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

[triplefigs]

More SL Lodge Tower Room pictures. The 3 Lodge Tower Rooms are directly above the SL sign in the night picture with my daughter.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Jenny, I'd always take the extra day.

Channing, deluxe king beds are the honeymoon suites. They're the only room types that you can guarantee a king bed in. Both the turret and the 2nd floor rooms fall into this category. You wouldn't know which one you had until you arrived. I know Janet2K and her daughter stayed in the turret suite, 4321 was their room number. Right around the corner from the 3rd floor balcony and the view was from the wedding chapel around to the castle. Even if I were travelling with my DD, I would request a turret room, just because she'll feel like a fairy princess. If you can get really specific, go for room #4021.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Jenny, I'd always take the extra day.

Channing, deluxe king beds are the honeymoon suites. They're the only room types that you can guarantee a king bed in. Both the turret and the 2nd floor rooms fall into this category. You wouldn't know which one you had until you arrived. I know Janet2K and her daughter stayed in the turret suite, 4321 was their room number. Right around the corner from the 3rd floor balcony and the view was from the wedding chapel around to the castle. Even if I were travelling with my DD, I would request a turret room, just because she'll feel like a fairy princess. If you can get really specific, go for room #4021.

Thanks, Tammi. I KNEW you would have the info I needed!! One more quick question about these deluxe king rooms......if we did wind up on the second floor, are these rooms any different than the standard rooms (like are they larger or something special about them??).....my wheels are turning, lol, trying to figure this little plan out as an add on to our May Swan stay.

Jenny - oh, ya...I would definitely take any extra day I could get - any way I could get it!

Denise - LOVE your pictures!!!

THANKS!!!!!

Channing

 

[Janet2k]

So if you had the choice of upgrading to a lagoon view room or adding a day, which one would you take.

JennyMominRI, I would take an extra day since I live on the West Coast and traveling to Walt Disney World is such a pain in the you-know-what for my family (we basically tack on two extra days purely for travel – one at the beginning of our trip and one at the end of our trip). However, if you live closer to Florida and travel to WDW more frequently, then perhaps upgrading your view would be better suited to your needs. But any way you look at it, it's a wonderful dilemma to have.

 

[Janet2k]

I'm at the GF in Big Pine Key and we are in room 9214...

Misti, I have finally caught up on all 278 pages of this thread. While I was playing catch-up, I didn't notice any photos of your room. I know you said it didn't have the best view, however, I would still love to see what your room (and its view) looked like. Do you have any photos posted on-line?

 

[Janet2k]

We had a dormer tower room in Sugar Loaf once. Much more cosy and homey than a regular hotel room.

Do you happen to have any photos of that room posted anywhere? I would love to view them.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Unfortunately, we're a family of 5, so we've never had an opportunity to stay in a lodge tower room. I love the layout though. If you want to take the chance, Sugar Loaf has 3 lodge tower rooms that are available by request only. There's no guarantee that you'd get one, but having that layout and the club level benefits would be perfect.

Triplefigs stayed in one of these rooms in Sugar Loaf and the sofa actually opened up for additional bedding. If the search feature works, you can try searching on her username and seeing the pictures she posted from her trip. I think they're in this thread somewhere.

Tammi - thanks again for the info. Now I am really conflicted as we need the daybed. My sons do not like to share a bed. I just presumed there was a daybed / fold out sofa in the Lodge Tower room. We really need the extra sleeping space. Now I do not know what to do....maybe the Sugar Loaf Concierge would be better????

 

[TammiMcMan]

Channing, the 2nd floor rooms are the same size as all the other rooms. They have the king bed, seating area with a couch, jacuzzi bathtub and of course the balcony overlooking the castle. The only drawback that I've heard is it's alittle bit of a hike to get to the lounge. You need to take the service elevator (the one that brings you out by Gasparilla's Grille) up to the 4th floor and then walk down the hallway.

If you do end up booking this room, I would just put in a request for the turret suite with IPO. Let them know you'll be travelling with your daughter and you'd like her to feel like a princess in a turret room. My guess is that they do try to keep couples on that 2nd floor.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Tammi - thanks again for the info. Now I am really conflicted as we need the daybed. My sons do not like to share a bed. I just presumed there was a daybed / fold out sofa in the Lodge Tower room. We really need the extra sleeping space. Now I do not know what to do....maybe the Sugar Loaf Concierge would be better????

You have a couple of choices. The first is to simply book a standard room. When we travel with our family, we get 2 queen beds and a daybed, so you won't have to worry about the kids sharing. Honestly, the rooms at the GF are a good size. You can even ask for one of the larger, corner rooms. No guarantee, but if one's available, that's a lot of extra floor space. Your second option is to bring along an aerobed or similar blow up mattress for the lodge tower room. You'll have plenty of room for it and you can stand it up against the wall during the day if you want.

Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that you'd get a lodge tower room at Sugar Loaf. There are only 3. If you need guaranteed extra space, I'd stick with lodge tower and just pack an aerobed mattress. We take ours everywhere so the kids don't have to share with the sister who kicks alot in her sleep .

 

[JennyMominRI]

I'm thinking I may just book POR for the first night and move to the GF the net day...With an AP discount it will save me about 00$ but enable me to be at the GF first thing in the morning on my first day

 

[Janet2k]

My in laws were upgraded to concierge in the main building...they were very happy and loved the "fancy food" so much so they missed our wedding ceremony at Sunset Pointe!

