The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[Gabe's Mom]

Just changed our November trip from the Poly to the GF! I've been reading through this thread the last couple days, thanks everyone for the great info! Our family is myself, DH, and our 3 boys ages 10, 2, and 5 months. Couple questions please. Does the GF have the old cartoon channel? does anyone know what channel it is?
We have booked a garden view room. With 2 of our boys being so little, convenience is our top priority. Any suggestions for room requests?
Thanks in advance,
Michelle

 

[Mouseturtle]

Top floor lodge tower rooms don't have balconies.

It doesn't have to be the very top, I just dont like first floor. Do you think it's worth it to try and ask?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

It doesn't have to be the very top, I just dont like first floor. Do you think it's worth it to try and ask?

The problem with too many requests is that room assigner is more apt to ignore them all

Pick which two are most important (Like, Lodge Tower, not a ground floor etc)

Good luck!

 

[minniesota]

Staying in Sugar Loaf. So if I want an upper floor, facing pool, with a balcony, do the lodge tower rooms give me all that? And for me and DS12 are they worth asking for? They look charming

As Cinderumbrella -( Hi, Cinderumbrella!) suggested, you could request lodge tower, balcony. That would get you on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th floor! If you are dealing with anyone specific in IPO, you can also mention it to them! Good luck!

 

[Mouseturtle]

Speaking of IPO, it's something I just learned about! When should I contact them?

 

[phyllis1966]

Hi all - we've been away from WDW and the GF for 2 whole years and we can't wait to get back there next Saturday!

I have a question - I could swear I read somewhere in all these pages, a few months ago, that the GF has kid-sized robes for your room by request? Is this still true? Was it ever true? This will be our 7th GF stay, and we never knew this!

 

[minniesota]

Speaking of IPO, it's something I just learned about! When should I contact them?

IPO is the Itinerary Planning Office. These are the CMs who can make your reservations for dining, tours, specialty cruises (Wishes or Illuminations), cabanas, etc. They can also assist you with room requests or any special needs. The phone number for IPO for club level guests is 407-824-1775. The email address is Grand.Floridian.Itinerary.Planning@Disneyworld.com.
Sometimes the planning office will contact guests first, but feel free to get in touch with them and introduce yourselves. Usually you would contact them about 30 days before your ADR window - and now that is at 180 days. The IPO is on of the great perks of staying club level IMO.

 

[minniesota]

Hi all - we've been away from WDW and the GF for 2 whole years and we can't wait to get back there next Saturday!

I have a question - I could swear I read somewhere in all these pages, a few months ago, that the GF has kid-sized robes for your room by request? Is this still true? Was it ever true? This will be our 7th GF stay, and we never knew this!

It was true a long time ago but no longer. There are kid-size robes available for purchase in the Sandy Cove gift shop. Enjoy your stay!!!

 

[SevenSeasLagoon5]

It was true a long time ago but no longer. There are kid-size robes available for purchase in the Sandy Cove gift shop. Enjoy your stay!!!

It was such a cute touch. DS really got a kick out of it. It's true, they are no longer available in the rooms.

 

[phyllis1966]

We've been staying at the GF since 2002 - I can't believe I didn't know when they were still availabe...DD would have looked so cute!

Thanks for the info!

 

[Maxie86]

Thanks for the update! Was there still alot of work going on on the outerbuildings? I saw some pics on the Mouse Steps blog from a couple of weeks ago when they were working on Sugar Loaf and it looked like there was alot going on.

They was some painting going on in SL last week, should be done by now. There was a lot of work on Conch.

Thanks!
Can you post a link to the sites that have pictures? I am not worried about noise but the construction itself. We are planning on taking most of our pictures in the lobby. I am really worried about this.

I have a link to the floor pics, but it is against DIS guidelines to post it. Sorry.

There was minimal noise and work going on last week. They did not work on the weekend. No worries, I am sure that you will be able to get beautiful pictures in the lobby.

Congrats on your vow renewal.

