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

[Lives4Disney]

I thought private dining was the same as room service, too. I thought it was just a fancy name, haha. I have stayed at many resorts where you can order room service any place on their property from pool side to anywhere you can think of to specify. I thought that's why the name "private dining" because it's not necessarily in your room. Here is the phone number for private dining at the GF.....407-824-2474. I'd give them a call to check the status on your plans. Something doesn't sound right.

Here are some treats we've ordered/received from them in the past.....I fon''t think they do the characters in other than white chocolate. I'd prefer milk chocolate, but never seen it and wasn't offered it. They do more than just Mickey....I know Donald, Goofy, Tink....probably more, too.

Here's our latest cake...

Here's a truffle/strawberry tuxedo plate I ordered....Unfortunately we already devoured half before I thought to take a picture!

Here's a Grand Floridian chocolate box filled with truffles....

Here's last July's bday cake....

A white chocolate Mickey with cookies and treats......

My favorite....strawberries and warm chocolate dipping sauce...YUMMMM!!

The white chocolate characters are $25....the strawberry tuxedos are $5/each....the truffles are....not sure - I think I paid $50/dozen. That platter was $147 including the 18% room service tip. So, that does make me think room service/private dining are one and the same. The plate was delivered by a roomservice CM and that tip was already there. The cake was delivered and set up by room service/private dining while we were at a park as a surprise for DH and DD. You can also get pastries on the white choc character plate. I opted not because they have a custard filling and needed refridgeration and I wasn't sure when they'd be delivered/if we'd be in the room.

Happy planning,

Love that place!!

Lives4Disney

 

[krbq]

I think Private Dinning is just a different term for Room Service.

Sarah

Summer-Caitlin is referring to a private dining experience that is different from the private dining/room service at WDW resorts. This discussion was going on several pages back before someone realized that Summer wanted a romantic private dinner arranged for her honeymoon, and NOT room service. Just wanted to avoid the same confusion . . .

 

[dingoballs]

Who do you contact to arrange for such a private dinner experience in your room? I'm assuming it's not the number for "Private Dining"?

 

[milkshake]

Thank you all for the transportation tips. Sounds like the GF is not one of the first stops either way. I have check out some sites and think I may try Tiffany, especially if you all have positive experiences with them. Since we need to be picked up early to be at the airport (3 hours before departure), some companies charge an additional fee if you need to be picked up before 6am. I emailed Tiffany and they said "no extra charge" . That's great to hear and thanks for the coupon tip. You folks are the best!

 

[karebear1]

I must've missed something.........Does the ME that picks people up at the airport for the GF stop at the other reosrts as well??

 

[milkshake]

HI Karebear1, I am assuming since some post state that you do stop at various resort on the way to the airport. I'm not sure about from the airport. Maybe we'll get some response on that part .

 

[arbonnette]

I must've missed something.........Does the ME that picks people up at the airport for the GF stop at the other reosrts as well??

The GF shares the ME bus with the CR, the Poly, and WL. At least, this was the case when I was staying at the CR last December!

 

[princessesrule4]

Love your cake/treats pictures!
How was your Tink cake? Was your Cindy cake from last year the one that tasted bad? Well at least it was gorgeous!!

I'm glad to see that they do a white chocolate Tink! I think that's what I'll get DD for her birthday!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Love your cake/treats pictures!
How was your Tink cake? Was your Cindy cake from last year the one that tasted bad? Well at least it was gorgeous!!

I'm glad to see that they do a white chocolate Tink! I think that's what I'll get DD for her birthday!

Both of these cakes were wonderful. The BAD cake - and I mean really really bad - was an adorable Minnie Mouse head cake. It was for DD7 and she is a picky picky fussy eater, so it was supposed to be CHOCOLATE cake. It was really funky. They messed up bigtime on it. VERY cute, but really inedible...and I am not a picky eater when it comes to cake. Everybody in our family was turned off by it. It wasn't quite German Chocolate (love that) but it was not chocolate, lighter and the worst was it was watery - like melted ice inside. Gross. I took a chance on this Tink one and it was good YAY. Not sure what the heck happened with Minnie but it was a real disappointment. They offered me my money back when they noticed I was leaving it on the table and none of us ate our slice, and in hindsight I should have taken them up on it, but the service we had during that 1900 PF dinner was the worst we have ever had at any restaurant ever and we just wanted to leave that place. I mean, it's a buffet, so not a lot of service needed, but DD7 was falling asleep waiting for the cake...they brought out the WRONG cake.....couldn't find our cake.....the correct cake....then the knife.....then plates (she said she'd bring some, but we just waited and they never came so DH went and got some from the buffet, haha....the dumb candle....it got ridiculous.....then the box. Also, they usually give you a cute placemat and tiara there....had to beg for that several times and it REALLY mattered to DD, so that was kind of pitiful. I really don't like that place at all anymore....just sucked it up and went once more for the DDs, but I think we've had our fill.

Here's the infamous Minnie cake.....

Here's DD so relieved they FINALLY (and I mean finally) brought her cake....

 

[clownfish1452]

Thank You for all the wonderful pictures I cant wait to order something Im really not sure I know what I want to order yet. I will have to talk to them to see they have.

Sarah

 

[krbq]

The GF shares the ME bus with the CR, the Poly, and WL. At least, this was the case when I was staying at the CR last December!

