The *New* Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Frequently Asked Questions (FEB2004) Part 2

[francie]

thanks for the info, folks. since the deluxes in the main bldg. sleep 5, does anyone know if they have a day bed or a pull out? tammi?

 

[daviegravie]

Actually, I misspoke in the first post... we paid for their trip and we put them in the RPC. My employer paid for my trip (long story) and I am in a regular room.

My parents room is a Deluxe King RPC room. I would like to visit them, particularly when our kids our asleep, my wife and I will probably want to take turns visting my parents.

 

[TammiMcMan]

thanks for the info, folks. since the deluxes in the main bldg. sleep 5, does anyone know if they have a day bed or a pull out? tammi?

Actually, the deluxe concierge rooms in the main building only sleep 4 (2 queen beds). Seems strange, because they do offer more square footage, but my family of 5 has never been able to reserve one.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Actually, I misspoke in the first post... we paid for their trip and we put them in the RPC. My employer paid for my trip (long story) and I am in a regular room.

My parents room is a Deluxe King RPC room. I would like to visit them, particularly when our kids our asleep, my wife and I will probably want to take turns visting my parents.

OK, then they are in a honeymoon suite. The occupancy may be different, so they'll need to speak with the club level staff. If they are on the 2nd floor, Clarenden level, they won't exactly be on club level anyway. They'll still need a specially coded key to get to that area though. The club level rooms and lounge are located between the 3rd and 5th floor. Second floor setup is a little bit different.

If your employer paid for your room, perhaps you could ask about an upgrade when you arrive and pay the difference out of pocket? (maybe downgrade them to a standard concierge room and with that money, upgrade yourselves so that you're all in the same area?) Otherwise, the main building lobby is a great place to meet up in the evenings. We've spent many hours there after a long day in the park. They have comfortable sofas and chairs, you can listen to the orchestra and even order a drink from Mizners to enjoy. Room service will even deliver to you there if you want some appetizers.

By the way, that's an awesome treat for your parents. I know from a previous thread that they were thinking of joining you during your trip and possibly staying in the same room. They are going to be wowed with a honeymoon suite.+++++

 

[daviegravie]

thanks for the help. I would pay to upgrade but the RPC is not available for the whole time we are there (we are there for 7 days, my parents joining for 4).

My wife, kids, and I will arrive earlier than my parents so I will try to check them in (I paid for them), and maybe then ask the conceirge people what they can do.

The trip is for my 3 yr old daughter who has had a difficult life (severe seizures) and this trip was planned to because she just had brain surgery. My employer knew I was planning this and surprised me by paying for it(so nice!) and I am surprising my parents because they have been so helpful, supportive, etc. through our last 3 years of difficulty.

Somehow I will finagle my way to RPC which is my goal.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Yeah, we've had that happen with a particular room not being available the whole time. Split stays can be pretty easy, so maybe you could double check on just the time frame that your parents will be there. Take the standard room, then just move over to the main building for those 4 days. Sometimes rooms open up at the last minute due to cancellations. Alot of times, they block rooms for weddings and other things, then release what isn't needed. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and definitely keep checking. Which dates are you going?

As to checking in your parents, unless your name is on their reservation, you won't be able to do that. You know you're their son and they wouldn't mind, but Disney security doesn't quite see it the same way. When they do arrive, they'll be escorted upstairs for the check-in procedure and they can inquire about any options that are available. You might need to do some fancy footwork with mom though. It's an amazing gift you're giving them and she may feel a bit awkward about staying on that level while you and your family are in a regular room (not that a regular GF room is anything less than wonderful), but hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say. As a mom myself, I might be a bit uncomfortable with that and would want to maybe just be in a nearby room.

Best of luck to you and your family. I work with children the same age as your DD and some also suffer seizures on a regular basis. I hope this is a wonderful trip for you all.

 

[twinmum]

To those reading the recent (incl. DavidGravie and TammiMcMan) series of posts about room allocation, capacity etc:

A cautionary tale (sorry it's long)

First, what a wonderful surprise for your parents and how supportive of your empoyer of your struggles. We recently returned from an 8 night stay in the RPC at the GF gift from my loving mother and really a celebration of our family's strength in the 8 years since our twins were born > 3 months prematurely.

Please, please let's be careful about the language that we use when describing the rooms and be sure we use the same terms that the room assignors use. We had a very disappointing stay in the RPC. Somehow along the line our confirmed, paid for reservation for one of the larger RPC rooms with queen beds (what I believe TammiMcMan meant be "deluxe") was downgraded to what is technically a "standard concierge" room. We chose specific vacation days so we could procure one of these rooms. One of our twins has cerebral palsy and needs the extra room for mobility - and to store his wheelchair, walker etc. We were all set to enjoy a hotel room with enough room to meet his specific needs...and our dreams of his independence in the room were dashed by miscommunication between central reservations, IPO and room assignors. We were downgraded because CM's wanted to fulfill our request for an MK view - this despite the fact that I had been insistent both on the phone and in writing to the IPO that Mark's mobility were first and foremost and that proximity to the lounge and views were secondary.

