The All New Grand Floridian FAQ - MAY 2009

[drskw]

Does anyone know what time the piano and orchestra play in the lobby each evening? I know they switch back and forth, but is there a schedule? Thanks

 

[heatherlynn444]

they start at 3 or maybe 4 and play till 10:00 if I remember correctly

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We just returned from our first stay at the Grand Floridian and it far exceeded our expectations.

So glad to hear this! And congrats on the lagoon view upgrade! Reading your review makes me really excited about our upcoming trip in December. DD10 has always wanted to stay at the GF!

 

[mommyoftwinz]

My husband and DD and DS (both 6) stayed at Sago Cay. It was close to the bus stop and the quick service which made it convenient to grab a refill drink or snack. We really enjoyed our stay at the GF and felt it was worth every penny. We took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom (one stop) and then took the boat back home (one stop), that worked out great. The first day we got there they delivered a chocolate mickey with cookies for my husbands birthday and the kids each got a towel animal which they got a kick out of. They also loved the chocolates that were left on their bed each night, I loved the daybed as my son was sick so it was convenient to give him his own bed. Overall, it was a very nice place to stay and I'd stay there again given the chance.

 

[mmmears]

My husband and DD and DS (both 6) stayed at Sago Cay. It was close to the bus stop and the quick service which made it convenient to grab a refill drink or snack. We really enjoyed our stay at the GF and felt it was worth every penny. We took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom (one stop) and then took the boat back home (one stop), that worked out great. The first day we got there they delivered a chocolate mickey with cookies for my husbands birthday and the kids each got a towel animal which they got a kick out of. They also loved the chocolates that were left on their bed each night, I loved the daybed as my son was sick so it was convenient to give him his own bed. Overall, it was a very nice place to stay and I'd stay there again given the chance.

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at the GF -- I've always enjoyed staying there. And that monorail to and boat from the MK is a real time saver!

 

[minniesota]

My husband and DD and DS (both 6) stayed at Sago Cay. It was close to the bus stop and the quick service which made it convenient to grab a refill drink or snack. We really enjoyed our stay at the GF and felt it was worth every penny. We took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom (one stop) and then took the boat back home (one stop), that worked out great. The first day we got there they delivered a chocolate mickey with cookies for my husbands birthday and the kids each got a towel animal which they got a kick out of. They also loved the chocolates that were left on their bed each night, I loved the daybed as my son was sick so it was convenient to give him his own bed. Overall, it was a very nice place to stay and I'd stay there again given the chance.

Thanks for letting us know about your stay! How cool that you received one of those yummy chocolate Mickeys. Sorry your son was sick - never fun on vacation. Where was your room located? Did you have a GV or TPV room?

 

[mommyoftwinz]

Thanks for letting us know about your stay! How cool that you received one of those yummy chocolate Mickeys. Sorry your son was sick - never fun on vacation. Where was your room located? Did you have a GV or TPV room?

We had a GV room over the marina area. The balconies are larger than I thought, two chairs and a table and you can even fit a few more. You couldn't see the fireworks from our room but we'd just walk right out the door and there's a patio in front of the quick service that we could sit there and watch the fireworks and then go right up to bed. My kids were exhausted! Also, you can go down to the boat launch area at night and catch the water parade, it started at 9:15 everynight, they have benches down there so that was fun too. They have what looks like a great zero entry pool but the weather did not allow for swimming. I think the food service in the hotels were one of the better places we ate. The quick service was so flexible with the dining plan and really allowed us to get whatever we wanted. Have fun!

 

[MommyGina]

Mommyoftwinz: Welcome back from the GF. We loved staying at Sago. The first three times we stayed at the GF we were booked into Sago and in the same room. We also had a marina view. I loved sitting on the balcony. Last year we booked Sago and were up graded to Sugar Loaf. Loved it so much that we are booked there for July. Is the lobby floor in the main building finally finished? How about any other construction/painting go on now?

 

[mommyoftwinz]

Mommyoftwinz: Welcome back from the GF. We loved staying at Sago. The first three times we stayed at the GF we were booked into Sago and in the same room. We also had a marina view. I loved sitting on the balcony. Last year we booked Sago and were up graded to Sugar Loaf. Loved it so much that we are booked there for July. Is the lobby floor in the main building finally finished? How about any other construction/painting go on now?

I didn't see any construction going on. My son loved the old Mickey cartoons they showed in the lobby. They were doing some painting over by the bus stop, they were painting all those railings and we had to walk around but not too much of a big deal. Sugar Loaf looks like an even better location, you are closer to the other pool. It's a great hotel, I would totally stay there again, everyone was so nice. My daughter wrote a thank you note to mousekeeping for making her bed nice everyday and they left her a towel clown, that really made her day.