We used ME once just to try it out since it was free and we were on a short (4-night) trip. Usually we rent a car at MCO, and that's the way DH likes it. I thought ME was ok, although we had to wait about 30 minutes at the airport for our bus, then it stopped at Poly, GF, then CR (our stop), so it took longer to get to our resort after landing than it would have taken had we rented a car. DH wouldn't use ME again, but I didn't mind so much. I would have really liked the luggage pick-up and check-in aspect, but our airline didn't participate.

 

[karebear1]

The GF shares the ME bus with the CR, the Poly, and WL. At least, this was the case when I was staying at the CR last December!

Thank you!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

It is a shame that it didn't taste good, but it really was a cute cake!

 

[BCV23]

I must've missed something.........Does the ME that picks people up at the airport for the GF stop at the other reosrts as well??

We've never taken ME to the airport. Always used our rental car.

But from MCO our first trip we made two or three stops before we made it to the Polynesian...that was the last stop on the route for that bus.

Second time we again made several stops. CR, Polynesian and then GF. We stopped at POR first on one of the two trips.

But as I said before my DD uses a powerchair so we were first on (but not first from the queue for the respective resort) and last off. Really makes you feel second rate although I can understand it from the perspective of getting most people to each resort in as timely manner as possible.

But you don't have to take the ME bus to the airport to use Resort Airline Check in. Anyone traveling domestically on a participating airline can use it whether getting to the airport by ME, rental, limo, etc.. It is wonderful. It is not contingent on using ME.

I'm actually a bit leery of Tiffany. One trip I arrived with DS2 and picked up the rental. My husband arrived from a different city late at night and we had booked Tiffany. No one met him. He called and eventually was picked up after waiting perhaps a half hour. Ir was a number of years ago and I suppose it could have been just one irresponsible driver but as it is our only experience we won't be calling them again.

milkshake, I know a taxi isn't as much fun as a limo but at that hour of the morning at least you know they'll get you there.

 

[princessesrule4]

Both of these cakes were wonderful. The BAD cake - and I mean really really bad - was an adorable Minnie Mouse head cake. It was for DD7 and she is a picky picky fussy eater, so it was supposed to be CHOCOLATE cake. It was really funky. They messed up bigtime on it. VERY cute, but really inedible...and I am not a picky eater when it comes to cake. Everybody in our family was turned off by it. It wasn't quite German Chocolate (love that) but it was not chocolate, lighter and the worst was it was watery - like melted ice inside. Gross. I took a chance on this Tink one and it was good YAY. Not sure what the heck happened with Minnie but it was a real disappointment. They offered me my money back when they noticed I was leaving it on the table and none of us ate our slice, and in hindsight I should have taken them up on it, but the service we had during that 1900 PF dinner was the worst we have ever had at any restaurant ever and we just wanted to leave that place. I mean, it's a buffet, so not a lot of service needed, but DD7 was falling asleep waiting for the cake...they brought out the WRONG cake.....couldn't find our cake.....the correct cake....then the knife.....then plates (she said she'd bring some, but we just waited and they never came so DH went and got some from the buffet, haha....the dumb candle....it got ridiculous.....then the box. Also, they usually give you a cute placemat and tiara there....had to beg for that several times and it REALLY mattered to DD, so that was kind of pitiful. I really don't like that place at all anymore....just sucked it up and went once more for the DDs, but I think we've had our fill.

Here's the infamous Minnie cake.....

Here's DD so relieved they FINALLY (and I mean finally) brought her cake....

I remember you posting that picture!
It is the cutest cake - can't believe it was so gross (and that they brought the wrong cake!) Your poor DD looks so cute and happy and then she can't even have a piece of her own darn cake!

I don't know if they crank out so many cakes and the quality kind of falls thru the cracks or what, but my DD's cake for her 8th birthday was absolutely gorgeous, but the cake part was very dry and almost flavorless like it needed more sugar or something! Thank goodness the icing was good! I think we'll stick to the white chocolate character platters!

 

[milkshake]

I will definetly be booking a car now... We are only there for 3 short nights and don't want to spend the first time riding around WDW
I have a question about the resort airline check in. Do you think they have a computer at the resort that we can use to do our own online check in and print our boarding pass? We are flying International but I've called and the airline confirmed that we can check in online 24 hours before. I've done this before at even motels using there computers. Thanks.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I will definetly be booking a car now... We are only there for 3 short nights and don't want to spend the first time riding around WDW
I have a question about the resort airline check in. Do you think they have a computer at the resort that we can use to do our own online check in and print our boarding pass? We are flying International but I've called and the airline confirmed that we can check in online 24 hours before. I've done this before at even motels using there computers. Thanks.

Yes, lobby concierge can do this for you (they won't actually let you physically use their computers, but if you give them your info., they will complete the process for you).

I believe the GF has a business center if you just really wanted to do this yourself, although I know it would cost something - just not sure how much.

 

[diselderm]

Thanks for posting the cake pictures Lives4disney. The Minnie cake is so cute. What a disappointment for you all! We were planning on having my dd's 6th birthday dinner at 1900 PF and I was considering ordering a cake, now not so sure that is a good idea!

 

[garada3]

Thanks for the great pics and info on in room treats Lives4Disey!

It sounds as if you can 'customize' a treat order? I am thinking just a plate of tuxedo strawberries, no white chocolate character?

I am hungry after looking at all those photos - not sure if Special K is going to cut it this morning

 

[Ihave3daughters]

Hey everyone- I haven't seen this question posted anywhere, though it might be somehwere on the board. But here goes.

Can I send my wife to GF for a spa treatment if we are staying at the Contemporary? Or do you have to be a guest at the GF to use their spa?

Thanks-

-Eric