The GF room assignors and IPO CMs assured me that they refer to ALL RPC rooms as deluxe, not just the larger (>600 sq. ft) rooms. I appreciate that others may have had different experiences. I was blissfully aware that my confirmation held the clue that I had been downgraded - after all, it said "deluxe" - that's what the CRO CMs had called it and that's what I saw right there in black and white. But it certainly wasn't what I saw when we opened the door to our room.

I'll acknowledge that the concierge CMs and managers tried to fix the problem. At least they told me they were trying to get us into one of the larger rooms. They gave us a substantial discount on the room rate, but after 24 hours, we heard no more on the availability of a larger room. I spent my time at the GF feeling that none of the CMs really appreciated the profound effect that a simple mistake had our on vacation - especially our son with CP, who had been expecting to be independent and could barely get down the hallway in our room. He knew exactly what we had gone out of our way to do and was really disappointed. What a difference that extra 200 sq ft would have made for him!

By this time, one of our sons had a stomach virus including fever and I had other worries (other twin was soon to follow). I had other worries - our son with CP has a feeding tube and has had anti-reflux surgery making it almost impossible for him to vomit, so stomach bugs are serious matters.

Between juggling meds and trying to make the DDP work for recovering digestive systems (no problem having enough credits when you've got the stomach flu going around!), we had a few really crummy days. These were balanced by days when we had a great time. We were so pleased with Disney accessibility.

Right now I wish I could do it all over again...but if and when we do, you can
bet I'll be asking over and over and over again..."please confirm the square footage of the room we have booked/paid for/been assigned."

I do hope you have a magical vacation!

Twinmum

 

[TammiMcMan]

Twinmum, sounds like you went through quite a mess. All of Disney's posted literature states that there are different categories within RPC. There are standard Royal Palm Club rooms and deluxe. The deluxe options include the larger rooms with 2 queen beds (two layouts) and king rooms (2nd floor or turret suite). Unfortunately, it does sound like you took all the necessary precautions with making sure you had the right room to begin with. Sorry you had to go through all that.

 

[daviegravie]

Twinmum, thanks for the tip. So awful you had to go through that... I can relate to so much of this. My daughter is also on a feeding tube and we are going out of our way to make this special/comfortable for her. We selected specific dates based on room availability, crowd levels, etc.

So sorry it didn't go as planned.

Tammi, thanks for all your help. We are going from 1/18-1/26. I may just try to upgrade when we get there however. My employer used a travel agent and I don't want to upgrade through them (he would find out and 1) want to pay for it, and 2) I would feel as though I look ungrateful). So I think I have to wait until check in. Also, my parents are there from 1/18-1/22 and nothing is available currently during their dates (we got the last room, that's why it is honeymoon room).

You are 100% right about my mom and I understand what you are saying. My parents have been so fantastic to us throughout our ordeal (which isn't over yet), that I want to do everything I can for them. We are going to surprise them with the details soon, so if they put up a big stink I can change it. But I really want them to enjoy it.

They will offer to watch the kids for us at night, etc... but my wife and I have decided to decline all their help for that weekend... they should enjoy their trip too, they deserve it. All of the above will be difficult to pull off in reality.

 

[CastleLight]

OK, then they are in a honeymoon suite. The occupancy may be different, so they'll need to speak with the club level staff. If they are on the 2nd floor, Clarenden level, they won't exactly be on club level anyway. They'll still need a specially coded key to get to that area though. The club level rooms and lounge are located between the 3rd and 5th floor. Second floor setup is a little bit different.

Hi Tammi, Can you explain how the honeymoon 2nd floor rooms aren't club level? I know (from all the help you've offered in the past - THANKS) that the 2nd floor honeymoon rooms are a bit isolated - and you can take the elevator near Gaspirillas to get to those rooms. But, I'm not sure what you mean by they aren't really club level. I have a honeymoon room booked - with a MK/castle/balcony room request - for my honeymoon but if there is some difference between this and other RPC rooms, I may want to change my reservation to a deluxe room. Perhaps you were only referring to the location of the rooms - relative to the lounge?? I've only stayed in RPC once before with my family many years ago. I'm hoping for the same magical experience for my honeymoon. Thanks from a curious

 

[BCV23]

twinmom, I'm so sorry to hear of your twins' illness during your trip. What a shame! Been there done that with special needs and it makes it an extra challenge.

