The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[mmmears]

Misti --

Thank you SO SO much for posting your lovely photos! That corner room and the views from it are fantastic! Lucky you -- you got a great room!

You mentioned that the courtyard pool was crowded (I'm sad to hear that since on our trips it's always been somewhat empty). How was the "waterfall" pool -- was it overly crowded, too? I really hate not being able to find a chair at the pool...

I'm so glad you had a magical stay at the GF!

 

[BlueSkies]

Misti So glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip! and your pics are awesome!!! Thanks for posting them... We love the GF Cafe also breakfast, lunch, dinner...anytime...

That corner room look great...also I noticed an extra table and chairs that are not in the regular room...I bet it was nice to have those too....

 

[Misti]

Misti --

Thank you SO SO much for posting your lovely photos! That corner room and the views from it are fantastic! Lucky you -- you got a great room!

You mentioned that the courtyard pool was crowded (I'm sad to hear that since on our trips it's always been somewhat empty). How was the "waterfall" pool -- was it overly crowded, too? I really hate not being able to find a chair at the pool...

I'm so glad you had a magical stay at the GF!

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the pix. I was surprised at how crowded the courtyard pool was during my stay. Expected it to only be moderately crowded like past trips. The themed pool was pretty crowded as well. The courtyard pool just seemed especially packed this time. Then again, it was very hot. Most days were 90's plus. I usually go in cooler months so maybe that's why it seemed more crowded to me to this time.

 

[heatherlynn444]

beautiful pics!

I admit, not too impressed with that suite either, but the patio is nice! we had a 2 BR suite in Sago a few years ago and it had everything that suite had except the bar and all the space. it had a 1/2 bath, huge living/dining area all together and a king bed room adn a room with 2 queens.

 

[Misti]

Misti So glad to hear that you enjoyed your trip! and your pics are awesome!!! Thanks for posting them... We love the GF Cafe also breakfast, lunch, dinner...anytime...

That corner room look great...also I noticed an extra table and chairs that are not in the regular room...I bet it was nice to have those too....

Thanks! It was an awesome trip. Wish I could go back right now. Miss it already!

beautiful pics!

I admit, not too impressed with that suite either, but the patio is nice! we had a 2 BR suite in Sago a few years ago and it had everything that suite had except the bar and all the space. it had a 1/2 bath, huge living/dining area all together and a king bed room adn a room with 2 queens.

Thanks, heatherlynn! I wonder if that was the same suite you had except they added the wetbar? Were you on the ground floor? It was suite 5141. I just expected to be "wowed" and that's not the feeling I got when I saw it.

 

[johnsonet]

Thanks, heatherlynn! I wonder if that was the same suite you had except they added the wetbar? Were you on the ground floor? It was suite 5141. I just expected to be "wowed" and that's not the feeling I got when I saw it.

I agree that it looks a bit bland in some of the pics (the dining table and chairs need HELP!) but I still think it's pretty As we all know, at WDW location and views are everything, so that MK view is $$$$$. Also, you have RPC lounge and CM access. 2 bedrooms with views of the Castle are worth $1100+ just on their own. Add the 1/2 bath plus all that living space and then Royal Palm Club privileges and it all adds up. What's special about that suite is that it has incredible MK views and that patio and the "hospitality"/kitchen area for entertaining. Wedding groups, etc. must make good use of that for parties (Imagine hosting a cocktail party during Wishes ). In 1994 my then-fiance (now DH) and another couple and I stayed in the Cape Coral Suite and were wowed for sure. Its twin suite in Conch, the Everglades Suite, seems even more dead-on with its views. My DH, DD and I stayed there in Dec. 2005 and it was very nice. The only thing I thought was off was the dining room furniture, which I see has not been changed

 

[Misti]

I agree that it looks a bit bland in some of the pics (the dining table and chairs need HELP!) but I still think it's pretty As we all know, at WDW location and views are everything, so that MK view is $$$$$. Also, you have RPC lounge and CM access. 2 bedrooms with views of the Castle are worth $1100+ just on their own. Add the 1/2 bath plus all that living space and then Royal Palm Club privileges and it all adds up. What's special about that suite is that it has incredible MK views and that patio and the "hospitality"/kitchen area for entertaining. Wedding groups, etc. must make good use of that for parties (Imagine hosting a cocktail party during Wishes ). In 1994 my then-fiance (now DH) and another couple and I stayed in the Cape Coral Suite and were wowed for sure. Its twin suite in Conch, the Everglades Suite, seems even more dead-on with its views. My DH, DD and I stayed there in Dec. 2005 and it was very nice. The only thing I thought was off was the dining room furniture, which I see has not been changed

My thoughts exactly about the dining table/chairs!!

It does add up. The two regular rooms that double as the "bedrooms" would easily be $1000 right there. Add the huge middle living/dining area and the gigantic patio and it makes sense.

It changed guests twice during our stay. The first guests were two couples who shared it. The second guests were from a convention and basically all adults. They actually did host a little cocktail party one of the nights on the patio. Balloons and everything. Nice soiree.

 

[hill6]

Glad you had such a great trip.

Did you dine in any of the restaurants?

We ate breakfast one morning at 1900 Park Fare. It was ok. We made the reservations while we were there.

Ate two meals at GF Cafe. Lunch the first day left alot to be desired. The service was very, very slow. Not sure if that was because it was Mother's Day but lunch was almost two hours. It upset us but we had to wait on they key to Mom's scooter and our rooms were ready when we got done. So we said it was ok in the end. Breakfast was much quicker. The food was good both times.

Got a number of things to eat at Gasparillas. Very good but small drink selection compared to the food court at POFQ.

Narcoossees. The highlight meal of the week. The service was superb and the food divine. We had a table looking right at the MK fireworks. No one stood in front of us.

Had room service breakfast twice. No complaints. If you order toast, they bring you a toaster to cook it yourself.

 

[hill6]

Just got back from a great trip to the GF. Our room was absolutely amazing, direct theme park view in Sago Cay. Loved the privacy of the building and yet how close it was to Gasparilla's. Very peaceful location.

I just got back yesterday from there. We had 5344 and 5345. The view was to die for.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2227482880048107033GFopAH

Can't figure out how to get the pics to post in the message.

 

[hill6]

Ooops Dupe post

 

[Misti]

I just got back yesterday from there. We had 5344 and 5345. The view was to die for.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2227482880048107033GFopAH

Can't figure out how to get the pics to post in the message.

We were neighbors!! We left on Saturday. Yes, amazing view. I wish I was there now!

 

[Misti]

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2227482880048107033GFopAH

Can't figure out how to get the pics to post in the message.

Go to Webshots and look for the little icon all the way to the right under your photo to post. There will be an option "post in forum". It will give you a code with That's what you use to post. Hope that helps!

Here is your pic:

[URL=http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2227482880048107033GFopAH]

 

[bethclayton]

hill6.....

you mentioned your mom had a scooter. we will be visiting with my parents in march, their first disney trip, our first GF stay. mom will be using a scooter for everything. we are staying in deluxe rpc rooms. is there anything you can tell me that she should know about getting around there with a scooter? did your mom encounter any problems? she will spend more time back at the resort than we will, so she will be navigating the building alone at times (she'd love to shop and what-not). any advice?

 

[heatherlynn444]

Thanks! It was an awesome trip. Wish I could go back right now. Miss it already!



Thanks, heatherlynn! I wonder if that was the same suite you had except they added the wetbar? Were you on the ground floor? It was suite 5141. I just expected to be "wowed" and that's not the feeling I got when I saw it.

no we were on the 2nd floor, facing the back (monorail and piece of the lagoon) I guess if you were oging to entertain it would be worth it but a reg. suite was perfect for the 7 of us (yes, 7!) I just hated walking to the main building for concierge access. I would rather a regular room in the main building than a 1 bedroom suite in Sago IMO.

but that patio does look fun!

 

[TinkTatoo]

Fantastic photo's Misti, I can't wait for our first trip there this summer

 

[hill6]

Go to Webshots and look for the little icon all the way to the right under your photo to post. There will be an option "post in forum". It will give you a code with That's what you use to post. Hope that helps!

Here is your pic:

[URL=http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2227482880048107033GFopAH]

Got it. Thank you so much.

Sigh I wish I was there right now.

 

[hill6]

hill6.....

you mentioned your mom had a scooter. we will be visiting with my parents in march, their first disney trip, our first GF stay. mom will be using a scooter for everything. we are staying in deluxe rpc rooms. is there anything you can tell me that she should know about getting around there with a scooter? did your mom encounter any problems? she will spend more time back at the resort than we will, so she will be navigating the building alone at times (she'd love to shop and what-not). any advice?

As far as the scooter in the hotel, they were great with loading her on and off the monorail. The main building has a few ramps on and off the walkway. The only thing I seen that I thought was bad was the exit right by the GF Cafe had a light pole and a flower pot right at the bottom or the ramp. You had to come down the ramp and make an immediate turn. (Mom was not the best scooter driver either).

We left the scooter in the hall overnight to charge without issue.

 

[BCV23]

We ate breakfast one morning at 1900 Park Fare. It was ok. We made the reservations while we were there.

Ate two meals at GF Cafe. Lunch the first day left alot to be desired. The service was very, very slow. Not sure if that was because it was Mother's Day but lunch was almost two hours. It upset us but we had to wait on they key to Mom's scooter and our rooms were ready when we got done. So we said it was ok in the end. Breakfast was much quicker. The food was good both times.

Got a number of things to eat at Gasparillas. Very good but small drink selection compared to the food court at POFQ.

Narcoossees. The highlight meal of the week. The service was superb and the food divine. We had a table looking right at the MK fireworks. No one stood in front of us.

Had room service breakfast twice. No complaints. If you order toast, they bring you a toaster to cook it yourself.

Thanks for the mini reviews. Two hours is very slow for the Cafe but at least it was a pleasant place to wait for your room and ECV.

I'm so glad no one stood in front of you at Narcoossee's. Maybe there is a resurgence in good manners!

 

[pigletto]

Looks like I belong in this thread .. thankful for the information
I had a trip booked for fall for my family of four.. but it seems our annual extended family cruise will be a Disney trip instead this year

One small catch.. I have been appointed trip planner for our group of 12. I am a certified Disney planning addict so that is fine. But planning a grand gathering.... at CHRISTMAS has me a tad scared

So I am super excited.. I have never stayed at the GF before. Last night I booked 3 rooms.. one deluxe concierge, 2 Magic Kingdom View.
Does anyone know what building is nice to request for the 2 MK view rooms?

We'll be happy wherever we end up I am sure but I would love to here your thoughts on location

 

[mmmears]

Looks like I belong in this thread .. thankful for the information
I had a trip booked for fall for my family of four.. but it seems our annual extended family cruise will be a Disney trip instead this year

One small catch.. I have been appointed trip planner for our group of 12. I am a certified Disney planning addict so that is fine. But planning a grand gathering.... at CHRISTMAS has me a tad scared

So I am super excited.. I have never stayed at the GF before. Last night I booked 3 rooms.. one deluxe concierge, 2 Magic Kingdom View.
Does anyone know what building is nice to request for the 2 MK view rooms?

We'll be happy wherever we end up I am sure but I would love to here your thoughts on location

Welcome!

That's a BIG responsibility! I'd be nervous, and excited! And the GF at xmas will be SO beautiful!

We love the MK views from Boca Chica, both because of the location of the building and because from our rooms there we could see the whole lagoon from the Poly to the CR to the MK & the castle. Those rooms are right on the lagoon with just a small strip of grass between the balconies and the water. Plus, the EWP was floating right in front of us each night.

There are other buildings that have a straight-on view of the castle (it's to the left in Boca Chica) and I know other posters here prefer those rooms, so hopefully someone else will chime in here. Those rooms are by the marina -- just not my preference.