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

[Alicnwondrln]

have to add they really need a frequent program for those that stay deluxe alot and concierge. They need to do more to keep people coming back not just attractingnew people

 

[Cinderumbrella]

On another note.....I called CRO to inquire about deluxe rooms at the GF for a March 08 spring break trip....NONE available even this far out.

The real bummer is the rate for standard RPC during our spring break is $933/nt. I am thinking that is getting a bit out of hand. I could have a 10 nt stay.....for almost 10K. No thanks. Then I priced out a split betwn GF and YC and it comes to a more reasonable $7K.hahaha. No thanks. In the past couple years I wouldn't have balked because I love WDW and the GF so much and the service was so wonderful.... but with the changes and the poor service noted I am questioning that kind of money for a WDW stay. Also, those rooms!!! They don't even tempt me.

PS....oh, how could I forget ....the CRO CM did make sure I understood that these were 2007 prices. (what a deal) When the NEW rates come out, I would be notified of the rate increase!!

I think if by Dec I am dying for a WDW trip I will go with S/D....sad but true.

Lives4Disney

Channing, I don't blame you for reconsidering either. We are planning next Nov/Dec again and will either do CR or GF (I think it will really depend on how this trip goes whether we chose the GF again. All of these recent negative posts have me slightly concerned. It was just so magical there for us on our honeymoon 10 years ago and I hate to have a dark cloud ruin that memory for us )
We have casually dicussed DVC but it just isn't a fit for us either. We really want to be on the monorail. And as much as we loved AKL, I can't imagine stayng there all the time. And I adore the BW area, but those buses are such a nightmare (and we really are MK people!!) Never tried S/D and really have no desire to do so. I guess we will just wait out the rumors about DVC at CR and then really make our choice, if there is even a choice to make

 

[princess-rn]

Princess rn.... The view is called "Theme Park View" now. So I supposed that can include a view of Space Mtn. At check in, ask what your view is...or look on the GF map (ask to see it) and if you're not happy request your preference. I did this at YC and wound up really happy....the room they were going to give me had NOTHING to do w/what I requested on the ressie. The room I wound up with was even better than I requested. I have read the best chance for a castle view is in Sago or Conch.

Several pages back there are pics of goodies you can order thru GF's private dining. They will do all kinds of things....Here's the number & you can call them and inquire....407-824-2474.

I never bother to FAX requests. I honestly do not think the room assigner takes requests into consideration. My experience with CRO ressie requests, anyway. I have always switched my room at check in if I wasn't satisfied with the location/view. Nothing is set in stone unless you are the last person checking in and the resort is full to max cap. If you're not happy let them know so they can fix it.

Edited to add about cabanas....they are a 4 hr rental for $60. Again, a few pages back I listed what is included in the rental. There are now 2 that they rent. The number is 407 WDW PLAY.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

When we booked we paid for the MK view.....so we should at least automatically get some form of MK view right? I will make a special request when we arrive. We should be getting there super early so maybe that will help out.

The cabanas sound great!!! Where exactly are they located?

 

[asta]

Princess-rn - I can give you my opinion about the best views from the GF. We have had seven stays at the GF and have always had a great MK view. This past visit we were at the end of Conch Key and had a great view of the castle. All of our other trips we have stayed in the narrow end of Big Pine Key that has the same view as Boca Chica. In those rooms you have to look a little to your left to see the castle but it is still a fantastic view. I actually prefer the Big Pine Key view because it is a lot more private than Conch Key. While the castle is not dead center in Big Pine Key, the rest of your view is of the open water, Contemporary and an island. When you look out from Conch Key, you also have the ferry from the MK that is coming and going all of the time. You also have the cooking smells from Narcoosses at night (only from the balcony). Don't get me wrong, the Conch Key room was still fantastic but I just like Big Pine Key better. It is a longshot getting what I think is the best room, but we once had a corner room in Big Pine Key with two balconies. Our view stretched from the castle all the way around to the Polynesian. You could watch the Water Parade at least twice and I think you could also see fireworks from either MGM or EPCOT. I really don't think any of the theme park views would be bad except for the back part of Sago if they are even called theme park view.

