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

[Janet2k]

I just shared video footage of the BoardWalk Inn’s Steeplechase Suite in the BoardWalk Inn FAQ thread (click here). So believe me when I tell you that I feel rather silly coming over here to the GF FAQ thread in order to air some dirty laundry. (*sheepishly hanging my head in shame*)

The last time I posted (click here) in the GF FAQ thread, I shared photos of the Main Building’s laundry room. Since that time, I’ve added two more photos to my photo album.

As most folks know, there is a bank of elevators in the lobby of the Main Building. These elevators may be used by the general public in order to gain access to the resort’s 2nd-floor shops, restaurants, and monorail station. However, in order to gain access to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors, a resort key with Royal Palm Club access must be used in the elevator. This is the way that most of the Main Building’s concierge guests gain access to their resort rooms.

There is also a private elevator located near Gasparilla Grill. In order to operate this elevator, a resort key with Royal Palm Club access must be used. I used this elevator when I was doing laundry on the 2nd floor during my last stay at the resort. Here are links to two photos that show this elevator area:

Concierge Elevator
Elevator Lobby’s Sitting Area

Yes, that second photo is completely posed. I tell ya, my daughter (the Ham) is definitely not photo-shy (thankfully, since my vacation photos would be rather boring without at least one family member in them).

I have a few more “dirty laundry” photos to share. I’ll do that in my next post.

(PS I’ll try to catch up on this thread over the holiday weekend.)

 

[Janet2k]

There is also a private elevator located near Gasparilla Grill. In order to operate this elevator, a resort key with Royal Palm Club access must be used. Here are links to two photos that show this elevator area:

Concierge Elevator
Elevator Lobby’s Sitting Area

By the way, that elevator is the one that most folks use in order to gain access to the resort's 2nd-floor "honeymoon" rooms.

 

[BCV23]

By the way, that elevator is the one that most folks use in order to gain access to the resort's 2nd-floor "honeymoon" rooms.

It's also the one I would use if I were swimming as well as going to Gasparilla's, Narcoossee's, the marina or dock for the MK/Polynesian launch.

Looking forward to more dirty laundry pictures, Janet.

That sounds very convenient, Tammi.

 

[Janet2k]

It's also the one I would use if I were swimming as well as going to Gasparilla's, Narcoossee's, the marina or dock for the MK/Polynesian launch.

Oh, BCV23, excellent points. Thank you for pointing that out.

Looking forward to more dirty laundry pictures, Janet.

Your wish is my command (see my next post).

 

[Janet2k]

I thought I’d start this post by setting the proper mood. Click here for a music video.

During my last Grand Floridian vacation, a friend of mine decided to extend her vacation by one day. Since this was a spur-of-the-moment decision, she obviously hadn’t planned for it in advance. This meant that she was going to run out of clean clothing before her vacation had come to an end, most noticeably, clean lingerie. Yikes!

Since my friend was not one to let a little *dirty laundry* come between her and an extra day of fun, she took it upon herself to send a few things out for dry cleaning. When she did this, she explained to the Grand Floridian’s Front Desk that the clothing was being sent out from one room (hers) but needed to be returned to another room (mine). The Front Desk informed her that they would have to charge my room for her dry cleaning since her clothing would be returned after she had checked out. She told them this was fine. She’d either pay for the dry cleaning bill in cash at the Front Desk (thus having the charge removed from my room bill) or she’d pay me the cash (in order to cover the charge).

When her dry cleaning was returned, I asked her if I could take a few photos of the box so that I could add it to my Walt Disney World Obscure Photo Collection. Since my friend knows me pretty well (and knows all too well about my crazy photo collection), she gave the go-ahead. The following photos have been added to my "GF – Laundry in Main Building" photo album:

Dry Cleaning Box
A Plug For The Dry Cleaning Industry
Protective Tissue Paper

(Note: I really like that second photo. I’ve found that just about anything that someone else has cleaned for me tends to look better.)

For those of you who were looking for photos of the items that were cleaned (no doubt, under the guise of ”What kind of cleaning job did they really do?”), well, in order to protect the innocent, I won’t be sharing photos of the *actual* lingerie that was cleaned. I’ll leave that up to the woman whose *dirty laundry* that was.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Janet do you have any pics of the day beds that look like little couches ?
I know they are in the concierge rooms but cant seem to find any pics

 

[chasgoose]

How hard is it to book a standard room in the RPC? Do those rooms go very fast? Or are they no different from a typical deluxe resort room in terms of availability?

