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

[magical4us4]

That is wonderful you had the MK view rooms! We were in 4403 for our Xmas stay!!!! PERFECT view!

THANKS for the info!! It sounds like that is Sago - facing the marina and Sugar Loaf?? - I requested Sago when I made my ressie thru CRO. YAY!!! (Well, if I get my request, lol)

Ya, when we stay RPC again, if the CMs we know are still on the 3rd floor I will say I want to have 3rd floor check in. I used to always ask them if the assigned room was MK view. Not sure if these new curbside check in CMs would even know. Also, the desk CMs used to be able to rearrange things to get us what we wanted. Now sounds like no more of that.

What happened between your check in and 3 pm? Did you get to go out to the parks? Did they phone you when your room was ready??

Did your friends "get it"? Did they catch the Disney magic?

Lives4Disney

Lives, it is that building.

Also, after the curbside check-in with the girl, we went downstairs and spoke to the 3rd floor CM to make sure we got what we requested, they did work wonders to get it for us!!! It was just great!!

They called us while we were at the pool to let us know our room was ready. We got to change in the bathrooms by the pool while we waited, it was pretty easy and convenient.

Oh....yes! our friends did get it and could not believe how beautiful everything was. They will return again in September. Now they know why we are crazy about the GF and Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi everyone, I am home!

Got great information on the rehab at the GF.

Building 5 is completed and they are taking one building at a time. The RPC will be the last building to be done. They will be doing a section at a time in the main building, and not closing it.

Also, they have not started in the main building as of yet.

I found out about the decor....it will be very similar to what they have now but a little softer. There will be new furniture (as I saw big trailers delivering them). The curtains, wallpaper, rugs, comforter, pillows, etc....will all be replaced. Also, of course, flat screen tvs. They already put the flat screen tvs on the concierge floor lounge main building, and switched the furniture around. It looks nicer and roomier.

The decor before was a little busy and they will be down playing it everywhere.

I tried to get into building 5 to see the new look, but all rooms were booked and couldn't get in there.

It was very, very busy in RPC. I couldn't believe it! They even ran out of the chicken wellington one night(in one hour!) and I didn't get to taste it.

Any questions, ask away.

Magical

Very strange... two different CM's told us that the Honeymoon Suites had been started while we were there!! Interesting...

The lounge was redone for our last October trip so it has been done for a while - was hoping that RPC rooms would be done sooner!! Oh well - can't wait to see them for our December trip - surely they will be done by then!?

Glad you had a great trip! We were in 4402 or was it 3402 (3rd floor )? Was one of your rooms an "old" decor room? Ours was and we didn't care for it- ( taupes,neutral color decor from before the last rehab!) If yours didn't have that old decor, we must have been in 3402. So RPC was really crowded? We are going later in June next year- possibly even July - how were the crowds at the parks?

 

[magical4us4]

Very strange... two different CM's told us that the Honeymoon Suites had been started while we were there!! Interesting..

Glad you had a great trip! We were in 4402 or was it 3402 (3rd floor )? Was one of your rooms an "old" decor room? Ours was and we didn't care for it- ( taupes,neutral color decor from before the last rehab!) If yours didn't have that old decor, we must have been in 3402. So RPC was really crowded? We are going later in June next year- possibly even July - how were the crowds at the parks?

We were on the 4th floor. Newer room than the 3rd you are describing.

The crowd levels at the parks were great, as long as you went before 12 noon.

Waits were no longer than 30minutes on big rides. The smaller ride waits were about 10-15 minutes. Make sure you get there early and also get fast pass on the more popular one first!

 

[minniesota]

Welcome back to all the travelers and thanks for the updates! Sounds like a couple of you had some great pixie dust as well!

I recently heard from someone in IPO that renovations would begin in the main building in July and are scheduled to be completed by the end of August - unless someing unforseen occurs! So sounds like I'll get to see the new decor in October.

Looking for advice - we have two RPC rooms reserved for 6 nights in Oct. We have now decided to arrive one day early but our flight doesn't arrive until 11 p.m. Where would you stay that first night? We hate to pay RPC prices when we know we'll arrive at the resort well after midnight. But we wanted to get to MK that first morning. Any advice???