 

[hmp2z]

but still......there is just something I don't feel good about with DVC.

For us, that something is the fact that, right now, we can demand good service from Disney, or we can go elsewhere. If we buy into DVC, they've already got our money. So what is the incentive to them to provide the same level of service? I just don't trust Disney that much; I don't feel they have the high level of ethics that would keep them giving me the same service as guests whose money they're still wooing.

We have seen such a decline in service in the past few years, that right now, I think the only thing even marginally tempting Disney to offer decent customer service is the promise of our money. Take that away, and we're left at the mercy of their decency. No thanks.

Just our take on it; we thought for a while about buying into the WL Villas, but the reasons against outweighed the reasons for. My in-laws stay at the BW Villas, and they look SO much shabbier than the BWI rooms. I don't think they keep up their DVC facilities as well as they should, probably because they've already got the DVC owners' money.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

When we booked we paid for the MK view.....so we should at least automatically get some form of MK view right? I will make a special request when we arrive. We should be getting there super early so maybe that will help out.

The cabanas sound great!!! Where exactly are they located?

Here's the link to the thread that had the info on the cabanas:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1366719&referrerid=&highlight=cabanas

the second page has the pictures that inspired me to try and get one.

 

[Lives4Disney]

we are also thinking about the S/D
its looks great
I just hate that theres no DME but I could get over that

Kelly, use Southern Elegance Limousines. They are awesome. The best. No DME hassles - FABULOUS cars, drivers & service.

Kelly, I just called CRO to get the ideas of what's available for March and I will let you know if I choose to book something.


Heather, good points. I agree completely. Michelle had a beautiful 2 bdrm BWI villa last Dec. Maybe I'd rent points sometime, but that's probably as far as I'd go. Who knows, though.... I have never been in a DVC villa, so


Disneymama - Hey!! LOL - that's us!! Those are my pics.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1366719&page=2&highlight=cabanas


Princess rn - those are the pics I was going to show, but - great - the link is just as good!

Cinderumbrella - I am so not sure where spring break will find us. I might have to suck it up and do a RPC/Swan split. We'll see.

Dingoballs -

Happy day,

Lives4Disney

 

[princessesrule4]

For us, that something is the fact that, right now, we can demand good service from Disney, or we can go elsewhere. If we buy into DVC, they've already got our money. So what is the incentive to them to provide the same level of service? I just don't trust Disney that much; I don't feel they have the high level of ethics that would keep them giving me the same service as guests whose money they're still wooing.

We have seen such a decline in service in the past few years, that right now, I think the only thing even marginally tempting Disney to offer decent customer service is the promise of our money. Take that away, and we're left at the mercy of their decency. No thanks.

Just our take on it; we thought for a while about buying into the WL Villas, but the reasons against outweighed the reasons for. My in-laws stay at the BW Villas, and they look SO much shabbier than the BWI rooms. I don't think they keep up their DVC facilities as well as they should, probably because they've already got the DVC owners' money.

Cheers!
Heather W

This is EXACTLY how we felt! And exactly why we sold our BCV.
I am glad it works for others. I know mllil and BCV are very happy with theirs and that is wonderful! But it just doesn't work for us!

 

[Disney Planner Mama]

Disneymama [/B]- Hey!! LOL - that's us!! Those are my pics.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1366719&page=2&highlight=cabanas

Lives4Disney -- your pictures and tips are a big part of why I switched our reservations to GF!!! Thank you! We can't wait to get there.

Jen.

 

[mlill]

Hey everyone! I really appreciate everyone's opinions about DVC. No worries! I guess we've just been lucky with our experiences. I've never had a bad room/service in all the times that we've stayed in a DVC villa. Like I said, I love the space - and I love that we feel 'at home'. I know that's a big turn-off for some when they are on vacation. Don't get me wrong, I really love GF, too. It's just a shame that the prices are skyrocketing and the service is iffy at best lately. We are still planning on spending our 20th Anniversary at the GF RPC in 2008!

