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

[tinklvr64]

To grannyminnie & tete 01830: I quizzed the SL staff about what would happen to peeps when they booked SL and now it is going to be closed...she said that they were either contacting people or upgrading to RPC. They said they were taking the rehab into consideration when guests were booking their rooms. They did not say they were moving service to another building. A couple of engineers and architects were walking around with blueprints..so maybe they are doing a little reconstruction.
About the cabanas I wasn't impressed (see my post above)

 

[triplefigs]

What is the number for the GF Loung IPO (like if you were in the parks and wanted to check on a room) and for the IPO office itself?

What is the address of the GF?

 

[Tinkaroo]

What should I ask as far as room requests with IPO for RPC? Which floor is the lounge? Which floor has MK views? If not MK view, which one would be best for monorail view and/or overall view? I am going to email IPO soon.

Does Janet still have her RPC pics? Any other RPC pics of the lounge, rooms, views? I am so excited!

BTW, my kids have watched the Great Hotels GF episode 10 times in the last 3 days!

The lounge is on the 4th floor. The 3rd floor is where the concierge CM's are.

I have this in my notes as the location of the MK view rooms in RPC:

Standard concierge room numbers over Gasparilla's Grille are 4301-4309 and 4401-4409. Honeymoon suites in the same area are 4201-4209.

The Honeymoom rooms are on the 2nd floor, while the standard rooms are on the 3rd and 4th floor.

I'm not sure about the monorail view - maybe someone can come along with a recommendation for that.

I know Janet was moving her pictures to another site. She hasn't been around in a while, so I don't know if that's complete, and if it is, what the URL for them is.

I'm sure that someone can come along and post some! I've seen a fair amount of pics of the honeymoon turret suites recently, but not too many of just the regular rooms (although they'll be pretty much identical to the new room pics of Conck Key, I'd imagine).

I haven't seen any pics of the newly rehabbed lounge, but I can definitely take pics for everyone in about 60 days!

Glad you guys are getting excited!

I have a Garden View booked at GF. Which room should I request and when? I need to be pretty close to transportation.
Thanks

If you need to be close to all transportation (bus, monorail, and boat), a room in Sago Cay would likely be your best bet. It's one of the closest lodge buildings to the main building (where the monorail is), and is the closest to the bus transportation (there is supposedly even a shortcut through the parkign lot to get there). It would also not be too far from the resort boat launch dock, which is located down the path from Conch Key.

 

[Tinkaroo]

What is the number for the GF Loung IPO (like if you were in the parks and wanted to check on a room) and for the IPO office itself?

What is the address of the GF?

I'm not sure about an interior # for the lounge staff.

Here is the info. straight from my personal itinerary from the GF IPO:

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Address: 4401 Floridian Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
ATTN: Itinerary Planning Office
Phone: 407-824-1775
FAX: 407-824-3461
E-Mail: wdwgfplanning@disney.com

 

[clownfish1452]

Sarah,

The Sugar Loaf building (outer lodge, club level) has marina and garden/courtyard view rooms. None of these rooms have a direct view of the MK, so if you want an obstructed view of Wishes, you won't find it there.

However, Tammi posted the below just a few pages back - there might be a chance to see some of the upper fireworks from certain marina-fronting rooms:

I haven't found any area's of SL to avoid, but we usually try to get one of the very few rooms that offer a fireworks view. Specifically 6313 and 6315 are good locations overlooking the marina. You can't see the castle, but as I mentioned, there is a good chance you can catch some of Wishes from your balcony. Another little known secret about SL are the 3 lodge tower rooms they have available by request. All overlook the garden and the top floor doesn't have a balcony. It's nice if you need the extra space though.

You could always just step outside SL to the marina in front of Gasparilla's, and watch from there, if you would prefer the concierge service over the view (I know I probably would!). Or, if you wanted the best of both worlds (and don't mind coughing up more $$), there are rooms in RPC in the main building that have perfect castle views, with the ability to see Wishes.



I believe those on this board that saw the GF go through the last rehab have reported that they usually just move lodge concierge to another building temporarily. I would e-mail IPO, and see what their contingency plan is if SL is indeed going to be closed those dates. Good luck!

Thank You very much.

What are the real benifits of concierge service?

Sarah

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Wow, Angela, I am impressed!! You guys are good! I would have been sooo tempted I might have just hit the button and booked it - although I did see RPC available for all 10 nts of our Tgiving stay ONCE and it was over $8K. It just doesn't thrill me $8K's worth these days. LOL. That is great you are going back for your first anniversary & at such a gorgeous time of year there. WHat is the "MK shoot?" Just curious.

