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

[DisneyMomx7]

What room category would DS be able to see the Monorail? Trying to book an April trip tonight!

Denise - we had a MK view room (now called theme park) in Sago Cay. We could see the monorail and the castle perfectly.

 

[triplefigs]

Denise - we had a MK view room (now called theme park) in Sago Cay. We could see the monorail and the castle perfectly.

Thanks. The kids all voted unanimously tonight for the Tower MK view at the CR again. I'd love the GF, but I'd rather them be happy. I think a Christmas trip to the GF is definitely in order sooner than later!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Denise - DId you change your September trip or are you adding another trip?

My Ds always wants to stay at CR too - must be a boys fascination with the monorail!

 

[triplefigs]

Denise - DId you change your September trip or are you adding another trip?

My Ds always wants to stay at CR too - must be a boys fascination with the monorail!

We cancelled Sept last week as we had to buy a new van. My old one clunked out on us. So the money for Disney paid the down payment. Hopefully, by April we'll be able to go! And the monorail is the exact reason they all 3 chose the CR.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Denise, I am really glad you are booking something to look forward to.I was so sad to hear about your car/vacation situation. Bummer. Hope you're feeling better about that whole thing.

I booked the Swan today for March spring break. Maybe I will stay a couple nts at GF or CR. My 16 yr old son LOVES CR and has been dying for us to stay there since the room redos - I think there is something neat about CR for boys

I need to see what is available with AAA for RPC or for CR Theme Park or Atrium Club. It would be over Easter. Does anybody know if the resorts do anything special for Easter???? If not, I am not sure my kids will want to go. They are holiday homebodies.

The Swan gave me a fabulous AAA rate so maybe to combine that with a split stay with CR or GF would be more affordable. The GF RPC for over $900/nt in March doesn't appeal to me. I love it, but I don't think it's worth that much....obviously many do, though.

About those RPC deluxe rooms....I used to plan trips w/in weeks of check in and they were almost always an option!! I always opted for the MK view RPC instead. Now of course when I would want the deluxe, no go. I am the last minute lucky booker, though.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[triplefigs]

Channing, thanks! It's nice to have a trip. Although, I think the kids were really torn between the GF and CR. They just love the view so much and the monorail. DH figured we'd bite the bullet $$ wise and stay there again as long as they really want to. When they are a little older we can try YC, GF, etc again.

What rate did you get at the Swan?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing, thanks! It's nice to have a trip. Although, I think the kids were really torn between the GF and CR. They just love the view so much and the monorail. DH figured we'd bite the bullet $$ wise and stay there again as long as they really want to. When they are a little older we can try YC, GF, etc again.

What rate did you get at the Swan?

I just booked a standard view for $214 AAA rate. Thought it was a steal and figured we'd probably get our SPG upgrade, too. During the busy times of year I find myself enjoying the Epcot resort area more than MK resorts because of the convenience of walking b/f and not having to deal w/WDW transportation. MK is still my favorite park, but not when it's jam packed. March is too cool for me to feel like swimming so no need for SAB. I think a sweet deal at the S/D is perfect.

I was just looking at the WDW website for CR and GF availablity for the split stay option and maybe we will do atrium club.....it's just so hard to break away from my favorite GF. When I think about staring across the water at my Grand Floridian from a room at the CR it bums me out. Honestly, though in March it comes to $990/nt and that is killing me. I just think the rates have gotten a bit out of hand - and for me to say that - THAT's bad!!!


Happy Disney dreaming,

Channing

 

[triplefigs]

I just booked a standard view for $214 AAA rate. Thought it was a steal and figured we'd probably get our SPG upgrade, too. During the busy times of year I find myself enjoying the Epcot resort area more than MK resorts because of the convenience of walking b/f and not having to deal w/WDW transportation. MK is still my favorite park, but not when it's jam packed. March is too cool for me to feel like swimming so no need for SAB. I think a sweet deal at the S/D is perfect.

I was just looking at the WDW website for CR and GF availablity for the split stay option and maybe we will do atrium club.....it's just so hard to break away from my favorite GF. When I think about staring across the water at my Grand Floridian from a room at the CR it bums me out. Honestly, though in March it comes to $990/nt and that is killing me. I just think the rates have gotten a bit out of hand - and for me to say that - THAT's bad!!!


