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

[goofyandmore]

OK, stupid question. But what does IPO stand for? I realize it has something to do with the concierge office. I am thinking that the P stands for Planning and O for office, but what about the I? Thanks

 

[princessesrule4]

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.

Mabye you have to use capital letters for the WDWGFP part? I always do and have never had any trouble. I'm emailing them today with so ADR requests , so I'll let you know if it comes back! The exact email I use is WDWGFPlanning@disney.com with caps as indicated.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

goofyandmore - the "I" stands for itinerary, you are correct that the "P" and "O" are Planning Office.

 

[ohdisco]

Mabye you have to use capital letters for the WDWGFP part? I always do and have never had any trouble. I'm emailing them today with so ADR requests , so I'll let you know if it comes back! The exact email I use is WDWGFPlanning@disney.com with caps as indicated.

Actually, I had the same thing happen to me...the IPO finally emailed me back about my second email (that had gotten through) and emailed me with this address: WDW.GF.Planning@disney.com with periods between WDW, GF, and Planning.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Actually, I had the same thing happen to me...the IPO finally emailed me back about my second email (that had gotten through) and emailed me with this address: WDW.GF.Planning@disney.com with periods between WDW, GF, and Planning.

That's new. Thanks for that info. All my response emails have been the WDWGFPlanning@disney.com. (Copied directly from emails they sent me as recently as Dec 06)

They need to get their act together over there. One more reason I probably will not stay RPC next trip. Unfortunately with the CM shortages and WDW cheaping out on their salaries and not allowing concierge staff to accept monetary tips, GF has lost a lot of CMs to other upscale resorts. As the GF RPC rate goes up for us, the level of service has been going down.

I haven't had much luck with any WDW resort IPO though. They all have room for improvement IMO. I know others have, but I think they are all inconsistent and very hit or miss.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i use the email addy channing does as well
and i agree that for the cost the sevice should be better
but its hard the rooms are wonderful, and the grouds and sooo nice
that i truly love being there
now if i could the IPO staff from the WL and BWI lounge staff I would never leave

 

[peter1706]

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

Thanks!

Lives4Disney

I got through on phone today and after all my questions about my vacation and all the info I was given I forgot to ask . ( i know, DUH!) But they sent me info today and i received it from a specific planner...it was from their personal disney email address.

 

[jen_mangini]

We just got back from our AWESOME GF stay. We were in Boca Chica (4th floor facing the Contemporary). We paid for the MK View and we could see the castle through a tree but the view was really excellent. I'm not sure I would pay again for the MK View because the lagoon view seems just as good. We had to switch rooms because our 1st room was a dormer room and didn't have the day bed (which we needed). Make sure you put in a special request for the daybed if you need it. The daybed rooms are also larger.

The water parade was literally infront of our room each night which was really fun for the kids. And, we could see the fireworks from our balcony.

I'm sad to be home today.
Jen

 

[goofyandmore]

K&a&c'smom, thanks for the response. I was going nuts trying to figure out what the I in IPO stood for.

Also, for those who stay GF concierge, have you been happy with the food offerings compared to other resorts you may have stayed at? We have only experienced the Polynesian concierge and were very happy. We are considering trying GF concierge (not the main blding) since we loved staying at the hotel in the past. Thanks

 

[minnie my my]

goofyandmore,

Of the Disney concierge food offerings we have experienced the Poly and GF's are our favorites. They are very different, however. The Poly has that Polynesian flare to their offerings where the GF's offerings are more fancy as I put it. I can not remember exact offerings right now but I will try to remember and post them later. I bet Lives4Disney or Janet2K would remember the specifics for sure. There are probably some others on here that do also.

The biggest difference I noticed was that the food at the Polynesian is more substantial than the food at the GF.

We love them both.

 

[JPN4265]

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!

Are you sure it wasn't all of those Dole Whip's you had?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I actually liked the Poly concierge food better. I agree with Minnie My My....GF is kinda "fancy". I don't like gazpacho (probably spelled wrong), they have diff themes nightly. One of the infamous themes is kind of Mediterranean and the main offering is gray meat on a stick, LOL. with tsatsiki sauce. I like the sauce! They also do chicken skewers, potstickers, strange little bite size appetizers we've tried and cannot figure out what they are, , olives, diff salads, spreads, guacamole & chips. Wine & Champagne and beer are also offered - along with soda, coffee, and tea all day - and bottled water.

The bfasts are muffins, danish, cold cereal, fruit, ham & turkey & cheese trays, bagels, toast, yogurt to dip fruit, coffee & tea & juices.