Have a great weekend!
-Michelle

 

[dingoballs]

For us, that something is the fact that, right now, we can demand good service from Disney, or we can go elsewhere. If we buy into DVC, they've already got our money. So what is the incentive to them to provide the same level of service? I just don't trust Disney that much; I don't feel they have the high level of ethics that would keep them giving me the same service as guests whose money they're still wooing.

We have seen such a decline in service in the past few years, that right now, I think the only thing even marginally tempting Disney to offer decent customer service is the promise of our money. Take that away, and we're left at the mercy of their decency. No thanks.

Just our take on it; we thought for a while about buying into the WL Villas, but the reasons against outweighed the reasons for. My in-laws stay at the BW Villas, and they look SO much shabbier than the BWI rooms. I don't think they keep up their DVC facilities as well as they should, probably because they've already got the DVC owners' money.

Cheers!
Heather W

I think you have a VERY valid point. For Disney, it's all about $$$ (not that there's anything wrong with that if I was a shareholder... ) But they really need to work on their customer service, especially towards loyal guests like us! And you know DVC is a good money-maker with a locked-in guaranteed source of revenue, or else Disney wouldn't be expanding DVC into more and more resorts... But we STILL love WDW!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

]Kelly, use Southern Elegance Limousines. They are awesome. The best. No DME hassles - FABULOUS cars, drivers & service.[/B]
Kelly, I just called CRO to get the ideas of what's available for March and I will let you know if I choose to book something.


Heather, good points. I agree completely. Michelle had a beautiful 2 bdrm BWI villa last Dec. Maybe I'd rent points sometime, but that's probably as far as I'd go. Who knows, though.... I have never been in a DVC villa, so


Disneymama - Hey!! LOL - that's us!! Those are my pics.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1366719&page=2&highlight=cabanas


Princess rn - those are the pics I was going to show, but - great - the link is just as good!

Cinderumbrella - I am so not sure where spring break will find us. I might have to suck it up and do a RPC/Swan split. We'll see.

Dingoballs -

Happy day,

Lives4Disney

I will look into them. DO they have a website?

I think what stinks is the inconsistencies in the service at the GF. We had a great trip this July but last NOV was TOUGH. We have toured SSR and have thought about DVC but didnt love SSR and we love staying concierge.
My DH would sonsider it but it wouldnt be SSR.
I think it sad so many people who love staying there get nervous about their trips because they are so inconsistent.

Wanted to add that I am hearing Sugar loaf will be closed in Sept. I will be at the BWI inn keepers club, woo hoo. The staff their is great.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I will look into them. DO they have a website?

I think what stinks is the inconsistencies in the service at the GF. We had a great trip this July but last NOV was TOUGH. We have toured SSR and have thought about DVC but didnt love SSR and we love staying concierge.
My DH would sonsider it but it wouldnt be SSR.
I think it sad so many people who love staying there get nervous about their trips because they are so inconsistent.

Kelly, the website is their name....well, it wouldn't show, so it is their name...Southern elegance limousines dot com with no spaces....

I had difficulty w/their new online ressie system so I just emailed them. They are really great. We always use them - so it's been a lot of times and it is actually something my kids look forward to even though they've been in limos many times because they always have a Disney movie on - the cars are BEAUTIFUL and NEW and super clean, you can have a jumbo character ride along and the drivers are nice and show ya how to work everything and help yourselves to sodas and water.....just a really fun way to start the vacation.


Ya, such a shame that people that are coming back have had such difficulties during their trips.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

It is a shame. I was so excited to let people know how great Robert and the team was when we were their. I still wonder how Calvin is handling all the IPO himself. I never hear anyone else mentioned for GF IPO.

 

[BCV23]

This is EXACTLY how we felt! And exactly why we sold our BCV.
I am glad it works for others. I know mllil and BCV are very happy with theirs and that is wonderful! But it just doesn't work for us!

Oh, I'm sorry it didn't work for you.

