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

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Thanks for the advice! I am definitely leaning towards a GV or LV with 4 nights...you can never get enough Disney! Of course, now I need to know which building we should try to get. We have 2 teenagers, so walking distance, etc. is not a problem. Any advice on which buildings have a nice view and a good location? Thanks. You are my sanity! BTW, I just found out that while we are in Disney, MK is having the Pirates and Princess Party! What more could you ask for! other than getting tickets to it lol.

 

[mickekmania]

We will be spending Christmas at the GF this year and was wondering if you could update me on current or future refurbishments at the GF.

Thanks much

 

[Lives4Disney]

We will be spending Christmas at the GF this year and was wondering if you could update me on current or future refurbishments at the GF.

Thanks much

They are doing a rehab of the rooms, starting some time late summer/fall. Probably building by building so not to disrupt guests. That's all we know. Sounds like new carpet, linens & bedding, hopefully nice, new TVs. 1900 Park Faire is closing down in early July for a nice redo, too. It will be open by the time you arrive. We spent this past Xmas at the GF. The GF was wonderful, but the parks were nuts. My kids don't want to do it again. (I would!)

Donald & Daisy - all the GV rooms have pretty views. Sago seems to be a popular request. It is right near the marina and Gasparillas, but farthest from the theme pool. Boca Chica GVs face the courtyard pool and the main building. I would be happy with either of these locations. Some like Conch as it's closest to the boat dock. I wouldn't request Big Pine because that building has some of the only few crummy GV rooms that look out onto the pool building's roof. Also, Big Pine is the part smoking building.

As far as kid activities.....the GF hosts the Adventures in Cooking, Alice in Wonderland Tea Party, the princess tea party, and the pirate adventure. We've been at the pool when they have thrown little plastic fish and pool toys around for the kids to keep, but no organized games or anything. My kids LOVE the GF. I trained them well, lol.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[minniesota]

Lives4Disney-

Do you happen to know what buildings are slated for re-do's first? And is the main building part of the plan?

I made my ressies today for 2 RPC rooms but a post by Tammi M got me thinking. For that extra $$, we could arrange a Wishes or Illuminations cruise complete with Private Dining goodies. Or some other fun and fabulous things for my niece who is so deserving of some pampering/surprises! She took such wonderful care of my dad when I couldn't be there - I want this trip to be really special!

Maybe the MK view rooms are a better answer for us. (Can you tell I'm a Gemini? Always looking at both sides!)

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney-

Do you happen to know what buildings are slated for re-do's first? And is the main building part of the plan?

I made my ressies today for 2 RPC rooms but a post by Tammi M got me thinking. For that extra $$, we could arrange a Wishes or Illuminations cruise complete with Private Dining goodies. Or some other fun and fabulous things for my niece who is so deserving of some pampering/surprises! She took such wonderful care of my dad when I couldn't be there - I want this trip to be really special!

Maybe the MK view rooms are a better answer for us. (Can you tell I'm a Gemini? Always looking at both sides!)

Minniesota, I read you post about your dad passing away and you trip from last year being cancelled...so sorry. Sounds like a really rough time. That is so nice of you to do this fabulous thing for your niece. I have a really good friend that is a nurse. She is an angel. I am sure your niece is, too. Nurses don't get enough credit. A stay at the GF is called for.

I have only heard rumors about which building will be first. The first rumor I heard was that Sugar Loaf would be the beginning of this rehab and it would be shut down in Sept. Then DisneymomX7 called the GF and they put her on hold and told her a different lodge building (can't remember which) would be closed down in July and it was to be the first. Nobody knows!!! It's a mystery, for sure. For the price difference between RPC and anything else, you sure could do some really special things. We did a Grand 1 Wishes cruise last July and it was such a treat. I am sure you can come up with some creative ideas. RPC is nice, too, though.

Happy planning.....sorry there isn't much clear info on the rehab. Maybe I can find out. I will try. I am curious about the main building, too!! I am sure it will be redone.....not sure of the plan, though. I need to know.

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

We will be spending Christmas at the GF this year and was wondering if you could update me on current or future refurbishments at the GF.

Thanks much

It is all fun conjecture at this point. I was told by a GF CM last September that it was the GF's turn after the Polynesian and CR. During our January trip, two other CMs told me "everything" was going to be refurbished including the public areas. I think the only thing that has been announced so far is 1900 Park Fair.

It will be fun to see. I'm guessing new TVs with a lower armoires. Maybe reconfigured closets? A desk rather than a table. I wonder if there will still be multiple color schemes?

We'll be there before anything starts and I don't know how soon after that we'll be back at the GF so I'll be eagerly following this thread to hear about the changes.

 

[heatherlynn444]

wow this thread has been dead for awhile and now its the happening place to be! I am so jealous of you DISers about to go to the GF!

 

[jaycns]

Thanks for the responses about kid activities. This is our final monorail resort to try out....we did the other two last September. So this year we are trying out the GF and staying at AKL. I am really looking forward to this trip! We are going to surprise the boys with the GF portion of the trip. We will be at AKL (kilamanjaro club) for 9 days and then the boys think we are going home. SURPRISE, SURPRISE...instead of leaving for home we will head over to the GF for another 7 days! Any ideas on how to surprise them? My boys are ages 6, 8 and 10 (or they will be then, one is celebrating a birthday).

