The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[Cinderumbrella]

Does anyone here have the IPO email?? I wasn't sure if the one on the front page was current...

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I wondered about that too...how do they know when you are arriving to meet you? I am new at CL too as this will be my first stay.....we will be at BC CL for the first 3 nights and then transferring to GF SL for the next 3 nights. I am so excited!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

billnang & WUVmyDISNEY - If you are arriving by DME, then as soon as you check in at the Welcome Center counter, you are in the resort system. If you are arriving by car, they usually ask your name at the guard shack when you pull up, and I'm assuming they call ahead. I have rarely been met at the car, though, so I'm not sure it always works.

Cinderumbrella - I think that is the current IPO address on the front page.

 

[BlueSkies]

I wondered about that too...how do they know when you are arriving to meet you? I am new at CL too as this will be my first stay.....we will be at BC CL for the first 3 nights and then transferring to GF SL for the next 3 nights. I am so excited!

WUVmyDISNEY That is the exact split stay that I would like to do for our next family trip..Cant wait to hear how you like doing a split stay between these two resorts...

I have stayed at BC once(only for a weekend)...not CL though...and SL at the GF many times... and love it! (even if they dont offer slippers!!!) and BTW both views marina or courtyard are both lovely! Have a great trip...

 

[billnang]

Concierge Itinerary Planning Office
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Phone: 407-824-1775
Fax: 407-824-3461

Please Note: In our ongoing efforts to provide exemplary Guest services,
we have upgraded to a new mail server. Please direct all future
messages to Grand.Floridian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.

that is the ending of the email from them...

As for the BC/GF split.. that is what I wanted sooo bad!!!

 

[goofygal531]

So a question for all of you... How does the staff know what bus you are on ..to meet you after you get off the DME?

Once you check in at the DME counter, you're in the system. "They" know where you are and which bus you will be arriving on. However, they don't know what you look like We were the last family off the bus and I knew the CM with the clipboard was there to greet us, she asked each family their name and welcomed them to the Grand. Finally when we got off the bus, she said she'd been waiting for us It was very welcoming how she greeted each of us by our first names, even my kids. That is just the begining on how they make you feel so special

Also, my kids are 2,5,11,12 and I want to do something for them as a gift from Mickey, any ideas? I was thinking the slipper dessert for my 2 dd's, but what for my boys? and DH?

Anyone have anything they did, they would like to share?

Angela

This trip I ordered the "Ears to You" Mickey ears from the Disney Florist. They came with an autograph book, pen, pretzels and chocolate bar. They were waiting in our room when we arrived. After all these trips, we've never bought the boys Personalized Ears So now was the time!! They came so cute and very nicely packaged.

For my DH, I usually send him on the Epcot and Ft WL Segway tours. He's also done the Richard Petty Driving thingy last Father's Day. Next trip we'll be there for his 40th Bday. I'm planning on sending him on the New Epcot Nature/Air/Sea Segway tour and the WDW Indy Car Speedway thingy. He was sad that we didn't go to the racetrack with him last June. But it was 100 degrees and the kids were too young. I know everyone will enjoy watching him race around the track this time! Oh I've also ordered DH the tuxedo strawberries from PD.

suzcruz Now I know that I can ask for slippers during my next SL stay...but in a medium size!!:

The slippers are a bit large since they're unisex. I'm guessing they're a woman's size 12?? I'm a 9 1/2 and the backs have now curved up they're so big It's fine, they make me smile and bring back such wonderful memories. Who would have thought my favorite souvenir would be a freebie Oh, I did buy a GF Mug, not the tea cup that you have, I saw that one it's way too small for me. I got the large beige GF mug. I LOVE it!!!

It was so funny, a few weeks back I had on my GF shirt, GF slippers and drinking coffee out of my GF mug! I looked like such an advertisement for the GF!

goofygal I love your story...so typical of the staff at the GF....we have experienced similar customer service too...DD was sick during one of out trips a few years back and we had to stay in the room for 3 days!!! On the second day that we were in the room the housekeeper came back later in the day with a Mickey plush toy balloons and a card! It was sooo thoughtful of her.... it really made a difference to us....!!:

They truly live up to being a Flagship Resort!!

 

[goofygal531]

I wondered about that too...how do they know when you are arriving to meet you? I am new at CL too as this will be my first stay.....we will be at BC CL for the first 3 nights and then transferring to GF SL for the next 3 nights. I am so excited!

I would let the GF SL IPO indicate your split stay on your reservation AND itinerary. Give them an estimated time of your arrival. There's a CL podium outside of the GF, right before you enter on the left hand side. While I was sitting on a bench waiting for DME, I notice many people arriving by car stopping at the podium.

 

[BlueSkies]

Mare I dont think there is anything wrong with wearing a GF shirt and GF slippers (even if they are too big!!) and drinking from a GF mug........

That is a nice sized mug by the way...they need to add a plate to the collection though...

ETA: I love being met by the CM with the clip board! What a nice welcome way to start a trip!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Concierge Itinerary Planning Office
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Phone: 407-824-1775
Fax: 407-824-3461

Please Note: In our ongoing efforts to provide exemplary Guest services,
we have upgraded to a new mail server. Please direct all future
messages to Grand.Floridian.Itinerary.Planning@disneyworld.

that is the ending of the email from them...

As for the BC/GF split.. that is what I wanted sooo bad!!!

thanks!

 

[goofygal531]

Mare I dont think there is anything wrong with wearing a GF shirt and GF slippers (even if they are too big!!) and drinking from a GF mug........

That is a nice sized mug by the way...they need to add a plate to the collection though...

