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

[Lives4Disney]

To put this in a bit of perspective. My family has visited WDW 24 times in the past 20 years, nearly all on property. This past year we visted in March 2006 (Beach Club) August 2006 (Polynesian and Coronado Springs) Oct 2006 (Beach Club) and Dec 2006/Jan 2007 (Boardwalk). With 4 trips in the last calendar year and 20+ trips in the last 20 years I'd say we are safely frequent guests, however, we recieved one of the 40% off codes.

I've been in the position of hearing everyone else with amazing postcard and email discounts, and while frustrating....it is my belief that no one is more or less deserving of a discount.

That's nice of you, but I think it is still crummy that Disney doesn't seem to appreciate it's frequent guests across the board. I have read alot of those posts on the BB about all the confusion etc. - who gets the discount, CMs not knowing about it or how to apply it..... We have made more trips than you in the past 16 years, so I don't mean to be whining about it. Obviously discount or not hasn't stopped us from traveling to WDW and I think THEY know it. I would just really LOVE a discount, lol - who wouldn't??! I never said anybody was more or less deserving.

ALso, I am sitting here with free rt air on SWA & drink coupons for my frequent flier reward....LOL...Gee, I wonder how I earned this? Flying to MCO to stay at WDW!! I already booked a July stay at the YC concierge, so I am sure they have my number.

IrisB, that is awesome! Good for you for trying.

Sandrose, yes there are RPC MK view rooms with 2 queens and a daybed....spent many nights in them.....they are above those 2nd floor king honeymoon rooms on 3rd and 4th floor. Rooms 3301 - 3309 and 4401 to 4409. I had a hard time with CRO at first because they called them "marina view" for the view request. Maybe that is some of the confusion? Or, maybe RPC is pretty booked up and they are just not available? Good luck - people do cancel all the time. I hope you get what you want.

Lives4Disney

 

[Claud26]

sorry, please don't hate me...
Our 1st trip to WDW was December 2005, we stayed at the WL and loved it... a couple of days ago we got a e-mail pin code for 40% off.
Today I booked our next trip... we will be staying at the GF December 07 in a Garden View room...
DH & I are really excited, we always wanted to stay here but the cost was just too much.

hoping to read all the post and learn all about the GF.

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Claud26,

Congratulations on the pin code discount. Do you mind sharing with us what the rate for GF GV comes to with the 40% discount, and also what the dates of the code are? Do the dates extend through Christmas and New Year's, or do you have to check out before then? Thanks!

 

[Claud26]

hi, don't mind sharing...
I'm not sure what the room cost alone is, but this is what we booked
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
Arriving on 12/09/07 for 6 nights; 2 Adults, 2 Child (age 4 and 7) Resort Category: Deluxe Room Type: Garden View
Ticket Type: 6-Day Magic Your Way base ticket
Package Type: Magic Your Way Package with dining,
Package Total: $2,930.48
I without the pin I believe it would have been $3,942.92

the pin is valid:
Now-February 7, 2007
February 25-March 7, 2007
May 28-June 3, 2007
August 21-October 6, 2007
October 21-November 3, 2007
November 11-November 16, 2007
December 9-December 22, 2007

 

[Lives4Disney]

That's great! Glad you got the good deal.

I just phoned CRO to at least ASK if I could apply one of the 3 letter codes and was told NO WAY. Your household has to have the pin code associated with it. Unfortunately I don't.

I have to say it left me with a bad feeling. I was pretty much resigned to not having the discount until I got a rude CM and basically his attitude was "Tough, too bad, it's all random, he has nothing to do with it, his family spends "Millions" at Disney and he doesn't get pin codes....blah blah blaah". (wish I had his job since he has "Millions" to spend there yearly, lol. I feel very unDisney right now. And yes, I am now bitter. For years we have paid their overpriced rates because we love that place. (I guess that's the problem)

Lives4Disney

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Claud26,
Thanks for posting the dates the code applies. It looks like you got a great deal!

Lives4Disney,
I feel your pain! We have visited the GF 15+ times since it opened and we usually stay for close to two weeks at a time, and we have never gotten a pin code either. Sometimes we've been able to get APH discounts, AAA discounts, and general public code discounts, but never a special code attached to our name. Maybe one day.

 

[dingoballs]

That's great! Glad you got the good deal.

I just phoned CRO to at least ASK if I could apply one of the 3 letter codes and was told NO WAY. Your household has to have the pin code associated with it. Unfortunately I don't.

I have to say it left me with a bad feeling. I was pretty much resigned to not having the discount until I got a rude CM and basically his attitude was "Tough, too bad, it's all random, he has nothing to do with it, his family spends "Millions" at Disney and he doesn't get pin codes....blah blah blaah". (wish I had his job since he has "Millions" to spend there yearly, lol. I feel very unDisney right now. And yes, I am now bitter. For years we have paid their overpriced rates because we love that place. (I guess that's the problem)

Lives4Disney

We've never received any pin codes either, and we usually spend $4,000+ on a package twice a year for 2 adults (GF lagoon view room & Park Hopper tickets w/Dining).

If you want Disney management to know how you feel, you should write to Mr. Jay Rasulo, the President of Disney Resorts...

 

[hmp2z]

I feel very unDisney right now. And yes, I am now bitter. For years we have paid their overpriced rates because we love that place. (I guess that's the problem)

Lives4Disney

I completely agree with you - I think it would be better if Disney would put the emphasis on keeping repeat guests returning. Sadly, that's not what they seem to be doing.

It stinks when the place you've gotten an emotional attachment to does not have a program in place to reward repeat guests, like a frequent flyer or even Starwood points guest program.

