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

[karebear1]

Try booking for 2 nights and see what happens. For some reason they won;t let you book one night, but they will for 2. If you book for 2 nights, you can always call back and cancel the 2nd night and keep the first.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I know rehabs are not the easiest or most fun things to go through, but I've definitely got to say, this one is not as bad as the last rehab in 2000. Imagine your perfectly planned vacation, honeymoon suites booked and then find out a month before you're due to arrive, that the main building has been closed entirely. That's what happened to us and it was not pleasant. No one at the GF could figure out why I felt that SL was not a comparable alternative. I'm sure there's a "file" on me somewhere at Disney, because I was one unhappy camper and I called everyone. Not to make little of the stress anyone is feeling right now, but trust me, it could be a whole lot worse.

 

[Cmbar]

I know rehabs are not the easiest or most fun things to go through, but I've definitely got to say, this one is not as bad as the last rehab in 2000. Imagine your perfectly planned vacation, honeymoon suites booked and then find out a month before you're due to arrive, that the main building has been closed entirely. That's what happened to us and it was not pleasant. No one at the GF could figure out why I felt that SL was not a comparable alternative. I'm sure there's a "file" on me somewhere at Disney, because I was one unhappy camper and I called everyone. Not to make little of the stress anyone is feeling right now, but trust me, it could be a whole lot worse.

Kinda like what all the AKL people are going through right now with them moving all reservations prior to Sept 1st. They are getting new resort and some upgrades, but it still is dissappointing. I know a couple who had to tell their small kid they weren't going to be able to see the animals. I feel bad for them eventhough they were upgraded to the Poly. It just wasn't the "dream vacation" they had in their minds. So yes Tammi it could be worse.

 

[lynr]

NICE! We will be there from 12/6-12/10...short little get away. I will be sure to look for you..My boyfriend will be pleased to see a fellow FF there

( OT kind of ..have you gotten a chance to check out all the new FF merchandise they have now at the MK? Some pretty cute stuff!)

You"ll know my DH right away as he has a Mickey Firefighter tatoo on his leg.

We check the Fire House every time we go to Disney, it is always the first stop and we always manage to buy something.

Lyn

 

[princessesrule4]

Hi to all you extremely knowlegeable GF folks -

I'm looking for suggestions on what to do about an upcoming trip. Here's the story:

I have the GF booked (GV) for 7/24 and 7/25.
We will be on the Disney Wonder 3 night cruise 7/26 - 7/28.
We will be returning to the GF(again GV) on 7/29.

Here's the problem ... I am still trying to add on the night of 7/30 and have had no luck. I really need to do something at this point as we will be flying home on 7/31. I do have a 1BR at BWV for the nights of 7/29 and 7/30 just in case, but I really have my heart set on the GF !!!! This is a huge surprise for my mother who has always dreamed of staying at the Grand .

I find it so odd that on the night of 7/29, every single type of room is open for booking - from GV to 2BR suites, including Royal Palm Club !!! I was even able to reduce my room rate and apply a room only code to my reservation ... last night !! But the night of 7/30, nothing at all is available ???

Does anybody have any thoughts on why this night might be so hard to get? I'm wondering if it has anything to do with them holding back rooms due to the current situation at AKL and relocating guests???

Have you had success in getting a room added on to a reservation in the past ? If so, how did you do it?

Thanks for your advice !

I would give CRO a call!
I was online and I saw that 2 nights came up for CR Atrium Club for our trip next month( I was wanting to switch from YC LVC) and I called CRO right away. They actually had 3 nights available where it was only showing 2 nights online! They also were able to give me the Atrium Club at the AP rate, which was unavailable online!

 

[DVCindy]

Thanks for the suggestions. At this point, I've tried booking 2 nights. 3 nights, etc.,with the intention to modify the reservation to just the 1 night ... but no go. I've also called CRO a million times it seems. I'm sure if they can see my call record when they look my info they think I'm a crazy lady !!!

