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

[Tinkaroo]

We are in the process of planning our trip for a stay at the Grand Floridian Dec. 05 (or 06) threw Dec. 13 08 (I know..faar away, but you can never plan too early ). We are then heading on a Disney Cruise on Dec. 13th which I'm suppose to pay a deposit on Tuesday. Our AAA agent has a hold our reservation right now . We plan on add the vacation package both of our stay at Grand Floridian when they go on sale later this year.

This is going to be the first time to Disney for both of my daughters and my husband. My mother and I have been to Disney before. However, this will be our first time for all of us at Grand Floridian. We plan on staying concierge. Can anyone recommend what we should request if we want a magic kingdrom/castle view? Where are the best views located? Also, wanting to know how the concierge services work exactly and if they will be able to get me reservations to the firework cruises plus dining reservations?
We are trying to plan a very magical trip for both of my princesses. I want them both to be on in love and cloud nine during their vacation.

Welcome to the thread! It sounds like you have a great trip started - and you're right, it's never too early to begin planning!

From my notes, the standard RPC (non-honeymoon) rooms that afford a view of the MK/Castle are 4301-4309 (3rd floor) and 4401-4409 (4th floor). There is no 5th floor in that part of the building, and the 2nd floor rooms are the honeymoon rooms. All the rooms are on the same side, so no need to worry about requesting an odd or even number. These rooms are right above Gasparilla's Grill (the quick service restaurant and arcade), and overlook the marina, and then the MK in the distance.

There are other nice views throughout RPC that I'm sure others can comment on. Keep in mind that all you can do is request a view - the only way a MK view would be guaranteed is if you booked a MK view room, and those guaranteed views don't come with concierge service.

The IPO (Itinerary Planning Office) is the extension of the concierge service that you use before you arrive at the resort. They will work with you to find out your preferences for dining, special events, etc., and can book these for you in advance. They can also make note of your room requests so you have a better shot of getting what you want. Some have had great luck in communicating with the IPO office, and others have had some less than magical experiences. IPO should contact you on their own, but I think typically begin to about 200 days or so out from your vacation. If I were you, once your reservation is confirmed at the GF, I would go ahead and contact them yourself, and make sure the reservation is showing in their system, introduce yourself, etc. They can be reached at WDWGFPlanning@disney.com or (407) 824-1775.

I'm bumping this up so other knowledgeable GF'ers can see your requests. We'll only be staying at the GF for the 2nd time this upcoming Nov./Dec., so I'm by no means an expert (but have been taking notes along the way!).

ETA: I'm assuming in my above posts that you will be doing the main building concierge at the GF, called Royal Palm Club (RPC). If you'll be doing the lodge concierge (which is in an outer building called Sugar Loaf), there is no possibility for an MK view - I believe those views are of either the pool/grounds or the marina. The IPO assistance remains the same for both types of concierge.

 

[Janet2k]

Hi, Dis’ers, I haven’t read the GF FAQ thread in months. (*hanging my head in shame*)

To all of you who have recently come back from Grand Floridian vacations, I hope you had a lovely time.

I’m presently trying to determine when my family will vacation at the Grand Floridian again. We’ve got a tentative trip planned to WDW later on this year. I’m hopeful my husband will be able to join us on it. He’s missed the last two trips to WDW and I really don’t want him to miss a third trip. I would like it if we could stay at his favorite resort (and mine), the Grand Floridian, for at least a few days of our vacation.

As I catch up on this thread, I’m hopeful that I’ll run into some photo links and trip report links from recent vacationers. I can’t think of a better way to spend President’s Day than reading about fellow Dis’ers’ vacations in my favorite resort.

 

[Janet2k]

Thank you for sharing your story. I definitely dream of hosting my own Private Event at WDW one day and I could read about your parties for hours! The details make it so interesting - and so very Disney.

Johnsonet, thanks for the kind words. Disney really does a lovely job with their events. And they handle all the details seamlessly. I hope that if you host a private event at the Grand Floridian (or anywhere in WDW), that you come back here to the Dis and share photos of it.

 

[Janet2k]

Janet, it sounds like it was WONDERFUL! I am jealous, as usual!

