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

[joshua4]

I have the exact same question as the poster above. We will have a GV room in May -- from reading a lot of this thread, it looks like maybe Sago Cay (marina side) or Conch Key would be good for us. We have two kids, ages 7 and 10. Any more thoughts on the best GV buildings to request? Also, I know you can see wishes from the marina but do they have speakers there with the music?

Thanks for your help -- I need all of the advice I can get.

 

[thmar]

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.

Thanks for sharing...glad you had a great time. How many days did you stay?

 

[asta]

We were lucky enough to get one of the GF corner rooms several years ago. It was in Big Pine Key. The big balcony had a view of the MK (including the castle if you looked to the side), the smaller balcony looked toward the Poly. I loved the view because you could see everything. In addition to the fireworks at the MK you could also see fireworks or a light show from either Epcot or MGM. The room was a little larger. Big enough for a round table with two chairs to be between the wall of the bathroom and the beds. Sadly though, we requested this type of room on our last trip and none were available.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We were lucky enough to get one of the GF corner rooms several years ago. It was in Big Pine Key. The big balcony had a view of the MK (including the castle if you looked to the side), the smaller balcony looked toward the Poly. I loved the view because you could see everything. In addition to the fireworks at the MK you could also see fireworks or a light show from either Epcot or MGM. The room was a little larger. Big enough for a round table with two chairs to be between the wall of the bathroom and the beds. Sadly though, we requested this type of room on our last trip and none were available.

So, this sounds like it was a lagoon view category room. Is that right?? (sorry if it's a dumb question...I know sometimes with some GV rooms I have read that there is a little peak of the MK) I booked a GV room for the first time and wonder if the corner room is a possiblity with a GV room.

Misti? Are you around?? I know you had a great corner room.

Thanks,
Lives4Disney

 

[asta]

This was a LV room. It was on the narrow end of the Big Pine Key building, this is the end that has the same view as the lagoon side of Boca Chica. It was wonderful having the two balconies. I used them a couple of times to separate my two girls when they had had a little too much togetherness. Talk about spoiling your children when their punishment is two different views of WDW.

 

[minniemomof3]

Hi,

I just found this thread and was wondering if someone can tell me when was the last time the rooms were remodeled in the Grand Floridian?

Thanks!

 

[fish4bills]

Hi,

I just found this thread and was wondering if someone can tell me when was the last time the rooms were remodeled in the Grand Floridian?

Thanks!

I was wondering about this also. Does anyone know if there is a refurbishment scheduled?

 

[fish4bills]

Does anyone know if there are any pictures of a one or two bedroom suite available? We are considering a suite instead of two rooms for our next trip, and are wondering what they looked like and/or the layout. Thanks for any info.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi,

I just found this thread and was wondering if someone can tell me when was the last time the rooms were remodeled in the Grand Floridian?

Thanks!

I bet it was albout 8 to 10 yrs ago. That seems to be their timeline for refurbishing. The lodge buildings are scheduled to be rehabed starting with Sugar Loaf in Sept 07. Not sure about the main buiding. I asked concierge CMs when we were there for Xmas and they really knew nothing. They are told nada. The rooms I have stayed in are in very good condition, but they are pretty low tech. The mattresses have been updated to pillowtops and are super comfy, though.


http://ourlaughingplace.com/ASP/costcalc.asp?resId=GF&pageFunction=researcher I hope this link works to get you pics of suites!! I saw several listed....I am going to go check the pics out now!

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[hmp2z]

Hi,

I just found this thread and was wondering if someone can tell me when was the last time the rooms were remodeled in the Grand Floridian?

Thanks!

I believe (though am not positive) that it was in 2000. We were there during the remodeling on one of our trips, and I *think* it was the September 2000 trip.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[DisneyDoogie]

Big Pine Key was refurbished in Fall 1999. We were fortunate enough to get one of the newly decorated rooms when we spent Christmas 1999 there. Sugar Loaf was done the following spring - when we were at the GF in May 2000, Sugar Loaf was covered in scaffolding and tarps. I think the whole resort was done by early 2001.

 

[minniemomof3]

Thanks everyone. The photos of the Grand Floridian look awesome! We are very excited about staying there for Christmas this year. I had a hard time deciding between the Poly and Grand Floridian but figured GF would have more of a Christmas feel to it than the Poly. This will also be our first Christmas at Disney, we have never seen the decorations before.

We have a garden view room and will probably have many questions to ask about room location, view etc. I'll try to read a little through the thread before posting.

 

[zipDdoodah]

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!

Lives4Disney,
I know what you are saying about GCH being so expensive, but it truly is a beautiful hotel! I have stayed there and at many others offsite in the DL area. Put it this way, if I can afford it, I will always choose GCH first. You can't beat the location. You walk out of the hotel, and you are literally in DTD or DCA, which is very convenient. Now, I haven't stayed GF yet, so I can't compare CL at the 2 resorts, but I will say I've loved our stays at DCH in the past. The Artisan Suites are really neat, we had one overlooking Grizzly Peak, which was really cool, and they are large. Also, Napa Rose and Storyteller's Cafe are both excellent restaurants.