For now, I have given up my BWV reservation and booked the Poly LV concierge in case nothing comes through by 7/23 (which would be the last day I could cancel either the 2 day reservation at the Grand or the whole Poly reservation).

I guess I'll keep calling and checking online. I have noticed that sometimes Expedia has different availability than either CRO or online ... just not what I need, unfortunately

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Edit!

 

[CastleLight]

We just returned from our stay at the GF RPC. I have a few things that I would like to write to someone in GF management about. We had a magical honeymoon - but had some negative experiences with the RPC/IPO staff. Can someone advise me as to where to send this type of correspondence? The hotel directly?? WDW mamagement?? Thanks!

 

[CastleLight]

We just returned from our stay at the GF RPC. I have a few things that I would like to write to someone in GF management about. We had a magical honeymoon - but had some negative experiences with the RPC/IPO staff. Can someone advise me as to where to send this type of correspondence? The hotel directly?? WDW management?? Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We just returned from our stay at the GF RPC. I have a few things that I would like to write to someone in GF management about. We had a magical honeymoon - but had some negative experiences with the RPC/IPO staff. Can someone advise me as to where to send this type of correspondence? The hotel directly?? WDW management?? Thanks!

Hi, I am really glad you had a magical honeymoon. Sorry RPC and/or IPO staff was an issue for you .....OK, I can't help but be curious because they've been just so wonderful for us every trip, but I am talking about the "regulars" on the staff that we have met stay after stay, so not sure if you had a newer person you dealt with or what....very curious. There are new curbsiders and sometimes they fill in at the desks - one checked us in and made a silly, but big mistake.

I think you could write to Kent Mitchell the GF manager. I have several times in the past and it gets passed on to WDW Guest Services and they've called me to thank me for taking the time to write. With the changes in concierge management, I don't exactly even know WHO their direct managers are anymore. Sorry, I haven't ever had reason to write to anybody regarding negative GF experiences, only positive, but I hope you do write and I hope you feel you get resolution.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

We just returned from our stay at the GF RPC. I have a few things that I would like to write to someone in GF management about. We had a magical honeymoon - but had some negative experiences with the RPC/IPO staff. Can someone advise me as to where to send this type of correspondence? The hotel directly?? WDW mamagement?? Thanks!

I am so sorry
WHo were you dealing with at the IPO staff? What happened?

 

[CastleLight]

I am so sorry
WHo were you dealing with at the IPO staff? What happened?

No reason to be sorry. We really had a wonderful time. The major problem was the front desk people checked someone into our room - when were still occupying the room. It wasn't even our checkout day. The RPC woman - not Vonnie that everyone raves about - but I did see her the next day - couldn't have cared less that strangers could be/were walking around our room. I just expected something like an apology. It was a terrible scare. And a big waste of our time.

 

[triplefigs]

No reason to be sorry. We really had a wonderful time. The major problem was the front desk people checked someone into our room - when were still occupying the room. It wasn't even our checkout day. The RPC woman - not Vonnie that everyone raves about - but I did see her the next day - couldn't have cared less that strangers could be/were walking around our room. I just expected something like an apology. It was a terrible scare. And a big waste of our time.

I'm sure the other people weren't too pleased either. I would write to the manager and explain what happened. I'm glad you had a wonderful honeymoon otherwise! congratulations!

 

[BunnieGene]

For those who were earlier discussing "theme park" vs "castle view" rooms, I called today to add a request for "castle view" to our reservation. The cast member initially told me that it would be the same thing, when I politely insisted upon adding "castle view" as a request, he politely complied

I really wouldn't mind a view of space mountain, but I know the rest of my family would prefer a view of the castle if possible. Any room at the GF is heaven to me

 

[johnsonet]

I have a couple of questions re. my stay next month.
For Alicnwondrln and Lives4Disney and others who've rented a cabana, what beverages will be in the refrigerator? I had asked about requests in one email to IPO but that part of my question wasn't addressed. (I am not complaining - I have had really good service from IPO) How can I go about making specific requests? Do you have an attendant who takes an order or is it something I need to plan in advance? What if I want a glass of wine (or a bottle? ) Would we order food by calling from the phone to private dining?? Does it still take forever to be delivered?