We are booked in the Sugarloaf Club and I am excited about that but a bit hesitant. We have had not so great interaction so far with the IPO. Hopefully things will improve once we are on site. In fact, I am sure they will!

 

[Msblowfish]

Lives4Disney: I am thinking about booking the Grand 1 for a wishes curise MY DD will be turning 5 during our October trip. Did you have alot of trouble getting a reservation for the Grand? Initially I was hoping to just do a regular wishes cruise but there will be 11 in my party. I'm trying not to get my hopes up but I really want to book it.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney: I am thinking about booking the Grand 1 for a wishes curise MY DD will be turning 5 during our October trip. Did you have alot of trouble getting a reservation for the Grand? Initially I was hoping to just do a regular wishes cruise but there will be 11 in my party. I'm trying not to get my hopes up but I really want to book it.

Hi, what a special bday treat! I did it for my 40th.

The main problem with booking it is getting ahold of a person at the marina. I know this has been an issue with other people, too. I left messages, concierge left messages several times, and finally the marina CM returned my call BUT I WAS OUT FOR A WALK!!! It was several more days til I reached them again. I don't think people book the Grand 1 overly much. I have had many GF stays where we overlooked the marina and it sat there night after night. Just start trying to book it asap - booking window used to be 90 days....not sure if that's still correct. You can order a beautiful cake etc. thru private dining. It was a really special thing to do. Your daughter will love it.

Have fun!

Lives4Disney

 

[Msblowfish]

Lives4Disney: Thanks for the quick reply. I also thought that the Grand wouldn't be that hard to get. It also sat in the Marina several nights on our last trip. I completely understand the frustration in trying to get ahold of someone at the marina. I called a few weeks ago just to get some information and all I kept get getting was someone's voicemail. Grrrrrrrr. I haven't decided when I want to have the cake. My family and I will be dining at Park Fare then heading out for the cruise. I was thinking it might be better having cake at the restaurant. Did you find it difficult out on the water to eat??? Do you know if you can add the birthday celebration to a Grand ressie??

 

[TammiMcMan]

Ah, the enigma that is the Disney website:

Standard Room - Club Level
Concierge service at the Royal Palm Club and Sugar Loaf includes personalized front desk and guest services, make-up mirror, coffeemaker (upon request), turndown service, and lounge with Continental breakfast, midday snacks, afternoon tea, evening wine and cheese, and evening cordials and dessert. Wine, cordials, and dessert are served at the Royal Palm Club only. All rooms have two queen-size beds or one king-size bed, table and chairs, ceiling fans, vanity area with two sinks, and bath. Most rooms offer day bed and private balcony. Non-smoking and disabled-accessible rooms are available. Amenities include in-room wall safe, voice mail, phone in bath area, robes, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and mini-bar. Coffeemaker, microwave and refrigerator are available upon request. Main Building, Concierge Rooms offer views of a courtyard, garden, pool or the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Okay, so what has it been, close to 18 months since Sugar Loaf added wine, cordials and desserts to it's list of amenities? And why would they even mention Sugar Loaf when there is already a category for Outer Lodge - Standard Room - Club Level . I feel so bad for anyone who has not found the DIS yet and is trying to plan a Disney vacation. Talk about confusing.

 

[minniesota]

Tammi-

Oh. my. They really need a new marketing/PR person in their website area - someone who proofreads!

Another question for anyone - DH would love a king bed for us (he is 6'3"). Do the standard concierge rooms have king beds and would they be connecting to a 2Q room? I guess the king bed is more important than the connecting for us so should I change my request with CRO or just contact IPO?

Also - would you you make the ressies for a Wishes/Illuminations cruise yourself or leave it up to IPO?

And finally, if I were to try to find out about construction details from someone in GF management, who would I address my letter to?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Minniesota, you don't know how many times DH has stated that when we retire, he wants to "fix" Disney's computer flaws.

Some standard concierge rooms have king beds, but I don't think they have very many. I would put the request on the reservation and also let IPO know about it. It's my understanding that the room assignment is a bit different for club level guests. Just decide which one is most important and list that first.

I would let IPO handle a Wishes cruise, because there's alot more availability than Illuminations.

Can't help you with the construction question. Have you asked IPO? I know when AKL was in the early stages, they were very informative and tried to keep their club level guests as up to date as possible. Otherwise, you might just ask them for the GM's name.

 

[johnsonet]

jaycns Your trip plans sound amazing! That pretty much sounds like my dream trip! I know you're all going to have a fabulous time!

As far as surprising them, maybe take a ride on the monorail and get off at the GF and see how they respond. Hopefully one of them will say something like, "Next time can we stay here?" and you'll be able to make their day! Or you could sign them up for the Pirate Cruise, if they haven't already done it and after walking around the resort I'm sure they'll be excited!