All in all, I've done DL cheap and I've done it the expensive way at the GCH, and you can have a great time either way (it's much easier to stay offsite there than at WDW), but my most favorite trips were the 2 when we stayed at GCH. I found GCH to be a luxurious hotel with a laid back and calming feel. Please let us know how your trip went when you get back. I gotta say, I love "the World". Everyone out here on the West Coast always asks us, "Why do you go all the way to FL when you can just drive to DL?" They are so different to me, and I love how you are completely immersed in another world at WDW - you don't get that at DL.

Thanks again for helping me decide to go with RPC rather than SL. I will let you know how our trip goes in May. So far, the CMs in concierge have been great with the planning. I'm gonna get hooked on those chocolate covered strawberries you guys are talking about!

 

[BCV23]

Yikes, Channing! $800/night. We are paying about $350 tax included for the GC. Not concierge in fact a standard view or whatever it is called there. And we're there before Spring breaks start I think but still $800! Those bagels better be good.

 

[Lives4Disney]

ZipD and BCV.....I am going to call AAA this morning and cancel that ripoff GCH DL package. It is $4K for 4 nts and 5 days' tickets. The tickets are $795, so that leaves $3200 for the room and whatever little extras AAA offers with their packages. I originally only booked thru them for the Enhanced FP and then they disappeared!! I was just going to keep the ressie and go thru with it, but I am so uncomfortable about it I just can't. Somebody posted about getawaytoday travel co that has the rooms much more reasonable and I may do that - NOT concierge. I found that they don't have IPO or other little extras I really like at WDW that add magic. I have my mind set on doing the Sheraton Anaheim with SPG points and saving money for another WDW trip. From the start I was shocked at how expensive GCH was compared to WDW deluxes and then I find out the services offered don't really compare, and then the bed issue - my son might get a sleeping bag for $800/nt.....no thanks. I would feel like a meanie. $800/nt for a room, nice beds for us - here you go....sleep on the floor. He's the oldest, my only son, and gets the short end of the stick a lot due to having two little sisters and one which is HC. He's a GREAT big brother and I don't want him to feel llike an afterthought on a family vacation - he is 16.5 yrs & already preferring to stay w/friends vs go with us on vacations. He was sure sorry he missed my most fabulous 40th bday trip to the GF!!!


ZipD, you will love RPC. The people in the lounge and concierge CMs are so nice and helpful. Housekeeping is wonderful, too. They always leave tons of toiletries and lots of towels and lots of chocolates on the beds at turndown. LOL, by the time we have to pack up, we have the nightstand drawer filled with the chocolates!! I always have second thoughts about spending that much on a hotel room, too, but it has always been worth it in the end. The main building is beautiful - everything about it.


BCV - have a great GCH stay. I will be interested to hear how you enjoyed it. I may regret not staying there.....I guess this trip we will have to check everything out and if we love DL, we'll be back and go all out.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[joshua4]

Hey GF experts

I just booked our GF GV room for May with a request for Sago Cay, marina side (based on all of your advice). Today I wandered over to tripadvisor.com and three people were complaining about the sounds of the boat horns and said that it was extremely loud and annoying every ten minutes. I have not hear the people on the DIS mention that. Is that true? Will I be hearing horns in my room all of the time or are those trip advisor people just hyper sensitive? Help.

Thanks.

 

[BCV23]

We've stayed in Conch Key (facing the MK) which is right by the boat dock and the boat horns haven't bothered us in the least. I don't even remember hearing them when we were inside the room. You certainly could on the balcony but to me it is part of the magic.

You know I've never read tripadvisor but from the questions I've seen posted on the DIS, it does sound as if people who post there might be going out of their way to find fault.

 

[joshua4]

Thanks -- that was what I suspected. I couldn't imagine so many Dis-ers requesting a marina view if the boats were too noisy. I certainly don't mind hearing the boats while we are on the balcony or outside -- I just did not want to hear them at night when I was trying to go to sleep. It sounds like with the door closed, we won't hear anything. Thanks for your help.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hey GF experts

I just booked our GF GV room for May with a request for Sago Cay, marina side (based on all of your advice). Today I wandered over to tripadvisor.com and three people were complaining about the sounds of the boat horns and said that it was extremely loud and annoying every ten minutes. I have not hear the people on the DIS mention that. Is that true? Will I be hearing horns in my room all of the time or are those trip advisor people just hyper sensitive? Help.

Thanks.

Honestly, I really don't remember hearing enough of any noise to be disturbing in all my WDW stays at any resort. (except once at the YC - thin walls and a 24 hr crier in the next room) Maybe if you are in a GF lagoon view or MK view building right on the water you would hear the boat horns, but they aren't super early in the morning. I have only stayed in the GF main building, but I have stayed at the Poly, right on the beach and the CR tower MK view, YC/BC and BWI and boat noise was never an issue for us. I don't remember ever being bothered or losing sleep. Any of that morning hustle and bustle adds to my excitement and makes me feel like I should get going and join the fun. From my experiences at WDW resorts, this isn't really anything to worry about. I think people like to complain on Tripadvisor. I understand your concern, though - but I think there's some exaggeration going on.

Happy planning! I am booked GF GV in Nov and requested Sago, too.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

howdy there all my gf friends
see many of you are planning trips back to the GF for this year
we are trying a villa at BW this summer and bringing along my mil and bil they havent been to wdw in well forever
so no GF for us this year
i do want go back to the Sugar loaf after the refurb though