The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[johnsonet]

I just checked ~ post 11 is where you will find Misti's photos too. THOSE rooms are DA BOMB!

Yeah - Post #21! That's exactly the room we had, except Misti's is a dormer. Those rooms are sweet

 

[BlueSkies]

Those dormer rooms are definitely very nice...looks like a french door instead of sliders.... Is that what they have for both balconies...what booking category would these be in...is it seperate like the lodge tower...cant recall seeing one...?

 

[praline3001]

Those dormer rooms are definitely very nice...looks like a french door instead of sliders.... Is that what they have for both balconies...what booking category would these be in...is it seperate like the lodge tower...cant recall seeing one...?

AACKKK Misti told me in a PM but I lost it
going from memory I think she told me they are by request only. You can always call and check at the GF to be sure before booking however.

 

[johnsonet]

AACKKK Misti told me in a PM but I lost it
going from memory I think she told me they are by request only. You can always call and check at the GF to be sure before booking however.

Yeah - they're just by request. Our bellman told us there are a certain number per bldg. and they're just extra-spacious

Ask for a corner room (w/ 2 balconies.)

WE had booked a GV room and I saw on-line a few days before that we had been upgraded to "MK View" category. We just got lucky.

 

[mmmears]

Those dormer rooms are definitely very nice...looks like a french door instead of sliders.... Is that what they have for both balconies...what booking category would these be in...is it seperate like the lodge tower...cant recall seeing one...?

We had just booked a Lagoon-View room (this was before they had the TPV category). My only request was that we have a view of the castle -- and they gave us a fantastic one -- above Narcoossee's and towards the edge of the lagoon. I didn't know to ask for a corner room.

Actually, we were upset because our room wasn't ready at check-in. I had a 2-year old that needed and wanted a nap -- she was tired and cranky. I asked for them to look for a room for us, and the CM said, ok, but you really don't want to do that. You really want to wait for that room... So we did, and we were very happy with it.

The side balcony had just a little french door leading out to it -- not a big slider like the front balcony had. Unfortunately, we didn't take any photos of the room -- this was before the days of digital photos (or at least for us it was).

 

[Misti]

Those dormer rooms are definitely very nice...looks like a french door instead of sliders.... Is that what they have for both balconies...what booking category would these be in...is it seperate like the lodge tower...cant recall seeing one...?

There's a French door for the side balcony and a regular slider for the main balcony. Corner rooms are tough to come by.. many guests are saavy to them now and they get lots of requests. I've been lucky to have stayed in ones in Sago Cay (very first GF trip in 1989), Big Pine Key and Boca Chica. They are great rooms. The dormer ones are especially nice because of the high ceilings.

Here are the pix again:

Theme Park View room, Big Pine Key (please note, OLD room decor):

 

[hill6]

Nice upgrade Johnsonet. Maybe this means we get an RPC upgrade when we arrive on Sunday.

 

[BlueSkies]

mmmears Thanks for the room and door info...I bet even with a cranky little one it was worth the wait...I hate to admit this but I only started taking digital pics about a year or so ago!!! I had the camera but kept using my old one...I wonder if this room is available in SL too...

Misti Thank you too for the door info...and those beautiful pics...love them...I favor the old decor...so warm and pretty...the new is nice just not as nice...IMO

Are you packed...I know you must be real excited...2 days to go!!!


The rooms really do look more spacious...somthing to think about requesting...

 

[BlueSkies]

Nice upgrade Johnsonet. Maybe this means we get an RPC upgrade when we arrive on Sunday.

hill6 Hoping you get some pixie dust at check in!!!

 

[loralie]

Hi Guys,

6 more days and I will be at the GRAND! I keep hearing about all these upgrades and I am trying not to get my hopes up too high but I would LOVE to be upgraded since we could only afford to book a GV. I am not expecting anything but of course it would be nice to get some Please don't flame me but...did the people who got upgrades SAY anything to the CM at check-in to get one? I have heard different things like if you ask you are more likely to NOT get an upgrade and I have read some trip reports where the people are kind of joking around asking for it at check-in and then they get it. Should I not say anything and hope for the best? What do you guys think?

Loralie

 

[praline3001]

Hi Guys,

6 more days and I will be at the GRAND! I keep hearing about all these upgrades and I am trying not to get my hopes up too high but I would LOVE to be upgraded since we could only afford to book a GV. I am not expecting anything but of course it would be nice to get some Please don't flame me but...did the people who got upgrades SAY anything to the CM at check-in to get one? I have heard different things like if you ask you are more likely to NOT get an upgrade and I have read some trip reports where the people are kind of joking around asking for it at check-in and then they get it. Should I not say anything and hope for the best? What do you guys think?

