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

[Lives4Disney]

So my October vacation has gone from staying at SoG to CB(AP Rate) to YC (AP Rate) to now staying at Grand Floridian with the unbelievable 40% off military rate!!! Needless to say I am extremely excited!!! With such a great discount I wanted to stay club level. They only thing I could do was stay one night GV and then 5 nights SL. I am fine with this but I am very scared with some recent posts.
First, they told me when I booked it that the Main Building was being redurbished and now I read that it is SL?

Second, does SL offer the same food offerings as RPC?

Third, it is my daughters 6th birthday and my DH and I's 7th anniversary. I have it in my mind that Club Level will make more of a deal of this than a regular room. Am I delusional??

I should also add that we have stayed here for our honeymoon at RPC and dont recall good or bad service from RPC..

I was so excited at first and now that I have read some past posts I am very worried.... Any input, bad or good would help...Thanks

You will love the GF. If you haven't already, contact the IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) at this email address...

WDW.GF.Planning@disney.com

You can introduce yourself. let them know when you'll be checking in, and that you will be celebrating a bday and anniversary. You can order a bday cake or special treats, too. I always think you get more special, personalized service on teh concierge level, but then again not always. Don't rely on them to make it special, though - order some goodies and surprises so it's a done deal.

I wouldn't worry about what you can't control regarding SL rehab. They will take care of you. It seems they aren't on the original schedule, so who knows what the current timeline is.

ENJOY!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[tete01830]

Thank you for your imput and a big thanks for that email address...Has anyone done anything special for a birthday? I looked on the diney florist website and I am not thrilled with anything there....

 

[lilyv]

Lives4Disney

Dingo - LOL.....I am a little tiny bit worried, too. Just because we are spoiled by the great RPC CMs & I am afraid we'll stare at the main building and be kicking ourselves. We'll work past that.... Once I get over having to get off the monorail and walk out toward the back doors.

That's one of the many perks with staying in the main bldg... and I really enjoy not having to walk to/from one of the outer bldgs during a rain storm! But, what WILL you do when you return to your GV room and there's no little towel animal waiting for you??

We always stay either water or garden view at YC - never did concierge at that one, and we have stayed at the Swan post club level, too, and been very happy. It is kind of freeing in a way to not have concierge. Sometimes I feel oddly "tied" to the resort & feel the need to spend more resort time vs. park time. This trip will be more about seeing the Xmas/holiday stuff and park time anyway.

I can feel your angst on that one... sometimes concierge level isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

Yep, you understand what I felt after our Xmas stay.

I still have the Swan booked for March 20 - 30. GREAT Deal. I am not sure about another WDW trip so soon after this Tgiving trip, though. My kids are getting burned out on it....crazy but true. I love it & could live there. It is relaxing & stress free vacationor DH and myself because it's like home away from home. We still may either go to AZ or stay home. Just have to see how we (the kids) feel. DS17 is very over our family vacations. He is my WDW killjoy. I don't know how this 10 nt Thxgiving trip will go. It could be ugly. The disfunctional family does Disney.

That's funny... I hope you've booked at least 2 rooms!

Had to smile about taking a 17yo on vacation. About 6 years ago, DS was that age-we took a family trip to Disneyland, me, dh and son. One afternoon, he said to us, "You kids have fun, I'm going back to the hotel." He said it nicely, but it was so funny! He hopped the bus back, and relaxed, talked on cell, watched TV. Their ideas of vacation are very different than ours, aren't they?

 

[NeverSayNever]

YIKES!.. It is gettng closer, we eave Friday for our first trip t Disney and our stay at GF.

So much to do yet...

Quick questions though:

1. Does GF offer Dry cleaning services? I just realized a shirt my son needs to bring needs to be cleaned and I have no time to get to the cleaners.

2. Also at this point would you say our room assignment has been done? can I call to get info aobut it? We are not staying RPC or SL, rather GV, but did have some special requests due to mobility issues.

Thanks!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Had to smile about taking a 17yo on vacation. About 6 years ago, DS was that age-we took a family trip to Disneyland, me, dh and son. One afternoon, he said to us, "You kids have fun, I'm going back to the hotel." He said it nicely, but it was so funny! He hopped the bus back, and relaxed, talked on cell, watched TV. Their ideas of vacation are very different than ours, aren't they?

Ya!! I am glad I am not alone in this!!!


Tete, we have ordered bday cakes thru the GF private dining line....407-824-2474. They can deliver to your room and set it up really pretty even while you're at a park or you can have it at a GF restaurant.