Disney is eminently mercenary, despite how we who have shared magical moments there might wish it to be otherwise. Right now, you're paying top dollar and you keep coming back, so from their perspective, they've got no reason to offer you a return deal. Mercenary? Yes. Short sighted? Very. But it just seems to be how things are right now.

I would suggest writing a letter to Disney management, explaining how this makes you feel like a less than valued customer. Then vote with your wallet and stay away for a while - you may see the offers start rolling in, once they realize that your money isn't, after all, a guaranteed income.

BTW, please don't take this as a defense in any way of Disney's policy. I think it is remarkably stupid of them - I just can't imagine how isolating your customers is a good strategy. But, having done some marketing coursework, I know this is, indeed the philosophy that many companies seem to be espousing.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[irisbud]

That's great! Glad you got the good deal.

I just phoned CRO to at least ASK if I could apply one of the 3 letter codes and was told NO WAY. Your household has to have the pin code associated with it. Unfortunately I don't.

I have to say it left me with a bad feeling. I was pretty much resigned to not having the discount until I got a rude CM and basically his attitude was "Tough, too bad, it's all random, he has nothing to do with it, his family spends "Millions" at Disney and he doesn't get pin codes....blah blah blaah". (wish I had his job since he has "Millions" to spend there yearly, lol. I feel very unDisney right now. And yes, I am now bitter. For years we have paid their overpriced rates because we love that place. (I guess that's the problem)

Lives4Disney

Channing: When I tried to book the reservation for my dad and I, I got basically the same response you are describing here, with two different CMs. Maybe because I had just been to Disney and forked over rack rate minus a AAA discount?

When my dad, who as I said has not been in five years, called he got the discount on the first try!

I think that when they believe they will be getting your money anyway, they don't see any reason to entice you.

 

[Dis Ohana]

I'm planning my very first trip to WDW - I just got through reading about PIN codes and other discounts (still don't fully understand this..). I made my reservations at rack rates, and from what I understand certain discounts might become available later on. I assumed this PIN code deal was for those guests that are regular visitors, I guess I was wrong about that. So if not you...who is being targeted for these discounts? First time visitors? And how do they contact you if you are chosen?

 

[kayla and alex mom]

Hi there!

My husband, two children (2 and 9), and I are staying at the Grand Floridian in a couple of weeks. We have a Lodge Tower room booked. Are there any buildings which you would recommend if a choice of building is given at check-in? We are really looking forward to the trip. This will be our first time staying at the Grand Floridian. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[hmp2z]

Are there any buildings which you would recommend if a choice of building is given at check-in?

As many times as I've stayed in WDW resorts, we have never, ever been offered a choice of building or room number at check-in. I would think this would be an eventuality you don't have to prepare yourself for.

The GF isn't a sprawling resort - pretty much whatever building you're in will be as good as all the others. It's just a matter of what view category you've booked.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Lives4Disney]

I'm planning my very first trip to WDW - I just got through reading about PIN codes and other discounts (still don't fully understand this..). I made my reservations at rack rates, and from what I understand certain discounts might become available later on. I assumed this PIN code deal was for those guests that are regular visitors, I guess I was wrong about that. So if not you...who is being targeted for these discounts? First time visitors? And how do they contact you if you are chosen?

Hi, you could call CRO (the Disney reservation center) 800-828-0228 and ask if you have a pincode associated with your household or if you are eligible for any discounts. It is a mystery WHO exactly is being targeted, but sure doesn't seem to be repeat guests.


Kayla & Alex Mom - I am with Heather on this one. They will give you a room number and building when you check in. You can sure ask what the view is and any other requests you prefer (such as proximity to the pool or main building or floor). If you're not too happy with the answers you get, let them know what you prefer and maybe they can do a quick rearrange and get you where you want to be. I have had this experience a couple times at various Disney resorts. I stayed in a Lodge Tower in the Sugar Loaf building, which is concierge and I just happened to request that LT, but it is a very nice room layout. Hope you enjoy your trip and stay at the Grand!!

Lives4Disney

 

[PrincessTrisha]

hi, don't mind sharing...
I'm not sure what the room cost alone is, but this is what we booked
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
Arriving on 12/09/07 for 6 nights; 2 Adults, 2 Child (age 4 and 7) Resort Category: Deluxe Room Type: Garden View

Hi,

Just wanted to say that I'll be there at the exact same time and I just booked using the 40% discount as well. Our package is for 3 adults and 1 Junior with 1 day base tickets and the DDP and it came to $2913. What a bargain. After this year I will be much closer to having reached my goal of staying at all of the deluxes.

 

[terryfromhawaii]

We are booked at the GF SL for Nov. 2007 and I was wondering, are the daybeds big enough for a 15 year old teenager (about 5'1")? We've stayed in the RPC before but I really don't remember! (never took pics of the room) TIA!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Terry, I measured the daybed a few trips ago.

The daybed mattress measures 72 inches long X 30 inches wide. My 5'8'' 16 yr old son is perfectly comfortable on it.

This past Xmas trip, he must have grown, but it was still airly OK. He couldn't sprawl out, but he slept.

Happy travels,

Lives4Disney

 

[s&k'smom]

Does the GF have have late checkout as I was just checking flight and unless I want to leave a 8am the next flight isn't until 3pm.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Does the GF have have late checkout as I was just checking flight and unless I want to leave a 8am the next flight isn't until 3pm.

Sometimes, if you request it & it's not an overly busy time of year, they will give you a 1 pm check out.

Good luck!

Lives4Disney

 

[terryfromhawaii]

Thanks, Lives4Disney!

 

[s&k'smom]

Thanks for the info, we are traveling Sunday to Sunday but I think I may try to get it to Saturday to Saturday. We'll see. All I know is I can't wait!!!