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

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi Lindsay
I requested Sago yesterday for the proximity to Gaspy but am thinking about changing my request to Conch since it is being re-done in July and we are going end of August and would love to be in one of the new rooms.
What do you and all the experts think?
Kristin

 

[marcij]

Hi Lindsay
I requested Sago yesterday for the proximity to Gaspy but am thinking about changing my request to Conch since it is being re-done in July and we are going end of August and would love to be in one of the new rooms.
What do you and all the experts think?
Kristin

Kristin -- all of our LV stays have been in Conch, and I love it (if we can't stay in RPC). It is further away from the main building, but we love that the launch is right there --it makes it easy to get to the room with exhausted kids -- they are full of energy in the morning, so that short walk to the monorail is a good way to release the extra excitement. We always went back to the room mid-day, and the boats never woke up my kids when they were down for naps, but some people have complained about that. I also enjoyed it because if I didn't want to nap, I could go out on the balcony and watch all the boats in the lagoon, as well as gaze out at the Castle.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Kristin -- all of our LV stays have been in Conch, and I love it. It is further away from the main building, but we love that the launch is right beside Conch. It makes it easy to get to the room with exhausted kids -- they are full of energy in the morning, so that short walk to the monorail is a good way to release the extra excitement. We always went back to the room mid-day, and the boats never woke up my kids when they were down for naps, but some people have complained about that. I liked it because if I didn't want to nap, I could go out on the balcony and watch all the boats in the lagoon, as well as gaze out at the Castle.

where is Conch in relation to Sago?? (Sorry can't find my link to the map of the resort )

 

[marcij]

where is Conch in relation to Sago?? (Sorry can't find my link to the map of the resort )

If you are looking towards the MK from the main building, it's the building on the other end of Sugar Loaf, towards the MK. Does that make sense?

 

[Babyboo]

Hi, has anybody done the mother & daughter spa experience or any of the "my first" spa experiences with their DD. I would be interested to hear about them.

We are going in Dec 07 and my DD will be 5 at the beginning of Dec so I am wondering if she may still be a bit young for this (although she would love it) DH & DS are going to spend a day at Busch Gardens so am looking for something for the 2 of us to get up to a bit special and thought I could combine this with a princess dinner of some sort for a special day out. We have already done BBB and will schedule this in again in Dec.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

If you are looking towards the MK from the main building, it's the building on the other end of Sugar Loaf, towards the MK. Does that make sense?

Ok, so it is on the other side of the Marina from Sago... thanks!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi Lindsay
I requested Sago yesterday for the proximity to Gaspy but am thinking about changing my request to Conch since it is being re-done in July and we are going end of August and would love to be in one of the new rooms.
What do you and all the experts think?
Kristin

Hi, Kristin!

I am by no means an expert on the GF (oh, how I wish!), but I'll do what I can to help!

Are you staying GV or LV? (I can't remember.) We stayed GV in Conch, and one of the main reasons I chose it was for the location, and the good chance that I'd get the Alice in Wonderland bedding. Yes, I'm silly enough that the bedding was important to me! I would have really liked the Cameo bedding, but from the information available to me, it didn't look like I had the right room category booked to get it. I'm very much hoping for Cameo bedding in RPC this December (being that I'm partial to the Disney fairies).

I don't think you can go wrong with Conch Key (we even had some Seven Seas Lagoon in our garden view!), but Sago seems to be popular as well, since it is a tad bit closer to the main building and Gaspie's. Conch Key juts out into the SSL a bit further - it basically sits right in front of Sugar Loaf across the marina from Sago, and is very near the boat launch and Narcoossee's.

It will be interesting to see what happens with all the rumors swirling about the room remodel! You could always keep your request as is for now, and then change it once you get closer and have a better idea if/when buildings are going down for refurb.

HTH!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi, Kristin!

I am by no means an expert on the GF (oh, how I wish!), but I'll do what I can to help!

Are you staying GV or LV? (I can't remember.) We stayed GV in Conch, and one of the main reasons I chose it was for the location, and the good chance that I'd get the Alice in Wonderland bedding. Yes, I'm silly enough that the bedding was important to me! I would have really liked the Cameo bedding, but from the information available to me, it didn't look like I had the right room category booked to get it. I'm very much hoping for Cameo bedding in RPC this December (being that I'm partial to the Disney fairies).

I don't think you can go wrong with Conch Key (we even had some Seven Seas Lagoon in our garden view!), but Sago seems to be popular as well, since it is a tad bit closer to the main building and Gaspie's. Conch Key juts out into the SSL a bit further - it basically sits right in front of Sugar Loaf across the marina from Sago, and is very near the boat launch and Narcoossee's.

It will be interesting to see what happens with all the rumors swirling about the room remodel! You could always keep your request as is for now, and then change it once you get closer and have a better idea if/when buildings are going down for refurb.

HTH!