I'm sure you'll get lots of good ideas here

Have a great trip!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney: Thanks for the quick reply. I also thought that the Grand wouldn't be that hard to get. It also sat in the Marina several nights on our last trip. I completely understand the frustration in trying to get ahold of someone at the marina. I called a few weeks ago just to get some information and all I kept get getting was someone's voicemail. Grrrrrrrr. I haven't decided when I want to have the cake. My family and I will be dining at Park Fare then heading out for the cruise. I was thinking it might be better having cake at the restaurant. Did you find it difficult out on the water to eat??? Do you know if you can add the birthday celebration to a Grand ressie??

We really had fun having the cake on the yacht. We ordered it thru private dining and also champagne and lemonade for the girls. It was really neat, waiting on the dock watching all the preparations for our "cruise"...private dining came and brought our goodies, set up the table and it just felt special to be fussed over, lol. I am not sure about adding it to your Grand 1 ressie. IPO made my ressie and they knew it was for my 40th, but the yacht isn't decorated like the birthday pontoon boats are.

On our Xmas trip we were celebrating DD7's bday at Park Faire. It was awful. First, it took FOREVER for the waitress to bring out the cake. She brought out the WRONG cake. brought it back. Took an even longer time to get/find OUR cake. (so long that she came and just informed us they are having trouble finding our cake, but it should be out shortly) Brought our cake out. Said she'd be back with a knife and cake plates. Never did it. I used my butter knife and we used our little plates from the buffet. It was a bust and I felt really sorry for DD who was so looking forward to this and she wanted a bit of a deal made out of her bday. I was embarrassed to have to ASK three times if she could bring DD a Happy Birthday tiara & keepsake placemat (I know they do this usually, but our server was awful and not into it) That was our worst ever WDW dining experience. I left the cake on the table because by now DD was actually sleeping across two chairs, lol, and the whole thing was a big let down. The waitress saw us and said she'd bring a box - didn't happen. We finally got up to leave and she comes running out with a box. I told her forget it & I also quietly & even nicely told her that it was our worst service ever and a real letdown. There goes my recommendation for a cake at 1900 PF. I am sure others have had wonderful experiences, but this was ours. It was so awful and such a let down for DD - especially since she was so happy & looking forward to this. I'd say if you're doing the Grand 1, have your fabulous cake on the yacht. We drank champagne & watched Wishes on the deck and then cruised around a bit and on the way back to the GF we went below and had the cake.

SHE's saying, "Finally the RIGHT cake!!"

Here we are having our beautiful Cinderella cake on the Grand 1.....

Here's the sweet cake closeup......

They did this gorgeous plate with a creme broulet as a surprise at Citricos....

Man, I don't know what I am going to do for my 41st bday this year. It will all be a bummer!!! I'll probably be here watching the kids swim, daydreaming about Disney World and the Grand Floridian.

Lives4Disney

 

[jaycns]

We really had fun having the cake on the yacht. Man, I don't know what I am going to do for my 41st bday this year. It will all be a bummer!!! I'll probably be here watching the kids swim, daydreaming about Disney World and the Grand Floridian.
Lives4Disney

WOW! That sounds awesome! I loved the pictures of your cakes (even the one that arrived with less then the best service). We are looking into having a cake personalized for our son's birthday while we are there. We put in the ideas of Pluto, hidden Mickeys and snorkeling. Those are my son's three favorite things! Hopefully they can come up with something wonderful for him! The IPO is talking with the pastry chef for us. Now if they only remember to let me know what they hear...

PS your daughters are so adorable!!

 

[BCV23]

jaycns, the Around & About that I have from our January trip lists Adventure Time as another activity for children. It is a walkup activity offered Mom-Fri at 3:30, weather permitting. Activities change daily. Meet at the Beach pool.

Channing, those cakes look so good! And your girls are dolls.

 

[jaycns]

jaycns Your trip plans sound amazing! That pretty much sounds like my dream trip! I know you're all going to have a fabulous time!

As far as surprising them, maybe take a ride on the monorail and get off at the GF and see how they respond. Hopefully one of them will say something like, "Next time can we stay here?" and you'll be able to make their day! Or you could sign them up for the Pirate Cruise, if they haven't already done it and after walking around the resort I'm sure they'll be excited!

I'm sure you'll get lots of good ideas here

Have a great trip!

We plan on being at DAK for the day on the day we check out of AKL and into GF. We were thinking of telling the boys that the surprise (cause I am sure that the bat ears they have will pick up some sort of hint before we are ready to tell them) is that instead of leaving for home first thing in the morning, that we will spend the day at DAK first...well that honestly is a big treat as we do usually leave first thing in the AM on our departure day. SO...we will be in our vehicle with our luggage all packed up after a day at AKL...We will most likely head over to the GF in the early afternoon.

GREAT idea about the pirate cruise! I like that one and will have to look into it. Does anyone have any others? My only thought is to just pull up and let it dawn on them. HA HA. I know I could figure out something a bit better...but I am plum out of ideas (lucky for me I have until September to think of something). THANKS for any ideas you all might have!!



Do they still do ladybug releases at the GF?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

well I just got off the phone and we are concierge for our july trip
woo hoo