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

[Jen66]

Thanks for all the great transportation advice! I definitely want to try the back way to Epcot~Thanks for the head's up Tammi! I also will take the monorail to MK and boat back to GF! I feel like a little kid planning this trip! It is exactly what I need after a super stressful spring at work. Now, if I could just figure out how to get my tentative itinerary to work. The day I added at the beginning of our trip has messed it all up Don't get me wrong~it is an absolutely wonderful problem to have!!
Thanks again!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, I am back. It feels good to be home (kind of) but I miss just strolling up to a restaurant for dinner vs my kitchen & having to decide WHAT to cook. Missed my two kids and my Newfie, though, so it's nice to be home. It was a wonderful wonderful week though.

Well, I didn't find out too much rehab stuff for you all. *Sorry* They have already apparently started, though. Not even sure where. I didn't succeed in my mission - I did get that pillow availablity info, though!!! I just didn't want to pester my CM friend too much about it and didn't feel comfortable digging for info that she might not really be allowed to give freely. I seems it will still be a Victorian theme, but probably not the same Alice, Sleeping Beauty etc. Upgraded electronic stuff.

Now....as for that Swan ......they overcharged us by over $500+ on our room rate at check out. The DU ressie was for AP rate.....Swan decided to charge us RACK. Tried with the front desk at 6 am when we had to leave to catch our flight home. For 1/2 hr, they tried to figure out what went wrong. No luck. Called a manager when we got home.....they have no clue. Have to call accounting Tues morning. I do not ever remember a time Disney made a goof on our bill. Swan Dolphin have ALWAYS done this to us - including charging us for two rooms once when we only had one. DH will NEVER stay there again due to so many weird problems we had throughout the week. I won't go into all, but problems daily and not just housekeeping. There is no way DH can turn in an expense report for a $300/nt room while everybody else will turn in $200 or less (like we were supposed to be charged and luckily I have printed proof and had it for them to see, but they just couldn't figure it out )

Happy planning!! It is time for me to make the Novemeber dining ressies, already. I don't feel like it, though. I will def try Narcoosees, when I book.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Channing I am glad you are home and safe
Thats to bad about them over charging you and I hope you get it all sorted out. My Dh company said we could stay there for something at xmas please drop me a PM if its worth it.

ETA
thanks for emailing me Triplefigs

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing I am glad you are home and safe
Thats to bad about them over charging you and I hope you get it all sorted out. My Dh company said we could stay there for something at xmas please drop me a PM if its worth it.

ETA
thanks for emailing me Triplefigs

Kelly, the location is really great. The BW area is fun and the boats/walking work out perfectly. It was a really fun time. We have just had our difficulties with the Swan/Dolphin every trip. Yes, I would stay there again if the rate was much better than YC/BC, but with AP discounts the WDW resorts are awfully close to the S/D rate. The beds were nice and the shower heads were high - which is nice for me as I am about 6 ft tall. It has it's pluses for sure, but I am not kidding - EVERY stay so far we have been over charged for our room. I don't get that. Maybe other people just don't really check. It is a FUN place to be and it is def worth a stay to see what your own experience is like. It is not awful at all, just not Disney. To read all the cheerleader posts on that S/D thread, you'd think it would kick WDW resorts' *****, but no way.

Channing

 

[jockey]

We usually stay at the GF the first two weeks in December however this year we will be visiting 8 - 22 November. Will the Gingerbread House be up? Also what are the crowd levels like the week before thanksgiving?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i was at the gflast nov the weekend of the 11th and the house was up but wasnt open to sell until that monday
also the tree wasnt up yet and they were still adding stuff

 

[Lewanc]

We usually stay at the GF the first two weeks in December however this year we will be visiting 8 - 22 November. Will the Gingerbread House be up? Also what are the crowd levels like the week before thanksgiving?

Hi There -- It has always been my suggestion to family and friends to visit near the Thanksgiving season, as I have found the crowds to be better, and the weather more favorable for hiking through the park. Of course, this could change due to others changing their plans for this time of year. We are local Disney, and our course of action, regardless of time of year, is to get to the park when they open, and according to the crowds when we arrive, get a fast pass to all the major attractions we wish to ride and then catch up on the others later in day after we have gone back to the hotel for a rest.

As you are coming during the holiday season, have you ever attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party? It is being held November 12 - December 21 on selected days, tickets are on sale now. There is an extra charge for this event (Age 10+ - $40.95/Age 3-9 - $33.95), but I think it is well worth the cost. If you would like to get more information call (407) 934-7639.

I don't know if the gingerbread house will be out when you're here, but I'm sure someone on this forum has that information and will contact you.

Have a great vacation.

 

[jockey]

Thanks guys for the replies. We did attend MVMCP last year, still have not decided whether to go back again this year. Last year it rained and they did not have the fake snow, suppose that's an excuse to go back!

