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

[Cinderumbrella]

Do I just request it at check in or call mousekeeping once we get to the room?
Thanks!

 

[Tinkaroo]

At this point I think I want to request a dormer room in Sago Cay. I would love to hear more about the corner rooms and see if they are classified LV or GV since that sounds interesting too!

I thought I read a page or 2 back about fridges having to be requested... is that true? I remember the minibar but it seems silly that a fridge isn't automatic in a deluxe hotel.

Also, does anyone know anything more about the 1900 PF renovation? I am completely bummed that the GF Cafe is taking over those meals since I love breakfast at the GF Cafe but we won't go if its a character meal Are one of the other restaurants taking over GF Cafe meals?

Thanks!
Kristin

Kristin - Citrico's is going to be offering a menu similar to the GF Cafe for breakfast and lunch while 1900 PF is closed. So basically, PF is closed, the GF Cafe will be picking up the PF's business, and then Citrico's will be picking up the GF Cafe's business, plus being open 7 days a week for dinner (unlike Tuesday - Saturday like they are now).

And yes, you have to request the refrigerator. I would just tell them as soon as you check in that you want one, and it won't take them any time to deliver. I don't think it's automatic, as the minibar is taking up the "permanent" spot. They typically put the refrigerator under the sink in the bathroom for you.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Kristin - Citrico's is going to be offering a menu similar to the GF Cafe for breakfast and lunch while 1900 PF is closed. So basically, PF is closed, the GF Cafe will be picking up the PF's business, and then Citrico's will be picking up the GF Cafe's business, plus being open 7 days a week for dinner (unlike Tuesday - Saturday like they are now).

And yes, you have to request the refrigerator. I would just tell them as soon as you check in that you want one, and it won't take them any time to deliver. I don't think it's automatic, as the minibar is taking up the "permanent" spot. They typically put the refrigerator under the sink in the bathroom for you.

See, I told you that you were an informed group!!!
A request at check in it is!

One more "quickie" should I ask for bed rails at the same time for DS4 or make that request from the room?
Thanks!
Kristin

 

[sleepyone]

We have booked a MK view at GF, and I'd like to know which building we're most likely to be in. Does anyone know? TIA!

 

[jen_mangini]

subscribe

 

[roryc]

Well, we just returned from the Grand Floridian RPC Concierge last night and I'm not too sad yet. That will probably come this afternoon We had a fabulous room, 4th floor Room 4405 with an awesome view of Cinderella's castle. Because it was fairly cold the first few days we were there, I even cancelled my Fireworks cruise because I couldn't imagine paying for a view from the cold boat that was anything less than the one from our room. We've done the cruise before twice, and I do love it, but not when it's 38 degrees and windy.

Everyone was so nice. For example, my daughter left her Disney Princess camera that she got for Christmas at Hoop Dee Doo one night and I called HDDR and gave them our table number, and got the run around (i.e. everyone loses stuff and sometimes we never get it turned in and sometimes it shows up a month later, blah, blah, blah). Then I called the concierge, what I should have done first. This was like at 10PM at night. When we woke up, our message light was on and the camera was at the Concierge desk. Now, that's service worth it's weight in gold. I was prepared to drive over to Frontier Hall to get it myself, but RPC concierge arranged to have it delivered. Fabulous.

By Thursday, the weather had warmed up to near 80 and we did go swimming, but only for about 1/2 hour. My girls had a fabulous time and the trip was perfect.

PS, wonderful time of the year to go. Crowds were all but non-existent at the Pirate Princess Party (Fantasyland, at least) and MK on Wednesday was like having the park all to ourselves. We rode Splash Mountain, BTMRR, and Space Mountain twice in a row with no waits. Now, by Thursday, the crowds were picking up, but there were still only like 15 minute waits. I'm going to be so sad when my DD starts school next year and we can't always go just any convenient time.

 

[magical4us4]

Hi, fellow GF fans!

I booked a GF GV room for a 9 nt. Thanksgiving stay. I think I heard that there are some corner GV rooms that are larger/have two balconies?? Am I dreaming this? If these corner rooms exist, I should probably request this type of room. Anybody have any particularly great GV room ideas for me??!! I requested Sago, just for that location near Gaspies, but maybe the room won't have such a great view. I never minded the marina view from the main building because the whole point was to look over & beyond it at the castle, lol!

I am excited, but it's my first nonconcierge GF stay due to the outrageous rates. I am already looking forward to the gingerbread cookies!

Thanks!