We do love it. We've had wonderful experiences. We love the space, the whirlpool tub (I never use tubs when traveling except there), the washer/dryer which was a complete surprise as I was never did laundry on vacation before with a few notable exceptions. But we pack so much lighter now. We enjoy having real wine glasses, multiple balconies and TVs.

We've stayed at BC too although not for a few years. But unlike Heather's BWI/BWV's experiences, I don't see a difference in quality of materials with the exception of the patio furniture which is plastic at BCV. Everything else more than makes up for that. Oh, and the pillows used to be too thin but that's better and the mattresses are pillowtops just like the GF although at both resorts we've had accessible rooms that didn't have those.

I don't think its for everyone. If you don't think you will vacation at WDW on a regular basis, it's probably not the best fit. But with the flexibility of banking and borrowing points even if you vacation at WDW once every 3 years it can work well. You absolutely have to do your homework though.

WDW seems as receptive to DVCers concerns as to any other guest's in our experience.

Oh, and you are told it is not an investment which is good advice. I would personally never finance a purchase. But so far ours has appreciated nicely, thank you.

The wonderful space a villa offers is bottom line for us.

 

[princessesrule4]

Oh, I'm sorry it didn't work for you.

We do love it. We've had wonderful experiences. We love the space, the whirlpool tub (I never use tubs when traveling except there), the washer/dryer which was a complete surprise as I was never did laundry on vacation before with a few notable exceptions. But we pack so much lighter now. We enjoy having real wine glasses, multiple balconies and TVs.

We've stayed at BC too although not for a few years. But unlike Heather's BWI/BWV's experiences, I don't see a difference in quality of materials with the exception of the patio furniture which is plastic at BCV. Everything else more than makes up for that. Oh, and the pillows used to be too thin but that's better and the mattresses are pillowtops just like the GF although at both resorts we've had accessible rooms that didn't have those.

I don't think its for everyone. If you don't think you will vacation at WDW on a regular basis, it's probably not the best fit. But with the flexibility of banking and borrowing points even if you vacation at WDW once every 3 years it can work well. You absolutely have to do your homework though.

WDW seems as receptive to DVCers concerns as to any other guest's in our experience.

Oh, and you are told it is not an investment which is good advice. I would personally never finance a purchase. But so far ours has appreciated nicely, thank you.

The wonderful space a villa offers is bottom line for us.

You are right, BCVs have appreciated nicely, which was great for us when we sold it last year!

 

[BCV23]

You are right, BCVs have appreciated nicely, which was great for us when we sold it last year!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Lives4Disney, I just checked out the cabanas photos and they look great for our next trip. It is funny because your DH is using his laptop and I'm sure mine would be doing the same!!! Great pictures, thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney, I just checked out the cabanas photos and they look great for our next trip. It is funny because your DH is using his laptop and I'm sure mine would be doing the same!!! Great pictures, thanks!

We thought there would be high speed internet service, but there wasn't. (he was disappointed in that!) He had to use his cell dial up modem. Just so you know.

Lives4Disney

 

[Dis Ohana]

The deluxe rooms don't have a castle view. It's a trade off. I have always had the magical castle view. That 4420 that Lisa mentioned was the room I got to see. Very nice!! I figure I have seen the castle enough now, lol, and would love the extra space the deluxe affords, but now I cannot get lucky enough to find availablity. Oh, ya after staying in that suite, the standard rooms seem extremely cramped, haha. Too bad I can't afford a $2500/nt room every trip. Back to reality here.

That suite was the Walt Suite....room 4411. It was just beautiful. I booked RPC room and got upgraded to that suite....they knew it was my 40th and also DH's and DD's bdays!!

Channing

Thanks for confirming the deluxe view for me. It looks like the deluxe rooms face the opposite end from the castle, but I wanted to be sure. I would love to wake up and see the castle, but I think at that point in our trip I'd rather have the space!

$2,500 a night! Holy smokes, I could never justify paying for that. I'm so glad that you did get the upgrade. If Disney knew how much you do to promote the GF they'd probably give it to you every time ! Seriously though, you and the others dedicated to this thread offer so much information to newbies like me, I really do appreciate you all .