We have ordered baskets from FeralPeg (a Diser) and also memories by sarah...which is now memoriesbybetsy and been happy with both of those services. Feralpeg has a website that is http://peggyssweetsandmore.com/

Betsy's is http://www.memoriesbybetsy.com/Memories by Betsy/Welcome.html

Hope those work for you. You can customize what you'd like and they are very reasonably priced.

ALSO, the IPO team can preshop for you at WDW resorts/parks if there is a specific item you'd like you can let them know and they will have it for you when you check in.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[TammiMcMan]

1. Does GF offer Dry cleaning services? I just realized a shirt my son needs to bring needs to be cleaned and I have no time to get to the cleaners.

Yes they do.

2. Also at this point would you say our room assignment has been done? can I call to get info aobut it? We are not staying RPC or SL, rather GV, but did have some special requests due to mobility issues.

In my past experience with standard rooms, the GF doesn't really go through pre-assigning. Basically, when you arrive at the desk, they search through the available inventory and try to meet your requests. Are you just following up on a request you made when you booked, or is this the first time you'll have had them noted? You have 2 choices at this point. The first is to wait another day and then call the GF's number, 407-824-3000. Unfortunately, most of them now go through a call center, so you might want to be persistent that they connect you to the GF and not back to CRO or regular guest services. Your second option is to call Disney's special services number, 407-939-7807, option 1. They're the only ones who can actually go in and "block" a room for you based on a medical need. If you go through regular reservations, it's only a request and subject to availability.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hello fellow GF lovers!!! We arrived home a week ago today.

Had a wonderful stay. We were in Conch Key Room 7101. Didn't get my dormer room, but got a lovely marina view on the ground floor in the newly redecorated building.

Here was our view

The hotel sent us champagne and a card on our first night for our anniversary

We saw Cindy's carriage coming for a bride as we were going to our room after check out and snapped a photo

Took a photo in the lobby and later did the personal photo session with a photopass photographer all around the Grand (which was so much fun!! I highly recommend it!)

And the infamous tuxedo strawberries...

If anyone has any questions, I will try my best. Didn't get any scoop on which buildings are being redone next though, sorry!
And I almost forgot the best part- DH told me to book the GF for next year the week after Thanksgving!!!

Kristin

 

[tete01830]

What a wonderful family photo! We are also doing the photographer on our upcoming October trip. Seeing your photos has made me relax a little about the rehabs...It doesnt matter where they are doing the rehabs-your at the Grand!! I will certainly be ordering those strawberries, too. They dont happen to be out for dessert on club level are they, anyone???
Thanks again!

 

[minnie my my]

Hey Channing! It has been so long since I've posted anything but I saw you mention my name and I wanted to say hi. I was thinking about our Christmas trip and trying to figure out what actually happened last December to leave both of us with such mixed feelings about the RPC. We have since been back to Disney and stayed Polynesian LV concierge, BC garden view, Swan, and CR concierge and got a great MK view. I enjoyed each one of our last 4 Disney trips but I'm now starting to think about the RPC again. I had to take a few months to get over feeling like I had wasted a lot of money. I know you have had some bad experiences with the Polynesian but for the most part mine have been good. I guess it all depends on who you get to help you the most in IPO. I was a little more disappointed after our last stay though (not near enough to not go again, however) I am chalking it up as a bad day for a couple of cm's. Anyway, after staying at concierge level at the CR I realized that I do miss the RPC. It is nothing to compare to RPC when taking into account the atmosphere and service. I have to remember that it is a lot cheaper though. We are planning a quick spur of the minute trip for the Halloween party and I am hoping to find a cancelation for RPC. I am hoping that I will find that our Christmas experience there was a fluke thing like you have. Of course, there still is that same ole same ole food issue, but the service and atmosphere of the main building is what I love so much. I'm glad to hear that you have been back and felt that wonderful Disney touch again that we used to feel. Maybe I will come up on a cancelation in a month or two and get to try it again.

Myra

 

[Mcbruns]

Quick question. How do you know who to conntact on the concerige floor? We are staying in the RPC at Christmas and I would like to talk to somebody about aranging something for my mom's birthday but not sure who. We booked our trip through AAA and nobody has contacted us like they say they do. Hope someone can help.

