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

[Lives4Disney]

Speaking of the tea in the lounge (Garden View lounge?), has anyone ever seen a birthday celebrated there? I was thinking about celebrating DD's 6th birthday there instead of 1900 PF after reading about Lives4disney's DD's experience there on her birthday.

Any thoughts on that from anyone?

Thanks for posting the link to the rehab sign Tinkaroo (I think it was you). I guess that means that decor is likely to be throughout the resort. Oh well...

I appreciate you taking my experience into consideration, but I really hate to scare you off 1900 because of it. I was honest - it was HORRIBLE for us that time, but I really think 99% of it was our awful server. Maybe she was new or something, but she was bad & really since it is a buffet, there's not much to it, but she was BAD and made a real difference to our enjoyment of the place and DD's bday time there - and I did tell her nicely before we left. Embarrassed the heck out of my daughters, but that lady had to know how bad she was and how it really effected DD's little celebration.

We have done 3 bdays at 1900 PF in the past year, and the first (my 40th last July was just AWESOME (we did bfast there, though)- that's why we went back for DD's in Dec). Then we went again just the beginning of this July (girls wanted to try again ) for my 40th. It was so-so. They did make a fuss over me like the girls like to see, haha , but the food was blah and the kids all around us were squirming and SCREAMING and I swear I saw about 4 kids literally FALL out of their chairs and really hurt themselves and at least the same amount of broken plates. All that crying and screaming & crabby parents and crashing dinnerwear and tired sweaty kids & parents effected my family's enjoyment of 1900. After 3 tries we are done - maybe not permanently, but for the next few trips. That's just us, though.

The one time we ordered a cake at 1900 (Dd's bday in Dec) it was awful. The other two bday cakes we ordered from PD to be delivered to the Grand 1 and our room, were really yummy. Not sure what that's about because I thought they'd all 3 come from the same place.

As for the tea room bday - sorry I can't help you. I have never tried that tea room so no clue about anything to do with it except it is a pretty room - I think that's where they hold the Princess Tea Party thing. Been to that & loved it.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[diselderm]

Thanks for your thoughts, Lives4disney. Good to know about the different places your 3 cakes were ordered. Does make you wonder if they were made in different locations.

I'll keep the 1900 ADR for now. We've done the dinner there before and thought it was fine. We actually had spoiled our appetites in the RPC lounge and weren't very hungry for dinner. The most memorable thing was that DD (who was 4 at the time) was terrified of Prince Charming and just about jumped across the table to get away from him. It was really funny. I'm not sure if she'll care whether we eat there or not, so I may look into the tea lounge just to see if that may be a quieter option (she's very shy).

 

[krbq]

Speaking of the tea in the lounge (Garden View lounge?), has anyone ever seen a birthday celebrated there? I was thinking about celebrating DD's 6th birthday there instead of 1900 PF after reading about Lives4disney's DD's experience there on her birthday.

Any thoughts on that from anyone?

Go to the Disney Restaurants Forum and check out the sticky called "Official Birthday/Anniversary Cake Thread". There are at least 2 posters who discussed their birthday celebrations at the Garden View Tea Room in that thread. We're planning a birthday surprise there in October so it got my attention. Be sure to see:

On page 18, post #266 - pretty cake served at the tea room
On page 29, post #432 - Cindy's slipper served at the tea room
On page 28, post #409 - my personal favorite cake (but very expensive)

There are lots of beautiful, funny, cute & delicious looking cakes in that thread. Warning: you'll come away hungry.

 

[dingoballs]

Lives4Disney

We have done 3 bdays at 1900 PF in the past year, and the first (my 40th last July was just AWESOME (we did bfast there, though)- that's why we went back for DD's in Dec). Then we went again just the beginning of this July (girls wanted to try again ) for my 40th. It was so-so. They did make a fuss over me like the girls like to see, haha , but the food was blah and the kids all around us were squirming and SCREAMING and I swear I saw about 4 kids literally FALL out of their chairs and really hurt themselves and at least the same amount of broken plates. All that crying and screaming & crabby parents and crashing dinnerwear and tired sweaty kids & parents effected my family's enjoyment of 1900. After 3 tries we are done - maybe not permanently, but for the next few trips. That's just us, though.