Snackage is chips/pretzels, nuts, scones at tea time with cute little finger cakes and cookies and treats. The evening 8 to 10 pm offerings are liquors, wine, champagne, beer, and pastries & sometimes chocolate covered strawberries.

The ONLY thing I prefer about the Poly over GF is the food. I LOVE that orange guava juice and pineapple bread.

I am in a hurry to leave, so maybe I left something out. Somebody will add more, I am sure!

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Are you sure it wasn't all of those Dole Whip's you had?

Nope, actually it turned out to be a slowly developing seafood allergy that had been coming on for years.... 10 days of shrimp cocktail and lobster in a person who normally ate that stuff 1-2 per year maximum was enough to push it over the edge!

 

[princess-rn]

We are FINALLY splurging to stay the 2nd half of our WDW vacation at GF. I have a couple of questions.....

We have booked a MK view room. How good are the MK view rooms?

Has anyone ever been upgraded to concierge? I would LOVE to stay in the main building..but that's a little too much splurge. LOL.

The only bad thing I've ever heard about the GF is the bus transportation system? How is it for those of you who have stayed there?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Dis Ohana]

Great thread, I've been reading this for weeks off and on and still haven't got through it all!
We booked a room in the main building (RPC) for December. The UG suggested requesting a "beach view" as the best rooms. From what I have gathered here, the best room views would actually be the MK view. Is that the same thing? And if it's not..which is better?

 

[Lives4Disney]

I have only stayed in the main building - and it is wonderful. I heard from GF CMs that a lot of people do wind up upgraded to Sugar Loaf (lodge concierge) but not to the main building.

I have had MK views from the main building that were wonderful, so I bet the views from the lodge buildings that are even closer are beautiful, too. I think they did the same thing that they did at the Poly - went to each room to make sure there was a clear MK view before they selected which rooms would be categorized MK View.

I have never had any issues with the GF's bus service. I don't think it's any worse than any other deluxe resort's bus service. Our WORST was one time at the Dolphin trying to get to AK. It took 1 hr and 45 minutes. I am NOT kidding. THAT was awful. I haven't had any longer than a 20 min ride on any GF bus. Usually shorter.

Happy planning! GF is the BEST.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Great thread, I've been reading this for weeks off and on and still haven't got through it all!
We booked a room in the main building (RPC) for December. The UG suggested requesting a "beach view" as the best rooms. From what I have gathered here, the best room views would actually be the MK view. Is that the same thing? And if it's not..which is better?

Request a MK view with the GF's IPO office. It is actually a marina view. I will post a pic later. Gotta run and pick up kids. If you have a beach view, you'd be looking at the Poly over that direction - NOT at the castle.

GF is the best! Happy planning.....RPC is awesome.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

Great thread, I've been reading this for weeks off and on and still haven't got through it all!
We booked a room in the main building (RPC) for December. The UG suggested requesting a "beach view" as the best rooms. From what I have gathered here, the best room views would actually be the MK view. Is that the same thing? And if it's not..which is better?

OK, me again.....Here are a couple pics from room 4405 in the main building. LOVE the view. In the first pic, you can see the top of the wonderful Grand 1 yacht. The second pic shows the marina and off in the distance the castle. The fireworks are GORGEOUS from the rooms that have MK views.

Happy GF planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[heatherlynn444]

We just got back from our AWESOME GF stay. We were in Boca Chica (4th floor facing the Contemporary). We paid for the MK View and we could see the castle through a tree but the view was really excellent. I'm not sure I would pay again for the MK View because the lagoon view seems just as good. We had to switch rooms because our 1st room was a dormer room and didn't have the day bed (which we needed). Make sure you put in a special request for the daybed if you need it. The daybed rooms are also larger.

The water parade was literally infront of our room each night which was really fun for the kids. And, we could see the fireworks from our balcony.

I'm sad to be home today.
Jen

so glad you had a great trip! you are making me miss "home"

 

[Dis Ohana]

OK, me again.....Here are a couple pics from room 4405 in the main building. LOVE the view. In the first pic, you can see the top of the wonderful Grand 1 yacht. The second pic shows the marina and off in the distance the castle. The fireworks are GORGEOUS from the rooms that have MK views.

Happy GF planning,

Lives4Disney

Beautiful pictures, thanks for posting them. That is the view I want! I wonder why the UG has the best rooms facing the other side of the hotel, the castle is what it's all about! I'll email IPO about our changes...I've been following closely about all the recent problems with IPO, keeping my fingers crossed for a little magic from them.