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

[lynr]

I would RPC if I could get it
If not I would try sugar loaf.
I am really looking forward to my stay and they have had good reviews lately. I hate to say it but once we started staying concierge we just go back to a regular room.

Kelly:

I took your advice and just emailed my DU TA and asked her to switch us to SL and note a request for a tower room on my reservation. I will also let IPO that I want to request one of these rooms.

I am still hoping that RPC will open up but atleast this way I still have concierge service.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the clarification, Tammi!

johnsonet - hey! I vote you snag that AP rate for RPC! It's getting harder to get in there at all, much less with a discount - I couldn't get it at any price for my last three days this next trip. So, I'll have two days RPC, then get booted out to lagoon view for the last three.

 

[Glorydaz]

Aw, Heather I bet I sounded really braggy and bratty ....I was just so happy & wanted to shout it out to other GF lovers.....I am sorry....nobody I know here gets it at all & I was trying to keep it from my girls. I don't want to make anybody feel bad. I actually sold an expensive piece of art and that is the basis for funding this crazy trip. Otherwise we probably wouldn't be going. OR staying RPC.

Lives4Disney

that's AWESOME!!!!! until we go to the GF in December for our honeymoon, I live vicariously through all of the GF lovers here! one quick question - can IPO book those sea raycers for you or is that something you must do in person? I heard they can be a little hard to get sometimes... once again - congrats and enjoy your stay!

Michelle

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OMG!!!!!!




I GOT ROYAL PALM FOR MY FIRST THREE NIGHTS - and at AAA rates!!!!!

I am so happy at this point I could go run laps!!! ahahahaha need to work off some excess energy!!! I have been on the phone with CRO for 45 minutes waiting to speak to somebody and then feeling so nervous that it would not be available by the time somebody picked up. Not only available, but discounted. I am on cloud nine!

SOrry.....Just am too thrilled and can't jump up and down or my girls will think I lost my marbles.

Lives4Disney

WTG!!!

 

[Jen66]

I called GF PD.....man what a project. I was on the phone for about 45 min, got disconnected twice....had to go thru the phone cycle type thing and get back to the same CM.....she was nice but didn't know a thing about being creative or giving suggestions....I would say, "I bet you've seen some beautiful cakes for birthdays...do you have any suggestions?" Quiet dead line. OK. I finally asked to have the decorator call me back when she can!! I don't want the basic screen print I can get at Jewel or Costco, KWIM? Something special and Disneyish is what I am looking for.

Lives4Disney

I am still debating what special 'welcome back to WDW' thing I am going to do for my DH and kids. Will PD bring a Cinderella's slipper to our room? I know I want chocolate covered strawberries..yum, but I would like to order something with a little more presence (that probably sounds really stupid--lol)I have not called PD yet cause I can't make up my mind, and if I get the same CM as you.. well, she is not going to do it for me . I guess I have to go back and read the special dessert thread again,. Darn

 

[mr.mike]

I just talked to IPO and was told the rooms in RPC (not the suites, just the rooms) are scheduled to be rehabbed by the time we get there in mid-august!!! They said everything is moving smoothly so unless something unexpected happens we will be the new rooms!!

 

[nvrenufdis]

Could you point me in the direction of that special dessert thread?

Thanks!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Could you point me in the direction of that special dessert thread?

Thanks!

It's a sticky on the top of the restaurant board

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I just talked to IPO and was told the rooms in RPC (not the suites, just the rooms) are scheduled to be rehabbed by the time we get there in mid-august!!! They said everything is moving smoothly so unless something unexpected happens we will be the new rooms!!

Did we ever hear anymore about whether Sago was done?

 

[johnsonet]

I just talked to IPO and was told the rooms in RPC (not the suites, just the rooms) are scheduled to be rehabbed by the time we get there in mid-august!!! They said everything is moving smoothly so unless something unexpected happens we will be the new rooms!!

Oh No!! In that case I need to try and snag that RPC at the Passsholder rate!! How can that be true, though? I thought someone else had reported that the Main Building was LAST on the refurb schedule??!! Based on how long the renovations at the Poly took, I don't see how, quite frankly, even ONE of the buildings at the GF is complete

I want that Deluxe Honeymoon room for DD and me My friend won't be joining us til later it seems... I've got to talk to hubby tonight!

Hi k&a&c'smom
I am going to PM you

 

[johnsonet]

Did we ever hear anymore about whether Sago was done?

Hopefully rinaldimkt will be posting pics this evening!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I know cant believe no pics have been leaked

 

[minniesota]

I just talked to IPO and was told the rooms in RPC (not the suites, just the rooms) are scheduled to be rehabbed by the time we get there in mid-august!!! They said everything is moving smoothly so unless something unexpected happens we will be the new rooms!!