Happy Disney dreaming,

Channing

That price is outrageous! But the Swan is sweet. How many people does the Swan hold? 4 or 5?

 

[Lives4Disney]

That price is outrageous! But the Swan is sweet. How many people does the Swan hold? 4 or 5?

Well....I have stayed there before all 5 of us - and they knew it and it was allowed - so it better be OK again if Zack decides to come too and we have 5 again. There is NO way I would book the Dolphin w/the double beds. No way. I had a tough time getting used to a queen during our last trip. I just put 2 adults on my ressie and will bring the aero for Zack and ask for an extra key. Dolphin is the one that they now say you can book for 5 but they used to book 5 in the Swan, too. Whatever. I can't make a decision based on 4 or 5 because Zack may back out again and I'll be stuck getting no sleep on a double bed.

Once fairly recently I called to book and they told me they just have to let me know that is the recommendation but they did let me book it for 5. Who knows. I'll worry about it when I check in, haha.

The Swan is not Disney, but I love the area and the price is right. Can't beat that for a spring break stay - esp when Disney wants $600/nt and up. Not worth it to me anymore.

Channing

 

[Tinkaroo]

Calling all the GF experts regardng room requests...

Awihle ago I had posted a question regarding what room location etc I should request and got helpful suggestions... well ofcourse now I think I left a few things out and given what I am reading about rehab etc I wanted to once again enlist your help if I may on what type of room location/building I should request and soem other room specific questions.

The specifics, we are going for 5nights mid September and have a Garden View room type ( I only wish it was conciege level... but alas I am happy that it is GF!). There will be 4 of us 2 adults and our twins who will be celebrating their 4th B'day. Space is always essential to us... so a roomier (?)room is important (i guess it is to everyone). Back many pages on this thread I saw a room that had a sitting alcove... I am assuming this was RPC or similiar... does anything like this exist for the garden view room folks?

I am hoping to minimize walking as I have a bad back, so if there is such a thing as close to the monorail and also the pool that would be nice... but am I sacrificing anything on view here? Is it possible to see the fireworks at all from any garden view room type or the water parade...? If so where?

My other question pertains to the bedding set-up, originally I thought I wanted a king with a sofabed (for the twins). Now I am not sure.. is 2 queens with a daybed a better option and will that allow us more space?

Are there patios/balcony on ground floor views... what are your thoughts on the ground floor rooms?

Should I ask for a new refurb room or it really doesn't matter.

And lastly (I think) ... can anyone point me to a link with a layout of GF?

Thanks so much... This thread has been so wonderful for me and given me such great info (we booked a cabana thanks to this thread) etc...

Oh... on a related matter, how soon/late should I call GF bakery for Slippers for our dinner at Narcossee's also to have a treat dish made with mini castle cake for our room one afternoon... (any favorites on what to include with the cake as a mid afternoon treat?)

THANK YOU all so much!

Best,

Hi, NeverSayNever!

I am by no means an expert, but I'll give you what info. I can, and bump this up for those more GF-knowledgeable than me.

The pictures you likely saw posted were of a Lodge Tower Room (the room with 2 queen beds, and then an extra seating area with a couch and second TV). Unfortunately, these rooms are not available if you have booked a standard GV room. These rooms are a bookable category under "Lodge Tower", or if you're staying in the Sugar Loaf Concierge building, there are 3 of them there, and they are by request only (you can't book those in advance). I believe the pictures you saw were likely of the Lodge Tower Room that Kelly and her family stayed in while in the Sugar Loaf building last month. (Triplefigs has stayed in one, too.)

Since you're looking to maximize your space, I would make sure that you request a regular garden view room (not a dormer room, which are on the top floors of the outer lodge buildings). The dormer rooms are quaint, with cathedral ceilings, but do have a bit less space (maybe 20 sq. ft. or so), have a solid balcony, and usually no daybed (although I think the refurbished rooms might now).

I don't think you will have an option to have a king bed, since you are a party of 4 people. I would think the maximum occupancy for a king room would be 2, maybe 3 people. Plus, king rooms are few and far between it seems, so I would prepare yourself to have the 2 queens/daybed layout.

Yes, all room at the GF have balconies (or patios on the 1st floor). I would think a 1st floor room would be just fine, although I might not want one just off one of the pools, due to foot traffic.

