**edit**
My other option would be to say exactly what I want: "Sago Cay, Sugarloaf/Conch key side, not on 1st floor"

Which do you think would be better?

 

[praline3001]

Thank you for the input on room requests. In then end, I'll be very happy wherever I land as long as I'm not on the first floor and as long as I'm not on the monorail side of Sago. How about if I phrase the request like this: "Not on ground floor and please no monorail view." Is that to the point enough without being pushy?

**edit**
My other option would be to say exactly what I want: "Sago Cay, Sugarloaf/Conch key side, not on 1st floor"

Which do you think would be better?

That's a toss up. You have a GV room so chances are your not going to get on the marine side of things. That would be considered a lagoon view if I am not mistaken.
You can try giving the exact thing you want but do not be surprised if not all of our request are honored. The cm do try their best to accommodate guest but sometimes its just not possible. I would hate for you to make that request and be mad when you don't get it, if that makes sense. There are no promises or guarantees.

I made a request for a castle view for my RPC room. This is not a bookable room and its by request only. I did what I could to ensure the cm knows we really want that castle view but I also know not to pitch a fit if we don't get it. Its kind of like a lottery draw the same goes for any request ..unless there is a medical reason for the request.

All anyone on here can tell you is 1. the more request you make the less likely you are to get them. They do try and honor the first request but after that your chances do get slimmer 2. Its just that, a request. If you will actually get the room you want depends on crowds, other guest request, the alignment of the stars... you get the idea