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

[Lives4Disney]

Does anyone remember what RPC serves on the childs table for appetizers at 5:00pm? We have a little one traveling with us and I like to let the child's parents know what is available. Thanks!

I know! DD7 is a mega picky eater, so this is what I remember. They have the brownies and yellow cupcakes out (she won't eat yellow only chocolate), they have the large cookies out (choc chip, pb, oatmeal raisin), they always have uncrustable pb&J's...(she won't eat J).....OFTEN they have chicken nuggets, sometimes they have little triangle sandwiches filled with misc stuff (tuna or chicken salad, I think - DD won't touch them)....Hmmm....they actually don't go all out on the kids. The apples and bananas are out all day (she will eat a banana) Usually on the adult side they have taco chips & some kind of dippy thing or something similar that kids will eat. When they serve potstickers or something similar DD7 enjoys those. Hopefully there will be a good selection on the adult side for the little one to choose from. I have asked the nice lounge ladies for peanut butter and sometimes they have it in the back and can get us some.

The food offerings were getting kind of old for us, so that is actually one reason I won't mind the GV room in Nov. DD won't eat most of anything and we that do need a change.

I will sure miss other things about RPC, though. Never stayed anything but concierge at the GF.

HAVE a WONDERFUL time.

Channing

 

[Tinkaroo]

BCV, thanks for measuring the pillows. I thought they were a really nice large size - I was close with my 24 inches . I would love one of each, just don't know where to use them...I am thinking, though! What decor room at the GF was the golden A Dream is a Wish pillow in? (oops, I have been referring to it as when you wish upon a star..... )Those are adorable & I have never seen them before I specifically looked in SC.

Lives4Disney

Channing - we had the "A Dream is a Wish" pillows in our GF room in August '05. It was an Alice-themed room. I think I even have a close-up of the pillows at home that I can post.

I just love those pillows, and think I may need to bite the bullet and buy one before they possibly get discontinued. There is going to be a run on GF pillows from all us DIS'ers!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing - we had the "A Dream is a Wish" pillows in our GF room in August '05. It was an Alice-themed room. I think I even have a close-up of the pillows at home that I can post.

I just love those pillows, and think I may need to bite the bullet and buy one before they possibly get discontinued. There is going to be a run on GF pillows from all us DIS'ers!

That's just what I was thinking, lol!!

Thanks for the info. I never had an Alice room. I'd love to see some Alice room pics.

Lives4Disney

 

[skippyman111]

Hi All -

This October will be our first time at the GF and we are super excited! Since I am a newbie, I have newbie questions. I almost when I saw how many pages there are in this thread, so I didn't go through all of them for answers.

Basically, I'm looking for information on what buildings have the "garden view" rooms and is there a building that I should specifically request? It will be 4 adults in 2 rooms with no kids.

Any help is appreciated

 

[heatherlynn444]

Channing - we had the "A Dream is a Wish" pillows in our GF room in August '05. It was an Alice-themed room. I think I even have a close-up of the pillows at home that I can post.

I just love those pillows, and think I may need to bite the bullet and buy one before they possibly get discontinued. There is going to be a run on GF pillows from all us DIS'ers!

I wonder if there is any similar fabric at a fabric store and you could have one made? 80 dollars just makes me want to pass out for a throw pillow, but they are so cute!

 

[magical4us4]

Lives4disney thanks so much for the info. on the offerings. I forgot what they had because my kids have always eaten from the grown up table.

P.s. I know you will enjoy your upcoming trip.....remember, you can always buy the bottles of wine from Gaspy's!!!

 

[BCV23]

My pillow came today!!!

It says it's 22."

And guess what, Alice is all over it. So much for my powers of obeservation as all I paid attention to lately was the teacups.

Skippyman111, welcome aboard the GF thread. There are gardenview rooms in all the lodges that aren't club level. Sago Cay is close to the bus stop and the counter service restaurant Gasparilla's. Conch Key is close to the marina, dock for the launch to MK and Narcoossee's. Boca Chica is near the courtyard pool, Narcoossee's and the launch for MK. Big Pine Key is the closest to the lobby, all of the other restaurants, the beach and the activity pool. THe courtyard pool is right by it too.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[SLDL]

My pillow came today!!!

It says it's 22."

And guess what, Alice is all over it. So much for my powers of obeservation as all I paid attention to lately was the teacups.

