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

[Lives4Disney]

Heather, my DH's parents FIRST language is French. They don't have any trouble with people in Europe because they speak Italien, Spanish, Greek, French, and probably a few others + English. It is the BIGGEST shame that they didn't teach their kids French! The kids only speak English with a smidgen of French. I had yrs of French in HS, but feel like a total idiot trying to speak it!! I would be so intimidated in France, I would choke.

I have really no desire to go to France, it was just an odd whim of a middle aged guy, lol. Hope he changes his mind and decides on Fiji!!

Lives4Disney

 

[huey578]

suscribe

 

[CastleLight]

Hi! Just to let you know (you're probably already aware, but maybe not), you can eat the Chef's Table menu in the main dining room. We did this on our most recent trip, for DH's birthday, and it was nice to get the special treatment & tons of food while still being in the main dining room with the more romantic atmosphere.

Thanks, Heather. I didn't know that!

 

[mlill]

Michelle, I tried to view it and my screen comes up black, but with that little bar that looks like it's going to DO something and then just doesn't!!

Maybe it's just me?? Hope you get more feedback! I would love to see it. Was it Ellen? Vonnie introduced us and she was so sweet to us and made the prettiest cake for Jojo's bday. She is very talented and so FAST with that frosting!!

Channing

Channing-
Yes, I think it was Ellen, but you can take a look and let me know for sure! I decided to just put my videos out on YouTube. The quality isn't as good, but it's more accessible to everyone there. Here is the link...

GF Gingerbread House Demonstration 12-14-06

Thanks!!!

-Michelle

 

[princess-rn]

michelle...
I'm LOVING your trip report. I started reading it last night. You are making me want to go back even more now (IF that is possible!)

I have a quick question for everyone. From reading Michelle's trip report it seems that the main building is the place to stay. The only rooms I see for the main building are concierge rooms. I don't really feel that we need concierge..so is there any NON concierge rooms in the main building of the GF?

Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[magical4us4]

(edit) All rooms are concierge in the main building.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Michelle, cute video. Yep, that's Ellen. My DDs and I saw it twice. We make our own gingerbread house every year and it was fun to see how she did it.

Princess - rn....All the main building's rooms are concierge. I would do it even if we didn't NEED it, lol. It is fun! A splurge, but we always go nuts on our vacations. We are totally hooked on concierge & the GF for that matter.

I just reread your question - there are NON concierge rooms at the GF in several lodge buildings they have marina, garden, or lagoon views - some with MK views. They are all very pretty and within close proximity to the main building - easy access to everything.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[princess-rn]

lives4disney...
Thanks for the info. I actually did mean "Non conceirge" rooms in that post. LOL. I missed a part. I will look into conceirge. It would be fun. So, the lodge buildings...how are they?

 

[princess-rn]

Ok..so I'm trying to check prices for the main building concierge...but disney.com is down right now. (or at least it is for me) The prices on this "sticky" seem to be from 2004...so does anyone know the per night rate for 2007?

thanks guys! You are the best!

 

[tenbelow]

Ok..so I'm trying to check prices for the main building concierge...but disney.com is down right now. (or at least it is for me) The prices on this "sticky" seem to be from 2004...so does anyone know the per night rate for 2007?

thanks guys! You are the best!

Hi,

I believe these are the room rates you are looking for below.

Depending on your what "season" your travel dates fall within will determine the "rack rate" of the main building RPC room - I've listed Value, Regular, Peak and Holiday Rooms Rates.

2007 ROOM RATES
Tax not Included
Room Type


Main Building Concierge* $640 $725 $830 $910

Regards,
Mike

 

[mlill]

Hi,

I believe these are the room rates you are looking for below.

Depending on your what "season" your travel dates fall within will determine the "rack rate" of the main building RPC room - I've listed Value, Regular, Peak and Holiday Rooms Rates.

2007 ROOM RATES
Tax not Included
Room Type


Main Building Concierge* $640 $725 $830 $910

Regards,
Mike

Does anyone else think the prices are getting a bit out of hand, or is it just me? I wonder how high it will go before we see it leveling off a bit? Sorry, the rack rates always make me shudder...

-Michelle

 

[tenbelow]

Does anyone else think the prices are getting a bit out of hand, or is it just me? I wonder how high it will go before we see it leveling off a bit? Sorry, the rack rates always make me shudder...

-Michelle

You are not alone - the rack rates are high ooops I meant the other high and as long as there is demand for the rooms at these rates, there is no incentive for Disney to lower or hold them steady.

I'm able to justify my stays by booking during value or regular season with a AAA discount - can't bring myself to pay "rack" or "retail" for anything...

I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the upcoming rehab to the GF doesn't raise the rates more than the usual 5-6% a year...

Regards,
Mike

 

[dingoballs]

We always book a package deal thru the Disney Travel Company, which provides a discounted room rate, better than AAA I believe...

 

[Lives4Disney]

Michelle, I am with you & Mike. I think that may be part of my unDisney feeling at the end of this trip - the cost is starting to effect my fun - I went into it kind of choking on what I knew the cost would be. I LOVE that place, though, so I bit the bullet and did it. I just think that it may be my last GF stay for a bit. I overdid it this year. The price of the magic is just too high.