You can see the monorail from a lot of different points around the GF, and there are 2 pools - the courtyard pool, and the beach/theme pool.

Here are a couple of links to GF layouts:

Live Earth map: http://local.live.com/default.aspx?cp=28.411444|-81.586792&style=h&lvl=15&v=1

Resort Map: http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/grandfmap.jpg

In my personal opinion, nothing at the GF is too far away - maybe a 7 minute leisurely walk from one end of the resort to the other. I would probably suggest that you request Sago Cay (to watch the monorail, be close to Gasparilla's, the bus stop, and the marina to watch Wishes from at night) or maybe Big Pine or Boca Chica (to be close to the pools). I'm sure one of our more knowledgeable GF'ers can come along and give better recommendations, but these would be my thoughts.

I think everyone has a different opinion on the refurbishment. I personally liked the older decor a bit better, but that's just my personal taste. For a refurbished room at this point, you'd need to request Conch Key, or be staying concierge in the Main Building (which they're currently working on).

Lastly, I've yet to order any special goodies from Private Dining at the GF (although I will be in Nov.), but I would probably say order at least a couple of weeks in advance - although you could probably wait longer if you liked.

Have a great trip!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Channing, thanks! It's nice to have a trip. Although, I think the kids were really torn between the GF and CR. They just love the view so much and the monorail. DH figured we'd bite the bullet $$ wise and stay there again as long as they really want to. When they are a little older we can try YC, GF, etc again.

What rate did you get at the Swan?

Glad you guys have another trip in the works, Denise - even if it isn't at the GF.

The Swan is not Disney, but I love the area and the price is right. Can't beat that for a spring break stay - esp when Disney wants $600/nt and up. Not worth it to me anymore.

Channing

Congrats on your great rate, too, Channing! DH and I were talking about when we'd be going next year tonight, too. I've been so tunnel-visioned on our trips this year, I'm neglecting future planning! We are probably looking to go for 4-5 days sometime in the spring, and then plan our longer stay in early December again. These rack rates are scaring me - I definitely need to call CRO and get some AAA rates to work with. DH hasn't stayed at the GF yet (but will soon!), and right now, he thinks his overall fave non-DVC resort is the Poly. I'm thinking that might be a good spot for our spring trip, when we can enjoy the beaches/pool, etc., and then maybe do a split stay with the GF and maybe BWI for our Dec. trip. (Unfortunately, we're out of DVC points until 2009! )

I'm with you - $900 is ridiculous!!! I'm sorry, unless I'm staying in a palace, I just could never justify that. As it is, I have to keep the thought of what I'm paying for RPC this Dec. buried in the back of my mind - I can't believe that, either!

 

[princessesrule4]

Denise, I am really glad you are booking something to look forward to.I was so sad to hear about your car/vacation situation. Bummer. Hope you're feeling better about that whole thing.

I booked the Swan today for March spring break. Maybe I will stay a couple nts at GF or CR. My 16 yr old son LOVES CR and has been dying for us to stay there since the room redos - I think there is something neat about CR for boys

I need to see what is available with AAA for RPC or for CR Theme Park or Atrium Club. It would be over Easter. Does anybody know if the resorts do anything special for Easter???? If not, I am not sure my kids will want to go. They are holiday homebodies.

The Swan gave me a fabulous AAA rate so maybe to combine that with a split stay with CR or GF would be more affordable. The GF RPC for over $900/nt in March doesn't appeal to me. I love it, but I don't think it's worth that much....obviously many do, though.

About those RPC deluxe rooms....I used to plan trips w/in weeks of check in and they were almost always an option!! I always opted for the MK view RPC instead. Now of course when I would want the deluxe, no go. I am the last minute lucky booker, though.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

The resorts do Easter activities/egg hunts,etc. but all the resorts are different. If you check with Deb Wills , she has a list of activities from past years.

I almost choked when I read the price tag for RPC peak season!! Regular season is bad enough! That Swan rate you got is great and would be hard to pass up!

My kids picked the CR for our quick trip next week , so we are doing Atrium Club since the Food And Fun Center is being rehabbed! I got lucky and got the AP rate somehow when it magically opened up for our 2 nights! We haven't been back to CR since we became obsessed with the GF - I'm excited to see the new rooms!
Hopefully, the ground floor rehab won't be a pain - I don't think it will be!

