The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[Scott MC]

Can anyone answer my question about the possibility of moving to the CR or the Poly (assuming there are rooms available) once we get to GF and if we're not happy with the surroundings?
I have a coworker who honeymooned in RPC last week who agreed that the hotel itself is lovely, the staff is wonderful, the room was immaculate, but the cranes did sorta take away from the luster of it all. Like me, she wondered why they couldn't do one building at a time.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Scott MC - I don't think anyone can really answer whether you'll be able to switch resorts or not, as that probably changes day to day. You can certainly ask, and if the GF management can't help you, you could call CRO yourself and ask if there is availability. (I've read that others have done this.) But if you are that worried, and you know you do not want to look at construction, I would think about changing reservations now. You will have the best choice in room category and/or resort that way, I'm sure. And you wouldn't have to worry every day whether they had finished working or not.

Good luck, tough decision!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Praline, that cake is incredible!! The detail is amazing, and your son looks stunned! I was wondering, what did they use for the sand? It looks like either raw sugar cubes that are crushed, or maybe crushed cookies.

 

[Scott MC]

Actually, I may not have to do anything.
I just called the number for the GF and stated my worries. The woman, who was very nice, politely told me that there was no construction going on at the GF after all, but thanks to this thread, I was able to tell her exactly what was going on and what building it was going on in. (Thank you GF FAQ-ers! ) After a moment of stunned silence, I was put on hold for about 7 minutes, and when the woman returned, she said, "Ok, I have Kim from the front desk at the Grand on the line, and she'll be able to help you." Ha!
Kim was very nice, and told me that in fact, Sago, Conch and Boca Chica are having staircases repaired/replaced, but that by the time I got there, (8/19), it would be finished, and there was no scheduled maintenence at that time other than the flooring in the main building.
Here's hoping she's right! If they denied everything, I'd be suspicious, but since they admitted to the work going on right now, I'm guessing I can believe the rest of what they say!

 

[simplymama]

Can anyone answer my question about the possibility of moving to the CR or the Poly (assuming there are rooms available) once we get to GF and if we're not happy with the surroundings?
I have a coworker who honeymooned in RPC last week who agreed that the hotel itself is lovely, the staff is wonderful, the room was immaculate, but the cranes did sorta take away from the luster of it all. Like me, she wondered why they couldn't do one building at a time.

The one thing to consider is if you happen to be staying using a discount code, and the booking date is past for that code when you are there, they may or may not allow you to still use it, it just really depends. Also, I've been told that there are only so many rooms offered at discount code prices, so that's another consideration.

If you are that worried about it, I'd probably just switch now, to avoid the possibility all together.

For us, during the first 5 days when we were in the main building, it didn't bother us at all to walk around the grounds and see the construction. But when that became our view right out our balcony door, it did.

 

[simplymama]

Actually, I may not have to do anything.
I just called the number for the GF and stated my worries. The woman, who was very nice, politely told me that there was no construction going on at the GF after all, but thanks to this thread, I was able to tell her exactly what was going on and what building it was going on in. (Thank you GF FAQ-ers! ) After a moment of stunned silence, I was put on hold for about 7 minutes, and when the woman returned, she said, "Ok, I have Kim from the front desk at the Grand on the line, and she'll be able to help you." Ha!
Kim was very nice, and told me that in fact, Sago, Conch and Boca Chica are having staircases repaired/replaced, but that by the time I got there, (8/19), it would be finished, and there was no scheduled maintenence at that time other than the flooring in the main building.
Here's hoping she's right! If they denied everything, I'd be suspicious, but since they admitted to the work going on right now, I'm guessing I can believe the rest of what they say!

Well that's good news. We'll be there on the 11th, but not back until the 18th, so I won't have much time to let you know.

I'm a little worried about the main building flooring, but since Brook said it was in very small sections at a time and no noise, I'm trying not to think about it, and just focusing my worry on what rooms we'll get.

 

[Figment1990]

We will be arriving on the 12th, so I might have to call and speak with Kim myself.... unless someone else already has. I'll let you know if I find anything out. ScottMC - did they give you any indication of when exactly they were planning to be done? I've only got 13 days to go but I'm worried they will still be working on Boca.... That is where we put as our first request (along with Big Pine Key), on the recommendation of Johnsonet, who suggested it to satisfy my desire for a beautiful courtyard view.

Just out of curiosity... is this construction unique to the garden view sides of the lodges? I guess I was getting that impression from Brook's pictures. I would be thrilled to simply switch to a lagoon view now if that's all it would take!

Thank goodness for the DIS GF FAQ thread!

 

[praline3001]

Here are some photos of RPC breakfast our first morning. Just a quick reminder, please do not use my photos without my permission.

Here is a photo of the lobby from the lounge area in RPC

Here are some photos I took of the breakfast offerings

The cheese danishes were Ryan's favorite the entire week!

And this was SAvannah's favorite the entire week!

And this was MY favorite all week LOL

After breakfast, the kids played a little checkers (well big checkers) in the lounge while Daddy went to go get our things for the park!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

All of those foods look so good.

 

[praline3001]

Just out of curiosity... is this construction unique to the garden view sides of the lodges? I guess I was getting that impression from Brook's pictures. I would be thrilled to simply switch to a lagoon view now if that's all it would take!

I never saw construction on the lagoon side while we were there and there are none in my photos. I would hate to say they are only working on the courtyard side as things can change from week to week but while I was there that is the impression I got.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Brook, Your photos are bringing back such good memories of the Club level. My question is how did the cake taste and where did you even start cutting it at. It looked too beautiful to even cut into it.