As for the deluxe room, was it a WDW confirmation that listed it as a deluxe room or a reservation through a travel agent? All rooms at the GF as well as the Polynesian, CR, Y&BC, BW, WL & AKL are in the deluxe hotel category. Then there are the relatively few rooms at the GF that are larger and called deluxe. They are quite a bit more expensive of course. Did you compare the prices to make sure you paid for the latter? It would seem like a major mistake for a room assigner to put someone who paid for a deluxe room in a regular one.

Glad you enjoyed the accessibility of WDW. It is a major reason we return so often!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Twinmum, sorry your stay wasn't all you hoped it would be.

The deluxe concierge rooms are coded differently and are more expensive than the standard concierge rooms - you could have seen the price difference on the WDW website. You're right that all concierge rooms are "deluxe" and that can make it confusing. If I were you, I would want to find out WHAT I PAID for and reserved. It sounds like a misunderstanding based on the term "deluxe", though. I know from previous posts you really did want a castle view. The room assigners probably wanted to grant that magic for you. I and a few others tried to warn you that the concierge deluxe rooms do not come with that magical view.

Sorry your kids were sick on vacation. That is awful. We have been there and done that & pray it doesn't happen again.

We stayed at Portofino for the first time last spring and booked a "deluxe" room which was supposed to be about 600sq feet. There was NO WAY that room was that large. I felt like I did not get what I booked and paid for. Not a good feeling. I hope you weren't charged for the deluxe (larger) room. At least the GF CMs tried to make it up to you with compensation.

Lives4Disney

 

[twinmum]

Thanks everyone for listening to my woes. I really did feel that I had done as much as possible to ensure I had a room appropriate for our needs - my WDW confirmation does in fact say "deluxe"; I had checked the price and room category change way back in August when they were able to find us a larger room (and we changed our dates); I asked questions about views here on the boards but was VERY clear in my voice and email communications with CM's (and particularly the IPO CMs (who wer otherwise very helpful) that mobility was the most important factor and that we were pleased to have a "deluxe room so that our son would have the extra space to use his walker in the room" (and similar other quotes - they really seemed to be responsive when they realized I had a printout of all my communications with them confirming that I expected a "deluxe" room category. My husband hadn't read them and I wanted him to see how hard the IPO had worked for us).

WDW (GF Concierge staff and manager) admitted that there had been a mistake made between the CRO and the room assignors at the GF. The GF CMs acknowledged that they had consistently referred to our room as "deluxe" in my communications with them.

Yup, for us this was a major mistake and I think that is why they tried hard to compensate us for it. Unfortunately, money's nice, but they couldn't give us back our dream!

Something tells me that if we can ever save enough to go again, we'll get it right next time...

 

[francie]

thanks for the info, tammi.

 

[BCV23]

twinmom, that is a shame. Did you try ask again about the deluxe room as your vacation went on or just too busy with the illnesses?

BTW, don't the deluxe rooms have those narrow entry hallways as well? That is one drawback that all the deluxe hotels at WDW have as well as many nicer hotels in general. There is one DISser who prefers the value and moderates just to avoid that problem. We do find the GF rooms the easiest accessible rooms for entry that we've had anywhere thanks to the wall plate.

But for more room in general, the accessible rooms at the Polynesian are far larger than the average room at the GF. We've had are daughter's walker, portable chair and rental power chair in them with no problem. They are located in a building that provides easy access to the TTC and has a parking lot right outside. No concierge accessible rooms however. But it might be a thought for the future.

Did they refund the entire difference between a deluxe and regular room?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hi Tammi, Can you explain how the honeymoon 2nd floor rooms aren't club level? Perhaps you were only referring to the location of the rooms - relative to the lounge??

Exactly, just meant in terms of location. They are a bit isolated and it can be a little hike to get to the club level areas that's all.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hey everyone I am back. The GF was ok but nothing like I thought it would be, they really dropped hte ball on more than one occassion. After I get the kids to school and stuff I will be on with my resort review.

 

[Misti]

Hey everyone I am back. The GF was ok but nothing like I thought it would be, they really dropped hte ball on more than one occassion. After I get the kids to school and stuff I will be on with my resort review.

Welcome home! Wish it was a more magical stay but I'm looking forward to your review nonetheless!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Hey everyone. I was away with my best freind Erika who had NEVER been to WDW before. Let me preface this by saying that this was my 21st trip and I have stay club level before and they were amamzing experiences.
The IPO was lacking to say the least, I rarely heard back in a timely manner, the emailes had typos galore and mistakes.

I checked in on Saturday Nov 11th around 1130am from Boston. I was greeted curbside by a lovely girl and taken to the sugar loaf building. I was then handed over to Matt. This is where the trouble begins. He was speaking with the other CM Melinda and they were laughing for the beginning part of our checkin. There was no small at all, ask of flight, anything. I was asked for a CC for incidentals and said I was all set I never do that and he rolled his eyes at me. He gave us our packet and said our room wasnt ready. As we were leaving the SL he came running out as he forget to give us several things about the dining plan and other activities.