Heatherlynn444, I’m sorry I’m reading your kind words so late. Thank you.

In regards to that party, Disney did all the work. And I had all the fun. Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?

You are my hero! I just love reading about your Disney adventures! (I'm still in awe of your 6-week? summer in WDW!) Thank you very much for sharing all of the details and photos with us! Your inside info is priceless! If I only get to do a fraction of what you've already done in WDW, I'll be a very lucky woman! Someday I hope to have a Vow Renewal in WDW and you're the first person that I'd go to for advice!

Mlill, thank you for your kind words. I am hoping to top last year’s 5-1/2 week vacation with a longer one this year. But we’ll see how that goes. Real life is presently getting in the way. I hate it when that happens.

If you have a vow renewal in WDW, please feel free to ask me to share my experiences with you. Lots of folks do that via posts on the Weddings/Honeymoon Board, via PMs, via e-mail, and via the telephone. I try to help as much as I can, but I always tell everyone that the only definitive authority on Fairy Tale Weddings events is Disney themselves.

Now that I’ve got my disclaimer out of the way, I must let you know that I have a fellow Dis’er on the hook for Royal Palm Club potato chips when she goes through with her FTW vow renewal in the future. In return for my free advice, the deal is that she will ply me with Royal Palm Club potato chips. She thought it was a good deal. However, she hasn’t seen me scarf down those crispy potato chips with an ice-cold soft drink. She may change her tune when she sees that.

 

[Janet2k]

Reading about your special events made me think of my wedding at the GF. It's hard to believe it's almost 10 years ago now!

RPC?? Oh, you should go!! I would go in a heartbeat if I had an offer like that.

Misti, okay, where is the link to your FTW photos? I’ve been waiting long enough. (*impatiently drumming my fingertips upon the table*)

I really wish I would have been able to vacation in WDW in December. It would have been wonderful to have finally met you in person. I’m hopeful that our paths will cross in the future.

By the way, have I mentioned lately that I would love to view your FTW photos?

 

[Janet2k]

I wanted to add my 2 cents about the GF Marina dessert party… The tables were fun and whimsical, exactly what you'd expect from a Disney venue. The food was beautiful AND delicious, and the music from Wishes being piped in was a wonderful touch. The GF team did an excellent job! I wouldn't hesitate to plan a party there in the future.

On a separate topic - to the poster asking about the roasted chestnuts: my daughter and I were at the GF last Dec., and they were passing out chestnuts to everyone near the front entrance. *outside the lobby* They were free, but I have to agree with the posters who stated they weren't very tasty. In fact, we stepped around to a secluded spot to spit ours out and dispose in the trash. I hated it that we didn't like them, as the gentleman who passed them out was so enthusiastic!

K&a&c'smom, thank you for sharing your comments. I thought the Convention Services folks did a lovely job with the event, too. I adore the Grand Floridian Resort and think it makes for one of the prettiest venues on property.

During your December vacation, did you try the roasted chestnuts again? If you did, I’d like to know if your opinion of them changed. I’m allergic to nuts so I’ll never be able to eat them. However, if my family vacations at the Grand Floridian at the end of this year, I’m wondering if I should have the kids and the husband try them. The last time we vacationed in WDW over the holidays, my family politely turned the roasted chestnuts down, but I had secretly wished they had tried them. I was curious to see what they looked like up close and personal. Just wondering if we should give them a go next time or bypass them. Your opinion would be appreciated.

 

[Janet2k]

Wonderful photos...as always... The butterfly cake really takes my breath away! I need to go back through your description and see what flavor those cakes were. Also, the swan pastry looks a bit more "ample" than what is served on the pastry trays at the Garden View Lounge... were they custom items as well??

I love how you share these special things with all of us. In all my years of staying at the Grand (since 1994), I've never had a private event... I'm still not over Mickey arriving on the beach at the GF for your BBQ.

Johnsonet, the photos were taken by my Disney Event Group photographer. I can’t take any credit for them (but I wish I could!). All of the Disney photographers that I've hired over the years have done a wonderful job. I've been pleased.

