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

[Lives4Disney]

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

Kelly, were you wondering about the size or something else?? On our March 2006 trip I brought a tape measure and posted the measurements....if that's what info you needed. It would be back in posts about late March while we were there or early April 2006. My 16 1/2 yr old son is now getting too tall for them, but he's about 5' 9" or 5' 10" ish. They are shorter & narrower than a twin but he really never had any complaints about them.....he isn't too picky, though.

I am going with that memories by sarah basket. She has been wonderful and I think there will be some great stuff in there for my DD10. Much easier and more fun than having IPO do the shopping.

Channing

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Kelly, were you wondering about the size or something else?? On our March 2006 trip I brought a tape measure and posted the measurements....if that's what info you needed. It would be back in posts about late March while we were there or early April 2006. My 16 1/2 yr old son is now getting too tall for them, but he's about 5' 9" or 5' 10" ish. They are shorter & narrower than a twin but he really never had any complaints about them.....he isn't too picky, though.

I am going with that memories by sarah basket. She has been wonderful and I think there will be some great stuff in there for my DD10. Much easier and more fun than having IPO do the shopping.

Channing

I agree Sarah is awesome.
I did get a FEDEX from Calvin today with some Welcome to the GF cant wait to see you in July for the kids. With little keys, balloons, crayons a coloring book, some pins it was amazing.
I just sent him an email thanking him, Brandon did something similar last year but this was way beyond that.

Here are some pictures:

 

[BrianD]

I knew I could come in here and get the kind of insight I need to make the right decision. So, I feel completely comfortable with the 9 nights at the GF. I'm really excited about this trip, because it will have been 15 months since our last WDW vacation and 2 years since our last GF stay! Oh the suffering!

We're hoping to get MK View, but based on the WDW website, it looks like only GV will be available. Actually, the thing that ticks me off is that all of our days are available in MK View but not with one reservation. If I put in the 15th - 22nd, MK View is available. Then if I put in 22nd - 24th, MK View is available. However, if I put in the 15th - 24th, only GV & LV are available. What gives? Of course if I did the two ressies, then that second one would be considered Holiday Season rate. Yikes! Anyway, I hate it when they do that!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I knew I could come in here and get the kind of insight I need to make the right decision. So, I feel completely comfortable with the 9 nights at the GF. I'm really excited about this trip, because it will have been 15 months since our last WDW vacation and 2 years since our last GF stay! Oh the suffering!

We're hoping to get MK View, but based on the WDW website, it looks like only GV will be available. Actually, the thing that ticks me off is that all of our days are available in MK View but not with one reservation. If I put in the 15th - 22nd, MK View is available. Then if I put in 22nd - 24th, MK View is available. However, if I put in the 15th - 24th, only GV & LV are available. What gives? Of course if I did the two ressies, then that second one would be considered Holiday Season rate. Yikes! Anyway, I hate it when they do that!

I have had those same kind of issues with their website. Did you call and talk to somebody?? I know it's more of a pain, but maybe they can join the dates for you. I found that they play tricks to try and get you to pay what they want you to....certain seasons, etc. I had some issues with booking out Xmas 2006 trip. I called and talked to the NICEST CM I have ever had at CRO and he worked it all out for me. You will love the GF at holiday time.

Kelly, that is SO NICE of Calvin. I have never receieved ANYTHING from the IPO EVER. (can you taste the sour grapes??!!) Hardly even replies to my emails or voice messages, lol. Only lately I made a couple ressies for GF concierge that I wound up cancelling *(so sad)* but only got a dumb generic questionnaire in my email. Maybe they knew I wasn't too serious about keeping my ressies.....haha.

Happy planning!

Channing

 

[Tinkaroo]

I agree Sarah is awesome.
I did get a FEDEX from Calvin today with some Welcome to the GF cant wait to see you in July for the kids. With little keys, balloons, crayons a coloring book, some pins it was amazing.
I just sent him an email thanking him, Brandon did something similar last year but this was way beyond that.

What a great package!

Do you think they'll send anything to us big kids? Hey - I'm the one footing the bill!

 

[Lives4Disney]

That's really nice, Kelly!

Our favorite GF CM sent us keys like those to the Walt Disney Suite before we stayed there. My DD10 KNEW what room number the key held. We passed that suite so many times down the hallway, lol, and gawked at it. Those keys are really special. A part of the Grand to have and hold, haha. Those pics you posted make me long for that place. sigh.....I just got a GREAT SWA Ding fare for end of June and I am so tempted to go for it for a June/early July stay....and now you go and post these sweet pics. Well, happy planning!!! You are off to a great start. I need to rein in my Disney habit a bit and this thread is not good for me!!!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

I knew I could come in here and get the kind of insight I need to make the right decision. So, I feel completely comfortable with the 9 nights at the GF. I'm really excited about this trip, because it will have been 15 months since our last WDW vacation and 2 years since our last GF stay! Oh the suffering!

We're hoping to get MK View, but based on the WDW website, it looks like only GV will be available. Actually, the thing that ticks me off is that all of our days are available in MK View but not with one reservation. If I put in the 15th - 22nd, MK View is available. Then if I put in 22nd - 24th, MK View is available. However, if I put in the 15th - 24th, only GV & LV are available. What gives? Of course if I did the two ressies, then that second one would be considered Holiday Season rate. Yikes! Anyway, I hate it when they do that!

BrianD - just keep trying, just keep trying...(to the tune of Dory in Finding Nemo)! Availability changes so often!

Or, I've found that the WDW booking systems are somehow calibrated to allow so many "x amount of night stays per check-in day". For instance, just this past March, DH and I were taking a long weekend trip, staying at the AKL, and really wanted Savannah View with an AP rate. Try and try as I might, I could NOT get our dates to come up with that view. But, by playing around with my dates, I found that if my initial reservation was just for 1 night more, we could have that Savannah View. So, I just booked with CRO for one night longer than I needed, and called back to remove the extra night the next day. I think this is the 3rd time I've done this!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I have had those same kind of issues with their website. Did you call and talk to somebody?? I know it's more of a pain, but maybe they can join the dates for you. I found that they play tricks to try and get you to pay what they want you to....certain seasons, etc. I had some issues with booking out Xmas 2006 trip. I called and talked to the NICEST CM I have ever had at CRO and he worked it all out for me. You will love the GF at holiday time.

Kelly, that is SO NICE of Calvin. I have never receieved ANYTHING from the IPO EVER. (can you taste the sour grapes??!!) Hardly even replies to my emails or voice messages, lol. Only lately I made a couple ressies for GF concierge that I wound up cancelling *(so sad)* but only got a dumb generic questionnaire in my email. Maybe they knew I wasn't too serious about keeping my ressies.....haha.
Happy planning!

Channing

I know I was blown away and didnt expect it at all. I have not gotten a questionaire from them though and I did do all my own ADRS. Calvin has really impressed me and I am really looking forward to my stay.

What a great package!

Do you think they'll send anything to us big kids? Hey - I'm the one footing the bill!

I know what did i get..nothing I did swipe the green GF pens. The kids dont need that.

That's really nice, Kelly!

Our favorite GF CM sent us keys like those to the Walt Disney Suite before we stayed there. My DD10 KNEW what room number the key held. We passed that suite so many times down the hallway, lol, and gawked at it. Those keys are really special. A part of the Grand to have and hold, haha. Those pics you posted make me long for that place. sigh.....I just got a GREAT SWA Ding fare for end of June and I am so tempted to go for it for a June/early July stay....and now you go and post these sweet pics. Well, happy planning!!! You are off to a great start. I need to rein in my Disney habit a bit and this thread is not good for me!!!!!

Lives4Disney

This really shows were CMs make a difference and a great ones makes things magical. I just sent an email an Calvin to guest services.

 

[Lewanc]

Hi Brian - As A Disney Lover, Been To Wdw And Stayed On Property Every Year Since Opening In 1971 And As A Former Disney Employee
Going To Share Some Of My Experiences In Booking.

There Are Many Things That Factor Into What Rate, What View,
Or Discount You May Receive At Any Given Time. Bookings Change From Hour To Hour, Guests Cancel, Guests Decide To Stay Longer Or Decide To Shorten Their Trips. Also Calling After Check-out Time May Give You More Choices.

From Your Post, I Assume You Were Initially Using The On-line Site To Book Your Stay. Always Call Cr. The On-line Site Is Not Updated As Quickly As Central Reservations. Central Reservations Is The Heart Of Booking For All Disney Hotels, They Have The Most Updated Information On Availability. I Have Foundthe On-line Site To Be A Good Base For Getting General Information Regarding Prices, Room Types, Seasons, Etc.

To Get What You Want When You Want, The Best Choice Is To
Speak With A Cast Member, As They Have The Most Up To Date
Information, And Will Try To Accommodate Your Requested Date/view Preferences. If You Don't Get What You Want From The
First Cast Member You Speak With, Call Back And Talk With Another. More Than Likely, The Second Contact Will Be The Charm.

We Are Local To Wdw And Decided To Go Down For A Weekend At The Last Minute. Wanted Accommodations At The Ak But None Were To Be Had At Any Cost, So We Booked The Villas At Wilderness Lodge (this Was Early Friday Morning). On The Highway - (we Are About 30 Minutes From The Mouse), I Called To Question Availability At The Ak. Once Again I Was Told There Were No Reservations Available. We Arrived At The Wildeerness Lodge. Before Checking In, I Again Called Central Reservations To Check Availability At The Ak. Within A 20 Minute Time Frame, They Now Had An Accommodation At The Ak. The Only Accommodation Available Was A 1 Bdrm Suite. We Agreed And Cr Transferred Our Reservation To The Ak. When We Reached The Front Desk At The Ak, We Were Advised A Problem Occurred, The Current Guest In The Suite We Had Reserved, Had Requested A Late Check-out, And Had Now Decided To Stay Another Day. Instead Of Trying To Arrange Another Room Type For Us, They Gave Us A 2 Bdrm Suite At The Same Cost. I Could Go On, And On About Little Hiccups That Have Occured During The 30+ Years I Have Been Dealing With Disney And Every One Has Come To A Satisfied Resolution.

We Have Stayed At Every Hotel On Property (except The Value Resorts), And All Current Dvc Villas. By The Way The Vacation Club Is Also A Good Deal Even For Those Of Us Here In Florida -a Good Close To Home Weekend Retreat. I Have Been Told You Can Buy A Club Member's Points. I Haven't Gone Through This Process, As We Are Members, And Have Always Used All Of Our Yearly Points, But It Is An Option You Could Explore.

Always Talk With A Cast Member. Always Ask For Discounts, They
Are Available, If You Don't Ask You May Not Get The Best Deal.

Hope This Has Helped You - Have A Good Stay At The Gf.

 

[BrianD]

Lewanc, thank you for all of that information. It's great hear this from an insider!

Well, in this case what was online actually did match what was available through CRO. So, I got the first 7 nights, MK View. At least we're on the books! (Only rack rate was available, but at least I've got a ressie!)

Like I said before, I could go ahead and grab the last 2 nights at the Holiday rate online, but I think I'd rather hold out and try to add on to my existing reservation later, if something comes available. I mean $1600 for two nights (& not concierge) is a lot of money!

Thanks for the advice everyone and we're on our way! Time to start planning!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lewanc, thank you for all of that information. It's great hear this from an insider!

Well, in this case what was online actually did match what was available through CRO. So, I got the first 7 nights, MK View. At least we're on the books! (Only rack rate was available, but at least I've got a ressie!)

Like I said before, I could go ahead and grab the last 2 nights at the Holiday rate online, but I think I'd rather hold out and try to add on to my existing reservation later, if something comes available. I mean $1600 for two nights (& not concierge) is a lot of money!

Thanks for the advice everyone and we're on our way! Time to start planning!

YAY! I hope something opens up for you. Did you book the last two nights anywhere at all just in case you get shut out??

Happy planning! I woke up this morning and realized I leave in one week!!! Time for me to get serious about packing. BUT I alway find myself here on the DIS instead.

Lives4Disney

 

[Jen66]

Our first stay at the GF is only 2 months away now! I am so excited!! I have a MK view booked for July 16-20 for the 4 of us (DH, DD(12), DS (10), and me) and I have a question about room requests.
I would like a newly refurbished room if possible. Does anyone know which buildings will be finished by mid July? I think I read on this thread that Sago Cay and Conch Key would be first done. If these both will be done, which is the better MK view? Proximity to pools, transportation is not as big of a deal because we all like to walk! (well, at least at WDW we expect and accept it as a fact )
Also, I have the character breakfast booked for our last day, but is there anything else special my kids should not miss? My DS being 12 is too old for most of the activities.
Thanks!!!

 

[CastleLight]

Kelly, that is SO NICE of Calvin. I have never receieved ANYTHING from the IPO EVER. (can you taste the sour grapes??!!) Hardly even replies to my emails or voice messages, lol.
Channing

Wow! That is a nice surprise. Good for you! We are going on our honeymoon to the GF in a few weeks and we didn't receive anything personal like that - just responses to my e-mails. Oh well. I'll keep my fingers crossed for magical moments once we are on-site.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Wow! That is a nice surprise. Good for you! We are going on our honeymoon to the GF in a few weeks and we didn't receive anything personal like that - just responses to my e-mails. Oh well. I'll keep my fingers crossed for magical moments once we are on-site.

Happy Honeymooning and congratulations!! The onsight staff is WONDERFUL. They have made all of our RPC stays over the top fabulous each and every time. I hope they work some Disney magic for you, too. I have had second thoughts almost every time about another expensive RPC stay (maybe it will be a let down compared to a previous trip and we'll have big regrets), and the slacky IPO "helping" me really added to my doubts....but once we checked in and felt so welcomed and "at home" things all fell into place and we have loved every RPC stay. I cannot say enough positive things about the onsight concierge staff.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lewanc]

Hi There - Saw your post, I too am new to this site - trying to earn my
ears, but I am a WDW seasoned visitor (1971-2007) and ex-employee.

Which character breakfast did you book?? I hope it was Chef Mickey's as it is the best on property. Grand Floridian where you are staying has one, but I have found Chef Mickey's to be the best, as the possibility of seeing Mickey and Minnie is better. All characters are not available at all character breakfast sites at any given time, but Chef Mickey's seems to have a better selection at all times, plus, Chef Mickey's offers a wider variety of food selections.

You may have problems requesting for and receiving a refurbished room, as rooms are filled as guests check-in, but it doesn't hurt to ask at such time.
During my various stays at the GF, I have found pool access reasonable
from any building location, and since you like to walk, you definitely would
not find the short trek from any building uncomfortable.

Now, for the 12 year old. That is an age of question (smile). As far as the parks are concerned, (if you have a true amusement park kind of kid), each
park offers thrill rides to get the adrenalaine going. Boat rental, horseback riding, or the water parks may be the answer. Also, downtown Disney has
Disney Quest, which holds 5 floors of inter-active fun, most kids can stay in this place all day, you can also take a break and come back just like the theme parks. You can chart a roller coaster ride, and then actually experience the ride. The water parks can provide an all day experience, via rides and water fun.

I like to feel that folks get the best out of their dollars when attending the
parks, so if you don't know the following here are a few theme park must
sees, or to do's.

Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad, Splash Mountain, and
the Haunted Masion & Pirates of the Caribbean. Get there early as possible, get on the railroad near the entry gate, and get off at Frontier Land - get a fast pass for either Thunder Railroad or Splash Mountain, or Pirates all of which are right there when you get off the train. Sometimes, all rides don't open at the same time you may want to check this out to determine your plan of action. After these three, follow the path to the Haunted Mansion. There are other attractions along the way, but come back to them, get the major attractions in first. Don't forget the parades in the afternoon and night, and the awesome fireworks display. If you can't make both parades, see the one at night, as the fireworks follow. Believe it or not, even with the
lines, if you have a plan for visiting the parks, you will be able to do all the
major rides sometimes by 12-1 if the park opens at 8 a.m. By the way, you will be receiving an early entry, and extended stay day by staying at the GF
ask, all this should be in your guest package.

MGM - It's a little harder to explain how to quickly get to the major rides at MGM so I won't try, but the best attractions are Twilight Tower of Terror,
Rock n' Roller Coaster, Star Tours, Indiana Jones (stage show), and the Great Movie Ride.

Animal Kingdom - Again, harder to explain here how to get around, but the best attractions are Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris. (Get to these
first - early morning). The other good ones are, Tarzan Rocks, (show), Festival of the Lion King (show - don't miss this one), Kali River Rapids, and
Dinosaur.

EPCOT - You walk alot here, more than the other parks. Body Wars, Test Track, Spaceship Earth (It may be under construction) & Soring. Food at
restaurants here are great - better secure preferred seating to be sure you
get in.

I know I have been quite chatty, and you may not even need or use this
information, but I love talking about WDW and all the great entertainment
and family fun it provides. If I can help you in any other way, just
e-mail me - Lewanc@AOL.com

HAVE A GREAT & SAFE TRIP.

 

[CastleLight]

Happy Honeymooning and congratulations!! The onsight staff is WONDERFUL. ... I cannot say enough positive things about the onsight concierge staff.

Lives4Disney

Thanks so much for the positive words!! I'm sure you are right; how could the GF not be wonderful?!

 

[terryfromhawaii]

To make your BBB reservations at the 180 day mark? Or would you handle that reservation yourself? Would like opinions. Our 180 day mark is approaching on May 22 for Nov. 17. TIA!

 

[Lives4Disney]

To make your BBB reservations at the 180 day mark? Or would you handle that reservation yourself? Would like opinions. Our 180 day mark is approaching on May 22 for Nov. 17. TIA!

I always make my own ADRs and my own BBB ressies. I only use IPO for special things like Wishes/Illuminations Cruises or in room gifts and goodies and other special requests. I feel like there is no reason to give up my control to someone that doesn't have the same interest in making my trip wonderful as I do. I have never had difficulty making and getting the ADRs I want (16 years and 40 something trips - some for over two weeks) and I am so surprised at the folks on the restaurant board that do. My girls have done BBB many many times (and love it) and I haven't ever had trouble getting ressies for that, either - I don't make them 180 days out even! Good luck whatever you decide. Hope you get what you want.

OK, so my opinion is....do it yourself. Don't mean that to sound snarky, lol.

Lives4Disney

 

[soxnation]

Lives4Disney only 4 days until you hit the world can not wait to hear all about it!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lives4Disney only 4 days until you hit the world can not wait to hear all about it!!

Aw! THANKS!!! I have to make it thru 4 tough days of reality, lol. The last few are always the worst it seems. We are staying at the Swan this time for a conference DH is attending - so it's free & can't beat that. Just my older daughter is going with. My son can't miss a week of HS and DD7 WANTS to stay home and be spoiled by Grandma. It will be a different trip for sure but some nice bonding time with DD10. We've never been to the doll and teddybear fest or characters in bloom weekend. Some new stuff.

Take care!!

Channing aka Lives4Disney