 

[TammiMcMan]

How hard is it to book a standard room in the RPC? Do those rooms go very fast?

The RPC level has some suites, some deluxe rooms, but mostly standard concierge rooms. In terms of inventory, they should be more readily available than the other rooms in RPC. That being said though, there are some times of the year when they're pretty difficult to book. I remember last year, a few DIS'ers were reporting that the level was nearly sold out from Thanksgiving right through the holidays.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Janet do you have any pics of the day beds that look like little couches ?

Kelly, the picture link I posted in this thread yesterday, http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18797439&postcount=4532 shows the daybed. It's the one with the teacup pillows.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thanks tammi i say that
i was looking for the pics of the day beds that look like little couches
thats what i had last year when i was at sugar loaf til they moved me to a dormer room

 

[SLDL]

Hello! I am new to the GF but not new to Disney. We have always stayed at the values or once at POR, so this is going to be a new experience! We are going on to be at GF in early Dec. & I wanted to know what extra things will be going on there for Christmas? I am sure there are some great decorations and I would like to see pictures if anyone has some.
This is a great thread! I haven't read all of it so if this question has already been answered, please direct me to the correct page. Also, are there any things that I must do or see while staying at the resort? We are only going to MK & Epcot while at Disney so we will have more time to enjoy the GF. Thanks!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Well, we're at the GF! SugarLoaf is awesome, awesome, awesome. The CM's are so friendly, helpful, and NICE! We definitely got PD and we did get the Lodge Tower Room (6220). We have a huge balcony and the extra sitting room. It looks over the pool, and you can glimpse the castle if you look to your left. It does have the sleeper sofa (DH is using it now!). The rooms are clean, lovely, and wonderful. The food has been good too. The kids are living off the cupcakes and hot chocolate!

The tree and gingerbread house are amazing. They were playing Christmas music in the lobby tonight and it was so lovely. I'm hooked on the GF!

Here's a link to some pictures from today.

http://photobucket.com/albums/b175/DenisePersonal/Disney%2011-29/?sc=1&multi=6

anyknow seen triplefigs around
I wanted look at her pics but its private now
TF if you see this please PM me

 

[BCV23]

Janet do you have any pics of the day beds that look like little couches ?
I know they are in the concierge rooms but cant seem to find any pics

Kelly, all the daybeds we've had at the GF look like the one in Janet's picture that Tammi linked for you. Rooms in Conch Key, RPC and SL all had the same daybed.

As I said we have had a loveseat but no daybed in the accessible room that we've had 3 times in Sugar Loaf. It is not a sleeper however. Really, there is not enough room to open a sleeper in a regular room I would think.

The lodge tower rooms do have more space of course. Is that what you're hoping to get?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I found what i was looking for
when i stayed sugar loaf last year
the day bed didnt look like the ones in the pics on here or like a the BC they looked like couches
you see them in the suites

 

[Lewanc]

Hello! I am new to the GF but not new to Disney. We have always stayed at the values or once at POR, so this is going to be a new experience! We are going on to be at GF in early Dec. & I wanted to know what extra things will be going on there for Christmas? I am sure there are some great decorations and I would like to see pictures if anyone has some.
This is a great thread! I haven't read all of it so if this question has already been answered, please direct me to the correct page. Also, are there any things that I must do or see while staying at the resort? We are only going to MK & Epcot while at Disney so we will have more time to enjoy the GF. Thanks!

Hi There - Just wanted to commend you on your choice of the Grand Floridian for a change, you will not be disappointed. Your choice to visit at Christmas is an extra plus, as both resorts and parks are decorated so beautifully at the holiday time of year. I 'm local Disney, and always visit during the holiday season. The magic of the holidays, and the magic of Disney come together for an extra special Disney stay.

One of the Xmas events not to miss is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. The kid in me just loves it. There is an extra cost for this one, (10+ - $40.95, 3-9 - $33.95). It is only held on select days (November 12 - December 21), and tickets should be purchased well in advance, on-line or at (407) 934-7639. I'd suggest you call as a Cast Member can give you all of the details.