As to your question about the mini-cakes that the Grand Floridian Bakery had prepared for my event (click here), I believe I was told that they could come in a few different flavors (white, chocolate, etc.). However, for my event, I ~think~ they were strictly cheesecakes (I know that mine was). The mini-cakes were scrumptious.

As to your question about the swan puff pastries, I believe they are the same ones that are served in the Garden View Lounge for tea. The photo that I shared just goes to show you what an excellent job the Disney photographers do in capturing the essence of an event: click here. My photographer certainly made that swan look larger than life, didn’t he?

In my posts here on the Dis website, I try to share a side of Disney that not a lot of folks know exists. Thank you for your kind words. They really mean a lot to me. And in regards to your Mickey comment, I’m still in awe, too: click here. What a guy, ~sigh.~

 

[Janet2k]

…thanks for sharing another lovely event with us. It was like being there, well not really, but it was great anyway. The cakes were definitely a work of art and looked so yummy.

I would definitely take up that offer for RPC, you can never get to much of the Grand and especially during the holidays.

Sammie, thanks for your kind words. I’m hopeful that one day my path will cross with yours in WDW. I’ve read so many posts of yours here on the Dis that I almost feel like I know you.

As to the RPC offer from my friend, sadly, I had to turn her down. However, that didn’t stop her from calling me and telling me what she was doing during each day of her RPC vacation. Let’s see, she called me prior to her hair appointment at the Ivy Trellis. Then she called me after her Victoria & Albert’s dinner reservation. On another occasion she called to tell me that the RPC lounge was serving my favorite potato chips. Then she called me… I think you get the idea.

I learned a hard lesson. Never to turn a friend down for an RPC vacation. The phone calls were like water torture rituals from days gone by. I should have cried “UNCLE!” after the very first one. The pain of missing my favorite resort was just too much to bear.

 

[Janet2k]

This should be the slideshow of the pictures from our GF photo shoot!

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r257/macrosswife/?action=view&current=1165106366.pbw

Macrosswife, your photos were stunning. I loved them! And now you have given me something to contemplate for my next vacation – family photos taken at the Grand Floridian. I’ll have to add it to my potential things to do list.

Again, thank you so much for sharing your photos. I know how unnerving that can be!

 

[Janet2k]

All I can say is WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! We’re back from our first stay at the GF and I’m almost left speechless as to what I could possibly “say” or “describe” that would do justice to the Flagship Disney Resort.

Tenbelow, I know I'm late to the party, but your post really brightened my day. I just love it when a ~virgin~ returns from the Grand Floridian and has felt the ~magic~ of the resort.

I'm hopeful that as I continue catching up on this thread, I'll find a link to photos of your stay (my fingers are crossed).

 

[Janet2k]

We only live about 3 hours away so the drive is not too bad... I still have to check out Pop and the Boardwalk and will do that in March. I'm glad I've checked them all out now so I can get back to my favorites. I don't know why I felt lik I needd to try them all knowing that nothing will beat the Grand or the Poly for me, but I did. After march you will only be finding me at the Grand or Poly.

Minnie my my, you are fortunate to live so close to WDW. (I live on the West Coast and wished I lived closer.)

Your post made me smile. After last year’s vacation, I can finally say that I have slept in all of Disney’s official on-site resorts in both WDW and DL. It wasn’t a path that I set out to take but was a path that I found myself on after a few years. I was awfully glad that I completed my mission last summer. However, the DVC is adding on at the AKL. Once the AKV has been completed, I’m going to have to stay there. I have to keep my “sleep around” record intact.

By the way, the Grand Floridian is still my favorite resort. I don’t see that changing any time soon (but I do love the rest of Disney’s resorts).

 

[Janet2k]

…another CM looked up our room on the computer... "Oh my goodness," she said, and repeated "oh my" to herself a coupld of times. I figured from the look on her face this was a good "oh my"… "Welcome to the Roy Disney Suite," she said… And If it wasn't perfect enough, the very understated equestrian theme of Roy's suite was a great one for us as we are horse trainers. I just loved the homey feel of it.

Irisbud, what a beautiful stay you must have had in that suite. And how poignant that you both are horse trainers. Talk about something being written in the stars…if that upgrade wasn’t, I don’t know what was, ~sigh.~

I enjoyed viewing your photos. Thank you for sharing them.