Lives4Disney

Oh my goodness, Lives4diseny,

You have to let me know how your trip goes. I am also getting home sick

I just might try the same thing, even if it is not RPC, Just to be back at the GF would be wonderful!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Well, we just returned from the Grand Floridian RPC Concierge last night and I'm not too sad yet. That will probably come this afternoon We had a fabulous room, 4th floor Room 4405 with an awesome view of Cinderella's castle. Because it was fairly cold the first few days we were there, I even cancelled my Fireworks cruise because I couldn't imagine paying for a view from the cold boat that was anything less than the one from our room. We've done the cruise before twice, and I do love it, but not when it's 38 degrees and windy.

Everyone was so nice. For example, my daughter left her Disney Princess camera that she got for Christmas at Hoop Dee Doo one night and I called HDDR and gave them our table number, and got the run around (i.e. everyone loses stuff and sometimes we never get it turned in and sometimes it shows up a month later, blah, blah, blah). Then I called the concierge, what I should have done first. This was like at 10PM at night. When we woke up, our message light was on and the camera was at the Concierge desk. Now, that's service worth it's weight in gold. I was prepared to drive over to Frontier Hall to get it myself, but RPC concierge arranged to have it delivered. Fabulous.

By Thursday, the weather had warmed up to near 80 and we did go swimming, but only for about 1/2 hour. My girls had a fabulous time and the trip was perfect.

PS, wonderful time of the year to go. Crowds were all but non-existent at the Pirate Princess Party (Fantasyland, at least) and MK on Wednesday was like having the park all to ourselves. We rode Splash Mountain, BTMRR, and Space Mountain twice in a row with no waits. Now, by Thursday, the crowds were picking up, but there were still only like 15 minute waits. I'm going to be so sad when my DD starts school next year and we can't always go just any convenient time.

Congrats on a great trip! Sounds wonderful!

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Sleepyone,
MK view rooms at the GF are in every lodge building, except Sugar Loaf. Most of the MK view rooms are in the Boca Chica building, but Big Pine, Sago Cay, and Conch Key have some too.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Lives4Disney - whenever we book a GV room at GF I always request Sago Cay, marina side. Its a nice view for a gv room. We're staying GF GV in July and that's what I requested. We have a waterview room at YC but I'd rather take the gv room at GF then a standard view at YC! Whenver we stay in Sago Cay I love being so close to Gasparillas. The kids love to refill their mugs and watch the fireworks at the tables in front. Have fun.

 

[sleepyone]

Sleepyone,
MK view rooms at the GF are in every lodge building, except Sugar Loaf. Most of the MK view rooms are in the Boca Chica building, but Big Pine, Sago Cay, and Conch Key have some too.

Okay, that's good to know! I can't wait!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Oh my goodness, Lives4diseny,

You have to let me know how your trip goes. I am also getting home sick

I just might try the same thing, even if it is not RPC, Just to be back at the GF would be wonderful!

I KNOW! I was really kind of disenchanted with Disney World after our Xmas stay. Mostly the obnoxious, entitled guests. Of course, that has worn off. Love the GF & I miss that place. I am going to miss RPC - especially when I read reviews like Rory's, but honestly I am sick of the same old same ol' food offerings and a GV room will be just fine - something new. What I will really miss are the great concierge CMs in RPC and the nice lounge ladies. They all really make our trips so special. Vacationing at the Grand without seeing them will be the strange part. We are planning a San Diego/DL trip for spring break, and pathetically enough I just can't get myself revved up and excited about that vacation. I have lots of guide books sitting on my coffeetable untouched. Disney has me brainwashed I think.

Rory, so glad you enjoyed the Grand and WDW. We were in 4405 for our Xmas stay!! (I am almost positive, anyway) I totally know what you mean about going at this time of year. I MISS those days big time. My oldest is in high school and my middle child will start junior high next year. My slow season days are over. (well, until he graduates in 2 more years - then DH and I and our girls can do whatever we want!! )

DisneymomX7 - Thanks for the Sago Cay info. I am just thinking I might be staring up at "our room" right above Gaspies. Oh well. We will still be at our favorite resort. We made our first trip into Gaspies in all our stays on Xmas Day because we slept late and opened gifts and missed our ADR. I loved Gaspies!! I will be happy to be sneaking in there for Diet Coke refills and soft serve icecream with hot fudge!!

Happy planning!!

Lives4Disney

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Lives4Disney,

We're staying at the CR Nov.16-Nov.24. I hope we run into one another! I couldn't talk my crew into another GF stay until we stay at the CR. They love the CR as much as I love the Grand.

Lori

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney,

We're staying at the CR Nov.16-Nov.24. I hope we run into one another! I couldn't talk my crew into another GF stay until we stay at the CR. They love the CR as much as I love the Grand.