Skippyman111, welcome aboard the GF thread. There are gardenview rooms in all the lodges that aren't club level. Sago Cay is close to the bus stop and the counter service restaurant Gasparilla's. Conch Key is close to the marina, dock for the launch to MK and Narcoossee's. Boca Chica is near the courtyard pool, Narcoossee's and the launch for MK. Big Pine Key is the closest to the lobby, all of the other restaurants, the beach and the activity pool. THe courtyard pool is right by it too.

Hope that helps a little.

So, are you saying that if I had to get a Garden view room, that I could request to be in the main building? I just assumed those rooms were all more expensive. I didn't make any special request b/c I am traveling for FREE, trip is being paid by our company. We work for a family owned business & when I asked my MIL if we could stay at GF, I explained that I liked it b/c it was so convenient to MK. She knows that DW is in Florida & that is the extent of her DW knowledge (she's just not that into it) and she said "Yes, I really think that y'all should stay on site". I neglected to tell her that I could have found something a wee bit cheaper, I just wanted to stay at GF. When she okay'd our stay at GF, I nearly wet my pants So, needless to say, I "settled" for the Garden view room & didn't request any certain bldgs b/c I didn't realize I had an option. I would really like to stay close to the lobby, if possible. If you had Garden view, what bldg. would you request?

 

[mr.mike]

Litlpixie.....Don't worry...the rental cabana chairs are nice teak with padded cushions. I am still not sure how many there are now. Maybe more than the one.

I rented the cabana for a day in august and was told there is only one.

 

[mr.mike]

So, are you saying that if I had to get a Garden view room, that I could request to be in the main building? I just assumed those rooms were all more expensive.

Im sure someone will be able to recommend a building but garden view wouldn't be in the main building, although they do have garden views. All those rooms are concierge rooms( Royal Palm Club).

 

[Lives4Disney]

So, are you saying that if I had to get a Garden view room, that I could request to be in the main building? I just assumed those rooms were all more expensive. I didn't make any special request b/c I am traveling for FREE, trip is being paid by our company. We work for a family owned business & when I asked my MIL if we could stay at GF, I explained that I liked it b/c it was so convenient to MK. She knows that DW is in Florida & that is the extent of her DW knowledge (she's just not that into it) and she said "Yes, I really think that y'all should stay on site". I neglected to tell her that I could have found something a wee bit cheaper, I just wanted to stay at GF. When she okay'd our stay at GF, I nearly wet my pants So, needless to say, I "settled" for the Garden view room & didn't request any certain bldgs b/c I didn't realize I had an option. I would really like to stay close to the lobby, if possible. If you had Garden view, what bldg. would you request?

The main building rooms are more expensive because they are all concierge. The club level lodge is Sugar Loaf.

The other outer lodges - that are not club level are Sago, Boca Chica, Big Pine and Conch. I have only stayed concierge level so far in both main building and Sugar Loaf, but have a GV ressie for Nov. I requested Sago because it's very near Gaspies Grill and the main building lobby and the bus stop and the marina for fireworks viewing. Other people like Big Pine for the proximity to the lobby - it's on the other side of the main building and closer to the theme pool. I think maybe this building has the only possiblity of a crummy GV, though. A couple rooms look out over the pool building rooftop.

Boca Chica faces the pretty courtyard & pool and the main building (I would love this view, but due to traveling with my kids the convenience of Gaspies would be a benefit for us in Sago), Conch has pretty views and is near the boat dock.....location is good for Big Pine by the waterfall pool & lobby, and Sago also has a great location. All are very close - within minutes walking distance.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

So, are you saying that if I had to get a Garden view room, that I could request to be in the main building? I just assumed those rooms were all more expensive. I didn't make any special request b/c I am traveling for FREE, trip is being paid by our company. We work for a family owned business & when I asked my MIL if we could stay at GF, I explained that I liked it b/c it was so convenient to MK. She knows that DW is in Florida & that is the extent of her DW knowledge (she's just not that into it) and she said "Yes, I really think that y'all should stay on site". I neglected to tell her that I could have found something a wee bit cheaper, I just wanted to stay at GF. When she okay'd our stay at GF, I nearly wet my pants So, needless to say, I "settled" for the Garden view room & didn't request any certain bldgs b/c I didn't realize I had an option. I would really like to stay close to the lobby, if possible. If you had Garden view, what bldg. would you request?