 

[Janet2k]

Thanks to Memories by Sarah (www.memoriesbysarah.com) I was able to get my aunt a GF gingerbread house.

TiggerAllie, I am glad to hear that your aunt was taken care of. I have never heard of "Memories by Sarah" before. It sounds like they did a lovely job with your delivery.

 

[Janet2k]

We just had such a wonderful trip that I have to share... Our cruise started at 5:30, which was sunset. I had a custom cake, champagne and hot chocolate for the kids catered onboard from GF Private Dining. Everything was perfect!

Mlill, I enjoyed viewing your Grand 1 photos. Your family looked like they had a wonderful time on the cruise. Everything looked perfect. Thank you for sharing your photos.

 

[Janet2k]

Thought some of the GF fans might be interested in this. My parents came across an old Disney Vacation Information brochure from one of the trips we took to the GF when I was a kid, in 1989.

Back then, the GF had many more view categories than they do now. They had two seasons - value and regular. Regular rates were $205 (garden), $215 (pool), $225 (marina), $235 (lagoon), $270 (lodge tower room), and $295 (RPC). Value season rates were $20 less for each category.

DisneyDoogie, what a fun post and perfect for the GF FAQ thread. It adds a touch of nostalgia. Thank you for taking the time to post that information. Like most, I wish those prices were still in effect.

 

[Janet2k]

I still think garden view should be just that: a garden view, not a view of a parking lot or a dumpster. They should label those "standard view" and charge less for the budget-conscious travelers. I'm one of those mega-planners, so I don't like having my room left completely to chance & the whims of Room Control.

Hmp2z, well said.

The worst view that I have ever had in a Disney resort (and I've stayed in all of them now) was at the Beach Club. It was horrible. If I could name the view, I would call it sub-standard. The room should have been used as a store room and not as a concierge room.

I'm glad all my Grand Floridian views have been much (much, much, much) better. Of course, I'm still waiting for Disney to open up that new room category for me -- the one called POOL ROOM. I could live at either one of the resort's two pools. Who needs a room when you've got the sky above you and the lovely resort surrounding you?

 

[mlill]

Mlill, I enjoyed viewing your Grand 1 photos. Your family looked like they had a wonderful time on the cruise. Everything looked perfect. Thank you for sharing your photos.

Thanks Janet! I also have video of our Grand 1 cruise here...

Grand 1 Sunset Wishes Cruise Part 1

Grand 1 Sunset Wishes Cruise Part 2

It was wonderful!

I'm glad to see you back on the GF FAQ thread! Stop by the TR board when you get a chance, too! I'm almost finished writing about our 2 week Christmas vacation, including our Christmas Eve dinner at the Chef's Table in Victoria & Alberts!

Happy WDW Planning!
Take care,
Michelle

 

[Janet2k]

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.

Mlill, I apologize for being completely off topic but I see in your signature that your home resort is the BWV. Mine is, too. Howdy, neighbor. It's nice to know that another Grand Floridian loving Dis'er is also a DVC'er. (I think I might have brought this post back on topic by mentioning the Grand Floridian. )

 

[Janet2k]

Thanks Janet! I also have video of our Grand 1 cruise... It was wonderful!

I'm glad to see you back on the GF FAQ thread! Stop by the TR board when you get a chance, too!

Oh, gosh, Mlill. This will be my last post of the night -- it is after 8 PM here on the West Coast and "24" will be starting soon (I don't watch much TV but I try to catch that show whenever possible). I promise that I will view your video tomorrow and also hunt down your trip report. And then I'll pick back up with the GF FAQ thread. I still have quite a few pages to go. It has been fun reading about everyone's Grand Floridian vacations (the good and, sadly, the bad) and viewing everyone's photos. I swear, Dis'ers have some of the cutest families on the planet.

 

[heatherlynn444]

Heatherlynn444, I’m sorry I’m reading your kind words so late. Thank you.

In regards to that party, Disney did all the work. And I had all the fun. Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?

QUOTE]

haha sounds like a great deal! glad to see you back on here and posting!