It doesn't have to be the very top, I just dont like first floor. Do you think it's worth it to try and ask?

There is no first floor lodge tower room in SL.

 

[BlueSkies]

Desnik I just finished reading your journal...what a wonderful vow renewal that you have planned! I love everything! The White Hall room is beautiful...I cant wait to see all of the pics!! Enjoy every moment...

Hi there Maxie!!! ...

Phyllis I remember those childrens robes...it was so nice that they had them in the rooms...too bad they dont do that anymore...I think I read somewhere that CL guests get slippers as well...although we have never had them!!!????

Mouseturtle There are three lodge tower rooms in SL..the second and third floors have a balcony...there is no balcony on the fourth floor room there...they are by request only ( sorry if this is repeat info!!!???) and they all face the courtyard pool....HTH...


minnniesota I completely agree about IPO...it really makes trip planning so easy!!

 

[minniesota]

Mouseturtle There are three lodge tower rooms in SL..the second and third floors have a balcony...there is no balcony on the fourth floor room there...they are by request only ( sorry if this is repeat info!!!???) and they all face the courtyard pool....HTH...

Hi BlueSkies! So are there only 4 floors in SL? I posted the photo below a couple of days ago showing balconies on 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors but not on the 5th floor. This is a photo of Conch, though. I know you have more experience with SL so maybe that building only has 4 floors? Here's the photo of Conch:

 

[LlamaMamaof2]

Hi all- I have booked my first trip to the GF in January! I am pretty excited as my last stay was at Pop Century. To say I am hoping for a different experience would be an understatement...My question is about the 2 pools and which one is better for little kids. It looks like one of the pools is a zero entry which would be handy with the kids. Which pool do you like for little kids? I am wondering so I can do room requests around the pool. Thanks!

 

[BCV23]

Gabe's Mom, Big Pine Key is very convenient to the lobby and both pools. Sago Cay is the closest of the gardenview buildings to Gasparilla's if you will be be visiting it often.

 

[BCV23]

Hi all- I have booked my first trip to the GF in January! I am pretty excited as my last stay was at Pop Century. To say I am hoping for a different experience would be an understatement...My question is about the 2 pools and which one is better for little kids. It looks like one of the pools is a zero entry which would be handy with the kids. Which pool do you like for little kids? I am wondering so I can do room requests around the pool. Thanks!

Either pool is great for small children. The beach pool is zero entry which so many little ones enjoy. It has a fun slide as well. No building surrounds that pool. The main building and Big Pine Key are the closest to it. Big Pine Key is right by the courtyard pool as well.

Desnik, have fun with your renewal. It sounds magical. I hope all is perfect for you.

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi minniesota!! Yes SL does have only 4 floors...I didnt even realize that other of the lodges had more...

LlamaMammaof2 Congratulations on booking your first stay at the GF!!! You will love it..it is a special resort...There are 2 pools... the themed pool with the zero entry and a slide..it also has cabanas available...and is where the childrens activities take place each day...it also has lifeguards and closes at about 8pm (I think)...this is located closer to the main building near the lagoon...the courtyard pool which is located in the center of most of the outer lodges is simply a large pool that has a shallow and deep end..it also has a seperate kiddie pool and a hot tub......there are no lifeguards and it does not close..it is surrounded by lounge chairs and some table and chairs as well..it is the quieter of the two pools...both are very nice... Big Pine Key is the lodge that is closest to both pools...it has garden and lagoon views...and I think a few rooms that have a theme park view...

If you are planning on spending alot of time at the pools(especailly the themed pool) this might be a good building to request...Have a grand time!!!

 

[BlueSkies]

Hi BCV Looks like we were both answering LlamaMamas questions at the same time...

I know everyone has a preference but we have always preferred the courtyard pool...

 

[BCV23]

If it works again, here's a picture of the entry to the lobby. I took it in September. Love Pluto in the middle:

Hi, BlueSkies.

 

[BCV23]

One more for now...this is on the first floor by the elevators with the brass doors. The same pattern is repeated on the second floor and was installed a few days later: