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

[Alicnwondrln]

I have to agree with castle
If there is really something you want call you make the ADR
then let the IPO know what you booked and when and the # and they will add it to your itinerary

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Can anyone tell me what the renovations being done will be? I just curious as to what they will be doing in the rooms. I know that there is a ton on construction going on over at the CR, and that is what prompted us to change our ressie to the GF and now that I've done this, I feel much better about it, but I am curious about the changes.

Thanks!!

 

[Jen66]

Ok, this thread is awesome, but a tad confusing for this first-time GF person!!
I have a couple of questions for you pros (and probably many more to come )
We have a Magic Kingdom View GF room booked for July 16-20. Where will this be? Should I request a certain building? What is the IPO you guys talk about emailing? (See, I am already way over my couple of question limit!!) We do not have concierge. , just regular MK view.
I am so excited for this trip! It will be me, DH, DD (12), and DS(10). We have all of our ADRs, though I may change because I made them when I had originally booked AKL. We decided against AKL because of the construction.

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Can anyone tell me what the renovations being done will be? I just curious as to what they will be doing in the rooms. I know that there is a ton on construction going on over at the CR, and that is what prompted us to change our ressie to the GF and now that I've done this, I feel much better about it, but I am curious about the changes.

Thanks!!

Hi, they are starting very soon on room rehabs. The outer lodges will be first and then the main building will be done floor by floor. Nobody knows for sure which building will be first, but reports are it will be Sago. We all wish we knew what the new decor will be!! It is supposed to be completed by the holidays. The 1900 PF restaurant will also be closing over the summer for refurb. The GF should be sparkling new by your Xmas trip. We spent last Xmas there and it was WONDERFUL. We loved the GF, but the parks.....ugh. Hope your stay is great.

Jen66 IPO is "Itinerary Planning Office" for concierge guests. MK views could be in Boca Chica, Sago or Conch Key. Not sure which would be best - I have only stayed concierge at this point. If I had to choose, it would be Boca Chica. I think due to that building's location it would have the widest, clearest view of the whole lagoon and resorts and MK. I have stayed in all the deluxes except WL and AKL because I honestly do not care for either when in FL. GF has had the most consistent, good service for us and that keeps us coming back. You made a great choice with the GF - you will love it!

Lives4Disney

 

[kcminnie]

I am thinking of booking the 1 bedroom suite in Sugar Loaf. Does anyone have any info on it? The info on Disney's site says mini bar included. Is this the regualar mini bar that is included in all the GF rooms? Is there anything served in the evenings? Also does anyone know where in the building these suites are located?

Kathy

 

[litlpixie]

Hi guys, I finally heard from Calvin this morning. He listed all my ADR's that I had already made a couple of months ago. He is working on getting a dinner reserv. at CG, just had to send him my credit card #. I did mention in my 1st email that its our honeymoon and we can't wait to get back to the Grand, but I did not request anything but a pool view. I don't want to seem so greedy

Thank you for telling me to get in touch with them instead of waiting around

 

[Tinks]

Just chiming in with an observation. I really can't believe the rooms will be refurbished by the Holidays (Christmas). The Polynesian rehab took an entire year! I hope no one is pinning their hopes on a completed Christmas rehab.

I'm sure it will be wonderful, and I can't wait to see what the decor will be. This is just my opinion. Anyone else think the changes will take longer than we're hearing?

 

[CastleLight]

Hi guys, I finally heard from Calvin this morning. He listed all my ADR's that I had already made a couple of months ago. He is working on getting a dinner reserv. at CG, just had to send him my credit card #. I did mention in my 1st email that its our honeymoon and we can't wait to get back to the Grand, but I did not request anything but a pool view. I don't want to seem so greedy

Thank you for telling me to get in touch with them instead of waiting around

Glad to hear you made contact. Good luck with everything! If you don't get the CG reservation, think about Narcoosees (if you haven't already). You can see Wishes from there and its a fabulous restaurant.

 

[BCV23]

Tinks, I've wondered about that too. But perhaps the rehab isn't as extensive as the Polynesian and CR. If it's just a matter of bedspreads and drapes for instance, it could be a very quick fix. Even if it is more extensive, lessons may have been learned from the other two rehabs.

But my guess is the timeline is wrong and the rehab will be more extensive in scope and time.

I was also told by GF CMs that all the public areas would undergo rehab. If so, after 1900 is finished, perhaps GFCafe is next or... The gals in Ivy Trellis told me their salon was measured for refurbishment.

litlpixie, I'm glad everyting is going well with your plans.

Someone said the IPO would make a list of reservations if you provide the reservation numbers. IPO can do it all on their own with your name, phone number, reservation number, etc.. That is all I ask of IPO before most trips. It is nice to be able to make sure everything is in place. For this trip, Calvin discovered that our name was misspelled on the second half of our reservations. It's ironic too as I like to make them all at once.

Oh, and Channing, that reminds me of a nice touch at GCH. At checkin I received our itinerary on nice stock paper. We were not in concierge. Did DLH do that as well?