 

[Lives4Disney]

Very strange... two different CM's told us that the Honeymoon Suites had been started while we were there!! Interesting...

The lounge was redone for our last October trip so it has been done for a while - was hoping that RPC rooms would be done sooner!! Oh well - can't wait to see them for our December trip - surely they will be done by then!?

Glad you had a great trip! We were in 4402 or was it 3402 (3rd floor )? Was one of your rooms an "old" decor room? Ours was and we didn't care for it- ( taupes,neutral color decor from before the last rehab!) If yours didn't have that old decor, we must have been in 3402. So RPC was really crowded? We are going later in June next year- possibly even July - how were the crowds at the parks?

We had one of those old decor rooms .....4303 I think....They told me there are two of them and they are just for kicks for the people that have stayed GF since the beginning and enjoy the nostalgia of that decor & may request them... LOL....I sure didn't care for that color scheme & the furniture was sooo 80s. Bluch.

 

[irisbud]

Welcome back to all the travelers and thanks for the updates! Sounds like a couple of you had some great pixie dust as well!

I recently heard from someone in IPO that renovations would begin in the main building in July and are scheduled to be completed by the end of August - unless someing unforseen occurs! So sounds like I'll get to see the new decor in October.

Looking for advice - we have two RPC rooms reserved for 6 nights in Oct. We have now decided to arrive one day early but our flight doesn't arrive until 11 p.m. Where would you stay that first night? We hate to pay RPC prices when we know we'll arrive at the resort well after midnight. But we wanted to get to MK that first morning. Any advice???

Minniesota,

Maybe you could just stay in a regular GV at the GF for your first night? It would make moving really easy, and they may even give you a comp upgrade for that night, seeing as you would be moving to RPC the next day.

 

[twinmum]

Hello! Many of you have offered wonderful advice in the past, so I turn to you again. We had a wonderful trip last November, made even more special by all the help we received with our son who is physically disabled. It was the easiest vacation we've had with the kids!

I know my twins (boys turning 9) would go to WDW - and the GF - again in a heartbeat, but my husband doesn't get it. He had a better time on our trip than he expected, and he'll go again, but I am sure he thinks we should wait a few years.

Now that we've done GF - and RPC in particular - I don't think we'll want to change to save $$$. But it is a lot of $$$ (although the Canadian dollar exchange rate is helping a little).

For those of you who go so frequently, but don't live nearby...how do manage to achieve marital consensus that this is the way to go? Help me convince my DH to return, please!

Twinmum

 

[magical4us4]

Very strange... two different CM's told us that the Honeymoon Suites had been started while we were there!! Interesting...

The lounge was redone for our last October trip so it has been done for a while - was hoping that RPC rooms would be done sooner!! Oh well - can't wait to see them for our December trip - surely they will be done by then!?

Glad you had a great trip! We were in 4402 or was it 3402 (3rd floor )? Was one of your rooms an "old" decor room? Ours was and we didn't care for it- ( taupes,neutral color decor from before the last rehab!) If yours didn't have that old decor, we must have been in 3402. So RPC was really crowded? We are going later in June next year- possibly even July - how were the crowds at the parks?

Princess...we also took a look into one of the honeymoon suites on the 5th floor....it was not done yet.

 

[mr.mike]

I recently heard from someone in IPO that renovations would begin in the main building in July and are scheduled to be completed by the end of August - unless someing unforseen occurs!

If the main building is to be the last, is it possible for the whole resort to be done by August?
With 3 rooms in the RPC for our grand gathering for the 2nd half of august, i get nervous hearing this and worry it will impact us..especially since we convinced friends to stay in the main bulding for thier first trip

 

[minniesota]

mr. mike-
Not sure if the main building is scheduled to be last on the list. I was told that rooms in the main building would begin to go down in July and the work should be completed by the end of August if there are no unforseen delays. I'd contact IPO and let them know of your concerns - maybe you will get some assurances that your trip won't be impacted.

irisbud-That was one of my options though the website is showing no garden views available for that one night. It would certainly be convenient to be right there - I could even check into RPC before we head to the MK. And I never thought about the possibility of a pixie dust comp night! Hmmmm...

Any other thoughts?

 

[triplefigs]

There is a lot of GF furniture and bedding for sale on ebay. surpluskingdom seems to have the most (chairs, armoire, desk, bedding) for anyone shopping.