Loralie

There are a million different stories about upgrades. The one I hear most is the upgrades are done before you even arrive. The room assigner works on who needs to go where... It's like anything else on the DIS, you ask something and your going to get 50 answers one way and 50 answers another way.
Good luck and have a great trip and don't even let the upgrade thing cross your mind or you will be a little disappointed if you dont get one.

 

[Misti]

Hi Guys,

6 more days and I will be at the GRAND! I keep hearing about all these upgrades and I am trying not to get my hopes up too high but I would LOVE to be upgraded since we could only afford to book a GV. I am not expecting anything but of course it would be nice to get some Please don't flame me but...did the people who got upgrades SAY anything to the CM at check-in to get one? I have heard different things like if you ask you are more likely to NOT get an upgrade and I have read some trip reports where the people are kind of joking around asking for it at check-in and then they get it. Should I not say anything and hope for the best? What do you guys think?

Loralie

They seem common because of the posts you read here. But compared to the 100's everyday that don't get them, the odds are slight. People like to post about upgrades, rightly so, and next thing you know the thread gets 3,000 views. When really, there might be only a handful writing about their experiences.

Upgrades are more likely if you have a shorter stay. It's easier for them to upgrade a 2 night stay than a 10 day one. Also depends on occupancy and when you are going. The GF operates close to capacity a lot of the year so that makes a difference. I've also seen that yes, like Brook said, most upgrades are done prior to check-in when the room assignor is filling up blocks of rooms. So, more the exception than the rule. Never hurts to ask at check-in but expect to pay. We did that once at check-in and they quoted us the rack rate.

Have a magical stay at the GF! Any room is special there.

 

[praline3001]

Misti ~ 1 more day for you!!!! I know your excited!!!!!!!!!

Have a great time

 

[johnsonet]

Our upgrades have always just happened and there have only been a couple out of 30+ trips in the past 10 years.

...Good luck and have a great trip and don't even let the upgrade thing cross your mind or you will be a little disappointed if you dont get one.

... more the exception than the rule. Never hurts to ask at check-in but expect to pay. We did that once at check-in and they quoted us the rack rate.

Have a magical stay at the GF! Any room is special there.

 

[jkstewart1800]

There are lodge rooms, concierge rooms and suites available as well as standard guest rooms. The following is a breakdown of the buildings and the type of accommodations found there:

Sago Cay, lagoon/marina view rooms, garden view dormer rooms, lodge tower rooms, hospitality suites and one- and two-bedroom suites;

Sugar Loaf, concierge rooms;

Conch Key, hospitality suites, one- and two-bedroom suites, pool/marina/lagoon views;

Boca Chica, standard guest rooms, lagoon, pool, dormer and tower rooms;

Big Pine Key, lagoon/pool/garden views;

Main Building, concierge rooms and suites.



Standard guestrooms average about 448 square feet and typically have two queen sized beds, (or one king sized bed) and a daybed (in rooms with 2 queen beds). There is also a spacious armoire, television, table with two chairs, walk-in closet, mini-bar, small safe, iron and ironing board, nightstand, telephone (with an additional one in the bathroom), ceiling fan, hairdryer, Mickey lamp, make-up mirror and double marble sinks in a vanity area separate from the tub and commode. In the vanity area, toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and shower cap are found and there is a retractable clothesline in the shower.

The rooms are decorated in 4 themes with Victorian woodfurnishings. These themes are the Cameo (blues and yellows with the Blue Fairy, Flora, Fauna and Merriweather), Swan (Mr. Toad and his Wind in the Willow friends provide the theme for the accents), Floral (greens and yellows) and Alice in Wonderland (Wonderland-themed with blues, dark rose and yellows).

Most rooms lead out onto a patio or balcony. A typical guestroom sleeps 5, but the Lodge Tower and Concierge Deluxe rooms sleep 4. Dormer or "attic" rooms at the Grand Floridian are in the upper floors under the gabled roofs. These rooms are slightly smaller than the Standard guest-rooms but appear larger because the vaulted ceilings. A private balcony compensates for the lack of room size. Dormer rooms sleep 4 adults.