 

[uktog]

We stayed 5-7 Feb; it was to be a very special weekend for us.
We arrived at 1430 and reception was chaos - put that down to bad timing.
We had added 2 days on to a trip from the UK doing quite a flight deviation so we could have special time for two adults who have had a challenging year and have a lot more challenges coming up. Reservations were made over the phone (international call) and I called back later to confirm a king room and again to make sure our particular celebration was noted. What we were celebrating was noted on the reservation emailed to us.

OK, back to check in; room is not ready; will not be until 1800 - just confirm we will have a king then (we were happy to store luggage and hit Epcot as we only had 2 days of park time). Oh no, they have no note of the calls re the kingsized bed, no room like that is around etc etc. This was really upsetting.

Will cut out all the back and forward conversations but supervisor arrived, told us quite bluntly (maybe correct) that king sized rooms were for handicapped people; disney was set up for families so they did not do other king rooms and next time we book Disney we should remember that. My husband was really unhappy about that, explained to her that coming from the UK, visits were not that frequent and without labouring the point, he quietly said I am not sure there will be a next time which she did not understand

Upshot was we were given one of the non king bed eaves room (disappointed in the smaller size) in Sago Cay (liked the location) which was exactly the category we booked and was to be available in about an hour. So we said OK and further cut back our park time so we could get in.

Our stay was pleasant, not the best because of how it started left a taste in our mouths. We saw lots of people with "Im celebrating" badges which we discovered we should have had a check in but as the lines were always so long at reception we never went and got one.

On the boards here I had read about towel animals and people getting x and y. Giving how it had started and the fact I had wasted a lot on International calls to get a request recorded that was then not actioned I maybe wrongly thought their might be something - even a card to say sorry. We leave a first night tip for mousekeeping on the morning of 6th etc. (which having reread these boards I now realise was about the tip that should have been left by a family of 4 staying 3 nights) Did we get anything, no not even a towel animal which I so wanted (note to mousekeeping, you had probably worked out that the room was occupied by adults only but they also want the fun things).

On check out, another member of staff again did not even note we had such a long flight home (hint UK accents; pile of luggage) and said, hope you can have a drive back for another short break with us soon.

So my guess is whilst very nice surroundings, GF is not for
two night stays
Adults only
those from the UK who are not fully versed with all that they should and should not expect to receive automatically

Maybe its buyers remorse but I think whilst the location was good, I should have saved money and stayed at the Poly or Contemporary and not expected to feel a little more special at the GF

 

[johnsonet]

uktog, I'm really sorry to hear about your disappointing stay

One problem is that you should never have gotten "confirmation" of a King room because that is a request only, whether at GF or Polynesian or Contemporary, etc. If there are no King rooms vacant on the day that you check in, then there is no way they can assign one to you. There is a King Deluxe category in Club Level but that is a different room entirely. And there are suites that would guarantee you a King bed. But that's it. So, that was the first problem.

It's too bad your room wasn't ready until 6pm. That would make things difficult as well, especially for a 2-nights-only stay.

Also, unfortunately towel animals are housekeeper-dependent. Some "specialize" in them and some don't. It's too bad you were unlucky in this department as well

I hope you'll give WDW another try sometime and that your experience will make up for this unpleasantness. Good luck

 

[k&a&c'smom]

uktog - I'm sorry your check in experience was such a trial, what a shame! It's tough to have a good trip after bad feelings like that, especially with such a short stay. I understand what you mean about the long distance charges, when we went to London a couple years ago I had to do everything by phone as well, the cost adds up.

While these boards are wonderful for research, they can often set up unrealistic expectations. The freebies that people report are nice, and what a wonderful surprise for them, but they aren't guaranteed and are not as frequent as these boards make it seem. Hard to remember that when so many report getting something unexpected, and I agree that at least a card would have been nice, and a smart move on their part to smooth ruffled feathers.

Just to play devil's advocate a bit, perhaps the CM helping you to depart thought you were living here in the US. There are a lot of people from the UK living in Florida, and since you were there for a weekend, he may have thought you were a local.

Best of luck on your next vacation, wherever it may be. I hope if it is at WDW you get a magical trip!

 

[MagicPrincess]

Hi!
New to the GF boards, can't believe I never paid any attention- it looks beautiful!

Are all of the Sugarloaf CL rooms in one building? Also, what is the transportation like from the GF to the parks? What's the easiest way to get to Epcot.