Glad you were able to confirm that. It matches the info I've gotten from IPO. How exciting to get a rehabbed room!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I am still debating what special 'welcome back to WDW' thing I am going to do for my DH and kids. Will PD bring a Cinderella's slipper to our room? I know I want chocolate covered strawberries..yum, but I would like to order something with a little more presence (that probably sounds really stupid--lol)I have not called PD yet cause I can't make up my mind, and if I get the same CM as you.. well, she is not going to do it for me . I guess I have to go back and read the special dessert thread again,. Darn

Jen, it was a painful phone call, LOL. I know exactly what you mean by "presence" ....that's kind of what I wanted. Something with some WOW factor. I really got very little in the way of help and suggestions from the CM. If I hadn't ordered or seen things I would have hung up totally clueless and without placing an order.

What I did wind up with was a white chocolate Goofy on a platter with 10 tuxedo strawberries and an assortment of truffles and I told them it's DH's bday and could they do something "Happy Birthday" on it, which I bet they do in that rice/sugar paper stuff. I also ordered a Bday cake for DD - a tinkerbelle cake that I am letting them go wild with. I don't want the regular grocery store bday cake (although those are good, too ) I just wanted something really cool - again with some oomph and WOW.

Be persistant with them. I got disconnected twice and they don't volunteer any creative ideas at all.

Good luck!!!!!

Channing

 

[SLDL]

Channing, your trip & special b-day desserts sound great!! I just have to say best of luck keeping it from your kids! That would drive me crazy! When will you tell them...on the way or sooner? Any plans for that?

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I never dreamed I would be joining you over here, but...we are AKL refugees who have been switched to the GF. After planning our vacation (3 families) since last July, I find myself seriously lacking in much info on GF. I hope you don't mind if I post my questions, as I am finding the 5,000+ responses a bit much to read through.

We will be staying Lagoon View, 3 rooms. There are 10 of us altogether including 2 two year olds and an adult who has some mobility issues. The plan is to do mornings at the parks, then chill at the resort. We have dinner reservations for 4 out of the 7 nights.

I thought that all of the deluxes have refrigerators. Is that not true at GF? If I request one, will there be a fee?

How much of a wait can I anticipate for the monorail first thing in the morning? Being the last stop before MK, is it hard to get on? We will be there end of July.

I am hearing that the transportation to AK and MGM is slow, and long. Is this true, and what are the strategies?

We usually dress pretty casually on vacation. Seeing the pictures, it seems like we should "dress up" just to walk around. Is this the case?

Are robes provided in the standard rooms? Can we get kid sized robes?

I think that is it for now. Any wisdom is welcome!

TIA

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, your trip & special b-day desserts sound great!! I just have to say best of luck keeping it from your kids! That would drive me crazy! When will you tell them...on the way or sooner? Any plans for that?

Well, my DH really really pushed DD's buttons last night and laid all the guilt he could on her and how we are going to do this awful stuff on their bdays because he wants to and no bfast in bed for her because we have to get up early and drive downtown to the museums. It was so funny. (DD7 wasn't home). He kept asking her and tormenting her with, "Where would YOU want to go?" and then asking her for ideas of "Where is somewhere we ALL love to be?" and she said Disney world, but "We can't go there"....*sigh* Well finally after hours of goofing with her and pushing her buttons (no donuts and bfast in bed etc) and then she felt really kind of blue - he said "Mom's been planning a Disney trip for a few days now" and then she finally got it out of me and she just said "Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh" over and over, smiling like a nut & fanning her face like she was going to faint.....she said she felt like the showcase showdown winner on Price is Right, LOL....then she just stares at me and gets all sadfaced and CRIES ....(I didn't now it was FAKE ) and says, "WHY DID YOU GO AND TELL ME??!!! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO RUIN MY SURPRISE???" and I just stared at her felt horrible and then she busts out laughing and says, "Gotcha!!!".....

DS16 keeps calling our trip a "bowling outing"....haha. He didn't realize the girls know....when I told him THEY KNOW, he says, "BUT I WANTED TO GO BOWLING".....goofball. He knew all along, but has to add to the drama.

We are crazy here. Then I picked up DD7 this morning and just casually told her and she said she didn't want to go. No excitement at all....She says she's been there enough. CRAZY alright! There is never enough WDW!!

My family is nuts.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

I never dreamed I would be joining you over here, but...we are AKL refugees who have been switched to the GF. After planning our vacation (3 families) since last July, I find myself seriously lacking in much info on GF. I hope you don't mind if I post my questions, as I am finding the 5,000+ responses a bit much to read through.

We will be staying Lagoon View, 3 rooms. There are 10 of us altogether including 2 two year olds and an adult who has some mobility issues. The plan is to do mornings at the parks, then chill at the resort. We have dinner reservations for 4 out of the 7 nights.

I thought that all of the deluxes have refrigerators. Is that not true at GF? If I request one, will there be a fee?

How much of a wait can I anticipate for the monorail first thing in the morning? Being the last stop before MK, is it hard to get on? We will be there end of July.

I am hearing that the transportation to AK and MGM is slow, and long. Is this true, and what are the strategies?

