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

[TammiMcMan]

Tammi, where have you stayed that did not offer anything midafternoon?

Sorry for the confusion, I guess I wasn't clear enough. All the other club levels put out afternoon snacks from 11am - 4pm with the standard drink offerings. The GF actually does more of a light lunch offering from 11am - 1pm and then changes completely to an English afternoon tea from 2pm - 4pm. Not sure if that's the same exact setup at AKL, but I know they have tea service there as well.

 

[BCV23]

We've only stayed in AKL concierge once but afternoon service was just like the Polynesian best I can remember...minus the Guava juice. Nothing that reminded me of the GF afternoon service. Certainly not scones...but we only stayed three nights so maybe it changes.

Oh, and we've not seen a light lunch offering at GF. Is that new? Our last stay was at RPC in Sept of 06.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Oh, and we've not seen a light lunch offering at GF. Is that new? Our last stay was at RPC in Sept of 06.

Just my own personal comparison to some of the other club levels. Most of those call bowls of M&M's, gummy worms, pudding cups, goldfish crackers, etc... afternoon snacks from 11am - 4pm. At the GF, we've seen things like salad, slices of cold chicken breast, vegetable trays, nachos & chips, just more substantial items from 11am - 1pm. Then it switches to afternoon tea, with the scones, brownies, cookies, sometimes trifle as well.

According to some of the printed literature from AKL's club level, they offer their afternoon snack service from 11am - 3pm, then supposedly switch to afternoon tea from 3:00 - 4:30pm. The listing I saw said that scones and biscuits were put out at that time as well.

Maybe there have been changes made though and this is no longer the case?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

the tea is so good

 

[mint julep]

Wow...now I know where to come for info! Ya'll are great!!

We have stayed at the Poly and the CR before(club level). We will be staying at AKL (club level) the week before we head over to the GF.

Our AKL IPO interaction has been outstanding! They have been very prompt with responses to both email/phone calls. I think they may have spoiled me a bit.

I called the GF yesterday morning and emailed them yesterday at around dinner time. Hopefully I will hear from them before the weekend is out.

Have any of you ever ordered a cake or done anything else to make a celebration special while staying there? We will be celebrating our wedding anniversary and our son's birthday while we are there (actually are anniversary will be the week before, but who is really counting ).

THANK YOU AGAIN to all of you for your great and SUPER FAST answers!

I really appreciate them and this thread in general!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Have any of you ever ordered a cake or done anything else to make a celebration special while staying there?

I've done things like ordering gifts to have in the room, I've also pre-ordered champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

Your best bet if ordering a special dinner or anything food related, is to deal directly with the private dining department. It's a lot easier than trying to go through IPO as a middle man. Private dining has some wonderful ideas and they're extremely helpful.

 

[BCV23]

Tammi, I'm going to have to look for my old club level welcome letters...if I've saved any. But the Polynesian always has fresh fruit and huge cookies out. I've seen salsa and chips as well as other snack food. The AKL and Polynesian offerings were the same type to the best of my memory although we've only stayed AKL club level once.

But I do agree that those at the GF are "fancier." It is also the only WDW club level we've been at that served champagne.

mint julep, happy planning.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Tammi, I'm going to have to look for my old club level welcome letters...if I've saved any. But the Polynesian always has fresh fruit and huge cookies out. I've seen salsa and chips as well as other snack food. The AKL and Polynesian offerings were the same type to the best of my memory although we've only stayed AKL club level once.

But I do agree that those at the GF are "fancier." It is also the only WDW club level we've been at that served champagne.
mint julep, happy planning.

yes and its GOOD !!!!

 

[heatherlynn444]

yes and its GOOD !!!!

I second that!

 

[irisbud]

Mint Julep,

On our last trip, we did a split stay between GF RPC and AKL CL. AKL's IPO was great, GF's, not so much. We finally gavce up on them, and AKL's IPO was more than happy to do all of our preplanning for us. Once we were on site, though, GF was fabulous!

 

[rachaelpink23]

i am staying at the GF in august and i was wondering if somone could tell me what an IPO is? Is this someone you can contact directly at the grand floridian resort instead of calling 407-w-disney?

 

[Lives4Disney]

i am staying at the GF in august and i was wondering if somone could tell me what an IPO is? Is this someone you can contact directly at the grand floridian resort instead of calling 407-w-disney?

IPO is Iterinerary planning Office. It is for concierge guests. They help make special arrangements of all kinds. If you are staying concierge, give them a call or email. They can book dining, illumination/wishes cruises, arrange prepurchased gifts to be in the room, private dining events......

The Grand is the best! We love it there. It's where the magic lives.

