The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[cosmicrays]

Which ones? The ones in the sugar loaf building or other buildings?

 

[Carol'sDisney]

Which ones? The ones in the sugar loaf building or other buildings?

The ones in the other buildings.

 

[BCV23]

OK, time for another possibly stupid question. What views do the lodge tower rooms have? Do they vary?

In Conch Key, Boca Chica and Big Pine Key, the lodge tower rooms face the courtyard. In Sago Cay, they face the marina although at least one might be a suite instead of a lodge tower room...it looks a bit different. I've never seen anyone post about being in a lodge tower room in Sago Cay. Hopefully, someone will post with info.

However, lodge tower rooms are not a request in these buildings but a separate more expensive category. Only in Sugar Loaf are they available by request only and at the same price as any other room.

 

[irisbud]

I wish the GF allowed pets. I would bring China and Bentley with me in a heartbeat. Pepper (our corgi) would be better boarded due to her age ...she can be a bit snappy with kids.

I understand its those *bad* owners that cause me not to be able to bring my angels. They are AKC certified good citizen awarded plus several other certifications. Bentley is a *dog scout* even! It would be so cool if I could bring them with me!!!!!!

Not to mention the allergy problems, the transportation problems, and the fact that many people would be leaving their dogs alone in the hotels, or the kennels would become overfull with dogs who were staying while their families played in the park.

We travel for our business on weekends fairly frequently, and usually our doggie joins us, but I can see where this would be a nightmare at WDW. I love him, but I know he is happier at home!

Disney does offer an option for staying with your dog; you can rent a campsite at Fort Wilderness and your dog is welcome on the pet loops.

Unfortunatley, however, there is no concierge there

 

[praline3001]

Disney does offer an option for staying with your dog; you can rent a campsite at Fort Wilderness and your dog is welcome on the pet loops.

Unfortunatley, however, there is no concierge there

you don't know me that well ~ my idea of roughing it would be CBR

Honestly we have a whole spare room in the house set up for camping gear. DH is a boy scout leader and both of our boys are scouts. They go camping at least twice a month!! I have only been ONCE with them camping. I got my hair caught in the zipper of the tent at 2am (potty break) and they had to cut my hair out of the zipper... yeah I am still trying to live that one down!
I don't camp

 

[lala3291]

We have recently changed our December 26-January 2 vacation to the GF RPC! We are so excited! We were originally going to stay at BLT, but we decided that we really wanted to go back to GF RPC! We stayed at BWI club level in February and it did not even come close to RPC, IMHO. We are beyond thrilled...we stayed at GF RPC back in 2006, 2007, and last August 2008. Looking forward to reading up on this thread and learning what new is going on at the GF! Has anything changed much since last August?

 

[praline3001]

Here is another question for those who are regulars at RPC~

We get a special key to unlock the elevator and stairs to get to our nice comfy secured floor...well..errr... what if there is a fire or power outage?! Do the doors to the stairs unlock automatically when there is a power outage? Are we stuck until the power comes back on?
I would guess they would have a way for us to evacuate in case of a fire but not sure what that would be?

2 days and 12 hours until we leave ..you would think I would have thought of this sooner lol

 

[johnsonet]

**
Hi Johnsonet!!

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I will certainly keep that in mind. Do you happen to have any photo's of your last vacation at the wonderful GF? It really does sound beautiful.

Take care.
Brunette

Hi. I have TONS of photos, but I have not stayed garden view at GF in about 5 years. Last May I booked GV but was upgraded to Theme Park View .
Anyway, here is a pic taken from an upper floor of Boca Chica. It is not my photograph... I found this photo in a search of images.

This would be a garden view and as you can see, it overlooks the Courtyard Pool and the Main Building. As I said earlier, this view is even more lovely at night

you don't know me that well ~ my idea of roughing it would be CBR

Honestly we have a whole spare room in the house set up for camping gear. DH is a boy scout leader and both of our boys are scouts. They go camping at least twice a month!! I have only been ONCE with them camping. I got my hair caught in the zipper of the tent at 2am (potty break) and they had to cut my hair out of the zipper... yeah I am still trying to live that one down!
I don't camp

We have recently changed our December 26-January 2 vacation to the GF RPC! We are so excited! We were originally going to stay at BLT, but we decided that we really wanted to go back to GF RPC! We stayed at BWI club level in February and it did not even come close to RPC, IMHO. We are beyond thrilled...we stayed at GF RPC back in 2006, 2007, and last August 2008. Looking forward to reading up on this thread and learning what new is going on at the GF! Has anything changed much since last August?

Very exciting
I haven't been since August 2008 either but people here are reporting that work on the new "marble" floors has just (finally) begun in the lobby and 2d floor of the main building and also that the M. Mouse Mercantile shop on the second floor has been renovated. New look for the poolside cabanas since last summer too

Here is another question for those who are regulars at RPC~

We get a special key to unlock the elevator and stairs to get to our nice comfy secured floor...well..errr... what if there is a fire or power outage?! Do the doors to the stairs unlock automatically when there is a power outage? Are we stuck until the power comes back on?
I would guess they would have a way for us to evacuate in case of a fire but not sure what that would be?

2 days and 12 hours until we leave ..you would think I would have thought of this sooner lol

You shouldn't have packed so far in advance Now you're just overthinking things
Have a great vacation

 

[mmmears]

you don't know me that well ~ my idea of roughing it would be CBR :

Brook, you and I have the same idea of what "roughing it" is. For me, it's almost anyplace that doesn't have the words "Resort & Spa" attached to the name!

 

[mmmears]

Here is another question for those who are regulars at RPC~

We get a special key to unlock the elevator and stairs to get to our nice comfy secured floor...well..errr... what if there is a fire or power outage?! Do the doors to the stairs unlock automatically when there is a power outage? Are we stuck until the power comes back on?
I would guess they would have a way for us to evacuate in case of a fire but not sure what that would be?

2 days and 12 hours until we leave ..you would think I would have thought of this sooner lol

Haven't stayed in RPC YET (you're going there before we are), but most CL levels you need a key to access the elevator UP to that level, not down. The same goes with the stairs. Honestly, I think that the stairs are for emergencies and you can always get down them, at any hotel. Don't worry!

 

[praline3001]

Haven't stayed in RPC YET (you're going there before we are), but most CL levels you need a key to access the elevator UP to that level, not down. The same goes with the stairs. Honestly, I think that the stairs are for emergencies and you can always get down them, at any hotel. Don't worry!

Oh I am not worried ~ I was just curious

wouldn't want to go up in flames now would we?!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Ok...

1. Fire safety - always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the fire evacuation routes in any location ... even on vacation. Usually there is some info on the back of the door to your room. If you'd like more, ask any resort CM for details.

2. On Topic Please - This is supposed to be a thread about the Grand Floridian and questions and posts pertaining to planning a visit there. (yes fire safety is one such topic) While we appreciate that some off topic chatter is bound to happen, this is the second time I've posted a warning in this thread to keep it on topic about the Grand Floridian please.



Thanks,

Knox

 

[mmmears]

Oh I am not worried ~ I was just curious

wouldn't want to go up in flames now would we?!

I hope you have a wonderful trip! Will you be posting on the trip or only when you get home? Hope I can read some good tips before we are there!

 

[praline3001]

I hope you have a wonderful trip! Will you be posting on the trip or only when you get home? Hope I can read some good tips before we are there!

Chances are I won't be posting from there. I will have my laptop for uploading photos but I am usually having too much fun to sit in front of my computer to post while at Disney

 

[mmmears]

Has anyone returned lately? Can you please tell us about the weather there? I'm packing, and the online forcasts just show thunderstorms for each day, but not whether or not they last for the whole day or just an hour or two.

And if it is raining, is it so bad (with the thunder) that they are closing the pools at the GF? Or are people swimming in the rain?

We're planning to spend part of each day swimming in our resort pools, so I'm wondering if I'm going to need a back-up plan...

Thanks for any info!

 

[praline3001]

Has anyone returned lately? Can you please tell us about the weather there? I'm packing, and the online forcasts just show thunderstorms for each day, but not whether or not they last for the whole day or just an hour or two.

And if it is raining, is it so bad (with the thunder) that they are closing the pools at the GF? Or are people swimming in the rain?

We're planning to spend part of each day swimming in our resort pools, so I'm wondering if I'm going to need a back-up plan...

Thanks for any info!

It rains everyday in the tropical regions such as where I live and Orlando...well most days in the summer ~ afternoon thunderstorms usually last no more than an hour. If there is lightening they will close outdoor rides and pools for safety. Once the thunder is so many miles out they reopen everything. I would have a back up plan to be safe but usually it doesn't rain the entire day ... they just get an entire days worth of rain in an hour

I packed a bunch of those cheapy throw away ponchos. I know its going to rain a few afternoons while we are there!

 

[simplymama]

We have recently changed our December 26-January 2 vacation to the GF RPC! We are so excited! We were originally going to stay at BLT, but we decided that we really wanted to go back to GF RPC! We stayed at BWI club level in February and it did not even come close to RPC, IMHO. We are beyond thrilled...we stayed at GF RPC back in 2006, 2007, and last August 2008. Looking forward to reading up on this thread and learning what new is going on at the GF! Has anything changed much since last August?

Wow, when did you change? I've been trying to get those exact dates for RPC for a while now, and it's been booked solid:-(

Lucky you!!!!

 

[cosmicrays]

I got dates similar to those just yesterday. I cant wait!!

 

[simplymama]

I got dates similar to those just yesterday. I cant wait!!

Really, I've been checking online every day, and the outer lodges come up but nothing for the RPC. Did you book through Disney direct?

 

[johnsonet]

Has anyone returned lately? Can you please tell us about the weather there? I'm packing, and the online forcasts just show thunderstorms for each day, but not whether or not they last for the whole day or just an hour or two.

And if it is raining, is it so bad (with the thunder) that they are closing the pools at the GF? Or are people swimming in the rain?

We're planning to spend part of each day swimming in our resort pools, so I'm wondering if I'm going to need a back-up plan...

Thanks for any info!

They do close the Waterfall pool sometimes. DD and I have been in line for the waterslide more than once when the pool has been closed due to "lightning sightings". But that's the way it goes in the summer. Sunny and hot and then brief thundershowers or storms in the afternoons. That's usually it!


The courtyard pool is probably always a sure thing