ETA: I love being met by the CM with the clip board! What a nice welcome way to start a trip!!

It was just such a funny moment when I realized I was head to toe in GF merchandise

I really love the size of that mug. I didn't see it there last year, just the tea cup. It reminds me of an old diner style mug.

The GF mug is at home in the city. DH bought me a useless Minnie from the waist down mug that I have here with me in the country. Ugh, it was sweet of him but the mug is just not meant to be used KWIM? It's one of those ceramic mugs with lots of nooks and crannies. Not fond of it. I've been using my refillable mug each morning.

Seeing that CM with her clipboard on arrival is just the BEST!!!

Did you have a chance to read what's in the new 2010 packages? There's a 15% off Spa coupon They also changed the arcade card to "100 credits" wonder if that's 100 quarters?? That 30 min non-stop card was a bust, I knew they had to change it somehow. They also removed a lot of the DTD restaurants from the DDP. Only Captain Jack is on the list. No more WPE or EOS. Now I really have no reason to visit DTD

 

[Figment1990]

I miss Brook's trip report too! I hope everything is alright and that she is just busy,

You RPB people are all making me want to switch my ressie AGAIN! Hmmm.... wonder if it's still available for our trip....

So do they sell these lovely slippers anywhere on property? I would LOVE something like that to bring home (and to use on the trip). It would be nice not to bring my own from home.....

 

[billnang]

I miss Brook's trip report too! I hope everything is alright and that she is just busy,

You RPB people are all making me want to switch my ressie AGAIN! Hmmm.... wonder if it's still available for our trip....

So do they sell these lovely slippers anywhere on property? I would LOVE something like that to bring home (and to use on the trip). It would be nice not to bring my own from home.....

Not sure when you are going... but I just switched to RPC less then a week ago and that was with the 40% code!!!

slippers are sounding good!!! who gets them?

 

[Figment1990]

Not sure when you are going... but I just switched to RPC less then a week ago and that was with the 40% code!!!

slippers are sounding good!!! who gets them?

We'll be there next Wednesday! And it's still available but DH said no to the $600 increase in cost (even with the 40% off code). He told me he would buy me new slippers for each night of the trip for much less than the cost increase....

But if it's still available when we get there and we have no other option than a room with a "construction view", you can bet we will be upgrading!

 

[billnang]

We'll be there next Wednesday! And it's still available but DH said no to the $600 increase in cost (even with the 40% off code). He told me he would buy me new slippers for each night of the trip for much less than the cost increase....

But if it's still available when we get there and we have no other option than a room with a "construction view", you can bet we will be upgrading!

Love it... so, at least your getting a few new pairs of slippers!!!Enjoy your stay!!

 

[LMO429]

awesome thread after 4 straight stays at the bc...we will be staying at the gf in dec!

 

[Figment1990]

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

ETA - Sorry everyone. not sure how this got posted. I was typing on my blackberry and that screen is so small!

 

[Figment1990]

This is totally the wrong forum for this but I always seem to have to shop BEFORE by trip (as well as during). 5: just rolls his eyes. Anyone else have this affliction? To date I've bought some new shorts and tanks, new swimsuit coverups and a few flip flops.

Please feel free to redirect me to the right thread! (The slippers got me thinking...)

 

[PaulaSB12]

This is totally the wrong forum for this but I always seem to have to shop BEFORE by trip (as well as during). 5: just rolls his eyes. Anyone else have this affliction? To date I've bought some new shorts and tanks, new swimsuit coverups and a few flip flops.

Please feel free to redirect me to the right thread! (The slippers got me thinking...)

I always end up with more clothes than I need then get to the hotel and find I forgot my watch again. I have a collection of disney watches because of that.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Ugh, I'm home sick today but at least I can get caught up on this thread! LOL!

Hi MsStinkerbelle. I think all of the lodges have nice gardenview rooms. The only ones I would avoid is the "backside" of Sago Cay as some rooms there face the back parking lot of the Convention Center.

Thanks! This is something I really needed to know. I can't stand parking lot views. The marina view sounds lovely!

MsStinkerBelle- we like the marina views in Conch Key the best. It is close to the boat dock, near Gasparillas and a short walk to the bus stop. It is a walk to the beach pool, but a lovely one... courtyard pool/hot tub are steps away, however...Enjoy your December stay! This will be our second year in a row staying at the GF in December, and it is divine!

This sounds like the ideal location for us--thanks! While the monorail is nice, DD9 really likes to take the boat launch. And it's always been such a nice stroll from the marina through the grounds to the main building. It would also be beneficial to be so close to Gasparilla's for 'snack runs'.

The more I read and hear, the more I'm so excited about the Grand at Christmas!

MS Stinkerbelle My favorite GV is Boca Chica..I love that it overlooks the courtyard pool and the main building which is so pretty to look at and especially at night...but recently Johnsonet posted some pics from Big Pine and I thought that view looked really nice too...

Now that I remember, during Christmas it looked especially pretty out there. I'll keep this building in mind too.

Just wanted to add another little observation about the GF. Even though we were visiting, I was amazed how attentive the staff was. My DD has done a lot of the Children's Programs there and the staff remember her every year. Very cool!

 

[LJD2143]

Not sure when you are going... but I just switched to RPC less then a week ago and that was with the 40% code!!!

I was wondering about this!!!.......

We booked SugarLoaf back in February with the 40% PIN we received in the mail. This week I paid our balance in full.

My question is - do I still have the option to upgrade to RPC and still get the 40% discount? I was assuming that since my 40% PIN booking window expired long ago, that I would lose it if I cancelled one reservation and replaced it with another? Or can they just upgrade my reservation without losing my PIN?