Secondly, I want to order the mini castle cake for DD to have at tea at the GV Lounge? Should I call the GF Bakery or should I try and get it done through IPO. Lives4Disney what do you recommend? Seems as though you had a hard time getting your cake ordered - or was it just that the bakery CM wasn't very helpful w/ ideas?... I was just looking at your photos and that Tink cake was seriously PRECIOUS! Really beautiful! Also, your children are gorgeous!

I want to order a plate of goodies for DD to be delivered to the room. I would like to wait until we arrive and simply call Private Dining. Will this work? How much notice for something like that??

Thank you!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have a couple of questions re. my stay next month.
For Alicnwondrln and Lives4Disney and others who've rented a cabana, what beverages will be in the refrigerator? I had asked about requests in one email to IPO but that part of my question wasn't addressed. (I am not complaining - I have had really good service from IPO) How can I go about making specific requests? Do you have an attendant who takes an order or is it something I need to plan in advance? What if I want a glass of wine (or a bottle? ) Would we order food by calling from the phone to private dining?? Does it still take forever to be delivered?

Secondly, I want to order the mini castle cake for DD to have at tea at the GV Lounge? Should I call the GF Bakery or should I try and get it done through IPO. Lives4Disney what do you recommend? Seems as though you had a hard time getting your cake ordered - or was it just that the bakery CM wasn't very helpful w/ ideas?... I was just looking at your photos and that Tink cake was seriously PRECIOUS! Really beautiful! Also, your children are gorgeous!

I want to order a plate of goodies for DD to be delivered to the room. I would like to wait until we arrive and simply call Private Dining. Will this work? How much notice for something like that??

Thank you!

Hi! First, for us the fridge had lots of bottled H2O and Coke/Diet Coke and Sprite, and then juice boxes. I think that's it. There is a "Cabana Boy" that checked us in and made sure all was well.....also, there is a private dining person that sets everything up and I think if you wanted a bottle of wine you'd order thru them. OR, sometimes the poolside bar has cocktail waitress walking around taking orders. I had pina coladas that way. I am not sure how long PD takes to deliver....we've always had it in 45 min or less and that's what they have promised.

IPO will have you order thru the GF bakery they don't really know too much about the bakery issues so they suggest you make that call yourself. The bakery CMs don't really offer too much help on the phone in the way of suggestions or receiving my own ideas for that matter. It was a pain in the *** ordering that darn cake and the plate of goodies, too. They were just very unresponsive - I felt like I was talking to myself on the phone....sometimes I even answered my own questions, haha, to avoid the uncomfortable dead air space. You need 48 hrs to order the cake. Not sure about the other treats. Sorry!!

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[johnsonet]

- I felt like I was talking to myself on the phone....sometimes I even answered my own questions, haha, to avoid the uncomfortable dead air space.

although that is pretty pitiful. I wonder what the problem is? Regardless, your cake turned out SO beautifully!

Thanks for all your helpful answers

 

[triplefigs]

Channing, do they make all Disney characters in the white chocolate?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, do they make all Disney characters in the white chocolate?

Denise, I think they do make most now.

Johnsonet, I think the person that answers the phone is just that....a person to answer the phone, get a pen and take an order. I asked to speak to ***** a decorator I know but she was off til the day we left, so later a manager called me back and that's how I wound up with the Tink & flowers. The decorators are awesome and I know they can work magic, it's just making it thru to them that's tough. I am sure the order taking lady thought I was a nut by the time I hung up with her because I was talking to myself the whole time, haha. had to...she didn't say boo.

Happy planning,

Channing

 

[arbonnette]

Channing,

Where can I find a picture of your Tink and flowers cake? It is posted on the cakes thread??

It sounds wonderful ...