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

[Lives4Disney]

Are all the GF rooms non-smoking?

I don't guess you get any frills in a GV room, do you?

I have never stayed at GF so I don't know what to expect.

But a GV is all that I can afford.

What do you estimate is the amount of the walk from the Sago Cay rooms to the bus & monorail ? Some people say it isn't too far and some have said 1/2 a mile. That is pretty far when you are tired and have a very bad knee.

I have had the GV booked since Feb. I booked the GV because the agent said it was the closet to the transortation. and also the lowest price.

Do you feel like you aren't really at the Grand Floridian when you are staying in a Garden View room?

How do you compare staying in the Tower room of the Contemporary?
How about the Poly? my room there was close to the lobby.

Thanks for all the info. I go on Dec. 2, I am so excited!!!

Hi, I do believe all the GF rooms are now nonsmoking. I know Big Pine used to be the smoking lodge, but no longer is a smoking building.

With a GV you will get the same "frills" that you'd get whether you booked an upgraded view or not. The only way you'd get any extra frills is if you booked a concierge room.

Sago and Big Pine are nearest the main building. I think your TA was giving you a line regarding "closest to the transportation".....the only rooms closest to the transportation are main building concierge. All others are a little stroll. Sago is nearest to the bus stop. All the lodges are fairly near. Within 5 minutes walk of eachother. Not a big deal. It's nowhere near as easy as the CR tower where you hop off the monorail escalator down and then elevator up, but the GF is very manageable. Half a mile is an exaggeration for sure. I ahve stayed at the CR & Poly several times and the GF is much better. That's my opinion and how I think they compare. I have not stayed GV but I am in November. I don't see how you could feel like you're not at the Grand. The views are all of the Grand, pools, marina, etc. Same level of service and amenities as all other views with the exception of concierge - the only diff there anyway is the concierge lounge and staff.

The GV rooms are decorated exactly like all the other rooms & same size, too. The GF GV's have lovely courtyard garden pool or marina views. No parking lot views.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi everybody!

My dad and I got back from our trip on Friday night, but work has gotten in the way of me posting since then (ugh, how many things can you make go wrong in one week?!?)

We had a great trip! The grand was grand, as always! We had booked a MK view room, and got a corner room at the end of Big Pine. I was worried that there might be residual smoke issues as I am allergic but the room was all newly redone, as were the lobby and hallways.

I liked the new decor better in person than I do in the photographs. One plus for room 9147 (the room we had) was that it was one of those corner rooms with 2 balconies and 2 views. It was also larger than a standard room. There was a hallway leading into the room that had the closet in it. After you turned around a 90 degree bend, there was the bathroom in its own section of hallway, then you walked into a part of the room about 6-8 ft wide with a lower celing. In this part there was a sliding glass door that went out to a patio witjh a view of the wedding pavillion and the Poly. In this section there was also a table and two chairs!

The rest of the room was basically your standard room, except that the ugly picture no one seems to like was hanging over the table and chairs instead of over the day bed. There was a mirror over the daybed instead, and it was properly centered. I thought that the room looked much bettwer this way, and the picture is not to terrible either, if you put it in a different context. Out the regular balcony was a nice view of the castle, though one little branch could have been cut off to make it a perfect view. No worries, though! It was great seeing the firworks from there and the electrial water pagent thingie. You could also watch the monorail go by and here the music coming from MK.

Housekeeping was fine. We did not receive any towel animals or extra toilitries, but our room was clean and comfortable. There were robes in the closet though they weren't used during our stay. Turndown came through every night while we were gone and did a nice job.

All in all, we had a great stay. Unfortunatly, I didn't get any pics of the room, but I did get some of the view from the main patio, and I will post them later.

The only issue I had with my stay (which was not an issue, just me being selfish and bratty) was looking up at the Roy Disney suite from the outside and wishing I was Staying in THAT room again! Oh well, even once was fabulous.

I'll be happy to answer any questions if I can!

Amy! Great review. So you had decent housekeeping and turndown automatically or did you have to call and request it?? I would love one of those rooms. I don't think they come in the GV category, though. Sounds lovely! I am glad the new decor is a bit more pleasing in person.

I understand that brattiness. I am thinking in that same direction.

Glad it was fun!

Lives4Disney

 

[irisbud]

Amy! Great review. So you had decent housekeeping and turndown automatically or did you have to call and request it?? I would love one of those rooms. I don't think they come in the GV category, though. Sounds lovely! I am glad the new decor is a bit more pleasing in person.

I understand that brattiness. I am thinking in that same direction.

Glad it was fun!

Lives4Disney

No issues at all with housekeeping or turndown. they both came automatically and in a timely manner. It was a very nice room, very quiet and a great view. It was also nice to have the extra space!

 

[tete01830]

Hey Everyone!

Our first night, the 16th, we have just a GV room booked.
Second night, the 17th, we have a One-Bedroom Outer Lodge Suite booked.
For all the rest of our nights..the 18th-22nd, we're back in a regular GV room again.

SO..my question is this...how would you handle this situation, and how will we be effected by this remodel?

Are there certain rooms I should request, and would I just do 3 separate ones then?

TIA!

I am soooo glad someone finally posted that they have ressies during the renovations at SL!!! I was told that no ressies were made for then because it was a scheduled renovation....I am in not quit the same boat as you but I have to stay in a GV room my first night and then switch to SL. I keep crossing my fingers that I wont have to change rooms, too...I am curious to see what everyone has to say!!!!

 

[disneyandme]

That one bedroom could be in another building. SL isn't the only outer building with suites.

Any news on Boca Chica rehab??

 

[Brier Rose]

That one bedroom could be in another building. SL isn't the only outer building with suites.

I don't know if this will help figure things out or not, but I just pulled out my confirmation sheet and it says...
Outer Lodge - 1 Bedroom Suite- Club Level (BN)

 

[tete01830]

That one bedroom could be in another building. SL isn't the only outer building with suites.

Oops! I got so excited I wasnt thinking! Oh well, maybe there is someone out there with a SL reservation???

 

[triplefigs]

But all suites have access to both RPC and SL regardless of location, don't they?

 

[Sammie]

People, people, you have to be reasonable about these threads.

Not everyone is going to love something and one bad encounter at a resort does not mean a bad experience for everyone even at the same time.

As to the other thread. As stated the other thread specifically asked for negative reviews. Also some of those negatives were from people who had not even stayed there. Or stayed years ago and have not been back since they upgraded the rooms and changed management staff.

I also find it very interesting the number of people who "won't" stay there but they do visit alot, using the resturants, the spa, visit the lobby during Christmas, book the cruises and kid's programs. You have several people that don't like it but they certainly visit there alot. I could respect those responses if they included a comment such as I really like this resort and what it offers, but feel the prices are too high for my budget.

Some also have some strange idea of a place making you feel unwelcome, even to the location of the parking lots. Only you can make yourself feel unworthy to stay somewhere.

The snooty comment, is one I love the best. Never ever in my many visits to the Grand, have I ever felt that. Sure it's elegant, refined and a very dignified resort, with a lot of class but if that it is snooty, then I would have to disagree.

As to staying concierge versus non, we have never stayed in the main building during our many trips. We always book garden view, a few times we got upgraded to lagoon or sugar loaf but the majority were spent in a lovely garden view room.

We love the Grand, for the location, the landscaping, the main lobby, the very friendly staff. I mean one day I was not even staying there, that trip and went over to eat and valet parked. I truly forgot that I did not have cash on me, due to being on the DDP and room charging and did not have money to pay the valet. You can't room charge valet to another resort. No problem the on duty manager said no problem and wished me a Magical Day.

So to those that are planning future trips, please know that every resort at Disney or elsewhere has it share of bad reviews and they don't go out of business.

Go and enjoy and definitely try the afternoon tea.

 

[disneyandme]

This is from the first post on this thread:
"BN One Bedroom Suite
Sago Cay, Conch Key, Boca Chica, or Big Pine Key
$885 $965 $1110 $1250"
So, your suite could be in any of these 4 outer buildings.

Have a great time. I've always wanted to stay in a suite. Maybe I'll get an upgrade to one. ( in my dreams)

 

[Lives4Disney]

But all suites have access to both RPC and SL regardless of location, don't they?

Denise....I thought so, too, but I was told by GF CMs that no they don't all have access to both. Depends where/which lodge the suite is in.