Hi... we're staying GV... but I can always hope for a little 10th anniversary magic right?? Either bedding is fine with me... I just really want the dormer room

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hi... we're staying GV... but I can always hope for a little 10th anniversary magic right?? Either bedding is fine with me... I just really want the dormer room

Yes, you can!

We the dormer room! Very fun and cozy.

 

[heatherlynn444]

I hate to be the dissenter here but I had some bad fish there WAY back in 1997 which rendered me to the bathroom for 30 hours of my honeymoon. We may be the only ones, but we won't be returning this trip!

ETA: Happy 10th Anniversary to Micheme! We too will be celebrating our 10th during our August GF stay!

sorry you had bad fish at narcoossees. but that was 10 years ago! maybe another try is in order? or maybe just don't order fish! lol.

 

[peter1706]

Can anyone confirm the email for the GF IPO? I used the one at the beginning of the concierge thread but the email came back undeliverable.

Thanks!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Can anyone confirm the email for the GF IPO? I used the one at the beginning of the concierge thread but the email came back undeliverable.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, I think it's the same one I have, which worked just fine a couple of weeks ago when I was e-mailing with IPO: WDWGFPlanning@disney.com

If it has truly changed, hopefully someone will come along with the new e-mail address, or I guess you could always call the resort and see if there is a new one.

 

[WDWINJUNE!]

I'm so excited, I may get to move up our trip to August instead of Christmas...We'll be able to celebrate our 1 yr anniversary 4 months late but we'll be at our favorite hotel ever! When I found out we were expecting I did not think we'd be able to plan a trip for awhile but my wonderful DH is all for it. We had a very magical honeymoon trip last year which included an upgrade to RPC It was just heavenly! Hoping for another magical visit

We have a lagoon room on hold while we make the final decision. We are a blended family, there's going to be 6 altogether! DH's dd9, ds7 and my dd11 and our new little one due in May DD9 and DS7 have never been to WDW and they have had major trauma in their life (their mother passed away in Jan. and they have moved in with us full time) so I want this trip to be extra magical. Any suggestions on a building request?? I've thought about Conch Key, is that the best lagoon views available? I'm also thinking about sending the older 3 on the pirate cruise so DH and I can have a little alone time (well alone time plus the baby ) Any other suggestions or ideas on making this trip magical for 4 great kids?? Thanks!
Laura

 

[peter1706]

Unfortunately, I think it's the same one I have, which worked just fine a couple of weeks ago when I was e-mailing with IPO: WDWGFPlanning@disney.com

.

EDITED!!!
Thanks I tried it again and it HAS bounced back again. HMMM

wdwgfplanning@disney.com --- this is what i used copied right from the rejected email.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Can anyone confirm the email for the GF IPO? I used the one at the beginning of the concierge thread but the email came back undeliverable.

Thanks!

Here's the one I have always used and it is the one that I have in my saved email replies.....

WDWGFPlanning@disney.com

Good luck. Unfortunately the GF IPO is pretty pathetic. I am a BIG GF fan - LOVE that place, but their IPO is far from reliable. If there is something very important to you that you book, I think you may want to be on top of them or do it yourself.

Lives4Disney

 

[peter1706]

Still getting bounced as of today... I'm going to call and see.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Still getting bounced as of today... I'm going to call and see.

Could you please let us know what they have to say about it??

Thanks!

Lives4Disney

 

[k&a&c'smom]

K&a&c'smom,
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. ...Just wondering if we should give them a go next time or bypass them. Your opinion would be appreciated.

Janet2k - I'm so glad to see you have posted more GF info. You have so many photos and general GF knowledge, it's very helpful to read your posts.

To answer your question - no, we did not try the chestnuts again. They tasted so bad the first time, we were afraid to give it another go, lol. They are hard to describe, but I'll give it a shot. The outside is not hard, like a walnut, but soft and rubbery and brown. Looks kind of like a buckeye. The inside somewhat resembles a water chestnut, but larger, and when roasted they have the consistency of a potato. Not the flavor of one, though, as they didn't seem to have much flavor at all. They are not very appealing overall, sorry to say!

Since they are handed out for free and with such enthusiasm, I recommend that everyone (except you, since you are allergic) try them once. It's...um...an experience.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

To those of you who have been having problems getting through to the IPO, I thought I would add my experience from last Christmas. I had many of the same issues (not the bounce back from email) with having my calls go straight to voicemail, no response to email, etc. I only got two return calls (after many msgs. left) and no email correspondence.

Luckily, I made most of my dining reservations myself, even V&A's. But, you are paying for superior service, and they should respond promptly and efficiently to all guest inquiries. This lack of attention to detail doesn't leave a good impression for first-time guests. (or returning guests, for that matter!)

To be fair, I have had these same issues with other resort IPOs.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

what i dont get is people complain the GF IPO and it doesnt get any better
I mean half of us could job there jobs better. I have stayed at several of the Club levels now and the GF IPO is the poorest. You would think with it being the flagship reosrt it would be better.

When the four seasons opens do many of you think you will stay there?