Also, I know DH is going to ask, does the CL serve beer, and can you ask for one if it's not out during the day? I know Poly CL will get you one if you ask!

Thanks!

 

[MommyGina]

Hi!
New to the GF boards, can't believe I never paid any attention- it looks beautiful!

Are all of the Sugarloaf CL rooms in one building? Also, what is the transportation like from the GF to the parks? What's the easiest way to get to Epcot.

Also, I know DH is going to ask, does the CL serve beer, and can you ask for one if it's not out during the day? I know Poly CL will get you one if you ask!

Thanks!

Hi MagicPrincess. The GF is beautiful! That is one of the reasons we keep going back year after year.

In answer to your question about Sugarloaf CL in one building - yes. Sugarloaf is the name of the building and it is all concierge. Beer is served at night, but you can ask the CM's for a beer during the day and they will get it for you.

As far as getting to EPCOT, we take the monorail from the GF and switch monorails at the transportation center. I guess you could either take the monorail or boat from the GF to MK and then get a bus to EPCOT, but I think that would take a bit longer. I may be wrong though!

When are you planning on going to the GF?

Gina

 

[MagicPrincess]

Thanks for answering my questions!

We're hoping to go to WDW the first week of August. Still planning- need to make a decision and quick!

I kind of had my heart set on the Poly, but for some reason I looked at the GF today, and I dunno, it really caught my eye! I need to show DH some pics tonight to see what he thinks!

I was a little concerned about what the kids would think of the resort ( they are 8 and 4-is it too fancy?), but seriously, they're at Disney- that's all they're going to care about! LOL

I'm sure I'll be here asking all kinds of questions!!!

 

[MagicPrincess]

another question...
I know some rooms have great views of the castle, can you walk around the grounds of the GF and see the castle as well?

Also, does anyone have a link to the menu of food offerings at the Sugar Loaf?

I really love how bright and cheery the resort looks! very very pretty!!!

 

[johnsonet]

another question...
I know some rooms have great views of the castle, can you walk around the grounds of the GF and see the castle as well?

Yes! When you walk out of the main back doors from the lobby you can see peeks of the Castle from the walkways out to the Courtyard pool and outer lodges. You can also see it quite clearly from the Marina area, which is also where the outdoor seating of Gasparilla Grill (quick service) is. You can't see the Castle from the GF's beach or its pools though.

 

[MommyGina]

Thanks for answering my questions!

We're hoping to go to WDW the first week of August. Still planning- need to make a decision and quick!

I kind of had my heart set on the Poly, but for some reason I looked at the GF today, and I dunno, it really caught my eye! I need to show DH some pics tonight to see what he thinks!

I was a little concerned about what the kids would think of the resort ( they are 8 and 4-is it too fancy?), but seriously, they're at Disney- that's all they're going to care about! LOL

I'm sure I'll be here asking all kinds of questions!!!

I don't think it is too fancy at all. My kids have been staying there for the past 4 years. They were 10 and 7. They loved sitting in front of Gasparilla's watching the fireworks with their refillable mugs.

Hope this helps.

 

[mommyoftwinz]

Thanks for answering my questions!

We're hoping to go to WDW the first week of August. Still planning- need to make a decision and quick!

I kind of had my heart set on the Poly, but for some reason I looked at the GF today, and I dunno, it really caught my eye! I need to show DH some pics tonight to see what he thinks!

I was a little concerned about what the kids would think of the resort ( they are 8 and 4-is it too fancy?), but seriously, they're at Disney- that's all they're going to care about! LOL

I'm sure I'll be here asking all kinds of questions!!!

I agree with the others, you're kids will love it. Mine are both 6 and I was concerned it would be too fancy as well. They loved the sandy beach and the hammocks and the pool is zero entry and has a little sprinkler area that was fun. They also loved the arcade which came in handy when my son was not feeling well from his asthma so we had to take it easy and hang by the hotel. They also got a kick out of the old micky mouse cartoons they play in the lobby and would watch them on this kid sized sofa complete with a kid sized coffee table (cute). My daughter loved dancing to the band that played every night in the lobby. We also went to both the character breakfast and dinner at 1900 Parkfare which was very good and we got into the dinner that night without reservations, I think because it was a rainy day and perhaps because we were staying at the hotel. Oh and the best part for us was the MK is one stop away on the monorail and one stop on a boat to get back. Enjoy!

 

[s&k'smom]

Add me to the agree list, my kids absolutely love the GF especially when you can watch the monorail from the themed pool. The zero entry and the waterfall are also favorites. We will be there in October and they are counting the days until we get their!