The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[praline3001]

praline3001,
All your photos look amazing so thanks for posting them.

Just you wait LOL

We did the pirate and pal fireworks cruise and were in your neck of the woods.... I got some great photos of the pirate area they have set up on the main floor of CR...it was cute! Alas that would be day 3 and I am still only on day 1 of my Trip report! LOL

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just you wait LOL

We did the pirate and pal fireworks cruise and were in your neck of the woods.... I got some great photos of the pirate area they have set up on the main floor of CR...it was cute! Alas that would be day 3 and I am still only on day 1 of my Trip report! LOL

Well I can't wait to read the rest of it and see your other pictures.

 

[Kanga1]

I'm here now and just wanted to say that the construction is indeed still underway. I see cranes, generators, and work being done to Sago, Conch, Boco Chica, and the Lobby. We checked in on 7/21 and they put us in Conch Key right next to the heavy drilling, sandblasting, or whatever it is they are doing to the stairwells. So loud. Even the bell hop was embarrased to take us to that room and said it should be taken out of service! Needless to say, we moved to Boca Chica but we are opposite the cranes.

 

[Scott MC]

<sigh>
They really should mention this when you make your reservation.

 

[MommyGina]

I am not happy to hear that all this work is being done either. I'll be there in 20 more days and if there is work right being done outside my room, I am going to asked to be moved.

We should be told when we make our reservations about work being done. How long do you think work takes for each building? Maybe it will be complete in 3 more weeks.

Brook, was the Teddy Bear lady in the GF lobby? Thank you for the great pictures! Your daughter is so cute!

 

[guitarob]

I'm truly sorry if this has been posted here before, I skimmed through the thread but didn't seem to notice it:

Is there a difference between Royal Palm and Sugarloaf Concierge? Our reservation says Standard, Outer Club, Sugarloaf... What exactly does that tell me? I've done concierge before at the Polynesian, but it's all contained in one building. Will we have to walk over to the main building to take advantage of the lounge?

TIA for your help

 

[simplymama]

I'm truly sorry if this has been posted here before, I skimmed through the thread but didn't seem to notice it:

Is there a difference between Royal Palm and Sugarloaf Concierge? Our reservation says Standard, Outer Club, Sugarloaf... What exactly does that tell me? I've done concierge before at the Polynesian, but it's all contained in one building. Will we have to walk over to the main building to take advantage of the lounge?

TIA for your help

No real difference in the service, just the atmosphere. Royal Palm Club is in the main building, so you get a room there. The lounge has nice views and you can hear the orchestra from up there playing in the evening which is really nice.

Sugarloaf is the outer lodge and they have their own lounge, so you wouldn't go to the main building to use that one. Not much of a view from that lounge, but the same food offerings.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

guitarob - No, you do not have to walk to the main building. The difference between RPC and SL club levels is the location. RPC is located in the main building, SL is located in the outer Sugar Loaf building, which is very convenient to the main building, courtyard pool, Gasparilla's and the marina. Other than that, they are essentially the same; food offerings, advance planning, etc.

The lounge in SL is located in the building's lobby, as you walk in the doors. All the food offerings are set up there, there is a seating area, and the cast members have their desks there.

ETA - I see simplymama beat me to it!

 

[guitarob]

Thank you so very much for the quick replies!

 

[Scott MC]

I am not happy to hear that all this work is being done either. I'll be there in 20 more days and if there is work right being done outside my room, I am going to asked to be moved.

We should be told when we make our reservations about work being done. How long do you think work takes for each building? Maybe it will be complete in 3 more weeks.

Brook, was the Teddy Bear lady in the GF lobby? Thank you for the great pictures! Your daughter is so cute!

It sounds like we'll be there at the same time!
To me, it's more than just having a room in a building that's not being worked on. For what I'm paying, I don't want to walk out onto my balcony and see 3-4 buildings surrounded by construction. If they have to do this, it should be one building at a time.
If I'm really upset by the work going on, what are the odds of getting what I want if I insist on being moved to the Poly or CR (which everyone else in my party wanted to stay at- I pushed for GF, and now wish I hadn't)?

 

[dinatwin]

I'm going the first week in Nov do you think they will still be renovating at that time? I agree with everyone else I'm paying big money to stay at the GF and to look out your room and see cranes is crazy.

 

[toodycat]

Kanga1---Thanks for the info. Is the lodge area loud overall or is it just in the buildings under construction that are noisy? I'm trying to decide whether or not the resort will be too loud for son.

 

[praline3001]

I just wanted to let you guys know I posted some photos of the cake the GF bakery made for my son on my trip report. As its not the resort itself I didn't know if I should post them here or not

The cake is on page 6 of my trip report and the link is in my siggy if anyone is looking to have a special cake made while at the GF.

 

[johnsonet]

I just wanted to let you guys know I posted some photos of the cake the GF bakery made for my son on my trip report. As its not the resort itself I didn't know if I should post them here or not

The cake is on page 6 of my trip report and the link is in my siggy if anyone is looking to have a special cake made while at the GF.

I just saw it! WOW!!!!!!! Unbelievable

For all of those going to the GF soon, I hope everything works out and that the grounds and your views are all that they should be.
If not, insist on being moved before you settle into your room on Day 1. That's my advice, at least.

 

[BCV23]

Brook, don't you think it would be OK to post a picture of your son's cake here. It was done by the GF bakery so it is on topic, I think.

I'm going to pop in to see the cake and look forward to reading your trippie when I have time.

 

[wer14631]

Checked out yesterday after a one week stay. Still plenty of construction. Two cranes were in front of Boca Chica (our original room assignment). We asked to be moved to the "front" of Big Pine (closest to the main building) and were given a great GV room #9408. No construction on Big Pine and we had a great view of Wishes fireworks over the pool.

 

[praline3001]

Brook, don't you think it would be OK to post a picture of your son's cake here. It was done by the GF bakery so it is on topic, I think.

I'm going to pop in to see the cake and look forward to reading your trippie when I have time.

Here is a copy and paste of the post I did in my TR about the cake..lots of photos as the detail was AMAZING!
What did I have in store for my 12 year old?!

A few months before our trip I started planning his birthday cake. I wanted something that would knock his socks off ~ a real pirate cake! I didn't want anything babyish or capt hook like as he is 12 now. I spoke with Pat (the GF cake lady) several times and we came up with a plan for a great cake...little did I know just HOW great it was ...man o man I was speechless. The filling was key lime pie as that is Ryan's favorite flavor in the entire world!

Here is the first photo of it being brought to our table

The head chef of the GF bakery personally came to our table to introduce himself. His name was Richard and he was so proud of his creation and explained to us how much fun he had decorating it! It was really cool to meet him.

All of the characters had to come over and sneak a peek at this cake ..as well as all the guest!

Here is the top photo for me ... my too cool 12 year old totally lost his cool and turned into a little boy again

I swear I almost cried ...actually I think a tear or 2 slipped when nobody was looking LOL

I have tons of photos of this cake simply because I couldn't do justice to the amount of detail if I didn't ...OMG this cake was soooo full of details~ every tiny little part of it!

This photo came out blurry but you can even see the painted gold teeth of the skull this cake had that much detail!

Also ....everything was edible!

another shot of my very surprised and happy boy!

There was even a glo cube in the skull to give it a spooky effect

 

[karebear1]

That cake is unbelievable! How awesome!!!!

 

[praline3001]

That cake is unbelievable! How awesome!!!!

Thanks! The head chef came out and introduced himself and spent time with us. He told me it was the most fun he had decorating a cake in a LONG time! He thought having a pirate booty type theme ..as if the cake were treasure island and that was all hidden pirate treasure would be the best way to go for an age appropriate cake for a 12 year old boy... its so hard to come up with things for boys but especially that age group at Disney. I think they got this one right if the look on my son's face is any indication

 

[Figment1990]

It sounds like we'll be there at the same time!
To me, it's more than just having a room in a building that's not being worked on. For what I'm paying, I don't want to walk out onto my balcony and see 3-4 buildings surrounded by construction. If they have to do this, it should be one building at a time.
If I'm really upset by the work going on, what are the odds of getting what I want if I insist on being moved to the Poly or CR (which everyone else in my party wanted to stay at- I pushed for GF, and now wish I hadn't)?

I'm starting to wonder the same thing. Perhaps I should just change over to the Poly or Beach Club now. We debated endlessly over staying at the Grand for this trip and as it's our first time, I really don't want to be lounging at the pool surrounded by construction workers and cranes.