Whenever we walked past 1900, we heard all kinds of screaming & yelling. We thought everyone was just having a good time... we didn't know the screaming was coming from kids falling out of their chairs!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney

We have done 3 bdays at 1900 PF in the past year, and the first (my 40th last July was just AWESOME (we did bfast there, though)- that's why we went back for DD's in Dec). Then we went again just the beginning of this July (girls wanted to try again ) for my 40th. It was so-so. They did make a fuss over me like the girls like to see, haha , but the food was blah and the kids all around us were squirming and SCREAMING and I swear I saw about 4 kids literally FALL out of their chairs and really hurt themselves and at least the same amount of broken plates. All that crying and screaming & crabby parents and crashing dinnerwear and tired sweaty kids & parents effected my family's enjoyment of 1900. After 3 tries we are done - maybe not permanently, but for the next few trips. That's just us, though.

Whenever we walked past 1900, we heard all kinds of screaming & yelling. We thought everyone was just having a good time... we didn't know the screaming was coming from kids falling out of their chairs!

Oh ya! Tons of kids falling out of their chairs. Maybe we caught 1900 on a good night, LOL, but everywhere we looked kids were flying around. .....And breaking dishes and getting in trouble and scared of the characters and crying because they can't get to the characters......Just massive screaming. I left w/a headache after our last visit and that just decided it for me. It was a painful dinner. You just don't know until you try it. Weird stuff going on, haha.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

howdy my friends

some great new info the last couple of days on here
I also like that they put up the sign up about the new rooms
that actually makes sense so I am surprised they did it

so what does everyone think about the new proposed dining changes that are everywhere?

 

[dingoballs]

Oh ya! Tons of kids falling out of their chairs. Maybe we caught 1900 on a good night, LOL, but everywhere we looked kids were flying around. .....And breaking dishes and getting in trouble and scared of the characters and crying because they can't get to the characters......Just massive screaming. I left w/a headache after our last visit and that just decided it for me. It was a painful dinner. You just don't know until you try it. Weird stuff going on, haha.

Lives4Disney

No wonder some of the CMs there are less than cheerful or helpful... I got a headache just from READING about your experience!

So what were the parents of these misbehaving kids doing about their misbehaving kids???

 

[Lives4Disney]

No wonder some of the CMs there are less than cheerful or helpful... I got a headache just from READING about your experience!

So what were the parents of these misbehaving kids doing about their misbehaving kids???

Oh, man .....let me tell you.....that night took the cake. DH and I heard so many people that could have been DCFS candidates- and it started while we were in line checking in. We heard parents swearing at their kids, threatening to smack them, beat them, yelling mean things at them...it was actually disturbing. I think THAT as much as the crying, falling, breaking things spoiled our 1900 experience. Very sad, actually. It's not usually like that with that much crying and screaming - from kids and adults, but the stuff we saw this time. Ugh. I guess at Disney you really do get a true cross section of the world. I think the summer crowds are wacky.

I agree....sometimes it's the guests that can sure cause the CMs to be less than pleasant.

Kelly, what the heck are you talking about with the dining stuff??? What have I missed out on hearing about??

Lives4Disney

 

[diselderm]

Thanks krbq. That thread has so many cute ideas.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

howdy my friends

some great new info the last couple of days on here
I also like that they put up the sign up about the new rooms
that actually makes sense so I am surprised they did it

so what does everyone think about the new proposed dining changes that are everywhere?

I, for one, and super excited about the Deluxe DP. It is just like the old Silver Plan from back in the day which we Disneymooned on and our Millenium trip. I have whined about it on every survey I have taken since 2005

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Kelly, what the heck are you talking about with the dining stuff??? What have I missed out on hearing about??

Lives4Disney

Channing

http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/debw...changes_1.html

New versions of the DDP (here's the Cliff's Note Version)

The current one minus the appetizer for $1 less per person (37.99 ? )

The Deluxe one with 3 TS meals per day (including the appetizer), 2 snacks per day and 1 refillable mug per person (69.99 per adult, 19.99 9 and under)

Wine Plan add on for 39.99 which gets you 1 bottle of wine per day. (can only add this to one of the above plans)

All plans have removed the 18% gratuity so tips are now OOP.

 

[SLDL]

When do these changes take place with the DDP? I don't think I like it!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

When do these changes take place with the DDP? I don't think I like it!

2008

 

[Lives4Disney]

Cinderumbrella, thanks for the info. I was wondering what the big news was.


I have APs and the DDE so I never do a DDP. I think it seems kind of confusing with all those credits and having to keep track.

Lives4Disney

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Cinderumbrella, thanks for the info. I was wondering what the big news was.


I have APs and the DDE so I never do a DDP. I think it seems kind of confusing with all those credits and having to keep track.

Lives4Disney

I think the DDE will make much more sense for us too. I am not a big eater so the Deluxe Plan would be a waste of $$ for us.

Haven't bitten the bullet on the AP yet.........

 

[arbonnette]

We enjoyed the dining plan last December although it was a ton of food. It is confusing with the credits and keeping track and you can't always pick whatever you want (esp. at CS). I am not sure if we will do it again with the new changes particularly because of the tip not being included ...

Also, I would like to thank everyone on here who has answered my questions about the GF in the past month or so. I booked my room-only ressie today for standard RPC for February 4-10. We live in South Louisiana, so my daughter has a week off for Mardi Gras then. I will be travelling with my dad and mom and my DD4. I was somewhat disappointed that there are no deluxe RPC rooms available for my dates; however, the CM I spoke with told me that sometimes those room types don't show up in the system as available until after the official 2008 rates/packages are announced and that I should call back and request it again when the new information comes out. Does anyone know if this is really the case? I must say that the woman I spoke to was wonderfully helpful and seemed to know her stuff, so to speak. (Last year when calling to book ADRs I spoke to some real winners in the personality department!!!
So now I am off to start planning my ADRs as I can book on 8/8!
Thanks again to everyone for their help, and I can't wait for my upcoming stay! Also, for a standard RPC room, what should I request in terms of view or location?

Andrea

 

[Lives4Disney]

We enjoyed the dining plan last December although it was a ton of food. It is confusing with the credits and keeping track and you can't always pick whatever you want (esp. at CS). I am not sure if we will do it again with the new changes particularly because of the tip not being included ...

Also, I would like to thank everyone on here who has answered my questions about the GF in the past month or so. I booked my room-only ressie today for standard RPC for February 4-10. We live in South Louisiana, so my daughter has a week off for Mardi Gras then. I will be travelling with my dad and mom and my DD4. I was somewhat disappointed that there are no deluxe RPC rooms available for my dates; however, the CM I spoke with told me that sometimes those room types don't show up in the system as available until after the official 2008 rates/packages are announced and that I should call back and request it again when the new information comes out. Does anyone know if this is really the case? I must say that the woman I spoke to was wonderfully helpful and seemed to know her stuff, so to speak. (Last year when calling to book ADRs I spoke to some real winners in the personality department!!!
So now I am off to start planning my ADRs as I can book on 8/8!
Thanks again to everyone for their help, and I can't wait for my upcoming stay! Also, for a standard RPC room, what should I request in terms of view or location?

Andrea

Maybe there is something to what that CRO CM told you regarding that room category not being out yet. I tried to book a few nts in a deluxe rpc room for March 08 and was told it's not available.

For a standard RPC room, I like the 4th floor (same as the lounge) and a castle/marina view. You can watch Wishes from your balcony and hear the music that is piped in down by the marina.

I had the courtyard view once - from the Walt suite - so I didn't mind, lol, but the castle view is best.

Lives4Disney

 

[arbonnette]

Maybe there is something to what that CRO CM told you regarding that room category not being out yet. I tried to book a few nts in a deluxe rpc room for March 08 and was told it's not available.

Thank you, Lives4Disney. I actually hope the CRO CM is right because I would love, love the extra space of the deluxe room, especially considering the minimal increase in cost!

That room request sounds great for me, and I called back to put in that request. I think I read on here that all the deluxe RPC rooms with the 2 queen option have courtyard views? Is this correct?!

Andrea

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you, Lives4Disney. I actually hope the CRO CM is right because I would love, love the extra space of the deluxe room, especially considering the minimal increase in cost!

That room request sounds great for me, and I called back to put in that request. I think I read on here that all the deluxe RPC rooms with the 2 queen option have courtyard views? Is this correct?!

Andrea

Pretty sure that's true. I don't think any of the deluxe rooms have the special castle view. I have had that beautiful view many many times so I am ready for the trade-off of more space at this point. It's a tough call, though, because sitting on the balcony sipping a glass of wine, watching the monorail and the boats go back and forth and Wishes.....pretty magical.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[garada3]

sitting on the balcony sipping a glass of wine, watching the monorail and the boats go back and forth and Wishes.....pretty magical.


Ah...

I am back and that is the thought that kept me going through scout camp!

Every night as I would lay down on my wood and canvas cot in my WWII era canvas tent (no screens no floor) I would picture that scene, our view from RPC room 4401.

What we do for our children