One of the plus features of staying at the GF is viewing the nightly Wishes Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant at the hotel. But if you want to see the nightly parade, guess you have to be in the park. GF offers upscale dining at Victoria & Albert's and Citricos. GF probably has around 10 or 11 dining choices, from pick up a snack to different types of sit down dining, all of which in my opinion are great. If kids are a part of your party, there is a character breakfast at 1900 Park Fare in the GF. There are several character dining opportunities on property one of which is the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom which I prefer to 1900 Park Fare at the GF. The Crystal Palace is actually in the Magic Kingdom, so if you decide on this one, go on the day you will be visiting the MK, as you need park admission to dine there. As you have visited before, I'm sure you are familiar with getting advanced dining reservations as early as possible to assure you get what you want.

There are so many things to do and see, everyone on this forum has their favorites. Disboards is an excellent tool to help you decide which is for you via the experiences of others who have visited the resorts and parks.

Have a great vacation!

 

[Jen66]

I just realized our trip is only 7 weeks away!! I am so excited. And, I got my SW flights even cheaper yesterday, so I now have a nice credit for DH and I to go someplace romantic later this year or in the winter.

I have a couple simple transportation questions about the GF and times to the parks. The main one is what is the time difference between monorail to MK and the boat? Obviously the kids (ok, and I ) will want to do both probably multiple times, bit is it best to take the monorail over and boat back or vice versa? Also, we spend quite a bit of time in Epcot because of WS, so which is best and fastest way there, bus or monorail? One last question, we are taking DME at about 10am on Sunday, July 15; how long will it take us to get to our resort? Does it go to a lot of others before GF?

Oh my, I had no idea I had that many questions Thanks so much!!!

 

[Maxie86]

We usually take the monorail to the MK and the boat back. The boat runs MK, GF, Poly, MK. I never timed it, but it is a short trip with either option. Coming back from the MK to the GF the boat is almost always faster. The GF is the fourth stop on the monorail, and could take 15 or 20 minutes. We always take the monorail to Epcot. I don't know if it is faster, but it sure is a much nicer ride. Can't answer your DME question, we've never used it.

 

[TammiMcMan]

We also take the monorail to the MK and the boat back. In terms of time, it's much faster getting to the MK via the monorail. Coming back, the resort boat is probably a few minutes longer than taking the monorail, but it's a beautiful, relaxing ride.

We're sort of different in how we go to Epcot. We like to take the monorail to the MK and walk towards the resort bus stop. From there, we hop on the bus for the BC/YC and get off at the BC. You walk through the lobby and out the back door, turn left and you're about a 3 minute walk to the International Gateway entrance. Timing wise, it's actually a bit quicker than the monorails and that back entrance to Epcot is so much easier to get through.

 

[mlill]

Hello! I am new to the GF but not new to Disney. We have always stayed at the values or once at POR, so this is going to be a new experience! We are going on to be at GF in early Dec. & I wanted to know what extra things will be going on there for Christmas? I am sure there are some great decorations and I would like to see pictures if anyone has some.
This is a great thread! I haven't read all of it so if this question has already been answered, please direct me to the correct page. Also, are there any things that I must do or see while staying at the resort? We are only going to MK & Epcot while at Disney so we will have more time to enjoy the GF. Thanks!

Hi! You're going to have a wonderful time at the GF in December! We just went to WDW for 2 weeks last Christmas, and we stayed a few nights at GF before moving to our Boardwalk villa. You can see some GF pictures in my Trip Report link in my signature.

Have a great weekend!
-Michelle

 

[BCV23]

Yes, monorail to MK and boat back is our favorite way too. I think the boat is usually faster although there are times when only one or two are running and you may have to wait a bit for a boat. That doesn't seem to be happening lately though. Every time I've noticed three have been running so the wait is never long.

For many years, it was our routine on at least one day to take that boat to Narcoosee's for lunch. What great memories. Leave the hubbub of the MK behind and have a lovely boat ride to the GF. Stroll into Narcoossee's and have a great relaxing lunch while looking at Seven Seas Lagoon sparkling in the sunshine. Boy, I wish lunch was still served there! Then we'd hop on the boat to get back to the Polynesian.

Well, I ordered a tea cup pillow the other day. I've always loved them even before we stayed at the GF but never had a place to put one in our home. But I'm afraid they might be discontinued with the rehab and so was considering ordering one anyway. I walked into my married son's old room and realized the pillow would work in there! So I ordered!

It is called the Alice in Wonderland pillow BTW. It took the nice CM a while to track it down as I just described it as having teacups all over it.