We had lunch which took over 15 min to get as I watched the CM behind the counter practice clapping cheer moves. I was less than impressed. We ate the food and walked all over th resort and took pic of everything I have hundreds.

Around 115 we decided to go back to SL and see what was up with the room. We also need to go to the bathroom. We were directed to the pool house for that and heard Frank and Matt talking about a batch of unassigned rooms?? At this point I assumed I was waiting because I had requested a lodge tower room. It was my only request. We went to the bathroom came back and decided to sit in the lounge and wait we were alittle tired and just wanted to get settled. It was nice sitting thieri having snacks and just relaxing.

We waited and waited watching more than 10 families get checked in and go RIGHT TO THEIR ROOMS!! I was getting rather annoyed over the next hour not one staff memeber said anything to us about our room. Finally around 310pm Matt said they were being inspected and I would be going up shortly.

At 4pm he came over and said he had our room number but couldnt escort us like everyone else because he was alone and handed me a piece of paper and walked away.

The room wasnt what I requested. If they werent honoring my one request why did I have to wait so long?? Why wasnt I assigned a room from the batch of unassigned?? Since I had been sitting theor for hours.
The room was missing the fridge, and their was a connecting door in the room. At that point I was furious. I spent the next 10 min listening to the kids next door banging on that coneecting door and listening to the parents talk about their dinner plans.

I went back down stairs and aksed to be moved. He called Leanne and said that I needed to be moved. I was told their was only 1 room left in the entire building. It didnt have the extra couch it was a dormer room with a high ceiling. I took it it was 6410 on the 4th floor.

I called down to concierge and asked for a fridge to be delivered. It never came, the next day it still wasnt there. They cancelled one of my ressies by accident and couldnt get it back.
This trip was a big deal for me I hadnt stayed their since the resort opened and it was my FIRST trip away from my sons and DH. I was also sad that they never did or said anything to Erika about this being her first trip.
She was less than impressed and was like why do you come here so much.

The next day I was still upset. I decided to speak with a manager about the check in. I spoke with Deanna who seemed surprised that I waited so long, especially if they were not honoring my request. We talked with her for about 25 minutes she was great. She asked lots of questions like did they offer to cut a key to watch TV in RPC since we were waiting? Did they offer a room after we sat their for so long all while seeing others get rooms? MY answer was no. She asked when my last stay was and I told WL CL in August with my sons and Dh and also last Dec with Dh and the boys. Since we never got settled til almost 6pm she gave us a room credit equal to 1 nights stay around $500.00. She said since we sat in the lounge they should have found us rom especialy since we checked in at 1130am they had open rooms she didnt make excuses. She said leaving a guest waiting til 6pm was unacceptable. I never expected this and started my conversation with her saying I just wanted to vent and wasnt looking for something. I wouldnt want anyone else to deal with him.

She had a fridge sent up ASAP and we saw her 2 other times around the resort and she stopped to make sure things were ok. I also found out that my checkin day was Matts last day, as he was going to epcot. This made much more sense.

the gingerbread house was up and started selling candy on Monday at 10am. It was fab!!

The resort is wonderful but the service left alot to be desired the SL is to small when the building is full, and people ie other guests were RUDE RUDE RUDE. So many of the other guests were rude, bare feet, bathing suits I was shocked at alot of the behavior I witnessed there. People acted like they were so much better it had a very pretenious atmosphere. Not everyone but some, I will say I have seen this at alot of the deluxes but even more so here.
Overall it was a great trip but I dont know i f I would stay here again. Let me also say that Michelle, Paul, Rovert, Jean, Boyd and Wendi were all great. Its what they say one bad apple spoils the bunch.

I had a much nicer and more special visit at the WL Concierge in August. I felt special there and they made the visit memborable. I was greeted by name, there was small talk, even though the lounge is small their its a better set up than SL.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Kelly..... I feel so awful that your stay sucked. I replied to your other post. So glad Matt is gone. He doesn't belong there.

I am surprised at the guests behaviour, too. Those are the type of people that we saw at the Poly concierge each visit - I thought it was exclusive to the Poly, lol. That cruddy service is what we experienced at BWI concierge, too. Service says a LOT. We don't care to even bother with BWI again.

I have only once seen anybody rude at the GF in RPC and actually never anybody acting pretentious at all there. Even though they are wearing Lilly Pulitzer (spelling??? I don't wear it, can you tell??!! ) and Ralph Lauren, the guests have been so kind and polite I feel so comfortable and welcome there.

Well, at least it wasn't sad for you to leave WDW. Sometimes I feel so awful when it's time to go home. You probably couldn't wait to leave.

Hope your next stay at WDW is much better.

Lives4Disney