The BEST rate is the AP room only rate - AAA is just about 10 to 15 dollars higher/nt than AP rates. I know for summer (value season) instead of paying $691/nt, the AAA rate is $544/nt. AP rates aren't announced, but they will be a bit under that $544. $544 is OK with me, but I couldn't believe at Xmas the GF was full of many people paying over 1K/nt for a standard concierge room!! Sorry, that is ridiculous IMO. NOT worth it. I NEVER book a package. I have looked into it in the past and not found it to be less expensive than room only reservations at all. AP or AAA is the way to go.

Lives4Disney

 

[mlill]

Michelle, I am with you & Mike. I think that may be part of my unDisney feeling at the end of this trip - the cost is starting to effect my fun - I went into it kind of choking on what I knew the cost would be. I LOVE that place, though, so I bit the bullet and did it. I just think that it may be my last GF stay for a bit. I overdid it this year. The price of the magic is just too high.

Lives4Disney

I hear you! We just sat down and totaled the Visa for our 2 week extravaganza trip. I LOVE WDW, but with prices/crowds increasing yearly, we are seriously thinking of abandoning ship and trying some new vacation destinations. We could go to Europe for what we just spent. Not that we won't be back to WDW in the future, I love my DVC, and won't be selling it any time soon.

Have a great week everyone!
-Michelle

 

[marcij]

Hi everyone! It's been a very long time since I posted on this thread. My Mom got sick in July and was in the hospital from August through mid-December when she passed away.

Channing -- I was the one Denise (triplefigs) was asking for help for in Dec. planning some surprises for our trip. I had a trip planned for Dec. 15 - 20, and had promised my Dad that we would go on our trip to Disney. We left the day after we buried my Mom, and it was so incredibly hard to do. I know this may seem strange, but I didn't really feel guilty about going to Disney -- I knew my Mom would approve, as she loved to go. I just really hated leaving my Dad. But, I had spent so many hours each day at the hospital and at work that I hadn't really been around my DH or two DS's so this was a good bonding trip. We laughed and cried and made it through the trip even stronger a family.

Anyway, Denise and a group from the designs thread were so very helpful in getting me through the months Mom was in the hospital, and especially her last few weeks. The calls, cards, flowers, PMs and posts kept me going. Here are a few pics of the surprises they planned:

Here's a pic taken just before I came down with the stomach virus. Thankfully, I'm the only one in the family that came down with it.

The IPO (thanks Calvin) and concierge team along with Denise and the DDA made this trip extra special!

Here's the view from our room

 

[Lives4Disney]

Marci, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you are doing alright. What a beautiful surprise(s) you received in your room. I am glad they were able to do something special for you. You needed that.

I hope it was a nice stay - as nice as it could be under the circumstances. So sorry you got ill on top of everything else!

That view looks just like my view. We checked in Dec 19 to room 4405.

I hope you are doing better as the days pass. I know it hasn't been very long. Take care.

Channing aka Lives4Disney

 

[marcij]

Marci, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope you are doing alright. What a beautiful surprise(s) you received in your room. I am glad they were able to do something special for you. You needed that.

I hope it was a nice stay - as nice as it could be under the circumstances. So sorry you got ill on top of everything else!

That view looks just like my view. We checked in Dec 19 to room 4405.

I hope you are doing better as the days pass. I know it hasn't been very long. Take care.

Channing aka Lives4Disney

We were in 4302! I had forgotten you were going to be there for part of our stay, since I wasn't keeping up with much of anything on the DIS. I just knew you would appreciate the pics, as you are so thoughtful about trying to surprise your beautiful girls. The pictures and report from your trip were wonderful. I loved the girls dresses on Christmas Eve.... I'm a sucker for pink fluffies and their clothes. My nieces get the advantage of me having boys, as I buy for the girls all of the time!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We were in 4302! I had forgotten you were going to be there for part of our stay, since I wasn't keeping up with much of anything on the DIS. I just knew you would appreciate the pics, as you are so thoughtful about trying to surprise your beautiful girls. The pictures and report from your trip were wonderful. I loved the girls dresses on Christmas Eve.... I'm a sucker for pink fluffies and their clothes. My nieces get the advantage of me having boys, as I buy for the girls all of the time!

Marci, I love your pics and you have an adorable family! I was going to say that in my previous post, but I had to run.

Girls are so much fun. I have a 16.5 yr old son, and my second child didn't come until 6 yrs after he was born - and she was a GIRL! I went Gymboree NUTS! (still go nuts! ) Boys are great, too, (love mine) but you can't paint their nails and curl their hair, lol. I suppose that could be a good thing - it can get old!!!

Glad you're back on the DIS.

Take care, Marci.

Channing

 

[mlill]

Hi everyone! It's been a very long time since I posted on this thread. My Mom got sick in July and was in the hospital from August through mid-December when she passed away.

I just wanted to tell you that I am very sorry for your loss! You are not alone. I understand completely what you are going through - a few years ago, we had a WDW vacation planned and my father-in-law passed away just a few days before we were supposed to leave. It was difficult for all of us, but we did end up going, because we knew that's what he would have wanted. Thank you very much for sharing you story and pictures with us. I'm glad you were able to spend the time together in WDW as a family, and begin the healing process.

Take care,
-Michelle