 

[princessesrule4]

Thanks. The kids all voted unanimously tonight for the Tower MK view at the CR again. I'd love the GF, but I'd rather them be happy. I think a Christmas trip to the GF is definitely in order sooner than later!

Glad you were able to reschedule your trip! You'll be making ADR's before you know it!

 

[minniesota]

Good morning all! For those of you who have stayed RPC standard room, would you have any suggestions on location/room number requests? We have two rooms booked for October and have requested connecting but I'd be fine with adjoining if it meant a better location. We've stayed in a suite and a deluxe room so haven't had the straight-on castle view. We'd like that this time around! The oversized balcony sounds great too - any info on where those rooms are located? Thanks as always!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

hey everyone
I almost fell outta my chair this a.m. when I started seeing the rack rates at the GF. They are to much. I hate the way they are breaking it up now and then charging even more for weekends.
Bewteen that and the dining plan changes DH wont be happy.
I think we are done with the DDP. We skipped it in July and were fine so I am thinking its time for an AP and the DDE card.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Boy I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking everything is going up too much. I'm torn between GF and Poly for our summer vacation but the Swan is starting to sound pretty good.

We won't don DDP again this year because I would like to do the deluxe DDP but no way I'm paying $70 a day for my 10 year old dd who eats like a bird! I'm also unhappy with the way they keep switching seasons for the deluxes. For years Value Season started on July 5, then they changed it to July 8, now it's backed up to July 20th. We like to take our vacation for two weeks in the summer so it's definitely getting expensive!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Boy I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking everything is going up too much. I'm torn between GF and Poly for our summer vacation but the Swan is starting to sound pretty good.

We won't don DDP again this year because I would like to do the deluxe DDP but no way I'm paying $70 a day for my 10 year old dd who eats like a bird! I'm also unhappy with the way they keep switching seasons for the deluxes. For years Value Season started on July 5, then they changed it to July 8, now it's backed up to July 20th. We like to take our vacation for two weeks in the summer so it's definitely getting expensive!

yeah the summer is getting crazy. We dont want ds8 to miss alot of school but the prices and outta control. The swan is starting to look real good, we have also stayed at the doubletree suites at DTD and those we very nice with tons of room and way cheaper.

 

[princessesrule4]

Boy I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking everything is going up too much. I'm torn between GF and Poly for our summer vacation but the Swan is starting to sound pretty good.

We won't don DDP again this year because I would like to do the deluxe DDP but no way I'm paying $70 a day for my 10 year old dd who eats like a bird! I'm also unhappy with the way they keep switching seasons for the deluxes. For years Value Season started on July 5, then they changed it to July 8, now it's backed up to July 20th. We like to take our vacation for two weeks in the summer so it's definitely getting expensive!

Cannot believe the changes that Disney has made! We usually go the first week in June but since it was so hot and crowded this year, we figured that we may as well go in July during value season and I was going to book for July 8th - 14!! Since Value Season doesn't start til July 20th now, I guess that won't be happening! I may as well book for the first week in August now!

We were going to renew our AP's when we are there next week and of course AP rates went up! We get a DVC discount, but still....!

 

[princessesrule4]

Good morning all! For those of you who have stayed RPC standard room, would you have any suggestions on location/room number requests? We have two rooms booked for October and have requested connecting but I'd be fine with adjoining if it meant a better location. We've stayed in a suite and a deluxe room so haven't had the straight-on castle view. We'd like that this time around! The oversized balcony sounds great too - any info on where those rooms are located? Thanks as always!

We had connecting/ adjoining rooms with my parents last year! I'm not sure what the difference is - we just had a door that could be locked between the rooms. We kept it open a lot when we were there so my kids could go back and forth between the rooms! It was great!! We also both had castle views and we were on the 3rd floor! Fabulous views - my parents were in awe as they hadn't been back for 16 years and they had last stayed at CR, never been to GF.

Anyway, I will look for the exact room numbers, but I think it was like 4306 and 07, 08,or 09 area - right around those room numbers!

 

[jenins121681]

Anyone ever been to the spa at the GF?? I was thinking about booking a massage and was just wondering how the spa is?