I do hope they have the Ginger bread house up when we are there!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks guys for the replies. We did attend MVMCP last year, still have not decided whether to go back again this year. Last year it rained and they did not have the fake snow, suppose that's an excuse to go back!

I do hope they have the Ginger bread house up when we are there!

We went to the Xmas parties a couple times during recent years and it was just soooooo crowded for us. We didn't even bother with it last year while we were there. The parade was great, but the shows were packed and it was hard for my kids to see anything and stay up that late for that matter. We tried to push it to the end of the party every time, hoping for thinning crowds and it just doesn't happen.

We will be at the Grand FL Nov 16 thru 25th this year I know with Thanksgiving being kind of early and the Xmas parties starting so early, they try and get that gingerbread house completed asap. The GF is beautiful all decorated for the holidays. Love that place!

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

anyone hear anything else about this new check in with them doing it out front instead of at the desk?

 

[Lives4Disney]

anyone hear anything else about this new check in with them doing it out front instead of at the desk?

Kelly, they greet you at the curb -They take you either to your room if it's ready or drop you in the lounge to wait. They use the old fashioned CC slider machines to take a CC imprint. They don't give guests a "tour" and show them around. No drinks at 3rd floor concierge check in anymore. The drinks are gone for good until something maybe changes. Seems like they don't want the 3rd floor concierge CMs involved in much anymore. I like the 3rd floor concierge check in. We know them and they know us and they are great and knowledgeable and helpful. We'll have to wait and see how this whole new thing plays out good or bad. These new curbside check in CMs are new and inexperienced with WDW and the GF. Lots of errors and misinformation but lucky we Disers know most there is to know, lol.

Maybe Princessesrule can give us info based on her own experience after her stay.

Management has turned over from the great team they had for the past few yrs and while I was there, I saw something I thought was very very rude & disrespectful and didn't like seeing it at all. It was a small thing, but obvious and so rude & unprofessional to do in front of guests (me and DD)

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

Our cubside greeter was very professional and friendly...actually both were since we were handed off to a second one as we waited for my family. She did not check us in though since the room wasn't ready. It was a vast improvement over our other arrivals for club level at GF.

We were in SL but I would guess the 3rd floor staff would still do checkin if the room isn't ready at RPC, too.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

right but if your rooms not ready how do you get your park tickets and stuff
I am staying Suga loaf so I hope it will be ok

 

[Alicnwondrln]

GF resorts is on the Travel channel at 12pm today
with sam brown

 

[BCV23]

right but if your rooms not ready how do you get your park tickets and stuff
I am staying Suga loaf so I hope it will be ok

From the CM who checked us in at the SL desk in our case.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Our cubside greeter was very professional and friendly...actually both were since we were handed off to a second one as we waited for my family. She did not check us in though since the room wasn't ready. It was a vast improvement over our other arrivals for club level at GF.

We were in SL but I would guess the 3rd floor staff would still do checkin if the room isn't ready at RPC, too.

Nope. No check ins for 3rd floor staff. That is a big change for them. Kind of weird how the tray of lemonade and tea and all has been permanantly removed, too.

Lives4Disney

 

[Lives4Disney]

right but if your rooms not ready how do you get your park tickets and stuff
I am staying Suga loaf so I hope it will be ok

Kelly, don't worry....It will be fine. It seems that only the 3rd floor staff in RPC are getting cut out of the process. You know enough about WDW and the GF that if you are given misinformation by a new CM you will know it. I am not sure how SL has changed their procedure. SL sounds the same as before from what BCV is saying.

With the management changing over there are bound to be some differences. I just really really liked the previous managers. They were awesome and so personable and guest oriented.

Lives4Disney

 

[Alicnwondrln]

yeah what are they doing with all that extra staff now
are these people working in the lounge areas instead or doing other things to make club level visits more special or providing better service?

I did meet one GF concierge manager named Deanna and she was very nice
someone I know at teh WL club said there old manager went to the GF that was back in Feb I wonder if he is still there

 

[BCV23]

SL was different for us. In the past there were not the greeters at the curb. If our room had been ready, I wonder if checkin would have been at the desk or room. Kelly, we'll look forward to your report.

Isn't the 3rd floor RPC staff still there to help with reservations, etc..

Isn't it funny how much time we spend discussing these little changes.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

SL was different for us. In the past there were not the greeters at the curb. If our room had been ready, I wonder if checkin would have been at the desk or room. Kelly, we'll look forward to your report.

Isn't the 3rd floor RPC staff still there to help with reservations, etc..

Isn't it funny how much time we spend discussing these little changes.

Yeah I am interested to see how it goes. I know last Nov someone met me at the valet and walked us over to the sl building and then introduced us to the kid at the desk and he checked us in.

I think its interesting that they are making this change, I wonder what lead them to make this decision?