We usually dress pretty casually on vacation. Seeing the pictures, it seems like we should "dress up" just to walk around. Is this the case?

Are robes provided in the standard rooms? Can we get kid sized robes?

I think that is it for now. Any wisdom is welcome!

TIA

Hopefully you will wind up falling in love with the Grand!

Not sure about robes in st. rooms.....No kid sized robes anywhere. If you don't have robes in your room, just call housekeeping and they will bring you as many as you need.

You don't need to feel like you have to dress up. People wear everything from wedding/evening attire & tuxes to park clothes and swim suits. No matter what I am wearing I don't feel out of place......there are visitors from all over the world and guests staying there for many diff reasons, so don't worry how you're dressed - its a hop away from MK, so most are in park clothes.

I have never had a problem with the buses from GF to MGM or AK. Not been an issue for us - maybe we've been lucky?

The monorails run every couple minutes and fairly little wait. You will get on - whether you get a seat is a diff story - usually we find one, though, and that hasn't been much of an issue ever. The MK is the next stop and it really doesn't matter too much if we are sitting because we get on - we get off.

The GF has minibar fridges. You can call for a fridge and it will be delivered quickly & fits nicely under the sink or next to the minibar. No fridge fee.

Have a wonderful time!! We have done almost all the WDW deluxes - except WL and AKL (don't appeal) and we fell in love with the GF. It really is the best.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

I never dreamed I would be joining you over here, but...we are AKL refugees who have been switched to the GF. After planning our vacation (3 families) since last July, I find myself seriously lacking in much info on GF. I hope you don't mind if I post my questions, as I am finding the 5,000+ responses a bit much to read through.

We will be staying Lagoon View, 3 rooms. There are 10 of us altogether including 2 two year olds and an adult who has some mobility issues. The plan is to do mornings at the parks, then chill at the resort. We have dinner reservations for 4 out of the 7 nights.

I thought that all of the deluxes have refrigerators. Is that not true at GF? If I request one, will there be a fee?

How much of a wait can I anticipate for the monorail first thing in the morning? Being the last stop before MK, is it hard to get on? We will be there end of July.

I am hearing that the transportation to AK and MGM is slow, and long. Is this true, and what are the strategies?

We usually dress pretty casually on vacation. Seeing the pictures, it seems like we should "dress up" just to walk around. Is this the case?

Are robes provided in the standard rooms? Can we get kid sized robes?

I think that is it for now. Any wisdom is welcome!

TIA

Congrats on your "upgrade"! I'm sure it's probably thrown you for a bit of a loop to rethink your plans at this point, but I bet you will really enjoy the GF!

Channing gave you some great advice. I can tell you that there are adult robes (usually 2) in all the rooms at the GF; unfortunately, they don't offer kids robes any longer. If you have more than 2 adults in a room, I'm sure you can request extra robes from Mousekeeping.

Request a refrigerator upon check-in (or even put it on your room requests), and they may put one in the room prior to your arrival. If not, just call housekeeping, and they'll bring one right up. It fits nicely under the sinks in the bathroom. There's still a minibar in the room, as well.

Dress casually and coolly - it will be hot! I was there in late August, and we began sweating the moment we stepped out the door. I never felt out of place in park clothes, bathing suits, etc. around the GF - you are at Disney World, after all.

I don't really remember any delays in getting to MGM or AK using the buses, although you will generally share a bus with another MK resort (it seemed to be primarily the WL on my trips).

Will your adult with mobility issues be in a wheelchair? My mom had a badly sprained ankle on our trip in August '05, and ended up having to use a wheelchair and ECV for the last few days of our trip (she rented an ECV in the parks, and the GF was AWESOME about insisting on loaning her a wheelchair that we used around the resorts and to/from the parks - the people at the wheelchair rental spot at the parks would just hold onto the GF wheelchair until we brought the ECV back). We found that, particularly with the monorail, the platform CM would radio ahead to the incoming monorail, as well as to our final destination, that we had a wheelchair. With the wheelchair, we were pretty much guaranteed a spot on the monorail - I sometimes had to stand, but my mom remained seated in her wheelchair. Same thing somewhat with the buses - they would take extra care to lock the chair in, and we always got on the buses with no problem. Rarely did I find that I had to stand.

I'm not recommending a wheelchair/ECV if not necessary (I know my mom much preferred to be mobile on her own accord), but we were both blown away how Disney, and the GF in particular, bent over backwards to make sure her bum ankle didn't ruin our time.

Happy planning, and ask away!

 

[lonegungirl]

There are definitely rooms that offer a great castle view, but she'd have to book that view. There are now 3 choices for booking at the GF, the garden view, lagoon view and MK view. A lagoon view is a view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, usually looking across towards the old Discovery Island and the Poly. Very pretty and these views are excellent for watching the Electric Water Parade from the balcony. If they want to be close to the pools and the main building, I'd suggest that they request Big Pine Key.

Thanks for the info! I'll let them know.