Have a wonderful time. Hope you get that room you requested!

Channing

I know, it took A LOT of restraint!!! As for a MK shoot, it is a photo shoot in which you cna go into the MK early in the morning (5 am in my case) in your wedding attire and have an hour long session. We were suuposed to do it when we went down for the wedding, but with the passing of DFIL, and having to moce MIL into our room and deal with her, it was best that we reschedule. I wanted to wait until the parks were decorated again for Christmas, like when we got married.

angela i didnt know you were doing the MK shoot!

i am so jealous you get to meet jen, and are you meeting abby, too? take lots of pics of the GF, i miss it ssoo much!

Yep. Jen, Jeff, BG and I are heading to the F&W Fest. on Friday. They got there today, and from what I have heard, they are already having a great time!! I will take TONS of pics, we have never done anything other than Concierge at the GF, so this will be a new thing for us...

 

[nemofan]

Just pack from a 10 day stay at GF..the 1st 2 days we where upgraded to a Honeymoon room Royal Palms room had a great view, hot tub and DVD player.. the next 7 hights we where at Sugar Loaf. The food is the same but it seems like there is more of it in the main building and less people. Sugar was packed and many times we could not find a seat. The food is really not that great. I would rather have reqular chicken, not a fan of the sauce they put on it, same with the scallops and bacon. Staff was good at both Locations. Royal Denny stood out in our minds and at Sugar Robert.

We rented a Cabanna 3 days, we where only changed for one. We did not have any attended. The reason why we where not charged 2 of the days when we got there both times they had not been cleaned and there was nothing there. We called and they later did bring down drinks & a fruit basket. It was great to be able to watch the Sox & the Pats game. The fan was great. We would do it again but if you are going soon dont expect much..but then again you might not even have to pay.

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[tenbelow]

In case this has already been mentioned forgive me, but has the Sago Cay building undergone the soft refurbishment already?

My next question is "hypothetical" as I understand that the rooms are assigned at the time of check in. Since DW and I have an early arrival of around 12 PM on day of check in (Sunday Nov. 25th) - would we have a better chance of getting a room in a specific building etc... Will it depend on the mood of the CM who checks us in? Are there specific questions or requests I should make at check in that would increase our chance of getting our requests fulfilled? Any tips and hints that have worked for those on the boards would be appreciated.

Me DW

 

[BeckyOnTheBlueTrain]

We rented a Cabanna 3 days, we where only changed for one. We did not have any attended. The reason why we where not charged 2 of the days when we got there both times they had not been cleaned and there was nothing there. We called and they later did bring down drinks & a fruit basket. It was great to be able to watch the Sox & the Pats game. The fan was great. We would do it again but if you are going soon dont expect much..but then again you might not even have to pay.

Let me know if you have any questions.

We have a cabana rented for one of our afternoons so I had this question: Did you bring the conditions of the cabana to anyone's attention while you were there? Who did you call to get your amenities?

Thanks for your help--we're quite excited!

 

[Lives4Disney]

In case this has already been mentioned forgive me, but has the Sago Cay building undergone the soft refurbishment already?

My next question is "hypothetical" as I understand that the rooms are assigned at the time of check in. Since DW and I have an early arrival of around 12 PM on day of check in (Sunday Nov. 25th) - would we have a better chance of getting a room in a specific building etc... Will it depend on the mood of the CM who checks us in? Are there specific questions or requests I should make at check in that would increase our chance of getting our requests fulfilled? Any tips and hints that have worked for those on the boards would be appreciated.

Me DW

Mike, just don't walk away from that desk without being happy!!! That's my advice. OR, if you get to your assigned room and it leaves a lot to be desired, call and ask to move. No, really....I always ask for what I want even if that's not where they planned to put us. At YC they didn't pay any attention to my Gazebo view request & tried to stick us with an Admiral pool view. I just nicely asked if anything else was available and after a bunch of typing by the CM, we wound up with a fabulous room/view. (why they didn't just give it to us originally....no clue ) I have called the front desk MANY MANY times, LOL, and not just at Disney resorts - to request a different room. I figure you don't know unless ya ask. Once we wound up with a penthouse suite at the Royal Hawaiian for the duration of our stay.

You are checking in on Sunday - hopefully lots of people leaving after the Thanksgiving week, so maybe you'll have more room selection??? I also requested Sago, but we check in on a Friday eve LATE. Kind of stinks because I know we'll get the cruddy rooms that are leftover.....facing a dumpster, with moldy bathrooms, rooftop view, quiet guests, and worst of all.... NO towel animal waiting for us .....I HOPE NOT, though!! I might just have to come back on this thread and complain.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[tenbelow]

Mike, just don't walk away from that desk without being happy!!! That's my advice. OR, if you get to your assigned room and it leaves a lot to be desired, call and ask to move. No, really....I always ask for what I want even if that's not where they planned to put us. At YC they didn't pay any attention to my Gazebo view request & tried to stick us with an Admiral pool view. I just nicely asked if anything else was available and after a bunch of typing by the CM, we wound up with a fabulous room/view. (why they didn't just give it to us originally....no clue ) I have called the front desk MANY MANY times, LOL, and not just at Disney resorts - to request a different room. I figure you don't know unless ya ask. Once we wound up with a penthouse suite at the Royal Hawaiian for the duration of our stay.

You are checking in on Sunday - hopefully lots of people leaving after the Thanksgiving week, so maybe you'll have more room selection??? I also requested Sago, but we check in on a Friday eve LATE. Kind of stinks because I know we'll get the cruddy rooms that are leftover.....facing a dumpster, with moldy bathrooms, rooftop view, quiet guests, and worst of all.... NO towel animal waiting for us .....I HOPE NOT, though!! I might just have to come back on this thread and complain.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

Thanks Channing - all good advice - I'll go with polite persistence and the positive attitude that it will pay off. If that doesn't work, I'll chain myself to the check in desk until my wishes are granted.

After reading about some GF guest who got stuck with the dumpster/parking lot views I realized that we were fortunate last year during our first GF stay to get a marina view in Sago Cay.

Also, when we were checking out on Sunday the Lead Bellman(?) mentioned that there were over 300+ rooms turning over that day, so an early check this year may work to our advantage. I'd rather wait an extra 2 hours to get the non moldy, towel animal filled room, with working AC, and a view of the marina and cloudy, warm overly quiet "quiet" pool. We also enjoyed the up close and unexpected Savanah view of wandering ducks outside of Gasparilla's during breakfast - a little AKL mixed in with our GF stay.

I know you'll survive your first non RPC stay - and look forward to your comparison of the two different types of stays. I'll be interested to hear how your CM service experience compares when staying outside of the Main Building - ahh to walk the halls in a comfy bathrobe drinking my coffee in the morning - that would be a great experience. I'll keep saving and who knows, someday I may be able to fit the RPC in my budget during the value season with a AAA discount...

All the best - Mike

 

[TammiMcMan]

If not MK view, which one would be best for monorail view and/or overall view?

Tinkaroo gave you the correct room numbers for the MK view and those are really the best ones for the monorail view as well. Two of the turret suites are the only ones that offer a better view of the monorail, but obviously that's not an option for you guys.

One thing you may want to check out, is I think it was Mr. Mike who reported that there is a balcony on the 3rd floor overlooking the monorail. I knew about the one at the other end, but I never knew about this other one. Might be a fun place to sit and watch it go by.

 

[triplefigs]

Tinkaroo gave you the correct room numbers for the MK view and those are really the best ones for the monorail view as well. Two of the turret suites are the only ones that offer a better view of the monorail, but obviously that's not an option for you guys.

One thing you may want to check out, is I think it was Mr. Mike who reported that there is a balcony on the 3rd floor overlooking the monorail. I knew about the one at the other end, but I never knew about this other one. Might be a fun place to sit and watch it go by.

Thanks, Tammi. I emailed IPO (Calvin) and just asked for a room with a good view of the castle and monorail. I'll have to remember the tip about the 3rd floor balcony/viewing area. Also, is there a balcony or viewing area to see the Castle in case we don't get a MK view? What is that balcony I always see where you can have a private meal? Is that off the RPC lounge?

I really hope Janet makes it back soon with pictures! Mr. Mike, can you give me more details on the 3rd floor area?

Thanks for all the help! I'm so excited! I told DH last night we were doing a split stay with the CR/GF. I mentioned he could eat the food again and have the Nescafe machine (he was addicted to the hot chocolate and Cappuccino when we stayed in SL). He look confused and said, but don't you have to stay on concierge for that? Then he grinned and said he couldn't wait to stay in Sugar Loaf Again. He freaked when I said it was the main bldg and we could listen to the music, enjoy a drink. I hope I hook him for good!

 

[triplefigs]

The lounge is on the 4th floor. The 3rd floor is where the concierge CM's are.

I have this in my notes as the location of the MK view rooms in RPC:

Standard concierge room numbers over Gasparilla's Grille are 4301-4309 and 4401-4409. Honeymoon suites in the same area are 4201-4209.

The Honeymoom rooms are on the 2nd floor, while the standard rooms are on the 3rd and 4th floor.

I'm not sure about the monorail view - maybe someone can come along with a recommendation for that.

I know Janet was moving her pictures to another site. She hasn't been around in a while, so I don't know if that's complete, and if it is, what the URL for them is.

I'm sure that someone can come along and post some! I've seen a fair amount of pics of the honeymoon turret suites recently, but not too many of just the regular rooms (although they'll be pretty much identical to the new room pics of Conck Key, I'd imagine).

I haven't seen any pics of the newly rehabbed lounge, but I can definitely take pics for everyone in about 60 days!

Glad you guys are getting excited!

I'm not sure about an interior # for the lounge staff.

Here is the info. straight from my personal itinerary from the GF IPO:

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Address: 4401 Floridian Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
ATTN: Itinerary Planning Office
Phone: 407-824-1775
FAX: 407-824-3461
E-Mail: wdwgfplanning@disney.com

Lindsay, thanks so much for all the info! I truly appreciate it. I hope you have such a wonderful trip in 2 months. And I would love it if you'd take tons of pictures. Today, I found the email you sent me a while back with all your MNSSHP. You made me smile!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Also, is there a balcony or viewing area to see the Castle in case we don't get a MK view? What is that balcony I always see where you can have a private meal? Is that off the RPC lounge?

That balcony is on the 3rd floor as well, located right under the RPC lounge. It overlooks the courtyard and I'm nearly 100% sure that you cannot see the castle or all of the fireworks from this location. The balcony that Mr. Mike talked about, must have been located at the other end of the 3rd floor, just above the monorail platform.

 

[triplefigs]

That balcony is on the 3rd floor as well, located right under the RPC lounge. It overlooks the courtyard and I'm nearly 100% sure that you cannot see the castle or all of the fireworks from this location. The balcony that Mr. Mike talked about, must have been located at the other end of the 3rd floor, just above the monorail platform.

Can you see the Castle from the RPC lounge? Thanks for all the clarification and help.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks, Tammi. I emailed IPO (Calvin) and just asked for a room with a good view of the castle and monorail. I'll have to remember the tip about the 3rd floor balcony/viewing area. Also, is there a balcony or viewing area to see the Castle in case we don't get a MK view? What is that balcony I always see where you can have a private meal? Is that off the RPC lounge?

I really hope Janet makes it back soon with pictures! Mr. Mike, can you give me more details on the 3rd floor area?

Thanks for all the help! I'm so excited! I told DH last night we were doing a split stay with the CR/GF. I mentioned he could eat the food again and have the Nescafe machine (he was addicted to the hot chocolate and Cappuccino when we stayed in SL). He look confused and said, but don't you have to stay on concierge for that? Then he grinned and said he couldn't wait to stay in Sugar Loaf Again. He freaked when I said it was the main bldg and we could listen to the music, enjoy a drink. I hope I hook him for good!

Denise, you will hook your DH for good on RPC. You will love it. Even as expensive as it is, my DH LOVES it. I am soooo missing looking forward to it for our Nov stay. The CMs are just wonderful and everything has been so magical for us each time.

There are 3rd floor balconies on each end. One faces the monorail, the other the courtyard where people have their private dining events. The Wishes view is not so great from that balcony, though. If on the slight chance that you don't get the castle view, you can see Wishes perfectly from in front of Gaspies. You might not even care about it after you've seen it at the CR night after night. After a couple nts, I am the only one sitting out on the balcony watching it. Kids are too busy playing and watching TV.

Feb is the off season and crowds will be much less. That is a wonderful week to go.

Mike, I think you'll be fine!! You know, if you don't like your room assignment and they have no other options at check in, ask WHEN you can switch. I've done that too. (gosh I sound like a front desk CM's nightmare, haha) Sunday is the big day folks leave, so checking in that day, you'll get first choice of a lot of rooms, I think. Although.....flights were 1/2 price if we left on Monday Nov 26 vs Sun 25th, so we decided to stay that extra day and catch the Xmas party (maybe the party)....hopefully that is not the case with other GF guests and they don't care how much their flights cost, lol.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Can you see the Castle from the RPC lounge? Thanks for all the clarification and help.

Nope. You have a lovely courtyard view from the lounge. You can see the Poly, some lagoon out that way, and top of CR.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Can you see the Castle from the RPC lounge?

No, it's not at the right angle. Instead, you're looking towards the CR and Space Mountain.

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks, Channing and Tammi! I PMd Janet. Hopefully she'll pop in with some pictures. As you can see by my questions and lack of info on RPC, I need the pictures!