 

[praline3001]

Brook, Your photos are bringing back such good memories of the Club level. My question is how did the cake taste and where did you even start cutting it at. It looked too beautiful to even cut into it.

The cake tasted ...well... It depends what you like if you thought it was GOOD... see Ryan's fav filling in the entire world is Key lime pie ~ I personally hate the stuff!
I had it filled with key lime pie as a special extra touch. Dave also likes key lime and said it was REALLY good.... but if you don't like tart/sour sweet tasting cake then you most likely wouldn't like it. Think sweet tarts!

If you read in my Trip report, we had an AMAZING time at 1900. While we were invited to step out for a private meet and greet/Birthday party Bob (our server) arranged for the cake to be delivered to our room. That way there would be no witnesses when we butchered it ...and butcher it we did! That thing was NOT easy to cut with all of those decorations and stuff!

 

[Figment1990]

Well I did not call the GF myself, but I did contact my wonderful travel agent. She updated my request to be located away from construction and she said that they are:

"putting fire escapes on buildings 7 and 5 and painting building 6."

I don't know which buildings are which, but if they correspond to room numbers, I believe #6 is Sugar Loaf, #7 is Conch and #5 is Sago, which would match up pretty close to what we have heard here.

We've decided to roll the dice and keep our ressie at the Grand. I just can't pass up the opportunity! I will be sure to post status of any construction when we return (we depart on 8/16).

Brook - your pics are so fun! I started reading your trip report and got sidetracked with all this construction talk. I'm going to go catch up now!

 

[dpndka]

I called WDTC last night to change my dates and the original PIN I had could not be used on new dates so the CM quoted me GV room with new promotion. Then the CM said wait SL is available for just $30 more. So I said why not. Am I going to be disappointed?

I guess for $30 more its better than GV but I still have the option to use 40% PIN for GV if I juggle with my dates. Therefore, now I am doubting my decision to go with SL. Any thoughts?

 

[johnsonet]

Very nice

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

You really got the royal treatment from the GF Bakery That's awesome to hear. The cake is absolutely fabulous

I never saw construction on the lagoon side while we were there and there are none in my photos. I would hate to say they are only working on the courtyard side as things can change from week to week but while I was there that is the impression I got.

These are pics taken from the lagoon (on my way to the Poly, where we were staying) of the lagoon side of Boca Chica. This was mid-MARCH.

Great info, Figment1990 Sounds like Boca Chica and Big Pine Key are the way to go! I hope everything will work out perfectly for your trip.

I called WDTC last night to change my dates and the original PIN I had could not be used on new dates so the CM quoted me GV room with new promotion. Then the CM said wait SL is available for just $30 more. So I said why not. Am I going to be disappointed?

I guess for $30 more its better than GV but I still have the option to use 40% PIN for GV if I juggle with my dates. Therefore, now I am doubting my decision to go with SL. Any thoughts?

I would take Sugar Loaf for $30 more over GV You'll have the GV PLUS snacks/coffee/etc. and the itinerary planning.

 

[MommyGina]

ScottMC - we will be at the GF the same time. Thanks for calling and finding out if construction will still be going on. I am going to call tomorrow. If I hear anything different, I will let everyone know.

Is the construction about putting in the fire escapes only, or is it something else? I thought they refurbished a few years ago?

 

[praline3001]

You really got the royal treatment from the GF Bakery That's awesome to hear. The cake is absolutely fabulous

That entire night was AMAZING! I never thought 1900 park fare would top our magical moments of all time at Disney

These are pics taken from the lagoon (on my way to the Poly, where we were staying) of the lagoon side of Boca Chica. This was mid-MARCH.

As I said, things change so quickly when it comes to construction. I would hate to make a statement about it and be wrong ...how embarrassing. While I was there I didn't see anything going on at the lagoon side of things but who knows if they are done or just took a break from that side and will return.

 

[billnang]

Ok question for all you who have stayed RPC... I just upgraded from SL to RPC... she asked if I would like to put in a request.. I said MK view...she said Standard room Main building the only requests I could ask for is garden, pool, marina or lagoon view?
I was really hoping for rooms like 4401-4405... I know it is just a request... honestly I do, what should I have asked for.. or should I contact IPO?

Angela

 

[Scott MC]

I have a few laundry questions.....

1. If I'm correct, there is a laundry facility in the main building...is this correct?

2. If I'm right, are they usually busy?

3. Can I put in laundry, go back to my room, and return at the end of the cycle or do I have to stay with it?

4. If I get really lazy, can I get my laundry done for me? And if so, does anyone have any idea what this might cost?

Thanks!

 

[simplymama]

Ok question for all you who have stayed RPC... I just upgraded from SL to RPC... she asked if I would like to put in a request.. I said MK view...she said Standard room Main building the only requests I could ask for is garden, pool, marina or lagoon view?
I was really hoping for rooms like 4401-4405... I know it is just a request... honestly I do, what should I have asked for.. or should I contact IPO?

Angela

Marina is the request that would get you a view of the MK, but I would just email IPO with your request, they will pass it along to the room assigners. Also if you really want it on your reservation so you can see it, just call back and speak to a different CM. Some are much more willing to add specific requests. It's your vacation, you can request anything you want.

I have specific rooms requested on ours and when I checked our reservation online the requests were there. Doesn't mean we will get them, but at least it's noted.