No, I said that there are gardenview rooms in all lodges except club level. The main building is all club level and I don't think it's ever referred to as a lodge. Sorry if something I said confused you.

Now there are rooms in Rpyal Palm Club (main building) and Sugar Loaf that look at the gardens....they're just not gardenview category.

We've never requested a building..we need an accessible room when our DD is with us and there often isn't much choice. But I think all have their advantages. Big Pine Key is close to the restaurants we frequent...we rarely go to Gasparilla's. It would also be nice to be so close to the pools and beach.

Many of the gardenview rooms in Conch Key and Sago Cay have views of the marina. I love that view which we've enjoyed from Sugar Loaf but I love gazing at water.

I probably would not request a building at all frankly. I'd rather start a vacation excited about the adventure than disappointed if we don't get the requested building.

So what's your defense when your MIL finds out that there were so many other options?

 

[SLDL]

So what's your defense when your MIL finds out that there were so many other options?

I really don't think she'll ever find out! If she ever decided to go w/ us to DW, she & FIL would probably want to do a cruise or she would probably want me to plan it all & then, oh darn, we'd be forced to go back to the Grand Floridian I honestly didn't think they would go for such an expensive trip, but what is it they say 'shoot for the moon & if you miss you'll be among the stars!' Well, I shot for the moon (GF!) and made it!!

Thanks for everyone's advice about the room request. My #1 request is always non-smoking, no matter what resort I am in. So, now that Disney has taken care of that for me, I may just not request anything per your suggestion & see where we end up. It doesn't sound like we'll have a bad room anywhere. I am so glad I found this thread b/c y'all are just a wealth of GF knowledge. I have previously only stayed at the value resorts incl. Pop & also POR once, so any stay at the GF is really a dream come true! We ate at Chef Mickey's in March & toured nearby resorts & when I walked through the GF lobby, I fell in love! On top of all that, I get to see it at Christmastime!!

 

[DisneyGurlie]

Q about fridges. Are they all in the rooms or do you have to request them?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

you can request them
right now only the minibars are in the room

 

[matsterrocks]

Do any of you know what time the DCL busses pick people up at the GF?

 

[LoveThatDarnMouse]

Where can I see a good map of the resort?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Where can I see a good map of the resort?

www.allearsnet.com
under accomadations click GF fact sheet
its there

 

[DisneyGurlie]

Why is the conceirge so expensive? Can anyone tell me what you get at the concierge?

Thanks

 

[Lives4Disney]

Why is the conceirge so expensive? Can anyone tell me what you get at the concierge?

Thanks

OK....I LOVE concierge at the GF - it is the most FABULOUS concierge of any of the WDW deluxe hotels - none can compare......here goes....

First off, while you're in the planning stages they have an Itinerary Planning Office that you can phone or email. These people will assist you in arranging ADRs and other special plans. I make almost all my own ADRs (I like the control of changing times, plans, etc) They have helped me book things like cabanas, Grand 1, holiday meals, tours, kids activities.....those things that may be a bit more difficult to come by.

Concierge is a higher level of service and a bit of extra pampering.

You start out your stay by being greeted at the curb, taken either to your room or lounge for personalized check in. (no waiting at the front desk in any lines) They used to check you in on the 3rd floor by great CMs that would help with ticket purchases and any other last minute bookings you wanted, fill you in on park info etc. Not sure how these curbsiders do all this now. They will have a printed itinerary for you of all your ADRs and misc. reservations included in a welcome packet full of info. Once you are shwon to your room, they will call for your luggage to be delivered for you. Any purchases you make at parks will be delivered directly to your room. I am probably missing a few perks.

The GF level of service is amazing. The concierge CMs and lounge CMs are so gracious and helpful with everything and I have never once had any housekeeping issues during any GF stay. The 3rd floor concierge CMs are at their desks & available from 7 am (some early hr ) to 10 pm for any need you may have.

There is a lounge open all day, which serves a nice continental bfast, late morning snacks, afternoon tea & cakes and cookies & scones, various appetizers, and then evening desserts and cordials.....beer, wine, champagne, soda, milk, juice, coffee, bottled water etc is all available also during diff time of the day.

Once you try concierge, you won't want to vacation any other way. It's wonderful - especially at the Grand. We've had nothing less than wonderful stays there. They really take care of you at the GF in RPC.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney