The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[jkstewart1800]

hmmm...maybe than lagoon views are MK veiws in that building...

 

[goofygal531]

I am planning a trip for december or january and I know I will need childcare for my boyfriends 2 year old daughter. I know she will have loads of fun during the day, but Im thinking we can get in room childcare at night so we can go on rides EMH she likes to go asleep every night by 7pm, so I was thinking of doing the platium plan that says it includes in room childcare. I was wondering if anyone has used it and what you liked and disliked.

Thanks so much
Sarah

Disney doesn't have their own in-room childcare service, they use an outside service www.kidsniteout.com. I used them for the first time last June and had a wonderful experience. I placed my reservation online with ease. That night our sitter arrived on time. She came with her computer and a stack of Disney DVDs for the boys to watch. She also had a suitcase full of arts and crafts. The boys enjoyed themselves and really felt like it was their "Kid's Nite" rather than ours! I highly recommend them!

If you're not interested in the whole platinum package, you can book the sitters directly - without the package.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Disney doesn't have their own in-room childcare service, they use an outside service www.kidsniteout.com. I used them for the first time last June and had a wonderful experience. I placed my reservation online with ease. That night our sitter arrived on time. She came with her computer and a stack of Disney DVDs for the boys to watch. She also had a suitcase full of arts and crafts. The boys enjoyed themselves and really felt like it was their "Kid's Nite" rather than ours! I highly recommend them!

If you're not interested in the whole platinum package, you can book the sitters directly - without the package.

We use Fairy Godmothers.... it was the original in room service from a long time ago!

 

[BigOnDis]

I received my Magical Express documents today. It's getiing closer.

Looks like we will be there the same time. We are there from 7/26 - 8/2.

 

[catbird719]

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).

I will be staying at the GF in July. This is our first trip to Disney, and we are super excited. I'm worried about the NOTE found in this thread. I booked Sugar Loaf so that my dad would be able to get a glass of wine and relax at night while the rest of us were out and about. Based on the description on Disney site, I was under the impression that wine and cheese were part of the sugar loaf's concierge service. Does anyone know?

 

[simplymama]

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).

I will be staying at the GF in July. This is our first trip to Disney, and we are super excited. I'm worried about the NOTE found in this thread. I booked Sugar Loaf so that my dad would be able to get a glass of wine and relax at night while the rest of us were out and about. Based on the description on Disney site, I was under the impression that wine and cheese were part of the sugar loaf's concierge service. Does anyone know?

I asked a similar question a while back and the answer I received from a DIS membe was...

"Wine, beer, and champagne is served from 5-7pm with the evening offerings. Since I can't drink, it wasn't important to me, but I don't think there was wine out from 8-10pm with the evening cordials and desserts."

 

[BCV23]

I'm looking at an overhead picture of the area on Google Maps and I don't think a strictly lagoon view is possible in Conch Key. Either you're looking at the pool/courtyard, the marina or directly at the castle. From what I can see, the only buildings that offer a lagoon view are Boca Chica and Big Pine Key. I'm no expert, and I could be dead wrong, but looking at the map, you can see that any view other than a garden view at Conch Key is gonna be a full-on view of the castle.

In general, I think you're absolutely right. We've had a MK/theme park view in Conch Key with a drop dead view. I suppose there is a possibility that the few rooms in Conch that have views partially blocked by trees are classified lagoon view instead but we haven't had a room like that and I haven't seen any reports of it either.

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).

I will be staying at the GF in July. This is our first trip to Disney, and we are super excited. I'm worried about the NOTE found in this thread. I booked Sugar Loaf so that my dad would be able to get a glass of wine and relax at night while the rest of us were out and about. Based on the description on Disney site, I was under the impression that wine and cheese were part of the sugar loaf's concierge service. Does anyone know?

That source is outdated. The service is absolutely the same in SL as RPC. Wine is available in the evening or at least was last time we stayed in SL. The GF is a great choice for your plans. Besides the lounge in SL, there are many lovely places on the grounds and in the main lobby for your father to relax. Have fun!

 

[mschwartz]

Does any one have pictures of the dinner for two on the balcony.
I am going to disney and have already made my reservation for the dinner for two on the balcony with the butler service.

But they will not show me photos of the views from the balcony.
They say you can see the castle, the illuminations show and the wishes show as well from the balcony.
Even though i am sure it is a great view i want to be certain.

She is kind of shy so I am planning on proposing on the balcony durring the fireworks. So i really want that night to be perfect in every way that i can make it.

Any other suggestions would be greatly apprecited.

You can email me at Martys567(at)gmail(dot)com

 

[mschwartz]

Does any one have pictures of the dinner for two on the balcony.
I am going to disney and have already made my reservation for the dinner for two on the balcony with the butler service.

But they will not show me photos of the views from the balcony.
They say you can see the castle, the illuminations show and the wishes show as well from the balcony.
Even though i am sure it is a great view i want to be certain.

She is kind of shy so I am planning on proposing on the balcony durring the fireworks. So i really want that night to be perfect in every way that i can make it.

Any other suggestions would be greatly apprecited.

You can email me at Martys567(at)gmail(dot)com

 

[catbird719]

That source is outdated. The service is absolutely the same in SL as RPC. Wine is available in the evening or at least was last time we stayed in SL. The GF is a great choice for your plans. Besides the lounge in SL, there are many lovely places on the grounds and in the main lobby for your father to relax. Have fun!

Thanks to everyone who responded! I'm glad that the source was outdated. I'm just so excited and want this trip to be the best for everyone in my family. I can't wait.

 

[Scott MC]

hmmm...maybe than lagoon views are MK veiws in that building...

Honestly? I hope not. Don't take this the wrong way, I hope you get a beautiful view! In fact, I hope you get upgraded to something mind-blowingly fabulous, but if I had paid for MK view, and found out that others who'd paid for a lagoon view were staring at the castle from their room, I'd be pretty upset and wondered why I'd spent all the extra money.

 

[Disneyadore]

I confess.
I became a total GF addict.

We had the most wonderful stay you could wish fore. Not a spot on a blanc sheet.
Now I understand your enthusiasm.

Meanwhile I'm feeding my piggy bank for the next stay.

 

[simplymama]

Decided to load up and do half the drive today so we should arrive by noon tomorrow. I've got butterflies I'm so excited!!!!
Love being able to read the board from my iPhone too to pass the time!!

 

[woodkins]

I apologize if this has been asked and answered, but I was weeding through tons of posts and could not find it..so is there anywhere in the GF that I can get a "real" cup of coffee (that I can take with me, not while I am only eating in the restaurant).
Thanks!

 

[Tink rules]

Take the monorail or the boat over to the Poly and have some Kona Coffee...that's the best you're gonna find that close... 2nd floor by Kona Cafe...

 

[woodkins]

Take the monorail or the boat over to the Poly and have some Kona Coffee...that's the best you're gonna find that close... 2nd floor by Kona Cafe...

Yikes! We usually stay at the Poly & my dd begged for the GF so my dh gave in. If I send him all the way to the Poly to grab me a cup of coffee our vacation will be less than magical
Thanks for the info. I think I may pack some real coffee and make it in the room.

 

[johnsonet]

I think I may pack some real coffee and make it in the room.

That's what I would suggest And you can buy "to go" cups with lids at grocery stores/Target/etc. to take with you.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Yikes! We usually stay at the Poly & my dd begged for the GF so my dh gave in. If I send him all the way to the Poly to grab me a cup of coffee our vacation will be less than magical
Thanks for the info. I think I may pack some real coffee and make it in the room.

I'm a coffee addict and I usually tough it out on vacation and drink the "coffee" at Gasparila's. For my Feb. vacation I brought some pre-measured baggies with coffee from home. In the a.m. I made a pot or two of real coffee to get my heart started. Then it wasn't too bad to wait until I found a "real" coffee stand in the parks to get my next cup.

 

[ma2jr]

call and upgrade to concierge or tell them you want lagoon view.

 

[dpndka]

The room service coffee wasn't too bad. Maybe order a pot for AM thru room service? I didn't get any coffee from Gasprilla's so don't know how it compares to room service. ofcourse, I am not a serious coffee drinker either so maybe my opinion doesn't count.