Have a wonderful stay,

Lives4Disney

 

[rachaelpink23]

thanks! im new here and sometimes i can figure out the abbreviations, but sometimes not so lucky

 

[Lives4Disney]

thanks! im new here and sometimes i can figure out the abbreviations, but sometimes not so lucky

Well!! Welcome to the GF thread!! Have you ever stayed at the Grand Floridian before?? It is just a beautiful resort. We have had our best WDW stays there. I have only stayed concierge, but we have a garden view booked for this November for a THanksgiving stay. Looking forward to it - it can't come soon enough.

Have fun planning!

Lives4Disney

 

[rachaelpink23]

i have stayed at the GF 3 times before, the Poly once (for christmas!), and Old key west and saratoga springs (with my DVC boyfriend and his family once each. GF is our family favorite so we are going back for free dining this august!

 

[JennyMominRI]

Well!! Welcome to the GF thread!! Have you ever stayed at the Grand Floridian before?? It is just a beautiful resort. We have had our best WDW stays there. I have only stayed concierge, but we have a garden view booked for this November for a THanksgiving stay. Looking forward to it - it can't come soon enough.

Have fun planning!

Lives4Disney

Sigh..My dream is to one day stay concierge..Maybe in a few years when I turn 40

 

[Lives4Disney]

Sigh..My dream is to one day stay concierge..Maybe in a few years when I turn 40

My BEST EVER Disney stay/vacation was last July for my 40th.

I booked a YC/GF split. The YC was so-so. Had a beautiful water view room, though.

Then we moved to the GF.....the concierge CMs were waiting for us at the elevator when we got off on the 3rd floor. They were so excited to tell us were had been upgraded to the Walt Disney Suite!! It was a dream come true. I had dinner at Citricos on my bday and then a Wishes cruise on the Grand 1. I can honestly say I still get goosebumps when I think back on that absolutely wonderful GF stay. Just out of this world!

You have to do it for your 40th!!! It is so worth it! I always hem and haw about the cost of our concierge trips before we take them, but our GF stays almost always exceed all expectations and I only had a regret once (our 2006 Xmas stay - and it was not really due to the GF, but other issues I wrote about after we got back)

Lives4Disney

 

[Disneymooner07]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking since December or so, but I just recently gave in and signed up in preparation for our Disneymoon at the GF in August! Neither me nor my fiance have ever been to the GF before and I cannot wait!!!

I've booked us into a MK view room with a non-smoking, king bed request - is there a building you all recommend for a MK view room? I know this room category is sort of new, so I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with it yet? Also, any feelings about a dormer room? I'm considering requesting it, but don't know if I should just leave that part to chance

Also, I'm trying to decide between Citricos and Narcoossee's for dinner one night - is one more romantic than the other? I realize this is maybe more of a restaurant board question!

Thanks for any suggestions and a big hello to the GF fan club!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Oh, congrats on your wedding and you selected a beautiful hotel for your honeymoon. The GF is so romantic.

Personally, I think Sago Cay is a great building for an MK view and I just like the area. It's sort of away from the rest of the resort, so it feels a bit more private. As for the dormer rooms, either people love them or hate them. They are a bit smaller in square footage, but they have the cathederal ceilings. The balcony is smaller, but it's enclosed and offers privacy. Just really depends on your own personal taste.

Citrico's feels a bit more intimate. Narcoossee's is quite popular with families and just the openess of it, makes for a fairly loud restaurant. If you want romance, my suggestion would be to contact the private dining department and plan something through them. The GF has a few area's where they are happy to set up a special dining experience. Private dining is wonderful to work with and you can order from any of the GF's restaurants. The cost is going to be about the same as a regular dinner, but you can add on some special touches if you like. Definitely give them a call and just talk through some of the options that may be available to you.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

My BEST EVER Disney stay/vacation was last July for my 40th.

I booked a YC/GF split. The YC was so-so. Had a beautiful water view room, though.

Then we moved to the GF.....the concierge CMs were waiting for us at the elevator when we got off on the 3rd floor. They were so excited to tell us were had been upgraded to the Walt Disney Suite!! It was a dream come true. I had dinner at Citricos on my bday and then a Wishes cruise on the Grand 1. I can honestly say I still get goosebumps when I think back on that absolutely wonderful GF stay. Just out of this world!

You have to do it for your 40th!!! It is so worth it! I always hem and haw about the cost of our concierge trips before we take them, but our GF stays almost always exceed all expectations and I only had a regret once (our 2006 Xmas stay - and it was not really due to the GF, but other issues I wrote about after we got back)

Lives4Disney

thats right keep rubbing it in....