There are 26 one,two,and three-bedroom suites available. Suites have two queen sized beds, or one king sized bed, and a separate parlor area with a wet bar. These rooms can sleep between 4 and 10 adults, depending on the suite type. These suites may include a hamper and upscale line of toiletries in the bathrooms, padded satin hangers, and larger screen televisions.

There are 6 honeymoon rooms in the towers of the main building. The Jacuzzi honeymoon rooms have a Jacuzzi tub of course, and a balcony, but no wet bar or walk-in closet. Octagon honeymoon rooms are larger than the Jacuzzi rooms, but do not have the Jacuzzi tub or private balcony. Instead, you'll find a spectacular view with windows all the way around the suite.

TIP: You don't have to be on your honeymoon to enjoy a honeymoon suite, it's perfect for anniversary or second honeymoon trips too. Note that these rooms only accommodate 2 guests.

The third, fourth and fifth floors of the main building are home to the 83 Concierge rooms (including suites). Access to these floors is by private elevator only. Staff is available to answer questions, plan outings, to make dining Priority Seating arrangements, ticket purchases, make transportation arrangements and to fill requests for special dining or accommodation needs.

The Concierge Lounge is located on the fourth floor. Here, guests may enjoy a continental breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The continental breakfast includes danish, bagels, cereal, fresh friuts, coffee, tea and juice. "Daily Delights" from 11:30am to 2:30pm (the menu varies daily, but usually includes a meat dish, fruits and a vegetarian dish, including cookies, coffee, sodas and juices). Afternoon tea from 3pm to 4:30pm (includes scones, fruit breads, cookies, jam tarts, and of course, tea). Twilight Refreshments from 5pm to 7pm (includes wine and cheese, with appetizer type dishes served. NOTE: The Sugar Loaf Key Building serves a different Twilight Refreshment service, with no wine or children's items being offered). "Grand Indulgences" (desserts and cordials) from 8pm to 10pm. Other concierge amenities include robes (for use while at the resort) and a deluxe nightly turndown service (including a Disney themed good night note).

Guests who need to connect to home or work via the Internet while vacationing, will find high speed internet access. Rollaway beds are offered free of charge. Guest may request coffeemakers (with a single supply of complimentary coffee/tea), bed boards, bed rails, down pillows, heating pads, microwave oven (limited number available), extra pillows, blankets, towels, robes and International Electrical Adapters. Call Housekeeping to do so.

If there are more than 2 adults in the same room, there is an additional charge of $25 per person, per night. For families with very small children, cribs (the pak-n-play variety), playpens and high chairs are available by calling Housekeeping or Guest Services.

A limited number of handicapped accessible rooms are available. In Sago Cay, there are 3 rooms, Sugar Loaf has 2, Big Pine Key has 2 and there are some in Conch Key as well.

 

[mmmears]

Julia,

Didn't they change all the room decor a few years ago and do away with the different "themes"? Just checking...

 

[BCV23]

Julia, what source is that?

As mmmears said, the themes are a thing of the past. All rooms have coffeemakers, there are not walk in closets, all rooms have robes and get turndown not just concierge rooms. I think the square footage is off, too. Oh, and doesn't Sugar Loaf have suites in it?

 

[heatherlynn444]

the two times we have gotten upgraded were both value season when the parks were very very empty, and the hotels were very empty. I would not expect to get one this time of year when things are picking up and getting really busy! Def. don't get your hopes up, go in thinking you are staying GV and if you get upgraded it will just be an added bonus.

 

[praline3001]

Well folks this mama got herself a new camera for mother's day (DH gave it to me today)

OHHH you girls are in real trouble when I get back from the GF this time
Its the canon G10 with 14.7megpixels
Every single gadget and gizmo you could ever want ~
it has image stabalizer so NOOOO blurry shots ~ even in dark areas
I charged the battery pack SOME ~ ran out and tested the macro/folage settings before DH fussed at me for not letting it charge all the way
So here are 2 photos I took before I got busted
You will see the quality of shots that I am going to get of the GF this year

Why oh why couldn't I have had a blooming magnolia today?!?! you will have to settle for a dying bloom

My orlanders ~ gawdy as heck but I like em!

I know once I play with it more than 2-3 shots and figure out what all of the settings are I will be the picture taken mama of all time

 

[BWVNUT]

Question for you GF gurus...my hubby and I are staying there in December...for our first time...w/o kids! I booked a lagoon view (very important to my DH). I would love to upgrade to concierge, BUT don't want him to lose his lagoon view.

What do you all suggest? Is there a category that I should book to give us a better chance? Would that type of view not be guaranteed?