 

[BCV23]

Oh, kcminnie, I don't know about the suites in SL but there are appetizers from 5-7 and desserts from 8-10 as I recall. Soft drinks, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are served. Wine and beer during the early evening and various liquers are out for dessert.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Oh, and Channing, that reminds me of a nice touch at GCH. At checkin I received our itinerary on nice stock paper. We were not in concierge. Did DLH do that as well?

Hmm.....no they didn't. That is a nice thing, though. I our plans all written up and that's what we used. I don't remember them giving me anything like that - they gave us hotel info. Hey, but Goofy came up behind us and surprised us and "goofed" with us while we were checking in! THAT was a hit for my girls. Cute Disney touch!

Have a safe trip and a wonderful Mother's Day! Can't wait to hear about the GF when you return (and BCVillas, too!) Hope you can scope out some more info for us on those GF rehabs.

Channing

 

[latinqt]

any possibility of updating this site? do you know the refurbishing schedule for the GF?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

any possibility of updating this site? do you know the refurbishing schedule for the GF?

if you go back several pages you will see several posts by tinakroo and others onthis topic

 

[latinqt]

ok sorry,

 

[BCV23]

Hey, but Goofy came up behind us and surprised us and "goofed" with us while we were checking in! THAT was a hit for my girls. Cute Disney touch!

Channing

What a fun way to start your DL vacation!

You have a great trip, too.

And happy Mother's Day to you and all the mothers on this thread.

 

[BCV23]

any possibility of updating this site? do you know the refurbishing schedule for the GF?

latinqt, a good place to watch for any official announcements is on the DIS home page or at AllEars. Otherwise, all we really have on this thread is what we've been told by GF CMs.

But it's fun to chat about it anyway.

SparkleDust1, I hope I didn't scare you away. Come and chat! Everyone has there own opinions about the decor. We've only had rooms with Cameo or Alice. Even though the pictures of Cameo look too busy to me, in person enjoy the decor. Alice is just a bit too blue for me though and I love blues.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I am looking for pics of the daybeds in the sugar loaf building
anyone have any
I am gonna check out janets pics

 

[BrianD]

OK gang. I know I've come to the right group for an objective opinion. It looks like we have 9 or 10 days to work with on our WDW vacation that ends on Christmas eve. We know the main event for us resort-wise is the GF. So, would 9 nights (probably garden view) be too much at the GF? I can't believe I'm even asking this, but I feel like I should. The longest we've stayed there before is 7 nights, and we loved it of course. I guess I'm thinking, oh maybe we could stay at WL for 2 to 3 nights and then switch over, but we're going to do that on our last trip and ended up doing the whole thing at the GF anyway.

So, am I crazy? Nine nights of Christmas music in the lobby, Gingerbread shingles, horrible roasted chestnuts, lit up dear in the landscaping of poinsettias? Is this too much of a Grand thing???

I need direction here!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

OK gang. I know I've come to the right group for an objective opinion. It looks like we have 9 or 10 days to work with on our WDW vacation that ends on Christmas eve. We know the main event for us resort-wise is the GF. So, would 9 nights (probably garden view) be too much at the GF? I can't believe I'm even asking this, but I feel like I should. The longest we've stayed there before is 7 nights, and we loved it of course. I guess I'm thinking, oh maybe we could stay at WL for 2 to 3 nights and then switch over, but we're going to do that on our last trip and ended up doing the whole thing at the GF anyway.

So, am I crazy? Nine nights of Christmas music in the lobby, Gingerbread shingles, horrible roasted chestnuts, lit up dear in the landscaping of poinsettias? Is this too much of a Grand thing???

I need direction here!

go for it

it gives us mor to relax and take it all in
not feel rushed
we are going 9 nights this July at the GF, last August we did 10 nights at the WL concierge. We really the longer stays as it gives us more time to chill and the thees plenty to the keep the kids busy. The GF is amazing at Xmas I was there in NOV and everything was up and it was great. THe WL is also great at XMas. If you book that many days before xmas eve you can maybe get value season and or maybe a AAA discount to keep the cost down.
God Luck the GF is awesome!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Brian, I agree with Kelly. See, you did come to the right place for an objective opinion, lol. We were there for 9 nts last Xmas and it was great. Over the summer we did a YC/GF 4/5 nt split and I really don't like those split stays anymore. I prefer the nice long relaxing stay where we feel "at home" and can unpack and feel settled. Before that summer stay, we were supposed to do a spring break GF/Poly 6/3 nt split, but LOVED the GF so much more than any previous Poly stays we've had, we asked if we could just extend our GF stay and they let us. We found 9 nts to be WONDERFUL! We are scheduled for 9 nts GV over Thanksgiving and I am so looking forward to those shingles and all that holiday GF jazz. I would love an even longer stay, but kids are too old and into their activities and school. Heck, I'd like to just live there!

Happy planning!!! I think with the crowds, maybe visit WL, but the monorail is the best transporation option. Those WL bus/boat lines get REALLY long.

Lives4Disney