Sammie, nice post. So true. As so often happens, you're right. It's just fun to fight back.



Happy times,

Lives4Disney

 

[minniesota]

Tammi, thanks and ask away about your trip to Minnesota! We still talk about our wonderful trip to Boston. DH and DS were out there the last weekend in Sept. for the Twins-Sox series and had a great time. Since the Twins are out of it, my DS is cheering on the Sox!

 

[minniesota]

OoooH!! Lucky you! Have a wonderful time!

Could you take pics of the redone RPC lounge?? Could you find out what they're doing in SL regarding the lounge situation?? I heard they will be redoing the lounge over there. How about some pics of the new Grander 1?? I heard it's absolutely fabulous and puts the old one to shame. I am curious about the outer lodges....Sago and Boca. Still hoping for the concierge cancellation, but booked an outer lodge so far.

Anything you discover is great. Don't waste your precious vacation time, but whatever you find out is appreciated as are pics.

Happy & safe travels,

Lives4Disney

I will try to get some pics of the lounge and Grander 1! We are taking a Wishes cruise on Saturday night - maybe we'll upgrade if Grander is sitting there all alone in the marina!

 

[minniesota]

Yea- Can you make sure the grey/green meat on a stick is gone from the evening offerings by the time we get there in December!!

Seriously, if you notice any new evening offerings, I would love to know! Or any new food ,for that matter!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Note to self- avoid meat on sticks! I'll try to keep track of the food offerings (in the interest of providing information only, of course!) I'll especially look for new and different offerings. Guess that means I'll have to sample just about everything!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I will try to get some pics of the lounge and Grander 1! We are taking a Wishes cruise on Saturday night - maybe we'll upgrade if Grander is sitting there all alone in the marina!

Great!! Have a wonderful time.....

OK, I was just kidding about the name "Grander" 1. I think it's still just Grand 1. The CMs called it the "Grander 1" just jokingly I think! I don't want to make you feel bad if you called it that and they were like "Huh?".....sorry!

Safe travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderella Fan]

Channing, I would absolutely love to take the Grand I for a Wishes cruise. For just me and BG, it would be so nice... I was so jealous that you had it as part of your birthday celebration... I should have just pushed my way in...

I have SL for the 1st night of our Dec trip, then RPC for the remainder. I am hoping that RPC opens up for the 8th, that way we don't have to move.

As for the lounges,

 

[Lives4Disney]

Gonna PM ya!

Channing

 

[minniesota]

Just checking in again before I leave! I've been packing on and off today - between errands, making a meal for the teachers, running kids to activities and stressing about the dog! But I'm getting there.

I am trying to keep my expectations in check. This is a really celebratory trip as some of you may remember. We are taking my sister for her 50th birthday and my niece for her graduation from nursing school. My dad, who LOVED Disney, just passed away in February and my niece was such a trooper in helping care for him at home between her classes. He and my mom were supposed to stay in RPC with me and DH last December but we had to cancel since he declined pretty quickly.

So this is really a trip that celebrates life and all that it can be. My dad always said he loved WDW because you could just forget about the rest of the world. We will have the greatest time and dad, you'll be right there with us!

I'll be in touch, fellow Disney and GF friends! And I promise a trip report and pictures!

 

[wdhinn89]

Just checking in again before I leave! I've been packing on and off today - between errands, making a meal for the teachers, running kids to activities and stressing about the dog! But I'm getting there.

I am trying to keep my expectations in check. This is a really celebratory trip as some of you may remember. We are taking my sister for her 50th birthday and my niece for her graduation from nursing school. My dad, who LOVED Disney, just passed away in February and my niece was such a trooper in helping care for him at home between her classes. He and my mom were supposed to stay in RPC with me and DH last December but we had to cancel since he declined pretty quickly.

So this is really a trip that celebrates life and all that it can be. My dad always said he loved WDW because you could just forget about the rest of the world. We will have the greatest time and dad, you'll be right there with us!

I'll be in touch, fellow Disney and GF friends! And I promise a trip report and pictures!

He sounded like a great man Have a great time with your family and God Bless.

 

[magical4us4]

Minniesota, have a wonderful and magical time.

My heart goes out to you about your father and I truly wish you a lovely time.

Magical