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

[skippyman111]

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.

Wow !!!! That's some good information. Thanks BCV!

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.

And that is a great attitude to have. I wish all the people that I've been behind in line would adopt that attitude. I understand that some people have special needs, but I'm just happy to be there and not at work !!!!

So the next question is about King Beds. It will just be the wife and I and we requested a king bed. Are these in all the buildings or does that narrow down which buildings we have a "chance" at getting?

 

[DisneyGurlie]

Thanks for that info! We've decided that it's a GOOD TO GO! Yee haw, we'll be staying at Poly for half the trip and GF Concierge for a little at the end.

My question is in the title of my post.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks for that info! We've decided that it's a GOOD TO GO! Yee haw, we'll be staying at Poly for half the trip and GF Concierge for a little at the end.

My question is in the title of my post.

The lounge food offerings are the same. The lounges are set up differently. SL is in an outer lodge building, RPC in on the 3rd thru 5th floors of the main building. The atomosphere is different in the two concierge levels. I have heard SL described as "bed and breakfast"....the lounge is on the main floor, as you walk in & set up with different cozy seating groupings...sofas, chairs& tables. The concierge CM desks are RIGHT there. I didn't care for it as much as the RPC lounge, which I think is much more bright and sunny, open and larger. (JUST MY OPINION! But it's what I think ) There are seating areas on the 3rd thru 5th floors in RPC. In the main building RPC lounge you can sit and listen to the live music from the lobby below which is a nice plus.

We prefer the main building to the SL. We have only stayed SL once, and after that always booked RPC for our GF stays. Just what we prefer....we had a nice SL stay, but always have AWESOME RPC stays. There's just something special about RPC in the main building. I know others may prefer SL for some reason.

ALSO, with RPC you can request a MK view and have a direct view of the fireworks over the castle. We have always been lucky enough to have that beautiful castle view. In SL we had a pretty courtyard view - the other side is a marina view. I know there is a price difference betwn SL and RPC, so that also plays into plans. They are both great choices....I much prefer either to the Poly.

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

Channing, per your request, pics of the Alice-themed room...and for everyone else, those pillows we're all after!

 

[Jen66]

Tinkaroo~Those pictures are too cute (and I see what all the fuss about the pillows is now ) I cannot wait to get there!! Only 43 days now!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lindsay! What adorable pics. Thanks so much for posting them. I love the dormer room, too. That is so neat how the Alice is so subtle in the comforter. I looked at the first couple pics and thought how pretty but......where is Alice?? Which building were you in? I think I am sorry I missed out on all the other beautiful GF room themes and now they will be a thing of the past.

Lives4Disney

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lindsay! What adorable pics. Thanks so much for posting them. I love the dormer room, too. That is so neat how the Alice is so subtle in the comforter. I looked at the first couple pics and thought how pretty but......where is Alice?? Which building were you in? I think I am sorry I missed out on all the other beautiful GF room themes and now they will be a thing of the past.

Lives4Disney

That was in Conch Key - we just loved that room (I think it was room #7518)!

I certainly hope with the refurbishment that they will continue with the differing themes! Makes it fun.

 

[TammiMcMan]

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

I believe it's between 11am and 11:15am, then it goes to the Poly and then the WL by 11:45am.

 

[Jen66]

Have any of you taken DME to the GF? We fly in at 9:55am and are debating about whether to cancel DME and hire a car. How much time does it take from the airport? Are there lots of stops before the Grand?
Thanks! (can you tell my trip is getting closer and I am starting to obsess just a little? )

 

[BCV23]

Jen, my DD and I have twice taken DME while my DH and DS2 picked up the rental car. One of these trips was to the the GF.

The GF was the last stop. But as I understand it the routes change depending on demand. That time we stopped at the CR, Polynesian and then GF I think. The stops don't take long at all.

If you mean using a towncar service, you might beat DME by a bit but I don't think much. With DME you don't need to wait for your luggage. At MCO that can save more than a little time. And it is very sweet to have the bags delivered straight to your room whether you're there or not...tip already included. When we took it to the GF, we checked in and went to dinner. By the time we went to our room, our bags were there.

If by hiring a car, you mean renting one...DME will probably tie or beat that time. Depends again on baggage and the rental company including whether you're a member of the frequent renters programs, etc..

Oh, if you will have carryon only, a towncar will be faster. Rental depends on the program.

Happy planning!

 

[Jen66]

BCV23~Thanks for the information! By 'hire" I meant get a towne car or the like. I could not think of the right word to use during my post (too early in the am!)
I think I will go with DME based on your experiences. It will be nice not having to worry about luggage at all. We will probably just check in and hit a park! That is what the kids will want to do for sure!
If we get to the resort around noon, can we register or do we have to just get our keys to the world cards and come back and check in later? (We are not doing concierge this trip--just a MK view). Thanks! This thread is so helpful!

 

[BCV23]

Oh, Jen66, your choice of words was just fine. I just didn't know if you were British in which case renting is usually called hiring. I hope I didn't offend you!

You can check in and get your cards when you arrive. If your room is not ready, you will be given a card with a number to call. You won't need to go to the front desk again.

They can hold your carryon items for you too if necessary.

Yes, having the luggage delivered is wonderful. Resort Airline Checkin is wonderful too if you're flying on one of the airlines that participates.