Lissa

My experience when booking thru AAA and Concierge is you need to contact them.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey Channing! It has been so long since I've posted anything but I saw you mention my name and I wanted to say hi. I was thinking about our Christmas trip and trying to figure out what actually happened last December to leave both of us with such mixed feelings about the RPC. We have since been back to Disney and stayed Polynesian LV concierge, BC garden view, Swan, and CR concierge and got a great MK view. I enjoyed each one of our last 4 Disney trips but I'm now starting to think about the RPC again. I had to take a few months to get over feeling like I had wasted a lot of money. I know you have had some bad experiences with the Polynesian but for the most part mine have been good. I guess it all depends on who you get to help you the most in IPO. I was a little more disappointed after our last stay though (not near enough to not go again, however) I am chalking it up as a bad day for a couple of cm's. Anyway, after staying at concierge level at the CR I realized that I do miss the RPC. It is nothing to compare to RPC when taking into account the atmosphere and service. I have to remember that it is a lot cheaper though. We are planning a quick spur of the minute trip for the Halloween party and I am hoping to find a cancelation for RPC. I am hoping that I will find that our Christmas experience there was a fluke thing like you have. Of course, there still is that same ole same ole food issue, but the service and atmosphere of the main building is what I love so much. I'm glad to hear that you have been back and felt that wonderful Disney touch again that we used to feel. Maybe I will come up on a cancelation in a month or two and get to try it again.

Myra

Hi, Myra!! That is great you've gone back many times! Haven't seen you around so I kind of figured you were taking a Disney break.

We went on a spontaneous RPC stay in early July for our bdays. It was great again. I think we had just done it too many times and it lost it's sparkle. Also, the guest during our Xmas stay were different than any other guests we've encountered. did you find that??? Messy, demanding, pushy. Just not the great crowd we've become used to in RPC. I felt the CMs were overwhelmed and working over Xmas had to be a bummer, too. Just something missing and i can't really put my finger on it. Hope you get that RPC room for your Oct stay. Funny thing, I booked our July 1 stay about a week before check in AND wound up with a AAA discount, lol!! Miracles happen. Keep trying. It was great hearing from you!

Channing

 

[Lives4Disney]

Cinderumbrella, I love your pics!!! Glad it was a fun time.

Thanks for the post.

Channing

 

[Alicnwondrln]

If you are looking for a basket I would go with Peggy. I was using Sarah and she was great. I used Betsy this past weekend and it wasnt as nice and the prices were left on everything.

 

[HMeyers]

Cinderumbrella, could you please tell us all about the photo session? Haven't seen any posts from anyone that already had it done. Thanks and loved your pics!!!

 

[tete01830]

Kelly,
About a hundred pages ago (like Channing I prefer to Dissurf than do housework )I read that you were staying SL? Did you end up doing this or changing? If so, any word on rehabs?

Thanks, Siobhan

 

[minnie my my]

Channing,

I did think the guests were a little rude during Christmas. That can make a difference in the overall feel. Another thing you mentioned was just being away from home on Christmas. Even though we went home on the 23rd I still feel the same way. We didn't have time to bake Christmas cookies and look at lights - all of the things I love about the holiday's. I felt too rushed last Christmas and I'm sure that had something to do with it. I'm glad to hear that you got a last minute room for July. It gives me hope. I have been lurking on and off but just haven't had it in me to post too much lately. I think I had over done it for a while. My two youngest ds's are 2 and 1. I have been plain exhausted over the last year. I am starting to get some strength back now that my baby can feed himself and is becoming a little more self sufficient. Maybe I can start reading the boards and posting again now. I have missed talking to you and the other great people on the boards.
I will keep checking for RPC openings.

Myra

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Cinderumbrella, could you please tell us all about the photo session? Haven't seen any posts from anyone that already had it done. Thanks and loved your pics!!!

I'm not sure what to say. It takes about 45 minutes and they take 20 or so pictures in various locations through the Grand. Ours turned out really well and I will be happy to post some next week when my CD gets here.

 

[triplefigs]

Kristin,

Loved your pictures, and I'm so glad you had a great time. Yippee for your next trip to the GF, too!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Cinderumbrella,

Regarding the photosession, a couple of questions if you don't mind. Can you tell me if you had any input into the shots/poses or did they just arrange everyone for you? Did you do all group shots or different configurations? Also, can you give us some ideas of the spots/locations around the resort that they used?

We have one booked for next Tuesday (yikes we leave this Friday for our first trip to Disney and stay at GF) and I am trying to get a really good feel for the session.

Each year on vacation we try to do our family photos and so far have been very pleased... so I was happy to hear that you experience went well.

Thanks for taking the time.

Best,

 

[diselderm]

Can anyone tell me the number for private dining?

And does anyone know if they can do any decorating at the dining location, or would that be someone else?

Thanks!