DisneyBride’03, that was just about the cutest post that I read here in the GF FAQ thread today while I was playing catch-up. It really made me chuckle. However, as a FTW bride myself, I bet you were heartbroken that your in-laws missed your ceremony. For that I am truly sorry.

And in order to keep my post on-topic, I am going to dig up some of my photo albums regarding the Royal Palm Club lounge and its munchie offerings:

RPC Concierge Desks
RPC Lounge
RPC Lounge
RPC Morning Offerings
RPC Afternoon Offerings
RPC Afternoon Offerings
RPC Evening Offerings
RPC Evening Offerings
RPC Evening Offerings

And even though I haven’t stayed in Sugar Loaf (but have stayed in suites that allowed me access to that building’s concierge staff and lounge), I do have at least a few photos of the evening offerings in that building:

Sugar Loaf Evening Offerings

I really need to consolidate my photo albums. (And I should probably fix any photo captions that Yahoo has recently botched up – arg!)

Again, DisneyBride’03, I am sorry that your in-laws missed your ceremony. I am contemplating an outdoor beach ceremony for my next FTW vow renewal (if you've got photos of your ceremony on-line, please PM me the link as I would love to see them). I will make certain that none of my guests stay concierge at the Grand Floridian. I’d hate for them to miss my ceremony.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I'm thinking I may just book POR for the first night and move to the GF the net day...

That sounds like a great idea. Disney makes it so easy to move, you just call bell services and they'll take care of your luggage. I'd just be sure to keep anything you might need in the meantime, in a daybag or backpack (swimsuits, medication, etc.)

I am contemplating an outdoor beach ceremony for my next FTW vow renewal.

Janet, with your wonderful trip reports, you make us feel like guests at your beautiful parties. I can't wait to walk with you through cyberspace as you plan your next one.

 

[JennyMominRI]

That sounds like a great idea. Disney makes it so easy to move, you just call bell services and they'll take care of your luggage. I'd just be sure to keep anything you might need in the meantime, in a daybag or backpack (swimsuits, medication, etc.)

.

Heh.I will need a carryon bag just for our meds... I almost always do split stays.. 2 vacations in 1...It worked really well until december when I first stayed at the GF.. We transferred to the AKL and I was not as happy. I could live at the GF ,I think.

 

[Janet2k]

I'm thinking I may just book POR for the first night and move to the GF the net day...

JennyMominRI, I stayed at POR when I was confined to a wheelchair a few vacations ago. Disney put me in a handicap-accessible room near the resort’s main check-in building. That way I could easily roll myself over to the River Roost Lounge where my family caught Bob Jackson's show: click here. The next day, my family transferred over to the Grand Floridian Resort.

So, as someone who has personally done exactly what you are thinking of doing, I say go for it.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we had a dormer room in the sugar loaf building in NOV 2006 when I stayed there

 

[JennyMominRI]

JennyMominRI, I stayed at POR when I was confined to a wheelchair a few vacations ago. Disney put me in a handicap-accessible room near the resort’s main check-in building. That way I could easily roll myself over to the River Roost Lounge where my family caught Bob Jackson's show: click here. The next day, my family transferred over to the Grand Floridian Resort.

So, as someone who has personally done exactly what you are thinking of doing, I say go for it.

I've been to POR twice and we really like it there...Of corse that was before Ed had all o the leg damage..I've never been in the AB section though. I don't *think* he will need a wheelchair in august but I'm not 100% certain. If he does it will be due to endurance issues

 

[Janet2k]

...with your wonderful trip reports, you make us feel like guests at your beautiful parties. I can't wait to walk with you through cyberspace as you plan your next one.

TammiMcMan, you are too kind. And to keep my post on-topic, you can count on my family staying at the Grand Floridian for at least part of our vacation. It wouldn’t be a fairy tale anything if our favorite resort wasn’t involved.

(By the way, we’re thinking our vow renewal might happen next year. The timing wasn’t right for this year.)

 

[Janet2k]

we had a dormer room in the sugar loaf building in NOV 2006 when I stayed there...

Lovely photos and I liked your room view, too. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Tammi, thanks again for that info regarding the deluxe king rooms. I remember now about that odd second floor situation. Yes, you have some elevator switching to access them. We have found ourselves stepping off on the 2nd floor out of curiousity and you cannot go right - if I remember correctly. It is a shorter wing and you have to take that corner elevator. Forgot about that! I am still contemplating. We might just make it easier and less expensive on ourselves if we just continue on staying at the Swan. I appreciate all the info...helps with the decision.

Kelly, I love the pics. I was in the SL 4th floor lodge tower dormer room. I don't think I have any room, pics, though! My DH got REALLY really sick that stay and it was only a 4 nighter so things were dicey. That 4th floor did not (during our stay) have a sleeper sofa.....they brought in a rollaway. It also did not have a balcony, but it was a Feb stay, so it was really too cold to enjoy a balcony anyway. I love those lodge tower rooms - also love dormer rooms.

Glad to see you back, Janet. Can't wait to see what you have planned for your next stay!

Lives4Disney

 

[PavelB]

Do I remember correctly that there were no AP codes for the GF last July?
Also, can you ever get AAA discount on rooms in the main bldg? It seems like every time I check the AAA rate is only available for the outer bldgs.
Thanks

Oh - also, I read on here that many of you are contacted by the concierge staff before your trip. On 4 previous trips I have never been contacted and have also never been met at the front and been taken over and checked in at SL. What am I doing wrong? Or is just that I always go at a busy time - the first or second week in July.
Thanks