Just a MK view!!??? I wouldn't call that anything but just wonderful. You can buy quite a few chocolate covered strawberries and order room service tons of times with the savings over club level.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

I believe it's between 11am and 11:15am, then it goes to the Poly and then the WL by 11:45am.

Regarding the time that DCL picks up at the GF...has anyone not taken the DCL bus and hired a towncar etc to bring them to the port? What time did you arrive at port with DCL and/or what time with the towncar? Which do you prefer?

Thanks.

 

[Donald & Daisy Duck]

Just a MK view!!??? I wouldn't call that anything but just wonderful. You can buy quite a few chocolate covered strawberries and order room service tons of times with the savings over club level.

I am so glad you said this! We changed from RPC (two days) to MK view (four days) and was hoping we made the right choice...two days is never enough Disney for me. But now that you say chocolate covered strawberries and room service, I know we made the right decision!!!!

BTW, I called and ordered my pillows....they are on their way!

 

[Jen66]

BCV23~ Thank you again! You have definitely made me feel better about my choice in not going club level. I will just pamper us with chocolate- covered strawberries (which I can eat till they come out of my ears ) and extra souvenirs!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

I read in a book that the dormer window rooms were smaller than the standard rooms at GF, is this true? Also, do the dormer window rooms have balconies in the standard rooms? Are dormer window rooms available in standard rooms or only CL rooms? I'm trying to figure out what to request for our upcoming stay.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Regarding the time that DCL picks up at the GF...has anyone not taken the DCL bus and hired a towncar etc to bring them to the port? What time did you arrive at port with DCL and/or what time with the towncar? Which do you prefer?

You may get more responses if you post this question on the DCL forum. The earliest you're going to get there with the Disney bus is 1pm. Boarding starts beginning at 11:30, 12pm. Whether or not you want to be on the ship by noon time, or closer to 1:30 is up to you. If you have last minute spa appointments to make, or a change with Palo or shore excursions, getting there early helps. Arriving early gives you a chance to enjoy lunch and get in some pool time before it gets crowded. Some people prefer walking on and being able to go right to their stateroom (which isn't available until 1:30pm). It's really just personal choice.

I read in a book that the dormer window rooms were smaller than the standard rooms at GF, is this true? Also, do the dormer window rooms have balconies in the standard rooms? Are dormer window rooms available in standard rooms or only CL rooms?

Most of the dormer rooms are smaller. There are a few corner, dormer rooms that are the same size. They don't really appear smaller though, because of the cathederal ceilings. There are dormer rooms in all the buildings, including CL. They all do have balconies and they're private. They are smaller though and have solid wooden railings as opposed to the open wrought iron railings. They can be tough to see over for little kids or adults sitting down in the chairs. There seems to be no gray area with the dormer rooms, either people love them or hate them. This picture shows the two balcony styles pretty well. You can see the "A" frame in the top part of the picture, which is a dormer room balcony and the regular balcony below it.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I read in a book that the dormer window rooms were smaller than the standard rooms at GF, is this true? Also, do the dormer window rooms have balconies in the standard rooms? Are dormer window rooms available in standard rooms or only CL rooms? I'm trying to figure out what to request for our upcoming stay.

Tinkeroo just posted some great pics of her dormer room on the previous page of this thread. P 314. You can see the nice ceiling and also out her doors to the balcony. I stayed in a dormer room once and loved it. I thought it was cozy and so unhotellish (if there is even such a word )

Lives4Disney

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Most of the dormer rooms are smaller. There are a few corner, dormer rooms that are the same size. They don't really appear smaller though, because of the cathederal ceilings. There are dormer rooms in all the buildings, including CL. They all do have balconies and they're private. They are smaller though and have solid wooden railings as opposed to the open wrought iron railings. They can be tough to see over for little kids or adults sitting down in the chairs. There seems to be no gray area with the dormer rooms, either people love them or hate them. This picture shows the two balcony styles pretty well. You can see the "A" frame in the top part of the picture, which is a dormer room balcony and the regular balcony below it.

Tinkeroo just posted some great pics of her dormer room on the previous page of this thread. P 314. You can see the nice ceiling and also out her doors to the balcony. I stayed in a dormer room once and loved it. I thought it was cozy and so unhotellish (if there is even such a word )

Lives4Disney

Thank you both!!! DH said that I can request which ever I want, I really need to decide so I can put the request in on my ressie. I realize I have a few months, but I like to have everything firmed up and ready to go. Now I just have to decide. I think I would love the dormer room, I had a ground floor last year at WL and I trully was disappointed in our room. I hoping for a better room this time.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thank you both!!! DH said that I can request which ever I want, I really need to decide so I can put the request in on my ressie. I realize I have a few months, but I like to have everything firmed up and ready to go. Now I just have to decide. I think I would love the dormer room, I had a ground floor last year at WL and I trully was disappointed in our room. I hoping for a better room this time.

We loved our dormer room in August '05 - it was just my mom and I on a girl's b-day trip. The rooms were still very large, and as we weren't going to spend a lot of time on the balcony (who does in August?! ), it was perfect. Even at other times of the year, I don't think I would mind the balcony - it's very private.

We just loved the cathedral ceilings - kind of like sleeping in a cozy attic room.

The one thing you might consider - I think the majority of the dormer rooms don't have the daybed (and I know ours didn't). Don't know if that matters to you...