 

[mirlow]

I've decided to stick with SL for September. I even added a night. I'll just have to keep checking to see when the rehab will happen for that bldg. I can't believe that no one has gotten any pictures of what the new rooms look like?

I haven't heard from IPO. I got an email the next day after I made our Polynesian reservations. I remember they never got in touch with us before we left last yr. I made all of my ADR's, but I do need to book other outings. If it wasn't for the convenience of the lounge I would reconsider staying there.

My 12 yr old informed me that the GF is her least favorite resort. She said it's too Mary Poppins That is the reason why I think my 6 yr old enjoys the resort! My 12 yr old always ends up having a good time. Besides she gets time at the Polynesian (which they all love) before we switch to the GF. I think she's disappointed that we aren't staying at the YC. I told her we would try the water parks this time instead of having SAB. This will be our 10th trip and we have never been to the water parks.

Has anyone used the spa or had a treatment at the GF? I haven't seen many glowing reviews. My husband gets to do his golfing and I would like to schedule a treatment, but I'm wondering if shopping would be more enjoyable?

I'm excited because I find the resort to be very relaxing Especially the pools!!!!!!!!!

 

[princessesrule4]

Princess...we also took a look into one of the honeymoon suites on the 5th floor....it was not done yet.

I think the CM that told us about the Honeymoon Suites meant the ones on the 2nd floor! I assumed that is what she meant although neither CM specified 2nd floor or any floor. I would think they would do the rehab by floors so that the HM rooms on the 5th floor would get rehabbed with the rest of the 5th floor or at least that section. Obviously, different CM's have different info, so I guess we won't know for sure till someone comes back from staying in an RPC rehabbed room! It sounds like it will all be complete before our December trip so I am excited!

 

[princessesrule4]

We had one of those old decor rooms .....4303 I think....They told me there are two of them and they are just for kicks for the people that have stayed GF since the beginning and enjoy the nostalgia of that decor & may request them... LOL....I sure didn't care for that color scheme & the furniture was sooo 80s. Bluch.

Mabye it was 4303 then! I remembered looking at the room next to us - must have been 4304 and it was a floral decor room. We had such a gorgeous view of the castle, I didn't want to ask to be moved, but I agree, the taupes were so blah!

 

[mr.mike]

Has anyone used the spa or had a treatment at the GF? I haven't seen many glowing reviews. My husband gets to do his golfing and I would like to schedule a treatment, but I'm wondering if shopping would be more enjoyable?

I'm excited because I find the resort to be very relaxing Especially the pools!!!!!!!!!

My wife and I had a couples massage. It was fantastic...felt so relaxed! Only wish we did the 80 minute instead of 50.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I had a massage and pedicure last nov they were fab!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Magical- thanks for reporting back on the rehab!! I am super excited that Sago is already done as that is the building we requested for our August trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome back to everyone else and happy ebay shopping to all the Alice lovers!!
Kristin

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I think my post got lost in everyone's excitement over the renovations that have begun, so I decided to try and ask again.

Ok, you wonderful ladies of the GF, tell me. We have a lagoon view room for Dec. 7 - 15th. And I originally had a MK view at CR. DH asked me to change resorts because of construction there, plus he secretly really wanted to stay at GF but was letting me have the MK view. Anyway, back to my question. What building should I request (I know it is ONLY a request) to try and get a MK view. I could not get a AAA discount for a MK view room, but I could get a discount for a lagoon view and hope to get one that looks out towards MK. I hope that made sense, I read it 3 times and to me the question is confusing. My Travel Agent has been out on Maternity Leave and comes back next week and I want to have all my requests and changes ready for her when she comes back. Oh and we are not staying at a Club Level, just a standard room.

Thank you!!!

 

[mirlow]

My wife and I had a couples massage. It was fantastic...felt so relaxed! Only wish we did the 80 minute instead of 50.

That sounds nice! He's funny because he'd rather go golfing than get a massage. To him it's his way of relaxing.

 

[mirlow]

I had a massage and pedicure last nov they were fab!

That's good to hear.

I went back quite a bit on this thread and never saw anyone post how they liked the spa. Now I just have to figure out what treatment to get!