Lori

My kids love the CR & the GF! I would have loved to do the CR -I tried, but it would have had to have been an MK view tower room and those were not available. We are long time CR tower lovers - 15 yrs worth of multi annual stays. My 16 yr old son really grew up there, going over and over again since he was 1. I haven't stayed there since before the rrehab - had a very grungy but expensive 14th floor suite, and told my kids that we would not be back til after - NOW I can't get a room!!!!

Have a great time!

Lives4Disney

 

[magical4us4]

Lives4disney, I know what you mean about trying something new. I am feeling the same way too. Your right about the offerings in RPC, it is getting old, just getting a regular room will be refreshing. I think I have some of it planned out - go to Gaspys and get a couple of bottles of wine - 1 red, 1 white, for the evenings- and do breakfast room service so we can get to the parks on time. I think they still have the door hang order menu for breakfast. It's not concierge, but I know we can manage just fine. Think of all the money we will be saving to indulge in other ways, like a different spa treatment every day!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4disney, I know what you mean about trying something new. I am feeling the same way too. Your right about the offerings in RPC, it is getting old, just getting a regular room will be refreshing. I think I have some of it planned out - go to Gaspys and get a couple of bottles of wine - 1 red, 1 white, for the evenings- and do breakfast room service so we can get to the parks on time. I think they still have the door hang order menu for breakfast. It's not concierge, but I know we can manage just fine. Think of all the money we will be saving to indulge in other ways, like a different spa treatment every day!!

EXACTLY!!! I didn't even know Gaspies sold wine!! Woohoo! We have only been there one time, lol, in all our GF stays. This Nov stay will be an adventure and you're right, it will be a refreshing change. The only thing other than the nice concierge CMs I was going to miss would be the turndown service. I love that. Michelle told me it is standard in all GF rooms, though. GREAT!

Lives4Disney

 

[magical4us4]

EXACTLY!!! I didn't even know Gaspies sold wine!! Woohoo! We have only been there one time, lol, in all our GF stays. This Nov stay will be an adventure and you're right, it will be a refreshing change. The only thing other than the nice concierge CMs I was going to miss would be the turndown service. I love that. Michelle told me it is standard in all GF rooms, though. GREAT!

Lives4Disney

Yes, it's great, Gaspy's does sell wine. When we were there in June, our flight came in late (we got to the GF at midnight) so me and my husband ordered room service right outside of Gaspy's and bought a bottle of wine from there. It was really nice, we sat by the water at a table and the music was still coming through the bushes. It was

You know, I think this trip will work out great. I won't have to keep looking at my watch to see what time concierge serves this and that!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yes, it's great, Gaspy's does sell wine. When we were there in June, our flight came in late (we got to the GF at midnight) so me and my husband ordered room service right outside of Gaspy's and bought a bottle of wine from there. It was really nice, we sat by the water at a table and the music was still coming through the bushes. It was

You know, I think this trip will work out great. I won't have to keep looking at my watch to see what time concierge serves this and that!

That is almost exactly what I am thinking! Sometimes it feels like we are tied to the GF for concierge services and we hurry back in the evening for those chocolate covered strawberries.

Did you book a room? What type & for when??

I was also having major second thoughts about my ripoff AAA package "deal" at the GCH in Disneyland for spring break. It was costing me $800nt for that concierge room. I just booked a Sheraton with SPG points and I am feeling good about not getting ripped off by Disney. The DL board people all think the GCH is worth it, though.....give me a break. I don't think it could possibly be. (Just my opinion having never stayed there, lol. If anybody knows differently I am so open to hear the reasons )

Happy planning!!! Gaspies at our disposal will be great!

 

[magical4us4]

Lives4disney,

I had booked a concierge room for March then cancelled it because of the high price.

Now I am looking into late March or sometime in April after Easter. If I do book it will probably be a couple weeks in advance of knowing the exact date. The room choice I was looking at was what you were looking at! The corner room looks great in Sago Cay, or is it Boca Chica? Really, I think I would take any corner room in any building, if they have it available. Also, the lodge tower rooms in any building would be fine also!

And another thing, you could always order the strawberries from room service so that they will be waiting for you when you come back from dinner!

Now for the $800 a night room in DL, OH MY GOODNESS! I feel you made the perfect choice to go elsewhere! That's a lot of money.

 

[kt_mom]

This has probably been covered already, but this is a really long thread.

We're booked at GF in a garden view room in June. I've never stayed there before so I don't really know much about the resort or the rooms or the buildings.

A few years ago when we stayed at Poly we had a garden view room but we actually had a small view of the lagoon as well. Is there a building that is better than others for garden view rooms? Not just in terms of the view, but also convenience.

Thanks for any input. I'm excited about staying at GF, I've always wanted to.